Splitting with cleaning of water-miscible cooling lubricants

Bioway has been working with water-miscible cooling lubricants for some time, starting with electrolytic direct disinfection in the flow through a cell, through to the splitting of cooling lubricants with separation of the oil phase and purification of the water. Splitting with phase separation is the most important first step, which already reduces the COD level by 90%.
Looking back 10 to 15 years, the composition of water-miscible cooling lubricants has changed considerably, as formulations have been optimised for special applications in metalworking processes, chip removal / grinding processes and the type of metals or alloys.
Since a pH value of over 9 was selected, the growth of microorganisms is no longer an issue. In the past, used coolants could be electrolytically decomposed without changing the pH in alkaline environments. Unfortunately, this no longer works today.
There are a number of technologies that are used today to split water-miscible cutting fluids, although the water phase with water-soluble substances often remains a problem. Standardisation of the splitting process is therefore sensible and necessary, as the water phase (main part) should be reusable after treatment, but at least purified in such a way that it can be discharged a.) into the sewage system or b.) into a biological sewage treatment plant.
However, this discharge requires compliance with certain limit values, as the degree of contamination when discharged into the sewage treatment plant is subject to a significant surcharge. However, reuse actually requires drinking water quality.
The new method presented here is able to achieve a COD of less than 500 mg/l using an AOP (advanced oxidation process) method. Only the salt load / conductivity must be reduced in some cases if reuse is to take place. However, this is easily possible as the water phase is clear, colourless, particle-free, with a reduced COD value and is simply rinsed via an ion exchanger.
The process is a standard that can treat up to 90% of all cooling lubricants available on the market. It is also worth noting that water-miscible cooling lubricants can have a starting COD of 70,000 to 160,000 mg/l. A COD reduction to less than 500 mg/l is 'outstanding'!
However, no one would seriously consider this technology unless the handling is relatively simple, the operating costs are low and the investment in a system is acceptably low. For example, the price for cleaning one (1) cubic metre of coolant is less than €10. The splitting of the emulsion is energy-free and no demulsifier is used, as all added substances have to be removed from the water again.

Bioway Consulting Ltd
C. / Tirant Lo Blanc 4 , room 19
ES-03750 Pedrgeuer / Alicante - Spain
Phone: 0034 965030786
Mail: contact@biowayconsulting.com
www.biowayconsulting.com

Bioway Consulting Ltd is an engineering company in the consulting business, active in research and development of new technologies in the field of wastewater treatment based on electrolysis technologies.
It was founded in 1989 in Germany as a sole proprietorship and later continued in Switzerland as Bioway GmbH. The main activity at that time was initially as a distributor for renowned companies from abroad (e.g. Charm Sciences / USA and Malthus Instruments Ltd / UK etc.). This was followed by own developments with production such as the IGDS (Intelligent Gravimetric Dilution System) and devices for water disinfection.
The focus on water disinfection / water and waste water purification was intensified. In addition, a system for the inactivation of airborne germs (viruses/bacteria) was developed and manufactured (Corona Wave).
Today Bioway is active in the consulting business and co-operates with other European companies in the field of waste water purification and develops processes by testing customer waste water samples in its own laboratory.

This release was published on openPR.