Automotive Plant Reduces Cleaner Usage

Abstract

Eagle Wings Industries, Inc. (EWI) is an automotive parts original equipment manufacturer located in Rantoul, IL. EWI has a 9-stage metal cleaning process that includes a 950-gallon alkaline spray degreasing tank and a 6,340 gallon alkaline dip degreasing tank. Both tanks operate between 140 degrees and 160 degrees F and a pH between 10.9 and 12.6. EWI discharged more than 26,000 gallons of alkaline waste to its water treatment plant each year, in addition to the loss of 8,000 gallons of concentrated cleaning chemicals. The annual cost of disposal exceeded $33,000. EWI opted to use membrane filtration technology to reduce its cleaning process waste. Membrane filtration is a separation technology that removes emulsified oils and grease (O&G), precipitated metals, and total suspended solids (TSS) from process fluids and produces a clean filtrate (called permeate). The filtrate may be sewered or reused and often contains valuable process chemicals that, when returned to the process bath, can reduce the amount and cost of raw materials usage.