Large motors and generators, particularly those equipped with brushes, require regular cleaning. Cleaning forms an integral part of preventive maintenance. Depending on the case, maintenance is carried out either on site, in a designated area such a maintenance division or even outdoors. Smaller motors and generators are usually cleaned only mechanically. Concerned sectors include
power generation and the heavy industry.
POSSIBLE ALETERNATIVES
The substances listed below have been
found already in use for cleaning of motors and/or generators. No performance assessment of these products has been carried out yet.
Substance in use
|
Current
usage
|
Diesel
|
Cleaning of windings and metal
components of motors/generators in the power sector.
|
Kerosene
|
Cleaning of the housing materials
of motors in rewinding or overhauling operations.
|
NC Thinner
|
Removal of grease, dust, rust
and paint in the assembly of new motors in the motor manufacturing process.
|
Toluene
|
Cleaning of silicon based
varnishes in generator and transformer manufacturing.
|
Xylene
|
Cleaning of silicon based
varnishes in generator and transformer manufacturing.
|
Petrol and
Trichloroethylene (TCE) are other cleaning agents used by some industries. Their use is strongly discouraged because of the inherent cancer risk.
HAZARDS TO CONSIDER
|
|
Every substance has limitations. While every solvent is toxic to a certain extent, the harmfulness varies from one substance to another. A given substance may be hazardous on skin contact, be a fire hazard, harm the environment and/or cause cancer (i.e red category). The table shows the ratings for each hazard category on a comparative scale. Click
here to review the key to the hazard categories |
Substance
|
CAS
#
|
Hazard
categories evaluated
|
Inhalation
|
Skin
|
Environment
|
Flammability
|
Kerosene,
ordinary *
|
8008-20-6
|
Irritant
|
None
|
not classified
|
Flammable
|
Xylene,
mixed isomers
|
1330-20-7
|
Harmful
|
Harmful
|
not classified
|
Flammable
|
Diesel *
|
68476-34-6
|
Very toxic
|
Toxic
|
not classified
|
Flammable
|
NC Thinner
1
|
blend
|
Very toxic
|
Toxic
|
Very hazardous
|
Highly flammable
|
Toluene
|
108-88-3
|
Very toxic
|
Toxic
|
not classified
|
Highly flammable
|
Petrol,
unleaded *
|
8006-61-9
|
Irreversible
|
Irreversible
|
not classified
|
Highly flammable
|
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
|
79-01-6
|
Irreversible
|
Irreversible
|
Hazardous
|
Non-flammable
|
Notes:
|
* The classification is based on international data.
A re-evaluation is pending.
|
1.The classification of
NC Thinner is based on the following
ingredients: Acetone, Cyclohexane, Methanol and Toluene.
The product may contain additional ingredients which may warrant higher
hazard ratings than assigned here. Possible synergistic effects between
compounds in this mixture have not been evaluated or taken into account. A
re-evaluation of the product is pending.
|
FURTHER INFORMATION
Find information on prices, physical properties and heath risks of common, non-proprietary solvents in our publication
Solvent Alternatives. However, this edition may not provide information on every solvent listed above.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Please click
here
to let us know!
Disclaimer
Ü Though all care
has been taken while researching and compiling the information presented
above, GTZ Proklima accepts no liability for its correctness. The reader is
advised to confirm its correctness prior to use or purchase of any substance.
Ü GTZ Proklima
makes no claim in respect of the suitability of any substance as substitute
for CTC in any specific industrial process. Suitability remains to be verified
through trials with due consideration of health and safety aspects.
Ü Information provided here
does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product by GTZ
Proklima. While preference is given to non-proprietary products information on
selected proprietary products may be included if they appear to have a better
environment, health and safety performance or if they are already widely
adopted by the industry.
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