Coolant Odor 1

[kaizad]

The coolant in our machine shop produces an odor when stagnant for a period of time. Is there a way this can be prevented? The coolant used is Boelube 70105-05. Any helpful comments will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[BillPSU]

Stop contamination from as many sources as possible, (people, machines, food). Remove the oil from the surface of the sumps with skimmer to reduce anaerobic microbes. Use disinfectant tablets in the fluid when necessary. Pump and clean your sumps on a regular basis. Verify coolant concentrations, dilute or fortify as necessary.

Coolants additive increase the risk of dermatitis to your machinist and coolant with microbes in it also causes dermatitis. Damned if you do damned if you don't, using disinfectants.

It's up to you to control and all methods cost money. What fits for your company is up to you.

 

[tomwalz]

Filter it

The right filter unit removes the bacteria, tramp oils and particulate matter. You will get faster cycle times and cleaner surfaces.

We have a couple hundred pages on this at:

http://www.carbideprocessors.com/Coolant/book/index.htm

 

[unclesyd]

Here is a system that I've heard that is doing a great job at shop that I know had a malodorous coolant problem.

Look at the Coolant Extender

http://www.vanson.com

 

[griffengm]

kaizad,
It has been a while since I dealt with this so forgive the lack of some detail.
We used the treatment tablets but as I recall we only added them on Friday since the biggest problem was usually Monday morning start up. It helped control the cost and reduced the dermatitis issue.
We were using a water soluble coolants on aluminum castings and cast iron.
We also ran an oil based cutting oil on our screw machines on steel and IIRC, never found anything to do much for the smell there.

Griffy

 

[ncassist]

Odor in coolant is generally caused by bacteria. The bacteria generally forms when a layer of oil (tramp oil) covers the top of the coolant, effectively "sealing" it from the presence of oxygen. I've had great luck using a cheap simple aquarium "bubbler" running 24hrs a day (costs only pennies) keeping the coolant "in motion" just enough. Although it's not a permanent alternative to changing contaminated coolant, I've been able to increase coolant life this way.

Dave

 

[Rleu]

A 5 micron filter does wonders. It will keep alot of your bacteria out of the system it will also filter out a large amount of your tramp oil Rosedale makes a pretty inexpencive filter housing and sells the filters direct for about 5 bucks

Richard Leu
Cascade engineering and Service
Richard_Leu@hotmail.com