Source2016-1

StrengtheningMinnesotabusinessesbymaximizingefficiencyandreducingcoststhroughenergy,water,andwastereduction
health and safety
maintenance
owner/president
process engineer
purchasing
Route
SOURCE2016 Issue 1
Industrial cleaners and degreasers contain volatile organic
compounds, which contribute to smog and air pollution,
as well as hazardous air pollutants known to cause a variety
of health issues in the people who work with them. Small
degreasing operations, such as those carried out in automo-
tive and industrial cleaning, are estimated to add 14% of all
industrialVOC air pollution in Minnesota.
MnTAP is working to improve Minnesota’s air quality and
reduce employee health risk, with grant support from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One effort is helping
businesses reduce solvents used for degreasing while main-
taining effectiveness without increasing costs.To accomplish
this, the project team evaluatedVOC emissions levels and
human and environmental risk factors in the products being
used in select facilities, investigated alternatives that would
decrease those factors, and tested the new products within
the facilities for effectiveness and employee satisfaction. In
return for being part of the project, MnTAP supplied a trial
amount of the chosen alternative product to encourage
continued use and adoption.
What’s in this stuff?
Many common products used in automotive and industrial
degreasing operations also contain hazardous air pollutants,
chemicals that can cause cancer, respiratory, eye and skin
sensitivities and reproductive deficiencies, to name a few is-
sues. Xylene, toluene, ethyl benzene or methanol are
some of the most common hazardous air pollutants found in
industrial cleaners and degreasers and should be avoided.
How to choose the best product?
Choosing safer industrial cleaning products isn’t easy.
Ingredients lists are often incomplete or so small they are il-
legible. If you can find the list of ingredients, comparing their
VOCs and HAPs can be complicated, requiring knowledge of
chemistry or toxicity.What’s more, ingredients strong enough
to clean greasy industrial parts still carry some measure of
toxicity, no matter how low theirVOC emissions. So how do
you choose?
In this special issue on degreasing, we illustrate some success
stories, list greener products we’ve tested and provide a tear-
off tip sheet to use when evaluating your current product or
looking for a safer one. 
MnTAP Pilots 23 EPAVOC Reduction Projects
Inside
pg. 2 2015 results
pg. 3 ongoing projects
pg. 4-7 special projects:
degreasing
pg. 8 intern program Degreasing

mntap@umn.edu | 800.247.0015 | MnTAP SOURCE | 2015 issue 1page 2
2015 in review
MnTAP Serves 245 Companies in 2015
MnTAP delivers technical support statewide
From Moorehead to Mankato, Hibbing to Luverne, MnTAP assisted 245 Minnesota companies,
conducted 120 site visits and completed 13 intern projects in 2015. Resource reductions include:
• 2.3 million kWh and 238,000 therms of energy
• 23.7 million gallons of water
• 503,200 pounds of waste.
These environmental improvements help make our state cleaner, avoid excess health impacts to Min-
nesotans, and contribute to the strength of businesses through cost savings. For more 2015 successes,
see the MnTAP Environmental Benefits Report at
www.mntap.umn.edu/resources/reports/EnvBenefits/2015EBR.pdf 
2015 Implemented Outcomes*
Reductions
Activity
Waste Energy Water Cost Savings
Air Emission (lb) Hazardous (lb)
Non-Hazardous/
SolidWaste (lb)
Electric (kWh) Gas (Therms) (gallons)
SiteVisits 126,600 26,900 3,800 313,000 --- 8,700,000 $249,000
Interns 0 98,500 156,100 2,011,000 238,000 15,000,000 $673,000
Materials Exchange 0 0 91,300 --- --- --- $500
TOTAL SAVINGS 503,200 2.30 million 238,000 23.7 million $922,000
*one year savings, including projects that ended in 2015 but began earlier
Unison lowersVOCs with green biz grant
A $50,000 City of Minneapolis Green
Business Grant matched by company in-
vestments empowered Minneapolis-based
Unison ComfortTechnologies, a manufac-
turer of heating, ventilation and cooling
systems, to install a new paint system.
MnTAP helped the business analyze paint
and solvent formulations to ensure that
the new system would greatly improve
air quality by lowering volatile organic
compounds and hazardous air polluants.
Implementation of low-HAP paints and
HAP-free solvents resulted in an annual
reduction of 6,800 pounds ofVOCs and
7,450 pounds of HAPs.The new booth
itself is big enough to contain the large air
handling systems that are manufactured
and painted by the company, and the
booth doubles as a curing oven, allowing
the paint to dry without exposing the rest
of the shop to the vapors.The new system
is impressive and the outcome reflects
how success can be attained through
collaboration with MnTAP and other
partners. 

MinnesotaTechnical Assistance Program
page 3800.247.0015 or 612.624.1300 | www.mntap.umn.edu | MnTAPUMN | @MnTAP_UMN
2016 Projects: Ready to ReduceYour BusinessWaste?
ongoing projects
Energy is a significant part of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) op-
erating cost — between 25-40% — and has the greatest potential
for reduction. A stellar example of energy efficiency best practices is the
WWTP operated by the city of North Branch, which has been estimated
to perform in the top 6% nationally, saving $36K a year compared to the
average performing plant of similar size and load (based on an extrapola-
tion of the Energy Star® benchmarking algorithm for wastewater plants).
How do they do it?
The North Branch plant started with energy efficient design features and
aims for continuous small improvements. Features include:
• automatic dissolved oxygen controls
• variable frequency drives
• minimal aeration of biosolids
• instrumentation allowing identification of
optimal equipment operating points.
Read more about the North Branch project on the MnTAP website:
www.mntap.umn.edu/POTW/resources/NorthBranch-BestPractices.pdf
As part of an ongoing project to promote energy reduction in Minnesota
WWTPs, MnTAP is conducting no-cost assessments and training across
the state through 2017. Spaces are limited, so call now!
For info, contact Karl deWahl: 612-624-4645 or dewah001@umn.edu. 
Plenty of opportunities to save energy in wastewater treatment plants
Ready to find efficiencies in your paint and powder coating operation?
MnTAP launched the E3 in Painting and Powder Coating Operations
project in late 2015.This industrial sector can reap considerable environ-
mental and cost savings through:
• Pollution prevention opportunties,VOC reduction and green chemistry
• Energy conservation options from compressed air and process ventilation
• Application of Lean tools in the industry’s multi-step manufacturing
processes.
The intern project at Schwing America is an example of energy savings that
can be found through implementation of Lean principles.The facility’s paint
room used a significant amount of energy to maintain clean air within the
building, as did the air exchange required to heat and cure the product. An
analysis of energy use in multiple paint booths found that alternating loading
patterns could minimize unnessesary energy use, potentially saving over
24,000 kWh and 2,500 therms and more than $5,000 a year. Read more
about the Schwing intern project on pages 20-21 of the 2013 Solutions:
www.mntap.umn.edu/intern/pdf/2013Solutions.pdf
MnTAP partners with Enterprise Minnesota and the Manufacturers Alliance
to provide onsite Lean manufacturing training or value stream mapping and
kaizen blitz.
For info, contact Paul Pagel: 612-624-4638 or ppagel@umn.edu. 
US EPAWastewater Infrastructure Accelerator
Over the next 3 years project partners, including the MN Dept of Commerce, will engage with
water resource recovery facilities to accelerate a pathway toward sustainable infrastructure for
the future.
See more at: http://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/accelerators/wastewater-infrastructure

industrial cleaning and degreasing
Degreasing: Finding Safer ProductsThatWork
You need to be both sleuth and scientist to investigate chemical cleaners and degreasers, identify their
environmental and human health risks, and choose a safer, greener alternative with the power to do the
job. Luckily, the MnTAP degreasing team of Jane Paulson, JonVanyo, Michelle Gage and Matt Domski have the
chops for the task.
Project team leader Jane earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of
Wisconsin and has 15 years experience as a manufacturing process and development engineer. Jon received a
B.S. in aeronautical and mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before joining MnTAP.
Michelle and Matt both earned their B.S. degrees at the University of Minnesota. Michelle received a materials
science and engineering degree, with minors in chemistry and astrophysics, and has completed comparative
chemical hazard assessment training known as GreenScreen. Matt studied bioproducts marketing and manag-
ment as well as corporate environmental management before coming to MnTAP to act as MnTAP’s solid
waste specialist.
Finding the best product for the job
Projects to replace highVOC and HAP cleaning and degreasing products have been completed or are in process at 23 businesses — 14 auto shops, 7 industrial plants, a
county facility and a technical college — evaluating and testing a variety of solvents to find the best match for the business.To evaluate a product, the team compares
the contents against the following lists: EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients and HAPs; Minnesota Dept. of Health Chemicals of High Concern; and California Air Resource
Board’s MIR values, which rates potential for ozone creation. Once substitions were identified, the team partnered with the facility to test the new products on-site. If an
alternative was proven to work, measurements were taken to quantify theVOC and HAP reductions.Watch videos of all the projects highlighted in this issue; click
www.mntap.umn.edu/Webinar/past_projects.html and scroll to the degreasing section. 
Staff snapshot: Degreasing Busters
Anoka-based LakelandTool and Engineering, a precision mold manufactur-
er and molder, was using a heavy duty laquer thinner containing toluene
and other HAPs to clean its paint gun system. MnTAP recommended the laquer
thinner be replaced with acetone, which isVOC-exempt (not expected to
meaningfully contribute to ozone), has much lower health risks for employees
and was available at the same cost. “We noticed right away that there was a
change because the new cleaner doesn’t smell as bad but it works just as well,”
said one Lakeland employee.
An even more successful product change was the replacement of three dif-
ferent solvents used for cleaning the molds. MnTAP recommended Lakeland
swap the aerosols they were using with a single, waterbased cleaner that was
able to handle it all: ZepTuff Green. After an initial trial in the tool cleaning
room, the new product was introduced throughout the plant.
These changes resulted in the elimination of over 1,200 lbs ofVOCs and a
reduction of over 2,400 lbs of smog-producing ozone.The new product
is available in concentrated form and can be dispensed from reusable squirt
bottles, eliminating 1,600 aerosol cans from solid waste. Best of all, Lake-
land was able to reduce the number of cleaning products needed in inven-
tory; they expect to see a savings of $7,000 per year on cleaning products
without any reduction in cleaning ability. 
Water-based cleaners wipe awayVOCs
Degreaser Busters: Matt Domski, Michelle Gage,
Jane Paulson and JonVanyo

Brake cleaner is the most
commonly used solvent in
automotive repair shops, most of
which contain hazardous air pollut-
ants, despite some being marketed
as environmentally friendly.
Given the health risks associated
with some ingredients in brake
cleaners, Grandview wanted to find
a green alternative. After some testing, the best choice for Grandview Auto was
CRC Brakleen 05050, which reduced theirVOC emissions by 850 lbs and
HAPs by 30 lbs annually.
Already incorporated into Grandview’s operations was the use of refillable
sprayers.They use compressed air-powered Sure Shot sprayers to dispense the
brake cleaner, which they buy in bulk in 55 gallon drums. Grandview owner Rick
Murphy estimates a $300-400 annual savings by buying bulk brake cleaner
and $1,000-1,500 from using reusable sprayers instead of aerosol cans, not to
mention what they are saving in environmental disposal costs.
Murphy recommends steel sprayers with handle triggers. He says the ones he
buys last 10-12 years and the parts that wear are out, such as nozzles and
O-rings, are easy to replace via the manufacturer. 
Better brake cleaner, refillable sprayers offer grand savings at Grandview
Aggressive Hydraulics, which manufactures hydraulic cylinders in
Bethel, was using an aerosol brake cleaner containing toluene to
remove lubricant, metal chips and grease from their cylinders prior to
assembly. In the interest of employee health, reducing pollution and waste
and saving money, the company enlisted MnTAP to help find a better
degreasing option.
After testing multiple alternatives on Aggressive’s cleaning operations, Su-
perClean water-based degreaser was found to have the power to handle
lightly-soiled parts, which make up about three-quarters of the cleaning
operations in the facility. SuperClean isVOC-free and comes in a resuable
hand spray bottle, further reducingVOCs by eliminating aerosol propellants
as well as reducing aerosol can waste.
Thanks to the product change, Aggressive was able to save over $400,
1,300 lbs ofVOCs, 430 lbs of HAPs and 150 lbs of metal can
waste per year in their standard cleaning jobs. 
Alternative degreaser saves
money, reduces waste
Compressed air-powered refillable sprayers
are easy to fill and use , reduce waste and
save money
Regulatory Alert
No more puncturing aerosol cans and gas cylinders
Starting January 1, 2017, hazardous waste aerosols and gas cylinders may
no longer be punctured or vented in Minnesota, unless all hazardous waste
propellant gases, product gases and liquids are captured and properly
disposed. Charcoal and activated carbon filters do not capture hazardous
waste propellants or gases for proper disposal.
For more details, see the MPCA website:
www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-hw4-00.pdf

When is the best time to evaluate your cleaning and degreasing operations?
Now! In late 2015 the EPA strengthened ozone standards from 75 parts per
billion to 70 parts per billion. Minnesota’s air is well under the limit in most parts
of the state; however in more densely populated areas such as theTwin Cities,
ozone levels are nearing the limit.
The MnTAP degreasing team completed four videos that detail the project suc-
cesses outlined in this newsletter.Watch them at
www.mntap.umn.edu/Webinar/past_projects.html.
More information aboutVOCs and HAPs can be found on the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency website: www.pca.state.mn.us/air/ozone.
MnTAP continues to give no-cost assessments in small- to medium-size
Minnesota businesses. Give a call today! 
Degreasing resources
Like most auto repair shops, Lake Elmo Repair was using a brake cleaner with a highVOC content. One
of the challenges to finding greener brake cleaners is that many containers that look the same contain
surprisingly different chemicals. In most cases, the only way to differentiate between hazardous and environ-
mentally friendly brake cleaners is by looking up the product part number on the Safety Data Sheet, available
from the manufacturer.
The MnTAP degreasing team found that O’Reilly Ultra LowVOC brake cleaner was a better alternative to the
one Lake Elmo had been using. Shop manager LanceVandalinde reported that the new product takes a little
longer to dry but“doesn’t slow them down or affect work time.”
Penetrants are another product used in auto repair shops that emitVOCs.Taking MnTAP’s advice, Lake Elmo
switched to LiquidWrench, which isVOC-free. Used with heat,Vandelinde says they didn’t see any reduction
in performance.
Two other low-VOC cleaning products were already in place at Lake Elmo Repair before the MnTAP degreas-
ing project began: Oil Eater for washing the floors and built-in equipment, and a Cuda aqueous parts washer.
Vandelinde said the Oil Eater cleans the shop equipment extremely well without damaging the paint, and the
Cuda cleans better with soap and water than chemical solvents — without the messy cleanup. 
Clearing the cloud of consumer confusion
Consumer confusion:These 3 brake cleaners contain varying
levels of HAPs andVOCs, which can only be identified by
their part number.
Environmental Initiative Awards Recognizes“Safer ProductsThatWork”Project
MnTAP’s was one of three projects to be nominated in the Energy and Climate category.
For details go to: www.environmental-initiative.org/blog/2016/04/21/meet-the-energy-and-climate-finalists

what to buy
What to Look forWhen Buying Cleaners & Degreasers
General cleaners
Brake cleaners
Penetrants
• Effective products are available with relatively lowVOCs and HAPs
• Avoid citrus cleaners, as they have high ozone-producing potential
• When looking at brake cleaners, look for non-chlorinated, lowVOC,
California- or 50 State-Compliant products (non-chlorinated means
NO Perc orTCE, which are HAPs)
• Avoid products where SDS lists xylene, methanol, toluene or ethyl-
benzene as ingredients
• Consider non-aerosol, water-based cleaners and refillable containers.
• The best practice with penetrants is to use heat whenever possible.
Induction heaters can rapidly heat bolts, but these may not be used
in highly flammable areas
• Avoid penetrants containing naphtha, naphthalene and xylene.
Parts washers
• Companies that have aqueous parts washers consistently
expressed above average satisfaction
• Automatic aqueous washers require less labor. 
General Cleaners
Product Active Ingredient VOC %
Lbs Ozone/Lbs
Product
Simple Green MAX Automotive Alcohol / Glycol Either 10 0.02
ZepTuff Green Concentrate Glycol Ether 7.5 0.14
DuboisTreo General Purpose
Cleaner Concentrate
Sodium Carbonate 0 0
Oil Eater Glycol Ether 0.42 0.12
Brake Cleaners
Lbs Ozone/Lbs
Product
O’Reilly Ultra LowVOC
46580
Acetone 7.5 0.377
CRC Brakleen 05050 Acetone 9.2 0.435
Mag1 MG750579 Acetone / Heptane 38 .59
Penetrants
Lbs Ozone/Lbs
Product
WD-40 Hydrocarbon 49.5 .32
LiquidWrench
(best in impact test)
Hydrocarbon 0 0.78
Zep Dual Force Hydrocarbon 0.19 .94
Parts Washers
Lbs Ozone/Lbs
Product
SafetyKleen Armakleen
4 in 1
Aqeuous detergents 0.45 0.008
Smartwasher / OzzyJuice
Degreasing Solutions
Microbes <0.1 0
Cuda Super Clean AP-1000 Aqueous detergents 2 0.06
When it comes to cleaning and degreasing products, the goal should be to eliminate hazardous air polluants and Minnesota Chemicals of Concern, as well as
minimize emissions of volatile organic compounds and decrease the ozone-producing potential of the product. Here we have listed general cleaners, brake
cleaners and penetrants that have zero HAPs and relatively lowVOC content compared to other commonly used products.We also recommend a few parts washers
that go a long way toward reducing solvent use in auto repair shops. Tear off this page and refer to it when you’re ready to replace those toxic solvents with greener
options!

McNamara Alumni Center • University of Minnesota
200 Oak Street SE • Suite 350-1 • Minneapolis, MN • 55455-2008
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Nonprofit org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 90155
Subscribe | correct address:
fax 612.624.3370
call 612.624.1300
email mntap@umn.edu
Source editor: Monique Dubos.. Contributors: Anna Arkin, Laura Babcock, Matt Domski, Karl DeWahl,
Michelle Gage, Mick Jost, Linda Maleitzke, Paul Pagel, Jane Paulson, AJVan den Berghe and JonVanyo.
Articles published in Source may be reprinted only with permission from MnTAP. Copyright 2016,
MnTAP.This newsletter is sent free to Minnesota businesses and is available online at
www.mntap.umn.edu/source.This publication/material is available in alternative formats upon
request. Direct requests to Linda Maleitzke 612.624.1300 or lmaleitz@umn.edu.
The MinnesotaTechnical Assistance Program (MnTAP)
strengthens Minnesota businesses by maximizing efficiency
and reducing costs through energy, water, and waste reduction.
As an outreach program at the University of Minnesota, MnTAP
provides technical assistance tailored to individual businesses.
By reducing waste and increasing efficiency, companies save
on disposal and raw-material costs and make working condi-
tions healthier and safer for employees.
MnTAP is funded primarily by the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency’s Resource Management and Assistance Division
and is located at the University of Minnesota in the School
of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences.
The University’s mission, carried out on multiple campuses
and throughout the state, is threefold: research and discovery,
teaching and learning, and outreach and public service.
The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to
and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment
without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin,
gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status,
veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
expression.
Source is printed with low-VOC agri-based inks on
100% post-consumer recycled,
process chlorine-free (PCF) paper that is produced
with green energy. The paper is also Forest
Stewardship CouncilTM
certified.
800.247.0015 or 612.624.1300 | www.mntap.umn.edu | MnTAPUMN | @MnTAP_UMN
Sign up for your own copy of Source: www.mntap.umn.edu/source/SignUp.htm
14 intern projects underway this summer
MnTAP is coordinating the highest number of
intern projects since the program began in
1984. Fourteen students will analyze processes,
investigate alternatives and suggest strategies
to conserve water and energy, reduce waste and
improve process efficiencies in companies across
Minnesota.
Funding partners include Metropolitan Council
of Environmental Services (water conservation),
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (pollution
prevention), Minnesota Department of Com-
merce, theTwin Cities Chapter of the Chemical
Coaters Association International, Minnesota
Power, Dakota Electric, CenterPoint Energy, and
Xcel Energy.
This summer’s host companies are:
• Anoka Hennepin ISD 11
• CEE
• Cemstone
• City ofWoodbury
• Ecolibrium3
• G&K Services
• Hennepin County Medical Center
• IBM
• Lorentz Meats
• NordicWare
• R & D Systems
• Southern Minnesota Municipal
Power Agency
• TEL-FSI
• Xcel Energy. 
Register Now!
2016 MnTAP Intern Symposium
Interns will present project findings and solutions
Tuesday, August 23, 1 - 5pm
McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC
www.z.umn.edu/2016InternSymposium

Source2016-1

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (17)

Similar to Source2016-1

Similar to Source2016-1 (20)

Source2016-1