Recochem’s Recosol 195 is the newest addition to its renewable plant-based performance fluids. Yet there are so many other applications that major bitumen and asphalt contractors can benefit from using Recosol 195.
Recochem’s Recosol 195 is a diesel replacement for producing cold mix asphalt. It represents an evolution from Recosol 175 through Recosol 185 to Recosol 195. The Recosol 195 represents an improved, premium product for Australia’s road and infrastructure markets.
“Recosol 195 is a more refined product than Recosol 185. It is evident in the light colour of the fluid,” says James McAllister, Business Development Manager – Special Projects for Recochem.
This sustainable, biodegradable fluid can lubricate conveyors and slips within the asphalt plant. It can be used as a truck slip for asphalt vehicles. Recosol 195 can also assist in rejuvenating recycled asphalt pavement for blending purposes.
Alternatives to Recosol 195 have risks
Kerosene and diesel are commonly used to clean bitumen off plant and equipment. Kerosene is among the group of Class Three Flammable Liquids. Class Three Flammable Liquids are liquids, or mixtures of liquids, that have a closed cup flash point of less than 60.5°C. This is usually referred to as the Flash Point. This can include paints, lacquers, varnishes, and kerosene.
Kerosene, diesel, and d-limonene are widely used across many applications. This includes laboratory cleaning of bitumen and asphalt. All three substances are hazardous, according to Safe Work Australia. By contrast, Recosol 195 is not considered hazardous.
A measure of a fluid’s solvency is its Kauri-butanol (Kb) value, an international, standardised measure of solvent power for a hydrocarbon solvent. A higher Kb value represents a stronger solvent. Recosol 195 has a Kb value of 54, which is higher than kerosene (34) and diesel (32).
The table shows the risks associated with using kerosene and diesel, including flammability, aspiration, and marine pollution. Recosol 195 does not have these risk pictograms, reflecting the importance Recochem has placed on workplace health and safety.
Recosol 195 does not have as strong an odour as other cleaners. It is much safer to work with due to its high flash point (170°C).
Diesel is a suspected carcinogen. Reducing the exposure of this fluid in cleaning operations within the operations must be a clear improvement in workplace health and safety.
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“Operators have commented on the lack of fumes and odour whilst cleaning with Recosol 195, compared to diesel and kerosene,” says McAllister. “With the high solvency of Recosol 195, there is a performance improvement compared to conventional hydrocarbons.”
Additional applications
When it comes to cleaning operations within bitumen and asphalt plants, Recosol 195 has many applications. It can be considered for trucks and tankers, bitumen filters, general plant and equipment, flushing of bitumen discharge lines, and specific laboratory applications.
Recosol 195 can be enhanced as a cleaner by adding selective emulsifiers and co-solvents. This will enable the Recosol 195-based cleaner to be hosed off with water in an emulsion form if required.
Recosol 195 can extend d-limonene, a costly specialised solvent for the laboratory. It can also raise the flash point of a mixture of the two to reduce its flammability. The strong solvency of Recosol 195 can lower the cost of d-limonene when a blend is utilised.
“Products like Recosol 195, a non-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), can support organisations’ push towards achieving improved sustainability outcomes,” James says.
Safety first
Many companies talk about their employees’ and contractors’ safety as part of their mission statements. Using products like Recosol 195 is moving towards that continual improvement they are trying to achieve.
Recosol 195 provides benefits for both the short-term and future generations.
“It has been enormously satisfying to Recochem over the past seven years to observe the commitment of the major organisations in the bitumen and asphalt industries,” says McAllister. “We have seen more companies utilising the renewable Recosol range. This benefits both the environment and the safety of their workforce. There is a further opportunity for continuous improvement in HS & E by replacing kerosene and diesel with Recosol 195 in plant cleaning applications.”
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