When it comes to the future, Recochem is operating at the cutting edge of specialty fluids and lubricants for the bitumen and asphalt industry. Its range of products provides enormous potential to improve organisational outcomes.
Recochem, a global company, has been producing high-quality fluids and lubricants for the asphalt, bitumen and road surfacing industries for years, helping to improve outcomes for its clients.
James McAllister, Business Development Manager – Special Projects for Recochem, says the company’s Recosol 195, a renewable plant-based performance fluid, is just one example of innovation in this area.
“We’ve spent a lot of time recently promoting Recosol 195 and its ability to cover a host of functions across multiple industries,” he says. “It can replace Diesel in cold-mix asphalt, act as a slip lubricant, a RAP rejuvenator, and a bitumen cleaner.”
Recochem continues to develop and explore new opportunities in the alternative performance fluid market.
Bitumen cutters
Recochem has a range of proven bitumen cutters, available in both bulk and packaged form to suit customers’ needs.
“Recosol V80 is significantly superior to Kerosene,” says McAllister. “V80 is a premium, highly refined high-flash cutter that meets Australian Standard (AS) 3568. The higher flash point of 80 degrees Celsius means it is safer than Kerosene. It’s a non-regulated substance for storage and transport purposes, under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, Seventh edition (ADG 7).”
On the other side of the coin, Kerosene is a low flash cutter. It meets AS 3568 and is used commonly throughout Australia. However, Kerosene is considered a Class Three Dangerous Good and is marked as UN 1223. There are a range of requirements for storing Kerosene, as outlined in AS 1940, which covers the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
“Of the two bitumen cutters, Recosol V80 is the superior product,” McAllister says. “There are several reasons for this. Recosol V80 has provided operators with additional safety and peace of mind for over thirty years. This is primarily due to its high flash point.
“While Recosol V80 may be considered similar to Kerosene, the biggest difference is that the first half of Kerosene’s boiling range has been removed. That higher initial boiling point results in the higher flash point.”
The primary advantage is in the storage and transport of Recosol V80. Compared to Kerosene, there are no restrictions on the storage and transportation of Recosol V80. This reduced regulatory burden means customers can take advantage of a product offering fewer storage and transport risks.
Related stories:
- Recochem: A sustainable and renewable cleaner
- A formulated alternative: Recochem’s Recosol 185
- Another sustainable Recosol
A secondary advantage is that because the flash point of V80 is higher, better cutting ability can be obtained because it can be warmed to a higher degree than Kerosene.
“Recosol V80 is more suitable to be mixed with hot bitumen,” McAllister says. “It’s further evidence that we offer a fantastic product for our customers.”
Laboratory solvents
The market for laboratory solvents continues to grow. There has been considerable use of Mineral Turpentine, Toluene, and Xylene over the decades. However, all these substances are Class Three flammable liquids and all have strong odours.
“Recosol R55, Recosol 80 / 100 are low flash point solvents,” McAllister says. “They are commonly used as part of the binder assay test in asphalt laboratories. They are also used for cleaning glassware and extensively in bitumen and asphalt laboratories.”
The above Recochem products, along with Mineral Turpentine, Toluene and Xylene, have high evaporation rates. That makes these solvents easy to use.
The glassware drying times are short, which assists with increasing the efficiency of the laboratory.
However, all these solvents need fume hoods to extract the maximum vapour possible.
It is not only about staff comfort, as overexposure to the fumes can cause dizziness, impaired coordination, and long-term health effects.
On the other side of the coin, Recosol 195 is a strong solvent with a low odour. It can dissolve bitumen and asphalt quickly.
The high flash point of over 170 degrees Celsius gives it a slower evaporation rate, making it more suitable for use over a long period.
“The lower odour, and far better health, safety and environmental profile makes Recosol 195 a much more desirable fluid to use, when comparing it to conventional solvents,” says McAllister.
This article was originally published in the December edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.