How A Solvent Reclaiming Unit Can Minimize Environmental Impact

In today’s world, more companies are prioritizing sustainability and seeking innovative ways to reduce their environmental footprint. 

A recently updated industry report shows the largest global companies are providing more detail in their sustainability reporting, showing a greater scope in how they are disclosing the efforts they’re taking to reduce their environmental impact. Among the findings, 98% of companies reported some level of detail on sustainability.

As businesses become increasingly aware of their impact on the planet, the demand for solutions that align with eco-friendly practices is growing. For companies that generate spent solvents and flammable liquids, solvent reclamation not only conserves resources but also enhances operational efficiency. 

By taking advantage of state-of-the-art solvent distillation units, companies can take a significant step toward minimizing their environmental impact while contributing to a more sustainable future.

How A Solvent Reclaiming Unit Works

Solvent distillation is a process used to recover and purify waste solvents by heating them to their boiling point, capturing the vapor, and then condensing it back into a liquid, allowing for reuse and reducing waste.

A solvent reclaiming unit contains several components that all work together to recover solvents as part of the distillation process. At Samex Environmental, these solvent recycling equipment components include:

• Recovery still employed in the recovery of solvents
• Vapor column where vapors accumulate after boiling
• Condenser that converts the vapor state back to liquid state
• Stainless steel tank where dirty solvents are loaded into
• Stainless steel tank that clean solvent flows into
• Heat sources (provided by heating elements that are electric)
• Plastic totes that receive clean solvents that are then sold back into the marketplace
• Vacuum that lowers pressure inside system and reduces risk of thermal degradation

The solvent recovery system apparatus separates, purifies and recovers solvents through a four-step process:

1. Heating: The liquid mixture, which includes the solvent and other components, is heated to increase the temperature of the solvent. The use of heat is essential in driving the separation process by providing the energy needed to vaporize the solvent. The specific temperatures and conditions employed in solvent distillation can vary based on the solvents' properties and the separated substances.
2. Vaporization: As the temperature rises, the solvent undergoes a phase change from liquid to vapor, leaving behind the non-volatile components.
3. Condensation: The solvent vapor is then cooled and condensed back into a liquid form, resulting in the separation of the solvent from the original mixture.
4. Collection: The condensed solvent is collected, and the remaining substances (residues) are left behind.

Working in harmony, the solvent distillation process minimized how your company’s waste impacts the environment. 

How Environmental Impact Is Minimized

One of the greatest benefits of incorporating solvent distillation into your waste management plan is that nothing is wasted. At Samex, we ensure every byproduct is used, including distillation bottoms, which are sediments and other matters separated from the solvent. Distillation bottoms are sent to the alternative fuel formulation section of the plant where they are formulated for repurposing. 

Any waste water that is generated is repurposed as well. This conserves the natural resource of water while ensuring nothing is sent to landfills.

When halogenated and non-halogenated solvents are distilled and recycled, economic resources are saved because the process reduces the need to purchase virgin raw materials. 

If a solvent distillation plant uses energy-efficient technology, the impact on the environment is further reduced. The solvent recycling process at Samex includes the use of highly energy-efficient technology that also results in high recovery volume. Samex’s solvent distillation process reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions while enabling the recycling and sustainable processing of chemicals. 

Is Solvent Distillation Right For Your Business?

Solvent distillation is an effective method for reclaiming and recycling solvents, making it a sustainable choice for businesses looking to reduce waste and operational costs. By using distillation, you can recover and purify solvents, which can then be reused in your processes, minimizing the need for new raw materials and decreasing environmental impact.

Many solvents can be recycled, reprocessed and reused. Here are some of the most commonly recycled solvents: 

• Aliphatic, such as mineral spirits and naphthas
• Aromatics, like toluene and xylene
• Halogenated hydrocarbons, such as fluorocarbons, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene
• Alcohols, such as isobutyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol and methanol
• Ketones, like acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone and methyl ethyl ketone
• Esters, such as ethyl acetate

The solvent distillation process itself is environmentally friendly. However, companies that generate solvent waste and want to minimize their environmental impact should work with a solvent reclamation unit that has the same sustainability priorities. State-of-the-art distillation technology and a focus on energy efficiency and waste reduction can help you achieve your goals while maintaining regulatory compliance.