Coolant Management: extending the life of your coolant sump-system

Coolant Management

Effective Coolant Management

A Refractometer can be used to determine the concentration of a coolant

(Click here to buy a Refractometer/ coolant checker online)

Just a little bit of effort can extend the life of metalworking fluid coolant sumps, reducing waste and costly coolant disposal. Coolant management can also reduce worker exposure to health risks. This is true for soluble oils, Semi-synthetics, and synthetics. All resulting in a significant cost savings to end users of metalworking coolants.

The Key Factors in Metalworking Coolant longevity are correct concentration, filtration, and biological activity:

	Coolants are designed to function properly at concentrations of 2-15% depending on the severity of the application. After selection of the correct metalworking fluid for you application the next most important aspect is to maintain the correct concentration level.
	Filtration of particulates and metal fines helps keep the coolant clean, aids in keeping surface finishes high, maintains tool life and reduces skin contamination to metal fines. Metal fine contamination is the most common cause of dermatitis and skin sensitization, more so than chemicals. The fines penetrate into cuts/abrasions in the skin and cause redness, sores and blistering.
	Biological control can be a daunting task in some shops. It is however a simple process to control. pH is a great indicator of biological activity. As biological growth, in many cases, reduces the pH of the coolant. This is due to acids produced as bacterial action occurs. Low pH readings may indicate a bacterial problem.

coolant pH and Conductivity meter portable

We check pH and Conductivity

Coolant Management Report (click here for a copy of an example report in adobe PDF file format)

Control Concentration with Force-Flow Coolant Mixers

Correct concentrations can be assured throughout the shop with Force-Flo coolant Mixers. These units mix the coolant and water thoroughly while ensuring consistent concentrations from sump to sump and day to day.