Maintaining your Thermal Fluid System Cost-Effectively
The UK manufacturing sector is facing a challenging time. Brexit, economic uncertainty… many issues are combining to limit the industry growth rate: in the first quarter of 2018, it barely reached 0.2%.
Against this backdrop, manufacturers are looking for ways to maximise their cost-efficiency. The process industry is no exception, and TFS is advising UK process manufacturers to look carefully at the ways in which they can improve the efficiency of their thermal fluid systems.
1.Use long-lasting thermal fluids
Employing a thermal fluid with a high flash point combined with chemical stability prolongs the period for which it may be safely used, making it highly cost-efficient.
Such fluids enable companies to operate their systems safely and efficiently at high temperatures long-term, reducing the frequency with which the oil needs to be reconditioned or replaced in order to ensure that vital parameters such as minimum flash points are always maintained.
2. Recondition rather than replace thermal fluid
Historically, the only available option for firms whose thermal fluids required flash point restoration was total replacement, but some suppliers are now able to recondition customers’ existing oils in order to maintain the appropriate flash points.
TFS was the first to offer this service, which offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to total fluid replacement. Its HTfluidfit rigs remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the oil, returning it to a safe condition, extending fluid life by a factor of at least 10, saving customers up to 70% of their thermal fluid costs.
3.Employ a long-term risk management strategy
Only a continuous risk assessment approach to thermal fluid system preventative maintenance will ensure safe and efficient operation and ATEX, DSEAR and PUWER compliance at all times.
While the development of bespoke, comprehensive, continuous improvement plans enable companies to meet DSEAR standards, the explosion protection documents that form part of these plans may enable clients to prove their safety credentials to insurers and so reduce their premiums.
Furthermore, by employing a policy of preventative maintenance, process manufacturers minimise the likelihood of system failure and the expense of the associated downtime.
For more information on how to cost-effectively maintain your thermal fluid system, please contact our team on 01298 815862.