RE: Low VOC Lubricant for Manufacturing Clay Pots?

[Rudy Moehrbach <Rudy_Moehrbach@p2pays.org>]

Carrie,
Any chance that a non stick surface, such as one coated with teflon,
could work? If it did not work by itsef it might reduce the amount of
lubricant needed. Rudy Moehrbach

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Carrie Monosmith [SMTP:MONOSMIC@state.mi.us]
> Sent:	Wednesday, March 11, 1998 4:03 PM
> To:	p2tech@great-lakes.net
> Subject:	Low VOC Lubricant for Manufacturing Clay Pots?
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> I received the following note from one of our Air Quality Division
> compliance inspectors.  Can anyone help?  Thanks in advance!
> 
> Carrie
> 
> I am working with a company which produces clay pots.  The source is
> apparently subject to the ROP program due to emission of fugitive
> VOCs. The VOCs are emitted due to the tremendous amount of lubrication
> that is used in the process.
> 
> The company uses #2 fuel oil to lubricate extruders, conveying lines,
> and molding presses.  The company figures it will use 169,200 gallons
> of #2 fuel oil a year just to prevent the clay from sticking to the
> above mentioned surfaces.  
> 
> The company also adds a product called Pamac 2 to the fuel oil.  It is
> a fatty acid.  When combined with the fuel oil, it helps to prevent
> the clay from sticking to surfaces.
> 
> The company has tried to look for other products to use.  Any product
> that is water based does not work, as it is absorbed into the clay
> pots.  Is there any product out there that this company can use to
> reduce its VOC emissions and provide non stick surfaces for the
> production of the clay pots?   Anything you can provide would be
> greatly appreciated.
> 
> Carrie Monosmith
> Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
> Environmental Assistance Division
> PO Box 30457
> Lansing, MI  48909
> phone: 517-373-0604
> fax: 517-373-3675
> email: monosmic@state.mi.us