Regulations, health, safety, environment
A safe and controlled technology
Regulatory manufacturing constraints
In accordance with the regulatory texts cited, the solution is CE marked and delivered with a certificate of CE conformity, verified with the “anomaly detection grid” of INRS ED 4450.
Noise level < at 80 dB in operation
TheCO2 system and its storage are not classified as ICPE (French regulation : Installation Classified for the Protection of the Environmment).
Our CO2 machines comply with the following 5 directives:
Directive 2014/68/EU of 15 May 2014 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning pressure equipment (PED: Pressure Equipment Directive).
Directive 2006/42/EC of 17 May 2006 on machinery and amending Directive 95/16/EC.
Directive 2009/104/EC of 16 September 2009 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work.
Directive 2014/35/EU of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits.
Directive 2014/30/EU of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility.
Regulation of the operation of the machine
As for the operation of the machine, it is governed in France by Ministerial Order TREP 1723392A of 20/11/2017 on the in-service monitoring of pressure equipment and simple pressure vessels. Refer to local regulations in other countries.
Periodic inspection :
Periodic inspection of pressure vessels is the responsibility of the operator. It shall be carried out by a notified body duly instructed by the operator.
Dense Fluid Degreasing will assist the operator in organizing and preparing the periodic inspection.
In France, every 24 months for each pressure equipment belonging to the category “ACAFR” or “Autoclave with quick opening removable lid” or meeting the criterion “greater than or equal to 10,000 Bar x litre”. Refer to local regulations in other countries.
In France, every 48 months for each non-ACAFR pressure equipment, not reaching the criterion “greater than or equal to 10,000 Bar x litre”, considering a commissioning as an operator. Refer to local regulations in other countries.
It should be noted that this periodic inspection involves a production interruption.
Periodic Requalification :
In France, a periodic requalification of the volumes under pressure is carried out every 10 years after the equipment is “put into service”. Refer to local regulations in other countries. It is the responsibility of the operator and must be carried out by a notified body duly instructed by the operator.
DFD coaching includes:
Equipment preparation Filling with water Pressure test (hydraulic test), in the presence of the notified body instructed by the operator Draining, drying Replacement of safety valves Audit of security systems Reassembly
Intervention dates defined by mutual agreement so as not to disrupt production, as this implies a production interruption, depending on the duration of the necessary interruption.
Threshold limit value − short-term exposure limit (TLV-STEL)
The CO2 used is not produced by the machine.
It is therefore not subject to any discharge standards.
Threshold limit value − time-weighted average (TLV-TWA)
Dense Fluid Degreasing complies with the Threshold limit value − time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) for CO2 of 5000 ppm under normal working conditions of 8 hours per day.
The system is supplied with the necessary CO2 sensors to detect and warn of any possible risk of CO2 leak.
The body of the machine integrates its ventilation system.
Supercritical CO2 is a gas under pressure
Complies with : REACH regulations Prescriptions (in France): DREAL, CARSAT occupational medicine, labour inspection, CSE… Equivalents in other countries: environment, health, labour local authorities
Chemically inert and stable: Compatible with all metals and most polymers. No bath regeneration
Recyclable Between 80 and 90% of the CO2 used during the treatment cycle is recycled.
Dense Fluid Degerasing machinesare not classified as ICPE (French regulation : Installation Classified for the Protection of the Environmment) or ATEX (French regulation: EXplosive ATmosphere).
Similarly, external storage of CO2 in cylinders or cryogenic tanks is not classified as ICPE or ATEX.
What CO2 is not
Carcinogenic
Harmful
Oxydizer
Dangerous for the environment
Toxic
Corrosive
Flammable
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Does the use of CO2 contribute to the greenhouse effect?
No, the CO2 that we use is derived from the recovery of waste (by-products) from the chemical industry which are recycled and then purified by gas companies such as Air Liquide (our partner). Our machines work in a closed cycle with a small amount (around 10%) of CO2 is released into the atmosphere.