Method and system for control of microorganisms in metalworking fluid

Abstract

A method for disinfecting microorganisms in metalworking fluids without leaving behind unacceptable amount of chemicals in the treated fluids. The method comprises passing the fluid in a recirculating cooling system through a filter, which contains a demand disinfectant, preferably an iodinated resin. The iodinated resin inhibits the growth of microorganism in the fluid, which is then cycled back into the system. The present invention also relates to a filter and system for disinfecting microorganisms in metalworking fluids.

1 . A system for controlling the growth of microorganisms in a metalworking fluid, said system comprising: 
 (a) means for providing a flow path for the movement of said metalworking fluid; and    (b) a filter disposed in said flow path for said metalworking fluid to flow through said filter, said filter comprising a demand disinfectant, said demand disinfectant being an iodinated resin and iodine is released almost entirely on a demand-action basis, wherein said resin inhibits the growth of microorganisms and virtually no iodine bleeds into the metalworking fluid.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said iodinated resin comprises an iodinated anion exchange resin.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said iodinated resin comprises an iodinated strong base anion exchange resin.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said metalworking fluid is selected from the group consisting of soluble oil, semi-synthetic, synthetic type of coolants and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said metalworking fluid is a semi-synthetic or synthetic type of coolant.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said metalworking fluid is a recirculating coolant of a recirculating cooling system.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said filter is located in a flow path of said recirculating coolant.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said filter is located in a recirculating path of said recirculating coolant.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said filter is located in an alternative flow path of said recirculating coolant, said alternative flow path is created for placing said filter and passing said coolant through said filter.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said fluid recirculates through said filter.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid passes through said filter once every 3-30 days.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said fluid passes through said filter once every 7-14 days.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said filter is rinsed with a rinse solution after use.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said rinse solution is water, an alcohol or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said alcohol is a C 1 -C 6  carbon group having at least one alcohol functional group.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said rinse solution is water.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said alcohol is methanol or ethanol.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein water or an alcohol is passed through said filter at the completion of each filtering cycle to rinse said filter.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said filter is filled with water or an alcohol between filtering cycles.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a prefilter.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said prefilter comprises string wound polyethylene with a housing.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a screen for trapping particulates.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said filter is a Triosyn® T50-I filter.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises a pump.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a needle valve, said needle valve is used for adjusting supply pressure of said pump.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of pressure gauges.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said pressure gauges are set at about 0-30 psi.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow control device.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said flow control device has an orifice type of size 63.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator, said pressure regulator is used for adjusting the pump air supply pressure.