Acqua Silencer
Current Advances in Sustainable Metalworking Fluids Research
Steven J. Skerlos1, Kim F. Hayes2, Andres F. Clarens3, Fu Zhao4
1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan 2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan 3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia 4. School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Abstract. Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are harmful to the environment and to the health of workers, resulting in pressures to re-design them in accordance with sustainable manufacturing principles. In this paper, we review research being performed at the University of Michigan to minimize the life cycle environmental and health impacts of metalworking fluids while simultaneously improving manufacturing performance. We highlight our research contributions in the following areas: 1) formulation design, 2) biological sensors, 3) advanced recycling, and 4) the use of supercritical fluids. We conclude that it is possible to design more sustainable metalworking fluid systems either by extending dramatically the in-use lifetime of water-based MWFs or better yet by switching to gas-based minimum quantity lubrication systems. Keywords. Metalworking Fluids, Life Cycle Assessment, Minimum Quantity Lubrication, Vegetablebased Lubricants, Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, Biological Sensors
1. Introduction
Sustainable manufacturing adds value to materials, components, or products while maintaining the availability of natural resources and environmental quality for future generations. In this paper we describe contributions to sustainable metalworking fluid systems that form an integral part of a sustainable manufacturing strategy. Although metalworking fluids are coolants and lubricants that have been synonymous with metals manufacturing for centuries, the first instinct we have in sustainable manufacturing is to eliminate the metalworking fluid since it is not embodied in final
Steven J. Skerlos1, Kim F. Hayes2, Andres F. Clarens3, Fu Zhao4
1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan 2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan 3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia 4. School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Abstract. Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are harmful to the environment and to the health of workers, resulting in pressures to re-design them in accordance with sustainable manufacturing principles. In this paper, we review research being performed at the University of Michigan to minimize the life cycle environmental and health impacts of metalworking fluids while simultaneously improving manufacturing performance. We highlight our research contributions in the following areas: 1) formulation design, 2) biological sensors, 3) advanced recycling, and 4) the use of supercritical fluids. We conclude that it is possible to design more sustainable metalworking fluid systems either by extending dramatically the in-use lifetime of water-based MWFs or better yet by switching to gas-based minimum quantity lubrication systems. Keywords. Metalworking Fluids, Life Cycle Assessment, Minimum Quantity Lubrication, Vegetablebased Lubricants, Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, Biological Sensors
1. Introduction
Sustainable manufacturing adds value to materials, components, or products while maintaining the availability of natural resources and environmental quality for future generations. In this paper we describe contributions to sustainable metalworking fluid systems that form an integral part of a sustainable manufacturing strategy. Although metalworking fluids are coolants and lubricants that have been synonymous with metals manufacturing for centuries, the first instinct we have in sustainable manufacturing is to eliminate the metalworking fluid since it is not embodied in final