Coolant Additive - antiseptic or antimicrobial

[fcris]

Can anyone tell me if there is an antiseptic or antimicrobial additive we can add to our coolant to help with bacterial growth and odor?
We are currently using Blasocut. And Blaser suggests we remove and replace 50% to get antimicrobial level up. That make no sense, monetarily or environmentally.

Thanks,
Frank
Central Metal Fabricators Inc

[Geof]

You cannot stop microbial growth in your coolant but you can minimize the undesirable bacterial growth that creates the odor by keeping the tramp oil levels very low and keeping the coolant well oxygenated. Use a skimmer or coalescing filter system such as this : Keller Products, Inc. for removing tramp oil and install a small pump to keep the coolant circulating when the machine is not in use.

[Delw]

gotta agree with geof on this one. the primary reason is tramp oils.
I am the worst offender of coolant. I use tap water, sometimes one machine will sit for weeks even a month not using coolant( I cut dry). I've heard all the excuess and solutions to why coolant stinks over the last 25+ years. when the coolant starts to smell I dont sanitise it or clean it ( waste of time and money) I just add more coolant and double it so its thicker. never stinks again unless I dont take the oil off the top.
I did find that more concentrated the coolant is the less it will stink. ( why I have no clue but if I am running thin it will stink faster).
bottom line is get a skimmer and use it. you can get cheap ones anywhere, make your own out of a roatisorri(sp) motor but its needed.
the air works good as well I have it on one machine. its a fishtank pump with a fishtank stone. However if you have the tramp oils it wont help.
my lathe sucks cause there is no place to put a oil skimmer. I have a old belt one that I am gong to put in there when I get a chance.

[underthetire]

Yep, skim it. The phase sep from turbo conveyor was a good solution, worked much better than the cheap ones, but it's expensive. You can get an oring skimmer for tight places

[fcris]

Yea guys, that's also what the coolant people say. We built a skimmer wet vac, but it takes too much skill and time to vacuum just the top skim. Especially if you can't get to more then one or two open spots in the tanks. This wasn't a big deal when we had 1 or 2 CNC's. Now with 10 or so, it's almost as if we have to hire someone just to manage this. I should also add that it costs us about $160.00 to get rid of 55 gal of coolant.

And I agree a tramp oil skimmer would help. I just can't believe someone doesn't make an additive, the same as the coolant people use, to replenish the levels needed.

We're busy, but I'll try to post any other findings aside from the obvious skimmers.

Thanks,
Frank C.
Central Metal Fabricators Inc
300 Central Ave.
Farmingdale NJ 07727-3789
Phone: 732-938-6900
Web: centralmetalfab.com

[fizzissist]

A cheap way to keep your coolant oxygenated is a fish tank bubbler. Don't need any fancy airstones...you can easily make a little manifold with a row of holes that will help create a current in the tank so it mixes.

You have to keep it skimmed and agitated so the anaerobic bugs don't take hold.

Some of our problems came from mineral build up with the use of tap water to replenish. Switched to de-ionized water, and that has its own problems. Bought a $160 reverse osmosis system, and it made coolant maintenance a lot easier.

55gals of coolant for $160?????

...Here's a trick for ya....

Put some heat tape around the barrel, stick it in the sun with the bubbler tubing into the bottom of the barrel. Let it sit for a week...and the water will evaporate off, leaving mostly coolant. Since it's 85%+ water to start with....I hate spending that much money to dispose of .... water.