Cleaning heavy equipment in Fort McMurray’s oil sands operations is no easy task. The challenge of removing stubborn heavy oil, bitumen, and oil sands deposits requires a heavy-duty oil sands degreaser.
But, there’s more to the challenge than just finding a cleaner or degreaser that works. You need a degreaser that protects human health and complies with stringent environmental regulations, including Canada’s new VOC legislation.
Several degreaser options are available on the market. Some of the more popular options include Megasol, Citrikleen, Terrasol ULV, Greensol ULV, Breakaway VF and Hydrosol ULV.
In this guide, we provide the tools for you to compare these leading solutions. After reading, you’ll know what to look for to ensure your operations are efficient, compliant, and environmentally responsible. Best of all, you’ll have the tools to compare products and make an informed decision.
What to Consider When Comparing Terrasol ULV, Greensol ULV, Breakaway VF, Hydrosol ULV, Megasol Degreaser and Citrikleen Degreaser
Fort McMurray’s conditions present unique challenges, from extreme temperatures to the sticky, abrasive nature of oil sands deposits. Heavy equipment, such as haul trucks, shovels, and buckets, require degreasers that perform under demanding conditions.
Common industry options include:
Each offers unique degreasing capabilities, varying flashpoints, and different health, safety and environment profiles.
When evaluating degreaser options, it’s essential to consider performance, health, safety, and environmental impact. Well-written SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are excellent tools to help fully understand these impacts.
Evaluating Degreaser Safety Data Sheets
Before approving a degreaser for use on-site, evaluate the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for some suppliers to provide SDSs that are incorrect or misleading. That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence.
When evaluating SDSs for oil sands wash bay applications there are several factors to consider. Before approving a degreaser for testing or use on-site, we recommend you ask the following questions:
- Will you dilute the product?
- How will you use the product in your operation?
- Is information on the SDS withheld for Confidential, Proprietary or Trade Secret claims? And are those claims registered with Health Canada and valid?
- Does the product have a flashpoint? If so, what is it and does it identify the method of testing?
- Have you reviewed the pH of the product?
To learn how to answer these questions and what to look for, read our guide on reviewing safety data sheets for more information.
Checklist to Compare Safety Data Sheets: Megasol SDS, Citrikleen SDS, and Guardian's Degreaser SDSs
Use this checklist to compare SDSs for different chemical products including Megasol, Citrikleen, and Guardian’s ULV, and VF degreasers. In it, you’ll find key questions to ask as you compare Safety Data Sheets.
Best of all, you can see the information in one place—making it easier to make sense of it all. Contact us, if you need an SDS for one of our degreasers.
VOC Compliance and SDSs
Is your chemical products supplier VOC compliant? If it’s not on the SDS, ask your supplier for information about VOC content to make sure the product complies with Canada’s VOC laws.
While there are some exceptions, most degreasers fall under category 43, general-purpose degreasers. General-purpose degreasers have a VOC limit of 0.5%. Remember, volatile organic compounds are released into the air you breathe. They contribute to emissions, smog, and ground level ozone, so lower VOC numbers are better.
Guardian Chemicals ULV products contain less than 0.5% VOC, up to 60x lower than most other degreaser options. And, our VF products like Breakaway VF are 100% VOC free—eliminating worker VOC exposure.
How does VOC content impact the Flashpoint of Heavy-Duty Degreasers?
People often gauge the safety of degreasers by their flashpoints. Some degreasers contain high VOC concentrations resulting in lower flashpoints. In the past, a flashpoint over 61°C was the industry standard to reduce fire risk.
The problem is, it costs money to take a heavy haul truck or other piece of equipment out of service. Workers often clean these machines while some parts are still hot, increasing the risk of a fire or explosion. That’s why, it’s better to use degreasers with higher flashpoints.
Low and VOC free degreasers often have much higher flashpoints. They let you clean and return your equipment to service faster.
Compare the flashpoints of popular degreaser options. You’ll find some list a wide temperature range and no test method, some are below 60°C, and others are slightly above 60°C.
Contrast this with Terrasol ULV and Hydrosol ULV which feature flashpoints >95°C. Breakaway VF has a flashpoint of 80°C and Greensol ULV 76°C. These flashpoints are considerably higher than the industry standard to protect workers and enhance operational safety.
Here’s how the flashpoints of our degreasers have increased with our ULV and VF product lines.
Substances with lower flashpoints are more likely to catch fire or explode when their vapors touch a heat source. This can happen, for example, with a hot engine. Being aware of this risk is important.
Lower flash point solvents, such as mineral spirits, petroleum distillates, and napthas, often have cancer-causing substances in them. Breathing less carcinogens is definitely a good thing!
The listing of Canadian SDS flashpoints must show degrees Celsius and identify a “closed-cup” test method. Lack of a testing method, or those listing open-cup methods or broad ranges may be red flags.
Why Should You use a ULV (ultra-low VOC) or VF (VOC free) Solvent Degreaser?
Using an ULV (ultra-low VOC) or VF (VOC free) solvent degreaser reduces your wash bay staff’s VOC exposure. And, these products lower or eliminate the emission of volatile organic compounds. This reduces VOC emissions and contributes to cleaner air. These degreasers ensure compliance to the highest standards set in Canada’s VOC regulations.
TerraSol ULV, GreenSol ULV, Hydrosol ULV, and Breakaway VF are powerful degreasers. They are popular options for low-VOC industrial wash bay solutions. These products have lower VOC levels than those required by Canada’s strictest regulations.
With a ULV or VF product, you’re choosing a low-VOC oil sands degreaser. Learn more in our low-VOC degreaser guide.
Final Considerations
Choosing the right degreaser for your operation involves careful consideration of various factors, including cleaning efficacy, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance. Contact us when you’re ready to learn more about our ULV and VF rated degreasers. Create a better future with chemistry done better—protect your workers and the environment and get the job done!
Related from Guardian: industrial degreasers from Guardian, oil sands chemical supply in Fort McMurray and industrial degreaser supply in Edmonton.
FAQ: Best Oil Sands Degreasers for Your Fort McMurray Operation
When choosing an oil sands degreaser, consider performance, health, safety, and environmental impact. Make sure the degreaser follows Canada’s rules on VOCs. It should cleans well without harming workers or the environment.
The best way to compare safety data sheets between products and suppliers is with our Checklist. This checklist highlights some of the key questions you ask, and the information you should be looking for when comparing safety data sheets. You can download a copy of our “Checklist for Comparing Safety Data Sheets” here.
VOCs are substances that can evaporate into the air, causing air pollution and health risks. Choosing low-VOC or VOC-free degreasers reduces harmful emissions and ensures compliance with environmental regulations.
Ultra-low VOC degreasers like Terrasol ULV and Greensol ULV contain less than 0.5% VOC content in their formulation.
VOC free degreasers like Breakaway VF contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their formulation.
Terrasol ULV and Greensol ULV have less than 0.5% VOC content, significantly lower than other popular degreasers. Breakaway VF is 100% VOC-free, eliminating VOC exposure.
Flashpoints indicate the temperature at which a substance can ignite. Higher flashpoints reduce the risk of fire or explosion during cleaning operations.
Evaluating the SDS ensures you understand the product’s health, safety, and environmental impacts. It provides critical information on how to handle the product safely and comply with regulatory standards.
When you review an SDS, check for the product’s dilution instructions. Also, look for handling procedures and any confidential information. Make sure to note the flashpoint and pH level of the product.
Assess all health risks and safety precautions. Ensure the information is accurate and compliant with Health Canada regulations.
ULV and VF degreasers reduce or eliminate VOC exposure. They also support compliance with Canada’s stringent VOC regulations.
Yes, see our Breathing Easy with Terrasol ULV case study. The case study and video demonstrate how it effectively removes stubborn oil sands deposits while complying with VOC legislation.
Verify the VOC content and request additional information from your supplier if needed. This guide to help you evaluate compliance. Guardian Chemicals’ ULV and VF products meet and exceed the most stringent VOC regulations.
For more detailed information and guidance on selecting the best degreaser for your operation, contact us. Our experts can provide personalized advice and suggestions tailored to your specific needs. This will assist you in selecting the most effective solution for your business.
