Typically, heat up time of an hour or two, and a gallon an hour, but it depends on many variables. What solvent? How dirty? Humidity and barometric pressure? Elevation? Latent heat characteristics, etc. The Sidewinder was designed to process 50 gallons a week, during a five day work week. If a user processes 50 gallons a week and his expense to buy plus legal disposal is a conservative $5.00 a gallon, the Sidewinder will pay for itself in 14-15 weeks. If time is a problem you need more units to put more money back in your pocket. Check with your accountant for the tax benefits.
We must tell you to treat the residue as hazardous waste until your local landfill and environmental officials tell you otherwise. But, now you are probably a small quantity generator. EPA likes what you’re doing and will work with you. More lenient laws now apply to you. Continue to accumulate the small amount of residue in a 55 gallon drum. Once it is full and capped, you have at least six more months to have it hauled away. Here's a great EPA compliance information site.
Not in real terms. Picture yourself generating a drum of waste a month at $150.00 without a Sidewinder. That’s $5,400.00 every three years, right? With a Sidewinder you could generate in the neighborhood of a drum of residue at about $350.00 every three years.
As often as not, people do not really know for sure what is in the old collection. If this is your case, take your lumps and dispose of the waste. This application is where we see the worst compatibility problems with old solvents and acids, water, nitrocellulose, corrosion, etc. Use a Sidewinder in your day to day processing and you won’t accumulate this problem again.
Where people are playing catch up and processing an old really dirty collection of waste you may wish to use a Sidewinder processing bag to line the cooking bucket. Typically people use a few dedicated cooking buckets for current day to day processing. In many cases the residue will begin to crumble like old pavement after several batches and can be crumbled and dumped out, however, most people prefer the convenience of the Sidewinder processing bag.
Many people find it convenient to use Sidewinder processing bags in their waste management programs. You must still use a bucket if you choose to use Sidewinder processing bags. Just place the Sidewinder processing bag in a clean open top metal bucket and fold down the sides like lining a waste can. For best results when using Sidewinder processing bags, start with a clean open top metal bucket, bags will stick to dirty buckets containing paint or coatings residue.
One year limited warranty. Ask your dealer for a copy.
There are two PC boards which can be unplugged and replaced. The heating assembly is also replaceable. The refrigeration unit can be serviced by any refrigeration man. The units are easily serviceable by any mechanical person.
Nitrocellulose is an ester of cellulose and nitric acid. It is used as a component of many lacquers, inks, adhesives and cements. It becomes very unstable when heated and dry. It auto ignites at 275 F - 330 F in a violent , exothermic reaction to form a dense cloud containing potentially toxic levels of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. It is extremely corrosive. Do not process nitrocellulose in your Sidewinder. It is dangerous and related damage is not covered by warranty.
The Sidewinder operates at the prevailing atmospheric pressure. It is not a pressurized device.
The Bonnet fits over the Sidewinder to minimize heat loss while its outer surface stays near room temperature. It is required for high boil temp solvents like mineral spirits. It is suggested for operating in cooler climates or for use as an added safety heat barrier. The energy saved in most cases can pay for the bonnet over the first year in use.
No, the Sidewinder has control logic that monitors the process and turns itself off when finished.
Happily, since 1988.
Yes, push the button to turn off the red light. The Sidewinder will proceed with a shutdown cycle.
What does Class I, Division 1 hazardous location mean?
If a recyler is not certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory for use in a normal location, it did not pass the vapor concentration test for normal locations (U.S Fire Code requires that a solvent distillation unit must be used only in locations in accordance with its listing) you must build a special room to house the potentially "hazardous" unit. Look around your shop. Do you have normal or weird special classified lighting? Do you have normal or weird looking electrical outlets and switches on the wall? Do you use normal electrical devices (drill motors, coffee pots, air compressors, welders, etc.) or special devices marked Class I, Division 1?. If everything is normal, get a Sidewinder Model M-2 Recycler, certified by UL for use in normal locations.
Maintenance is simple. Check the clean solvent outlet tubes for obstructions before each batch. Keep the unit and its operating area clean and clear of debris. Follow the periodic maintenance schedule in the owners manual.
No, it will melt and make a big mess.
There is limited customer adjustability. Always consult the factory prior to making any adjustments.
We’ve discovered that to double the machine size in order to process 100 gallons a week, would more than double the cost to the customer for the larger unit. If you need to process more than 50 gallons a week, two machines is the cost effective answer.
The unit must be bolted to the floor and hard wired. If moving the unit is required, be sure it is empty of solvent. If the unit must be tipped on its side, be sure the electrical box and refrigeration grille are up and the logo face panel and on/off button are face down.
I can tell you yes. Better yet, let your dealer show you. You be the judge.
With all the many solvents available for use and their many different brand names, it is impractical to attempt to list them all here. Alcohols, Aliphatic Petroleum, Aromatics, Esters, Ketones, Terpenes and compounds of Lacquer Thinners with boiling temperatures from 130° F to 388 ° F, used in painting and coatings applications cleanup, are commonly processed in the Sidewinder. Discuss your needs with your dealer or the factory, it is easier to tackle your individual situation.
Many users are satisfactorily processing chlorinated solvents. You should be aware, however, that this is an area where additional maintenance cost could be incurred because of potential acid and corrosion problems.
Five to six cents an hour here locally, less than 50 cents.
110-120 volts, about 11amps. 60 hz, single phase. We advise using a dedicated circuit whenever possible.
The Sidewinder is not intended for outdoor use. The Sidewinder should be in a covered area, protected from rain and direct sunlight. Operating the unit in a cold environment will result in slower processing. Operation in a hot environment could allow some of your clean solvent to evaporate. The Sidewinder is designed for use in ambient temperature from 50° F (10° C) to 95° F (35° ) .
The Sidewinder was designed to recycle solvents which have different characteristics and properties than water.
The mixture you put in dirty is the blend that you will get back clean.
EPA is not in the business of approving or certifying any commercial equipment. They are in the business of protecting the environment by enforcing laws with heavy fines and cleanup cost to violators. They give advice to the waste generator and offer many educational publications. They do endorse "in house" recycling for dirty solvents, because this minimizes hazardous waste. Here's a great EPA compliance information site.
Be careful, just because it’s out of sight it shouldn’t be out of mind. Your name and EPA identification number are on it. It’s still yours. Anyone can become a licensed waste hauler, it’s easy. If they spill it or it leaks, the cleanup costs are yours. Just a few gallons spilled on the ground can cost you your business. You have a "cradle to grave" responsibility. Times are changing. The politicians are not at war with the Russians anymore, the cold war is over. The new battle is over the environment.