Le tour de la question
So-called BTX compounds—benzene, toluene, and xylene—are mono-aromatic volatile organic compounds used as first-generation intermediates or as solvents in organic synthesis. Mainly derived from the petrochemical industry, they are extracted from crude oil during distillation; BTX compounds are flammable and highly toxic.
Toluene, also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane, is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It is commonly used as a reagent or solvent in industrial applications. It dissolves most oils, greases, and natural or synthetic resins.
In practice, it is used as a solvent for paints, varnishes, printing inks, rubber, adhesives, waxes, greases, resins, etc. It may also be used as an extraction solvent in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Xylene, or dimethylbenzene, is also used as a solvent in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, printing inks, dyes, rubber, glues and adhesives, as well as in the synthesis of insecticides, pharmaceutical products, cleaners, degreasers, and paint strippers.
Toluene and xylene are particularly chemically aggressive. They can therefore damage filters if their chemical nature is not compatible with the filter media being used.
Pemflow solutions
The table summarizes the chemical compatibility of toluene and xylene with various filter media:
| Solvent / Media | Cellulose acetate | Nylon polyamide 6-6 | Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | Polypropylene (PP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xylene | CL | C | C | NC |
| Toluene | C | C | C | NC |
C : compatible
LC : limited compatibility
NC : not compatible
For the filtration of inks and paints, which generally use toluene or xylene as solvents, it is therefore necessary to favor, for example, a nylon filter cartridge. Polypropylene cartridges are not chemically compatible with these solvents.
The VisClear II meltblown filter cartridge from AMAZON FILTERS, made of nylon 6, has been specifically designed for the treatment of industrial liquid coatings, such as solvent-based paints. It enables depth filtration, thanks to its density gradient, which guarantees maximum dirt-holding capacity with low pressure drop. It provides filtration ratings ranging from 1 to 350 µm.
The VisClear cartridge fibers are continuously melt-blown onto a central core, without the use of binders, resins, or lubricants. Its thermally bonded structure minimizes fiber migration and extractables. VisClear cartridges are also compatible with very high-viscosity fluids and high-temperature applications.
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