Method for treating metal-working fluid

Abstract

A method for treating metal-working fluid comprises the steps of: a) transferring the metal-working fluid into a heating vessel; b) heating the metal-working fluid in the heating vessel to maintain the fluid at an elevated temperature during a heating period; c) agitating and aerating the fluid during the heating period; d) transferring the fluid out of the heating vessel into a holding vessel after the heating period; and e) transferring the fluid out of the holding vessel. The fluid may pass through a particle filter before entering the heating vessel, where it may be heated to between about 145° F. and about 210° F. for at least about 30 minutes. During heating, heated ambient air may be drawn through air inlets and through the fluid to agitate and aerate the fluid, thereby ensuring uniform heating and extracting gaseous contaminants. Mist and gaseous contaminants are removed from the airflow prior to its release into the environment. After the heating period the treated metal-working fluid is transferred into a holding vessel and ultimately back to a metal-working machine for re-use. An apparatus for treating metal-working fluid comprises: a) a heating vessel; b) a heater for heating the fluid in the heating vessel to an elevated temperature to maintain the fluid at the elevated temperature during a heating period; c) an agitator for agitating the fluid during the heating period; d) an aerator for aerating the fluid during the heating period; e) a holding vessel; and f) a pump for transferring the metal-working fluid from the heating vessel into the holding vessel after the heating period.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.