--- title: The Hidden Value of Soak Time for Chemical Purging Compounds description: Purging Expert Chris Melchiore talks about causes how soak time can help clean using chemical purging compounds. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20soap%20suds%20in%20a%20bath.jpeg --- [ Order Online ](https://asaclean.my.site.com/b2bstore) [ Free Sample ](https://offers.asaclean.com/free-sample) ## [ Asaclean Blog ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog) Browse by Topic " aerospace asaclean asaclean news Asaclean® benefits asahi kasei automotive Best Practices black specks blisters blow molding blown-film extrusion buyers caps and closures carbon contamination cast-film extrusion Chemical Purging Compounds clear applications Color Changeovers Company News compounding consumer products contamination Cost savings custom molders Customer Success Story decreasing scrap defects electronics Energy Efficiency EX Grade extruder cleaning Extrusion fillament glass filled Glitter Grade Selection HDPE High and Low Temp Changeovers hold a bubble Hot Runners Injection Molding Injection Molding Tips LDPE Lightweight automotive components LLDPE low residue maintenance Material Changeovers Mechanical Purging Compounds medical Melt Flow Index NPE 24 nylons on the fly packaging PCR PEEK Polypropylene Post Consumer Resins preventative preventative purging processing tips profile extrusion Purge Program purge programs Purge Training Purge Trial purging purging compounds purging concentrates purging procedures Purging Tips quality recycled resins residue issues scrap reduction Screw Pulls sheet extrusion shutdown and sealing start-up super engineering resins Sustainability Tech Day technical support training trials Troubleshooting Twin Screw twin screw extrusion two step purging U Grade ULTEM venting Viscosity webinars wire extrusion - 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[LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds&title=The%20Hidden%20Value%20of%20Soak%20Time%20for%20Chemical%20Purging%20Compounds&summary=Purging+Expert+Chris+Melchiore+talks+about+causes+how+soak+time+can+help+clean+using+chemical+purging+compounds.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=The%20Hidden%20Value%20of%20Soak%20Time%20for%20Chemical%20Purging%20Compounds&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds) ![The Hidden Value of Soak Time for Chemical Purging Compounds](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20soap%20suds%20in%20a%20bath.jpeg?width=640&height=500&name=This%20image%20depicts%20soap%20suds%20in%20a%20bath.jpeg) ![increase-value-means-up-worth-and-valuable](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/increase-value-means-up-worth-and-valuable.jpg?width=300&name=increase-value-means-up-worth-and-valuable.jpg) I was recently in a plant technically supporting a chemical purge trial in a very large sheet extrusion system. The system had two extruders, breaker plate, screen packs, extensive downstream plumbing, static mixer, melt pump, and an adapter with a 60” die. They were struggling with contamination issues. The line had not been torn down and cleaned in some time. Degraded, carbonized polymer was consistent throughout the line. We decided to try a chemical purge to eliminate the contamination then begin a preventative maintenance program to maintain it.    Chemical purges are heat activated. More heat = increased chemical activity = better cleaning. We were conducting the purge at 545F. [Procedures can differ between purge manufacturers](https://www.asaclean.com/asaclean-chemical-purging-procedures/) but for the most part, you can run the purge at normal processing speed until it emerges uniformly from the die reaching the outer edges. The RPM’s on the extruder are then minimized to a safe controllable level reducing the amount of purge compound necessary for cleaning. That starts the clock on a soak cycle which can last from 10-30 minutes. We noticed at normal processing speed there was a great deal of chemical activity from the purge when leaving the die. After slowing it down, the reaction decreased. The distance from the extruders to the die was extensive. The increased dwell or residence time was using up the chemical activity of the purge material. Once we increased the RPM’s on the extruders to where we had consistent chemical activity again, we soaked for 20 minutes and cleaned the system effectively.   **Ready to reduce your ****production downtime**** to protect your profits? Learn more about how ****purging compounds**** and process efficiency work in tandem.** ![Chris Melchiore](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Head_Shots/Chris%20Head%20shot.jpg?width=150&name=Chris%20Head%20shot.jpg) #### [ Chris Melchiore ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/chris-melchiore) Chris Melchiore, serving as Business Development Manager at Asaclean Purging Compounds, excels with his specialized knowledge in Chemical Purging Compounds and Concentrate Grades. His industry journey, extending over two decades, includes a notable 16-year stint at NOVACHEM before joining Asaclean in 2015. Beyond his core role, Chris is actively involved in speaking engagements at webinars and tradeshows, showcasing his expertise and contributing to the broader industry dialogue. His insights and experience make him a pivotal figure in both business development and educational outreach for Asaclean. - [Share On LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-melchiore-19abb2a1/) ## Related Posts [![Purging Expert Chris Melchiore talks about the benefits of chemical purging compounds. ](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Header-Chemical%20Sweet%20Spot.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Blog%20Header-Chemical%20Sweet%20Spot.jpg) Finding the Sweet Spot With a Chemical Purge Chemical... / 3 min read / January 05, 2022 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/finding-the-sweet-spot-with-a-chemical-purge) [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blown%20Film.png?width=450&height=250&name=Blown%20Film.png) 4 Causes of Flow Lines in Blown Film Extrusion (and One Easy Solution) Troubleshooting / 3 min read / March 02, 2021 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/4-causes-of-flow-lines-in-blown-film-extrusion-and-one-easy-solution) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/the-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/the-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds#) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-layers.svg) #### Free Sample Request a free sample of Asaclean® Purging Compounds for your plant and start saving today. 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[See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/the-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Chris Melchiore", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/chris-melchiore" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-07T15:38:46.460Z", "datePublished" : "2019-06-27T16:46:17.000Z", "headline" : "The Hidden Value of Soak Time for Chemical Purging Compounds", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20soap%20suds%20in%20a%20bath.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/the-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Logo%20TM.jpg" }, "name" : "Asahi Kasei Plastics North America" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "articleBody" : "I was recently in a plant technically supporting a chemical purge trial in a very large sheet extrusion system. The system had two extruders, breaker plate, screen packs, extensive downstream plumbing, static mixer, melt pump, and an adapter with a 60” die. They were struggling with contamination issues. The line had not been torn down and cleaned in some time. Degraded, carbonized polymer was consistent throughout the line. We decided to try a chemical purge to eliminate the contamination then begin a preventative maintenance program to maintain it.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Chris Melchiore" }, "datePublished" : "June 27, 2019", "headline" : "The Hidden Value of Soak Time for Chemical Purging Compounds", "image" : "https://468726.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/468726/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20soap%20suds%20in%20a%20bath.jpeg", "name" : "The Hidden Value of Soak Time for Chemical Purging Compounds", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/the-hidden-value-of-soak-time-for-chemical-purging-compounds" } ```