Laughlin AFB
Year Submitted: 2003 |
Process: Painting/Coating |
Industry: Military |
Wastes Reduced: Chemicals, Process |
Substance: Alodine/Chromatic Acid |
Equipment: Evaporator |
Location: Del Rio TX |
No. of employees: 5000 |
Contact: 2Lt. Gary Gaulke |
Phone: (830) 298-4389 |
Description:
Laughlin AFBs largest waste stream in 1995 was chromic acid. The acid was generated from a process that utilizes alodine (chromic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and potassium ferricyanide) to prepare aluminum surfaces for priming and then painting.
P2 Application:
Laughlin purchased an alodine evaporation system to concentrate the chromic acid waste stream. Instead of disposing of the entire mixture as a hazardous waste, Laughlin is evaporating the water out and reducing amount of alodine for disposal.
Environmental Benefits:
Laughlin AFB generated 57 55-gallon drums of alodine prior to this project. This project has reduced the amount to two drums of waste for disposal.
Details of Reductions
Additional Information :
Initial capital cost of the project was $54,000 with a payback period of 1 year. Laughlin AFB realized a disposal cost savings of $41,330. This amount stems from reducing the total weight of 25,228 lbs generated to only 916 lbs of that being disposed of. That is a reduction of 24,312 lbs at $1.70/lb.
Source:
TCEQ
