Corpus Christi Army Depot

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Painting/Coating

Industry: Military

Wastes Reduced: VOC Emissions

Substance: Chlorinated Solvents

Equipment: Plastic Media Blasting

Location: Corpus Christi TX

No. of employees: 3500

Contact: Chuck Gawanes

Phone: (512) 939-4170

Description:

In September of 1994 a system was installed to reduce the amount of volatile organic carbon (VOC) emissions into the atmosphere from chlorinated solvents used in chemical stripping of parts and components. The system provides a walk-in blast booth in the airframe cleaning shop to remove paint from large helicopter parts after disassembly and before rebuilding. Noise levels outside the booth have been measured at 80 db, below the OSHA threshold limit of 85 db.

P2 Application:

This system can remove polyurethane, epoxy, epoxy/phenolic coatings from titanium, steel, magnesium and fiberglass substrates. The blast booth can operate continuously for a period of 4 hours before reloading. An automated pneumatic floor recovery system can return usable blast media without interruption of the operation of the unit. The blast booth measures 10 foot by 10 foot by 10 foot and can handle large aircraft sections such as a helicopter door.

Environmental Benefits:

Once the blast media can no longer be reused, the plastic media containing paint wastes are shipped off-site for disposal as nonhazardous waste. Besides the internal recycling of media, the new system replaces methylene chloride which is a hazardous waste. CCAD now produces zero hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions with this new technology.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

Initial capital cost was $122,000 with an annual savings of $11,000. Savings are from improved paint stripping rates, more selective stripping processes, lower operating costs, and reduction of hazardous waste regulations and disposal costs.

Source: TCEQ