Defense Distribution Depot Red River

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Painting/Coating

Industry: Military

Wastes Reduced: Paint

Substance: Filters

Equipment: Paint Booth Filters

Location: Texarkana TX

No. of employees: 1025

Contact: Dave McLintock

Phone: (903) 334-2896

Description:

Existing paint particulate filters were loading up with paint and sagging, resulting in paint by-passing the filter. Research was conducted to locate a rigid filter to correct they by-pass problem. A new type of styrofoam filter system was purchased from Air Filtration Company, Inc. of Iowa which not only solved the by-pass problem, but also eliminated a solid waste stream. Used filters are dissolved in spent paint solvents which are recycled on-site.

P2 Application:

Additional savings were gained when it was noticed that paint filters were loaded unevenly with paint. Maintenance procedure were altered to only replace loaded filters instead of the entire filter bank. After publicizing the success in the newsletter of the facility the entire Army Depot adopted the filters reducing waste an additional 50%

Environmental Benefits:

This process eliminated 48,000 pounds of hazardous waste a year. By eliminating paint by-pass these filters also decreased air emissions.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The filters cost about the same as the old filters and the maintenance procedures were no more costly than before. Reduced disposal fees resulted in savings of almost $42,000 a year that were immediately realized.

Source: TCEQ