Lower Colorado River Authority

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Parts Cleaning

Industry: Energy Production

Wastes Reduced: Solvent

Equipment: Aqueous Cleaners

Location: La Grange TX

No. of employees: 350

Contact: Mark Johnson

Phone: (512) 473-3200

Description:

This project involves the use of an aqueous cleaning system that will help reduce citrus solvent use at LCRA. The facility generates an average of 949 gallons of waste solvent each year. The waste coordinator estimated that in 1994, LCRA will generate 4.6 tons

P2 Application:

The implementation of this project should not stop or slow production. Training will be required for all employees which use the equipment. For most employees, the training will be limited to observing the system in use. Some individual employees may need additional training associated with the cleaning of the equipment and management of waste. There are no regulatory barriers to the implementation of this project. The implementation of this project will not require any additional permits.

Environmental Benefits:

FPP generates an average of 3.65 gallons of spent citrus per day. The use of an aqueous-based cleaning system that utilizes a closed-loop water circulating system has the potential to reduce solvent usage by approximately 25 percent or 1.1 tons.The implementation of this project alleviates several environmental problems such as reduced hazardous waste and reduction of a hazardous materials inventory. The project will also reduce the human health risks at the facility by reducing the exposure of employees to solvent use.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The cost savings of this project relate to the savings in solvent purchased, labor spent cleaning parts, and waste management costs. Basing calculations on an average of 1500 gallons of citrus used per year at a total purchase and disposal cost of $22,266 per year. The aqueous cleaning unit has the potential to reduce this volume by 25 percent saving more than $5,566 per year. The equipment will cost between $6,000 and $17,000 depending on the size of unit purchased. The estimated pay back will be 3 years or less.

Source: TCEQ