Texas Army National Guard

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Parts Cleaning

Industry: Government Agency-Includes Military

Wastes Reduced: Coating Waste

Substance: Paint

Equipment: Sodium Bicarb Blast

Location: Two TX

Contact: LTC Don Tryce

Phone: (512) 465-5001 ext 5717

Description:

In 1994, the Texas Army National Guard purchased an Accu Strip Machine Model 13 from ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems. In 1995, two additional units were purchased for Combined Support Maintenance Shop #1, Saginaw, Texas and the Mobilization and Training Equipment Site, North Fort Hood, Texas.

P2 Application:

Accu Strip Machine Model 13 is designed to deliver a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) blasting media to remove paint and other coating from metallic and composite surfaces. It is a pneumatic variable blast pressure (30-90 psi) system that avoids ingression of the media into the blasting surface.Accu Strip Machine Model 13 allows for adjustable flow for different degrees of paint removal. It is effective yet gentle. It does not damage glass or thin gauge metal. It produces little residue for removal, which makes it ideal for cleaning heavily greased and oiled equipment. It works well for removing grease, oil, carbon process residue or surface corrosion from stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized metal, concrete, ceramic tile, glass, rubber, neoprene, and composite materials. Manufacturer's patented ARMEX Blast Media must be used, at a cost of $17.50 per 50 lb bag.

Environmental Benefits:

The cleaning system drastically reduces or eliminates solvent cleaning or hand tooling. The ARMEX baking soda media is a non-toxic and water soluble media. It does not have the environmental hazards associated with solvents, caustic chemicals, toxic fumes, sand blasting and high pressure operations. (Workers are still required to wear protective clothing and masks for protection from particulates in the air.) A $27,000 zero discharge waste water recycling system was purchased to eliminate discharge of heavy metals (lead) to the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The systems costs approximately $15,000. Estimated payback period is less than 6 months.

Source: TCEQ