Texas Army National Guard

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: VOC collection

Industry: Government Agency-Includes Military

Wastes Reduced: Solvent

Equipment: Filtenng Parts Washer

Location: Two TX

Contact: LTC Don Tryce

Phone: (512) 465-5001 ext 5717

Description:

The Dallas Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) used Dallas Naval Air Station's aerosol can puncturing system to deplete their paint cans in 1995. In 1994 the Austin Army Aviation Support Facility and the Austin Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) #2 each purchased one of these aerosol can puncturing systems. These systems have depleted over 500 aerosol cans in the last two years.

P2 Application:

DRM266, which is used to puncture most domed aerosol cans, mounts on a 30 or 55 gallon steel drum with standard 2" and 3/4" bung openings. Fluids from the punctured can are collected in the drum and any VOCs present are captured in the coalescing/carbon cartridge. The DRM266 accepts most industrial sized domed aerosol cans (16-24 oz., standard 12 oz. and small 1" diameter 6- 8 oz. mini cans). The device requires replacement of activated carbon cartridges and gaskets. Gaskets with more chemical resistance are required for more aggressive contents. Seals must be maintained to prevent leaking of material.

Environmental Benefits:

The device allowed depletion of cans with broken or frozen valves regardless of quantity of paint remaining in can. The waste paint is collected in the drum. Punctured empty cans may be placed with normal trash for landfill disposal. It is estimated it would take 5 to 10 years to accumulate a drum of waste paint at an aviation facility.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

Solid waste disposal of aerosol cans averages $5 per can. The cost of the unit ($639) can be recouped after puncturing as few as 130 cans.

Source: TCEQ