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ONSITE SOLVENT RECOVERY
Citation:
Gauaskar, A. R., R. F. Olfenbuttle, AND J. A. Jones. ONSITE SOLVENT RECOVERY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-94/026 (NTIS 94-144508), 1993.
Description:
This study evaluated the product quality, waste reduction/pollution prevention, and economic aspects of three technologies for onsite solvent recovery. The technologies were (1) atmospheric batch distillation, (2) vacuum heat-pump distillation, and (3) low-emission vapor degreasing. The atmospheric and vacuum distillation units were tested on spent methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and spent methylene chloride (MC), respectively. Samples of spent, recycled, and virgin solvents at two industrial sites were subjected to physical and chemical tests to determine solvent quality. The quality of the recycled solvent was found to be acceptable for use in the specific applications examined during this study. Significant waste reduction was achieved by reducing the volume of spent solvent to distillation residue needing disposal. The low-emission vapor degreaser (LEVD) is a fully enclosed alternative to conventional, open-top vapor degreasing. It was found to reduce air emissions by more than 99%, compared to a conventional vapor degreaser of the same production capacity. Compared to disposal, the atmospheric and vacuum distillation units reduced operating costs significantly. The estimated payback period for these units was found to be less than 2 years. The LEVD reduced operating costs by reducing solvent losses and labor costs. The estimated payback for this unit was approximately 10 years. The cost estimates were based on a full range of considerations including hardware, engineering, installation, operation, maintenance, contingency funds, and energy use. They did not, however, include potential changes in liabilities or impacts due to regulations planned, or in the process of being implemented. This report was submitted in partial fulfillment of Contract Number 68-CO-0003, Work Assignment 2-36, under the sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This report covers the period from May 1, 1991 to September 30, 1993, and work was completed as of September 30, 1993.