You are here:
ON-SITE SOLVENT RECOVERY
Citation:
Gavaskar, A. R., R. F. Olfenbuttel, AND J. A. Jones. ON-SITE SOLVENT RECOVERY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/SR-94/026, 1994.
Impact/Purpose:
provide information
Description:
This study evaluated the product quality, waste reduction/pollution prevention, and economic aspects of three technologies for onsite solvent recovery: atmospheric batch distillation, vacuum heat-pump distillation, and low-emission vapor degreasing. The atmospheric and vacuum distillation units were tested on spent methyl ethyl ketone and spent methylene chloride, respectively. Samples of spent, recycled, and virgin solvents at two industrial sites underwent 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. Significant waste reduction was achieved by reducing the volume of spent solvent to a few gallons of distillation residue needing disposal. The low-emission vapor degreaser 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 yr. The low-emission vapor degreaser reduced operating costs by reducing solvent losses and labor costs. The estimated payback for this unit was approximately 10 yr. The cost estimates were based on a full range of considerations including equipment, engineering, installation, operation, maintenance, and energy use. The estimates did not, however, include potential changes in liabilities or impacts due to regulations planned or in the process of being implemented.