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BICARBONATE OF SODA BLASTING TECHNOLOGY FOR AIRCRAFT WHEEL PAINTING
Citation:
Chen, A. C., L. Smith, AND R. F. Olfenbuttel. BICARBONATE OF SODA BLASTING TECHNOLOGY FOR AIRCRAFT WHEEL PAINTING. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-94/127 (NTIS 94-193323), 1994.
Description:
This evaluation addressed product quality, waste reduction/pollution prevention and economics in replacing chemical solvent strippers with a bicarbonate of soda blasting technology for removal of paint from aircraft wheels. The evaluation was conducted in the Paint Stripping Shop at Ellington Field, National Aeronautics' and Space Administration/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), in Houston, Texas. The evaluation used limited new test data, information from previous tests by NASA/JSC as part of their program to adopt this process as a nondestructive inspection of aircraft wheels, cost estimates for the chemical stripping and bicarbonate blasting based on facility records. Because the paint being removed contained hazardous metal constituents, the liquid and solid wastes as well as the cloud of spray generated were evaluated for metal concentrations present and their leachability. Analyses for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn were made as well as total metals concentrations, Ph, total suspended solids, and oil and grease. The blasting technology is effective for removing paint from aircraft wheels without significant damage to the anodized surface under the paint. Engineering improvements that avoid the need of respirators, reduce noise levels and minimize water use could enhance the application. Applications that do not contain hazardous materials in the coating being removed could be significantly more lucrative. In comparison to solvent depainting this technology reduced the amount of hazardous waste generated as well as cost savings due to operating and disposal costs, resulting in a 15% return on investment in about 4 years. 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 a period from June 1991 to May 1992, and the study was completed as of May 31, 1992.