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SOLVENT RECOVERY AT VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE
Citation:
Harris, G. AND R. Wetherold. SOLVENT RECOVERY AT VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-84/125 (NTIS PB84222405), 1984.
Description:
The report gives results of a feasibility study of the addition of vapor recovery and solvent purification equipment for Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) to reuse the large quantities of waste solvent generated in space shuttle preparation operations. (NOTE: Operation of VAFB as the western launch site for the shuttle will increase the volume of solvent waste generated.) This project included four major tasks: development of (1) design criteria, (2) a conceptual design, (3) a site layout and solvent logistics plan, and (4) detailed system design specifications. It was determined that vapor recovery can be justified at only one location, and that Freon-113 is the only solvent that can be economically purified for reuse. The final system design calls for a carbon adsorption unit for recovery of solvent vapors from the component cleaning facility (CCF) and a solvent purification facility that includes a water-wash column, two fractional distillation columns, molecular sieve driers, and two-stage filtration. Both facilities should be adjacent to the CCF, and a bulk Freon system should be installed for the CCF to reduce the handling of containerized solvents.