Contents Notes |
"The operation of Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) as the western launch site for the space shuttle will increase the volume of solvent waste generated. This report gives results of a feasibility study of the addition of vapor recovery and solvent purification equipment for VAFB to reuse the large quantities of waste solvent generated in shuttle preparation operations. This project - sponsored by the US Air Force, with project direction provided jointly by the Aerospace Corporation and the US EPA - 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. It has been recommended that both facilities be adjacent to the CCF, and that a bulk Freon system be installed for the CCF to reduce the handling of containerized solvents." |