Abstract |
The paper describes a demonstration of n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as an alternative to methylene chloride for stripping cured coatings from metal parts. It describes both the old and the new processes, summarizes the equipment retrofit, and gives results of an operational evaluation conducted at the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany, GA, from November 1 to December 21, 1995. The NMP, when heated to 66 +/- 6 C, removed multiple layers of Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARCs) and stripped parts to the base metal within 3-4 hours. The heated NMP successfully removed Plastisol, a plastic coating, from battery tie-down brackets. The NMP softened epoxy-based topcoats, but removal usually required overnight soaking. The annual cost of NMP stripping is comparable to stripping with methylene chloride, although the start-up cost is higher. The implementation of NMP eliminates a major source of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions at the MCLB. |