Case
Study
AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS
Switch to Less Hazardous Parts Washers
| Company | Regional Transportation District District Shops Facility 1900 31st Street, Denver, Colorado 80216 |
|---|---|
| Person to Contact | David Genova Telephone: (303) 299-4038 |
| Product or Service | Equipment/Vehicle Maintenance and repair. |
| Number of Employees | 300 |
| Waste Stream Targeted | Hazardous parts cleaning solvent and solvent wastes |
| Original System | Stoddard-Solvent Parts Washers. A sink-type device dispenses solvent from a faucet and collects and recirculates the spent solvent in a drum beneath the sink. A cleaning brush is included as an accessory or as part of the faucet. Stoddard-based solvents (mineral spirits or petroleum naphtha) typically have a flash point of ~105 deg. F (highly flammable). The parts-washing solvent is removed and manifested for shipment off-site as hazardous waste, and the parts washer is refilled with fresh solvent. |
| New System (with P2 Modifications) |
Inland Technology "Edge-Tek" parts washers are very similar to conventional parts washers, except for the solvent used and the dual filtration system that continually filters the solvent as it is circulated through the unit. The system uses a petroleum-based solvent called Breakthrough, which is a mixture of straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbons with a flashpoint of ~150 F. It is also less toxic than stoddard solvents. |
| Cost Savings | |
| Initial Equipment Costs | 30 gal. washer complete with filter system is $1,240. Initial cost of 30 gal of Breakthrough solvent @ $18.83/gal is $565.00. Installation and training is $70.00. Total investment/unit is $1,880. |
| Operating Costs | Filters (0.1 micron diatomaceous earth) cost $20/filter or $120/yr. Solvent replenishment (6 gal/yr) at $18.83 is $113.00/yr. Sludge/used filters disposal (3 gal. equivalent) is $15.00. Total Operating Cost is $250/unit-year. The original system was a leased Safety Kleen parts washer program which involved a 4-week service interval at $85.00 per 30-gal parts washer - $1,020 per year in operating costs. |
| Total Cost Savings | Cost Savings per unit is $770/yr. |
| Payback Period | Payback is 2.4 years |
| Major Benefits | Cost savings of $770 per year for each parts washer or Total
Cost Savings of $61,000/yr (79 units). 60 tons/yr reduction in hazardous wastes and associated regulatory requirements and liabilities. Improved worker health and safety, liability reduction. |
| Obstacles | Employee adjustment - more "elbow grease" is required to clean parts with the new solvent. |
| Time Since Implementation | Implemented March 1993 |
| Source/Supplier | Inland Technology 2612 Pacific Highway East Tacoma, WA 98424 Telephone: (206) 922-8932 or (800) 552-3100 (Note: Other suppliers are available that offer systems which are equivalent or similar.) |
| Main Reason Implemented | Reduce hazardous waste generation and associated costs and
liabilities. Improve worker health and safety. |
| Key to Success in Making this P2 Modification | Management support for P2. Vendor assistance. |
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Edited for use on this site by Ronald Lee Still and posted with
permission of CDPHE.