| DRY FILTER PAINT
BOOTH CONVERSION Plumbum, Pb; Cr Revision: 9/96 Process Code: Navy and Marine Corps: ID-05-99; Air Force: PA01; Army: PNT Usage List: Navy: Medium; Marine Corps: High; Army: High; Air Force: High Substitute for: Water Curtain Spray Booths Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents: Lead (CAS: 7439-92-1), Chromium (CAS: 7440-47-3), and Zinc Compounds Overview: This data sheet covers the conversion of an existing water curtain
spray booths to a dry filter system for the removal of paint based
particulates from spray booth air emissions. There are many types of dry filter systems, however, all operate on the
same principle: particulate-laden air flowing towards the filter media is
forced to change directions rapidly. The particulate, having more inertia
than the surrounding air, impacts the filter media and is removed from the
air flow. The scrubbed air is vented into the atmosphere. Before installing this technology, there are several system issues to
be considered in the conversion of a paint spray booth. These include
characteristics and applicability of dry filter systems, required fan
size, dry filter surface area, paint booth duty cycles, and paint usage
rates. There are many types of dry filter particulate emissions control
systems (PECS) and filters available. There are four principal types of filters currently used: fiberglass
cartridges, multilayer honeycombed paper rolls or pads, accordion-pleated
paper sheets, and cloth rolls or pads. Each type of filter has different
characteristics for particulate capacity, removal efficiency, cost, and
replacement time. Filter performance is characterized by three basic
parameters: particulate capacity, resistance to air flow, and particulate
removal efficiency. Filter replacement is required when the filter becomes
heavily laden with captured particulates, resulting in a reduction in
removal efficiency and an increase in the pressure differential across the
filter face. The wastestream generated is a spent filter laden with paint booth
particulate emissions. No other media is contaminated during the
collection of the particulate waste, hence the quantity of waste generated
is minimized. The removal, disposal, and replacement of the spent filters
is a simple procedure. The existing technology employs a water curtain to remove particulate
emissions. The primary disadvantage of this technology is the generation
of large quantities of wastewater and paint sludge. The wastewater
typically requires off-site treatment and the paint sludge is frequently
disposed as a hazardous waste. When using lead or zinc chromate paints, the dry filter will eliminate
approximately 50 to 90% of the hazardous waste that is generated by a
water curtain spray paint booth. Materials Compatibility: Powder paint is typically not used in dry filter paint booths because
this type of paint is usually recycled, which is not economical using a
dry filter paint booth. Safety and Health: The concerns with the dry filter systems are with the variety of paints
that are used and the potential contaminant exposure. When using lead and
zinc chromate paints, inhalation of lead or zinc can irritate the
respiratory tract and can be poisonous. Some lead compounds are
carcinogenic. Solvent-based paints can irritate the lungs and mucous
membranes. Prolonged exposure can affect respiration and the central
nervous system. Proper personal protection equipment (PPE) should be used.
These safety and health issues are also a concern with water curtain spray
booths. Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and
safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this
technology. Benefits:
Disadvantages:
Economic Analysis: Converting a water curtain spray booth to a dry filter paint booth can
be easily accomplished and can be done in-house. The cost of conversion
usually ranges from $200 to $2,000, depending on the size and condition of
the old water curtain spray booth. Purchasing a new dry filter paint booth
can cost between $2,000 and $20,000. The conversion from a water curtain
spray booth to a dry filter paint booth can save several thousand dollars
in operating and maintenance costs per year. Assumptions (from Columbus Industries, Inc.):
Dry Filter Paint Booth Conversion and Water Curtain Spray Booth
Economic Analysis Summary
Approving Authority: Navy: Approval is controlled locally and should be implemented only
after engineering approval has been granted. Major claimant approval is
not required. Points of Contact: Charles Tittle Bob Fredrickson Vendors: The following is a list of Dry Filter Booth manufacturers. This is not
meant to be a complete list, as there are other manufacturers of this type
of equipment. Columbus Industries, Inc. The DeVilbiss Company Research Products Corp. Chemco Manufacturing Company, Inc. Sources: Columbus Industries, Ashville, OH |