This document was provided by PRO-ACT, Headquarters Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence's (HQ AFCEE) information clearinghouse. PRO-ACT contact information is provided at the end of each document.
| Shop Function: | 437 Equipment Maintenance Squadron/Corrosion Control Element |
| Process: | Recycling of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) |
| Cost Savings: | $5,300 per year |
| Payback Period: | One year or less |
| Additional Benefits: |
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| Name: | TSgt Kenneth Parks |
| Org: | 437 EMS/CCU |
| Charleston AFB, SC | 29404 |
| Telephone: | DSN 673-6556 |
The Corrosion Control Element, 437 Equipment Maintenance Squadron (EMS), Charleston AFB, South Carolina significantly reduced their hazardous waste stream by reclaiming a majority of the Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) used in their aircraft refinishing operation. They did this using an off-the-shelf recycling unit purchased from a local automobile body shop supply store.
Prior to installing the recycling unit, the EMS Corrosion Control Element annually disposed of 7,260 pounds of paint waste per year which comprised 50% of their waste stream. In 1991, they purchased a thinner recycling unit manufactured by PBR Industries, W. Babylon, New York. During 1992, the first full year of operation, EMS recycled approximately 5,335 pounds of MEK, decreasing the paint hazardous waste stream by nearly 80%. The recycling unit is a portable distillation unit which separates MEK from the paint waste. It is small, occupying less space than a 45 gallon flammable storage cabinet. It is mounted on wheels and can be plugged into any 220 volt outlet. According to Technical Sergeant Kenneth Parks, 437 EMS/CCU, the unit requires only minor maintenance (they added only one gallon of thermal oil in 18 months of operation). The recycling unit produces between three and four gallons of MEK solvent for every five gallons of paint waste. The small amount of waste remaining is a sludge containing mostly polyurethane from the paints. Since the unit does not return the MEK to original specification, the squadron uses the recycled MEK to clean paint spray guns.
Until purchasing the recycling unit for $3,180, EMS annually spent $9,175 to dispose of the paint waste. In the first full year of use (1992), EMS recycled 485 gallons of waste saving $5,300 in disposal and purchasing costs and more than paying for the recycling unit. Before MEK recycling, the squadron purchased several 55 gallon drums of MEK at a time; currently they purchase 15 gallon-sized cans monthly.
Contact PRO-ACT at DSN 240-4214 or (800) 233-4356 for additional information on this and other Pollution Prevention Success Stories.
Last Updated: July 27, 1995