Office of Waste Reduction Services
State of Michigan
Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources
December 1991
#9005A
Rev. 2/93
Organic solvents used in commercial and industrial processes can be costly. They can also be detrimental to the environment when improperly disposed. A reduction in the amount of solvents used - or recycling spent solvent - is a profit-enhancing business strategy. After exploring all source reduction options for reducing the amount of spent solvent generated, including the use of nonsolvent substitutes or reducing the amount of solvent loss during use, many solvent users recycle their spent solvent as a way to reduce procurement and disposal costs.
Small solvent recycling units are now available and are economically feasible for businesses that generate high or low volumes of spent solvent. These "distillation units" or "stills" boil the spent solvent and condense the vapors into a clean liquid solvent for reuse in the same or a different process. Businesses can choose to recycle solvents by on-site distillation or by employing an outside solvent recycling service. Consider the following factors when determining whether to purchase a still to recycle spent solvent on site.
The first question is whether on-site solvent recycling will yield a usable product. Can the recycled solvent be used successfully within the company? Using a still will only be practical if the recycled solvent has a composition that will enable it to be:
In other cases, such as with 1,1,1 trichloroethane, the solvent may break down and become acidic during use, which affects the ability to recycle the solvent. Distillation does not return this solvent to its original composition. Normally, make-up solvent must be added to replace that lost in evaporation and in the still bottoms.
This replacement solvent will usually keep the acid stabilizer level at the proper percentage.In some applications, stills cannot effectively handle mixed spent solvents having a range of boiling points. It is therefore necessary to keep different types of spent solvents segregated. In these cases, employees must be trained to avoid mixing solvents.
A special consideration for some printing and painting processes is whether the ink, paint, or lacquer being used contains nitrocellulose. Because nitrocellulose burns readily at elevated temperatures and decomposes exothermically in a gaseous state, special precautions must be taken when recycling solvents containing the material. The distillation of these materials requires special operational (vacuum) and monitoring equipment (temperature measurement and control) as well as backup safety system (water quench). It is of the utmost importance that the equipment manufacturer's system and recommendations be investigated carefully to ensure that a safe "nitrocellulose package" is included.
Before buying a still, ask the supplier the following questions:
[(See Document Source)]
The considerations listed above should not be considered a complete list, but rather some of the more common points to evaluate. The Office of Waste Reduction Services can provide a list of still manufacturers upon request.
The Office of Waste Reduction Services thanks the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) for the use of portions of its materials in this fact sheet.
Companies that use solvents may want to manage solvent wastes through on-site distillation. However, they may not know who sells distillation equipment. As a service to Michigan businesses, the Office of Waste Reduction Services (OWRS) provides the following list of companies that market on-site distillation units.
This list is referenced in the OWRS fact sheet "Considerations in Selecting a Distillation Unit for On-Site Solvent Recycling." Anyone interested in purchasing a still for on-site solvent recycling should refer to the aforementioned publication.
Company listings are voluntary. The list is frequently updated and is by no means complete. The OWRS does not endorse specific companies and takes no position on their compliance with state and federal laws. Users of this list must ensure that companies they contract with for products or services comply with applicable laws. Generators should evaluate services and compliance status of any company selected for managing hazardous waste.
Manufacturer | Local Sales Rep. |
---|---|
Acra Electric Corp. 3801 N. 25th Ave. Schiller Park, IL 60176 (708) 678-8870 | C & H Supply 400 S. 5th St. Milwaukee, WI 53204 (414) 271-2250 1-800-558-9966 |
Artisan Products 73 Pond St. Waltham, MA 02254 (617) 893-6800 | White Cleaning Equipment P.O. Box 1073 Waukesha, WI 53187 (414) 521-3152 Attn: Dave Pagor |
Baron-Blakeslee, Inc. 20001 N. Janice Ave. Melrose Park, IL 60160 (800) 323-0747 | John Bedrick 11435 Royalton Rd. North Royalton, OH 44133 (800) 255-7344 |
B/R Instrument Corp. P.O. Box 7 Pasedena, Md 21121 (612) 452-5695 | Ann Cole 12861 Hamlet Ave. Apple Valley, MN 55124 (612) 452-5695 |
Banson Ultrsonic 41 Eagle Rd. Danbury, CT 06813 (203) 796-0400 | Schuette Industrial Sales P.O. Box 943 Waukesha, WI 53187 (414) 549-0050 Attn: Tom Riddle |
Brighton Corp. 11861 Mosteller Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45241 (513) 771-2300 | Contact: Ken Lutz |
CB Mills Division Of Chicago Boiler 1225 Busch Pkwy. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 1-800-522-7343 | Boehle Chemical, Inc. Box 2001 Southfield, MI 48037 (313) 255-2210 |
Corning Process Systems Corning Glass Works Big Flats Plant Corning, NY 14830 (607) 974-0299 | Fred S. Hickey Corp. 9601 River St. Schiller Park, IL 60176 (708) 678-2777 |
Crest Ultrasonics Corp. Scotch Rd. Mercer County Airport Trenton, NJ 08628 (609) 883-4000 | David Arata 525 Westin St. Hoffman Estates, IL 61094 (708) 843-2139 |
DCI International 1229 Country Club Rd. Indianapolis, In 46234 (317) 271-4001 | Contact: Bob Zopf |
Detrex Corporation P.O. Box 5111 Southfield, MI 48086-5111 (313) 358-5800 | Contact: George Leith |
Finish Company, Inc. 921 Greengarden Rd. Erie, Pa 16501-1591 (814) 455-4478 | Edjeteh Services P.O. Box 24 Kipton, OH 44049 (216) 774-7007 or Dove Equipment Co. 4831 Colt Rd. Rockford, IL 61109 (815) 874-8900 or Recovery Equip. Corp. P.O. Box 75 Mequon, WI 53092 (414) 242-9410 |
Gardner Machinery Co. P.O. Box 33818 Charlotte, Nc 28233 (704) 372-3890 | Contact: Pat Russell |
Garrett Burgess Inc. 46901 Grand River P.O. Box 966 Novi, MI 48376 (313) 348-0300 | Contacts: Don Burgess OR Bob Zukowski |
Giant Distillation And Recovery 900 N. Westwood Ave. Toledo, OH 43606 (419) 531-4600 | Pumping Systems 415 S. State St. P.O. Box 75 Owosso, MI 48867 Attn.: Brian Zettle (517) 723-6350 |
Hoffman/Clarkson Ind. P.O. Box 548 E. Syracuse, NY 13057-0548 (315) 437-0311 | Contact: Earl Stone (315) 437-0311 |
Hoyt Corporation 251 Forge Rd. Westport, MA 02790-0217 (800) 349-9411 OR (508) 636-8811 | J.D. Lipton Industrial Sites 8006 Ballash Rd. Medina, OH 44256 (216) 769-3821 |
HSR Systems 208 S. Lake St., Ste. 202 Aurora, IL 60506 (708) 896-8420 | Contact: Keith Krueger |
Interel Corp. P.O. Box 4676 Englewood, CO 70155 (303) 773-0753 | None |
Kontes Scientific Glassware/Instruments P.O. Box 729 Vineland, NJ 08360 (609) 692-3242 | Cynthia Halstead 259 Mary St. Winnetka, IL 60093 (708) 835-3392 |
Lenan Corp. 615 North Parker St. Janesville, WI 53545 (800) 356-9424 | Energy Sales Products 515 St. Lawrence Ave. Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 725-0195 |
LCI Corp. Process Division P.O. Box 16348 Charlotte, NC 28297 (704) 394-8341 | Ralph Scully 2407 Worthing Drive Suite 101 Naperville, IL 60585 (708) 305-8693 |
O-Vschott Process Systems 1640 Southwest Blvd. Vineland, NJ 08360 (609) 692-4700 Attn: John Jaworski | Liquiflow, Inc. 1201 National Ave. Addison, IL 60101 (708) 543-4080 Attn: Mitch Brach |
PBR Industries 400 Farmingdale Rd. West Babylon, NY 11704 (516) 422-0057 | Quality Auto Body Supply 129 Vine St. Lacrosse, WI 54601 (608) 782-4552 |
Phaulder Co. 100 West Ave. Rochester, NY 14692 (313) 739-4311 | Mark Cody (708) 244-8363; OR Todd Pollack (716) 235-1000 |
Progressive Recovery Inc. 1020 N. Main St. Columbia, IL 62236 (618) 281-7196 | Environ Systems, Inc. 13760 Merriman Rd. Livonia, MI 48150 (313) 427-7033 |
Renzmann Inc. Max Detweiler Corp. 13420 Resse St., West Huntersville, NC 28078 (703) 875-1200 | Contact: Arthur Collier (416) 433-0363 |
Siva International Pneumatic Products Corp. 4647 Sw 40th Ave. Ocala, FL 34474 (904) 237-1220 | Waste-Tech, Inc. 1931 Industrial Dr. Libertyville, IL 60048 (708) 367-5150 |
Solvent Kleen, Inc. 131 1/2 Lynnfield St. Peabody, MA 01960 (508) 531-2279 | |
Unique Industries P.O. Box C4530 Pacoima, CA 91333-4530 (818) 890-1133 | Phoenix-Erin 487 Willsher Dr. Fon Du Lac, WI 54935 Attn.: Don White (414) 922-2936 |
Venus Products 1862 Ives Ave. Kent, WA 98032 (206) 854-2660 | Northwest Fiberglass 3055 Columbia Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55418 (800) 544-1388 |
For more information contact:
Office of Waste Reduction Services
Environmental Services Division
Michigan Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, Michigan 48909
(517) 335-1178
For more information on the subject of waste reduction for businesses, contact:
Office of Waste Reduction Services
Environmental Services Division
Michigan Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, Michigan 48909
(517) 335-1178
Toll Free in Michigan: 1-800-NO-2-WASTE
The Office of Waste Reduction Services is a partnership between the Environmental Services Division, Michigan Department of Commerce and the Waste Management Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Last Updated: November 10, 1995