Fact Sheet: Considerations for Selecting a Distillation Unit for On-Site Solvent Recycling

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.Initial Considerations

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:

  1. used in the initial process
  2. used in another in-house process or
  3. solid to another solvent user.

In many cases, blends of solvents are used in cleaning processes. Simple distillation of solvent blends often yields products that differ in composition from the original blends. The recycled solvents may be satisfactory for some cleaning processes, but may not be usable for the original process.

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.

Equipment Considerations

Before buying a still, ask the supplier the following questions:

  1. Will the unit distill the solvent without the need for a vacuum? Vacuum units are generally more expensive than units operated under standard pressure, but they do offer advantages. Vacuum units can provide a safer environment because the equipment operates at lower temperatures, reduces the creation of odors (sulfur) and avoids possible exothermic reactions (nitrocellulose).

  2. Will the supplier distill a sample of the spent solvent with the proposed still system and provide a gas chromatograph of the recycled solvent? This will enable you to evaluate the quality of the distilled product and determine what percentage of the waste can be recovered.

  3. How efficient will the distillation process be? If the material that will be distilled contains low solids, the efficiency of recovery will be high. On the other hand, high solids content may form "insulation" between the solvent and the heat source, which will reduce the efficiency of the recovery. The inclusion of an internal boiler scraping mechanism will avoid this "insulation" effect and maintain high system efficiency.

  4. Will any of the still's components deteriorate after extended use? Only stainless steel and Teflon fittings and gaskets will stand up to repeated use with some solvents.

  5. What are the still operating costs? Make sure that labor costs, electricity and the cost of liners are included. Compare these costs with projected savings from reduced purchases of virgin solvent.

  6. How will still bottoms be managed? Evaluate how easily still bottoms can be removed from the evaporation chamber and how much it will cost per drum for disposal (most still bottoms are handled as hazardous wastes through fuel blending programs or incineration). How does this cost compare with the costs of recycling the spent solvent at an off-site recycler or for disposal as a fuel?

  7. Will you need to modify your presence to operate the still? How much area will the still occupy? Can the still be set up easily? Will a highly skilled worker be required to operate and maintain the system? Consider the costs associated with these questions.

  8. Inquire about the following safety features:
    1. Does the unit shut down automatically:
      1. if there is a water failure?
      2. if the pot temperature goes above a certain temperature?
      3. if the water temperature in the condenser goes above a certain temperature?
    2. Is there a pressure relief valve in case the pressure goes above a certain level?
    3. Will the unit sense when all solvent has been distilled to prevent the process from "cooking the bottoms"?
    4. Are all electrical controls explosion-proof and made with Underwriter Lab-approved components?
    5. Does the unit have a feature that prevents opening the evaporation chamber until after it has cooled to a certain temperature?

  9. Is the vapor that results from distillation cooled to a liquid by water or by air movement? Air-cooled fans with electric motors generally are not classified as explosion-proof. In addition, electric fans are not as effective as water in condensing solvent vapor.

  10. Can the manufacturer offer a "complete system" that ensures a safe operation? Are storage tanks, level controls and vacuum receiver part of the offer?

Typical Solvent Distillation Schematic

[(See Document Source)]

  1. Dirty Solvent Inlet
  2. Heating Rod(s)
  3. Hot Oil Sensor
  4. Cycle Complete Sensor
  5. Oil Fill/Breather
  6. Low Oil Shut-Off
  7. Pressure Gauge
  8. Pressure Relief Valve
  9. Cooling Water Flow Switch
  10. Cooling Water Outlet
  11. Clean Solvent Outlet
  12. Thermometer
  13. Drain Valve
  14. Residue Drain Door
  15. Oil Expansion Tank
  16. Insulation
  17. Inner Vessel
  18. Hot Oil Jacket (encompasses bottom & side walls)
  19. Control Panel (must be installed outside explosion-proof area) not shown
  20. Condenser
  21. Cooling Water Inlet
  22. Junction Box

Drawing Courtesy of:
Enviro Systems, Inc.
Livonia, MI

Regulatory Considerations

  1. Is there a safe location for the still? Will the still give off fumes that require special ventilation? The still should be in a well-ventilated area, away from all sources of sparks and flames. The local fire department, building inspector and your insurance company should be consulted to ensure that all requirements are being met.

  2. Generators of hazardous waste must comply with state and federal requirements. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), Waste Management Division, administers the Michigan hazardous waste regulations as required in Act 64 of 1979, the Hazardous Waste Management Act. Under agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the MDNR is administering the federal hazardous waste regulations required by Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.

The solvent to be recycled and the solvent still bottoms must be managed in accordance with hazardous waste storage and container labeling requirements. Additionally, off-site disposal of the solvent still bottoms may require the generator to do the following:

  1. Obtain a USEPA generator identification number
  2. Use the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest (shipping paper)
  3. Ship wastes to a licensed hazardous waste facility
  4. Use licensed transporters to ship the wastes
  5. Maintain waste recorders
  6. Comply with training and contingency plan requirements.

The determination of the specific hazardous waste management requirements that you must comply with is dependent upon the quantity of all hazardous wastes being generated and/or accumulated at your site. For more information about these requirements, contact the nearest MDNR Waste Management Division field office. The field offices are located in Marquette, Cadillac, Gaylord, Roscommon, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Plainwell, Jackson and Livonia.

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.

On-Site Solvent Distillation Equipment Suppliers

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.

ManufacturerLocal 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.


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Last Updated: November 10, 1995