| Shop Function: | 20 EMS/Armament Flight |
| Process: | Armament Cleaning Vats |
| Cost Savings: | $114,763 Over 3 Years |
| Payback Period: | 71 Days |
| Additional Benefits: |
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MSgt Robert Ricard
20 LSS/LSE
558 Killian Avenue
Shaw AFB, SC 29152
Telephone: (803) 668-3451
DSN 965-3451
Personnel at Shaw AFB were able to virtually eliminate one of their hazardous waste streams when they installed solvent filters on two aircraft gun cleaning vats. These filters work to extend the life of the solvent significantly reducing the need for replenishment. The filters use an innovative, inexpensive and readily available filter medium: paper towel rolls.
Prior to 1993, the 20 EMS Armament Flight, Shaw AFB, annually purchased and disposed of approximately 4,000 gallons of PD-680, a petroleum-based solvent used in two 200-gallon aircraft gun cleaning vats. To prolong the life of the solvent, the Armament Flight installed one solvent filter, manufactured by Gulf Coast Filters, Inc. (GCF), Gulfport, Mississippi, on each vat. The filters continuously remove particulates, sludges, and moisture from the solvent. The GCF filters consist of an air pump, flow regulator, oiler, and filter assembly, which houses the paper towel rolls. The model used at Shaw AFB weighs less than 100 pounds and takes up only four square feet of floor space. Since installing the filters in November 1993, the Armament Flight has not purchased or disposed of any PD-680 solvent. Master Sergeant Robert Ricard, Chief, Logistics Environmental Flight, estimates the Armament Flight may only have to purchase 55 gallons of PD-680 annually to replace solvent lost by evaporation. Because the filters work so efficiently, he does not expect to dispose of any spent cleaning solvent.
MSgt Ricard estimates the Armament Flight will need to replace 16 paper towel rolls annually. He believes the rolls will be a hazardous waste because heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, accumulate in them during the cleaning process. The Armament Flight plans to establish a satellite accumulation point for the used rolls, which can be crushed to recover excess solvent and reduce their volume. MSgt Ricard estimates as many as 100 crushed, dried paper towel rolls will fit into a 55-gallon drum.
Until installation of the filter units, the Armament Flight annually spent $21,304 to purchase and $19,800 to dispose of approximately 4,000 gallons of PD-680. In contrast, each filter unit costs $3,816 and the annual upkeep is estimated to be $307. This low upkeep is attributable to the effectiveness of the filters and the uncomplicated, inexpensive paper towel filter medium. The filters paid for themselves in only 71 days. The Armament Flight will save $33,169 the first year the filters are in operation, and $40,797 per year for at least the next two years. That's a $114,763 total cost savings over a three year period!
MSgt Ricard stated Shaw AFB is also using GCF filters with its paint gun cleaning operations. Before installing the filters, they replaced spent solvent from these operations approximately monthly. The GCF filters work so well, they have not had to replace the solvent for a full year.
MSgt Ricard is available to answer any additional questions you have about GCF filters or provide additional points of contact within the Air Force who use GCF filters in other applications. Personnel from the Armament Flight have presented statistics and provided visual documentation of the results from using GCF filters at various Air Force conferences.
Information about specific capacities of GCF filters and other uses for the filters, including filtering fuel, motor oil and transmission fluid in automobiles, hydraulic oil, and solvents in parts washers, is available by directly contacting Mr. Sims, GCG, (800) 398-8114.
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DSN 240-4214 (800) 233-4356
Last Updated: February 9, 1996