AUTOMATIC PAINT GUN WASHER
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| Overview: | Automatic paint gun washers are
similar to conventional home dishwashing machines, except that the
thinners and solvents in the automatic washers are not heated in the
process. The washers can be used to clean conventional air spray, HVLP,
electrostatic, airless, or air-assisted paint guns. Solvents used in the
automatic paint gun washer are recycled and reused in the cleaning
process. The paint gun to be cleaned is attached to a nozzle within the
automatic paint gun washer, and the machine is sealed. Most automatic
paint gun washers can wash two to three paint guns at a time. The exterior
of the paint gun is cleaned with atomized paint thinner using a dishwasher
action. Circulating solvent through the nozzle attachment cleans the
interior of the paint gun. Automatic paint gun washers collect used
solvent in a reservoir. Impurities in the used solvent are filtered out in
the reservoir. The filtered solvent is then ready for reuse instead of
being disposed as hazardous waste. The solvent impurities form a sludge,
which is collected and disposed. The typical solvent capacity of the spray
gun washer is 3 gallons. The washer solution must be changed every 3 to 8
weeks, depending on usage.
The manual cleaning of paint guns can be labor intensive and can generate significant quantities of solvent wastes. Automatic paint gun washers can reduce the amount of solvent used and paint solvent waste generated by up to 70-80% when compared to manual paint gun cleaning. Since automatic paint gun washers are sealed units, worker exposure to hazardous materials during solvent handling is also greatly reduced. Use of this equipment has not been adopted throughout the Air Force to the extent possible. Furthermore, there are now solvents that can be used in these systems that are neither VOC’s nor HAP’s. The required use of this equipment is being added to T.O.1-1-8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compliance Benefit: | Automatic paint gun washers
generate less solvent waste since the solvent is recycled. This technology
provides the following specific regulatory benefits:
Compliance benefits include: 1) reduced recordkeeping and reporting requirements under the Title V, NESHAP Program and SARA programs, 2) reduce administrative burden associated with hazardous waste (i.e., tracking, plans, reports, training), and 3) reduced administrative burden associated with OSHA (i.e., training and recordkeeping). The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Materials Compatibility: | Chlorinated solvents can not be used in most automatic paint gun washers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Safety and Health: | Health concerns are dependent
on the variety of solvent and paint that is handled. Inhalation of lead-
and zinc chromate-based paints can lead to irritation of the respiratory
system. 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 protective
equipment (PPE) should be used.
Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits: |
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| Disadvantages: |
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| Economic Analysis: | The capital cost for automatic
paint gun washers will vary, depending upon the unit size, unit type, and
the application. Capital costs for these washers range from $600 to
$2,400.
Assumptions:
Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Automatic Washing and Manual Washing of Paint Guns
Economic Analysis Summary Annual Savings for Automatic Washing:
$25,902 Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values. To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the reverse arrow in the Tool Bar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Approving Authority: | Approval is controlled locally
and should be implemented only after engineering approval has been
granted. Major claimant approval is not required.
Table of Allowance 480 authorizes this equipment, but authority resides at the local level. |
| NSN/MSDS: |
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| Points of Contact: | Navy: Mr. Bob Frederickson Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center, ESC 423 1100 23rd Avenue Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4370 Phone: (805) 982-4897 DSN: 551-4889 FAX: (805) 982-4832 |
| Vendors: | This is not meant to be a complete
list, as there are other manufacturers of this type of equipment.
Technical Innovations, Inc. |
| Butler Compressor and Spray
Equipment Co. 657 Monterey Pass Road Monterey Park, CA 91754 Phone: (626) 289-4247 FAX: (626) 284-9971 URL: http://www.butlercompressor.com/ |
| Sources: | Barbara Roehm, Commander
Submarine Forces, US Pacific Fleet, May 1996. Vendor Communication, Technical Innovations, Inc., April 1996. Vendor Communication, Butler Compressor and Spray Equipment Co., April 1996. |
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