HYDRAULIC FLUID PURIFIER
 |
|
||||||||||
| Overview: | A hydraulic fluid purifier is a small,
portable electrically powered ground support system designed to recondition hydraulic
fluid to a "like new" condition that can then be successfully reused in military
vehicles, aircraft and support equipment. Purification of hydraulic fluid results in a
significant cost avoidance by decreasing hazardous waste disposal and minimizing the
amount of hydraulic fluids purchased. Hydraulic fluid purification systems remove
particulates, water, air and chlorinated solvent contaminants using 3-micron absolute
filters, water adsorption filters, air desiccant filters, and a low vacuum, without
altering the physical or chemical properties of the reconditioned fluid. Currently,
several purification systems have been evaluated by the armed forces for use in various
applications. The technology is currently being used with enthusiasm and success by the
Navy, Army, and Marines and is in the process of being approved for use by the Air Force.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers used oil to be a hazardous waste, making it subject to the solid and hazardous waste requirements found in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA presumes that all used oils are recyclable, and therefore, must be managed in accordance with Title 40 CFR Part 279, "Standards for the Management of Used Oil." In Title 40 CFR 279.1, "Definitions," used oil is defined as any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. Under this definition, hydraulic fluid can be managed in the same manner as used oil. If used oil is to be disposed of on-site or sent off-site for disposal, the generator must, as with any other solid waste, determine if it used oil exhibits any hazardous characteristic. If it is determined to be a characteristically hazardous waste, it then must be managed in accordance with applicable requirements of Title 40 CFR Parts 260 through 266, 268, 270, and 124. If the used oil to be disposed of was determined to be a non-hazardous waste, it would then it would be managed in accordance with applicable requirements of Title 40 CFR 257 and 258.
|
||||||||||||||
| Compliance Benefit: |
The on-site recycling of hydraulic fluid with a certified hydraulic oil recycler greatly
reduces the amount of oil that must be disposed of as a hazardous waste in accordance with
RCRA. The decrease in the quantity of hazardous waste generated each month may help
a facility reduce their generator status and lessen their regulatory burden (i.e.
recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation time, emergency
prevention and preparedness, emergency response) under RCRA. Purification also helps
facilities meet the requirements of waste reduction under RCRA, Title 40 CFR 262,
and the reuse and recycling requirements called for in Executive Order 13101.
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: |
Not all used hydraulic fluids can be purified, nor can all equipment accept recycled fluid. Users should consult their technical Point of Contacts (POCs) before purchasing a purifier.
|
||||||||||||||
| Safety and Health: | Care must be taken when handling hot waste oils. Proper personal protective equipment is
recommended. Consult your local industrial health specialist, local health and safety
personnel, and the appropriate product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for specific safe
handling procedures concerning waste oil materials. |
||||||||||||||
| Benefits: | The following benefits are possible with this
system:
|
||||||||||||||
| Disadvantages: | The following disadvantages are possible with
this system:
|
||||||||||||||
| Economic Analysis: | Economics are favorable for implementing hydraulic fluid purifying equipment since
hydraulic fluid procurement and disposal costs are significantly reduced. Typical
implementation costs are around $9,500 and savings are variable depending on the amount
that is recycled. This example economic analysis was based on Preproduction Initiative NELP performed at NAS North Island and NS Mayport for aircraft hydraulic fluids MIL-H-46170 and MIL-H-83282 for use in Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Disposal of Waste Fluid
Hydraulic Purifier System
This cost analysis report applies only to the site(s) indicated where the equipment was prototyped and monitored. This information is offered as a guide so that readers can determine is such equipment will benefit their particular site based on factors such as comparative hazardous waste generation. 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. USAF activities must follow their governing technical orders.
Appropriate Technical POC should be contacted prior to purchasing purification equipment.
|
| NSN/MSDS: | None identified. |
| Points of Contact: |
Navy: Mr. Eugene Wang, ESC 423 Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (805) 982-4291 DSN 551-4291
|
| Additional Information Sources: |
Navy: Mr. Joseph Cruz NAWC Lakehurst Phone: (732) 232-2966 Email: cruzja1@navair.navy.mil The equipment is available through the Navy Pollution Prevention Equipment Program or the Aviation Support Equipment Program. Air Force: Army/Marines:
|
| Vendors: | Pall Aeropower 5775 Rio Vista Drive Clearwater, FL 33760-3114 Phone: 727-539-8448 Fax: 727-533-0401 Vickers, Inc. (Now Eaton Aerospace
Headquarters) This is not meant to be a complete list, as there may be
other suppliers of this type of equipment. |
| Sources: | Preproduction Initiative -
NELP "Hydraulic Purifier Cost Analysis," NAS North Island, NS Mayport The Pollution Prevention Equipment Program (PPEP) Book Web Site, Preproduction Initiative, NELP, NAWC, Lakehurst, NJ "Arresting Gear Hydraulic Fluid Purifier" Proceedings: Third Tri-Service Environmental Technology Workshop, "What If We Could Purify and Reuse Our Waste Aircraft Hydraulic Fluid" "Purification of Hydraulic Oil," Neal Werner, Pall Aerospace, undated Navy Environmental Quality Fact Sheet, Hydraulic Fluid Purifier, February 1998 Proproduction Initiative-NELP Hydraulic Purifier PALL General Description Saving Money and Conserving a Non-renewable Resource,"AEC-Environmental Technology Donald Steeter, ASC/AAA, WPAFB Neal Werner, Pall Aerospace Corporation
|
[Back]