GLASS PULVERIZERS

Revision Date: 5/00
Process Code: Navy/Marines: SR-99-99; Air Force: FA01; Army: N/A
Usage: Navy: Medium; Marines: Medium;Army: Medium; Air Force: Low
Compliance Impact: Low
Alternative for: Landfilling or Incineration
Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents: N/A
Overview: Glass pulverizing converts any waste glass (e.g., bottles, window panes, windshields) into usable aggregate products. The consistency of these products may range from coarse sand to fine gravel. Pulverized glass can be used in many ways. It can be used as an aggregate substitute for gravel and sand, as well as for glassphalt (e.g., glass/asphalt mixes), turf and soil amendment, decorative landscaping, water filtration media, and sandblasting. Pulverized glass also is a convenient form for storing and transporting glass for recycling. A glass pulverizer is useful when large quantities of waste glass are generated.

Typical glass pulverizer systems consist of a glass pulverizer, trommel screen/separator, and metering surge hopper. The capacity of the glass pulverizer ranges from less than one to 20 tons per hour. The trommel screen capacity ranges from three to 20 tons per hour, and the metering surge hopper capacity ranges from two to four cubic yards. The system pulverizes glass and separates caps, metal, or plastic from the glass material. Glass pulverizing systems are available in both stationary and mobile models.

Pulverized glass can be used on-site for several applications, including road base, fill, and as a substitute for sand in other applications. Glass pulverizing produces no new waste streams. The pollution prevention impact of this technology is the reduction of glass disposal in landfills. Dyess Air Force Base currently uses a glass pulverizer at the base recycling center. It both decreases the volume of waste glass at the base, and allows Dyess AFB to diversify in the used glass markets. The primary use for the pulverized glass is road base for construction projects.
Compliance Benefit: Glass pulverizers prepare glass for recycling or reuse, therefore their use helps facilities to meet the requirements under Executive Order 13101 requiring executive agencies (e.g., DOD) to incorporate waste prevention and recycling in their daily operations. A glass pulverizer will increase electricity consumption. Under EO 12902, federal facilities are required to reduce energy consumption.

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:
No materials compatibility issues were identified.


Safety and Health: Safety issues for using pulverizers concern the operation of power equipment and the need for respiratory protection. The dust from glass crushing is a respiratory hazard. Proper personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hearing protection should be used. Operators should be specifically trained to use the crusher. Machinery should not be used if workers are on medication.

Consult the base safety office on proper protective gear and training prior to using mechanized equipment. Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.
Benefits:
  • Removes glass from the waste stream.
  • Increases the convenience of storing and transporting recyclable glass.
  • Provides an aggregate for paving or construction.
  • Equipment is usually light, portable, and easily moved from location to location.


Disadvantages:
  • Glass pulverizing units usually require relatively high levels of maintenance owing to the abrasive nature of the processed glass.
  • Equipment capital costs can be high.


Economic Analysis: Application: At one to five tons/hour (includes glass pulverizer, trommel screen, and metering surge hopper); capital costs are $39,500; operating costs would include labor, electrical costs, and maintenance.

Application: At five to 10 tons/hour (includes glass pulverizer, trommel screen, and metering surge hopper); capital costs are $55,800; operating costs would include labor, electrical costs, and maintenance .

Application: At 15 to 20 tons/hour (includes glass pulverizer, trommel screen, and metering surge hopper); capital costs are $73,700; operating costs would include labor, electrical costs, and maintenance.

Alternate application (capital costs for glass pulverizer only): At one to five tons/hour = $16,400; at five to ten tons/hour = $26,825; at 15 to 20 tons/hour = $38,000.

Assumptions:

  • 1 to 5 tons/hour glass pulverizer: $16,400
  • Solid waste disposal costs: $30/ton
  • Savings on sand and gravel purchase: $20/ton
  • Process 240 tons/yr.
  • Electricity at $0.055/kwh; 25 hp motor and use of one hr./day
  • Maintenance: $500/yr.
  • Labor: 4 hours/week at $45/hour

Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Diversion and Disposal of Glass Using a Pulverizer

 
Diversion
Disposal
Operational Costs:    
Electrical Costs: $270 $0
Labor: $9,360 $0
Landfill costs: $0 $7,200
Maintenance: $500 $0
Total Operational Costs: $10,130 $7,200
Total Recovered Income: $4,800 $0
Net Annual Cost/Benefit: -$5,330 -$7,200

Economic Analysis Summary

    Annual Savings for Glass Pulverizer: $1,870
    Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $16,400
    Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: < 9 years

Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values.
Approving Authority: Approval is controlled locally and should be implemented only after engineering approval has been granted. Major claimant approval is not required.


NSN/MSDS:
Product NSN Unit Size Cost MSDS*
None Identified $  

*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs.
The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example.

Points of Contact: Air Force:
SMSGT Myrl Kibbe
Eielson Air Force Base
2258 Central Avenue
Suite 100
Eielson Air Force Base, AK 99702-2299
Phone: (907) 377-2184
DSN: 377-2184
FAX: (907) 377-4718
Email: kibbemf@ccgate.eielson.af.mil

2Lt. Marc Supinski
7 CES/CEV
710 Third Street
Dyess Air Force Base, TX 79607-1670
Phone: (915) 696-5619
DSN: 461-5619
FAX: (915) 696-2899 or (915) 696-2052

DSN FAX: 461-2899 or 461-2052

Email: marcs@dyess.af.mil

Vendors: Andela Tool & Machine, Inc.
493 State Rt. 28
Richfield Springs,  NY   13439
Phone: (315) 858-0055 
FAX: (315) 858-2669
  Pennsylvania Crusher Corporation
600 Abbott Drive
Broomall,  PA   19008
Phone: (800) 335-9157 
FAX: (610) 543-0190
  American Pulverizer
5540 West Park Avenue
Saint Louis,  MO   63110-1897
Phone: (314) 781-6100 
FAX: (314) 781-9209

Sources: 2Lt. Marc Supinski, Dyess Air Force Base, May 1999.
Andela Tool & Machine, Inc., March 1996.


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