Drum crushing machines typically include a three to ten horsepower motor, and one or two (30 to 40 inch) stroke cylinders. The single drum crusher requires one stroke cylinder, while the double drum crusher requires two. Drum crushers have a compacting force ranging from 35,000 lbs to 105,000 lbs, with a cycle time of 30 to 60 seconds. Space requirements for drum crushers range from approximately ten square feet for the single crushers to 20 square feet for the double unit. In addition, crushers typically contain two heads, one for crushing the drum internally and another for crushing the entire drum externally.

Mid-range crushers also have been developed to handle pails and paint cans. These units are pneumatically operated; therefore, a source of clean, dry air must be provided. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration lock-out-tag-out safety valve and an air regulator with lubricator and filter are included as standard equipment.

This technology facilitates the recycling of metal containers while producing no new wastestreams. It also reduces the liability of having drums found in landfills or hazardous waste sites. A well-managed recycling program incorporating metal drum crushers will remove the majority of metal containers from the waste stream.

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

• Increases marketability of metal containers.
• Decreases storage and transport requirements.

• High capital costs.

The following economic analysis was obtained through the Pollution Prevention Equipment Program and is taken from a NELP preproduction initiative at Naval Station Mayport. The previous method of disposal entailed the personnel to bring the empty drums to the DRMO, where a contractor picks up and transports the uncrushed drums off-site at no cost to the facility.

Assumptions:

• 55-gallon drum crusher: $8,275.00
• 1,800 metal drums per year.
• Contractor disposal cost per 300 crushed drums: $308.00 or $1,848.00/year
• Labor time for drum crushing: 1.5 minutes/drum or 45 hours/year
• Labor: $10.39/hour or $467.55/year

Economic Analysis Summary

Annual Savings for Drum Crusher: -$2,315.55
Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $8,275.00
Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: N/A

Note: The primary benefit of using a drum crusher is the significant volume reduction that results from using this type of equipment. Using a drum crusher, personnel can reduce the waste volume by 80%, which would in turn reduce landfill disposal size. This economic analysis assumes that none of the drums are considered hazardous wastes. However, in the event that some of the drums are considered as hazardous wastes, this process may incur additional annual savings and may make the option economically viable.

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