EVAPORATOR FOR AQUEOUS WASTE REDUCTION

Revision Date: 10/01
Process Code: Navy/Marines: N/A; Air Force: FA09; Army: N/A
Usage: Navy: Medium; Marines: Medium; Army: Medium; Air Force: Medium
Compliance Impact: Low
Alternative for: Hazardous Waste Disposal
Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents: Various

Overview: Evaporation is a proven technology for reducing aqueous wastes. By using active evaporation or heating to evaporate excess water, hazardous waste rinse water disposal, or wastewater treatment can be minimized.

Evaporator units discussed in this data sheet are gas-fired and fully factory assembled. The only potential problem with these systems is the possible mixing of liquid droplets with vapor. If this occurs, purchase of an entrainment separator would eliminate this problem. The following are the design, process, and safety requirements for these units:

  • Evaporation rate of 30 to 40 gallons/hour;
  • Natural gas-fired (supply available at 8 psig);
  • Compatible with existing electrical supply (120 V);
  • Designed for outdoor duty in a marine environment;
  • 304 Stainless steel construction for all wetted surfaces;
  • Water cooled vapor condenser;
  • Maximum foot print of 8 feet by 8 feet;
  • Fitted with a feed pump;
  • Fitted with a concentrated solution removal pump;
  • Automatic fill level control for the evaporator;
  • Unattended operation for at least 8-hours;
  • Provisions for the removal of sludge from the evaporator;
  • Automatic gas shutdown when the flame goes out;
  • Condensate receiving tank high level shut off and alarm; and
  • Feed tank low level shut off and alarm.

In addition to these design requirements, operational options for evaporators include evaporation to the atmosphere versus evaporation and condensing (closed loop), with no waste emissions. All evaporator units require operator training. Although all evaporator units have their own heat source, the humidity of the location can affect performance. Atmospheric evaporation, in high humidity locations, will require longer time periods to process a batch.

Evaporation units have the capability to reduce waste or rinse water by up to 90 percent of the previous volume. This reduction decreases the quantity of hazardous waste designated for disposal, and the associated transportation and drum purchase costs for hazardous waste disposal.

These evaporative systems have been installed at multiple facilities throughout the Army, Air Force, and the Navy. One evaporative unit has been in use at Pensacola, Florida Naval Air Station since 1992.


Compliance Benefit: The use of an evaporator for aqueous waste reduction may help facilities meet the requirements of waste reduction under RCRA, 40 CFR 262, Appendix.

An evaporator will increase electricity and water consumption. Under E.O. 13123, federal facilities are required to reduce energy consumption and implement water conservation programs. In addition, the facility will require an air permit for a gas burner (new source) and for evaporation to atmosphere.

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:
Because this process only handles waste, there are no materials compatibility problems. It should be noted that these systems are for aqueous waste streams and reduce the amount of water in a waste or rinse stream. If the evaporator waste stream changes, the evaporation system should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid cross contamination or chemical reactions.


Safety and Health: Units are equipped with automatic natural gas shut offs, if the flame goes out there are low and high level alarms for the condensate and feed tanks respectively. These units must be installed in areas with fire suppression systems, must be protected from the rain, and should not be allowed to freeze. All of the proper warning signs such as those concerning hazardous materials and flammable materials must be posted. Additionally, all appropriate warning lines must be painted on the floors. All personnel who will work in the area should be trained prior to operating the evaporator and should be made aware of the potential hazards associated with the process and the required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.


Benefits:
  • Reduces aqueous waste.
  • Reduces hazardous waste by up to 90 percent.
  • Reduces the cost of hazardous waste disposal.
  • Reduces the cost of drums for hazardous waste disposal.
  • The units can operate unattended.


Disadvantages:
  • Requires utility hookups for natural gas, electricity, and cooling water.
  • Requires installation of a concrete pad, and two 1,500-gallon feed and condensate tanks.
  • Requires explosion-proof wall installation.
  • May require an air permit for a gas burner (new source) and for evaporation to atmosphere.
  • All units require operator training.


Economic Analysis: This economic analysis compares the operation of an evaporator versus waste disposal as hazardous. According to the Pollution Prevention Equipment Program, the capital cost for a rinse water evaporator is $31,000, however, the evaporator used for this economic analysis cost $83,000. For this evaporator, the annual waste stream processed is 47,000 pounds of neutralized sulfamic acid contaminated with chrome, and 47,000 pounds of tri-sodium phosphate contaminated with metals. The employment of an evaporator reduces the quantity of liquid hazardous waste disposal by 90%, resulting in the evaporation of approximately 11,000 gallons of water annually.

Assumptions:

  • Labor to clean the systems is the same for evaporation (E) or disposal as a hazardous waste (DHW). Labor for operating the evaporation system: 500 hrs/yr
  • 55 gallon drums are required for disposal: E=20 drums, DHW=220 drums
  • Labor rate: $45/hr.
  • Utilities for operating evaporation system: Electrical: 7,600 kwhr, $0.10/kw-hr. Water: 200,000 gallons, $4/1000 gallons Natural gas: $0.08/gallon water evaporated
  • Cost of waste disposal: $0.75/lb.
  • Annual maintenance costs for the evaporator: $2,000
  • Cost of an empty, clean 55 gallon drum: $30/drum.

Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Evaporation versus Disposal as Hazardous Waste

 

Evaporation

Disposal as Hazardous Waste

Operational Costs:    
Labor: $22,500 $0
Material: $600 $6,600
Energy: $2,440 $0
Waste Disposal: $7,050 $70,500
System Maintenance: $2,000 $0
Total Operational Costs: $34,590 $77,100
Total Recovered Income: $0 $0
Net Annual Cost/Benefit: -$34,590 -$77,100

Economic Analysis Summary

    Annual Savings for Evaporation: $42,510
    Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $83,000
    Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: 2 years

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.


NSN/MSDS:
Product NSN Unit Size Cost MSDS*
Water evaporator, paint booth 4940-01-424-0719 ea. $21,500  


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


Points of
Contact:
Navy:
Mr. Charles Sokol
Environmental Engineer, ESC 423
Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
1100 23rd Avenue
Port Hueneme, CA 93043
Phone: (805) 982-5318
DSN: 551-5318
FAX: (805) 982-4832
Email: sokolcw@nfesc.navy.mil

 

Vendors: This is not meant to be a complete list, as there are other manufacturers of this type of equipment.

US Filter
181 Thornhill Road
Warrendale, PA  15086
Phone:  (800) 525-0658
URL:  http://www.usfilter.com/

 

Enders Process Equipment Corp.
P.O. Box 308
Glen Ellyn,  IL   60137
Phone: (630) 469-3787 
Contact: Mr. Joe Enders

Landa Water Cleaning Systems
4275 NW Pacific Rim Blvd.
Camas,  WA   98607
Phone: (800) 792-6174
FAX:  (360-9200
URL:  http://www.landa.com/

 

Lake View Engineered Products
2010 Lakeview Drive
Fort Wayne,  IN   46808
Phone: (219) 432-3479
FAX:  (219) 432-6239
URL:  http://www.lakeviewengineered.com/


Sources: Mr. Rudy Pontemayor, Deputy Force Environmental Advisor, N451, April 1999.
Contact with Sheri McElroy, May 1996.
Contact with Joe Enders, May 1996.
Arthur D. Little, 1995. Site Assessment Pollution Prevention Equipment at NAS North Island, SUBASE Bangor, NAVSTA, Pascagoula, and NAVSTA Everett. August. Cambridge, MA.



[Back]