| 01 - Spill/Clean-up |
Absorbent Pads/Wringer
The FASTT Team recommended use of absorbent pads and manual wringers on 11 occasions. Two example applications follow:
Oily water is produced in the bilge of large amphibious vehicles and in outboard motor test tanks. Use of absorbent pads in the bilge and tanks to remove the oil would allow for the water to be reused, reducing the quantity of oily wastewater and oil discharges to the environment.
Machine shop uses a motorized wringer for removing excess oil from sock type sorbents. Metal filings cling to the socks and clog up the oil drainage hose. Maintenance time allocated to operating equipment can be reduced by using a manual wringer that rests on a 55-gallon drum. Cost avoidance through extended life and improved capacity of the sorbent sock will be realized.
Epoxy Sealing
Naval Air Station aircraft leak fuel and hydraulic oil on the flightline apron concrete. This requires constant cleanup by personnel. By applying nonskid epoxy paint on the flightline concrete area, the concrete can be sealed to make it impervious, cleanup labor can be substantially reduced, and the life of the concrete will be extended. Cost savings will be substantial.
Oil is spilled onto concrete floor during motor repair operations. The oil is extremely difficult to remove from the floor and presents a hazard because of the potential for activities to occur which may cause an explosion. Several types of floor coatings are available which would protect the floor from chemicals and make clean-up activities easier.
Equipment Repair or Modification/BMP
Avionics shop maintains F-14 antennas. Coolanol, used in test instrumentation benches since early 1970's, has been leaking and saturating the floor in two areas. Rolls of absorbent are used every 2-3 weeks, as well as vacuuming of 3 gallons per week. Installation restoration group should be consulted for a permanent solution to the migrating coolant.
New transportation facility is equipped with a steam cleaning area. It is designed to recirculate the solution, thus eliminating a large portion of the waste stream. FASTT inspection revealed a catch basin with a large crack in the concrete. The system is designed so that sediment and debris travel through the collection drain and into a sump area. This debris requires labor to pump out the chamber and shovel out when it begins to build up. A simple catch pan could be designed as a primary catch basin for the larger debris. Action would reduce frequency rate of removal from the bottom of the sump.
Fluid Recovery-General
Shop 31F currently disassembles hydraulic parts on flat metal tables. This process necessitates that all fluids (regardless of volume) to be cleaned up with paper towels and rags. Oily rags are already the largest wastestream at this facility. FASTT recommends purchasing carts with table tops that are cut out to allow oil to drain into a small reservoir. Use of these carts is would to reduce waste by approximately 50%, and result in an annual savings of $613.
Vehicle repair shop performs regular fluid (hydraulic oil, engine oil, antifreeze) changeouts on 250 pieces of equipment. Draining fluids are collected in 55-gallon drums. The drums are consolidated to one location by dragging them across the shop floor. The numerous spills and potential stress injuries caused by moving the drums in this manner could be eliminated by procuring a tank with a compressed air recovery system and mobile carts. Action would result in reduced waste stream, reduced need for absorbents, and reduced man-hours.
Fluid Recovery-Pneumatic Vacuum
The FASTT Team recommended use of pneumatic vacuums on 17 occasions. Two example applications follow:
Shop is responsible for oil and fuel spill containment along the waterfront at Surface Operations. Containment/removal accomplished through use of kitty litter and other absorbent materials. These materials add to the weight of the waste stream. There is an opportunity here to employ a pneumatic vacuum. Action would reclaim fuels and reduce waste stream.
Shop uses kitty litter, pig blankets and sausages to clean up oil spills. The vermiculite (kitty litter) and other floor sweeping compounds are removed as a hazardous waste. FASTT Team recommends use of a pneumatic vacuum.
Poly-Over-Pack Drum Enclosures
Public Works Transportation stores waste oil, lubricants and antifreeze outside in 55-gallon drums. Self contained "poly-over pack" drum enclosures with lids and built in spill containment are available off-the-shelf. These would provide spill containment, drum weather protection and aesthetic benefits.
Process Change/BMP
Fuel Farm/workshop maintains large fuel trucks. The building size is not adequate to support the equipment and drip pans necessary to maintain the trucks. Base should consider moving the equipment to another location. A portable berm system could be used for truck maintenance if the new building does not have adequate floor drainage (i.e. an oil/water separator). This action would improve working conditions and enhance spill/leakage containment.
Shop personnel follow a labor intensive process for storage of used solvent rags. Current practice is to remove the drum cover band, open the 55 gallon container, insert the used rag, replace the lid, and secure the band. This process is cumbersome, and encourages the possibility of discarding rags in the trash. FASTT recommended using a rag container during the day. At the end of the day, rags no longer suitable for use should be transferred to a satellite accumulation area drum. This will improve efficiency in the shop and voluntary compliance with good housekeeping practices.
Rags Contract
Activities make extensive use of baled rags. The FASTT Team made 16 recommendations concerning rags contracts and management practices. Four examples follow:
Home-ported vessels are using baled rags for maintenance and clean-up. These rags are all disposed of as HW. On average, 50% of a rag bale is made-up of useless rags. There is currently a pre-negotiated rags contract administered through NAVSUP. FASTT recommends that the activity look into participating in the contract. Action would reduce disposal costs and cut down the waste stream significantly.
Oily rags are generated by almost every shop at the activity. Currently, used rags are disposed of through PWC/DRMO. FASTT recommends that shops using over 250 rags per week utilize the existing rag recycling contract that two shops currently have with National Linen Service. If the reuse store would under take the initiative to handle the issue and retrieval of all oily rags for the entire base (all shops), and utilize the existing contract, then a minimum savings of $2,500 per year will be realized. Higher rag usage will generate correspondingly higher savings.
Activities use a large amount of rags for clean-up and oil absorption. The rag usage is enormous. A large savings would result by establishing a single outside contract for all service activities that use more than 400 rags per week. A 2nd alternative is to use the high quality rag in the NSN system. The NSN rags cost 2x as much but all come in a uniform size and absorption potential. A recycle contract may also be pursued.
Small quantities of oily rags are generated from all on-site activities and are disposed of as non-regulated waste. The rags are poor quality and are not reusable. FASTT recommends implementation of a laundering service that would pick up rags from all ships and activities, launder, and return them. High quality rags that can withstand reuse should be purchased. This would significantly reduce the quantity of rags that are disposed of as non-regulated waste. FASTT also recommends high publicity of this program and that feedback be tracked to evaluate success.
Spill Cleanup-Enzymes
Several asphalt and concrete areas are contaminated from oil spills. Steam/pressure cleaning has proven ineffective. Use of ESD 3000, a blend of surfactants, hydrocarbon degrading enzymes, and microbes, could be used to cleanup spills.
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