PNEUMATIC SPILL VACUUM

Revision Date: 12/03    The information in the data sheet does not change. This data sheet will not be updated.
Process Code: Navy/Marines: IND-023-07, MIL-002-04; Air Force: HW01, IN06, SV10; Army: VHM
Usage List: Navy: Medium; Marines: Medium; Army: Medium; Air Force: High
Alternative For: Use and disposal of spill absorbents
Compliance Impact: Low
Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents and CAS Numbers: N/A

Overview: The pneumatically operated wet and dry vacuum can be used to recover spilled liquids, including fuels, in place of rags, absorbents, and other spill collection items.

The vacuum operates in a similar fashion to a household vacuum. The vacuumed liquid is stored in 55-gallon drums or other suitable containers for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal. In this way, the use of absorbent materials for spill response is reduced or eliminated. Since absorbent materials that have been used to address spills are normally heavy in weight, the use of the pneumatic spill vacuum can help to lower hazardous waste disposal costs.

The pneumatic spill vacuum is in use at several DOD installations, including Hickam AFB. Non-electric, air operated, explosion-proof vacuums for fuel spills are also available.
Compliance Benefit: Use of a pneumatic spill vacuum can decrease the amount of hazardous waste generated at a facility since absorbents do not have to be used. The decrease in hazardous waste helps facilities meet the requirements of waste reduction under RCRA, 40 CFR 262; the Pollution Prevention Act (42 USC 13101-13109); and Executive Order (EO) 13148, Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management; and may also help facilities reduce their generator status and lessen the level of regulatory requirements (i.e., recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation time, emergency prevention and preparedness, emergency response) with which they must comply under RCRA, 40 CFR 262.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as general guidelines 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: The pneumatic spill vacuum is designed to be compatible with a variety of fuels and solvents.
Safety and Health: Caution should be exercised when responding to liquid spills. Proper personal protective equipment should always be worn, and chemical incompatibility should be assessed. In addition, flammability and the danger of explosions should be considered. Personnel involved in spill response activities should also be properly trained in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, to include: Title 29 CFR 1910.120, "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response," and Title 29 CFR 1910.1200, "Hazard Communication."

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.
Benefits:
  • Minimizes the use and cost of absorbents such as pillows, rags, and brooms.
  • Minimizes contact personnel may have with liquid spills.
  • Decreases disposal costs associated with absorbents.
  • Applicable for a variety of liquid spills, lessening the need for specific absorbents for specific chemicals.
  • Improves spill response by accelerating spill clean-up.
  • If used for small fuel spills, recovered material may be managed as a product (such as fuel that could be burned for energy recovery) instead of being disposed as hazardous waste.


Disadvantages:
  • Requires energy source (air compressor, or an explosion-proof electrical power supply).
  • Requires proper disposal of spent activated carbon used in the vacuum.


Economic Analysis: According to the Pollution Prevention Equipment Program, the cost for a pneumatic spill vacuum ranges from $1,213 to $5,168. They recover liquids at a rate of 1 gallon/second. The recovered liquids can then be stored in a 55-gallon drum. The following cost elements compare the use of the pneumatic spill vacuum and the use of absorbents.

Assumptions:

  • 1,000 gal of fuel spilled/yr.
  • Number of 55-gal drums filled/yr: 18.
  • Cost of disposing 55-gal drum filled with fuel: $200/55-gal drum (includes transportation cost).
  • Cost of disposing one 55-gal drum of spent activated charcoal: $450/55-gal. drum.
  • Volume of gasoline for compressor/yr: 100 gal.
  • Cost of gasoline: $1.20/gal.
  • Labor associated with collecting spills using pneumatic spill vacuum (at 1,000 gal./yr.): 150 hrs for one individual.
  • Labor required for spill vacuum maintenance: 10 hrs/yr.
  • Absorbents procurement cost: $5,000 (for 1,000 gal.)
  • Disposal costs for absorbents/yr: $8,000/yr.
  • Labor associated with collecting spills using absorbents (at 1,000 gal/yr): 100 hrs each for three individuals.
  • Labor rate: $30/hr.

Table 1. Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Pneumatic Spill Vacuum and Absorbents

 

Pneumatic Spill Vacuum

Absorbents

Operational Costs:

   

Labor:

$4,500

$9,000

Material:

$0

$5,000

Energy:

$120

$0

Waste Disposal:

$4,050

$8,000

System Maintenance:

$300

$0

Total Operational Costs:

$8,970

$22,000

Total Recovered Income:

$0

$0

Net Annual Cost/Benefit:

-$8,970

-$22,000

Economic Analysis Summary:

  • Annual Savings for Pneumatic Spill Vacuum: $13,030
  • Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $5,000
  • Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: < 1 year

Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values.
To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the Back arrow on the Tool Bar.


NSN/MSDS:
Product NSN Unit Size Cost MSDS*
Pneumatic Spill Vacuum 7910-01-249-2460 ea. $N/A  
Pneumatic Spill Vacuum 7910-01-322-2956 ea. $N/A  
Spill Vacuum 7910-21-910-8810 ea. $N/A  

*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs. The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example. To return from the MSDS, click the Back arrow on the Tool Bar.


Approving Authority: Appropriate authority for making process changes should always be sought and obtained prior to procuring or implementing any of the technologies identified herein.


Points of Contact: For more information
Vendors: This is not meant to be a complete list, as there may be other suppliers of this type of equipment.

Tiger-Vac
14 Healey Avenue
Plattsburgh,  NY   12901
Contact: Mr. Massimo De Pastena, Government Sales
Phone: (518) 561-6992
FAX: (518) 561-7081
URL:http://www.tiger-vac.com
Service: Pneumatic Explosion Proof Vacuum Cleaner, Model SS-55 is certified for explosion proof for Class I Group D and Class II Groups E, F, and G hazardous locations.
  American Vacuum Company
7301 N. Monticello Avenue
Skokie,  IL   60076
Phone: (800) 321-2849 

  Nilfisk, Advanced America, Inc.
300 Technology Drive
Malvern,  PA   19355
Phone: (800) NILFISK 175
URL: http://www.nilfisk-advance.com
  New Pig
One Pork Avenue
Tipton, PA 16684
Phone: (800) 468-4647
FAX: (800) 621-7447
E-mail: hothogs@newpig.com


Related Links:

Pneumatic Spill Vacuum - Pollution Prevention Equipment Program (PPEP) Book


Sources: Mr. Mike Zitaglio, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, May 1999.
Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-4002, "Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Compliance," 9 May 1994.
Air Force Handbook, "Environmental Guide for Contingency Operations," Department of the Air Force, 1 March 1997.
Supplemental: Picture of Pneumatic Spill Vacuum
Picture of Pneumatic Spill Vacuum

Picture of Pneumatic Spill Vacuum - Environmental Quality Initiative
Picture of Pneumatic Spill Vacuum