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| Overview: | Drum crushing machines can compact drums, pails,
and paint cans into dense disks prior to recycling, reducing storage space and transportation requirements. Volume
reduction for the drum crushers ranges from 6:1 to 14:1. A 14:1 volume reduction equates to crushing a standard
55-gallon drum to less than 2 1/2 inches thick. The mid-size crusher will reduce most pails and paint cans by 90%.
The crushed containers can be recycled as scrap metal. These machines are used at installations that generate
significant quantities of metal drums.
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. |
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| Compliance Benefit: | Drum crushers prepare drums for
recycling, thereby helping facilities to meet the requirements under
Executive Order (EO) 13101 which call for executive agencies (e.g., Department of Defense) to
incorporate waste prevention and recycling into their daily operations. A metal
drum crusher may increase electricity consumption. Under EO 13123,
federal facilities are required to reduce energy consumption. In addition,
quantities of fuel, hydraulic fluid and/or lubricants associated with the use of
large metal drum crushers may increase a facility's need to comply with
SARA (40 CFR 355, 370) and EO 13148 reporting requirements as
well as spill plan requirements under 40 CFR 112.
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. |
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| Materials Compatibility: |
No materials compatibility issues were identified.
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| Safety and Health: | Safety issues for using drum crushers concern the
operation of power equipment. Operators should be specifically trained to use the crusher and exercise caution to
keep limbs, clothing and hair from being caught up in the equipment. Machinery should not be used if workers
are on medication. Proper personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection
should be used. Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology. |
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| Benefits: |
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| Disadvantages: |
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| Economic Analysis: | Capital costs for drum crushers range from approximately $7,000 to $43,000. An average single drum crusher costs approximately $15,000, and an average double drum crusher costs approximately $35,000. Operating costs would include labor, power to operate a three to ten HP motor, and maintenance (oil changes, repairs, etc.). According to the Naval Air Warfare Center Lakehurst, the smaller units (ranging in price from $6,000 - $7,000) were more prone to breakdowns and failures. However, the larger units ($30,000) performed more efficiently with fewer breakdowns.
The following economic analysis was obtained through the Pollution Prevention Equipment Program and is taken from a NELP preproduction initiative at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. 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:
Table 1. Annual Operating Cost Comparison of Diversion Using a Crusher and Disposal of Drums
Economic Analysis Summary:
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. Click Here
to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis
and Enter Your Own Values. |
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| NSN/MSDS: |
*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs. The MSDS (if shown) is only meant to serve as an example. To return from the MSDS, click the Back arrow on the Tool Bar. |
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| 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.
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| Points of Contact: | For more information |
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| Vendors: | This is not meant to be a complete
list, as there may be other manufacturers of this type of
equipment. American Recycling Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 515 Wayne, PA 19087 Phone: (610) 964-9191 FAX: (610) 964-9172
S & G Enterprises Inc. |
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| Related Links: |
55-Gallon Drum Crusher
Drum Crusher/Densifier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sources: | Mr. Walter Koehler, Naval Air Warfare Center Lakehurst,
April 1999. American Recycling Systems, Inc.International Company, May 1995. Waste Recycler Manufacturing Company, May 1995. |
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| Supplemental: |
Picture of 55-Gallon Drum Crusher
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