Disposal of Hazardous Waste

SENSITIVITY OF T.E. TO VOC/HAP EMISSIONS, HAZARDOUS WASTE AND COST

The relationship between transfer efficiency and VOC/HAP emissions, disposal of hazardous waste or costs is shown by Figure 1.  While the x-axis is in terms of percent efficiency, the y-axis can be calculated in terms of environmental benefits or costs.  The shape of the curve remains the same.

As will be noted by referring to Figure 1, when the transfer efficiency is low, a small improvement in efficiency will yield a significant emission reduction benefit.  For instance, by improving efficiency from, say 10% to 15%,  reductions of VOC emissions of 33% will result.  (Refer to Table I for actual values) Low transfer efficiencies in the 10-15% range are not unusual when painting small parts, and very little effort is required to make improvements which can shift the transfer efficiency by 5 percentage points. The cost savings will be somewhat higher, because they include reduced purchases of coatings and solvents, less liquid and solid waste, less spray booth maintenance, and lower emission permit fees.

As the transfer efficiency approaches the higher end of the range, a small improvement in transfer efficiency will produce only a nominal emission reduction. For instance, when painting large machines, transfer efficiencies in the 60-75% range are realistic.  A 5 percentage point improvement will yield an emission reduction of approximately 7%, and cost savings will be somewhat higher.

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