United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/S2-88/071 Sept. 1989
Project Summary
Volatile Organic
Compound and Participate
Emission Studies of AF Paint
Booth Facilities: Phase I
Jacqueline Ayer and Dean Wolbach
Results of volatile organic com-
pound (VOC) and participate emis-
sion studies at three Air Force spray
paint facilities are presented. It was
found that all three facilities (one at
McClellan AFB CA and two at Travis
AFB CA) were out of compliance for
VOC emissions. The possibility of
reducing VOC emissions with recir-
culation modifications and various
control strategies is discussed.
Specific recommendations for emis-
sion reductions pertaining to each
facility are presented.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Air and Energy Engi-
neering Research Laboratory, Re-
search Triangle Park, NC, to announce
key findings of the research project
that is fully documented in a separate
report of the same title (see Project
Report ordering information at back).
Objective
This study presents the results of
volatile organic compound (VOC) and
particulate emission surveys performed
at three Air Force painting facilities. The
three facilities -- one at McClellan AFB
Building 655 and two at Travis AFB build-
ings 550 and 1014 -- did not meet local
VOC emission standards. This report
discusses the possibility of reducing
these emissions with recirculation
modifications and various VOC reduction
and control strategies.
Although VOC emissions from paint
spray booths can be controlled by add-on
control systems, control is expensive for
present air flow rates. The use of air
recirculation within the spray booth can
reduce the cost of VOC emission controls
by reducing the quantity of air which re-
quires processing. Recirculation systems
were designed for two of the painting
facilities included in this study In design-
ing the systems, various criteria such as
paint booth VOC concentrations and
health and safety standards were consid-
ered. Add-on VOC emission control
systems which can be used in
conjunction with the recirculation system
are evaluated in this study. The devices
of interest are a solvent incineration sys-
tem and an activated carbon adsorption
bed. The VOC removal efficiency, initial
capital investment, and operating costs
for both of these technologies are discus-
sed.
Background
The Air Force uses a number of
solvents and solvent-based coatings in
many routine operations that are required
to maintain aircraft-related equipment.
Activities which result in the emission of
large quantities of VOCs include metal
cleaning, painting, paint removal, fuel
storage and transfer, and industrial waste
treatment. As a result of these operations,
significant quantities of VOCs are
released into the atmosphere. For this
reason, Air Force operations comprise
one of the VOC source categories
regulated by the Clean Air Act and state
and local laws.
Solvent-based epoxy primers and sol-
vent-based polyurethane topcoats are
normally used by the Air Force for paint-
ing aircraft. Methylethyl ketone, isopropyl
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alcohol, toluene, lacquer thinner, and
aliphatic polyurethane thinner are the sol-
vents generally involved in painting. Cur-
rently the solvents, primers, coatings for
corrosion control, and aerospace top-
coats used by the Air Force exceed VOC
emission limits established by both fed-
eral and state laws. The statutory dead-
line to comply with both state and federal
laws was December 31, 1987.
The study of VOC and particulate
emissions and possible reduction strat-
egies at the three Air Force painting facil-
ities took place between June and Sep-
tember 1987. Painting operations at
McClellan AFB Building 655 were ob-
served between June 1 and 5. Painting
operations at Travis AFB Buildings 550
and 1014 were observed between June
16 and 19, and June 24 and 30, respec-
tively.
Project Description
The project was conducted in two
steps. Step 1 involved characterizing the
VOC and particulate emissions from the
painting facilities included in this study.
Step 2 was to make recommendations,
based on the data collected in Step 1, of
viable VOC emission reduction and
control options for each facility.
Step 1 was accomplished by observing
the paint operations occurring at each
facility, and sampling for organics and
particulates both inside and outside the
paint booth. The sampling methods used
to characterize the emissions were Na-
tional Institute of Safety and Health
(NIOSH) 500, NIOSH 1300, Modified
Method 5, anemometer volume flow, EPA
Method 2 volume flow, ST-7, and Method
25A. In addition, records of paint usage
rates and paint booth operations were
kept. At McClellan AFB, water samples
were drawn from the water curtain sumps
which remove particulate from the
exhaust flow.
Step 2 was accomplished by analyzing
the data and developing possible VOC
emission control strategies for each
painting facility included in this study.
Conclusions and
Recommendations
• All three painting facilities included in
this study failed to meet applicable
VOC emission standards.
The adoption of more efficient p<
application methods is a viable V
emission reduction strategy.
Paint booth recirculation modificatk
associated with an add-on conl
device would result in significant V
emission reductions.
A recirculation system could be ins
led at the McClellan AFB Building (.
paint facility at an approximate cosl
$47,000. The bleed-off volui
required to maintain the VI
concentration below established saf
limits is 1,500 scfm (0.71 sm3/sec).
A recirculation system could be ins
led at the Travis AFB Building 1(
painting facility at an approximate c
of $33,000. The bleed-off volui
required to maintain the VI
concentration below established saf
limits is 860 scfm (0.41 sm3/sec).
Recommendations specific to e«
site regarding safe and1 efficient pi
booth operation
Jacqueline Ayer and C. Dean Wolbach are with Acurex Corporation. Mountain View,
CA 94039.
Charles H. Darvin is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Volatile Organic Compound and Particulate
Emission Studies of AF Paint Booth Facilities: Phase I," (Order No. ADA 198092;
Cost: $21.95, subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/600/S2-88/071
000085833 PS
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