95-WA77A.02
NRMRL-RTP- P-571
2R 12/19/00
Cost Effective VOC Emission Control Strategies for Military,
Aerospace, and Industrial Paint Spray Booth Operations:
Combining Improved Ventilation Systems with Innovative,
Low Cost Emission Control Technologies
Jacqueline Ayer
AIR QUALITY SPECIALISTS
2280 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Charles H. Darvin
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711

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95-WA77A.02
INTRODUCTION
Controlling volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from spray coating operations has historically
been cost prohibitive, due to the high exhaust flow rates coupled with low VOC concentrations.
Preliminary studies conducted by the EPA and Air Force indicate that significant emission control cost
reductions can be achieved by reducing booth exhaust flow rates. These studies demonstrated that
recirculation combined with exhaust flow partitioning can safely achieve a greater than 50% reduction in
exhaust flow rates. In a separate study conducted by Pennsylvania State University and the Marine
Corps demonstrated that the ultraviolet (UV)/ozone oxidation technology can be adapted to successfully
control VOC emissions from paint spray operations. UV/ozone control technology operates at ambient
temperature, and achieves very high destruction efficiencies (>95%). Due to the ambient temperature
operation, the UV/ozone emission control system has very low associated operating costs and negligible
secondary pollutants.
With funding made available through the DOD Strategic Environmental Research and Development
Program (SERDP), the EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory (AEERL) and the U.S.
Marine Corps Logistics Command launched a full scale split-flow/recirculation and UV/ozone
technology demonstration program. The objective of the Demonstration Program is to confirm the
viability of coupling split-flow/recirculation ventilation with UV/ozone oxidation to achieve relatively
low cost VOC emission control. Under the Program, the exhaust flow rates from three paint booths will
be reduced through split-flow/recirculation modification, and vented to a UV/Ozone based VOC
emission control system. The Demonstration Program is being conducted at the Marine Corps Logistics
Base located in Barstow, CA. Due to the innovative aspects of both the flow reduction strategy and the
emission control system, this program has a relatively high profile within the environmental R&D
branches of the EPA and the DOD.
This Demonstration Program entails several innovative elements, thus a 3 phase approach was
developed and is now being implemented:
•	Phase I: Baseline Study - involves foil characterization of booth operating conditions, including
a VOC/hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emission profile and in-booth hazardous constituent
concentration measurements.
•	Phase II: Booth Ventilation System Modification and Control System Installation - includes
construction of the paint booth split-flow/recirculation ventilation systems, safety interlock
controls, booth operating equipment, and the UV/ozone VOC emission control system.
•	Phase III: System Validation Study - demonstrates split-flow/recirculation system operation, and
adequate VOC destruction efficiency by the UV/ozone emission control system.
The Phase I Baseline Study efforts were completed in March, 1994. Phase II Booth Ventilation System
Modifications are scheduled for completion in July, 1995. The Phase I results indicate that the booth
exhaust flow rates will be safely reduced by 60% from 114,000 cfm to less than 44,000 cfm
through split-flow/ recirculation ventilation. The Phase III demonstration will be completed in the
Fall of 1995.
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This paper discusses general flow reduction strategies and recirculation system enhancements achieved
through split-flow/reeirculation system optimization. This discussion is followed by a description of the
Baseline (Phase I) field study results and a summary of the key engineering and safety issues that were
addressed in the booth modification/construction designs to ensure safe operation of the split-
flow/recireulation ventilation system. The paper further presents and discusses the UV/ozone oxidation
technology, and its adaptation to controlling air stream emissions of VOCs. Finally, a discussion of the
viability of adopting split-flow/recirculation in many industrial, aerospace, and military coating
operations is also presented.
SPLIT-FLOW/RECIRCULATION VENTILATION - WHAT IS IT?
General Discussion of Exhaust Flow Reduction Via Recirculation
Most paint booths currently in use operate in a "single-pass" mode in which the ventilation air passes
through the booth and is exhausted to the atmosphere or to a downstream air pollution control system
(APCS). The single-pass mode of operation generates high exhaust air flow rates containing very low
solvent concentrations; under these conditions, controlling VOC emissions is generally cost prohibitive.
By implementing a flow reduction strategy that is appropriate to the particular operation of the booth,
emission control costs are significantly reduced. This is because a typical APCS is sized based on the
volumetric flow rate that must be processed; by reducing the flow rate, the control system size is reduced
accordingly. This in turn reduces both the APCS capital and operating costs.
The simplest method for reducing paint booth exhaust flow rates is to install a return air system which
recirculates a portion of the exhaust air back into the booth (Figure 1). The portion that is not
recirculated is vented to an emission control system. Prior to re-entering the booth, the recirculated
stream is mixed with fresh make-up air that is required to replace the exhaust stream vented to the
control device. The hazardous constituent concentration present in the recirculated stream is dictated by
the percent recirculation that is employed, and the material release rate in the booth during painting. The
flow reduction that is achieved by recirculation depends directly on the percent recirculated.
In 1990, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that paint
booth recirculation was a viable alternative for reducing paint booth exhaust flow rates, provided that
hazardous constituent concentrations in the booth intake stream remain below established safety limits.
The key, therefore, to designing a safe and effective recirculation stream is to maximize the percent
recirculation while ensuring that constituent concentrations remain below acceptable levels.
Enhancing Recirculation by Split-Flow Optimization
In simple recirculation, the hazardous constituent concentrations present in the controlled and
recirculated exhaust streams are the same. Recirculation can be further enhanced by designing the
ventilation system such that the hazardous constituent concentration in the controlled stream is greater
than in the recirculated stream. Under these conditions, the recirculation rate can be further increased,
and the exhaust flow rate vented to an APCS is proportionally reduced. EPA research conducted in
1990 suggests that a concentration gradient occurs at the exhaust face of typical paint booths. An
optimal flow reduction strategy takes advantage of this stratification to cause a higher constituent
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concentration in the controlled stream. This is accomplished by "splitting" the exhaust flow into two
streams at the booth exhaust face (Figure 2). By recirculating only exhaust air drawn from booth
zone(s) containing relatively low constituent concentrations, the flow reduction percentage can be
increased beyond that achieved with simple recirculation. Correspondingly, the volume flow rate of the
controlled stream is reduced by drawing air only from booth zone(s) having relatively high
concentrations.
Split-Flow Recirculation System Design Considerations
The location of the partition, or split, dictates the volumetric flow rate of the partitioned streams, arid
therefore determines the actual recirculation rate. The split location is derived iteratively from a mass
balance equation developed based on a number of factors, including booth configuration, coating
components and usage rates, and OSHA hazardous constituent exposure levels. For a booth with a flow
partition oriented horizontally, the mass balance equation reduces to:
C, = Concentration of compound I in the recirculated stream as it exits the booth downstream of the
particulate filtration system.
M, = Mass release rate of compound I
X, = Percent of total mass of compound I located above the partition height
Qb = Booth volumetric flow rate
a = Partition height
H = Booth exhaust face height
When employing this equation, it must be recognized that the particulate filtration efficiency should be
applied to the variable M, for solid phase constituents such as chromium. Furthermore, the parameter X,
is derived from an understanding of the concentration profile of compound / at the exhaust face
immediately upstream of the split partition. To establish this parameter accurately, it must be recognized
that paint overspray is composed of both solid and vapor phase components, and that these components
react to gravity accordingly. Solid phase components are found at a lower elevation than vapor phase
components; therefore, the parameter X;solid may differ significantly from X,vapor
The significant design criteria for a safe and efficient recirculation system are based on understanding
that the total hazardous constituent concentration in the recirculated stream must remain below safe
exposure limits. Moreover, OSHA has established that, for flows containing a mixture of hazardous
compounds (such as occurs in paint booth recirculation streams) , the additive health effects of each
compound must be considered. Under these conditions, the governing equation is:
C =
Equation (1)
Where
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!£	* 1	Equation (2)
Where:
C, = Concentration of compound / in the recirculated stream
PEL, = OSHA established 8-hour time weighted average Permissible Exposure Level for compound /
The optimal split height may be determined iteratively by considering both Equations 1 and 2. The
concentration value of each constituent that is derived from Equation 1 is input into Equation 2 to
determine if the split height assumed in Equation 1 will yield sufficiently low concentrations to ensure
compliance with OSHA regulations. This analytical procedure was employed to derive the Phase I
results, and incorporated into the Phase II Design.
PHASE I RESULTS
Test Results and Projected Volumetric Flow Reduction
The paint booths targeted for this Program employ standard military specification chemically resistant
coatings such as wash primers (DOD-P-15328), epoxy primers (MIL-P-53030), and topcoats
(MIL-C-53039). Some of the components contained in these coatings are classified as potentially
hazardous by OSHA; therefore, the Baseline Study focussed particularly on these compounds. A
detailed field study was conducted to obtain the information necessary to derive the optimal split
location for each of the three paint booths included in this study. Key data collected include:
•	Coating usage rates.
•	Concentration profiles of hazardous constituents at the exhaust face upstream of the particulate
filtration system; profiles for both solid phase (metals and solid phase isocyanates) and vapor
phase (VOC) constituents were developed. These data provided information pertaining to
constituent stratification at the booth exhaust face.
•	Organic and inorganic (i.e., chromium and other metals) hazardous constituent concentrations
downstream of the particulate filtration system.
•	Filtration efficiency test results to identify the particulate filtration system with the highest
collection efficiency for the coatings and spray equipment particular to the booths studied.
These data were combined to derive the optimal split height, and therefore the volumetric exhaust flow
rate to the emission control system for each of the three booths included in the study. Table 1
summarizes the projected flow rate reductions achieved for each booth. To accommodate the workpiece
throughput requirements at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base, it was decided that Booths 2 and
3 would operate sequentially; i.e., Booths 2 and 3 would never operate simultaneously. This further
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reduces the volumetric flow rate vented to the APCS. From the results summarized in Table 1, it is clear
that a significant reduction in exhaust flow rates will be achieved for all three booths through the
implementation of split-flow/ recirculation. The total volumetric flow rate from all three booths dropped
from 114,000 cfm of uncontrolled exhaust to less than 44,000 cfin of controlled exhaust.
Booth Modification Design Criteria and Considerations
Designs for the booth modifications combine several elements that are critical to ensuring safe and
continuous operation of the split-flow/recirculation paint spray booths. These include:
•	A safety interlock system employing a continuous monitor in the recirculation stream to ensure
that constituent concentrations present in the booth intake air remain below defined safety levels.
•	Variable frequency drives on the fans coupled with flow monitors to ensure that the flow rate
through the booth remains constant, even if the particulate filtration system is at capacity.
•	Other interlocks to ensure that the booths are not used unless the APCS is on-line and fully
operational.
•	The use of high efficiency particulate filters to ensure maximum removal of paint overspray
particulate, especially hexavalent chromium containing particulate generated from the use of
military specification wash primers.
•	Provisions for a time delay in booth fan start-up and shut-down procedures to ensure that the
exhaust flow rate from each booth matches the APCS fan operation as booth fans are turned on
and off throughout the day. This ensures complete coordination between the booths and the
APCS.
•	Variability in the split-height to allow for optimization of this parameter during the System
Validation (Phase III) activities. After Phase III is completed, the split-heights will be locked
into place.
These and other design considerations were incorporated in the final booth modification specifications
so that simple and safe operation are ensured. In addition, the operating requirements for each booth
were developed in conceit with staff from the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base so that booth
operators would have a thorough understanding of booth modifications and operating procedures.
UV/OZONE BASED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS
The UV/ozone technology relies on the use of ultraviolet (UV) light in combination with ozone to
completely oxidize organic contaminants present in process streams. The organic compounds are
oxidized either through direct photolysis (absorption of the UV light), or through excitation and
decomposition via contact with ozone and hydroxyl radicals that are generated from UV/ozone
interaction. UV/ozone oxidation is commonly used in the waste water treatment industry to eliminate
most organic and even some inorganic compounds in waste water effluent. It is also frequently
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employed in drinking water purification systems to remove contamination. In the latter half of the
1980's a new application for UV/ozone oxidation was pioneered with the development of the first
ambient temperature oxidative APCS. Pilot-scale and full-scale systems successfully demonstrate
destruction efficiencies of up to 95%, even under conditions of low VOC concentrations coupled with
high flow rates.
Advantages of UV/Ozone Based Air Pollution Control Systems Over Standard Technologies
There are a number of inherent advantages of a UV/ozone based emission control system over standard
technologies such as thermal or catalytic oxidation and carbon adsorption. These advantages include:
•	Ambient temperature operation; this eliminates losses incurred by thermal oxidation systems in
heating up the entire exhaust flow to the requisite oxidation temperature.
•	Virtually no start-up time; the system goes from "off to fully operational in less than 5 minutes.
•	A destruction efficiency in excess of 95%, even under conditions of high volumetric flow rate
coupled with low VOC concentrations.
•	No secondary pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and
products of incomplete combustion (PICs) of natural gas
•	Virtually no waste stream generation, unlike carbon adsorption or other adsorption based
systems.
•	Long equipment life cycles, due to ambient temperature operation.
•	Complete oxidation of most organic constituents, including chlorinated and heavy (7+ carbon)
organic compounds.
•	Moderate installation costs, and extremely low operating costs.
•	Remote terminal unit (RTU) operation, which offers full system monitoring and control
capabilities.
These advantages make UV/ozone based systems an attractive alternative for VOC emission control, and
were a driving factor in the decision made by the Marine Corps to pursue further research and
technology development. The research focusses on optimizing various system design considerations
such as lamp number and location. The research will also confirm the ability of the UV/Ozone
technology to oxidize the entire spectrum of organic compounds present in military coatings.
UV/Ozone Air Pollution Control System Operation
A schematic diagram illustrating the UV/Ozone Air Pollution Control System is provided in Figure 3.
The contaminated exhaust air is directed through a multistage filter to remove any solid pollutants that
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are present. The exhaust air stream is then vented to a wet scrubber, where the water soluble and
miscible contaminants present in the air stream are collected and oxidized. In the scrubber module, the
air stream is mixed with ozone saturated water to achieve oxidation. The scrubber water passes through
an ozone contact tower to replenish the levels of ozone and hydroxyl radicals, and is then recirculated to
the scrubber. The non-soluble components present in the air stream that are not removed by the scrubber
are collected on a carbon adsorption module. Ozone is continuously injected into the carbon adsorption
module for in-situ oxidation of the adsorbed organics.
The UV/ozone APCS is fully automated; therefore, facility operator maintenance and oversight is
virtually eliminated. For this Demonstration Program, the UV/ozone APCS will be equipped with intake
and exhaust stack organic monitoring systems that continuously monitor and record organic
concentrations. The data are recorded in a convenient format to allow efficient downloading, storage,
and transmittal via modem to interested parties. The monitoring data collection and download system is
fully automated, thus operating and maintenance requirements are minimized. In addition, a remote
terminal unit (RTU) is included to provide full access to current system data and booth operating
information such as volumetric flow rates and exhaust concentrations. The data are accessed through
user friendly menu driven programs to ensure simple operation.
The computer based processing unit that controls the UV/ozone APCS operation may also be
programmed and fully integrated with the operation of the three paint booths modified for this
Demonstration Program. The advantages of employing this central control option are many: it can
interlock the ventilation system to ensure that the UV/ozone system start-up sequence is initiated the
instant that any paint booth is turned on, as well as ensure that the booths are not operated without the
APCS being on line.
ADAPTATION OF THE SPLIT-FLOW/RECIRCULATION TECHNOLOGY TO AEROSPACE
AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL COATING OPERATIONS.
Most spray coating operations can be retrofit with split-flow/recirculation ventilation to reduce the cost
of controlling VOC emissions, whether vented to a conventional or more advanced APCS, Because
split-flow/recirculation is a ventilation technology that operates separately from the APCS, it is
compatible with all emission control systems. The degree of flow reduction that can be achieved is a
function of many parameters, as described previously. For example, the flow rate reduction that may be
achieved for large hangar operations in which two or three paint stations are used and from which
250,000 cfm is exhausted could be 80% or more. The flow reduction that may be realized by smaller
operations may not be quite so dramatic, but even a 20% reduction in exhaust flow rates will translate to
significant savings when installing an APCS. In general, the cost of installing the split-
flow/recirculation system is a fraction of the incremental cost savings realized on the APCS.
It should also be recognized that the decision to convert to split-flow/recirculation operation is not
necessarily driven by concerns relating to environmental regulations. Employing split-flow/recirculation
can eliminate a tremendous load on standard heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
by reducing the volume of air requiring conditioning prior to entering the booth. This may be a critical
concern to facilities located in seasonally harsh environments such as Minnesota in the winter, or
Arizona in the summer.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to express their appreciation for the efforts put forth by Mr, John House and Mr, Ron
Vargo of the Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, GA; and Mr. Herbert Dempsey of Acurex
Environmental in Durham, NC.
Although the research described in this article has been funded wholly or in part by the Environmental
Protection Agency, it has not been subject to the Agency's review, and therefore does not necessarily
reflect the views of the Agency, and no official endorsement should be inferred.
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Table 1. Summary of projected volumetric flow rate reductions for Barstow Marine Corps Logistics
Base paint booths targeted by the Program3.
Initial exhaust	Final exhaust flow rate	Flow reduction
flow rate	vented to control device	achieved
Booth (cfml	fcfm)	(%)
1	55,000	23,000	58
2	59,000	21,000	64
3	22,000	14,500	34
a Booths 2 and 3 are never operated simultaneously, thus the highest flow rate processed through the
control device is 23,000 + 21,000 = 44,000 cfm.
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Fresh
Make-up
Air
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram Illustrating Simple Recirculation Ventilation
Fresh
Make-up		 / /	i	r
Air SAX	r-j -
m	m	| Bypass Duct
t!	rt
| Split-flow
| Exhaust
j Duct
! %
Filter Face-
Figure 2. Schematic Diagram Illustrating Enhanced Recirculation Via Split-Flow Partitioning (Split-
Flow Recirculation)
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A
Carbon Adsorption
Module
Multi-Stage
Filter
Ozone
Generator
Wet
Scrubber
Ozone
Contact
Tower
Booth Exhaust Air
Scrubber Liquid
Ozone Injection
Figure 3. Schematic Diagram Illustrating UV/Ozone APCS Operation
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NRMRT-RTP 13 R71 TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
-Tvivi X"Uj ill -t i O 11 (Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO. 2.
EPA/600/A-01/002
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Cost Effective VOC Emission Control Strategies for
Military, -Aerospace, and Industrial Paint Spray
Booth Operations: Combining Improved Ventilation*
5. REPORT DATE
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7'authors Jacqueline Ayer (AQS) and Charles H.
Darvin (EPA)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Air Quality Specialists
2280 University Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO,
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
NA
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
EPA, Office of Research and Development
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Published paper; 6/95
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/13
15.supplementary notes APPCD project officer is Charles H. Darvin, Mail Drop 61, 919/
541-7633. Presented at 88th AWMA Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 6/18-23/95.
(*) Systems with Innovative, Low Cost Emission Control Technologies.
is.abstract paper describes a full-scale demonstration program in which several
paint booths were modified for recirculation ventilation; the booth exhaust streams
are vented to an innovative volatile organic compound (VOC) emission control sys-
tem having extremely low operating costs. (NOTE: Controlling emissions from
spray coating operations has historically been cost prohibitive, due to high exhaust
flow rates coupled with low VOC and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) concentrations.
Preliminary studies indicate that significant emission control cost reductions are
achievable by reducing booth exhaust flow rates; these studies demonstrated that re-
circulation combined with exhaust flow partitioning can safely acieve a >50% reduc-
tion in exhaust flow rates.) The booth exhaust flow rates were safely reduced from
114,000 to 44,000 cfm. The program involved: (1) a baseline study, involving full
characterization of booth operating conditions including a VCC/HAP emission and
in-booth constituent stratification profile, and operator hazardous exposure asses-
sments for all booths; (2) booth ventilation system modification, including construc-
tion of recirculation/partition ventilation systems, safety interlock controls, booth
operating equipment, and the VOC control system; and (3) a post-conversion study to
demonstrate safe recirculation system operation and adequate destruction efficiency.
17. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
a. DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Field/Group
Pollution Toxicity
Spray Painting
Emission
Ventilation
Organic Compounds
Volatility
Pollution Control
Stationary Sources
Paint Spray Booths
Volatile Organic Com-
pounds (VOCs)
Hazardous Air Pollu-
tants (HAPs)
13B 06T
13H
14 G
13 A
07C
20M
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to Public
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
Unclassified
21. NO, OF PAGES
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)

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