Selection and demonstration of a low-emission solvent for cleaning paint application equipment

The Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany, GA, carries out maintenance activities on a wide variety of equipment from small arms to tanks, trucks, and other vehicles. The processes for paint stripping, repainting, and cleaning of paint equipment release significant amounts of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). By Executive Order 12856, the MCLB is required to reduce these air emissions by 50% from 1992 levels. The MCLB desires to accomplish this goal by implementing pollution prevention (P2) technologies. The purpose of this project was to demonstrate on a full production scale a replacement for methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) for cleaning the paint application pumps, hoses, and guns at the MCLB. Based on the results of materials compatibility and paint removal efficiency tests, the cleaner selected for demonstration at the base was a blend of 40% propylene carbonate and 60% benzyl alcohol (PC/BA), by weight. MCLB used this solvent as a direct replacement for MEK. No capital investment was required. Based on the demonstration, PC/BA cleans green Chemical Agent Resistant Coating from the pumps as well as MEK, and cleans epoxy primers better than MEK. This substitution will lower emissions from HAPs 21% from 1992 levels.