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Original Date: 03/08/1999
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Best Practice : Overspray Capture System
The Applied Research Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University (ARL Penn State) an Overspray Capture System which entraps the particulate emissions from paint coating operations on large, relatively flat surfaces. In spray painting operations, 40% to 70% of the coating material dispensed from the spray gun fails to reach the substrate being coated. Overspray from anti-fouling coatings (containing copper) for ship hulls is particularly toxic to marine organisms.
By modeling the fluid dynamics of the spray system, ARL Penn State designed a shroud enclosure to capture overspray. The captured emissions can then be treated by conventional means or via the laboratory’s Overspray Treatment System. The Overspray Capture System will be used in conjunction with the Navy’s Automated Paint Application, Containment and Treatment System (APACS).
Although most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are emitted during the curing stage following spraying, overspray does contain some VOCs and HAPs. By capturing overspray, the system reduces total emissions to the environment by about 25%. Negative pressure, total containment of ships being coated is the current method of controlling the release of toxic particles into the environment. This procedure usually costs about $1 million per containment. The Overspray Capture System could reduce or eliminate this cost.
The ARL Penn State designed its system to capture more than 95% of overspray with the shroud positioned up to ten centimeters from the substrate’s surface. This design allows the equipment to operate on curved surfaces as well as on surfaces with projections of less than ten centimeters. The ARL Penn State estimates that the Overspray Capture System will enable ship hull maintenance operations to meet particulate and emission standards at a lower cost than current methods. This technology may also be applicable on other large, relatively flat surfaces such as large aircraft, water towers, bridges, and buildings.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
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