Original Date: 04/24/2007
Revision Date: / /

The University of New Orleans, College of Engineering developed a computer model for life cycle costing and assessment of shipyard blasting and painting. The model will reduce total life cycle costs and increase environmental compliance.

The University of New Orleans, College of Engineering’s (UNO COE’s) Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center (GCRMTC) developed a computer model for life cycle costing and assessment of shipyard blasting and painting. The model will result in minimizing wastes and natural resource utilization, reducing production and societal costs, and increasing compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The computer model has a graphical interface that allows the user to select costs and parts of equipment, and entry of materials and process parameters. Total life cycle costs (e.g., direct, indirect, and societal) for all levels of painting and blasting operations will be calculated based on the user’s input. By changing process parameters (e.g., nozzle, pressure, abrasive type, paint application equipment, type of paint, etc.), new models can be generated for comparison to optimize the process for both cost and environmental compliance.

Alternate blasting materials and paint application methods will be identified that minimize costs to the shipyard and society. The computer model can be used with about 80% of the shipbuilding industry.

As a followup to this project, the UNO completed a project titled “Environmentally Friendly Abrasives” that provided information on various mathematical models, namely emission factors for particulates, abrasive consumption, and solid-waste generation. Efforts are being made to secure funding so the new knowledge can be incorporated into the UNO’s life cycle costing and assessment model.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.