Environmentally Responsible Aerosol Can and Contents Recycling

Aerosol Can Recycling Facility Air Emissions

Unique to the Beacon Engineering EVAC aerosol can disposal/recovery systems is the capture and containment of the propellants and concentrate – more than 95% -- providing maximum operator and plant safety and minimum emissions to the atmosphere. Unlike some other crushing units, there are no carbon filters which can be expensive and ineffective if not changed regularly.

S.C. Johnson Wax has been operating the Beacon EVAC II system since August of 1992.

Excerpts from their report follows:

RE: Aerosol Can Recycling Facility Air Emissions

In accordance with SC Johnson Wax environmental goals, the facility was designed with the overall objectives of significantly reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions and producing a recyclable waste stream. In order to characterize facility performance and meet permitting needs, air emissions testing for VOC’s was conducted during normal operational periods. Additionally, information obtained was used to calculate a mass balance on the facility in order to accurately determine the product/propellant capture efficiency of the new facility and characterize the recyclable steel obtained in the process.

Results

The aerosol recycling facility provides an average capture efficiency of 99.8%for air freshening products and 99.5% for cleaning/other products. Approximately 0.1% of the VOC’s that escape are lost as residual offgas from the crushed plates of cans during extended storage. The rest of the VOC losses occur during extended storage. The facility’s demonstrated performance meets and exceeds expected capture efficiency results. Furthermore, the steel recycling requirements of 7.5 grams or less of residual product per can was achieved as only 4 grams per can was measured.”

Handling of Contents – EVAC I and II Aerosol Crushing Systems

Models EVAC I processes 500 cans per hour. Cans are crushed in a sealed compaction cylinder and the contents forced through hydraulic hoses into a pressure vessel where the gases and liquids are separated under controlled conditions.

Propellant gases may be burned as an alternative fuel, incinerated or reused. Some liquids may also be recycled, or may be sent to a waste disposal facility. The compacted cans are suitable for recycling. Products such as mousse and shaving cream are handled without foaming problems. There is no spillage.

The electric motor, tank and heat exchanger are confined to the hydraulic power unit which is usually located just outside the crushing operation. No other elctricity is required. All controls are by air. An exhaust fan removes vapors from around the crushed cans, ducted to the atmosphere. A vacuum pump also removes any remaining gas or liquids from around the crushed cans before they are released from the compaction cylinder and delivers to the main line to the pressure vessel.