Air Force Designer Soap for Industrial Wastewater Treatment

ABSTRACT: The cleaning of aircraft maintenance facilities requires a detergent to remove soils including hydraulic fluids, fuels, oil and grease. The wastewater must be treated to remove toxic heavy metals (particularly chromium and cadmium) before it is discharged to a municipal wastewater treatment facility. Unfortunately, current detergents interfere with the standard methods to remove heavy metals by precipitation, leading to environmental problems and costly procedures to remain in compliance. In the Phase I project, TDA Research, Inc., (TDA) identified a new detergent formulation that cleans effectively and does not interfere with the processes that remove heavy metals. The new material is cost effective and environmentally friendly. During the Phase II effort, TDA will optimize the detergent formulation, documenting its performance for current applications and expanding the range of Air Force needs that it can address. The Phase II effort has five technical components: optimize the cleaning formulation, qualify the product for widespread use at Hill AFB, implement its use across the base, identify additional uses and document compliance with OSHA expanded standards. TDA has a simple, robust commercialization plan in place, and the new product will be available to Air Force customers before the end of the Phase II project. BENEFIT: TDA has previously developed detergent products that are effective for routine aircraft cleaning as well as the decontamination of chemical and biological warfare agents. The same technology provides an excellent multipurpose product for facilities cleaning. Phase II will lead to an additional product for facilities cleaning that provides improved safety and environmental compliance. Additional benefits of this qualified multiuse product to the Government include simplified ordering, reduced stocking costs, simplified logistical demands, reduced inventory and lower costs through economies of scale. Because cleaning products like this are used in large quantities, the savings can rapidly repay the cost of Phase II development.