Hazardous Waste Minimization of Paint Overspray Via Medialess Dynamic Particle Filtration

A novel medialess dynamic particle filter, initially developed for removal of submicron solid particles from gaseous effluents, could be used to remove sticky liquid aerosols, thereby reducing hazardous waste disposition in military painting operations. This inherently self-cleaning filter, based on the patent-pending Boundary Layer Momentum Transfer (BLMT) concept, would be capable of meeting new strigent EPA PM-2.5 emission and have constant (a) flow, (b) back pressure and (c) filtration efficiency (i.e., no periodicity), without backpulse cleaning.A proprietary BLMT computer flow simulation model was used to modify the geometric and opertional parameters of an existing prototype filter, potentially adaptable to accommodate filtration of sticky liquid aerosol paint particles. Critical issues to be resolved include: (a) device scale-up, (b) inlet and outlet particle size distributions, (c) wet sludge collection/removal and possible recycle, (d) potential sticky particle build-up and (e) anticipated cost per acfm. The primary goal of this study is the development of an environmentally-compliant BLMT-based paint filtration methodology that substantially minimizes disposition of hazardous waste in Air Force painting operations. Phase II recommendations will include an optimized, much larger-scale BLMT filter design, prototype fabrication, testing and evaluation at a designated AF paint facility for technology validation and demonstration.