Lead Paint Removal by Confined Hydraulic Jet

This project will devise and develop an efficient and cost-effective technique for removing lead-contaminated paint films from painted surfaces in Army buildings scheduled for demolition. High-presure water jets confined within a shield (operating head) remove the paint from the surface. The operating head is sealed against the work surface by flexible flange. Small channels in the flange allow the air entering the operating head at high velocity. The air/water/paint film residue mixture is drawn out by an air compressor which discharged the misture through a centrifugal separator and a filter into the atmosphere. The separated water and paint mixture passes to a series of tanks in which centrifugation, settling, and filtration processes remove the paint residue from the wash water. Recirculation of the cleaned wash water through a positive-displacement pump supplying the jets minimizes the volume of waste water requiring disposal. The film solids are collected and concentrated for disposal as hazardous waste. The process raises no institutional issues. Phase I will compare the proposed technique with extant processes, identify feasibility issues, prepare a verification test plan, perform necessary performance scoping tests, and guage development success probability. Phase II will design, procure, and assemble a prototype device; carry out laboratory and field verification tests; and identify commercial/industrial participants.