Waste Reduction Technology: Coating Application

["Richard Illig (717) 327-3568" <ILLIG.RICHARD@a1.pader.gov>]

    I am not an expert but I find most users of powder-coating very 
    happy with their systems as well as reduced waste generation.  
    Although I can't say I've seen detailed financial analysis,  
    everyone seems happy not to have to deal with multiple drums of 
    waste paint and solvent waste.  Increased transfer efficiency is a 
    pretty big edge relative to the qualtity of waste generated.
    
    Along these lines, the use of multi-component mixing, where a 
    coating mixture is actually blended in-line to the gun, is also a 
    technology that reduces VOC's as well as the generation of waste 
    paint from batch-mixing.
    
    Electrostatic application techniques also appear to be an 
    excellent technology.  Again increased transfer efficiency is a 
    big plus.
    
    This also brings up the subject of paint-booth filter technology.  
    Filter placement and type, combined with new filter design and 
    higher transfer efficiencies seems to reduce paint operation 
    waste.  I've heard of a filter type that is designed to disolve in 
    the equipment cleaning solvents thereby "eliminating" a separate 
    waste stream (provided I understood "the pitch" correctly).
    
    Ric
    illig.richard@a1.dep.state.pa.us