Sodium Hydroxide Recycling and Recovery at Watervliet Arsenal
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) to demonstrate the viability of innovative technologies that target environmental and waste reduction needs identified by DOD. The Sodium Hydroxide Recycling/Recovery System was chosen for evaluation under this program. The system uses filtration to remove suspended solids from caustic solutions used for cleaning and treating metal surfaces as part of the gun-tube manufacturing process. The system was designed to reduce potentially adverse environmental impacts while maintaining or improving product quality and decreasing costs. Demonstration testing was completed at the Watervliet Arsenal (WV A) in Watervliet, New York. This technology demonstration plan was prepared according to ESTCP guidance, which was developed to provide a standardized basis on which to compare innovative technologies for implementation within the federal sector. Effectiveness of this demonstration was evaluated in terms of technical, economic, and environmental significance. During Manufacturing of weapon systems large quantities of spent sodium hydroxide are produced by electroplating, surface finishing, and chemical milling/dissolution operations common to the Department of Energy (DOE), DOD, and private industry generating over 500,000 tons of sodium hydroxide waste per year. Sodium hydroxide comprises the largest volume of waste generated at U.S. Army depots and arsenals. Watervliet Arsenal generates multiple waste streams of spent concentrated caustic solutions that are used to clean dirt, rust, oil, grease, and other residue materials from metal surfaces before the processing steps in heat treatment and plating. Cleaning with alkaline solutions is the result of the chemical and physical processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 15, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA603751
Entities
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center