Robotic Laser Coating Removal System

Abstract

Abstract : Current methods for the removal of Department of Defense (DoD) coating systems from on-equipment and off-equipment components are costly, time consuming, labor-intensive, and result in undesirable environmental conditions. Large quantities of hazardous waste are commonly generated from these depot-related activities and are typically subjected to high disposal costs and scrutiny under environmental regulations. The wastes that are associated with coatings removal include the disposal of liquid paint removers and contaminated rinse water from chemical stripping operations and media waste from a variety of blasting processes. Chemical paint removers are the only process currently authorized for removing paint from KC-135 aircraft and components. In 2007, Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) reported using approximately 4360 gallons of chemical paint removers and generated approximately 2.7 million gallons of contaminated rinse water from the stripping of KC-135 candidate components alone. Coatings removal activities are impacted by regulations promulgated under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Washing surfaces following depainting operations can generate quantities of wastewater contaminated with methylene chloride or media and paint residue. Discharging wastewater with traces of hazardous waste can result in a direct violation of the CWA. The most common regulations associated with depainting activities are those issued under the CAA, including the recent efforts to minimize the use of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) such as methylene chloride. RCRA directly regulates disposal of wastes generated by depainting activities. RCRA regulates how and where depainting waste can be disposed and transported as well as any future liabilities resulting from environmental damage.