A Case Study: Recycling of Law Enforcement Ammunition Treated in NABCO's Mobile Thermal Treatment Unit

摘要

The Michigan State Police (MSP) accumulates brass ammunition from several departments around the state. NABCO, Inc. has developed a Mobile Thermal Treatment Unit (MTTU) that provides non-contact heat treatment, with air pollution controls. A Research and Development Clean Air Act Permit was obtained from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and stack testing was performed in July 2008. MDEQ established sampling protocols that were adjusted to batch processing. The unit treats brass ammunition in 150 pound batches. Air around the ammunition is heated until the ammunition spontaneously ignites or "pops". Heating is continued in order to separate metal types for improved recycling. Melted metal and casing retrieved from the unit are accumulated and sent to a scrap metal recycler. Exhaust stack air tests evaluated particulate, metals, and ozone parameters. Some field modifications were made to establish compliance with the Clean Air Act and to improve performance of the technology. MDEQ established strict fugitive emission levels so a materials management plan was established in compliance with this requirement. The program was successful due to the cooperation of all the parties involved. This new mobile treatment technology can be used at ammunition generator sites in an efficient manner that cuts down the potential safety and environmental hazards of lead emissions. Regulatory evaluation has shown that the unit can be operated as a generator treatment technology, under the metal recycling exemption of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Profits from the metal could be used to support maintenance cost of replacement filters over time and disposal of spent filters as a Toxicity Characteristic waste for Lead, thereby making the machine self-supporting with a potential profit based on the volume of materials handled. Investigation is also being conducted to determine capacities of this machine to treat other municipal wastes such as consumer fireworks, flares, and drugs.