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Last updated:
May 03, 2001
Equipment Maintenance Service (EMS)
Address - 3382 Bird Drive, Gillette, WY 82718
Phone: (307) 682-8733
Contact - Randy Milliron - Quality, Environmental, and Safety Coordinator
Product or Service
Machine shop servicing mine equipment
Number of Employees - 50 employees
Waste Stream Targeted: Cleaning solvents
Summary
- Replaced conventional parts washing system with an aqueous detergent parts dishwasher thus reducing hazardous waste generation and improving productivity.
Waste Reduction Activities
- EMS services the machine shop needs of the mines in Northeastern Wyoming. Mine operators expect their equipment to be serviced with as short a turnaround time as possible. EMS formerly used a smaller, manual, conventional system for washing individual parts. The system was manned by one person, ten to twelve hours per day, five days per week. A standard solvent solution was used as a cleaner. This system has been replaced by a very large automatic parts cleaner system manufactured by MART. This high-powered dishwasher, which is capable of washing an entire engine at one time, uses a heated detergent solution. The system has multiple advantages over the previous system, in that it reuses and reclaims the cleaning water, using skimmer system to remove contamination. It also utilizes detergent as opposed to solvents as the cleaning solution. The new system eliminated one job position because of its efficiency.
Major Benefits
- Reduced manpower requirements>
- Reduced contaminated waste
- Improved productivity and efficiency
- Uses detergent solutions rather than solvents
- Positive business and environmental image
Cost Savings
- Cost of the system: $100,000
- Cost saved by eliminating labor of one person, 10-12 hours per day, five days per week: $47,200 (salary only)
- Estimated payback-Less than two years
Obstacles
- Initial expense
Key to Success in Implementing Pollution Prevention Modification
- Management support
- Ease of operation
Waste Stream Targeted: Coal Emissions and Ash Discharge
Summary
- Simple changes in the shape of a heating coal bunker will reduce the likelihood of spontaneous combustion and fugitive air emissions.
Waste Reduction Activities
- The coal bunker utilized with the existing heating boiler has stagnant hopper corners, raising the likelihood of spontaneous combustion and release of coal emissions. MAMTC engineers recommended that a simple change be made in the sides of the coal bunker. By sloping the bunker sides at slightly less that a 45-degree angle, the possibility of spontaneous combustion will be eliminated. A recommendation was also made to build a lightweight hood over the bunker to control the ask discharge into the air. These simple changes were important to the health and safety of the employees and the facility.
Major Benefits
- Reduced coal build-up
Reduced chance of emissions
Improved safety
Positive business and environmental image
Cost Savings
- None
Obstacles
- None
Key to Success in Implementing Pollution Prevention Modification
- Management support of safety and environmental concerns
Waste Stream Targeted: Fugitive dust emissions from sandblasting
Summary
- EMS does major machine shop work for the mines in Northeastern Wyoming. Fugitive dust emissions from sandblasting are a hazard.
Waste Reduction Activities
- Equipment is sandblasted regularly and conventional silica sand systems were being used, per industry standards. Because EMS recognizes the problems associated with fugitive dust emissions, they examined alternatives to sandblasting. Options they tried are baking soda, walnut hulls (already used at another EMS location in Utah) and copper slag. None of these options provided a satisfactory result. In 1997 a Bullard Abrasive Blasting hood with a fresh air compressor was purchased. This greatly reduces employee exposure to silica dust during sand blasting operations.
Major Benefits
- Reduced operating costs
- Reduced waste stream
- Improved worker safety
- Positive business and environmental image
Cost Savings
- Not quantified as yet
Obstacles
- Cost of new bay
- Learning curve for staff
Key to Success in Implementing Pollution Prevention Modification
- Management support for cost of a new system
- Staff willingness to learn new process