Solvent Recycling in an
Academic Research
Laboratory
Steve Brehio
Northeastern University
Office of Environmental Health & Safety
Boston, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
• National research university located in Boston,
Massachusetts
• World leader in practiced-orientated education
• 24,500 students
• 4,405 faculty and staff
• Three suburban campuses including Marine
Science Center
• 41 academic buildings and 28 residence halls
• 440 research and teaching laboratories
8/14/2003
RCRA National Conference
Northeastern University
8/14/2003
RCRA National Conference
Needs Determination
New researcher was part of the reason for a
huge spike in solvent waste in late 1998 and
early 1999 from a glass washing operation:
• Increased cost for hazardous waste disposal
• Increased lab waste stream volume
• Increased operations and scheduling problems
• Increased accumulation and storage constraints
• Needed to change to large quantity generator
• Recycling opportunity
8/14/2003
RCRA National Conference
Northeastern
University:
Hazardous Waste Generated
Hazardous Waste Generated (Thousand Pounds)
45.0
41.9
40.0
35.0
29.5
30.0
LQG
25.0
23.6
22.2
20.0
23.4
17.9
19.0
15.9
14.2
15.0
10.0
05.0
00.0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Year
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RCRA National Conference
SQG
Recycling Solvents
Research Laboratory
• Synthetic organic chemistry research laboratory –
five graduate students doing numerous column
washes and rinsing tasks
Generating 1,200 gal/yr (1999)
• acetone 720 gal (4,744 lbs)
• ethyl acetate 240 gal (1,581 lbs)
• hexane 240 gal (1,581 lbs)
Opportunity to Recycle 50 to 80%
• acetone recycled in 2000 - 360 gal (2,371 lbs)
• acetone, ethyl acetate and hexane recycled in 2001
- 350 gal (2,306 lbs)
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RCRA National Conference
Solvent Recycling System Options
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RCRA National Conference
Unit Purchased for Synthetic
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Features:
• No water hookup (air cool)
• Gravity fill system to
eliminate open pouring
• Automatic waste drain
• Vapor recovery system
(activated charcoal filter)
• Built-in spill containment
• Internal safety switches
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RCRA National Conference
Solvent Recycling System In Lab
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RCRA National Conference
Solvent Recycling System –
Inside View
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RCRA National Conference
Basic Economics of Recycling
• Initial Purchase : $15,750
(cost sharing with Chemistry Department)
• Projected annual savings: $7,200
(waste disposal as lab pack)
• Payback approximately 2 years
• Savings will vary depending on disposal: lab
pack, 5 gallon pail or 55 gallon drum
• Other Savings: $3,000 annually not having to
purchase new solvent
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RCRA National Conference
Other Issues
•
•
•
•
•
Recycling permit
Initial fee and annual report
New labeling system
On-going maintenance
Manufacturer warranty
(approximately $1000/yr)
• Utility installation/operational cost
• Continuity of compliance programs
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REGULATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS IMPROPER DISPOSAL
Northeastern University
Office of Environmental Health & Safety
229 Forsyth Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
(617) 373-2769
http://www.ehs.neu.edu
Investigator: _____________________________ Phone #: ________________
Dept: _________________________Room # / Bldg: _____________________
Date Accumulation or Storage Began: __________Container Size(s) ________
Principal Constituents (Give % and Full Chemical Name) _________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Hazardous Waste Classification (Check at least one):
_____ Ignitable (Includes flammable liquids, solids and gasses)
_____ Corrosive (pH of 2 or less, or 12 or greater, and/or can corrode steel)
_____ Reactive (Is unstable, can detonate or reacts violently with water)
_____ Toxic
(Contains heavy metals, certain organics or pesticides)
_____ Listed
(Appears on the F, U, P, or M List)
_____ Other (Specify): _________________________________________
RCRA National Conference
Northeastern
University:
41.9
29.5
23.6
2000-2001 Solvent Recycling System In Use
RCRA National Conference
20
02
20
01
20
00
19
99
LQG
SQG
Year
8/14/2003
24.5
19.0
19
98
17.9
19
97
19
95
15.9
19
94
19
93
14.2
24.7
23.4
19
96
22.2
19
92
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
05.0
00.0
19
91
Hazardous Waste Generated (Thousand Pounds)
Hazardous Waste Generated
Northeastern
University:
41.9
34.5
29.5
23.6
2000-2001 Solvent Recycling System In Use
RCRA National Conference
20
02
20
01
20
00
19
99
LQG
SQG
Year
8/14/2003
24.5
19.0
19
98
17.9
19
97
19
95
15.9
19
94
19
93
14.2
24.7
23.4
19
96
22.2
19
92
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
05.0
00.0
19
91
Hazardous Waste Generated (Thousand Pounds)
Hazardous Waste Generated
2002 – What Happened?
• Principal investigator on sabbatical leave for one
year in England.
• Main research group graduated and left
University.
• Some of the new graduate students moved into
different laboratory and did not embrace use of
solvent recycler.
• EHS did not identify increased waste from new
graduate students until later in 2002.
• New synthetic organic chemistry research group
on campus
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RCRA National Conference
Conclusions
Use of solvent recycling system in 2000 and 2001
resulted in the following:
• Decreased cost for disposal (after two year
payback)
• Decreased lab waste stream volume
• Decreased operations and scheduling problems
• Decreased accumulation & storage constraints
(main accumulation area serviced less frequently)
• Returned to small quantity generator status
• Recycling opportunity (waste recycled and
savings on less frequent purchase of new product)
8/14/2003
RCRA National Conference
Questions?
"Christie Todd Whitman, who is head of the EPA, has
announced she is resigning at the end of the month.
President Bush was shocked. He didn't even know we had
an Environmental Protection Agency. Do you know what
the EPA is? Their job is to protect the environment from
President Bush." - Jay Leno
"The former governor of New Jersey and the head of the
environmental protection agency, Christine Todd
Whitman, has resigned. Did you hear about this? Two
reasons: Bush felt she was too soft on decimating pristine
wilderness, and she was too hung up on that breathable air
issue." - David Letterman
8/14/2003
RCRA National Conference