ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION (ETV) PROGRAM - 179AW

by Capt Troy Cramer

The following provides for a quick summary on the background and 179AW participation in U.S. EPA's ETV program and results of the study, which was concluded in May 2001.

• The purpose of the ETV program is to evaluate the performance characteristics of innovative environmental technologies for any media and to report this information to the states, local governments, buyers, and users of environmental technology.
• The ETV program began in October 1995 and will be evaluated through September 2000, at which time EPA will prepare a report to Congress containing results of the pilot program and recommendations for it future operation.
• The 179AW participated in the ETV P2 Metal Finishing Technologies (ETV-MF), one of 12 technology focus areas under the ETV program, in conjunction with Concurrent Technologies Corporation, U.S. EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory, CAMP Inc., and the Mart Corporation.

The ETV study focused on the Mart EQ-1 wastewater treatment system, which the 179AW has been using since 1998, to treat C-130 engine compressor wash water and aqueous based parts washer water.

• U.S. EPA selected the 179AW as the test site due to our success with the Mart EQ-1 system and willingness to participate in this challenging endeavor.
• The Mart EQ-1 System was tested under actual production conditions using engine compressor wash water and aqueous parts washer water and tested the ability of the system to remove oils, suspended solids, and heavy metals, while recovering the surfactant (detergent) used.
• The Mart EQ-1 System is a process technology that chemically separates and clarifies the alkaline cleaner solution and encapsulates the waste for disposal.

The test results showed that the Mart EQ-1 System provides an environmental benefit and cost savings to the 179AW and other potential users of the technology.

• Since the implementation of the Mart EQ-1 System, the 179AW has seen nearly a 70% reduction in off-site hazardous waste disposal.
• The system was able to recover and reuse more than 70% of the detergent used in the aqueous based parts washers.
• The economic benefit associated with this technology is low operations and maintenance and a payback period of approximately 2.8 years.

The 179AW was very proud to have been part of U.S. EPA's ETV program and hope that the information gathered will benefit other DoD installations and private corporations.

If you have any questions regarding the above mentioned information or would like additional information please contact Capt Troy Cramer at (419) 520-6323 or EMAIL: troy.cramer@OHMANS.ANG.AF.MIL.

January 2002