Solvent Recycling in an Academic Research

Laboratory

Steve BrehioNortheastern University

Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Boston, Massachusetts

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

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 DeterminationNew 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

Hazardous Waste Generated

22.2

29.5

14.215.9

23.6

17.919.0

23.4

41.9

00.0

05.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

45.0

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002Year

Haz

ard

ou

s W

aste

Gen

erat

ed (

Th

ou

san

d P

ou

nd

s)

Northeastern University:

Northeastern University:

LQGLQG

SQGSQG

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

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)

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

Solvent Recycling System OptionsSolvent Recycling System Options

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

Unit Purchased for Synthetic Unit Purchased for Synthetic Organic Chemistry LaboratoryOrganic 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

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

Solvent Recycling System In LabSolvent Recycling System In Lab

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

Solvent Recycling System – Inside View

8/14/2003 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

8/14/2003 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

REGULATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS IMPROPER DISPOSAL

Northeastern UniversityOffice 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): _________________________________________

REGULATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS IMPROPER DISPOSAL

Northeastern UniversityOffice 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): _________________________________________

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

Hazardous Waste Generated

22.2

29.5

14.215.9

23.6

17.9 19.0

23.4

41.9

24.7 24.5

00.0

05.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

45.0

Year

Haz

ardo

us W

aste

Gen

erat

ed (T

hous

and

Pou

nds)

Northeastern University:

Northeastern University:

LQGLQG

SQGSQG

2000-2001 Solvent Recycling System In Use

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

Hazardous Waste Generated

22.2

29.5

14.215.9

23.6

17.9 19.0

23.4

41.9

24.7 24.5

34.5

00.0

05.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

45.0

Year

Haz

ardo

us W

aste

Gen

erat

ed (T

hous

and

Pou

nds)

Northeastern University:

Northeastern University:

LQGLQG

SQGSQG

2000-2001 Solvent Recycling System In Use

8/14/2003 RCRA National Conference

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

8/14/2003 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?

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