Ammunition Mobile Thermal Treatment Unit (MTTU): A Michigan Case Study

摘要

The Michigan State Police (MSP) accumulates brass ammunition from several departments around the state. They were seeking a cost effective system that could be operated by State Police personnel instead of shipping materials to a hazardous waste incinerator. NABCO, Inc. has developed a Mobile Thermal Treatment Unit (MTTU) that provides non-contact heat treatment with air pollution controls. The unit is portable and can be transported from one location to another, as needed, In order to establish compliance with the Clean Air Act, a Research and Development Clean Air Act Permit was obtained from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).A Research and Development stack testing program 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. Profits from the recycling can be used to support maintenance cost of the unit such as replacement filters. Exhaust stack air tests evaluated particulate, metals, and ozone parameters. Some field modifications were made to the unit to establish compliance with the Clean Air Act and to improve performance of the technology. MDEQ established strict fugitive emission levels. A materials management plan established compliance with this requirement. The program was successful due to the cooperation of all the parties involved.