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Show HILL TOP TIMES Dmbf 16, 1983 Friday, H'lTDppoinlg SlllUJu,DLrD By Riney Lind PRAM Manager Hill AFB has one of the largest tank-typ- e paint stripping operations in the world. The operation involves primarily chemical paint stripping of landing gear, wheels and brakes. Bldg. 507 houses 22 tanks that contain more than 95,000 gallons of paint stripper. There are two basic types of paint strippers in use: hot and cold. The hot solutions historically have lasted from four to six months, and the cold solution, from nine to 12 ' months. At these ages the solutions have lost enough stripping power and have become corrosive enough, attack base metal of the parts being stripped, to require disposal. The solutions must be removed and drummed in containers and the tanks cleaned and refilled with new solutions. The yearly cost for the purchase and disposal of the paint stripper exceeds $1 . 55-gall- . on million. Richard H. Buchi, a chemist in the Chemical Laboratory Section of the Quality Assurance Division in the Directorate of Maintenance, recogg nized that the existing operation needed improvement. He determined that fouling of the paint stripper was due to suspended solids and sludges paint chips, dirt, etc. and breakdown of the inhibitors. Mr. Buchi further determined that paint-strippin- piTjjdI,.ro7S resolution of these problems would require contractor technical support and new equipment. He initiated a PRAM project to obtain the necessary funds for problem resolution. The PRAM project was established to develop and install a system for removing particulate matter from the paint strippers and to find ways and materials to prevent the breakdown of inhibitors, thus stopping the corrosive attack on the base metal. Mr. Buchi, assisted by personnel at Tyndall AFB, Fla., conducted a study of known successful filtration systems. Standard filters," a vibrating screen, and a vessel bag filtration unit were purchased and tested. Based on test results, a filtration system built around the precoat plate filter was purchased for further development at Ogden ALC. The precoat plate-typ- e pressure filtering system ; was successfully developed during the PRAM project. This system uses a cloth filter medium, coated with diatomaceous earth, a filtering material, backed by a perforated steel sheet. A pump is used to force the paint "strippers through the filtering system, y The problem of paint strippers becoming corrosive was also resolved during the PRAM project. A study revealed that chemicals carried over from a cold tank to a hot tank caused the solution to become, corrosive. A chemical buffer, or third tank, be- tween these two tanks solved this problem. Additionally, periodic addition of inhibitors to the solution is required to prevent corrosive attacks on base metals. Seven paint-stripp- InTDD DOH 1 A 7 lfD3 different inhibitors were developed during the project. The cost of the PRAM project was r sav$211,000 and the net, ings are estimated at more than $6 five-yea- er million. ' Vlt- - '" i 1 , fit ri " , - (U.S. Air Force Photo by Susan Hawn) Richard Buchi (I), a chemist in the Chemical Laboratory, and Dave Ben-nioa utility systems operator, both in the Directorate of Maintenance, examine a "leaf" of the new chemical paint stripper filtering system in Bldg 507. n, ( Criterion takes the hassle out of auto insurance. of Christ Wasatch Minister: Church Ron White (Serving the greater Ogden area) 145 West 800 North - Clearfield; Utah J Sunday Bible Study 10: 30 A.M. 5: 19) Sunday Worship Eph. Wednesday Bible Study Phone: 825-699- & 9:30 A.M. 6: 00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 0 Call for FREE Bible Correspondence Course. Call for FREE Transportation First United Methodist Minister Gordon Benesh (Serving Davis & Weber Counties) Corner 26th : off Jefferson 2 Phone & Ogden 393-566- NURSERY PROVIDED Worship Service . . . ,8:30 A.M. & 1 1:00 A.M. . : . . 9:50 A.M. Sunday School . . . Coffee Time after, each Service Fellowship "Aedeowl take off with the Cdtedoini Crowdr . "When I qet into my car, I like to feel free as And safe, secure and a bird worry-freprotected. Criterion does that for ine and takes the hassle out of auto insurance. HereY ' why I chose Criterion.' and drivel O Low o Stretch your payments over 9 monthsv deductibles and discounts o Money-savin- g n claim service o e. . . down-payme- Fast-actio- nt Criterion understands the special auto insurance needs of people in uniform. Offices near most major military bases. Famous Criterion service and dependability. Free rate quote right over the phone. Call: 24-ho- ur throughout the U.S. . ; (Dot J INSURANCE rioim. COMPANY USED MEW t 1200 FACTORY SECONDS Ml STOCK mSUltAUCi CLAIM II AUDLED - 773-059- 5 2649 N. Main Street Suite B Sunset . PROMPTLY - - j GLASS QUALITY 327 28th Main 578 North LAYTON 544-- 1 213 -- ' Street OGDEN- -r 399-923- 3 399-565- 6 |