Facilities

The  clean  technologies  evaluation  and  emis 

sions testing facility is located on the UNO cam 

pus with partial funding received through a re 

Clean Technologies Evaluation and

search  project  funded  by  the  Environmental

Emissions Test Facility

Protection Agency (EPA)  Region IV.  The test fa 

cility (Figure 2 3) is 12x10x8 feet and is equipped

A clean technologies evaluation and emissions test 

with  a  fume  extraction  system  and  a  two stage

ing facility was erected and is available on the Uni 

particle collection system.  Fumes from the emis 

versity of New Orleans campus for use by the mari 

sions  test  facility  are  extracted  with  a  variable

time industry.  Abrasive blasting, painting, welding,

ventilation rate up to 5400 cubic feet per minute,

and metal cutting processes can be studied with re 

allowing capture of the various size particles gen 

gard to its impact on emissions, waste minimization,

erated during blasting, welding, metal cutting, etc.

regulatory compliance, and cost optimization.

The two stage particle collection system includes

an inertial separator for coarse particles followed

The University of New Orleans, College of Engi 

by a bag house for fine particles.  The facility is

neering (UNO COE) designed and installed a clean

equipped  with  a  long  12 inch  diameter  duct  to

technologies evaluation and emissions testing fa 

allow  the  measurement  of  particles  under

cility.  This facility aids in the research of the opti 

isokinetic conditions as recommended by the EPA

mization of maritime industrial processes, such as

for particle collection from stationary sources.

abrasive blasting, welding, painting, and metal cut 

Research projects are underway to establish re 

ting,  and  the  study  of  its  impact  on  the  environ 

lationships among process conditions/materials and

ment, which is important to productivity and emis 

the cost/environmental parameters by measuring

sion  potential  for  airborne  pollutants.    Emission

productivity  and  waste  quantities  (solids/hazard 

factors, such as mass of pollutant/unit amount of

ous wastes and air emissions) in conjunction with

work done or unit amount of product produced, are

process  parameters  to  develop  necessary  math 

not readily available for all the processes, at least

ematical relationships and models to minimize costs

to the extent that it includes life cycle costing and

and  waste  quantities.      Process  parameters  and

life  cycle  assessment. Therefore,  with  the  help  of

types of abrasives being evaluated include abrasive

the maritime industry, regulatory agencies, equip 

feed  rates  (lb/hr),    blast  pressures  (psi),  types  of

ment vendors, and materials suppliers, the facility

abrasives (coal slag, copper slag, steel shot, garnet,

and research provide a test and evaluation capabil 

sand,  and  specular  hematite),  and  gradations  of

ity to promote the development of emission factors.

abrasives (course, medium, and fine).  Environmen 

Figure 2 3.  Clean Technologies Evaluation and Emissions Test Facility

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