(Reprinted from CONVERTING magazine)
It seemed like with every passing day liquid waste haulout was getting more and more expensive for TDI Custom Packaging, Santa Ana, CA. The company, which extrudes PE and converts it into bags, decided to do something about it.
Things changed when the company elected to install Beckart Environmental’s batch filter press system to process wastewater generated from TDI’s in-line printing operation. TDI converts for the banking and nursery industries, and produces custom orders such as ice bags. They can produce bags 1-1/2 inches to 36 inches in width, and up to 16 ft. long. Gauges range from 1 mil to 10 mil, and the company can accommodate special requests up to 14 mil.
Seven Gloucester extruders produce HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE film at TDI. Films are corona treated in-line with Pillar units. Also in-line are Converter Technology’s flexo presses (five in all). Presses have two- or four-color printing capability. Water-based inks are supplied by A.J. Daw Printing Ink. At the end of each press run, print stations are cleaned in preparation for the next run. It takes approximately three gallons of water to clean one station. The water was previously collected in 55-gal drums and disposed of out-of-state as hazardous waste by a waste disposal company at a cost of $375 per drum.
"Not only does the batch filter press save money on hauling costs,
it saves water since wastewater reprocessed by the
Beckart system can be reused up to three times."
Now, with the batch filter press treatment system, this same water is chemically treated to create a clear, nonhazardous filtrate. Each time a washout occurs, the wastewater is accumulated in a drum and processed. The sludge generated is compressed to a dry cake and delisted as nonhazardous waste suitable for local disposal. This is important, says a company spokesman, since everyone in the printing business is under continuous scrutiny by the EPA.
Not only does the batch filter press save money on hauling costs, it saves water since wastewater reprocessed by the Beckart system can be reused up to three times. To help conserve space, Beckart’s press is located above plate mounting equipment and roller storage.
Back to Industrial Applications: Flexographic Printing & Corrugated.