Background
A natural gas compressor station needed to ship a compressor unit, its metal pedestal and undercarriage offsite for repair. Historic sampling indicated that paint on the unit was impacted by PCBs. Based on this result, the unit could not be shipped until all paint was removed. The client requested that AGES oversee the removal action that would prepare the unit for shipment.
PCB Remediation Project Work
PCB Paint Sampling
In April 2011, AGES staff collected two template wipe samples and two paint samples to confirm historic sampling results. Laboratory analysis concluded that the two paint samples contained elevated concentrations of PCBs. Based on current and past paint results, paint removal was required on the entire unit, associated undercarriage, and pedestal prior to shipping.
Paint Removal to NACE 2 Standards
AGES oversaw the power-washing of the unit, undercarriage, and pedestal with water and a degreasing agent prior to the paint removal activities. A plastic containment was constructed around the pedestal to contain all blasting material. All paint was removed using a dry-ice blasting unit, sandblasting unit, a needle gun, and/or rotopene connected to a dustless, portable vacuum. The blasting continued until NACE 2 standards were achieved. All paint accumulated during paint removal activities, disposable Personal Protective Equipment and decontamination fluids were disposed of in accordance with regulatory standards.
Confirmation Sampling and Results
Because the unit was blast-cleaned and reached NACE 2 standard, the project was complete. However, the client requested that AGES collect further wipe samples of the blast-cleaned surface of the unit as a conservative measure. Laboratory analysis confirmed that no further action was required and the unit was approved to be shipped offsite for repair.
