SBIR-STTR Award

The abatement of asbestos from thermal and processing pipe systems is a $300M+ obligation that DOE will have to tackle as part of their cleanup program. Currently, asbestos-containing insulation is typically removed in large specialized enclosures, using glovebags or wrapped-and-cut for demolition purposes. The ability to separate the asbestos-containing insulation, which in many cases can also be radiologically contaminated, would 1) represent a large cost-savings to DOE; 2) reduce disposal costs; 3) open up recycling opportunities; and 4) allow for significant waste volume reduction. We propose to develop an in situ pipe asbestos-insulation removal system capable of removing insulation from piping. The system will allow the (potentially radiologically contaminated) insulation to be bagged separately and the pipe cleaned and sealed without exposing humans to any hazardous fiber emissions. Both the waste-material and piping will either become more recyclable or more readily (and cheaply) disposable, depending on the decision of the DOE site and/or the contractor. In Phase I we intend to develop the overall assembly layout design of the complete system. The design will be based on previous experience gathered as part of a DOE -funded robotic abatement system effort, which we intend to leverage through university researcher consulting and eventual licensing. In addition, we will develop a hand-held modular removal head that will allow us to test different cutting and removal methods under negative containment on the range of lagging and insulation materials known to be existent across the DOE complex. The results will be compiled in a report and substantive review from industrial representatives and cognizant asbestos consultants and agencies, will all add towards the feasibility assessment of the Phase II prototype system.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The proposed system will be able to handle any size pipe that is removed as part of wrap-and-cut demolition and disposal work in DOE and industry. The proposed system will allow for waste separation of the (potentially radiologically contaminated) insulation from the pipe, thereby providing for an effective waste-separation process. This separation allows for the reduction in waste-volume by at least 40 percent (weight-reduction by 90 percent+). The separated material may now be recycled, which adds to the payback-value of the system. The new abatement method is performed in a safe manner and under negative-pressure containment, ensuring safe working practices and avoiding further environmental contamination. The total DOE savings are estimated at $50M to $100M+ (excluding recycling benefits), with annual industry savings of an equivalent magnitude.

Asbestos abatement costs, associated with the DOE national weapons’ complex clean-up efforts, may amount to $300-500 million, while nationally, asbestos abatement may cost more than $100 billion over the next 25 years. Abatement methods have changed little in the past 20 years, and there is a need for a cheaper, faster, and safer abatement method. This project will design, build, test, and commercialize an in-situ asbestos abatement system, called PipeTaz, designed to: (1) reduce the personnel required to abate asbestos, (2) increase the speed at which asbestos insulation can be removed, (3) allow the cleaned pipe to be recycled, and (4) reduce the volume and weight of asbestos. In Phase I, laboratory tests of various concepts for PipeTaz were conducted, design specifications for the system were developed, the functionality of a pre-prototype cutting system was tested, and a hand-held asbestos removal tool was modified. The Phase I effort showed that the conceived PipeTaz abatement approach is feasible and demonstrated optimal cutting and pipe transport technologies. Phase II will: (1) develop a complete and detailed system design; (2) fabricate, assemble, and test the prototype system using simulant-material; (3) develop a Technology Safety Data Sheet, Human Factors Assessment Document, and a regulatory and operational review; and (4) perform pilot-trials with asbestos-containing materials under realistic field conditions.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
PipeTaz should be useful for any pipe-asbestos demolition job, and the system could be used by most companies. PipeTaz will (1) reduce pipe-asbestos removal costs, (2) increase abatement productivity, (3) increase abatement safety, (4) reduce waste packaging in handling costs, (5) allow for waste stream separation, (6) allow for waste volume reduction, (7) result in reduced disposal costs, (8) enable the recycling of steel pipe waste, (9) reduce the volume of asbestos waste, and (10) reduce environmental costs/burdens.