Fluorescent lamp crusher
Encyclopedia
A fluorescent lamp crusher is a device that crushes and stores spent fluorescent lamp
s prior to processing at a recycling facility
, while controlling the release of mercury
vapor emissions. Also known as drum-top crushing, this lamp disposal method is designed to reduce the storage, labor, and shipping costs of recycling lamps
over other methods, as well as decrease the likelihood of mercury release during transport to a recycling facility. Fluorescent lamp crushers are designed for use primarily in commercial and institutional facility management
contexts.
container, often a 55-gallon steel drum, in which glass fragments collect after passing through an entry tube and crushing mechanism. The mercury content of the lamp is contained by the vacuum and trapped in a filter arrangement, which must be replaced periodically. Spent fluorescent lamps are typically hand-fed into the entry tube, rapidly drawn into the drum by the vacuum seal and crushed in the motorized crushing assembly. Once the storage container is full, it is replaced and shipped to a recycling facility for processing. Several companies manufacture fluorescent lamp crushers, including Dextrite, Air Cycle Corporation
, and Resource Technologies.
at the state level in the United States. State regulations must adhere to mercury emission standards developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
. Some states prohibit crushing except by permit in belief that lamp crushers emit levels of mercury vapor higher than those established by the U.S. EPA. However, most states allow lamp crushing as treatment of either hazardous or universal waste
.
Fluorescent lamp
A fluorescent lamp or fluorescent tube is a gas-discharge lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The excited mercury atoms produce short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor to fluoresce, producing visible light. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical power into useful...
s prior to processing at a recycling facility
Materials recovery facility
A materials recovery facility or materials reclamation facility or materials recycling facility is a specialized plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers...
, while controlling the release of mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
vapor emissions. Also known as drum-top crushing, this lamp disposal method is designed to reduce the storage, labor, and shipping costs of recycling lamps
Fluorescent lamp recycling
Fluorescent lamp recycling is the reclamation of the materials of a spent fluorescent lamp for the manufacture of new products. Glass tubing can be turned into new glass articles, brass and aluminium in end caps can be reused, the internal coating can be reprocessed for use in paint pigments, and...
over other methods, as well as decrease the likelihood of mercury release during transport to a recycling facility. Fluorescent lamp crushers are designed for use primarily in commercial and institutional facility management
Facility management
Facility management is an interdisciplinary field primarily devoted to the maintenance and care of commercial or institutional buildings, such as hospitals, hotels, office complexes, arenas, schools or convention centers...
contexts.
Operation
A fluorescent lamp crusher consists of a vacuum-sealedVacuum
In everyday usage, vacuum is a volume of space that is essentially empty of matter, such that its gaseous pressure is much less than atmospheric pressure. The word comes from the Latin term for "empty". A perfect vacuum would be one with no particles in it at all, which is impossible to achieve in...
container, often a 55-gallon steel drum, in which glass fragments collect after passing through an entry tube and crushing mechanism. The mercury content of the lamp is contained by the vacuum and trapped in a filter arrangement, which must be replaced periodically. Spent fluorescent lamps are typically hand-fed into the entry tube, rapidly drawn into the drum by the vacuum seal and crushed in the motorized crushing assembly. Once the storage container is full, it is replaced and shipped to a recycling facility for processing. Several companies manufacture fluorescent lamp crushers, including Dextrite, Air Cycle Corporation
Air Cycle Corporation
Air Cycle Corporation is a privately-held American recycling and waste management company headquartered in suburban Chicago. The firm offers environmental consulting in addition to its core business providing fluorescent lamp, ballast, battery, and electronic waste recycling products and services...
, and Resource Technologies.
Regulations
Drum-top lamp crushing is regulatedRegulation
Regulation is administrative legislation that constitutes or constrains rights and allocates responsibilities. It can be distinguished from primary legislation on the one hand and judge-made law on the other...
at the state level in the United States. State regulations must adhere to mercury emission standards developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
. Some states prohibit crushing except by permit in belief that lamp crushers emit levels of mercury vapor higher than those established by the U.S. EPA. However, most states allow lamp crushing as treatment of either hazardous or universal waste
Universal Waste
Universal waste is a category of waste materials designated as "hazardous waste", but containing materials that are very common. It is defined in 40 CFR part 273, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency but states may also have corollary regulations regarding these materials.Universal...
.