11
Recovering Mercury Recovering Mercury Devices From AppliancesDevices From Appliances
Developed for MassDEP with support from Developed for MassDEP with support from Alternative Recycling Resources Inc. & Alternative Recycling Resources Inc. &
Interstate Refrigerant Recovery Inc.Interstate Refrigerant Recovery Inc.
22
Massachusetts Mercury Massachusetts Mercury Management ActManagement Act
Chapter 190 of the Acts of 2006 Chapter 190 of the Acts of 2006 Remove all mercury devices from products Remove all mercury devices from products
before scrap recycling or disposalbefore scrap recycling or disposal
33
What is Mercury?What is Mercury? Found in natureFound in nature Liquid at room temperatureLiquid at room temperature Good conductor of electricityGood conductor of electricity Expands & contracts with temperature & Expands & contracts with temperature &
pressurepressure
44
Why Care About Mercury?Why Care About Mercury? Toxic, especially to developing childrenToxic, especially to developing children Can leak from discarded productsCan leak from discarded products Emitted from coal-burning facilitiesEmitted from coal-burning facilities Rain carries it into lakes & streamsRain carries it into lakes & streams Fish become contaminatedFish become contaminated
55
What is a Mercury Switch What is a Mercury Switch or Flame Sensor?or Flame Sensor?
Small, sealed switch or ampoule containing a Small, sealed switch or ampoule containing a few drops of mercuryfew drops of mercury
Made from steel, plastic or glass; shape variesMade from steel, plastic or glass; shape varies Turns a motor or light on & off, or senses heat Turns a motor or light on & off, or senses heat
from a flamefrom a flame
66
Two Types of SwitchesTwo Types of Switches
77
Where is the Mercury?Where is the Mercury?
Inside the casing
88
What Appliances May Contain What Appliances May Contain Mercury Switches or Sensors?Mercury Switches or Sensors?
Chest freezersChest freezers Gas ranges & ovensGas ranges & ovens Commercial water heatersCommercial water heaters Sump pumpsSump pumps Boilers, furnaces & space heatersBoilers, furnaces & space heaters Old washing machinesOld washing machines Some RV equipmentSome RV equipment
99
Chest FreezerChest Freezer
1010
Chest FreezerChest Freezer
Electrical wire out of lidA mark like this (sometimes a sticker) indicates that CFCs have been removed
1111
Chest Freezer Chest Freezer WithoutWithout Mercury Switches Mercury Switches
If a plastic tab or button switch controls the light, there is no mercury switch.
1212
Chest FreezerChest Freezer
Mercury tilt switch ampoule beneath plastic casing
1313
Chest FreezerChest Freezer
1414
Chest FreezerChest Freezer
1515
Gas RangeGas RangeWithoutWithout Mercury Switches Mercury Switches
Light switch
1616
Gas Range with on/off Gas Range with on/off Light SwitchLight Switch
1717
Electric Range Electric Range WithoutWithout Mercury Switches Mercury Switches
Button type pressure switch, no mercury
1818
Mercury Flame SensorMercury Flame Sensor
Remove metal plate
1919
Mercury Flame SensorMercury Flame Sensor
Remove screwsDisconnect gas line
2020
Mercury Flame SensorMercury Flame Sensor
Capillary tube Mercury ampouleGas safety valve
Gas lines
2121
Flame Sensor RemovalFlame Sensor RemovalRemove screws
Remove screws
2222
Mercury Flame SensorMercury Flame SensorMercury ampoule
PilotClip attaching ampoule to pilot assembly
Capillary tube containing mercury vapors, leading to safety valve
2323
Another Type of Flame SensorAnother Type of Flame Sensor
2424
SomeSome Appliances are Marked Appliances are Marked
2525
Mercury-Free RangesMercury-Free Ranges
Electronic Ignition Label
2626
Older RangesOlder Ranges
2727
More Mercury Flame SensorsMore Mercury Flame SensorsMercury ampoule
Capillary tubeSafety valve
2828
More Mercury Flame SensorsMore Mercury Flame SensorsMercury ampoule
Capillary tube
Gas safety valve
2929
More Mercury Flame SensorsMore Mercury Flame SensorsCapillary tube
Mercury ampoule
Gas safety valve
3030
Washing MachinesWashing Machines
Plastic button on the lid to activate switch on machine at the left
3131
Mercury Tilt SwitchMercury Tilt Switch
3232
Sump PumpSump Pump
Mercury-containing float switch
3333
Space HeaterSpace Heater
3434
Other Appliances Other Appliances Containing MercuryContaining Mercury
Gas furnacesGas furnaces Gas refrigerators, air conditioners, water Gas refrigerators, air conditioners, water
heaters & dryers heaters & dryers Microwave ovensMicrowave ovens Recreational vehicles Recreational vehicles
3535
Older Furnace & Boiler Controls Older Furnace & Boiler Controls May Contain MercuryMay Contain Mercury
3636
SafetySafety
Protect the ground with plastic sheetingProtect the ground with plastic sheeting Protect yourself with safety gloves & Protect yourself with safety gloves &
gogglesgoggles Protect others from using dangerous Protect others from using dangerous
appliancesappliances
3737
Protect YourselfProtect Yourself Safety glassesSafety glasses Work gloves & latex glovesWork gloves & latex gloves Work bootsWork boots Respirator w/Hg cartridges (optional)Respirator w/Hg cartridges (optional) Eye wash & first aid stations or kitsEye wash & first aid stations or kits Portable mercury spill cleanup kitPortable mercury spill cleanup kit
3838
Tools You’ll NeedTools You’ll Need Pry & flat barsPry & flat bars HammerHammer Manual & power screwdrivers (flat & Phillips)Manual & power screwdrivers (flat & Phillips) 1/4” & 5/16” nut drivers1/4” & 5/16” nut drivers Vise gripsVise grips Wire cutters & tin snipsWire cutters & tin snips Wrenches: 3/8” & 11/16”open-end & adjustable Wrenches: 3/8” & 11/16”open-end & adjustable MagnetMagnet
3939
Universal Waste RuleUniversal Waste Rule
4040
Recycle Mercury ComponentsRecycle Mercury Components
Store until you have enough mercury devices to Store until you have enough mercury devices to send for recyclingsend for recycling
Use only licensed mercury processing facilitiesUse only licensed mercury processing facilities Companies with Massachusetts locations: Companies with Massachusetts locations:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/hgcycle.htm
4141
ResourcesResources
MassDEP Mercury Home Page MassDEP Mercury Home Page http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/hgres.htm
Report on Removal of Mercury Devices from Report on Removal of Mercury Devices from Appliances Appliances www.epa.gov/region5/air/mercury/appliancereport.html
Universal Waste Rule Fact SheetUniversal Waste Rule Fact Sheethttp://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/hazardous/univrule.doc
4242
CreditsCreditsPresentation Presentation Bea Maloof, Alternative Recycling Resources Inc. Bea Maloof, Alternative Recycling Resources Inc.
(ARRI) (ARRI) www.arri.us.com Photos & ConsultingPhotos & Consulting Timothy Maloof, Interstate Refrigerant Recovery Inc. Timothy Maloof, Interstate Refrigerant Recovery Inc.
(IRRI) (IRRI) www.irri.us Patricia Shea, ARRIPatricia Shea, ARRIAdditional ThanksAdditional Thanks Chuck Ransom, IRRIChuck Ransom, IRRI
