Automotive Paint System Hydrocarbon Control at a Practical Cost

The automobile industry, and others, require a quality product paint finish at a practical cost. EPA emission requirements and energy costs have stimulated many alternate solutions. These alternates include water based compounds, solvent recovery systems, energy efficient incineration and efficient energy recovery systems. This paper discusses alternate techniques currently available. Included are cost comparisons which show techniques of how an existing automotive paint system can meet the VOC emission requirements while reducing energy costs. A financial payback while meeting VOC control requirements, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining product quality is shown.