Boat Manufacturing: virtual tour
Emission and Adhesive Considerations
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Emission Considerations
The polyester and vinylester resins that are used in fiberglass boat
manufacturing contain styrene  as a solvent and a cross-linking agent.
Gel coats also contain MMA (methyl methacrylate) as a solvent, and
styrene. Styrene and MMA are HAP, and a fraction evaporates during
resin and gel coat application and curing. Resins and gel coats containing
styrene and MMA are also used to make the molds used in producing
fiberglass parts.
Mixing is done to stir the resin or gel coat and promoters, fillers,
or other additives before being applied to the parts. Some HAP
from the resin and gel coat are emitted during the mixing process.
Resin and gel coat application equipment requires solvent cleaning
to remove uncured resin or gel coat when not in use. The resin
or gel coat will catalyze in the hoses or gun if not flushed with
a solvent after each use.
 Organic
vapors consisting of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and HAPs
are emitted from fresh resin surfaces during the fabrication process
and from the use of solvents (usually  acetone) for cleanup of tools,
molds and spraying equipment. Organic vapor emissions from fiberglass
fabrication processes occur when the polymerizing agents and solvents
contained in the liquid resin mix evaporate into the air during
resin application and curing. State-of-the-art techniques can economically
recover solvents in concentrations above 70 ppm through activated
carbon adsorption. However, styrene can polymerize on the carbon
and deactivate the adsorber. When solvent vapor reclamation is
not feasible, thermal oxidation of the solvent emissions can be
conducted with an oxidation efficiency exceeding 97 percent, although
the cost per ton of VOC is quite high. There also may be some particulate
air emissions from automatic fiber chopping equipment.
Fabric and Carpet Adhesive Operations
The interiors of many types of fiberglass boats and aluminum recreational
boats are covered with carpeting or fabric to improve appearance,
provide traction, or deaden sound. The material is bonded to the
interior with contact adhesives. These adhesives often contain HAP
solvents, such as methylene chloride, toluene, xylenes, and methyl
chloroform (1,1,1-trichloroethane). The solvents evaporate as the
adhesives dry.
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