Encl. (4) TO COMDTINST 16478.12
B.4 Upon discovery of a battery note its position on the site Plan, idetify
its type (L = Lead Acid, Z = Zinc Air), condition (intact or ruptured), test
the battery casing with ph paper (H = "hot = Corrosive), flag the battery and
continue outward.
B.5 Return to stage-out area. Determine number of buckets, bags, tape,
barrels, and labels that will be required. If the scope of the recovery is
within the capability of the recovery team's ability and equipment, proceed to
the recovery phase.
C.
BATTERY RECOVERY
C.1 Don appropriate personal protective equipment (may also include safety
glasses and gloves).
C.2 All batteries and battery pieces will be placed in plastic bags, one
battery per bag. The bags will be taped closed and placed in transportation
buckets. Intact batteries may be handled in the same way that spent batteries
taken directly from the aid during normal replacement are handled. Leaking
batteries must be handled as hazardous waste (leaking batteries are batteries
that have "hot" corrosive fluid from the battery interior located on the
outside of the battery as measured by pH paper wipe test). Discovery of a
leaking battery should be an uncommon event. Leaking batteries should be
double bagged, placed into a transportation bucket and the bucket should be
labeled HAZARDOUS WASTE, CORROSIVE. The transportation bucket lid should be
screwed on and the bucket isolated from the other batteries. Should contact
with any corrosive material be made, it wil be necessary to immediately
decontaminate the affected area/s (Wash off).
C.3 Broken or ruptured batteries should also be
double bagged (bag, tape and
bag, tape) to prevent battery casings from tearing
their bags. There may be
value in using an outer burlap bag for support and
strength. Bring battery
back to the servicing vessel for transportation to
the Unit.
C.4
Information necessary for transportation.
a.
Zinc Air Primary Batteries
1)
The air-depolarized batteries consist of an inert plastic or hard rubber
case, potassium hydroxide liquid electrolyte, zinc- mercury alloy anode, carbon
cathode, and an insoluble residue or lime bed. The SAFT batteries will also
contain a starch based electrolyte gelling agent. The pH of the electrolyte is
close to 14. The EPA Hazardous Waste Identification Number for these batteries
should be D002 (corrosivity). You may note that under COMDTINST M 16478.1B
they are also identified as waste code D009 (toxicity characteristic for
mercury). Actual TCLP analysis for mercury indicates that the D009 is not
necessary, see Figure C.2.a for TCLP analysis results. Also, if the batteries
have been broken open and the electrolyte has been diluted/neutralized by
contact with sea water or the pH otherwise cannot be measured
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