Process Waste Assessment Guidance Manual

Prepared by:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Waste Minimization/Pollution Prevention Program

Prepared for:
U.S. DOE under contract DE-AC04-76DP00789

Application:
Financial analysis: ---
Environmental impact analysis: ---
Waste management/P2:
Environmental cost listing/database: ---
Cost estimation: ---
Alternative product/process comparison:

This method is designed specifically for use at SNL/NM, and is tailored from process waste assessment procedures recommended by DOE. With appropriate modifications, the methodologies discussed can have applications in other facilities and firms as well.

Development/publication date and updates:
November 1992 (updated January 1993). Completed in early 1994. Sandia Report: SAND92-2343, Version 1.0

Public availability:
Not available

Purpose and current use:
The manual was prepared by the waste minimization/pollution prevention program, as part of SNL's commitment to DOE to significantly reduce the generation of hazardous wastes. This method identifies and evaluates waste minimization projects at SNL. The manual was used to a limited extent at SNL.

Cost information:
Not applicable. The cost of the conference paper (through NTIS) is $17.50 plus $4 for shipping and handling.

Contents and system requirements:
Worksheets, data forms, software for chemical information/MSDS, and Environmental Health and Safety reporting. A software product was developed for phase 4 of the method: selection of optimal projects.

Summary of methodology

The method consists of four phases:

  1. Process definition
  2. Process characterization
  3. Waste minimization opportunities assessment
  4. Project selection, optimization, implementation, and tracking

Process definition provides qualitative information concerning the nature of processes and operations that contribute to generating wastes. This phase calls for describing overall operations, describing specific processes or operations that consume or generate wastes, developing a schematic flow diagram for these processes, and documenting previous waste minimization activities associated with these processes. Process characterization collects information concerning the quantity and nature of the wastes and other pollutants generated. Waste minimization opportunities assessment identifies and evaluates various alternatives for reducing or eliminating wastes generated in a process. Process descriptions (e.g., flow diagrams, system interactions, and mass balances) that are more detailed than those produced in the previous phases may be necessary to identify waste minimization opportunities. The final phase-project selection, optimization, implementation and tracking-involves managing and evaluating the chosen options.

Phases 1 and 2 are fully documented with blank and completed-example worksheets. Only overall summaries were available for Phases 3 and 4 as of the January 1993 version. Since an updated copy of the report is not available, there is no detailed information on these phases.

Life-cycle stages covered

Raw material acquisition ---
Manufacturing stage
Use/reuse/maintenance ---
Recycle/waste management

Type of costs considered

Conventional ---
Potentially hidden ---
Contingent ---
External ---

Cost and technical analyses were done as part of the waste minimization opportunities assessment phase. These were based on EPA guidance. There is no information on the cost categories that were included in the analysis.

Method of cost estimation

There is no information available on the methods employed for cost estimation.

Generation of financial indicators

Net present value (NPV) ---
Payback period ---
Internal rate of return (IRR) ---
Benefits cost ratio ---
Other ---

Information not available.

Attributes

A paper presented at the Waste Minimization/Pollution Prevention conference, called "Waste Minimization/Pollution Prevention at R&D Facilities: Implementing the SNL/NM Process Waste Assessment Program" is available through NTIS.

Limitations

This document provides background for evaluating SNL processes. It will not have direct application in other areas.

Basis for evaluation:
The information provided here is based on a profile of the tool presented in Weitz et al. (1994). Subsequent reviews were done by incorporating information obtained through telephone communications with SNL in May, 1995.

Contact information:
The report is not available for public distribution. A related conference paper called "Waste Minimization/Pollution Prevention at R&DFacilities: Implementing the SNL/NM Process Waste Assessment Program," is available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS): report number SAND-93-0466C, NTIS accession number: DE 93012860.

Sandia National Laboratories
Org. 6641, M/S 0718
Albuquerque, NM 87195-5800

Ed Kjeldgaard
505-845-8011
505-844-0116 (FAX)

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
703-487-4660
800-553-6847

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