CASE STUDY # 113
1. Headline: Internal recycling in the production of
aluminum foil
2. Background: See below.
3. Cleaner production Principle: internal recycling, process
modification
4. Description of Cleaner Production Application: The
facility is involved with priming and lacquering aluminum
foil. In the low pollution technique the solvent vapors
emitted during the hot air drying of the lacquer are
recovered with activated carbon. The activated carbon, in
a second operation, is steam cleaned. The solvent vapor
and water vapor mix is sent into a distilling column after
condensation. After condensation, the solvents obtained
are recycled to the workroom where the lacquer is
prepared. In the standard process, the solvent vapors
from the drying of the lacquer are discharged directly
into the atmosphere without treatment.
This is the first industrial application of the recovery
of ketonic solvent vapors, generally considered as a
difficult procedure. As the technical results were
positive as far as the reduction of pollution is concerned
and the economic results should be satisfactory given the
expected increase in the prices of petroleum based
solvents, the use of this process should be extended to
activities employing the same types of products.
Material/Energy Balance and Substitution
FEEDSTOCKS: Solvent vapors
WASTES: The waste produced
is made up of ketonic and ethylic
solvent vapors.
5. Economics
COST: (1978
Francs)
CAPITAL COST: F 3.85
million
6. Cleaner Production Benefits
FEEDSTOCK REDUCTION: Virgin
solvent requirements reduced by a
factor of three
WASTE PRODUCTION: With the low
pollution technique, 30 kg of solvent
vapors are released into the
atmosphere per ton of solvent used.
With the standard technique, the
quantity of the waste released is 700
kg.
IMPACT: The amount of new
solvents required is reduced by three
due to recycling. Energy needs are
increased by 13.5 GJ per ton of
solvent used in order to produce the
vapor necessary for cleaning the
activated carbon and the distillation
of the recovered solution.
7. Constraints: No information provided.
8. Contact and Citation:
Compendium on Low and Non-waste Technology, United Nations
Economic and Social Counsel, "Recovery and Recycling of
Solvents from Vapors Originating from Priming and Painting
of Aluminum Foils", Monograph ENV/WP.2/5/Add.32
Name and Location of Company:
Ministere de l'Environnement et du Cadre de Vie
Direction de la Prevention des Pollutions
14, Boulevard du General Leclerc
92521 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France
9. Keywords: France, metal, aluminum, aluminum foil,
recycling, process modification, priming, lacquering,
solvent, hot air drying, activated carbon, distilling
column, ketonic solvent.
10. Reviewers Comments: This case study was originally
abstracted for the US EPA Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse. It underwent a UNEP IE funded technical
review in 1994 for quality and completeness. It was edited
for the ICPIC diskette in July 1995.
( DOCNO: 400-032-A-221 )