INTERNATIONAL CLEANER PRODUCTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

CASE STUDY # 117

1.   Headline: Ultrafiltration of spent cutting fluids allows
     reuse of oil and reduces disposal volume of spent oils.

2.   Background:  See below.

3.   Cleaner production Principle:  process modification,
     extended use of raw material

4.   Description of Cleaner Production Application:
     Ultrafiltration may be used to reduce the volume of spent
     cutting fluids generated from cold machining.  The spent
     cutting fluids are first processed through a magnetic
     filter and a paper filter before ultrafiltration.  The
     latter process ensures filtration at the molecular level
     because molecules of pollutants are generally larger than
     those of active products.  The filtrate is then submitted
     to a quality test.  If highly contaminated, the filtrate
     is incinerated. If not, it is recycled.  The standard
     process does not include ultrafiltration.

     Material/Energy Balance Substitution

     FEEDSTOCKS: Spent cutting fluids

     WASTES: Filtration solids, filtrate (if highly
     contaminated)

     MEDIUM: Spent fluids

5.   Economics

                                   CAPITAL COST:
                                   FF 200,000 (1976 figures)

                                   OPERATION/MAINTENANCE:
                                   Not reported

                                   DISPOSAL & FEEDSTOCK:
                                   FF 142,700 per year (1980
                                   figures)

6.   Advantages:

     FEEDSTOCK REDUCTION:  476 m3 of cutting fluids with the
     low-waste technology (versus 993 m3)

     WASTE PRODUCTION: Eliminates disposal of 24 m3 of cutting
     fluid.

     IMPACT/PROBLEMS: The volume of filtrate to be incinerated
     is reduced.

7.   Constraints:  No information provided.

8.   Contact and Citation:

     Compendium on Low and Non-waste Technology, United Nations
     Economic and Social Counsel,  "Cold Machining with
     Recycling of Cutting Fluids after Ultrafiltration",
     Monograph ENV/WP.2/5/Add.72

9.   Keywords:  France, metal, metal processing, process
     modification, ultrafiltration, cutting fluid, oil, cold
     machining, ISIC 3800.

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: 400-072-A-309 )