INTERNATIONAL CLEANER PRODUCTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

CASE STUDY # 141

1. Headline: Substituting raw materials leads to increased

efficiency in the production of rotary joints and

mechanical jacks

2. Background: See below

3. Cleaner Production Principle: Material substitution

4. Description of Cleaner Production Application:

Substitution of a water-based parts cleaning fluid for an

oil-based (1,1,1 Trichloroethane/Varsol) product has

proved to be more efficient in degreasing operations and

has eliminated a second rinse that had previously been

necessary. A centrifuge is being used to reclaim the

water-based solvent.

Material/Energy Balance and Substitution

FEEDSTOCKS: Cleaning solvents

WASTES: Cleaning solvents

MEDIUM: Liquid

5. Economics:

CAPITAL COST: $0

OPERATION/MAINTENANCE: Not reported

MONTHS TO RECOVER: 0

6. Advantages:

DISPOSAL & FEEDSTOCK: $3300/yr

FEEDSTOCK REDUCTION: Only 3 gallons of make-up solvent

were required during the year, for a 200 gallon degreasing

machine

WASTE PRODUCTION: Saved $900/yr in disposal costs

IMPACT: Changing to a water-based parts cleaning fluid has

allowed for recycling of the fluid, which reduces oily

wastes and other wastes requiring disposal. A second

rinse was eliminated due to increased efficiency, also

reducing wastes generated. Employee morale has improved

with the "vapor free" environment.

7. Constraints: No information provided.

8. Contact and Citation: "Case Summaries of Waste Reduction

by Industries in the Southeast", Schecter, Roger N., Hunt,

Gary, July, 1989, Page 41.

9. Keywords: United States, USA, rotary joint, material

substitution, cleaning, trichloroethane, degreasing,

rinsing, solvent, water-based solvents, ISIC 3500.

10. Reviewer's Comments: This case study part of a core

collection of case studies from North Carolina, USA and

was originally abstracted for the US Environmental

Protection Agency's 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.

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