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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