INTERNATIONAL CLEANER PRODUCTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

CASE STUDY # 144

1.   Headline:  Process modification recovers solvents on site
     for reuse in the production of film, foil, and paper
     products.

2.   Background:  See below.

3.   Cleaner Production Principle:  process modification

4.   Description of Cleaner production Application:  On-site
     distillation is being used for reclamation of spent
     solvent used in cleaning up the manufacturing area and in
     product development.  The reclaimed solvent is being used
     as wash solvent for cleanup operations which reduces the
     cleanup solvent inventory.

     Material/Energy Balance and Substitution

                    FEEDSTOCKS:   Solvents

                    WASTES:      Spent solvents

                    MEDIUM:      Liquid

                    CAPITAL COST: Not reported

     OPERATION/MAINTENANCE: Not reported

                         MONTHS TO RECOVER: 14

6.   Advantages:

     DISPOSAL & FEEDSTOCK: $45,00 in nine months

     FEEDSTOCK REDUCTION: Cleanup solvent inventory has been
     reduced from 3000 gallons to 2000 gallons

     WASTE PRODUCTION: Reduced from 80 drums/mo in 1985 to 60
     drums every other month in 1986.

     IMPACT: Waste generation has been reduced significantly by
     recovering spent solvent for use as wash solvent.
     Production has also increased by 20%, while costs for raw
     materials and waste disposal have been reduced.

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 55.

9.   Keywords:  United States, USA, pulp and paper, film, foil,
     process modification, solvent, distillation, ISIC 3861.


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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