Case Study # 155
1. Headline: Solvent waste recycling and reuse on site
2. Background: See below.
3. Cleaner Production Principle: Recycling.
4. Description of Cleaner Production Application:
Technology Principle: Conventional separation processes
were used to recover and reuse 70% of acetone by weight,
from the wastewater. The recycling operation generates
still bottoms which are disposed off-site. Existing
process equipment was used to implement acetone recovery.
Cross-Industry Application - Recovery and reuse of
acetone
Case Study Summary
Incentives: Economic incentive
Original Manufacturing Process and Previous Waste/Emission
Management Methods: Manufacturing of antibiotics by
organic synthesis generated hazardous waste, including
wastewater containing 10% acetone. The wastewater was
discharged for treatment to POTW. It was estimated that
200,000 lb/yr of acetone were discharged with the
wastewater.
Scale of Operation: This facility has more than 100
employees, and manifested more 1000 tons of waste between
1981-1985.
Stage of Development: Fully implemented
Level of Commercialization: Solvent recovery systems are
commercially available for a wide range of applications.
Results of Application: 70% of acetone by weight is
recovered.
Balances & Substitutions
Wastes generated 100 tons/yr
(before), 30 tons/yr (after)
Waste and/or Emission Description
Physical state: Liquid
Composition: Acetone, water
5. Economics: $70,000 annual savings in treatment costs
6. Advantages:
Liability reduction: Reduced liabilities by reducing the
quantity of hazardous waste generated
Regulatory compliance: Progress toward zero discharge
7. Constraints: No information provided.
8. Contacts and Citation
Type of Source Material:survey
study (April 1987 document date)
Industry/Program Contact and Address: The name of this
facility is not provided. This plant is located in New
Jersey, United States.
Richard J. Gimello: Susan B. Boyle, New Jersey Hazardous
Waste Facilities Siting Commission, 28 West State Street,
Trenton, N.J. 08608
Citation: Environmental Resources Management, Inc. Title:
A Study of Hazardous Waste Reduction and Recycling in Four
Industrial Groups in New Jersey.(Date of Publication:
April 1987)
9. Keywords: United States, USA, pharmaceutical, antibiotic,
recycling, metal finishing, acetone, organic synthesis,
solvent, ISIC 2833.
10. Reviewer's Comments: This case study was originally
abstracted for the US EPA's Pollution Prevention
Information Clearinghouse from a document compiled by the
USA New Jersey Hazardous Waste Facilities Siting
Commission. 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 UNEP07: 031-001-A-421 )