INTERNATIONAL CLEANER PRODUCTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

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 )