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POLLUTION PREVENTION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF POWER SUPPLIES (EPA/600/S-95/025)
Citation:
Edwards, H. W., M. F. Kostrzewa, AND G. P. Looby. POLLUTION PREVENTION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF POWER SUPPLIES (EPA/600/S-95/025). EPA/600/S-95/025 (NTIS PB96-118005), 1995.
Impact/Purpose:
information
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded a pilot project to assist small and medium-size manufacturers who want to minimize their generation of waste but who lack the expertise to do so. Waste Minimization Assessment Centers (WMACs) were established at selected universities and procedures were adapted from the EPA Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessment Manual (EPA/625/7-88/003, July 1988). That document has been superseded by the Facility Pollution Prevention (EPA/600/R-92/088, May 1992). The WMAC team at Colorado State University performed an assessment at a plant that manufactures power supplies from printed circuit boards and electronic components. Through-hole components are attached to the board using a wave soldering machine. Surface-mounted components are mounted onto the boards which are then combined with cases, frames, and other prefabricated parts to form power supplies. The product is then tested and shipped. The assessment team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that waste cooling water is generated in large quantities in the testing and burn-in area, and that significant cost savings could be achieved through the installation of a closed-loop cooling system.