Abstract |
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 hazardous 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). The WMAC team at the University of Tennessee performed an assessment at a plant manufacturing metal-cutting wheels and components--approximately 6,000,000 units/yr. Tungsten carbide inserts for metal cutting are pressed, sintered, shaped by grinding, and ultrasonically cleaned. About half are coated with titanium nitride by chemical vapor deposition. Premolded ceramic inserts are ground to specifications and ultrasonically cleaned. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that most waste, other than treated wastewater, consists of sludge filtered from machine coolant, and that the greatest savings could be obtained by recycling treated water from the plant's wastewater treatment facility to the gas/water separators of the chemical vapor deposition units. |