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WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF SPEED REDUCTION EQUIPMENT
Citation:
Kirsch, F. W. AND J. C. Maginn. WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF SPEED REDUCTION EQUIPMENT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/M-91/046 (NTIS 92-104363), 1991.
Impact/Purpose:
to inform the public
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 hazardous waste but 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 Colorado State University performed an assessment at a plant manufacturing speed reduction equipment - approximately 110,000 speed reduction units/yr. Plant operations include machining and assembling parts for worn gear shafts and other shafts, worn gear bodies hubs and housings, bearings and seals. Keyed and threaded shafts are case-hardened, ground with athread grinder, and deburred. Component parts are washed with an aqueous cleaner before assembly, and finished assemblies are spray painted with solvent-based paints and lacquer thinner. Spent cutting fluid and sludge, including turnings, and spent wash water are shipped offsite for disposal. Spent hydraulic oil and nonaqueous cutting fluid are shipped to a recycler. Waste paint and spent lacquer thinner are shipped offsite for incineration. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that most waste consists of spent aqueous cutting fluid, and that the greatest savings could be obtained by ultrafiltration and recycle of spent wash water. This Research Brief was developed by the principal investigators and EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce key findings of an ongoing research project that is fully documented in aseparate report of the same title available from the authors.