Page 435 - Academic Press Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology 3rd Chemical Engineering

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Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN012I-591 July 26, 2001 15:54

Pollution Prevention from Chemical Processes 601

FIGURE 10 The path to pollution prevention.

The left-hand side of Fig. 10 describes two techniques A. Chartering Phase
to divide the waste generation problem into smaller, com-
This initial phase of the pollution prevention program con-
prehensible parts: a waste stream analysis and a process
sists of four steps: securing business leadership support,
analysis. These two analysis techniques are used to help
establishing the program, selecting the waste streams, and
better define the problem as well as to focus energy on
creating a core assessment team.
the true source of the waste generation problem. The first
technique, waste stream analysis, is based on the premise
that most waste streams contain a carrier, such as water 1. Business Leadership Decision to Start
or air, that drives end-of-pipe treatment costs, and com-
The decision to begin a pollution prevention program can
pound(s) or contaminants of concern that drive the need
be triggered by one or more of the drivers listed below:
to treat the stream.
Meanwhile, the second technique, process analysis, is
based on the assumption that most processes contain (1) Legal requirement, i.e., state or federal regulations.
valuablecompoundsandmoleculesthatresultinasaleable Public image and societal expectations. This may be
product(i.e.,products,intermediatestomaketheproducts, fueled by an adversarial attitude in the community
and raw materials to make the intermediates/products) and toward the facility or process or the desire to lead the
(2) other compounds that add to the cost of manufacturing, environmental movement instead of being pushed.
which includes waste treatment costs. Large incentive for reducing new capital investment in
end-of-pipe treatment.

Significant return by reducing manufacturing costs.
VII. PROGRAM ELEMENTS Need to increase revenues from existing equipment.
Corporate goal.
The path to pollution prevention shown in Fig. 10 is appli-
cable at all phases of a project. In most cases, the method-
2. Establishing the Program
ology has been applied at the plant level. However, the
same methodology can be used when a process is first con- This task helps prepare the plant or manufacturing area
ceived in the laboratory and at periodic intervals through for a successful pollution prevention effort. A key aspect
startup and normal plant operation. of this task is to have a team leader for the program.