Page 104 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

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Cleaner Production
China 2006). These wastes were reprocessed for reuse by the factory. Moreover,
other wastes occurred during the manufacturing process and these are emis-
sions from the fuel combustion during the heating process by the furnace into
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the atmosphere and they are close to 451 million m of waste gas. Finally, huge
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amounts of water have been discharged at an annual rate of 1.36 million m of
wastewater. The factory needs to be efficient in using the resources and also to
cut down on the emissions and wastes into the environment.
CP opportunity assessment
Generally the factory had several options and they were divided into two
main classes. Class A was a low cost option that was implemented directly
for enhancing firm efficiency and protecting the environment. Class B involves
investments. The firm had to take immediate action. The following Class A
actions involved:

• Informing personnel in the factory of the importance and serious-
ness of cleaner production.
• Training programs for operators.
• Dealing with any leaks, drips or spills that may be found in the fac-
tory along the production line.
• Improving the management of the factory and the product in turn.
• Using the water efficiently and minimizing its use to where it is
needed.
• Improving the rate of the waste oil recovery.
• Improving insulation of the furnace, so there will not be any heat
dissipation.
• Reducing the iron oxides level.
• Improving the transportation of oil without any leaks or spills dur-
ing the process.
• Reducing consumption of water and electricity.

CP techniques implemented
The above-mentioned CP opportunities had a low cost investment and could
be applied directly; they are housekeeping cleaner production techniques.
Other improvements were made that had higher cost or investment –
four were implemented while two were planned for the future, and they are
as follows:

• Installing an oil fog system in the steamer controlled cooling line
thus reducing oil consumption.
• Reforming the hydrodynamic system from the ration pump to the
various pumps.
• Replacing the hydrodynamic system pipes to reduce oil loss.
• Installing a waste oil connector in the coil collection oil station to
reduce oil discharges.