Automated Economic Analysis Model For Hazardous Waste Minimization

Abstract

The U.S. Army has established a policy of achieving a 50 percent reduction in hazardous waste generation by the end of 1992. To assist the Army in reaching this goal, the Environmental Division of the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACERL) designed the Economic Analysis Model for Hazardous Waste Minimization (EAHWM). The EAHWM was designed to allow the user to evaluate the life cycle costs for various techniques used in hazardous waste minimization and to compare them to the life cycle costs of current operating practices. The program was developed in C language on an IBM compatible PC and is consistent with other pertinent models for performing economic analyses. The potential hierarchical minimization categories used in EAHWM Include source reduction, recovery and/or reuse, and treatment. Although treatment is no longer an acceptable minimization option, its use is widespread and has therefore been addressed in the model. The model allows for economic analysis for minimization of the Army’s six most important hazardous waste streams. These include, solvents, paint stripping wastes, metal plating wastes, industrial waste-sludges, used oils, and batteries and battery electrolytes. The EAHWM also includes a general application which can be used to calculate and compare the life cycle costs for minimization alternatives of any waste stream, hazardous or non-hazardous. The EAHWM has been fully tested and implemented in more than 60 Army installations in the United States.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part VII (A) Hazardous Waste Minimization within the Department of Defense

This article is a series of representative case studies of Department of Defense hazardous waste minimization. Each Military Department and the Defense Logistics Agency describe actual accomplishments. Areas covered range from production line modification to product specification change. These efforts are part of a Department of Defense plan composed of individual programs executed independently by each military service and defense agency.

Part VII of the hazardous waste minimization series appears in two separate installments: this installment, Part VII (A), deals with Department of Defense waste minimization efforts in vehicle repair operations, explosives manufacturing, and abrasive blasting processes; Part VII (B) will cover shipboard mercury wastes, industrial chemical control, solvent reclamation, and hazardous property sales efforts.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part Vii (B) Hazardous Waste Minimization within the Department of Defense

This article is a series of representative case studies of Department of Defense hazardous waste minimization. Each Military Department and the Defense Logistics Agency describe actual accomplishments. Areas covered range from production line modification to product specification change. These efforts are part of a Department of Defense plan composed of individual programs executed independently by each military service and defense agency.

Part VII of the hazardous waste minimization series appears in two separate installments: the first installment, Part VII (A), dealt with Department of Defense waste minimization efforts in vehicle repair operations, explosives manufacturing, and abrasive blasting processes; Part VII (B) covers shipboard mercury wastes, industrial chemical control, solvent reclamation, and hazardous property sales efforts.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part V Waste Minimization in the Petroleum Industry

The extractive nature of the petroleum industry sets it apart from other industries in many respects. The nature of this industry places it at somewhat of a disadvantage to other industries when attempts are made to foster waste minimization practices and programs. However, this is no excuse for the industry to not further vigorously pursue minimizing waste. This paper describes the petroleum industry and the products it makes along with their associated waste streams. The industry’s commitment to waste minimization is described with examples of specific minimization projects provided. Although the opportunities for minimization are limited, the economic incentives for reducing waste disposal costs, not to mention long term liability from improper disposal practices, has put the petroleum industry on the road to waste minimization.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part VIII Waste Minimization in the Pesticide Formulation Industry

The pesticide formulation industry is dependent upon the basic manufacturers for the main raw materials. Waste minimization efforts are, therefore, limited to process/handling sources. The economic incentive for waste reduction has mandated significant changes throughout each facility. There are waste problems, however, that require industry-wide action, e.g., empty containers. The ongoing regulatory actions affecting this business will require continuing efforts to maintain operations.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part IX Waste Minimization in the Automotive Repair Industry

Waste minimization in the automotive repair industry is characterized by the large numbers of small quantity generators (SQG) producing solvent, alkaline and detergent hazardous wastes. On-site management of multiple processes which vary depending on the size of shop make the administration of hazardous waste policies particularly complex. This paper presents the quantities and types of hazardous materials typically produced. Guidelines are presented to allow generators to organize a waste minimization program.     

The Use of Electrokinetics for Hazardous Waste Site Remediation

The Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program was authorized as part of the 1986 amendments to the Superfund legislation. It represents a joint effort between U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development and Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. The program is designed to assist and encourage the development of waste treatment technologies that would contribute to more solutions to our hazardous waste problems.

Recently, EPA, through the SITE program, issued a work assignment to assess the “stateof- the-art” of electroklnetically enhanced contaminant removal from soils. Prior research efforts, both laboratory and field, have demonstrated that electroosmosis has the potential to be effective In facilitating the removal of certain types of hazardous wastes from soils. Particularly encouraging results have been achieved with inorganics in fine-grained soils where more traditional removal alternatives are less effective.

Although the results of various studies suggest that electrokinetics is a promising technology, further testing Is needed at both the laboratory and field levels to fully develop this technology for site remediation. A conceptual test program Is presented based on best available data which incorporates system design and operating parameters used in previous applications of this technology In the use of electrokinetics treatment as a remediation technique at hazardous waste sites.     

Refinery Sludge Treatment/Hazardous Waste Minimization Via Dehydration and Solvent Extraction

Abstract

The patented Carver-Greenfield (C-G) Process®, a combination of dehydration and solvent extraction treatment technologies, has a wide range of uses in separating hydrocarbon solvent-soluble hazardous organic contaminants (indigenous oil) from sludges, soils, and industrial wastes. As a result of this treatment, the products from a C-G Process facility are: ? Clean, dry solids which are typically suitable for disposal in nonhazardous landfills;

? Water which is treatable in an industrial or Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) wastewater treatment facility;

? Extracted indigenous oil containing hydrocarbon soluble contaminants which may be recycled or reused or disposed of at less cost because its volume is smaller than the original waste feed.

The C-G Process was demonstrated on spent oily drilling fluids as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program. This paper summarizes the use of the C-G Process for economical treatment and minimization of hazardous refinery wastes, reviews the SITE program results, and describes extending the C-G Process technology to treatment of other wastes. Estimated treatment costs are presented.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part II Waste Minimization in the Electronics Products Industries

An overview is provided of the production processes, waste generation, and waste management of the electronics products industries. Chosen product areas include electron tubes, semiconductors, capacitors/resistors, and printed circuit/wiring boards. Examples are given of specific processes and associated waste streams. Waste minimization activities are identified, and specific examples of successful applications provided. While faced with a wide variety of waste streams, many opportunities for waste minimization exist and await only application.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part VI Waste Minimization in the Foundry Industry

The foundry industry is a major consumer of waste materials (scrap). Unfortunately, the recycling of these waste materials can result in the generation of hazardous wastes that must be properly managed at a significant cost. This article focuses on two waste streams in the foundry industry; calcium carbide desulfurization slag and melt emission control residuals. The author presents an overview of how foundries have evaluated different waste management options with the ultimate goal of minimizing the generation of hazardous waste.     

Reducing Risk in Hazardous Waste Management

Over the past several years, the Environmental Protection Agency has attempted to institutionalize an approach to its activities that is characterized by an active attempt to separate risk assessment from risk management activities. This approach, while not new in concept, has only been evolving at EPA for about four years. The Office of Research and Development, or ORD, has organized its research planning activities around this risk assessment-risk management concept. In order for the approach to succeed, it is necessary to develop the data and methodology necessary to undertake risk assessments both in the area of human health and ecology, and to develop methods to reduce those risks. Accordingly, we have organized our research planning into four major areas: Human Health Risk, Environmental or Ecological Risk, Exposure Assessment, and Risk Reduction. What I would like to do is outline briefly the breadth and diversity of EPA’s research program and the Agency’s research needs.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part I Waste Reduction in the Chemical Industry

Recognizing the need for minimizing the generation of hazardous waste, the chemical industry is experiencing a surge in the initiation of programs for reducing such waste. With a new realization that the cost of handling waste may be many times higher than the value of the materials lost in it, the industry needs to examine a new end-point for optimizing its processes; one that includes the total cost of waste management as well as the conventional cost elements such as raw materials, power and the like. The authors discuss some of the problems that industry is encountering; then describe Du Pont’s approach to waste reduction in terms of administrative and technical activities. They emphasize that, in addition to meeting environmental needs, waste reduction often makes good sense solely from an economic point of view.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part IV Waste Reduction in the Metal Finishing Industry

The metal finishing industry uses over 40 production processes to produce a wide range of metal products. Waste streams generated include wastewater, waste oils, spent solvents, and spent process solutions. Currently a wide variety of techniques which minimize waste are available. Cost-effective methods to reduce electroplating wastewater contamination include water conservation and drag-out reduction, recovery and management. Ways to cost-effectively reduce the generation of spent metal-working fluids include establishing a fluid management program and installing a fluid recovery system. However, before any techniques are selected, a waste reduction survey should first be conducted.     

Making Cleanup Decisions at Hazardous Waste Sites: The Clean Sites Approach

This paper provides a summary of the results of an 18-month study conducted by Clean Sites, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia. The study was designed to take a critical look at the way remedies are selected for abandoned hazardous waste sites that are cleaned up under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) and to develop recommendations for improving that process. The recommendations were released in an October 1990 report entitled “Improving Remedy Selection: An Explicit and Interactive Process for the Superfund Program.” Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Sites is working to test these recommendations. At two actual Superfund sites, Clean Sites will assist EPA in performing the remedy selection in accordance with the process Clean Sites has developed.     

Avoiding Land Disposal of Hazardous Waste

In response to a growing societal mandate, land disposal of hazardous wastes is gradually being replaced by treatment technologies. This shift to "alternative technologies" is the result of the impacts of past land disposal practices on other environmental media (groundwater, surface water, and air). A prime motivation for adopting alternatives to land disposal is to eliminate these cross-media impacts. Alternative technologies, however, can themselves have cross-media environmental impacts which must be recognized and addressed before such technologies are extensively applied. This paper discusses hazardous waste constituents, common disposal practices, alternative technologies currently being applied, possible cross-media environmental impacts of the alternative technologies, and proposed methods of mitigating these environmental impacts. Case studies from uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and industrial operations are used to illustrate the application of alternative technologies. Case studies include the application of waste treatment technologies as well as the adoption of waste minimization techniques.     

The 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments: A Bold Experiment in Hazardous Waste Management

The 1984 amendments by Congress to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) resulted primarily from a sense of frustration with EPA's apparent lack of progress in addressing the myriad problems associated with hazardous waste management. The amendments were also a manifestation of Congress’ clear sense of purpose in wanting to steer a radically different course at much greater speed. Whether this bold experiment works remains to be seen. EPA appears to be committed to carrying out both the letter and spirit of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, but no one should underestimate the magnitude of the task.     

Cofiring Hazardous Waste Fuels in Industrial Processes

Although energy-intensive industrial processes have the potential to incinerate hazardous wastes while effecting fuel cost savings, increased government regulation and heightened public interest require that the financial aspects of a hazardous waste fuel (HWF) program be considered fully. Apparent fuel savings are offset by the capital requirements for institutional factors such as permitting and public relations. This paper provides cost information for initiating and operating a HWF program, and outlines the steps required to perform a thorough financial analysis. Falling fuel prices lessen the appeal of HWF programs, and unless the facility is paid to accept the HWF, only very large users (more than 80 × 10⁹ Btu/yr) of energy can consider them. The paper includes a figure from which the reader can estimate the return on investment for HWF programs over a range of program sizes (80 × 1200 × 10⁹ Btu/yr).     

Water Content of Collected Aerosols in the South Coast and Southeast Desert Air Basins

Pollution prevention/waste minimization is a win-win-win situation for government, industry, and the public, which offers more than just protection of the environment for all. Industry gains from reduced capital and operating costs, reduced liabilities, cleaner and safer working conditions, conservation of energy and material resources, and the opportunity for government and industry to work together in a cooperative manner. However, a number of regulatory barriers exist which discourage pollution prevention/waste minimization. This paper provides examples from the aluminum, chemical, petroleum, and wood treating industries of how these regulatory barriers become disincentives. To promote pollution prevention/waste minimization, Congress and the U.S. EPA need to reexamine those RCRA provisions which support a command and control strategy that creates the barriers. The barriers include the distinction between value and valueless materials, offsite storage requirements prior to reuse/recycle, the “Derived from Rule”, the “Burning for Fuel Rule”, land ban technology standards, and RD&;D restrictions. A new RCRA Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization subtitle is proposed to eliminate or minimize these barriers.     

Technological Innovation in Hazardous Waste Remediation

The following is the first in a series of articles on various efforts to encourage and support innovation in hazardous waste treatment technologies for sites and affected groundwater. This article provides a brief discussion of the origins of the U.S. EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) Technology Innovation Office (T1O), its mission, and the major initiatives underway or under contemplation. Subsequent articles will provide progress reports on these initiatives and other activities related to technology innovation by federal and state regulators, technology developers, responsible parties, the engineering community, and other interested parties.