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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Waste-minimization assessment for a manufacturer of automotive air-conditioning condensers and evaporators

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7279451

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 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 automotive air conditioning condensers and evaporators - approximately 400,000 units per year. To make condensers, extrusions and steel coil are machined, degreased, welded, and painted. To make evaporators, aluminum side sheet stock and coil and box extrusions are machined and degreased along with aluminum tube stock. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that the majority of waste was generated in the non-chromate waste water treatment facility but that the greatest savings could be obtained by converting to a powder coating technique in the condenser line to eliminate both contaminated paint solids and paint liquids.

Research Organization:
University City Science Center, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
OSTI ID:
7279451
Report Number(s):
PB-92-188739/XAB; CNN: EPA-R-814903
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English