Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
studies show that CP can provide opportunities
for making sound choices for both environmental
concerns and economic benefits (Dahodwalla and
Heart, 2000; Jia et al., 2005). One of the most basic
reputations of CP is that it improves efficiency
and productivity in industry. These improvements
result in lower expenditure on resources such as
energy and water, increased efficiency in produc-
tion, fewer risks associated with environmental
impacts, and decreased waste generation that leads
to savings in landfill fees and pollution licenses.
Due to the CP context, continuous improvement
is required not only in technology and know-how,
but also in managerial skills and policies. CP of-
fers much for operations management researchers
to draw on as they explore the linkages between
process and product technology, environmental
management and performance.
The car battery manufacturing industry is one
of the critical industries in the implementation of
pollution prevention and CP studies because of
the lead (Pb) used in production. Wastes should
be decreased in order to prevent the hazardous ef-
fects of Pb to the environment and human health.
Many studies involving technology changes and
pollution prevention options are accomplished for
the battery manufacturing industry (Boden and
Loosemore, 2007; Dahodwalla and Heart, 2000;
Ferreira et. al. 2003).
of techniques aiming the reduction of wastes in
the manufacturing area. Waste auditing method-
ologies are examined in this context. Operations
management techniques involving the reduction
of material losses are then analyzed. The problem
solving techniques are used for the identification
of manufacturing problems, the investigation of
possible solutions and the selection of the best
solution. The methodology is established by in-
tegrating operations management perspectives to
the classical waste auditing methodology. Waste
auditing generally covers three steps. The first
step, which is the pre-assessment, covers the
division of the processes into unit operations and
the construction of the process flow diagram. The
second step, which is the material balance, covers
the identification of inputs, outputs and the cur-
rent reuse and recycling methods. The final step
which is the synthesis, deals with the evaluation
of waste reduction options and the creation of
the waste reduction action plan. The presented
methodology, different from the classical waste
auditing, cautiously focuses on the operations of
the manufacturing facility. Processes are analyzed
based on the inputs used, working practices, ca-
pacities of machines, and byproducts and outputs
derived from the processes. Steps of the presented
methodology can be summarized as follows:
•
Step 1:
Analysis of the system
◦ Data collection
◦ Manufacturing system analysis
◦ Construction of a process flow
diagram
◦ Current waste management practices
◦ Environmental impacts of materials
used in production
•
Step 2:
Identification of Alternative Waste
Management Solutions
◦
THE ENVIRONMENTALLY
INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING
SYSTEM ANALYSIS
The environmentally integrated manufacturing
system analysis provides a roadmap for com-
panies willing to apply an integrated preventive
waste management approach in their manufac-
turing plant. Many possible working areas and
information to be collected are given so that this
methodology can be applied in different manu-
facturing sectors and companies. The design of
Investigation of Waste Management
Technologies
◦
Investigation of Alternative Waste
Management Solutions
