Cost effective waste minimisation approach to specialty glass making

Paper in proceeding, 2004

Abstract: A cleaner glass melting process has been developed through a prevention-oriented approach to minimizing waste at its generation source. Waste minimization principles have been combined with environmental, technical and safety requirements in a formal process design framework. The applied methodology comprises the positive identification of waste generation activities, waste segregation and quantification. The process design is evaluated in terms of the impact produced by the applied waste minimization options. In addition to material and energy assessment, the process validation is extended to include an analysis of the financial effort required for a reasonable waste management strategy. The evaluated parameters, including the financial indicators, point out that a glass melting plant developed through the usage of the applied methodology meets the required parameters of cost-effectiveness and reliability.