Waste minimization and resource use optimization

April 19th 2004 exam questions

1. During steelmaking, slag absorbs unwanted impurities from the metal, provides heat insulation
to the molten metal as well as prevents the interaction of molten metal with ambient atmosphere
in the ladle. After the metal is drained from the ladle, the slag is processed – crushed, screened,
metals removed. The slag is then sold as raw materials for the cement industry. Compared with
Portland cement, slag is of higher strength, better corrosion resistance, and needs only 10% of
the energy required for producing Portland cement. The environmental permit office classifies
this slag as a waste of steelmaking process. Do you agree, or not? Argue your case either as the
environmental manager of the steelmaking company, or as a representative of the environmental
permit office.

2. How can catalysis contribute to waste minimization?

3. In your opinion, what is the difference between waste prevention and waste minimization
measures, and what activities belong under these headings?

4. You are a head of a chemical company producing basic chemicals. You want to improve your
environmental profile. You want to implement an environmental programme to improve you
public image. Would you choose to implement green chemistry principles, a waste minimization
program, or an Industrial Ecology program? Explain.

5. A pancake factor produces ready made, frozen pancakes. The main ingredients are: water,
eggmass, flour, milk powder, margarine, salt and frying oil. Almost 20 varieties of pancakes are
made, each with a specific recipe. The batter is produced in 400 litre batches. The flour, milk
powder, and salt are pumped by compressed air into the mixer. The mixed dry ingredients are
then pumped into a closed container where water and eggmass are added, and mixed for 20
minutes. The batter is then pumped into a 400 litre tank, where it is stored for 1-2 hours, cooled
to 5-10 °C using cool water. Finally margarine is added, and the pancakes are fried using natural
gas or electric heat. The cooked pancakes are then flipped on a conveyor belt. Some drop to the
floor, and some are removed from the belt, if they do not meet the quality specifications.
Another conveyor belt takes them to the freezer. The pancakes are sill hot when entering the
freezer, the thinnest is 45 °C in the middle, the thick ones 78 °C, the medium ones 60 °C. The
freezer temperature is -36 °C, the pancakes emerge at a temperature of -18 °C. The pancakes are
then manually packed into cardboard boxes using plastic liners between the layers. The material
input-out scheme of the factory is outlined in Figure 1.
 Energy input
Water TOTAL: 13 600 MWh
70 000 m3 Electricity 6 000 mWh
(10-12 °C) Natural gas 7 600 MWh
Input material
Pancake raw mat. 1 250t Final product
Dry solids ~100% Pancake 2 500 t pancakes
factory dry solids 35%
Waste waster to treatment
plant 52 00 m3

Cooling water – direct discharge Waste: 80 t from pancake line

sold as pig feed
to river 11 00 m3 ( ~45 °C) (this waste is cooked pancakes
collected after the frying step)
Figure 1 Input-out scheme of the pancake factory

Based on this information, what waste minimization measures can you recommend to this
company?

Evaluation table:

Points Mark/3 Mark/5

19-21 1-
1
22-24 1
25-27 1+
2
28-30 1½
31-33 2-
3
34-36 2
37-39 2+
4
40-42 2½
43-45 3-
5
46-48 3

Questions and comments to:

Dr. Eva Pongrácz, senior researcher, course lecturer and examiner
FIN-90014 University of Oulu,
Department of Process and Environmental Engineering, 4 PYOLÄM,
Office: TF 401 A
Tel.: +358 8 553 2345
E-mail: eva.pongracz(at)oulu.fi