Date of Defense

5-16-2002

First Advisor

Dr. Andrew Kline

Second Advisor

Dr. Betsy Aller

Third Advisor

Dr. Peter Parker

Abstract

The senior design class of Western Michigan University was asked by Pharmacia Corporation to investigate possible alternatives that would reduce the amount of waste solvent being shipped off-site for disposal. The following are a summary of those options: Boiler and Industrial Furnace (BIF); implementation of continuous distillation; Improved Incineration; Comparable Fuels Analysis; Vendor Sales.

With the exclusion of the BIF unit, which has the ability to eliminate all waste solvent streams, the other four options may be implemented individually or in combination since no significant amount of the solvent streams used for each option overlap. Therefore, the design team recommends that if upon further investigation Pharmacia finds that the above analyses are accurate, Pharmacia either implement as many of options 2through 5as is fitting for the financial wherewithal of the company, or construct anew BIF facility. If Pharmacia chooses to purchase the BIF unit, the design team suggests that the company be prepared to implement one or more of options 2though 5, as the BIF may not provide sufficient capacity ten years from now. The variety of options presented gives Pharmacia the ability to choose which option or options may best fit their current and projected financial situation.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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