MATERIAL BALANCE METHODOLOGY Julia Brown Manager, Process Development

Introduction:
In an enterprise, the waste and emission problems, appear from the production points where the materials are used, processed and treated. To give a solution to your environmental problems, the sources has to be identified, as well as the volume and the causes of the waste and emissions......

Introduction
..... The substances with which you are working with, have to be known, to estimate its real value in the process and to estimate possible developments during the evaluation.

Definition
Materials Balance analysis (MB) is a
systematic reconstruction of the way in which a chemical element, a compound or material passes through a natural cycle and/or its economical benefits. An analysis of the material flow, usually is based on the origin of a physical balance.
German investigation Committe, 1993

Objectives of BM
Describes or illustrates any material flow present in the enterprise. Trace the waste at the point at which it is generated. Print data so that decisions may be taken. Identify the production process weaknesses. Give a detailed reasonable and quantified priorization of the results to obtain wastes and emissions minimization.

Results
Identify the materials used by the enterprise. Identify the sources, the volumes and causes of the wastes and emissions. Create a base for the evaluation and prediction of future developments. Define strategies to improve the general situation of the enterprise.

How a MB is done?
Analysis points have to be defined and the parameters that are to be evaluated. The overview or overall effect of the balance has to be defined. The time period considered by the balance has to be defined. The process consequences are defined. The flow diagram is designed. The MBs are to be generated. Results should be interpreted.

1. Analysis Points and Technical Advice

The process areas that will be studied has to be determined . Analysis as a function of: costs, risks, secure deposit of wastes, volume etc.

1. Points of Analysis and Technical Advice

First step is to develop an analysis of input and output of the enterprise. Detailed analysis in relation to the more extensive flows and ecological problems. Definition of each flows importance

1.1 Conditions of Technical Advice

Actual strategy Advice

Reactive

Internal rules Knowledge of the source Segregation Reliable points Variation with the time

2. MB Overview
The productive process is divided into sequencial steps according to the priority of the analysis and the study of the flows previously done.

3. Definition of the period of time

The representative period of time has to be choosen depending of the type and size of the enterprise.

4. Definition of process sequence

Detailed study of the material flow. Processes are divided according to a representative structure. What are considered processes? activities, equipments, products or utility aspects.

5. Flow diagram
Graphic interpretation of the materials flows. It shows volumes, proportions, ecological relevance among other characteristics. Indicate the sequence or steps of the productive process.

Flow Diagram Example

Input
Water Water Caustic soda Detergent Vapor Water Caustic soda Detergent Vapor Water Vapor

Returned bottles
First soak by spray

Output
Detergent Residues Caustic soda Residues Org. & inorg. matter Labels+ Caustic soda sol. Residual bath Muds Condensates

Caustic soda bath

Caustic soda bath

Residual bath Muds Condensates

Condensates

Soak by inmersion

Water Vapor

Final soak by inmersion

Condensates Washed bottles

6. Material Balance
Conservation mass principle is used because it

indicates that:
Input Material = Output Material Units of measurements given in kg or m3

Example 1: Input and Output diagram

Water Energy Auxiliary materials

Raw material

Unit Operation
Waste

Product (expected) byproduct (usable)

Waste easily assimilated by the environment

Inert waste always available

toxic/dangerous waste

Example 2: Input and Output

Raw materials Gaseous emissions

Catalyst Air/Water Energy

Plant, Process or Unit Operacin

Products By-products

Recycle

Wastewater

Liquid waste
Reusable residues in other operation Solid waste

7. Interpretation
Establish standards that will establish a relationship between the material consume and the waste generated. Establish the process efficiency indicators. (for example Kwh/coffee produced)

One dollar invested in prevention is like one thousand dollars in medicine

Thank you