The paper presents a variety of methods that have been successfully employed by the Welded Tube Company of America to reduce the impact of tube fabrication processes on the environment. Tube fabrication requires a number of production steps that are common to other companies in the metals industry (both ferrous and non-ferrous business sectors). As an example, a variety of lubricants, coolants and coatings (organic and inorganic) are used to produce the finished structural grade tubing. The paper provides a description of these processes along with a characterization of each process waste stream. A discussion of the cost effectiveness of pollution prevention practices is included as well. An electronic information system that has been designed for the facility is included in the discussion.
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