P2 Best Practices

Counter-current cascade rinsing (where a series of tanks are plumbed so that water flows from one tank to another in the opposite direction of the workflow)

Dragout rinsing (for static rinse tanks where process chemicals are reclaimed and electrolytic recovery removes dissolved metals)

Adding air agitation through air aerator pipes on the bottom of the tank

Install air knives (high-pressure air blowers) over the process tank which blow liquid into the catch tank (which is processed into the process tank)

Drainboards installed between process and rinse tanks can catch drips

Long dragout (or drip) times for surfaces that can be oxidized or stained by exposure to air

Determine proper concentration of chemicals to reduce concentration, viscosity, and dragout volume (wetting agents can also reduce viscosity)

Measure the conductivity of water on a regular basis

Use carbon treatment to remove contaminants

Remove excessive carbonate buildup with “carbonate freezing”

Provide employees with an incentive to minimize waste in daily operations

Train employees to improve planning and sequencing so that only necessary operations are performed (reducing “reject parts,” cleaning frequency, or batch processing where waste residues from one batch can be used as an input for the subsequent batch allowing equipment to not be cleaned between batches).

Replace existing raw materials with materials that will create less waste, such as substituting alkaline washes for solvent degreasers and replacing calcium with lime or borax soap as the drawing agent

Install energy efficient lighting

Maximize heating and cooling processes

Optimize compressed air usage