Application of best available techniques in an enterprise producing heating devices

The article identifies opportunities for implementing Best Available Techniques to mitigate pollution for a Polish heating device (central heating boilers) factory. Environmental problems encountered were mainly air pollution and the discharge of organic solvents or other dangerous substances from applying paint. In the heating sector, environmental issues vary widely both by the size and category of companies, products, and the nature of materials used for manufacture. This case study proposes technical solutions to several common processes to enable a company to achieve environmental improvements according to Best Available Techniques. Costs are estimated for possible solutions. The proposed solutions include installation of a spraying and drying cabin with air recirculation, shot-blasting booth with a closed abrasive circuit system, push–pull welding ventilation system, and central suction and filtering systems with cartridge filter units for reducing welding fumes and gases. The implemented solutions, using Best Available Techniques, for pollution prevention and waste minimization yielded a 25% reduction in sheet steel waste, eliminated 98% of abrasive media materials and waste, and reduced dust from cutting, welding, cleaning by 90%. The technological additions to processes or the installation of new technologies proved to be attractive (US $638,700), despite the modest annual net savings (US $89,733).