Models for investigation of industrial response to residuals management actions

Abstract

This paper argues that, for purposes of residuals management decisions, it is necessary to go beyond models which concentrate on end of pipe treatment and a single receiving medium. A model is proposed which reflects the physical tradeoffs among residual forms and receiving media implied by the laws of conservation of mass and energy, and which includes opportunities for reducing generation in production as well as conventional treatment alternatives. A brief example is presented of the model's application to a petroleum refinery. Finally, the place of such individual models in an overall regional residuals management model is discussed.