Chapter 14 - Rationale of environmentally balanced industrial complexes

Abstract

Industry's contribution to the era of waste utilization is highlighted by its acceptance to use the ultimate in waste utilization: the environmentally balanced industrial complex system. The system comprises two or more compatible industrial plants located in close proximity to one another in one complex. Although the real measurable cost of industrial environmental pollution control remains relatively small when compared to total production or value-added costs, it can be a significant amount when considered by it. In conventional industrial solutions to waste problems, industry uses separate treatment plant units such as physical, chemical, and biological systems. These separate treatment systems increase manufacturing costs. Although the advantages of this type of complex are obvious, there are certain difficulties to overcome. One involves compatibility. Another involves optimal mass balances. Industrial ecology aims at looking at the industrial system as a whole. Industrial ecology does not address just issues of pollution and environment, but considers as equally important, technologies, process economics, the interrelationship of businesses, financing, overall government policy, and the entire spectrum of issues that are involved in the management of commercial enterprises.