Moving towards an environment management framework for a cane sugar industry with emphasis on water pollution prevention
| MSI10P4472 | |
| Chengebroyen, S. | |
| Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius | |
| Moving towards an environment management framework for a cane sugar industry with emphasis on water pollution prevention | |
| Thesis, MSc Quality Management | |
| Thesis | |
| 2009 | |
| 83 p.: 27 figs, 21 tbls | |
| EN | |
| En | |
| The European Commission (EC) has based itself on the World Trade Organisation rules and in June 2005 it has proposed radical reforms with a reduction of sugar prices as from 2007 culminating to 36 per cent cut in 2009. Unless the costs of production in the sugar industry are substantially reduced and other avenues explored through rapid diversification within the sugar cane industry, the Mauritian economy will face a catastrophic situation. In such a context, Mauritius has no other option than to undertake a major reform, that would increase the competitiveness of the sugar industry. In 2007 the government published the Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy (MAAS), which proposes the implementation of a number of pressing reforms for the sugar sector. The overall objective of the Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy is the transformation of the sugar industry into a sugar cane cluster. The key components of the sugar cane clusters are: The production of higher grade sugars and special sugars at the cane processing plant; The setting up of refineries for production of white refined sugars; The setting up of modernized power plant to increase electricity production; The setting up of Distillation plant for production of Ethanol. When the preferential markets are abolished, the sugar industry will need to compete with other sugar producing countries to gain access to sugar markets. Major reforms (MAAS action plan) have been set up in order to increase the long term viability of the industry. In a liberalized market, efficiency, competitiveness and innovation are the key to survival. In addition, an organisation's commitment to environmental protection will provide the company with a competitive edge in a liberalized market. With the setting up of new facilities at the sugar cane cluster, the industry will become more competitive and viable. However, the sugar industry will be facing a number of environmental challenges. An initial review of the main environmental challenges facing a modernized sugar cane cluster has been conducted in this study. A case study was conducted at a sugar factory with emphasis on water pollution prevention and a Cleaner Production Assessment Methodology has been used. Cleaner Production (CP) opportunities for wastewater reduction were identified and implemented; the first Cleaner Production opportunities that the industry needs to focus are the in-plant pollution prevention measures. This is because the implementation of these Cleaner Production opportunities required minimal investment and the outcome of its application have been experienced in a short period of time. On the other hand, the production process Cleaner Production technologies will require a large amount of capital investment. Before considering these options, the sugar factory must carry a more in-depth analysis. The implementation of the CP opportunities identified at Factory X, shows satisfactory evidence that Cleaner Production can bring significant contribution for reduction in water usage and prevention of water pollution. The findings of this study are summarised below: The COD value of the final effluent has been reduced by about 70 per cent; The BOD5 value of the final effluent has been reduced by 73 per cent; The TSS value of the final effluent was reduced by 75 per cent; Fresh water consumption of the factory was reduced by about 2.8 times; The volume of effluent generated by the factory was also reduced by about 2.5 times. The Sugar Industry's concern for the environment is increasing day by day. However, the conventional industrial production is seen as an infeasible solution to deal with the 21st century environmental challenges that the sugar cane cluster is facing. The innovative concepts of cleaner production is the ultimate solution that will help the sugar cane cluster to reduce risks to humans, environment and become more competitive in a global market. The successful implementation of the in-plant Cleaner Production opportunities will provide a stage for the sugar factory to become more aware and comfortable with the CP concept. This will initiate a gradual shift from unsustainable Conventional Industrial Production to sustainable Cleaner Industrial Production. This is because Cleaner Production is recognized by many countries around the globe as the driving force that will lead towards the goal of environmental management and sustainable development of the 21st century. The sugar cane cluster should strongly consider the integration of the CP concept for environmental management. However Cleaner Production approach should not be taken as a replacement of end-of-pipe treatment systems. If the CP approach is implemented properly, it will help to reduce fresh water consumption, reduce the volume of wastewater discharged to the waste water treatment plant and improve their performance. Hence, the Cleaner Production approach will bring a reduction in the investment and operating costs of treatment plants. This study has successfully implemented a number of options linked to the concept of Cleaner Production. The exposure to this innovative approach is important as the sugar industry gets prepared to face environmental and economic challenges in the future. Thus Cleaner Production will help the sugar industry to be more competitive in the global markets as well as to manage its environmental problems. An environmental management framework is recommended for the cane sugar factory. Cleaner Production will help the sugar industry to move toward an environmental management framework. Adopting an environmental management system and working for registration for ISO 14001, will contribute to the betterment of the factory practices leading to economical and environmental gain. Also the sugar industry will show to the world that it cares for environmental issues and that it is determined to play its role to ensure that the world can continue to sustain our civilization into future generations. | |
| sugarcane canesugar production environmental management cleaner production water pollution environmental management framework wastewaters Chemical oxygen demand sugar factory effluents water | |
| Mauritius | |
| Environmental management | |
| Sugar factory waste | |
| 2010-05-11 | |
| En | |
| ST |