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Metalcasting
Foundries and other metalcasting facilities specialize in melting and casting metal into desired shapes and changing their mechanical properties or metallurgical structure via heat-treating. Foundry products are used in a range of applications, including automobiles, plumbing fixtures, train locomotives, airplanes and as metal pieces in other kinds of equipment.
The metalcasting industry is comprised of both foundries and die casters. In Minnesota, approximately 56 foundries and 38 die casters make up the metalcasting sector.
This sector uses approximately 8,018,000 MMBtu per year and generates VOCs as air emissions and waste sand as a nonhazardous industrial waste. Seven Minnesota facilities are on the 2005 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) high energy user list (over $2 million a year in energy costs). Both pollution prevention and energy efficiency opportunities exist in this sector and new more-efficient technology is available.
Pollution associated with primary metals industries depends largely on the type of operation. The type of facility, metal and non-metal inputs, processes, and equipment all factor into the pollution sources and prevention opportunities.
These Web pages offer ideas and resources for preventing pollution. They also provide information on the environmental and safety rules in Minnesota for metalcasting. If you have environmental questions related to metalcasting, contact Mick Jost at 612.624.4694 or e-mail Mick. From greater Minnesota, call 800.247.0015 and ask for Mick.
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