United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-94/069
June 1994
EPA Project Summary
SAGE 2.0, Solvent Alternatives
Guide, User's Guide
Kenneth R. Monroe and Elizabeth A. Hill
This guide provides instruction for
the use of the SAGE (Solvent Alterna-
tives Guide) software system, version
2.0. SAGE recommends solvent replace-
ments in cleaning and degreasing op-
erations. The system leads the user
through a question-and-answer ses-
sion. The user's responses allow the
system to develop a list of alternative
chemistries and processes. The user
may then review brief descriptions of
the alternatives on the computer
screen. If any of the alternatives are of
interest, the user may request SAGE to
generate a detailed report for each. The
report includes general information,
safety/environmental concerns, indus-
trial case studies for the selected alter-
native, and information on state techni-
cal assistance programs in the user's
geographical location that can provide
additional information.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory, Research Tri-
angle Park, NC, to announce key find-
ings of the research project that is fully
documented in a separate report of the
same title (see Project Report ordering
information at back).
Background
In 1992, EPA initiated a program to
assist in the selection of low-polluting in-
dustrial surface cleaning alternatives. The
objective of the program was to make the
identification of cleaning options simple,
yet based on the latest technical and eco-
nomic feasibility information. This objec-
tive could be most easily accomplished,
using of a computer-based logic tree for-
mat. The resulting system, called SAGE
(Solvent Alternatives Guid£), uses the
speed and capability of the computer to
evaluate a large number of operating pa-
rameters and conditions to identify the
most viable surface cleaning option for
many situations.
The first BETA test version (1.0) of
SAGE was released in May 1993 and
placed on EPA's Control Technology Cen-
ter (CTC) Bulletin Board, (919) 541-0800,
for downloading and review. Since its re-
lease, there have been over 1000
downloading^ of SAGE from the Bulletin
Board and, in addition, 500 copies of the
system disk have been mailed to request-
ors. Many of the responses from users of
the BETA test version indicate that, in a
few minutes, the system confirmed their
own conclusions, which had been derived
from many hours of study and analysis.
The System
SAGE is not a data base; it is a per-
sonal computer (PC)-based logic tree sys-
tem that evaluates the user's operating
scenario, then identifies alternative sol-
vent chemistries and processes that best
suit the defined operating and material
requirements. The system asks a series
of questions concerning the user's opera-
tion, (e.g., part size, present processing
chemistry, part cost, production rate, and
contaminants or soils). Based on the an-
swers provided, a limited number of rec-
ommended options are shown that repre-
sent the most probable alternate cleaning
chemistries and/or processes. A report is
then generated by SAGE, presenting the
recommended options and important tech-
nical parameters for implementing the op-
Printedon Recycled Paper
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lions. The report provides Information on
environmental considerations to be taken
Into account, regulations that must be ad-
dressed when using each alternative,
safety requirements, economic consider-
ations, equipment requirements, and other
information that must be considered be-
fore implementing the recommended al-
ternatives. Finally, the report includes ex-
amples of case studies with a similar op-
erating scenario and requirements.
SAGE is designed for use by both tech-
nical and nontechnical individuals ranging
from shop foremen to government regula-
tory agency personnel, jt requires only a
286-level machine and, if a hard-copy re-
port is required, a printer. The SAGEE sys-
tem is scheduled for continued upgrade
through FY 95, with semi-annual release
of new versions during this period. Subse-
quent versions will incorporate additional
substrate cleaning requirements and ad-
ditional technical data. Further, a process
and facility design capability, an economic
and cost projection capability, and a sum-
mary of regulations by state will be incor-
porated and continually improved as data
are acquired.
While the final selection of a process
alternative must ultimately be made by
the user, SAGE will provide the user with
the information needed to make that
choice. For more information on SAGE,
call the EPA Control Technology Center
at (919) 541-0800.
K. Monroo and E. Hill are with Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709.
Charles H. Darvln is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "SAGE 2.0, Solvent Alternatives Guide, User's Guide,"
including manual and diskette, (Order No. PB94-501764; Cost: $90.00, subject to
change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
Tha EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Afr and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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