United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
National Risk Management
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-97/016 September 1997
for
1.0
G.A. Bray and D.L. Franke
The guide provides instructions for
using the Solvent Alternatives Guide
(SAGE) for Windows, Version 1.0. The
guide assumes that the user is familiar
with the fundamentals of operating Win-
dows 3.1 (or higher) on a personal com-
puter under the DOS 5.0 (or higher)
operating system.
SAGE for Windows provides recom-
mendations for solvent replacements
in cleaning and degreasing operations.
The system leads the user through a
questions-and-answer session. Based
on the user's responses, a list of alter-
native chemistries and processes is
derived. The user may then review brief
descriptions of the alternatives on the
computer screen. Any of the informa-
tion may be printed. The information
includes general information, safety/
environmental concerns, economic in-
formation, and industrial case studies
for the alternatives. The system also
provides information on state technical
assistance programs for the user's geo-
graphical location.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's National Risk Management
Research Laboratory, Air Pollution Pre-
vention and Control Division, Research
Triangle 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).
Overview
In 1992, the U.S. EPA initiated a pro-
gram to design a computer to assist in the
selection of low-polluting industrial surface
cleaning alternatives. The objective of the
program was to make the identification of
cleaning options simple, yet based on the
latest technical and economic feasibility
information available. This objective could
be most easily accomplished using a com-
puter-based expert system format. The
resulting system, called SAGE (for Sol-
vent Alternatives Guide), uses the speed
and capability of the computer to evaluate
a large number of operating parameters
and conditions to identify the most viable
surface cleaning option for most industrial
cleaning requirements. The SAGE for Win-
dows software joins the family of SAGE
software programs that also includes DOS,
Macintosh, and World Wide Web versions.
The first BETA test version (1.0) of
SAGE was released in May 1993. The
initial versions were DOS based and de-
signed for use by a 286 level personal
computer (PC). Subsequent versions of
the SAGE system have increased its mini-
mum system requirements to a 386 level
PC. Since its release, SAGE has become
one of the most widely used cleaning pro-
cess identification and design tools used
by industry. Over 50,000 copies of the
various PC versions of SAGE have been
released through the various government
bulletin board systems, the World Wide
Web, or distribution of computer disks.
One of the most frequently asked ques-
tions by users of SAGE is when will SAGE
be available in a Windows version? This
effort therefore satisfies the request for a
more user friendly Windows version of the
SAGE system that is called SAGE for
Windows (WSAGE) Version 1.0.
What Is SAGE?
SAGE is not a data base; rather, it is a
PC based expert system that evaluates
the user's present operating scenario, then
identifies possible alternative solvent chem-
istries and processes that best suit the
defined operating and material require-
ments. The system asks for information
concerning the user's existing operation,
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such as: 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
represent the most probable alternate
cleaning chemistries and/or processes. A
full report can be generated by SAGE,
presenting the recommended options and
important technical parameters for imple-
mentation of the option. The report pro-
vides information on environmental
considerations to be taken into account,
regulations that must be addressed when
using each alternative, safety require-
ments, economic considerations, equip-
ment requirements, and other information
that must be considered before implement-
ing the recommended alternatives. Finally,
the report will include examples of case
studies with a similar operating scenario
and requirements.
This version of SAGE has been en-
hanced not only with the conversion to a
Windows format but also with the intro-
duction of preliminary graphic schematics
for some options. Explanations of ques-
tions are included to assist the user in
understanding the scope of the analysis
that SAGE completes when formulating
recommended alternatives. The ability to
use the system as a process design tool
is also improved by allowing changes to
answers about the process and process
requirements without restarting the analy-
sis. This will permit the user to see how
minor changes to the process parameters
will change the potential options. These
represent only a few of the changes to the
system format over previous versions that
enhance its usefulness as a process op-
tion and design tool.
SAGE is designed for use by both tech-
nical and nontechnical individuals ranging
from shop foremen to government regula-
tory agency personnel. The minimum sys-
tem requirements for SAGE for Windows
are a PC, running Windows 3.1 or higher
with at least 8 MB of memory. The WSAGE
directory takes 6 MB of disk space.
The SAGE development program is a
continuing effort with new versions ap-
pearing periodically as new technical de-
velopments are identified and evaluated.
Subsequent versions will incorporate into
the system additional types of surface
cleaning requirements and additional tech-
nical data. Future enhancements will in-
clude a process and facility design
capability, economic and cost projection
capability, and a regulation summation by
state will be incorporated and continually
improved as data are acquired.
While the final selection of a process
alternative must ultimately be made by
the user, the SAGE for Windows version
will provide the user with the information
needed to make that choice. For more
information on SAGE for Windows call the
EPA Control Technology Center at (919)
541-0800.
G.A. Bray and D.L. Franks are with Research Triangle Institute, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Charles H. Darvin is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report consists of paper copy and two diskettes and is entitled
"SAGE for Windows (WSAGE) Version 1.0 Solvent Alternatives Guide, User's
Guide," (Order No. PB97-503130; Cost: $60.00, subject to change). It will be
available only from
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Environmental Research Information
Cincinnati, OH 45268
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT No. G-35
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
EPA/600/SR-97/016
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