United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
National Risk Management
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-97/017 September 1997
for
10
G.A. Bray and D.L. Franke
The guide provides instructions for
using the Solvent Alternatives Guide
(SAGE) for Macintosh, Version 1.0. The
guide assumes that the user is familiar
with the fundamentals of operating a
Macintosh personal computer under the
System 7.0 (or higher) operating sys-
tem.
SAGE for Macintosh provides rec-
ommendations for solvent replace-
ments in cleaning and degreasing
operations. The system leads the user
through a questions-and-answer ses-
sion. Based on the user's responses, a
list of alternative chemistries and pro-
cesses is derived. The user may then
review brief descriptions of the alter-
natives on the computer screen. Any
of the information may be printed. The
information includes general informa-
tion, safety/environmental concerns,
economic information, and industrial
case studies for the alternatives. The
system also provides information on
state technical assistance programs for
the user's geographical 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-aided system
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 eco-
nomic feasibility information available. This
objective could be most easily accom-
plished using a computer-based expert
system format. The resulting system, called
SAGE (for Solvent Alternatives Guide),
uses the speed and capability of the com-
puter to evaluate a large number of oper-
ating parameters and conditions to identify
the most viable surface cleaning option
for most industrial cleaning requirements.
The SAGE for Macintosh software joins
the family of SAGE software programs
that also includes DOS, Windows, and
World Wide Web versions.
The first BETA test version (1.0) of
SAGE was released in May 1993. Since
its release, SAGE has become one of the
most widely used cleaning process identi-
fication and design tools used by industry.
Over 50,000 copies of the PC versions of
SAGE have been released through the
government bulletin board systems, the
World Wide Web, or distribution of com-
puter disks. One of the most frequently
asked questions by potential users of
SAGE is when will SAGE be available in
a Macintosh version? This effort therefore
satisfies the request for a Macintosh and
user friendly version of the SAGE system
that is called SAGE for Macintosh
(MSAGE) 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,
such as: part size, present processing
chemistry, part cost, production rate, and
contaminants (or soils). Based on the an-
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swers provided, a limited number of rec-
ommended options are shown that repre-
sent the most probable alternative cleaning
chemistries and/or processes. A full re-
port can be generated by SAGE, present-
ing 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
Macintosh but also with the introduction of
preliminary graphic schematics for some
options. Explanations of questions are in-
cluded to assist the user in understanding
the scope of the analysis that SAGE com-
pletes when formulating recommended al-
ternatives. 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 with-
out restarting the analysis. This will permit
the user to see how minor changes to the
process parameters will change the po-
tential options. These represent only a
few of the changes to the system format
over previous versions that enhance its
usefulness as a process option and de-
sign 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 MSAGE are a
Macintosh running System 7.5 with suffi-
cient memory to allow 2 MB for the SAGE
Macintosh program.
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.
While the final selection of a process
alternative must ultimately be made by
the user, the Macintosh version of SAGE
will provide the user with the information
needed to make that choice. For more
information on SAGE for Macintosh, 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 one diskettes and is entitled
"SAGE for Macintosh (MSAGE) Version 1.0 Solvent Alternatives Guide, User's
Guide," (Order No. PB97-503148; 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-97/017
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