The goal of this project was to maximize the net present value of the waste stream from recycling copper wire at National Grid’s Investment Recovery Facility. The methods used included lean manufacturing, axiomatic design, and cost benefit analysis. The results showed that the residual “fluff” consisting of rubber and lead could be recovered via electrostatic separator and then sold on the rubber commodity market. The cost analysis suggests that purchasing an electrostatic sorter and selling the treated insulation could result in a cumulative savings of a potential $800,000 over the next ten years.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Murphy, Alexander Martin
• Reardon, Connor Joseph

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121317-172003

Advisor

• Towner, Walter Thomas
• Vassallo, Helen G.

Year

• 2017

Sponsor

• National Grid USA Service Company, Inc

Date created

• 2017-12-13

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Management Engineering
• Management

Rights statement

• In Copyright