39 Recovery Analysis of Domestic Electric Storage Water Heaters
601
39.5 Discussion
Considering the findings of the previous sections, we distinguish the following key
issues for driving remanufacturing of DESWH: (1) improve the design with view on
recovery, (2) encourage good use and maintenance of the product by customers, (3)
promote EoL options for used DESWH.
To address point (1), in Sect. 39.3.2 we provide design suggestions with the aim
to facilitate and improve the remanufacturing processes of used DESWH. These
suggestions can help reduce the recovery costs and thus improve the performance of
the hybrid system. With regard to point (2), we believe that a good way to approach it is
by means of a scheduled maintenance provided by the manufacturer, in order to adjust
or replace the necessary components and warn customers when the DESWH must
be replaced. We note that this is a situation of benefit for customers, manufacturer,
and environment. Customers avoid situations of failures, even dangerous, due to the
malfunction of their DESWH and the manufacturer ensures the supply of returns with
the best possible quality. This also has a positive impact on the environment since
the amount of waste and extraction of raw materials tends to be reduced. Finally,
to address point (3), the manufacturer can provide financial incentives to motivate
customers to return EoL products, such as deposit systems, credit toward a new unit,
or cash (Zhou and Yu 2011).
39.6 Conclusions
This paper presents a recovery analysis of DESWHs based on a research carried out
for an Uruguayan manufacturer. DESWHs are one of the most common devices used
to heat water in households not only of Uruguay but also of many countries around
the world. From the analysis conducted, we can conclude that the storage tank is
the most critical and valuable component of a DESWH. In addition, we note that
the copper storage tanks are more recoverable than steel ones, because they are less
prone to oxidation. As a main result of the recovery analysis, we suggest an inspection
guide for a used DESWH, with the operations needed in order to grade it and thus
determine the adequate recovery route. We note that for grading a used DESWH
as remanufacturable, both the hydraulic and the rust tests must be performed and
complied. In addition, certain design suggestions are provided in order to improve
the remanufacturing process of a used DESWH.
We also present the results of a numerical experimentation carried out for evaluating the impact of recovery options in the current production system of the firm. This
quantitative analysis was performed by means of designing and solving a mathematical model for a hybrid production-remanufacturing system, which involves multiple
items, capacity constraints and inspection of returns with heterogenous quality. From
the results obtained, we can conclude that including recovery options in the current
production system of Rivomark can lead to valuable economic benefits.
601
39.5 Discussion
Considering the findings of the previous sections, we distinguish the following key
issues for driving remanufacturing of DESWH: (1) improve the design with view on
recovery, (2) encourage good use and maintenance of the product by customers, (3)
promote EoL options for used DESWH.
To address point (1), in Sect. 39.3.2 we provide design suggestions with the aim
to facilitate and improve the remanufacturing processes of used DESWH. These
suggestions can help reduce the recovery costs and thus improve the performance of
the hybrid system. With regard to point (2), we believe that a good way to approach it is
by means of a scheduled maintenance provided by the manufacturer, in order to adjust
or replace the necessary components and warn customers when the DESWH must
be replaced. We note that this is a situation of benefit for customers, manufacturer,
and environment. Customers avoid situations of failures, even dangerous, due to the
malfunction of their DESWH and the manufacturer ensures the supply of returns with
the best possible quality. This also has a positive impact on the environment since
the amount of waste and extraction of raw materials tends to be reduced. Finally,
to address point (3), the manufacturer can provide financial incentives to motivate
customers to return EoL products, such as deposit systems, credit toward a new unit,
or cash (Zhou and Yu 2011).
39.6 Conclusions
This paper presents a recovery analysis of DESWHs based on a research carried out
for an Uruguayan manufacturer. DESWHs are one of the most common devices used
to heat water in households not only of Uruguay but also of many countries around
the world. From the analysis conducted, we can conclude that the storage tank is
the most critical and valuable component of a DESWH. In addition, we note that
the copper storage tanks are more recoverable than steel ones, because they are less
prone to oxidation. As a main result of the recovery analysis, we suggest an inspection
guide for a used DESWH, with the operations needed in order to grade it and thus
determine the adequate recovery route. We note that for grading a used DESWH
as remanufacturable, both the hydraulic and the rust tests must be performed and
complied. In addition, certain design suggestions are provided in order to improve
the remanufacturing process of a used DESWH.
We also present the results of a numerical experimentation carried out for evaluating the impact of recovery options in the current production system of the firm. This
quantitative analysis was performed by means of designing and solving a mathematical model for a hybrid production-remanufacturing system, which involves multiple
items, capacity constraints and inspection of returns with heterogenous quality. From
the results obtained, we can conclude that including recovery options in the current
production system of Rivomark can lead to valuable economic benefits.