Towards Sustainable Chemical Processes

Applications of Sustainability Assessment and Analysis, Design and Optimization, and Hybridization and Modularization

Jingzheng Ren, Yufei Wang, Chang He

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780128183762
• eBook ISBN: 9780128189344
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Towards Sustainable Chemical Processes describes a comprehensive framework for sustainability assessment, design and the processes optimization of chemical engineering. Beginning with the analysis and assessment in the early stage of chemical products' initiating, this book focuses on the combination of science sustainability and process system engineering, involving mathematical models, industrial ecology, circular economy, energy planning, process integration and sustainability engineering.All chapters throughout answered two fundamental questions in depth: (1) what tools and models are available to be used to assess and design sustainable chemical processes, (2) what the core theories and concepts are to get into the sustainable chemical process fields. Therefore, Towards Sustainable Chemical Processes is an indispensable guide for chemical engineers, researchers, students, practitioners and consultants in sustainability related area.- Provides innovative, novel and comprehensive methods and models for sustainability assessment, design and optimization, and synthesis and integration of chemical engineering processes- Combines sustainability science with process system engineering- Integrates mathematical models, industrial ecology, circular economy, energy planning, process integration and sustainability engineering- Includes new case studies related to renewable energy, resource management, process synthesis and process integration

Part 1

Sustainability assessment and analysis

1

Sustainability assessment for chemical product and process design during early design stages

Paulo César Narváez Rincón^a; Juliana Serna^a; Álvaro Orjuela^a; Mauricio Camargo^{b a} Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Ambiental, Grupo de Procesos Químicos y Bioquímicos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
^b Equipe de Recherche des Processus Innovatifs, ERPI-ENSGSI, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France

Abstract

Nowadays, the importance of reaching sustainable production and consumption is broadly and globally recognized. Considering the chemical sector, a major challenge to incorporate a sustainability approach for product/process design is its inherent complexity. This is more difficult at early design stages when information is scarce, uncertainty is high, and the effects of decisions are huge. Considering this, the chapter presents a decision-making methodology applicable to the sustainable design of chemical products and processes at early design stages. The methodology proposes the use of indicators to assess the design alternatives on the three sustainability dimensions. Most of the proposed indicators were calculated based upon the H statements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, which are available and easy to calculate. The incorporation of assessments is done based on Multicriteria Decision Analysis methods. The proposed methodology can become a rapid conceptual design tool for systematic decision-making at the early stages of product/process synthesis. The following sections explain the steps of the decision methodology, which are (1) problem definition, (2) assessment of alternatives, (3) integration of assessments and (4) final decision. Additionally, the methodology is exemplified through two case studies: the selection of a chemical route to produce glyceryl monostearate, and the selection of a formulation for a cosmetic application.

Keywords

Sustainability assessment; Chemical product and process design; Early design stages; Multicriteria decision analysis; Sustainability indicators; Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS)

1 Introduction

Nowadays, the importance of reaching sustainable production and consumption is broadly and globally recognized. This is reflected in the United Nations’ statement on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the year 2030 (2015a). In view of this, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has published a specific roadmap to help the chemical sector undertake actions to contribute to the SDG agenda (WBCSD, 2018). Many chemical industry organizations have also manifested their active support for fulfilling the SDGs. For example, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) has pr...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• Part 1: Sustainability assessment and analysis
• Part 2: Sustainability design and optimization
• Part 3: Sustainable manufacturing via hybridization and modularization
• Author Index
• Subject Index