AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

A first knowledge of environmentally preferable approaches to the design and operation of the chemical processes.

A sufficient awareness of the main environmental issues not only within the context of chemical production but also during other stages of a chemical’s life cycle.

This class contributes to the achievement of the following 2030 ONU Agenda sustainability Goals:

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

oal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

PREREQUISITES

Fundamental principles of: physical chemistry; mass and heat transfer; unit operations; environmental issues and regulations.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

An introduction to environmental issues

The evolution of the approach: from end-of-pipe to pollution prevention

Sustainable development

Green Chemistry and Sustainable Chemistry: definition and aims

Evaluating the environmental impact of a product (structure-properties relationships, environmental persistence, environmental fate, exposure pathways)

Life-cycle assessment (definition, methodology, uses)

Green Chemistry guidelines: feedstocks, solvents, catalysts, synthesis pathways

Designing safer chemicals: (Q)SARs

Unit operations and pollution prevention

Evaluating the environmental performance of a process

Process Intensification.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

D.T. Allen and D.R Shonnard: Green Engineering - Environmentally Conscious Design of Chemical Processes, Prentice Hall PTR