Understanding the Software Options

Solids Environmental Processing Manager
Practice Green
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers have countless opportunities
to apply their talents to environmentally related improvements,
specifically in R&D, plant design and operations
C. Delia Contreras
and Fabio Bravo
Specialists in plant design
and operation
Almost by definition, chemical engineering
is a “green” discipline
today, as it so often involves efforts
to optimize chemical processes
in order to reduce the amount of
energy and raw materials that are used
and the amount of waste that is generated.
Today everybody “talks green” but
in a lot of cases engineers are the most
qualified people to provide the tools required
to make complex chemical processes
more environmentally sustainable.
In fact, many types of engineers — but
chemical engineers, in particular — are
in an ideal position to develop solutions
for some of today’s most important problems,
including all types of air pollution,
CO 2 emissions, carbon capture and storage,
improved renewable energy sources,
improved food production, sustainable
water supply and wastewater treatment,
quick and economic mass production of
vaccines and drugs, complex issues related
to global warming 1 and so on.
1. It is understood that the concept of global
warming is not universally accepted and this
article does not intend to address either side of
that argument.
If not properly addressed, these issues
will become even more critical, as
economic growth and demographic expansion
invariably leads to increased
consumption of fuel and natural
resources and to increased production
of waste streams. “Being green”
has always been part of the
chemical engineering profession —
although in the past, such activities
were not necessarily called green
or sustainable.
So-called “green practices” are often
considered to be expensive or unaffordable,
prompting some process
operators to do just what is required
to comply with the minimum legal
requirements. This type of thinking
is not only outdated but shortsighted,
as well. Today, it is increasingly recognized
that green practices and
economic profits are related. Technically
strong and innovative teams are
needed to capitalize on the opportunities
to link environmentally related
activities with bottom-line profitability.
Today, it’s widely recognized that
improvements such as reduction of energy
and raw material consumption,
minimization of waste production and
increased process yields are critical to
increase a facility’s overall economic
profitability. There are tremendous
opportunities for technically strong
and innovative chemical engineers to
bring their expertise and ingenuity to
bear in green endeavors, in chemical
engineering roles ranging from R&D
to process design and operation. A
key driver for becoming greener has
to do with the so-called “three key
Ps”: planet, people and profits. This
article discusses some of the opportunities
that are available for chemical
engineers to lead the charge in
green engineering.
Why green?
Being green is about taking care of the
planet, which is in the best interest of
every person regardless of profession.
But, considering the special training
that chemical engineers receive, it is
especially applicable to members of
our profession. Today, no company has
much choice when it comes to taking
care of the environment or investigating
ways to operate in a more environmentally
sustainable way.
It is not only a matter of compliance
with regulations but a matter of responding
to the demands and expectations
of customers, employees, com-
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