UNMSM/FQIQ/EPIQ/DAADP/INGLÉS TÉCNICO/EF8/2020-I

Sustainability in Chemical Engineering Design

7.1 Introduction
Sustainability can be defined as a dynamic equilibrium in the process of interaction between a
population and the carrying capacity of its environment such that the population develops to express
its full potential without producing irreversible, adverse effects on the carrying capacity of the
environment upon which it depends (Ben-Eli, 2015) [116]. This definition highlights economic, social
and the environmental objectives of sustainability development.
It has been discovered that a delicate balance of solar energy distribution between the atmosphere
and the planet sustains life on Earth. This balance is facilitated by the so-called “greenhouse gases”
(GHGs) – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NOx) and so on, which, although existing
as traces in the atmosphere (current level of CO 2 is 380 ppm), are believed to be responsible for
global warming (Hatziavramidis, 2011) [117]. Annual global CO 2 emissions as a result of fossil fuel
consumption and flaring were estimated at 6320 million metric tons carbon equivalent. Increased
levels of the GHGs, particularly, CO2 (from industrial emissions) leads to climate change, which alters
an inherent ecosystem. An ecological system is a community of living things interacting with each
other, and also with their non-living environments. Disruption of an ecosystem can lead to extreme
weather conditions (rising temperatures), rising of the sea levels (as glaciers melt), erosion of soil (as
the trees are used up), increasing shortage of fresh water (alteration of soil and water quality),
adverse health effects (arising from pollution), alteration of biodiversity, and so on. Resources are
finite and under pressure for exploitation. Currently, more than a billion people do not have adequate
access to fresh (clean) water.
Sustainability in chemical engineering terms involves designing economically viable processes and
products that utilize as little of non-renewable materials as possible, while at the same time
minimizing emissions of substances that affect the balance of the ecosystem.
Sustainability in chemical engineering design is a design activity done such that the designed process,
product or outcome would be profitable without harm to life, the environment and values of the
society. It also involves searching for a whole new solution, or new inherently safer process in a
situation where the existing technology cannot be said to be sustainable. Existing technology can
become sustainable by making it more energy and resource efficient (example, through plant
retrofits). The three key sustainability objectives—economy, social and the environment—are
variable design constraints that push against each other, the most appropriate level of which needs
to be determined. While economic and social values require maximization, impact to the environment
would need to be minimized in every case. Looking at these three aspects of sustainability, one would
notice that they are not new constraints when it comes to a typical chemical engineering design
consideration. However, nowadays, sustainability is being viewed as an additional constraint that
needs to be integrated into design because of the rising global impact of industrial emissions to the
environment and the increasing consumption of non-renewable natural resources.
Any venture or design that is not economically viable cannot be said to be sustainable. Equally, any
profitable enterprise that impacts the environment and the consumer is not sustainable. For example,
there is an increasing pressure on the need to completely discontinue the use of nuclear reactors as a
means of energy generation due to their potential danger to people and their environment. Similarly,
society is seeking alternatives to energy generation from petroleum and coal due to its impact on air
quality, health and its contribution to fossil fuel depletion. Also, hydrogen power generation system
can affect the ecosystem. These technologies are profitable and are presently sustaining humanity’s
needs; consequently, from the economic point of view they are sustainable human endeavors. What
this entails is that hence, there is a need to push research further to find out how to improve these
technologies by lowering their impact to the environment, social and natural resources and/or
inventing alternative technologies that will satisfy the three main constraints at any point in time.
Several sustainability literatures reviewed indicate that emphasis on this subject includes searching
for the alternative to the use of non-renewable materials; how to reduce the use of finite materials
(including efficient use/consumption and reuse of energy, products and services), how to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; how to improve manufacturing processes, and how to reduce the
impact of chemical process and systems on safety of life.
1. (10 points) Translate to Spanish the highlighted text

La sostenibilidad en el diseño de ingeniería química es una actividad de diseño realizada de

manera que el proceso, producto o resultado diseñado sea rentable sin dañar la vida, el medio
ambiente y los valores de la sociedad. También implica buscar una solución completamente nueva
o un proceso inherentemente más seguro en una situación en la que no se puede decir que la
tecnología existente sea sostenible. La tecnología existente puede volverse sostenible
haciéndola más eficiente en cuanto a energía y recursos (por ejemplo, mediante la
modernización de plantas). Los tres objetivos clave de sostenibilidad —económico, social y
medioambiental— son limitaciones de diseño variables que se oponen entre sí, cuyo nivel más
apropiado debe determinarse. Si bien los valores económicos y sociales requieren la
maximización, el impacto en el medio ambiente debería minimizarse en todos los casos. Al
observar estos tres aspectos de la sostenibilidad, uno se daría cuenta de que no son limitaciones
nuevas cuando se trata de una consideración típica de diseño de ingeniería química. Sin embargo,
hoy en día, la sostenibilidad se considera una restricción adicional que debe integrarse en el
diseño debido al creciente impacto global de las emisiones industriales al medio ambiente y al
creciente consumo de recursos naturales no renovables.

Cualquier proyecto o diseño que no sea económicamente viable no puede decirse que sea
sostenible. Del mismo modo, cualquier empresa rentable que afecte al medio ambiente y al
consumidor no es sostenible. Por ejemplo, existe una presión cada vez mayor sobre la necesidad
de interrumpir por completo el uso de reactores nucleares como medio de generación de energía
debido a su peligro potencial para las personas y su medio ambiente. De manera similar, la
sociedad busca alternativas a la generación de energía a partir del petróleo y el carbón debido a
su impacto en la calidad del aire, la salud y su contribución al agotamiento de los combustibles
fósiles. Además, el sistema de generación de energía de hidrógeno puede afectar el ecosistema.
Estas tecnologías son rentables y actualmente sustentan las necesidades de la humanidad; en
consecuencia, desde el punto de vista económico son esfuerzos humanos sostenibles. Lo que esto
implica es que, por lo tanto, es necesario impulsar aún más la investigación para descubrir cómo
mejorar estas tecnologías reduciendo su impacto en el medio ambiente, los recursos sociales y
naturales y / o inventando tecnologías alternativas que satisfagan las tres limitaciones
principales en cualquier momento. Varias publicaciones sobre sostenibilidad revisadas indican
que el énfasis en este tema incluye la búsqueda de alternativas al uso de materiales no
renovables; cómo reducir el uso de materiales finitos (incluido el uso / consumo eficiente y la
reutilización de energía, productos y servicios), cómo reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto
invernadero (GEI); cómo mejorar los procesos de fabricación y cómo reducir el impacto de los
procesos químicos y sistemas en la seguridad de la vida.

Read the text and response in English:

2. (2,5 points) Why are greenhouse gases important?

Because they are believed to be responsible for global warming, in addition, increase levels of
these gases leads to climate change and alters ecosystems.

3. (2,5 points) What does the term sustainability involve in chemical engineering?
Sustainability in chemical engineering terms involves designing economically viable processes and
products that utilize as little of non-renewable materials as possible, while at the same time
minimizing emissions of substances that affect the balance of the ecosystem.

4. (2,5 points) What do the social and economic terms and environmental impact
require?
These are variable design constraints that push against each other, the most appropriate level
 of which needs to be determined. While economic and social values require maximization, impact
to the environment would need to be minimized in every case.

5. (2,5 points) What options are being sought to avoid the impact on the environment?
Push research further to find out how to improve the technologies by lowering their impact to
the environment. Look for alternative to the use of non-renewable materials; how to reduce the
use of finite materials (including efficient use/consumption and reuse of energy, products and
services), how to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; how to improve manufacturing
processes, and how to reduce the impact of chemical process and systems on safety of life.