Assignment# 02 Environmental Engineering

Table of Contents

Environmental impact assessment: ................................................................................................. 2

Impact of Iso-Propyl Benzene Production Plant on Water: ............................................................ 2

Reference: ....................................................................................................................................... 4

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Assignment# 02 Environmental Engineering

Environmental impact assessment:

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is commonly described as an assessment of the

impact of planned activities on the environment, including impacts on biodiversity, vegetation
and ecology, water, and air. An EIA can be seen as a process of identifying, predicting, and
evaluating the likely environmental, socioeconomic, cultural and other impacts of a proposed
project or development to define mitigation actions—not only to reduce negative impacts but
also provide positive contributions to the natural environment and well-being.

Essentially, an EIA is designed to identify the potential risks of a project (e.g., infrastructure
development such as a dam) to environmental and human well-being and identify measures to
eliminate and/or mitigate these risks. This can be done by replacing and/or modifying planned
activities to reduce impacts. In this context, an EIA can be seen as an information-gathering
activity by the project lead to outline (and if possible quantify) the risks, impacts and mitigation
actions built into the project’s whole lifecycle from design to closure so that decision makers are
fully informed when approving the project.

Impact of Iso-Propyl Benzene Production Plant on Water:

The Iso-Propyl Benzene synthesis process, like any other chemical process, contains health and
environmental implications. The protection of workers from chemical exposure is a critical
consideration in the design of any facility. Benzene, Iso-Propyl Benzene, DIPB, propylene, and
water as a coolant are among the chemicals used in this process. At different stages of the
process, each of these compounds is subjected to high and low temperatures and pressures. At
normal temperature and pressure, benzene, Iso-Propyl Benzene, and DIPB are all volatile liquids,
but propylene is a gas. All molecules are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and
there are many legislative restrictions in place to limit the amount of VOCs produced by
chemical facilities.

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Assignment# 02 Environmental Engineering

1) This technique predominantly uses propylene as a reactant. It's most abundant before the
reactor, but it's absent from any stream downstream of it. Propylene has health effects
that are similar to the CNS depression found in high levels of propane, but they are not as
severe. Reduced oxygen concentrations can lead to asphyxia at high concentrations.
Propylene is an odorless, colorless, and heavier-than-air gas. Propylene has a low
environmental impact, is highly volatile in water leaks, and has a half-life of 26 days in
the atmosphere.
2) Another reactant identified in the Iso-Propyl Benzene manufacturing process is benzene.
However, because benzene is recycled, it can be detected in practically every stream in
this process. At room temperature, benzene is heavier than propylene and prefers to exist
as a volatile liquid. The liquid form of benzene is transparent, although it has a sweet
odor and is only mildly soluble in water. Toxicity to benzene can cause a variety of
health problems. High quantities of gas phase benzene have been proven to cause
immediate CNS depression and aberrant heart rhythm, which can lead to ventricular
fibrillation or suffocation. Ingesting benzene can produce irritation in the intestines,
causing vomiting. Long-term exposure to benzene can cause bone marrow destruction,
which can lead to hematological issues including leukemia, as well as acting as an
immunosuppressant. Benzene has a half-life of 17 days in the atmosphere and has been
proven to generate certain ozone molecules (although at rather low quantities). If benzene
is released into the soil or water, it can cause poisoning in animals, as well as
reproductive issues.

3) Iso-Propyl Benzene is the primary product fashioned in this chemical technique. The
highest concentrations of Iso-Propyl Benzene are found after the reactor and downstream
inside the separation procedures. Iso-Propyl Benzene exists as a risky liquid at room
temperatures and pressures. As a fuel, Iso-Propyl Benzene can act as a CNS depressant
much like benzene, and may achieve this at lower concentrations. There is some
indication of strange cardiac rhythms with Iso-Propyl Benzene exposure. The long term
effects Iso-Propyl Benzene are in large part unknown, but do now not appear to be as
poisonous as benzene considering the fact that Iso-Propyl Benzene is comfortably
metabolized inside the frame.

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Assignment# 02 Environmental Engineering

Long term exposure in employees indicates a few proof of altered bilirubin and liver
enzymes, indicating probably hepatic damage. Long time period exposure also mimics
bone marrow and hematological harm observed in benzene. Iso-Propyl Benzene may also
barely irritate the eyes and pores and skin. Atmospheric release of Iso-Propyl Benzene
has an approximate 1/2-life of one.5 hours and does not seem to noticeably affect ozone
tiers. Iso-Propyl Benzene shows no indication of damage in environmental existence at
low concentrations and volatizes in water.

Iso-Propyl Benzene that is released into water is predicted to adsorb to suspended solids
and sediment. It is removed from water and water surfaces by volatilization (half-lives of
1.2 hours in a model river and 4.4 days in a model lake) and degradation by hydroxyl
radicals (estimated half-life, 107 days). Cumene may also be removed by aerobic
biodegradation.

4) Di-isopropyl benzene (DIPB) is byproduct produced in this system. It isn't produced in

high portions relative to Iso-Propyl Benzene and is handiest found in high concentrations
downstream inside the separation manner. DIPB, like Iso-Propyl Benzene, exists as
unstable liquid and isn't soluble in water. DIPB impacts people similarly to all different
compounds on this procedure in that it acts as a CNS depressant at high ranges. Lower
stage exposure can result in burns on the skin and within the respiratory tract. Effects of
long time exposure remain largely unknown; however have been shown to cause bone
marrow damage and subsequent hematological results consisting of leukemia and
anemia. DIPB does not display any indication of harm closer to environmental existence.
DIPB additionally volatizes in water and is a VOC with a 1/2-existence of 30 days.

Reference:
 https://tristangrieves.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/2/3/61237189/systemdesignfinalreport.pdf
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK373179/