Chapter 1 (Intro to Sustainability and Sustainable Engineering) Flashcards
What were the disadvantages of cleanup technologies or end-of-the-pipe treatment before the 1980s
-Potential incidental releases due to
malfunctioning of treatment facilities;
-Risks and liabilities to human beings and
environment caused by incidental releases and
leakage from waste disposal.
What does waste minimization and pollution prevention mean? What types of methods are included in these efforts?
-Means to avoid and/or eliminate the source of
waste and to reduce the risk to human beings
and the environment.
-Includes source reduction and in-process
recycling.
What are the components of the scope of pollution prevention covered in CHBE 370
-Source reduction
-In-process recyling
-On-site recycling
-Off-site recycling
-On-site treatment
-Off-site treatment
-Secure disposal
What are examples of activities in pollution prevention?
-Materials or feedstock substitution
-Product design or reformulation
-Equipment or process modifications
-Spill and leak prevention
-On-site reuse, recycling or recovery (3R)
-Improved inventory management or
purchasing techniques
-Good operating practices or training
What does industrial ecology examine?
Industrial ecology examines the patterns of energy and materials of a
product or an industrial system (plants, industrial
complexes or communities) with the objective of
prevention or minimization of waste generation.
What does industrial ecology offer?
The field offers a systematic view of industrial operations
and transform industrial systems as close as
possible to a closed-loop model.
What is the benefit of ecological industrial parks?
They enhance economical and environmental
performances by the optimal integration of
mass-energy-information flows in industries.
What is green chemistry?
A field that carries out chemical activities including
chemical design, manufacture, use and disposal –
such that hazardous substances will not be used
and generated.
What is the green chemistry principle of “prevention of waste” about?
It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed.
What is green engineering?
The design,
commercialization and
use of processes and
products, which are
feasible and economical
while minimizing impact
on ecosystems over the
full life cycle.
What is developed following green engineering principles
Clean technologies
What are the benefits of clean technologies
-Uses less resources and causes less environmental damage and is economically competitive.
-They go beyond the pollution prevention and cleaner
production because it recognizes that the product
itself can be the environmental problem.
What is ecological footprint?
Ecological footprint is an estimate of the area of the earth’s
surface which we would need to provide the materials and energy
which we use without drawing on non-renewable resources.
What are the major challenges for sustainable development (World Bank)?
- Potential climate change due to CO2 and other
greenhouse gases;
-Degradation of air, water and land in industrialized
areas;
-Depletion of natural resources, including fresh water,
biomass and minerals;
-Loss of agricultural land due to deforestation and soil
erosion;
-Threatened wildlife habitats, including forests, reefs,
and wetlands;
-Lack of potable water for approximately 1.5 billion people;
-Unsanitary urban conditions (over 2 billion people lack
access to sewers);
-Proliferation of both viral and bacterial infectious diseases;
-Increasing resource needs due to population growth (~90
million per year);
-Social disintegration resulting from displacement of
traditional lifestyles;
-Growing income gaps between rich and poor strata of
society;
-Lack of primary education for about 140 million children
worldwide;
-Extreme poverty (about 3 billion people, or roughly half the
world’s population, are estimated to earn under US$2 per
day).
What is the traditional domain of engineering?
Efficiency
What does equity mean?
Ensuring a better
quality of life for
everyone, now and for
generations to come
What are the three dimensions of sustainability?
- Ecology
- Technology & Economics
- Society
What should all engineering fields do when it comes to sustainability?
All engineering fields should incorporate sustainability
into their practice in order to improve the quality of life
for all.
What is sustainable engineering?
Sustainable engineering is the process of
designing or operating systems such that they use energy
and resources sustainably, meaning that it doesn’t compromise the environment or deplete the materials for future generations.
What types of interactions does sustainable engineering examine?
Sustainable engineering looks at the interactions between
technical, ecological, economic and social aspects
What area of sustainability is part of the microscale Multiscale and Multidisciplinary approaches for sustainability?
Green chemistry
Which occupations fit the microscale and mesoscale for Multiscale and Multidisciplinary approaches of sustainability?
Microscale: Chemists
Mesoscale: Engineers
Which occupations fit the multiscale and multidisciplinary approaches of the macroscale for the sustainability scale?
-Systems Engineers
-Environmental Engineers
-Ecological Scientists
-Social Scientists
-Government Officials
Which occupations fit the global scale for sustainability?
-Planners
-Economists
-Lawyers
-Government Officials
What are engineers used to doing on a techno-economical scale?:
Engineers used to make their engineering decisions on
choosing the “best” technology based on both technical
and economical considerations, with the objective of
providing a social benefit and profit
What are new roles for engineers when it comes to sustainable decision-making on an ecological scale?
NEW ENGINEERS need to think about optimizing the
human benefit to be obtained from the materials and
energy available to the planet.
What are new roles for engineers when it comes to sustainable decision-making on a societal level?
NEW ENGINEERS need to question the broader
impacts of a development on, for example, availability
of employment or distribution of wealth (Society).
When and how did the environmental movement start?
Started in the 1960s with a book written by Rachel Carson called the “Silent Spring”
What is “Silent Spring”
A book written by Rachel Carson that criticized the use of DDT because it disturbed ecosystems and damaged the natural environment.
What does DDT do?
It eliminates pesticides and insects.
When was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established?
In 1970.
What methods are part of the scope of pollution prevention specifically in Canada?
-Source reduction
-In-process recycling
-On-site recycling
What is the green chemistry principle of “atom economy” about?
Synthetic methods should maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product.
What is the green chemistry principle of “synthetic methodologies” about?
Synthetic methodologies should be designed to use and generate non-toxic or low-toxicity substances wherever practicable.
What is the green chemistry principle of “toxicity reduction” about?
Chemical products should be designed to preserve the efficiency of function while reducing toxicity.
What is the green chemistry principle of “Minimizing Auxiliary Substances” about?
Using auxiliary substances (e.g. solvents, separation agents, etc) should be made unnecessary wherever possible and, innocuous when used.
What is the green chemistry principle of “energy requirements” about?
Energy requirements should be recognized for their environmental and economic impacts and should be minimized. Synthetic methods should be conducted at ambient temperature and pressure.
What is the green chemistry principle of “renewable feedstock” about?
A raw material of feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting wherever technically and economically practicable.
What is the green chemistry principle of “minimizing derivatization” about?
Unnecessary derivatization (blocking group,
protection/de-protection, temporary modification of
physical/chemical processes) should be avoided
whenever possible.
What is the green chemistry principle of “catalytic reagents” about?
Catalytic reagents (as selective as possible) are
superior to stoichiometric reagents.
What is the green chemistry principle of “biodegradability” about?
Chemical products should be designed so that at the
end of their function they do not persist in the
environment and break down into innocuous
degradation products.
What is the green chemistry principle of “analytical methodologies about”?
Analytical methodologies need to be further
developed to allow for real-time, in-process
monitoring and control prior to the formation of
hazardous substances.
What is the green chemistry principle of “process safety considerations” about?
Substances and the form of a substance used in a
chemical process should be chosen to minimize
the risk of chemical accidents (Ex. releases, explosions and fires).
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “systems analysis”?
Engineer processes and products holistically,
use systems analysis, and integrate
environmental impact assessment tools
What is the sustainable engineering principle of ecosystem conservation?
Conserve and improve natural ecosystems
while protecting human health and well-being
What is the sustainable engineering principle of life cycle thinking?
Use life cycle thinking in all engineering
activities
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “material and energy input and outputs”?
Ensure that all material and energy inputs and outputs are as inherently safe and benign as
possible.
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “natural resources”?
Minimize depletion of natural resources
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “waste prevention”?
Strive to prevent wastes
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “cultural awareness”?
Develop and apply engineering solutions, while
being cognizant of local geography, aspirations
and cultures
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “engineering solutions”?
Create engineering solutions beyond-current or
dominant technologies
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “technological innovation”?
Improve, innovate and invent technologies to
achieve sustainability
What is the sustainable engineering principle of “community engagement”?
Actively engage communities and stakeholders
in development of engineering solutions.
What is sustainable development?
Industrial progress
that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs
What is efficiency constrained by?
-scientific laws including
thermodynamics
-technological ingenuity
-efficiency within the
existing economic system
What are examples of environmental constraints imposed by the planet?:
-Resource
availability
-Capacity to
absorb emissions
