Green Chemistry and Engineering
Containing expert advice from scientists around the world, this book describes both the science (theory) and engineering (application) principles of Green Chemistry that lead to the generation of less waste.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Green Chemistry and Engineering
Chapter 10: Conclusions and Future Trends
Chemists, engineers, and biochemists who strive to achieve green and sustainable development face several challenges and focus areas. The magic word appears to be "reduce". Reductions of waste, raw material, energy, solvent, cost, risk, and product usage contribute to sustainable development (see Fig. 10.1).
Energy
Petroleum-based substances are in everything from lipstick to laundry detergents, clothes to computers to chocolate bars even fertilizers and pharmaceuticals. In the 1950s and 1960s, humans accepted that petroleum would remain forever. But now the picture is very clear, and we know that we have to look for renewable and less polluting energy sources for our sustenance and growth. Peak petroleum production will happen in about 10 to 15 years, and the production will decrease unless new sources of petroleum are discovered. Designers of new energy sources should keep the following issues in mind:
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How much pollution do the new energy sources create?
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Are they renewable sources?
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What is the cost of the energy produced?
All these points need to be addressed to attain sustainable energy. The European Union has set an objective to obtain 14% of its energy supply from sustainable sources by the year 2010. The need to design substances and materials that are (1) effective, (2) efficient, and (3) inexpensive to capture, store, and transport to different locations is a major challenge. Although there is plenty of talk about hydrogen being an effective renewable energy, the challenges of its storage and transport have yet to be solved. Compressing hydrogen to 10,000 psi requires...
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