Sustainability in the Chemical Industry Grand Challenges and Research Needs (2006) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
4. Addressing the Energy Intensity of the Chemical and Allied Process Industry
4. Addressing the Energy Intensity of the Chemical and Allied Process Industry
Pages 54-66
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 54... ...
energy use constitutes about 24 percent of the global consumption of energy, 88 percent of which is derived from fossil fuels (petroleum, coal, and natural gas combined) .2 Industrial activity accounts for 33 percent of all the energy (fossil fuels, electricity, etc.)
|
From page 55... ...
Indeed, there are numerous examples of real gains made by the chemical industry in addressing the high energy intensity. One company has publicly reported5 achievements of more than 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency in a ten year period from 1994 to 2004.
|
From page 56... ...
· Continually reduce the energy intensity of the CPI towards practical minimum levels, with the obvious benefit of reducing the cost to manufacture · Reduce dependence on the increasingly costly and unreliable supply of fossil fuels · Allow the greater use of renewable energy resources, including solar energy and biomass-derived energy · Reduce the environmental impact by decreasing carbon emissions OPPORTUNITIES FOR R&D One area of opportunity for research and development in sustainability for the chemical industry has to do with improving energy efficiency and reducing the energy intensity of the CPI. Well known endeavors towards reduction of energy intensity involve continuous improvements and optimization of existing processes and operating practices, heat recovery and heat integration methods (including co-generation of electric power and steam)
|
From page 57... ...
A few of these ideas are presented below, and note the research challenges to be addressed. Energy Efficient Separations Chemical processes typically include one or more energy intensive separation steps.
|
From page 58... ...
However, there are significant technical challenges that currently limit the use of these alternative separation processes and that must be overcome to realize significant reductions in the energy intensity of the CPI. Membrane Separations Membranes are increasingly being used in separation processes and novel synthetic processes.10 As pointed out by William Koros during the workshop,11 membranes have the greatest potential for low energy intensity processing, but they are the least technologically mature of large scale separations.
|
From page 59... ...
Thus, the primary research challenges that exist are: · Developing and identifying solvents that give the appropriate selectivity and partition coefficients, without significant loss of the solvent to the raffinate12 · Developing and identifying solvents with lower toxicity Separation and Recovery of Components from Dilute Aqueous Solutions Separation of valuable components and waste products from dilute solutions is a particularly challenging separations problem that warrants special attention. Removing contaminants from wastewaters is vitally important, as is the recovery of products from fermentation broths.
|
From page 60... ...
Biocatalysis16 through use of enzymes was highlighted in the workshop as a promising approach to reducing the energy intensity of the CPI, and as a way of creating innovative solutions to fuel growth for future generations without the environmental insult (also see discussion in Chapter 3 on "Technologies for Converting Biomass into Chemical Feedstocks")
|
From page 61... ...
The chemical industry has steadily increased its cogeneration capacity over the years, more than doubling between 1985 and 1998 -- providing about 20 percent of the net demand for electricity in for the CPI in 1998.19 Optimization of production of chemical feedstocks, power production and efficient heat recovery will continue to be needed regardless of the sources of energy. Lubrication A vast amount of the energy used by modern societies is wasted as a result of unproductive friction in internal combustion and aircraft engines, gears, cams, seals and bearings.
|
From page 62... ...
Major research challenges include: · Development of a fundamental understanding of how lubrication works to allow design and selection of compounds and mixtures with the appropriate properties · Development of more stable, higher temperature lubricants Solar and Other Non-Fossil Fuel Sources of Energy While reduction in energy intensity and improvements in energy efficiency of using fossil fuels in the short term are absolutely vital for the sustainability of the CPI, eventually the CPI must look to alternative and renewable feedstocks and energy sources. These may include landfill gas, wind, and solar energy.
|
From page 63... ...
Thus, developing technology and strategies for effective carbon management is a key to sustainability of not just the CPI, but life on earth in general. Current estimates for the energy required for CO2 recovery from flue gas by amine scrubbing, pressurization, and re-injection into geological formations varies from about 13-25 percent of the energy value of the 23Pacalal, S
|
From page 64... ...
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Reducing the energy intensity of the CPI is an absolutely vital component in ensuring the sustainability of the chemical and allied industries. Continued reliance on fossil fuels can be anticipated, with eventual conversion from less abundant oil and natural gas to more abundant coal.
|
From page 65... ...
Biotechnological and other emerging technological solutions need to be explored to reduce the energy intensity of the CPI. In contrast to the typical catalysts in chemical reactions that require high temperatures and pressures while offering low selectivity, biocatalytic approaches and new developments in nanoscience have the ability to provide greater specific catalytic activity under mild reaction conditions.
|
From page 66... ...
It is anticipated that the CPI will continue to use fossil fuels for energy for many decades into the foreseeable future. This is mainly due to abundant supplies of coal and the significant capital investment that would be required to convert from fossil fuels to renewable sources.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.