Lecture 1: An Introduction to Green Chemistry · 2008. 1. 24. · Green Chemistry ultimately...
Transcript of Lecture 1: An Introduction to Green Chemistry · 2008. 1. 24. · Green Chemistry ultimately...
Dr. Ed Marshall
Room: M220, RCS 1
www.ch.ic.ac.uk/marshall/4I10
http://webct1.imperial.ac.uk
4.I10 Green Chemistry Lecture 1 Slide 1
Module 4I10: Green Chemistry
Lecture 1:
An Introduction to Green Chemistry
Imperial College
London
Lecture 1: Learning Objectives
By the end of today's lecture you should:
(i) be able to define what is meant by the term Green Chemistry;
(ii) appreciate how Green Chemistry may be beneficial to industry;
(iii)understand that Green Chemistry is not an easy subject.
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking
we used to create them."
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Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
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So what is Green Chemistry?
Imagine you are at a party and you have to explain what
Green Chemistry is to someone who isn't a chemist.
What would words are you going to use to tell them?
Scenario:
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London
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Imperial College
LondonBrown Chemistry
Is this the public perception
of the chemical industry?
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Brown Chemistry Imperial College
London
Cuyahoga River
1952 and 1969…
…major fires also happened
in 1868 and 1936.
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Brown Chemistry
Flixborough 1974
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London
40 tonnes cyclohexane released
in 1 minute (225 °C, 10 atm)
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Brown Chemistry – the UK’s worst chemical accident
Brown Chemistry Imperial College
London
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4th December 2004
Brown Chemistry – the world’s worst chemical accident
Brown Chemistry
Is this reputation
deserved?
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Imperial College
LondonWhy does the chemical industry need Green Chemistry?
The Chemical Industry has responsibilities:
to the environment
to the public
to shareholders
As legislation becomes stricter and as petrochemical feedstocks are
depleted, so green chemical processes will become more cost effective.
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Imperial College
LondonClass exercise: Which is greener - Disposable or Cotton Nappies?
In groups of 4, discuss whether it is better to use disposable nappies
(diapers) or reusable cotton nappies.
Results of Vote:
In favour of disposable:
In favour of cotton:
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Imperial College
LondonThe answer
In 2004 the UK Environment Agency concluded that there is…
"no significant difference between the environmental impacts
of either nappy system, although the life cycle stages are different"
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Imperial College
LondonSo what factors do we need to consider?
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transportation
(fuels, emissions)
waste and the
environment
energy
Green Chemistry: a cradle to grave approach
production
process
i.e. conditions,
risks, hazards
raw materials
solvents
other chemicals
e.g. additives
Imperial College
LondonGreen Chemistry: A reductionary approach
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Green Chemistry reduces…
Green Chemistry is
not anti-industry
Imperial College
LondonDefinitions of Green Chemistry
“The reduction or elimination of the use or generation of hazardous
substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical
products”
Green Chemistry theory and Practice - Anastas and Warner
“Green Chemistry underlies our commitment to potentially harmful
technologies by developing alternative syntheses to prevent
environmental pollution.”
Green Chemistry is not anti-industry
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Imperial College
LondonSummary of Lecture 1
By the end of today's lecture you should:
• be able to define what is meant by the term Green Chemistry:
• appreciate how Green Chemistry may be beneficial to industry:
• understand that Green Chemistry is not an easy subject:
Green Chemistry ultimately reduces cost and increases
responsibility to the environment, the public and shareholders
The reduction or elimination of the use or generation of
hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and
application of chemical products
Green Chemistry is a cradle to grave approach
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Imperial College
LondonWhat we will cover in lectures 2-8
Lecture 2: Metrics
Lecture 3: Catalysis
Lecture 4: Green Solvents
Lecture 5: Biofuels
Lecture 6: Biomass
Lecture 7: Biotechnology
Lecture 8: Hazards
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Imperial College
LondonFinally, here is one part of last year’s exam question
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Green Chemistry is often said to be a 'cradle to grave' approach. Explain
what this term means with specific reference to the industrial production
of polyethylene.5 marks