Sustainability in chemical engineering Research Paper

Sustainability in chemical engineering - Research Paper Example Sustainable chemistry is the â€Å"chemistry that contributes to securing the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs† (Christensen, 2009). Chemical Engineering is a course or program that plays a significant role in sustaining a society through manufacturing products and making processes for a better environment. Chemical Engineering contributes to sustainability through green chemistry. The terms ‘green chemistry’ and ‘sustainable chemistry’ are used interchangeably (Hardy, 2004). The purpose of green chemistry is to eliminate or reduce the risk of chemical hazards which in turn obviates the need to establish expensive exposure controls and prevents accidents leading to environmental incidents. Research in green chemistry is directed at alternative feedstocks, reagents and catalysts, environmentally benign solvents, and making of recyclable chemical products. This is achieved by giving bio-based feedstocks preference over petroleum-based sources. For example, the important intermediaries of commodity chemicals’ production; adipic acid, catechol, and hydroquinone can be produced from glucose as a raw material instead of benzene (Abraham, 2005, p. 168). While recycling increases the overall production, the cost of production is reduced because waste materials are used rather than getting disposed off. The importance of clean air, clean water, and safe environment highlights the significance of green chemistry. Chemical engineering has contributed to the increase of sustainability by introducing a range of efficient and productive systems including the large lake bio-complexity systems, systems dynamic modeling and ecological engineering and restoration. Sustainable development is based on the approach to service systems and industrial products’ manufacturing. Companies like General motors and HP are using â€Å"design for environment† techniques