Process Systems Engineering

Implementation of sustainability drivers in the design of industrial chemical processes

  1. Alessandro Tugnoli,
  2. Francesco Santarelli,
  3. Valerio Cozzani*

Article first published online: 3 FEB 2011

DOI: 10.1002/aic.12497

Issue

AIChE Journal

AIChE Journal

Volume 57, Issue 11, pages 3063–3084, November 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Tugnoli, A., Santarelli, F. and Cozzani, V. (2011), Implementation of sustainability drivers in the design of industrial chemical processes. AIChE J., 57: 3063–3084. doi: 10.1002/aic.12497

Author Information

  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Mineraria e delle Tecnologie Ambientali, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Terracini n.28, Bologna, I-40131, Italy

*Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Mineraria e delle Tecnologie Ambientali, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Terracini n.28, Bologna, I-40131, Italy

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 OCT 2011
  2. Article first published online: 3 FEB 2011
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 19 NOV 2010 09:53AM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 29 SEP 2010
  5. Manuscript Received: 3 JUN 2010

Funded by

  • 7th Framework Program of the European Commission under the iNTeg-Risk project. Grant Number: CP-IP 213345-2
  • Italian MIUR. Grant Number: PRIN2007

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Keywords:

  • inherent safety assessment;
  • sustainability assessment;
  • cyclohexanone;
  • process key performance indicators;
  • process design

Abstract

A methodology based on key performance indicators was developed and applied to the design of sustainable industrial processes. The methodology provides a procedure for the definition of a dynamic set of quantitative key performance indicators suitable to capture the environmental, economic and societal impacts of process options, thus, tracing the sustainability footprint of alternatives. The preliminary design of a production plant for cyclohexanone is presented as the leading case in the discussion. The influence of design choices on environmental impact profiles, economic efficiency and inherent safety performance was pointed out. The application evidenced that the definition of appropriate indicators may have an important added value in supporting design activities, both for the correct assessment of alternative options and for the proactive identification of design improvements. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011

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