Green process engineering as the key to future processes

Abstract

Growing concern for the environment, increasing stringent standards for the release of chemicals into the environment and economic competiveness have led to more environmentally friendly approaches that have resulted in greater pollution prevention via waste reduction and efficiency maximisation. Green process engineering (GPE) is an important tool that could make significant contributions in the drive toward making hazardous and wasteful processes more sustainable for the benefit of the economy, environment and society. This article highlights the guidelines that could be used by scientists and engineers for designing new materials, products, processes and systems. Few examples of current and future applications of GPE, particularly in the areas of biofuels, supercritical fluids, multi-functional reactors and catalytic processes, have been presented.