Environmental Impact Considerations

Many factors affect the process design for manufacturing therapeutic proteins they include protein type and size, production scale, and the type of host cells used. The environmental impact considerations are focused on two major groups nonantibody proteins produced by microbial cells and mAbs produced by mammalian cells. 

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Stefanis, S.K., Livingston, A.G., Pistikopoulos, E.N. (1997) Environmental Impact Considerations in the Optimal Design and Scheduling of Batch Processes. Computers in Chemical Engineering, 21(10), 1073-1094. 

Environmental Impact Considerations 319 Table 15.5 A Composite production process for a typical medium-sized protein. 

The other environmental impact consideration is noise. The air compressor with its tail-gas expander and steam-turbine drive could present a problem. Therefore, this unit should be enclosed in a brick building to contain the noise, with those working inside the building required to wear approved ear protection. 

To address the ideal including environmental impact considerations into process design, Cabezas et al. [5] introduced a potential environmental impact (PEI) balance as an amendment of the Waste Reduction Algorithm [6]. However, this algorithm is simply a tool to be used to aid in evaluating the environmental friendliness of a process [7]. 

Lifecycle design Similar to DfE, emphasizing the integration of lifecycle and environmental impact consideration at each stage of product development cycle. Keoleian and Menerey, 1993... 

Alternative Reaction Conditions. The conditions that are used in synthesizing a chemical can have a significant effect on the pathway s overall environmental impact. Considerations of the amount of energy us by one process versus another is quite easily evaluated in economic terms but is not currently as easily evaluated in environmental terms. It appears that because of this difficulty in measurement, and not necessarily as a judgement on relative importance, that the majority of Green Chemistry research on reaction conditions has been centered around the substances utilized as part of those conditions. 

Availability and environmental impact considerations not only affect cost considerations, but also sustainability concerns. 

For the initial environmental impact considerations, the environmental diagram shown in Figure 3.4 is a very useful way to test and explain the overall environmental impact situation. 

Mele, F.D., Espuna, A. Puigjaner, L. (2005a) Environmental impact considerations into supply chain management based on life cycle assessment. In Proceedings of Innovation by Life Cycle Management (LCM) International Conference, CasteUs, R, Rieradeball, J. pp.428-433. 

Exploration activities are potentially damaging to the environment. The cutting down of trees in preparation for an onshore seismic survey may result in severe soil erosion in years to come. Offshore, fragile ecological systems such as reefs can be permanently damaged by spills of crude or mud chemicals. Responsible companies will therefore carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to activity planning and draw up contingency plans should an accident occur. In Section 4.0 a more detailed description of health, safety and environmental considerations will be provided. 

Reduced negative environmental impacts. Through an evaluation of pollution-prevention alternatives, which consider a total systems approach, consideration is given to the negative impact of environmental damage to natural resources and species that occur during raw-material procurement and waste disposal. The performance of pollution-prevention endeavors will therefore result in enhanced environmental protection. 

During the early 1990s, several methods were developed to interpret the results of LCA studies in terms of environmental impacts. Some methods were also developed to weigh various impacts against each other. In the early 1990s, the practicing number of LCA experts increased considerably. 

Refngeration technology is moving into a new phase with the introduction of hydrofluorocarbons that combme the safety of chlorofluorocarbons with a much lower environmental impact The considerable care bemg taken to choose the new refngerants under the close scrutmy of the public and regulatory bodies will ensure that the new products wiU benefit mankind for years to come... 

Over the past decades, advances have been made that reduce environmental impacts of coal burning in large plants. Some arc standard and others experimental. Limestone (mainly calcium carbonate) scrubber smokestacks react with the emitted sulfates from the combustion and contain the chemical products, thereby reducing the release of SO., into the atmosphere by a large factor (of ten or more). Pulverization of coal can also allow for the mechanical separation of some sulfur impurities, notably those in the form of pyrites, prior to combustion. Currently deployed—with more advanced versions in the development stage—are various t yies of fluidized bed reactors, which use coal fuel in a pulverized form, mixed with pulverized limestone or dolomite in a high temperature furnace. This technique reduces sulfate release considerably. There are... 

Some petroleum geologists believe that there may be more methane trapped in hydrates than what is associated with natural gas reserves. However, as an energy source, there is considerable uncertainty whether this methane can ever be recovered safely, economically, and with minimal environmental impact. The Russians have experimented with the use of antifreeze to break down hydrates at some onshore locations in Siberia. But perhaps a more promising approach would be to pipe warm surface water to the bottom to melt the hydrates, with a collector positioned to convey the gas to the surface. Another approach might be to free methane by somehow reducing the pressure on the methane hydrates. 

Urban, rural and industrial developments may have profound effects on the surrounding environment. Such effects can defeat the object of development, in that the negative environmental impact may outweigh the benefits. In the case of natural resources, inappropriate development may even destroy the resource base. If environmental matters are accorded adequate consideration during the planning and management of development programs and projects it is possible for pollutants to be assimilated. As a result, the whole development can be accommodated by the environment in such a way that adverse effects are minimized and the economic and social benefits of development are maximized. 

An ElA can be particularly useful in distinguishing the relative environmental impact of alternative sites, processes and strategies for industrial, rural or urban development. Decision-makers to choose the alternative that will provide maximum economic and social benefits with the minimum of environmental disturbance can then use this essential environmental information, together with financial and political considerations. Guidelines for assessing... 

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