Pollution Prevention Green Process Technology

This example leads us to a very important observation. While pollution prevention may seem like the obvious thing to do, it is not always cost effective, and investments into re-engineering processes must be carefully scrutinized. In fact, in this example, we see environmental legislation that actually discourages investments into green technologies, which in itself is contrary to national policy under the Pollution Prevention Act. 

Green Chemistry Green chemistry is the use of chemistry for pollution prevention, i.e., the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. The EPA s Green Chemistry Program promotes the research, development, and implementation of innovative chemical technologies that prevent pollution in both a scientifically sound and a cost-effective manner. 

The committee evaluated the technologies on the principle of green chemistry (Mulholland and Dyer, 1999). In other words, pollution prevention and waste minimization practices are implemented at the beginning of the process (pollution prevention) as opposed to after the fact (poUulion abatement). The following factors were considered ... 

Methods of waste reduction, waste reuse and recycling are the preferred options when managing waste. There are many environmental benefits that can be derived from the use of these methods. They reduce or prevent green house gas emissions, reduce the release of pollutants, conserve resources, save energy and reduce the demand for waste treatment technology and landfill space. Therefore it is advisable that these methods be adopted and incorporated as part of the waste management plan. This chapter will highlight the use of clays in such processes. 

The urgent need for more environmentally acceptable processes in the chemical industry [74], known as green chemistry [75,76] or sustainable technology, became a general trend in recent years since green chemistry approaches elimination of waste at the source (i.e., it is primary pollution prevention rather than waste remediation, also named end-of-pipe solutions). 

Green chemistry involves design of chemical synthesis to prevent pollution and thereby, solve the environmental problems. The microwave chemistry is a current approach in green chemistry. Microwave-mediated reactions occur more rapidly, safely and in environment-friendly manner with high yields. Such reactions reduce the amount of waste products and increase the pure required products. Thus, one can conclude that microwave-mediated synthesis is a green chemical technology because microwave not only accelerate chemical processes but also improve yield, selectivity, reduces pollution and enable reaction to occur in solvent-free conditions. 

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