Integrating environmental impact minimization into conceptual chemical process design - a process systems engineering review

In the 1990s, significant progress was made in process synthesis concerning environmental issues, however the routine design procedures stay almost th e same as before. This paper attempts to summarize the developments of this area in the last 10 years in order to remind chemical engineers of what ha s been accomplished to date and what should be possible in the near future from an industrial viewpoint. After discussing some original concepts and h ierarchies, two aspects of conceptual design, synthesis of reaction paths a nd process flowsheet, are highlighted for environmental impact minimization . Finally, several points are identified for future research. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.