Main goal:
- You are able to quantify the environmental impacts of chemical processes on the basis of chemical- and process data and with help of scientific environmental models and to provide solutions to environmental questions based on the outcomes.
Subgoals:
- You are capable to discuss the principles of green chemistry in a sustainability context
- You are able to apply sustainability indicators within the molecular science field
- You are able to independently perform a life cycle assessment on a chemical process, interpret the results and provide improvement options.
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Chemistry is inextricably linked to the currently existing environmental challenges. On the other hand, chemistry is also required to solve these environmental issues. Consider, for example, the production of fuel from CO2, or the use of a catalyst to convert bio-oil to biofuel. Furthermore, there are numerous ways to make current chemical processes more sustainable. Examples include the reduction of solvents, or replacement of chlorine with oxygen or ozone in bleach processes. In industrial processes, it is crucial to operate as environmentally friendly as possible. In order to do so, one needs to know how to judge the extent to which chemical processes will have an impact on the environment.
This course is an addition to the introductory course 'sustainable chemistry', but can also be followed on its own. The twelve principles of green chemistry are investigated more in depth. Sustainable chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Sustainable chemistry applies across the life cycle of a chemical product, including its design, manufacture, and use. The topics sustainable solvents, sustainable processes and recycling economy are investigated in depth. The second half of the course focuses on performing an environmental life cycle assessment of a chemical process, where the students learn how to systematically quantify the environmental impacts over the full life cycle of a product or process. After finishing this course, students are able to organize chemical processes in such a way that the environment will be minimally damaged. For this, life cycle assessment will be used as a method. Moreover, students are able to judge environmental concerns related to chemistry better in their future professional practice.
Instructional Modes
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The course is open to all students that followed the course MOL047 Synthese biomoleculen, or the course NWI-MOL101 Essentials of Organic Chemistry. Affinity with chemistry is necessary, so if you did not follow either of these courses, please check with the teachers. This is a course in the theme 'Methods' and in the minors 'Green chemistry' and 'sustainable chemistry'.
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Work group reports (20%), case study group assignment (40%), exam (40%)
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