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Waste as a Future Feedstock
James ClarkGreen Chemistry Centre of Excellence
University of York, UK
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Benefits of the Chemical IndustryGood news for chemists?
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No because everybody hates chemicals!
Pressures on the Chemical Industry Across the Lifecycle
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We are running out of key elements
Elemental unsustainability
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Location of Scarce Elements
5And who owns the mineral rights to those that are left?
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What do we do with our waste?
We turn our resources into a waste
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We need to introduceGreen Chemistry
concepts and practicesacross the supply chain(s)
So its not all about how safe the product is….Or how clean the manufacturing is……..Or how sustainable the feedstocks are
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Reducing Carbon Footprint
Suppliers Manufacturers Producers Retailers Consumers
Renewable Resources
Greener Processes
Safer Components
Green Products
Sustainable feedstocks to
reduce environmental burden
Clean, efficient manufacturing
requiredDesire to monitor green credentials
Increased consumer awareness
Renewable Resources & Biorefineries
Green Chemistry for Industry
Green Chemistry &the Consumer
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Waste as a Feedstock
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Waste is tomorrows resource
Waste management will enter a new vista as wastebecomes a vital resource for future manaufacturing
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Recovering valuable resources from landfill sites
We have the technologies to do this!
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Elements that definitely should be avoided…and those that we think are OK?
But its not just the safety and the availability of Metals………
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Tantalum
From Cradle to Grave Tantalum Ore (various compositions)
Ta, Nb complex fluorides+ other impurities (Si, Fe, Ti, U…)
Pure Ta + Nb complexes in solution
K2TaF7 or Ta2O5 or TaCl5 (Nb recovered via Nb2O5)
Ta metal powder or wires
Electronic Products
HF/H2SO4/Δ
(i) Filter (ii) Solvent extract (MiBK)
Further processing
Molten Na/ΔAlternative via C/Al
reduction of Ta2O5 or H2 reduction of
TaCl5Simple substances can hide horrendous environmental
and human health impacts
Even when you think its OK…
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Moving towards sustainable Carbon
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Petroleumfeedstock
Fuels
Solvent
Bulk chemicals
Plastics
Fibres
Fine chemicals
Oils
Petroleum Refinery
The biggest worry is future Carbon……
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Fuels
Solvent
Bulk chemicals
Plastics
Fibres
Fine chemicals
Oils
Bio-refinery
Biomass
Don’t use food quality feedstocks!!
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ExtractablesExtractables…….……….…Eco-waxes
Wheat strawor any low value bio/food waste
ScCO2 extractionWax products
Cosmetic Products
Lignocellulose
- Strawboard
- Garden Mulch
- Pulp & Paper
-Bioethanol -Electricity
Health Products
Semiochemicals
Renewable resource+CO2 extraction = EU “natural”
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COMPOSITES
EXPANDED MATERIALS STARBONS®
CATALYSTS & CATALYSTS SUPPORTS
ADSORBENTS & SEPARATIONS
Natures largest volume renewable substances should be used more as materials
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Recyclable
Making use of food wastes…..Switchable adhesives for carpet tiles (InterfaceFlor)
Diverting millions of Kg pa from landfill
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Bio-silicates (B&Q)Bio-based composite materials for structural and furniture applications
Future construction materials based on 100% green and sustainable components
More uses for food waste and for ashes…..
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Green Chemistry in the UK
York
Nottingham
Imperial
Leeds
Leicester
Glasgow
Alternative solvents
Supercritical fluids
Catalysis
Renewable resources
Queens
Cardiff
Bath
Warwick
Manchester
Newcastle
Durham
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• Research• Industry collaboration • Education, including
development of teaching and promotional materials
• Networking with all chemical stakeholders
Activity Areas
The Centre’s Activities can be groups into 4 areas:
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Education and Training
Contact-based long and shortCourses and Masterclasses
Supported e -learning
Full or Part-time Certificate, Diplomas and Degree
optionsIncluding MSc in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial TechnologyWe need to better prepare the next generation and retrain the existing workforce in the principles
and practices of green chemistry
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The response of the HE sector Teaching and training activity in the Universities
Masters training courses (York, ICL, Leicester, Patras, Zaragosa, Strasbourg, Chambery….)
Increasing number of related PhDs (worldwide)
Major education initiatives (eg California)
U/g course modules
U/g course practicals
U/g course case studies
Pre-18 education University education Industry and Society
-
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What’s lacking in green and
sustainable chemistry teaching?
- U/g syllabus content patchy
- Few (any?) examples of structured teachingthroughout u/g course
- Lack of purpose-designed practicals, workshops
- Failure by academics to use some of many good case studies
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What are the barriers to green
and sustainable chemistry teaching?
-Difficulties of introducing new core material
-Lack of strong advocates of green chemistry
-Tendancy to “modularise” material
-Perception that green chemistry opposes other chemistry
-Perception that green chemistry is a “fad”
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Career opportunitiesNew jobs for green chemists
New industries (eg white biotech)
Within existing industries
Environmental consultancies
Government and government agencies
European chemical agency and others
Waste management
Pre-18 education University education Industry and Society
-
But the market for scientists and engineers with “green” experience is growing.
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Green Chemistry Network
• Est. 1998 with funding from the Royal Society of Chemistry
• Not-for-profit CLG• One of the largest
international networks of this type in the world
• International membership
• Excellent forum for information exchanges and collaboration
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Networking ProjectsGreen Chemistry & the ConsumerEngaging the retailers through low technical awareness of greener chemistry
“Research shows that 80% of the 16 Million people visiting our stores each week want sustainable products”
“A clear majority (of our customers) want this process to be simplified”
“Green Chemistry is not only a solution, it is the solution”
[Mike Barry, Mark & Spencer Head of CSR]
Biodegradable Surfactants
Halogen-free flame retardants
Environmentally friendly bitter-taste
blockers for drugs
http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/gcn/industry.htm#consumer
We must encourage mechanisms for engaging the (very many) users of the chemical industry
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Science and Society Engagement Celebration Event (2010)
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Pre – HE: Education and Outreach
Aims
• To excite young people about chemistry and the positive impact it can have.
• To enable young people to critically engage with ideas and solutions
Impacts/areas of work
• lots of projects and funding at key stage 2
- Discovery Days, Countryside Days, Science Days in Primary Schools
- High awareness about environment at young age, interest and enthusiasm
• opportunities at GCSE/A level stage
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School workshops as part of York Festival of Science & Technology
12-14th March 2009
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Carbon Dioxide – Friend or Foe? Science Trail
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QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
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Past
The Chemical Industry of the Past(?)
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The Chemical Industry Today
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The Chemical Industry Tomorrow(?)
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Research
Industry
Networking
Education
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