Waste as a future feedstock - James clark

www.greenchemistry.netwww.greenchemistry.net

Waste as a Future Feedstock

James ClarkGreen Chemistry Centre of Excellence

University of York, UK

www.greenchemistry.net

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


We are running out of key elements

Elemental unsustainability


Location of Scarce Elements

5And who owns the mineral rights to those that are left?


What do we do with our waste?

We turn our resources into a waste


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


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


Waste as a Feedstock


Waste is tomorrows resource

Waste management will enter a new vista as wastebecomes a vital resource for future manaufacturing


Recovering valuable resources from landfill sites

We have the technologies to do this!


Elements that definitely should be avoided…and those that we think are OK?

But its not just the safety and the availability of Metals………


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…


Moving towards sustainable Carbon


Petroleumfeedstock

Fuels

Solvent

Bulk chemicals

Plastics

Fibres

Fine chemicals

Oils

Petroleum Refinery

The biggest worry is future Carbon……


Fuels

Solvent

Bulk chemicals

Plastics

Fibres

Fine chemicals

Oils

Bio-refinery

Biomass

Don’t use food quality feedstocks!!


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”


COMPOSITES

EXPANDED MATERIALS STARBONS®

CATALYSTS & CATALYSTS SUPPORTS

ADSORBENTS & SEPARATIONS

Natures largest volume renewable substances should be used more as materials


Recyclable

Making use of food wastes…..Switchable adhesives for carpet tiles (InterfaceFlor)

Diverting millions of Kg pa from landfill


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…..


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


• 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:


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


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

-


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


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”


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.


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


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


Science and Society Engagement Celebration Event (2010)


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



School workshops as part of York Festival of Science & Technology

12-14th March 2009


Carbon Dioxide – Friend or Foe? Science Trail


QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.


Past

The Chemical Industry of the Past(?)


The Chemical Industry Today


The Chemical Industry Tomorrow(?)


Research

Industry

Networking

Education

www.greenchemistry.net