ABSTRACT
This chapter considers industrial metabolism, which is the process by which materials and energy flow through industrial systems from their sources, through various industrial processes, to the consumer, and finally to ultimate disposal. The long-term goal of studying and understanding industrial metabolism is to ensure habitability of the planet for an indefinite period. One of the major threats to long-term habitability comes from environmental toxication by persistent toxic substances. Material flow and energy flow are two key aspects of industrial metabolism. Industrial metabolism in its entirety follows the flows of materials and energy from their initial sources, through an industrial system, to the consumer, and to their ultimate disposal. They may be divided into the two main categories of assessment and implementation. Systems integration largely involves closing or internalization of the materials cycle. A measure of the success of a system of industrial metabolism is the achievement of a maximum state of eco-efficiency.
