ABSTRACT
In the first part of this book, we explore three key concepts of sustainable
process engineering, those of sustainability, cleaner production, and industrial ecology. These are by no means the only concepts related to sustainable process engineering. Indeed an extensive suite of concepts and associated
terms have evolved, many of which are related to environmental science and
engineering, as well as to process engineering. This evolution of concepts
has been strongly influenced by a growing awareness of environmental
problems, their anthropogenic causes, and remedial actions. Some of these
environmental problems include
• poor air quality and its impact on human health, especially in cities with large concentrations of people, transport, and industries
• acidification of forests andwater ways, often related tomovement of acid gas emissions prior to acid rain precipitation
• depletion of stratospheric ozone due to emission of ozone depleting substances, leading to increased UV radiation damage to humans,
plant life, and materials
• global warming with its threats of extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, and damage to diverse biological species
• perceived shortages of resources such as fossil fuels, minerals, water, and fertile land.
