István T.

Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN AND CATALYTIC PROCESSES

KFM210
2020-21, Fall Semester, Friday 8:30 – 11:00

INTRODUCTION

István T. Horváth

Department of Chemical and Environmental Process Engineering

[email protected]
[email protected]

ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN AND CATALYTIC PROCESSES

KFM210
2020-21, Fall Semester, Friday 8:30 – 11:00

INTRODUCTION

11:15 – 12:00 Introduction

October 16 12:15 – 13:00 Green reactions and solvents
13:15 – 14:00 Green energy
11:15 – 12:00 Fundamentals of catalysis
October 30 12:15 – 13:00 Homegeneous catalytic reactions
13:15 – 14:00 Heterogeneous catalytic reactions
11:15 – 12:00 Biocatalysis
November 6 12:15 – 13:00 Organocatalysis
13:15 – 14:00 Industrial catalysis
11:15 – 12:00 Biorefinery
November 13 12:15 – 13:00 Valorization of biomass wastes
13:15 – 14:00 Sustainable and green chemistry

1
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN AND CATALYTIC PROCESSES

KFM210
2020-21, fall semester, Friday 8:30 – 11:00

INTRODUCTION

Recommeneded literature and internet sites

Anastas, P. T. and Warner, J. C. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice, Oxford University
Press, Oxford, 1998.
www.global.oup.com/academic/product/green-chemistry-theory-and-practice-9780198506980?cc=hu&lang=en&

Horváth, I. T. Encyclopedia of Catalysis, Wiley: Hoboken, NJ, 2002.

www.wiley.com/en-us/Encyclopedia+of+Catalysis%2C+6+Volume+Set-p-9780471241836

Horváth, I. T. and Anastas, P. T., Innovations and Green Chemistry, Chemical Reviews
2007, 107, 2169.
www.pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/cr078380v

The Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT
www.greenchemistry.yale.edu/about

American Chemical Society, Green Chemistry Institute, Washington D.C.

www.acs.org/content/acs/en/greenchemistry.html

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Not harmful to the environment

Designed or operating in a way that does not harm the environment

“Environmentally friendly” has not been defined and cannot be measured.

2
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

Suit•able

Having the qualities that are right, needed, or appropriate for something!

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suitable

EVOLUTION LED TO SUITABLE SELECTION

Mutation

Replication Evaluation

Selection
C
H
O
I
C
E

SUIT•ABLE
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suitable

Having the qualities that are right, needed, or appropriate for something!

3
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

SUSTAINABLE LIFE IN EARTH

Earth’s life-supporting conditions are possible
because of Earth’s rotation and position in the
solar system.

It is not too hot and not too cold – if the Earth

was any closer or further away from the Sun,
the planet could not support life.

Four Conditions for Life

1. Stable Temperature Range
2. The Importance of Water
3. The Importance of Gases
4. The Role of the Atmosphere

A stable temperature range (-50 to about +50 oC) allows life.

The average temperature has been between 10-20 oC for 3.5 billion years.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1986

World Commission on Environment and Development (The

Brundtland Commission) popularizes the concept of Sustainable
Development. In "Our Common Future", the Commission (named
after its chairman, Norwegian Prime Minister, Gro Harlem
Brundtland) states that Sustainable Development "should meet
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs".

4
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
“should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs".
Could we know the needs of mankind in 2060?

Could our grandmothers have imagined in 1950 that

Neil Armstrong would walk on the moon on July 20,
1969 and that only 40 years later a small device
such as the iPhone would be as powerful as the
computers used to control the flight of Apollo 11?

Could our grandfathers in 1950 have imagined that

we could identify people by their DNA in 1984 or have
mapped out bacterial infection routes in hospitals by
decoding the bacterial genomes in 2011?

If the predictions of the distant future have been impossible for generations
before us, can we make accurate ones today for the needs in 2060 or beyond?

3-LEGGED STOOL FOR

SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL LEG
Zero Pollution & Waste
Renewable Energy
Conservation
Restoration

ECONOMIC LEG SOCIAL LEG

Good Jobs Working Conditions
Fair Wages Health Services
Security Education Services
Infrastructure Community & Culture
Fair Trade Social Justice

http://sustainabilityadvantage.com/2010/07/20/3-sustainability-models/

5
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

However, sustainability was replaced with suitability by many

stake holders, as they had vested interests or even conflicts of interests
to call suitable developments sustainable, e. g. to make profits for
businesses, get funding for NGOs or environmentalists, or to be
elected/reelected by politicians and political organizations.

6
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

VESTED INTERESTS: SUITABLE IS CALLED SUSTAINABLE

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS: SUITABLE IS CALLED SUSTAINABLE

7
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

ENABLING CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable developments can only be successful in a

society, in which unchallengeable core values are based on

honesty, diversity, and tolerance

as well as

intellectual and economical respect.

SOME STAKE HOLDERS WITH VESTED OR CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

HAVE REPLACED SUSTAINABILITY WITH SUITABILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION
Zero Pollution & Waste
Renewable Energy
Conservation
Restoration

?
ECONOMIC DIMENSION SOCIAL DIMENSION
Profit Political Power
Good Jobs Working Conditions
Fair Wages Health Services
Security Education Services
Infrastructure Community & Culture
Fair Trade Social Justice

Suitability: “Having the qualities that are right, needed, or appropriate for something.”
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suitable

8
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

IN 2015, THE UNITED NATIONS IDENTIFIED

17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND INDICATORS

SDG National
Sustainable Development Goals SDGI + NI Total
Indicators Indicators
1. No Poverty 1–7→7 1.1 – 1.4 → 4 11 11
2. Zero Hunger 8 – 16 → 8 2.1 – 2.14 → 14 22 33
3. Good Health and Well-Being 17 – 30 → 34 3.1 – 3.35 → 35 69 102
4. Quality Education 31 – 37 → 7 4.1 – 4.11 → 11 18 120
5. Gender Equality 38 – 44 → 7 5.1 – 5.5 → 5 12 132
6. Clean Water and Sanitation 45 – 49 → 5 6.1 – 6.9 → 9 14 146
7. Affordable and Clean Energy 50 – 53 → 4 7.1 – 7.3 → 3 7 154
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth 54 – 57 → 4 8.1 – 8.9 → 9 13 167
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 58 – 63 → 6 9.1 – 9.2 → 2 8 175
10. Reduced Inequalities 64 – 65 → 2 10.1 – 10.6 → 6 8 183
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 66 – 71 → 6 11.1 – 11.6 → 6 12 195
12 Responsible Consumption and
72 – 76 → 5 12.1 – 12.6 → 6 11 206
Production
13. Climate Change 77 – 80 → 4 13.1 – 13.2 → 2 6 212
14. Life Below Water 81 – 82 → 2 14.1 – 14.12 → 12 14 226
15. Life of Land 83 – 87 → 5 15.1 – 15.9 → 9 14 240
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 88 – 94 → 7 16.1 – 16.9 → 9 16 256
17. Partnership for the Goals 95 – 100 → 6 17.1 – 17.10 → 10 16 272

“ROAD MAP TO HAPPINESS”

9
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

ROAD TO SOCIETY 5.0

Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) ”Society 5.0 - Co-creating the future –” 2018
http://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2018/095.html

ROAD TO SOCIETY 5.0

Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) ”Society 5.0 - Co-creating the future –” 2018
http://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2018/095.html

10
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

SOCIETY 5.0

Resolve social challenges by incorporating the innovations of the 4th

industrial revolution (internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence,
robots, and the sharing economy) onto every industry and social life.
New values and services will be created to make people’s lives
conformable and sustainable.
Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) ”Society 5.0 - Co-creating the future –” 2018
http://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2018/095.html

SUSTAINABLE DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY

SHOULD NOT INCLUDE WEAK PILLARS

Sustainability of our civilization depends on whether we can

supply the rapidly increasing population with enough energy,
food, and chemicals simultaneously without compromising the
long term health of our planet and its habitat.

Sustainability should be an intrinsic property of a molecule, a

reaction, a process, a material, a technology, a house, a city,
even of the Earth!

11
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY

Using Nature’s resources at a rate at which

they can be replaced naturally.

Cséfalvay, E.; Akien, G.; Qi, L.; Horváth, I. T. Catalysis Today, 2015, 239, 50 – 55.

THE LOST CIVILIZATION: THE EASTER ISLAND

The forests were cleared for agriculture and to move

the giant stone monoliths, known as “Moai”s.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/easter/

12
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

HOW?

THE LOST CIVILIZATION: THE EASTER ISLAND

Core sampling from the island has shown deforestation, soil depletion,
and erosion resulting in overpopulation, food shortages, and ultimately
the collapse of the society.

The history of Easter Island shows that the sustainability of our

civilization depends on whether we can supply the rapidly increasing
population with enough energy, food, and chemicals simultaneously
without compromising the long term health of our planet.

13
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY

Using Nature’s resources at a rate at which

they can be replaced naturally.

The generation of waste cannot be faster

than the rate of the remediation by Nature.
Cséfalvay, E.; Akien, G.; Qi, L.; Horváth, I. T. Catal. Today, 2015, 239, 50.

CURRENT CARBON-BASED ENERGY AND

CHEMICAL PRODUCTION IS NOT SUSTAINABLE

We are using fossil resources at a rate

much faster than natural replacement:
hundreds vs. millions of years.

The generation of CO2 and H2O is much faster

than the rate of photosynthesis: CO2–level
increased from 315 ppm in 1955 to 411 ppm today.

14
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

CONFUSION IS OFFICIALLY BACK

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act 2019

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate

in late July includes the bipartisan Sustainable Chemistry Research
and Development Act of 2019 (S.999), led by US Senator Chris Coons
(D-Del.) and cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Amy
Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.).

The Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2019 is

endorsed by the GC3 Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, the American
Chemical Society, the American Chemistry Council, the American
Sustainable Business Council, 3M, Ashland, BASF, Beautycounter, the
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Chemours, Delaware
Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont,
Environmental Working Group, The LEGO Group, Nohbo LLC, Procter
& Gamble, and the University of Delaware.

CONFUSION IS OFFICIALLY BACK

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act 2019

The act directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to

convene an interagency entity under the National Science and
Technology Council with the responsibility of coordinating federal
programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry. The
Entity is to be co-chaired by representatives from the Environmental
Protection Agency, the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, and the National Science Foundation.

Agencies participating in the Entity must carry out specified activities

in support of sustainable chemistry, including incorporating
sustainable chemistry into existing research, development,
demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education,
and training programs.

Sustainable chemistry, also known as green chemistry, is focused on

conserving resources and minimizing the generation and use of
hazardous substances in chemical processes.

15
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

CONFUSION IS OFFICIALLY BACK

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act 2019

Under the legislation, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of the act, the Entity is to:

Develop a working framework of attributes characterizing sustainable

chemistry;

Assess the state of sustainable chemistry in the United States as a

key benchmark from which progress under the activities described in
this Act can be measured, including assessing key sectors of the
United States economy, key technology platforms, and barriers to
innovation;

Coordinate and support Federal research, development,

demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education,
and training efforts in sustainable chemistry, including budget
coordination and support for public-private partnerships, as
appropriate

CONFUSION IS OFFICIALLY BACK

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act 2019
Under the legislation, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of the act, the Entity is to:

Identify methods by which the Federal agencies can facilitate the

development of incentives for development, consideration and use of
sustainable chemistry processes and products, including innovative
financing mechanisms;

Identify major scientific challenges, roadblocks, or hurdles to

transformational progress in improving the sustainability of the
chemical sciences; and

Identify other opportunities for expanding Federal efforts in support of

sustainable chemistry.

The Entity is also to develop a working framework of attributes

characterizing sustainable chemistry for the purposes of carrying out
the Act.

16
István T. Horváth - BMEVEKFM210

SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND GREEN CHEMISTRY

Sustainable chemistry is the use of resources, including energy, at a rate

at which they can be replaced naturally, and the generation of waste,
which cannot be faster than the rate of their remediation.
Horváth, I. T. Sustainable Chemistry. Chemical Reviews, 2018, 118, 369 – 371.

Green chemistry is the utilization of a set of principles that reduces or

eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design,
manufacture, and applications of chemical products.
Anastas, P. T.; Warner, J. C. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice, Oxford University Press, Oxford (1998).

SUSTAINABLE AND GREEN CHEMISTRY

While neither sustainable chemistry nor green chemistry could
ensure perfect solutions for every challenging issues, their
integration to sustainable and green chemistry could lead to
appropriate combinations to achieve successful answers.

Sustainable and green chemistry should have its carefully

drafted definition to set appropriate deliverables and achieve
accountability and credibility.

17