The novel use of green engineering concepts in teaching separations

Green engineering concepts can be creatively and effectively integrated into the teaching of courses in separation processes. Through the support of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a Green Engineering Project has fostered efforts to incorporate green engineering into the chemical engineering curriculum. This paper focuses on the integration of green engineering concepts into the courses in the chemical engineering curriculum that cover separation processes (distillation, extraction, absorption, membranes, etc). The paper describes how the green engineering topics are "mapped" into a separations course and presents a sample of the novel types of problems that were developed for instructor use. Green engineering is defined as the design, commercialization and use of processes and products that are feasible and economical while minimizing: generation of pollution at the source and risk to human health and the environment. Students need to be knowledgeable of the design and use of separation processes from a green engineering perspective. Using green engineering principles at the start of the design process can lead to processes and products of a sustainable future. Through the use of in-class examples, cooperative learning exercises, case studies and homework assignments, students can be learn these concepts without the faculty member using substantial additional class time.