Bala Subramaniam, University of Kansas

Session 3: Environmental Impacts

Bala Subramaniam
Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Energy intensity of Top 18 chemicals
Hydrogenation

Cracking

Oxidation

C+C bond formation

http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Chemical_Roadmap_2013_Final_WEB.pdf
• The US chemical industry uses approximately 5 Quads (quadrillion Btu)/yr or 5.9% of US energy use
- 18 products consume 80% of the energy & emit 75% of GHGs
• 90% of all chemical processes use catalysts
• Catalyst- and process-related improvements can reduce energy usage and environmental impacts


Chemical targets from shale gas components

Challenge: To develop novel catalytic technologies that are not only economically viable
but also exhibit high carbon atom economy

Quantitative sustainability analysis-aided discovery and development

Examples of resource-efficient alternative technology concepts for PET plastic precursors
• M. Ghanta, “Is the Liquid-Phase H2O2-based Ethylene Oxide Process More Economical and
Greener Than the Gas-Phase O2-based Silver-Catalyzed Process?” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2013
52 18.
- New technology eliminates CO2 as byproduct but uses H2O2 (more expensive oxidant)
- Is the process economically viable? Does H2O2 usage cancel CO2 elimination as byproduct?
- Yan et al., J. Catal., 2016 336, 75; Lu et al., App. Catal. A: Gen., 2016 515 51.
• M. Li et al., “Terephthalic Acid Production Via Greener Spray Process: Comparative
Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment with Mid-Century Process,” ACS Sus Chem
Eng. 2014 2 823.
- New technology eliminates hydrogenation step to purify crude TPA, reduces solvent burning
- TE/LCA analyses help show clear economic and environmental advantages


Summary
• Switching to NGL feedstocks presents an excellent
opportunity for developing new catalytic technologies that
reduce the impact of some of the most energy-intensive
chemical processes.
• Techno-economic and LCA analyses of novel catalytic
process concepts for shale gas utilization are essential to
rationally guide
- research and process design for practical viability
- business decisions by industry
• Resource-efficient catalytic technologies, that conserve
feedstock and energy, favor both economics (i.e., practical
viability) and sustainability.
• Sustainability as a business strategy makes good sense