Process Safety & Environmental Management

Process industries can have a major environmental impact on their surroundings, and most countries nowadays request that industry complies with stringent regulations. Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are expected from large industries, especially when new industrial developments are proposed. In addition, understanding and critically examining industrial hazards in the chemical, nuclear and petroleum industries is of prime importance. Chemical engineers need to have thorough understanding of the methods used in monitoring and evaluating process safety, as well as the capability of carrying out risk analysis and evaluations that will assist in the overall environmental management for the particular industry/process plant under investigation.

In addition, the sources and effects of pollution in the environment as a whole will be addressed. Both atmospheric, water and soil/groundwater pollution will be taught and the main processes leading to their dispersal as well as remediation will be looked at. The Simple dispersion models will be looked at for air pollution (Gaussian model) and corresponding physical processes involved for the dispersion of pollutants in soil and groundwater will also be presented. Wastewater treatment processes will also be addressed, and the biological significance and toxicological impact of particular pollutants to the surrounding environment needs to be understood. Some of the latest environment technology in monitoring and also treating wastes will be given.