Abstract:

Chemical Engineering (CE) is a very rich discipline and it is best classified using System Theory (ST) and utilized using the Integrated System Approach (ISA). Environmental Engineering (EE) is a subsystem of CE and is also a subsystem of Sustainable Development (SD). In this lecture both EE and SD are discussed from a CE point of view utilizing ST and ISA. Petroleum Refining (PR) and Petro-Chemical (PC) industries are at the heart of the birth and progress of CE, however both are strongly polluting and non-sustainable because they depend upon non-renewable fossil raw materials. Integrated Bio-Refineries (IBRs) are important sustainable replacements for PR, PC industries and other chemical, biochemical and energy industries. One of the most effective means to achieve the above objectives is to use novel catalytic and bio-catalytic reactors utilizing Renewable Raw Materials (RRMs). This paper is presenting all the above concepts in general followed by discussion  of problems to achieve Maximum Production and Minimum Pollution (MPMP) which is necessary but not sufficient to achieve SD and considers the discussion of the sufficient conditions to achieve SD with special emphasis on RRMs; the economics of the processes as well the educational sides of these challenges.