An integrated approach combining process simulation and life cycle assessment for eco-efficient process design

Traditionally, process simulation models and other design tools allow engineers to design, simulate, and optimize chemical processes. However, there is still a critical need to incorporate environmentally-conscious engineering into the systematic design of these processes. This paper presents a three-stage approach for eco-efficient process design and evaluation, coupling process flowsheeting and utility tool with a life cycle assessment module that generalizes and automates the evaluation of the environmental criteria. The well-known HDA process illustrates the proposed methodology. The development of the framework serves as a guideline for determination of sustainable metrics for eco-efficient process design.