An integrated framework of process and environmental models, and EHS constraints for retrofit targeting

Abstract

Stricter environmental regulations posed on chemical process industries (CPI), and the ever-increasing costs of end-of-pipe treatment, explain why chemical process industries have adopted new ‘cleaner production’ approaches in new designs and in retrofits. Finding environmentally clean alternatives for retrofitting existing processes has been addressed with various approaches. In this paper, a previous approach by the same authors is extended to include EHS criteria for targeting waste reduction in chemical processes. The method is applied to an existing local production facility as a case study and risk-based pollution prevention (P2) targets, and the appropriate direction and magnitude of necessary modifications are highlighted in order to improve the environmental conditions of the plant with the regulatory constraints in mind. Solutions are based on a precise, integrated description of the plant and the environment, the modifications are recommended based on their feasibility, and the pollution impacts are defined in accordance with regulations.