ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE PROCESS DESIGNS THROUGH STRATEGIC MATERIAL UTILIZATION AND WASTE MINIMIZATION APPROACHES

Sustainability is a growing concern as resources are continually depleted for various applications without adequate renewal plans. The resulting impacts on the ecosystem, health, and resource circularity are often overlooked. This research analyzes improvement opportunities at each major stage in a product\u27s life cycle. Raw material acquisition, product synthesis, process waste management, and the fate of a material in the end-of-life phases were examined. The viability of utilizing renewable resources has been demonstrated in this work by extracting bio-based chemicals from underutilized renewable resources at a commercial scale and transforming the extracted resources into polymeric materials. The optimization of raw material acquisition and process waste management have been accomplished via a superstructure-based approach that is modeled as MINLP optimization problem. Even though process sustainability can be achieved with strategic usage of renewable resources and recovery, the fate of post-consumer materials also poses major concerns regarding releases and emissions if left unmitigated. The guidelines surrounding the manufacturing and end-of-life phases of a material introduced in this work, backed by experimental and computational findings, can be used to effectively design environmentally conscious processes, inventions, and materials without sacrificing costs

Application of Parametric Optimization and Control in The Smart Manufacturing of Hydrogen Systems

The main objective of this dissertation is to develop and deploy and test explicit model predictive control feedback strategy on hydrogen systems using the PARametric Optimization and Control framework (PAROC). In line with the Smart Manufacturing initiative, our endeavor explores a new model based embedded control architecture that can enable the flexibility and adaptability of hydrogen process system to artificial intelligent algorithms. First a hydrogen supply chain model is developed to identify sustainable hydrogen technologies and then explicit model predictive control is developed using the PAROC framework. Both in silico and laboratory implementations are considered towards a smart prototype system application and demonstration. In silico PAROC considerations include the development and validation of high-fidelity models based on which the application of the multi-parametric programming techniques results in the derivation of explicit optimal feedback design strategy through the solution of a receding horizon optimization problem formulation. The derived explicit parametric control strategy is validated first in silico and then in real-time. Thus, laboratory scale experimental prototypes have been designed and built. The prototypes include: (i) a metal hydride hydrogen storage system (MHSS) and (ii) a PEM Water Electrolysis (PEMWE). The MHSS is designed to replicate the refueling process of a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) in a hydrogen gas station while the PEMWE is designed as a module in a large scale modular hydrogen production process. Integration of the explicit MPC feedback control strategy and the online implementation on the prototype systems create smart hydrogen energy technologies. Both prototypes are tested using the explicit model predictive control strategies developed and the results obtained from the real-time implementation of the explicit feedback strategy demonstrates the potential of the proposed strategy and effective control design that meets the desired control objectives

Book of abstracts of the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference: CHEMPOR 2008

This book contains the extended abstracts presented at the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference - CHEMPOR 2008, held in Braga, Portugal, over 3 days, from the 4th to the 6th of September, 2008. Previous editions took place in Lisboa (1975, 1889, 1998), Braga (1978), Póvoa de Varzim (1981), Coimbra (1985, 2005), Porto (1993), and Aveiro (2001). The conference was jointly organized by the University of Minho, “Ordem dos Engenheiros”, and the IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering with the usual support of the “Sociedade Portuguesa de Química” and, by the first time, of the “Sociedade Portuguesa de Biotecnologia”. Thirty years elapsed since CHEMPOR was held at the University of Minho, organized by T.R. Bott, D. Allen, A. Bridgwater, J.J.B. Romero, L.J.S. Soares and J.D.R.S. Pinheiro. We are fortunate to have Profs. Bott, Soares and Pinheiro in the Honor Committee of this 10th edition, under the high Patronage of his Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva. The opening ceremony will confer Prof. Bott with a “Long Term Achievement” award acknowledging the important contribution Prof. Bott brought along more than 30 years to the development of the Chemical Engineering science, to the launch of CHEMPOR series and specially to the University of Minho. Prof. Bott’s inaugural lecture will address the importance of effective energy management in processing operations, particularly in the effectiveness of heat recovery and the associated reduction in greenhouse gas emission from combustion processes. The CHEMPOR series traditionally brings together both young and established researchers and end users to discuss recent developments in different areas of Chemical Engineering. The scope of this edition is broadening out by including the Biological Engineering research. One of the major core areas of the conference program is life quality, due to the importance that Chemical and Biological Engineering plays in this area. “Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering” and “Sustainable Process-Product Development through Green Chemistry” are two of the leading themes with papers addressing such important issues. This is complemented with additional leading themes including “Advancing the Chemical and Biological Engineering Fundamentals”, “Multi-Scale and/or Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Process-Product Innovation”, “Systematic Methods and Tools for Managing the Complexity”, and “Educating Chemical and Biological Engineers for Coming Challenges” which define the extended abstracts arrangements along this book. A total of 516 extended abstracts are included in the book, consisting of 7 invited lecturers, 15 keynote, 105 short oral presentations given in 5 parallel sessions, along with 6 slots for viewing 389 poster presentations. Full papers are jointly included in the companion Proceedings in CD-ROM. All papers have been reviewed and we are grateful to the members of scientific and organizing committees for their evaluations. It was an intensive task since 610 submitted abstracts from 45 countries were received. It has been an honor for us to contribute to setting up CHEMPOR 2008 during almost two years. We wish to thank the authors who have contributed to yield a high scientific standard to the program. We are thankful to the sponsors who have contributed decisively to this event. We also extend our gratefulness to all those who, through their dedicated efforts, have assisted us in this task. On behalf of the Scientific and Organizing Committees we wish you that together with an interesting reading, the scientific program and the social moments organized will be memorable for all.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Carbon emission trading for the design of sustainable chemical supply chain networks under uncertainty

La reducción de la emisiones de CO2 es un objetivo prioritario en el diseño de cualquier planta procesos químicos. Es trabajo estudia la idoneidad de utilizar una política denominada "Carbon Trading", que ya se está aplicando en algunos países. Así, las autoridades limitan la máxima cantidad de CO2 que se puede emitir a la atmósfera (medidas a partir del indicador medioambiental Global Warming Potential, GWP) por el conjunto de las industrias de una determinada región. Además, cada industria (o planta) tiene derecho a emitir una determinada cantidad de CO2. Si una planta en particular no es capaz de emitir a un valor igual o por debajo de este límite, entonces sufre una penalización económica que le obligará a comprar lo que se denomina derechos de emisión de CO2 por la cantidad que excede de dicho límite. Si por el contrario una determinada planta decide cambiar su proceso o su forma de trabajar para emitir CO2 por debajo de ese límite, entonces puede conseguir ingresos extras vendiendo derechos de emisión de CO2 a otras plantas que lo necesiten. De esta forma, se establece un mercado de derechos de emisión donde el precio unitario de venta del derecho de emisión de CO2 no se puede predecir (se trata de un parámetro incierto). Y por ese motivo, se requiere lo que se denomina una diseño robusto de una planta, no se diseña para un valor fijo de un parámetro (en este caso un valor fijo del precio de la emisión de CO2) si no que se busca un diseño que sea capaz de comportarse de la mejor forma cuando el valor del parámetro incierto cambie

Energy Management Systems and Potential Applications of Quantum Computing in the Energy Sector

The combined use of technologies plays a key role in the energy transition towards a green and sustainable economy, driven by the European Green Deal initiatives and the Paris Agreement to achieve climate neutrality in the European Union (EU) by 2050. Indeed, all viable solutions with no barriers to innovation should be considered if a fair, cost-effective, competitive, and green transition is to be ensured.Energy hubs enable the synergy of different forms of energy by exploiting their specific vir-tues. However, their management in an integrated context must be entrusted to automated manage-ment systems capable of making real-time decisions.This PhD thesis aims to assess the main potential applications of quantum computing to the energy sector in the current development scenario of quantum technologies, as well as provide the elements for modelling an energy hub and managing uncertainties.The thesis is organized as follows. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to energy manage-ment systems. The concept of an energy hub and its mathematical modelling are introduced in chap-ter 2. Chapter 3 introduces the fundamentals of energy supply. Chapter 4 examines potential use cases for quantum computing in the energy sector. Chapter 5 addresses the modelling of uncertain parameters. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis with a case study of two urban districts modelled as mul-ticarrier energy hubs connected by a multicarrier energy infrastructure providing electricity, gas and hydrogen. The conclusions are drawn in chapter 7. The appendices with additional insights enrich the thesis, which is full of comments and bibliographical references

Expanding the Horizons of Manufacturing: Towards Wide Integration, Smart Systems and Tools

This research topic aims at enterprise-wide modeling and optimization (EWMO) through the development and application of integrated modeling, simulation and optimization methodologies, and computer-aided tools for reliable and sustainable improvement opportunities within the entire manufacturing network (raw materials, production plants, distribution, retailers, and customers) and its components. This integrated approach incorporates information from the local primary control and supervisory modules into the scheduling/planning formulation. That makes it possible to dynamically react to incidents that occur in the network components at the appropriate decision-making level, requiring fewer resources, emitting less waste, and allowing for better responsiveness in changing market requirements and operational variations, reducing cost, waste, energy consumption and environmental impact, and increasing the benefits. More recently, the exploitation of new technology integration, such as through semantic models in formal knowledge models, allows for the capture and utilization of domain knowledge, human knowledge, and expert knowledge toward comprehensive intelligent management. Otherwise, the development of advanced technologies and tools, such as cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, the Industrial Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, etc., have captured the attention of manufacturing enterprises toward intelligent manufacturing systems

Proceedings of the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference - CHEMPOR 2008

This volume contains full papers presented at the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference - CHEMPOR 2008, held in Braga, Portugal, between September 4th and 6th, 2008.FC

ECOS 2012

The 8-volume set contains the Proceedings of the 25th ECOS 2012 International Conference, Perugia, Italy, June 26th to June 29th, 2012. ECOS is an acronym for Efficiency, Cost, Optimization and Simulation (of energy conversion systems and processes), summarizing the topics covered in ECOS: Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Exergy and Second Law Analysis, Process Integration and Heat Exchanger Networks, Fluid Dynamics and Power Plant Components, Fuel Cells, Simulation of Energy Conversion Systems, Renewable Energies, Thermo-Economic Analysis and Optimisation, Combustion, Chemical Reactors, Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Building/Urban/Complex Energy Systems, Water Desalination and Use of Water Resources, Energy Systems- Environmental and Sustainability Issues, System Operation/ Control/Diagnosis and Prognosis, Industrial Ecology