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Assignment II

The document discusses various aspects of green technology, including catalytic converters, water as a reaction solvent, ionic liquids, and catalysis in green chemistry. It highlights the importance of reducing waste and improving efficiency through concepts like E factor, reaction mass efficiency, and process intensification. Additionally, it covers applications of supercritical carbon dioxide in extraction processes and differentiates between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

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shriharsh
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14 views4 pages

Assignment II

The document discusses various aspects of green technology, including catalytic converters, water as a reaction solvent, ionic liquids, and catalysis in green chemistry. It highlights the importance of reducing waste and improving efficiency through concepts like E factor, reaction mass efficiency, and process intensification. Additionally, it covers applications of supercritical carbon dioxide in extraction processes and differentiates between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

Uploaded by

shriharsh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment II

Name – Shriharsh Tanaji Salokhe

PRN - 1032221515

Subject - Principles of Green Technology

1. Mention in brief about catalytic converters.


Catalytic converters are emission-control devices used in vehicles to reduce air pollution. They
contain catalysts such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh) that facilitate chemical
reactions, converting harmful gases into less toxic substances:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) → Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) → Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O)

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) → Nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂)

By improving air quality and reducing vehicle emissions, catalytic converters play a significant role in
environmental protection.

2. Write in brief about water as a reaction solvent for green


processes.
Water is an environmentally friendly solvent for chemical reactions due to its non-toxicity,
abundance, and ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. Advantages of using water in green
chemistry include:

• Non-hazardous and non-flammable nature.

• High specific heat capacity, allowing better thermal control.

• Reducing waste as it can be easily recycled or treated.

• Promoting selective reactions, such as hydrolysis and biocatalysis.

Water is widely used in microwave-assisted synthesis, enzymatic reactions, and green oxidation
processes.

3. Explain – Ionic Liquids as solvents for green processes.


Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts that remain in liquid form at room or moderate temperatures. They are
non-volatile, thermally stable, and highly tunable, making them ideal green solvents. Their
advantages include:

• Minimal vapor pressure, reducing air pollution.


• High thermal and chemical stability, making them reusable.

• Solubility for a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds.

• Enhancing catalytic efficiency in reactions.

Ionic liquids are used in organic synthesis, electrochemistry, biocatalysis, and extraction processes
as green alternatives to traditional solvents.

4. Write in brief about catalysis and green chemistry-based


processes. Explain in short photocatalyst, electrocatalyst, and sono-
chemical processes.
Catalysis in green chemistry enhances reaction efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and
minimizes waste. It involves using catalysts to speed up reactions without being consumed.

• Photocatalysis – Uses light energy (UV/visible) to activate a catalyst (e.g., TiO₂) for
environmental applications like water purification and pollutant degradation.

• Electrocatalysis – Uses an electrical potential to drive chemical reactions, commonly applied


in fuel cells and hydrogen production.

• Sono-chemical processes – Use ultrasonic waves to create high-energy conditions for


reactions, improving reaction rates and yields.

These processes contribute to sustainable chemistry by reducing harsh reaction conditions and
increasing efficiency.

5. Explain – E factor and reaction mass efficiency.


E Factor (Environmental Factor) measures the amount of waste produced per unit of product:

E Factor=Mass of waste generatedMass of productE \text{ Factor} = \frac{\text{Mass of waste


generated}}{\text{Mass of product}}

Lower E-factor values indicate greener and more sustainable processes. Fine chemicals and
pharmaceuticals tend to have high E-factors, whereas bulk chemicals have lower values.

Reaction Mass Efficiency (RME) evaluates how effectively the reactants are converted into the
desired product:

RME=(Mass of desired productTotal mass of reactants)×100RME = \left( \frac{\text{Mass of desired


product}}{\text{Total mass of reactants}} \right) \times 100

Higher RME indicates a more efficient and waste-minimizing reaction.

6. Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous


catalysis.
Feature Homogeneous Catalysis Heterogeneous Catalysis

Same phase as reactants (usually Different phase (usually solid with gaseous
Phase of Catalyst
liquid) or liquid reactants)

Reaction
Molecular-level interactions Surface interactions
Mechanism

Catalyst Recovery Difficult, requires separation steps Easy, can be filtered or reused

Acid catalysis (H₂SO₄ in Metal catalysts (Pt, Pd in catalytic


Example
esterification) converters)

Advantages High selectivity and efficiency Easy separation, reusable catalyst

Difficult catalyst separation, Lower reaction rates due to diffusion


Disadvantages
expensive recovery limitations

Both types play a crucial role in green chemistry, improving reaction efficiency and sustainability.

7. Mention in brief about the application of supercritical carbon


dioxide as a solvent and the extraction process of decaffeination.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (scCO₂) is CO₂ in a state where it has properties of both a liquid and a
gas, making it an excellent green solvent due to:

• Low toxicity and environmental impact.

• High diffusivity, allowing better penetration into materials.

• Easy recovery, as CO₂ can be separated by depressurization.

Decaffeination using scCO₂:

1. Coffee beans are moistened to open their pores.

2. Supercritical CO₂ is passed through the beans to dissolve caffeine.

3. The CO₂ is depressurized to remove caffeine, which is then collected separately.

4. The beans are dried, preserving their flavor while removing caffeine.

scCO₂ is also used in essential oil extraction, pharmaceuticals, and polymer processing.

8. Explain – Process Intensification.


Process Intensification (PI) aims to make chemical and industrial processes more efficient, compact,
and sustainable by:

• Reducing energy and material consumption.


• Improving product yield and selectivity.

• Minimizing waste and emissions.

Examples of PI technologies include:

• Microreactors – Increase reaction rates with better heat and mass transfer.

• Ultrasound and microwave-assisted reactions – Enhance reaction speed and efficiency.

• Reactive distillation – Combines reaction and separation in one unit, reducing energy use.

Process intensification is widely used in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy


production, contributing to greener and more sustainable industries.

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