Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 5-31-1995
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science
First Advisor
Demetri P. Petrides
Second Advisor
Robert J. Farrauto
Third Advisor
R. P. T. Tomkins
Abstract
There is currently much concern with the impact on the environment due to industrial processes. One method to assess this impact is to perform a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on the process. Life Cycle Analysis is made up of three stages; Life Cycle Inventory Analysis, Life Cycle Impact Assessment, and Life Cycle Improvement Assessment. In this study, Life Cycle Inventory Analysis methodology was applied to two industrial processes for producing anhydrous ethanol. The first process is the fermentation of corn, and the second is the hydration of ethylene using water and a catalyst. Each process was first modeled using the BioPro Designer, a process simulator, to generate the material and energy balances associated with each process. The result of the Life Cycle Inventory Analysis on each process was an eco-vector which contained all material inputs, energy inputs, and emissions associated with each step of each of the processes.
Recommended Citation
Morse, Gregory, "A comparison of anhydrous ethanol production from ethylene and from corn utilizing life cycle analysis methodology" (1995). Theses. 1565.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1565
