Introduction - Principles of Chemical Separations with Environmental Applications - page 1

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Introduction

When the well's dry, we know the worth of water.
- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-1790), Poor Richard's Almanac , 1746

You can't always get what you want, but, if you try sometimes, you get what you need.
- ROLLING STONES, 1969

1.1 Objectives

1 Define separation processes and explain their importance to environmental applications.
2 Describe equilibrium- and rate-based analysis of separation processes.
3 List pollution sources for water, air, and soil.
4 Give examples of clean-up of existing pollution problems and pollution prevention.
5 Describe the hierarchy of pollution prevention.
6 Discuss the relationship between degree of dilution and cost of separations.
7 Be able to state the three primary functions of separation processes.

1.2 Why study environmental applications?

The National Research Council released a report [1] that states:

The expanding world population is having a tremendous impact on our ecosystem, since the
environment must ultimately accommodate all human-derived waste materials. The industries
that provide us with food, energy and shelter also introduce pollutants into the air, water, and
land. The potential for an increasing environmental impact will inevitably result in society's
setting even lower allowable levels for pollutants.