Chemists play the role of setting standards and principles for creating cleaner processes to be followed when manufacturing products. Based on this need, the so-called "Green Chemistry" was instituted, whose definition is:
Green Chemistry: design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of harmful substances.
See below some of the initiatives to be followed by Industries that want to adapt to this new idea:
• Safer solvents: a good reagent is one that performs the desired function and at the same time is non-toxic. Unfortunately, the reactions generate, in addition to the main product, unwanted by-products (polluting waste).
• Choice of raw material: The selection of substances to be used in the process is a very important step, the synthesis of less toxic products generates residues that are less harmful to the environment.
• Use of renewable sources: opting for this principle, the Industry will be contributing to a reduction in the volume of waste (cleaning) and also to the economy. This is what is known as recycling, where the raw material is reused after its use. Recycling glass, for example, saves energy. The manufacture of glass from silica generates a lot of expenses, the process is more economical if the containers discarded in the garbage (glasses, bottles, plates, etc.) are used.
• Use of catalysts: in the presence of a catalyst, the chemical reaction gains speed, generating less waste.
• Real-time analysis: through laboratory analytical methods, toxic residues are detected as soon as they appear in the process. It is a process control monitoring to prevent the formation of harmful substances.
• Prevention of chemical accidents: they can be avoided by carefully choosing the Methodology, which should reduce the probability of leaks, explosions and fires.
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
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Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/principios-quimica-verde.htm
