Module Specifications..
Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024
Please note that this information is subject to change.
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Repeat examination |
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Description This module will explore the chemistry of persistent organic pollutants, focusing on industrial processes, pollution issues and green chemistry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. explain the impact of industrial processes on the generation of persistent organic chemicals 2. assess the potential environmental impact of industrial process case studies 3. evaluate the reduction of persistent organic pollutants as a result of green chemistry technologies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Industrial Process1) Fossil fuels - Petrochemical – fuel production – chemical feedstock production – volume per annum. 2) Chemical – Plastics (plasticisers), dyes/pigments, surfactants, solvents – discuss processes in their production including per annum quantities etc. 3) Specialty chemical – toward pesticide and pharmaceutical production – discuss processPollution issuesPollution from above – look at specific case studies – issues with: (i) plastics – non degradable and strategies to overcome this (ii) Dyestuffs in the environment – impact and solutions (iii) surfactants – lack of biodegradation and carboxylate surfactants - solutions (iv) PCBs – performance chemical for thermal applications – environmental cases and impact (birds, reptiles, humans – Luv canal Buffalo, US) – dioxin – storage disposal issues how this led to disaster in Montreal. (v) Pesticides – DDT, agent orange (kinetic vs thermodynamic control in production), designer pesticides that decompose (discuss the three generations of pesticides) – dioxin, chlorination (vi) Pharmaceuticals – how they get into the environment – impact (eg. diclofenac)Green chemistry(i) sustainable chemicals, (ii) sustainable processes – low carbon foot print, (iii) technologies to remove pollutants from the environment. (iv) Green energy technologies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes
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