Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/03/2024
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Location
HPNP 1404
Categories
Gerard Ruiz-Mercado, Ph.D.
Research Chemical Engineer
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Title: Process Systems Engineering Opportunities for Supporting Chemical Life Cycle Modeling, Sustainability and Circular Economy
Abstract:
Sustainability and the circular economy focus on creating systems that use resources more effectively while reducing waste. This means finding ways to reuse materials and minimize pollution. However, changing from the usual linear way of producing goods—where products are made, used, and then thrown away—to a circular approach is not easy. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of effective methods for recycling and recovering materials at the end of their life while keeping both communities and the environment safe. It’s essential to solve these issues to ensure that materials can be returned to the production process. Process systems engineering (PSE) can help by evaluating how chemical products and processes perform. PSE looks at environmental effects, costs, energy use, and the efficiency of materials to guide decision-makers in improving how we design and produce chemicals, aiming to boost productivity, decrease the use of raw materials, enhance recycling, and reduce pollution.
This presentation will explore how PSE can assess sustainability and model the life cycle of chemicals, highlighting both the benefits and challenges of moving toward a circular economy in the chemical industry. Additionally, it will showcase real-world examples of how these methods can be used as tools for making better, safer decisions in the chemical sector.
Bio:
Gerardo J. Ruiz-Mercado, Ph.D, is a Research Chemical Engineer with the Office of Research and Development – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Cincinnati, Ohio. He leads projects on decision support tools, techniques, economics and planning for the sustainable management of end-of-life materials. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez and a B.S. from Universidad del Atlántico – Colombia. He volunteers as an adjunct professor at the Universidad del Atlántico, journal assistant editor and an executive member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. His publications and presentations include over 75 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, a book, and more than 175 talks at technical conferences and meetings. Moreover, he is a peer reviewer for 55 indexed journals and a mentor for Ph.D., MSc, and B.S. students. He has received multiple awards, including the EPA Scientific and Technological Achievement Award, the Federal Service Excellence Diversity Award, the EPA – ORD Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Award, ORISE Future of Science Mentor Award and the Distinguished Alumni from Universidad del Atlántico.
