The separation process in industrial waste treatment accounts for 40-90 percent of capital and operational costs. By selecting an efficient separation process, costs can be reduced while profits increase.
Therefore, reliable and optimal separation technology is needed to ensure that the chemical industry remains competitive and sustainable globally.
Professor Aswati Mindaryani, a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM), conveyed this during her inauguration as a professor of separation processes in chemical engineering.
In her inauguration speech at the UGM Senate Hall on Tuesday (Feb. 13), Professor Mindaryani delivered a lecture titled The Role of Separation Processes in Industry and Their Position in Chemical Engineering Education.
In her presentation, Professor Mindaryani stated that the chemical industry should gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and shift toward renewable energy sources.
“Besides supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the use of renewable energy sources is considered more efficient and economically cost-effective,” said the newly appointed professor.
She noted that chemical plants will heavily rely on technological advancements in the future, including the need for efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable raw materials and energy consumption.
The chemical processes chosen should be greener, such as using green solvents, more efficient catalysts, and reducing energy consumption.
“In the future, chemical plants will be required to meet energy efficiency and sustainable process standards,” she stated.
Regarding waste management, Professor Mindaryani explained that future chemical plants will integrate waste management systems into their main processing units rather than keeping waste treatment units separate as they are today.
“The role of separation process units will become increasingly crucial so that production and waste management processes run in parallel toward more efficient and sustainable operations,” she explained.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie