Hyam, Samuel and Robinson, Sophia and Raidah, Sara and Butterworth, Samuel and Saha, Basu (2026) Embedding Sustainability in Chemical Engineering Design Education. In: Lancaster University Education Conference 2026, 2026-06-23 - 2026-06-24, Management School Building, Bailrigg, Lancaster and online.
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Abstract
The transition to sustainable industrial systems demands that future chemical engineers develop the ability to integrate environmental, economic, and societal considerations within design practice. This presentation examines a teaching-focused case study that embeds sustainability principles into a third-year chemical engineering design project through the development of a bio-based styrene production process. The pedagogical intervention adopts a problem-based, research-informed approach in which students collaboratively design an integrated process combining conventional ethylbenzene dehydrogenation with bioethanol production from agricultural residues. Students are required to incorporate material and energy integration, safety and hazard analysis, and techno-economic evaluation within their designs, enabling the application of sustainability principles in an industry-relevant context. Evaluation indicates enhanced student engagement, improved systems thinking, and a deeper understanding of trade-offs in sustainable design, alongside increased confidence in addressing complex, open-ended problems and balancing technical, environmental, and economic considerations. Aligned with the conference theme “Together through Change,” this work highlights how collaborative, sustainability-led design projects can foster professional identity, interdisciplinary thinking, and readiness for modern engineering challenges. The case study offers a transferable framework for educators seeking to embed sustainability meaningfully into chemical engineering curricula, supporting the development of graduates equipped to contribute to the global transition toward low-carbon and resource-efficient industrial systems.