Question 1 a.

"The earth is losing its carrying capacity due to unsustainable production and consumption" Can engineers help regain the carrying capacity of earth? Do you agree or disagree? State the reasons of your answer. (6 marks) They need to tell that the earth has limited resources such as energy, forest, food, water to meet the basic needs of its population. Engineers can come up with efficient and environmentally technological options for reducing resource consumption and enhancing production efficiency. This is the basic concept. If they can clarify this concept, then straight away give then 4 marks. If they interpret this with a suitable example, then give full marks. b. Give an example of ecological imbalance resulting from an engineering application. (2 marks) One example is mining, causing deforestation and then causing ecological imbalance as the deforestation affects biodiversity and soil nutrient balance. The answer must be flowing logically like this for obtaining the full marks. c. What is meant by inter-generational equity and intra-generational social equity? Give one example for each. (4 marks) Inter-generational equity: Equity between present and future generations. For example, our current resource consumption pattern may cause resource scarcity and environmental degradation for the future generation Intra-generational social equity : Equity between present generations. For example, 20% of the people in the developed countries consume 80% of the total resources, while 80% of the people in the developing countries only 20% d. Discuss briefly the themes of previous Earth Summits on climate change (3 marks) Kyoto Protocol in 1998: to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of GHG to prevent climate change; and to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. Bali in 2007 The main goal of the Bali conference is to get underway negotiations on a new international climate change agreement. Copenhagen 2009 Some key points of COP 15 include the objective to keep the maximum temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, which is a challenge for future engineers f. Following Dr David Oldmeadows lecture on Engineering for Remote Aboriginal Communities, what do you understand by ugly, bad and good? (5 marks) 3 marks for explanation, 2 marks for examples Get rid of the UGLY, the technology that can not be used, e.g. Massive OHS risk Unreliable

Wasteful Cannot maintain Poor build quality No consideration of suitability to climate Not appropriate housing Lack of maintenance leads to disrepair Safety issues No RCD

They need to mention and discuss a technology fulfilling at least one of these criteria, some examples are related to generators

Replace the BAD when useful life is over Ageing infrastructure Non compliant with modern OHS standards Poor build quality No insulation in roof or walls Solar hot water system water hardness - maintenance problems Evaporative air- conditioning filters calcify Non- Automatic switchboards Manual switching OHS issues Vandalism

They need to mention and discuss a technology fulfilling at least one of these criteria, some examples are related to generators, solar hot water tech, water tank etc.

Ensure that new works are GOOD Compliant with modern OHS standards Reduced fuel usage $ saving Reduced carbon footprint Use of renewable energy for water pumping eliminates risk of GW contamination Climate sensitive Collaborative design Quality build Fully Automatic power stations Intelligent Load sharing Full telemetry allowing remote access well maintained- no vegetation Well designed- ample capacity Securely fenced

They need to mention and discuss a technology fulfilling at least one of these criteria, some examples are related to generators, solar hot water tech, water tank, fuel tank, water ponts, fencing, Photovoltaic panel etc. Question 2 a) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a valuable tool in achieving sustainable development. i) Why is life cycle assessment research a function of cost, and time? (2 marks)

Cost for measuring emissions at field level and employing staffs to do this and time is need to develop a detailed life cycle inventory. They need to discuss about these points to get full marks. ii) What is Carbon neutral? Is PV technology carbon neutral? Discuss briefly on the basis of Mr Andrew Moores presentation. (1 mark + 3 marks)

When the net GHG emission from the life cycle of a product is ZERO, ie some stages because of their sequestration capacity can offset the emissions from other stages of the life cycle. Biodiesel is not carbon neutral as GHGs are emitted from the production of biodiesel and the net GHG emissions are greater than ZERO. This is a key point, they need to discuss little bit more to ge full marks. iii) The life cycle of a lamp consists of production and use stages. The electrical energy consumption during the production and use stages of this lamp are 100 kWh (kilowatt hour) and 2000 kWh, respectively. Please note that the use stage takes into account the energy consumption during the lifetime of the lamp. The CO2 equivalent emissions resulting from the mining, processing and manufacturing of materials required to this make this lamp is 0.5 kg. The emission factor of electricity generation is 900 kg of CO2 equivalent per MWh (megawatt hour). An office purchased 40 pieces of these lamps. Calculate the carbon foot prints (i.e. life cycle greenhouse gas emissions) of all lamps purchased by the office. (6 marks)

Electrical energy use Production stage 100 kWh Use stage 2000 kWh (life time) CO2 emissions Production stage (mining, processing and manufacturing) 0.5kg CO2 -e Use stage (Emissions from electricity generation) 900 kg CO2 e/MWh Number of lamps = 40 Total life cycle electrical energy per lamp = 2000 + 100 =2,100 kWh = 2.1 MWh Total life cycle electrical energy of 40 lamps = 84 MWh Total life cycle emission = 900 x 84 = 75,600 kg CO2 e

b) Discuss briefly how the use of cleaner production strategies can help enhance the life cycle environmental performance of a product in an economically feasible way? (3 marks) Basic concept: Application of cleaner production strategies saves energy and materials, which means it saves money. For example, payback period is short as the benefits due to use of cleaner production strategies can recover the capital spent quickly. c) Industrial Ecology has undergone a rebirth in the early 1990s and today represents one of the foremost concepts for the understanding of industrial production and consumption and their interaction with the biosphere. i) List any two environmental benefits resulting from industrial symbiosis in Kwinana Industrial Area. (1 mark) Less waste and emissions to environment Reduced operational costs Increase company income Increased water efficiency Increased energy efficiency Water and energy security

If they mention any TWO of them, give them straight away 1 mark. ii) An alumina refinery is using process carbon dioxide (CO2) from a nearby fertilizer plant to reduce the alkalinity of its bauxite residue, thus reducing environmental risks and significant ongoing management related to bauxite residue storage areas while also leaving options open for additional processing of the residue into other useful products at a future stage. The alumina refinery uses 10 kg CO2 for reducing alkalinity of 1 tonne bauxite residue, while the refinery produces 50,000 tonnes of alumina per year. The bauxite which is refined to alumina is low grade bauxite (40%). The refinery is expected to reduce carbon taxes for sequestering CO2 from the neighbouring plant. The Government has just implemented Carbon tax of $20/tonne of CO2 emitted. Calculate the economic and environmental benefits from this industrial symbiosis. (4 marks)

Treatment 10 kg CO2 /tonne of Bauxite residue Production 50,000 tonnes/year Bauxite in alumina 40% Needs 50,000/0.4 or 125,000 tonnes Bauxite to produce 50,000 tonne of alumina Therefore bauxite residue is (125,000-50,000) tonnes or 75,000 tonnes Environmental benefit = 10 * 75,000 = 750,000 kg = 750 tonnes of CO2-e C- tax $20/tonne of bauxite residue Economic benefit is 750 * 20 = $15,000

Question 3 Part a) Energy supply security, the long term stability of the costs, reliability and environmental impact, including climate change, play a major role in the energy planning of States. i) What are the three ways for attaining a sustainable energy future? (3 marks)

Introduce new, clean technologies that should substantially reduce pollution emissions and health hazards; To develop and deploy the renewable energy sources on a much wider scale; To make major improvements in the efficiency of energy generation, conservation, distribution and use They dont need write word for word, if they make the themes of the these 3 points correct, give them full mark. ii) Is renewable energy a sustainable energy source for Australia (The Miri students can write this for Malaysia)? summarise your argument using the triple bottom line approach. (5 marks)

Discuss advantages and disadvantages Environmentally friendly, can be renewed But low energy intensity, technology is yet new, small share in the energy mix Discuss it on the basis of the definition of sustainable energy Australias/ Malaysian energy situation Then conclusion in one sentence They need to write max of of a page iii) Following the presentation of Prof. Chem Nayar, discuss briefly the technical and environmental benefits of the use of a hybrid system over a diesel generator. (2 marks) Wind-solar hybrid appears to be better for the remote areas, as when you dont get more wind, you get more sunlight. So they are well matched to meet the electricity demand. Also the problems associated with the transport of diesel for diesel power generation can be avoided. Part b) The approach of green engineering and green chemistry is to design industrial processes that lead to reduced waste production and less environmental and social impact
i)

Explain what is meant by 80% atom efficiency. (2 marks)

When 80% of carbon atoms present in the raw materials are converted into the product without generating any waste product, then it is known as the carbon atom efficiency of 80%.
ii)

Following the presentation of Dr Shaobin Wang, briefly explain the environmental implications of catalysis. (3 marks)

Reduce waste, hazard, energy, cost, risk, material. If they mention all of them, then give full marks. c) Environmentalism emerged from an anti-technological focus, but is increasingly embracing technological optimism

i)

Information technology can make a major contribution to sustainable development. Explain, giving a practical example for two of the four strategies (one each) that can be used to further develop this field and create economic, social and environmental value. (4 marks) 4 strategies are... a. Build a real e-company: dematerialise and digitise b. Maximise efficiency and minimise waste (e.g. make the paperless office a reality) c. Create tools for sustainability d. Network with nature and re-design products into services They need to write down 2 strategies and one example for each strategy. Some examples are as follows: By storing files on laser disks or other electronic media, sending manuals in electronic format, and offering customers online records, e-company can save large quantities of paper, staff time and money. Through a shift to electronic record keeping and better inventory companies have the potential to save money in reduced warehouse space. Such a dematerialization activity may lead to attain the goal of sustainable development, but social aspects needs to be investigated.

ii)

Mimicking the morphology of a dolphin skin for coating purposes can potentially reduce the power consumption of marine locomotion. Why ?. (1 mark) If they can just mention that the reduction of drag force is causing the reduction in the consumption of power, give them full mark

Question 4 Part a) Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are a tool that industries can use to not only improve compliance with environmental laws but also go beyond that to reduce environmental impacts from both regulated and unregulated activities. i) List four benefits of Environmental Management Systems. (2 marks)

demonstrate that it is a good corporate citizen prioritise, coordinate and focus activities on achieving its goals anticipate problems, and take preventative rather than corrective action take advantage of opportunities demonstrate due diligence reduce costs eliminate or minimise risks to the organisation and to the environment gain a competitive advantage; and maintain good organisational morale They need to list any four of them, if the answers are close to these points, accept them.

ii)

Explain environmental aspects, objectives and targets, as evident from the experience in BP Refinery, Kwinana. (6 marks)

Aspects air emissions (17 emissions, including noise) water emissions (22 emissions); soil and groundwater; wastes; and contaminated sites.

Objective and Targets

Investigation targets where we dont have enough information to make an improvement eg: prepare long-term strategy for the recovery of sub-surface oil Improvement targets where we need to do things better eg: Direct spent caustic to oily water sewer Need to be managed (see Action Plans) Progression:

iii)

List any four guidelines, which are included in ISO 14000 series. (2 marks)

Auditing guide line Environmental performance evaluation guideline Environmental Management Systems guideline LCA guideline Levelling guideline Auditing guideline They need to list any four of them, if the answers are close to these points, accept them. Part b) Design for the Environment entails a change of focus from the production process to the product itself, and how it can be modified to enhance sustainability throughout the product lifecycle. i) Briefly explain the role LCA can play in Design for the Environment. (2 marks)

The design for the environment takes into account the improvement in all stages of product life cycle. LCA helps identify improvement opportunities to improve product life cycle environmental performance. For example, the product can be designed in a way that can be recycled and reused. ii) Why do we use Eco-design wheels? (1 mark) Compare the environmental performance of 2 products, offering the same service, using eco-design strategies.

iii)

With the aid of an example, briefly discuss the Optimization of End-of-Life system? (3 marks) Single Use Kodak Camera Recycling Program Collection rate USA 70 % World 60% Material recovery 77-86 % weight Remanufacturing of old products, such as photo copy machines, compressors etc.

They need to give example like above case studies to explain the strategy. 1.5 marks for defining the strategy and 1.5 marks for example. iv) Explain the two complementary strategies Eco-efficiency and Eco-sufficiency and explain how they contribute to sustainable consumption. (4 marks) Eco-Efficiency Aims to get the same (or more) product from less material Eco-Sufficiency Seeks to get the same welfare out of fewer goods and services The use of these concepts reduces material consumption and save non-renewable resources and finally reduces the pressure on nature.