MINING & PETROLEUM
True or False: Mining projects need to consider the environment only when the mine is in active operation.
False - Mining projects need to consider environmental impacts during all stages of mine life, from development, to extraction, to closure, and during reclamation.
How can chemical processes and operations be more sustainable?
By designing processes and operations that run on energy and materials that have been sustainably sourced. Incorporating systems running on biofuels, or design processes that can convert biomass to value added products and recover high value materials from waste.
What are the three tenets of sustainability?
Environmental, Social, Economic
In what ways can the use of computers affect the environment? (Can be positive or negative effects.)
Positive - remote work and corresponding reduction of fuel consumption for travel. Negative - energy consumption, technological waste (can contain poisonous chemicals, can be an environmental hazard. Short lifespan of electronic devices that makes it easier and more convenient to replace than maintain or upgrade an old device.
How are efficiency and sustainability connected?
More efficient systems tend to require less resources and are thus more sustainable.
How can oil and gas operations be made to be more sustainable while still meeting our energy needs?
Minimization of methane emissions, reduction or elimination of flaring, ensuring wellbore integrity, reduction of surface footprint, eliminating spills, optimization of field development and management, energy efficiency and conservation.
Why is it important to understand and test construction material properties?
To determine if a material is suitable for its intended use and increase design service life of components.
What are the phases of an ESA (environmental site assessment) in Alberta?
Phase 1 - evaluation of historical and current land use. Phase 2 - Intrusive investigation (sampling and analysis).
In 2014, Alberta’s electricity sector accounted for 16% of Alberta’s total GHG emissions. What low-cost source did the majority of these emissions originate from?
Coal.
True or False: safety, environmental protection, and economic prosperity are not connected.
False - safety, environmental protection, and economic prosperity are inherently connected.
True or False: it is more economical to recycle old copper than to mine and extract new copper.
True - Recycled copper is worth up to 90% of the cost of the original copper. Recycling of copper also helps keep the cost of copper products down.
How can chemical engineering designs for chemical industrial operations prevent or reduce pollution?
Improved technologies and advanced designs that minimize raw material and energy usage, higher-activity catalysts, processes designed for "closed-loop" and "zero-discharge" operation, enhanced maintenance procedures, high quality monitoring and diagnostic instrumentation, efficient process control systems that yield less waste, using environmentally friendly, biodegradable solvents.
What impacts can construction have on the environment?
Generation of waste materials, emissions from vehicles and machinery, noise pollution because of heavy vehicles and construction machinery, release of waste and pollutants to water, soil, and air.
Name three alternative energy sources that are feasible for use in Alberta?
Wind, solar power, hydro-electric, biomass, geothermal.
True or False - Completing an integrative capstone project is a requirement to earn the Certificate in Sustainability.
True.
True or False - You must see an engineering program adviser to enroll in the Certificate in Sustainability.
False. You can enroll online at https://www.ualberta.ca/sustainability/courses/certificate
True or False - Program electives, complementary studies electives, and impact of technology on society courses all can count towards earning the certificate.
True.
How much does it cost to enroll in the Certificate in Sustainability?
a) $100
b) $350
c) $200
d) $0
d) $0
True or False - The Certificate in Sustainability can only be earned by students in the environmental engineering program.
False. Engineering students in all disciplines can earn the Certificate in Sustainability.
How many faculties can students pursue the Certificate in Sustainability in?
Eleven different faculties.