Eco-innovation in process engineering: Contradictions, inventive principles and methods

摘要: Abstract Economic growth and ecological problems motivate industries to apply eco-friendly technologies equipment. However, environmental impact, followed by energy material consumption still remain the main negative implications of technological progress in process engineering. Based on extensive patent analysis, this paper assigns more than 250 identified eco-innovation requirements 14 general eco-categories with losses, air pollution, acidification as top issues. It defines primary eco-engineering contradictions, case eco-problems appear side effects new technologies, secondary if solutions have drawbacks. The study conceptualizes a correlation matrix between eco-requirements for prediction typical eco-contradictions example processes involving solids handling. Finally, it summarizes major approaches including Process Intensification engineering, chronologically reviews 66 papers adapting TRIZ methodology. analysis 100 eco-patents, 58 intensification literature, identifies 20 universal inventive principles sub-principles that higher value innovation. presented research work belongs European project “Intensified Design platform handling” (IbD, http://ibd-project.eu ), funded Commission under Horizon 2020 SPIRE programme.