Industrial Sustainability Practices - K-State Intersessions

PPI hosts an intersession twice a year that is open to students and professionals alike.  Students can take for credit or no credit, and professionals can receive professional development hours.

Course Description:

This intersession course is designed to provide an overview of pollution prevention (P2) and environmental sustainability opportunities and obstacles that exist in a variety of Kansas industrial and institutional settings.  Topics will address industrial systems that may include: building envelope, lighting, HVAC systems, motors, compressed air, steam, fans, pumps, chemical use, green procurement, waster and waste water, as well as zero waste.  The course is open to all students, but is targeted at students who desire an internship with a Kansas industry and are at least at the junior level in their studies.  The course is also open to industry or institutional professionals.  It is offered for credit or non-credit, as well as professional development hours.

Prerequisites:

Interest in environmental sustainability.  Students taking this course to prequalify for PPI internships need to be enrolled in engineering or science programs at an accredited college or university in Kansas and have at least a "junior" standing by the start of their internship summer.

Class Schedule:

Classroom lecture MTW 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; additional two-day field project if taking for 1 credit hour or more.

Class Objectives - After completing this course, student will be able to:

1. Explain why industrial sustainable practices are important to industry as well as the community.
2. Estimate what types of P2 projects might apply at different industries.
3. Predict environmental health benefits resulting from different P2 projects.
4. Identify specific P2 projects and why they could be implemented at a facility.
5. Calculate the environmental, cost, and environmental health benefit for implementing the P2 project.

Topics:

1. Introduction to P2
2. Environmental health impacts.
3. Energy efficiency.
4. Solid and hazardous waste minimization.
5. Water conservation.
6. Greenhouse gases.
7. Engineering economics.
8. Environmental management systems.