Development and application of decision-making computerised system for environmental impact assessment and pollution reduction management in chemical industrial areas

Informazioni relative al progetto

DEMACSYS

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: ICA2-CT-2001-10005

Progetto chiuso

Data di avvio 1 Ottobre 2001

Data di completamento 30 Settembre 2004

Finanziato da

• Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Confirming the international role of Community research,1998-2002"

Costo totale € 1 030 073,00

Contributo UE € 624 800,00

Coordinato da

University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST)
United Kingdom

Risultati finali

Adaptation of the DEMACSYS elements (database, knowledge base, maps) to other industrial areas and licensing the tool to third parties (industrial companies, local authorities) by partners UMIST, MUCT

The innovative decision-making DEMACSYS system was initially and primarily developed for radically improving environmental and economic performance of Shchekinoazot company and Moscow refinery. However its generic structure enables us to apply it to solution of similar problems of companies in processing industries. DEMACSYS basically consists of a Knowledge base of production rules, databases on emission sources, meteorological features and pollution indexes, and pollution distribution zone maps. As a co-ordinator of the project we have the expertise in all the parts of the DEMACSYS tool, which enables us to carry out its updates necessary for its application by other processing plants. Wide range of processing plants in chemical, petrochemical, refinery, pulp and paper, metal and food industries within FSU as well as EU (especially new member states) will be considered as a potential market for the DEMACSYS tool. This will require updating the system to account for the specifics in different technologies, meteorological features and pollution levels. Licensing of the software as well as personnel training may be another option for disseminating the results.

Development of teaching materials, training courses and updates in currincula on the basis of the methodology and the tool developed

The data and information obtained during the project as well as methodology and software tools developed will provide a good opportunity for development of a tailor-made course (a series of courses) for industrial third parties who are interested in improving environmental awareness of their personnel. For academic partners, the results of the project will be the basis for considerable updating of their curriculum. More emphasis will be made on environmental aspects of engineering courses.

Application of parts of DEMACSYS tool generated solutions (methodology, algorithms, heuristic procedure, and software) by industrial partner SODRU in its engineering services aimed at development of s

The project major output is the development of a decision support DEMACSYS tool. In many ways it is a novel integrated tool for generating cost effective and environmentally friendly engineering solutions and managerial decisions. This has been tested and proved on case studies provided by Shchekinoazot and Moscow refinery. However the DEMACSYS application outside these companies requires some fine tuning and upgrading of the system to account for the individual company features. The reason for that is that each processing plant has its own specifics, technology and geographical location and meteorological features. Sodruzhestvo T has a good record of engineering services provided to industrial companies and residential sector. It also has gained much experience during this project being one of the major system developers. DEMACSYS basically consists of a Knowledge base of production rules, databases on emission sources, meteorological features and pollution indexes, and pollution distribution zone maps. Tailor-made design, retrofit, operation and management on the basis of DEMACSYS generated solutions will be another service provided by Sodruzhestvo T. The market opportunities for this kind of services are considered quite favourable in the FSU. Stricter environmental regulations, public awareness and economic incentives will contribute to the demand of this service.

Joint work of partner SHAPA with local authorities on the results of the pollution distribution fields investigation and zone mapping to work out measures on abating emissions and pollution impact wit

The comprehensive study of impacts of pollution around the plant industrial area, including forest damage index assessment and zone mapping has provided us with a set of reliable data on forest damage. These data will be used shared with the local authorities of the Tula region to work out joint measures on reducing the environmental damage in the region. The developed DEMACSYS tool will considerably assist in generating overall solutions on regional abatement of pollution levels. The DEMACSYS software can be used "as is" for this purposes since it covers the regional area. Possible obstacles in this work might be the lack of awareness of other industrial companies in the region which can be addressed by the joint work of the local authorities and Shchekinoazot.