In the evening of May 4, 2017, East China University of Science and Technology School of Chemistry Professor Li Tao was invited to our Science & Humanity Forum and made a lecture on Chemistry and Life --the Chemical Engineering you didn’t know in the third floor lecture hall in phoenix building of Wuchuan Campus. The Lecture attracted more than 100 students and the room was packed.
Professor Li started from the relationship between chemical industry and our life, demonstrated in simply words that chemical industry is the pillar industry of national economy and life, and contributed far more than real estate to national GDP. Chemical industry is closely related with our life and our food, clothes, shelter, transportation, and entertainment could never leave it.
Then, Professor Li introduced the three stages of chemical industry and environment pollution in the prospective of safety production: the end of 19 th century was the starting period of inorganic pollutant like acid, alkali and salt; the time from the beginning of 20 th century to 1940s was the development period of inorganic pollutant in quality and degree; the time after 1950s was the flushing period causing by the rapid increase of petroleum industry. Professor Li introduced recent disasters related with chemical industry like the catastrophic explosion in Tianjin and the PX boycott. The vivid examples raised students’ deepen thought and they felt that chemical industry is not that sophisticated and lacking of rigorous management is the primary cause.
In the analysis on chemical industry pollution, Professor Li introduced the sustainable concept of chemical development, that the development of chemical industry should base on two fundamental points: saving resource and protecting environment. Chemical industry should advocate the concept of circular economy and combine with advanced technology. However, we should realize that it is impossible to make no pollution in circular economy and we should make more efforts in pollution management. Then, he introduced the HSE management system, that is Health, Safe, and Environment. Professor Li expressed that, we should hold correct attitude to chemical products, improve our vigilance and believe science.
In the end, students took the opportunity to raise their problems in daily life. Professor Li answered in patience and expressed that, the knowledge of chemistry and economy is no harm itself, and it would benefit human if we use the knowledge in a correct way. This lecture, well prepared by Professor Li Tao and quoted with many vivid examples, showed students the relationship between chemical engineering and daily life. Students learned lots of knowledge in a relax way, and had profound understanding and recognition on chemical industry.
Article: Sun Yingjie(Stu); Photo: Wang Bin