This book utilizes statistical techniques to define a quality of life (QoL) indicator combining the three dimensions of economy, health, and education. In turn, it uses modeling to assess the impact of energy consumption on 112 countries' QoL. What sets the proposed model apart from previous research is its ability to distinguish between pre-developing, developing, and developed countries. One important aspect of this distinction is their different global energy policies and their priorities with regard to achieving sustainable energy consumption. Accordingly, the book also discusses eco-sufficiency, eco-efficiency, and energy poverty reduction for the three different types of countries. In turn, the book provides general information on how to reconcile sustainable energy consumption with QoL and economic development. Optimization programming technique and simulation are applied to measure potential energy saving in each country, without sacrificing economic progress, and while maintaining QoL. Given its scope, the book is highly recommended to the following audiences: (1) readers seeking a state-of-the-art quantitative work on energy systems and QoL; (2) manufacturers and developers of renewable energy technologies who consider renewables as an option for mitigating energy poverty; and (3) international institutions such as the United Nations seeking a sustainable global energy strategy.

Five years after the one of the worst nuclear accidents in history, Fukushima now only occasionally headlines national and international media. However, the disaster is far from over, as evidenced by a hundred thousand people from Fukushima still in the state of evacuation, rising levels of radiation in streams and rivers, and failing attempts to control the leakage of radioactive materials at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Despite these dismal conditions, efforts to recover and rebuild livelihoods in the afflicted regions of Fukushima did start immediately after the outset of the accident. Rebuilding Fukushima gives an account of how citizens, local governments, and businesses responded to and coped with the crisis of Fukushima. It addresses principles to guide reconstruction and international policy environments in which the current disaster is situated. It explores how reconstruction is articulated and experienced at different spatial scales, ranging from individuals to communities and municipalities, and details recovery efforts, achievements, and challenges in the realms of public transportation, agriculture and food production, manufacturing industries, retail sectors, and renewable-energy industries. This book also critically investigates the nature of the current reconstruction policy schemes, and seeks to articulate what may be required in order to achieve more sustainable and equitable (re)development in afflicted regions and other nuclear host regions. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and local surveys, this volume is one of the first books in English that captures the knowledge and insights of native Japanese social scientists who dealt with the complexities of nuclear disaster on a day-to-day basis. It will be of great interest to students and scholars of disaster-management studies and nuclear policy.

Based on the author's decades of years of experience in oil refining, Catalytic Naphtha Reforming Process conveys essential information on key concepts, operations, and practices of catalytic naphtha reforming technologies and associated oil refining processes. The book reviews collective technical and operational advancements with respect to efficient use of catalysts and catalytic reformers in oil refining and incorporates key advancements from recent developments in catalytic reforming technologies and processes. High octane reformate gasoline blendstock production via the use of high performing continuous catalyst regenerative processes is emphasized for regulated, environmentally friendly gasoline. The benefits of timely, effective process unit monitoring are covered in this book. Some of the principal objectives of this book include the need to emphasize more proactive approaches in the planning, operations and maintenance of catalytic reforming units and oil refineries. A number of recommendations are provided for enhancing the operations, reliability, and productivity of catalytic reformers and oil refineries.

Dual-Fuel Diesel Engines offers a detailed discussion of different types of dual-fuel diesel engines, the gaseous fuels they can use, and their operational practices. Reflecting cutting-edge advancements in this rapidly expanding field, this timely book: Explains the benefits and challenges associated with internal combustion, compression ignition, gas-fueled, and premixed dual-fuel engines Explores methane and natural gas as engine fuels, as well as liquefied petroleum gases, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels Examines safety considerations, combustion of fuel gases, and the conversion of diesel engines to dual-fuel operation Addresses dual-fuel engine combustion, performance, knock, exhaust emissions, operational features, and management Describes dual-fuel engine operation on alternative fuels and the predictive modeling of dual-fuel engine performance Dual-Fuel Diesel Engines covers a variety of engine sizes and areas of application, with an emphasis on the transportation sector. The book provides a state-of-the-art reference for engineering students, practicing engineers, and scientists alike.

This volume provides valuable insight into diverse topics related to mechanical engineering and presents state-of-the-art work on sustainable development being carried out throughout the world by budding researchers and scientists. Divided into three sections, the volume covers machine design, materials and manufacturing, and thermal engineering. It presents innovative research work on machine design that is of relevance to such varied fields as the automotive industry, agriculture, and human anatomy. The second section addresses materials characterization, an important tool in assessing proper materials for application-oriented jobs, and emerging unconventional machining processes that are important in design engineering for new products and tools. The section on thermal engineering broadly covers the use of viable alternate fuels, such as HHO, biodiesel, etc., with the objective of reducing the burden on petroleum reserves and the environment.

Industrial Energy Management: Principles and Applications provides an overall view of the energy management approach by following the stream of energy from factory boundaries to end users. All topics are examined from the point of view of plant users rather than from that of designers and only the basic concepts necessary to clarify the operation of the plants are outlined. Industrial Energy Management: Principles and Applications is written both as a textbook for university courses in engineering and as a work of reference for professionals in energy management. Readers are assumed to have a basic knowledge of thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, electric systems and power electronics, as well as computer programming. This book can be used not only by technicians involved in the field of energy management but also by managers who may find it a useful tool for understanding investment proposals and even a spur to solicit new ones. Industrial Energy Management: Principles and Applications consists of 21 chapters concerning general principles of energy transformation and energy sources, transformation plants such as electrical substantions and boiler plants, cogeneration plants, electrical and thermal fluid distribution lines, facilities plants such as pumps and fans, air compressors, cooling, HVAC and lighting systems, heat recovery equipment, principles of energy auditing and accounting by using computers, correlation between energy and waste, education in the field. At the end of the book a chapter has been dedicated to economic analysis of energy saving investments and evaluation is given of all the cases studied in the book.

Passive House Details introduces the concepts, principles, and design processes of building ultralow-energy buildings. The objective of this book is to provide design goals, research, analysis, systems, details, and inspiring images of some of the most energy-efficient, carbon-neutral, healthy, and satisfying buildings currently built in the region. Other topics included: heat transfer, moisture management, performance targets, and climatic zones. Illustrated with more than 375 color images, the book is a visual catalog of construction details, materials, and systems drawn from projects contributed from forty firms. Fourteen in-depth case studies demonstrate the most energy-efficient systems for foundations, walls, floors, roofs, windows, doors, and more.

Originally published in 1981. Every aspect of Energy - production, conversion and use - is discussed and explained in this unique dictionary. Comprehensive and well-illustrated entries cover fossil and other types of chemical fuel; hydro-electric and nuclear power; energy conservation; solar energy of every kind; wind, wave and tidal power. Every type of nuclear reactor is described, with emphasis on the energy technologies that have the greatest relevance and future promise. The first section is devoted to a careful explanation of the units used, with conversion tables; key concepts are precisely defined. The closing sections comprise tables of international energy statistics and a short bibliography. This is an excellent introduction and invaluable reference work for general readers, students and all workers in energy and energy-related fields.

This open access book questions the stereotype depicting all Gulf (GCC) economies as not sustainable, and starts a critical discussion of what these economies and polities should do to guarantee themselves a relatively stable future. Volatile international oil markets and the acceleration of the energy transition has challenged the notion that oil revenues are sufficient to sustain oil economies in the near to medium term. But what is the meaning of economic sustainability? The book discusses the multiple dimensions of the concept: economic diversification, continuing value of resources, taxation and fiscal development, labor market sustainability, sustainable income distribution, environmental sustainability, political order (democracy or authoritarianism) and sustainability, regional integration. The overarching message in this book is that we should move on from the simplistic branding of the Gulf economies as unsustainable and tackle the details of which adaptations they might need to undertake.

World War II presented America's public libraries with the daunting challenge of meeting new demands for war-related library services and materials with Depression-weakened collections, inadequate budgets and demoralized staff, in addition to continuing to serve the library's traditional clientele of women and children seeking recreational reading. This work examines how libraries could respond to their communities need through the use of numerous primary and secondary sources.

This new volume discusses new and well-known electrochemical energy harvesting, conversion, and storage techniques. It provides significant insight into the current progress being made in this field and suggests plausible solutions to the future energy crisis along with approaches to mitigate environmental degradation caused by energy generation, production, and storage. Topics in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems for Future Sustainability: Technological Advancements address photoelectrochemical catalysis by ZnO, hydrogen oxidation reaction for fuel cell application, and miniaturized energy storage devices in the form of micro-supercapacitors. The volume looks at the underlying mechanisms and acquired first-hand information on how to overcome some of the critical bottlenecks to achieve long-term and reliable energy solutions. The detailed synthesis processes that have been tried and tested over time through rigorous attempts of many researchers can help in selecting the most effective and economical ways to achieve maximum output and efficiency, without going through time-consuming and complex steps. The theoretical analyses and computational results corroborate the experimental findings for better and reliable energy solutions.

When confronted with a fire protection problem, building management is often desperately short on information and know-how in this critical component of protection for their own facility. It is not that the material is hard to grasp, but that there is so much of it that makes the task seem so daunting. Touching on the many subfields of fire protection engineering, Fire Protection for Commercial Facilities deconstructs the issues of fire prevention and life safety into easily digested information. Written in a conversational tone that makes the concepts easy to understand, this book presents systems and practices that can increase a facility's ability to avoid fires, limit the development and spread of fires, and effectively control fires. It provides guidance for decision making regarding what can be effectively controlled in-house, and what should be contracted out to relieve the workload burden of the in-house staff. The information offered augments a broad range of expertise common to building or plant engineers, keeping them abreast of the divergent subfields of fire prevention. Every facility manager dreams of the day when absolutely nothing goes wrong, the week where no new unforeseen problems occur. A fire protection problem is just one of the many emergencies that might spoil this dream. Delineating current and time-tested fire protection practices, this book explores the wide array of fire protection engineering applications encountered during typical facility operations so that facilities managers can be well-versed, informed, and better able to handle fire-related incidents.

This book considers the most contemporary innovations propelling the extractive industries forward while also creating new environmental and social challenges. The socio-ecological fabric of innovation in the extractive industries is considered through an integrative approach that brings together engineers, natural scientists, and social scientists-academics and practitioners-giving an empirically grounded and realistic evaluation of the innovations in this sector. It synthesizes a series of questions including:

Turbulence in plasma surface interaction holds crucial uncertainties for its impact on material erosion in the operation of fusion reactors. In this thesis, the design, development and operation of a Thomson scattering diagnostic and its novel implementation with fast visual imaging created a versatile tool to investigate intermittently occuring plasma oscillations. Specifically, ballistic transport events in the plasma edge, constituting turbulent transport, have been targeted in this thesis. With the help of a custom photon counting algorithm, the conditional averaging technique was applied on Thomson scattering for the first time to allow spatial and pseudo-time-resolved measurements. Since plasma turbulence and the emerging transport phenomena are comparable in most magnetized devices, the diagnostic development and the results from the linear plasma device PSI-2 are useful for an implementation of similar techniques in larger fusion experiments. Furthermore, the obtained results indicate a strong enhancement of erosion with turbulent transport and thus underline the importance of dedicated experiments investigating plasma turbulence in the framework of erosion in future fusion reactors.

The supply of petroleum continues to dwindle at an alarming rate, yet it is the source of a range of products - from gasoline and diesel to plastic, rubber, and synthetic fiber. Critical to the future of this commodity is that we learn to use it more judiciously and efficiently. Fundamentals of Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering provides a holistic understanding of petroleum and petrochemical products manufacturing, presented in a step-by-step sequence of the entire supply chain. Filled with crucial information relevant to a range of applications, the book covers topics such as: The essential preliminaries for the exploration and production of crude petroleum oil and gas Analysis of crude oil and its petroleum products The processing of petroleum in refineries The fundamentals of lubricating oil and grease Petrochemicals - their raw materials and end products, and manufacturing principles of industrially important products Theories and problems of unit operations and the processes involved in refineries and petrochemical plants Automatic operations in plants Start up, shutdown, maintenance, fire, and safety operations Commercial and managerial activities necessary for the ultimate success of a refining or manufacturing business Due to the advancement of technology, new petrochemicals are being invented and will continue to be relevant to the petroleum industry in the near future. Those entering the industry need a firm grasp of the basics as the field continues to open up new avenues of possibility, while at the same time being cognizant of the challenges that exist through the heightened focus on sustainable energy.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the most widespread analytical and preparative scale separation techniques used for both scientific investigations and industrial and biomedical analysis. Now in its second edition, this revised and updated version of the Handbook of HPLC examines the new advances made in this field since the publication of the benchmark first edition twelve years ago. It reports detailed information on fundamental and practical aspects of HPLC related to conventional format and sophisticated novel approaches which have been developed to address a variety of separation problems in different fields. The latest concepts New concepts presented in this edition include monolithic columns, bonded stationary phases, micro-HPLC, two-dimensional comprehensive liquid chromatography, gradient elution mode, and capillary electromigration techniques. The book also discusses LC-MS interfaces, nonlinear chromatography, displacement chromatography of peptides and proteins, field-flow fractionation, retention models for ions, and polymer HPLC. Fundamentals and applications The first section of the book explores emerging novel aspects of HPLC and related separation methods based on the differential velocity of analytes in a liquid medium under the action of either an electric field (capillary electromigration techniques) or a gravitational field (field-flow fractionation). The section focusing on applications highlights four significant areas in which HPLC is successfully employed: chiral pharmaceutical, environmental analysis, food analysis, and forensic science. Ideal for a widespread audience Explanatory figures and tables supplement the text and clarify difficult concepts. Extensive references provide gateways to more focused study. Suitable for undergraduates or new practitioners interested in improving their knowledge on the current status and future trends of HPLC, the book is also a critical resource for researchers looking for solutions to complex separation problems or those who currently use HPLC either as an analytical or a preparative scale tool.

Process engineering can potentially provide the means to develop economically viable and environmentally friendly technologies for the production of fuel ethanol. Focusing on a key tool of process engineering, Process Synthesis for Fuel Ethanol Production is a comprehensive guide to the design and analysis of the most advanced technologies for fuel ethanol production from feedstocks. It describes how process systems engineering can be applied to fuel ethanol production to achieve new levels of efficiency according to technical, economic, and environmental criteria. Drawing on the authors' more than 15 years of process engineering and ethanol research, the book first focuses on liquid biofuels, before examining the role of process synthesis in the rapid and high-tech analysis and design of complex biotechnological processes. It then describes various types of feedstocks, including sugars, starchy crops, lignocellulosic biomass, and microorganisms, as well as hydrolysis technologies, such as saccharification. The authors cover the fuel ethanol production technologies for different feedstocks, the new technological innovations based on process integration to reduce energy consumption, and the environmental issues of bioethanol production. They also discuss the technological configurations for fuel ethanol production in the industry and the possible factors affecting food security with fuel ethanol production and consumption. Supported by case studies that include calculations and discussions of results, this book uses a process engineering approach to explore the analysis and development of fuel ethanol production from different feedstocks. It shows how accurate analysis and precise design, along with responsible government policies, can lead to fair and sustainable development of energy crops worldwide.

Rising oil costs have stimulated significant interest in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) as a method for producing a synthetic petroleum substitute. Drawn from the proceedings at a symposium held during the 236th meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia in August 2008, Advances in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, Catalysts, and Catalysis explores the recent developments in Fischer-Tropsch technology, which holds great promise in the area of renewable resources. Expert contributors explore a range of issues The book focuses on three main themes: catalyst preparation and activation, reaction mechanism, and process-related topics. A panel of expert contributors discusses synthesis of catalysts, carbon nanomaterials, nitric oxide calcinations, the influence of carbon, catalytic performance issues, chelating agents, and Cu and alkali promoters. They also explore Co/silica catalysts, thermodynamic control, the Two Alpha model, co-feeding experiments, internal diffusion limitations, Fe-LTFT selectivity, and the effect of co-fed water. Lastly, the book examines cross-flow filtration, kinetic studies, reduction of CO2 emissions, syncrude, and low-temperature water-gas shift. Attaining the maximum catalytic activity and catalyst life The themes explored in the book demonstrate that while the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) has advanced in maturity, many issues remain concerning the preparation of increasingly active catalysts and the method of activation to attain the maximum catalytic activity and catalyst life. The book includes coverage of the structural features, their changes, and the application of increasingly sophisticated characterization techniques, shedding light on the reaction mechanism and providing a glimpse into the processes and reaction rates under realistic commercial process conditions.

Although there is a shortage of light petroleum, there is plenty of heavy petroleum rich in macromolecules available, creating an increasing interest for processes that can convert heavy oils to light oils. Process Chemistry of Petroleum Macromolecules provides the scientific basis for such processes, presenting methods to determine improvement potential. Topics include characterization, thermal kinetics, phase behavior, and separation. Revealing that the science of petroleum macromolecules is simpler and more exciting than imagined, it also discusses macromolecules that self-associate, liquid crystalline phases, reactions triggered by phase separation, and both dispersed and dissolved solutes.

With mounting pressure to extract petroleum from oil sands and other unconventional sources, oil refineries must adapt their processing methods to handle increasingly heavy crude oils. Unlike traditional crude oils, the properties of heavier crude oils include higher viscosity, metal, salt, and acid content. This causes their interfacial properties to deteriorate, leading to problems such as sedimentation, foaming, emulsification, rust, and corrosion-all of which make the manufacture, transportation, and storage of petroleum products more difficult. Interfacial Properties of Petroleum Products examines conventional and non-conventional processing techniques for crude oils and documents their effects on the composition and properties of petroleum products at the oil/solid, oil/air, oil/water and oil/metal interfaces. Focusing on surface activity, the author examines the undesirable effects of processes such as solvent extraction, desalting, dewaxing, catalyst deactivation, and hydroprocessing as well as trace element and water contamination. With each process, the author presents methods for improving interfacial properties, including the use of surface-active additives, demulsifiers, antifoaming agents, and corrosion/rust inhibitors. A distinctive and up-to-date source of materials published together for the first time, Interfacial Properties of Petroleum Products will help engineers design more cost-effective and resource-efficient processing methods for heavier crude oils, based on the properties of the crude oil extracted.

Advances in processing methods are not only improving the quality and yield of lubricant base stocks, they are also reducing the dependence on more expensive crude oil starting materials. Process Chemistry of Lubricant Base Stocks provides a comprehensive understanding of the chemistry behind the processes involved in petroleum base stock production from crude oil fractions. This book examines hydroprocessing technologies that, driven by the demand for higher performance in finished lubricants, have transformed processing treatments throughout the industry. The author relates the properties of base stocks to their chemical composition and describes the process steps used in their manufacture. The book highlights catalytic processes, including hydrocracking, hydrofinishing, and catalytic dewaxing. It also covers traditional solvent-based separation methods used to remove impurities, enhance performance, and improve oxidation resistance. The final chapters discuss the production of Food Grade white oils and paraffins and the gas-to-liquids processes used to produce highly paraffinic base stocks via Fischer-Tropsch chemistry. Process Chemistry of Lubricant Base Stocks provides historical and conceptual background to the technologies used to make base stocks, thorough references, and a unique emphasis on chemical, not just engineering, aspects of lubricant processing-making this book an ideal and practical reference for scientists across a wide range of disciplines.

Many oil refineries employ hydroprocessing for removing sulfur and other impurities from petroleum feedstocks. Capable of handling heavier feedstocks than other refining techniques, hydroprocessing enables refineries to produce higher quality products from unconventional - and formerly wasted - sources. Hydroprocessing of Heavy Oils and Residua illustrates how to obtain maximum yields of high-value products from heavy oils and residue using hydroprocessing technologies. While most resources on hydroprocessing concentrate ongas oil and lower boiling products, this book details the chemistry involved and the process modifications required for the hydroprocessing of heavy crude oils and residua. Emphasizing the use of effective catalysts to ensure cleaner and more efficient industrial fuel processes, the book presents key principles of heterogeneous catalyst preparation, catalyst loading, and reactor systems. It explains how to evaluate and account for catalysts, reactor type, process variables, feedstock type, and feedstock composition in the design of hydroprocessing operations. The text concludes with examples of commercial processes and discusses methods of hydrogen production. To meet the growing demand for transportation fuels and fuel oil, modern oil refineries must find ways to produce high quality fuel products from increasingly heavy feedstocks. Hydroprocessing of Heavy Oils and Residua contains the fundamental concepts, technologies, and process modifications refineries need to adapt current hydroprocessing technologies for processing heavier feedstocks.

Predictive and Optimised Life-Cycle Management sets out methodologies to meet the demands of the current trend towards sustainable civil engineering and building. Encompassing all aspects of construction practice, from design through to demolition and the recycling of materials, Sarja provides tools for optimal property-value protection, including a description of an integrated and predictive Life-Cycle Maintenance and Management Planning System (LMS), which employs a wide range of techniques. Clear and practical, this guide provides effective methodology required to change a reactive system of management to a predictive one, which will benefit practitioners and students involved in construction, from the architect to local and government authorities; from design engineers to facility managers.

In the past two decades, new modeling efforts have gradually incorporated more molecular and structural detail in response to environmental and technical interests. Molecular Modeling in Heavy Hydrocarbon Conversions introduces a systematic molecule-based modeling approach with a system of chemical engineering software tools that can automate the entire model building, solution, and optimization process. Part I shows how chemical engineering principles provide a rigorous framework for the building, solution, and optimization of detailed kinetic models for delivery to process chemists and engineers. Part II presents illustrative examples that apply this approach to the development of kinetic models for complex process chemistries, such as heavy naphtha reforming and gas oil hydroprocessing. Molecular Modeling in Heavy Hydrocarbon Conversions develops the key tools and best possible approaches that process chemists and engineers can use to focus on the process chemistry and reaction kinetics for performing work that is repetitive or prone to human-error accurately and quickly.

As debates over how relative risk can be used to shape landscape-scale environmental management intensify, Regional-Scale Risk Assessment demonstrates the capabilities of RRM using nine case studies in the Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Brazil, and Tasmania. The authors use a process of ranking and filters to interrelate different kinds of risks and illustrates how these relative risks are defined, mapped, and analyzed to determine remediation and management priorities. This book provides detailed descriptions for each step of RRM-from the determination of assessment goals to documentation, evaluation, and communication with decision-makers-that can benefit practitioners in environmental risk assessment and related fields worldwide.