The increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the decrease of the available amount of fossil fuels necessitate finding new alternative and sustainable energy sources in the near future. This book summarizes the role and the possibilities of catalysis in the production of new energy carriers and in the utilization of different energy sources. The main goal of this work is to go beyond those results discussed in recent literature by identifying new developments that may lead to breakthroughs in the production of alternative energy. The book discusses the use of biomass or biomass derived materials as energy sources, hydrogen formation in methanol and ethanol reforming, biodiesel production, and the utilization of biogases. Separate sections also deal with fuel cells, photocatalysis, and solar cells, which are all promising processes for energy production that depend heavily on catalysts.

This book provides the reader with the latest directions in the field of homogeneous catalysts for fine chemical production. Each theme is introduced from a broad perspective: materials, strategies, techniques and processes are presented both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. The focus is on those catalysts - particularly heterogenized homogeneous catalysts - and applications leading to the production of fine and speciality chemicals in a highly selective manner and with minimal environmental and economic impact. Each topic is treated critically so topics such as factors affecting the catalysts performance, the influence of the support, the catalysts' deactivation, the metal leaching or the issues on recycling are analyzed. Industrial and academic points of view are integrated and the feasibility and timeliness of industrial applications are illustrated. The reader is also provided with a comparison between parent heterogeneous and homogeneous systems. Content Level Research

The book provides the most up-to-date information available on various biotechnological processes useful in the pulp and paper industry. The first edition was published in 2011, covering a specific biotechnological process or technique, discussing the advantages, limitations, and prospects of the most important and popular processes used in the industry. Many new developments have taken place in the last five years, warranting a second edition on this topic. The new edition contains about 35% new material covering topics in Laccase application in fibreboard; biotechnology in forestry; pectinases in papermaking; stickies control with pectinase; products from hemicelluloses; value added products from biorefinery lignin; use of enzymes in mechanical pulping.

The history of Earth in the Solar System has been unraveled using natural radioactivity. The sources of this radioactivity are the original creation of the elements and the subsequent bombardment of objects, including Earth, in the Solar System by cosmic rays. Both radioactive and radiogenic nuclides are harnessed to arrive at ages of various events and processes on Earth.

This collection of chapters from the Treatise on Geochemistry displays the range of radioactive geochronometric studies that have been addressed by researchers in various fields of Earth science. These range from the age of Earth and the Solar System to the dating of the history of Earth that assists us in defining the major events in Earth history. In addition, the use of radioactive geochronometry in describing rates of Earth surface processes, including the climate history recorded in ocean sediments and the patterns of circulation of the fluid Earth, has extended the range of utility of radioactive isotopes as chronometric and tracer tools.
Comprehensive, interdisciplinary and authoritative content selected by leading subject expertsRobust illustrations, figures and tablesAffordably priced sampling ofcontent from the full "Treatise on Geochemistry""

This book introduces nanocomposite materials possessing a broad range of multifunctionality. It elucidates novel and highly original developments from recent research and development of these critical, new engineered materials. The collection examines multiscale modeling, molecular dynamics, atomistic based continuum, synthesis and characterization, condition health monitoring, spectroscopic characterization techniques, self-lubricating materials, and conducting polymers. The volume features the latest efforts of some of the most eminent researchers in the world. Providing a range of perspectives from the laboratory and the field, Advances in Nanocomposites: Modeling and Characterization is ideal for engineers, physicists, and materials scientists in academia and industry.

This book presents experimental and theoretical results on extremely powerful plasma generators. It addresses pulsed electrical mega-ampere arcs and the mechanisms of energy transfer from the arc into hydrogen, helium and air under pressures up to 250 MPa and currents up to 2 MA. Extreme plasma parameters and increased energy density in the arc were achieved. It was found experimentally that increasing the initial gas pressure to hundreds of MPa leads to improved arc stability, high efficiency of energy transfer from arc to gas, and plasma enthalpy growth. The data obtained data provides the basis for the development of electrophysical devices with high energy density, e.g. high intensity sources for visible, UV and X-ray irradiation for laser pumping, generators of high enthalpy plasma jets, and plasma chemical reactors.

From the reviews of the First Edition: "The book has admirably met its stated goal. The whole gamut of surface and colloid science has been presented in a comprehensive manner without any undue oversimplification. The author should be congratulated for his clarity." —Advanced Materials Now in its second edition, this work remains the single most useful introduction available to the complex area of surface and colloids science. Industry expert Drew Myers walks readers through concepts, theories, and applications—keeping the mathematics to a minimum and presenting real-world case studies to illustrate key technological and biological processes. He substantially reorganizes and updates the material to reflect the current state of knowledge in the field, offering new chapters on absorption and biological systems in addition to the important areas of colloid stability, emulsions and foams, monolayer films, surfactants, and wetting. This revision also boasts an improved index, more than 200 new line drawings, general and specific chapter bibliographies, and end-of-chapter problems. Geared to scientists, technologists, and students dealing with colloidal and surface systems and their numerous industrial applications, the book imparts an understanding of the fundamental aspects of surfaces, interfaces, and colloids, which is essential for effective solutions in diverse areas of chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, engineering, and material sciences.

This book of general analytical chemistry - as opposed to instrumental analysis or separation methods - in aqueous solutions is focuses on fundamentals, which is an area too often overlooked in the literature. Explanations abound of the chemical and physical principles of different operations of chemical analysis in aqueous solutions. Once these principle are firmly established, numerous examples of applications are also given.

The series Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry presents critical reviews on present and future trends in the research of heterocyclic compounds. Overall the scope is to cover topics dealing with all areas within heterocyclic chemistry, both experimental and theoretical, of interest to the general heterocyclic chemistry community. The series consists of topic related volumes edited by renowned editors with contributions of experts in the field.

Water is essential for life, a strategic resource for every country and population. Its availability and sanitary safety is highly connected with the health and economy status of population. Burden of disease due to polluted water is a major public health problem throughout the world. Many pollutants in water streams have been identified as toxic and harmful to the environment and human health, and among them arsenic, mercury and cadmium are considered as high priority ones. Providing population with safe drinking water became the priority and at the same time a big challenge for the modern society. Many funding agencies in various countries have assigned a high priority to the envir- mental security and pollution prevention. UN, being one of them, launched the "International Decade for Action: Water for life 2005-2015. " Therefore, today's political and social climate presents an important opportunity to implement principles of sustainable development and to preserve resources essential for future life. This process requires interdisciplinary approach; it is critically important to stimulate interactions between medical doctors, chemists, physicist, materials scientists, engineers and policy makers, which are already experienced in their specific areas. It is also our ethical obligation to preserve existing water resources and existing eco systems enhancing their biodiversity. The NATO Advanced Research Workshop "Water Treatment Te- nologies for the Removal of High-Toxicity Pollutants" took place on September 13-17, 2008 in Ko ice, Slovak Republic."

Volume 2 of the updated and extended 3rd edition of this work focuses on the chemistry and technology of rigid polyurethanes. Recent developments in obtaining polyols from renewable resources and the field of rigid polyurethanes have been included. This book is of interest to chemists and engineers in industry and academia as well as anyone working with polyols for the manufacture of PUs.

These conference proceedings provide a comprehensive overview of and in-depth technical information on all possible bioenergy resources (solid, liquid, and gaseous), including cutting-edge themes such as advanced fuels and biogas. The book includes current state-of-the-art topics ranging from feedstocks and cost-effective conversion processes to biofuels economic analysis and environmental policy, and features case studies and quizzes for each section derived from the implementation of actual hands-on biofuel projects to aid learning. It offers readers a starting point on this challenging and exciting path. The central concepts are defined and explained in the context of process applications under various topics. By focussing on the pertinent fundamental principles in the environment and energy sciences and by repeatedly emphasizing the importance of their correlation, it offers a strong foundation for future study and practice. Learning about fundamental properties and mechanisms on an ongoing basis is absolutely essential for long-term professional viability in a technically vibrant area such as nanotechnology. The book has been written for undergraduate and graduate students in chemical, energy and environment engineering. However, selected sections can provide the basis for courses in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering. It includes a self-contained presentation of the key concepts of energy resources, solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, nuclear energy, biomass conversion technology and agricultural-waste processing. Throughout it interweaves descriptive material on sustainable development, clean coal technology, green technology, solid-waste management and lifecycle assessments. It offers an introduction to these topics rather than comprehensive coverage of the themes and their in-depth fundamentals.

This new volume of Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry reviews different methods for the production of metal powders including mechanical, chemical and electrochemical powders. Electrochemically produced metal powders are of high purity and they are extremely active during sintering. These powders find a wide-range of applications in automotive, aerospace, energy device and electronics industries.

The book provides a systematic view on flammability and a collection of solved engineering problems in the fields of dilution and purge, mine gas safety, clean burning safety and gas suppression modeling. For the first time, fundamental principles of energy conservation are used to develop theoretical flammability diagrams and are then explored to understand various safety-related mixing problems. This provides the basis for a fully-analytical solution to any flammability problem. Instead of the traditional view that flammability is a fundamental material property, here flammability is discovered to be a result of the explosibility of air and the ignitability of fuel, or a process property. By exploring the more fundamental concepts of explosibility and ignitability, the safety targets of dilution and purge can be better defined and utilized for guiding safe operations in process safety. This book provides various engineering approaches to mixture flammability, benefiting not only the safety students, but also field operators, as a useful resource for the safe handling of flammable gases and liquids. It will be useful to anyone who worries about the ignition potential of a flammable mixture.

This book explores effective environmental impact mitigation for petroleum-based lubricants to reduce their negative persistence during usage and upon end-of-life disposal. The book reviews the basic tribology of lubricants as well as initiatives that may enhance the environmental and economic effectiveness of lubricating oils from the composition design perspective across industries. Considering the blending, application, and disposal of petroleum lubricants in a holistic manner, the book presents and extends current best practices that minimize or eliminate adverse environmental impact throughout the product's life cycle. The book reviews methods including: raw material substitution, minimizing oil losses during and after manufacturing, raw material and energy consumption reduction, and environmentally friendly applications of oil disposal as ways forward for cleaner and more effective production. This book provides readers with strategies for incorporating cleaner production practices into their operations - a benefit to both environmental legal compliance and business competitiveness - all the while preserving the environment for sustainable development. The book is therefore of interest to both manufacturers and consumers in the lubricants industry.

This book provides a comprehensive overview on mechanochemistry including its history, high-energy ball milling process, equipment used and fundamentals behind the observed scientific phenomena. It also shows that mechanochemistry is highly applicable in the field of waste treatment. The text reviews 1017 studies utilizing mostly high-energy ball milling for the treatment of various types of consumer, technogenic and agricultural waste. The text is divided into chapters based on individual waste types. The book presents an Appendix compiling all studies arranged according to the application that the recycled waste is meant for. In this way, readers from both academia and companies interested either in the treatment of a particular waste, or particular application might easily locate sections of interest.

first industrial application of MPC was in 1973. A key motivation was to provide better performance than could be obtained with the widely-used PID controller whilst making it easy to replace the PID controller unit or module with his new algorithm. It was the advent of digital control technology and the use of software control algorithms that made this replacement easier and more acceptable to process engineers. A decade of industrial practice with PFC was reported in the archival literature by Jacques Richalet et al. in 1978 in an important seminal Automatica paper. Around this time, Cutler and Ramaker published the dynamic matrix control algorithm that also used knowledge of future reference signals to determine a sequence of control signal adjustment. Thus, the theoretical and practical development of predictive control methods was underway and subsequent developments included those of generalized predictive control, and the whole armoury of MPC methods. Jacques Richalet's approach to PFC was to seek an algorithm that was: * easy to understand; * easy to install; * easy to tune and optimise. He sought a new modular control algorithm that could be readily used by the control-technician engineer or the control-instrument engineer. It goes without saying that this objective also forms a good market strategy.

This book presents an overview of fundamental aspects of surface-based biosensors and techniques for enhancing their detection sensitivity and speed. It focuses on rapid detection using miniaturized sensors and describes the physical principles of nanoscale transducers, surface modifications, microfluidics and reaction engineering, diffusion and kinetics. A key challenge in the field of bioanalytical sensors is the rapid delivery of target biomolecules to the sensing surface. While various nanostructures have shown great promise in sensitive detection, diffusion-limited binding of analyte molecules remains a fundamental problem. Recently, many researchers have put forward novel schemes to overcome this challenge, such as nanopore channels, electrokinetics, and dielectrophoresis, to name but a few. This book provides the readers an up-to-date account on these technological advances.

This book addresses the analysis, in the continuum regime, of biological systems at various scales, from the cellular level to the industrial one. It presents both fundamental conservation principles (mass, charge, momentum and energy) and relevant fluxes resulting from appropriate driving forces, which are important for the analysis, design and operation of biological systems. It includes the concept of charge conservation, an important principle for biological systems that is not explicitly covered in any other book of this kind. The book is organized in five parts: mass conservation; charge conservation; momentum conservation; energy conservation and multiple conservations simultaneously applied. All mathematical aspects are presented step by step, allowing any reader with a basic mathematical background (calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, etc.) to follow the text with ease. The book promotes an intuitive understanding of all the relevant principles and in so doing facilitates their application to practical issues related to design and operation of biological systems. Intended as a self-contained textbook for students in biotechnology and in industrial, chemical and biomedical engineering, this book will also represent a useful reference guide for professionals working in the above-mentioned fields.

This book provides important insights into the combustion behavior of novel energy crops and agricultural fuels. It describes a new experimental approach to combustion evaluation, involving fundamental, bench-scale and commercial-scale studies. The studies presented were conducted on two representative biomass energy crops: a woody biomass poplar (Populus sp. or poplar) and an herbaceous biomass brassica (Brassica carinata or brassica). Moreover, agricultural residues of Manihot esculenta or cassava were also analyzed. The main accomplishments of this work are threefold. Firstly, it offers an extensive characterization of the above-mentioned fuels, their ash chemistry and their emissions of both solid particles and gaseous compounds that form at typical grate combustion conditions. Secondly, it presents an in-depth analysis of ash fractionation processes for major ash species. Thirdly, it describes the role of some critical and volatile key elements (K, Cl, S and P) in grate-fired combustion systems and elucidates the main differences in the ash chemistry during combustion of Si-rich and P-rich fuels. All in all, this work provides novel insights on the basic and fundamental mechanisms of biomass grate combustion with a special focus on ash transformation and highlights important issues and recommendations that need to be considered for an appropriate conversion of ash-rich fuels and for the development of future technology in the context of both small- and medium-scale biomass-based heat and power production.

Modeling and Control of Batch Processes presents state-of-the-art techniques ranging from mechanistic to data-driven models. These methods are specifically tailored to handle issues pertinent to batch processes, such as nonlinear dynamics and lack of online quality measurements. In particular, the book proposes: a novel batch control design with well characterized feasibility properties; a modeling approach that unites multi-model and partial least squares techniques; a generalization of the subspace identification approach for batch processes; and applications to several detailed case studies, ranging from a complex simulation test bed to industrial data. The book's proposed methodology employs statistical tools, such as partial least squares and subspace identification, and couples them with notions from state-space-based models to provide solutions to the quality control problem for batch processes. Practical implementation issues are discussed to help readers understand the application of the methods in greater depth. The book includes numerous comments and remarks providing insight and fundamental understanding into the modeling and control of batch processes. Modeling and Control of Batch Processes includes many detailed examples of industrial relevance that can be tailored by process control engineers or researchers to a specific application. The book is also of interest to graduate students studying control systems, as it contains new research topics and references to significant recent work. Advances in Industrial Control reports and encourages the transfer of technology in control engineering. The rapid development of control technology has an impact on all areas of the control discipline. The series offers an opportunity for researchers to present an extended exposition of new work in all aspects of industrial control.

Many cooling systems use water as cooling medium. They are found in public buildings, industrial production systems or power plants. Almost every cooling system using water is degraded by deposition, corrosion and microbiological fouling.

This book identifies the whole bunch of problems due to water cooling systems and proposes specific solutions to all of them. The authors have an expertise of over 20 years solving cooling water problems. In this book, they advise all practitioners which need to plan, buy or operate cooling systems.

This unique thesis discusses the development of conceptually novel and synthetically valuable methods that use visible light photocatalysis. Each chapter addresses a different topic in the emerging field of photocatalysis, which has become an indispensable tool for organic synthesis. Photocatalysis employs environmentally harmless and abundant visible light in the presence of a photosensitizer, and as such offers an attractive alternative to harmful UV light in photo-mediated reactions. This book introduces the novel concept of merging gold catalysis with visible light photocatalysis in a dual catalytic fashion, which demonstrates their compatibility with each other for first time and has inspired the development of various reactions. Moreover, a novel trifluoromethylation method, which combines radical addition chemistry with a polar rearrangement to synthesize valuable fluorinated compounds, is presented, since compounds featuring fluorinated functionality are the subject of increasing attention in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and material research. It also develops an external photocatalyst-free photochemical method for the synthesis of valuable indolizine heterocycles, where the product mediates its own formation. Lastly, it describes the synthesis and characterization of two novel highly porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The comprehensive text is rounded out with illustrations and color figures.

Special distillation processes are required for separation of mixtures close to boiling point or for forming azeotrope mixtures into their pure components. In Special Distillation Processes, the authors focus on latest developments in the field, such as separation methods that may prove useful for solving problems encountered during research. Topics include extraction, membrane and adsorption distillation involving the separation principle, process design and experimental techniques. The relationship between the processes and the techniques are also presented. Comprehensive and easy-to-read, this book provides key information needed to understand the processes and is a valuable reference source for chemical engineers as well as students wishing to branch out in chemical engineering.
* The only comprehensive book available on special distillation processes
* Contains a thorough introduction to recent developments in the field
* A valuable reference for students and engineers in chemical engineering

This book treats modeling and simulation in a simple way, that builds on the existing knowledge and intuition of students. They will learn how to build a model and solve it using Excel. Most chemical engineering students feel a shiver down the spine when they see a set of complex mathematical equations generated from the modeling of a chemical engineering system. This is because they usually do not understand how to achieve this mathematical model, or they do not know how to solve the equations system without spending a lot of time and effort. Trying to understand how to generate a set of mathematical equations to represent a physical system (to model) and solve these equations (to simulate) is not a simple task. A model, most of the time, takes into account all phenomena studied during a Chemical Engineering course. In the same way, there is a multitude of numerical methods that can be used to solve the same set of equations generated from the modeling, and many different computational languages can be adopted to implement the numerical methods. As a consequence of this comprehensiveness and combinatorial explosion of possibilities, most books that deal with this subject are very extensive and embracing, making need for a lot of time and effort to go through this subject. It is expected that with this book the chemical engineering student and the future chemical engineer feel motivated to solve different practical problems involving chemical processes, knowing they can do that in an easy and fast way, with no need of expensive software.