Biomass has received considerable attention as a sustainable feedstock that can replace diminishing fossil fuels for the production of energy and chemicals. At the present moment in the oil refining, petrochemical and chemical industry, after fractionation of crude oil, various fractions are upgraded either to fuels or functionalized to produce intermediates and specialty chemicals. An analogous concept of biorefining is based on the utilization of biomass as a renewable source of carbon, which could be transformed to valuable chemicals. Although various aspects of biomass transformations are frequently discussed in the literature, chemical engineering aspects of such transformations are commonly not considered. The aim of the present book is to fill this void.

* Updates and informs the reader on the latest research findings using original reviews * Written by leading industry experts and scholars * Reviews and analyzes developments in the field

Chemistry and chemical technology have been at the heart of the revolutionary developments of the 20th century. The chemical industry has a long history of combining theory (science) and practice (engineering) to create new and useful products. Worldwide, the process industry (which includes chemicals, petrochemicals, petroleum refining, and pharmaceuticals) is a huge, complex, and interconnected global business with an annual production value exceeding 4 trillion dollars. Although in industry special focus is in heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous, enzymatic, photochemical and electrochemical catalysis should not be overlooked; as the major aim is to produce certain chemicals in the best possible way, applying those types of catalysis, which suit a particular process in the most optimal way. Catalysis according to the very definition of it deals with enhancement of reaction rates, that is, with catalytic kinetics. This book unifies the main sub disciplines forming the cornerstone of catalytic kinetics.
* Provides a broad overview catalytic kinetics
* Bridges the gaps that exist between hetero-, homo- and bio-catalysis
* Written by internationally renowned experts in this field

The book discusses the sciences of operations, converting raw materials into desired products on an industrial scale by applying chemical transformations and other industrial technologies. Basics of chemical technology combining chemistry, physical transport, unit operations and chemical reactors are thoroughly prepared for an easy understanding.

The book illuminates various aspects of heterogeneous catalysis engineering, from catalysis design, catalyst preparation and characterization, reaction kinetics, mass transfer, and catalytic reactors to the implementation of catalysts in chemical technology. Aimed at graduate students, it is also a useful resource for professionals working in research and development.

The book describes the valorization of biomass-derived compounds over gold catalysts. Since biomass is a rich renewable feedstock for diverse platform molecules, including those currently derived from petroleum, the interest in various transformation routes has become intense. Catalytic conversion of biomass is one of the main approaches to improving the economic viability of biorefineries. In addition, Gold catalysts were found to have outstanding activity and selectivity in many key reactions. This book collects information about transformations of the most promising and important compounds derived from cellulose, hemicelluloses, and woody biomass extractives. Since gold catalysts possess high stability under oxidative conditions, selective oxidation reactions were discussed more thoroughly than other critical reactions such as partial hydrogenation, acetalization, and isomerization. The influence of reaction conditions, the role of the catalyst, and the advantages and disadvantages of using gold are presented for all of the reactions mentioned above. This book provides an overview of the recent research results focusing on application of gold catalysts for synthesis of valuable chemicals using renewable feedstocks.