Table Of ContentReaction Engineering for Pollution
Prevention
by Martin A. Abraham, Robert P. Hesketh, Robert
P. Hesketh (Editor)
• ISBN: 0444502157
• Pub. Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Elsevier Science & Technology Books
Preface
In 1997, the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering division of the American Institute
of Chemical Engineers was initiated to afford researchers in the reaction engineering
community a greater opportunity to participate in the national discussion. It was decided
that one of the initial programming events of the new division would be a Topical
Conference on Environmental Reaction Engineering and Catalysis. Shortly thereafter,
the division teamed up with the North American Catalysis Society to organize the Second
World Congress on Environmental Catalysis, and the Topical Conference on
Environmental Reaction Engineering became a separate entity. This Topical Conference
took place at the AIChE 1998 Annual meeting in Miami Beach, Florida. We would like
to acknowledge the members of the topical conference organizing committee, who helped
to develop the technical sessions on which this book is based: John C. Friedly, MIT
Practice School, Jan J. Lerou, Dupont USA, Yuri Matros, Matros Technologies, Jonathan
Phillips, The Pennsylvania State University, Peter Smimiotis, University of Cincinnati,
and Theodore Tsotsis, University of Southern California.
Coordinated by Michael Harold, V^ Vice-Chair of the division and Martin
Abraham, Topical Conference Programming Chair, six separate sessions were organized,
with over 50 technical presentations. Authors of these presentations were then invited to
prepare their work as a full-length manuscript for publication. Each manuscript was
carefully reviewed by experts in the field and revised based on the reviewer's comments
before inclusion in this volume.
In the context of this book, we define environmental reaction engineering as the use
of reaction engineering principles, including reactor design, for the development of
processes that provide an environmental benefit. With regard to pollution prevention, we
focus primarily on new reaction and reactor technologies that minimize the production of
undesirable side-products (pollutants), but also consider the use of reaction engineering as
a means of treating wastes that are produced through other means. Thus, we cover topics
ranging from reactive distillation (for a cleaner production of MTBE) to photocatalytic
oxidation (for treatment of air pollutants). Environmental reaction engineering is distinct
from environmental catalysis - here we are focused on the reaction or the reactor whereas
environmental catalysis focuses more closely on the development of the catalyst and the
underlying surface science.
The papers contained within this book have been classified into topics that are
related to those of the individual sessions from the AIChE meeting. We begin with a
section on environmentally benign combustion. The three papers discuss methods of
reducing the formation of PAHs and NOx, as well as other environmentally sensitive
combustion products. Next is a contribution from Heavy Industries Co. in Japan
describing their efforts to capture the combustion exhaust gases for recycle into the
combustion process. This paper serves as a bridge to a series of three papers on CO2
sequestration, including contributions from two U.S. national laboratories. Our inclusion
of CO2 sequestration represents our recognition of the importance of the growing
concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and the role the chemical reaction
engineering has on contributing to these increased levels.
The next section contains a collection of contributions that involve the use of a
catalyst to support the reaction. We begin with a paper describing catalytic reforming of
methane using CO2, a process with implications to the carbon dioxide sequestration issue
of the previous section. Two papers on unsteady catalysis follow, one involving the
selective catalytic reduction of NOx the other involving oxidation of VOCs. Continuing
the theme of VOC oxidation, we then present two papers on photocatalytic oxidation of
VOCs, followed by two papers on photocatalysis for the treatment of organic compounds
in wastewater.
Next is a section on the use of supercritical fluid solvents as environmentally
friendly media for chemical reactions. Three papers involve reaction in supercritical CO2,
all discussing the potential for selective chemistry within this benign medium. A final
paper in this section considers the use of supercritical water as a medium for the
conversion of cellulose to useful chemicals. This process is beneficial not only for its use
as a benign reaction solvent but also because of the possibility of converting renewable
resources into valuable chemical feedstocks.
Finally, a series of papers is presented in which novel reactor designs are utilized to
obtain product yields not possible in conventional reactor systems. These include the use
of reactor-absorber system, reactive distillation, and reactive membranes.
The book concludes with a chapter that was contributed by the editors and
discusses the educational aspects of pollution prevention. We have included this chapter
because we believe that it is necessary for future generations of engineers to be trained to
design processes that are inherently environmentally benign. This can only be achieved
by assembling resource materials for educators. The chapter describes some of the
materials that are available and provides direction onto where the interested reader should
go for further information. It is our hope that this last chapter will spark the creative
instincts of the researchers using the materials contained within this book to develop new
resources for pollution prevention education.
It is our hope that this book provides a reasonable cross-section of the field of
environmental reaction engineering at this point in time. Certainly, the broad spectrum of
topics included indicates the diversity of this area, and the vibrant nature of the ongoing
research. As the field continues to grow, we expect to see continued interest in pollution
prevention and benign processing, and expect reaction engineers to be at the forefront of
developments in this area. One can only do so much to treat a waste in an effluent stream.
However, the possibilities of producing desirable products without the formation of waste
byproducts is bounded only by the creativity of the reaction engineer.
In closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the individuals
who have contributed to this effort. Specifically, we thank all of the individuals who
contributed papers to this book, and all of those who took time from their busy schedules
to review these papers and provide comments for the authors. We thank the Catalysis and
Reaction Engineering division of the AIChE, and the AIChE itself, for providing us with
the permission to produce this book based on the Topical Conference. We also recognize
the efforts of the individual session organizers, who made the Topical Conference a
valuable compilation of research in this area. Finally, we recognize Elsevier Science for
providing us the opportunity to organize this book.
Martin Abraham
Professor, Chemical and Environmental Engineering
The University of Toledo
Robert Hesketh
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
Rowan University
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
Martin A. Abraham Arun C. Bose
Dept. of Chemical & Environmental US Department of Energy
Engineering Federal Energy Technology Center
The University of Toledo Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940
2801 W.Bancroft St. USA
Toledo, OH 43606
USA G. A. Bunimovich
Matros Technologies, Inc.
Tadafumi Adschiri 14963 Green Circle Dr.
Dept. of Chemical Engineering Chesterfield, MO 63017
Tohoku University USA
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579
JAPAN Darryl P. Butt
Los Alamos National Laboratory
K. Arai Mail Stop H846
Dept. of Chemical Engineering Los Alamos, NM 87545
Tohoku University USA
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579
JAPAN G. B. Combes
University of New South Wales
N. Arai School of Chemical Engineering
Research Center for Advanced Energy Sydney, NSW 2052
Conversion AUSTRALL\
Nagoya University
Nagoya S. N. Danov
JAPAN Research Center for Advanced Energy
Conversion
G. Balasubramanian Nagoya University
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Nagoya
Engineering JAPAN
741 Baldwin Hall
University of Cincinnati Hugo de Lasa
P.O. Box 210071 University of Western Ontario
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071 Faculty of Engineering Science
USA Chemical Reactor Engineering Center
London, Ontario
I. Baudin CANADA N6A 5B9
Lyonnaise Des Eaux
CIRSEE F. Dehghani
Le Pecq University of New South Wales
France School of Chemical Engineering
Sydney, NSW 2052
Eric J. Beckman AUSTRALL\
University of Pittsburgh
1249 Benedum Hall
Chemical Engineering Dept.
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
USA
A. K. Dillow T. Furuhata
University of Minnesota Research Center for Advanced Energy
Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Conversion
Materials Science Nagoya University
Minneapolis, MN 55455 Nagoya
USA JAPAN
Dionysios D. Dionysiou Shigeo Goto
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Nagoya University
Engineering Dept. of Chemical Engineering
741 Baldwin Hall Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku
University of Cincinnati Nagoya, Aichi-ken 464-8603
P.O. Box 210071 JAPAN
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071
USA D. Hancu
University of Pittsburgh
Can Erkey 1249 Benedum Hall
Department of Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering Dept.
University of Connecticut Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Storrs, CT 06269-3222 USA
USA
Robert P. Hesketh
Z. Fang Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Dept. of Chemical Engineering Rowan University
Tohoku University 201 Mullica Hill Rd.
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 Glassboro,NJ 08028-1701
JAPAN USA
Pio Forzatti H. Ibrahim
Politecnico di Milano University of Western Ontario
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 Faculty of Engineering Science
20133 Milano Chemical Reactor Engineering Center
ITALY London, Ontario
CANADA N6A 5B9
Neil R. Foster
University of New South Wales H. Itoh
School of Chemical Engineering Nagoya University
Sydney, NSW 2052 Dept. of Chemical Engineering
AUSTRALL\ Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku
Nagoya, Aichi-ken 464-8603
Y. Fukushima JAPAN
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Tohoku University Jifi Jirat
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 Prague Institute of Chemical Technology
JAPAN Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Technika 5
166 28 Prague 6
CZECH REPUBLIC
T. Kiga Yu. Sh. Matros
Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Matros Technologies, Inc.
2-16 Toyosu 3-Chome, Koto-ku 14963 Green Circle Dr.
Tokyo 135-8733 Chesterfield, MO 63017
JAPAN USA
Milan Kubicek Ivan Milosavljevic
Prague Institute of Chemical Technology Air Liquide
Dept. of Mathematics 1, chemin de la Porte des Loges
Technicka 5 Les Loges en Josas
166 28 Prague 6 78353 Jouy en Josas Cedex
CZECH REPUBLIC FRANCE
Klaus S. Lackner S. Miyamae
Los Alamos National Laboratory Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co.
Mail Stop H846 2-16 Toyosu 3-Chome, Koto-ku
Los Alamos, NM 87545 Tokyo 135-8733
USA JAPAN
J. M. Laine Harvey M. Ness
Lyonnaise Des Eaux US Department of Energy
CIRSEE Federal Energy Technology Center
Le Pecq Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940
France USA
Luca Lietti Isabella Nova
Politecnico di Milano Politecnico di Milano
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32
20133 Milano 20133 Milano
ITALY ITALY
G. Q. (Max) Lu M. Okawa
Department of Chemical Engineering New Energy and Technology Dev. Dept.
The University of Queensland Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
St. Lucia, QLD 4072 6-15-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku
AUSTRALL\ Tokyo 104-8165
JAPAN
F. P. Lucien
University of New South Wales Nesrin Olten
School of Chemical Engineering University of California, Los Angeles
Sydney, NSW 2052 5531 Boelter Hall
AUSTRALL\ Los Angeles, CA 90095
USA
Milos Marek
Prague Institute of Chemical Technology D. R. Palo
Dept. of Chemical Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering
Technika 5 University of Connecticut
166 28 Prague 6 Storrs, CT 06269-3222
CZECH REPUBLIC USA
Sean I. Plasynski Frantisek Stepanek
US Department of Energy Prague Institute of Chemical Technology
Federal Energy Technology Center Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940 Technika 5
USA 166 28 Prague 6
CZECH REPUBLIC
Pluton Pullumbi
Air Liquide Vadim O. Strots
1, chemin de la Porte des Loges Matros Technologies, Inc.
Les Loges en Josas 14963 Green Circle Dr.
78353 Jouy en Josas Cedex Chesterfield, MO 63017
FRANCE USA
A. T. Quitain M. T. Suidan
Nagoya University Dept. of Civil and Environmental
Dept. of Chemical Engineering Engineering
Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku 741 Baldwin Hall
Nagoya, Aichi-ken 464-8603 University of Cincinnati
JAPAN P.O. Box 210071
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071
Ajay K. Ray USA
National University of Singapore
Dept. of Chemical and Environmental K. Suzuki
Engineering Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co.
10 Kent Ridge Crescent 1 Shinnakahara, Isogo-ku, Yokohama
Singapore, 119260 Kanagawa 235-8501
JAPAN
C. R. Roach
Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems, Inc. H. Teng
P.O. Box 14547 National Institute of Materials and Chemical
St. Louis, MO 63178 Research
USA 1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305
JAPAN
M. Sasaki
Dept. of Chemical Engineering Enrico Tronconi
Tohoku University Politecnico di Milano
Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32
JAPAN 20133 Milano
ITALY
Daniel J. Seery
United Technologies Research Center Savvas Vasileiadis
East Harford, CT 06108
ZiVaTech
USA
15549 Dearborn St.
North Hills, CA 91343
Selim M. Senkan
USA
University of California, Los Angeles
5531 Boelter Hall M. Wakatsuki
Los Angeles, CA 90095 University of Tokyo
USA 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo, 113-8656
JAPAN
Shaobin Wang Hiroshi Yamashita
Department of Chemical Engineering Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Queensland Nagoya University
St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku
AUSTRALIA Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603
JAPAN
Christopher H. Wendt
Los Alamos National Laboratory Y. Yanagisawa
Mail Stop H846 University of Tokyo
Los Alamos, NM 87545 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
USA Tokyo, 113-8656
JAPAN
K. Yamada
University of Tokyo D. Zhao
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku New Energy and Industrial Technology
Tokyo, 113-8656 Development Organization
JAPAN Nagoya
JAPAN
Toshihiko Yamada
Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Zoe Ziaka
2-16 Toyosu 3-Chome, Koto-ku ZiVaTech
Tokyo 135-8733 15549 Dearborn St.
JAPAN North Hills, CA 91343
USA
Akihiro Yamasaki
University of Tokyo Hans-J. Ziock
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Los Alamos National Laboratory
Tokyo, 113-8656 Mail Stop H846
JAPAN Los Alamos, NM 87545
USA
