Hydrothermal and Supercritical Water Processes

Hydrothermal and Supercritical Water Processes presents an overview on the properties and applications of water at elevated temperatures and pressures. It combines fundamentals with production process aspects. Water is an extraordinary substance. At elevated temperatures (and pressures) its properties change dramatically due to the modifications of the molecular structure of bulk water that varies from a stable three-dimensional network, formed by hydrogen bonds at low and moderate temperatures, to an assembly of separated polar water molecules at high and supercritical temperatures. With varying pressure and temperature, water is turned from a solvent for ionic species to a solvent for polar and non-polar substances. This variability and an enhanced reactivity of water have led to many practical applications and to even more research activities, related to such areas as energy transfer, extraction of functional molecules, unique chemical reactions, biomass conversion and fuel materials processing, destruction of dangerous compounds and recycling of useful ones, growth of monolithic crystals, and preparation of metallic nanoparticles. This book provides an introduction into the wide range of activities that are possible in aqueous mixtures. It is organized to facilitate understanding of the main features, outlines the main applications, and gives access to further information

GERD H. BRUNNER (Prof. em. of Chemical Engineering) Institute for Thermal Separation Processes Hamburg University of Technology (Institut für Thermische Verfahrenstechnik Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg), Eissendorfer Strasse 38, D-21073 Hamburg, Germany. Phone: 0049-40-42878-2007 FAX: 0049-40-42878-4072 e-mail: brunner@tuhh.de Academic qualifications: 1968 degree in Chemical Engineering by Technische Universität München, Germany.1972 doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing.) from Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.1978 Habilitation (Dr.-Ing. habil.) in Technical Chemistry from Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.1980 Assistant Professor at Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg1982 Full Professor of Chemical Engineering at Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg.2008 retired from active service. Industrial experience:1982 - 1990 Senior researcher Siemens-KWU (non-nuclear energy activities), from 1983 as consultant.1989 - now: Consultant to F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (supercritical fluids application)1982 - now: Consultant to many industrial companies in the field of Supercritical Fluids. Honorary positions: Chair Member of the Academy of Sciences in HamburgHonorary Professor of Chemical Engineering, (Dr. h.c.), Technical University Sofia, 2008 Professional Position 1982 - March 2008 Full Professor, Head of Subdepartment Thermische Verfahrenstechnik Various position in administration of research and teaching at the Hamburg University of Technology Actual position: Prof. em. of Chemical Engineering Regional Editor of The Journal of Supercritical Fluids Scientific interests Phase equilibria at elevated pressures and temperatures in complex systemsTransfer processes at elevated pressures and temperatures in complex systemsSeparation processes with supercritical gases, i.e. extraction from solids, countercurrent separations, separation with chromatographic methods (SFC)Simulated-moving-bed-separationsHydrodynamic behaviour of countercurrent columnsPyrolysis of organic compoundsHydrolysis of bio-polymersSupercritical water: destruction of waste, cleaning of soilEnzymes at high pressures, in particular for separation processesElectro-Ultra-filtration for biotechnological systemsMembrane separations of gases at high pressuresBiodiesel, bio-refinery Publications: About 290 publications, including about 15 patents.