Woodhead Publishing Advances in Clean Hydrocarbon Fuel Processing: Science and Technology (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)

Conventional coal, oil and gas resources used worldwide for power production and transportation are limited and unsustainable. Research and development continue apace into the conversion of mainstream and alternative hydrocarbon fuels (fossil fuels), with the goals of improving conversion efficiency for maximum fuel output with minimum environmental impact. This book provides a comprehensive and systematic reference on the conversion processes and technology applicable to the production of clean liquid fuels for both power generation and transport industries. Key Features: a comprehensive reference on the range of alternative conversion processes and technologies; provides an overview of the feedstocks, environmental issues and life cycle assessments for alternative hydrocarbon fuel processing, including a review of the key issues in solid, liquid and gaseous fuel conversion; examines automation, advanced process control and process modelling techniques for plant optimisation. Contents: Part 1 Overview and assessment of hydrocarbon fuel conversion processes: Characterisation and preparation of biomass, oil shale and coal-based feedstocks; Production, properties and environmental impact of hydrocarbon fuel conversion; Life cycle assessment (LCA) of alternative hydrocarbon fuel conversion. Part 2 Solid hydrocarbon fuel processing and technology: Direct liquefaction (DCL) processes and technology for coal and biomass conversion; Gasification processes and technology; Pyrolysis processes and technology for the conversion of hydrocarbons and biomass; Biomass catalysis in conventional refineries. Part 3 Liquid hydrocarbon fuel processing and technology: Sulfur removal from heavy and light petroleum hydrocarbon by selective oxidation; Partial oxidation (POX) processes and technology for clean fuel and chemical production; Hydroconversion processes and technology for clean fuel and chemical production. Part 4 gaseous hydrocarbon fuel processing and technology: Middle distillate fuel production from synthesis gas via the Fischer-Tropsch process; Methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) production from synthesis gas; Advances in water-gas shift technology: modern catalysts and improved reactor concepts; Natural gas hydrate conversion processes. Part 5 Operational issues and process improvement in hydrocarbon fuel processing plant: Environmental degradation in hydrocarbon fuel processing plant: issues and mitigation; Automation technology in hydrocarbon fuel processing plant; Advanced process control for clean fuel production: Smart plant of the future; Process modelling for hydrocarbon fuel conversion.