Warren D. Seider教授学术报告会

时间：2011年6月21日（星期二）上午10:00

地点：过程工程大厦311会议室

演讲人：Warren D. Seider, Professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering

University of Pennsylvania

题目：Algae to Biofuels and Chemical Engineering Design Trends

欢迎全所职工和研究生参加

 

 

附：Warren D. Seider教授学术报告摘要

ALGAE TO BIOFUELS AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN TRENDS

 

By Warren D. Seider

 

Algae to Biofuels

Preliminary synthesis and analysis is discussed for the heterotrophic growth of algae in the "heteroboost" process, which sharply increases the rate of algae cell growth and the oil (lipid – tri-glyceride) yield. The lipids are extracted using quantum fracturing and electromagnetic pressure pulses. They are trans-esterified to biodiesel (fatty-acid methyl-esters). Kinetic models are being developed, a preliminary process synthesis has been completed (together with an approximate ASPEN Plus simulation), and multi-phase equilibria involving electrolytic solutions are being analyzed. An approximate profitability analysis has been completed.

Design Trends

In the 1960’s, chemical engineers began developing process simulators, mostly for steady-state analysis of commodity chemical processes. Gradually, process optimizers were introduced. In parallel, dynamic simulators, to explore controllability, and batch process simulators (schedulers) became available for pharmaceutical and specialty chemical processes, and the like. Throughout the remainder of the 20th Century, the focus in chemical engineering was on process synthesis and simulation, and equipment sizing and costing, with various optimization algorithms. During the past two decades, in the United States especially, much chemical engineering research has shifted toward multiscale simulation of complex materials, metabolic and protein engineering, colloids and surface science, membrane science, and the like. Increasingly, this research has led to new technologies that have led to a host of new products – with many young chemical engineers involved in chemical product design. Examples include labs-on-a-chip for high-throughput screening, thin-glass substrates for LCDs, water-washable crayons, and the like. Clearly, all designs involve chemical products. But, some focus more on creating the product to satisfy consumer needs, while others focus more on creating the process. This presentation will raise questions concerning how the emphasis in chemical engineering design will be shifted, taught, and practiced during the next decade.