Special Issue "Challenges in Chemical Processes"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Volker Hessel
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Website: http://www.tue.nl/en/university/departments/chemical-engineering-and-chemistry/the-department/experts-expertise/detail/ep/e/d/20051521/?no_cache=1&cHash=4522f366947d4ee729b28607510b3821
E-Mail: v.hessel@tue.nl
Phone: +31 40 247 2973
Interests: micro process technology; microreactors; process intensification; flow process design; novel process windows; organic synthesis; flow chemistry; continuous manufacturing

Guest Editor
Dr. Timothy Noël
Micro Flow Chemistry & Process Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, Helix, STW 2.49, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
E-Mail: t.noel@tue.nl
Interests: continuous manufacturing; photochemistry; micro process technology; homogeneous catalysis; organic synthesis; reaction design

Dear Colleagues,

In the last few decades, tremendous efforts have been devoted towards the development and design of new chemical processes. These processes are required to be more selective and energy efficient in order to reduce production costs, as well as reducing its impact on the environment. Research towards this goal is still gaining momentum and there are still many challenges ahead of the scientific community. In this special issue, published in Challenges, we create a forum to publish research with respect to “Challenges in Chemical Processes”. We envision manuscripts both with chemical and engineering focus, i.e. highlighting recent, cutting-edge developments on chemical reactions, their processing and their reactors/plants. In particular, this includes challenges in employing alternative energies in chemical processes, hydrogen production for fuel cells, developing novel pathways for organic synthesis and in particular for biofuels/biomass, devising new and improved reactor designs, improving synthetic methodologies by means of microreactor technology, flow chemistry, process intensification, photochemistry, green chemistry, green processing, catalysis or biocatalysis, and developing and using tunable and green solvents (e.g. ionic liquids, fluorous solvents, etc.) for the chemical industry. We will consider any submissions associated with novel and advanced Chemical Processes.

Prof. Dr. Volker Hessel
Dr. Timothy Noël
Guest Editors

Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Challenges is an international peer-reviewed Open Access biannual journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. For the first couple of issues the Article Processing Charge (APC) will be waived for well-prepared manuscripts. English correction and/or formatting fees of 250 CHF (Swiss Francs) will be charged in certain cases for those articles accepted for publication that require extensive additional formatting and/or English corrections.

• alternative energy
• hydrogen production
• photochemistry
• reactor design
• biofuels/biomass
• microreactor technology
• green chemistry
• green processing
• tunable solvents
• sustainability
• process intensification
• novel synthetic pathways

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Solids Handling in Microfluidic Systems
Authors: W. Jeffrey Horne and Ryan L. Hartman
Abstract: The manipulation of particulates in micro-scale flows is a challenge that impacts applications ranging from fine chemicals to the materials and life sciences.  Performing heterogeneous operations in microflow has advantages in terms of the transport phenomena and the high surface-to-volume ratios with precise control over the conditions.  Considerable advances have been made towards the engineering of strategies for the management of solids in microflow, yet there remain tremendous opportunities for improvements.  We review the strategies that have been developed to successfully examine systems involving heterogeneous operations and provide an outlook including opportunities for future improvements.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Challenges in Biomass to Bioethanol Conversion Processes: Inhibitory Compounds
Authors: Lekh N. Sharma and Joy Doran Peterson
Affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2605, USA; E-Mail: sharmaln@uga.edu
Abstract: Sustainable and greener alternatives to liquid petroleum are being sought amid the price hikes and concerns about its adverse environmental impact. Biofuels are considered to be the best alternatives due to their cleaner environmental footprints. Lignocellulosic biomass types are being evaluated as substrates because of their worldwide abundance. In order to liberate carbohydrates from complex biomass, pretreatments are required. During pretreatment different inhibitory compounds are formed from the biomass itself and from sugar degradation products.  This article describes challenges that exist in biomass to bioethanol conversion processes and possible ways to mitigate these difficulties to make the process sustainable.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Improving Product Quality with Encapsulated Nano-Emulsions: From Theory to Industrial Application
Authors: Thomai Panagiotou ¹ and Robert J. Fisher ²
Affiliations: ¹ Microfluidics International Corporation, P.O. Box 9101, Newton, MA 02464, USA
² Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering Department, Bldg 66, Rm 305 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
Abstract: Encapsulation of nano-scale cargo-loaded emulsions into macro-scale matrices has exhibited great potential as a delivery vehicle with controlled release capabilities, however optimization remains unrealized. Reported here are methods used to improve product quality by enhancing the emulsion formation steps; in conjunction with the precepts of Process Intensification (PI). Success with pharmaceutics and chemical reacting systems provides a strategy for a wide range of applications; the emphasis here being nutraceutics. Use of a nano-technology platform assists in (a) product quality improvements through better nutrient dispersion, and thus bio-efficacy, and (b) production efficiencies through implementation of selective  PI concepts .  A bottom-up approach to the creation of nano-emulsions is the technology presented here, even though post-processing of the encapsulate/cargo may yield a solid phase. The metrics of successful processing include obtainment of nano-scale species with minimal input energy, reduced processing steps at higher through-put rates, and improved quality without over-usage of key ingredients. In addition to flavor and wellness characteristics, product stability for extended shelf life along with an appreciable cargo load in the encapsulated nano-emulsion is of utmost concern. Experimental  protocols  and  path forward recommendations to overcome challenges and meet expectations in these emerging opportunities are also presented.