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Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring
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Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 12809

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carlos Eduardo Santolalla-Vargas

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Biociencias e Ingeniería, Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 30 de Junio de 1520 s/n, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
Interests: development of novel catalytic materials and their applications in chemical processes; advances in green chemistry methodologies and sustainable process design; integration of renewable resources and waste valorization in chemical systems; modeling, simulation, and optimization of chemical and environmental processes; cutting-edge technologies for environmental monitoring and pollutant mitigation; techno-economic and life cycle assessments of sustainable chemical systems; interdisciplinary solutions for addressing environmental challenges using chemical engineering principles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemical systems play a fundamental role in addressing critical challenges related to sustainable development, environmental protection, and industrial innovation. Advances in catalysis, green chemical processes, and environmental monitoring are essential for the transformation of traditional industrial practices into cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly systems. These advances influence a wide range of applications, including energy production, waste management, resource utilization, and pollution control.

This Special Issue on “Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring” aims to collect cutting-edge research that drives innovation in these domains. Topics of interest range from the design and optimization of catalytic materials to the implementation of greener chemical methodologies and the development of advanced monitoring techniques for environmental protection. Special attention will be given to interdisciplinary approaches that integrate chemical engineering, environmental sciences, and process design to address pressing societal needs.

We encourage contributions that include experimental studies, modeling and simulation, techno-economic analyses, and life cycle assessments. Authors are invited to share supporting materials, such as data sets, modeling files, and supplementary code, through open-access repositories to foster collaboration and reproducibility.

This Special Issue provides an excellent platform to showcase your latest work and collaborate with leading researchers in the field. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Carlos Eduardo Santolalla-Vargas
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • catalysis and catalytic materials
  • green chemistry and sustainable processes
  • environmental monitoring technologies
  • renewable resources and waste valorization
  • process modeling and optimization
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • pollution control and mitigation
  • interdisciplinary chemical engineering
  • sustainable development in industrial processes
  • clean energy integration

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 4117 KB  
Article
Dynamic Electric Field Assisted CO2 Methanation
by Rajagopalan V. Ranganathan, Debasish Sarkar, Debtanu Maiti, Jeremy Hartvigsen and Rebecca Fushimi
Processes 2026, 14(7), 1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14071067 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 346
Abstract
Energy-efficient advanced chemical reactions are essential for accelerating the growth of hydrocarbon economy. Sabatier reaction stands out for its potential to effectively transform carbon dioxide into valuable hydrocarbons and is an asset for long-duration Mars missions. This study explores a novel catalytic approach [...] Read more.
Energy-efficient advanced chemical reactions are essential for accelerating the growth of hydrocarbon economy. Sabatier reaction stands out for its potential to effectively transform carbon dioxide into valuable hydrocarbons and is an asset for long-duration Mars missions. This study explores a novel catalytic approach that harnesses electric field-assisted catalysis to substantially enhance the efficiency of the Sabatier reaction. Application of a dynamically perturbed electric field at 1000 Hz resulted in remarkable enhancements, increasing methane formation rates by over 100% at 350 °C and by 74% at 400 °C. Post-reaction catalyst characterization further revealed reduced blockage of active catalytic surface area under the applied electric field, emphasizing improved catalytic longevity and sustained activity. These results underscore the potential of tailored electric field waveforms to dynamically modulate elementary reaction kinetics and surface processes, positioning electric field-assisted catalysis as a transformative strategy for energy-efficient, cost-effective chemical manufacturing and energy conversion technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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16 pages, 2162 KB  
Article
Simulation Study, Techno-Economic, and Environmental Assessment of Hydrogen-Based DRI Production for Sustainable Steel Industry
by Yoo Ri Kim, Jeong Cheol Lee, Sang Hwan Son, Shikyung Yoon and Dong Hwi Jeong
Processes 2026, 14(4), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14040651 - 13 Feb 2026
Viewed by 677
Abstract
The iron and steel industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, necessitating an urgent transition to sustainable production technologies. This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility and environmental impact of a hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) production process via multi-stage fluidized bed [...] Read more.
The iron and steel industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, necessitating an urgent transition to sustainable production technologies. This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility and environmental impact of a hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) production process via multi-stage fluidized bed reactors, focusing on the ironmaking stage and excluding downstream steelmaking routes. A comprehensive process model was developed incorporating reduction kinetics and validated against experimental data, achieving high predictive accuracy with an R2 exceeding 0.999. The environmental assessment reveals that the renewable energy-based scenario achieves specific CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions of 36.8 kg per ton of hematite, corresponding to a 98.1% reduction compared to the conventional blast furnace baseline. Although the initial techno-economic analysis indicates a higher unit production cost of 636.83 USD/ton due to renewable energy costs, the sensitivity analysis demonstrates that cost competitiveness against the natural gas-based scenario is secured at a carbon price threshold of 1.44 USD/tCO2e. Furthermore, under the 2018 average Korea Emission Trading System price of 20.66 USD/tCO2e, the cost deceases to 589.76 USD/ton, offering a 7.39% economic advantage over the grid-based alternative. These findings indicate that green hydrogen integration and carbon pricing can bridge economic gaps, supporting economically viable low-carbon DRI production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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11 pages, 1306 KB  
Article
Hydrogen Generation in the Leaching of Chalcopyrite Concentrate in Acid Medium Assisted by Methanol
by Oscar Joaquín Solís Marcial, Alfonso Talavera López, José Pablo Ruelas-Leyva, Roberto Zarate Gutiérrez, José Ricardo Rosas Cedillo, José Alfredo Hernández Maldonado and Benito Serrano Rosales
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2697; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092697 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 963
Abstract
Currently, chalcopyrite is the world’s largest copper reserve. Commonly, the copper contained in chalcopyrite is obtained by pyrometallurgical processes. Still, in recent years, due to the environmental problems generated by this route, more environmentally friendly techniques have been proposed, such as hydrometallurgy; but [...] Read more.
Currently, chalcopyrite is the world’s largest copper reserve. Commonly, the copper contained in chalcopyrite is obtained by pyrometallurgical processes. Still, in recent years, due to the environmental problems generated by this route, more environmentally friendly techniques have been proposed, such as hydrometallurgy; but chalcopyrite has the drawback of passiveness. A promising alternative to minimize this phenomenon is using polar organic solvents in an acidic medium, obtaining copper extraction percentages of 90% in five h. A solvent that has significant functionality is methanol. Moreover, a topic barely studied in depth is the characterization of the gases emitted in the leaching of minerals such as chalcopyrite. In this sense, one gas generated through chalcopyrite leaching is molecular hydrogen, which would increase the economic viability of the process. In this work, the gases formed during the leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate are analyzed, and the formation of only molecular hydrogen by gas chromatography was detected. The hydrogen production was 0.24 µmol in 300 min, and the copper extraction was around 65%, using a concentration of 0.5 M of H2SO4, 60 mL of methanol, and 20 mL of H2O2. Thus, based on the detected chemicals in solid residues of the leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate, the thermodynamic analysis supports the spontaneous formation of hydrogen with a value of ΔG = −119.66 kJ/mol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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13 pages, 4134 KB  
Article
Use of Biodried Organic Waste as a Soil Amendment: Positive Effects on Germination and Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., var. Buttercrunch) as a Model Crop
by Rosa María Contreras-Cisneros, Fabián Robles-Martínez, Marina Olivia Franco-Hernández and Ana Belem Piña-Guzmán
Processes 2025, 13(7), 2285; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072285 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
Biodrying and composting are aerobic processes to treat and stabilize organic solid waste, but biodrying involves a shorter process time and does not require the addition of water. The resulting biodried material (BM) is mainly used as an energy source in cement production [...] Read more.
Biodrying and composting are aerobic processes to treat and stabilize organic solid waste, but biodrying involves a shorter process time and does not require the addition of water. The resulting biodried material (BM) is mainly used as an energy source in cement production or in municipal solid waste incineration with energy recovery, but when obtained from agricultural or agroindustrial organic waste, it could also be used as a soil amendment, such as compost (CO). In this study, the phytotoxicity of BM compared to CO, both made from organic wastes (orange peel, mulch and grass), was evaluated on seed germination and growth (for 90 days) of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings on treatments prepared from mixtures of BM and soil, soil (100%) and a mixture of CO and soil. The germination index (GI%) was higher for BM extracts (200 g/L) than for CO extracts (68% vs. 53%, respectively). According to their dry weight, lettuce grew more on the CO mixture (16.5 g) than on the BM (5.4–7.4 g), but both materials far exceeded the soil values (0.15 g). The absence of phytotoxicity suggests that BM acts as a soil amendment, improving soil structure and providing nutrients to the soil. Therefore, biodrying is a quick and low-cost bioprocess to obtain a soil improver. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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21 pages, 3236 KB  
Article
Green Synthesis of Cu and Pd Catalysts Using Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) Extract and Their Application in the Conversion of a Biomass-Derived Molecule
by Bárbara Jazmín Lino Galarza, Javier Rivera De la Rosa, Carlos J. Lucio-Ortiz, Marco Antonio Garza-Navarro, Carolina Solis Maldonado, Ladislao Sandoval Rángel, Diana Busto Martínez and Carlos Enrique Escarcega-González
Processes 2025, 13(6), 1681; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061681 - 27 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1336
Abstract
This work reports the synthesis of two monometallic catalysts, Cu/Al2O3, and Pd/Al2O3, using a green approach based on Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), a common food condiment. Its extract has been largely overlooked as a [...] Read more.
This work reports the synthesis of two monometallic catalysts, Cu/Al2O3, and Pd/Al2O3, using a green approach based on Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), a common food condiment. Its extract has been largely overlooked as a high-technology reactive for synthesizing catalysts, metallic or oxide nanoparticles, unlike other green leaf plants. The green synthesis was compared with a conventional catalyst synthesis methodology using commercial chemical reducing agents. Oregano extract shows promise for novel applications extending beyond its culinary use, valorizing it as a chemical reducer to produce catalysts. Thus, this kind of application could significantly elevate the value of oregano, empowering communities that rely on its cultivation for economic benefit and transforming the plant from a low-profit agro-industrial product to a high-added-value crop. The reduction kinetics involved in the formation of nanoparticles were monitored up to the first stage of nucleation and a first-order model adequately described the data. Activation energy analysis showed that the chemical reaction mechanism has a dominant role in controlling the reaction, compared to mass transfer effects. Notoriously, the Pd/Al2O3 green synthesis catalyst showed the smallest mean particle size (4.85 ± 1.30 nm). These findings underscore the potential of green synthesis as an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative for producing catalysts. Concerning the 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA) as a biomass-derived molecule, its oxidation with H2O2 using both Pd/Al2O3 catalysts (by green and chemical synthesis methods) exhibited significantly higher selectivity toward 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) compared to Cu/Al2O3 catalysts, suggesting a possible inhibitory effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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24 pages, 2050 KB  
Article
An Evaluation of Mathematical Modeling of Ethanol Fermentation with Immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the Presence of Different Inhibitors
by Selime Benemir Erkan Ünsal, Hilal Nur Gürler Tufan, Muge Canatar, Ercan Yatmaz, Ibrahim Yavuz, Mustafa Germec and Irfan Turhan
Processes 2025, 13(3), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030656 - 25 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1875
Abstract
In ethanol production processes, inhibitors are formed as by-products depending on the raw materials and pretreatments. Inhibitors negatively affect both ethanol yield and biomass growth. This study aimed to examine the influence of inhibitors, including acetic acid (AA), formic acid (FA), and phenol, [...] Read more.
In ethanol production processes, inhibitors are formed as by-products depending on the raw materials and pretreatments. Inhibitors negatively affect both ethanol yield and biomass growth. This study aimed to examine the influence of inhibitors, including acetic acid (AA), formic acid (FA), and phenol, on ethanol production from the glucose-based medium using immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a bioreactor. The results showed that the highest ethanol yields and productions were determined as 45.64% and 38.10 g/L, 44.8% and 36.67 g/L, and 44.46% and 39.07 g/L, by the addition of 2.5 g/L AA, 0.5 g/L FA, and 0.5 g/L phenol into the fermentation medium, respectively. Regarding mathematical modeling, the models MGM (AA) and Huang (FA-phenol) were the best models to predict experimental ethanol production. It was determined that the values forecasted with the models MMF (AA-FA) and Weibull (phenol) agreed with the actual biomass growth. Additionally, to forecast the observed values of the substrate consumption, the most suitable model was Weibull (AA-FA-phenol). Consequently, the immobilized-cell ethanol fermentations with inhibitors were successfully performed, and their limit values were determined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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87 pages, 5196 KB  
Review
Review of Biomass Gasification Technologies with a Particular Focus on a Downdraft Gasifier
by Fernando Trejo
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2717; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092717 - 26 Aug 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5556
Abstract
The utilization of biomass as a renewable energy source has the potential to play a role in mitigating climate change. Furthermore, biomass gasification represents a sustainable solution for the management of lignocellulosic waste. Topics related to the different types of gasification reactors, biomass, [...] Read more.
The utilization of biomass as a renewable energy source has the potential to play a role in mitigating climate change. Furthermore, biomass gasification represents a sustainable solution for the management of lignocellulosic waste. Topics related to the different types of gasification reactors, biomass, and economic feasibility, along with tar formation and its removal in the product gas, are discussed as general aspects in the gasification. A detailed analysis of capital and operational expenditures, the net present value, the payback period, and the internal rate of return of downdraft gasifiers has been conducted. A bibliometric analysis has been conducted; the results are presented in the form of visual maps based on keywords, and likely future trends in gasification modeling were identified. Since modeling is crucial to optimize the production or quality of the syngas, this paper discloses some important aspects related to biomass gasification carried out on downdraft gasifiers. The modeling section encompasses a range of approaches, including those based on chemical equilibrium, both stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric, kinetic models, and computational fluid dynamics. A substantial section is devoted to the modeling of the downdraft reactor, incorporating the primary conservation equations for mass, energy, and momentum. The modeling framework aims to provide a comprehensive overview for researchers seeking to simulate downdraft gasifiers. This enables researchers to utilize a summary of equations and conditions that are pertinent to their own modeling and simulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Systems: Catalysis, Green Processes, and Environmental Monitoring)
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