Center for Energy Initiatives (CEI) The Center for Energy Initiatives is an AIChE Industry Technology Group devoted to the development, design and efficient use of energy by chemical engineers and related professionals.
Shale Gas Resource Page February 14, 2013To help AIChE members better understand and better communicate about shale gas, the Public Affairs & Information Committee has helped curate valuable shale gas resources.
Energy related Communities AIChE communities that address energy-related topics include: Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division Environmental Division Fuels & Petrochemicals Division Nuclear Engineering Division Process Development Division Sustainability Engineering Forum Transport and Energy Processes Division Research and New Technology Committee See all Divisions & Forums and Committees
CEP: Update March2013News UpdateColor-Shifting Fibers Take their Lead from Nature; Nanocapsules Target Cancer Cells without Harming Healthy Ones ; Graphene Straightens Out with Some Help from Copper; Silicon Made Easy for Batteries; and more.
CEP: Profile - A Chemical Engineering Powerhouse February2013ProfileI like to think of myself as an engineer with an ability to bring various disciplines together to tackle tough challenges,” says Narayan Ramesh, Associate R&D Director at Dow Solar, and recipient of AIChE’s inaugural Industrial Progress Award...
Addressing Energy Supply Vulnerabilities April2006Critical IssuesHerbert W. CooperCan a mega-worldwide energy interruption occur? The perfect storm may be brewing with such events as natural disasters, acts of terrorism and international disputes. This article explains how your company can prepare to effectively handle an energy...
Fuel Cells, the Hydrogen Economy and You November2007On The HorizonHerbert W. CooperChemical engineers will play an important role in the development and deployment of fuel cells. This primer summarizes some of the key technical and economic issues that must be overcome.
CEP: News Update February2013News UpdateNow Available: High-Performance Carbon Nanotube Fibers; Nanowire-Based Solar Cell Achieves Record Performance; Fireflies Share Their Light Tricks with LEDs; Tissue Adhesives Are Inspired by the Prickly Porcupine; New Coating Shields Against Nearly All Liquids; and more.
The Hydrogen Economy Is Coming - The Question is Where? December2005On The HorizonCharles W. ForsbergThe end of the oil age is coming. While the replacements for oil are uncertain, the leading candidates have one thing in common — the need for massive quantities of hydrogen in the production process.
Special Section: Energy - Expanding the Shale Gas Infrastructure August2012Special SectionJesse F. GoellnerDevelopment of U.S. shale gas resources will require expansion of infrastructure assets ranging from roads and rails to pipelines and seaports to power-generation plants and ethane crackers, and more.
Special Section: Energy - Regulatory Programs Governing Shale Gas Development August2012Special SectionMary Ellen TernesThe production of natural gas from shale is subject to environmental regulations, including a combination of requirements already followed by conventional gas developers, plus new ones specific to shale gas.
Special Section: Energy - Addressing the Challenges Along the Shale Gas Supply Chain August2012Special SectionThe production of natural gas from shale formations is one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. oil and gas industry today.
CEP: News Update January2013News UpdateGlobal Relationships Take Center Stage at the 2012 Annual Meeting; No Boiling Needed: Nanoparticles Convert Sunlight into Steam; Hydrogen Power Goes Mobile; Carbon Nanotubes Team Up with Graphene; New Process Brings Bendable Electronics Closer to Reality; and more.
Special Section: Energy - Getting the Gas Out of the Ground August2012Special SectionStephen A. Holditch, P.E.Technologies developed in the oil and gas industry over the past 60+ years are now being used to produce shale gas.
CEP: Update December2012News UpdateOxide Catalysts Get Selective; New Catalyst Challenges Platinum; Quick-Release Tape Peels with Ease; Electronic Skin Mimics the Human Epidermis
Engineering Complex Phenotypes in Industrial Strains November, 2012This book explains current trends and developments in engineering biocatalysts for the production of bulk chemical and biofuels from renewable biomass. The authors guide readers through the engineering of the complex traits and phenotypes needed for particular biocatalysts and bioprocesses.
Be Smart about Column Design November2012Reactions and SeparationsMark Pilling, P.E., Daniel R. Summers, P.E.Optimizing distillation equipment and processes can improve both the profitability and the greenness of an operation.
Cut Agitator Power Costs November2012Back To BasicsGregory T. Benz, P.E.Agitator power consumption can be minimized by judicious equipment selection and careful operating procedures. Follow these guidelines to reduce your plant’s energy costs. In some cases, it may be as simple as flipping a switch.
CEP: News Update November2012News UpdateMagic Act: Electronics Disappear into their Surroundings; New Material Boasts World-Record Efficiency; Brain Cancer Studies Point to a Bio-Based Route to Nylon; Nickel Misbehaves in Li-ion Batteries, Solar Energy Gets Mixed Up
CEP: News Update October2012News UpdateNew Battery Takes Charge of its Power; Nanomaterial Reversibly Stores Hydrogen; Nanoparticles Sneak Past the Brain’s Armor ; and more
Vulnerabilities of the United States' Energy Supply - The International Context April2006Herbert W. Cooper
CEP: News Update September2012News UpdateSlippery Surface Is Too Slick for Bacterial Films; New Materials Put the Brakes on Infection; ITO Flexes Its Muscles; Control Wrinkles with this Simple Method; and more
CEP: Meeting Preview - Annual Meeting, Oct. 28- Nov. 2, Will Spotlight Energy and Water August2012Meeting PreviewThis fall, Pittsburgh, PA- the city of bridges, and the site of AIChE's first Annual Meeting in 1908-will connect thousands of chemical enginners for an industry-spanning overview of the field's of hottest topics, when AIChE takes its Annual Meeting...
CEP: News Update August2012News UpdateUpdates Include: The Natural Gas Debate Continues Smart Material Stays Cool in the Heat Firefly-Semiconductor Hybrid Lights Up Ionic Liquid Improves Hydrogen-Producing Catalyst One-Pot Synthesis Yields Zeolites at Bargain Prices High-Carbon Diet...
A Personal Perspective on Sustainability Through Energy Efficiency January2009Special SectionRobert W. SylvesterThese relatively simple lifestyle changes enabled one individual to reduce energy costs by $2,000/yr and his carbon footprint by one-third.
Producing Hot Water by Direct Steam Injection May2010Back To BasicsPhilip SutterInline direct steam injection is more energy efficient than indirectly heating water in a tank. Use this overview of DSI equipment to select the appropriate system for your application.
Saving Energy in Multilevel Steam Systems January2012Back To BasicsWiroon TanthapanichakoonAvoid some common pitfalls by taking this holistic approach when implementing projects to reduce the consumption of steam.
IGCC Power Generation - Down But Not Out September2008News FeatureSuzanne ShelleyMany technology advances are underway to address cost, CO2 and reliability issues and expand the use of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), a cleaner way to generate electricity from coal.
Polysilicon Business Shines Brightly August2008News FeatureGerald ParkinsonTo meet growing demand for solar energy, new polysilicon plants are being built at an unprecedented rate, and several new technologies will play a role in the capacity expansion.
Sustainable Development in the Process Industries: Cases and Impact March, 2010The complete, hands-on guide to sustainable development Today's process industries must develop natural resources within an eco-friendly framework that balances current demand with future need. Realizing this goal necessitates global vigilance of three key areas—people, planet, and prosperity—known...
Nuclear Power: Energy to Produce Liquid Fuels and Chemicals July2010Special SectionCharles ForsbergUsing nuclear energy to operate refineries and chemical plants would allow more fossil and biomass resources to be converted to fuel and chemical products.
Biobutanol – A Replacement for Bioethanol? August2008SBE Special SectionRon CasconeEthanol, the leading incumbant biofuel, has several limitations.Butanol overcomes many of these, and holds promise as the next important transportation biofuel.
Save Energy Through Automation January2010InstrumentationDouglas C. WhiteIdentifying the right automation investments — those with low costs and high impacts — can result in millions of dollars in energy savings for petrochemical plants. <br>
Nuclear Power: Fueling the Hydrogen Economy July2010Special SectionWilliam A. SummersNuclear hydrogen might first enter the transportation market to supplement existing fossil resources. In the long-term, it could be a key in the development of a hydrogen economy.
Reduce Your Compressed Air Costs October2011Fluids and Solids HandlingRon Marshall, Bill ScalesAnnual operating expenses for compressed air systems can exceed the equipment’s purchase price. Follow these seven steps to implement efficiency measures that yield cost reductions.
Metabolic Engineering of Next-Generation Biofuels August2008SBE Special SectionWendy Higashide, James C. LiaoEngineers are turning to genetic and biological tools and techniques to synthesize higher-chain alcohols that do not suffer from the same limitations as ethanol.
Gazing into an Energy Crystal Ball June2010On The HorizonVern W. Weekman Jr.By mid-century, new energy sources could be integrated into the existing chemical-conversion infrastructure, but additional research is needed to fine-tune the technologies and improve efficiencies and economics.
The Future of Coal-Based Power Generation March2008Special SectionJames R. KatzerDespite its image as a dirty fuel, coal remains an economic choice for baseload power generation—and it can, in fact, have very low emissions.
Producing Electricity and Chemicals Simultaneously February2010On The HorizonHerbert W. CooperInteresting technology ... interesting policy ... difficult economics ... numerous challenges ... <br>
Developing a Position on Nuclear Power July2010Special SectionAIChE’s Nuclear Engineering Division recommends expanding the role of nuclear power and closing the nuclear fuel cycle. <br>
Conference Explores Developing Bioeconomy March2008Special SectionBrad BueckerInfrastructure, biomass conversion, sources of biomass, and environmental and other impacts are some of the challenges facing the commercialization of biofuels.
Renewable Power: Not Yet Ready for Prime Time April2009Special SectionDavid E. Gushee, Bernard S. LeeBefore renewable sources such as wind and solar can contribute significantly to the overall energy mix, massive electricity storage is needed to turn the raw power into dispatchable power.
The AIChE Energy Initiative July2010Special SectionThe AIChE energy Initiative leads the Institute's energy-related activities.
Reduce Your Plant’s Water Footprint April2011Critical IssuesDavid L. NystuenWater footprint reduction and water pollution prevention are integral to any environmental sustainability initiative. Use this rigorous, systematic process to conduct a baseline water assessment that integrates water pollution prevention and water...
The Role for Biofuels March2010SBE Special SectionCarrie Atiyeh, Tim EggemanThe advanced biofuels industry is at a critical stage of development and deployment.
Nuclear Energy: A Vital Component of Our Energy Future July2010Special SectionStuart T. ArmNuclear power is proven to be safe, and it is our best shot at increasing energy production while reducing CO2 emissions levels.
Energy, the Environment and the Race for the Presidency October2008News FeatureMatthew McKeon-SlatteryRising gas prices and climate uncertainty have thrust energy and environmental policy to the forefront of modern American politics.
Harnessing Natural Energy March2008Special SectionTravis W. WalkerBefore solar and wind energy can be widely exploited, a method for storing the energy provided by these intermittent sources and releasing it as demand arises must be developed.
Minimize Scale-Up Risk March2010SBE Special SectionJ. Brad Cort, Thomas Pschorn, Bertil StrombergProven commercial-scale equipment already exists for many operations involved in producing biofuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks.
How Might Biofuels Impact the Chemical Industry? March2008Special SectionWilliam F. Banholzer, Mark E. Jones, Keith J. WatsonConsidering the range of possibilities and constraints, a major transformation of the chemical industry's current capital structure is unlikely for at least a few decades.
Capturing Carbon from Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants April2009Special SectionJared P. Ciferno, Timothy E. Fout, Andrew P. Jones, James T. MurphyDOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory is spearheading R&D on a variety of post-combustion and oxy-combustion technologies to cost-effectively achieve 90% CO2 capture.
Carbon Sequestration: An Option for Mitigating Global Climate Change June2001Environmental ManagementRobert L. Kane, Daniel E. KleinWith greenhouse gases currently in the spotlight, the potential benefits of carbon dioxide capture are too great to ignore. Find out what research and development are currently underway.
Electricity Storage: The Achilles’ Heel of Renewable Energy March2008Special SectionDavid E. Gushee, Bernard S. LeeA broad-based, multi-year effort is required to develop and demonstrate massive electricity-storage technologies that are both reliable and economical.
Ionic Liquid Pretreatment March2010SBE Special SectionHarvey W. Blanch, Bradley M. Holmes, Blake A. Simmons, Seema SinghIonic liquids show promise as lignocellulosic biomass solvents. But is this approach a scientific curiosity or a commercially viable biofuel pretreatment technology?
Capturing CO2: Membrane Systems Move Forward April2009Special SectionSuzanne ShelleyMembranes offer inherent advantages over absorption-based CO2 capture from post-combustion fluegas and pre-combustion syngas, but numerous design and scale-up challenges remain.
Compact Heat Exchangers, Part 2: Using Plate Exchangers in Heat Recovery Networks October2002Heat TransferChristopher Haslego, Graham T. Polley Here's how to incorporate plate-and-frame exchangers into new plant design using pinch analysis.
Converting Cellulose to Biofuels March2010SBE Special SectionDavid Hogsett, Youngmi Kim, Michael R. Ladisch, Nathan S. Mosier, Eduardo XimenesBiochemical and thermochemical process technologies being developed to convert wood and other lignocellulosic feedstocks to liquid fuels will drive the transition from corn-based ethanol to advanced biofuels.
Climate Change - What Does the Research Mean? June2009Critical IssuesMichael J. Economides, Xina XieClaims within the science community about whether and how global warming is affecting hurricane intensity and frequency, the ice field of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the polar ice masses are inconsistent and warrant further investigation before any...
Profiles in Flue Gas Desulfurization January, 2000As the need to control process emissions has increased, so have the number of FGD treatment and control strategies. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly, depending the types and levels of the materials, as well as the size of the facility. Profiles in Flue Gas Desulfurization will...