11 Frontiers in Chemical Reaction Engineering

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter distinguishes between two types of “frontiers” in chemical reaction engineering. One type focuses on problems in newly emerging areas, such as microelectronics, semiconductors, materials, and biotechnology. These frontiers represent a stimulus for the expansion and renewal of the intellectual foundation of our profession. The other frontier exists as the boundary between is known and understood well and what is not known. These areas, from which chemical reaction engineering grew, include chemical reactor design and analysis, chemical kinetics, and catalysis and are the “traditional” areas of chemical reaction engineering. The chapter focuses on the frontier of the more traditional areas in chemical reaction engineering. Chemical reactor modeling is considered first, followed by kinetic modeling, and the integration of various elements of chemical reaction engineering into a more useful pattern. Current and future frontiers are highlighted with an emphasis on those that provide the greatest potential impact.