Chemistry of Fossil Fuels and Biofuels

Discusses the formation, composition, properties and processing of the principal fossil and biofuels, ideal for graduate students and professionals.

Harold Schobert (Author)

9780521114004, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 January 2013

497 pages, 200 b/w illus. 54 tables
25.3 x 17.9 x 2.6 cm, 1.13 kg

'This is one of the most remarkable books on chemistry that [it] has been my good fortune to encounter … an outstanding book that should be read by everyone interested in chemistry.' Edward R. Adlard, Chromatographia

Focusing on today's major fuel resources – ethanol, biodiesel, wood, natural gas, petroleum products and coal – this book discusses the formation, composition and properties of the fuels, and the ways in which they are processed for commercial use. It examines the origin of fuels through natural processes such as photosynthesis and the geological transformation of ancient plant material; the relationships between their composition, molecular structures and physical properties; and the various processes by which they are converted or refined into the fuel products appearing on today's market. Fundamental chemical aspects such as catalysis and the behaviour of reactive intermediates are presented, and global warming and anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are also discussed. The book is ideal for graduate students in energy engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and chemistry, as well as professional scientists and engineers.

1. Fuels and the global carbon cycle
2. Catalysis, enzymes and proteins
3. Photosynthesis and the formation of polysaccharides
4. Ethanol
5. Plant oils and biodiesel
6. Composition and reactions of wood
7. Reactive intermediates
8. Formation of fossil fuels
9. Structure-property relationships among hydrocarbons
10. Composition, properties and processing of natural gas
11. Composition, properties and classification of petroleum
12. Petroleum distillation
13. Heterogeneous catalysis
14. Catalytic routes to gasoline
15. Middle distillate fuels
16. Thermal processing in refining
17. Composition, properties and classification of coals
18. The inorganic chemistry of coals
19. Production of synthetic gas
20. Gas treatment and shifting
21. Uses of synthetic gas
22. Direct production of liquid fuels from coal pyrolysis
23. Carbonization and coking of coal
24. Carbon products from fossil and biofuels
25. Carbon dioxide.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Fossil fuel technologies [THF], Energy technology & engineering [TH], Materials science [TGM], Mechanical engineering & materials [TG], Chemical engineering [TDCB]