DATE/TIME: Friday, January 31, 2025, 2:30 pm PLACE: ENR building, room 223 or this Remote Live option.
Diane Hildebrandt
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University New Brunswick
From Principles to Practice: Unlocking Sustainable Processes with Thermodynamics and Innovation
Chemical processes and reactions are governed by material and energy balances and the second law of thermodynamics. This talk explores how these foundational yet powerful concepts can be applied to synthesizing and analyzing processes and reactions. We will introduce the attainable region (AR) approach, a framework for analyzing heat and workflows in reactions and processes. This methodology will be illustrated through various examples, including the catalytic reduction of nitrates in water, the conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol, and anaerobic digestion. Additionally, insights will be shared from the speaker’s experiences implementing anaerobic digesters in South Africa, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when introducing new technologies to communities.
Seminar Host:
Donna Fennell
Department of Environmental Sciences, SEBS, Rutgers University