The importance and diversity of Environmental Reaction Engineering have inspired us to be the guest editors for this special theme issue of the journal. Reaction engineering is one of the basic branches of engineering science used for pollution prevention and control. The ever increasing regulations and need for new treatment technologies, that can facilitate the creation of environmentally friendly products, and for novel catalysts have resulted in newly configured reactors, chemical reactions, and the use of new reaction networks. This topic issue addresses developments and future directions pertinent to some of these areas.
We have assembled together six papers which address environmental reaction engineering principles, including reactor design, for the development of processes that provide an environmental benefit. With regard to pollution prevention and control, the focus is primarily on new reactions and reactor technologies that minimize the production of undesirable side-products (pollutants). The first three papers discuss economically efficient methods for reducing or removal of SO, and NO, from gas streams and flue gases. The paper by Cantrall describes a new commercial method known as Sulfur-Rite Technology designed to remove small quantities of sulfur from gas streams, at any pressure. The fourth paper by Clark illustrates the development of a catalytic destruction technology for dioxins, from laboratory-scale testing through to commercial application. The last two papers, by Tseng et al. and Chen et al., review photo-oxidation including photocatalytic oxidation of toxic organics and volatile organics in the gas and liquid phase.
The broad spectrum of topics included in this special issue indicates the diversity of this area, and the vibrant nature of the ongoing research. The possibilities for producing desirable products without the formation of waste by-products are bounded only by the creativity of the reaction engineer.