Editor-in-Chief
Takao Tsukada (Tohoku University)

Associate (Editor-in-Cheifs)
Manabu Shimada (Hiroshima University)
Masahiro Shishido (Yamagata University)

Editors
Ryuichi Egashira (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Jun Fukai (Kyushu University)
Choji Fukuhara (Shizuoka University)
Toshitaka Funazukuri (Chuo University)
Takayuki Hirai (Osaka University)
Jun-ichi Horiuchi (Kitami Institute of Technology)
Eiji Iritani (Nagoya University)
Yoshinori Itaya (Gifu University)
Noriho Kamiya (Kyushu University)
In-Beum Lee (Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTEC))
Kouji Maeda (University of Hyogo)
Hideyuki Matsumoto (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Nobuyoshi Nakagawa (Gunma University)
Masaru Noda (Fukuoka University)
Hiroyasu Ogino (Osaka Prefecture University)
Mitsuhiro Ohta (The University of Tokushima)
Eika W. Qian (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
Yuji Sakai (Kogakuin University)
Noriaki Sano (Kyoto University)
Naomi Shibasaki-Kitakawa (Tohoku University)
Ken-Ichiro Sotowa (The University of Tokushima)
Hiroshi Suzuki (Kobe University)
Nobuhide Takahashi (Shinshu University)
Shigeki Takishima (Hiroshima University)
Yoshifumi Tsuge (Kyushu University)
Tomoya Tsuji (Nihon University)
Da-Ming Wang (National Taiwan University)
Takuji Yamamoto (University of Hyogo)
Yoshiyuki Yamashita (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
Miki Yoshimune (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))

Editorial office:
The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan
Kyoritsu Building, 4-6-19, Kohinata, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-0006, Japan
journal@scej.org

AIMS AND SCOPE:

Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, an official publication of the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan, is dedicated to providing timely original research results in the broad field of chemical engineering ranging from fundamental principles to practical applications. Subject areas of this journal are listed below. Research works presented in the journal are considered to have significant and lasting value in chemical engineering.

Physical Properties and Physical Chemistry
Transport Phenomena and Fluid Engineering
Particle Engineering
Separation Engineering
Thermal Engineering
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Process Systems Engineering and Safety
Biochemical Food and Medical Engineering
Micro and Nano Systems
Materials Engineering and Interfacial Phenomena
Energy
Environment
Engineering Education

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The large ‘carbon footprint’ of traditional desalination technologies has spurred interest in several potential alternative technologies that exploit low-grade heat such as waste heat or solar energy. This paper is concerned with one of these alternatives: adsorption-based desalination (AD), which generates potable water and, depending on the cycle details, cooling as well. In this paper, the recent progress on the research and development of the AD technology at the University of Adelaide has been reviewed. Theoretical studies on AD performed there include the development of thermodynamic and kinetic mathematical models, which elucidate the effect of operational and design parameters (e.g., operating heating /cooling water temperatures and cycle times) on the nature of the thermodynamic cycles and performance (i.e., system water productivity and specific energy consumptions) of AD. A series of experiments has been designed and undertaken to validate these models. In addition, the current development status in the AD area in the world is also briefed in the paper.

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The acceleration effects on Fenton’s reaction upon exposure to ultrasonic irradiation were evaluated in order to utilize this reaction to effectively remove volatile organic compounds from soil and groundwater. The decomposition reaction kinetics of trichloroethylene (TCE) by Fenton's reaction were investigated before and after the application of ultrasonic irradiation, namely, the sonochemical reaction. Fenton’s reaction was evaluated using 0.5 mol L⁻¹ or 1.2 mol L⁻¹ of hydrogen peroxide and various concentrations (1–5 mmol L⁻¹) of ferrous ions. The ultrasonic frequency was fixed at 176.9 kHz, and the reaction rates were evaluated as first order reaction kinetics in terms of TCE. The rate of Fenton’s reaction in conjunction with ultrasonic irradiation was found to be higher than the combined individual rates of Fenton’s reaction and the sonochemical reaction, even though the reaction rates were dependent on the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions. These results suggest some synergistic effects between Fenton’s reaction and the sonochemical reaction on the decomposition of TCE. The following two mechanisms were considered to be the reason behind this synergistic effect: 1) the added effects of the nitrous or nitric acid generated by the sonochemical reaction or 2) the acceleration of Fenton’s reaction by hotspots generated through ultrasonic irradiation.

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A separation method for succinic acid has been intensively studied for developing cost-effective and environmentally benign processes. In this study, we applied polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing an ionic liquid, Aliquat 336, to the separation of succinic acid. PIMs are formed by casting a solution containing a carrier, plasticizer, and base polymer (poly(vinyl chloride)) to form a thin, flexible, and stable film. We found that succinate successfully permeated the PIM containing Aliquat 336 and observed the uphill transport using a feed solution with pH 4 and Na₂CO₃ solution as the stripping phase. PIMs show complex permeation behavior involving un-dissociated, mono-anionic, and di-anionic forms of succinic acid as the species permeated. The mono-anionic form of succinic acid showed the largest permeability among the three forms, with the optimum pH range for succinic acid permeation being approximately 4–5.

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Adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution onto Yukitsubaki carbon (YKC) modified with nitric acid (10% and 30%) has been investigated in a batch system. Adsorption parameters such as contact time, carbon dosage, pH of solution and temperature onto the modified carbon have been determined with ICP-MS in order to obtain the optimum conditions for the U(VI) adsorption process. Adsorption isotherms of U(VI) onto the modified and pristine carbon were measured at varying initial concentrations under optimized condition. The surface properties of the modified carbon as well as the pristine carbon were characterized using N₂-BET, SEM and FT-IR. The results show that the U(VI) adsorption capacity of YKC is increased after the modification with nitric acid, and that the Langmuir isotherm model fits the experimental data better than the Freundlich isotherm.

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The hydrotalcite-like compound [Mg₂Al(OH)₆]NO₃·nH₂O (shorted as MgAl–NO₃) was intercalated with the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis-1-aspartic acid (EDDS) by anion exchange to uptake heavy metal ions (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺) from aqueous solutions. These layered double hydroxides (LDHs) synthesized in this work were used to adsorb Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The amount of Cu²⁺or Pb²⁺ adsorbed at different pH, temperature, and the dosage of adsorbent was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The structure, the composition and the surface properties of precursor-LDHs and intercalated-LDHs (intercalated with the chelating agents) were characterized by chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a physical adsorption analyzer. Comparative experiments were carried out with commercially available LDH adsorbent (i.e., Kyowa DHT-4A). The adsorption behaviors of the MgAl–LDHs for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in aqueous were investigated by applying the adsorption results to the Freundlich isotherms model, and the data were well fitted by the model. The results suggested that MgAl–LDHs synthesized in this work could be suitable as sorbent materials for the adsorption and removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.

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Ammonia (NH₃) gas, which is one of the major odor sources, was removed by the wet electrostatic precipitator (Wet-ESP) system. The Wet-ESP system consists of two steps including the neutralization reaction of NH₃ with acid materials and the electrostatic precipitation of dust produced in the neutralization reaction. Two types of acid materials such as nitric acid (HNO₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) were used for spontaneous neutralizations with NH₃ at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure. The experimental variables were the reaction ratio of NH₃ and acid materials, reaction time, the input power of electrostatic precipitator, and total gas flow rate. Both H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ present similar removal efficiency of NH₃ and dust emission. The removal efficiency of NH₃ was increased with increasing reaction ratio and reaction time. The highest NH₃ removal efficiency of more than 99% was achieved under optimum conditions in both acids of HNO₃ and H₂SO₄. At the highest total gas flow rate of 2 m³/min, the number concentration of dust in exhaust gas was the same level with that in the air at the input power of 124 W.

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The purpose of this study is to investigate coal gasification for the production of synthesis gas (syngas) using a non-transferred steam plasma system. The effects of the coal feeding rate on cold gas efficiency, carbon conversion, and hydrogen conversion were evaluated by the amount of syngas from two kinds of coals. Coal I is a low grade coal which has high moisture content and Coal II is a high grade coal which has high lower heating value (LHV) and low moisture content. The coal feeding rate was varied from 12.5 to 34.1 kg/h. Carbon to oxygen ratios were changed from 0.3 to 0.8 for Coal I and 0.5 to 1.2 for Coal II, respectively. For plasma forming gas, steam was supplied at 23 kg/h. Carbon conversion, hydrogen conversion, and cold gas efficiency were decreased with increasing the coal feeding rate. Coal II exhibits a higher syngas composition in produced gas than Coal I, which does not easily participate in the gasification reaction due to high moisture content. In the case of Coal II, the highest syngas ratio in produced gas, cold gas efficiency, and LHV were 89.0%, 58.2% and 11.4 MJ/m³, respectively.

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The mixture of nanoparticles in a fluid can improve the h of the fluid. In this paper, the h of water, Al-water, Al₂O₃-water, Fe₃O₄-water and TiO₂-water nanofluids with 0.04 volume fraction of nanoparticles have been analytically calculated for a shell and tube heat exchanger. Moreover, the energy effectiveness and environmental effects have also been calculated for the above nanofluids. It is found that, the h of the above nanofluids were approximately 17, 14, 13, and 10% higher compared to pure water, respectively. Furthermore, energy effectiveness also improved by 31, 35, 41, and 37%, respectively. If all sectors could use nanofluids in their heat exchanger systems, then significant amounts of heat emission could be reduced all over the world. Therefore, nanofluid can be used as a coolant to improve the performance of the heat exchanger system.

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Fast pyrolysis of woody biomass was carried out without and with zeolite catalyst, and the correlation between the distribution of products and the character of catalysts was investigated. Eucalyptus was used as a model of woody biomass. In the case of noncatalyst pyrolysis, the main products were oxygenated compounds such as phenols and aldehydes. Zeolite catalysts chiefly favored the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons, both with and without O-atoms. H-ZSM-5 and H-beta zeolites were especially efficient for the formation of nonoxygenated aromatic compounds. However, high Si/Al₂ ratio in H-ZSM-5 depressed the formation of nonoxygenated aromatics, while high Si/Al₂ ratio in H-beta maintained the high yield of nonoxygenated aromatics. On the other hand, H-mordenite, USY, SAPO-34, 4A, 13X, and Ti-silicate showed a moderate catalytic activity for the formation of oxygenated as well as nonoxygenated aromatic compounds because of the moderate catalytic properties. Strong solid acidity (H-ZSM-5, H-beta, H-mordenite) favors the deoxygenation reaction. Large micropore diameter and three-dimensional microstructure (H-beta, USY) have advantages, because the intermediates can contact the active sites inside the micropore.

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Effects of H₂SO₄ and KOH treated activated carbon and tetrahydrofuran (THF) on methane hydrate formation kinetics were investigated in a fixed volume crystallizer at 6 and 8 MPa and 277.15 K. The addition of the untreated activated carbon enhanced the kinetics of the hydrate formation at 8 MPa, while adding the carbon treated by H₂SO₄ and KOH increased the gas consumption during the hydrate formation and its kinetics at 6 MPa. Similarly, the presence of THF also enhanced the hydrate formation kinetics at the low pressure (6 MPa). Moreover, the experiment conducted with the treated activated carbon and 5.88 mol% THF showed multiple nucleation of the hydrate formation. The highest water conversion to the hydrates was achieved at 64.9% in the system with H₂SO₄ treated activated carbon.

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Jatropha (family—Euphorbiaceae) is a genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, shrubs, and trees. Jatropha seeds have 25–40% oil content. In India, it is being promoted as a biofuel crop and as a means to alleviate poverty. Women’s self-help groups are promoting Jatropha to small farmers by capitalizing on a microcredit system. The life-cycle analysis (LCA) developed for this study was carried out in a typical arid area, Panna (India), considering Jatropha cultivation on wasteland, poor agricultural land, and sparsely planted forest land. Block-wise data for land use patterns, land cover, and agricultural resources/practices were collected. The LCA of Jatropha oil processed via transesterification as well as direct mixing with diesel fuel was carried out, and a comparative analysis was undertaken vis-à-vis bio-oil from agricultural biomass (BTL (Ag))under different cultivation conditions. The investigation’s scope included reductions in CO₂ emissions and economic returns to farmers. The resulting analysis is presented taking into consideration, globalization and subsidized fossil fuel supplies.

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