Chemical Reaction Engineering

The group research activities are directed into the kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical transformations, either catalytic or noncatalytic. In heterogeneous reaction systems the interactions between the kinetics of surface processes and the transport phenomena are emphasized in particular, because they frequently dictate the type and size of reaction vessels. Indeed, modeling of multiphase reactors accompany these research efforts. Seeking for sustainable processes the group also study reactions in less conventional media such as supercritical fluids and ionic liquids. A portion of the group activity is devoted to the development of new, more active and more selective catalysts for processes with commercial potentials. The two examples are: catalytic hydrogenation of nitrate in drinkable water and catalytic oxidation of toxic organics in industrial wastewaters.