Book description
The world is currently consuming about 85 million barrels of oil a
day, and about two-thirds as much natural gas equivalent, both derived
from non-renewable natural sources. In the foreseeable future, our
energy needs will come from any available alternate source. Methanol
is one such viable alternative, and also offers a convenient solution
for efficient energy storage on a large scale.
In this updated and enlarged edition, renowned chemists discuss
in a clear and readily accessible manner the pros and cons of
humankind's current main energy sources, while providing new ways to
overcome obstacles.
Following an introduction, the authors look at the
interrelationship of fuels and energy, and at the extent of our
non-renewable fossil fuels. They also discuss the hydrogen economy and
its significant shortcomings. The main focus is on the conversion of
CO2 from industrial as well as natural sources into liquid methanol
and related DME, a diesel fuel substitute that can replace LNG and
LPG. The book is rounded off with an optimistic look at future
possibilities.
A forward-looking and inspiring work that vividly illustrates
potential solutions to our energy and environmental problems.
Born in 1927 in Budapest, Hungary,
George A. Olah
obtained his doctorate at the Technical University of Budapest, and is
now a Distinguished Professor and Director of the Loker Hydrocarbon
Institute at the University of Southern California. He has received
numerous awards and recognitions worldwide, including memberships in
various academies of science and 12 honorary degrees. He has some 1,400
scientific papers, 20 books and more than 140 patents to his name. In
1994, Prof Olah was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discoveries.
Alain Goeppert
was born in 1974 in Strasbourg, France. After obtaining his diploma in
chemistry from the University Robert Schuman in Strasbourg, he received
his engineering degree from the Fachhochschule Aalen, Germany. He then
returned to Strasbourg to study the reactivity of alkanes in strong acid
systems under the direction of Prof Jean Sommer at the Université Louis
Pasteur, earning his PhD in 2002. He then joined the groups of
Professors George A. Olah and G. K. Surya Prakash at the Loker
Hydrocarbon Research Institute as a research associate. Dr. Goeppert's
current research is focused on the transformation of methane and CO2
into more valuable products and CO2 capture technologies.
Currently a Professor and Olah Nobel Laureate Chair in Hydrocarbon
Chemistry and Scientific Co-Director at the Loker Hydrocarbon Research
Institute at USC,
G. K. Surya Prakash
was born in 1953 in Bangalore, India. After gaining his bachelor and
master degrees from India he obtained his PhD from the University of
Southern California under the direction of Prof Olah in 1978. Professor
Prakash has close to 600 scientific papers, 9 books and 25 patents to
his name, and has received many accolades, including two American
Chemical Society National Awards. His primary research interests are in
superacid, hydrocarbon, synthetic organic & organofluorine
chemistry, energy and catalysis areas.
