xx
Preface
photocatalytic and photobiological dissociation of water and thermochemical dissociation of water can provide some important breakthroughs for
the production of hydrogen. The uses of solar and nuclear energies for this
purpose have also been heavily examined.
Gas hydrates provide methane from water-based clathrate molecules.
Gas hydrates are loosely bound methane molecules in water (or ice) cage.
These naturally occurring compounds are the largest source of carbon in
the world. The recovery of methane from the hydrates has been heavily
researched all over the world.
Water has also been a direct source of energy by its use in dams for hydroelectricity (potential energy). This is one of the cleanest sources of energy and
is rapidly growing all over the world. Besides hydroelectricity, in the recent
years, other sources such as hydrokinetic energy that are imbedded in all
types of moving water such as in tidal waves, offshore waves, undercurrents,
and inland waterways are being harnessed. Tidal waves can provide both
potential and kinetic energies for power. These are renewable, predictable,
and clean sources of energy. Water can also provide power near the equator
using ocean thermal energy conversion technologies that use the difference in
surface temperature and temperature at the high depth to drive heat engines.
The potentials for each of these five applications are enormous. So far, we have only
scratched the surface. In fact, together it appears that the future of energy and fuel landscape is moving toward the expansion of the water industry with all other sources of
energy and fuels as supporting players. The concept of water refinery is not unimaginable.
The above-mentioned five roles of water are described in detail in 12 chapters of this
book. The content of each chapter is described in the “Introduction” chapter.
The expanded use of water for energy and fuel production leads to another societal
issue that will have to be managed. Clean water is essential for human and animal life.
The expanded use of water for energy and fuel production may create a problem for the
available amount of drinkable water for human and animal needs and useable water
for agricultural needs. Just as there are tensions between the use of food materials such
as corn, soybeans, maize, and other carbohydrates for fuels (such as ethanol), tensions
will also be created by the use of water for energy and fuel production, and the need
of clean water for human and animal needs as well as for agricultural purposes. The
strategic management of water will be the next important societal issue. The treatment
of water used in energy and fuel industries will become an independent industry by
itself. This industry will have to manage the overall societal needs for the water to
maintain the required strategic distribution of water among its different usages. Along
with energy and fuel, a prudent use of water will be the next societal challenge. Water,
however, will be the centerpiece of future energy and fuel landscape.
This book is very useful to all academic, industry, and government personnel
who are engaged in R&D, pilot-scale development, and commercialization of new
technologies for energy and fuel.
Y.T. Shah
Norfolk State University
Preface
photocatalytic and photobiological dissociation of water and thermochemical dissociation of water can provide some important breakthroughs for
the production of hydrogen. The uses of solar and nuclear energies for this
purpose have also been heavily examined.
Gas hydrates provide methane from water-based clathrate molecules.
Gas hydrates are loosely bound methane molecules in water (or ice) cage.
These naturally occurring compounds are the largest source of carbon in
the world. The recovery of methane from the hydrates has been heavily
researched all over the world.
Water has also been a direct source of energy by its use in dams for hydroelectricity (potential energy). This is one of the cleanest sources of energy and
is rapidly growing all over the world. Besides hydroelectricity, in the recent
years, other sources such as hydrokinetic energy that are imbedded in all
types of moving water such as in tidal waves, offshore waves, undercurrents,
and inland waterways are being harnessed. Tidal waves can provide both
potential and kinetic energies for power. These are renewable, predictable,
and clean sources of energy. Water can also provide power near the equator
using ocean thermal energy conversion technologies that use the difference in
surface temperature and temperature at the high depth to drive heat engines.
The potentials for each of these five applications are enormous. So far, we have only
scratched the surface. In fact, together it appears that the future of energy and fuel landscape is moving toward the expansion of the water industry with all other sources of
energy and fuels as supporting players. The concept of water refinery is not unimaginable.
The above-mentioned five roles of water are described in detail in 12 chapters of this
book. The content of each chapter is described in the “Introduction” chapter.
The expanded use of water for energy and fuel production leads to another societal
issue that will have to be managed. Clean water is essential for human and animal life.
The expanded use of water for energy and fuel production may create a problem for the
available amount of drinkable water for human and animal needs and useable water
for agricultural needs. Just as there are tensions between the use of food materials such
as corn, soybeans, maize, and other carbohydrates for fuels (such as ethanol), tensions
will also be created by the use of water for energy and fuel production, and the need
of clean water for human and animal needs as well as for agricultural purposes. The
strategic management of water will be the next important societal issue. The treatment
of water used in energy and fuel industries will become an independent industry by
itself. This industry will have to manage the overall societal needs for the water to
maintain the required strategic distribution of water among its different usages. Along
with energy and fuel, a prudent use of water will be the next societal challenge. Water,
however, will be the centerpiece of future energy and fuel landscape.
This book is very useful to all academic, industry, and government personnel
who are engaged in R&D, pilot-scale development, and commercialization of new
technologies for energy and fuel.
Y.T. Shah
Norfolk State University