15
Introduction
different technologies and their progress in the commercialization. The method is
applicable globally and is gaining rapid acceptance.
The third method, ocean thermal energy conversion, is only applicable within 20°
of the equator. In this method, the temperature difference (about 20°C–25°C) between
the surface of ocean and the underwater is used to drive a heat engine, which in turn
drives turbine to generate electricity. Although the economics of this method are not
as favorable as the previous two methods, it has a number of side benefits in its use for
desalination, aquaculture, seafood, hydrogen production, and other industries.
Chapter 13 examines our current state of art in all three methods. It is clear that
a strong and growing global demand for energy and fuel will require technological developments for all sources of energy. New developments must be economical,
usable, and environmentally acceptable. The energy and fuel landscape may change
rapidly depending on the success of the new technology developments.
The 12 chapters outlined here demonstrate an important role of water in the
development of future energy landscape. The chapters not only illustrate the versatility of water and its role as a solvent, energy carrier, reactant, catalyst, and a direct
source of fuel and energy, but also show how water can help the growth of energy
and fuel industry with a least environmental impact. As the production of energy and
fuel diversifies, water will continue to play an increasingly important role in the new
energy economy.
1.3 Water-Based reFinery and Water
manaGement FOr the FUtUre
Besides numerous roles of water outlined in this book, the concept of water-based
refinery may also be not unreal. The refinery, by definition, refines the crude feedstock into useful fuels (or fuel additives) and chemicals. Over many decades, petroleum refineries have converted crude oil of different compositions into various
kinds of fuels and chemicals that meet the required industry standards. Analogous
to petroleum refineries, coal conversion plants have also converted coal into useful
gaseous and liquid fuels. The conversion of natural gas into syngas has also been a
part of many refineries.
Unlike petroleum refineries for fossil fuel, biorefineries will be more versatile
in that while parts of biorefinery can be integrated with the existing oil refineries,
other parts will require more water-based processes. For example, gasification of
biomass and conversion of biosyngas to liquid fuels can be integrated with the existing coal gasification and conventional FT process. Similarly, steam gasification and
reforming of biomass would be similar to steam gasification of coal and reforming of
gasification products. However, five other major technologies outlined in this book—
hydrothermal conversions under sub- and supercritical conditions, bioreforming and
biofine processes and water dissociation technologies—are largely water based and
the use of these technologies will require water-based refining processes. The use of
water to obtain the hydrogen required for the refining operations will become more
important as water dissociation technologies advance. The five technologies mentioned earlier and discussed in detail in this book show that a water-based refinery
Introduction
different technologies and their progress in the commercialization. The method is
applicable globally and is gaining rapid acceptance.
The third method, ocean thermal energy conversion, is only applicable within 20°
of the equator. In this method, the temperature difference (about 20°C–25°C) between
the surface of ocean and the underwater is used to drive a heat engine, which in turn
drives turbine to generate electricity. Although the economics of this method are not
as favorable as the previous two methods, it has a number of side benefits in its use for
desalination, aquaculture, seafood, hydrogen production, and other industries.
Chapter 13 examines our current state of art in all three methods. It is clear that
a strong and growing global demand for energy and fuel will require technological developments for all sources of energy. New developments must be economical,
usable, and environmentally acceptable. The energy and fuel landscape may change
rapidly depending on the success of the new technology developments.
The 12 chapters outlined here demonstrate an important role of water in the
development of future energy landscape. The chapters not only illustrate the versatility of water and its role as a solvent, energy carrier, reactant, catalyst, and a direct
source of fuel and energy, but also show how water can help the growth of energy
and fuel industry with a least environmental impact. As the production of energy and
fuel diversifies, water will continue to play an increasingly important role in the new
energy economy.
1.3 Water-Based reFinery and Water
manaGement FOr the FUtUre
Besides numerous roles of water outlined in this book, the concept of water-based
refinery may also be not unreal. The refinery, by definition, refines the crude feedstock into useful fuels (or fuel additives) and chemicals. Over many decades, petroleum refineries have converted crude oil of different compositions into various
kinds of fuels and chemicals that meet the required industry standards. Analogous
to petroleum refineries, coal conversion plants have also converted coal into useful
gaseous and liquid fuels. The conversion of natural gas into syngas has also been a
part of many refineries.
Unlike petroleum refineries for fossil fuel, biorefineries will be more versatile
in that while parts of biorefinery can be integrated with the existing oil refineries,
other parts will require more water-based processes. For example, gasification of
biomass and conversion of biosyngas to liquid fuels can be integrated with the existing coal gasification and conventional FT process. Similarly, steam gasification and
reforming of biomass would be similar to steam gasification of coal and reforming of
gasification products. However, five other major technologies outlined in this book—
hydrothermal conversions under sub- and supercritical conditions, bioreforming and
biofine processes and water dissociation technologies—are largely water based and
the use of these technologies will require water-based refining processes. The use of
water to obtain the hydrogen required for the refining operations will become more
important as water dissociation technologies advance. The five technologies mentioned earlier and discussed in detail in this book show that a water-based refinery