Contemporary Topics in Chemical Engineering: Fundamentals, Processes, and Sustainability

This book comprehensively addresses the fundamentals, processes, and sustainability aspects of chemical engineering. It begins with a detailed technical, economic, and environmental assessment of methanol as a marine fuel, highlighting its advantages over traditional fuels such as energy density, safety, material compatibility, and emission reductions. Various production pathways for methanol—including grey, blue, and green methanol—are discussed with an emphasis on their environmental impacts. Additional chapters explore the synthesis and performance evaluation of polycarboxylate superplasticizers used in concrete, showcasing how these additives improve workability, durability, and compressive strength. The final part investigates the thermal and physical properties of silica aerogels produced via the sol–gel method, outlining production techniques, characterization results, and applications in insulation. This volume serves as a valuable resource for chemical engineering students, researchers, and professionals interested in state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable practices.