Publisher's Synopsis
This reference text emerged from well over a decade of extensive interdisciplinary work on alternative energy production systems. The main focus of the research was how to deal with potentially very large sources of raw material that are potentially very large but decidedly under-utilized. For example, more than half the fossil fuel energy reserves in the United States are in the form of lower rank coals. However, very little interest is shown in energy recovery from these compared with other coals. In a similar manner, almost no research is carried out on peat and lignin for energy recovery, other than on combustion techniques. This book brings together a number of research investigations in these little-known and not well-established areas which can have substantial impact. It will be of interest to scientists seeking alternatives to conventional lower-ranked fossil processing technology, and well as to project managers and engineers involved in novel fossil fuel technologies.
