[Save] 2 upcoming LFEE Environment and Sustainability seminars

[Karen Gibson]

The Earth System Initiative at MIT: Research and Education in 
Environmental Science and Engineering

Dr. Matthew Gardner, Program Administrator, Earth System Initiative

Wednesday, April 21, 2004
12:00-1:30 pm
E40-496

Abstract
The Earth System Initiative is a multidisciplinary environmental 
research and education enterprise at MIT whose goal is to leverage 
MIT's expertise in fundamental environmental science and engineering 
in order to shed light on the chemical, biological, and geological 
cycles that collectively make up our planet.

In it's almost two years of existence, ESI is well on its way to 
developing a portfolio of research and education activities that 
reflect these goals. This seminar will describe the Earth System 
Initiative in detail, will outline its research objectives, and will 
describe  ongoing and planned research and education programs in 
environmental science and engineering.


Clean and Efficient Fossil Fuel Power Generation,
Environmental Challenges and Technology Responses

János  M. Beér
Department of Chemical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
12:00-1:30 pm
E40-496

Abstract
More than 70% of U.S. electric power generation is based on the use 
of fossil fuels, mainly coal (55%) and natural gas (16%). While a 
shift from coal to more natural gas is a strong  trend, coal is 
likely to remain the main energy source of electric power generation 
well into this century.

During the last fifteen years, science based new technologies have 
been developed to control pollutant emission by combustion process 
modification, post combustion cleanup, and improved thermodynamic 
efficiency of the power cycle.  The formation and destruction of 
nitric oxide in combustion, and the reduction of nitrogen oxides 
emission is discussed as an example of a cost effective engineering 
solution  in which chemistry gives guidance for combustion process 
modifications that are accomplished by the tools of fluid dynamics.

While pollutant control technologies deal with individual pollutants, 
improved thermodynamic cycle efficiency of power generation reduces 
the emissions of all pollutants and also of CO2. Successfully 
operating high efficiency cycles such as Natural Gas Combined Cycle 
and Pulverized Coal Supercritical Steam, and others, presently under 
development and demonstration, including Pressurized Fluidized Bed 
with Topping Combustion, and CO2 sequestration capable Gasification 
Combined Cycles, are discussed. These advanced cycles are compared 
for their environmental merits and costs that affect their chances of 
early application.


Part of the Environment and Sustainability Seminar Series sponsored 
by the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment 
<http://lfee.mit.edu>

Light refreshments will be provided.

-- 
_________________________________
Karen  L. Gibson
Program Assistant
MIT Laboratory For Energy and the Environment
77 Massachusetts Avenue, E40-469
(1 Amherst St., E40-469 - for DHL and FedEx)
Cambridge, MA 02139  USA
Tel:  1 (617) 258-6368; Fax:  1 (617) 258-6590
http://lfee.mit.edu
http://globalsustainability.org
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