Special distillation processes are required for separation of mixtures close to boiling point or for forming azeotrope mixtures into their pure components. In Special Distillation Processes, the authors focus on latest developments in the field, such as separation methods that may prove useful for solving problems encountered during research. Topics include extraction, membrane and adsorption distillation involving the separation principle, process design and experimental techniques. The relationship between the processes and the techniques are also presented. Comprehensive and easy-to-read, this book provides key information needed to understand the processes and is a valuable reference source for chemical engineers as well as students wishing to branch out in chemical engineering.* The only comprehensive book available on special distillation processes* Contains a thorough introduction to recent developments in the field* A valuable reference for students and engineers in chemical engineering

Zhigang Lei was born in Hubei province (China) in 1973. He received his B.S. degree in 1995 from Wuhan Institute of Technology, and Ph.D. degree in 2000 from Tsinghua University. Then, he became a postdoctoral researcher in Beijing University of Chemical Technology working with Professor Chengyue Li. In 2003 - 2005, he worked as a researcher in Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology (Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan). In 2005 - 2006, he got the world-famous Humboldt Fellowship and carried out his research in Chair of Separation Science and Technology (Universität Erlange-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany). In 2006, he came back to China. He is now a Professor in State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering (BUCT, China). His current research interests include chemical process intensification and predictive molecular thermodynamics. He has contributed to about 140 papers in international journals and one book entitled "Special Distillation Processes published by Elsevier B.V. (2005).

Chapter 1. Thermodynamic fundamentals
Chapter 2. Extractive distillation
Chapter 3. Azeotropic distillation
Chapter 4. Catalytic distillation
Chapter 5. Adsorption distillation
Chapter 6. Membrane distillation
Chapter 7. Pressure-swing distillation
Chapter 8. Other distillation techniques