The combinatorial feature of chemical process optimization problems wao analyzed by detailed examination of representation methods for structures of process systems Based on the discussion of encoding representation methods for the process system structures,a random search strategy was proposed for solving the large scale combinatorial optimization problems in chemical process design.

This paper attempts to offer a comprehensive review of previous and undergoing work on the effort for catalyst design,especially on involved science and engineering issues.The perspectives of the catalyst design and corresponding science and engineering approaches,especially the catalytic kinetics approach,at molecular/atomic level are discussed.

The intensifying distillation is one of new technologies proposed and developed since 1980s in the field of the petroleum processing.Its theoretical fundamentals are the concepts of petroleum dispersion system and complex structure unit.Adding the activators into the crude oil can adjust the petroleum dispersion system to the active state,and intensify the heat and mass transfer in distillation columns.Therefore,this technology can increase the yield of light distillates in atmospheric and vacuum distillation.In this paper the advances in theory and practice in intensifying distillation of crude oil are briefly reviewed.From the insight into the intensifying distillation,it demonstrates that intensifying the petroleum processing plays an important part nole in increasing profits and enhancing the ability of market competition for the oil refining industry.Moreover,it reveals that the intensification to the distillation processes could bring about a new technique with high efficiency for the separation and purification of substances.

Based on comprehensive analysis of established and developing technologies in separation of biological materials,the strategy is proposed for development of large-scale processesfor bioproducts recovery and purifications.Emphases are focused on aspects of process hybrid and scale-up,unit operation enhancement and novel materials with high performance.It is pointed out that,along with process integration,the enhancement of separation efficiency could also be obtained by superimposition of driving forces for biomolecule transport in unit operations.Because of so many measurements existing to enhance processes,it is important to find out the control factor by analysis of transport kinetics in order to chose the most effective one for a specific process.In design of materials,systems and processes with high selectivity and yields,understandings must be made deep into molecular structure and properties of target product.Therefore it would bevery worthwhile to attach a database of partition thermodynamics and transport kinetics of proteins in various systems to the established main database of protein molecules.

Concepts and ideas of the computer integrated process operation(CIPO) and intelligence aided process optimization were analyzed in detail.The emphasis wao put on artificial intelligence based optimization approaches,such as artificial neural networks,fuzzy expert systems and evolutionary algorithms.

Based on comprehensive investigation of properties and functions of different compositions in vegetable tannin extracts,some more reasonable technologies of chemically processing natural products are presented.The new methods might lead to a series of high value-added fine chemicais in addition to making full use of this rich natural resource.Consequently,it is suggested that the refined chemical technologies are quite necessary for producing and utilizing natural products in future.

IGCC with its cleaning and effectiveness,is a hopeful power generation process.The high temperature purification of fuel gas is a key step of IGCC,and also an important tendency for future chemical technology.It will lead to a revolution of some ptocesses in traditional chemicai industries,such as,amonia synthesis,sulfuric acid,methanol synthesis,etc.The avoidance of unreasonable saddle temperature distribution,will be the direction of energy saving in chemical industry.The deno_x,low pressure drop gas processing in IGCC,are also popular problems in other chemical processes.These problems will be a challenge to the 21 century chemical engineering.

Investigation on inorganic membranes has distinct inter-disciplinary characteristics,which is typical for chemical engineering in the next century for the connection to material research,application to various areas as impetus,and development towards integration.

This article reviews the applications of molecular dynamics(MD) simulation in chemical engineering,,especially in new technique researches.Examples of applying MDsimulation to new technique researches cover topics as surface and interface,complex fluids,supercritical fluids and membranes.The principles and future of MD simulation are alsodiscussed.It can be concluded that MD simulation has created many opportunities for the developments of chemical engineering,and it will play a much more important role in the future.

The current situation and future development about fine chemical technology were reviewed.It was pointed out that the fine chemical technology develops faster than ever.Sincethe technology is environmentally soft,ecologically suitable,high efficient and specifically selective,and the theoretical knowledge system of fine chemical technology has been gradually formed,its concepts are undergoing transformation from "human being and technology" to "human being,technology and ecologically environment".Regarding fine synthetic and specialchemicals,e.g.pharmaceuticals,pesticides,dyes and pigments,the key technology and developing strategy in molecular desings,chemical synthesis,formulations and industrialpreparation were discussed.