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This book provides insights into the development and usage of coal in chemical engineering. The reactivity of coal in processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, liquefaction, combustion and swelling is related to its structural properties. Using experimental findings and theoretical analysis, the book comprehensively answers three crucial issues that are fundamental to the optimization of coal chemical conversions: What is the structure of coal? How does the underlying structure determine the reactivity of different types of coal? How does the structure of coal alter during coal conversion? This book will be of interest to both individual readers and institutions involved in teaching and research into chemical engineering and energy conversion technologies. It is aimed at advanced- level undergraduate students. The text is suitable for readers with a basic knowledge of chemistry, such as first-year undergraduate general science students. Higher-level students with an in-depth understanding of the chemistry of coal will also benefit from the book. It will provide a useful reference resource for students and university-level teachers, as well as practicing engineers.

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Geological Characteristics of coal.- Physical Characteristics of Coal.- Chemical Characteristics of Coal.- Coal Pyrolysis Reactions.- Coal Gasification.- Coal Depolymerization and Liquefaction.- Coal Combustion.- Coal Swelling.- Coal Plasma Reactions.

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Ke-Chang Xie, is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Foreign Member of the National Academy of Engineering of America, and specialist in coal chemical engineering.

Professor Ke-Chang Xie was born on October 5, 1946, in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. In 1968, he graduated from Tianjin University and completed his Master´s Degree of Science at Taiyuan Institute of Technology. From 1983 to 1985, he furthered his study as a visiting scholar at University of South Carolina, U.S.A. Between 1998 and 1999, he was engaged in doctoral dissertations at Shinshu University of Japan and was honored with a Ph.D. of Energy Engineering.

Professor Xie has acted as the chairman of academic degree evaluation for Taiyuan University of Technology. From 2010 to 2014, he held position as the vice president of Chinese Academy of Engineering. From 1997 to the present, he has held positions as the vice-chairman of China Association for Science and Technology, the Vice director of Science and Technology Department in Ministry of Education, China. From 1995 to 2010 he served as the President of Taiyuan University of Technology.

With a long-term involvement in fundamental research, technological development and teaching in relation to coal chemical engineering, Professor Xie has made important advances for understanding coal molecular structure and its reactivity and for leadership in the modern clean coal conversion industry.

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