Dioxine – Eine Aufgabe für die Umwelttechnik

Dioxins – Task for Environmental Engineering Two decades of the environmental history of dioxins, i.e. of PCCDs and PCDFs, are examined, with the main emphasis being placed on developments in Germany. After a brief consideration of the important, environmentally relevant properties of dioxins, interest is focussed on the course of the Seveso incident of 1976. The environmental effects of dioxins observed in Seveso received global publicity. In the following years our knowledge of the analysis and toxicology of this group of substances greatly improved and the production of dioxins in the aromatics sector of the chemical industry was drastically reduced. In the 1980s, discussions concentrated on the formation of dioxins in waste incineration. The results obtained during this period led to the present situation in which waste incineration is no longer a significant source of dioxin emission in Germany. The greatest known source of dioxins in Germany is in the metallurgical industry. By the year 2000 this dioxin source will also have been largely eliminated.     

Verfahrensingenieure für das 21. Jahrhundert – Herausforderungen für die Hochschulausbildung

Chemical Engineers for the 21st Century – A Challenge to University Education The education of chemical engineers at the dawn of the 21st Century faces enormous challenges. The number of new students has dropped significantly since early 1990s. Globalisation is having an effect on the working environment of the engineering profession and changing the job market for process engineers whose activities now extend far beyond the chemical industry. As a result, universities and engineering schools now face increasing competition for students and scientific staff and for retention of degree programs and departments. This article throws light on the current situation of the universities, changes in working environment and conditions, and the demands placed on future chemical engineers and their education. Whatever changes may occur, e.g. through the introduction of Bachelor and Master degrees, the characteristic and proven profiles of engineering school and university training must be maintained while enhancing the conditions for good graduates.     

Biosensoren –- Sensoren für die Biotechnik?

Biosensors – Sensors for biotechnology? Increasing analytical requirements are to be expected in biotechnology, diagnostics, and environmental protection as a result of increasing product purity demands and the need to satisfy legal requirements. Biosensors are suitable for some of these purposes. The present review discusses the principal types and properties of such sensors in order to compare them with other sensors for the same purpose. It is seen that biosensors in combination with equipment having automated sample preparation and calibration can serve to overcome shortfalls in managing the increased analytical requirements for a number of substances.     

Mehr leichte Produkte aus Rohölen – Eine Herausforderung für die Ölindustrie

More light products from crude oil – A challenge to the oil industry . A new long-term pattern of demand for oil is evolving mainly due to the politically limited availability of crude oil and increasing prices. For the Federal Republic of Germany an essentially constant level of demand for naphtha and gasoline is expected with a shrinking demand for distillate and fuel oil. The expected pattern cannot be met by the currently predominating hydroskimming process. Technological possibilities and development of conversion processes are emphasized in this article: Thermal catalytic and hydrocracking as well as hydroconverting for steam cracker feed generation. Increasing importance is predicted for residue cracking. Oil will continue to make a major contribution and the oil industry will be able to keep step with product demand.