Process integration, modelling and optimisation for energy saving and pollution reduction

Energy saving, global warming and greenhouse gas emissions have become major technological, societal, and political issues. Being closely related to energy supply, they are of a strategic importance. Various conferences are being organised for providing international venues for closer cooperation among researchers. The series of conferences "Process Integration, Modelling and Optimisation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction" (PRES) play a pioneering role in contributing to the solution of the related problems through presenting new methodologies and initiating cooperation among participants that often result in international projects. The PRES conferences have been dedicated both to the theoretical and to the practical aspects of energy saving and pollution reduction. The PRES series, established thirteen years ago, was originally dedicated to energy integration and improving thermal efficiency. Following the new challenges and priorities, the scope of the conferences has been extended to include all energy and pollution prevention related issues. This contribution focuses on the period covered by PRES, reviewing at least some major presentations contributing to the development of process integration and optimisation tools for energy saving and pollution reduction. The development of the mathematical models has been covered as well, since it is closely related to the area. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.