The separation section plays an important role in any chemical process. As a consequence the development and optimization of these processes was in the past and it is also today a subject of interest both in the industry and in the academia.
The study of these processes presents some similarities even if the basic principles on which they are based are different. First the knowledge of some thermophysical properties (phase equilibria, diffusion coefficients..) is needed for the evaluation of the feasibility of the process; in a second step the modeling of the diffusional processes involved is needed. The establishing of suitable simulation modules is then the final step necessary for the optimization of the unit and for their implementation in the whole chemical process.
For these reasons the broad area of interest is going from the basic knowledge of fundamentals thermophysical properties and modeling to the development, design and optimization of the separation units. From this point of view the division can operate as a moment of contact between people with different interests that normally are operating in distinct fields.