Preface

PREFACE The global landscape on industrial activities has changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. The drastic measures and activities (e.g., virtualization of gatherings, increased production of plastics and materials for face masks) that individuals must take leads to the realization of the persistence of the practices at the post-pandemic era. The idea of sustainable development now considers these drastic events in the future, in which chemical engineers can generate innovations that when the need arises, preparations will focus on large-scale development. Different aspects of sustainability, i.e., economic, environmental and social sustainability should be the backbone that guides the scientific community in developing new knowledge. For this volume, the editors have compiled the accepted papers submitted for the 20 th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering (APCChE) Congress APCChE is a bi-annual conference for academics and chemical industry experts in the Asian Pacific region to exchange research ideas and innovation in the field of chemical engineering and its related field. In 2023, the conference is done in conjunction with the 84 th Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) Convention. With its theme focusing on global partnership for industrial development, research papers from different themes are presented. This journal issue consolidates the accepted submissions of over 100 full papers from different themes. Submissions from the Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering theme feature the application of chemical engineering to innovate materials for biochemical processes and biomedical activities. Environment and sustainability research is a prominent aspect of the conference with research on different aspects where sustainability is needed such as water, air, and solid environments. The theme on water and wastewater engineering features research works on the application of chemical engineering knowledge for water security and wastewater treatment and minimization. Research work on energy management focuses on energy storage, energy sources and energy vectors while renewable energy is made into a separate theme in this conference to highlight the importance of renewable energy in the future. The applications of chemical engineering in food technology are presented in the conference to strengthen the approaches towards food security. Materials science and engineering are also highlighted in the conference through innovation in nanomaterials, and green chemistry. As the pharmaceutical industry is one of the main industries in the practice of chemical engineering, researchers have presented their findings in this field, with the focus on drug delivery. The core of chemical engineering knowledge is growing as evident in the presentations on process systems engineering, separation processes, reaction engineering and catalysis, and process safety and risk management. All these research works can make a big impact through partnerships for a common goal. This volume is made possible with the efforts of the editors: Dr. John Frederick Tapia , De La Salle University; Prof. Nathaniel P. Dugos, PhD , De La Salle University; Prof. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano , PhD , University of Santo Tomas; Prof. Allan N. Soriano, PhD , De La Salle University; Prof. Rizalinda L. de Leon, PhD , University of the Philippines Diliman; Prof. Kathleen B. Aviso, PhD , De La Salle University; Prof. Joey D. Ocon, PhD , University of the Philippines Diliman; Dr. Bonifacio T. Doma Jr. , Mapua University; Dr. Susan A. Roces , De La Salle University; Prof. Anchaleeporn W. Lothongkum, PhD , King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL); Prof. Hidetoshi Sekiguchi, PhD , Tokyo Institute of Technology; Prof. Mohd Azlan, PhD , University of Malaya; and Prof. Muhammad Fahrurrozi, PhD , Gadjah Mada University. The International Scientific Committee of the 20 th APCChE Congress is composed of Prof. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano , PhD, University of Santo Tomas; Prof. David Shallcross , University of Melbourne; Prof. Xuhong Qian , East China University of Science and Technology; Prof. Shuichi Yamamoto , Yamaguchi University; Prof. Woo-Sik Kim , Kyung Hee University; Prof. Dominic Foo , University of Nottingham Malaysia; Dr. Becky Macdonald , National Cheng Kung University; Prof. Dr. Anchaleeporn Lothongkum , King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang; Dr. Rizalinda De Leon , University of the Philippines; Dr. Kathleen Aviso , De La Salle University; Dr. Susan Roces , De La Salle University; and Dr. Bonifacio T. Doma, Jr. , Mapua University. The Organizing Committee of the 20 th APCChE Congress is composed of Engr. Maricris C. Vines as Conference Chair, Engr. Chamaigne Luz D. Jamandre , Dr. Nathaniel P. Dugos , and Engr. Ma. Elena T. Perlado as Conference Co-Chair; Dr. Araceli M. Monsada as Treasurer; Engr. Joshua Bon A. Roco as Lead for Industry and Events Management; Engr. Norman Giovanni M. Guevarra as Lead for Academe and Technical Program; and Dr. Nuna E. Almanzor, Prof. Alberto A. Laurito, Hon. Shirlyn C. Reyes, Hon. Cezar S. Dela Cruz , and Dr. Rex B. Demafelis as advisers. With the increasing trend to focus on holistic approach in research, the vision of the editors is a future where efficient ways to utilize materials will become possible, net-zero emissions can be realized, biodiversity is enriched, and people’s lives are improved. The articles in this volume can be used to get closer to this ideality. Through partnerships of the academic, industry, and government sectors, the knowledge this volume contributes to what we know about the world can be transformed to sustainable technologies.