This collection covers first principle and applied studies of thermodynamics and rate-governed phenomena including reaction kinetics and meso-, macro-scale transport of mass, momentum, and energy throughout the sequence of processing operations. Topics represented include but are not limited to:

• Thermodynamic modeling for the optimization of alloy solutions, slag compositions, and other types of materials
• Mass and energy balance simulations of material processing systems using software such as FactSage, MPE, HSC-SIM, and METSIM 
• Experimental and numerical studies on kinetic rate theories pertaining to crucial material processes such as chemical reactions, diffusion, nucleation and phase transformations, and solidification
• Numerical modeling and simulation, such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), of multi-scale transport phenomena in unit operations
• Development and application of process simulations that utilize a combination of thermodynamic, kinetic, and transport equations to simulate and/or control individual unit operations and/or plants

Alexandra Anderson, RHI Magnesita, Tampa, FL, USA;

Adrian S. Sabau, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TX, USA;

Chukwunwike Iloeje, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA;

Adamantia Lazou, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece;

Kayla M. Molnar, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sante Fe, NM, USA