Organising Committee

Co-chairs

Karel Aim
E-mail: kaim@icpf.cas.cz
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague

Vlastimil Ruzicka
E-mail: vlastimil.ruzicka@vscht.cz
Department of Physical Chemistry
Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague

Honorary Chair

Members

Lida Bartovska (Secretary) - ICT, Prague
Pavel Chuchvalec - ICT, Prague
Ivan Cibulka - ICT, Prague
Jaroslav Matous - ICT, Prague
Ivan Wichterle - ICPF, Prague
Milan Zabransky (Treasurer) - ICT, Prague

International Steering Committee

Karel Aim (ICPF, Prague)
Jakob de Swaan Arons (Technical University of Delft)
Maria Eugenia Rebello de Almeida Macedo (University of Porto)
Evelyne Neau (University of Marseille)
Peter Rasmussen (Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby)
Marek Rogalski (University of Metz)
Vlastimil Ruzicka (ICT, Prague)
Dimitrios Tassios (National Technical University of Athens)
Robert W. (Bob) Wheelhouse (ICI, Runcorn)

Welcome Address

It is our great pleasure and honour to welcome you to the 18th European Seminar of Applied Thermodynamics, ESAT 2000, held in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic.

We are particularly proud that, in the long history of SAT meetings (and related world conferences - see the History of SAT Meetings section), we have been entrusted with organising this meeting, for the first time outside what has traditionally been called "the western world", in the year of the millennium jubilee. So it is with a certain trepidation that we are awaiting your final assessment.

Regarding the scientific programme, the 18th ESAT follows the time frame and format adopted for previous meetings in the series. We are cordially inviting your attention to the following:

• Nine invited lectures given by prominent speakers on highly relevant topics (though we regret that we have not succeeded in ensuring adequate participation of representatives of industry in this category)
• About 110 posters, covering a variety of subjects of outstanding research within the nine major topic areas of the meeting. We are happy to see that most of them will be presented by young researchers. There will be only a few laboratory presentations on display within the poster session
• A panel discussion, which may help us to identify the position and prospects of our discipline in the envisaged "European Research Area"

We would like to offer our thanks to the invited speakers, and to all contributors and participants who have brought and will share their knowledge, expertise, ideas and views to make the meeting fruitful and efficient.

At this point we would also like to acknowledge the support of our parent institutions, namely the Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

In addition, we are grateful to the representatives of the town of Kutna Hora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For Kutna Hora an event like ours is an important premiere. Not all of the facilities have yet been developed to the standards of international conferences, but we do hope that the historical atmosphere of the town will provide a special and perhaps a stimulating environment for the scientific and social gatherings of the Seminar.

We are praying for favourable weather during the meeting, wishing you a very pleasant stay in Kutna Hora and hoping that only good memories of ESAT 2000 will remain with you on your return home after the Seminar.

On behalf of the Organising Committee,

Karel Aim and Vlastimil Ruzicka

Policy and Scope of the Meeting

The Seminar is a meeting of engineers and scientists interested in thermodynamic and thermophysical properties of gases, liquids, gels and solids. In the design, operation and control of chemical processes, knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of pure compounds and of mixtures is of the utmost importance. Such information is required for the conception, development and design of new processes and products as well as for the improvement and optimisation of established technologies. The seminar is an opportunity for representatives of producing, engineering and construction companies to meet scientists from universities and research institutes and to discuss the present state of the art.

Users from industry are encouraged to define their demands for better and more specific information. Researchers from universities and institutes should report on availability of laboratory equipment, new results and better theories. Solutions to current experimental and theoretical problems and anticipated industrial applications of the results should be also discussed.

Format of the Scientific Programme

The 18th ESAT follows the conference format adopted by the Steering Committee for the preceding meeting of the series held in Vilamoura, Portugal, in 1999. The program thus consists of invited lectures, poster sessions (including laboratory presentations), and panel discussion. There will be no oral presentations other than the invited lectures, i.e., all the accepted contributions will be presented within the poster sessions. Panel discussion will be devoted to "Applied thermodynamics research in the envisaged European Research Area". Everybody is invited to participate.

The official language of the conference will be English and no simultaneous translation will be provided.

Slide (5 x 5 cm), overhead, and video projectors will be available for lecture presentations. For posters, hardboards of 1.5 m in width and 1.2 m in height will be available.

Major Topics Covered

A1 - Aqueous Systems
A2 - Chemical and Phase Equilibria
A3 - Computational Thermodynamics of Real Systems
A4 - Bio- and Micellar Systems, Interfacial Phenomena
B1 - Environmental Issues
B2 - Experimental Techniques, Data
B3 - Petroleum Fluids
B4 - Molecular-Based Models
B5 - Advanced Materials, Polymers

Conference Timetable

Thursday, June 8

Friday, June 9

Invited Lectures - Session A at the Conference Hall

14:30-18:00 - Poster Session A at the Sankturin's House

Saturday, June 10

Invited Lectures - Session B at the Conference Hall

14:00-17:00 - Poster Session B at the Sankturin's House

Sunday, June 11

Scientific Programme

Session A, Friday, June 9

Lectures
Posters


Session B, Saturday, June 10

Lectures
Posters

All-Invited Social Events

All the registered participants of ESAT 2000 including the accompanying persons are cordially invited to take part in the following events. (Please note that accompanying persons shall go for the sightseeing tours within Accompanying Persons Programme on Friday morning.)

Thursday, June 8

Friday, June 9

Saturday, June 10

Sunday, June 11

Accompanying Persons Programme

Thursday, June 8

Friday, June 9

Saturday, June 10

Sunday, June 11

The Venue, Accommodation and Access

The Seminar will take place in Kutna Hora, a town rich in history located about 60 km east of Prague (population 22,000). The town was built in the early Middle Ages on a silver ore field. During its boom period in the 15th century it was the second most significant town after Prague, both from the political, cultural and economic points of view. At present, it is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Czechia.

All the sites of the events of ESAT 2000 (the Sankturin's House, Conference Hall at the District Office, and the Italian Court) as well as all the relevant restaurants and hotels (Anna, Garni, Medinek, "U Vlasskeho Dvora", Zlata Stoupa, "U Zvonu" and Pension "U Rytiru" ) are conveniently located in the heart of the old town of Kutna Hora, either at the central Palacky Square or within a short walking distance from the square (see the map Map size 1, Map size 2 and Map print version [12 MB !]).

Accommodations

Accommodations during ESAT 2000 will be provided in several smaller hotels located in the central part of Kutna Hora. The reservation will be made for the three days of the meeting (i.e., for nights of June 8 through 10, 2000) and the payment is included in the overall ESAT 2000 fee.

Please use the REGISTRATION FORM to specify your needs, including early arrivals to and/or late departures from Kutna Hora.

The organisers regret they cannot assist the participants of ESAT 2000 in reservations of pre- or post-conference stays in Prague.

How to Get to Kutna Hora

From Prague Airport

Take local public bus No. 119 (leaving every 10 minutes during weekdays, ticket price 12 CZK) or a taxi and go to the terminal of Metro line "A" called "DEJVICKA", located at VITEZNE NAMESTI (it is also the terminus of the bus). Then use one of the following options.

By Charter Bus from Prague

On Thursday, June 8, 2000, there will be three chartered buses leaving for Kutna Hora -- at 12:00, 14:30, and 17:00 -- from the departure point located in front of Building B of the Prague Institute of Chemical Technology (in TECHNICKA Street in Prague - Dejvice, about 200 m from the terminal of Metro line "A" named "DEJVICKA", see map of the location).

By Public Coach from Prague

On weekdays, public coaches for Kutna Hora leave every 2 hours between 6:00 and 18:00, departing either from metro station FLORENC (lines "B" and "C") or from Metro station ZELIVSKEHO (line "A").

By Rail from Prague

There are four direct trains a day going from Prague Main Railway Station to Kutna Hora. However, the timetable will be revised at the end of May 2000.

By Car from Prague

Driving to Kolin, you may go directly by Road #12. However, taking the motorway D11 (E67) in direction to Hradec Kralove, then getting off by Exit #39 and following the Highway #38 to Kolin is faster and more comfortable. From Kolin, continue by Highway #38 and follow the signs leading you to the centre of Kutna Hora.

Please check regularly the ESAT 2000 Web Site for more detailed and up-to-date information on access to the meeting site and for solutions of possible emergency situations.

Links to Web Pages on Kutna Hora and its Environs

History of Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora on UNESCO Website
Some Highlights of Kutna Hora (ALFA Agency Page)
Over 50 Pictures of Kutna Hora and Interior Sights of Historical Buildings
List of Interesting Sites and Some Transport Connections, then look at kh-oview.html
The Ossuary in Sedlec
Felix Jenewein Antiquariat and Gallery
Map of Kutna Hora
Municipal Office Homepage (in Czech)
Homepage of Kutna Hora (in Czech)

General Information

Meals during the Conference

Lunches and dinners are included in the conference fee.

Badges

Please wear your ESAT 2000 badge during all scientific and social activities since your badge will be your entry ticket.

Visa

All visitors to the Czech Republic need valid passports. No visa is required from the citizens of most European countries. Please consult the Czech Embassy or Consulate in your country if in doubt. Visa is granted either immediately or within few days.

Letter of Invitation

Upon request, the Secretariat will send personal invitations to prospective ESAT 2000 participants. Such invitation letters are provided only for the purpose of assisting participants to raise travel funds or obtain visa. No financial commitment on the part of the organisers is implied.

Weather and Clothing

The weather in Czechia at the beginning of June is usually pleasant, day-time temperature above 20 ^oC, but occasional rain is possible. The weather forecast for the next 4 days can be found e. g. on the Intellicast server.

Banking Facilities

The exchange of some money upon arrival is recommended. The currency in the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (CZK, Kc). It can be purchased at banks, airports, railway stations, hotels and from other licensed exchangers. The current exchange rate is approx. 36 CZK = 1 EUR.

Foreign currency can be brought in and out without restrictions. Czech currency can be freely exchanged on leaving.

Tourist Information

General information about the town of Kutna Hora and its environs, maps, transport and excursions can be obtained at the registration desk.

Insurance

The Organising Committee does not accept any liability or responsibility for death, illness or injury to persons or the loss of, or damage to property or for any financial loss of any person attending the conference.

Participants should make their own arrangements in respects of health and travel insurance. The organisers will not be held liable for delays or any modification to the programme due to unforeseen circumstances.

History of SAT Meetings

Listed are SATH's (Seminars on Applied Thermodynamics) and ESAT's (European Seminars on Applied Thermodynamics) along with alternating FPPECPD's (International Conferences on Fluid Properties and Phase Equilibria for Chemical Process Design) and PPEPPD's (International Conferences on Properties and Phase Equilibria for Product and Process Design)

Book of ESAT 2000

A book containing the final programme, extended abstracts of invited lectures, posters, and laboratory presentations, as well as the list of participants will be distributed to all technical participants at registration.

Preparation and Submission of Abstracts

Any author presenting invited plenary lecture, poster, or displaying laboratory presentation is invited to submit an abstract.

The abstract should be prepared in accordance with the following rules: Maximum number of pages: 2; Page format: A4 (29.7 x 21.0 cm); Page margins on each side: 2.5 cm (i.e., printing to portrait-oriented rectangular area 24.7 x 16.0 cm); Fonts: Times New Roman or similar; Format of the first page (all items left-aligned):

Text of the abstract body should be justified. New paragraphs should be indented by 0.7 cm. Figures may also be included. References should be numbered in order of appearance, with reference numbers in text enclosed in brackets. Following the body of the abstract, the references should be listed within the following format (left-aligned):

Commonly used word processor like Microsoft Word in any IBM-PC version is strongly recommended. Only as an emergency option, plain text in ASCII will also be accepted. The abstract preferably should be submitted in electronic form, either as an e-mail attachment or a file on a mailed diskette. Alternatively, an unfolded hardcopy of camera-ready abstract printed on one side of a sheet, produced by using a laser or ink-jet printer (or similar good quality printer), can be sent by ordinary mail.

For an abstract to be printed in the Book of ESAT 2000, the completed registration form, payment by at least one of the authors, and the abstract must reach the Secretariat of ESAT 2000 not later than March 10, 2000.

Registrations and Fees

The final REGISTRATION FORM is downloadable as plain text or as rich text format document. Participants should register by e-mail or return the registration form no later than by March 10, 2000. The total conference fees are as follows:

The fee covers registration, lodging, all meals during the meeting, social and cultural events, including accompanying guests programs and local transportation (chartered bus) costs.

Payment Options

The conference fee should be paid not later than March 10, 2000, by one of the following ways:

• By an international cheque drawn in Euro and payable to ESAT-18. The name(s) of the participant(s) must be clearly indicated on the cheque. The cheque should be mailed together with the completed hardcopy REGISTRATION FORM. In case that the REGISTRATION FORM is sent by e-mail or fax, the payment by cheque and related date(s) must be properly indicated in the form.
  
• By direct bank transfer to:
  Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka (CSOB) a.s.
  Address: Na prikope 14, 110 00 Praha 1
  Account No.: 01-35171280/0300
  Variable Symbol: 403 64 0009
• By credit card: Mastercard, Eurocard, and VISA, will be accepted. (There will be a maximum 4% handling charge for the payment.)

Please make sure that any transfer charges are not deducted from the total net amount required.

Cancellations and Refunds

The conference fee will be refunded (with deduction of 10% to cover the handling costs) if participation in the conference is cancelled before May 15, 2000, in writing. No reimbursement will be possible after this date.

Confirmation

Confirmation of registration and payment will be sent to the participants after the remittance has been received.