In general, combustion is a spatially three-dimensional, highly complex physi co-chemical process oftransient nature. Models are therefore needed that sim to such a degree that it becomes amenable plify a given combustion problem to theoretical or numerical analysis but that are not so restrictive as to distort the underlying physics or chemistry. In particular, in view of worldwide efforts to conserve energy and to control pollutant formation, models of combustion chemistry are needed that are sufficiently accurate to allow confident predic tions of flame structures. Reduced kinetic mechanisms, which are the topic of the present book, represent such combustion-chemistry models. Historically combustion chemistry was first described as a global one-step reaction in which fuel and oxidizer react to form a single product. Even when detailed mechanisms ofelementary reactions became available, empirical one step kinetic approximations were needed in order to make problems amenable to theoretical analysis. This situation began to change inthe early 1970s when computing facilities became more powerful and more widely available, thereby facilitating numerical analysis of relatively simple combustion problems, typi cally steady one-dimensional flames, with moderately detailed mechanisms of elementary reactions. However, even on the fastest and most powerful com puters available today, numerical simulations of, say, laminar, steady, three dimensional reacting flows with reasonably detailed and hence realistic ki netic mechanisms of elementary reactions are not possible.

Generation, Compilation, Evaluation and Dissemination of Data for Science and Technology is a compilation of manuscripts presented at the four proceedings organized by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA). It focuses on the functions of CODATA, a data center that operates by generating, compiling and evaluating data. This book discusses conventional areas of CODATA activity, namely the fields of physics, chemistry and allied subjects, the biological sciences, geology, geophysics, geography, and astronomy. It includes lectures from the first two sessions, giving up-to-date reviews on data centers, particularly the use of computers in a variety of data activities. The book also deals with CODATA's original areas of interest: spectroscopic and thermodynamic data. Information scientists interested in documentation systems will find this book indispensable.

Data for Science and Technology covers the proceedings of the Seventh International CODATA Conference. This text is comprised of 133 chapters with a total of 180 papers from 400 hundred authors, which cover CODATA concerned with environmental and energy questions along with problems of data banking and telecommunications network operations. This book provides valuable assessment of data and points out alternatives, trends, and requirements for the future, such as production and use of data in pure applied sciences; data for the development of human settlements in a dynamic world; informatical analysis of scientific research activities; and data on our evolutionary heritage. Researchers from all scientific fields will find this book a great source reference material, since it presents research from various disciplines.