The first book to provide a comprehensive treatment integrating finite-time thermodynamics and optimal control, giving an overview of important breakthroughs in the last 20 years. It presents a survey of the optimization technique, including the basics of optimal control theory, and the principal thermodynamic concepts and equations. In addition, it covers the solutions of a variety of finite-time thermodynamic problems, including coverage of their potential applications for the design of real technological processes, such as: * heat-exchange systems * mass transfer and separation processes * commodity exchange as a finite-time thermodynamic process * heat-driven mechanical processes with one or several reservoirs. This is a key resource for chemical and mechanical engineers involved in power systems and process engineering. Researchers in theoretical, physical and industrial chemistry in academia and in industry will also welcome this book for the fresh perspectives that offer new ways to design and analyze a wide variety of processes.