Digital Commons Network^™

The Biodegradation Of Phenol And O-Chlorophenol Using Activated Sludge Bacteria, Jeffery Colish

Theses

The biological degradation of phenol up to 500 ppm and 0-chlorophenol up to 40 ppm was studied in an aerated 4.0 liter hatch reactor using activated sludge bacteria from the Livingston, N.J. wastewater treatment plant. From the concentration versus time data, kinetic rate constants were determined for phenol (@ 100 ppm) and o-chlorophenol (@ 20 ppm and 40 ppm). Air stripping was determined to be an insignificant removal mechanism for the compounds studied.

It was noted that the acclimation times decreased with repeated exposure to a particular concentration of phenol or o-chlorophenol, and that the activated sludge bacteria first had …

Microbial Characteristics Of An Activated Sludge And Three Commercial Preparations After Exposure To Phenolics, Laurie Gneiding

Theses

The biological characteristics of four microbial mixtures were examined after successive exposure to phenol and 2-chlorophenol at room temperature. One of the microbial mixtures was an activated sludge from the Livingston, NJ municipal wastewater treatment plant. The other three mixtures were commercial preparations sold by Polybac Corp.(Hydrobac), Sybron Corp. (BI-CHEM DC 1006/1007), and General Environmental Sciences(LLMO).

The characteristics examined were relative counts and species of gram negative/gram positive bacteria, yeast and fungi, protozoa, and higher organisms. For the gram negative bacteria and yeasts, culturing techniques and diagnostic tubes were used to determine the predominant species. Biochemical tests were done on …

Stability Of Bicomponet Polymeric Liquids In Poiseuille Flow, Chin-Chang Jeng

Theses

Polymer processing, involving two or more components, has become more popular recently in industrial plants. However, product Quality is affected very much by the fluid stability. Some theoretical and experimental results concerning Newtonian and non-Newtonian flow in rectangular coordinates, have been published, and the fluid-fluid interfaces were observed to be unstable by some researchers.

In this paper, the linear stability of bicomponent non-Newtonian fluids flowing in a cylindrical tube was investigated by using the Ellis model. Only the very long wave and the axisymmetric disturbances were considered. The Ellis zero-shear-rate viscosity ratio, m( = η02 / η01 )destabilizing. The half-zero-shear-rate-viscosity …

Homogenous Reaction Kinetics Of Reduction Of Sulfur Dioxide, Satyanarayana Manthani

Theses

Homogeneous reduction of sulfur dioxide by carbon monoxide was investigated in the temperature range between 700 and 1000°C, initial sulfur dioxide concentration of about 3000 ppm, typical of a flue gas from coal fired power plants, and excess carbon monoxide concentration, in a 12 mm O.D. quartz tubular reactor. Over ninty percent reduction of sulfur dioxide was obtained at temperatures above 900°C and space times of the order of about 3.5 seconds. Substantial carbonyl sulfide was also produced.

X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopic Analysis Of Coal Ash, George Patrick Watson

Theses

Several coal ashes and prepared mixtures were analyzed by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Various techniques were studied to determine the most reliable procedure for quantitatively estimating, from fluorescent peak intensities, the concentrations of seven major oxides typically present in the ash. These ashes were analyzed with only minimal sample preparation. In order to determine the self-consistency of the procedure, several mixtures of known composition were prepared containing the major elements present in an ash.

Because of inter-element absorption and enhancement effects, several computational techniques were used to calculate composition from spectrum peak intensities. The method that yielded the most accurate estimates …

A Comparison Of The Biodegradation Of Nitrobenzene, 1-Butanol, And 2,4-Dichlorphenoxyacetic Acid Using A Municipal Mixed Liquor And Three Commercial Bacterial Preparations, Salvatore P. Salerno

Theses

The biological degradation of nitrobenzene, 1-butanol, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was studied in aerated 6 liter batch reactors using activated sludge from the Livingston, NJ wastewater treatment plant-- by itself and in a 10:1 by volume mixture with each of three commercial bacterial preparations: Hydrobac, BI-CHEM DC-1006/7, and Liquid Live Microorganisms (LLMO). Air stripping and adsorption were determined to be insignificant removal mechanisms for the three compounds studied. None of the bacterial mixtures were able to degrade 10 ppm nitrobenzene to any significant extent. A small but noticeable improvement in degradation rates occurred when the Livingston sludge was mixed with …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Kinetics And Thermal Properties Of Poly(Ethylene) Terephthalate And Its Related Di-Acid Modified Copolymers, Satish Baliga

Theses

Poly(ethylene) Terephthalate , PET, is synthesized from purified Bis-hydroxyethyl Terephthalate,(BHET), in the presence of antimony oxide catalyst. Rate constant for the polycondensation reaction, based on a second order kinetic model is found to be 152.4/mol/hr.

A new modified polyester Polyethylene Adipic Terephthalate (PEAT) is synthesized from BHET and adipic acid. The effect of adipic acid content in the copolymer,on the rate of polycondensation is studied. Adipic acid is shown to improve the activity of the polymer chain ends thereby increasing the apparent reaction rate constants.

The modified polyesters are observed to melt at a lower temperature than PET. Moreover, the …

Synthesis Of Trimethylpropane-Tolylene-2,4-Diisocyanate Adduct And Its Blocked Monomers, Farhad Forohar

Theses

A trimethylolpropane adduct of tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate (TMP-TDI) was prepared by reaction in a heterogeneous solvent system. The isocyanate functional groups of the TMP-TDI adduct were blocked with the following blocking agents: p-cresol, eugenol, o-chlorophenol, and one to one mole ratio of mixtures of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and each of the three preceding blocking agents. A sample of TMP-TDI adduct blocked with only HEMA was also prepared. The products were characterized by melting point, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Monomers of TMP-TDI blocked with 50% HEMA and 50% blocking agents may be very useful as dental restorative materials.

Simulation Of Particle Size Distribution In Continuous Emulsion Polymerization Through A Modified Population Balance Approach, Ying-Yuh Lu

Theses

A detailed mathematical model for particle size distribution in continuous emulsion polymerization of styrene and vinyl acetate is proposed on the basis of the population balance in the presence of several kinetic and mass transfer processes. This study is limited to the Smith-Ewart case II, which assumes instantaneous free radical termination within polymer particles. Radical desorption mechanism from polymer particles is included in the model and the desorption rate is formulated from the diffusion theory which suggests that the rate coefficient should be inversely proportional to the surface area of polymer particles.

Analysis Of Selected Volatile Organic Substances Associated With Residential Kerosene Heater Use And The Health Implications, Catherine Coombs Bobenhausen

Theses

Volatile organic species (aliphatic hydrocarbons from hexane to dodecane, cyclohexane and aromatic species including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, m,p, and o—xylenes, nitrobenzene, styrene and naphthalene) associated with residential kerosene heater emissions were measured at two sites. One was a small room having a total volume of 23.66 cubic meters and an air change rate of 2.71 air changes per hour, and the other, a living/dining room area having a combined volume of 79.30 cubic meters and an estimated air change rate of .7 air changes per hour. The analytical procedure involved collection of a series of air samples in stainless …

Three Studies On Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Carol Sophia Eveleens

Theses

Three studies have been conducted on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found on airborne particulate matter. The first investigation involves the determination of fly ash "activity" in the reaction of two PAHs adsorbed on its surface. Mass spectrometry is used to monitor the exchange of hydrogen and deuterium atoms between anthracene and anthracene-d10. The results indicate that some fly ashes exhibit "activity" in the reactions of PAHs adsorbed on its surface. The second investigation involves the determination of cyclopenta[cd]pyrene (CcdP) and benzo[ghi]flouranthene (BghiF) on samples of airborne particulate material collected from two automobile traffic tunnels. Glass capillary gas chromatography with a precolumn …

On Analysis Of Small Bore Piping Vibrations, Nitinkumar Shroff

Theses

This thesis investigates the natural frequency and vibration induced stress of small bore power plant piping. Straight piping and piping with concentrated load, such as a valve, located anywhere along the span are studied. Four different boundary conditions of fixed-free, simple-fixed, fixed-fixed and simple-simple are investigated, as any single span piping may be approximated by one of these boundary conditions.

The results otained [sic] for frequency and stress coefficients in the case of straight piping are plotted. Plots of frequency factor and stress ratio for the piping with concentrated load are also presented.

The results obtained for the natural frequencies …

The Detection Of Partial Discharges In Transformer Oil, Gerald J. Fitzpatrick

Theses

The level, meaning the number and the intensity Of partial discharges that occur in transformer oil per time period of applied pulse when a high voltage is applied can be used as a measure of the quality and remaining life of the oil. The level of partial discharges at a given applied voltage can be correlated with the degree of contamination of the oil by impurities such as water and conductive particles and can be used as an indicator of the proximity of the oil to breakdown. There are several approaches to the detection of partial discharges, e.g., acoustic measurements, …

The Manhattan Project Legacy : Low Level Radioactive Waste Health Effects, An Epidemiological Study, Lisa Fetterman Voyce

Theses

An epidemiological survey was performed that included the area surrounding a former Department of Energy thorium processing and disposal facility. This facility processed monazite sands to obtain thorium under Federal Government contracts from 1941-1973.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection radiological surveys had shown elevated radiation levels at the Site and in the vicinity of the plant. The area was divided into sections according to distance from the site and from Sheffield Brook, which is also contaminated. Questionnaires were mailed to 400 families, with 112 responses. These represent 362 people.

Statistical analysis of the accumulated data regarding lifestyle, occupation, reproductive …

Reliability Studies On Solid Tantalum Electrolytic Capacitors, Hamed Nassar

Theses

The primary objective of this thesis is to determine and analyze the failure mechanisms of solid tantalum capacitors, pinpoint the causes, and suggest the precautionary measures that prevent the occurrence of these failures. To achieve this goal, the study went in two directions, theoretical and experimental. The theoretical part-is a comprehensive review of the work -done on tantalum capacitors since 1960 up to date.

The experimental part of the study is a life test (1000 hours) of solid tantalum capacitors under humidity and high temperature. To avoid the misconception that could happen by investigating a particular manufacturer's product, units from …

Behavior Of Thin-Walled Channel Shaped Reinforced Concrete Columns Under Combined Biaxial Bending And Compression, Subash Yalamarthy

Theses

Next to rectangular, circular and L shapes, Channel section may be the most frequently encountered reinforced concrete columns since they can be used as box wall for elevators. Nevertheless, information about the load deformation behavior is not generally available to structural engineers. Most of the investigations have been emphasized on the ultimate strength of column sections under combined biaxial bending and axial compression and the resulting interaction surface. No attention is paid to load deformation behavior.

Current code provisions do not provide adequate guidelines for assessing the strength and ductility of biaxially-loaded reinforced concrete columns. Therefore, this investigation is aimed …

Behavior Of L-Shaped Reinforced Concrete Columns Under Combined Biaxial Bending And Compression, Amar Shah

Theses

Combined biaxial and axial compression for L-shaped reinforced concrete short columns is a common design Problem. Current code, provisions and the available design aids do not offer an insight into the determination of strength and ductility of biaxially loaded reinforced concrete column. An experimental and analytical investigation of the moment-deformation behavior of biaxially loaded L-shaped short columns were undertaken. Four 1/2 scaled specimens were tested till failure. Moment-curvature and load-deflection curves were developed from the experimental and the analytical results. The analytical results were obtained using a computer program developed by Hsu (1). From the investigation it is deduced that …

Finite Element Modeling Of A Femoral Stem In A Total Hip Prosthesis, Robert C. Cohen

Theses

A three-dimensional model was produced to study of effects of stress on a femoral stem in a total hip prosthesis. Using the ANSYS General Purpose Finite Element Computer Program, a reproduction of the system was constructed for the loads acting on the hip joint at intervals of a walking cycle. With isotropic properties for cortical bone, cancellous bone, cement, and selected alloys, the model was generated using three-dimensional, isoparametric, eight-node, solid elements (STIF45). The model consists of over 700 nodes and 442 elements. This model can be used to produce computer calculated stress data, if disc storage space allows.

The Dry Removal Process Of Sulphur Dioxide From Flue Gases Using Aluminum Oxide, Ching-Hwang Lu

Theses

Oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide and absorption on aluminum oxide pellet as a mean of removing sulfur dioxide from flue gas was studied in a packed bed reactor at various temperatures, residence times, SO₂ inlet concentrations (ppm level), and particle sizes. Three different experiments were conducted: (i) sulfation with oxygen/ozone, (ii) sulfation with oxygen only in the presence of UV radiation ( 254 nm or 366 nm ), (iii) sulfation with oxygen only. In all the experiments substantial absorption of sulfur dioxide by alumina pellet was observed. Sulfation with oxygen/ozone give the highest absorption of SO_{2 …}

Prediction Of Enthalpies Of Mixing With A Unifac Model, Dinh Dang

Theses

A modified UNIFAC model is used in the correlation and prediction of enthalpies of mixing. The model requires two interaction parameters per group pair and values for 172 such pairs are presented here. Excellent prediction results are obtained with typical errors, in the temperature range of 273°K to 400°K, below 15%. For systems containing cyclic compounds, somewhat poorer results may be encountered.

Calibration Of Flame Ionization Detector For Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, Nahid Jabalameli

Theses

Relative Responses and Calibration Factors were developed for several volatile organic (mostly chlorinated) priority pollutant species in order to use one single stable compound (e.g.Benzene) for daily instrument calibration. This would replace the procedure of using a standard mixture of target compounds (25-35). This is of particular advantage because the standard mixture may not have all species stable or may show loss of some components relative to others due to wall adsorption in the standard (compressed gas) stainless steel cylinder.

The use of a single standard species was made possible by developing "accurate" relative response and calibration factors of all …

Characterization Of Tdi-Hema Homopolymer Prepared Via An Immiscible Solvent System. Synthesis And Investigation Of Oligodichloroketene, Manuel Montero

Theses

The objective of this thesis has been divided in two parts.

The first part is subdivided into two areas. First a "Universal" calibration curve for gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was construc-ted using different molecular weight standards of PMMA and MMA-HEMA co-polymers. By measuring the viscosity of the different molecular weight solutions and calculating the Vr, (retention volume), from GPC data, plots of In [ η ] Mw against Vr and In Mw against Vr are obtained. These curves can be used to obtain the molecular weight of any linear (not crosslinked) copolymer by simple measurements of viscosity and GPC data. …

Behavior Of Tee-Shaped Reinforced Concrete Columns Subjected To Biaxial Bending And Axial Compression, Antoun Romanos Nader

Theses

The investigation deals with the effect of eccentric loading on the moment-curvature relationship of reinforced concrete tee columns.

The test program consisted of two series of tee-shaped reinforced concrete columns, loaded biaxially at constant angle from the principle axes. Their end conditions were assumed to be pinned-ended.

Loads, at constant rate, were gradually applied until failure. At each loading stage, measurements were made for the strains and deflections at the mid span section.

The experimental and theoretical results of the load- deformation and moment-curvature were compared and found that the analytical approach proposed by Hsu is applicable to irregular sections …

Investigations Into Rates And Mechanisms Of Mercury Depuration In The Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Joanne A. Korpanty

Theses

Metallothionein (MT) and glutathione (GSH) have been shown in mammalian research to play a role in the sequestration and depuration of mercury. The sulfhydryl groups on both these peptides have a strong affinity for mercury, MT for Hg²⁺ and GSH for CH₃Hg⁺. In this study, killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were force-fed one piece of squid laced with labelled mercuric nitrate to give a final food concentration of 20 ppm ²⁰³Hg²⁺ and 0.03 -0.05 µg g-1 Hg²⁺ total dose. Most of the mercury, 84.1 ± 12.1% (mean ± standard deviation), is depurated within the …

Acrylamide Effects On Nerve Terminal Enzymes, Christopher S. E. Marlowe

Theses

Acrylamide causes a peripehral neuropathy. The biochemical mechanism by which it does so is the subject of intense investigation. One of the principal hypotheses for this mechanism centers on acrylamide's ability to inhibit glycolysis. This study examines the effects of in vivo exposure to acrylamide on the enzymes of the nerve terminal particle, the synaptosome.

A method for measuring glycolytic enzyme inhibition in the synaptosome was developed. Acrylamide (500 mg/kg) was administered to rats intraperitoneally. Synaptosomes were prepared by the method of Dodd et al, and lysed by sonication. GAPDH activity and NSE concentration were measured. GAPDH inhibition measured in …

An Inquiry Into Engineering Career Choice And Career Satisfaction, Gunars Bachs

Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to ascertain factors that motivate a person to study engineering, and to examine the aspects of engineering career satisfaction. This study was conducted as a survey by means of a mail questionnaire, which was distributed among graduates of New Jersey Institute of Technology. Another sample, comprised of master's degree recipients of NJIT who had received their bachelor's degree from other undergraduate schools, served as a control group.

Motivation factors and positive and negative aspects of the engineering career were established and ranked in order of their importance. A method to measure career satisfaction was …