Engineering Commons^™

Two-Phase Hydraulics State Identification Using Linear And Non-Linear Time Series Analysis: Distillation Column Flooding Sensor, Alok Maheshbhai Patel

Masters Theses

A novel sensor to detect and predict hydraulic flooding in the distillation column was developed in this research. High speed (1000 Hz) differential pressure data sets were collected across distillation trays. The distillation column at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) was the main research and demonstration site. The UTK column is 9 inches inside diameter, has 4 trays each of a different type not counting the reboiler. Many data sets were collected synchronously across the top tray (sieve tray) and across the next tray (bubble cap) from the top. Flooding always occurred on the sieve tray. To prove the application …

A Generalized Hamiltonian-Based Algorithm For Rigorous Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulation In The Nvt Ensemble, Joseph Gerald Leo Rajkumar

Masters Theses

Using a recently developed, methodical, Hamiltonian-based procedure, we derive rigorous algorithms for nonequilibrium molecular dynamic (NEMD) simulation in the NVE and NVT ensembles. We demonstrate that the equivalence of the kinetic temperature and configurational temperatures that exists at equilibrium is maintained in nonequilibrium states, given the proper nonequilibrium expression (in the microcanonical ensemble). Specifically, we apply the procedure to the p-SLLOD algorithm, which allows for rigorous NEMD simulation in the presence of an arbitrary, externally imposed flow field. The resulting algorithms are general in that they apply in the presence or absence of external fields in addition to the imposed …

Theoretical Techniques For Determining Precise Thermophysical Properties, Mohamad Hadi Kassaee

Masters Theses

Quantum mechanics (QM) calculations, coupled with statistical mechanics (SM), provide a means to obtain thermophysical properties from first principles. Because of the limitations in modern computational resources, many of these properties are obtained for isolated molecules. Despite this limitation, QM is still very useful for thermophysical property generation in an ideal gas reference state where the molecules are isolated.

In this thesis, a combination of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics calculations is used to generate entropies of aromatic compounds in the ideal gas reference state. This information is necessary for practical calculations such as the determination of the free energy …

Investigation In Applications Of Hydrolyzed Industrial Activated Sludge: Operation Of Unit Bx, Kingsport, Tn, Jacob E. Hutton

Masters Theses

“Investigation of Hydrolyzed Sludge: Operation of Unit BX, Kingsport, TN” examines the treating of 15 weight percent activated sludge in a 1 ton per day pilot plant, Unit BX, with a lysing agent and heat to release the bound water contained in the activated sludge. The end-results were an assessment of the challenges for processing 15 weight percent sludge and collection of a product with water-like flow properties that is nutrient-rich suitable for the consumption by microorganisms (hydrolyzate). In addition to the development and execution of this pilot plant and examination of the functional properties of the hydrolyzate(total solids, viscosity, …