Engineering Commons^™

Enhanced Kinetics And Modeling Of Pan-Based Carbon Felt Anodes In Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, Michael Cyrus Daugherty

Doctoral Dissertations

All-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising technology for grid-level energy storage, however, there are still several limitations in the forms of durability, efficiency, and overall costs, which are barriers to its commercial viability. With both bulk electrolyte flowing through its porous matrix and species flux at the solid-electrolyte interface, electrodes are the component of VRFB systems which host electrochemical reactions and facilitate contact between the liquid phase electrolyte and the electronically conductive solid phase. While the more limiting electrode in VRFB systems is dependent on the material, for polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon felts, the anode constitutes a larger portion …

Recovery Of Thorium From Monazite Ore For Applications In Clean, Sustainable Nuclear Power, Samantha Karklins, Aaron Kuhn, Haley Prater, Thomas Welker

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Extraction Of Thorium From Monazite Ore, Emily Watson, Jacob Reynolds, Victoria Molotoka, Makenna Smith

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Extraction Of Thorium Oxide From Monazite Ore, Makalee Ruch, Chloe Frame, Molly Landon, Ralph Laurel, Annabelle Large

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Extraction Of Tho2 From Monazite Ore, Brian T. Grim, Kevin Harricharran, Maggie Mann, Sidharth Mahajan

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Study Level Design Of Thorium Oxide Production, Dylan G. Chitwood, Drake Crawford, Chase Toth

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Economic Analysis Of Phosphoric Acid Extraction, Maddy Hayes, Amany Alshibli, Jakob Howell, Jason Eakes

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Basic Processes For Aqueous Electrochemical Production Of Hydrogen From Biomass Derived Molecules, Brian Fane

Doctoral Dissertations

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs) are energy conversion devices with significant potential. The factors preventing them from becoming widespread concern production and distribution of hydrogen. Developing an efficient hydrogen infrastructure with an approachable rollout plan is an essential step towards the future of fuel cells. Water electrolysis is limited by the thermodynamics of the process, which leads to high electrical consumption and significant materials challenges. Alternative methods for cleanly generating hydrogen while using a lower cell voltage are required. PEM based electrolyzers can operate with a "depolarized anode", whereby they become significantly less power hungry.

This thesis explores two techniques …

Correlating Long-Term Lithium Ion Battery Performance With Solid Electrolyte Interphase (Sei) Layer Properties, Seong Jin An

Doctoral Dissertations

This study was conducted to understand effects of some of key factors (i.e., anode surface properties, formation cycling conditions, and electrolyte conditions) on solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and the battery cycle life. The SEI layer passivates electrode surfaces and prevents electron transfer and electrolyte diffusion through it while allowing lithium ion diffusion, which is essential for stable reversible capacities. It also influences initial capacity loss, self-discharge, cycle life, rate capability and safety. Thus, SEI layer formation and electrochemical stability are primary topics in LIB development. This research involves experiments and discussions on key factors …

Economic Analysis Of Rare Earth Elements Extraction From Clay Waste, Seth Archambault

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Economic Analysis Of Rare Earth Element Recovery From Clay, Joel J. Weber, Jordan Christopher, Garrett W. Smith, Josiah P. Brandt

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

An Economic Analysis Of The Extraction Of Rare Earth Elements From Clay Waste Stream, Mary Mcbride, Marti Bell, Melanie Lindsey

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Impedance-Resolved Performance And Durability In Redox Flow Batteries, Alan Michael Pezeshki

Doctoral Dissertations

The realization of redox flow batteries (RFBs) as a grid-scale energy solution depends on improving the performance and lifetime of the technology to decrease the high capital costs. The electrodes are a key component in the RFB; performance enhancement is often achieved through chemical or thermal treatments of commercially available porous carbon materials.

This dissertation uses impedance spectroscopy-based methods to gain insight into performance and durability in RFBs, enabling intelligent cell design. Initial work focused on understanding the impact of improved electrode and membrane properties on system performance. An accelerated stress test was then developed that can be used to …

Preliminary Investigation For The Development Of Surrogate Debris From Nuclear Detonations In Marine-Urban Environments, Adam G. Seybert

Masters Theses

No nuclear weapon has ever been detonated in a United States city. However, this also means the nuclear forensic community has no actual debris from which to develop analytical methods for source attribution, making the development of surrogate nuclear debris a vital undertaking. Moreover, the development of marine-urban debris presents an unusual challenge because unlike soil and urban structures, which remain compositionally consistent, the elemental composition of harbor and port waters fluctuates considerably due to natural phenomenon and human activity. Additionally, marine vessel composition and cargo can vary dramatically. While early US nuclear tests were carried out in shallow-water coastal …

A Characterization Study On Catalyst Layers In Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Luyue Li

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis describes the work for the catalyst layer (CL) characterization study of proton exchange membranes (PEM) for fuel cells. In particular, both the structure and performance of catalyst layers with alternative ionomers were studied. Structure wise, the morphology, surface area and pore size distribution studies were accomplished with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption processed through Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) theory. Water uptake isotherms of the CLs have been developed under well controlled relative humidity (RH) levels. The performance characterization focuses on polarization study, catalyst layer proton conductivity measurement and estimation of the …

Factors Influencing Kinetics Of Electrode Processes In Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, Emma Hollmann

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Study Level Design And Economic Analysis Of A 7 Mw Bromine-Polysulfide Redox Flow Battery, David Lawson Allen, Kelli Jean Byrne, Amanda Marie Jones, Allie Southerland

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Design And Economic Analysis Of A Geothermal Vertical Coupled Heat Pump System For The University Of Tennessee, Knoxville Campus, Joseph W. Birchfield Iv, Will Kester, Jason Cho

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Monitoring Framework For The Detection Of Diversion Of Intermediate Products In A Generic Natural Uranium Conversion Plant, Jennifer L. Ladd-Lively

Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this work is the development of an on-line monitoring and data analysis framework that could detect the diversion of intermediate products such as uranium dioxide, uranium tetrafluoride, and uranium hexafluoride in a natural uranium conversion plant (NUCP) using a multivariate statistical approach. This was an initial effort to determine the feasibility of this approach for safeguards applications. This study was limited to a 100 metric ton of uranium (MTU) per year NUCP using the wet solvent extraction method for the purification of uranium ore concentrate. A key component in the multivariate statistical methodology was the Principal Component …

Characterization Techniques And Electrolyte Separator Performance Investigation For All Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, Zhijiang Tang

Doctoral Dissertations

The all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is an excellent prospect for large scale energy storage in an electricity grid level application. High battery performance has lately been achieved by using a novel cell configuration with advanced materials. However, more work is still required to better understand the reaction kinetics and transport behaviors in the battery to guide battery system optimization and new battery material development. The first part of my work is the characterization of the battery systems with flow-through or flow-by cell configurations. The configuration difference between two cell structures exhibit significantly different polarization behavior. The battery output can …

A Base Case Design And Capital Cost Analysis Of An All Vanadium Redox-Flow Battery, Mark Alan Moore

Masters Theses

Interest in the development of redox-flow batteries (RFBs) for large-scale grid storage is growing, and considerable investments have been made into the research and development of RFBs over the past few decades. Unfortunately, practical implementation has been hampered by various cost and performance issues typical of an immature state of development. One critical factor for the competitiveness of this technology is the installed cost. The purpose of this work is to develop an evolutionary procedure to be used for the base-case design of a Vanadium Redox-Flow Battery, and to incorporate recent developments in all-vanadium RFB research in order to present …

Studies Of Reaction Processes For Voloxidation Methods, Jared Allen Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

Various facets of the voloxidation process and processes that have been derived from the voloxidation process have been investigated since its development over four decades ago. Despite the numerous studies performed, gaps remain in understanding of particular fundamental aspects of the reaction processes. In this work, several of these specific aspects of the oxidation processes for standard voloxidation and NO₂ [nitrogen dioxide] voloxidation are studied experimentally and modeled.

In the case of standard voloxidation, the oxidation rates of simulant UO_­2 [uranium dioxide] pressurized water reactor pellets in oxygen-rich environments were studied with an emphasis on the controlling phenomena …

Study Level Design Of A Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, Katie Lutes

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Economic Report On Vanadium Redox Flow Battery With Optimization Of Flow Rate, Kevin Spellman, Kendrick Stiles, Ian Little

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Fault Diagnosis Via Univariate Frequency Analysis Monitoring: A Novel Technique Applied To A Simulated Integrated Drive Generator, Brian Keith Bailey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to develop a fault detection and diagnostic method that would be able to detect and isolate seeded faults in data that was generated from a simulated integrated drive generator. The approach to the solution for this problem is summarized below.

A novel approach for the detection and diagnoses of an anomaly due the occurrence of a fault within a system has been developed. This innovative technique uses specific characteristics of the frequency spectrum of a univariate signal to monitor system health for abnormal behavior due to previously characterized component failure.

A fault detection and …

Molecular-Level Modeling Of Proton Transport In Aqueous Systems And Polymer Electrolyte Membranes: A Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study, Myvizhi Esai Selvan

Doctoral Dissertations

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are an eco-friendly power source that has great potential to reduce our oil dependence for our stationary and transportation applications. In order to make PEM fuel cells an economically viable option, further effort is needed to improve proton conduction under wide operating conditions and reduce the cost of production. Design and synthesis of novel membranes that have superior characteristics require a fundamental molecular-level understanding of the relationship between the polymer chemistry, water content and proton conduction. The performance of a fuel cell is influenced by the electrochemical and molecular/proton transport processes that occur at …

Radiation-Curable Adhesives For Wood Composites, Timothy H. Starr

Masters Theses

Wood composites are widely used in construction applications because of their superior dimensional and structural attributes over raw wood products. However, current wood composite manufacturing practices, which rely on thermal-curing of adhesives, are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and are prone to manufacturing defects. Use of radiation curable adhesives (RCAs) could potentially answer all of these issues. Specifically, use of electron-beam (e-beam) radiation has been increasing in areas of research and industry where rapid, low-temperature polymerization is required and low energy consumption is desired. For e-beams to be used in wood composites, however, it must be determined whether or not …

Ph Effect On The Arsenic Separation In Waste Water Of Coal Based Power Plant, Ye Hao

Masters Theses

Arsenic (As) poses a significant water quality problem and it is a big challenge for all coal-based power plant industries worldwide. Currently most of the researches on the leaching behavior of arsenic from fly ash are based on the titration experiments. In this study a simulation method is used to study on the pH effect on the arsenic separation of coal-based power plants. Both single point and composition survey simulation of the OLI stream analyzer are used in the study. The simulation results of single point calculation indicates that for the fly ash which has high lime weight percent and …