Engineering Commons^™

The Use Of Pure Cultures As A Means Of Understanding The Performance Of A Mixed Culture In The Biodegradation Of Phenol, Chirasakdi Varuntanya

Dissertations

In an effort to gain a more fundamental understanding of the performance of mixed microbial cultures in the biodegradation of toxic organic chemicals, studies have been conducted using three phenol degrading species isolated from a municipal treatment plant. The rate of phenol degradation was investigated for each of the three pure phenol degrading species, and various combinations of the three species. A simple competitive model was used to predict the behavior of the mixed cultures by using the pure culture Monod rate constants. The model fit the growth data for total biomass very well, although (as with the pure culture …

High Temperature Reactions Of 1,2-Dichloroethane With Water Vapor In A Tubular Reactor, Charles E. Anderson

Theses

This study examines the reaction of l,2-dichloroethane with water vapor. The linear-flow method is utilized, assuming plug flow without axial diffusion. Normal operation is at atmospheric pressure and the reactor is a quartz tube in a thermal region 45 cm in length. Two reactor diameters of 0.4 cm and l.05 cm are used. Water and l,2-dichloroethane enter the system in liquid phase via syringe pumps. After vaporizing in heated tubing, they are combined with argon, the reactor carrier gas. The molar ratio of water to l,2-dichloroethane is 55:l and varied residence times are achieved by changing the argon flowrate. Reactor …

Trends In Metal (Pb, Zn, Ni, As And Se) Concentrations In The New Jersey Air Environment, Geoffrey Ike Ejiofor

Theses

The trend and atmospheric concentrations of five trace elements (Pb, Zn, Ni, As and Se) were studied at Newark (urban site) and Ringwood (rural site), New Jersey, during January - September 1985, whilst the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey were monitored during October 1985-March 1986. The analytical procedure involved collection of the airborne particulates on a glass fiber filter using a non-dichotomous high volume sampler. The samples were digested and analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was ascertained that Newark and Meadowlands exhibited higher average concentrations of Zinc and Lead than Ringwood. It was concluded all the metals originated mostly …

Thermal Decomposition Of Chlorobenzene In An Atmosphere Of Hydrogen, Edward Robert Ritter

Theses

The thermal decomposition of chlozobenzene was investigated in a tubular flow reactor at 1 atmosphere total pressure and average residence times of 0.02 - 2.5 seconds. The temperature range from 800 - 1010°C was studied in both a reductive atmosphere of hydrogen and an inert atmosphere of heIium. Complete destruction of chlorobenzene occurs at about 1000°C for an average residence time of 1 second in hydrogen gas. In the inert gas, the complete destruction of the reagent was not observed in the range of conditions which were studied. The major products observed for pyrolysis in hydrogen were benzene, HCl, and …

Gas-Phase Reaction Of 1,2-Dichloroethane With Hydrogen In A Tubular Flow Reactor, Wei-Lian Lee

Theses

We have studied the reaction of 1,2-dichloroethane with H₂ in three tubular flow reactors of different diameters at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 550° C to 1000°C. The kinetic parameters and product distribution were experimentally determined for each size reactor. The wall and bulk reaction rate constants were decoupled via analysis of three different surface to volume reaction data.

The experimental reactor was an isothermal tubular flow reactor that operated within the domain of plug flow region. The reaction was found to follow first-order kinetics with respect to 1,2-dichloroethane when in the presence of excess hydrogen. The …

A New Density-Dependent Mixing Rule For Equations Of State, Theodore John Shatynski

Theses

A general procedure for the development of density-dependent mixing rules is demonstrated. This method is used to obtain a density-dependent local-composition mixing rule based on an extention of the work of Knox et al (1984). The resulting expression is tested with the Soave-Redlich-Kwong equation of state. Results for normal and cryogenic vapor-liquid systems for both one-parameter and three-parameter versions of the mixing rule are compared with results using the classical mixing rules.

The Biochemical Fuel Cell : Conversion Of Waste To Energy, Charles August Mielke

Theses

A batch biochemical-fuel cell was constructed and studies on the production of bioelectric energy using an alga Scenesdesmus quadricauda, and a bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, were conducted. Results were compared for a steady state cell using various concentrations of media components and showed that a 1000-fold increase in the concentration of media components produced a net potential output of 0.03mv/ml compared to an initial output of 0.02mv/ml. Further studies showed the biochemical net potential output using activated sludge from a waste treatment facility was 0.01mv/ml compared to 0.02mv/ml for the cell using the initial media concentration.

The system exhibited steady state …

The Virtual Classroom: Building The Foundations, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This is a report on the first year of a three-year project concerned with the development and assessment of new types of software capabilities designed to support university level courses. A "virtual classroom" or "university without walls" is being created within a computerized conferencing system. During the first year of the project, students in twelve courses at three universities completed part or all of their coursework online. Pre and post-course questionnaires and automatic monitoring of their computer-mediated communications are the main sources of data. Independent variables include the expectations and attributes of the individual students; characteristics of the particular hardware …

A Tracheoesophageal Puncture Voice Prosthesis, Georghios Makris

Theses

A voice prosthesis was developed that allows verbal communication of laryngectomised patients. The prosthesis requires a superiorly directed tracheoesophageal puncture in which the periscope mounted on the tracheal stoma vent is introduced. The prosthesis is operated by air injection through the periscope. Air injection is achieved by pulmonary pressure after the occlusion of the stoma vent. Stoma vent occlusion can be achieved either by the patient's finger or by the designed cover valve mounted on the prosthesis. The cover valve allows free breathing, hand-free prosthesis use, and it can release excess pressure during coughing. Periscope valve air resistance tests have …

A Theoretical Study Of Pure And Simple Competition Between Two Microbial Species In Configurations Of Two Interconnected Chemostat, Cheng-Ming Kung

Theses

It is known that two microbial populations competing purely and simply for a common substrate cannot coexist in a steady state in an environment which is spatially homogeneous. Hence they cannot coexist in a chemostat something which implies that a mixed culture of two pure and simple competitors cannot be maintained in a single ideal reactor in a steady state. The present study investigates theoretically pure and simple competition between two populations in two interconnected chemostats. Three reactor configurations are considered and analyzed. It is proved that two pure and simple competitors can coexist in a steady state in both …

Fluid Flow And Gas Absorption In An Ejector Venturi Scrubber, Iclal Atay

Dissertations

Empirical models were developed to describe the fluid flow characteristics and gas absorption efficiency of an ejector venturi scrubber. The empirical constants were determined experimentally using stop action photographs of the spray, static pressure measurements, and sulfur dioxide absorption efficiencies.

To take photographs of the spray, a 2 foot high, clear plastic ejector venturi scrubber was used, with a 4 inch diameter gas entrance port. Photographic equipment included a Hasselblad camera, Xenon flash lamp, and Polaroid 667 ASA 3000 film. Exposure duration was about 1 microsecond, resulting in complete stop-action of the spray droplets at liquid rates up to 6 …

Biodegradation Of Multiple Substrates In A Batch Reactor, Nilesh Naik

Theses

The biological degradation of multiple substrates was studied at room temperature in aerated 5-liter batch reactors using mixed liquor from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, New Jersey).

Two substrate mixtures were used (with initial concentration indicated in parenthesis): (1) phenol(100ppm) + nitrobenzene(10ppm) + 2,6-dichiorophenol(10ppm); (2) 2-chlorphenol(20ppm) + nitrobenzene(10ppm) + 2,6-dichlorphenol(10ppm). From concentration versus time data, kinetic rate constants for zero-order, first-order, and Monod models were determined. Most of the data were best fit by either the Monod or zero-order model. For all compounds tested biodegradation was the primary removal mechanism, and in many cases the rate …

Modal Analysis Of A Cantilever Plate, Ohseop Song

Theses

This thesis discusses the vibration of a thin, flat cantilever aluminum plate. Results are based on both an analytical finite element method using the ANSYS program and an experimental analysis using a digital Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyzer. The FFT analyzer permits extraction of modal parameters (natural frequency, damping, mode shape) for the plate.

The Conversion Of The Process Flowsheet Simulator, Flowtran, For Fortran 66 Based Mainframe Computers, Timothy Edward Roche

Theses

The process flowsheet simulator FLOWTRAN was converted from FORTRAN 77 code to FORTRAN 66 code. The conversion was accomplished by developing a number of subprograms to handle FORTRAN 77 intrinsic functions that are missing in the FORTRAN 66 standard and by altering the code to take advantage of the developed subprograms. Also developed were a set of procedure files for executing the FORTRAN 66 FLOWTRAN on a Sperry-Univac 90/80-4. The new FLOWTRAN was tested and performs identically to the FORTRAN 77 version. The FORTRAN 66 FLOWTRAN can be installed on any mainframe computer with a FORTRAN 66 compiler.

Substructuring Analysis For Impact Dynamics Using Ansys Finite Element Package, Chang Ho Cho

Theses

This thesis is intended to serve as an introductory guide to ANSYS finite element package for the analysis of impact dynamics. Substructuring technique has been used to reduce the degrees of freedom.

Finite element method is essentially a numerical technique to calculate elastic deformations. However, by introducing some techniques like gap element, the technique can be easily extended to rigid body dynamic analysis. To solve the equation of motion both for rigid body and elastic deformations, direct integration technique is used in this thesis, i.e., Houbolt method.

ANSYS is a large scale general purpose computer program for finite element analysis. …

Circular Plate Analysis Using Finite Element Method, Shyh-Rong Chiu

Theses

The ANSYS computer program is the application of finite element methods to large-scale engineering problems. In this work the ANSYS program has been employed to solve the circular plate under uniformly loaded with various boundary conditions as follows: (1) clamped along entire edge, (2) simply supported along entire edge, (3) clamped at several points along the boundary, (4) simply supported at several points along the boundary, and (5) simply supported 36 points with 4 points clamped..

The results obtained from the ANSYS program illustrated that the finite element method has no boundary conditions constraints and presents good approximations to the …

The Acquisition Of Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Communication Systems, Anthony Donald Demeri

Theses

This Paper surveys different techniques of acquiring Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Systems.

It classifies different systems, indicates the strongpoints and weakness of each, along with some applications.

One method, The Single Dwell Serial PN Acquisition System is then focused on in detail. The detail includes analysis of standard version, derivation of the mean time to acquire, the variance, the probability of detection and the probability of a false alarm.

In the last section of the paper the analytical results of the Single Dwell Serial PN Acquisition System shall be confirmed by computer simulation.

A Research Study To Determine The Characteristics And Attitudes Shared By Entrepreneurs And Intrapreneurs And The Similarities And Differences Between Them, Miguel A. Vargas

Theses

The United States of America has been the mecca of many ventures for people with vision, goals and perseverance. The prosperity of our nation has been paved by individuals with great ambition, determination and insight, who have dared to take on a risk in owning a business enterprise.

This research study was conducted to determine the characteristics and attitudes of both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, as well as the similarities and differences between them.

For this study, a survey of entrepreneurs.was conducted through the use of questionnaires distributed to business owners located in the counties of Essex, Passaic and Hudson, in …

Biodegradation Of Mixed Phenolic Substrates, Prasad Gonnabathula

Theses

The biological degradation of phenol, with either 2-chlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, or nitrobenzene as cosubstrates was studied in aerated five - liter batch reactors using mixed liquor from the Passaic Valley Sewarage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, NJ). The initial substrate concentrations were: 100 – 150 ppm phenol, 10 - 20 ppm 2-cp, 10 ppm 2,3 dcp, and 10 - 20 ppm nitrobenzene. The concentration vs. time data were fit to three kinetic models: zero-order, first-order, and Monod(assuming constant biomass). Most of the data were best fit by either the Monod or zero-order model. For all compounds tested, biodegradation was the primary …

The Separation Of Proteins Via Charged Electromembrane Process, Chi-Wen Lin

Theses

A new method for separation and concentration of protein and other biocolloids such as hemoglobin and albumin was developed by a process called the charged electromembrane (CEM) process. The process is characterized by using a metallic membrane as a filter which can carry either positive or negative electric current.

The effect of various factors on the separation coefficient and filtration efficiency were investigated experimentally. These factors include strength of electric field, pH of colloidal solution, electric current through membrane filter and flow rate.

It was found out that the thickness of the gel layer formed on the membrane could be …

Biodegradation Of Phenol And 2-Chlorophenol Using A Fill-And-Draw-Reactor, Chi-Chun Tsai

Theses

The biological degradation of phenol and 2-chlorophenol was studied at room temperature in a microprocesser controlled fill-and-draw reactor using activated sludge from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners wastewater treatment plant (Newark, New Jersey). The reactor was cycled through four unit processes: fill, react, settle, and draw. Different cycle times were tested, and the system response was characterized by dissolved oxygen measurements and substrate analysis (by gas chromatography).

With inhibitory substrates, such as those tested, this reactor had much more flexibility, and was therefore much easier to operate, than a standard continuous flow reactor.

Osmotic And Mean Activity Coefficients Of Cacl2, Nai, Libr And Licl In Ethanol At 50 Degrees C, Gregory J. Czerwienski

Theses

Vapor pressure depression data for CaCl₂, NaI, LiBr, and LiCl were measured at a molality ranging between 0.2-7.5 depending on the solubility of the salt in ethanol. Data were also measured at 35° C for the LiCl. The apparatus used was a recirculation still of the Othmer type.

Osmotic coefficients were calculated from the total pressure of the system. The one parameter Bromley equation and the three parameter Pitzer equation were used to correlate the data. For all the systems, the Pitzer equation correlated the data better as one would expect. Mean activity coefficients were calculated graphically and …

Physical And Mechanical Properties Of A New Type Of Polymer Concrete, Kyan Bin Khoo

Theses

A new type of Polymer concrete is an admixture of a special Latex, Portland cement and Sand. It has high bond strength, quick curing, durability and adequate strength. The Mechanical and Physical properties were investigated in this paper. Reinforcement with Glassfiber was done and its properties compared to those of control specimens. The heat generation in Polymer Concrete (PC) and its relationship with the properties of PC was also investigated.

A new type of Polymer concrete is an admixture of a special Latex, Portland cement and Sand. It has high bond strength, quick curing, durability and adequate strength. The Mechanical …

Dispersion In The Laminar Flow Of Ellis Model Fluids Through Straight Tubes, Yeong-Hua Huang

Theses

Taylor-Aris dispersion theory is extended to the laminar tube flow of Carreau model fluids and Ellis model fluids and the results are compared with those of power law fluids. It is found that Carreau and Ellis models are more appropriate than power-law model, especially at low pressure gradient.

An exact solution to the unsteady convective diffusion equation in fully developed laminar flow in tube is obtained by applying the generalized dispersion theory of Gill and Sankarasubramanian for Ellis model. The results are compared with those obtained by Booras and Krantz for power-law model. The most interesting result of this work …

Preparation And Kinetic Study Of Immobilized Enzyme Catalyst, Sanjiv S. Kuray

Theses

Degradation of commercially available immobilized Glucose Isomerase enzyme was studied in a batch reactor. Effect of shearing on the degradation was studied by comparing the performance of a basket type reactor ( with enzyme kept inside the stirrer) and ordinary batch reactor ( with enzyme kept outside the stirrer).

Invertase enzyme is available commercially in a free soluble form. It was coupled with a new kind of starch derivative. The coupling efficiency achieved was 8.7 % and the concentration of the immobilized enzyme was 718 U invertase per gram of starch. The deactivation of enzyme-starch gel was studied in a …

The Kinetics And Mechanism Studies Of A Polymer Powder Coating On Metal Surface By Cathodic Electrodeposition Process, Wen-Lin Wu

Theses

A polymer dispersion of fluorocarbon with solid constent in the range of 10-25% were prepared from white powder polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), emulsifier combination of dodecylbenzyldimetlyl sulfonium chloride and Trition N-150, and other components or additives. Such a fluorocarbon dispersion is very stable against coagulation and has a pH in the range of 8-10, which is especially suitable for powder coating purpose.

A new electrocoating technique, which is called cathodic electrodeposition powder coating method, was conducted in this study. This new coating method includes four steps: pretreatment, electrocoating, drying and baking. Two kinds of degreased metal substrates, aluminum and steel plates, were …

Prediction Of Vapor And Liquid Equilibrium Properties For 25 Organic Priority Pollutants In Aqueous Solution, Pinchieh Pai

Theses

Activity coefficients and Henry's law constants for 25 organic priority pollutants were estimated using UNIFAC thermodynamic calculations. For 6 of these compounds, the results were compared with measured values reported in the literature. This indicated errors in the UNIFAC predictions varying from 24.0% to 95.0%. Best results with UNIFAC were obtained using liquid-liquid equilibria, rather than vapor-liquid equilibria.

Octanol/water partition coefficients were also estimated for the same 25 organic priority pollutants using the fragment constant method. Results differed from values reported in the literature by 5% to 170%.

Estimated activity coefficients were also used to predict stripping rates of organic …

Systems Building Theory Application Within The Residential Housing Construction Market, Gary Alexander Newhard

Theses

The primary purpose of this report is to introduce the economical value in utilizing certain "systems building" applications. In this report I focus on integrated system methodologies that encourage residential building economy and submit such systems as a viable alternative to traditional labor intensive housing construction. The consumer market that could be particularly enhanced by these systems ranges from low income to middle income and the by-product would be classified as "affordable" housing.

This report focuses on the New Jersey real estate market and presents certain prefabricated housing systems as an economical means of meeting the large demand for residential …

Measurements Of Basic Semiconductor Properties, Abdolreza Ariantaj

Theses

Mobility, resistivity, and total impurity concentration of several purchased p-type silicon samples with known resistivities were measured by Hall effect, experiments utilizing the Van Der Pauw method. The silicon samples will serve as Hall effect standards for future measurements on other semiconductor materials, particularly gallium nitride ion cluster beam (ICB) deposited thin films. The samples which were Freshly etched with hydrofluoric acid had measurement values of 455 cm ² / V.sec, 45.9 Ω cm, and 2.6 X 10¹⁴ cm³ for mobility, resistivity, and total impurity concentration, respectively. The mobility values were within 9.9 per cent, of the published values …

Emergency Stop Devices And The Human Factors Of Response, Robert Paul Guinter

Theses

The manual emergency stop Was recognized as an im- portant aspect of machine control very early during the history of powered mechanical systems. The purpose, of course, was to allow machinery to be quickly stepped during emergencies to minimize equipment damage and/or personal injury. Today, however, the emphasis of control is being shifted more and more toward totally automatic systems. Often, the importance of manual emergency stopping and override of these systems is lost in the zeal to perfect automatic controls. The problem that evolves is how and when to provide an efficient human-machine interface to allow a manual emergency …