Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Simultaneous Reaction And Separation Technologies For Biodiesel Production Derived From Alternative Feedstocks, Nattawat Petchsoongsakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research focused on the production of biodiesel using hybridized reactive distillation (hybridized RD) and centrifugal contractor reactor (CCR) from waste cooking oil (WCO) to reduce the operating cost. However, WCO contains some water which can cause saponification. The study showed that using two heat exchangers with hybridized RD is a simple method for water removal but it required the highest energy and cost (1.63 $/kg biodiesel). The extended spacing stage for water removal required a new hybridized RD construction with additional spacing stages. This method can handle and require less energy, resulting in lower cost (1.07 $/kg biodiesel). The …

Sulfur-Tolerant Cobalt-Doped La0.3sr0.7tio3-D-Perovskite Cathode For Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell, Natthamon Nuengjumnong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Lanthanum doped strontium titanate (LST) is a perovskite cathode in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) which shows great performance in syngas production from CO2 and steam feed. However, the LST type cathode suffers from structural stability. Sulfur containing in industrial exhaust gas can affect its durability which inhibit the technology in real application. Therefore, to improve sulfur tolerance, La0.3Sr0.7Ti1-yCoyO3-δ (LSTC) by adding Co2+ metal ion at B-site when y is 0 to 20%mol was synthesized. Citrate acid-nitrate combustion method was used and the synthesized powder. LST and La0.3Sr0.7Ti0.9Co0.10O3-δ (LSTC0.10) exhibited single phase perovskite while La2O3 and La(OH)3 were observed in …

Ethylene Polymerization With Zirconocene Catalyston Zeolite A Support Derived From Fly Ash, Natthapat Warintha

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Zeolite A (LTA) synthesis from fly ash has many applications, in which metallocene catalytic support is uncommon. This research study has three parts. Firstly, investigation of the effects of immobilized MAO cocatalyst and zirconocene catalyst techniques on silica support. Immobilized MAO, followed by metallocene catalyst method had the highest catalytic activity, which was used in the next parts. The second part examined the optimal temperature and [Al]MAO/[Zr]cat ratio with ethylene polymerization in a semi-batch autoclave reactor utilizing LTA-supported metallocene catalysts. The optimal conditions were found at 80°C and [Al]MAO/[Zr]cat ratios equal to 2000 that were used in the next section. …

Characteristics And Catalytic Properties Of Copper On Mcf-Si And Sba-15 For Hydrogenation Of Carbon Dioxide, Sirimas Suelueam

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

At present, the production of methanol from the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide is widespread. The current popular catalysts include copper oxide, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide (CZA) catalysts. As the reaction progresses, the catalyst forms coke. This causes the efficiency of the catalyst to decrease. In this study, the copper catalyst on the mesoporus silica support was investigated. This type of support has high thermal stability. Cu catalysts were synthesized on MCF-Si and SBA-15 supports with different pore morphology such as spherical and hexagonal shape, respectively, by wetness impregnation (W) method and incipient wetness impregnation (IW) with a copper loading …

Comparison Of Techno-Economic Analysis Of 1,3-Propanediol Production From Crude Glycerol Via Chemical And Biological Methods, Sivatchaya Boriboon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

At present, the biodiesel industry is expanding rapidly which could lead to an oversupply of the by-product, crude glycerol. To manage this, crude glycerol should be converted into value-added chemicals such as 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO). In this study, the production of 1,3-PDO via catalytic reaction is simulated using a process simulator to evaluate its techno-economic performance as well as its environmental impact. The obtained results will be compared with the conventional production of 1,3-PDO to point out the advantages that the catalytic reaction can offer in terms of economic, energy utilization, raw material utilization, and environmental impacts.

Scale Up Of Benzoxazinone Derivative Synthesis In Batch Reactor, Sumate Boonkird

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Benzoxazinone derivative is one of starting materials in the synthesis of Deferasirox (a Chelating iron for thalassemia patient). The parameters of Benzoxazinone derivative synthesis were investigated from the condensation of salicylic acid, salicylamide, cyanuric chloride, and triethylamine using toluene as solvent. The mole equivalent ratio of salicylic acid: salicylamide:cyanuric chloride:triethylamine at 1:1:0.67:1 provided the 46.77% yield of Benzoxazinone derivative in laboratory scale. Surprisingly, 4-chloro-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-benzo[e][1,3]oxazine-4-ol was observed in the synthesis of Benzoxazinone derivative. In addition, the reaction scheme of Benzoxazinone derivative synthesis was proposed as a model for the study of the chemical kinetic constant. Furthermore, the scale up of Benzoxaxinone …

Effects Of Zinc Oxide On Thermal, Mechanical, Morphological, And Gas Barrier Properties Of Polybutylene Succinate/ Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-4-Hydroxybutyrate) Films, Sunisa Suwatthi

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Currently, conventional polymers from petrochemical processes have low biodegradability and remain in the environment for several hundred years. This has negative effects on the environment. This research aims to improve the properties of biopolymers such as poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB4HB). P3HB4HB was selected to blend with PBS in with weight ratios of PBS:P3HB4HB was 90/10 and ZnO nanoparticles (0.5, 1 and 2%) was selected as a nucleating agent. The melt blending process using an internal mixer and molded into a film using a compression molding process. The chemical structures, morphological properties, thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, mechanical properties …

Control Of A Polybutylene Succinate (Pbs) Polymerization In A Semi-Batch Reactor By Neural Network Model Based Predictive Controller, Takorn Plengsangsri

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Polybutylene succinate (PBS) is a biodegradable plastic known for its strength and versatility in various applications. This research presents a data-driven approach to simulate temperature control in a semi-batch reactor during polymerization, the performance of the proposed approaches was compared against conventional controllers, including PID control and first-principles model MPC control. The study developed neural network model-based predictive control (NNMPC) and multiple neural network model-based predictive control (Multi-NNMPC), using Python and Tensorflow. Neural network models were trained by using a wide range of dynamic data with varying numbers of neurons in hidden layers to investigate the process dynamics under different …

Design Of Process For Recovery Of Gold And Nickel Ions From Wastewater Of Metal Plating Process In Electronics Industry Using Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane, Wanchalerm Srirachat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In the manufacture of printed circuit boards (PCBs), electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) plating is widely applied. During the plating process, excess nickel and gold plating solutions, which adheres to the workpiece, is removed. As a result, economical quantities of nickel and gold ions accumulate in the rinse water baths and can then be collected. In this work, the simultaneously selective extraction and recovery of nickel and gold ions using a single-step operation of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) technique was studied. Real rinse wastewater from the plating process containing trace nickel ions (Ni(II)) of 15 mg/L and gold …

The Study Of Weave-Pattern Effect On Filtration Performance Of Woven Filter Cloths By Computational Fluid Dynamic Modeling, Wisit Bandasak

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

An important global problem that has an impact on both human health and the environment is air pollution. Exercise and outdoor activities are essential for human well-being, but they can also have a detrimental effect on health and the environment. For example, PM2.5 and PM10 particles can enter the lungs and cause respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, masks must be worn in order to stop the COVID-19 epidemic from spreading. Nevertheless, not all masks are effective in preventing viruses and air pollution. Consequently, selecting the proper mask is essential for avoiding health risks. Using the use of computational fluid dynamics, …

Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopic Detection Of Ethanol: A Side-By-Side Comparison Of Zno And Hkust-1 Mofs As Sensing Media, Papa K. Amoah, Zeinab Mohammed Hassan, Pengtao Lin, Engelbert Redel, Helmut Baumgart, Yaw S. Obeng

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The most common gas sensors are based on chemically induced changes in electrical resistivity and necessarily involve making imperfect electrical contacts to the sensing materials, which introduce errors into the measurements. We leverage thermal- and chemical-induced changes in microwave propagation characteristics (i.e., S-parameters) to compare ZnO and surface-anchored metal-organic-framework (HKUST-1 MOF) thin films as sensing materials for detecting ethanol vapor, a typical volatile organic compound (VOC), at low temperatures. We show that the microwave propagation technique can detect ethanol at relatively low temperatures (<100 >°C), and afford new mechanistic insights that are inaccessible with the traditional dc-resistance-based measurements. In addition, …

Efficient Removal Of Lead Ions From Aqueous Media Using Sustainable Sources On Marine Algae, Hannah Namkoong, Erik Biehler, Gon Namkoong, Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The goal of this project is to explore a new method to efficiently remove Pb(II) ions from water by processing Undaria pinnatifida into immobilized beads using sodium alginate and calcium chloride. The resulting biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Using immobilized U. pinnatifida, we investigated the effect of various factors on Pb(II) ion removal efficiency such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, time, and underlying biosorption mechanisms. For Pb(II) ion biosorption studies, Pb(II) ion biosorption data were obtained and analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. It …

Hydrocarbon Pay Zone Prediction Using Ai Neural Network Modeling., Darren D. Guedon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper captures the ability of AI neural network technology to analyze petrophysical datasets for pattern recognition and accurate prediction of the pay zone of a vertical well from the Santa Fe field in Kansas.

During this project, data from 10 completed wells in the Santa Fe field were gathered, resulting in a dataset with 25,580 records, ten predictors (logs data), and a single binary output (Yes or No) to identify the availability of Hydrocarbon over a half feet depth segment in the well. Several models composed of different predictors combinations were also tested to determine how impactful some logs …

Design And Control Of Intensified Membrane Reactor Systems Through Module-Based Design Approach, Brent Bishop

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As interest in the modularization and intensification of chemical processes continues to grow, more research must be directed towards the modeling and analysis of intensified process units. Intensified process units such as membrane reactors pose unique challenges pertaining to design and operation that have not been fully addressed in the reported literature. This work aims to address the design and control challenges caused by the integration of phenomena and the loss of degrees of freedom (DOF) that occur in the intensification of modular membrane reactor units.

First, a novel first-principles approach for modeling membrane reactors is developed using the AVEVA …

Thermochemical Water-Splitting Using Novel High-Entropy Perovskite Oxides, Hector Alexis De Santiago Hernandez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this project, we designed, synthesized, and tested the transformative (La_0.8Sr_0.2)(Mn_[1-x]/3Fe_[1-x]/3Co_xAl_[1-x]/3)O₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) high-entropy perovskite oxides (HEPOs) as redox active oxygen carriers for thermochemical hydrogen production with improved stability, kinetics, and H₂ yield. The developed HEPOs form an R3c (hexagonal) phase and were successfully synthesized using both the Pechini and solid-state reactions with the latter synthesis being the primary source for testing. These innovative perovskites demonstrated an improved kinetics with oxygen surface exchange coefficient, k, greater than 7.5 x 10^-4 cm/s, …

Hydrogen Diffusion In Coal: Implications For Hydrogen Geo‐Storage, Alireza Keshavarz, Hussein R. Abid, Muhammad Ali, Sefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Hypothesis

Hydrogen geo-storage is considered as an option for large scale hydrogen storage in a full-scale hydrogen economy. Among different types of subsurface formations, coal seams look to be one of the best suitable options as coal’s micro/nano pore structure can adsorb a huge amount of gas (e.g. hydrogen) which can be withdrawn again once needed. However, literature lacks fundamental data regarding H₂ diffusion in coal.

Experiments

In this study, we measured H₂ adsorption rate in an Australian anthracite coal sample at isothermal conditions for four different temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, 45 °C and 60 °C), at …

Hydrocarbon Source Rocks In Kazhdumi And Pabdeh Formations—A Quick Outlook In Gachsaran Oilfield, Sw Iran, Majid Safaei-Farouji, Mohammadreza Kamali, Mohammad Hail Hakimi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Geochemical study of Kazhdumi and Pabdeh Formations as potential source rocks in Gachsaran Oilfield demonstrates that the Kazhdumi Formation has a fair to good capability of hydrocarbon generation and predominately contains type II-III kerogen. On the other hand, the Pabdeh Formation has a poor to good petroleum potential and contains different kerogen types, including type II, type II-III, type III and even for one sample, type IV, indicating different depositional conditions for this formation. The geochemical log of the Kazhdumi Formation shows that there is a close correlation between different geological parameters as noticed prominently in well number 55, which …

Highway Stormwater Runoff On-Site Treatment Using Bioslope With New Media Of Biochar Amended Topsoils, Ahmed I. Yunus

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has constructed various treatment facilities on its right-of-way (ROW) to collect and treat highway stormwater runoff, emphasizing total suspended solids (TSS) removal. The permit performance goal set by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is 80% TSS removal. Current stormwater best management practice (BMP) treatment facilities include complex and permanent infrastructures such as bioslope, bioretention basins, sand filters, infiltration trenches, and grass channels. Among these BMPs, bioslope has been becoming more popular due to its applicability for roadway embankments and areas with limited ROW constraints. It removes pollutants effectively by physical filtration and chemical adsorption …

Sustainable Polylactic Acid Foam Development Through Solid-State Processing, Philip Onffroy

Honors Theses

Plastics play a vital role in global materials industries, but they contribute to environmental and ecological toxicity effects that accelerate climate change. One important category of plastic material is polymer foams, which have widespread applications in insulation, packaging, and storage. Current bio-based plastic foams that originate from natural, non-petroleum feedstocks are potential solutions but do not yet have adequate properties to supplant petrochemical-based plastic foams. This project aims to generate, test, and analyze bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) polymer foams developed through methods involving solid-state processing such as solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) and cryogenic milling. SSSP has previously been shown to …

ฝาแฝดดิจิทัลของหม้อไอน้ำแบบเผาร่วมชีวมวลและถ่านหินโดยการจำลองพลศาสตร์ของไหลเชิงคำนวณ, ธนากรณ์ วาระเพียง

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้ศึกษาการใช้เชื้อเพลิงชีวมวลผสมกับถ่านหินในหม้อไอน้ำฟลูอิไดซ์เบดแบบหมุนเวียนซึ่งเป็นเรื่องที่น่าสนใจท่ามกลางการเพิ่มขึ้นของความต้องการพลังงาน ลักษณะการเผาไหม้ร่วมของชีวมวลและถ่านหินในหม้อไอน้ำจะได้รับการตรวจสอบโดยใช้พลศาสตร์ของไหลเชิงคำนวณ (CFD) เชื้อเพลิงที่ศึกษาในงานวิจัยนี้ ได้แก่ ถ่านหิน ไม้สับ และเปลือกไม้ กำหนดสัดส่วนของเชื้อเพลิงเพื่อศึกษาผลกระทบต่อการเผาไหม้ด้วยการออกแบบการทดลองแบบผสมซิมเพล็กซ์เซนทรอยด์ การจำลอง CFD ประกอบด้วยแบบจำลองการไหลของความหนืด k-epsilon แบบจำลองการไหลของของไหลหลายเฟสของออยเลอร์ และแบบจำลองการเผาไหม้เชื้อเพลิงแข็ง ผลการตรวจสอบความถูกต้องของแบบจำลองแสดงให้เห็นว่าข้อมูลแบบจำลองมีความสอดคล้องกับข้อมูลจริงของโรงไฟฟ้าซึ่งอาจเป็นฝาแฝดดิจิทัลของหม้อไอน้ำที่ศึกษา โดยแบบจำลองจะทำนายผลที่เกิดขึ้นในห้องเผาไหม้ ได้แก่ อุณหภูมิ ฟลักซ์ความร้อน เถ้า และแก๊สมลพิษ ได้แก่ คาร์บอนมอนอกไซด์ (CO) คาร์บอนไดออกไซด์ (CO2) ไนตริกออกไซด์ (NO) ซัลเฟอร์ไดออกไซด์ (SO2) และก๊าซคลอรีน (Cl2) ผลการจำลองพบว่าการใช้ถ่านหินเป็นเชื้อเพลิงจะให้อุณหภูมิและฟลักซ์ความร้อนสูงสุด รองลงมาคือ ไม้สับและเปลือกไม้ ในทางตรงข้ามการใช้ชีวมวลจะปล่อยแก๊สมลพิษออกมาน้อยกว่าถ่านหิน ในการทดลองนี้ได้ศึกษาอิทธิพลของอัตราการป้อนเชื้อเพลิง พบว่าอัตราการป้อนเชื้อเพลิงสูงจะทำให้ตัวแปรตามสูงกว่าอัตราการป้อนเชื้อเพลิงต่ำ จากการวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลแบบจำลองพบว่าชีวมวลเป็นมิตรต่อสิ่งแวดล้อมและประหยัดต้นทุนการผลิตมากกว่าถ่านหิน แบบจำลอง CFD สามารถสร้างแบบทำนายเพื่อกำหนดชนิดและสัดส่วนของเชื้อเพลิงได้อย่างง่ายดายโดยใช้สองวิธี คือ สมการและกราฟคอนทัวร์ ซึ่งสามารถเปรียบเสมือนฝาแฝดดิจิทัลของหม้อไอน้ำ