Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Gasification Of Pelletized Corn Residues With Oxygen Enriched Air And Steam, Poramate Sittisun, Nakorn Tippayawong, Sirivatch Shimpalee

Faculty Publications

This work studied generation of producer gas using oxygen-enriched air and steam mixture as gasifying medium. Corn residues consisting of cobs and stover were used as biomass feedstock. Both corn residues were pelletized and gasified separately with normal air, oxygen enriched air and steam mixture in a fixed bed reactor. Effects of oxygen concentration in enriched air (21-50%), equivalence ratio (0.15-0.35), and steam to biomass ratio (0-0.8) on the yield of product gas, the combustible gas composition such as H2, CO, and CH4, the lower heating value (LHV), and the gasification efficiency were investigated. It was found that the decrease …

Synthesis And Analysis Of Separation Processes For Extracellular Chemicals Generated From Microbial Conversions, Wenzhao Wu, Kirti Maheshkumar Yenkie, Christos T. Maravelias

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

Recent advances in metabolic engineering have enabled the production of chemicals via bio-conversion using microbes. However, downstream separation accounts for 60–80% of the total production cost in many cases. Previous work on microbial production of extracellular chemicals has been mainly restricted to microbiology, biochemistry, metabolomics, or techno-economic analysis for specific product examples such as succinic acid, xanthan gum, lycopene, etc. In these studies, microbial production and separation technologies were selected apriori without considering any competing alternatives. However, technology selection in downstream separation and purification processes can have a major impact on the overall costs, product recovery, and purity. To this …

Investigation Of Oxygen Reduction Reaction In Carbon-Based Electrocatalysts, Andrew Mason

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

In the modern era, some global challenges are energy storage conversion. To find sustainable solutions to this problem, researchers have turned to renewable energy resources. An example of promising energy generation devices is fuel cell. Fuel cells are electrochemical systems that convert the chemical energy of the fuel to electrochemical potential that can be used as direct current (dc) generators. Although these technologies are very attractive, they are known to be expensive due to high cost of catalysts and concerns regarding their energy densities. Fuel cells composed of two electrodes, namely cathode and anode and electrolyte separating the oxidizing agents …

Three-Dimensional Porous Vn Octahedron Catalyst With High Electrocatalytic Efficiency Toward Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, Can Yin, Wei-Wei Fu, Ling Fang, Shi-Li You, Hui-Juan Zhang, Yu Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

With the rapid development of China’s economy, the demand for energy is increasing, and environmental problems are becoming more and more serious. The development and utilization of highly-clean new energy fuel can effectively alleviate the energy crisis and environmental pollution. Nowadays, exploring high-efficiency, environment-friendly and low-cost catalysts remains the focus of research in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this research, firstly, we proposed a three-dimensional porous vanadium nitride (VN) with octahedral structure, which was prepared by a calcination treatment method. The VN catalyst showed a good electrocatalytic activity toward HER, involving a small overpotential of 94.0 mV at -10 …

Influences Of Morphology And Nitrogen Doping On The Electrocatalytic Characteristics For Oxygen Reduction Reaction Of Nio/Rgo, Dong Liang, Heng-Yi Fang, Shuo Yao, Jie-Mei Yu, Zhao-Liang Zhang, Zhan-Kun Jiang, Xue-Ping Gao, Tai-Zhong Huang

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this research, the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) supported sheet-like NiO (NiO/rGO) and spherical-like NiO (NiO/N-rGO) catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were prepared. The structures, morphologies and chemical states of the two catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical catalytic performance of the two catalysts for ORR were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Tafel, linear sweeping voltammetry (LSV), rotating disc electrode (RDE) and rotating ring disc electrode (RRDE) tests. Electrochemical results showed that the current density and onset potential (about 0.89 V) …

Special Issue: Electrocatalysis And Fuel Cells, Shuangyin Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

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Pd Nanoparticles Supported On The Etched Ni Foams As High-Performance Electrocatalysts For Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells, Chi Zhang, Cheng-Fei Li, Gao-Ren Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

The development of non-Pt anode electrocatalysts with high activity and long-term durability at low cost for fuel cells still remains enormous challenge. Here we report the Pd nanoparticles supported on Ni foams etched by the mixed acids (HNO₃+H₂SO₄+H₃PO₄+CH₃COOH) (Pd/ME-NF) that are designed and fabricated as high-performance electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. Because of the advantages of large open space, fast electrolyte penetration/diffusion and rapid electron transfer process, the Pd/ME-NF catalysts exhibited significantly improved electrocatalytic activity and durability compared with the commercial Pd/C catalysts.

A Facile Route To Synthesize Pt-Wo3 Nanosheets With Enhanced Electrochemical Performance For Her, Peng-Jie Jiang, Yi Lv, Chang-Miao Chen, Hong-Cheng He, Yong Cai, Ming Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Platinum-tungsten trioxide (Pt-WO₃) nanosheets were synthesized on nickel foams (NFs) directly. As great conductive networks, NFs substrates could greatly improve the electrode performance of WO₃. The modified platinum nanoparticles not only enhanced the electron transformation of catalysts, but also increased the active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Pt-WO₃/NF revealed a better catalytic activity than WO₃/NFs with a smaller Tafel slope (80 mV·dec^-1) and a lower overpotential of 72 mV at the current density of 10 mA·cm^-2. In addition, Pt-WO₃/NF showed great durability and stability during …

Comprehensive Second-Order Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology (2nd-Asam) Applied To A Subcritical Experimental Reactor Physics Benchmark: Iii. Effects Of Imprecisely Known Microscopic Fission Cross Sections And Average Number Of Neutrons Per Fission, Dan Gaberiel Cacuci, Ruixian Fang, J. A. Favorite, M. C. Badea, F. Di Rocco

Faculty Publications

The Second-Order Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology (2nd-ASAM) is applied to compute the first-order and second-order sensitivities of the leakage response of a polyethylene-reflected plutonium (PERP) experimental system with respect to the following nuclear data: Group-averaged isotopic microscopic fission cross sections, mixed fission/total, fission/scattering cross sections, average number of neutrons per fission (), mixed /total cross sections, /scattering cross sections, and /fission cross sections. The numerical results obtained indicate that the 1st-order relative sensitivities for these nuclear data are smaller than the 1st-order sensitivities of the PERP leakage response with respect to the total cross sections but are larger than those …

Upcycling Single-Use Polyethylene Into High-Quality Liquid Products, Gokhan Celik, Robert M. Kennedy, Ryan A. Hackler, Magali Ferrandon, Akalanka Tennakoon, Smita Patnaik, Anne M. Lapointe, Salai Ammal, Andreas Heyden, Frédéric A. Perras, Marek Pruski, Susannah L. Scott, Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier, Aaron D. Sadow, Massimiliano Delferro

Faculty Publications

Our civilization relies on synthetic polymers for all aspects of modern life; yet, inefficient recycling and extremely slow environmental degradation of plastics are causing increasing concern about their widespread use. After a single use, many of these materials are currently treated as waste, underutilizing their inherent chemical and energy value. In this study, energy-rich polyethylene (PE) macromolecules are catalytically transformed into value-added products by hydrogenolysis using well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on SrTiO3 perovskite nanocuboids by atomic layer deposition. Pt/SrTiO3 completely converts PE (Mn = 8000− 158,000 Da) or a single-use plastic bag (Mn = 31,000 Da) into high-quality liquid …

Hydrothermal Preparation Of Palladium Supported On Magnetite For Catalysis Applications, Saddam Alaskary

Chemical Engineering

Herein, versatile, and reproducible method to prepare Pd/Fe3O4 via hydrothermal synthesis. The vital role of this catalyst is in its potential use in CO oxidation catalysis. The Pd/Fe3O4 shows a distinctive activity. TEM images confirmed that Pd nanoparticles of 8-12 nm have a well dispersion on the surface of magnetite (Fe3O4). Moreover, the prepared catalyst is recycled with remarkable catalytic activity. This outstanding activity is mainly a direct result of the strong metal-support interaction. The defect sites in the reduced iron oxide act as nucleation centers that enable anchoring of Pd nanoparticles leading to prevention of agglomeration.

Novel Green Micro-Synthesis Of Graphene-Titanium Dioxide Nano- Composites With Photo-Electrochemical Properties, Nourwanda M. Serour, Ahmed S.E. Hammad, Ahmed H. El-Shazly, Dina A. El-Gayar, Shaaban A. Nosier

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Publications

Background: Graphene-Titanium dioxide nano-composite forms a very promising material in the field of photo-electrochemical research.

Methods: In this study, a novel environment-friendly synthesis method was developed to produce well-distributed anatase nano-titanium dioxide spherical particles on the surface of graphene sheets. This novel method has great advantages over previously developed methods of producing graphenetitanium dioxide nanocomposites (GTNCs). High calcination temperature 650°C was used in the preparation of nano titanium dioxide, and chemical exfoliation for graphene synthesis and GTNC was performed by our novel method of depositing titanium dioxide nanoparticles on graphene sheets using a Y-shaped micro-reactor under a controlled pumping rate …

Hydrothermal Preparation Of Palladium Supported On Magnetite For Catalysis Applications, Hany A. Elazab, S. A. Hassan, M. A. Radwan, M. A. Sadek

Chemical Engineering

Herein, versatile, and reproducible method to prepare Pd/Fe3O4 via hydrothermal synthesis. The vital role of this catalyst is in its potential use in CO oxidation catalysis. The Pd/Fe3O4 shows a distinctive activity. TEM images confirmed that Pd nanoparticles of 8-12 nm have a well dispersion on the surface of magnetite (Fe3O4). Moreover, the prepared catalyst is recycled with remarkable catalytic activity. This outstanding activity is mainly a direct result of the strong metal-support interaction. The defect sites in the reduced iron oxide act as nucleation centers that enable anchoring of Pd nanoparticles leading to prevention of agglomeration.

Computationally Aided Design Of A High-Performance Organic Semiconductor: The Development Of A Universal Crystal Engineering Core, Anthony J. Petty Ii, Qianxiang Ai, Jeni C. Sorli, Hamna F. Haneef, Geoffrey E. Purdum, Alex M. Boehm, Devin B. Granger, Kaichen Gu, Carla Patricia Lacerda Rubinger, Sean R. Parkin, Kenneth R. Graham, Oana D. Jurchescu, Yueh-Lin Loo, Chad Risko, John E. Anthony

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a suite of molecules based on a benzodithiophene “universal crystal engineering core”. After computationally screening derivatives, a trialkylsilylethyne-based crystal engineering strategy was employed to tailor the crystal packing for use as the active material in an organic field-effect transistor. Electronic structure calculations were undertaken to reveal derivatives that exhibit exceptional potential for high-efficiency hole transport. The promising theoretical properties are reflected in the preliminary device results, with the computationally optimized material showing simple solution processing, enhanced stability, and a maximum hole mobility of 1.6 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Of Graphene Supported Hexagonal Magnetite For Applications In Catalysis, Hany A. Elazab, M. A. Radwan, M. A. Sadek

Chemical Engineering

Herein, we report a rapid one-step synthetic method using microwave irradiation for growing magnetite nanocrystals on reduced graphene oxide sheets. This developed strategy allows decorating graphene sheets with magnetite nanocrystals of well-defined morphology as cubes using microwave-driven reduction of iron chloride using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent. The size and shape control was achieved via fine-tuning of the reaction conditions. The obtained results demonstrate the applicability of this microwave synthetic approach to control the morphology of the magnetite nanocrystals anchored on graphene sheets. Moreover, graphene sheets will enhance the nucleation and growth of magnetite nanoplates anchored on graphene. This …

Facile Microwave-Assisted Synthetic Approach To Palladium Nanoparticles Supported On Copper Oxide As An E±Cient Catalyst For Heck And Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reactions, Hany A. Elazab Dr

Chemical Engineering

A simple green method for the synthesis of highly active palladium nanoparticles embedded on copper oxide as an efficient catalyst for ligand–free Heck cross–coupling reactions is developed. The approach is based on simultaneous chemical reduction of an aqueous solution of palladium and copper salts in microwave using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent. Full characterization of the catalyst with transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), reveal a size range of 25 ± 2 nm for the generated catalyst nanoparticles. The use of the generated Pd/CuO nanoparticles is highly advantageous due to the use …

Syrup Process Optimization, Anelis Susana Chiluisa Calvache

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project involves the optimization of a marshmallow syrup process, sponsored by the owners of the line, the Kellogg Company was the sponsor. This report shows the work that was done for the period of three months, and covers the objective of the project, as well as the problem statement. The Kellogg Company currently produces a Syrup as an ingredient in the production of several cereal bars. The process is divided in four sections: Gelling Mix Tank, Syrup Mix Tank, Syrup Cool Tank and Syrup Use Tank. The entire process itself takes around 80 to 120 minutes …

Optothermal Microbubble Assisted Manufacturing Of Nanogap-Rich Structures For Active Chemical Sensing, Farzia Karim, Erick S. Vasquez, Yvonne Sun, Chenglong Zhao

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Guiding analytes to the sensing area is an indispensable step in a sensing system. Most of the sensing systems apply a passive sensing method, which waits for the analytes to diffuse towards the sensor. However, passive sensing methods limit the detection of analytes to a picomolar range on micro/nanosensors for a practical time scale. Therefore, active sensing methods need to be used to improve the detection limit in which the analytes are forced to concentrate on the sensors. In this article, we have demonstrated the manufacturing of nanogap-rich structures for active chemical sensing. Nanogap-rich structures are manufactured from metallic nanoparticles …

Discovery Of Materials Through Applied Machine Learning, Travis Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Advances in artificial intelligence technology, specifically machine learning, have cre- ated opportunities in the material sciences to accelerate material discovery and gain fundamental understanding of the interaction between certain the constituent ele- ments of a material and the properties expressed by that material. Application of machine learning to experimental materials discovery is slow due to the monetary and temporal cost of experimental data, but parallel techniques such as continuous com- positional gradients or high-throughput characterization setups are capable of gener- ating larger amounts of data than the typical experimental process, and therefore are suitable for combination with machine learning. A …

Molecular Modeling Of Tethered Polyelectrolytes For Novel Biomedical Applications, Merina Jahan

Theses and Dissertations

Current research trends throughout the world focus on designing intelligent materi- als and systems for diverse applications in all courses of life. Biomaterials research encompasses a major part in this revolution due to the increased effort in fulfilling unmet medical needs to treat complex physiological and neurodegenerative disorders. Polymers play inevitable roles in these research endeavors for their ubiquitous pres- ence in biological systems. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how the polymeric molecules interact within diverse biological environments, to efficiently engineer them for various drug delivery and biosensing systems. The use of experimental design and selection of different polymers …