Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Dehydration Of Ethanol To Diethyl Ether Over Beta Zeolite Catalysts, Montri Thapplee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The catalytic ethanol dehydration to diethyl ether was investigated using synthesized beta zeolite catalysts having different Na and mixed Na-H form. The Na form in catalyst was synthesized by the hydrothermal process including non-calcined (Na-BEA_N) and calcined (Na-BEA_C) catalysts. The catalysts having different mixed Na-H forms were synthesized under ion-exchange method. In this study, two different cycles were chosen including one cycle (M-BEA_1) and four cycles (M-BEA_4). These catalysts were characterized by various techniques. The catalysts were tested to measure the catalytic activity at atmospheric pressure and the reaction temperature ranged from 150 to 400 °C. The results presented that …

Analysis And Design Of Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, Tossaporn Jirabovornwisut

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In this study, the dynamic model of a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) was developed to analyze the battery performance and capacity degradation caused by an electrolyte imbalance from hydrogen and oxygen evolution and self-discharge side reactions. The model-based analysis of the VRFB performance revealed that the rate of battery capacity loss resulting from the electrolyte imbalance considerably depended on electrode and membrane material as well as operating conditions. Self-discharge reactions were controlled by the operational time of the battery. In addition, the rate of capacity degradation increased with an increase in the total vanadium concentration and operating temperature, affecting …

Designing Binary Low Ift Surfactant System Using Hld Concept For Oil Recovery, Tukta Jamprakhon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Surfactant-based microemulsion technology is widely used in tertiary enhanced oil recovery applications (EOR). The formulation of suitable surfactant system is a key success in production and economic feasibility of this technology. The middle phase or Winsor Type III microemulsions, employed for selecting appropriate surfactant system, can offer an optimal salinity at which the high oil solubilization capacity and minimum interfacial tension (IFT) or ultralow IFT (<0.01 mN/m) are obtained. By this technology, more remaining oil in the reservoir can be solubilized and mobilized which leads to an improvement of oil recovery. This study aims to formulate surfactant systems for the oil recovery through microemulsion formulation. The novel mixed anionic surfactant system of a sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) and an internal olefin sulfonates (IOS) with different alkyl chain lengths (C15-18, C19-23, C24-28) were used due to its mixture avoiding the surfactant precipitation. The result found that the binary mixture of AOT and (IOS C15-18 and IOS C19-23) can form the middle phase at the mixing ratios of 5:5 to 9:1 (by molar ratio) with heptane and decane. When the fraction of IOS increased in the mixed AOT/IOS system, the optimal salinity (S*) also increased. For the effects of a carbon tail length of IOS surfactant was observed that the tail length increased with decreasing the optimal salinity. The hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) for the mixed surfactant system was investigated to individually determine the K and Cc values for the IOS surfactants. The finding from this work provided a guide for surfactant selection through HLD concept to formulate microemulsion-based surfactant flooding for EOR application.

Design Of Plantwide Control Structure Of Double Effect Water/Lithium Bromide Absorption Chiller, Kris Prasopsanti

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Alternative control structures for a parallel double effect aqueous lithium bromide absorption chiller, operated in two modes of operation, has been designed using Skogastad's plantwide control procedure. In on-demand mode, two complete decentralized control structures with proportional integral (PI) controllers and one structure with a two inputs - two outputs model predictive controller (MPC) were proposed. Their performance was evaluated using MATLAB-Simulink dynamic simulation. The results varied depended on type of disturbance, but overall, the structure with MPC controller provided slightly better results with less liquid holdup changes and faster setting time in average. For on-supply mode, two self-optimizing control …

The Effects Of Tio2 Phase And Sio2 Supports On Methyl Oleate Epoxidation, Nichaphat Sangkanchanavanich

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This work studies about the epoxidation reaction of methyl oleate with TiO2 or TiO2/SiO2 catalysts and hydrogen peroxide. Study of TiO2 catalysts interests in catalysts from commercial and sol gel method. The highest catalytic activity and selectivity of TiO2 from commercial is TiO2 commercial type B which gives 46.10% and 79.75%, respectively. For sol gel method, the highest catalytic activity at 75.82% and selectivity at 90.85% is TiO2 calcination temperature at 300OC, due to low crystallinity and high surface area. TiO2/SiO2 with different type of SiO2 support (MCM-41, SBA-15, silicalite, silica gel and fumed silica) shows different catalytic activity and …

Hydrogen Production From Sorption Enhanced Chemical Looping Steam Ethanol Reforming Using Calcium Oxide/ Copper Oxide/ Nickel Oxide Multifunctional Catalyst, Talita Nimmas

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Multifunctional catalyst was developed for hydrogen production via sorption enhanced chemical looping ethanol steam reforming. Calcium acetate (Ca2Ac) and calcium chloride (CaCl) were used as calcium precursor. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and urea (CO(NH2)2) were used as carbonate precursor. The NiO/CaOAc-Urea-Ca12Al14O33 showed the longest pre-breakthrough period of 60 min and 88% of hydrogen purity at steam to ethanol molar ratio (S/E) of 4:1, temperature 600 ﹾC. Stability of NiO/CaOAc-Urea-Ca12Al14O33 was tested over 10 cycles and the results showed hydrogen purity can be maintained at 90% during pre-breakthrough period. The effect of synthesis method: sol-mixing and sol-gel, on hydrogen production was compared …

The Surface Modification Of Zeolite Y In Composite Selective Layer Of Hollow Fiber Membrane For Separation Of Co2/Ch4 Mixture, Thakorn Wichaidit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This work focused on the fabrication and evaluation of composing hollow fiber mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporated by zeolite Y for CO2/CH4 separation. The effects of surface modification of zeolite Y to improve compatibility of filler and polymer dispersibility of the filler in the polymer matrix on properties and separation performance of the membrane were investigated. A polysulfone (PSF) was used as a support hollow fiber and a selective layer composing of polyether-block-amide (Pebax) and zeolite Y (ZeY) and surface modification of zeolite Y (mo-ZeY) was coated on support. A [3-(2-Aminoethylamino)propyl]trimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS) was used to grafted on surface of pristine …

การพัฒนาฟิล์มบรรจุภัณฑ์บรรยากาศดัดแปรจากสารผสมระหว่างพอลิเอธิลีนชนิดความหนาแน่นต่ำกับเทอร์โมพลาสติกพอลิเอสเทอร์อีลาสโตเมอร์, กันตพงศ์ สักลอ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้เป็นการพัฒนาฟิล์มบรรจุภัณฑ์บรรยากาศดัดแปร (Modified Atmosphere Packaging Film) โดยศึกษาถึงผลของปริมาณสารเทอร์โมพลาสติกพอลิเอสเทอร์อิลาสโตเมอร์ (TPEE) ในสัดส่วน 0 - 50% โดยน้ำหนักที่ถูกผสมเข้าไปในพอลิเอธิลีนชนิดความหนาแน่นต่ำ (LDPE) และสภาวะการขึ้นรูปฟิล์ม ได้แก่ อัตราเร็วในการดึงฟิล์ม (Film Pulling Speed) ช่วง 200 - 240 rpm และอุณหภูมิหล่อเย็นฟิล์ม 15 - 50 องศาเซลเซียสต่อค่าความสามารถในการซึมผ่านแก๊สและไอน้ำของฟิล์มที่ได้ ผลการทดลองพบว่าการเติม TPEE ลงใน LDPE ในปริมาณที่มากขึ้นส่งผลให้ความสามารถในการซึมผ่านไอน้ำและแก๊สของ MAP Film มีแนวโน้มเพิ่มขึ้น เพราะ TPEE มีความสามารถในการซึมผ่านไอน้ำและแก๊สสูงกว่า LDPE นอกจากนี้การเพิ่มอัตราเร็วในการดึงฟิล์มส่งผลทำให้ช่องว่าง (Void) บริเวณรอยต่อระหว่างวัฏภาคของ LDPE กับ TPEE กว้างขึ้น ส่งผลให้อัตราการซึมผ่านของไอน้ำและแก๊สเพิ่มขึ้นตามไปด้วย ในทางกลับกัน การเพิ่มอุณหภูมิหล่อเย็นฟิล์มส่งผลให้เปอร์เซ็นต์ความเป็นผลึกของฟิล์มเพิ่มขึ้น ทำให้อัตราการซึมผ่านของไอน้ำและแก๊สมีแนวโน้มลดลง ส่วนการทำนายเวลาที่แก๊สในถุงบรรจุภัณฑ์เข้าสู่สภาวะคงตัวและปริมาณแก๊สในถุงบรรจุภัณฑ์โดยใช้โปรแกรม MATLAB พบว่า ภายใต้สภาวะที่ศึกษา แก๊สในถุงบรรจุภัณฑ์เข้าสู่สภาวะคงตัวภายในเวลา 24 ชั่วโมง โดยที่ MAP Film ที่มีค่าความสามารถในการซึมผ่านแก๊สออกซิเจนสูงกว่า ทำให้ปริมาณแก๊สออกซิเจนภายในถุงบรรจุภัณฑ์ที่สภาวะคงตัวมีค่าสูงกว่าและในทางกลับกัน MAP Film ที่มีค่าความสามารถในการซึมผ่านแก๊สคาร์บอนไดออกไซด์สูงกว่า ทำให้แก๊สคาร์บอนไดออกไซด์ภายในถุงบรรจุภัณฑ์ที่สภาวะคงตัวมีค่าน้อยกว่า

Developing A 3d In Vitro Model By Microfluidics, Hung-Ta Chien

Dissertations and Theses

In vitro tissue models play an important role in providing a platform that mimics the realistic tissue microenvironment for stimulating and characterizing the cellular behavior. In particular, the hydrogel-based 3D in vitro models allow the cells to grow and interact with their surroundings in all directions, thus better mimicking in vivo than their 2D counterparts. The objective of this thesis is to establish a 3D in vitro model that mimics the anatomical and functional complexity of the realistic cancer microenvironment for conveniently studying the transport coupling in porous tissue structures. We pack uniform-sized PEGDA-GelMA microgels in a microfluidic chip to …

Understanding Of Molecular Interactions And Reversibility In Silylamines, Josephine Chen

Dissertations and Theses

Modern Li-ion batteries employ flammable electrolytes that pose safety concerns. Battery safety has become important as several incidents involving Li-ion battery fires have been observed. This issue could be addressed through a switchable battery electrolyte. Reversible ionic liquids (RevILs) could be used in such an electrolyte that would cease operation in the event of rapid temperature elevation because they can switch between states of drastically different properties upon the application of an external stimulus, such as temperature or CO₂ addition. Silylamines, in particular, are a class of thermally responsive RevILs that are conducting in its ionic liquid (RevIL) state …

Analysis Of Aluminum-Air Battery By Physics-Based Mathematical Model, Chong Zhou

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The demand of electrical energy system is increasing rapidly these days for diverse applications from portable electronics and electrical vehicles to grid-scale energy storage. Lithium-ion battery has been utilized for most of those applications, but due to high cost (about $600/ kWh) and lower energy density (0.37 kWh/kg), the advent of low cost and high performing battery system is required. In this study, we will revisit aluminum-air battery as a promising system which has excellent features such as high energy density of 2.8 kWh/kg, low cost, and safe in nature, but it was abandoned due to challenging issues. One of …

Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ii Activity And Expression In The Aged Mouse Hippocampus, James Mitchum

Honors Theses

CaM Kinase II (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase enzyme that acts as a critical regulator of learning and memory. It has previously been shown that the inability of CaMKII to maintain activation is connected to memory deficits within the aging brain. While the connection between CaMKII dysfunction and learning and memory impairments is well established, little is known about the changes that cause CaMKII dysfunction. Our research set out to investigate if CaMKII is altered during the process of aging. Specifically, we looked at activity, regulation, and stability by conducting experiments to quantify CaMKII levels of …

Onsager Reciprocal Relations: Microscopic (Onsager) Or Macroscopic (Sliepcevich), R. E. "Buddy" Babcock

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper is a combination of the discussion of two nineteenth century theoretical giants Lars Onsager and C. M. Sliepcevich, their works in general, and specifically the famous reciprocal relations of Onsager with respect to irreversible thermodynamics. Emphasis is placed on their penetrating depth and breadth of analysis so inherently necessary in their problem-solving endeavors. The landscape of their work will be laid out for the reader by a comparison of Onsager’s microscopic statistical mechanics derivation of the famous reciprocal relationships and a macroscopic thermodynamic derivation published by C. M. Sliepsevich that led to considerable discussion in the literature in …

Dna Sequence Mediates Apparent Length Distribution In Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Mohammad Moein Safaee, Mitchell Gravely, Caroline Rocchio, Matthew Simmeth, Daniel E. Roxbury

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with short single-stranded DNA have been extensively studied within the last decade for biomedical applications due to the high dispersion efficiency and intrinsic biocompatibility of DNA as well as the photostable and tunable fluorescence of SWCNTs. Characterization of their physical properties, particularly their length distribution, is of great importance regarding their application as a bioengineered research tool and clinical diagnostic agent. Conventionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to quantify the length of DNA-SWCNTs by depositing the hybrids onto an electrostatically charged flat surface. Here, we demonstrate that hybrids of DNA-SWCNTs with different oligomeric …

Surface Engineering And Monomer Design For Light-Mediated Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization, Ishan A. Fursule

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Stimuli-responsive materials are changing the landscape of actuated materials, optoelectronics, molecular machines, solar cells, temporary memory storage, and biomedical materials. Specifically, photo-responsive polymers have gained acceleration in research and application since the last two decades in the form of a surface coating and micro-patterns. Light as a stimulus can be coherent, mono or polychromatic, tunable for power (intensity) and energy (wavelength), and has precise spatiotemporal control. Conventional surface coating techniques such as spin coating are unable to impart properties to the coatings in terms of sturdiness, homogeneity, uniformity over the complex surface, post deposition modification, and process efficiency. Also, in …

Understanding Carbohydrate Recognition Mechanisms In Non-Catalytic Proteins Through Molecular Simulations, Abhishek A. Kognole

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Non-catalytic protein-carbohydrate interactions are an essential element of various biological events. This dissertation presents the work on understanding carbohydrate recognition mechanisms and their physical significance in two groups of non-catalytic proteins, also called lectins, which play key roles in major applications such as cellulosic biofuel production and drug delivery pathways. A computational approach using molecular modeling, molecular dynamic simulations and free energy calculations was used to study molecular-level protein-carbohydrate and protein-protein interactions. Various microorganisms like bacteria and fungi secret multi-modular enzymes to deconstruct cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. The carbohydrate binding modules (CBM) are non-catalytic domains of such enzymes that …

Application Of Process Systems Engineering Tools And Methods To Fermentation-Based Biorefineries, Kwabena Darkwah

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Biofuels produced from lignocellulosic biomass via the fermentation platform are sustainable energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Process Systems Engineering (PSE) uses computer-based tools and methods to design, simulate and optimize processes. Application of PSE tools to the design of economic biorefinery processes requires the development of simulation approaches that can be integrated with existing, mature PSE tools used to optimize traditional refineries, such as Aspen Plus. Current unit operation models lack the ability to describe unsteady state fermentation processes, link unsteady state fermentation with in situ separations, and optimize these processes for competing factors (e.g., yield and productivity). This work …

Design And Analysis Of Curcumin Conjugated Poly(Beta-Amino Ester) Networks For Controlled Release In Oxidative Stress Environments, Carolyn T. Jordan

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Oxidative stress, the imbalance of free radical generation with antioxidant defenses, leads to cellular inflammation, apoptosis and cell death. This compromised environment results in debilitating diseases, such as oral mucositis (OM), atherosclerosis, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Antioxidant therapeutics has been a proposed strategy to ameliorate these imbalances and maintain homeostatic environments. However, the success of these approaches, specifically curcumin, has been limited due to characteristics such as hydrophobicity and high reactivity when released as bolus doses to contest to oxidative stress induced diseases. The development of a controlled release system to aid in protection of the antioxidant capacity of curcumin, as …

The Development Of Microfluidic Devices For The Production Of Safe And Effective Non-Viral Gene Delivery Vectors, Jason Matthew Absher

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Including inherited genetic diseases, like lipoprotein lipase deficiency, and acquired diseases, such as cancer and HIV, gene therapy has the potential to treat or cure afflicted people by driving an affected cell to produce a therapeutic protein. Using primarily viral vectors, gene therapies are involved in a number of ongoing clinical trials and have already been approved by multiple international regulatory drug administrations for several diseases. However, viral vectors suffer from serious disadvantages including poor transduction of many cell types, immunogenicity, direct tissue toxicity and lack of targetability. Non-viral polymeric gene delivery vectors (polyplexes) provide an alternative solution but are …

Mixed Matrix Flat Sheet And Hollow Fiber Membranes For Gas Separation Applications, Nicholas W. Linck

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Mixed matrix membranes (MMM) offer one potential path toward exceeding the Robeson upper bound of selectivity versus permeability for gas separation performance while maintaining the benefits of solution processing. Many inorganic materials, such as zeolites, metal-organic frameworks, or carbon nanotubes, can function as molecular sieves, but as stand-alone membranes are brittle and difficult to manufacture. Incorporating them into a more robust polymeric membrane matrix has the potential to mitigate this issue.

In this work, phase inversion polymer solution processing for the fabrication and testing of asymmetric flat sheet mixed matrix membranes was employed with CVD-derived multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed …