Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Analysis Of The Production Data From Marcellus Shale Wells, Amanda Parrish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The increasingly prevalent practice of unconventional technologies has called for the need for the critical analysis of production decline rates to meet economic targets. The high early time production returns and transient flow make matching a production curve to known methods of decline curve analysis problematic.

This research focuses on finding a technique that best fits a known production curve and then applying that technique to another well to check its accuracy. The goal is to find the earliest time of production data necessary to predict an accurate production curve over the lifespan of the well. This is essential to …

Co2 Capture From Flue Gas By A Psa Process Using A Novel Structured Adsorbent, Nima Mohammadi

Theses and Dissertations

First adsorption equilibrium isotherms for N2, O2, Ar and CO2 on zeolite 13X were measured at three temperatures (25, 50, 75 °C) and pressures up to 110 kPa with a volumetric method and validated by also measuring the same isotherms with a gravimetric system.

Then a comprehensive 2-D mathematical model was developed to study the fundamentals of adsorption processes in parallel channel structured adsorbents. The results clearly indicated that under studied circumstances the plug flow condition can be assumed and therefore the system is not subject to premature breakthrough.

The pressure drop of corrugated structured adsorbents with narrow triangular channels …

Structural, Interfacial, And Electrochemical Properties Of Pr2nio4+Δ – Based Electrodes For Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Emir Dogdibegovic

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the electrochemical performance and performance durability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are limited by cathode materials. The high polarization resistance and phase instability of the cathode are two major challenges to hinder the commercialization of SOFC systems. Two families of oxides are presently known as potential cathode materials for SOFCs: (1) the perovskite family of oxides with a general formula of ABO₃, and (2) the Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) family of oxides (e.g. nickelates) with a general formula of A₂BO₄. The electron-hole conduction in these materials occurs simultaneously with oxygen ion conduction based on …

Development Of Novel Catalysts For Air Pollution Control, Chao Wang

Theses and Dissertations

The development of economy strongly related with increased consumption of fossil fuels, which causes severe air pollution issue. With more and more strict environmental regulations implemented all over the world, robust and efficient emission control technologies need to be innovated and applied to overcome the pollution challenge. This dissertation focuses on utilizing heterogeneous catalysis to eliminate carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (CH_x) and nitric oxides (NO_x) emissions produced from fossil fuel combustion.

The first type of catalyst is Pd supported on Mn-Ce solid solution. It achieves 100% CO conversion at room temperature. The high activity is attributed …

Theoretical Investigation Of The Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation Of Levulinic Acid Over Ru (0001) Catalyst Surface, Osman Mamun

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the rapidly declining fossil fuel reserves and the onset of global climate change, the development of active, selective, and stable catalytic materials for the efficient production of biomass derived platform chemicals, i.e., levulinic acid (LA), succinic acid (SA), γ-valerolactone (GVL) etc., is receiving considerable attention in order to produce second generation biofuels and commodity chemicals. Though solid lignocellulosic biomass is significantly cheaper than petroleum; however, the available technology is the significant barrier for large scale utilization of biomass for the production of biofuels. The development of biomass conversion technology requires, 1) identification of potential biomass chemicals that can …

Photoelectrochemical Cell Constructed From Bby Membrane With Various Substrate Materials, Yang Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Photoelectrochemical cells have been intensively studied in recent years with regard to using thylakoid and photosynthesis system I/II. BBY membrane is another protein complex that has potential to be utilized to build photoelectrochemical cells. Within the BBY membrane lies the highly active photosynthesis system II complex, which upon light activation, generates electrons transported within the electron transport chain during photosynthesis in green plants. This study presents an approach of immobilizing thylakoid or BBY membrane onto gold nanoparticle modified gold plate or multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified indium tin oxide vi (ITO) coated glass substrate. The results show that BBY membrane …

Enhanced Energy Storage And Conversion Applications By Porous Carbon And Atomic Layer Deposition, Yomna H. Abdelmoaty

Theses and Dissertations

The design and synthesis of porous materials attracted great attention recently because of their potential use in many fields like clean energy and environmental protection. Herein, we introduced new synthetic approaches for the preparation for porous carbons and organic polymers for selective CO₂ and iodine capture application. Regarding CO₂ capture application, Two new

series of porous carbons (PYDCs) and (TRI-Ps) were synthesized by thermally activating Pyrazole and Triazolo Pyridine monomers respectively using KOH as a catalyst, which leads to porous carbon. PYDCs exhibit high surface area according to Brunauer–Emmett–Tellertheory (SA_BET = 1266–2013 m² g⁻¹), …

Effects Of Fillers On The Properties Of Polypropylene For Fused Deposition Modeling-Based 3d Printing Technique, Chomphoonut Buaprommee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objective of this research was to study the influence of filler contents and filler types on the tensile properties and shrinkage behavior of polypropylene composites to develop the properties of polypropylene (PP) to be a raw material for fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique. PP was compounded with three fillers, i.e., talc and milled glass fiber with aspect ratio 5.4 and 15.4, at various contents of 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The test specimens were fabricated by FDM and injection molding techniques for tensile and shrinkage tests. The findings showed that the increase of filler contents into PP matrix tended …

Microwave Heating With Potassium Hydroxide Activation For Converting Water Hyacinth Into Activated Carbon, Purichaya Kuptajit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Activated carbon was successfully synthesized form dried water hyacinth via KOH activation with microwave irradiation. Resultant activated carbon with large specific surface area can be produced using microwave irradiation for 1 minute which was consumed less time than conventional heating method that consumed 1 hour. Microwave irradiation can be a strategic way to improve uniform and quick heating to prepare porous carbons by inducing dipole rotation in atomic scale and creating a frictional force between atoms and molecules within heated material so that volumetric heating inside the heated material is realized. The BET analysis shown that the activated carbon, derived …

Mechanism And Performance Of Solid Non-Particulate Soil (Waxy Solid) Removal From Fabrics, Jarussri Chanwattanakit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Methyl palmitate or palmictic acid methyl ester was used as both a model solid fat and an oily soil was removed from cotton and polyester above and below the melting point. Surfactants studied were extended surfactants (C12,13-4PO-SO4Na , C12,14-10PO-2EO-SO4Na and C12,14-16PO-2EO-SO4Na), alcohol ethoxylate (EO9), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), methyl ester sulfonate (MES), methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE), and mixed surfactants between extended surfactant (C12,13-4PO-SO4Na) and sodium mono- and dimethyl naphthalene sulfonate (SMDNS). Above the melting point (~30 ºC) of methyl palmitate, the maximum oily soil removal was found to correlate well with the lowest dynamic interfacial tension (IFT) with increasing washing …

Use Of Anionic Surfactant In Regeneration Of Spent Activated Carbon, Buch Kallapadee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Surfactant-enhanced carbon regeneration (SECR) is a regeneration process that utilizes surfactant solution to dissolve adsorbed organic from spent activated carbon. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and methyl ester sulfonate (MES) are anionic surfactants that are used in this investigation. The study is done in 3 steps: sample characterization, regeneration and water flushing step. The proximate analysis of spent activate carbon contains 27.5% moisture, 27.2% volatile matter content, 10% total ash content. The spent activated carbon also contains 18.4% benzene. In regeneration step, the benzene removal by SDS and MES solution were compared. The effect of concentration, solution flow rate and temperature …

Conversion Of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate To Biojet Fuel Over Ni/Hy-Pditioz Core-Shell Catalyst, Chanakran Homla-Or

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Generally, jet fuel is obtained from the refining of petroleum feedstock in order to powering the aircrafts, hence the world is more confronting a problem with increasing air pollution emission. Therefore, biojet fuel is introduced as an alternative way to solve the problem. Biojet fuel can be derived from bio-based feedstock such as palm fatty acid distillate or PFAD. Which is converted via the deoxygenation reaction in order to remove oxygenated compounds, carboxylic and carbonyl groups in the fatty acid molecules then followed by hydrocracking and hydroisomerization reaction. The heterogeneous catalyst is used to convert PFAD into saturated paraffins in …

Analysis Of Biomarkers In Crude Oils, Processed Oils, And Spilled Oils, Pornpetch Hattakijvilai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Oil spills in marine are commonly come from crude oils, fuel oils and lubricating oils by accidental leakages or purposeful discharges to the surroundings. As crude oil and fuel oil which refined from the heavy fraction of crude oil have similar physical properties especially if they were weathering, it is difficult to differentiate that the spill has the origin from crude oil or fuel oil. In this study, five crude oils, two fuel oils, one fresh and one used lube oil that are typically used in Thailand were investigated. All crude oils, fuel oils, and used lube oil were weathered …

ปฏิกิริยาทรานส์เอสเทอริฟิเคชันของกลีเซอรอลและไดเมทิลคาร์บอเนตโดยใช้ตัวเร่งปฏิกิริยาโซเดียมฟอสเฟต, แพรพรรณ ศรีสอ้าน

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้เป็นการศึกษาปฏิกิริยาทรานส์เอสเทอริฟิเคชันของกลีเซอรอลและไดเมทิลคาร์บอเนต โดยใช้ตัวเร่งปฏิกิริยาโซเดียมฟอสเฟต โดยทำการทดลองในเครื่องปฏิกรณ์แบบกะ ปริมาณตัวเร่งปฏิกิริยาโซเดียมฟอสเฟตร้อยละ 1 3 และ 5 โดยน้ำหนักของกลีเซอรอล อัตราส่วนโดยโมลระหว่างกลีเซอรอลต่อไดเมทิลคาร์บอเนต 1:1 1:2 1:3 และ 1:4 อุณหภูมิในการทำปฏิกิริยาที่ 60 70 75 และ 80 องศาเซลเซียส ผลการทดลองแสดงให้เห็นว่า ตัวเร่งปฏิกิริยาโซเดียมฟอสเฟตมีความว่องไวในการทำปฏิกิริยาทรานส์เอสเทอริฟิเคชันของกลีเซอรอลและไดเมทิลคาร์บอเนต การเพิ่มปริมาณของตัวเร่งปฏิกิริยาที่ไม่เกินร้อยละ 3 โดยน้ำหนักของกลีเซอรอล ส่งผลให้ค่าร้อยละผลได้ของกลีเซอรอลคาร์บอเนตมีค่าเพิ่มมากขึ้น การลดลงของอัตราส่วนโดยโมลระหว่างกลีเซอรอลต่อไดเมทิลคาร์บอเนต ส่งผลให้ค่าร้อยละการแปลงผันของกลีเซอรอลและค่าร้อยละผลได้ของกลีเซอรอลคาร์บอเนตเพิ่มมากขึ้น นอกจากนี้ยังช่วยลดการเกิดดีคาร์บอกซิเลชันของกลีเซอรอลคาร์บอเนตไปเป็นไกลซิดอลอีกด้วย ในส่วนของการเพิ่มอุณหภูมิในการทำปฏิกิริยาส่งผลให้ค่าร้อยละการแปลงผันของกลีเซอรอล ค่าร้อยละผลได้ของกลีเซอรอลคาร์บอเนตเพิ่มสูงขึ้นและยังช่วยให้ปฏิกิริยาเข้าสู่สมดุลเร็วมากยิ่งขึ้น

Effects Of Ratio Of Oxygen Partial Pressure To Propane Partial Pressure And Temperature On Non-Faradaic Electrochemical Modification Of Catalytic Activity (Nemca) Of Propane Oxidation On Pt-Ysz, Sareerat Thongsrigate

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The effects of electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) or non-faradaic electrochemical modification of catalytic activity (NEMCA) of sputtered-Pt catalyst on Y2O3-stabilized-ZrO2 (YSZ) disk, an O2- conductor, were studied with the catalytic reaction of propane oxidation, which was chosen to model the combustion of residual hydrocarbons in catalytic converters. In electrochemical promotion, the catalyst was electrochemically promoted by applying electric current or potential between the Pt and Au electrodes of YSZ disk. Catalytic performances were studied under the ratio of oxygen partial pressure to propane partial pressure difference of 1 to 5 and partial pressure of propane was 1 kPa, in …

Enzymatically Active Microspheres For Self-Propelled Colloidal Engines, Jungeun Park

Dissertations and Theses

Micro- and nano-motors have attracted numerous attentions from various scientific areas due to their potential applications. Most studies on self-propelled colloidal engines have exploited catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to drive the motor. Since the hydrogen peroxide is caustic, it is not suitable to use in biological applications, encouraging people to develop “greener” fuels. The aim of this research is to study a new transduction mechanism for self-propulsion not tied to hydrogen peroxide, and which can in particular be used with biological molecules as fuels. In this study, we focus on making particles with enzymatic activity which can effectively decompose …

Ionic Liquids Tethered To Activated Carbon For Capture Of Airborne Toxins, Devin Peck

Dissertations and Theses

Ionic liquids (ILs) were investigated for functionalization of activated carbon (AC) adsorbents for the filtration of warfare toxins. Preliminary steps were taken by testing absorption capacity of neat ILs and tethering ionic liquids to the surface of AC. AC is known to have good adsorption ability for warfare agents. Functionalizing the AC with ILs could enhance the capture ability significantly. ILs have been found to be good absorbents for a variety of gaseous species. The absorption selectivity and capacity can be tuned by changing the anion-cation pair. By tethering ILs to AC, the beneficial properties of gas absorption from ILs …

A New Thin Layered Structural Coating On A Metal Substrate For Enhanced Hydrogen Production From Steam Methane Reforming, Michael A. Lugo-Pimentel

Dissertations and Theses

In the past decade the use of hydrogen has become more ubiquitous. Its applications range from the upgrading of fossil fuels, to the production of ammonia, to the hydrogenation of fats, to the production of muriatic acid and methanol, all without including the efforts being taken to move towards a hydrogen economy. Its widespread use and its increasing demand lays pressure to find more efficient techniques of hydrogen production. Because the overwhelming majority of hydrogen produced nowadays comes from the steam reforming of natural gas (SMR), it appears that the most adept way to improve yields is by improving the …

Property Analysis Of Silylamine Type Reversible Ionic Liquids For Use As A Thermal Safety Switch In Batteries, Showmik Podder

Dissertations and Theses

The increased capacity of the modern battery system has also brought about safety apprehensions. Uncontrollable runaway reactions are a big concern in these systems; these reactions are the result of in situ heat generation and very much increase the risk of explosions and device failures. The concept of this work is to provide a preliminary understanding into the use of a type of switchable solvent known as reversible ionic liquids (RevILs) and their feasibility in being used in electrolytes as a thermally-controlled reversible safety switch. In their pure forms these switchable solvents experience a dramatic change in their properties upon …

Computational All Atom Energy Density Landscape Mappings Of Intra-Protein Interactions From Static And Dynamic Ensemble Structure Data, Oscar H. Bastidas

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the energetic and dynamic behavior of natural protein fluctuations is critical to elucidating important information associated with a multitude of protein functions including signaling processes, enzyme behavior, aggregation pathways etc... This information is also critically important in the development of novel and effective strategies aimed at target proteins associated with pathologies and disease. In order to obtain such useful information, tools and techniques are lacking that: 1) permit the efficient quantitative analysis of fluctuation behavior of existing protein structure ensembles and 2) permit computationally generated natural fluctuation states of proteins at relatively large timescales demanded by the need for …