A Practical Guide To Chemical Process Optimization: Analysis Of A Styrene Plant,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
A Practical Guide To Chemical Process Optimization: Analysis Of A Styrene Plant, Fleur Phelps
Honors Theses
This report acts as a beginner's guide to chemical processes optimization. Performed universally, optimization merely entails improving an existing process, situation, device or system. For a chemical engineer, optimization typically aims to maximize potential economics of a chemical process by manipulating decision variables while staying within known constraints. In order to maximize the overall economics of a chemical process, individual equipment or stream conditions are examined. The chemical process is implemented in simulation software The optimization of individual components of the process may aim to maximize or minimize an outcome specific to that component, but still ultimately maximizes economic potential. …
Design Of A Caustic Injection System In A Crude Distillation Unit,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Design Of A Caustic Injection System In A Crude Distillation Unit, Andrew R. Cope
Honors Theses
Caustic Injection is a high-risk chemical process utilized in many refineries across the world to control overhead corrosion in the atmospheric distillation column of the Crude Distillation Unit. This thesis discusses the considerations that need to be accounted for in the design of a caustic injection system, as well as my own work at an internship where I was a member of a design team that worked to design a caustic injection system for a nearby refinery.
Exploration Of Compound Viability As An Organ-Selective Anti-Metastatic Therapeutic Treatment For Triple Negative Breast Cancer,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Exploration Of Compound Viability As An Organ-Selective Anti-Metastatic Therapeutic Treatment For Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Ashley E. Noblin
Honors Theses
Phenformin and metformin are compounds that are currently used to treat Type II Diabetes and have been shown to suppress breast cancer metastasis. These compounds were tested, after extensive research and screening of current approved oncology drugs, in various experiments with the cell lines MDA-MB-231, LM, and BoM, with MDA-MB-231 being the parental cell line, LM being the lung metastatic line, and BoM being the bone metastatic line. The cells were treated with compound addition at various concentrations and subject to a two-day concentration response viability study in order to determine any inhibitory effects, followed by a five-day assay in …
An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Sigma-1 And Sigma-2 Receptors And The Endocannabinoid System,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Sigma-1 And Sigma-2 Receptors And The Endocannabinoid System, Jenn Miller
Honors Theses
Within the past two decades, sigma receptors have become a popular area for research. Although much has been learned about their structure, subtypes, and functions; there is still much to be learned. Consisting of two receptor subtypes (sigma-1 and sigma-2), it has been discovered that sigma receptor ligands potentiate the analgesic effects of both opiates and cannabinoids, though the exact mechanism and sigma subtype on which this occurs is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine if potentiation of opiates and cannabinoids occurs through sigma-1 or sigma-2 receptor signaling. Tetrad assays were performed for: 1. Morphine, an …
Optimization Of Fluidized Bed Isothermal Reactor In A Styrene Production Process,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Optimization Of Fluidized Bed Isothermal Reactor In A Styrene Production Process, Matthew Hamilton Peaster
Honors Theses
The focus of this thesis is to explain the optimization of a fluidized bed isothermal reactor in a styrene production process. The first section of the thesis gives a summary of chemical process optimization in general. The next portion of the thesis gives an introduction to chemical process simulation software, and it explains how simulation software aids in the design and optimization of chemical processes. The third section of the thesis gives a brief overview of an optimization project of a styrene production process that was completed in the previous semester with a group of three. The final section explains …
The Creation Of Instructional Video Tutorials For Chemical Engineering Process Simulation Software,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
The Creation Of Instructional Video Tutorials For Chemical Engineering Process Simulation Software, Nishal Bhikha
Honors Theses
Process simulation software is rapidly becoming a necessity in today's world. Often, learning how to use such a complex tool can be difficult and can take a significant period of time. This thesis outlines efforts to aid in the instruction of this type of software at the University of Mississippi.
Optimization Of Single And Multiple Unit Chemical Processes: A Case Study On The Optimization Of A Styrene Plant Design,
2016
University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Optimization Of Single And Multiple Unit Chemical Processes: A Case Study On The Optimization Of A Styrene Plant Design, Piero Bracamonte
Honors Theses
Optimizing a chemical plant revolves around achieving an efficiency that takes into account operating constraints and costs, along with production requirements and addressing environmental concerns. The first part of this thesis focuses on the team's optimization of a styrene production plant. The goal was to determine what changes from the base case minimize cost to produce the required amount of styrene while adhering to operating constraints. The team used PRO/II, a steady state process simulator, in order to simulate multiple unit operations included in the plant. The measure by which proposed design changes were compared was the calculated net present …
The Effect Of Drying On The Release Of Small Hydrophilic Molecular Drugs From Polyelectrolyte Complex Beads,
2016
The University of Akron
The Effect Of Drying On The Release Of Small Hydrophilic Molecular Drugs From Polyelectrolyte Complex Beads, Dounsavanh Letdara
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The effects of bead composition and dryness on the release rate of small molecules, like a drug or dye, from polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) beads were studied. Release studies were performed on dried and not dried beads prepared using different PEC to drug ratios. The beads were dried for two hours, which allowed them to reach a constant weight. The beads were loaded with a dye, so their release could be detected through the visible light regime. A plate reader was used to determine the absorbance of a sample, and then the amount of dye released was determined. The data presented …
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: Rhamnolipid Effects,
2016
The University of Akron
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: Rhamnolipid Effects, Andrea M. Wildroudt
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The purpose of this experiment was to identify if a rhamnolipid could inhibit the growth of a biofilm on carbon steel coupons and result in less corrosion activity. This type of research impacts various industries (with one of the largest being the oil and gas industry). Multiple systems with varying concentrations of the rhamnolipid were created to determine, if any, the optimum concentration to inhibit biofilm growth. The systems were created and exposed to optimum physio-chemical environments to promote SRB induced corrosion. Coupons were immersed for 28 days. Seven systems were created with varying rhamnolipid concentrations; to ensure accurate results, …
Calcium Alginate Microbead Production Via An Air Assisted Shearing Process,
2016
The University of Akron
Calcium Alginate Microbead Production Via An Air Assisted Shearing Process, Ryan Loftus
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The purpose of this project was to model the size of calcium alginate microbeads produced by extruding a solution of 1.5 wt.% alginate from a syringe and needle with air shear generated from a pneumatic line flowing in an annular tube around the extrusion needle. The air shear would create microdroplets that would fall into a solution of 2 wt.% calcium chloride in water, crosslinking the droplets into beads. These microbeads can be used in drug dispersion applications or in encapsulation of cells throughout the body due to their biocompatibility. The goal was to create uniform beads that ranged from …
Protein Sequence-Structure-Function Relationship: Testing Ke-50 Modification On Recombinant Green Fluorescent Protein (Acgfp),
2016
University of Akron
Protein Sequence-Structure-Function Relationship: Testing Ke-50 Modification On Recombinant Green Fluorescent Protein (Acgfp), Anna E. Burkey
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Protein modification shows promise for improving the effectiveness of protein therapy, including the use of Interferon-beta-1b for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The addition of a chain of 50 lysine and glutamic acid residues (also called a KE50 modification) was tested on green fluorescent protein (AcGFP) to determine its effect on the bioactivity of the protein. Standard transformation protocol was used to grow the normal and modified proteins in E.Coli, and the bioactivity of the protein was measured using quantum yield and extinction coefficients to determine the reduction in brightness from the native form to the modified form. The …
Separation Of Water From Ulsd Using Superhydrophobic Ps Nanofiber Mats,
2016
The University of Akron
Separation Of Water From Ulsd Using Superhydrophobic Ps Nanofiber Mats, Alisa G. Webel
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Superhydrophobic polystyrene nanofiber membranes have potential to separate micron scale water droplets from organic due to their hydrophobicity and small pore openings. Polystyrene nanofibers were electrospun into flat sheets and cylindrical filter membranes. The fibers were crosslinked to increase strength and reduce solubility in diesel fuel. The filters were tested and the filtration efficiency was compared to their non-crosslinked counterparts. The optimal electrospinning conditions to create superhydrophobic nanofibers were found to be 20 wt. % PS fibers at 1 mL/hr. under a current of 20kV and at a distance of 20 cm away from the ground. It was found that …
Construction Of Polyurethane Fabric Nanocomposites For Use In Resistance Temperature Detectors-Effect Of Polyurethane Concentration, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, And Oxidant,
2016
University of Akron
Construction Of Polyurethane Fabric Nanocomposites For Use In Resistance Temperature Detectors-Effect Of Polyurethane Concentration, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, And Oxidant, Jordan M. Shaffer
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Current resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are rigid and create pressure points when used in contact with the human body. The current RTDs can also not be used in confined areas like the inside of a prosthetic. The research done for this paper explores the possibility of creating a soft fabric like RTD that can accurately measure temperature. This RTD could be used in medical devices, be placed in prosthetic legs, and be worn for a long period of time creating no discomfort for the user. Polyurethane scaffolds were created through an electrospinning process and multiwalled carbon nanotubes were adhered to …
Investigation Of Degradation Of Amine Sorbent,
2016
University of Akron
Investigation Of Degradation Of Amine Sorbent, Elijah Arendt
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of amine-grafted sorbents, specifically when they are degraded at 120°C. This study varied the amine source and the amount of it in the sorbent. The additive type and the amount of it was also manipulated. The performance of sorbents is characterized by CO2 capture capacity, which is the amount (in mmol) of CO2 captured per gram of sorbent at 40°C. The best performing sorbents are ones that maintain their CO2 capture capacity after degradation. When the amount of additive was manipulated, the sorbents containing 2% b.w. and …
Passivation And Potential Fluctuation Of Az31b Alloy In Alkaline Environments,
2016
The University of Akron
Passivation And Potential Fluctuation Of Az31b Alloy In Alkaline Environments, Ana C. Bacco
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Magnesium (Mg) alloys are used in many industries because of their distinctive properties, but their high chemical reactivity and poor oxide film protection make them inferior. This project focused on investigating the effects of secondary phases and intermetallic particles (IMPs) on the corrosion behavior of AZ31B Mg alloy. The test solution was chloride free NaOH with varying pH levels between 10-14, as well as testing under deaerated conditions. The open circuit potential (OCP) measurements using AZ31B in static NaOH solutions showed potential fluctuation between approximately -1.6 VSCE (active state) and -0.4 VSCE (passive state) during the 24-h immersion. …
Prediction Of Vapor/Liquid Equilibrium Behavior From Quantum Mechanical Data,
2016
University of Akron
Prediction Of Vapor/Liquid Equilibrium Behavior From Quantum Mechanical Data, Marshall J. Gnap
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
MOSCED (Modified Separation of Cohesive Energy Density) is a particularly attractive model for activity coefficients because it offers intuitive insights into how to tune solvent-solute interactions to achieve optimized formulations. Unfortunately, only 133 compounds have been characterized with the MOSCED method. Furthermore, there is no convenient method for extending MOSCED predictions to new compounds. The hypothesis of the present research is that the surface charge density of a molecule, once normalized over the molecule surface area, provided graphically by a σ-profile from density functional theory (DFT) computations, can be used to estimate the parameters used in the MOSCED model. DFT …
Stress Corrosion Cracking Evaluation Of Carbon Steel In Biodiesel And The Effect Of Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (Unsm) On 304 Stainless Steel,
2016
University of Akron
Stress Corrosion Cracking Evaluation Of Carbon Steel In Biodiesel And The Effect Of Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (Unsm) On 304 Stainless Steel, Josh Geyer
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The project that was performed was stress corrosion cracking (SSC) of carbon steel in biodiesel, petroleum diesel and a mixture. The project also included the effect of Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (UNSM) on 304 stainless steel. It included the assembly of a slow strain rate (SSR) machine and carrying out testing using the SSR machine. The assembly of the machine will require purchasing and building a stand to house the electrical equipment which includes the computer, actuator control panel and the actuator power supply. The assembly will also include designing and purchasing the connections to connect the actuator to the …
Investigation Of Parameters Enabling Admicellar Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (Raft) Polymerization,
2016
University of Mississippi
Investigation Of Parameters Enabling Admicellar Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (Raft) Polymerization, Poh Lee Cheah
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
To date, enormous studies on admicellar polymerization have been recorded since the initial reports in the 1980’s. This technique which offered the advantage of using inexpensive materials and facile procedures, proven to be a successful surface modification technique. Nevertheless, one has to tailor every particular case due to the contribution of various factors in the process. Therefore, understanding the fundamentals parameters affecting the characteristics of polymer formed by admicellar polymerization have become a great interest. The effect of oxygen on the requisite amount of initiator and the polymer formed through the admicellar polymerization of styrene on silica particles was studied …
Toward The Synthesis And Characterization Of Pb-Doped Zns Nanocrystals For Solar Energy Applications,
2016
Eastern Kentucky University
Toward The Synthesis And Characterization Of Pb-Doped Zns Nanocrystals For Solar Energy Applications, Allison Durr
Online Theses and Dissertations
Efficient and affordable energy conversion and energy storage technologies are required to meet society’s increasing demands. Semiconductor nanocrystals are particularly attractive materials for solar energy conversion applications, as their tunable optoelectronic properties can be manipulated to both optimize the absorbance of solar photons and to afford desirable electronic properties. Further tunability of binary semiconductor nanocrystal systems can be realized through substitutional doping. However, doping can be difficult, as the dopants can cause significant lattice strain in the host crystals. Lead-doped ZnS nanocrystals are one promising material for the conversion of solar photons into storable fuels such as hydrogen gas. The …
Independent Effects Of Surface And Gas Temperature On Coal Fly Ash Deposition In Gas Turbines At Temperatures Up To 1400 C,
2016
Brigham Young University - Provo
Independent Effects Of Surface And Gas Temperature On Coal Fly Ash Deposition In Gas Turbines At Temperatures Up To 1400 C, Robert Laycock, Thomas H. Fletcher
Faculty Publications
Deposition of coal fly ash in gas turbines has been studied to support the concept of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC). Although particle filters are used in IGCC, small amounts of ash particles less than 5 microns in diameter enter the gas turbine. Previous deposition experiments in the literature have been conducted at temperatures up to about 1288 C. However, few tests have been conducted that reveal the independent effects of gas and surface temperature, and most have been conducted at gas temperatures lower than 1400 C. The independent effects of gas and surface temperature on particle deposition in a …
