Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Genomic Library Screens For Genes Involved In N-Butanol Tolerance In Escherichia Coli, Luis Reyes, Maria Almario, Katy Kao

Faculty Publications

Backgroundn-Butanol is a promising emerging biofuel, and recent metabolic engineering efforts have demonstrated the use of several microbial hosts for its production. However, most organisms have very low tolerance to n-butanol (up to 2% (v/v)), limiting the economic viability of this biofuel. The rational engineering of more robust n-butanol production hosts relies upon understanding the mechanisms involved in tolerance. However, the existing knowledge of genes involved in n-butanol tolerance is limited. The goal of this study is therefore to identify E. coli genes that are involved in n-butanol tolerance.Methodology/Principal FindingsUsing a genomic library enrichment strategy, we identified approximately 270 genes …

Effects Of Damköhler Number On Flame Extinction And Reignition In Turbulent Non-Premixed Flames Using Dns, David O. Lignell, Jacqueline H. Chen, Hans A. Schmutz

Faculty Publications

Results from a parametric study of flame extinction and reignition with varying Damköhler number using direct numerical simulation are presented. Three planar, non-premixed ethylene jet flames were simulated at a constant Reynolds number of 5120. The fuel and oxidizer stream compositions were varied to adjust the steady laminar extinction scalar dissipation rate, while maintaining constant flow and geometric conditions. Peak flame extinction varies from approximately 40% to nearly global blowout as the Damköhler number decreases. The degree of extinction significantly affects the development of the jets and the degree of mixing of fuel, oxidizer, and combustion products prior to reignition. …

Absorption Of Carbon Dioxide In Methylamino Ethanol., Hawar A. M. Haider

Student Works (2010-2019)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most significant greenhouse gases as its emissions are currently responsible for over 70% of the enhanced greenhouse effect. One of the common techniques used to remove CO2 from flue gas streams, is absorption by aqueous alkanolamine solutions. Aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA), and aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solutions are the most widely used alkanolamine absorbents. The former is preferred for its low molecular weight, high reactivity, low cost and reasonable thermal stability while the latter is known for its higher loading capacity (mole of CO2/mole of amine), less regeneration energy, and high resistance to thermal and …

Verification And Validation Of Cfd Simulations For Local Flow Dynamics In A Draft Tube Airlift Bioreactor, Hu Ping Luo, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Airlift Reactors Have Been Recognized as One of the Promising Photobioreactors for Biomass/bio-Energy Production, Where Mixing Has Significant Impact on the Reactor Performance. in Recent Years, using CFD Simulations to Track Microorganism Cells and to Generate their Trajectories in the Reactor for Reactor Performance Evaluations Becomes More Common. However, there is a Lack of Systematic and Rigorous Verifications and Validations of the Reliability of CFD Models in Particle Tracking Against Experimental Measurements in the Open Literature, Which is Vital for the Faithful Application of CFD in Reactor Design and Scale-Ups. in This Work, We Attempt to Evaluate the Reliability of …

Synthesis Of Mesoporous Nickel Oxide For Supercapacitor Application, Xuan-Xuan Chen, Zhen-Zhen Zhao, Deng-Chao Wang, Zhong-Jie Huang, Wen-Bin Ni, Li Yu, Jian-Wei Zhao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Mesoporous nickel oxide has been synthesized by calcining metal-organic coordination precursor.Transmission electron microscopy and BET test showed that the prepared NiO had a regular morphology and displayed a narrow size distribution.Electrochemical tests revealed that such mesoporous NiO had a specific capacity of 72 F·g^-1 at the current of 2.0 A·g^-1.Futhermore,the material showed excellent cycle-life stability.There was no degradation of capacitance after 1000 cycles.

Novel Anion Exchange Membranes Base On Copolymer Of 2-(Diethylamino) Ethyl Methacrylate And Fluoro-Polyacrylate For Alkaline Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Yan-Mei Zhang, Jun Fang, Ge Yan, Yong-Ze Zhuang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells,which use anion exchange membranes as polyelectrolytes,have attracted more and more research interests recently.In this work,a series of hydroxyl-conducting anion-exchange membranes based on the copolymer of 2-(Diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and fluoro-polyacrylate were prepared by radical polymerization,and their potential applications in alkaline fuel cells were assessed.It was shown that the ionic conductivity of the membranes reached 10^-2 S·cm^-1 at room temperature,while the methanol permeability was lower than 10^-7 cm²·s^-1.The maximum power density of fuel cell assembled with this membrane was achieved to be 43.2 mW·cm^-2 at room temperature,indicating possible application …

A Titanium-Supported Nanoporous Pd Electrocatalyst For Methanol Oxidation, Feng-Juan Niu, Qing-Feng Yi

Journal of Electrochemistry

Titanium-supported nanoporous palladium electrode(nanoPd /Ti) was prepared by a hydrothermal process in the presence of the ligand EDTA and using formaldehyde as reducing agent.SEM images showed that the size of Pd particles was about 60 nm and the Pd particles were connected with each other to form a three-dimensional network structure.Cyclic voltammetry(CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) were applied to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of the nanoPd/Ti electrode towards methanol oxidation in alkaline solution.CV results showed that the nanoPd /Ti electrode presented high anodic peak densities and a low onset potential for methanol oxidation.Also nanoPd /Ti electrode showed excellent CO tolerance …

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Hydrazine At Rutin Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode, Hong-Fang Zhang, Qing-Lin Sheng, Jian-Bin Zheng

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine on rutin multiwall carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry.The experimental results indicated that the electrode exhibits good electrocatalytic activity to hydrazine at a reduced oxidation potential of 262 mV.The amperometric response of the modified electrode showed linear increase after successive addition of hydrazine in the concentration range of 2.5×10^-6~1.0×10^-4 mol·L-1 with a detection limit of 5×10^-7 mol·L^-1.

Electrooxidation Of Methanol On Multilayer Films Of Polypyrrole-Platinum Electrode, Ling Zhang, Long-Zhen Zheng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Multilayer films of polypyrrole-platinum electrode were fabricated by cyclic voltammetric technique.Electro-oxidation of methanol on this electrode was investigated with the aid of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.Results demonstrated that the multilayer of polypyrrole-platinum electrode behaved better electrocatalytic performance for electro-oxidaton of methanol and better poison resistant.Furthermore,with the increase of deposited platinum loadings,the rate controlling step on electro-oxidation reaction of methanol was changed from CO oxidation to sorption-desorption of hydrogen.

Electrochemical Deposition Of Zinc Oxide Crystal Whiskers, Peng-Zeng Lu, Su Li, Jin-Qian Jia, Zhen-Hai Liang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Pine needle ZnO crystal whiskers were electrodeposited by anodization of zinc foil.The crystal whiskers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) spectroscopy.The results show that the lengths and diameters of ZnO crystal whiskers are 200~300 nm and 20~50 nm,respectively,with the ratio of the length to diameter ranging from 10~15.The whiskers belong to wurtzite ZnO(JCPDS 36-1451) with good crystallinity and high purity.The crystalization behavior of ZnO was studied by cyclic voltammetry.The effects of the surface oxide layer at the zinc substrates and the [Zn(OH)₄]^2-concentration of the aqueous electrolyte on the formation of zinc oxide whiskers …

Cobalt Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst Preparation: Overview Of Preparation Techniques On Alumina Pellets, Brad M. Hancock, Kari M. Cook, William C. Hecker

Student Works

Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis is a reaction used to convert carbon monoxide and hydrogen into high-quality liquid fuels. The FT process has been considered a promising alternative route for producing diesel fuel to meet an increasing demand for oil around the world and more strict limits to regulate auto tailpipe emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has demanded a reduction in diesel fuel sulfur content to 15 ppm. While crude oil contains finite amounts of sulfur that needs further removal or treatment before it could be used as a commercial fuel, FT synthesis produces sulfur-free diesel fuel. The reaction takes place …

Thermodynamic, Sulfide, Redox Potential, And Ph Effects On Syngas Fermentation, Peng Hu

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, work in ethanol production is exploring the fermentation of syngas (primarily CO, CO2, and H2) following gasification of cellulosic biomass. The syngas fermentation by clostridium microbes utilizes the Wood-Ljungdahl metabolic pathway. Along this pathway, the intermediate Acetyl-CoA typically diverges to produce ethanol, acetic acid, and/or cell mass. To develop strategies for process optimization, a thermodynamic analysis was conducted that provided a detailed understanding of the favorability of the reactions along the metabolic pathway. Thermodynamic analysis provided identification of potentially limiting steps. Once these limiting reactions were identified, further thermodynamic analysis provided additional insights into the ways in which reaction …

Aerosol Synthesis And Electrochemical Analysis Of Niobium Mixed-Metal Oxides For The Ethanol Oxidation Reaction In Acid And Alkaline Electrolyte, Daniel Konopka

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Direct ethanol fuel cells are especially important among emerging electrochemical power systems with the potential to offset a great deal of the energy demand currently met through the use of fossil fuels. Ethanol can be refined from petroleum sources or attained from renewable biomass, and is more easily and safely stored and transported than hydrogen, methanol or gasoline. The full energy potential of ethanol in fuel cells can only be realized if the reaction follows a total oxidation pathway to produce CO2. This must be achieved by the development of advanced catalysts that are electrically conductive, stable in corrosive environments, …

Biofuel Cell Anode For Nad-Dependent Enzymes, Ovalles Rosalba Rincón

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Enzymatic biofuel cells are a very attractive young technology based on utilization of natural, renewable and plentiful resources that offer an alternative energy source. Most fuel cells run on hydrogen; but it is extremely expensive and difficult to obtain, which is why research has moved to target fuels that are already available in nature, avoiding high costs of production, both economically and environmentally. Several biofuels with very high energy densities are available to us in abundance, but the challenges to make use of them are plenty. These biofuels contain several carbon-to-carbon bonds which make their oxidation processes significantly more complex …

Printable Lithium Batteries, Kyle Fenton

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Printable lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cathodes and porous aerogel / polymer separators have been designed, constructed, and tested. The cathodes consist of LiFePO4, PVDF binder, and conductive carbon which was developed for robocast deposition (printing) onto carbon coated aluminum substrates to form 60 \uf06dm thick cathodes. Electrochemical and physical evaluation of these printed cathodes was performed to determine capacity, rate capability, and lifetime performance of the printed cathodes. Cells were constructed using a standard 2032 coin cell to ensure uniform electrode size and pressure on the layers of the battery. Cathodes printed exhibited up to 115 mAh/g capacity with a …

The Structural Role Of Titanium In Ca-Sr-Zn-Si/Ti Glasses For Medical Applications, A. W. Wren, F. R. Laffir, A. Kidari, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Glasses for medical applications are used in particulate form or as a cement component. This work was undertaken to determine structural changes in 0.48SiO₂-0.36ZnO-0.12CaO-0.04SrO glass when the SiO₂ is substituted with 5 mol% increments of TiO2. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the presence of crystallinity. This occurred after additions of 20 mol% TiO₂. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Network connectivity (NC) calculations determined that by increasing the TiO₂ content, the T_g and NC reduced (T_g 670 °C to 632 °C, NC 1.83 to -1.14) suggesting that TiO₂ acts as …

Flow Regime Identification In A Bubble Column Via Nuclear Gauge Densitometry And Chaos Analysis, S. Nedeltchev, A. Shaikh, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Bubble Column Performance Can Change Significantly as a Result of Flow Regime Change. Since Reactor Volume Productivity, Mass and Heat Transfer as Well as Mixing Are Affected by the Prevailing Flow Regime, It is Very Important to Know How to Identify It. in This Work, Flow Regime Identification Was Performed on the Basis of the Kolmogorov Entropy (KE) Algorithm Applied to Nuclear Gauge Densitometry Data. in Addition, the Average Cycle Time Was Used for Validation of the Results. Three Transition Velocities Were Identified that Delineated the Boundaries of the Three Main Hydrodynamic Regimes. the First Two Transition Points Were …

Study Of Controlled Release Of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients From Functionalized Nanoclays And Polymer Matrices, Jin Uk Ha

Dissertations

This dissertation contains the results of three related novel investigations in the field of structure-property-processing relationships of pharmaceutical polymer-based products. They are: a) modification of a pharmaceutical anionic nanoclay with two different Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to produce nanohybrid API carriers intended to be used alone or in acrylic polymer matrices, b) comparison of binary systems containing the above APIs in the selected acrylic polymers in terms of their miscibilities with the polymer, but in the absence of nanoclay, and c) comparison of the polymer/API binary systems with ternary polymer/API/Clay systems.

For the first study, the calcination method which can …

Study Of Controlled Release Of Dapsone From Modified Montmorillonite And Polymer Matrices, Jia Fan

Theses

This thesis focuses on the controlled release system of Dapsone (DAP) as the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) intercalated into sodium montmorillonite (MMT-Na+) and their combination with an anionic copolymer (Eudragit® S100). The effects of the excipients on the API dissolution rate were studied from their release profile in simulated intestinal fluid (pH=7.4) at 37±0.5°C. In the first part of the research, ionizable Dapsone was intercalated in the interlayers of MMT-Na+ to produce a nanohybrid. In the second part of the research, the nanohybrid was melt dispersed in the polymer to produce ternary (API/ Clay/ Polymer) composites. For comparison, API-polymer solid …

The Use Of Two-Phase Molecular Dynamics Simulations To Determine The Phase Behavior And Critical Point Of Propane Molecular Models, Sonal Patel, W. Vincent Wilding, Richard L. Rowley

Faculty Publications

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to determine two-phase configurations of model propane molecules below the critical point and in the near-critical, two-phase region. A postprocessor that uses a Monte Carlo method for determination of volumes attributable to each molecule was used to obtain density histograms of the particles from which the bulk coexisting equilibrium vapor and liquid densities were determined. This method of analyzing coexisting densities in a two-phase simulation is straightforward and can be easily implemented for complex, multisite models. Various degrees of internal flexibility in the propane models have little effect on the coexisting densities at temperatures 40 …