Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Predictive Modeling And Sustainability Assessment Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Of Seaweeds: A Techno-Economic And Life Cycle Analysis Approach, Micheal O. Asama

Mechanical Engineering Theses

This study presents comprehensive predictive models and an economic and environmental assessment of HTL for converting macroalgae into biofuels and valuable co-products. Predictive models were developed based on experimental kinetic data to simulate batch HTL of brown seaweed, capturing the yields of biocrude, gas, biochar, and water-soluble compounds as functions of key process variables, including temperature, time, pressure, and water-to-biomass ratio. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) confirmed that temperature and residence time significantly affect biocrude yield, with an optimal yield of 23% achieved at 283°C, 200 bar, 54 minutes, and a 10:1 water-to-biomass ratio. The model’s predictive accuracy was validated with …

Bilayer Asymmetric-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Membrane For Blue Energy Conversion, Rockson Kwesi Tonnah, Milton Chai, Mohammad Khedri, Milad Razbin, Reza Maleki, Amir Razmjou, Mohsen Asadnia

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The conversion of Gibbs free energy at the interface of solutions with salinity gradients into electrical energy is essentially a means of mitigating environmental pollution and bolstering the availability of new energy sources to enhance the renewable energy portfolio. However, a three-dimensional (3D) sub-nanofluidic membrane with high ion conductivity and selectivity for a reverse electrodialysis (RED) based osmotic energy conversion in both aqueous and organic solutions remains largely unexplored. Herein, we engineered a bilayer metal organic frameworks (MOFs) membrane with polystyrene sulfonated angstrom-size channels in UiO-66-NH2 base layer and isoreticular MIL-88B membrane as the top layer to enhance permselectivity and …

Development Of A Stable And Buffered Reference Electrode For Binary Molten Chlorides Salts, Carlos Mejia, Nicholas Christensen, Ricardo Rodriguez Ceron, Devin Rappleye

Faculty Publications

The development of stable and buffered reference electrodes (REs) is crucial for molten salt electrochemistry, particularly in pyrochemical processing, such as electrorefining. These REs must maintain a stable potential to ensure precise control over electrorefining processes by preventing unwanted shifts in the potential that could lead to impurity deposition. This study evaluated metal chlorides and metal oxides as potential candidates for REs, with their stability assessed via electrochemical methods over extended durations. While metal chloride-based REs exhibited stable potential behavior over time, their response followed the Nernst equation, leading to potential shifts with varying concentrations of oxidized species. Metal oxide-based …

Developing A New Method For Brine Purification And Reducing Salinity Using Recycled Carbon Fiber, Fatemeh Bahaeddin

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Brine water, defined as hot and high salt content water, can be produced in large amounts from water desalination. The potential environmental impacts of brine disposal were evaluated in several studies. Minor variations in water salinity and temperature can significantly influence marine ecosystems. Elevated salinity levels disrupt the osmotic equilibrium between aquatic organisms and their surroundings, which leads to cell dehydration. Various disposal techniques have been implemented recently, including surface water discharge, sewage discharge, deep-well injection, evaporation ponds, and land application. However, these brine disposal techniques are unviable due to their high capital costs and limited applicability. In recent years, …

Deciphering Mechanochemical Influences Of Emergent Actomyosin Crosstalk Using Qcm‑D, Emily M. Kerivan, Victoria N. Amari, William B. Weeks, Leigh H. Hardin, Lyle Tobin, Omayma Y. Al Azzam, Dana N. Reinemann

Faculty and Student Publications

Purpose: Cytoskeletal protein ensembles exhibit emergent mechanics where behavior in teams is not necessarily the sum of the components’ single molecule properties. In addition, filaments may act as force sensors that distribute feedback and influence motor protein behavior. To understand the design principles of such emergent mechanics, we developed an approach utilizing QCM-D to measure how actomyosin bundles respond mechanically to environmental variables that alter constituent myosin II motor behavior.

Methods: QCM-D is used for the first time to probe alterations in actin-myosin bundle viscoelasticity due to changes in skeletal myosin II concentration and motor nucleotide state. Actomyosin bundles were …

(R2090) Analysis Of Heat And Mass Transfer In Mhd Boundary Layer Flow Of Chemically Reacting Fluid, Dharati Sheth, Manisha Patel, Dilip Joshi

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Analysis of the effects of heat and mass transfer on the chemically responding boundary layer flow of a Casson fluid across a porous stretched sheet in the existence of a crosswise magnetic field is the aim of the existing work. The partial differential equations that control the current flow problems can be converted into similarity equations by applying the right similarity technique. Our goal is to use the DTM-Pade approximation to analytically solve the derived similarity equations. The transformed similarity equations are a group of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the present flow problem. The analytical approach of the differential …

Synthesis, Characterization And Testing Of Graphene-Based Materials For Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Catalysts, Hassan Shirzadi Jahromi

Dissertations

The requirement for low cost and efficient catalysts for fuel cells motivated the proposed research on Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) integrated with transition metal zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). Synthesis, characterization and performance evaluation of the newly synthesized nitrogen-doped graphene oxide-based catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) constitutes the main objective of this thesis.

The synthesis of N-rGO combined with cobalt, nickel, or iron ZIFs was carried out using wet chemical methods followed by one step pyrolysis at 900°C, resulting in catalysts with highly porous structures and uniform metal nanoparticle distribution. These were characterized for structure, microstructure, composition …

Regulating Cox Conversion Through Catalyst Design And Reaction Energy Input, Ewa Chukwu

All Dissertations

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, primarily from fossil fuel use in energy and chemical production, are the leading driver of global warming. The chemical industry is the third-largest source of these emissions, so reducing its carbon footprint—and ultimately achieving “CO₂ emissions-free” chemical manufacturing—is critical to combating global warming. Thermal catalysis is the workhorse of industrial chemical manufacturing, generating CO₂ emissions from two main sources: the actual chemical transformations of fossil feedstocks and burning of fossil fuels to provide the process heat. Therefore, developing and implementing technologies to mitigate the carbon emissions associated with these emissions sources is essential for decarbonizing the …

Co2 Capture Utilizing Novel Deep Eutectic Solvents: Modeling, Process Simulation, And Cost Analysis, Nazneen Aspi Kolah

Masters Theses

One of the most pressing global issues that humans face is climate change caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Conventional solvents utilized for CO₂ capture, such as amines, are widely used in industrial applications due to their high CO2 absorption capacity. However, deep eutectic solvents (DES) have attracted a lot of academic attention recently due to their biodegradability and low energy for regeneration.

This research serves as a foundational proof-of-concept for using DESs in industrial gas separation processes. Five DES are evaluated for CO2 removal from flue gases. Aspen Plus is utilized to simulate the performance …

Development And Characterization Of Organic Electrocatalysts For Use In Zinc-Air Batteries, Christopher John Merkel

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The global deployment of solar photovoltaic and wind power is projected by the International Energy Agency as the primary pathway to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, these technologies face a critical bottleneck: their inherently intermittent power generation. For “intermittent renewables” to become the dominant source of electrical energy, efficient energy storage systems are essential. Current storage solutions are not viable on a global scale due to material scarcity, safety concerns, and high capital costs. Among emerging technologies, zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have garnered significant interest. ZABs offer a theoretical energy density five times greater than traditional lithium-ion batteries, utilize safe …

Integrating Sustainability And Food Safety Through Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment And Life Cycle Assessment Of Low-Moisture Foods, Jessica Bain

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food safety and sustainability are critical concerns in the food industry. However, these areas are often evaluated separately, leading to an incomplete understanding of the overall impact of food production on human health. This dissertation aims to integrate food safety with sustainability to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of low-moisture foods on human health, using the almond processing supply chain as a case study.

In addition to conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) of almond processing, wheat flour production, and dried apple processing, this dissertation aims to create a framework to bridge the gap between sustainability and food safety. …

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Trackable Pathology-Triggered Polymersomes Toward Enzyme Replacement Theranostics For Gm1 Gangliosidosis, Dorian Foster

All Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the development and optimization of pathology-responsive polymersomes for simultaneous enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in the treatment of GM1 gangliosidosis (GM1). While therapeutic strategies exist for similar, non-neuropathic lysosomal storage disorders, implementation towards GM1 faces significant challenges due to the blood-brain barrier.

Herein, we developed and characterized a range of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid-b-polylactic acid (HA-PLA) polymersomes (PSs) capable of encapsulating therapeutic enzymes in their hydrophilic core. These polymersomes exhibit pathophysiology-triggered responsiveness, degrading in the presence of acidic conditions, which is characteristic of lysosomes, and enzymes such as hexosaminidase A, which …

Anti-Solvent Materials Enhanced Structural And Optical Properties On Ambiently Fabricated Perovskite Thin Films, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Mohammad Aminul Islam, Yap Boon Kar, Tiong Sieh Kiong, Halina Misran, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker, Yasser Fouad, Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar, Erdem Cuce

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) hold potential for low-cost, high-efficiency solar energy, but their sensitivity to moisture limits practical application. Current fabrication requires controlled environments, limiting mass production. Researchers aim to develop stable PSCs with longer lifetimes under ambient conditions. In this research work, we investigated the stability of perovskite films and solar cells fabricated and annealed in natural air using four different anti-solvents: toluene, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, and chlorobenzene. Films (about 300 nm thick) were deposited via single-step spin-coating and subjected to ambient air-atmosphere for up to 30 days. We monitored changes in crystallinity, electrical properties, and optics over …

Surface Interaction Changes In Minerals For Underground Hydrogen Storage: Effects Of Co2 Cushion Gas, Hamid Esfandyari, Alireza Safari, Ali Hashemi, Aliakbar Hassanpouryouzband, Manouchehr Haghighi, Alireza Keshavarz, Abbas Zeinijahromi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hydrogen (H2) offers a promising solution for the energy transition but storing it on a large scale at the surface poses significant technical and environmental challenges. Underground formations provide a practical alternative for large-scale H2 storage, yet understanding H2 behavior under various subsurface conditions is crucial for optimizing storage capacity and efficiency, which are influenced by rock properties such as wettability. This study addresses the gap in literature regarding the wettability of different minerals when CO2 was injected with H2 as a cushion gas. We examined the wettability of various mineral rocks in realistic subsurface circumstances. A series of wettability …

Mechanical Properties And Microstructural Investigation Of Aa2024-T6 Reinforced With Al2o3 And Sic Metal Matrix Composites, Hassan Raza Channar, Barkat Ullah, Muhammad Shoaib Naseem, Javed Akhter, Arshad Mehmood, Muhammad Aamir

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) using alumina (Al2O3) and silicon carbide (SiC) as reinforcement elements are gaining significant interest in various applications because of their excellent properties. In this study, Al2O3/SiC with compositions (0.5 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, and 2.5 wt.% for each) were used as reinforcement elements in an aluminium alloy (AA2024-T6). The samples prepared were AA2024-T6 + (0.5Al2O3/0.5SiC), AA2024-T6 + (1.5Al2O3/1.5SiC), and AA2024-T6 + (2.5Al2O3/2.5SiC) using a stir-casting technique. The experimental study included density calculation mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, compressive strength and hardness. The study also included a microstructure examination of the fracture surface of the tensile …

Geochemical Evidence Of Drying During The 4.2 Ka Event In Sediment Cores From The Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, Derek K. Gibson, Jonathan Obrist-Farner, Alex Correa-Metrio, Alejandra Rodriguez-Abaunza, Carlos Castañeda-Posadas

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Tropical hydroclimate variability during the Middle and Late Holocene was investigated using geochemical indicators of local-scale precipitation and evaporation preserved in sediment cores from two sites in the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula. Scanning X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy data show generally decreasing precipitation trends during the Early and Middle Holocene. During the transition between the Middle and Late Holocene, geochemical evidence of reduced watershed erosion and increased evaporation indicate that a centennial-scale drying event impacted the region between 4.3 and 4.0 ka (kilo-anum; thousand years before present). These findings suggest that the 4.2 ka drying event, which has been previously recorded in Europe, …

Thermal Conductivity Characterization Of High Oleic Vegetable Oils Based Hybrid Nanofluids Formulated Using Gnp, Tio2, Mos2, Al2o3 Nanoparticles For Mql Machining, Anthony Chukwujekwu Okafor, Tobechukwu Kingsley Abor, Saidanvar Esanjonovich Valiev, Ignatius Echezona Ekengwu, Abiodun Saka, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the results of thermal conductivity characterization of six high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) and four high oleic canola oil (HOCO)-based hybrid nanofluids formulated with four types of nanoparticles (Graphene nanoplatelet (xGnP), TiO2, MoS2, and Al2O3) at nanoparticles wt.% concentration from 1 % to 7 % in 1 % increment using the two-step method for use in MQL machining of difficult-to-cut metals. Thermal conductivity of the formulated hybrid nanofluids were measured using Thermtest Transient Hot Wire Liquid Thermal Conductivity Meter at temperatures from 25 °C to 75 °C in increment of 10 °C. Obtained results showed that thermal …

Experimental Evaluation Of A Recrosslinkable Co2-Resistant Micro-Sized Preformed Particle Gel For Co2 Sweep Efficiency Improvement In Reservoirs With Super-K Channels, Adel Alotibi, Tao Song, Ali Al Brahim, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A recross linkable CO₂-resistant branched preformed particle gel (CO₂-BRPPG) was developed for controlling CO₂ injection conformance, particularly in reservoirs with super-permeable channels. Previous work focused on a millimeter-sized CO₂-BRPPG in open fractures, but its performance in high-permeability channels with pore throat networks remained unexplored. This study used a sand pack model to evaluate a micro-sized CO₂-BRPPG under varying conditions of salinity, gel concentration, and pH. at ambient conditions, the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) of the gel reached 76 times its original size. This ratio decreased with increasing salinity but remained stable …

Fabrication And Performance Of Scalable Bio-Engineered Porous Layers For Efficient Co2 Capture, Mary Sharon Rose Bondugula

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the critical challenge of mitigating climate change by advancing CO2 capture technologies. As global CO2 emissions continue to rise, effective methods for capturing and separating CO2 from industrial processes are essential to combat climate change. Existing CO2 capture systems, such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA), often rely on packed bed designs that face limitations, including poor heat and mass transfer, slow gas diffusion, and low thermal conductivity, reducing their efficiency. To overcome these challenges, this dissertation explores innovative solutions by developing advanced adsorbent coatings and scalable bed configurations.

This research begins by …

The Design And Implementation Of A Modular Tissue Engineering Test Bed To Pursue An Alternate Pathway Of Cell Culture Based Research, Ryley Patrick Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

The development of a Modular Automated Tissue Engineering Test Bed (MATETB) is the next step in the development of cheap and easily available in vitro cell regulatory systems for both academic and industrial purposes. This project outlined the framework and requirements for a device that could automatically regulate and collect data on a cell culture through the manipulation of its liquid environment. From this framework, a prototype was built. The device would fulfill cell culture needs while collecting data automatically and allowing for live viewing and imaging of cells. The device was comprised of a mechanical skeleton (MS), an environmental …