Digital Commons Network^™

Proliferation Resistant Reprocessing Methods, Guna S. Selvaduray, L. Heising

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Introduction, J. M. Marchello

UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

No abstract provided.

Economics Of Ethanol Production From Agricultural Residues, Oliver C. Sitton, G. L. Foutch, Neil L. Book, J. L. Gaddy

UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

No abstract provided.

Ethylene Process Optimization. Constraint Relaxation And Bounds Adjustment, Kenneth R. Jinkerson, James L. Gaddy

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Heavily constrained, mixed integer optimization problems present a difficult test for optimization algorithms. This paper examines optimization of the ethylene process (from ethane) using a flowsheet simulation model and the adaptive random search. Optimization resulted in an improvement in annual earnings of $1.15 MM over the usual ethylene process design. This process has both continuous and discrete variables and has sensitive implicit constraints in the pyrolysis furnace. The search efficiency was found to be improved by relaxing these constraints early in the search and then restoring the constraints as the optimum is approached. The search efficiency was also improved by …

Finding A Site To Store Spent Fuel In The Pacific Basin, Guna S. Selvaduray, M. Goldstein, R. N. Anderson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Preliminary Investigation Of Physical-Chemical Treatment Of Slagging Gasifier Aqueous Effluent, Kirk B. Hird

Theses and Dissertations

The feasibility of treating slagging gasifier wastewater by physical-chemical means was studied. Pretreatment and treatment flow schemes were developed by using batch and continuous tests. Results were based mainly on wastewater residual total organic carbon (TOC). A treatment facility was designed and economically evaluated.

It was found that slagging gasifier wastewater is treatable by physical-chemical means using activated carbon and chemical oxidation as the two principal treatment steps. A pretreatment scheme consisting of lime addition, ammonia stripping, and recarbonation-coagu- lation was found to sufficiently purify the raw gasifier liquor so that activated carbon adsorption and chemical oxidation could be applied …

Assessment Of Corrosion And Scaling In A Low Temperature Geothermal System, David Bruce Orrell

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

The feasibility of a low temperature geothermal system to be located in the area immediately surrounding Albuquerque, New Mexico, was assessed with respect to corrosion and scaling. Theories of corrosion and scaling were explored and an extensive literature survey was performed to predict trends and apply design criteria and guidelines regarding corrosion and scaling from other geothermal environments to the proposed geothermal installation in Albuquerque. A recirculating corrosion test loop was built, and fifteen metals were tested for general corrosion resistance in seawater at 190° F and 3 ft/sec flow velocity. Results show this test procedure to be viable and …

Continuous Fractionation Of Protein Mixtures By Ph-Parametric Pumping, Yuk-Wei Wong

Theses

Continuous pH-parametric pumping separations of a haemoglobin - albumin - CM Separose system were experimentally investigated. The parapump system has a feed, containing the protein mixture to be separated, introduced alternately to the top and bottom of the chromatographic column. The top and bottom products are withdrawn from the apparatus during the bottom and top feed respectively. It is shown that under certain conditions the pH-driven parametric pump has the capacity for removal of a protein component from one product fraction and large enrichment in the other fraction. Moreover, the continuous process can be operated with a large feed throughput.

A Study On The Growth And Asparaginase Production Of Vibrio Succinogenes In A Chemostat, Preston David Krautheim

Theses

A continuous fermentation assembly was constructed and studies on the growth of the organism, Vibrio succinogenes, and its production of asparaginase was conducted. Results were compared with that already performed on a batch system and showed that a continuous fermentation produced 31.83 I.U. enzymes/mM ammonium formate compared to 17.4 I.U. enzyme/mM formate for batch.

Some of the runs performed indicated that the organism was washing out or giving very low specific growth rates. It was decided that this was not due to operational parameters of the chemostat, but possible chemical contamination in the medium. With all things considered, a continuous …

Calculations Of Isobaric Phase Enthalpy Differences For Binary Systems From Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Data, Steven Merrill Harvey

Theses

Equations relating isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium data to heats of vaporization are useful in testing the thermodynamic consistency of experimental VLE data and in the design of distillation equipment. Several researchers have proposed such equations based on the Gibbs-Duhem equation. At low pressures, simplified versions of these equations were successfully used to test the consistency of published VLE and enthalpy data. At high pressures, equilibrium phase enthalpy differences were calculated from rigorous equations using a modified form of the Redlich-Kwong equation to calculate fugacity coefficients. As expected, the relative error of using the simplified equations was found to increase with increasing …

The Preparation, Spectra, And Conformations Of Cis, Cis-, Cis, Trans-, And Trans, Trans- Dipropenyl Ethers, Helen C. Hollein

Theses

Cis,cis-dipropenyl ether was prepared by potassium t-butoxide catalyzed rearrangement of diallyl ether in diglyme solution. Pyrolysis was used in an attempt to produce an isomeric dipropenyl ether mixture with a high percentage of the less stable trans,trans isomer; 21.6% trans,trans-dipropenyl ether was produced by pyrolysis at 395°C, but formation of an azeotropic byproduct in significant quantities negated the feasibility of this synthesis. A mixture of 45.7% cis,cis-, 43.6% cis,trans-, and 10.7% trans,trans-dipropenyl ether was produced by mercuric acetate catalyzed isomerization at 80°C, and the mixture was separated on a Nester/Faust spinning band column of two hundred theoretical plates.

Physical properties, …

An Equilibrium Theory Of The Ph-Parametric Pump, Charles Omotayo Kerobo

Theses

Parametric pumping, both batch and continuous, and cycling zone adsorption are theoretically scrutinized for various operating conditions by using the concept of equilibrium stages. The model system is Haemoglobin-Albumin-CM sepharose, a physical system in which a local equilibrium between liquid and sorbent in the layers of the separating medium in the column is characterized. For the batch process, the steady-state concentrations in both top and bottom reservoirs are found to be independent of the number of equilibrium stages, provided that a = 1 (i.e., number of transfer steps/number of stages).. For continuous parapump process, separation is enhanced with decreasing top …

Deep Penetration Of Electrons Into Homogeneous Media By The Method Of Condensed Collisions, Joseph Francis Janni

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

The objective of this dissertation was to develop an accurate and efficient alternative to presently available methods of calculating the steady state penetration of electrons deep into homogeneous materials. A thorough solution must include scalar fluxes, net currents, angular distributions, and differential energy spectra. This research has successfully developed the method of condensed collisions, which provides an alternative to methods now in use for the solution of the electron transport problem. The condensed collsion method is general, but has been applied specifically to deep penetration electron transport to demonstrate its utility. The present aplication was for electrons having incident energies …

Mass Transfer At The Edge Of A Rotating Disk, Jeffrey Malcolm Cohen

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

A different approach to the problem of mass transfer to a rotating disk, employing less restrictive assumptions, has been undertaken to quantify the phenomenon of mass transfer at the disk's edge. Experimental work in support of theor­etical conjectures was performed as part of this work.

In order to include the effect of mass transfer at the edge on mass transfer to the entire disk, the equation of convective diffusion was solved in two dimensions over a region that extended beyond physical projection of active area of the disk. A synthesis of experimental results and theoret­ical considerations was used to specify …

Plasma Polymerization Of Tetrafluoroethylene. Iii. Capacitive Audio Frequency (10 Khz) And Ac Discharge, N. (Nicholas) C. Morosoff, H. Yasuda, E. S. Brandt, C. N. Reilley

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) is studied in a capacitively coupled system with internal electrodes using a 10 kHz (af) and a 60 Hz (ac) source. The emphasis is on identifying conditions that are compatible with continuous coating of plasma polymer on a substrate moving through the center of the interelectrode gap. Operation at a pressure below 100 mTorr is most favorable for deposition of a substantial portion of the plasma polymer on this substrate. Plasma polymer deposited in this way is characterized by ESCA and by deposition rate data and compared to that deposited using rf power in …

Plasma Polymerization Of Tetrafluoroethylene. Ii. Capacitive Radio Frequency Discharge, N. (Nicholas) C. Morosoff, H. Yasuda, E. S. Brandt, C. N. Reilley

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) is studied in a capacitively coupled system with internal electrodes using radio frequency (13.56 MHz) power. The emphasis is on identifying conditions that are compatible with continuous coating of plasma polymer on a substrate moving through the center of the interelectrode gap. At high pressure (500 mTorr), deposition of plasma polymer is primarily on the electrodes rather than on a substrate placed midway between electrodes. Glow is observed in only part of the interelectrode gap at low powers and fills the gap only at high power levels. The use of a magnetic field effects …

Transport Of Oils As Oil-In-Water Emulsions, J. L. Zakin, R. Pinaire, M. E. Borgmeyer

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Turbulent flow pressure drop measurements were made for various concentrated oil-in-water emulsions which exhibit non-Newtonian behavior. The effects of oil viscosity, temperature and oil concentration on specific energy loss were evaluated. Measured turbulent friction factors consistently fell below those predicted by the Dodge and Metzner friction factor correlation, probably due to viscoelastic effects of the emulsion. Several polymer and surfactant drag reducers were tested in these emulsions, and high molecular weight polyacrylamides were found to be the most effective in further reducing pumping energy losses. The effectiveness of the polymer additives decreased with time during pump circulation. © 1979 by …

Simplifying Lubricants For Farm Machinery, R A. Platt

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

All moving parts on machinery needs lubrication. With the rapid development in farm machinery and its attendant sophistifications, the stresses imposed on the lubricants have also increased.

This article looks at some of the changes in requirements and developments in lubricants available.

Mechanical Degradation Of High Molecular Weight Polymers In Dilute Solution, J. F.S. Yu, J. L. Zakin, Gary Kent Patterson

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The mechanical shear degradation of polydisperse Poly isobutene and monodisperse polystyrene in oils of different viscosities in the concentration range of 0.1% to 1% was studied using a high‐shear concentric cylinder viscometer under laminar and uniform well‐defined shear field conditions. Molecular weight distributions (MWDs) were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Degradation of polydisperse Poly isobutene solutions narrows the distributions principally through the breaking down of large molecules. Degradation of monodisperse polystyrene broadens the distributions at lower shear stress. At higher shear stresses, the distributions do not broaden as much but are still broader than those of the original polymer. …

Film Boiling Of Freon 113, Normal Pentane, Cyclopentane And Benzene From Cylindrical Surfaces At Moderate Pressures, G. J. Capone, Efton Park

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An investigation of film boiling heat transfer in saturated pools of liquid Freon 113, normal pentane, cyclopentane and benzene was conducted. The fluids were boiled from copper, cylindrical heat transfer surfaces 0.0762m (3 in) long, and 0.01397,0.01905 and 0.0254m (0.55,0.75 and 1.0 in) in diameter. The data covers a moderate range of pressures up to 1.67 (10)6 N/m2 (242.5 psia). The experimental data are compared with existing film boiling correlations. The existing film boiling correlations were found to be inadequate in predicting heat-transfer coefficients for the conditions of this investigation. © 1979.

Plasma Polymerization Of Tetrafluoroethylene. I. Inductive Radio Frequency Discharge, H. Yasuda, N. Morosoff, E. S. Brandt, C. N. Reilley

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The plasma polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene in an inductively coupled radio frequency glow discharge, using a flow system, was studied. A simple long tube reactor, with the coupling coil placed at the middle of the tube and gas entrance and exit at the respective ends, was used. Deposition rates and the chemical nature of the polymer (as revealed by ESCA spectra and surface energy studies) are obtained as a function of location in the reactor tube with respect to the coupling coil and of applied energy per unit mass of tetrafluoroethylene (W/FM). It was found that a fluorine poor polymer, containing …

An Instrument For Determination Of The Polarization Of Fluorescence, George Irwin Johnston

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is concerned with the development of a compact, sensitive and reliable instrument for determination of the polarization of fluorescence of fluorescein tagged molecules in solution. The instrument as designed and constructed differs from others (2,3,4,5,6,8,9). The difference is that all of its optical system is aligned on a single axis. This was accomplished by the use of an ellipsoidal mirror positioned between the excitation source and the phototube fluorescence signal receiver. In addition, the excitation source, a 45 watt tungsten-iodide light was electronically regulated to control the intensity.

Two types of determinations were made to verify the performance …

The Evaluation Of Corrosion Inhibitors For Controlling Corrosion In Closed Paper Mill White Water Systems, Ifeanyi E. C. Okeke

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Concentration And Ph On Parametric Pumping Separations, Tsu-Kun S. Hsieh

Theses

The technique of parametric pumping represents a new and valuable development in the separation science of proteins. Many conventional protein separation are often processed batchwise. However, parametric pumping offers the possibility of continuous processing; the continuous process provides both the advantages of decreasing the processing time and of minimizing degradation.

Preliminary step testing experiments were conducted to study the equilibrium of protein between the stationary and mobile phase of the sephadex ion exchanger.

It was the purpose of this research to study the feasibility of operating a semi-continuous parametric pump with a sephadex ion exchanger for the separation of a …

Low Btu Producer Gas -- A Fuel Of The Past And A Fuel Of The Future, Lee Carter

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A prime purpose of this paper is to give conscious emphasis to an important type of coal gasification, one that does not demand hundreds of millions of dollars to launch an experimental program but instead is essentially ready to use after a reasonable and straightforward engineering check-out of the local coal sources and the prospective gas demand.

That type of coal gasification results in low Btu producer gas. This paper deals with its history, its technology and its economics. In the light of that information, the future of low Btu producer gas in America then is assessed.

Effective Utilization Of Energy From Biomass Residues In Agricultural Applications, Harry W. Parker

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Biomass is one of the more attractive alternative energy sources. Use of existing biomass residues within the farm and ranch economy can be accomplished with a minimum of organizational problems since the producer, processor, and consumer may be the same person or organization. The major task is to provide potential agricultural biomass users with accurate cost estimates for the energy made available from the biomass, and contemporary technology for its utilization.

Specific examples are given with regard to powering irrigation well engines with cotton gin trash via a producer gas generator, and conversion of harvested mesquite wood to digestible energy …

Methane Production From Livestock Wastes By Anaerobic Digestion, Panos Kokoropoulos, Harlan H. Bengtson

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Increasing interest is being shown in anaerobic digestion as a process for both waste treatment and energy production. In this paper an experimental procedure for investigation of anaerobic digestion of livestock wastes is described, and data from experimental work is presented and analyzed. A model of anaerobic digestion is developed which includes conversion of soluble COD to volatile suspended solids by growth of microorganisms and solubilization of volatile suspended solids to soluble COD by enzymes. This model is used for the analysis of the experimental data.

Comparison Of Stirred And Immobilized Cell Reactors For Ethanol Production, Oliver C. Sitton, J. L. Gaddy

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Biomass can be converted to sugars by hydrolysis with enzymes or mineral acids. These sugars can be converted into a number of chemical intermediates in biological reactors. Biological reactions are generally slow and selection of the most efficient reactor is important in these applications.

Immobilized cell reactors allow high cell densities and high throughput by attaching microorganisms to a fixed support. This paper compares the rate of production of ethanol from glucose by Saccharomyces Cerevisiae in a packed column and a stirred reactor.

Continuous stirred reactor studies showed a washout rate of .27 hr^-1. The optimum rate of …

Wood As An Energy Source In The Tennessee Valley Region, Richard L. Doub

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

TVA has been working with wood energy production systems for only a short time, but we have been involved with forest development for many years, and our experience has led us to believe in the viability of using wood for energy production. Commercial forests of the Tennessee Valley region (125 watershed counties, plus another 76 counties where TVA provides Power) occupy some 30.5 million acres. The annual total tree growth from these lands is about 2.3 billion cubic feet of wood-equivalent to 38 million tons of coal in heat value. Conventional forest products now consume some 580 million cubic feet …

Gasification Of Municipal Solid Waste In A Fluidized Bed Reactor, Craig W. Mosley, Radon Tolman

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Results of pilot plant municipal solid waste gasification studies conducted at the Adolph Coors Company, Golden, Colorado, are presented. The nominal one ton per hour, 150 psig, fluidized bed gasification system was operated during 1973- 1974 using steam and air as oxidants and fluidizing media. These studies show the feasibility of a one-stage, air blown, fluid bed MSW conversion system.