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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Electrodeposition Of Auco Alloys And Multilayers, Maoshi Guan Jan 2005

Electrodeposition Of Auco Alloys And Multilayers, Maoshi Guan

LSU Master's Theses

Electrodeposited AuCo and Au/Co multilayers are of interest as potential materials for MEMS components. AuCo alloys have been fabricated by the electrodeposition technique, but from cyanide-containing electrolyte. In this study, we explored the electrodeposition of AuCo and Au/Co multilayer thin films, and nanowires, from a non-cyanide electrolyte. Two variables were considered: the concentration of citric acid and pH. The changes in composition were described by the differences in the partial current densities. The effect of pH and citric acid concentration on the deposit composition and current efficiency was investigated. Results showed that a lower citric acid concentration was favored for …


Analysis Of Alternative Well Control Methods For Dual Density Deepwater Drilling, Mikolaj Stanislawek Jan 2005

Analysis Of Alternative Well Control Methods For Dual Density Deepwater Drilling, Mikolaj Stanislawek

LSU Master's Theses

The recent push into deepwater is currently limited by high drilling costs resulting from conventional well designs. As a result, dual gradient drilling methods have been proposed. This research investigates riser gas-lift as a potential means to implement a dual gradient system. A primary concern is well control in a system containing so many different density fluids and different flow paths. The specific concerns addressed in this study were kick detection, cessation of formation feed-in, removal of kick fluids, and re-establishing hydrostatic control with a constant bottom hole pressure method. These concerns were studied using a transient, multiphase simulator whose …


Experimental Investigation Of Drilling Fluid Formulations And Processing Methods For A Riser Dilution Approach To Dual Density Drilling, John Shelton Jan 2005

Experimental Investigation Of Drilling Fluid Formulations And Processing Methods For A Riser Dilution Approach To Dual Density Drilling, John Shelton

LSU Master's Theses

Oil and natural gas resources in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico are important for the U.S. economy, but development is limited by high costs. Dual density drilling concepts that result in wellbore pressure gradients similar to the natural subsurface gradients can simplify well designs and reduce costs. Riser dilution may be an economical means of achieving such a system. This system would use a low density fluid to dilute the weighted wellbore fluid and give an intermediate density fluid in the riser. Two key concerns addressed in this study are whether a drilling fluid can be formulated that will suspend …


Mathematical Models For Estimating Volatile Chemical Emissions From Dredging Operations, Kenneth Alexander Fountain Jan 2005

Mathematical Models For Estimating Volatile Chemical Emissions From Dredging Operations, Kenneth Alexander Fountain

LSU Master's Theses

Dredging operations have been a common remediation for contaminated sediment in an effort to reduce the harmful impact on the environment. The objective of this research was to create models used for estimating chemical release to air from remediating the Indiana Harbor and Canal (IHC) as three separate dredging operations; the Dredge Site, Exposed DM CDF, and Ponded CDF. The evaporative flux estimations are based on a two-resistance mass transport path inclusive of both the molecular diffusion in porous media and interfacial airside mass transport resistances. Several chemodynamic algorithms were used in calculating key transport parameters. Laboratory tests were performed …


Use Of Orthogonal Arrays, Quasi-Monte Carlo Sampling And Kriging Response Models For Reservoir Simulation With Many Varying Factors, Subhash Kalla Jan 2005

Use Of Orthogonal Arrays, Quasi-Monte Carlo Sampling And Kriging Response Models For Reservoir Simulation With Many Varying Factors, Subhash Kalla

LSU Master's Theses

Asset development teams may adjust simulation model parameters using experimental design to reveal which factors have the greatest impact on the reservoir performance. Response surfaces and experimental design make sensitivity analysis less expensive and more accurate, helping to optimize recovery under geological and economical uncertainties. In this thesis, experimental designs including orthogonal arrays, factorial designs, Latin hypercubes and Hammersley sequences are compared and analyzed. These methods are demonstrated for a gas well with water coning problem to illustrate the efficiency of orthogonal arrays. Eleven geologic factors are varied while optimizing three engineering factors (total of fourteen factors). The objective is …


Experimental Investigation Of Dynamic Interfacial Interactions At Reservoir Conditions, Wei Xu Jan 2005

Experimental Investigation Of Dynamic Interfacial Interactions At Reservoir Conditions, Wei Xu

LSU Master's Theses

Much of the research on wettability in the existing literature has been done using stocktank oils and at ambient conditions. The main objective of this study is therefore to examine the validity of ambient measurements in inferring in-situ reservoir wettability. For this purpose, Drop-Shape-Analysis for interfacial tension and Dual-Drop-Dual-Crystal (DDDC) contact angle measurements have been carried out using dolomite rock, Yates reservoir stocktank and live crude oils and Yates synthetic brine at Yates reservoir conditions of 82oF and 700 psi. Two types of surfactants (nonionic and anionic) in varying concentrations have been used to study the effect of surfactants on …


Relative Permeability And Wettability Implications Of Dilute Surfactants At Reservoir Conditions, Ayodeji Adebola Abe Jan 2005

Relative Permeability And Wettability Implications Of Dilute Surfactants At Reservoir Conditions, Ayodeji Adebola Abe

LSU Master's Theses

The improvement or increase of oil recoverable from discovered reservoirs has always been a very important issue as this helps to meet ever growing energy demand. Several methods have been put forward as means of achieving this objective. Chemical flooding, using surfactants has been considered in enhanced oil recovery processes. Surfactants are used primarily to lower oil-water interfacial tension (IFT) and thus improve production. However, surfactants possess the ability to alter rock wettability and hence increase oil production. Previous investigations were performed at ambient conditions using stocktank oil. Extrapolation of the findings from the ambient conditions testing to reservoir conditions …


Electrodeposition Of Magnetic Nanowires And Nanotubes, Despina Mehedintu Davis Jan 2005

Electrodeposition Of Magnetic Nanowires And Nanotubes, Despina Mehedintu Davis

LSU Master's Theses

The current perpendicular to the plane giant magneto-resistance (CPP)-(GMR) effect makes multilayered nanowires of huge interest as magnetic sensor materials. GMR showing multilayer nanostructures are composed of alternating ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic nanometric layers. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) property is described as a change in electrical resistance when an external magnetic field is introduced. Electrodeposition is the most efficient method for fabricating magnetic nanowires. In addition to the cost-effectiveness, electrodeposition is one of the few methods that can overcome the geometrical restrictions of inserting metals into very deep nanometric recesses, making it the favored method for nanowire and nanotube fabrication. In …


Controlled High Pressure Slurry Injection In Water Jetting Applications-A New Approach, Manish Kumar Jan 2005

Controlled High Pressure Slurry Injection In Water Jetting Applications-A New Approach, Manish Kumar

LSU Master's Theses

The ability of an abrasive assisted water jet to cut through rocks and metals has potential applications in the oilfield. However, the size of cutting nozzle has not allowed water jet to be used on commercial scale for drilling reservoir rocks down-hole. Inefficient momentum transfer to abrasive particles from pressurized water and lack of abrasive feed rate control in commercially available units has further discouraged the use of water jet in oil industry. Despite various technical difficulties, immense power of water jet cannot be neglected. Studies have shown that momentum transfer can be improved significantly, if abrasive particles are introduced …


Enhanced Gas Recovery Using Pressure And Displacement Management, Thomas Walker Jan 2005

Enhanced Gas Recovery Using Pressure And Displacement Management, Thomas Walker

LSU Master's Theses

The work contained in this thesis combines two previous enhanced gas recovery techniques; coproduction of water and gas from water-drive reservoirs and waterflooding of low pressure gas reservoirs. These two techniques allow the control of reservoir pressure and sweep efficiency through planed production or injection of water. A recovery optimization method, which is applicable to any gas reservoir, was developed using the concept of pressure and displacement management (PDM). Two simulation studies were conducted, using Eclipse©, to investigate recovery optimization by coproduction and waterflooding. From the coproduction study it was determined that the water production rate needed to optimize recovery …


An In-Situ Capping Design For The Remediation Of Petroleum Contaminated Sediments, Melanie Krystle Harris Jan 2005

An In-Situ Capping Design For The Remediation Of Petroleum Contaminated Sediments, Melanie Krystle Harris

LSU Master's Theses

Historical disposal practices used by oil companies have caused the accumulation of contaminated sediments in their nearby lakes and ponds. These companies are now faced with the challenge of remediating the bodies of water that contain these contaminated sediments. The contaminants that remain in the sediment continue to pose a threat to human health and the environment. For example, high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are still present in the bottom sediments can have toxic effects on aquatic life. One form of remediation for this problem is In-Situ Capping (ISC), which is defined as a method whereby material …


Modeling Of Chemical Fate And Transport In The Environment, Andre Marquette Jan 2005

Modeling Of Chemical Fate And Transport In The Environment, Andre Marquette

LSU Master's Theses

The Environmental Engineering discipline remains on the forefront of discovery due to advancements in computer technology, advancements in experimental methods and an ever increasing public interest in mitigating the harmful effects of the chemical process industry. Experimental methods have a critical role in defining environmental processes and effects but are limited in their ability to predict future environmental conditions. Conceptual and mathematical models are needed in order to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions far into the future as well as to extend and apply the knowledge gained from experimentation. Models can be used to predict chemical exposure levels, design …


Physical Model Experiments Of The Gas-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process, Amit P. Sharma Jan 2005

Physical Model Experiments Of The Gas-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process, Amit P. Sharma

LSU Master's Theses

The displacement of oil by gas injection in oil reservoirs is an attractive method of improved oil recovery. Commercial gravity-stable gas injection projects have demonstrated excellent recoveries; however, their application has been limited to dipping reservoirs and pinnacle reefs. Horizontal gas floods and the water alternating gas (WAG) processes, practiced in horizontal type reservoirs, have yielded less than satisfactory recoveries of 5-10%. The Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage (GAGD) Process being developed at LSU extends the concept of gravity-stable gas floods to horizontal type reservoirs to improve volumetric sweep and oil recovery. This experimental study consists of a series of visual …


Development And Model Formulation Of Scalable Carbon Nanotube Processes: Hipco And Comocat Process Models, Adedeji Ebenezer Agboola Jan 2005

Development And Model Formulation Of Scalable Carbon Nanotube Processes: Hipco And Comocat Process Models, Adedeji Ebenezer Agboola

LSU Master's Theses

Carbon nanotubes are seamless cylindrical tubes, consisting of carbon atoms arranged in a regular hexagonal structure. It is considered as the ultimate engineering material because of its unique and distinct electronic, mechanical and material characteristics. The discovery of these materials pioneered the nanotechnology revolution, which encompasses a broad and multidisciplinary spectrum, including nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology, and nanoelectronics. Hundreds of published articles of laboratory scale and pilot plant processes were reviewed that describe potential synthesis and post–synthesis purification methods for large scale production of carbon nanotubes. The main production technologies include electric arc discharge, laser vaporization, and catalytic chemical vapor deposition. These …


Simulation And Economic Evaluation Of Coal Gasification With Sets Reforming Process For Power Production, Zachary Hoffman Jan 2005

Simulation And Economic Evaluation Of Coal Gasification With Sets Reforming Process For Power Production, Zachary Hoffman

LSU Master's Theses

Increasing natural gas prices have raised interest in alternate energy resources. Popular belief in the connection between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming has motivated the search for a technique to isolate carbon dioxide from combustion stack gases. Coal gasification with SETS reforming has been proposed as a solution to both of these issues in that it provides an alternate energy source and 100% carbon dioxide sequestration. The purpose of this research is to simulate this process using AspenPlus to perform the rigorous material and energy balances. The results of this simulation are used to carry out a complete economic …


Zeolite And Metal Oxide Catalysts For The Production Of Dimethyl Sulfide And Methanethiol, Craig Plaisance Jan 2005

Zeolite And Metal Oxide Catalysts For The Production Of Dimethyl Sulfide And Methanethiol, Craig Plaisance

LSU Master's Theses

Metal oxide and zeolite catalysts were examined to determine their suitability for the production of methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide from the condensation of methanol and hydrogen sulfide. Fixed bed reactor experiments were used to test the catalysts in these processes. The acid sites of these catalysts were characterized by investigating the thermal desorption of 1-propanamine from these sites. It was found that WO3/ZrO2, La2O3/Al2O3, g-Al2O3, and HZSM-5 catalysts were active and selective in the production of dimethyl sulfide. On these four catalysts, the reaction converting methanol to dimethyl ether and the methanethiol disproportionation reaction were fast and close to equilibrium. …