Engineering Commons^™

Chemical Percolation Model For Devolatilization: Ii. Temperature And Heating Rate Effects On Product Yields, Thomas H. Fletcher, Alan R. Kerstein, Ronald J. Pugmire, David M. Grant

Faculty Publications

The chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD) model describes the devolatilization behavior of rapidly heated coal based on the chemical structure of the parent coal. Percolation lattice statistics are employed to describe the generation of tar precursors of finite size based on the number of cleaved labile bonds in the infinite lattice. The chemical percolation devolatilization model described here includes treatment of vapor-liquid equilibrium and a cross-linking mechanism. The cross-linking mechanism permits reattachment of metaplast to the infinite char matrix. A generalized vapor pressure correlation for high molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as coal tar, is proposed based on data from coal liquids. …

Kinetic Analysis Of Competing Intramolecular And Intermolecular Polymerization Reactions, Hossein Noureddini, Delmar C. Timm

Papers in Molecular Chemistry

ABSTRACT: Kinetic reaction theory was used to model a step-growth, thermoset polymerization of a monomer of even functionality/. Intermolecular additions were represented by second-order and intramolecular reactions were expressed by first-order rate expressions. All functional groups were assumed to react with equal reactivity. Independent variables are degree of polymerization i, extent of cross-linking j, and conversion p. The normalized rate constant for intramolecular reactions is c. The solution for the normalized population density distribution............ subj Formulae for the number-, mass-, and cross-link-average molecular weights were derived.

Parameter Sensitivity And Optimization Predictions Of A Hydrogen/Oxygen Alkaline Fuel Cell Model, Michael C. Kimble, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A mathematical model is used to predict parameter sensitivities and optimal design parameters for a hydrogen/oxygen alkaline fuel cell. A sensitivity analysis of the various transport and electrode kinetic parameters indicates which parameters have the most influence on the predicted current density and over which range of potentials these parameters affect the fuel-cell performance the most. This information can be used to decide which parameters should be optimized or determined more accurately through further modeling or experimental studies. The effect of various design parameters on the limiting current density are investigated to determine if optimal values exist for the parameters. …

The Self-Discharge Of The Niooh/Ni(Oh)2 Electrode Constant Potential Study, Z. Mao, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Hydrogen oxidation currents at a NiOOH/Ni(OH)₂ electrode were measured directly at constant potentials for various hydrogen pressures and states of charge. It was found that the hydrogen oxidation current is linearly proportional to the hydrogen pressure at all electrode potentials and that the logarithm of the anodic current is a linear function of electrode potential. It was also found that hydrogen oxidation on the nickel substrate material was strongly inhibited by the presence of nickel hydroxide on the substrate surface. By comparing the currents for hydrogen oxidation and oxygen evolution on the NiOOH/Ni(OH)₂ electrode and on a nickel …

Mathematical Modeling Of Cathodic Protection Using The Boundary Element Method With A Nonlinear Polarization Curve, J. F. Fan, S. N. R Pakalapati, T. V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White, R. B. Griffin

Faculty Publications

The distributions of potential and current density around a cathodically protected pipeline in seawater were determined using the boundary element technique. A nonlinear polarization curve for a low carbon steel in artificial sea water was obtained from dc-potentiodynamic measurements and was fitted for use as the boundary condition on the pipe. The program was used to evaluate cases in which one or two aluminum sacrificial anodes are used to protect a low carbon steelpipe in seawater. The results show that the number of anodes, the sizes of the anodes, and the distance between the anodes and the cathode are of …

Hydrogen Diffusion, Solubility, And Water Uptake In Dow's Short-Side-Chain Perfluorocarbon Membranes, Yu-Min Tsou, M. C. Kimble, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Hydrogen gas diffusion coefficients and solubilities as well as water uptake values are reported for Dow's short-side-chain perfluoro-sulfonic and -carboxylic membranes of different equivalent weight (EW). The diffusion coefficients and solubilities were determined with an electrochemical test cell. Hydrogen solubility decreases with increasing EW in the lower EW range and tends to level off at higher EWs for both types of membranes. Both hydrogen solubility and diffusion coefficients of a sulfonic membrane with EW higher than 800 are higher than the corresponding values of a carboxylic membrane of similar EW. An unusual maximum is observed in the diffusion coefficient-EW plot …

Calorimetric Determination Of The Thermoneutral Potential Of Li/Bcx And Li/Socl2 Cells, E. E. Kalu, Ralph E. White, E. C. Darcy

Faculty Publications

Through a continuous recording of the cell voltage, heat flow, and current, the effective thermoneutral potential, E_etpof Li/BCX and Li/SOCl₂ cells were determined in the temperature range, 0–60°C. The depth of discharge (DOD), temperature (T), and cell type (cell chemistry) affect the effective thermoneutral potential. The effective thermoneutral potential, E_etp differs from the classical thermoneutral potential of a cell because it takes into account the heat flow due to non-faradaic processes. The average effective thermoneutral potential at 25°C (determined by selecting the most constant region of E_etp vs. time of discharge) was 4.0 …

Comparing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Methods For Estimating The Degree Of Delamination Of Organic Coatings On Steel, S. A. Mccluney, S. N. Popova, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White, R. B. Griffin

Faculty Publications

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to evaluate the degree of delamination of the epoxy primer Uniprime ED-4¹ electrocoated on phosphate-treated cold-rolled steel in 3.5% NaCl exposed to air. Specimens with coating thicknesses of 20.3 and 20.8 µm and surface areas of 78.5 cm² were used. Coating parameters were obtained using a circuit-analog model. The area of delamination was estimated using several EIS parameters, including the pore resistance and the break point frequency. These values were compared to the corroded area determined visually. All methods considered exhibited a strong correlation over some or all of the range of …

Reduction Of Chromium (Vi) When Solar Selective Black Chromium Is Deposited In The Presence Of Organic Additive, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White, D. Slavkov, Z. Koneska

Faculty Publications

Electrochemical dc methods were used to study the reduction of chromium (VI) in the presence of organic additives. It is shown that F^–, thiourea, and citric acid are essential to enable deposition of black chrome from concentrated chromic acid solutions. A new formulation of the plating bath is defined. The optimum operating conditions under which spectrally selective surface of black chrome is deposited have been determined.

Measurements Of The Fundamental Thermodynamic Parameters Of Li/Bcx And Li/Socl2 Cells, E. E. Kalu, Ralph E. White, E. C. Darcy

Faculty Publications

The thermodynamic data needed to estimate the heat generation characteristics of Li/BCX and Li/SOCl₂ cells were determined using two experimental techniques, equilibrium or reversible cell discharge and measurement of open circuitpotential as a function of temperature. The results obtained showed that the reversible cell potential (E_r), the temperature dependence of the reversible cell potential (dE_r/dT) and thermoneutral potential (E_h) of the BCX cell were respectively, E_r,25oc = 3.74 V, dE_r/dT = –0.857 ± 0.198 mV/K and E_h = 3.994 …

A Mathematical Model Of A Cuo/Cu Vaporvolt Cell, Makoto Kawanami, Trung V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A new battery named "Vaporvolt"^b cell is in the early stage of its development. A mathematical model of a CuO/CuVaporvolt cell is presented that can be used to predict the potential and the transport behavior of the cell during discharge.A sensitivity analysis of the various transport and electrokinetic parameters indicates which parameters have the mostinfluence on the predicted energy and power density of the Vaporvolt cell. This information can be used to decide whichparameters should be optimized or determined more accurately through further modeling or experimental studies. Theoptimal thicknesses of electrodes and separator, the concentration of the electrolyte, and …

Chemical Structure Of Char In The Transition From Devolatilization To Combustion, Thomas H. Fletcher, Mark S. Solum, David M. Grant, Ronald J. Pugmire

Faculty Publications

Coal devolatilization experiments are generally conducted separately from char oxidation experiments, and the relationship between the chars generated in the two types of research is often ignored. However, char is one of the most important products of coal devolatilization and must be characterized as a function of temperature and heating rate in a manner similar to that for gaseous devolatilization products. The chemical structure of the parent coal directly affects devolatilization behavior. In this work, the chemical structure of chars from five coals of different rank are examined, and implications on char reactivity are discussed. Chars were obtained as a …

Absorption Of Nitrogen Oxides Into Sodium Hydroxide Solution In A Packed Column: Effect Of Gas Flowrate And Temperature, J Katima

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The effect of gas flow rate and temperature on the absorption rate of nitrogen oxides (NO ) and column absorption eff iciency has been studied using a 2M goåium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in a packed The absorpt ion process was carried out at atmospheric column. pressure, with NOV concentration ranging between 150 and 10000 pp:tt, NO/N02 ratio of O and 1 iquid flow rate of O .8 1/ min. The gas flow rate was varied from 20 to 60 1/17 in and the temperature from 25 to 45 c. It was found that Ehe column absorption efficiency increases with decreasing …

Liquid-Liquid Dispersion In Agitated Vessels Provided With Multiple Impellers, Yu-Tsang Huang

Theses

Baffled vessels with multiple impellers are widely used in industry to generate liquid-liquid dispersions. In this work, a new method to determine the minimum agitation speed for complete dispersion in two immiscible liquids was developed. This method was conceived to replace the traditional visual observation method that has been extensively used in the past for this purpose. The minimum agitation speeds for liquid-liquid dispersion with single and multiple impellers in baffled vessel were also measured. The effect of a number of variables such as size and type of impellers, size of tank, impeller location, spacing between impellers, and dispersed phase …

Energy From Biomass: Combustion And Gasification, G John

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Some fundamental facts of the combustion Of BIOMAS are outlined and di scussed . It is suggested that these provide guidelines for rhe development Of successful practical combustors. Furthemore, a realisation Of energy conversion from the same in gasfier is presented.

Nn Investigation Of Nitrogen Oxide Abscwption In Packed Columns, J Katima

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

An experimental study was carried out on the performance of a packed column to study the absorption mechanism of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Two packed columns were set up, one with wall wiper rings to reduce wall effects and one without. Both columns were packed with stainless steel lessing rings and operated at fixed gas and liquid flow rates (40 and 8 L/min, respectively), atmospheric pressure, temperature (25°C), and sodium hydroxide concentration (8% w/w). The NOx (NO₂ and N₂O₄) equilibrium concentration and feed concentrations of up to 7000 ppm were used. The results indicated improved performance in the column with wall …

Nitrogen Oxides Rbsorption Into Sodium Hydroxide Solution In A Packed Column Column: Effect Of Naoh Concentration, J Katima

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Experiments have been conducted to evaluate the ettect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration upon the absorption rate of nitrogen oxides (NO ) and packed column performance. The absorption process using was carried out at atmospheric pressure and 29B K, concentrations between zero and w/ w, NO/ NO ratio of 0.5 and NO concentrations between 150 and 10000 ppm in an air mixture. The performance of the calumn was enhanced by the presence of hydroxyl ions ( 0B - ) relative to the absorption into water, however, The absorption it was found to be independent of NaOH concentration. rate of NO …

Density Measurement For Corrosive Solutions At Elevated Temperatures, Kimweri, H

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In this work, apparatus for measuring densities of corrosive solutions at high temperatures was developed and used. Densities of dilute aqueous sulphuric acid solutions, containing different amounts of zinc and iron salts were measured at temperatures up to 185°C. In view of the good agreement between consecutive measurements for each solution and the density of water obtained by using this apparatus with that given in literature, for all experiments, the apparatus is recommended to be used for measuring densities of corrosive solutions at high temperatures.

Effects Of Feed Solids Concentration On Dual Functionality Of A Hydrocyclone., Zanzu M

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The dual functionality, i.e. thickening and classification of a 50.8mm diameter hydrocyclone has been investigated. A metallurgical slime consisting of a 50% mixture of quartz and petroleum coke was used in the tests. It was found that in order to achieve both thickening and classification at the same time, the pressure drop across the hydrocyclone, the underflow diameter and the feed solids content have to be subtly controlled.

Structural, Depositional, And Diagenetic Controls On Reservoir Development: St. Peter Sandstone, Newaygo County, Michigan, Mark S. Caldwell

Masters Theses

Enhanced reservoir quality in the Middle Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone is observed in gas bearing zones in wells located on domal structures. Geometry and degree of this enhanced porosity development is the result of the interplay of structural, depositional, and diagenetic controls. An integrated subsurface study of the Woodville/Goodwell field area was performed in order to document controls on hydrocarbon accumulation.

Recurrent structural growth of domal features throughout the Paleozoic is well documented by isopach mapping. Burial and thermal history studies indicate that hydrocarbons were generated in Ordovician aged source rocks during late Devonian to early Mississippian time, and accumulated …

Solder/Polymer Composite Paste And Method, Ravi F. Saraf

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Patents

An improved solder/polymer fluxless composite paste interconnection material having a low reflow temperature to form electrical contacts having good bonding strength and low contact resistance. The present pastes comprise a major proportion of a meltable metal alloy powder filler, free of noble metals and preferably free of lead, a minor proportion of a solution of a temperature-stable thermoplastic polymer having a softening temperature above the melting temperature of the metal powder filler in a volatile solvent which evaporates during reflow, and a minor proportion of a fluxing agent having a boiling point lower than the reflow temperature of the composition …

Integrated Anaerobic-Aerobic System For The Biodegradation Of Highly Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds, Cheng-Ming Kung

Dissertations

A two-step process was developed for the complete mineralization of hazardous chlorinated aromatic compounds. The system consisted of an anaerobic reactor, in which reductive dehalogenation took place, coupled with an aerobic reactor in which the complete mineralization of the products of the anaerobic dehalogenation occurred.

A mixed anaerobic culture from a municipal sewage treatment plant was enriched and then immobilized on silica-based porous beads to treat 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), which is the model target compound in this work. In the anaerobic reactor, TCP was degraded to 2,4-dichlorophenol which was, in turn, reduced to 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). Stoichiometric amounts of 4-CP were recovered …

Biodegradation Of Phenol And 4-Chlorophenol Using A Single Species In A Sequencing Batch Reactor, Kung-Wei Wang

Theses

Biodegradation of phenol and 4-chlorophenol (4CP) using Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17514) was studied in batch and sequencing batch reactors. Batch experiments were first performed in order to reveal the kinetics of biodegradation for each substrate. 4-Chlorophenol was degradable only in the presence of phenol, or immediately after exposure of the organism to phenol. It was postulated that an enzyme induced by the presence of phenol was necessary to initiate degradation of 4-chlorophenol.

A mathematical model was then developed to describe the dynamic behavior of both substrates in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The model utilized rate parameters obtained from batch …

Thermal Characterization Of Carbon Monoxide Oxidation Catalysts Using Thermogravimetric Analysts And Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Rene A. Bartgis

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Catalysts composed of platinum and/or palladium on tin (IV) oxide supports, with and without silica gel, as well as catalysts composed of gold on manganese oxide, have been developed for the recombination of carbon monoxide and oxygen to form carbon dioxide for use in carbon dioxide lasers. A thermogravimetric method and a differential scanning calorimetric method have been developed for the thermal characterization of these catalysts. The mass loss data and the enthalpy changes determined as the catalysts lost water were then related to existing activity data for these catalysts. No relationship was found between the thermal data and the …

Crystallization Kinetics And Polyblends Of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Recycled From Post-Consumer Beverage Bottles, Peming Peter Hsu

Dissertations

In order to reduce waste generation, and comply with state and federal laws, plastic beverage bottles are usually undergoing recycling. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET], which is the main component the bottles are made of, cannot be used for manufacturing new food containers, and has to be used for manufacturing other end consumer products. The recycled PET is a cheap material, but its use is problematic due to the low crystallization rates of PET. The present study investigates ways of accelerating PET crystallization by using inorganic carbonate salts as nucleating agents. This study also explores the possibility of forming polymer blends based …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Finite Time Efficiency Of A Peltier Refrigeration Device, Thomas Schneider

Dissertations and Theses

Since the need of energy conservation has become more and more urgent in the past decades, there has been an increased interest in the study and development of more efficient energy conversion systems. One of the fields that have arisen from that endeavor is a branch of physics called Finite Time Thermodynamics (FIT). It may be said that FIT was initiated through the famous paper by Curzon and Ahlborn (1975) that established new bounds on the efficiency of a finite time Carnot heat engine. Before, the traditional treatments gave a fundamental upper limit on the efficiency of any heat engine. …

Solutal Partition Coefficients In Nickel-Based Superalloy Pwa-1480, Surendra N. Tewari, M. Vijayakumar, James E. Lee, P. A. Curreri

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Solutal profiles in dendritic single-crystal specimens of PWA-1480 nickel-base superalloy, which were directionally solidified and quenched, were examined on several transverse cross-sections to obtain the partition coefficients. Similar to their nickel-base binaries, the partition coefficients of tantalum, titanium, and aluminum were found to be less than unity; those of tungsten and cobalt were greater than unity. The partition coefficients were temperature independent in the range 1584-1608 K. The contribution of solid-state diffusion to microsegregation was observed to be negligible.

Interaction Of Sodium, Sulfur, And Silica During Coal Combustion, Thomas A. Erickson, Douglas K. Ludlow, Steven A. Benson

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Interaction of Sodium, Sulfur, and Silica at Conditions Typical in a Pulverized Coal Furnace Was Investigated by using Both Model Mixtures and a Synthetic Coal. the Model Mixtures Consisted of Selected Inorganic Constituents that Were Well Mixed in Proportions Typically Found in Low-Rank Coal. the Synthetic Coal Consisted of a Furfuryl Alcohol Polymer with Appropriate Amounts of Sodium, Sulfur, and Silica to Duplicate the Characteristics of Low-Rank Coal. the Model Mixtures and Synthetic Coal Were Burned in a Laminar Flow (Drop-Tube) Furnace at 900, 1100, 1300, and 1500 °C and Residence Times of 0.1,0.5,1.5, and 2.4 S. the Resulting …

Fabrication Of High-Conductivity, Transparent Electrodes With Trenched Metal Bus Lines, Otto J. Gregory, R. J. Zeto, E. Hryckowian, K. A. Burbank

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

A novel transparent electrode system has been developed for thin film electroluminescent displays in which the poor conductivity of the indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrodes has been augmented by high-conductivity buses of thick aluminum or silver. The augmented electrode system consists of patterned ITO electrodes, 200 Fm wide, centered over narrow aluminum or silver lines 40 ~m wide and separated by an intermediate diffusion barrier film of titanium to promote adhesion to the ITO and prevent blackening of the main ITO electrode by interfacial reactions. The sheet resistances of the augmented ITO electrodes (A1-Ti-ITO and Ti-Ag-Ti-ITO) were lowered by two orders of …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Zero-Order, First-Order And Monod Kinetic Models In Representing Raw Aerobic Biodegradation Data, Andrew I. Bakun

Theses

A total of 148 raw aerobic biodegradation data sets from batch and continuous stirred-tank reactors were extracted from the open literature and previous NJIT MS theses. Kinetic analysis of each of these data sets was performed with respect to the following commonly used empirical models: (1) zero-order, (2) first-order, and (3) Monod. Two constant-biomass versions of each model were evaluated; one in which So (i.e., the boundary condition for substrate concentration at time equal to zero) was assumed to be equal to the measured value of the initial substrate concentration and the other in which So was treated as a …