Engineering Commons^™

Designing Nanocomposite Materials For Catalyzing Electrochemical Reactions In Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Sadia Afrin Kabir

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Fuel cells are considered to be one the most promising sustainable energy technologies for energy conversion and electric power generation. With the development of stable, conductive and high performance anion exchange membranes and ionomers, there has been an increased interest towards studying various electrochemical reactions in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFC). This increased attention has been attributed to the comparatively facile reaction kinetics, minimized corrosion effects and reduced fuel crossover in alkaline media. However, the oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) taking place in the cathode compartment of fuel cells plays a crucial role in optimizing the electrochemical energy conversion efficiency, …

Ion Size Effects On The Properties Of Charge Regulating Electric Double Layers, Divya Jyoti Prakash

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

The behavior of charged interfaces formed in various systems like colloidal solution, fuel cells, battery, electro-deposition, catalysis is governed by the properties of electrical double layer(EDL). Civilized model with charge regulation boundary condition determined by thermodynamic equilibrium at the interface has been used to model electrical double layer and shows that size of the solvent plays a critical role in characterizing the properties of EDL using classical density functional theory.This thesis investigates the impact of ion size in electrolyte solutions on the electrical double layer formed at the interface using a similar model. It is found that ion size greatly …

Identification Of Developmental Stage And Anatomical Fraction Contributions To Cell Wall Recalcitrance In Switchgrass, Jacob D. Crowe, Nicholas Feringa, Sivakumar Pattathil, Brian Merritt, Cliff Foster, Dayna Dines, Rebecca Ong, David B. Hodge

Department of Chemical Engineering Publications

Background

Heterogeneity within herbaceous biomass can present important challenges for processing feedstocks to cellulosic biofuels. Alterations to cell wall composition and organization during plant growth represent major contributions to heterogeneity within a single species or cultivar. To address this challenge, the focus of this study was to characterize the relationship between composition and properties of the plant cell wall and cell wall response to deconstruction by NaOH pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis for anatomical fractions (stem internodes, leaf sheaths, and leaf blades) within switchgrass at various tissue maturities as assessed by differing internode.

Results

Substantial differences in both cell wall composition …

Graphite And Graphene-Oxide Based Pgm-Free Model Catalysts For The Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Joseph Henry Dumont

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

The world currently relies heavily on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. One alternative source of energy are fuel cells, electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. They can be used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, stationary, portable and emergency power sources. Their development has been slowed by the high cost of PGM electrocatalysts needed at both electrodes as well as sluggish …

Energy From Chemical Reactions: Understanding The Combustion Engine, Tammy Guthrie, Kathy Prophet, Greg Herzig, Cassie Kautzer

Middle School Lesson Plans

Automobiles produce a large amount of heat generated by the burning of gasoline. Burning gasoline is a chemical reaction that causes a phase change. This is called combustible energy. During combustion fuel combines with oxygen to release energy (such as heat, light, sound) along with another product that is often considered waste. Most of the energy produced is not used to power the automobile, but is released as heat. 19.3 pounds of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, is produced from the combustion of 1 gallon of U.S. gasoline according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Electrochemical Behavior Of Dense Electrodes For Impedancemetric Nox Sensors, Nabamita Pal

Doctoral Dissertations

NOx (NO and NO2) exhaust gas sensors for diesel powered vehicles have traditionally consisted of porous platinum (Pt) electrodes along with a dense ZrO2 based electrolyte. Advancement in diesel engine technology results in lower NOx emissions. Although Pt is chemically and mechanically tolerant to the extreme exhaust gas environment, it is also a strong catalyst for oxygen reduction, which can interfere with the detection of NOx at concentrations below 100 ppm. Countering this behavior can add to the complexity and cost of the conventional NO x sensor design. Recent studies have shown that dense electrodes are less prone to heterogeneous …

Anion Exchange Membrane Capacitive Deionization Cells, Ayokunle Omosebi, Xin Gao, Nicolas Holubowitch, Zhiao Li, James Landon, Kunlei Liu

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty and Staff Publications

The electrochemical response of capacitive deionization (CDI) employing a single anion exchange membrane (AEM-CDI) is contrasted to conventional two-membrane CDI (MCDI) formed with complementary anion and cation exchange membranes. Pristine activated carbon cloth electrodes that possess native positive surface charge in solution were used as both anode (positive electrode) and cathode (negative electrode) in these cells. In a separate set of tests to investigate the impact of surface charge modification on deionization responses, the single and dual membrane cells were formed with asymmetric electrodes (AEM-aCDI and aMCDI) consisting of nitric acid oxidized electrodes that possess negative surface charge as the …

Microdischarges Utilized In Portable Gas Sensing And Their Atmospheric Contaminants, Colin H. Sillerud

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Portable applications of microdischarges such as the chemical detection, remediation of gaseous wastes, or the destruction of volatile organic compounds will mandate operation in the presence of contaminant species. This work examines the temporal evolution of microdischarge optical and ultraviolet emissions during pulsed operation by experimental methods. By varying the pulse length of a microdischarge initiated in a 4-hole silicon microcavity array operating in a 655 Torr ambient primarily composed of Ne, we were able to measure the emission growth rates for different contaminant species native to the discharge environment as a function of pulse length. It was found that …

Size And Shape Distributions Of Primary Crystallites In Titania Aggregates, Eric A. Grulke, Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Kumagai, Ines Häusler, Werner Österle, Erik Ortel, Vasile-Dan Hodoroaba, Scott C. Brown, Christopher Chan, Jiwen Zheng, Kenji Yamamoto, Kouji Yashiki, Nam Woong Song, Young Heon Kim, Aleksandr B Stefaniak, D. Schwegler-Berry, Victoria A. Coleman, Åsa K. Jämting, Jan Herrmann, Toru Arakawa, Woodrow W. Burchett, Joshua W. Lambert, Arnold J. Stromberg

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

The primary crystallite size of titania powder relates to its properties in a number of applications. Transmission electron microscopy was used in this interlaboratory comparison (ILC) to measure primary crystallite size and shape distributions for a commercial aggregated titania powder. Data of four size descriptors and two shape descriptors were evaluated across nine laboratories. Data repeatability and reproducibility was evaluated by analysis of variance. One-third of the laboratory pairs had similar size descriptor data, but 83% of the pairs had similar aspect ratio data. Scale descriptor distributions were generally unimodal and were well-described by lognormal reference models. Shape descriptor distributions …

A Comprehensive Coal Conversion Model Extended To Oxy-Coal Conditions, Troy Michael Holland

Theses and Dissertations

CFD simulations are valuable tools in evaluating and deploying oxy-fuel and other carbon capture technologies either as retrofit technologies or for new construction. However, accurate predictive simulations require physically realistic submodels with low computational requirements. In particular, comprehensive char oxidation and gasification models have been developed that describe multiple reaction and diffusion processes. This work extends a comprehensive char conversion code (the Carbon Conversion Kinetics or CCK model), which treats surface oxidation and gasification reactions as well as processes such as film diffusion, pore diffusion, ash encapsulation, and annealing. In this work, the CCK model was thoroughly investigated with a …

Particle Deposition Behavior From Coal-Derived Syngas In Gas Turbines At Modern Turbine Inlet Temperatures, Robert Laycock

Theses and Dissertations

Certain types of fuel used for combustion in land-based gas turbines can contain traces of ash when introduced into a gas turbine. Examples include synfuel, from the gasification of coal, and heavy fuel oil. When these ash particles travel through the hot gas path of the gas turbine they can deposit on turbine vanes and blades. As deposits grow, they can reduce turbine efficiency and damage turbine hardware. As turbine inlet temperatures increase, ash deposition rates increase as well.Experiments were conducted in the Turbine Accelerated Deposition Facility (TADF) at Brigham Young University to better understand ash deposition behavior at modern …

Characteristics And Mechanism For The Simons Electrochemical Fluorination Of Methanesulfonyl Fluoride, Wen-Lin Xu, Bao-Tong Li, Da-Wei Wang, Ya-Qiong Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The characteristics and mechanism for the Simons electrochemical fluorination processes were investigated during the electrochemical fluorination of CH₃SO₂F to CF₃SO₂F. The results showed that the reaction mechanism for the electrochemical fluorination of organic compounds to organic fluorides was the same as that of chemical fluorination processes using fluorinating agents such as CoF₃. The electrochemical fluorination in anhydrous HF was a heterogeneous process, and nickel fluorides on the surface of the nickel anode played the role of a mediator in the Simons process to transfer oxidation potential from the anode to …

Ionic Liquid-Supported Tempo/Polymeric Ionic-Liquid/Carbon Black Ternary Composites: Preparations And Applications In Electrochemical Oxidation Of Alcohols, Xin Lin, Cao-Cao Sun, Zhi-Rong Liu, Cheng-Chu Zeng

Journal of Electrochemistry

To effectively recover redox catalyst and supporting electrolyte, a novel ternary composite consisting of ionic liquid-supported TEMPO, polymeric ionic-liquid and carbon black was prepared. The ionic-liquid supported redox catalyst TEMPO-IL-BF₄ was firstly synthesized from 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl, and followed by the reaction of polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PDDA) and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI) to form poly[diallyldimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide] (PDDA(Tf₂N)). A combination of the above mentioned two synthesized materials and carbon black afforded to obtain the ternary composite, which was used as the recoverable supporting electrolyte and mediator for the electrochemical oxidation of alcohol. The results indicate that various alcohols could be oxidized …

Electrochemical Synthesis Of Homoallylic Alcohols And Homoallylic Amines, Wei-Qiang Zhong, Xiang-Hui Liang, Jing-Mei Huang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochemical technique has been widely applied in the organic synthesis. This review focuses on the electrochemical synthesis of homoallylic alcohols and homoallylic amines from the allylation of carbonyl compounds and imines. This method has been developed impressively, especially in the field of electrochemical allylation in a green solvent of aqueous media. Improvement of the efficiency of the electricity, regio-selectivity and chiral synthesis are expected.

Preparations And Applications Of Irsnox Electrode In Electrochemical Synthesis Of 2,5-Dichlorophenol, Xiang-Yu Ma, Xu-Guo Tu, Rui-Nan He, Ya Chen, Gui-Sheng Zhu, Shou-Yan Shao, Song Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrodes of titanium based iridium tin oxides (IrSnOx) have been prepared by traditional thermal decomposition method and further applied to the electrosynthsis of 2,5-dichlorophenol in order to explore a green and high efficient synthesis route. The results showed that the electrode surface existed apparent cracks, while the intermediate layer prepared with Sn:Sb=94:6 existed less cracks and longer life time. The main products of the electrolytic reaction were 2,5-dichlorophenol, p-chlorophenol, and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. The electrosynthsis yield of 2,5-dichlorophenol reached 57% and the selectivity of 2,5-dichlorophenol was as high as 93% by using the IrSnOx as an anode, which is obviously better …

Electrocatalysis Of Nanotin Dioxide In The Battery Reaction Of Zinc-Nitrobenzene, Xu-Guo Tu, Xiang-Yu Ma, Rui-Nan He, Xiao-Juan Wang, Chen Ling, Yun-Xia Sun, Song Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The tin dioxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized by using a simple hydrothermal route in the presence of tetrapropyl ammonium bromide (TPAB) as a surfactant. Accordingly, the titanium mesh based SnO₂ catalyst electrode was prepared. The morphologies and structures of SnO₂ nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectrometry. The influences of reactant concentration, reaction temperature and time on the morphology of the products were investigated in detail. The electrocatalytic performance of SnO₂ for the reduction of nitrobenzene with zinc was studied. Possible formation process and growth mechanism for such hierarchical SnO_{2 …}

Selective Direct Electro-Oxidation Of C-H Bond, Yan-Mei Liao, Qian-Qian Wu, An-Lun Zhang, Ying-Hong Zhu, Chun-An Ma

Journal of Electrochemistry

Carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond is the most basic chemical bond in organic compounds. The activation and direct conversion of C-H bond are the effective methodology for synthesis of different kinds of organic compounds from alkane compounds. The oxidative activation and functionalization of C-H bonds constitute an important and challenging area of investigation. The electro-oxidative activation of C-H bonds to form new C-O, C-C and C-N bonds has proven to be interesting and important in organic chemistry using the clean electron as the oxidant. The target C-O, C-C and C-N compounds could be selectively achieved by choosing the appropriate electrode, supporting electrolyte …

Insights On Osmotic Tolerance Mechanisms In Escherichia Coli Gained From An Rpoc Mutation, Yuqi Guo, James Winkler, Katy Kao

Faculty Publications

An 84 bp in-frame duplication (K370_A396dup) within the rpoC subunit of RNA polymerase was found in two independent mutants selected during an adaptive laboratory evolution experiment under osmotic stress in Escherichia coli, suggesting that this mutation confers improved osmotic tolerance. To determine the role this mutation in rpoC plays in osmotic tolerance, we reconstructed the mutation in BW25113, and found it to confer improved tolerance to hyperosmotic stress. Metabolite analysis, exogenous supplementation assays, and cell membrane damage analysis suggest that the mechanism of improved osmotic tolerance by this rpoC mutation may be related to the higher production of acetic acid …

Multiple Ngf Treatments Enhance Regeneration In Peripheral Nerves, Keaton Karlinsey, Alonzo Cook

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project is to develop an effective treatment for damaged nerves. A team led by Dr. Cook has been working in this area for several years. Their project used a combination of biochemical treatments on rats with damaged sciatic nerves to improve the rate and quality of regeneration. The team is comparing the recovery of the nerves through a treatment receiving a combination of Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) with a treatment receiving only NGF and with a control that receives no treatment. LPC has been shown to upregulate the trkA receptor for NGF, thus …

Bioreactor Design For Viable Recellularization Of Whole Porcine Kidney, Kennedy Wandelt, Dr. Alonzo Cook

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Kidney failure affects tens of thousands of individuals annually causing many to rely on dialysis to replace this organ’s function. Most of these individuals are on a waiting list to receive a transplant for years, and unfortunately many die before they are able to reach the top of the list. The bodies of those who do receive kidneys often reject the organs. This rejection can have devastating defects, including mortality. In an effort to change this ongoing cycle we have been researching the idea of creating organs synthesized with the DNA of each specific patient. The process would significantly increase …

Development And Physicochemical Characterization Of Acetalated Dextran Aerosol Particle Systems For Deep Lung Delivery, Zimeng Wang, Sweta K. Gupta, Samantha A. Meenach

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Biocompatible, biodegradable polymers are commonly used as excipients to improve the drug delivery properties of aerosol formulations, in which acetalated dextran (Ac-Dex) exhibits promising potential as a polymer in various therapeutic applications. Despite this promise, there is no comprehensive study on the use of Ac-Dex as an excipient for dry powder aerosol formulations. In this study, we developed and characterized pulmonary drug delivery aerosol microparticle systems based on spray-dried Ac-Dex with capabilities of (1) delivering therapeutics to the deep lung, (2) targeting the particles to a desired location within the lungs, and (3) releasing the therapeutics in a controlled fashion. …

Method Of Inhibiting Nitrosation Of An Aqueous Amine Solution Used In A Process Of Removing Carbon Dioxide From A Flue Gas, Joseph Eugene Remias, Payal Chandan, Kunlei Liu

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A method is provided for inhibiting nitrosation of an aqueous amine solution used in a process of removing carbon dioxide from a flue gas. That method includes a step of adding an effective amount of an antioxidant to the aqueous amine solution being circulated between an absorber and a stripper of a carbon dioxide capture system.

Acetone Production, Ali Ibrahim Neamah

The Hilltop Review

Iraq struggles with a lack of acetone production. This overall deficiency impacts the economy of countries like Iraq. Inasmuch, acetone is a vital chemical component for many items imported into this country such as nail polish remover. Therefore, a process of acetone production is proposed in this study.

The ideal process of producing acetone with 90.0% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) decomposition method is proposed within this study. The feed of the process is 100000 ton/ day. This amount of feed is suggested due to the demographic need of acetone for the Iraqi population as well as the surrounding Middle Eastern region. …

Selective Depolymerization Of Industrial Hemp And Its Effects On Thermal Resistivity, Tanner J. Jolly

Materials Engineering

There is a growing shift within the construction materials industry towards green and sustainable building products. Spending in this area has increased 5 fold since 2011 to a total revenue of $70 billion. An area of particular interest has been aimed at replacing fiberglass batt insulation with cellulose. Cellulose is the most abundant polymer on earth, and has potential to replace petroleum derived insulations. This project explores the potential of selectively isolating cellulose by depolymerizing the support structures found in lignocellulosic materials – specifically lignin and hemicellulose. The current focus is on isolating cellulose from Cannibas sativa, but more …

Comparison Of Intrusive And Non-Intrusive Methods For Corrosion Monitoring Of Fuel Processing Systems, Armando Jacob Espinoza, Thomas Conner Field

Materials Engineering

This presentation contains an assessment of the best overall corrosion monitoring device, intrusive or non-intrusive, for use in the petrochemical industry. Corrosion in the petrochemical industry is a large issue because it causes a deterioration of pipe integrity in fuel processing systems. A reduction of pipe wall integrity due to corrosion could result in a leak or an explosion of fuel processing lines since those systems function at high pressures. The use of corrosion monitoring systems in the petrochemical industry helps to detect early signs of corrosion prior to failure so that proper maintenance can be performed to prevent catastrophe. …

Multi-Fidelity Model Predictive Control Of Upstream Energy Production Processes, Ammon Nephi Eaton

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing worldwide demand for petroleum motivates greater efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility in upstream oil and gas processes. The objective of this research is to improve these areas with advanced control methods. This work develops the integration of optimal control methods including model predictive control, moving horizon estimation, high fidelity simulators, and switched control techniques applied to subsea riser slugging and managed pressure drilling. A subsea riser slugging model predictive controller eliminates persistent offset and decreases settling time by 5% compared to a traditional PID controller. A sensitivity analysis shows the effect of riser base pressure sensor location on controller …

The Effect Of Graphene On Catalytic Performance Of Palladium Nanoparticles Decorated With Fe3o4, Co3o4, And Ni (Oh)2: Potential Efficient Catalysts Used For Suzuki Cross—Coupling, Hany A. Elazab, Sherif Moussa, Ali R. Siamaki, B. Frank Gupton, M. Samy El-Shall

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Abstract: In this research, we report a scientific investigation of an efficient method used for the synthesis of highly active Palladium Nanoparticles decorated with Fe₃O₄, Co₃O₄, and Ni (OH)2 Supported on Graphene as Potential Efficient Catalysts for Suzuki Cross—Coupling. Pd/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles supported on graphene nanosheets (Pd/Fe₃O₄/G) showed an excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki coupling reactions and recycled for up to four times without loss of catalytic activity. An efficient magnetic catalyst has been successfully synthesized using a simple, reproducible fast and reliable method using microwave …

Drawing And Twisting Of Graphene Fibers, Gregory T. Lane, Robert J. Sekerak, Isaias Diaz

Mechanical Engineering

The aim of this project was to develop a more automated process for drawing and twisting of graphene fibers than was currently in place. This was implemented by having two chemical baths with variable speed rollers at either end, and intermediate roller to spool fiber between stages, and a twisting cylinder with integral spool to twist the fiber as it is collected. The goal was to have this first iteration deliver a working prototype, however due to manufacturing delays and timing constraints, that will be missed. A second follow-on project would be able to continue the work presented here and …

Influence Of Activated Carbon Surface Oxygen Functionality On Elemental Mercury Adsorption From Aqueous Solution, Emily K. Faulconer, David W. Mazyck

Publications

Mercury (Hg), though naturally occurring, is a toxic element. Exposure to various forms of mercury can be harmful for humans and ecosystems. Mercury-contaminated wastewater can be treated using activated carbon to adsorb the mercury, allowing for safe discharge. Wet chemical oxidation of activated carbon was performed to enhanced surface oxygen functionality, with the objective of enhancing aqueous ionic (Hg(II)) and elemental (Hg(0)) mercury adsorption. Characterization of the modified carbons included nitrogen adsorption-desorption, elemental analysis, point of zero charge, and total acidity titration. The concentration and identity of the modifying reagent influenced the characteristics of the carbons, including the surface oxygen …

A Comparison Study Of Two Synthesis Methods For Polymer Of Intrinsic Microporosity 1 (Pim-1), Conor S. Perry

Materials Engineering

Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) are an emerging polymeric material class for molecular sieving applications. This study focuses on PIM-1, an alternating copolymer of 5,5’,6,6’-tetrahydroxy-3,3’,3,3’-tetramethyl-1,1’-spirobisindane and tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile synthesized via nucleophilic aromatic substitution. PIM-1 been widely studied as a gas separating material and filtering membrane, but in this case, it is studied as a battery separator material. PIM-1’s microporous (pore diameters less than 2 nm) structure allows smaller favorable ions to transport while preventing larger ions and compounds from transporting. Two synthesis methods, round bottom flask synthesis and ball mill synthesis, of PIM-1 are compared to see any improved characteristics. The …