Engineering Commons^™

An Economic Evaluation Of A Pressure Sulfuric Acid Manufacturing Plant, Daniel A. Marlin

Theses

The production of Sulfuric Acid at elevated pressures is presented with the economics for operating at one, three, five, seven, nine and thirteen atmospheres. The conventional and pressure plants are compared operating on the same basis.

The basis for a pressure plant design is obtained from an I.B.M. 1130 computer program developed for One Thousand Net Tons per Day of Sulfuric Acid. Recognized operating conditions for a conventional acid plant are incorporated in the pressure plant design program.

Sulfuric Acid manufacture with operating pressures higher than atmospheric, but less than five atmospheres, results in maximum rate of return on investment …

A Computer Program For The Optimization Of Binary Distillation In A Dual-Column System, Richard Vincent O'Lenick

Theses

A computer program is presented for the optimization of a two-column distillation system involving a two-component mixture. The economic reflux ratios in each column are determined using the McCabe-Thiele Method. Activity coefficients are computed by either the Wilson equation, the Margules equation, or both. The program is general and may be used for any binary system where the assumption of constant molal overflow is valid.

Options in the program permit use of either column in separate calculation schemes.

While the optimization effort was prepared in general terms, the initial work was directed toward the acetone-water system. Full data for this …

The Optimization Of A Catalytic Methanol Reactor Using Quench Feed, John Paul Mcburney

Theses

The production of methanol in a catalytic quench feed reactor is studied by means of a computerized model and optimized in terms of total reactor length necessary to achieve a given production rate. The methanol reaction rate can be maximized in a quench reactor through the use of cold stream feeds along the length of reactor.

Since the methanol reaction temperature is restricted to an upper limit of 405°C, the addition of cold stream feed along the adiabatic reactor enables the desired conversion to be reached. For two given levels of conversion, 12% and 15%, an optimum inlet temperature, quench …

Effect Of Column Diameter On Mixing In Water Fluidized Beds, Donald P. Schiesl

Theses

In this investigation, the effect of column diameter and flow rate on the mixing characteristics of fluidized beds were studied.

Tests were made on columns of 4, 6, 8 and 10 inches in diameter using water to fluidize glass beads of 0.0185 inches in diameter. The tests were run both at minimum and three times minimum fluidization. Step, impulse, and sinusoidal forcing signals were fed to the columns, using a sodium chloride solution as a tracer with the inlet and outlet concentrations being monitored continuously by a conductivity recorder.

The result of this study showed increased fluid dispersion with increasing …

Packed Column Simulation, Frederick W. Schmidt

Theses

The most difficult and time consuming aspect of the design of packed columns is the hydraulic part. If the designer wants to try many different conditions, many repetitive calculations will have to be performed. Also, some inaccuracy is incurred when trying to use the U.S. Stoneware curves. The graphs are hard to read and almost impossible to interpolate between the parametric lines. The purpose of the program is to give a more accurate calculation by using equations for the pressure drop lines, interpolating between them and correcting for gas density for each foot of packing. The program also allows changes …

Batch Heat Transfer To Suspensions In An Agitated Vessel, John Philip Horzepa

Theses

Batch heat transfer data was experimentally determined for two phase (solid?liquid) systems in a baffled agitated vessel. Three iron oxide and water and two kaolin and water suspensions were evaluated and were found to be pseudoplastic. A total of 231 heating and cooling data points were examined. Each suspension was evaluated using anchor, paddle, propeller and turbine impellers. Various sizes of the latter three impellers were used.

The experimental heat transfer results for suspensions were compared with the Hagedorn and Salamone correlation for pseudoplastic liquids. Only partial agreement with the more dilute suspensions was obtained. Overall, the data for suspensions …

A Comparative Analysis Of Multicomponent Distillation Minimum Reflux Methods, Joesph H. F. Loozen

Theses

One of the most important factors to know in the design of distillation columns is the minimum reflux ratio. Numerous procedures have been developed for the determination of the value of the minimum reflux ratio for multicomponent mixtures requiring various degrees of computational effort. Shortcut techniques are obviously advantageous with respect to computation time. After reviewing the available methods, those by Underwood, Colburn, Scheibel and Montross, Murdoch and Holland, and Shiras et al. were selected for further evaluation, mainly on the basis of practical potential.

Comparison of these procedures was accomplished by calculating the minimum reflux ratio for a large …

The Effect Of Polymerization Variables On Reaction Rate And Intrinsic Viscosity, David H. Smith

Theses

The free radical solution polymerization of vinyl acetate in benzene was studied under simulated commercial conditions. The effects of monomer, initiator, inhibitor, and chain transfer agent concentration on the reaction rate and intrinsic viscosity were examined. The initial reaction rates with monomer concentrations from 40% to 70% and AIBN concentrations from 0.2% to 0.5% were in agreement with the kinetic equation, - d[M]/dT = K[M]² [I]^1/2. After the initial reaction there was an increase in the reaction rate apparently associated with high viscosities, which is consistent with the Trommsdorff effect. The addition of hundredths of a percent …

Fluid Friction Reduction By Water Soluble Linear High Polymers, Arthur Edward Davis

Theses

The effects of various dilute aqueous linear high polymer solutions on turbulent pipe flow were studied to determine the polymer most suitable for testing as the drag reducing component in the proposed coating. Results of this study are presented for commercial schedule 40 1/4 inch NPS black iron pipe. Tests were conducted at Reynolds numbers of 6.2x10⁴,8.3x10⁴ and 9.8x10⁴.

Attempts were made to prepare a coating containing a friction drag reducing polymer - Polyhall 295 polyacrylamide - utilizing various techniques of polymer incorporation into the paint including several grinding and dispersion methods, adding the polymer …

Correlation Of 1/F Noise With Threshold Drift In Mosfet's, John Peter Rooney

Theses

A brief review of the fundamentals of MOSFET's is given. A correlation between threshold drift and surface states is made, with a following correlation between surface states and 1/f noise. It therefore follows that MOSFET's with a high 1/f noise level will drift more than those with a low level of 1/f noise. Experiments were carried out to show this effect, but no clear cut conclusions can be drawn from the experimental work.

A Computer Program For Determining Hinshelwood Rate Mechanisims From Nonisothermal Pellet Data, Joseph J. Atkins

Theses

Methods of determining Hinshelwood rate correlations from non isothermal catalyst data was studied. It was determined for any chemical system involving a reacting gas mixture over a porous catalyst a node analysis could be used to determine chemical concentration and temperature variation through the pellet. Calculation performed with a spectra 360/Fortran 4 program defined the Hinshelwood equation from estimated surface rates. Then utilising nods analysis to determine concentration and temperature variance, transport and rate equations were integrated through the pellet to obtain a total pellet rate of reaction. For acceptance of Hinshelwood equations the calculated total rate must equal the …

The Effect Of Organic And Inorganic Salt On The Relative Volatility Of Non-Aqueous Systems, Glenn W. Lindberg

Theses

The effects of dissolved salts on the vapor-liquid equilibrium of two non-aqueous binary systems have been studied. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data were taken for the binary systems ethanol - n-hexane and ethanol - hexene-1. Then potassium acetate was dissolved in each of the binary systems at a level of 1.5 mole per cent and equilibrium data were collected. The effect of the dissolved potassium acetate at this low concentration was found to be minimal.

Greater levels of salt solubility could be achieved only in the binary systems containing high ethanol concentrations. Consequently, the 15 mole per cent n-hexane in ethanol binary …

P-V-T Properties Of Hydrogen And Mixtures Containing Hydrogen (With A Generalized B-W-R Equation Of State), Arnold Brief

Theses

A Generalized B-W-R Equation of State is tested for hydrogen which is a quantum gas and for systems containing hydrogen.

The gases and systems studied are: hydrogen, nitrogen-hydrogen methane-hydrogen and ethane-hydrogen.

The pressure is calculated using observed P-V-T data and the deviation is computed therefrom. For the pure gas, hydrogen, the generalized equation is compared against the original B-Vi-R equation. For mixtures, the Gunn-Chueh-Prausnitz method which is used to calculate the pseudo-critical conditions of the mixture is compared against the Prausnitz-Gunn method.

The ranges studied in this paper are as follows:pure hydrogen 30-773°K and 1 to 1200 atm., n itrogen-hydrogen …

Hypothetical Liquid Fugacity Coefficients, Douglas F. Patterson

Theses

The object of this thesis was to derive values of the hypothetical liquid fugacity coefficient of carbon dioxide for various temperatures and pressures. Most of the temperatures studied were above the critical temperature of carbon dioxide and thus carbon dioxide could not truly exist as a pure liquid. Hence the prefix "hypothetical" was used to acknowledge this apparent discrepancy. Carbon dioxide was purposely chosen for this reason. Also,the necessary data for carbon dioxide were generally more available than for any other normally gaseous solute.

The hypothetical liquid fugacity coefficients were derived from the published binary vapor-liquid equilibrium data of carbon …

The Effect Of Flow Rate And L/D Ratio On The Frequency Response Of Water Fluidized Beds, Arnold Ludke

Theses

In this investigation, the dynamics of a water fluidized bed with varying L/D ratio and flow rate were analyzed both theoretically and experimentally, and the results of the two were compared.

The theoretical analysis was based on the standard method of Laplace transforms and transfer function synthesis.

The experimental investigation was conducted using standard frequency response techniques.

The mathematical model used consisted of a series of non-interacting perfectly mixed cells plus a distance velocity lag.

At low flow rates (3 to 6 times minimum fluidization velocity) the experimental data (in the form of Bode plots) were found to be in …

A New Technique For The Solution Of Free Convection Mass Transfer Boundary Value Problems, James Lewis Putman

Theses

Free convection mass transfer in boundary layer flow due to density difference in an isothermal model was studied. Previous work was examined and a quasilinearization technique was chosen to linearize the system of nonlinear partial differential equations resulting from the boundary layer continuity, momentum, and diffusion equations. This system of linear ordinary differential equations was solved by a computer program utilizing an iterative Gauss Jordan matrix solution technique. Results are presented and the convergence rate of the variables is plotted for each variable as a function of the distance from the boundary layer.

Rheology Of Asbestos Filled Polystyrene, Richard Henry Young

Theses

A capillary rheometer was used to generate data showing the volumetric flow rate at various pressures for a polystyrene resin and for an asbestos filled polystyrene. Variables evaluated were per cent asbestos and temperature. These data were then used to calculate the maximum shear stress at the capillary wall and the corresponding maximum velocity gradient (shear rate) at the capillary wall. A rheological equation containing three constants was employed to relate the shear stress to the shear rate. In addition, a simple relationship was found between the values of two of the constants and the per cent asbestos. There is …

Thin Layer Ionophoresis Of Sugars, Joseph Gilbert Vrindten

Theses

In 1952, Consden and Stanier published a report on paper ionophoresis of sugars in which they showed experimentally an increase in mobility of sugars with increasing pH in borate buffers. The object of the experiments in this thesis was to determine if this finding was also true of thin layer plates, there being no published literature on similar experiments using thin layer ionophoresis.

Glass plates 20 cm. x 20 cm. were coated with a 300 micron layer of cellulose powder and dried at 105° C. for one hour. They were then stored in an airtight tin box until ready for …

Enthalpy Deviations For The System Methane - Carbon Dioxide, Fred S. Winter

Theses

Enthalpy deviations for the gaseous system, Methane and Carbon Dioxide were developed using the Redlich-Kwong equation of state. Values of enthalpy deviation were obtained at 0.0, 0.0852, 0.19912, 0.3583, 0.6685 and 1.0 weight fraction Methane, at temperatures of 100° F, 280° F and 460° F, at pressures between 200 and 10,000 PSIA.

A computer program in Fortran IV language was developed for solving the Redlich-Kwong equation in terms of the compressibility factor.

The Redlich-Kwong expression for enthalpy deviation, in combination with graphical methods was used to produce the results.

Experimental Investigation Of Submerged, Incompressible, Turbulent, Impinging Jets, David Tzeh-Hsian Lee

Theses

Measurements concerning various flow parameters of jets impinging on a smooth lucite plate and a heated metal plate have been carried out. In particular, it is shown that the potential core length of a jet is a function of the Reynolds number and of the jet diameter. It has also been demonstrated that impinging jets behave in many important respects like free jets, except in the immediate vicinity of the target plate.

The flow behavior in the wall jet zone was investigated experimentally, and a satisfactory agreement with the results of the previous investigators was found. The maximum velocity decay …

Financing The Nuclear Fuel Requirements Of Public Utilities, Peter A. Lewis

Theses

A major portion of new electric generating capacity will be nuclear powered. The change to nuclear power will require large outlays of capital not required with conventional fuels to finance nuclear fuel inventories. Nuclear fuel financing requirements are unique because nuclear fuel is not consumed in the same manner as conventional fuels. Financing has not been a problem to date because nuclear fuel can be obtained only through lease from the Atomic Energy Commission. This arrangement will be terminated by June 30, 1973 and from that date on all nuclear fuel must be privately owned. Electric utilities have shown an …

A Rheological Equation Of State For Blood At Low Shear Rates, Anatoly Dritschilo

Theses

In this work a new rheological equation of state is presented and its application to blood is studied. The equation considered is a linear combination of Newtonian and non-Newtonian contributions to the apparent viscosity. The general form of the equation is

 T_ij =-(A + Be^{-1/C|(.5)Δi/j:Δj/i|1/2})Δij

Data from the literature were used to test the equation by generating curves of measured torque (T/L) versus applied shear rate (Ω) that would characterize the behavior of blood at all red cell concentrations and all shear rates in the Gilinson, Dauwalter and Merrill viscometer. The constants for the equation were …

Computer Specification Of Centrifugal Pump And Motor, Paul David O'Lenick

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a PORTRAIT computer program for selecting a centrifugal pump and motor driver. This is accomplished by means of generalized data which establishes the speed of the Dump and its power requirement. After selection of the pump, the motor is sized and specified. In addition to determining the pump and motor, the program also sizes the discharge and suction lines and the required control valve. The resulting solution yields the pump design data, motor, line and control valve sizes. From this data utility and relative equipment costs can be estimated.

Critical Interaction Constants For Binary Gas Mixtures For Use In The Redlich-Kwong Equation Of State, Warren J. Biss

Theses

In this work, critical interaction constants were used to evaluate the interaction coefficients of the Redlich - Kwong constants for bin-ary gas mixtures. From these constants, the pressure - volume - temperature behavior of the mixtures was calculated using the Redlich - Kwong equation.

The critical interaction constants, T₁₂ and P₁₂ , were evaluated for binary mixtures by solving, simultaneously, two second degree equations relating terminal slopes for critical pressure loci and the mole fractions of the components present. The feasibility of this method was tested by calculating P-V-T data for binary mixtures and comparing this with values …

Premix Molding Compounds : The Effect Of Processing Technique On Profitability And Product Integrity, Albert Robert Kurkowski

Theses

Premix molding compounds, presently manufactured in a double-armed blade kneader mixer, can now be prepared by a new and unique method utilizing a high speed densifier. Compounds processed in a kneader mixer, by virtue of its overlapping, shear mixing motion, are extremely susceptible to glass fiber degradation and. consequent mechanical strength reductions in moldings. Previously, as this was the only equipment, available with the capability to admix highly viscous materials, processors would formulate and design to compensate for the resultant property reductions that are encountered. Also typical of conventional kneader mixer processes is an inherent materials handling problem and mixing …

Effect Of Column Diameter On The Frequency Response Of Water Fluidized Beds, Edward C. Maiuro

Theses

The effect of column diameter on the frequency response of water fluidized beds was investigated.

Studies were made on four columns ranging from four to ten inches in diameter. Water was used to fluidize the beds which consisted of spherical glass beads .0185 inches in diameter. A trace solution of sodium chloride was sinusoidally introduced into the beds. Inlet and outlet concentrations were continuously measured by an electrical conductivity recorder. Separate frequency response tests were conducted on the inlet calmning section in an attempt to obtain the frequency response of this region alone. Results of the tests were expressed as …

A Correlation Of Latent Heats And Densities Of Pure Organic Liquids From Known Vapor Pressure Data, Vincent J. Vasta

Theses

Employing the correlation developed by Kemme (5), which is based on a hole model for a liquid, relating vapor pressures with corresponding liquid densities and the number of carbon atoms in a molecular chain for a homologous series, correlation coefficients were established using multi-linear regression analysis on available literature data. This correlation was newly applied to several straight chain homologous series including the n-acids, formate esters and n-alkyl benzenes.

A second correlation developed by Kemme (5) relating vapor pressure, internal heat of vaporization and the number of carbon atoms for a homologous series was employed to determine correlation coefficients for …

The Optimization Of A Catalytic Methanol Reactor, Peter Wrampe

Theses

The development of a computer program which determines the minimum space time of the methanol synthesis reactants is presented. Also, the optimum temperature profile along the catalytic reactor was predicted for a desired conversion at a given operating pressure, feed composition, and catalyst effectiveness factor.

The equilibrium conversion of methanol was determined at various reaction parameters. Rates of reaction were ascertained and maximized with respect to temperature for various conversions and given reaction parameters. The results, along with those obtained when the design equation was numerically integrated, were compared to published data. Equations were established for various sets of published …

The Plasticization Of 4-Methyl-Pentene-1 (Tpx-Rt-D30) Polymer With Petroleum Jelly, Joseph P. Mccann

Theses

The properties of TPX-RT-D30 (4-methyl-pentene-1 polymer) have been changed by blending petroleum jelly with the polymer. The polymer was blended in a Brabender apparatus with up to 40% by weight petroleum jelly (P.J.) at 270°C, pressed and quenched in water. Samples were die cut for the various tests. The polymer tensile properties (ASTM-638-64T) showed both a break and yield value in all ratios as compared to only a break value for the TPX-RT polymer. Breaking strength ranged from 4000 psi for pure TPX-RT down to 1000 psi at 40% P.J., with a leveling point of 2000 psi at 15% P.J. …

The Effect Of Nitrilotriacetic Acid Upon The Biodegradability Of Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate, John D. Mckenna

Theses

The effects of trisodium nitrilotriacetate (SKTA) and sodium tipolyphosphate (STPP) upon the biological degradation of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) ware experimentally investigated by the chemical oxygen demand and methylene blue methods. It was found that when STPP was present with LAS, the degradation of the LAS was better than when alone in solution. It was also found that LAS in solution with SN TA was less degradable than LAS alone. The benzene ring of the MS appeared to degrade after most of the linear portion of the chain had already been degraded.