Engineering Commons^™

An Improved Foam Modeling Technique And Its Application To Petroleum Drilling And Production Practice, Yanfang Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Foam is one of the most common used multiphase fluid in Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) and Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD). Because of its low density, high capacity of lifting and carrying cuttings, low cost and compatibility with formations, foam has become more superior than the conventional drilling mud when depleted reservoir pressure, severe lost circulation, or unstable borehole are encountered. In general, the success of foam applications rely on the understanding of the fundamentals of foam rheology in downhole conditions.

Foam rheology has been studied for decades. Conventional foam rheological models such as Power Law, Bingham Plastic, Herschel-Bulkley to explain foam …

Well Oiled Machine: Classifying Machinery Performance Reductions Using Work Order Data, Jacob Brionez, Amber Burnett, Cho Kim, Scott M. Whitney, Thomas N. Anderson, Sumeet Treehan

SMU Data Science Review

Work Order (WO) data from System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) software contains valuable information about what WOs intend to accomplish. Using SAP work order data, with time-series machinery sensor data combined into the same dataset, provides an opportunity to optimize prediction models to increase performance. Ideally, WO data can be utilized to help predict machinery's anticipated performance and can help prioritize a WO among others based on the anticipated machinery performance. It is possible to identify anomalies in pump sensor data using the Isolation Forest algorithm as the method for anomaly detection. The relationship between the sensor …

Machine Learning Based Applications For Data Visualization, Modeling, Control, And Optimization For Chemical And Biological Systems, Yan Ma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation report covers Yan Ma’s Ph.D. research with applicational studies of machine learning in manufacturing and biological systems. The research work mainly focuses on reaction modeling, optimization, and control using a deep learning-based approaches, and the work mainly concentrates on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Yan Ma’s research also involves with data mining with bioinformatics. Large-scale data obtained in RNA-seq is analyzed using non-linear dimensionality reduction with Principal Component Analysis (PCA), t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE), and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), followed by clustering analysis using k-Means and Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering with Noise (HDBSCAN). This report focuses …

A Computational Investigation Of The Interstitial Oxidation Thermodynamics Of A Mo-Nb-Ta-W High Entropy Alloy Beyond The Dilute Regime, Adib J. Samin

Faculty Publications

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are promising candidates for high-temperature structural material applications. Oxidation is a major factor that must be accounted for when designing such materials and it is thus important to study the oxidation behavior of HEAs to enable the optimum design of next generation materials. In this study, the thermodynamic behavior of interstitial oxygen in a Mo-Nb-Ta-W high entropy alloy was explored beyond the dilute limit. This was accomplished by sampling configurations of the HEA and HEA-oxygen systems from an isothermal–isobaric ensemble using a series of first-principle-based Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that the interstitial oxygen had …

Mechanical Alloying-Assisted Coating Of Fe–Al Powders On Steel Substrate, Alfian Noviyanto, Sri Harjanto, Wahyu Bambang Widayatno, Agus Sukarto Wismogroho, Muhamad Ikhlasul Amal, Nurul Taufiqu Rochman

Makara Journal of Technology

The coating layer of Fe–Al powders on the steel substrate was prepared by mechanical alloying at room temperature. Fe, Al, and the steel substrates were milled with high-energy ball milling for 32 h with a ball-to-powder ratio of 8 in an argon atmosphere to prevent oxidation during milling. Although mechanical alloying was performed for 32 h, no new phases were observed after mechanical alloying, as analyzed by X-ray diffraction. However, the crystallite size of the milled powders for 32 h decreased by factor two compared with the initial powders. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the coating layers formed >8 h …

Use Of Viscoplastic Damper For Improving The Resistance Of Steel Frames To Blast Loading, Gholamreza Abdollahzadeh, Hadi Faghihmaleki, Hamed Hamidi Jamnani, Atefeh Ebrahimi Bardar

Makara Journal of Technology

In this paper, we evaluated the effect of viscoplastic dampers on the response of steel frames under blast loading. We used SAP2000 software and link elements to investigate the responses of nine-story steel frames with and without dampers. The proposed viscoplastic damper is a new type of viscous damper. The application of this damper is based on the availability of its constituent materials. The damper acts as a viscoelastic damper at low levels of vibration, but it acts as a combination of viscoelastic operator and metal-yielding device at extreme levels of vibration. With respect to the height of the structure, …

Iso 9001:2015 Risk-Based Thinking: A Framework Using Fuzzy-Support Vector Machine, Ralph Sherwin A. Corpuz

Makara Journal of Technology

Risk-based thinking (RBT) is one of the distinct new features of the International Organization for Standardization 9001:2015. Interestingly, the standard does not prescribe any tools. Hence, organizations are puzzled as to the extent of conformance. Some organizations have adopted formal tools. However, these tools seem insufficient in linking the standard into an evidence-based decision support system. To resolve gaps in RBT implementation, this paper proposes a framework based on fuzzy inference system (FIS) and support vector machine (SVM) to automate risk analysis and evaluation, proposal and verification of action plans, and prediction of the feasibility of risks and opportunities according …

A Density Functional Theory Study On Using Montmorillonite To Reduce Air Pollution, Triati Dewi Kencana Wungu, Meqorry Yusfi, Suprijadi Suprijadi

Makara Journal of Technology

In this study, density functional theory (DFT) method is used to investigate the possibility of using a smectite clay mineral called montmorillonite (MMT) in reducing heavy metals, such as Cd, through Cd adsorption. The mechanism of Cd adsorption in MMT is observed theoretically, and the tetrahedrally isomorphic substitution on the upper layer of MMT is considered to observe the role of Al and Fe in strengthening Cd adsorption. Two types of MMT are modeled in this study: Al-MMT and Fe-MMT. The Al-MMT means that Al substitutes one atom in the upper tetrahedral layer of MMT, while Fe-MMT means that Fe …

Influence Of Lithium Bromide On Electrical Properties In Bio-Based Polymer Electrolytes, Ahmad Faizrin Fuzlin, Bouchta Sahraoui, Ahmad Salihin Samsudin

Makara Journal of Technology

This research presents the influence of lithium bromide (LiBr) on the electrical properties of alginate in bio-based polymer electrolytes (BBPEs) system. Bio-based alginate was prepared using the solution casting technique with various LiBr compositions. The ionic conductivity and electrical properties of the prepared BBPEs samples were studied using electrical impedance spectroscopy over a frequency range of 50 Hz–1 MHz. A maximum ionic conductivity of 7.46 × 10−5 S cm-1 was obtained for a sample containing 15 wt. % lithium bromide-doped alginate BBPEs at ambient temperature (303 K). The electrical analysis revealed that the most conductive sample based on alginate-LiBr BBPEs …

Performance Of Free-Space Optical Communication Systems Using Optical Amplifiers Under Amplify-Forward And Amplify-Received Configurations, Ucuk Darusalam, Arockia Bazil Raj, Fitri Yuli Zulkifli, Purnomo Sidi Priambodo, Eko Tjipto Rahardjo

Makara Journal of Technology

With the growth of digital technology in the stage of industrial revolution 4.0, the demand for broadcasting large amounts of information to last mile users has increased. Free-space optical (FSO) communication is one of the telecommunication platforms that has shown immense potential in meeting the demand for information broadcasting. In this work, the performance of FSO communication based on wavelength division multiplexing with a data rate of 80 Gbps is investigated through simulations. The configuration of optical amplifiers in the FSO system is set up on the basis of the amplify-forward and amplify-received configurations to expand the network. The investigation …

Ionic Conductiviy Of Alginate-Nh4cl Polymer Electrolyte, Nurhasniza Mamajan Khan, Noor Saadiah Mohd Ali, Ahmad Faizrin Ahmad Fuzlin, Ahmad Salihin Samsudin

Makara Journal of Technology

This study aims to produce a solid biopolymer electrolyte (SBE) by doping ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) into alginate. Solution casting was used to prepare the alginate–NH4Cl SBE system. Electrical impedance spectroscopy was performed to analyze the electrical properties of the SBE under the applied frequency range of 50 Hz–1 MHz. The incorporation of 8 wt.% NH4Cl enhances the ionic conductivity of the SBE up to 3.18 × 10-7 S/cm at ambient room temperature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows that complexation occurs between the hydroxyl (-OH), carboxylate (COO-) and ether linkage (C-O-C) functional groups due to the formation of inter- and intra-molecular …

Influence Of The Shaping Process On The Tensile Properties Of Steel Reinforcement Bars Carbon Steel Grades Bjtp24 And Bjts40, Nuraziz Handika, Ridha Amalia Idhar, Jessica Sjah, Essy Arijoeni, Elly Tjahjono

Makara Journal of Technology

According to the current applicable national standard in Indonesia, i.e. SNI 07 2529 1991, in addition to the limitation on the loading rate, the steel bar must be reduced, formed, or lathed, as part of the shaping process of samples. This study determined and compared the effect of the shaping process on the yield strength, ultimate strength, and percent elongation by conducting tensile tests of steel bar grade BJTS40, i.e. deformed bar type of steel, and grade BJTP24, i.e., plain bar type of steel. Three diameters of the deformed bar (BJTS40) and one diameter of the plain bar (BJTP24) were …

Multiscale Simulations Of Polymeric Electrolytes For Electrochemical Devices, Xubo Luo

Doctoral Dissertations

Polymeric electrolytes are polymers containing the ionic moieties used for ion conduction in electrochemical devices. The strategic design of these materials requires the in-depth understanding of the relation between the molecular structure and the properties. This dissertation reports on computational simulations for two types of materials: hydrated anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for fuel cells and the polymerized ionic liquids (PolyILs). Various chemical structures were covered for systematic investigations.

For AEMs, the ion conducting channels or domains are essential for the efficient ion transport, and thus the morphology of the hydrated membrane is worthy of study. Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were …

Rational Design Of Non-Noble Metal Intermetallic Compounds With Tunable Surface And Catalytic Chemistry Via Combined Computational And Experimental Method, Yuanjun Song

Doctoral Dissertations

This study focuses upon understanding and rationally tuning the surface reactivity towards C, H, and O of non-noble metal intermetallic compounds (IMCs) catalysts in olefin production and hydrocarbons reforming reactions. In these reactions, different degrees of surface reactivity towards C, H, and O are required to achieve high activity and selectivity as well as stability. A combined computational and experimental method was performed to build this understanding how to rationally design catalysts. Investigations based on quantum chemical calculations indicate surface reactivity towards C, H, and O is a function of element size of constituent elements as well as bulk and …

Enhanced Kinetics And Modeling Of Pan-Based Carbon Felt Anodes In Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, Michael Cyrus Daugherty

Doctoral Dissertations

All-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising technology for grid-level energy storage, however, there are still several limitations in the forms of durability, efficiency, and overall costs, which are barriers to its commercial viability. With both bulk electrolyte flowing through its porous matrix and species flux at the solid-electrolyte interface, electrodes are the component of VRFB systems which host electrochemical reactions and facilitate contact between the liquid phase electrolyte and the electronically conductive solid phase. While the more limiting electrode in VRFB systems is dependent on the material, for polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon felts, the anode constitutes a larger portion …

Rapid Design, Construction, And Validation Of Synthetic Metabolic Pathways In A Modular Escherichia Coli (Chassis) Cell, Jong-Won Lee

Doctoral Dissertations

Current strain development has been hindered by the vast biochemical space in nature. The concept of modular cell design has been invented to enable rapid and predictable construction of multiple optimal production strains for efficient production of a large variety of biochemicals with minimal experimental effort. While modular cell design principles have been successfully validated in some cases, its development is still limited by the small library of the production modules demonstrated.

The goals of this thesis are i) to establish a framework for rapid design, construction, and validation of production modules to explore a large space of molecules (e.g., …

Local Structure And Dynamic Studies Of Mixed Ch4-Co2 Gas Hydrates Via Computational Simulation And Neutron Scattering, Bernadette Rita Cladek

Doctoral Dissertations

Permeated throughout the ocean floor and arctic permafrost, natural gas hydrates contain an estimated 3000 trillion cubic meters, over three times that of traditional shale deposits, of CH₄ that is accessible for extraction. Gas hydrates are a crystal structure in which water molecules form a cage network, the host, through hydrogen bonds while trapping a guest molecule such as CH₄ in the cavities. These compounds form naturally where the appropriate low temperature and high pressure conditions occur. A promising and tested method of methane recovery is through exchange with CO₂, which energetically takes place of the …

Approaches To Studying Bacterial Biofilms In The Bioeconomy With Nanofabrication Techniques And Engineered Platforms., Michelle Caroline Halsted

Doctoral Dissertations

Studies that estimate more than 90% of bacteria subsist in a biofilm state to survive environmental stressors. These biofilms persist on man-made and natural surfaces, and examples of the rich biofilm diversity extends from the roots of bioenergy crops to electroactive biofilms in bioelectrochemical reactors. Efforts to optimize microbial systems in the bioeconomy will benefit from an improved fundamental understanding of bacterial biofilms. An understanding of these microbial systems shows promise to increase crop yields with precision agriculture (e.g. biosynthetic fertilizer, microbial pesticides, and soil remediation) and increase commodity production yields in bioreactors. Yet conventional laboratory methods investigate these micron-scale …

Atherosclerosis: Pathology, Role Of Sd-Ldl, Particle Size Characterization Of Sd-Ldl With Multiangle Light Scattering, Akshay Sudhakar Ukey

Masters Theses

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease due to the accumulation of lipids in the inner wall of arteries. As per the report of Center of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 4 deaths is due to heart diseases each year. Atherosclerosis occurs when artery walls harden by the buildup of cholesterol, forming multiple atherosclerotic plaques within the aorta (4). Out of the modern medicines available to control cholesterol, statin is amongst the foremost widely used because it is both safe and effective in lowering high risk patients (9). However, usage of high statins dosage typically leads to some mild …

Microglia Control Vascular Architecture Via A Tgfβ1 Dependent Paracrine Mechanism Linked To Tissue Mechanics, Tejasvi Dudiki, Julia Meller, Gautam Mahajan, Huan Liu, Irina Zhevlakova, Samantha Stefl, Conner Witherow, Eugene Podrez, Chandrasekhar R. Kothapalli, Tatiana V. Byzova

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). Tissue microarchitecture and mechanics are important in development and pathologies of the Central Nervous System (CNS); however, their coordinating mechanisms are unclear. Here, we report that during colonization of the retina, microglia contacts the deep layer of high stiffness, which coincides with microglial bipolarization, reduction in TGFβ1 signaling and termination of vascular growth. Likewise, stiff substrates induce microglial bipolarization and diminish TGFβ1 expression in hydrogels. Both microglial bipolarization in vivo and the responses to stiff substrates in vitro require intracellular adaptor Kindlin3 but not microglial integrins. Lack of Kindlin3 causes high microglial contractility, dysregulation of ERK …

The Varied Thermal Response Of Magnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles During Induction Heating In Liquid And Solid-Liquid Phase Change Mediums, Joshua Tompkins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the induction heating response of uncapped iron oxide nanoparticles sonically dispersed as a nanofluid and mechanically distributed in solid phase change materials. The nanoparticles examined have a mean diameter of 14.42 nm and are magnetically heated in an alternating magnetic field at an amplitude of 72.6 kA/m at frequencies of 217, 303, and 397 kHz. Nanoparticle characterization was undertaken through transition electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and dynamic light scattering when in suspension. Carrier fluids were characterized through viscosity, heat capacity, and density measurements which were used in the calorimetric calculation of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of …

The Effects Of Solution Condition On Virus Filtration Performance, Fnu Namila

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Virus filtration is an integral part of the downstream purification of mammalian cell culture-derived biotherapeutics to assure the viral safety of the products. Virus filtration membranes remove viruses based on a size-exclusion mechanism. Commercial parvovirus filers possess unique membrane structure and are designed to remove smaller non-enveloped parvoviruses with size 18-26 nm. However, some filters face issues, such as pre-mature fouling, the decline of filtrate flux, and reduction in virus retention. This doctoral dissertation focused on identifying the factors that influence the filtrate flux and the virus retention capability of commercial virus filters. The effects of solution pH and ionic …

Noise And Detectivity Limits In Organic Shortwave Infrared Photodiodes With Low Disorder, Zhenghui Wu, Ning Li, Naresh Eedugurala, Jason D. Azoulay, Dong Seok Leem, Tse Nga Ng

Faculty Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). To achieve high detectivity in infrared detectors, it is critical to reduce the device noise. However, for non-crystalline semiconductors, an essential framework is missing to understand and predict the effects of disorder on the dark current. This report presents experimental and modeling studies on the noise current in exemplar organic bulk heterojunction photodiodes, with 10 donor–acceptor combinations spanning wavelength between 800 and 1600 nm. A significant reduction of the noise and higher detectivity were found in devices using non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) in comparison to those using fullerene derivatives. The low noise in NFA blends was attributed …

The Use Of Nanoparticles And Electrospun Fibers For Intravaginal Delivery To Treat Viral And Bacterial Infections And Electrophysiological Measurements Of Synthetic Chloride Channels., Farnaz Minooei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Female reproductive viral and bacterial infections affect millions of women worldwide. Given the diversity and magnitude of these unmet reproductive health challenges, topical administration of antiretrovirals (ARVs) and antibiotics have emerged as promising approaches to maintain and restore reproductive health. However, currently available intravaginal dosage forms often suffer from low user adherence and the need for frequent, daily administration to achieve therapeutic effect. To address these challenges, the broad goal of this research was to focus on the development of new localized nanoparticle (NP) and electrospun fiber dosage forms to prolong the delivery and enhance the efficacy of active agents …

Hydrogenation Of 2-Methylnaphthalene In A Trickle Bed Reactor Over Bifunctional Nickel Catalysts, Matthew J. Kline

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomass thermal conversion processes, such as pyrolysis, tend to produce mixtures of mono- and poly-aromatic species. While the high aromatic content is desirable in gasoline fractions, middle-distillate cuts, particularly jet fuel and diesel, require upgrading via hydrogenation and ring opening to achieve better combustion characteristics. There have been many proposed methods for producing drop-in fuels from woody biomass, one of them being Thermal DeOxygenation (TDO). The TDO process converts organic acids from cellulose hydrolysis into a low-oxygen bio-oil containing large amounts of substituted naphthalene compounds.

Poly-aromatic molecules, such as those found in TDO oil, have low cetane numbers (CN), particularly …

Utilizing A New Eco-Friendly Drilling Mud Additive Generated From Wastes To Minimize The Use Of The Conventional Chemical Additives, Abo Taleb T. Al-Hameedi, Husam H. Alkinani, Mohammed M. Alkhamis, Shari Dunn-Norman

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The cost of the drilling operation is very high. Drilling fluid presents 15 to 30% of the entire expense of the drilling process. Ordinarily, the major drilling fluids additives are viscosity modifiers, filtration control agents, and partial loss treatments. In this experimental work, full-set measurements under fresh and aged conditions, as well as high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) API filtration, were conducted to study the impacts of adding 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5% of black sunflower seeds’ shell powder (BSSSP) to spud mud. BSSSP of various grain sizes showed their ability to be invested for viscosity modifying, seepage loss controlling, and …

Investigation Of Electrospun Nanofibers For Separation Applications, Shu-Ting Chen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Electrospun membranes are an attractive alternative to flat sheet membranes as absorbent with numerous advantages like high porosity, large specific surface area and ease of functionalization. This doctoral dissertation focuses on fabricating novel polymeric membrane adsorbents for protein separations and ammonium ion removal. Three distinctly different preparation methods including UV-initiated polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization, and mixed-matrix formation, have been employed to fabricate the electrospun membranes. Overall, this study aimed to develop electrospun membranes with excellent separation efficiency for application in protein purification and ammonium ion removal.

Chapter 2 details the stepwise development of weak anion exchange membranes and subsequent …

Parametric Study Of Residual Stresses In Wire And Arc Additive Manufactured Parts, Hisham Khaled Jamil Abusalma

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is a cost-effective additive manufacturing process due to its capability to fabricate large metal parts with high deposition rate and low equipment cost. Although this method is gaining popularity in manufacturing industry, more research is needed to understand process parameters’ effects on residual stress (RS) distribution and part distortion. As such, a 3D thermo-elastic-plastic transient model was established in ABAQUS and employed to investigate the effect of process parameters such as the torch speed, the deposition power and the interlayer dwell time on RS distribution and distortion in WAAM part. The numerical model utilized …

A Parametric Analysis Of A Turbofan Engine With An Auxiliary Bypass Combustion Chamber – The Turboaux Engine, Kaleab Fetahi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A parametric study of a novel turbofan engine with an auxiliary combustion chamber, nicknamed the TurboAux engine is presented. The TurboAux engine is conceived as an extension of a low-bypass turbofan engine with an auxiliary bypass annular combustion chamber around the core stream. The study presented in this thesis is motivated by the need to facilitate clean secondary burning of fuel at temperatures higher than conventionally realized, from air exiting the low-pressure compressor. The parametric study starts by analyzing the turbojet engine and its performance with and without an afterburner segment attached. Following that, the conventional turbofan and its mixing …

Swarm-Based Design Of Proportional Integral And Derivative Controllers Using A Compromise Cost Function: An Arduino Temperature Laboratory Case Study, Paulo De Moura Oliveira, John Hedengren, Eduardo Solteiro Pires

Faculty Publications

Simple and easy to use methods are of great practical demand in the design of Proportional, Integral, and Derivative (PID) controllers. Controller design criteria are to achieve a good set-point tracking and disturbance rejection with minimal actuator variation. Achieving satisfactory trade-offs between these performance criteria is not easily accomplished with classical tuning methods. A particle swarm optimization technique is proposed to design PID controllers. The design method minimizes a compromise cost function based on both the integral absolute error and control signal total variation criteria. The proposed technique is tested on an Arduino-based Temperature Control Laboratory (TCLab) and compared with …