Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Paleoecological And Paleoclimatic Reconstructions Based On Holocene Sediment Cores, Lake Izabal, Eastern Guatemala, Erdoo Mongol

Doctoral Dissertations

"The Maya Region in Central America is characterized by pronounced discrepancies in precipitation, resulting in high precipitation gradients that support large-scale differences in vegetation across the region. Several lake deposits and other paleoclimate archives in the region have been studied to reconstruct past climates and palaeoecological conditions. However, actual data from proxy records have not been qualitatively and quantitatively utilized to interpret the behavior of the vegetation in moister areas within the Maya Region, such as the Lake Izabal Basin (LIB). The palynomorphs from two sediment cores in the LIB provided a good opportunity to infer the patterns of past …

Investigation Wettability Contact Angle Using 2d Imaging Technology, Saleh Alsayegh

Doctoral Dissertations

"Investigation wetting preference of tight carbonate reservoir rocks and several other unconventional reservoir rocks, and their relation to oil production, is becoming noticeably important for field development in Kuwait, as in many future unconventional tight carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East. The overall objective of this investigating and modeling study is to discover many fundamental relationships from totality wettability preference as a tool for reservoir recovery predictions and management. The investigation includes advancing position of water wet preference into smaller capillaries of the matrix voids and incrementally more oil-wet into larger capillaries of natural fractures (NF). Also, investigating water/ oil …

High Viscosity Friction Reducer Evaluation At High Temperature And High Tds Environments, Ghith Ali Ahmed Biheri

Doctoral Dissertations

"In unconventional reservoirs, proppant transport during hydraulic fracturing treatments could be successful when the proppant is placed further within the reservoir's fracture networks. This could increase the reservoir formation conductivities and improve the productivity of the wells. This job of improving the reservoir conductivity by distributing and transporting proppant can be conducted by reliable fracture fluids with excellent fluid rheology (e.g., viscosity and elasticity). However, several challenges, including the high temperatures and the presence of high TDS in produced water, may limit the capability of fracture fluids to transport proppant. Additionally, the use of fracture fluid has raised fears regarding …

Investigation Of Asphaltene Instability Under Gas Injection In Unconventional Reservoirs And Its Impact On Oil Recovery Performance, Mukhtar Elturki

Doctoral Dissertations

"Unconventional reservoirs, such as shale gas and tight oil formations, have become an important source of energy in recent years. However, these reservoirs often contain high levels of asphaltenes, which can lead to deposition and blockages in production wells and reduce the flow of hydrocarbons during gas enhanced oil recovery (GEOR) techniques. This study aims to experimentally evaluate the impact of miscible and immiscible carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen (N₂) on asphaltene deposition and its impact on oil recovery performance in unconventional shale reservoirs.

This research began with a comprehensive literature review and data analysis of GEOR methods in unconventional …

The Effects Of Uv-Radiation On The Removal Of Microplastics In Water Using Agglomeration-Micro-Flotation, Palot Srichonphaisarn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Microplastics, plastic particles with diameter 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters, can disturb marine ecosystems due to their small size and surface properties which can be a carrier for hazardous matters. While wastewater treatment plants could remove some microplastics but some of them remain. Among the various removal techniques, flotation is a potential method due to the hydrophobic nature of microplastics. This study investigates the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the surface wettability of microplastics and removal efficiency of microplastics. The 6 types of microplastics were prepared from plastic boards. After the ultraviolet radiation, the results showed that ultraviolet radiation could …

Molecular Dynamics Investigation Of Fluorine-Free Electrolytes For Sodium-Ion Batteries, Phitchapa Ausamanwet Zijdemans

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance and low cost of sodium. However, conventional SIB electrolytes often rely on fluorine-based salts, contributing to the formation of persistent and environmentally harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). This study employs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigates the properties of fluorine-free electrolytes for SIBs, focusing on the solvation structure and dynamics of sodium ions (Na+) in bulk electrolytes and at the inner solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for SIBs. Sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) at a concentration of 1 M was examined in glyme solvents with varying chain lengths, …

Enhance Effectiveness Of Monitoring Scheme Using Insar On Tailings Storage Facility No. 2, Chatree Gold Mine, Thailand, Shanghai Chea

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Tailings storage facility (TSF) is a critical component of the mining industry, serving to safely contain waste generated during mineral extraction. At Chatree Gold Mine, the largest and only active gold mine in Thailand, TSF No.2 handles approximately 5 million tons of tailings annually. Effective monitoring of the facility is crucial for hazard prevention and regulatory compliance. This study aims to enhance the monitoring scheme of TSF No.2 by employing Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique, processed via MintPy software, to analyze ground deformation. Despite traditional monitoring methods, such as in-situ geodetic surveying, offering valuable insights, they …

Recovery Of Tin From Kaolin Mine Tailing, Rangoon, Thailand, Archana Pandit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the recovery of tin from kaolin waste using gravity, electrostatic, and magnetic separation techniques. A total of 123.500 kg of sand and 103.200 kg of silt were processed using a shaking table, spiral concentrator, high-tension separator, induced roll magnetic separator, and Frantz magnetic separator. Mineralogical and chemical characterization was conducted using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and microscopic analysis to determine tin distribution and occurrence. Experimental results showed that the silt fractions generally exhibited higher tin content than the sand fractions. In this study, Case A refers to the samples (Sand A and Silt A) processed …

Preclassic Environmental Degradation Of Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala, By The Early Maya Of Nixtun-Ch’Ich’, Brooke A. Birkett, Jonathan Obrist-Farner, Prudence M. Rice, Wesley G. Parker, Peter M.J. Douglas, Melissa A. Berke, Audrey K. Taylor, Jason H. Curtis, Benjamin Keenan

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Paleolimnological Evidence Indicates the Ancient Maya Transformed Terrestrial Ecosystems by Felling Forest Vegetation to Construct Large Civic-Ceremonial Centers and to Expand Agriculture. Human Settlements Influenced Lacustrine Environments But the Effects of Maya Activities on Aquatic Ecosystems Remain Poorly Studied. Here We Analyzed a Sediment Core from Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala, to Infer Paleoenvironmental Changes Resulting from Maya Occupation of the Archaeological Site of Nixtun-Ch'ich'. Increases in Charcoal and Fecal Stanol Concentrations Indicate Maya Occupation of the Candelaria Peninsula by the Late Early Preclassic Period. Geochemical Proxies Reveal a Period of Lake Ecosystem Alteration during Construction and Expansion of the City's …

Thermo-Kinetic Parameters Governing Decomposition Of Amino Acids: A Computational Study, Mubarak Taleb Alkwradi

Theses

Amino acid model compounds are important nitrogenated species that in various categories of biomass. These compounds exhibit unique fragmentation pathways because of their adjacent amino and hydroxyl groups. Comprehending the decomposition chemistry of amino acids is essential to reduce harmful nitrogen emissions during biomass thermal treatment. This research reports the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of amino acids, and sulfur-containing amino acid, based on accurate density functional theory calculations coupled with kinetic modelling. The first part of the thesis provides comprehensive thermochemical parameters for the complete set of amino acids in the gas phase. The optimized geometries of amino acid compounds …

Selective Production Of Levoglucosan (Lg) From Pyrolysis Of Date Pits And Its Catalytic Transformation Into Transportation Fuels, Ala Hamid Higazi

Theses

Levoglucosan (LG) or (1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose) signifies important sugar derivatives produces in appreciable quantities from thermochemical and biochemical degradation of biomass. It is often regarded as an important platform chemical for the synthesis of value-added products, most notably styrene and furans. The work in this thesis entails two broad aims; to produce LG from pyrolysis of date pits; and then convert the LG into transportation fuels through a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction. The particular choice of date pits stems from its local relative abundance as a waste biomass. Aiming to further improve the yield of levoglucosan yields from pyrolysis of date pits, pre-treatment …

Selection Of Natural Surfactants For Possible Use In Improving Oil Recovery Of Carbonate Oil Reservoirs, Hiba Hachem Limam

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Middle East petroleum industry is currently searching for the most suitable enhanced oil technique to improve the oil recovery from local oil reservoirs. The biggest challenge for the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Middle East is the harsh environment (high salinity and temperature). Surfactant (synthetic or natural) is one of the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) major players considered for application in the Middle East. However, synthetic surfactants have several drawbacks, such as being economically unattractive and their high levels of toxicity. This study investigated the possible use of natural surfactant extracted from the leaves of three types …

Selection Of Natural Surfactants For Possible Use In Improving Oil Recovery Of Carbonate Oil Reservoirs, Hiba Hachem Limam

Theses

Middle East petroleum industry is currently searching for the most suitable enhanced oil technique to improve the oil recovery from local oil reservoirs. The biggest challenge for the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Middle East is the harsh environment (high salinity and temperature). Surfactant (synthetic or natural) is one of the EOR major players considered for application in the Middle East. However, synthetic surfactants have several drawbacks, such as economically unattractive and environmental impacts. This study investigated the possible use of natural surfactant extracted from the leaves of three types of plants, namely Aloe Vera, Tetraena qatarensis, …

Development Of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Mortar Utilizing Industrial Wastes, Fatema Ahmed Alahmed

Theses

In recent years, polymer mortar (PM) has played a crucial role in the modern construction industry. It is gaining recognition as an effective and quick repair material in construction applications because it has several benefits over traditional Portland cement concrete. Various types of polymer binders, such as unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), have been used in these materials owing to their low cost, excellent strength, high workability, and rapid curing. This study investigates the feasibility of reutilizing locally available waste in the production of UPR-based polymer mortar, which facilitates the development of mortars with less environmental impact. In this study, the …

Development Of Popcorn Thermal Insulation Panels, Yonis Hussein Mohamud

Theses

The research and development of sustainable and renewable materials that can take the place of conventional plastics derived from petroleum has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) are viable alternatives biopolymers due to their biodegradability. Also, the enhancement of material properties can be achieved through the incorporation of fillers. In this study, the utilization of popcorn in developing of insulation materials has been employed in two distinct methodologies. The first involves the coating of popcorn with varying percentages of PLA using the solvent casting method, while the second involves the integration of popcorn …

Development Of Eco-Friendly Chitosan-G-Polyacrylamide Preformed Particle Gel For Conformance Control In High-Temperature And High-Salinity Reservoirs, Reem Elaf, Ahmed Ben Ali, Mohammed Saad, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Baojun Bai

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oil and gas extraction has become challenging nowadays due to the accompanying amount of excess produced water that results in poor recoverability of hydrocarbon, besides other environmental and economic isues. A recent and efficient technology for conformance control is the injection of preformed particle gels (PPGs), which results in a more practical production process. Nevertheless, existing treatments fail in high-temperature reservoirs, are extremely sensitive to salinity, and are hazardous. The characteristics of the designed PPG, such as mechanical strength and thermal durability, is mainly depend on their crosslinking method. Polysaccharides-based gels prepared by physical crosslinking are weaker than the ones …

Landscape Position And Cover Crops Affects Crop Yields In A Terrace-Tiled Field, Harpreet Kaur, Kelly A. Nelson, Gurbir Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, Katherine R. Grote

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cover Crops (CC) Provide Soil Ecosystem Benefits Including Reduced Soil Erosion, Improved Soil Health, and Nutrient Cycling. However, the Effect of CCs on Rotational Commodity Crop Grain Yields and Nutrient Uptake May Vary at Different Landscape Positions and under Different Soil Moisture Dynamics. the Objectives of This Study Were to Determine the Influence of CCs in a Terraced Field on Soil Moisture at Crop Emergence and Reproductive Stages of Corn (Zea Mays L) and Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr.) Development, and Evaluate CCmix (Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), Radish (Raphanus Raphanistrum Subsp. Sativus), and Turnip (Brassica Rapa Subsp. Rapa)) and Cereal …

Planning For The Lake Izabal Basin Research Endeavor (Libre) Continental Scientific Drilling Project In Eastern Guatemala, Jonathan Obrist-Farner, Andreas Eckert, Peter M.J. Douglas, Liseth Perez, Alex Correa-Metrio, Bronwen L. Konecky, Thorsten Bauersachs, Susan Zimmerman, Stephanie Scheidt, Mark Brenner, Steffen Kutterolf, Jeremy Maurer, Omar Flores, Caroline M. Burberry

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

As Earth's atmospheric temperatures and human populations increase, more people are becoming vulnerable to natural and human-induced disasters. This is particularly true in Central America, where the growing human population is experiencing climate extremes (droughts and floods), and the region is susceptible to geological hazards, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and environmental deterioration in many forms (soil erosion, lake eutrophication, heavy metal contamination, etc.). Instrumental and historical data from the region are insufficient to understand and document past hazards, a necessary first step for mitigating future risks. Long, continuous, well-resolved geological records can, however, provide a window into past …

Mantle Flow Underneath The South China Sea Revealed By Seismic Anisotropy, Fansheng Kong, Rui Gao, Stephen S. Gao, Kelly H. Liu, Weiwei Ding, Xiongwei Niu, Aiguo Ruan, Pingchuan Tan, Jianke Fan, Shaoping Lu, Zhengyi Tong, Liqun Cheng, Wenfei Gong, Yanghui Zhao

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

It Has Long Been Established that Plastic Flow in the Asthenosphere Interacts Constantly with the overlying Lithosphere and Plays a Pivotal Role in Controlling the Occurrence of Geohazards Such as Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions. Unfortunately, Accurately Characterizing the Direction and Lateral Extents of the Mantle Flow Field is Notoriously Difficult, Especially in Oceanic Areas Where Deployment of Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) is Expensive and Thus Rare. in This Study, by Applying Shear Wave Splitting Analyses to a Dataset Recorded by an OBS Array that We Deployed between Mid-2019 and Mid-2020 in the South China Sea (SCS), We Show that the …

Stress-Dependent Petrophysical Properties Of The Bakken Unconventional Petroleum System: Insights From Elastic Wave Velocities And Permeability Measurements, Prasad Pothana, Ghoulem Ifrene, Kegang Ling

Petroleum Engineering Student Publications

The net-effective stress is a fundamental physical property that undergoes dynamic changes in response to variations in pore pressure during production and injection activities. Petrophysical properties, including porosity, permeability, and wave velocities, play a critical role and exhibit strong dependence on the mechanical stress state of the formation. The Williston basin’s Bakken Formation represents a significant reservoir of hydrocarbons within the United States. To investigate this formation, we extracted core plugs from three distinct Bakken members, namely Upper Bakken, Middle Bakken, and Lower Bakken. Subsequently, we conducted a series of measurements of ultrasonic compressional and shear wave velocities, as well …

Upgrading Biomass To Bio-Oil: Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation And Pyrolysis Of Vanillin And Anisole Biomass Model Compounds, Ahmad J. Yaghi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The purpose of this project is to investigate capacity of selected formulations of catalysts toward the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass model compounds in the gas phase with the underlying aim to produce hydrocarbon cuts that can be directly used as transportation fuels. The first part of this project is to devoted to illustrate procedures for the synthesis of potent (HDO) catalysts. Synthesized catalysts encompass nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) and palladium (Pd) supported on zeolite, cerium oxide (CeO₂) or alumina (Al2O₃). Various characterization techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) were deployed to comprehend …

Experimental Data Supporting Co2 Enhanced Oil Recovery And Storage Potential In The Bakken Petroleum System (Bps), University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet on CO₂ enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Bakken petroleum system. Highlights experimental data concerning CO₂’s role in oil recovery in the region.

Quantification Of Geodetic Strain Rate Uncertainties And Implications For Seismic Hazard Estimates, Jeremy Maurer, Kathryn Materna

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Geodetic velocity data provide first-order constraints on crustal surface strain rates, which in turn are linked to seismic hazard. Estimating the 2-D surface strain tensor everywhere requires knowledge of the surface velocity field everywhere, while geodetic data such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) only have spatially scattered measurements on the surface of the Earth. To use these data to estimate strain rates, some type of interpolation is required. In this study, we review methodologies for strain rate estimation and compare a suite of methods, including a new implementation based on the geostatistical method of kriging, to compare variation between …

Upgrading Biomass To Bio-Oil: Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation And Pyrolysis Of Vanillin And Anisole Biomass Model Compounds, Ahmad J. Yaghi

Theses

The purpose of this project is to investigate capacity of selected formulations of catalysts toward the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass model compounds in the gas phase with the underlying aim to produce hydrocarbon cuts that can be directly used as transportation fuels. The first part of this project is to devoted to illustrate procedures for the synthesis of potent (HDO) catalysts. Synthesized catalysts encompass nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) and palladium (Pd) supported on zeolite, cerium oxide (CeO₂) or alumina (Al₂O₃). Various characterization techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) were deployed …

Carbon Fibers From Athabasca Oil-Sand Asphaltenes, Blake Reardon

All Theses

Carbon fibers possess ultra-high specific strength and modulus. Therefore, the material is popular in aerospace, automotive, and sports industries. Approximately 95% of all carbon fibers are spun from a high-cost precursor, polyacrylonitrile (PAN). There is a need for a cheaper grade of carbon fiber for low-cost applications because about half of carbon fiber cost is associated with precursor cost. A promising alternative to the high-cost PAN precursor is petroleum-based asphaltene. Asphaltenes are highly aromatic and have a high carbon content but lack the purity of the PAN precursor. Processes like the molten- sodium desulfurization upgrading have been used to harvest …

Distinct Modes Of Aged Soil Carbon Export In A Large Tropical Lake Basin Identified Using Bulk And Compound-Specific Radiocarbon Analyses Of Fluvial And Lacustrine Sediment, Wesley G. Parker, Jason M.E. Ahad, Jonathan Obrist-Farner, Benjamin Keenan, Peter M.J. Douglas

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The 14C content of sedimentary organic matter (OM) and specific organic molecules provide valuable information on the source and age of OM stored in sediments, but these data are limited for tropical fluvial and lake sediments. We analyzed 14C in bulk OM, palmitic acid (C16), and long-chain n-alkanoic acids (C24, C26, and C28), within fluvial and lake sediments in the catchment of Lake Izabal, a large tectonic lake basin in Guatemala. We combined these measurements with bulk and compound-specific δ13C measurements, as well as sediment organic carbon to nitrogen (OC:N) ratios, to understand the source and age of sedimentary OM …

Genesis Of The 1.45 Ga Kratz Spring Iron Oxide-Apatite Deposit Complex In Southeast Missouri, Usa: Constraints From Oxide Mineral Chemistry, Brandon Sullivan, Marek Locmelis, Bolorchimeg N. Tunnell, Cheryl M. Seeger, Marilena Moroni, Sarah Dare, Ryan Mathur, Thomas Schott

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Seven major and numerous lesser Fe oxide occurrences within the 1.47 Ga St. Francois Mountains terrane in Missouri (USA) have previously been described as iron oxide-apatite (IOA) and iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits. Researchers speculate that these contain significant amounts of critical minerals, most notably rare earth elements and cobalt. One of the less-studied deposits in the region is the 1.455 Ga Kratz Spring deposit. The deposit consists of two steeply dipping magnetite bodies beneath 450 m of sedimentary cover. The genesis of the Kratz Spring deposit and its relationship to nearby IOA-IOCG deposits remains poorly constrained. To better understand the …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of Fluid Flow Behavior Through Fractured Wellbore Cement, Mahya Hatambeigi

Civil Engineering ETDs

Leakage from wellbores has been a major challenge in the energy industry, leading to groundwater contamination, reduced productivity, safety hazards, and increased operating costs. Cemented annulus fractures are a common type of leakage pathway in wellbores that can form due to various physical and chemical conditions. The number of wellbore leaks continues to increase globally, making it imperative to develop a better understanding of the complex mechanisms governing fluid flow through fractured wellbore cement. Understanding the behavior of fluid flow through a leaky cemented annulus is crucial for evaluating the leakage potential and risk assessments in wellbore systems, as well …

Investigation Of Cyclic Gaseous Solvent Injection For Enhanced Oil Recovery In Unconventional Formations, Samuel Asante Afari

Theses and Dissertations

Unconventional resources have been known to hold vast quantities of hydrocarbons. However, exploiting the oil and gas they hold was previously challenging due to their low permeabilities. Recent advances in horizontal well drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enabled oil and gas production from these reservoirs, leading to significant increases in energy supply to meet the growing energy demand. However, despite the relative technological success, considerable obstacles persist; oil production from unconventional wells often declines by more than 20% of their initial production rate within the first two years, leaving significant volumes of residual oil trapped in the formations. This overarching …

Removing Ilmenite-Based Filter Cakes Using Hydrochloric Acid And Chelating Agent – Experimental Study, Jianping Su, Omar Mahmoud, Hisham A. Nasr-El-Din

Future Engineering Journal

Ilmenite is often used as a weighting agent in drilling fluids to increase the fluid density, but the formation of a filter cake on the borehole wall can impact cementing operations and reduce well productivity. To remove the filter cake, various techniques can be employed such as chemical treatments, mechanical methods, or a combination of both. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical removal of ilmenite-based filter cake using 7.5 wt.% hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA) – chelating agent. The filter cakes were generated using API filter press under harsh conditions …