Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Optimization Algorithm Study : Mixed Integer Linear Programming, Tittawat Fongchantuk

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In the present, many petrochemical and petroleum products (engine fuel, solvent, plastic and synthetic rubber. etc.) are important. They are transported by ship, pipe line or train every day. So, minimizing transportation cost and time or maximizing profit is an important key of every company. In this optimization process, the optimal supply chain must be well developed in mathematical programming with the objective function of minimum cost or maximum profit and be solved by using optimization solvers. Objective functions and their constraints are solved by suitable types of optimization solvers: Linear programming (LP) and mixed integer linear programming (MILP). MILP …

Green Composites Of Polylactic Acid Filled With Natural Fiber For Biodegradation Application, Chamaiporn Yamoum

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research focuses on how to use natural fibers available from agricultural residues to produce biodegradable materials such as mulch films. Green composites were prepared from natural fibers (peanut shell and bagasse fiber) and polylactic acid (PLA) together with plasticizers. The presence of plasticizers improved PLA molecular mobility as seen by the reduction of glass transition, cold crystallization, and melting temperatures. The addition of natural fibers into PLA brought down decomposition temperature when compared to PLA. The morphological study of the composites showed poor interfacial adhesion between natural fibers and PLA matrix. Moreover, the loading of plasticizers improved distribution of …

Production Of Biojet Fuel From Palm Fatty Acid Distillate Over Ni/Hzsm-12 Catalyst, Chayanee Hiranyasiri

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Generally, jet fuels are mainly derived from the refining of petroleum feedstock which exhaust greenhouse gases. Therefore, biojet fuel is introduced as an alternative way to solve the problem. Moreover, jet fuel must have a freezing point about -47 °C or below so iso-paraffins which have low freezing point are required. In this study, the hydroprocessing of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) over synthesized Ni/HZSM-12 and conventional Ni/HY catalysts which have different morphology and pore size for producing biojet fuel (hydrocarbon in a range of C9-C14) was studied in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor under conditions of 350-400 °C, 10-30 …

Chance Constrained Optimization For Petrochemical Supply Chain With The Validation Technique, Kan Rungphanich

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Nowadays, the profit is more concern in industry due to high business competition. Therefore, reducing the cost is needed to survive competition. Stochastic optimization had been interesting method to reduce opportunity and over-demand loss in the supply chain under uncertainties. Chance constrained optimization is one of the approaches to stochastic optimization. The uncertainties are included in chance constraint of event under level of confidence. This method is used to design the realistic supply chain giving more stabilities than deterministic optimization. The two case studies have been used to show the effectiveness of chance constrained optimization: the simple supply chain network …

Novel Microemulsion Formation By The Hydrophilic- Lipophilic Deviation Concept Using Carboxylate Extended Surfactants For Eor Application, Suchawadee Kumkhuntod

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The Winsor type III (middle phase) microemulsion formation is widely used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) application. A novel carboxylate surfactant has been an attractive surfactant for the oil recovery due to high chemical stability in harsh reservoir conditions (i.e., high brine concentration and high temperature). This study aims to formulate the middle phase microemulsion in order to obtain the minimum IFT and high solubilization capacity with binary anionic surfactant system using sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) and carboxylate extended surfactants with varying the polyethylene oxide number (EO = 2, 4 and 6) at three mixing molar ratios of 5:5, 7:3 …

Detergency Of Mixed Oily And Particulate Soils By Single And Mixed Surfactant Systems, Thanawan Teerasathittham

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research studies the detergency performance of mixed surfactants of (anionic and nonionic surfactants) for mixed oily and particulate soils on polyester/cotton blend fabric, and compares with a commercial liquid detergent. Palm oil and kaolinite are used as representatives of oily soil and particulate soil, respectively. The anionic surfactants used in this study are methyl ester sulfonate (MES), linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The nonionic surfactants are alcohol ethoxylate 7EO (AE7) and alcohol ethoxylate 9EO (AE9). The effect of surfactant concentrations, NaCl concentration, and mixing ratios of the selected surfactant formulations on detergency performance are …

Evaluation Of Environmental Impacts For Non-Metallic Part In Waste Printed Circuit Boards (Pcbs) Using Combined Material Flow Analysis (Mfa) And Life Cycle Assessment (Lca), Warisara Rungsitikul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) have become common components in most electric and electronic equipment. Because of their wide ranges of application, waste PCBs is becoming one of the most rapidly growing wastes. Recycling of waste PCBs is an important subject not only for the protection of the environment but also for the recovery of valuable metals. This study aimed to evaluate the waste PCBs management strategies using the combination of material flow analysis (MFA, STAN v.2.6.801) and life cycle assessment (LCA, SimaPro v.8.3.0.0) methods. The waste management scenario was considered for three different options; disposal of the waste PCBs (Option …

Novel (Cu-Sn) And (Ni-Sn) Catalysts Prepared By Mechanical Alloying, Sakollapath Pithakratanayothin

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research was aimed to synthesize intermetallic catalysts using mechanical alloying (Ma) technique. Copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) were chosen to study since not only their properties are closed to the noble metal properties, e.g. platinum and palladium, but also they are not expensive. However, as also found in noble metals, both Cu and Ni metals are oxidized easily in air. To overcome this problem, either Cu or Ni was mixed with tin (Sn) to obtain bimetallics, viz. CuSn or NiSn, respectively. Therefore, this research was focused on finding the optimal conditions to synthesize both CuSn and NiSn bimetallics using …

Light Responsive With Metallo-, And Hydrogen Bonded Benzoxazine Dimer-Based Supramolecular Structure, Sorapat Niyomsin

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The present work focuses on multi-responsive molecule based on supramolecular chemistry of benzoxazine dimer as a benzoxazine supramolecular crosslinker, fluorescent labelling benzoxazine conjugated with rotaxane system and benzoxazine pendant group block copolymer. The use of azobenzene derivatives in benzoxazine synthesis provides light responsive behaviour. The remained hydroxyl group from aminoalcohol allows benzoxazine to conjugate with desired functional group. The dihydroxyl benzoxazine acts as molecular crosslinker for poly(acrylic acid) by conjugation. The ring-opening reaction brings benzoxazine dimeric unit on the crosslinker which also showed metal ion complexation. The complexation strengthens the cross-linked polymer network. The complex can reversely form by treating …

Development Of Composite Polyelectrolyte Complex Membrane For Cationic Dye And Heavy Metal Sorption, Wanwanut Chueasupcharoen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The sorption process is most useful in water treatment because it provides high sorption efficiency, low cost and rapid method. Polyelectrolyte complex (PECs) is a novel polymeric membrane prepared by mixing between oppositely charged polyelectrolyte solution of PDADMAC and PSS. Activated carbon (ACs) is used to improved adsorption efficiency in PECs. Non-stoichiometric PDADMAC/PSS membrane were prepared by mixing excess PSS concentration to get the negative charges on the membrane surface. Sorption efficiency was evaluated by methylene blue, cationic dye and heavy metal ions based on the same material, the difference sorption mechanism were observe. In the cationic dye, the adsorption …

Thermomechanical Behavior And Chemical Sensing Cationic Poly(Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride) And Anionic Poly(Sodium 4-Styrene Sulfonate) Assembled Into Composite Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Thin Films And Complex Membranes, Rateeya Saikaew

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Polyelectrolyte composite membranes of cationic PDADMAC and anionic PSS assembled into polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) thin film and polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membranes were used as matrix embedded with several additive molecules. Nano-scale PEM films fabricated using the layer-by-layer deposition method and the loading and release of a hydrophobic model drug curcumin (Cur) was studied for drug delivery and sensing applications. Interestingly, it was found that the loading and release of Cur could be triggered by solvent composition and temperature. In a parallel study, the alternative to the nanoscale PEM was studied in the form of PEC, which were used as stand-alone …

Surface Engineering And Monomer Design For Light-Mediated Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization, Ishan A. Fursule

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Stimuli-responsive materials are changing the landscape of actuated materials, optoelectronics, molecular machines, solar cells, temporary memory storage, and biomedical materials. Specifically, photo-responsive polymers have gained acceleration in research and application since the last two decades in the form of a surface coating and micro-patterns. Light as a stimulus can be coherent, mono or polychromatic, tunable for power (intensity) and energy (wavelength), and has precise spatiotemporal control. Conventional surface coating techniques such as spin coating are unable to impart properties to the coatings in terms of sturdiness, homogeneity, uniformity over the complex surface, post deposition modification, and process efficiency. Also, in …

Design And Analysis Of Curcumin Conjugated Poly(Beta-Amino Ester) Networks For Controlled Release In Oxidative Stress Environments, Carolyn T. Jordan

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Oxidative stress, the imbalance of free radical generation with antioxidant defenses, leads to cellular inflammation, apoptosis and cell death. This compromised environment results in debilitating diseases, such as oral mucositis (OM), atherosclerosis, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Antioxidant therapeutics has been a proposed strategy to ameliorate these imbalances and maintain homeostatic environments. However, the success of these approaches, specifically curcumin, has been limited due to characteristics such as hydrophobicity and high reactivity when released as bolus doses to contest to oxidative stress induced diseases. The development of a controlled release system to aid in protection of the antioxidant capacity of curcumin, as …

Surface Functionalization Via Photoinitiated Radical Polymerization For Rare Cell Isolation And Mechanical Protection, Calvin Frank Cahall

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Surface functionalization of living cells for cell therapeutics has gained substantial momentum in the last two decades. From encapsulating islets of Langerhans, to cell laden gels for tissue scaffolds, to individual cell encapsulation in thin hydrogels, to surface adhesives and inert surface camouflage, modification of living cell surfaces has a wide array of important applications. Here we use hydrogel encapsulation of individual cells as a mode of protection from mechanical forces for high throughput cell printing, and chemical stimuli for the isolation of rare cells in blood.

In the first study, we review methods of surface functionalization and establish a …

The Role Of Microenvironment Reagent Solubility On Reaction Kinetics Of 4-Nitrophenol Reduction, Michael P. Zeevi, Andrew Harrison, Christina Tang

UROP Posters

The Role of Microenvironment Reagent Solubility on Reaction Kinetics of 4-Nitrophenol Reduction

Michael Zeevi¹ with Andrew Harrison¹ and Christina Tang, PhD¹

¹Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, VCU School of Engineering

Introduction: Nanoparticles are of increasing interest due to their high surface area to volume ratio, as well as that they enable fine-tuning of the reaction microenvironment. Through flash nanoprecipitation, core-shell polymer nanoreactors were formed by directed self-assembly. Using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as a model reduction reaction, we investigated the effect of reagent solubility in the nanoreactor microenvironment’s on nanoreactor kinetics.

Methods: The standard …

Sequence Effects On The Glass Transition Temperature, William Drayer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Lithium ion batteries are widely used for the energy needs of portable electronic devices. Unfortunately, current liquid organic solvents used as the electrolytic portion of the battery have low thermal stability, resulting in batteries that may combust upon failure. This flammability can be attributed to the configurational strain in cyclic organic electrolytes. Due to the lack of configurational strain in a flexible polymer chain, designing polymer electrolytes for use in lithium ion batteries may result in a safer battery due to their lower flammability in comparison to traditional liquid organic electrolytes. From the perspective of an electrolytic polymer, lowering the …

Correlation Of Electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone Fiber Mat Thickness With Basis Weight, Fiber Diameter, Pore Size Distribution, And Air Permeability, Leah Mcpherson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project developed correlations between electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone fiber mat thickness, basis weight, fiber diameter, pore size, and air permeability. The hypotheses were thinner fibers produce thicker mats, pore size decreases with fiber diameter, pore size and permeability decrease as basis weight increases. Project results could be used for modeling or quality control purposes.

Fiber diameter distributions were analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope and FibraQuant 1.3 software. Four conditions were chosen for further study: 0.284 ± 0.104 µm, 0.379 ± 0.128 µm, 0.520 ± 0.138 µm, and 0.733 ± 0.177 µm. Lower PVP concentrations produced thinner fibers.

Sample thickness (nm) …

Investigation Of Mechanical, Electrical, And Thermal Properties Of Particulate/Fiber/Polymer Composites, Julie Tomasi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Composites have many applications due to their high strength to weight ratio, chemical resistance, and the ability to tune properties like electrical resistivity (ER). In this work, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and cycloaliphatic epoxy (CE) composites with different fillers were studied. PEEK composites contained up to 10 wt% Akzo Nobel Ketjenblack carbon black (CB), up to 15 wt% Asbury Carbons TC307 graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), up to 30 wt% Solvay carbon fiber (CF), and combinations of the three carbons. Formulations were developed for electrostatic dissipative and electrically conductive applications. The most conductive formulation was 7.5 wt% CB/30 wt% CF/PEEK, which had an electrical …

Methane And Carbon Dioxide Adsorption On Al-Based And Zr-Based Mofs: Effects Of Amino-Functionalization, Orawee Lamoonkit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

For natural gas storage, adsorbed natural gas (ANG) technology has attracted great attention. There is a wide range of porous materials for ANG, but the most promising porous adsorbents for natural gas are metal organic frameworks (MOFs). This study examined adsorption of carbon dioxide and methane gases on aluminium (Al) based MOFs and zirconium (Zr) based MOFs including MIL-53(Al), MIL-53(Al)-NH₂, UiO-66, UiO-66-NH₂ 25%, UiO-66-NH₂ 50%, UiO-66-NH₂ 75%, and UiO-66-NH₂. Experiments were carried out in a static system at 33°C and pressures up to 100 psi. Characterization and structural analysis of the adsorbents were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), …

Comparison Study Between Post-Fermentation Stillage And Pre-Fermentation Mash Utilizing Acidification And Steam Explosion Techniques For Cellulose Saccharification, Daniel Mckee

Master's Theses

Pre-fermentation mash fiber and post-distillation stillage fiber were examined and compared using a variety of preparatory techniques to determine the better source for cellulose fiber saccharification. Once screened, dried, and diluted to a 10% solution, mash fiber and stillage fiber were exposed to increasing temperatures for steam explosion techniques as well as increasing acidification techniques. Both underwent enzymatic saccharification to convert the exposed cellulose to glucose and other sugars. Once the optimum steam explosion technique parameters and acidification parameters were determined to be 2.5% sulfuric acid at 127.8°C for 1 hour, a comparison of the saccharification of pre-fermentation mash fiber …

Responsive Nanogel Probe For Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensing Of Ph And Strain In Hydrogels, Mingning Zhu, Dongdong Lu, Shanglin Wu, Qing Lian, Wenkai Wang, Amir H. Milani, Zhengxing Cui, Nam T. Nguyen, Mu Chen, L. Andrew Lyon, Daman J. Adlam, Anthony J. Freemont, Judith A. Hoyland, Brian R. Saunders

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

In this study a new pH-responsive nanogel probe containing a complementary nonradiative resonance energy transfer (NRET) fluorophore pair is investigated and its ability to act as a versatile probe of network-related changes in three hydrogels demonstrated. Fluorescent sensing using NRET is a powerful method for studying relationships between Angstrom length-scale structure and macroscopic properties of soft matter. Unfortunately, inclusion of NRET fluorophores into such materials requires material-specific chemistry. Here, low concentrations of preformed nanogel probes were included into hydrogel hosts. Ratiometric photoluminescence (PL) data for the gels labeled with the nanogel probes enabled pH-triggered swelling and deswelling to be studied …

Development Of Starch-Polyvinyl Alcohol (Pva) Biodegradable Film: Effect Of Cross-Linking Agent And Antimicrobials On Film Characteristics, Aniket Satish More, Chandani Sen, Madhusweta Das

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

To satisfy the need of developing eco-friendly flexible antimicrobial packaging film with minimum use of synthetic chemical ingredients, the present study examined the efficacy of citric acid (CA) as cross-linking agent and essential oils (EOs), viz., cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and oregano essential oil (OEO) as natural antimicrobials in corn starch-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) film. Compared to film prepared from filmogenic solution (FS) containing 75 kg CS+8.75 kg PVA+24.6 kg glycerol per m³ FS, film additionally containing CA at 0.07 kg/kg CS indicated 95% higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and 27% lower water vapor permeability (WVP). Film developed with incorporation …

Cellulose Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites By In-Situ Ring-Opening Polymerization, Shahab Kashani Rahimi

Dissertations

Over the past two decades, the increasing concern about the negative environmental impacts of synthetic materials has led to rising interests in utilizing renewable natural resources to develop polymer materials with comparable properties and performance to their synthetic counterparts. One of the major fields of interest is polymer composites where the replacement of synthetic fibers with bio renewable natural fibers is of great potential. However, the processing difficulties, in terms of fiber dispersion and thermal stability have limited the application of cellulosic fibers to polymers with low processing temperatures which are mostly hydrophobic polymers. As a result, the true reinforcing …

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 …

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 …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Molybdenum Sulfide And For Hydrogen Evolution Reaction And Supercapacitor Applications, Zhuo Wang

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

To meet the constantly rising requirement of energy other than traditional fossil fuel and environment protection, it is a perfect time to development low cost, and efficient materials for clean energy production. Hydrogen generation by water splitting is one of the cleanest ways to produce cheaper energy. Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the key steps in water splitting process. Ideally, the thermodynamic potential for HER should be at 0 V (vs. SHE). However, without an efficient catalyst, this reaction occurred at higher potential, called overpotential. A good HER catalyst is needed to lower the overpotential and hence to …

An Industrial Process For The Production Of Nylon 6 6 Through The Step-Growth Reaction Of Adipic Acid And Hexamethylenediamine, David Wallace Jacobson

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A continuous, two stage, four reactor system process is presented here for the proposed purpose of nylon 6 6 manufacture at the rate of 85 million lbs per year. Report components include: process descriptions, simulation methods and results, economic analysis, EH&S considerations, process control descriptions, and a general recommendation for how to proceed with plans enclosed. The general design of the plant is a two stage system composed of one PFR used for the formation of nylon salt and low molecular weight nylon chains, followed by three CSTR’s used for increasing nylon molecular weight. The overall process has been found …

Polyisobutylene Telechelic Prepolymers By In Situ End-Quenching And Post-Polymerization Modifications, Bin Yang

Dissertations

This volume focuses on the development of telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB) prepolymers by combining end-capping of living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) with suitable reactants and post-polymerization modifications. Alkylation kinetics of PIB tert-chloride with alkoxybenzenes using either TiCl₄ or AlCl₃ were investigated. Quantitative para-position end-capped products were only achieved if the alkoxybenzene/AlCl₃ molar ratio was greater than unity; while no such molar ratio is required for TiCl₄, but the alkylation rate was slower than AlCl₃ under the same conditions. Photopolymerization kinetics analysis of PIB triphenol tri(meth)acrylates with low and high M_ns, …

Evaluating The Bond Behavior Between Frp And Grooved Concrete Specimens Using Single Shear Pull Out Test, John Omboko

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Surface preparation affects the bond behavior between Fiber Reinforcing Polymer (FRP) composite material and concrete. In this research, a special type of surface preparation known as grooving, which involves cutting transverse grooves, is conducted on concrete blocks (specimens) that are categorized as either Unfilled (U) or Filled (F). This idea is to ascertain how the grooves affect the strength of FRP-bonded-concrete specimen. These two categories are then benchmarked to control (C) specimens which do not have grooves on them. Category U specimens only have the epoxy applied on the concrete surface while category F specimens have epoxy applied on both …

High-Density Non-Fouling Bioactive Coatings: Development And Characterization, Bonan Yu, Ramya Raman, Karl Schlike

Biomedical Engineering Western Regional Conference

No abstract provided.