Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Compression Processing Parameters And Antioxidants On Molecular Degradation Of Biodegradable Poly-L-Lactide (Plla), Thomas J. Hannan Jr.

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to find a combination of poly (L-lactic acid), also known as poly-L-lactide or (PLLA) and antioxidants that would, together, produce a product whose degradation rate would be advantageous for use in biodegradable medical implants. Intrinsic viscosity tests were conducted on compression molded samples of PLLA that were molded at various processing parameters in order to find optimal parameters. The optimal processing parameters were found to be time 10 minutes, temperature 220°C, and pressure 1000 psi.

The molecular weight of PLLA sample was taken while pressure, time, and temperature were varied. As pressure increased, no …

Reconstitution And Characterization Of Membrane Proteins, Sarah Mia Pates

Masters Theses

“A membrane protein, cytochrome c reductase, was crystallized and examined using transmission electron microscopy. Two-dimensional crystals were prepared by two methods. In Method 1, the protein was solubilized in 50 mM Tris-Acetate (pH 6.0)/0.5 mM EDTA70.05% (w/v) Triton X-100 and reconstituted into a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (4:1), dissolved in the same buffer. The Triton X-100 was removed from the mixture by dialysis in the presence of Bio-beads (SM-2) at approximately 25-30 °C. Method 2 was the same as Method 1, except that the vesicles were fractionated before reconstitution, and the pH and temperature for crystallization were 7.0 and …

The Effect Of Wet End Operations On Sizing Loss In Alkaline Papers, Suresh B. Cherukuri

Masters Theses

Changes in wet end of alkaline papermaking affect the size development as well as sizing loss. These changes include pH, alkalinity and type of filler used. Precipitated and ground varieties of carbonate fillers and the alkalinity associated with · them are believed to be the causes for the gradual sizing loss in alkaline papers due the accelerated hydrolysis reaction of sizing chemicals at higher alkalinity.

Precipitated and ground calcium carbonate fillers are used as fillers and compared to non carbonate filler such as kaolin clay for their response to size development and sizing loss at lower and higher alkalinity ranges …

A Study Of Effects Of Flotation Conditions On Flotation Efficiency And Fiber Loss, Wiwat Walaipachara

Masters Theses

Three variables: (1) consistency, (2) agitation, and (3) bubble size were studied for their effects on flotation efficiency and fiber loss. Flotation was done by using a Hallimond apparatus. The floated and non-floated portions were quantified by image analysis based on number of ink particles and total area of ink. The percent fiber loss was calculated from solids' weights of both portions. The floated part was analyzed by a KAJAANI instrument for fiber length average and distribution.

The results showed that flotation efficiency increased with agitation but decreased with increasing consistency. Fiber loss increased with consistency but decreased with increasing …

A Study Of The Effects Of Polyacrylates On Water Retention And Binder Migration Tendencies Of Coatings, Wichan Charoenkitsupat

Masters Theses

Five commercial polyacrylate samples were used to study their effects on viscosity, water holding, and binder migration under non-pressure conditions. The polyacrylates used were different in acid level, degree of crosslinking, and type of polymer (copolymer and terpolymer). A series of coatings was prepared using a number two clay and three styrene-butadiene latexes of similar particle size and T⋁g but different degrees of carboxylation, then the polyacrylates were added at several levels. The coatings were evaluated for rheological properties, water loss rate and binder migration. The results show that with increasing amounts of polyacrylates, the viscosity increased and the water …

A Computer Simulation Of The Rotary Vacuum Filter Brown Stock Washing System Using Distribution Sampling, Edison G. Yiu

Masters Theses

A probabilistic model was utilized to simulate the brown stock washing system's error due to process variability and measurement noise. Mass balances of the washing system were performed using distribution sampling. This model relies on a nonlinear relationship between displacement and dilution, which permitted the generation of displacement ratio based upon wash liquor ratio. Experimental trials were performed on a pilotscale rotary vacuum single-stage washer. Nonlinear first-order relationship appears to characterize a pilotscale washer adequately. Differences were observed between the means and standard deviations of the measured results compared to the simulation output. Future work is needed to identify the …

A Study Of The Effects Of Pigment Size And Shape On Binder Migration, Hee Jong Yang

Masters Theses

The effects of pigment size and shape on coating structure and binder migration has been investigated. Clays and ground calcium carbonates of different particle size distributions were used in coatings with 15 pph SB latex.

Coatings were applied to Mylar and a special Tyvek using a wire wound rod. The coatings were dried slowly under ambient conditions, and using hot air immediately or after having been allowed to reach immobilization through penetration into the Tyvek. The dried coatings were evaluated for water holding, relative pore size and migration using the UV technique to measure the increase in SB latex at …

Prediction Of Paper Color: A Process Simulation Approach, Mayank Chaturvedi

Masters Theses

A simulation model was developed for a dye mixing process and for the prediction of the optical properties of the paper. The model was integrated with the MAPPS (Modular Analysis of Pulp and Paper Systems) simulation software package. The model was validated using dyed handsheets made in a laboratory and dyed paper made on a pilot papermachine. Validation comprised of prediction of the optical properties of the handsheets and the machine-made paper which contained various combinations of three non-fluorescent dyes. Sheet reflectances were predicted at 20 nanometer intervals for discrete light wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers and verified …

A Study Of The Effect Of Water-Soluble Polymers On Water Holding And Binder Migration Tendencies Of Coatings, Joginder S. Malik

Masters Theses

Water-soluble polymers are being used in the paper coating industry for a variety of purposes including the development of water holding, viscosity control, structure and binder migration control. This study was designed to evaluate the degree that selected types of water-soluble polymers (carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol and a polyacrylate) influence these properties. The methodology comprised of recently developed techniques in which water holding, immobilization solids and binder migration could all be measured for similar coatings applied on a paper-like porous substrate. The results illustrated that watersoluble polymers affect both the water-loss rate and binder migration, but reduce the …

Structural, Depositional, And Diagenetic Controls On Reservoir Development: St. Peter Sandstone, Newaygo County, Michigan, Mark S. Caldwell

Masters Theses

Enhanced reservoir quality in the Middle Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone is observed in gas bearing zones in wells located on domal structures. Geometry and degree of this enhanced porosity development is the result of the interplay of structural, depositional, and diagenetic controls. An integrated subsurface study of the Woodville/Goodwell field area was performed in order to document controls on hydrocarbon accumulation.

Recurrent structural growth of domal features throughout the Paleozoic is well documented by isopach mapping. Burial and thermal history studies indicate that hydrocarbons were generated in Ordovician aged source rocks during late Devonian to early Mississippian time, and accumulated …

Reactivities Of Some Aromatic Compounds At Supercritical Water Conditions, Chun-Cheng Tsao

Masters Theses

The goals of this study are the removal of nitrogen from the extraction products of coal by Supercritical Water and the development of an understanding of the reactions leading to this removal. Six model compounds with structures similar to the intermediates of the coal liquefaction processes were studied. Benzylamine generated toluene through hydrogen abstraction after the C-N bond rupture. To a lesser extent, the oxidation of the benzylic carbon took place leading to benzene formation. Both reaction pathways occurred with equal probability for benzylidenebenzylamine, producing comparable yields of benzene and toluene. Benzaldehyde generated benzene through the oxidation/decarboxylation sequence. Benzyl alcohol …

Sedimentology Of The Bedford-Berea Sequence (Early Mississippian), Williams Field, Michigan, David Alan Balthazor

Masters Theses

The Berea Sandstone has produced in excess of 1.6 million barrels of oil in the Williams field since discovery in 1980. Seven lithofacies are identified from conventional core in the Bedford-Berea sequence. These facies are interpreted as deltaic deposits comprising prodelta (Bedford Shale), delta front, destructive marine shale, abandoned distributary channel-fill, interdistributary bay-fill, transgressive marine sandstone, and marine shale (Sunbury Shale) facies. Passive channel-fill facies truncate reservoir sandstone bodies and compartmentalize the field NW-SE across the trend of the northwestplunging anticline.

The two reservoir facies in the Williams field are the delta front and transgressive marine sandstones. The sandstone framework …

Effect Of Refining On The Brightness Of Softwood Ctmp And Tmp Pulps, Ashok Kumar Mishra

Masters Theses

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of refining on the brightness of softwood chemithermomechanical (CTMP) and thermomechanical (TMP) pulps. Seven different pulps were refined using a laboratory Valley beater. Brightness, opacity, tensile index, TEA, and fines content of these pulps were determined at four different freeness levels. Scattering (s) and absorption (k) coefficients of these pulps were calculated. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were applied to determine the significance of change in brightness.

Changes in s-values were significantly affected by fiber morphology of different wood species. Refining increased the k-values of the pulps. When the …

Quantification Of Refining Actions, Hari R. Goyal

Masters Theses

The repeated action of compression-decompression pulses on a wet web of fiber, created by dropping a weight from a height, loosens the internal structure of the fiber. The impaction of fiber did not cause any change in average weighted fiber length, fine content or Canadian Standard Freeness. The sheet made from these fibers showed an increase in tensile strength with increased number of impacts or impact intensity.

In a blend of impacted fibers (internally fibrillated), abraded fibers (externally fibrillated) and fines (fibers shorter than 0.23 mm and created by prolonged beating in a Valley beater), fines were found to be …

Energy Considerations In Stock Preparation Refining Modified By Recycling, Rajendra D. Deshpande

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of refining on virgin fibers as well as on recycled fibers. Interaction effects of recycling and type of treatment of virgin fibers on characteristics of secondary fiber were studied. A significant reduction in drainage properties of the furnish for both hardwood and softwood pulps were observed. This reduction in properties was found proportional to the amount of refining. It is necessary to achieve required strength properties at higher freeness values, if fibers are to be recycled. This can be done by improvement in uniformity or homogeneity of refining and by gentler and less …

Paraffin Deposition Property Measurement Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Kevin Lynn Thornsberry

Masters Theses

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) has been used in past studies to identify the cloud points of diesel fuels, lube oils, jet fuels etc. and it has been assumed that its application extends to all paraffinic hydrocarbons. To verify this and to investigate the possible application of Differential Scanning Calorimetry to the production phase of the petroleum industry, the onset of wax crystallization is compared with ASTM cloud point for a number of paraffinic mixtures including a variety of crude oils. Results show cloud point can be determined for crudes using DSC. Additionally, wax content can be found on a known …

Vle For 1,3-Butadiene With 1,2-Butadiene And Propyne, Patrick J. Gripka

Masters Theses

"Vapor pressures for pure 1,3-butadiene, 1,2-butadiene and propyne and 10 binary mixtures are reported at 5, 20, 35, 50, and 65°C. An equation of state utilizing saturated vapor and liquid densities is used to correlate the experimental data. Calculated relative volatilities and saturated densities are reported for the systems 1,3-butadiene - 1,2-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene - propyne. The thermodynamic excess functions Helmholtz free energy, Gibbs free energy, entropy, enthalpy, internal energy, volume, and heat capacity are derived for the equation of state and the excess properties are reported for the two systems"--Abstract, p. iv.

An Experimental Study Of Adsorption And Variable Temperature Desorption Of Ethanol-Water, Propane-Propylene And Hydrogen Sulfide-Carbon Dioxide-Propane, Suvit Kulvaranon

Masters Theses

"An ideal adsorption only removes the desired components. Many times one or more other components are also adsorbed. If two or more components are adsorbed, an adsorption separation may not be satisfactory or may require additional separation procedures, even though one is highly preferentially adsorbed. In such cases it may be possible to get additional separation during the desorption stage by using variable temperature desorption.

To study such problems, two experimental apparatus were set up, one for adsorption for ethanol and water mixtures on activated carbon and silicalite, the other for propane-propylene mixtures, and hydrogen sulfide-carbon dioxide-propane mixtures both on …

A Laboratory Simulation Of A Rotary Vacuum Drum Brownstock Washer, Hugh E. Muller

Masters Theses

Mass balances can quantify the dilution and thickening of a liquor/fiber suspension on a brownstock washer. However, the complex displacement process necessitates an empirical approach. Given empirical data, washers can be optimized through use of efficiency factors with mass balances.

Because empirical data is difficult to obtain, a laboratory washing method was developed to empirically generate displacement efficiencies on pulp under mill washer conditions. Reproducible data generated by this method resulted in a displacement/dilution function as seen on mill washers. A laboratory simulation using mill samples, exclusive of problems for one vacuum drum, resulted in comparable efficiencies with less than …

A Computer Simulation Of The Rotary Drum Brownstock Washer System Using The Monte Carlo Method Of Distribution Sampling, Jacqueline K. Pease

Masters Theses

A steady-state probabilistic model is chosen to simulate the brownstock washing system's uncertainty which arises from unpredictable process fluctuations and measurement noise. Distribution sampling is used to construct multiple mass balances of a washing system. Included in this model is a linear relationship describing the correlation between dilution and displacement which allows displacement ratio to be generated based on dilution factor. This is an improvement over a similar, earlier model which considers all variables to be independent. There is no statistical difference between the mean output of the simulation and the means of data sets collected at two different mills. …

Performance Predictions For Oil Reservoirs Under Water Influx, Briareus Mitchell Wilkinson

Masters Theses

"The intent of this thesis is to develop a program that will give reasonable recovery predictions for oil reservoirs under water influx. The main advantage is to avoid the massive storage and computational requirements of numerical simulators while achieving roughly comparable results. There are many methods already in existence that have not received their full benefit, mainly because they were developed prior to the recent advances of the computer age. This thesis therefore brings some already proven methods together with new techniques in a program which, with the aid of the computer, stimulates new life in these methods. The main …

A Two-Dimensional, Three-Phase Reservoir Simulator Using The Impes Formulation, Ralph Ross Roesler

Masters Theses

"A numerical model for two dimensional, three-phase fluid flow has been developed using the IMPES formulation. Reservoir heterogeneities have been included, such as areal variations in porosity, permeability, thickness, and depth from a reference point. The model can also solve the problem of variable bubble points.

To check the accuracy of the model, a comparison was made with the Buckley-Leverett technique of predicting waterflood performance. The reservoir in the comparison is a 40 acre five spot with an initial gas saturation of 15 percent. The study shows that the two models are in good agreement, except for differences due to …

A Purchase Estimator For Oil And Gas Reserves, Ronald Ernest Robbins

Masters Theses

"A computerized means for analyzing the profitability and purchase potential of producing oil and gas properties was developed. LOTUS 1- 2-3, a computerized spreadsheet package, was utilized in this development. The basic input data required for the implementation of the purchase estimator (BUYOUT) are the forecasts of production, price, and expense. BUYOUT itself is composed of three separate, but interactive, parts: and the system macro. the profitability model, the acquisition table,

A before federal income tax cash-flow model and several economic indicators constitute the profitability model. The profitability model is then fully interactive with an acquisition table which contains six …

Water Desalination Using Nocturnal Radiation Cooling, Ali Mufarreh Saleh Al-Amri

Masters Theses

"In this investigation nocturnal radiation condensation cooling is considered to determine the possibility of using this method as a desalination process in remote areas, villages and resorts, etc. An experimental study was made and programs were developed to calculate water collection under ideal conditions. Both experimental and theoretical work indicated that this process is useful for small scale water production where there is no available energy sources. It can be used also in conjunction with solar desalination processes. Cost analysis and a preliminary design are included"--Abstract, page ii.

Measurement Of The Dusty Gas Model Parameters For Activated Carbon, Philip James Gloor

Masters Theses

"Included in the dusty gas equation are three constants, C₀, C₁ and C₂, which depend only upon the porous medium. Values for C₀ and C₁ can be obtained for a particular porous material by performing pure gas flow experiments and a value for C₂ can be obtained for the same material by performing Wicke-Kallenbach experiments. In this work, values for the dusty gas model parameters, for activated carbon, were obtained by performing the necessary experiments. The design and operation of the experimental equipment is presented along with the results obtained. The activated …

Determining The Modified Derivative In Pressure Analysis, Scott Michael Frailey

Masters Theses

"The derivative type of curve technique of Bourdet for analyzing pressure tests requires calculating the derivative of the storage plot. Four numerical methods are used to evaluate the derivative: a five-point formula, Richardson's Extrapolation, a parabolic fit, and a central difference procedure. The parabolic fit and the central difference technique are good methods of determining the derivative. The effects of logarithmic s pacing of the data, using a central difference method, are studied. An investigation of the second derivative and the integral is conducted"-- Abstract, p. ii

A New Automated Pulse Testing Analysis Method Applying Inflection Point Theory, Jose Maria Donoso

Masters Theses

"This paper describes a new technique for pulse test analysis that combines the simplicity of the tangent method with the result repeatability of the iterative methods. Inflection points are used instead of time lag with the added advantage that they are calculated by a simple algorithm and are not subject to graphical misinterpretation. Charts are made for the calculation of transmissibility and storage for unequal pulse and shut-in periods from 0.1 to 0.9 relating inflection time to pulse response amplitude and dimensionless inflection time.

The graphs presented for this technique have the same dimensionless cycle period ranges (from 0.44 to …

Shear Induced Anisotropy In The Rheology Of Solids Dispersions, Nicholas G. Triantafillopoulos

Masters Theses

Under strong hydrodynamic forces, solids dispersions could no longer be considered isotropic fluid s but rather two-phase systems. The continuous (dispersing) phase was only sheared in side an effective gap determined in a Couette flow device by the presence of solid (dispersed) phase in to suspension. Three parameters, the effective gap, percent gap reduction and the relative shear volume, were incorporated to account for the influence of solids in the rheology of their suspension.

The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the role of solids volumetric concentration, particle size, nominal gap and continuous phase viscosity on Hercules Hi-Shear …

Automated Evaluation Of Reservoir Parameters Applying Pressure Transient Theory, Steven Robert Homoky

Masters Theses

"This study presents an investigation to automatically evaluate reservoir parameters using pressure transient theory. Methods will be introduced to numerically fit the well test data in the real (time) domain (specifically the pressure change as a function of test time). The numerical fit and known fluid, rock and well properties will be used to evaluate the dimensionless storage coefficient. The theoretical dimensionless pressure (being a function of skin factor, permeability, and dimensionless storage coefficient) is obtained by Laplace Inversion. The ability to evaluate the dimensionless storage coefficient thus reduces the parameters of the pressure equation by one. Varying the skin …

Complex Reactions In Porous Media, Dar-Sen Horng

Masters Theses

"The dusty-gas model is used to describe the molar fluxes of complex irreversible reactions with moles changes in isothermal porous catalysts.

The model presented in this work can be used for any number of independent reactions occurring in porous media as long as the number of independent reactions is equal to or less than the total number of species.

Systems of two parallel reactions involving a ternary mixture is used in this work. Five sets of reaction parameters are used for each reaction system and the overall selectivity and effectiveness factors are calculated for different geometric constants.

Results show that …