Chemical Engineering Commons^™

A Study Of Degradation In The Pumping Of Dilute Polymer Solutions, I-Chung Chang

Masters Theses

"In the course of an investigation of the turbulent flow properties of dilute high polymer solutions in organic solvents, a number of supplementary investigations were required. These were: 1. Determination of the molecular weights of a number of polymers by intrinsic viscosity measurements. 2. Determination of the effect of pumping on the degradation of high polymers in dilute solutions. This included development of a method for estimating the concentration of dilute polymer solutions. 3. Determination of the effects of density, viscosity and non-Newtonian behavior on the calibration of turbine flow meters"--Introduction, page 1.

Performance Of A Reciprocating Packed Extraction Column, Thomas Vardaman Konkle

Masters Theses

"The performance of a mechanically-aided liquid extraction column was investigated utilizing the methyl isobutyl ketone-acetic acid-water ternary extraction system. Mechanical power was added to the extraction system by reciprocating a wire-mesh packing of high void volume at various frequencies and displacements. The effects of total throughput on performance were studied in increments of 5,000 pounds per hour per square foot up to the onset of flooding, and the column performance was evaluated as a function of power addition to the extraction system. In comparing the various types of mechanically-aided extraction columns, it was determined that the throughputs achieved with the …

Oxidation Of Ortho-Xylene To Phthalic Anhydride Using A Fluidized Bed Catalysis, Jyue-Sheng Wang

Masters Theses

"This investigation was conducted to study the vapor-phase oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride in a fluidized bed reactor. Parameters investigated during the study were temperature, molar ratio of air to o-xylene vapor, and space velocity. The catalyst used was vanadium pentoxide supported on a silica base and diluted with potassium sulfate. The studies were conducted on a laboratory scale"--Abstract, page ii.

An Analysis Of Pressure Build-Up Theory, Hansraj J. Patel

Masters Theses

"Various theories regarding the pressure build-up characteristics for producing wells are analyzed. The merits and limitations of each theory are discussed. The error involved in plotting the pressure build-up data for the case of well-bore pressure versus shut-in time is pointed out. Equations have been presented for the various quantitative determinations of reservoir properties which can be obtained from typical pressure build-up data. Utilizing all the previous methods presented in the literature, a recommended procedure for field application is proposed. One oil well and three gas wells have been analyzed using the recommended procedure with the attendant calculations given in …

The Production Of Glutamic Acid By Fermentation, Tsun-Hsiung Li

Masters Theses

"The method of producing glutamic acid by fermentation was studied in shake flasks and in a five liter fermentor. Strains of the micro-organism, Micrococcus glutamicus, were used to produce glutamic acid under different conditions ... A literature review of the general properties of glutamic acid and industrial methods of glutamic acid production was made. A detailed discussion of the fermentation method of glutamic acid production was also included"--Abstract, page ii.

Radiation Induced Polymerization Of Methyl Methacrylate, Ko-Hung Liu

Masters Theses

"A study has been made of the gamma radiation effect on the rate of polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer, and also to determine the effects of the presence of clay of known composition and of other solids on the rate of polymerization. The results indicate that the monomer undergoes polymerization and then degradation as a function of radiation time at a given gamma flux"--Abstract, page ii.

Thermal Degradation Of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) In Solutions In A Closed System, Vikram Pranjivandas Parikh

Masters Theses

"A study has been made of the thermal degradation of poly (methyl methacrylate) of two different molecular weights, 2,303,000 and 43,000, in 1,2-dichloroethane in a closed system. The results indicated that the polymer having a molecular weight of 2,303,000 undergoes degradation while the low molecular weight polymer 43,000 undergoes reverse polymerization, and the molecular weight remains constant. The molecular weight of high molecular weight samples after 48 hours decreased from 2,303,000 to 2,232,000 and 1,690,400 at 50⁰C and at 98.5⁰C, respectively"--Abstract, page [i].

The Separation Of Radioactive Technetium And Zirconium By Electrodialysis And A Study Of The Behavior Of Technetium In Aqueous Solutions, William Victor Andoe

Masters Theses

"The rapid increase in radioisotope applications necessitates improved technology for separation and purification of the fission product elements. Electrodialysis techniques employing Permutit anion exchange membrane(3148) were used to separate technetium from zirconium. The method was based upon the stability of the pertechnetate ion in alkaline solutions and the precipitation of zirconium from alkaline solutions. The separation of radiotechnetium and radiozirconium was effected with a two cell electrodialysis unit employing an anion exchange membrane. The solution medium consisted of fluoride and nitrate ions which were made basic with sodium hydroxide. The minimum basicity for a good separation was 0.1N NaOH"--Abstract, page …

Permeability And Additive Absorption And Extraction In Lubricating Greases, Eugene Hsiung-Jen Tu

Masters Theses

"A permeability apparatus was used to measure the permeability coefficients of eight Lithium-Calcium greases and ten Baragel greases in which the viscosity and type of the oil component were varied. The oil present in each grease was used for its permeability measurement.

An improved sample packing technique was developed to improve the repeatability of permeability measurements. Repeatability of ± 3% was achieved. In general the permeability coefficients of the non-soap Baragel greases were higher than those of the lithium-calcium greases with comparable oil components, and those of greases containing paraffinic oils were higher than these containing naphthenic oils. The effect …

Radial Water Encroachment - An Approximation, Tommie C. Wilson

Masters Theses

"This presentation consists of the application of empirical equations for the calculation of the water influx into a radial oil reservoir in which the history of the rate and cumulative water influx are equated to the pressure decrements and time. This new analysis, based on William Hurst's solution for the steady-state water influx, yields an accurate method for determining water influx through the application of simple linear empirical equations. These linear approximations reproduce the rigorous influx solutions to a maximum deviation of 1.6 per cent"--Abstract, page ii.

The Dissolution Of Deformed Magnesium In Sulfuric Acid., William J. Daniels

Masters Theses

"The negative difference effect exhibited by magnesium while anodically dissolving in saline solutions has been attributed in part by Kokoulina and Kabanov to the expulsion of univalent magnesium ions ^{1, 2}. Recent experimenters have discounted the concept of the anodic expulsion of uncommon valency ions and have explained both the positive and negative difference effects observed for magnesium in dilute acids on the basis of anodic polarization, film disruption, and disintegration of the magnesium anode, i.e. "chunk effect"^{3, 4}.

The purpose of this present investigation was to study the difference effect for deformed magnesium in a dilute …

The Indole Acetic Acid Oxidase Of Hygrophorus Conicus., Dilip N. Patel

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this investigation was to determine an assay method for measuring the activity of the indole acetic acid oxidase present in Hygrophorus conicus. This enzyme converts tryptamine or indole acetic acid (IAA) into oxindole acetic acid (OIAA).

An assay method for measuring the activity of the enzyme was developed based on the spectrophotometric measurement of tryptamine, IAA, and OIAA. Several other assay methods were tried. The colorimetric method of Gordon and Weber ^(l4) was found to be useful for a quantitative determination of IAA and was insensitive to OIAA. Paper chromatography proved to be useful as a qualitative …

A New Method For The Evaluation Of Metal Primers., Bhalchandra Dave

Masters Theses

"Corrosion is the destructive attack of metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction with its environment. Rusting is usually the term applied to the corrosion of iron-base alloys with formation of corrosion products consisting largely of hydrous ferric oxides. Non-ferrous metals therefore, corrode but do not rust. ^(l4) More than 40 per cent of the world's production of steel and iron is destroyed by rusting which costs about six billion dollars every year. In 1954 the American Petroleum Industry, Subcommittee on Corrosion, published a preliminary estimate that corrosion was costing 2 the petroleum refining industry between eleven and nineteen cents per …

The Removal Of Residual Organic Materials From Sewage Plant Effluents Using Continuous Foam Flotation., Ajab S. Malik

Masters Theses

"This investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of using a continuous foam flotation process for the removal of soluble organic materials from sewage treatment plant effluents. All effluents contained alkyl benzene sulfonates (ABS), derived from synthetic detergents. The studies were conducted on a laboratory scale. The reduction in the chemical oxygen demand was used as a measure of the effectiveness of the removal of the organic materials. In addition, ABS determinations were employed to study the fate of the detergent.

A flotation cell, equipped with the means of controlling the air and liquid flow rates, was used. Air flow …

A Study Of The Phase Behavior Of Carbon Dioxide-Methane-Normal Decane Systems, Raja Audi Mansoor

Masters Theses

“The effect of carbon dioxide concentration, on solubility has been studied for several carbon dioxide-methane-n-decane systems. Experimental results were obtained using differential vaporization tests. Computational results were obtained using equilibrium constants.

The relation between solubility, bubble point pressure and solution carbon dioxide is presented. A ternary diagram showing the bubble point pressure behavior as a function of system composition is also presented”--Abstract, page ii.

The Anodic Dissolution Of Cadmium In Aqueous Solution, Yun-Chung Sun

Masters Theses

"The increasing importance of prevention of corrosion in industry has stimulated extensive studies on the fundamental behavior of metals in corrosive media.

The basic mechanism of the anodic dissolution of metals such as cadmium, magnesium, and zinc in salt solutions is not completely known. Several mechanisms have been proposed by different investigators, but evidence is still lacking to draw unquestionable conclusions to explain the discrepancies which often arise between coulometric data and weight loss of metal electrodes in certain salt solutions.

The purpose of this investigation was to obtain experimental data for anodic dissolution of cadmium in various electrolytes and …

Mass Transfer To Droplets: Effect Of Non-Newtonian Continuous Phase., Hsin Chih Wu

Masters Theses

"Since non-Newtonian fluids are frequently encountered in the chemical and process industries, it is important that the transport processes which are commonly encountered be thoroughly investigated. Although studies of fluid mechanics and heat transfer with these fluids have been reported, virtually no work has been reported in the study of mass transfer. This is particularly true of mass transfer in turbulent flow.

The purpose of this investigation is to study the liquid-liquid mass transfer phenomenon in turbulent flow associated with single droplets in non-Newtonian continuous phases. The results are compared with those obtained in Newtonian systems. The data obtained will …

Study Of Mass Transfer In Oscillating Droplets., Subhash Vishnu Gangal

Masters Theses

"The object of this investigation was to study the resistance to mass transfer inside single oscillating liquid droplets falling in a liquid medium. The following four systems were studied: (1) 3% acetic acid in nitrobenzene and water, (2) 25% acetic acid in nitrobenzene and water, (3) 3% acetic acid in nitrobenzene and glycerin in water, and (4) benzyl alcohol and water. The individual mass transfer coefficients were computed by using the Handlos and Baron relation and were compared with the experimentally determined dispersed phase mass transfer coefficients. The average absolute deviation of the observed values of dispersed phase mass transferred …

The Prediction Of The Thermal Conductivity Of Various Binary Non-Polar Gaseous Mixtures., Chester Foon-Chen Feng

Masters Theses

"A simple method for predicting the thermal conductivity of binary non-polar gaseous mixtures from the force parameters of the pure components and composition was developed. The method is an extension of the application of the combining methods previously derived for viscosity predictions. Altogether, the published thermal conductivities of 683 binary non-polar mixtures at various temperature levels were compared with the corresponding calculated thermal conductivities resulting from the prediction method. The corresponding values predicted from Hirschfelder, Curtiss and Bird's expression were also compared.

Among the 683 binary mixtures, there were 138 di-di, di-poly, and poly-poly mixtures, 241 mono-

A Study Of The Separation Of A Mixture Of Carbon Dioxide And Hydrogen By Means Of An Orifice., Larry Gene Bauer

Masters Theses

"The purpose of the investigation was an attempt to verify a statement made by Partridge in an effort to discover a new method of separating gaseous mixtures. Partridge stated that when a constant pressure is applied on two gases of different specific gravity, a larger volume of the l igl1ter gas is forced through the orifice. Orifices of 1.016, 0.319, and 0.222 millimeter in diameter were used in the course of the investigation.

It was found that with the apparatus used in the research endeavor, no separation of the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide could be obtained"--Abstract, p. i

Design, Construction And Characterization Of A 10-Liter Batch Pilot Plant Fermentor., Sylvester Ogden

Masters Theses

"A 10-liter batch type pilot plant fermentor has been designed and constructed. The design incorporated most of the desirable features of previous designs reported in the literature.

The stainless steel fermentor has a multi-speed agitator and aeration rates as high as 15 cubic feet per hour. Temperature indicating, temperature controlling, pH measuring, and automatic foam controlling systems are included in the design.

Sulfite oxidation rates have been determined for the unit at 15 operating conditions. A maximum sulfite oxidation rate of 1060 millimoles of oxygen per liter per hour has been obtained.

Fermentation using a Torulopsis utilis yeast culture has …

Separation Of Cationic And Colloidal Fractions Of Radioactive Fission Elements By Electrodialysis., Ronald Dean Mitchell

Masters Theses

"The rapid increase in radioisotope applicat i ons necessitates improved technology for separation and purification of the fission product elements. Electrodialysis techniques employing Permutit anion exchange membranes (3148) and cation exchange membranes (3142) were used to separate strontium from cesium and to fractionate cerium from promethium. The methods were based upon organic complex formations in basic solution.

Separations of radio strontium and radio cesium were affected with both anion and cation exchange membranes in a three-cell electro dialyzer with EDTA as a chelating agent at a pH of 11.0o Fractionation of radiocerium and radio promethium were affected with anion exchange …

The Submerged Culture Of Thiobacillus Thio-Oxidans In A Pilot Scale Fermentor, Edward Hibbert Crum

Masters Theses

"A strain of Thiobaci.llus thiooxidans was isolated from a West Virginia coal mine drainage. This strain was characterized by its production of sulfuric acid in shake flasks. The strain was also compared with a pure culture of h thiooxidans obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC number 8085).

The strain was grown in submerged culture in a 16-liter pilot scale fermenter. Two aeration systems, air and air enriched with carbon dioxide, were examined. The air enriched with carbon dioxide gave a much more rapid growth rate. The culture reached the mid-log phase of growth after 80 hours of incubation …

The Anodic Dissolution Of Zinc In Nitrate Solution., Jo Lisle Reed

Masters Theses

"The increasing demand for protective metals as coatings and non-corrosive alloys has stimulated extensive research on the fundamental behavior of metals in corrosive media.

One of the problems still unsolved is the nature of the mechanism of the anodic dissolution of metals like zinc, magnesium, beryllium, cadmium, and aluminum in aqueous salt solutions. Several schools of investigators have proposed different and opposing theories to explain the discrepancies which often arise between coulometric data and the weight loss of metal electrodes in certain salt solutions.

The purpose of this investigation was to obtain experimental data for the anodic dissolution of zinc …

Correlation Of Chemical Structure And Distensibility Of Polyesters., Nitin Jhaverbhai Bhimani

Masters Theses

"Maleic anhydride and fumaric acid are important raw materials for the manufacture of unsaturated polyesters. Unsaturated polyesters are the esterification products of unsaturated dibasic acids and polyvalent alcohols, polymerized to a high molecular weight resin"--Introduction, p. 1

The Prediction Of The Viscosity Of Multi-Component Non-Polar Gaseous Mixtures At Atmospheric Pressure., Gary D. Fehsenfeld

Masters Theses

"The applicability of the Strunk, Custead, and Stevenson method for predicting the viscosities of multicomponent, non-polar, gaseous mixtures vas investigated. The viscosities of 24 ternary and quaternary gaseous mixtures were experimentally determined, at 3 temperature levels, and compared with the corresponding calculated viscosities resulting from the prediction method. In addition, the published viscosities of 64 multicomponent mixtures were compared with the corresponding calculated viscosities.

Altogether, the viscosities of 136 multicomponent, non-polar, gaseous mixtures were compared. The mixtures contained from 3 to 7 components including 16 different gases in the temperature range from 5• to 1014 ° c, and at a …

The Performance Of A Mechanically-Aided Countercurrent Extraction Column., Jerry James Carr

Masters Theses

"In recent years liquid extraction has become a major industrial method for the separation of liquid solutions. Liquid extraction has proven successful in some separations performed only with great difficulty by other, more common mass-transfer operations. Th e industrial utilization of liquid extraction has resulted in considerable interest in the design and performance correlations of high-capacity, high-efficiency extraction equipment.

Continuous countercurrent columns, filled with various packings, baffles, and plates, have been found to be relatively ineffective in liquid extract on service. The density difference of the contacted phases is generally insufficient to, by itself, cause the intimate contact necessary for …

Viscosities Of Various Binary Non-Polar Gaseous Mixtures., Gerald Lee Stevenson

Masters Theses

"Viscosity is an important physical property involving the transport of momentum in a fluid. Momentum is transferred within a fluid under an existing velocity gradient as the driving force. Since momentum transfer is actually attained by the dynamic interaction between particles of mass, a description of molecular interaction is essential in order to accurately predict the viscosity of a fluid. Temperature affects fluid viscosity by increasing the kinetic energy of the fluid system and thus the frequency by which molecules are involved in interaction. There have been many theoretical studies made concerning the intermolecular potential energy statements which serve as …

Development Of A Technique For The Determination Of Capillary Pressure Curves Using A Constantly Accelerated Centrifuge, Robert N. Hoffman

Masters Theses

"A new technique for determining capillary pressure curves with a centrifuge has been developed and tested. Capillary pressure curves were determined for six cores by this technique and were compared to the curves for the same cores determined by the semi-permeable barrier technique. The technique differs from previously reported centrifuge techniques in that the centrifuge was slowly accelerated from zero to the maximum desired speed, rather than being held constant at particular, progressively higher speeds. An important advantage of this technique over other methods for determining capillary pressure curves is the short time required to obtain the desired amount of …

Permeability And Adsorbed Flow Of Carbon Dioxide And Propene Through Porous Silica., Jorgen Lovland

Masters Theses

"It has been known for over a century that gases diffuse through some porous barriers at a rate inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular weight. The difference in diffusion rate can obviously be used to separate gases with different molecular weight. Since other methods for separation like distillation and adsorption usually are simpler and cheaper, separation by gaseous diffusion has found few practical applications. One notable exception is the separation of the gaseous hexafluorides of u²³⁸ and u²³⁵.

Later investigations on the permeation of gases through porous materials have shown that when gases diffuse …