Chemical Engineering Commons^™

So2-Scrubber Technology : Double Alkali Mode, Krishna K. Rao

Theses

Double alkali (D/A) processes for the desulfurization of flue gases occupy an increasingly important role in applied technology.

D/A processes involve two steps, namely, scrubbing and regeneration. In the scrubbing step, the alkali (Na₂SO₃) reacts with SO₂. In the regeneration step the acid formed, NaHSO₃, reacts with an alkali to regenerate Na₂SO₃.

This study was focused on the regeneration step. Regenerants investigated were slurries of lime and limestone. The major factors studied were reactor configuration and mixing patterns.

These systems were investigated in a batch, backmix, and plug-flow …

Municipal Point Source Pollution In The Hackensack Meadowlands Estuary, Alfonso Augustine Hernandez

Theses

A study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of various sewage treatment facilities in the Hackensack Meadowlands District. The study dealt with overall plant efficiencies based on percent removals of suspended solids and Biochemical Oxygen Demand although other parameters were also included.

Samples for this study were obtained from the inlet and outlet channels of the individual plants. The parameters studied were: Suspended Solids, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Nitrogen, Nitrate-Nitrite Compounds, Total Organic Carbon, Orthophosphate-P, Total Oxygen Demand and Fecal Coliform. Results obtained were averaged so as to collectively represent wet and dry weather conditions.

The results indicate that most …

The Separation Of Proteins Via Parametric Pumping And Ion Exchange, Paul Albert Falcon

Theses

A pH parametric pump, coupled with ion exchange, was used in an experimental investigation to separate a protein-water binary mixture. The model system consisted of a hemoglobin-water binary mixture. A pH gradient throughout the parametric pumping column was sustained with the use of hollow fiber devices incorporating phosphate buffer circulation.

Data is presented for both batch and semi-continuous recuperative mode pH parametric pumping. Continuous pH parametric pumping for protein isolation has also been envisioned.

No attempt has been made to optimize this newly devel-oped process; however, certain parameters are suspected of controlling separation, including buffer concentration, half cycle time, packed …

The Settling Of Particles In A Square Contained Medium, Richard S. Matyas

Theses

Stokes' Law, has been standardly utilized to calculate the terminal velocity of falling particles. However, the limitation of Stokes' Law is that it does not take into account the container walls and their resulting drag forces. Extensive work with additional drag due to cylindrical container walls has been examined by many investigators. The classical and earliest is the well know Ladenburg Correction which cannot be utilized with non-cylindrical containers. This experimental thesis examines the analog of the Ladenburg relationship for a square container. This experimental thesis was undertaken to experimentally determine the value of the constant K₁ for a …

The Effect Of Ultrasonic Vibrations And Catalyst Particle Size On The Decomposition Of Cumene, John F. Pietranski

Theses

The effect of ultrasonic vibrations on the vapor phase decomposition of cumene to benzene and proplyene was investigated using silica-aluminum as the cracking catalyst.

The system consists of a tubular reactor with a 4 inch long catalyst chamber made from 1 cm. diameter stainless steel tubing. The catalyst bed was irradiated from above by means of an ultrasonic horn.

The reactor was run at temperatures of 850 to 950°F., frequencies of 26,000 and 39,000 Hz, with a power innut of 0.30 watts/cm.² . Feed rates of 100 to 300 gms./hr. and catalyst particle sizes of 0.0209 to 0.358 cm. …

Non-Equilibrium Parametric Pumps For Separating Liquids Or Gases, Anil Krishna Rastogi

Theses

An experimental and theoretical study has been done of Non-Equilibrium parametric pumps. Mathematical models and computer programmes are developed for both thermal and heatless parametric pumps based on non-equilibrium conditions and linear isotherms. A mathematical study was done for thermal parametric pumps whereas both experimental and theoretical studies were made for a heatless parametric pump. The effect of different operating conditions has been investigated on the separation of NaCl-H₂O via a thermal parametric pump and He-CO₂ and He-C₃H₆ gas mixtures via a heatless parametric pump.

The experimental study of heatless parametric pumps was extended …

Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium At Low Pressures : Correlation Of Binary And Prediction Of Multicomponent Data, Norman I. Silverman

Theses

The Wilson equation is chosen as typical of the new correlations for activity coefficients gaining wide distribution for use in the correlation and prediction of vapor-liquid equilibria today. Vapor liquid equilibrium data for 247 binary systems have been regressed against each of ten (10) objective functions and values of the Wilson energy parameters obtained. For the typical binary system, a wide variation of the Wilson energy parameters are observed when different objective functions are used with the given set of binary data. These are each examined with respect to their capability to correlate multicomponent vapor-liquid equilibrium data for seventy-three (73) …

An Experimental Study Of Separation Of Binary And Ternary Gas Mixtures By Parametric Pumping, Stephen E. Belsky

Theses

An experimental study of gas parametric pumping is presented which examines the purification of helium using silica gel to remove the impurity carbon dioxide. Low gas flow rates are used to allow adequate time for equilibrium to be approached, assuming intraparticle diffusion is the controlling mass transfer step. By varying the cycle time, at long cycle times, the effect of penetration length (a function of dynamic capacity) is indicated. Also, at low cycle time, the effects during pressure changes become more significant.

Using low flow rate improves separation effectiveness if evaluated at equal dynamic capacity. When using low flow rate …

Air Control In A Newark City Subway Station, Robert H. Burch

Theses

During the period from June, 1974 to January, 1976, 103 24-hr samples of the air at the Broad Street station of the Newark City Subway were collected by cascade impactor. The size distributions (based on Stoke's equivalent diameters) of the total suspended particulate matter were determined gravimetrically. Samples were also analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry to obtain information on the concentration of iron, manganese, lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium in each size fraction. The geometric mean particulate level was found to be more than twice the Federal Ambient Air Quality Standard and triple that of ambient Newark air sampled nearby. …

An Experimental Study Of Semi-Continuous Ph-Parametric Pumping With A Center Feed, John S. Dell'osso

Theses

Parametric pumping represents a new development in separation science. It has attracted considerable attention both because of its novelty and because it permits continuous operation in small equipment with very high separation factors. The basic principle of parametric pumping is to utilize the coupling of periodic changes in equilibrium conditions caused by periodic changes in some intensive variables (temperature, pH, electric field, etc.), and periodic changes in flow direction to separate the components of fluid which flows past a solid adsorbent. Applications of parametric pumping involving the separation of valuable materials such as proteins would be very attractive and profitable …

Prediction And Correlation Of The Salt-Effect In Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium, Enrique M. Bekerman

Theses

The feasibility of developing a method of correlation and prediction, for mixtures of two solvents containing a dissolved salt has been studied. The procedure consisted of arriving at the interaction parameters for the three binary systems (solvent 1-solvent 2, solvent 1-salt, solvent 2-salt) and using these to calculate the ternary results. Attempts to generate interaction parameters for the solvent-salt binaries by means of the Wilson equation were unsuccessful, whereas, use of the NRTL equation resulted in a very good fit of the binary data.

In correlating the ternary results, it became necessary to redefine the liquid phase mole fractions and …

The Recovery Of Methanol From The Mother Liquor Of A Pharmaceutical Active Ingredient, Richard Lawrence Eichholtz

Theses

The company has been sending to the sewer the filtrate from one of our chemical processes. This filtrate contains 63 vol. % methanol. The recovery of this methanol would reduce the amount of purchased methanol. The recovery would also reduce the Biological Oxygen Demand of the plant effluent. In the near future the local sewer authority will be billing the company for BOD.

The goal of the recovery process is to obtain methanol of satisfactory quality for reuse in the process from which it came. A literature search and a laboratory study verified the non-ideality of the system. Preliminary calculations …

Reaction Kinetics For The Synthesis Of Benzyl Benzoate From Benzyl Chloride And The Triethylamine Salt Of Benzoic Acid, Michael A. Kolakowski

Theses

The reaction kinetics for the synthesis of benzyl benzoate from benzyl chloride and the triethylamine salt of benzoic acid has been studied over the temperature range of 70-105°C and a mole ratio of benzyl chloride to triethylamine of 0.5 - 10.0.

A reaction mechanism which is consistent with the experimental data has been derived. The experimental data was analyzed by means of the integral method of analysis. The temperature dependency of the reaction was determined from Arrhenius' Law and the activation energy was calculated to be 15,064 cal/g-mole. An empirical equation which explains the effects of the reactant mole ratio …

A Study Of The Effect Of An Electric Potential On The Saponification Of Ethyl Acetate, Michael Maciupa

Theses

A reactor of rectangular cross-sectional, area was constructed of plexiglass to study the effect of an electric potential on the saponification of ethyl acetate with sodium hydroxide. Three different laminar region flow rates were used and the applied voltage was varied up to four kilovolts in one kilovolt increments for each flow rate. It was found that the apparent rate constant for the reaction was either increased or decreased depending on the voltage and flow rate used. The largest increase was a 4.2 percent change from zero voltage steady state conditions with an applied voltage of one kilovolt at a …

Adsorption On Activated Flyash, John William Kubarewicz

Theses

An experimental study was undertaken to compare the adsorptive characteristics of activated carbon, flyash, and activated flyash. Due to the contradictory evidence available in the literature, emphasis was placed on the effect of acid activation on the physical properties of the adsorbent. The experiment consisted of two parts; batch isotherm studies, and continuous column operations. An artificial sewage composed of a mixture of deionized water and beef broth was used as the adsorbate. This solution was prepared daily and exerted a COD of 225 ± 30 mg/l. Flyash activation was found to increase the degree of adsorption indirectly rather than …

The Chemical Effect Of Ultrasound On Cyanide Solutions, Nabil R. Zaki

Theses

An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the chemical effects of high intensity ultrasonic radiation on cyanide solutions. The effects of aeration, concentration of cyanide and temperatures on the reaction rate are investigated. The experiment was preformed in a 30 mm pyrex tube immersed at a fixed height in a constant volume water bath. Ultrasonic energy was applied through the use of a transducer epoxied at the bottom of the water bath. The power inputs to the transducer were 40W (27KHz) and 100W (21KHz).

At a power of 40W, ultrasound had no chemical effect on cyanide solutions. At 100W, hydrogen …

Computer Program For Binary Distillation Using The Method Of Pochon-Savarit With Enthalpy Data Calculated By Lagrange Interpolation, Joseph J. Rogus

Theses

This thesis presents a Fortran Computer Program to solve binary distillation problems. The solution is obtained by the method of Pochon-Savarit which is based upon graphical use of an enthalpy-concentration diagram. The enthalpy data in this program is calculated using Lagrange interpolation. This is accomplished by utilizing the Lagrange interpolation to get values for the enthalpy of the vapor until we find that value which lies on the same line as the enthalpy of the liquid from the preceding tray and its corresponding del point.

The required input data consist of liquid-vapor equilibrium data, heat of solution data with the …

The Thermodynamics Of Electrolytic Solutions, Eric Robert Bixon

Theses

The thermodynamic properties of solutions of electrolytes may be accurately determined by the measurement of the activity of the s6lvent. when the. solute is nonvolatile, this quantity may be obtained from measurements of the lowering of the vapor pressure caused by the presence of the dissolved solute.

An experimental method has been devised to measure this effect using a semi-conventional Othmer Still. The experimental apparatus has been constructed. and evaluated. Data has been-obtained for the vapor pressure lowering of methanol due to the presence of dissolved electrolyte for five different electrolyte-methanol systems. An extrapolation technique was developed to make use …

Separation Of Isomers Via Thermal Parametric Pumping, Vincent J. D'Emidio

Theses

Continuous and semicontinuous thermal parametric pumps for separating isomers were experimentally investigated using the model system glucose-fructose-water on a cation exchange resin adsorbent. A comparison was made between the experimental data and the calculated results by a method based on an equilibrium theory. The method invokes the assumptions that a multicomponent mixture contains a series of pseudo binary systems. Each binary system consists of one of the solutes as one component and the common inert solvent as the other component. It has been shown that under certain conditions, the pump with feed at the enriched end has the capacity for …

A Preliminary Study Of The Thermodynamic Limitations Of The Nrtl/Lemf Equations, Robert Petrie

Theses

Analytical evaluations of the second and third derivatives of the molar Gibbs energy of mixing for the NRTL/LEMF equations indicate distinct zones of miscible and inmiscible prediction.

These calculations for a number of different α's have produced approximate miscibility limits for both NRTL/LEMF energy parameters and infinite dilution activity coefficients of a given system.

Transient Phenomena Of Polymer Solutions, Nikolaus Zwetkow

Theses

With the aid of a rotational viscometer, several transient phenomena were studied with different polymer solutions. In order to be acquainted with the operations of the rotational viscometer, viscosity measurements were made on polystyrene solution of a 7.14 wt. % NBS-2-35967 in a 35 - 65 mixture of aroclor and TCP, polyisobutylene (16.5% in mineral spirits), Indopol H-1900 (polyisobutylene) and 4.5% polyisobutylene in Primol 355. All these were done at a temperature of 77°F, except for Indopol H-1900 which was done at different temperatures. The results are listed in the section of tables and graphs.

Viscosity was measured with a …

The Thermal Dehydration Of Magnesium Sulfate Hexahydrate (Mgso3.6h2o) And Magnesium Sulfite Trihydrate (Mgso3.3h2o), Raafat F. Abdel-Malek

Theses

The thermal dehydration of MgSO₃.3H₂O and MgSO₃.6H₂O have been studied by differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis.

Similar studies by other groups led to contradictory conclusions. In this investigation, these results were reconciled and it was concluded that MgSO₃.6H₂O, under equilibrium conditions, dehydrates in two steps through the intermediate formation of MgSO₃.3H₂O.

One consequence of this work is the development of a simple analytical procedure, using TGA, for the quantitative determination of both hydrates in mixtures and in the presence …

Steady State Heat Transfer From A Double Ring Of Identical Spheres In A Regular Orientation, Evelio A. Melo

Theses

Solutions to Laplace's equation are obtained by the method of reflections for the problem of heat transfer from two parallel rings of spheres arranged in regular polygonal arrays. The mathematical models developed describe the rate of heat transfer and spatial temperature distribution due to an arbitrary number of identical spheres of equal surface temperature correcting Fourier's heat transfer equation for the interference caused by a multiparticle array. Although the method of solution is quite rigorous and can be used to obtain as accurate a solution as desired, only the second reflection was obtained, yielding a first order correction. The model …

Reactions Of Para-Nitroaniline With Acid Chlorides, Stephen Alan Zapoticzny

Theses

Para-nitroaniline was reacted with acid chlorides forming amides. Their structures were elucidated by the performance of various spectral analyses.

A Kinetic Study Of Lysine And Lysine Derivatives, Stephen Joseph Stanley

Theses

The kinetics of the reaction of iodoacetamide with lysine, polylysine, N-α-Acetyl lysine, and N-ε-Acetyl lysine, have been studied. The investigation was done at 23° C ± 123° C, as a function of pH, and concentration. In all cases it was noted that the rate of reaction increased as the pH increased. The rate data was analyzed in order to obtain the second order rate constants. In addition, the effects of the reactive site's environment on the rate was demonstrated.

Engineering A Primary Waste Treatment Plant, Edwin O. Onwawoma

Theses

This thesis deals with the design and construction of a primary waste treatment plant. The scope of work covered here, includes waste sampling and characterization, process design data gathering, process and mechanical design, cost estimate, and a general discussion of the construction and start-up.

In the development of this work, it is assumed that a decision has been made to build the waste treatment plant, using a known process. Therefore, economic evaluations designed to determine return on investment and selection of a process, will not be discussed. The impact the capital investment associated with the waste treatment facility has on …

Sidewise Force Exerted On Slowly Falling Spheres Inside A Circular Cylinder, Gary Mark Greenstein

Theses

Numerical values are provided for the forces that must be applied to a reference sphere to prevent its sidewise motion when two equal-sized spheres settle through a viscous liquid bounded by a cylindrical tube. These values are presented for two independent set of circumstances:

1. - the spheres are translating but not rotating
2. - the spheres are rotating but not translating

Forces have been calculated assuming various distances between the sphere centers and with the line of centers at various angles to the horizontal. The results are discussed for the case where the spheres are both translating and rotating and compared …

Effect Of Mixing On Polymerizations In Batch Reactors, John Guy Steenrod

Theses

The effects of mixing on polymerizations in batch reactors are examined theoretically for initiations by thermal decomposition of catalyst and by absorption of ionizing radiation. Mathematical expressions for predicting the first three moments of the dead polymer size distribution are presented. Two extreme mixing states. perfect and no mixing. are considered. It is shown that in batch reactors mixing in any direction in which nonuniform initiations exist increases the polymerization reaction rate and the number average molecular weight, and decreases the weight average and the polydispersity.

Experimentally, the effects of mixing were studied in a solution polymerization system, in a …

Evaluation Of Herington General Integral Test For Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Data, Raja Gopal Nori

Theses

A new set of general integral tests for the thermodynamic consistency of isothermal and isobaric equilibrium data of binary systems was proposed by E.F.G. Herington.

The systems Benzene-Cyclohexane and Benzene-n-Propanol were examined using Herington integral test-. The data used included sets of data known to be in error. One set was, in effect, at true vapor-liquid equilibrium (the data of literature) but the other data was obtained when the system was inadequately insulated and heated.

Heringtan test showed significantly different estimates for heats of mixing for the cases involved. The best data showed heats of mixing near the theoratical values. …

Rheo-Optical Properties Of Polyisobutylene, Russell B. Biss

Theses

This study presents quantitative experimental data on the various stress-optical characteristics of polymer liquids, specifically, polyisobutylene. Through the use of a concentric cylinder rheogoniometer and a rotational viscometer, the temperature effects of a newtonian polyisobutylene liquid. was studied and was found to have a stress-optical coefficient independent of shear stress and minor temperature changes. The experiments confirm that the birefringence is a known function of the extinction angle and the shear stress. Various polyisobutylene liquids were used in a simple flow device to observe the birefringence in the 1-3 plane and the 2-3 plane. The results indicate that the 1-3 …