Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Hydrogen Production Through The Process Of Electrolysis Can Benefit Fuel Conservation In Automobiles, Wade D. Stahr

Graduate Research Papers

Every day over 8.5 million barrels of gasoline are consumed in America alone. Since fuel prices have skyrocketed there is more need than ever for a fuel-conserving device that the public can use in any automobile and will result in true savings both financially and environmentally. Many people and organizations have talked about an all hydrogen-powered vehicle; while this is a wonderful concept, the actuality of it happening throughout the entire country is less that probable. Due to many factors, mainly financial, the use of hydrogen to power vehicles on a mass scale could take many years to incorporate. However, …

Modeling Of Thermodynamically Coupled Reaction-Transport Systems, Yaşar Demirel

Yaşar Demirel Publications

Nonisothermal reaction-diffusion systems control the behavior of many transport and rate processes in physical, chemical and biological systems, such as pattern formation and chemical pumps. Considerable work has been published on mathematically coupled nonlinear differential equations by neglecting thermodynamic coupling between a chemical reaction and transport processes of mass and heat. This study presents the modeling of thermodynamically coupled system of a simple elementary chemical reaction with molecular heat and mass transport. The thermodynamic coupling refers that a flow occurs without or against its primary thermodynamic driving force, which may be a gradient of temperature or chemical potential or reaction …

Exploring The Potential For Electromangetophoretic Separation, Thomas Lewis

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Current research in mircofluidic technology is underway to develop automatic micro-analyzing chips for medical diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing often requires separation of specific biological particles from a sample, and many of these molecules contain electric or magnetic properties. This project investigates the potential for separation in electromagnetophoretic and magnetophoretic microfluidic technology. In electromagnetophoresis, the Lorentz force acting on a current carrying medium in a homogeneous magnetic field creates a pressure gradient in the fluid, resulting in an applied force to particles present in the separation medium. This force causes the particle to have a velocity component that is perpendicular to …

Biodiesel Production From High Free Fatty Acid Content Feedstocks, Kaewta Suwannakarn

All Dissertations

Biomass, such as animal fats and grease, is one of the better sources for transportation fuels, e.g. biodiesel. Use of such biomass in the biodiesel synthesis decreases the need for fossil energy, provides an outlet for utilizing the abundant resources effectively and economically, results in a cleaner fuel that is biodegradable, renewable, and non-toxic. Free fatty acid (FFA) esterification and triglyceride (TG) transesterification with low molecular weight alcohols are the central reactions for the biodiesel production. The focus of this research is to establish a better fundamental insight into heterogeneous catalysis for biodiesel forming reactions, in an attempt to design …

Immobilization Of Biomolecules On Polymer Scaffolds: A Novel Approach, Joshua Barringer

All Theses

In this thesis, I describe the successful development of a procedure for the step-by-step formation of a multi-layer polymer scaffold on a silicon wafer and the characterization of these materials. Also discussed is the development of a procedure for the non-site specific attachment of a biomolecule to the modified silicon wafer, including scaffolds modified via drop-on-demand, DOD, inkjet printing. Ellipsometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FTIR, fluorometry, and static water contact angle measurements are used to study the nanoscale structure and properties of the interfacial, thin film-modified surfaces. Polymers based on 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone (VDMA) are used as the platform onto which biomolecules …

Formation Of Active Catalytic Sites In Hydrocarbon Synthesis And Reaction, Nattaporn Lohitharn

All Dissertations

Acid and metal catalysis are considerably important in the chemical industry especially, for the production of transportation fuels. Since a serious concern on the world environment has infringed on the restriction of aromatics contained in gasoline, the demand for clean high-octane branched alkanes for gasoline upgrading has significantly increased. This process involves acid catalyzed n-butane isomerization in which n-butane is converted to isobutane, a primary feedstock for the production of high-octane species. In addition, due to the unpredictable price and the limited resource of petroleum fuel derived crude oil, the attention has shifted to synthetic liquid fuels derived from other …

Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear Behavior Of Entangled Polymer Solutions: Particle Tracking Velocimetric Investigation, Sham Ravindranath, Shi-Qing Wang

College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) has been employed widely to probe the nonlinear behavior of complex fluids. Typically, the system undergoing LAOS has been assumed to experience homogeneous shear in each cycle so that material functions can be introduced to analyze the nonlinear dependence of these functions on the amplitude and frequency. Using particle-tracking velocimetric technique, we have carried a more systematic investigation on four different entangled polybutadiene (PBD) solutions with the number of entanglements per chain Z=13, 27, 64 and 119, extending well beyond the initial observations of shear banding in entangled PBD solutions under LAOS [Tapadia , Phys. …

Promoting Neuron Adhesion And Growth, Laura M. Y. Yu, Nic Leipzig, Molly S. Schoichet

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering Faculty Research

During nervous system development, the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role offering anchorage points to maturing neurons and neurites, as well as a permissive environment for tissue formation. Thus enhancement of cell adhesion is often an important criterion when designing biomaterials for neural tissue engineering. In addition to functionalizing biomaterials with ECM-derived cell adhesive molecules, there is emerging evidence that indicates the surface topography, stiffness, and electrical properties play an important role in neuron adhesion and neurite outgrowth. We describe recent developments in biomaterials modification for simulating the microenvironment in order to promote neuron adhesion and growth, as well …

The Effects Of Physical And Chemical Modulating Agents On The Induction Of Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses, Andrea Nicole Ryan

Honors Scholar Theses

After the development of the viral-based prostate cancer vaccine, Ad5-PSA, much research has been orientated to help enhance the induced immune response by combining the vaccine with physical and chemical modulating agents, more specifically the polymers polyethylenimine (PEI), chitosan, and chitosan coated with CD3 complex antibodies; all previously shown to stimulate an immune response as isolated gene carriers. To compare the vaccine-induced immune responses between the naked vaccine and the polymer-vaccine combinations, a mouse model using the ovalbumin- specific Ad-OVA vaccine was tested using intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), tetramer staining, and cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte assays to measure the activation of …

Optimization Of Production, Maintenance, Design And Reliability For Multipurpose Process Plants: An Analysis And Revision Of Models, Christopher L. Mcgann

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The successful design of multipurpose process plants, which are characterized by their flexibility, is accomplished by maximizing the availability of process units and therefore, the profitability of the process. Maximum availability is achieved through the optimization of the design and production scheduling of a process under constraints relating to equipment maintenance and failure. Mathematical models that incorporate the production scheduling, maintenance scheduling, process design and initial reliability aspects of a process can be optimized in order to maximize availability. These mathematical models are solved through the use of computers. Mathematical process models, presented in the literature and containing the aforementioned …

A Study Of Inhomogeneity Effects On Packed High Performance Liquid Chromatography Columns, Tyler House

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The packing quality of a High Performance Liquid Chromatography column has significant impact on the resulting separations. In practice, problems in a packing occur through normal usage of a column. Resulting chromatograms from inhomogeneities exhibit varying problems such as extreme tailing and double peaks. Early detection of such problems is critical to fixing problems before their effect harms efficiency, but a fully developed theory of how inhomogeneities affect separations does not exist. The purpose of this work was to experimentally characterize HPLC column inhomogeneities and to begin preliminary simulations of HPLC columns with the computer simulation package STAR-CD. To do …

Conversion Of Biomass Resource To Useful Forms Of Energy And Other Products, Steven Jennings

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States is facing increasing pressure to find renewable energy sources due to rising energy costs. With world energy demand at an all time high, renewable energy has been thrust into the forefront of research as a means to mitigate this looming crisis. Throughout the United States, there is a large quantity of agricultural biomass that could be used to generate energy and lessen the dependence on diminishing resources. Specifically, animal feeding operations (AFOs) such as dairies generate large amounts of cow manure, which, when improperly handled, causes both air and water pollution. Currently, most manure is temporarily stockpiled …

Kinetics Determination Of Soybean Oil Transesterification In The Design Of A Continuous Biodiesel Production Process, Irwin Jacob, Ed Clausen, Danielle Julie Carrier

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

One-step batch transesterification consisting of three stepwise reversible reactions of pure soybean oil with methanol was conducted at two different mixing speeds (600 and 300 rpm) to produce soybean oil fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel). In both batch reactions, sodium methoxide (1.09 wt% based on soybean oil) was used as the catalyst, the reaction temperature was 60oC, and the methanol-to-oil molar ratio was 6:1. The objectives were to determine and/or investigate: 1) the mechanism and order of the reaction, 2) the reaction rate constants, 3) the effect of changes in mixing intensity on the reaction rate, 4) the comparison of …

Development Of A Microelectrode Array Sensing System For Water Quality Monitoring, Robert D. Gardner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis reports the design and fabrication of a low-cost reliable microelectrode array sensing platform and its application toward water quality monitoring, including heavy metal ion detection. Individually addressable microelectrodes were designed in a planar array on a nonconductive glass substrate by a photolithography method. The size, shape, composition, and functionality of the microelectrodes were theoretically explored in order to maximize performance.

The microelectrode array sensing platform was proven and characterized in the K3Fe(CN)₆ electrochemical standard using cyclic voltammetry. The sensor platform exhibited well defined voltammograms and had increased sensitivity relative to a commercially available microelectrode of similar size. …

Real-Time Raman Spectroscopy And Wide-Angle X-Ray Diffraction During Single-Layer And Multi-Layer Blown Film Extrusion, Giriprasath Gururajan

All Dissertations

Properties exhibited by blown films are controlled by the microstructure developed during their processing. Therefore, real-time measurement of microstructure during the blown film extrusion can help in better control and optimization of the process needed to obtain desired properties. The objectives of this research were (i) to conduct real-time microstructural measurements during single-layer and multi-layer blown film extrusion of polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using real-time Raman spectroscopy; (ii) to conduct real-time wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) during single-layer blown film extrusion of LDPE to obtain crystallinity and orientation values during the process; and (iii) to investigate the effect of …

Bubble Dynamics Investigation In A Slurry Bubble Column, Chengtian Wu, Kelsey Suddard, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Application of Four-Point Optical Probe Has Been for the First Time Extended to a Slurry System in a 10.2-Cm ID Column. Bubble Dynamics (Local Gas Holdup, Bubble Chord Length, Bubble Velocity, Bubble Frequency, and Specific Interfacial Area) Were Investigated using an Air-Water-Catalyst System under Atmospheric Pressure. with an Increase in Solids Loading, the Local Gas Holdup, Specific Interfacial Area, and Bubble Frequency Decreased, While the Bubble Velocity Changed Slightly. Bubble Chord Length Increased Noticeably, and the Bubble Chord Length Distribution Spread More Widely at High Solids Loading. It Has Also Been Found that the Probe Orientation is Important for …

Optimizing Performance Of Conductive Nanoparticle-Filled Membranes, Alison Chen

Honors Scholar Theses

Conductive membranes were prepared by magnetic alignment of graphite-coated iron nanoparticles (GCINs) in a polyisobutylene (PIB) matrix, which was cast onto an interdigitated surface electrode. Toluene and tetrahydrofuran (THF) were used as solvents for the casting solution. Different molecular weights of PIB and solutions with concentrations ranging from 0.05- to 50-wt% were explored to optimize the mechanical and physical properties of the membrane. The amount of GCINs used in the membranes ranged from 0.1- to 2.5-wt%, and a sonicator was used to disperse the particles in the membrane. Sedimentation and surfactant studies were conducted to investigate the dispersion of GCINs …

Mathematical Modeling Of Oral Cavity Mucositis, Jason White

Honors Scholar Theses

Oral Mucositis is a condition seen in post-treatment mouth cancer patients and is a condition of which the pathobiology is not entirely known. It is a condition that shares many common pathways with other alimentary tract injuries such as inflammatory bowel disease. Mathematical modeling of the system can help to identify gaps in the current knowledge base as well as assist in generating new hypotheses and predicting clinical outcomes of conditions. A detailed mathematical model would assist researchers in determining which drug targets are worthwhile investigating. Deterministic modeling and Virtual Cell&#; software were used to assign rate constants to each …

Effect Of Shear On Performance And Microbial Ecology Of Continuously Stirred Anaerobic Digesters Treating Animal Manure, Rebecca A. Hoffmann, Marcelo L. Garcia, Mehul Veskivar, Khursheed Karim, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan, Largus T. Angenent

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We Determined the Effect of Different Mixing Intensities on the Performance, Methanogenic Population Dynamics, and Juxtaposition of Syntrophic Microbes in Anaerobic Digesters Treating Cow Manure from a Dairy Farm. Computer Automated Radioactive Particle Tracking in Conjunction with Computational Fluid Dynamics Was Performed to Quantify the Shear Levels Locally. Four Continuously Stirred Anaerobic Digesters Were Operated at Different Mixing Intensities of 1,500, 500, 250, and 50 Revolutions Per Min (RPM) over a 260-Day Period at a Temperature of 34 ± 1°C. Animal Manure at a Volatile Solids (VS) Concentration of 50 G/L Was Fed into the Digesters Daily at Five Different …

Off And Running, James D. Sterling

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Natrolitite, An Unusual Rock -- Occurrence And Petrographic And Geochemical Characteristics (Eastern Turkey), Emin Ciftci, John Patrick Hogan, Hasan Kolayli, Emin Cadirli

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Very unusual rocks consisting of natrolite (>95 vol.%) ± pargasite (<5 vol.%) and rare albite (<1 vol. %) have been discovered in the Kop mountain range, eastern Turkey. We propose to call these rocks 'natrolitite' and 'pargasite natrolitite'. They were produced by Na Si metasomatism of dikes and stocks of diorite through replacement of the intermediate primary igneous plagioclase to produce natrolite. The metasomatic alteration produced concentric elliptical zones characterized by distinct mineral assemblages centered on intrusions of diorite. The Central Zone 1 consists of variably albitized diorite with preserved magmatic textures (albite ± andesine ± pargasite ± quartz). Transition Zone 2 comprises natrolite-bearing diorite (natrolite ± albite ± andesine ± pargasite ± calcite ± quartz). Marginal Zone 3 is a rock made up almost entirely of natrolite (natrolite ± pargasite ± albite ± calcite ± chlorite). Outer Zone 4 occurs along the boundary between the natrolitite and the surrounding serpentinite and consists of listvenite, a rock which comprises magnesite, quartz, calcite, mica, talc, and hematite, indicating a role for CO₂ in the metasomatic reactions, consistent with the presence of calcite in the alteration zones. Zone 5 consists essentially of brecciated serpentinite with numerous hydrothermal quartz veins and calcite veins. Whole-rock compositions document an increase in Na₂O, Al₂O₃, and H₂O from the core (central zone) to the margin while CaO, MgO, and SiO₂ decrease. Plagioclase abundance and composition also varies outwards from the central core rocks where it occurs as a primary magmatic phase (~95 vol.% An_41-38) …

Cooling Tunnel Optimization, Trisha Janicki, Jason Thomas

Honors Theses

The goal of this senior design project was to design an Excel spreadsheet which would model a cooling tunnel at the production facility for Kellogg. This model takes the inputs from the operator, the ambient conditions, and the product going through the model and shows exactly what is happening within the tunnel. Once the model was built, an economic analysis was done based on the normal operations versus the increased efficiency of the cooling tunnel. This economic comparison showed that if the throughput of the cooling tunnel was increased by 17.6%, the cost of running the chiller, which is the …

A Study Of Co2 Absorption Using Jet Bubble Column, Setiadi Setiadi, Nita Tania Hadiyani, Hantizen Hantizen, Dijan Supramono

Makara Journal of Technology

A Study of CO2 Absorption Using Jet Bubble Column. The phenomenon of plunging jet gas-liquid contact occurs quite often in nature, it's momentum carries small air bubbles with it into the reactor medium. The momentum of the liquid stream can be sufficient to carry small bubbles completely to the bottom of the vessel. A stream of liquid falling toward a level surface of that liquid will pull the surrounding air along with it. It will indent the surface of the liquid to form a trumpet-like shape. If the velocity of the stream is high enough, air bubbles will be pulled …

Comparison Of An Experimental Bone Cement With Surgical Simplex® P, Spineplex® And Cortoss®, D. Boyd, Mark R. Towler, A. Wren, O. M. Clarkin

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Conventional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cements and more recently Bisphenol-a-glycidyl dimethacrylate (BIS-GMA) composite cements are employed in procedures such as vertebroplasty. Unfortunately, such materials have inherent drawbacks including, a high curing exotherm, the incorporation of toxic components in their formulations, and critically, exhibit a modulus mismatch between cement and bone. The literature suggests that aluminum free, zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements (Zn-GPC) may be suitable alternative materials for consideration in such applications as vertebroplasty. This paper examines one formulation of Zn-GPC and compares its strengths, modulus, and biocompatibility with three commercially available bone cements, Spineplex®, Simplex® P and Cortoss®. The setting times indicate …

The Processing, Mechanical Properties And Bioactivity Of Strontium Based Glass Polyalkenoate Cements, Anthony Wren, Daniel Boyd, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The suitability of zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) for use in orthopaedics can be improved by the substitution of strontium into the glass phase which should impart improved radiopacity and bone forming properties to the cements without retarding strength. The purpose of this research was to produce novel GPCs based on calcium-strontium-zinc-silicate glasses and to evaluate their mechanical properties and biocompatibility with the ultimate objective of developing a new range of cements for skeletal applications. Three glass compositions, based on incremental substitutions of strontium for calcium, were synthesized; BT100 (0.16CaO, 0.36ZnO, 0.48SiO₂), BT101 (0.04SrO, 0.12CaO, 0.36ZnO, 0.48SiO_{2 …}

The Development Of Inverter Fuzzy Logic Control For Induction Motor Control By Vector Control Method In Electric Vehicle, Era Purwanto, Mohammad Ashary, Subagio Subagio, Mauridhi Heri Purnomo

Makara Journal of Technology

The development of Inverter Fuzzy Logic Control for Induction Motor Control by Vector Control Method in Electric Vehicle. In response to concerns about energy cost, energy dependence, and environmental damage, a rekindling of interest in electric vehicles (EV’s) has been obvious. Thus, the development of power electronics technology for EV’s will take an accelerated pace to fulfill the market needs, regarding with the problem in this paper is presented development of fuzzy logic inverter in induction motor control for electric vehicle propulsion. The Fuzzy logic inverter is developed in this system to directed toward developing an improved propulsion system for …

Internet Congestion Control System, Pranoto Hidaya Rusmin, Carmadi Machbub, Agung Harsoyo, Hendrawan Hendrawan

Makara Journal of Technology

Internet Congestion Control System. Internet congestion occurs when resource demands exceeds the network capacity. But, it is not the only reason. Congestion can happen on some users because some others user has higher sending rate. Then some users with lower sending rate will experience congestion. This partial congestion is caused by inexactly feedback. At this moment congestion are solved by the involvement of two controlling mechanisms. These mechanisms are flow/congestion control in the TCP source and Active Queue Management (AQM) in the router. AQM will provide feedback to the source a kind of indication for the occurrence of the congestion …

Substrates Preparation From Woody Tropical Waste Biomass For Biohydrogen Production, Dwi Susilaningsih, Theresia Umi Harwati, Khairul Anam, Yopi Yopi

Makara Journal of Technology

Substrates Preparation from Woody Tropical Waste Biomass for Biohydrogen Production. Addressing to the global warming problem, energy crisis and pollution, hydrogen production by micro-organisms using biotechnological approach should be considered, since it fulfils the recent society requirement to safely produce, renewable and environmental friendly energy. Hydrogen is one of the most promising green energy sources, because it is easily converted to electricity and cleanly combustible. There are three types of micro-organisms for hydrogen production, the first is cyanobacteria through the photosynthesis process, the second is anaerobic bacteria, which use organic substances as electron donor and energy and convert them to …

Building Fire Safety Audit At Faculty X, University Of Indonesia, Year 2006, Fatma Lestari, Rm. Yodan Amaral Panindrus

Makara Journal of Technology

Building Fire Safety Audit at Faculty X, University of Indonesia, Year 2006. Fire may cause loss of life, material and valuable assets. The objective of this study is to conduct audit for fire safety and emergency response in the building at Faculty X, University of Indonesia, Depok. The audit results on the building fire safety facilities including emergency response and preparedness are then compared to the Building Code Australia (BCA) and Indonesian regulation on the building fire safety (Kep.MenPU.No 10 and 11/KPTS/2000). The building selected are Building A, B, C, D, F and G. Building classification for A, B, D, …

Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (Aodv) Routing Protocol Performance Evaluation On Hybrid Ad Hoc Network: Comparison Of Result Of Ns-2 Simulation And Implementation On Testbed Using Pda, Riri Fitri Sari, Abdusy Syarif, Bagio Budiardjo

Makara Journal of Technology

Ad Hoc on-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Routing Protocol Performance Evaluation on Hybrid Ad Hoc Network: Comparison of Result of Ns-2 Simulation and Implementation on Testbed using PDA. In Mobile Ad hoc NETwork (MANET), node supplemented with wireless equipment has the capacity to manage and organise autonomously, without the presence of network infrastructures. Hybrid ad hoc network, enable several nodes to move freely (mobile) to create instant communication. Independent from infrastructure. They could access the Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet. Functionalities of ad hoc network very much dependent on the routing protocol that determines the routing around node. Ad …