Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Characterization Of Potassium Promoted & Unpromoted Fischer-Tropsch Catalysts, Steven Miller

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The technique of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been applied to characterize iron-manganese catalysts used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The catalysts, which vary in composition from 10 FE/90 Mn, to 50 Fe/50 Mn are analyzed after being placed in a slurry reactor and having synthesis gas reacted over them. Changes, in catalyst composition are investigated further using in situ techniques. Additionally, 20 Fe/80 Mn catalysts containing potassium in the range of 0.1 wt.% to 1.3 wt.% are analyzed in the same manner. These studies have permitted the identification of some of the factors influencing activation and deactivation, product selectivity, and surface …

Redox Reaction Kinetics Between Cobalt(Ii)-4,4',4",4'"-Tetrasulfophthalocyanine & Iodine In Various Solvents, Byung-Soo Yu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Analyses of the kinetic data obtained on the redox reaction between cobalt(II)-4,4',4",4"-tetrasulfophthalocyanine [Co(II)TSPC4^-] and iodine in the presence of air show three reactions in dimethylsulfoxide(DMS0), N,N-dimethylacetamide(DMA), and diethylene glycol(DEG) while there are two reactions in methanol(Me0H). Two of the three reactions in DMSO, DMA, and DEG are biphasic with one reaction in all of the solvents being too fast to be accurately measured on the Cary Model 14 spectrophotometer. When the reactant solutions are purged with argon for 40 minutes under identical conditions, the same biphasic reactions are observed in DMSO and DEG while only one of the …

Analytical Pyrolysis Of Thai Lignites, Naowarat Poolasap

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Samples of four different Thai lignites were utilized to study the effects of ceiling temperature and heating rate on the overall yield and product distribution by the technique of analytical pyrolysis (pyrolysis-gas chromatography). Ceiling temperatures of 450°, 550°, 650°, 750°, 850°, and 950°C, a heating rate of 500°C/sec and pyrolysis intervals of 20 seconds were investigated. The results were reported in terms of percentage high-volatile product and low-volatile product fraction, weight-loss (% by weight), and total yield (counts per milligram). One sample which showed the highest sensitivity to changing ceiling temperature was selected to study the effect of heating rate …

Physical Properties Of Tar Sand Tailings That Influence Their Ability To Sustain Plant Growth, Timothy Cole

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The mining of bituminous sandstone rock for the purpose of extracting bitumen has created a need for reclamation. One such mine is located in northern Logan County. Their mining operation involves removing large sections of sandstone, which is impregnated with bitumen, and crushing it to sand-sized material. The sand-sized material is then mixed with organic solvents which extract the bitumen. Once separated, the bitumen is stored for future refinement and the spent sand is stockpiled for later disposal.

The spent sands or waste material are referred to as tar sand tailings. These tailings have particular properties which make reclamation efforts …

Predicting The Self-Heating Potential Of Coal, Seyed Mohammad Fatemi-Badi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Self-heating in coal has been studied for well over one hundred years, yet there is no accurate or reliable method for predicting the potential of certain coals to undergo self-heating. Fires caused by self-heating, and eventually spontaneous combustion, have occurred in the high wall of surface mines, in underground mines, in coal stockpiles, and on trains, barges and ships. Self-heating in coal is brought about through a complex interplay of conditions depending on the specific properties of the coal as well as many external factors involved in the mining and handling of coal.

In a study supported by the United …

Effects Of Urbanization On The Quantity And Quality Of Storm Water Runoff Recharging Through Caves Into The Edwards Aquifer, Bexar County, Texas, George Veni

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Eighty-nine caves and sinkholes were investigated in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone in Bexar County, Texas. The study examined their hydrogeologic and topographic origins and distribution, relationships to major fracture traces, quantity of recharge into the aquifer and degree of sensitivity towards degradation of the aquifer’s water quality. Groundwater traces were attempted to determine aquifer flow routes, time of groundwater travel, groundwater volume within conduits, and the aquifer’s capacity for dilution and dispersion of recharged contaminants. Trends in water quality were examined to quantify the volume and variety of contaminants recharged into the aquifer and to determine the effects of …

Hydrogenation Of Nitro Compounds To Amines Using Polymer Bound Catalysts, Eduardo Baralt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A polymer bound catalyst is a relatively new type of catalyst. The basis of polymer bound catalysis lies in the chemical attachment of a homogeneous catalyst to a solid support, in our case, polystyrene. Applications of polymer bound catalysts started in the late 1960’s, and have been used in several types of reactions. In some cases such a catalyst offers a series of advantages over the classical models of catalysis, homogeneous and heterogeneous.

The hydrogenation of various aromatic and aliphatic nitro compounds, such as nitro-benzene and 2-nitropropane, were performed successfully. The hydrogenation activity in most cases was high, and in …

Co-Oxidative Depolymerization Of Coal, Renae Rosencrans

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In contrast to current coal conversion technology, cooxidative depolymerization of coal is a novel approach to coal liquefaction in that the reactions are carried out under relatively mild conditions. This free radical process utilizes air or oxygen and a suitable co-oxidant (solvent) which acts as a radical and hydrogen transfer agent throughout the coal matrix. Ideally, co-oxidation would lead to the formation of hydroperoxide groups at the reactive bridging sites in the coal matrix, which upon decomposition would lead to C-C bond scission.

The effects of several variables on co-oxidation and subsequent post-treatment were investigated. Up to 49% conversion to …

Ua66/10/2 Newsletter, Wku Mathematics

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Mathematics department.

Ua37/30/2 Wku Research Notecards - H Topics, Lowell Harrison

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Notecards created by Lowell Harrison while researching his book Western Kentucky University. The cards transcribed are for 108 topics beginning with H ranging from Hail Storm to Hundred Club.

Ua37/30/2 Wku Research Notecards - E Topics, Lowell Harrison

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Notecards created by Lowell Harrison while researching his book Western Kentucky University. The cards transcribed below are for 104 topics beginning with E ranging from Eagle Prep to Extension.

Ua37/30/2 Wku Research Notecards - S Topics, Lowell Harrison

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Notecards created by Lowell Harrison while researching his book Western Kentucky University. The cards transcribed below are for 321 topics beginning with S ranging from Sabbaticals to Symposium: Student.

Ua56/1 Fact Book, Wku Institutional Research

WKU Archives Records

Statistical and demographic profile of WKU.

Ua66/8/3 Annual Report, Wku Geography & Geology

WKU Archives Records

Annual report created by and about WKU Geography & Geology for the school year 1984-1985.

Ua35/11 Student Honors Research Bulletin, Wku Honors Program

WKU Archives Records

The WKU Student Honors Research Bulletin is dedicated to scholarly involvement and student research. These papers are representative of work done by students from throughout the university.

• Whicker, Garth. Agriculture and the Development of Malaysia
• McGaha. Rape, Passion, Lechery, Usury, Incest, Murder and other Matters in The Ravenger's Tragedy
• Harrison, Robert. It was a Day of Very General Awakening . . : Reformation and Revival in Russellville, Kentucky
• King, Betty. An Affirmative Decision for James's Isabel Archer
• Sutton, Joyce. Sex Bias in Performance of Women
• Logsdon, Doug. Poe's Women
• Yoder, Nate. Emily Dickinson and Her Puritan Heritage
• Davis, Aleen. Jay …