Abstract: This simulation study explores sustainable improvements that could be made to a pine dust pyrolysis system to eliminate total dependence on external electrical energy supply and improve the yield of high-quality dry bio-oil. The components, stoichiometric yield and composition of oil, char and gas were modeled in ChemCAD using data from literature and results from biomass characterization and pyrolysis. A fast pyrolysis regime was used to increase the overall yield of dry oil fract...
Abstract: Botswana high-ash semi-bituminous coal produced by Morupule mine is under-utilized due to a lack of knowledge in possible applications of derivative products such as tar, syngas, and charcoal. This study is aimed to determine the possibility of producing tar as the main product via stage condensation in a semi-batch pyrolysis plant. A conventional process that incorporates fractional distillation to refine tar makes the low-quality coal uneconomical for coal to tar application beca...
Abstract: In a highly competitive world of commercial production of methanol, it is critical to understand and get methanol (CH3OH) synthesis chemistry and process engineering aspects of methanol production correctly. Methanol synthesis chemistry knowledge is invaluable as it is applied throughout the whole process of process design, plant design, optimization and during operation of methanol plant. A comprehensive review of methanol synthesis chemistry- for synthesizing methanol from syngas...
Abstract: In this article we review the different methods that are used for the desulphurization of pyrolysis oil obtained from used tyres. A lot of research has been done on desulphurization of crude oil and its derivatives, mostly diesel. Since pyrolysis oil has similar properties to those of diesel, the methods employed can be extended and applied for the purification of pyrolysis oil. According to the ultimate analysis, pyrolysis oil contains about 1.6 wt% sulphur which is above environm...
Abstract: The desire for advanced performing renewable materials and friendly to the environment has grown worldwide. Lignocellulosic materials have demonstrated great potential as reinforcing agents in the manufacturing of composite materials. Achieving such materials also depends on the optimization of parameters not limited to particle size, temperature, duration of treatment, manufacturing technique and the type of modification. Laccase enzyme, a biological modification deemed friendly t...
Abstract: This study investigated the use of copper smelter slag for the removal of phosphorus from secondary wastewater effluent through batch tests. The media was physically and chemically characterized and showed presence of Fe2O3 (45.22%), SiO2 (14.98%), Al2O3 (3.21%), CaO (1.99%), SO3 (1.77%) and MgO (1.33%). Scanning electron microscopy monographs revealed smooth and flat surface and no heterogeneity on the surface of the slag with visible micro pores before the experiment and less vis...
ABSTRACT The control of the distillation unit in Khartoum refinery, by keeping the operating conditions in certain limits is essential to adjust disturbances which lead to deviation from the desired values. The aim of this work is to select the suitable controller and the appropriate tuning method. The control loops are designed depending upon controllability and performance. These loops were Control of furnace temperature, Control of interface level at reflux drum, Control of level at stri...
ABSTRACT The reactivation of spent FCC catalyst for its application in the adsorption of heavy metals from wastewater was investigated in this research. The most effective reactivation route of spent FCC catalyst was the oxidation of the spent FCC catalyst using hydrogen peroxide at an oxidant-to-catalyst ratio of 16 ml/g, contact time of 60 minutes and a temperature of 90oC, followed by treatment with acetic acid solution at an acid-to-catalyst ratio of 20 ml/g, 75 minutes contact time and a...
A method to create smart and flexible switches for the regulation of liquid flow across multiple channels is essential in paper microfluidics. Prior approaches are hampered by long response times, high actuation fluid volumes, and external control circuitry. To diminish these problems, we designed a distinctive actuator device fashioned entirely from chromatography paper and featuring folds. The fold can be selectively wetted by an actuation fluid at either the crest or trough, resulting in t...
The emergence of new drugs is often driven by the escalating resistance of parasites to existing drugs and the accessibility of more advanced technology platforms. Microfluidic devices have allowed for quicker testing of compounds, regulated sampling/sorting of entire animals, and automated behavioral pattern detection. In the majority of microfluidic devices, the effects of drugs on small animals (e.g. Caenorhabditis elegans)elegant are quantified by an endpoint, dose response curve that sho...
We have created a microfluidic system that is open and lets us dispense and control discrete droplets on flat plastic sheets. To do this, a superhydrophobic material is sprayed on pre-made plastic sheets and hydrophilic symbols are printed onto them with an inkjet printer. The patterned plastic sheets are connected to a two-axle tilting platform, which is powered by stepper motors, and gives the droplets a mechanical movement. We have tested multiple droplet operations, such as; delivery of d...
Multiphase slug flow is going to be analysed while focusing on how pressure is lost and monitoring the velocity profiles. The problem involved in a multiphase flow is by far more complex than that which could be observed in a single phase flow. The fluid coming from the wellbore and onto the first part of the separator is conventionally a two phase flow of liquid/gas (air and silicone oil in this study). Using large diameter pipe and industrial based fluids, focus would be laid on flow direct...
Apparatus , methods , and systems for automated liquid drop let manipulation include an open droplet supporting surface. An actuator can translate the surface in space with at least one degree freedom of movement to influence movement of one or more droplets on the surface . In one embodiment , the surface is patterned with areas that attract the droplets and interstitial areas that repel the droplets to enhance transport of droplets . For example , for water - based droplets the attr...
In recent years, there has been significant interest in developing wearable devices to mimic the integrated sensing of life forms, which enhances their performance and survival capabilities. Progress in the development of physical sensors and wearable electronics has been promising, leading to numerous consumer products that measure activity, posture, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygen level. Despite the challenges in retrieving and processing bodily fluids, wearable chemical sens...
Previous studies have produced mixed results on the influence of magnetic fields on the fermentation kinetics and growth of various types of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We carried out two experiments to assess the role of magnetic fields on cell growth and ethanol production during fermentation. The first of these experiments took place for 25 h, with a dextrose loading rate of 2%, and the magnetic fields were both homogeneous and non-homogeneous with intensities of 100 and 200 mT. The second e...