Chemical Engineering Research Papers/Topics

Value addition of coal fines and sawdust to briquettes using molasses as a binder

Abstract: In this study, the co-briquetting of coal fines saw dust and molasses as a binder is explored as an option for value addition of the wastes generated in the various industries. The effect of the saw dust concentration and the molasses concentration was investigated through measuring the briquette's calorific value, fixed carbon, compressive strength and shatter index. Addition of Ca(OH)2 was done to effect removal of sulphur from the briquette. Measurements of the briquettes physio...

Utilization of waste cooking oil and tallow for production of toilet “Bath” soap

Abstract: A green prospective based on the reuse of waste materials such as beef tallow and waste cooking vegetable oils to manufacture soap is presented. Beef tallow and waste cooking oils that is discarded as waste from households and restaurants after frying is reviewed for the production of toilet (bath) soap. The discarded oil is purified with a brine solution and bleached with Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2.) Purified waste cooking oils and beef tallow is mixed with coconut oil commonly used ...

Effects of biomass/coal copyrolysis parameters on the product yield: a review

Abstract: Pyrolysis is one of the prospective processes that can be utilized to obtain high value chemicals and energy from coal and biomass. Coal-biomass co-pyrolysis presents a green, low-risk, cheap, sustainable, renewable energy source with low carbon emissions. Co-pyrolysis offers the highest yield of liquid fuels and gas compared to the individual feedstocks. It has been illustrated that the production yields experimentally usually exceed the calculated and this can be explained by the...

Effect of the operation parameters on the Fischer Tropsch synthesis process using different reactors

Abstract: There are a number of factors that affect the output of the Fischer Tropsch process, change in the process parameters like catalyst used, residence time, temperature, pressure, particle size, bed height, flowrate and even the type of reactor used. A small manipulation of the parameters is enough to change completely the conversion, selectivity; therefore, these parameters have to be monitored. This paper presents the effect of the operation parameters on the Fischer Tropsch synthes...

The potency of monoethanolamine in biogas purification and upgrading

Abstract: Biogas has been exploited as one of the alternative sources of renewable energy having the potential to replace fossil fuels. It contains impurities when raw, as it consists of 50e70% methane (CH4), 30e50% carbon dioxide (CO2) and trace gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Chemical absorption is often a preferred purification technique in industrial applications because it has high efficiencies, removes H2S completely, operates at low pressures, and has higher reaction rates. The ...

The carbonate-catalyzed transesterification of sunflower oil for biodiesel production: in situ monitoring and density functional theory calculations

Abstract: Biodiesel has emerged as a promising alternative fuel to replace dwindling fossil-based resources, particularly in view of its added environmental merit of reducing additional air pollution. Its specific attraction stems from the similarity of its physical properties to fossil fuel-derived diesel. Although the production of biodiesel is a relatively straightforward process, reaction progress monitoring and product analysis require costly specialist equipment, such as gas chromatogr...

Modeling a sustainable, self-energized Pine Dust Pyrolysis system with staged condensation for optimal recovery of bio-Oil

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...

Application of stage condensation of tar during pyrolysis of high ash semi-bituminous-Morupule mine coal

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...

Methanol synthesis chemistry and process engineering aspects: a review with consequence to Botswana chemical industries

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...

A review of the desulphurization methods used for pyrolysis oil

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...

Effect of particle size and alkali-laccase on the properties of pterocarpus angolensis (Mukwa) wood flour

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...

Phosphorus removal from secondary wastewater effluent using copper smelter slag

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...

Optimization of the Operating Parameters for the Extractive Synthesis of Biolubricant from Sesame Seed Oil via Response Surface Methodology

This study examined the optimization of the transesterification reaction of sesame methyl esters (SMEs) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) to synthesise sesame biolubricant (SBL). Response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design (CCD) was employed for the experimental design. Effects of temperature, mole ratio and reaction time on the yield of SBL were evaluated. The predicted yield after process optimization was found to agree satisfactorily with the experimental value. The o...

Production of Environmentally Adapted Lubricant Base Stock from Jatropha Curcas Specie Seed Oil

Jatropha curcas seed oil was studied for the synthesis of trimethylolpropane based biolube basestock via chemical transesterification of Jatropha methylester with trimethylolpropane (TMP) using calcium hydroxide catalyst. Reactions temperatures ranged between 80 and 160 C and methyl esters to TMP mole ratios ranged between 3:1 and 7:1. Product analysis, ester groups and physio-chemical properties were obtained by gas chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and American...

Synthesis and Tribological Evaluation of Sesame Oil-based Trimethylolpropane Ester

Synthesis of polyol ester as a novel biodegradable base stock from sesame seed oil for lubricant production was conducted via chemical transesterification of sesame methylester with trimethylolpropane (TMP) using calcium hydroxide catalyst. The reactions were carried out under varying temperatures (80 C160 C) and methyl esters to TMP mole ratios (3:1 to 7:1). Product’s analysis was performed using gas chromatography. Product’s physicochemical characteristics determined using ASTM met...


1 - 15 Of 30 Results