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A special issue of ChemEngineering (ISSN 2305-7084).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 37452

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Prof. Dr. Changhyun Roh

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1. Decommissioning Technology Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 989-111 Daedukdaero, Yuseong, Daejeon 34057, Republic of Korea
2. Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (ARTI), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Jeonbuk 56212, Republic of Korea
3. Quantum Energy Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
Interests: radiochemistry; radiation chemistry; nanomaterials; nanotechnology; nuclear energy; decommissioning and decontamination science and technology; environmental science and technology; radioactive isotopes; radiation; chemical engineering; separation technology; catalysis; biotechnology; education; sustainability; chemosensors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The journal ChemEngineering is a publication that reports industrial and academic research in the broad fields of applied multidisciplinary and chemical engineering, with a special focus on fundamentals, processes, and products. The aim of this Special Issue is the better understanding of the potential industrial significance of chemical engineering. The Special Issue will cover all of the basic areas of chemical engineering, including catalysis, environmental engineering, energy, biotechnology, polymers, materials, process systems, transport, industrial chemistry, separations, and multidisciplinarity. In addition to traditional subjects, papers dealing with new areas of science and technology that fit the broad scope and objectives of the journal are encouraged. My aim is to encourage scientists and engineers to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. Therefore, there is no restriction on the length of the papers. The types of articles to be published include original articles, editorials, case reports, reviews, short communications, and letters to the editor.

Prof. Dr. Changhyun Roh
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Chemical engineering
Energy and environmental engineering
Separation and purification engineering
Catalysis
Nanomaterials
Nanotechnology
Biotechnology

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Continuous Gas Generation Method for Hydrogen Chloride Using Azeotropic Hydrochloric Acid System

by Reiji Aoyagi, Yoshika Sekine, Yuichiro Kaifuku and Kunitoshi Matsunobu

ChemEngineering 2022, 6(1), 12; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering6010012 - 01 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3404

Abstract

Standard gases are often prepared using high-pressure gas cylinders. However, it is difficult to accurately prepare a known concentration of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas using this method because HCl is highly corrosive and adsorptive. In this study, a simple method for the continuous generation of HCl gas was developed using a diffusion tube containing hydrochloric acid and a nitrogen carrier gas. The concentration of HCl produced from this system was almost unstable, but constant gas generation was realized for several hours when azeotropic hydrochloric acid (20.6% HCl in water) and a temperature near the azeotropic point (108.5 °C) were used, resulting in the generation of 103.6 ppm (mean, n = 5) of HCl gas with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.34%. In this case, the percentage of HCl present in the entire gas mixture of HCl and water vapor was 22.5%, which is almost equivalent to the HCl content in the azeotropic hydrochloric acid (20.6%). The HCl concentration could also be controlled by changing the flow rate of the carrier gas. This work demonstrates a simple technique based on the diffusion theory that allows for the constant, controllable generation of a known concentration of HCl gas using an azeotropic hydrochloric acid system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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16 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Integrated Electrocoagulation-Sedimentation (IECS) in Continuous Mode for Turbidity and Color Removal

by Saret Bun, Penghour Hong, Nattawin Chawaloesphosiya, Sreynich Pang, Sreyla Vet, Phaly Ham, Rathborey Chan and Pisut Painmanakul

ChemEngineering 2022, 6(1), 3; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering6010003 - 04 Jan 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2456

Abstract

The present work focused on the development and evaluation of a compact electrocoagulation (EC) reactor, combined between EC and clarifier processes in continuous modes for decolorization and turbidity removal, named the integrated electrocoagulation-sedimentation reactor (IECS). The experiments were firstly conducted in the four-liter batch column in order to optimize the EC configuration and operation condition. The removal kinetics were also investigated and predicted for kinetic correlations. After various optimization steps, the IECS reactor was conducted, consisting of EC and clarifier compartments. Liquid flow pattern in EC compartment was examined through resident time distribution technique for defining the number of EC units and divided baffles. In summary, four units of EC were placed in the EC compartment of the IECS reactor with 90% in the width of three baffles. Each EC unit had two pairs of aluminum electrode plats in monopolar arrangement with a 1.5 cm gap and required a current density of 13.5 mA/cm². For the clarifier compartment, it was mainly designed based on the batch settling test for separating the precipitated particles. The treatment performance of the IECS reactor was tested at different liquid flows in order to reduce the pollutant to a certain level. For the individual condition, liquid flow rates of 3 and 1 L/min were defined for turbidity and color, respectively. If both pollutants are presented simultaneously, a liquid flow rate of 1–2 L/min can be used for decreasing turbidity from 250 to <20 NTU and color from 6000 to <300 ADMI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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22 pages, 2866 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Low-Cost Eddy-Resolving Simulation in the Near-Field of an Annular Swirling Jet for Spray Drying Applications

by Jairo Andrés Gutiérrez Suárez, Alexánder Gómez Mejía and Carlos Humberto Galeano Urueña

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(4), 80; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5040080 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2928

Abstract

Spray drying is one of many industrial applications that use annular swirling jets. For this particular application, the flow characteristics in the near-field of the jet are fundamental to obtaining high-quality dried products. In this article, an annular swirling jet configuration is numerically studied using three low-cost eddy-resolving turbulence methods: detached-eddy simulation (DES), delayed-DES (DDES) and scale-adaptive simulation (SAS). To focus in industrial applicability, very coarse grids are used. The individual performance of these models is assessed through a comparison with laser-Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements and large-eddy simulation (LES) data from available studies. Results show that all the three turbulence models are suitable for performing industrial cost-effective simulations, capable of reproducing LES results of mean velocities and first-order turbulence statistics at a fraction of the computational cost. Differences in the results of the evaluated models were minor; however, the simulation with DDES still provided a better reproduction of experimental results, especially in the very-near field of the jet, as it enforced RANS behavior near the inlet walls and a better transition from modeled to resolved scales. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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12 pages, 13303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increasing the Adherence of Metallic Copper to the Surface of Titanium Hydride

by Vyacheslav Ivanovich Pavlenko, Andrey Ivanovich Gorodov, Roman Nikolayevich Yastrebinsky, Natalia Igorevna Cherkashina and Alexander Alexandrovich Karnauhov

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(4), 72; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5040072 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

Studies have been carried out to increase the adhesive interaction between a titanium hydride substrate and a copper coating. An additional layer containing chemically active groups was created on the surface of the spherical titanium hydride by chemisorption modification. This paper discusses the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping of coatings obtained on spherical granules of titanium hydride before and after adsorption modification. The mechanism of interaction of the surface of spherical granules of titanium hydride and titanium sulfate salt is proposed. It is shown that the creation of a chemisorbed layer of hydroxotitanyl and the subsequent electrodeposition of metallic copper contribute to the formation of a multilayer shell of a titanium–copper coating on the surface of spherical titanium hydride granules (≡Ti-O-Cu-) with a high adhesive interaction. Results have been given for an experimental study of the thermal stability of the initial spherical granules of titanium hydride and granules coated with a multilayer titanium-copper shell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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21 pages, 5228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Pyrolysis Parameters Using Microwave toward Structural Properties of ZnO/CNS Intermediate and Application of ZnCr₂O₄/CNS Final Product for Dark Degradation of Pesticide in Wet Paddy Soil

by Tutik Setianingsih, Danar Purwonugroho and Yuniar Ponco Prananto

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(3), 58; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5030058 - 03 Sep 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2346

Abstract

Pesticide is a pollution problem in agriculture. The usage of ZnCr₂O₄/CNS and H₂O₂ as additive in liquid fertilizer has potency for catalytic pesticide degradation. Colloid condition is needed for easy spraying. Rice husk and sawdust were used as carbon precursor and ZnCl₂ as activator. The biomass–ZnCl₂ mixtures were pyrolyzed using microwave (400–800 W, 50 min). The products were dispersed in water by blending then evaporated to obtain ZnO/CNS. The composites were reacted with KOH, CrCl₃·6H₂O, more ZnCl₂, and little water by microwave (600 W, 5 min). The ZnCr₂O₄/CNS and H₂O₂ were used for degradation of buthylphenylmethyl carbamate (BPMC) in wet deactivated paddy soil. TOC was measured using TOC meter. The FTIR spectra of the ZnO/CNS composites indicated the completed carbonization except at 800 W without ZnCl₂. The X-ray diffractograms of the composites confirmed ZnO/CNS structure. SEM images showed irregular particle shapes for using both biomass. ZnCr₂O₄/CNS structure was confirmed by XRD as the final product with crystallite size of 74.99 nm. The sawdust produced more stable colloids of CNS and ZnO/CNS composite than the rice husk. The pyrolysis without ZnCl₂ formed more stable colloid than with ZnCl₂. The ZnCr₂O₄/CNS from sawdust gave better dark catalytic degradation of BPMC than from rice husk, i.e., 2.5 and 1.6 times larger for 400 and 800 W pyrolysis, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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12 pages, 3434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation-Based Defect Engineering in “α-Spodumene”

by Sivanujan Suthaharan, Poobalasuntharam Iyngaran and Navaratnarajah Kuganathan

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(3), 57; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5030057 - 31 Aug 2021

Viewed by 2296

Abstract

Naturally occurring lithium-rich α-spodumene (α-LiAlSi₂O₆) is a technologically important mineral that has attracted considerable attention in ceramics, polymer industries, and rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The defect chemistry and dopant properties of this material are studied using a well-established atomistic simulation technique based on classical pair-potentials. The most favorable intrinsic defect process is the Al-Si anti-site defect cluster (1.08 eV/defect). The second most favorable defect process is the Li-Al anti-site defect cluster (1.17 eV/defect). The Li-Frenkel is higher in energy by 0.33 eV than the Al-Si anti-site defect cluster. This process would ensure the formation of Li vacancies required for the Li diffusion via the vacancy-assisted mechanism. The Li-ion diffusion in this material is slow, with an activation energy of 2.62 eV. The most promising isovalent dopants on the Li, Al, and Si sites are found to be Na, Ga, and Ge, respectively. The formation of both Li interstitials and oxygen vacancies can be facilitated by doping of Ga on the Si site. The incorporation of lithium is studied using density functional theory simulations and the electronic structures of resultant complexes are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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10 pages, 1027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cooperativity between Dimerization and Binding Equilibria in the Ternary System Laponite-Indocyanine Green-Water

by Giuseppe Cinelli, Gennaro Bufalo, Francesco Lopez and Luigi Ambrosone

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(1), 6; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5010006 - 01 Feb 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2315

Abstract

Laponite is an artificial nanoclay available in large quantities and at low cost. This marterial represents an efficient and suitable way of delivering hydrophobic vital dyes without the need for chemical functionalization. Laponite is available in large quantities and at low cost, then it would be an efficient way of delivering hydrophobic vital dyes without the need for chemical functionalization. The hydrodynamic diameter of laponite extrapolated to infinite dilution indicates that this clay is completely exfoliated. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic diameter in the laponite-Indocyanine green-water ternary system, at a fixed laponite concentration (2% (m/m)) exhibits a saturation curve. It was found that the extrapolated diameter at dye zero concentration is smaller than in pure water. Absorption spectra with fixed concentration of dye exhibit a red shift of 10–13 nm. On the contrary, the spectra acquired at a constant concentration of laponite do not undergo any displacement. The deconvolution of the spectra with two Gaussian peaks allows to calculate the concentration of the monomeric and dimeric species. The results were interpreted as a synergy between the dye dimerization balance and the dye-laponite binding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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13 pages, 26998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Single-Phase Zeolite A by Coal Gasification Fine Slag from Ningdong and Its Application as a High-Efficiency Adsorbent for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in Simulated Waste Water

by Wenxin Ji, Ning Feng, Pengde Zhao, Shiyue Zhang, Shasha Zhang, Liping Lan, Honglan Huang, Kangning Li, Yonggang Sun, Yuanyuan Li and Yulong Ma

ChemEngineering 2020, 4(4), 65; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering4040065 - 11 Dec 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2867

Abstract

Coal gasification is a new direction for the clean utilization of coal, but it also brings huge environmental pressure on solid waste. In this paper, the high-crystallinity single-phase zeolite A was prepared by solid-phase alkali fusion synthesis from coal gasification fine slag (CGFS), without template agent, with low water consumption, and with low cost, and it was used to remove heavy metals such as Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in simulated waste water. The main factors affecting the solid-phase and green synthesis methods were analyzed, and the optimum conditions for solid-phase synthesis of high-crystallinity single-phase zeolite A were determined as follows: NaOH/CGFS = 1.2; solid-phase alkali fusion temperature 823 K, solid-phase alkali fusion 90 min, liquid–solid ratio 4.5, and 353 K hydrothermal reaction for 12 h. The relative crystallinity, specific surface area, and ion-exchange capacity of single-phase zeolites A are 93.1%, 61.09 m²/g, and 268.4 mmol/100 g. The removal rates of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ can reach more than 99%, especially for the removal efficiency of Pb²⁺, which is common in simulated waste water. This is an effective method with important application prospects, and it formed an effective way to recycle solid waste of coal chemical industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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11 pages, 1694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MnO₂-Coated Dual Core–Shell Spindle-Like Nanorods for Improved Capacity Retention of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

by Hamza Dunya, Maziar Ashuri, Dana Alramahi, Zheng Yue, Kamil Kucuk, Carlo U. Segre and Braja K. Mandal

ChemEngineering 2020, 4(2), 42; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering4020042 - 19 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4616

Abstract

The emerging need for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries has motivated many researchers to investigate different designs. However, the polysulfide shuttle effect, which is the result of dissolution of many intermediate polysulfides in electrolyte, has still remained unsolved. In this study, we have designed a sulfur-filled dual core–shell spindle-like nanorod structure coated with manganese oxide (S@HCNR@MnO₂) to achieve a high-performance cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries. The cathode showed an initial discharge capacity of 1661 mA h g⁻¹ with 80% retention of capacity over 70 cycles at a 0.2C rate. Furthermore, compared with the nanorods without any coating (S@HCNR), the MnO₂-coated material displayed superior rate capability, cycling stability, and Coulombic efficiency. The synergistic effects of the nitrogen-doped hollow carbon host and the MnO₂ second shell are responsible for the improved electrochemical performance of this nanostructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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16 pages, 2465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parametric Sensitivity of CSTBRs for Lactobacillus casei: Normalized Sensitivity Analysis

by Subhashis Das, Rajnish Kaur Calay and Ranjana Chowdhury

ChemEngineering 2020, 4(2), 41; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering4020041 - 18 Jun 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2403

Abstract

In this paper, a sensitivity analysis of a continuous stirred tank bioreactor (CSTBR) was conducted to determine a parametrically sensitive regime. The growth of a lactic acid bacterium, namely, Lactobacillus casei, in a pH-controlled CSTBR was considered as a process model. Normalized objective sensitivities of the minimum pH were determined with respect to input parameters. A generalized criterion for sensitivity was defined for determining the parametric range of three input variables, i.e., dilution rate base stream (θ), base concentration (R), and initial pH (pH₀) for maintaining optimal pH range in the reactor. The system exhibits sensitive behavior for θ, R, and pH₀, from 0.095 to 0.295, 0 to 0.865, and 4.42 to 4.77, respectively. The critical values of θ, R, and pH₀ are 0.0195, 0.48, and 4.6, respectively. The mathematical model can also be used to determine a parametrically sensitive regime for other important parameters, namely, temperature, the concentration of metabolites, and other byproducts. The mathematical tool can also be used in bioreactor design and the improvement of control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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Review

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27 pages, 7393 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Mini-Review of Enhancing Ultrafiltration Membranes (UF) for Wastewater Treatment: Performance and Stability

by Eman Sh. Awad, Tamara M. Sabirova, Natalia A. Tretyakova, Qusay F. Alsalhy, Alberto Figoli and Issam K. Salih

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(3), 34; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5030034 - 01 Jul 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4988

Abstract

The scarcity of freshwater resources in many regions of the world has contributed to the emergence of various technologies for treating and recovering wastewater for reuse in industry, agriculture, and households. Deep wastewater treatment from oils and petroleum products is one of the difficult tasks that must be solved. Among the known technologies, UF membranes have found wide industrial application with high efficiency in removing various pollutants from wastewater. It is shown that the search for and development of highly efficient, durable, and resistant to oil pollution UF membranes for the treatment of oily wastewater is an urgent research task. The key parameters to improve the performance of UF membranes are by enhancing wettability (hydrophilicity) and the antifouling behavior of membranes. In this review, we highlight the using of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes primarily to treat oily wastewater. Various methods of polymer alterations of the UF membrane were studied to improve hydrophilicity, the ability of antifouling the membrane, and oil rejection, including polymer blending, membrane surface modification, and the mixed membrane matrix. The influence of the type and composition of the hydrophilic additives of nanoparticles (e.g., Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphene oxide (GO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), etc.) was investigated. The review further provides an insight into the removal efficiency percent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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12 pages, 1167 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of NMR Studies for Oilwell Cements and Their Importance

by Fatemeh K. Saleh, Catalin Teodoriu and Carl Sondergeld

ChemEngineering 2021, 5(2), 18; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/chemengineering5020018 - 19 Apr 2021

Viewed by 2466

Abstract

This paper summarizes experimental studies using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to evaluate cement porosity, pore size distribution, and other characteristics such as Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) gel structure and morphology. The first known paper on NMR experiments to investigate cement pastes was published in 1978. Two main NMR parameters, the so-called longitudinal T1 and transverse T2 relaxation times, are commonly measured and analyzed, representing the water response which is trapped in the cement. The hydration process reported in this paper was found to be monitored from as low as 10 min to longer than 365 days. Other studies conducted experiments by using NMR, especially during the 1980s. These studies employed variations in methodologies and frequencies, making data comparison difficult. Additionally, different spectrometers and NMR concepts, as well as operating characteristics, were used. Therefore, it is challenging to reconcile results from previous NMR studies on cement. Other significant hurdles are different cement types, water/cement ratio, and curing conditions. One notable observation is that there has not been any comprehensive laboratory work related to NMR on oilfield cement types, including porosity and hydration. Two recent studies have presented NMR measurements on class G and class H cements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Multidisciplinary)

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