{"id":42412,"date":"2021-03-17T17:46:23","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T21:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seniordesign.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/che2021\/?p=78"},"modified":"2022-04-13T10:46:12","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T14:46:12","slug":"whomping-willow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hajim.rochester.edu\/senior-design-day\/whomping-willow\/","title":{"rendered":"Characterization of Oxygen Mass Transfer in Viscous Fluids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Project Summary and Motivation: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This senior design project incorporates chemical engineering core course contents of Mass Transfer, Fluid Dynamics, and Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design. Proposed by sponsor SPX Flow, the goal of this project is to design a fluid mixing setup which can be used to understand the impact of viscosity on oxygen mass transfer. This project will provide pertinent information for the scale-up of bioreactors where viscosity will increase with the proliferation of organisms, and it is imperative to maintain appropriate oxygen transfer for these organisms to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For additional information contact: Prof. Lawton, CHE255 PI,
Melodie.Lawton@rochester.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Team Members: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Paul<\/figure>
Paul Eisold<\/span>

Paul is a senior who has prior experience as a research assistant in the Materials Science lab at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics as well as a process\/quality engineer at TIMET: Titanium Metals Corporation. He currently works at the University of Rochester Medical Center as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Steven Goldman, helping in experiments evaluating the effectiveness of cell and gene therapy treatment for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease. Post graduation he plans to work in the biotechnology\/bioengineering sector for a year or two before pursuing a graduate degree in biomedical engineering or neuroscience.<\/p>\n

Find on Linkedin<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Kamal<\/figure>
Kamal Raji<\/span>

Kamal is a senior with prior research experience in nanomaterials. He is interested in nanomaterials and energy storage and currently serves as a teaching assistant. In his spare time, he loves to cook and watch soccer.<\/p>\n

Find on linkedin!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Rony<\/figure>
Rony Waheibi<\/span>

Rony is a senior with research experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) under Professor Foster analyzing flow patterns within Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. After graduation, Rony is pursuing a PhD at NCSU. In his free time, he enjoys chess and hiking.<\/p>\n

Find on LinkedIn!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Collins<\/figure>
Collins Yawe<\/span>

Collins is a senior with various positions in the Admissions Office. He is interested in pursuing law post-grad and in his free time enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and watching basketball.<\/p>\n

Find on linkedin!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Project Sponsor:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
SPX Flow company logo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

SPX Flow contacts: Sarah Lanzafame and Kevin Logsdon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Academic Advisors:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Main academic advisors: Professor Dave Foster and Clair Cunningham<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting academic advisors: Professor Melodie Lawton, Professor Doug Kelley, Professor Mark Juba, and Rachel Monfredo, Lecturer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Website Layout:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Page 1<\/td>Introduction <\/td><\/tr>
Page 2<\/td>Project Background <\/td><\/tr>
Page 3<\/td>Technical Approach<\/td><\/tr>
Page 4<\/td>Results<\/td><\/tr>
Page 5<\/td>Conclusions and Impact <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Project Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Customer Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Must use the excess sodium sulfite method (described on page 3)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    1. Equipment set-up requires the use of an oxygen meter, probe, and R135 Impeller<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"
      The R135 impeller, designed by SPX Flow, is unique for gas dispersion applications due to its high-shearing abilities.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
      1. Must identify a candidate fluid for mixing experiments, which must have the following qualities:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        • Inert to components used i.e. sodium sulfite<\/li>
        • Oxygen solubility<\/li>
        • Viscosity modifier with minimum range of 20-40 cP<\/li>
        • Exhibits Newtonian behavior<\/li>
        • Compatible with oxygen probe<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"
          Chosen candidate fluid: Polyethylene-glycol (PEG) with a molecular weight of 3350.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Stakeholder Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

          Technical Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          The technical approach can be broken into two parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          1. Fluid screening for side reactions with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV-Vis<\/li>
          2. Use of excess sodium sulfite to calculate oxygen transfer rates (OTR)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Fluid Screening with HPLC\/UV-Vis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            UV-Vis spectroscopy using a HPLC was implemented to determine whether side reactions may occur. This was performed for PEG 3350 and sodium sulfite, as well as ethylene glycol (EG) and sodium sulfite in order to determine if a noticeable shift in absorption occurred. A change in absorption indicates that a reaction occurred, changing the absorbance of the products. An indication of side reaction(s) would present a problem as this would interfere with oxygen concentration data collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"
            The HPLC\/UV-Vis results for EG (above) and the results for PEG (below). Both analyses focus on 276 nm because that is the wavelength a sulfite ion may be present. Take a look at the y-axis in each image. The EG shows a noticeable change, whereas the PEG shows little to no change; this rules out EG as a potential candidate fluid.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            The Steady-State Excess Sodium Sulfite Method<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            The sodium sulfite method utilizes stoichiometry to measure oxygen concentration drops within the tank. This method was used in conjunction with the dynamic method, which regresses an exponential curve to determine OTR. Interactions with the fluids in the system make it difficult to measure exactly, as the chemical mechanism proceeds by free radical propagation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"
            Graphical visual of the steps to complete the sodium sulfite method and dynamic method.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

            Results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Final Experimental Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"
            Process flow diagram of the experimental setup.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"
            Visual of the experimental setup.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            PEG Trials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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