(UG05) Hydrothermal Liquefaction: Green Waste = Green Energy

Author(s): Joelis Velez Diaz

Advisor(s): Heather LeClerc, Michael Timko, Alex Maag

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract: The research domain is chemical engineering, mechanical, and materials engineering, accompanying the focus of guaranteeing everyone inexpensive, trustworthy tenable, and modernized electricity with the use of green waste by converting it to energy creating no contamination. The substantial motivation for this research is the planet earth and all organisms that coexist in it, climate change is a threat to all and now more than ever we must combat using knowledge, research, and STEM to acquire a better future. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to achieve green waste characterization to obtain an affordable and sustainable form of energy promoting environmental justice. Through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), bio-oil can be produced from energy-dense green waste feeds such as yard clippings and agricultural waste. This research aims to convert lignocellulosic wastes for energy production into usable energy by auto-thermal HTL. An aqueous phase with a sizable amount of useable carbon is a byproduct of HTL. Existing studies only quantify total carbon, leaving the chemical identity of the carbon unknown, and a significant gap in our understanding of aqueous analysis. After separation with vacuum filtration and solvent extraction, the resulting oil and aqueous products will be analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying the mechanism at the molecular level. By evaluating various reaction times and percentages of imputed solid waste, a feasible system that maximizes oil production and quality will be created, hence producing clean energy.

UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Video Presentation:

Link: https://wpi.instructuremedia.com/embed/3d97c1be-2682-499c-b5bc-529bd080bd73

(GR12) Spray Drying Using Novel Nozzle Design to Improve Droplet Formation for Fine Powders

Author(s): Mehrnoush Famil Dardashti

Advisor(s): Jamal Yagoobi

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Spray drying is a method of producing a dry powder from a liquid or slurry by rapidly drying with a hot gas. Ultrasonic nozzles has emerged as a promising technology that offers several advantages over conventional spray drying methods. The use of ultrasonic vibrations for spray formation can effectively address the challenges associated with conventional atomizers, including the requirement for high temperatures and high-pressure fluids. Compared to conventional spray drying, ultrasonic atomizers can deliver a spray with lower velocity, operate at lower temperatures, produce smaller particle sizes, achieve high evaporation rates, and impose low mechanical stress.

UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

Video Presentation:

(GR09) Preparations for Smart Dryer Optimization to Reduce Energy Consumption

Author(s): Hanshen Yu

Advisor(s): Jamal Yagoobi

Category: Graduate

Abstract: The smart dryer testbed at Sagamore lab is a highly modulized oven dryer. We aim to reduce energy consumption during drying processes by optimizing how the order of various drying technologies is used, and what parameters to operate on. Slot jet reattachment nozzles (SJR) modules and infrared (IR) modules are first investigated, while more drying modules will be included in the future.

UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Video Presentation:

Link: https://echo360.org/media/9ebf3d78-9c62-407d-95db-984e754ae3ae/public

(GR08) Enhanced Waste-to-Energy Conversion Solution for Application in a Municipal Wastewater Plant

Author(s): Julian Bennett

Advisor(s): Michael Timko and Aidin Panahi

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Municipal Waste Treatment Plants typically collect sewage from our homes and industry and treat them to remove pollutants before dumping them in rivers or oceans, however, there is the possibility to extract energy from the treated sewage via hydrothermal liquefaction to obtain biocrude, a renewable biofuel, some of which can be used to power the municipal plant, and the rest channeled towards supplying power to neighboring homes. The purpose of this project is to explore the feasibility of a commercially viable energy conversion system that can be installed within the municipal plant to extract the biocrude.

UN SDGs: SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Video Presentation:

(GR03) Bio-template Fabrication of Nanoporous Ni@Al2O3: Durable Catalyst for Biogas Reforming Reaction

Authors: Masoumeh Mohandessi

Advisors: Michael Timko

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Following green chemistry principles and the significant role of catalysts in chemical transformations, in this study, for the first time, Ni@Al2O3 nanoparticles were prepared via a green, a sustainable, and practical approach using the waste management concept. To achieve this goal, the eggplant skin was employed as an abundant and green bio-template to synthesize desired materials, applying for biogas reforming (CH4/CO2 =1:1) at four temperatures (600-750 °C). Synthesized materials were fully characterized and according to the findings, the bio-template was able to induce its structure on prepared materials and had a considerable effect on the activity of nickel-based alumina catalysts thanks to the high dispersion of Ni nanoparticles on the prepared materials. This catalyst could tolerate the reaction conditions even after 30 h of the catalytic run at 650 °C, along with a remarkable coke resistance (less than 4% carbon deposition).

UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Video Presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_hTDuoSWtGU

 

(GR02) Advances in Magnesium Primary Production by Reactive Cathode Molten Salt Electrolysis with G-METS Distillation

Authors: Zujian Tang, Daniel Sehar

Advisors: Adam C. Powell​

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Molten salt electrolysis with a liquid Sn cathode overcomes multiple challenges in reduction of MgO to Mg, particularly the low density and high activity of magnesium metal. It can use carbon anodes in a design very similar to the Hall-Héroult cell, or solid oxide membrane (SOM) anodes for pure oxygen by-product production. G-METS distillation is potentially much more energy-efficient and lower cost than traditional batch distillation for separation of the magnesium metal product from the reactive cathode material.​

UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 – Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 13 – Climate Action

Video Presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/oSx_mWz9LkY

 

(FY01) Geothermal: A Green Solution to Rising Temperatures

Authors: Alex Sheehey, Samantha Simmons, Federico Vegas, Jackson Wamback

Advisors: Professor David Medich and Professor Derren Rosbach

Category: First Year

Abstract: Our group looked into WPI’s emissions in an attempt to determine where and how WPI could have the greatest reduction on its emissions. Our team determined that WPI’s current, steam-based, gas turbine heating system is highly inefficient. Upon further research, the group concluded that replacing the current system with a geothermal heat pump system would be the most effective method for WPI to take to reduce its overall emissions.

UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 – Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 13 – Climate Action

Video Presentation: