Two novel regenerated solvent extraction processes are examined. The first process has the potential to reduce the energy costs inherent in the recovery of low-volatility carboxylic acids from dilute aqueous solutions. The second process has the potential for reducing the energy costs required for separate recovery of ammonia and acid gases (e.g. CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}S) from industrial sour waters. The recovery of carboxylic acids from dilute aqueous solution can be achieved by extraction with tertiary amines. An approach for regeneration and product recovery from such extracts is to back-extract the carboxylic acid with a water-soluble, volatile tertiary amine, such as trimethylamine. The resulting trimethylammonium carboxylate solution can be concentrated and thermally decomposed, yielding the product acid and the volatile amine for recycle. Experimental work was performed with lactic acid, SUCCiOlC acid, and fumaric acid. Equilibrium data show near-stoichiometric recovery of the carboxylic acids from an organic solution of Alamine 336 into aqueous solutions of trimethylamine. For fumaric and succinic acids, partial evaporation of the aqueous back extract decomposes the carboxylate and yields the acid product in crystalline form. The decomposition of aqueous solutions of trimethylammonium lactates was not carried out to completion, due to the high water solubility …

Two novel regenerated solvent extraction processes are examined. The first process has the potential to reduce the energy costs inherent in the recovery of low-volatility carboxylic acids from dilute aqueous solutions. The second process has the potential for reducing the energy costs required for separate recovery of ammonia and acid gases (e.g. CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}S) from industrial sour waters. The recovery of carboxylic acids from dilute aqueous solution can be achieved by extraction with tertiary amines. An approach for regeneration and product recovery from such extracts is to back-extract the carboxylic acid with a water-soluble, volatile tertiary amine, such as trimethylamine. The resulting trimethylammonium carboxylate solution can be concentrated and thermally decomposed, yielding the product acid and the volatile amine for recycle. Experimental work was performed with lactic acid, succinic acid, and fumaric acid. Equilibrium data show near-stoichiometric recovery of the carboxylic acids from an organic solution of Alamine 336 into aqueous solutions of trimethylamine. For fumaric and succinic acids, partial evaporation of the aqueous back extract decomposes the carboxylate and yields the acid product in crystalline form. The decomposition of aqueous solutions of trimethylammonium lactates was not carried out to completion, due to the high water solubility …

This report studied the elctronic structure of diamond (100) and diamond/metal interface and C{sub 60}, using angle-resolved and core level photoemission. The C(100)-(2X1) surface electronic structure was studied using both core level and angle resolved valence band photoemission spectroscopy. The surface component of the C 1s core level spectrum agrees with theoretical existence of only symmetrical dimers. In the case of metal/diamond interfaces, core level and valence photoelectron spectroscopy and LEED studies WERE MADE OF B and Sb on diamond (100) and (111) surfaces. In the case of single-crystal C{sub 60}, photoemission spectra show sharp molecular features, indicating that the molecular orbitals are relatively undisturbed in solid C{sub 60}.

The magnicon, a new high-power, radio frequency (rf) deflection- modulated amplifier, was recently developed at the Institute for Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk, Russia. The first magnicon achieved a peak output power of 2.6 MW for 50-{mu}s pulses at a frequency of 915 MHz with a dc-to-rf conversion efficiency of 73%. The conversion efficiency achieved by the original magnicon represents a significant improvement over state-of-the-art conventional velocity- and density-modulated devices. Therefore, if properly exploited, the magnicon could substantially reduce the operating expenses of industrial, scientific, and military facilities that require large amounts of rf power. This dissertation describes the operational principles of the magnicon, provides small-signal analytical theory (where practical), presents a large-signal numerical model to characterize magnicon performance, and then utilizes this model to investigate the characteristics of the component magnicon structures. Using these modeling tools, the first-generation magnicon architecture is analyzed for its performance sensitivity to electron-beam size and is found to support beams of only limited diameter. Finally, an alternate magnicon geometry, called a ``uniform-field`` magnicon, is presented and shown to support beams of larger diameter.

In 1988 Nielsen started work to measure the spatial variability of the mass flux vector being transported in a porous medium. To measure the spatial variability of the mass flux vector, the spatial variability of its components(velocity, concentration) must be measured. Nielsen was successful in measuring the pore level concentration at many different pores and in verifying the assumption that a nonuniform concentration field exists within the mixing zone between two miscible fluids. However, Nielsen was unable to conduct the necessary pore level velocity measurements needed. Nielsen`s work is being continued and a probe is being developed that will measure both velocity and concentration components at pore level. The probe is essentially the same probe used to make the pore level concentration measurements with added capabilities needed to make the velocity measurements. This probe has several design variables, dealing primarily with the velocity component, that need further investigation. The research presented in this thesis investigates these parameters by performing experiments in a capillary tube. The tube is a controlled system where the velocity of the fluid can be determined from the volumetric flow rate using Poiseuille`s solution for viscous flow. Also, a statistically based relationship between the velocity measured with …

Aqueous solutions of sodium sulfate and sodium sulfite are produced from sodium carbonate in flue-gas scrubbers; recovery of these salts often requires multi-effect evaporators; however, a new energy-efficient unit operation called extractive crystallization has been shown to have reduced energy costs. In this process, an organic solvent is added to the aqueous salt solution to precipitate salt. Acetone is a suitable solvent for this process, better than 2-propanol. Liquid/liquid/solid equilibria for ternary systems containing a salt, water, and an organic solvent were measured. Systems investigated were sodium sulfite/water/acetone and sodium sulfite/water/2-propanol. Experiments were conducted at salt saturation covering a temperature range between the lower consolute temperature and 48.6{degrees}C. In the attempt to improve the extractive crystallization process for recovery of sodium sulfate from flue-gas scrubbers, attention was given to a feed containing a mixture of sodium sulfite and sodium sulfate. Liquid-liquid equilibria for quaternary systems containing two salts, water, and an organic solvent were experimentally determined at 35{degrees}C. The systems investigated were sodium sulfate/sodium sulfite/water/acetone and sodium sulfate/sodium sulfite/water/2propanol. The systems were studied at three salt ratios. For each salt ratio, experiments were conducted starting at saturation, water was then added until the one-phase region was reached. Mixtures of the …

Complex Co/Mo sulfide catalysts are modelled by the chemisorption of layers on Mo single crystal surfaces. Growth and structure of overlayers on flat, stepped and kinked surfaces were investigated. Growth of Co overlayers on clean and S covered Mo surfaces was studied using AES and CO chemisorption; results reveal that Co grows as a flat monolayer on clean Mo surfaces. Co multilayers then form 3-D islands. When Co is deposited on S covered surfaces, the S overlayer migrates to the top; this topmost overlayer reduces CO adsorption capacity. While growth mode of Co overlayers are similar on flat and stepped surfaces, the number and type of ordered Co and S structures on flat and stepped surfaces are different. In the case of Co, an ordered (3 {times} 1) structure is formed on Mo(910) and (28,4,1) surfaces; this structure does not develop on clean (100) surface. Only one of two possible (3 {times} 1) Co domains are formed on Mo(910) and Mo(28,4,1) surfaces. These domains have one side of (3 {times} 1) unit cell parallel to the step edges, suggesting that Co adsorbs at the step edges. The (3 {times} 1) structure does not form on Mo(911) surface, indicating that step …

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) has potential advantages in making radiation detectors for many applications because of its deposition capability on a large-area substrate and its high radiation resistance. Position-sensitive radiation detectors can be made out of a 1d strip or a 2-d pixel array of a Si:H pin diodes. In addition, signal processing electronics can be made by thin-film transistors on the same substrate. The calculated radiation signal, based on a simple charge collection model agreed well with results from various wave length light sources and 1 MeV beta particles on sample diodes. The total noise of the detection system was analyzed into (a) shot noise and (b) 1/f noise from a detector diode, and (c) thermal noise and (d) 1/f noise from the frontend TFT of a charge-sensitive preamplifier. the effective noise charge calculated by convoluting these noise power spectra with the transfer function of a CR-RC shaping amplifier showed a good agreement with the direct measurements of noise charge. The derived equations of signal and noise charge can be used to design an a-Si:H pixel detector amplifier system optimally. Signals from a pixel can be readout using switching TFTs, or diodes. Prototype tests of a double-diode readout scheme …

The objective of this research is to provide a better understanding of future Chinese energy development and CO{sub 2} emissions from burning fossil fuels. This study examines the current Chinese energy system, estimates CO{sub 2} emissions from burning fossil fuels and projects future energy use and resulting CO{sub 2} emissions up to the year of 2050. Based on the results of the study, development strategies are proposed and policy implications are explored. This study first develops a Base scenario projection of the Chinese energy development based upon a sectoral analysis. The Base scenario represents a likely situation of future development, but many alternatives are possible. To explore this range of alternatives, a systematic uncertainty analysis is performed. The Base scenario also represents an extrapolation of current policies and social and economic trends. As such, it is not necessarily the economically optimal future course for Chinese energy development. To explore this issue, an optimization analysis is performed. For further understanding of developing Chinese energy system and reducing CO{sub 2} emissions, a Chinese energy system model with 84 supply and demand technologies has been constructed in MARKAL, a computer LP optimization program for energy systems. Using this model, various technological options and …

A low jitter metal to metal contact solid dielectric switch was designed and tested. A metal to metal contact solid dielectric switch with a jitter of less than 25 ns is required for the 150 kJ experiment. Since this is one fourth the 100 ns jitter reported using exploding bridge foil (EBF) triggers, experiments to optimize this trigger were performed. A jitter of 25 ns was achieved using the EBF trigger and it was also achieved using a new type of trigger called the magnetic push trigger. This trigger uses the magnetic force between the two plates of a parallel plate transmission line to push the dielectric. It was found to be better than the EBF trigger because it was easier to design, easier to implement and did less damage to switch components.

Carbon implanted into GaAs and thermally annealed typically exhibits very low (<3%) electrical activity. It has been demonstrated that the electrical activity of C can be significantly enhanced by co-implantation with Ga. Improved activation may result from either additional damage of the crystal lattice or from stoichiometric changes, forcing the C atoms onto As sites. To determine the relative importance of each of these effects, I have undertaken a systematic study of carbon activation in GaAs. A range of co-implants have been used: group III (B, Ga), group V (N, P, As) and noble gases (Ar, Kr). The damage introduced to the substrate will depend on the mass of the ion implanted. The group III and group V co-implants will affect the crystal stoichiometry. The results indicate that both lattice damage and crystal stoichiometry are important for high electrical activity of C. Increasing the damage will increase the activation due to the increased number of As vacancies but maximum activation can be obtained only by a co-implant which not only damages the lattice but also forces the C to occupy an As site.

The interaction of perfluorodiethoxymethane with a nickel single crystal, Ni(100); a nickel crystal with chemisorbed oxygen, Ni(100)-c(2x2)O; and a nickel crystal with nickel oxide crystallites, NiO(100) is investigated in an ultra high vacuum environment using thermal desorption spectroscopy and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. Nickel, a component of hard disk drives and stainless steel, is used to represent metal surfaces in these {open_quotes}real{close_quotes} systems. Perfluorodiethoxymethane is used in this study as a model compound of industrial perfluoropolyether lubricants. These lubricants are known for their exceptional stability, except in the presence of metals. Perfluorodiethoxymethane contains the acetal group (-OCF{sub 2}O-), believed to be particularly vulnerable to attack in the presence of Lewis acids. Since the surfaces studied show increasing Lewis acidity at the nickel atom sites, one might expect to see increasing decomposition of perfluorodiethoxymethane due to acidic attack of the acetal group. No decomposition of perfluorodiethoxymethane is observed on the clean Ni(100) surface, while more research is needed to determine whether a small decomposition pathway is observed on the oxygenated surfaces, or whether sample impurities are interfering with results. The strength of the bonding of perfluorodiethoxymethane to the surface is found to increase as the nickel atoms sites become …

An experiment to measure the time reversal invariance violating (T-violating) triple correlation (D) in the decay of free polarized neutrons has been developed. The detector design incorporates a detector geometry that provides a significant improvement in the sensitivity over that used in the most sensitive of previous experiments. A prototype detector was tested in measurements with a cold neutron beam. Data resulting from the tests are presented. A detailed calculation of systematic effects has been performed and new diagnostic techniques that allow these effects to be measured have been developed. As the result of this work, a new experiment is under way that will improve the sensitivity to D to 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} or better. With higher neutron flux a statistical sensitivity of the order 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}5} is ultimately expected. The decay of free polarized neutrons (n {yields} p + e + {bar v}{sub e}) is used to search for T-violation by measuring the triple correlation of the neutron spin polarization, and the electron and proton momenta ({sigma}{sub n} {center_dot} p{sub p} {times} p{sub e}). This correlation changes sign under reversal of the motion. Since final state effects in neutron decay are small, a nonzero coefficient, D, …

This dissertation discusses the theory and practice of Photothermal Deflection Spectroscopy (PDS, which is also known as probe beam deflection spectroscopy, PBDS, probe deflection technique, and mirage effect spectroscopy) with respect to electrochemical systems. Much of the discussion is also relevant to non-electrochemical systems. PDS can measure the optical absorption spectrum of interfaces and concentration gradients in the electrolyte adjacent to the electrode. These measurements can be made on a wide variety of electrode surfaces and can be performed under dynamic conditions. The first three chapters discuss the theory of the phenomena that can be detected by PDS, and the equipment used in a PDS system. A ``secondary gradient technique`` is proposed, which places the probe beam on the back of an electrode. The results of a numerical model yield a method for determining the offset of the probe beam from the electrode surface based on the frequency response of the PDS signal. The origin and control of noise in the PDS signal are discussed. A majority of the signal noise appears to be acoustic in origin. The electrochemical oxidation of platinum is used to demonstrate that PDS has sub-monolayer sensitivity necessary to study interfacial chemistry. The results allow us …

Based on new diiodo aryl compounds a series of novel soluble polymers, poly(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE polymers) were synthesized using palladium-catalysis. The molecular weights (MW) range from 8,000 to 40,000. Properties such as absorption, fluorescence, and conductivity were studied. A PPE polymer with butoxy side chain exhibits a weak electrical conductivity ({sigma} = 10{sup {minus}3} S/cm) after doping with AsF{sub 5}. Absorption spectra in THF solution at room temperature (RT) show a maximum at 440 nm. However, absorption spectra of PPE polymers in the film state at (RT) show a maximum at 480 nm. PPE polymer-based light emitting diode (LED) devices have been prepared; greenish light from these LED devices can be observed. Poly(ethynylene-p-arylene-ethynylene-silylene)s were synthesized through the same palladium-catalyzed polymerization; MWs are between 6,000 and 82,000. Absorption and fluorescence were studied. Some of these polymers exhibit thermotropic liquid crystalline properties. In addition, nonlinear optical properties were briefly examined. Poly(silylene-ethynylene) homopolymers as well as alternating copolymers were synthesized through a novel palladium-catalyzed polymerization; MWs range from 56 {times} 10{sup 3} to 5.3 {times} 10{sup 3}. Thermal stability of these was also investigated; char yields range from 56 to 83%. One of these polymers exhibits thermotropic liquid crystalline properties.

The William-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was passed by the Congress and signed by the President of the United States in 1970. This law required all companies with more than 25 employees to maintain information about each recordable injury, which is defined as any occupational illness or any work-related injury requiring more extensive treatment than first aid. However, compliance with OSHA standards did not require employers to keep records regarding the costs of recordable injuries or illnesses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate actual recordable US Department of Energy injuries (as defined by OSHA standards) at a multi-plant corporation during a six-month period to determine the average costs of such injuries on the basis of site and payroll classification.

The doubly Cabibbo suppressed decayed D{sup +} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}}{pi}{sup +}, D{sup +} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup 0}and D{sup +} {yields} K*{sup +}{pi}{sup 0} are searched for in a 9.56 pb{sup {minus}1} data sample of e{sup +}e{sup {minus}} annihilation events collected near the {psi}(3770) resonance with the Mark 3 detector at the SPEAR storage ring, at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. These rare weak decays are naively expected at a rate of tan{sup 4}{theta}{sub c} relative to corresponding Cabibbo allowed decays. In the context of presently accepted models of hadronic weak decays, however, they are anticipated to be enhanced, making their experimental detection feasible in the Mark 3 data set. The experimentally simplest decay channel D{sup +} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}}{pi}{sup +} is searched for inclusively through conventional analysis techniques. A signal of approximately 2.5 {sigma} significance is obtained. An independent analysis is performed to establish examples of this decay of D{sup +} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup 0} and K*{sup +}{pi}{sup 0} by full reconstruction of D{sup +}D{sup {minus}} events. Exploiting the two body kinematics of {psi}(3770) {yields} D{bar D}, this second approach obtains significantly smaller backgrounds than the inclusive study. Consistent with the inclusive results, three D{sup +} {yields} K{sup …

The Artificial Intelligence field of Integrating Multiple Learned Models (IMLM) explores ways to combine results from sets of trained programs. Aroclor Interpretation is an ill-conditioned problem in which trained programs must operate in scenarios outside their training ranges because it is intractable to train them completely. Consequently, they fail in ways related to the scenarios. We developed a general-purpose IMLM solution, the Combiner, and applied it to Aroclor Interpretation. The Combiner's first step, Scenario Identification (M), learns rules from very sparse, synthetic training data consisting of results from a suite of trained programs called Methods. S1 produces fuzzy belief weights for each scenario by approximately matching the rules. The Combiner's second step, Aroclor Presence Detection (AP), classifies each of three Aroclors as present or absent in a sample. The third step, Aroclor Quantification (AQ), produces quantitative values for the concentration of each Aroclor in a sample. AP and AQ use automatically learned empirical biases for each of the Methods in each scenario. Through fuzzy logic, AP and AQ combine scenario weights, automatically learned biases for each of the Methods in each scenario, and Methods' results to determine results for a sample.

This thesis presents studies of the strong and electroweak forces, two of the fundamental interactions that govern the behavior of matter at high energies. The authors have used the hadronic decays of Z{sup 0} bosons produced with the unique experimental apparatus of the e{sup +}e{sup {minus}} Linear Collider at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and the SLAC Large Detector (SLD) for these measurements. Employing the precision tracking capabilities of the SLD, they isolated samples of Z{sup 0} events containing primarily the decays of the Z{sup 0} to a chosen quark type. With an inclusive selection technique, they have tested the flavor independence of the strong coupling, {alpha}{sub s} by measuring the rates of multi-jet production in isolated samples of light (uds), c, and b quark events. They find: {alpha}{sub s}{sup uds}/{alpha}{sub s}{sup all} 0.987 {+-} 0.027(stat) {+-} 0.022(syst) {+-} 0.022(theory), {alpha}{sub s}{sup c}/{alpha}{sub s}{sup all} = 1.012 {+-} 0.104(stat) {+-} 0.102(syst) {+-} 0.096(theory), {alpha}{sub s}{sup b}/{alpha}{sub s}{sup all} = 1.026 {+-} 0.041(stat) {+-} 0.030(theory), which implies that the strong interaction is independent of quark flavor within the present experimental sensitivity. They have also measured the extent of parity-violation in the Z{sup 0} c{bar c} coupling, given by the parameter …

This report contains a general introduction, the experimental section, general conclusions, and two appendices: using projection operators to construct the basis functions and the magnetic transition of bulk pyrrhotite samples in the low-temperature range. Four chapters have been removed for separate processing. They are: From pyrrhotite to troilite: An application of the Landau theory of phase transitions; Phase transition in near stoichiometric iron sulfide; A ordering, incommensuration and phase transitions in pyrrhotite. Part 1: A TEM study of Fe{sub 7}S{sub 8}; and Part 2: A high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction and thermomagnetic study.

A search for charmless dihadron decays of neutral b-hadrons was performed using data obtained from 800 GeV/c proton-gold interactions. The following upper limits on the b-hadron branching ratios (including charge conjugates) were obtained at the 90% confidence limit: Br(B{sub s} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup {minus}}) + r{sub s} x Br(B{sub d} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}}) < 2.0 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br(B{sub d} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup {minus}}) < 9.5 x 10{sup {minus}4}; Br(B{sub s} {yields}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}}) < 2.0 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br(B{sub d} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}}) < 1.9 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br(B{sub s} {yields} K{sup {minus}}{pi}{sup +}) < 2.2 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br(B{sub d} {yields} p{bar p}) < 1.6 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br(B{sub s} {yields} p{bar p}) < 9.0 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br({Lambda}{sub d} {yields} K{sup +}p{sup {minus}}) < 6.1 x 10{sup {minus}3}; Br({Lambda}{sub b} {yields} {pi}{sup +}p{sup {minus}}) < 9.7 x 10{sup {minus}3}; where r{sub s} was determined to be 2.9 {+-} 0.8. These limits assume that B{sub d}/B{sub s}/{Lambda}{sub b} hadrons are produced in proton on nucleon interactions in the ratio (38 {+-} 5.7) : (13 {+-} 3.2) : (9.6 {+-} 1.7) and that the branching ratio for the cascade decay b-hadron {yields} J/{psi} + X {yields} {mu}{sup …

The research in this thesis explores the separation capabilities of a new technique termed electrochemically-modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC). The thesis begins with a general introduction section which provides a literature review of this technique as well as a brief background discussion of the two research projects in each of the next two chapters. The two papers which follow investigate the application of EMLC to the separation of a mixture of aromatic amino acids and of a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The last section presents general conclusions and summarizes the thesis. References are compiled in the reference section of each chapter. The two papers have been removed for separate processing.

The purpose of this project was to investigate the feasibility of an antiproton catalyzed fission fragment rocket (FFR). The FFR is characterized by the extraction of fission fragments from the fissile fuel, and the utilization of their kinetic energy for thrust generation. A significant drawback to previous FFR designs was the requirement to maintain a critical nuclear pile as the fission fragment source. The author examined the possibility of replacing the critical pile with a sub-critical pile driven by antiprotons. Recent experiments have revealed that antiprotons stimulate highly energetic fissions in {sup 238}U, with a neutron multiplicity of 13.7 neutrons per fission. This interaction was used as a throttled neutron source. The pile consisted of layers of fissile coated fibers which are designed to allow fission fragments to escape them, where the fragments collide with a fluid. The heated fluid is then ejected from the rocket to provide thrust. The calculations performed indicate that each antiproton injected into the pile can stimulate 8 or more fissions while maintaining a neutron multiplication of less than 0.4. Based on the results seen, the engine design presented is inadequate. Limitations introduced by the reaction fluid far outweigh the simplicity-of-design gained. Despite this, the …

A resolution function has been determined for scattered neutron experiments at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). This function accounts for the shifting and broadening of the resonance peak due to the additional path length, traveled by the neutron after scattering and prior to detection, along with the broadening of the resonance peak due to the bounce target. This resolution function has been parameterized both in neutron energy and size of the sample disk. Monte Carlo Neutron and Photon (MCNP) modeling has been used to determine the shape of the detector resolution function while assuming that the sample nucleus has an infinite mass. The shape of the function for a monoenergetic neutron point source has been compared to the analytical solution. Additionally, the parameterized detector resolution function has been used to broaden the scatter yield calculated from Evaluated Neutron Data File ENDF/B-VI cross section data for {sup 238}U. The target resolution function has been empirically determined by comparison of the broadened scatter yield and the experimental yield for {sup 238}U. The combined resolution function can be inserted into the SAMMY code to allow resonance analysis for scattering measurements.