Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 3rd International Conference on Chemical Engineering
Chicago, Illinois ,USA.

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Scientific Program Day 1
Scientific Program Day 2
Scientific Program Day 3

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Nicolas Abatzoglou

Université de Sherbrooke, Canada

Keynote: Techno-economic data and feasibility of hydrogen production from biogas using a novel low cost Ni-based reforming catalyst derived from metallurgical residues

Time : 10:30-11:10

Conference Series Chemical Engineering 2017 International Conference Keynote Speaker Nicolas Abatzoglou photo
Biography:

Nicolas Abatzoglou is a full Professor and Ex-Head of the Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering of the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and Laval University. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He is a Specialist in Process Engineering involving particulate systems. He is the Director of the GRTP-C&P (Group of Research on Technologies and Processes in the Chemical &
Pharmaceutical Industry). Since May 2008, he is the holder of the Pfi zer Industrial Research Chair in Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) in Pharmaceutical Engineering. He is one of the leaders in Canada’s NCE Network BioFuelNet on Biorefi ning. He is also a Co-Founder of the company Enerkem Technologies Inc., precursor of Enerkem Inc., a spin-off commercializing technologies in the fi eld of energy from renewable resources. His scientifi c production includes more than 100 publications, reviews, conferences, keynotes, plenaries and invited lectures, patents and three book chapters.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: A new nickel catalyst was prepared from an ilmenite metallurgical residue consisting of an upgraded slag oxide (UGSO). Dry reforming of biogas, a mixture of equimolar amounts of CH4and CO2, does not necessitate other special reactants if the catalyst is effi cient and suffi ciently robust at the reaction conditions (T, P and gas spatial velocity). In recent scientifi c publications and a PCT patent pending, it has been shown that such a catalyst can be produced at low cost with a low-materials and energy intensity production protocol. Purpose: Present the preliminary engineering of an integrated industrialunit combining the in-house production of this novel catalytic formulations and its use to produce H2, using a typical landfi ll biogas or a combination of biogas and natural gas.
Methods:
                             
Results: The study presents results on the following points:
• Description of the catalyst and its chemistry.
• Mechanistic aspects relying on fresh and used catalyst analyses.
• Development of a phenomenological kinetic model, including the apparent activation energy of the controlling step and its use to simulate the reforming reactor operation.
• Proofs of the catalysts effi ciency, robustness, regenerability and an estimation of its life cycle.
• Description of this catalysts production unit aimed at both providing the necessary in-house quantities and tackle the external market.
• Preliminary engineering of a hydrogen production unit utilizing the new catalyst.
• Estimation of the production cost as function of the unit size in targeting to evaluate its break-even point.
Conclusion: The conclusion will focus on the techno-economic feasibility of such an industrial project within the actual
market globalization context as function of parameters such as, size, reactants and products market price, market outreach and socioeconomic and environmental incentives.
 
 
 

Break: Networking & Refreshment Break 11:10-11:30 @ Foyer

Keynote Forum

Ignacio Gracia

University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Keynote: Crossing the gap between research and market in chemical engineering: Application to supercritical technology

Time : 11:30-12:10

Conference Series Chemical Engineering 2017 International Conference Keynote Speaker Ignacio Gracia photo
Biography:

Ignacio Gracia is Associate Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Castilla_La Mancha (Spain). PhD. in Chemical Engineering in the UCLM (1999), Marie Curie postdoctoral Fellowship in the University of Salerno (Italy) in 2002. Has devoted his scientifi c career to the fi eld of supercritical fluids, focused on natural extracts, waste oil regeneration and polymer synthesis. He is currently working in the synthesis of biocompatible biodegradable polymers with medical applications. Vice president of the Spanish association for the Advancement of High Pressure Technologies (FLUCOMP). Co-author of more than 50 scientifi c sci publications, two patents (one in application) and ten books and chaptiers. Supervisor of four PhD’s. He worked in more than 50 research projects and 12 projects with private companies, in 22 like Head. Master in MBA (2010). Entrepreneurship price in 2010. Founder of GARLICINSA, private spin-off with a registered product:

Abstract:

Industrial development of laboratory research in Chemical Engineering is diffi cult due to the lack of knowledge for researchers about business behavior and marketing strategies. Th is inability to communicate makes unable to understand the real potential of new products for fi nancial or management managers. This work presents some information for researchers to be able to understand basic concepts of economy related to the industrial implementation new processes, including examples applied to Supercritical Technology (ST). ST is ready to be widely used for the development of new products especially in the food, nutraceutical and pharmacy industry.
                                                             
In spite of the advantages about production, safety, quality, normative, proven therapeutic characteristics and marketing, the industrial implementation of ST products is scant, because their products are generally considered like simple substitutes for low market niche goods. Based on a Business Plan procedure, several tools and strategies were used to determine and quantify the industrial potential of some ST-based products. The SWOT test and Business Plan strategy were used to identify real possibilities for market application in a proper segment. New emerging opportunities about FDA or EFSA regulations, labelling, market demands and opportunities have to be exploited. New products obtained by ST were demonstrated like economically profi table, according to cost estimation, price curve and some fi nancial ratios.
 

Keynote Forum

Davis L. Ford

The University of Texas at Austin, USA

Keynote: The past and future of enhanced oil and gas extraction in the United States

Time : 12:10-12:50

Conference Series Chemical Engineering 2017 International Conference Keynote Speaker Davis L. Ford photo
Biography:

Dr. Davis L. Ford is an Adjunct Professor in the College of Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, and a Visiting Professor of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University, Lubbock. He is practicing environmental engineer with over forty-fi ve years of experience in the fi eld. In addition, he serves on the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin as an adjunct professor, has published more than one hundred technical papers, has co-authored or contributed to ten textbooks, and written two biographies and co-authored one children’s book. He has lectured extensively throughout the United States and in countries of Europe, South America, and Asia. Ford received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Texas A&M University and his master and doctorate degrees in environmental engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a Distinguished Engineering Graduate of both Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M. Ford was elected into the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He has served as president of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and chairman of the Academy Ethics Committee. His honorary affi liations include Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, and Chi Epsilon. Ford serves on the Board of a publicly-owned oil and exploration company (CWEI, NASDAQ) and the Board of the Texas A&M University Press

Abstract:

The world is going through a major energy dynamic, with fossil fuel being a major source. Tight oil and gas is now be extracted at a record pace in the Delaware basin in Texas and New Mexico. Both small energy companies now as well as the majors are in the early phases of drilling, completing, and transport oil and gas both for domestic use and export, primarily to Europe. Th ere is a dramatic increase of the United States gap attributable to this export of energy. Pipelines are being expanded and infrastructures of support are rapidly becoming in place. Th is presentation will include but not be limited to horizontal drilling, staging, water conservation and used water disposal, economics, payback, debt, and investing. Regulatory constraints at the state and federal levels will be a part of the presentation.To put this into current perspective, the major producers of fossil fuel, in order, are (1) the United States (2) Russia and (3) Saudi Arabia. Th ere will be a brief discussion of proven oil and gas reserves, both worldwide and in the United States. Th e growth of this commodity in the United States, both in the past few years as well as the anticipated production in the near future will be included in this presentation.

  • Track 1: Chemical Engineering
    Track 2: Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering
    Track 6: Biochemical Engineering
Location: ZURICH
Speaker

Chair

Ignacio Gracia

University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Speaker

Co-Chair

Jong Moon Park

Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea

Session Introduction

Anil Oroskar

Orochem Technologies Inc., USA

Title: Opportunities for innovation in chemical industry

Time : 12:50-13:20

Speaker
Biography:

Anil Oroskar is a Founder and Chief technology Officer at Orochem Technologies Inc. USA. Also he is an Adjunct Professor of Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois, Chicago. He has more than 35 years of experience in the field of Designed refinery processes , refinery & petrochemical process improvements, engineering, technical service, operations management. He received his PhD in ChemE at University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1981. He has more than 50 US Patents and Key participant over 16 International conferences. He was one of the Directors of AICHE Fuels and Petroleum Division and has focused recently on the development of Biotechnology, New Energy Technologies, Fuel Cells Technology and Micro-Reaction Technology.

Abstract:

Real growth of chemical industry started in the early 1900s after the discovery and growth of crude oil. The switch from coal to oil spurred innovations in fuels as well as petrochemicals. There was rapid growth in innovative processes and products which improved quality of life for all people on earth. Unfortunately by the end of last century this innovation had slowed down. By the year 2000 Chemical Industry had become a mature “brick and mortar” industry with very few breakthroughs in processes and products. Focus in the last two decades has primarily been in improving information and knowledge leading to more automated chemical processes.

Fortunately there still are many opportunities for significant innovations in chemical industry. These opportunities exist because there are significant needs presented by the world we live in. These opportunities can be classified in:

1. Improved Resource Utilization such as drinking water from seawater, olefins from Natural gas etc.

2. Improved Process efficiency such as Improved catalysts for petroleum cracking, improved electrochemical process for aluminum etc.

3. Reduced environmental impact such as reduced CO2 emissions, CO2 sequestration

4.   Alternative feed stocks such as Cellulosic ethanol

This presentation will provide a summary of the growth and slowing down of chemical industry innovations during the last century and will highlight specific opportunities for spurring innovation in products and processes which could play an important part in renewal of chemical industry during this century.Real growth of chemical industry started in the early 1900s after the discovery and growth of crude oil. The switch from coal to oil spurred innovations in fuels as well as petrochemicals. There was rapid growth in innovative processes and products which improved quality of life for all people on earth. Unfortunately by the end of last century this innovation had slowed down. By the year 2000 Chemical Industry had become a mature “brick and mortar” industry with very few breakthroughs in processes and products. Focus in the last two decades has primarily been in improving information and knowledge leading to more automated chemical processes.

 

Break: Group Photo @ ZURICH & Lunch Break 13:20-14:10 @ Athens

Said Al-Hallaj

University of Illinois, Chicago, USA

Title: Preventing thermal runaway propagation in li-ion batteries

Time : 14:10-14:40

Speaker
Biography:

Said Al-Hallaj is the CEO and Co-Founder of All Cell Technologies LLC and a Visiting Research Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He has earned his BSc and MSc degrees in Chemical Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He has co-authored a book entitled “Hybrid Hydrogen Systems” and has published book chapters and over 50 peer reviewed journal papers. He is also the co-inventor of numerous issued and pending patent applications in the areas of renewable energy, energy storage and conversion and water desalination.

Abstract:

Lithium-ion battery technology has gained signifi cant interest over the past two decades due to its high-energy density, high power and long cycle life. However, recent frequent safety incidents with Li-ion battery fi res (i.e., personal electronics, hover boards, electric vehicles, aircraft s etc.) highlight the safety concerns and may hinder wider use of this promising energy storage technology. To guard against such accidents, a robust thermal management system is necessary to protect the battery pack under all circumstances, especially when the monitoring or active cooling system fails to detect a cell failure. Th ese Li-ion fi res were caused by thermal runaway, a chemical phenomenon during which the anode, cathode and electrolyte irreversibly react, generating large amounts of heat that escalate the cell temperature and internal pressure, oft en with combustion of gases. Several scenarios and factors can trigger thermal runaway. Overheating of the cell can lead directly to thermal runaway by triggering a series of exothermic chemical reactions. Due to these potential hazards, numerous safety mechanisms are oft en built into Li-ion cells. The failure of a single cell can generate suffi cient heat to trigger the surrounding cells into thermal runaway, leading to propagation, the largest danger of thermal runaway. While the energy release of a single cell event can reasonably be contained, if the liberated heat raises the temperatures of neighboring cells in a pack, it becomes likely that a cascade of propagating cells will result in fi re and complete pack destruction. Thus, it is necessary to design pack-level safety features in addition to the cell components. In designing for safety of Li-ion packs, it is helpful to examine the various modes of propagation from one thermal runaway event to other cells. Single cells are known to reach 700°C in open air during thermal runaway, giving rise to signifi cant heat transfer via conduction (either through cell in direct contact or through external current collectors), convection and radiation. One promising approach to pack thermal management is the use of phase change composite materials (PCC), which off ers passive protection at low weight and cost while minimizing system complexity.
 
 
We present experimental nail penetration studies on a Li-ion pack for small electric vehicles, designed with and without PCC, to investigate the eff ectiveness of PCC thermal management for preventing propagation when a single cell enters thermal runaway. The results show that when parallel cells short-circuit through the cell triggered by nail penetration, the packs without PCC propagate fully while those equipped with PCC show no propagation.

Luca Gael Bertoluzzi

Stanford University, USA

Title: Identifying electrochemical limitations of solar energy storage

Time : 14:40-15:10

Speaker
Biography:

Luca Bertoluzzi is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University, USA. After obtaining his PhD in Physics from Jaume I University, Spain, he won an Early Post doc Mobility Fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation. He is specialized in the modeling of photoelectrochemical processes in solar cells (dye sensitized solar cells and perovskite solar cells) and photoelectrodes used for solar fuel production. His recent works are based on the analysis and modeling of the impact of defect states on solar energy production and storage with impedance spectroscopy, light intensity modulated spectroscopy and transient photovoltage and photocurrent techniques.

Abstract:

Solar energy storage is achieved through the conversion of solar energy into a chemical fuel. Th is conversion is performed via at least one semiconductor material. One popular example is water splitting, which consists in splitting water into its primary components, hydrogen (which can be stored and used as a fuel) and oxygen. Water splitting occurs at the interface between the semiconductor and water via photo-activated electrochemical reactions. An effi cient light to chemical fuel conversion relies on the use of semiconductors with the appropriate optical properties, energetics, robustness and cost. To fulfi ll these criteria, cheap semiconductor oxides such as Fe2O3, TiO2, BiVO4 and WO3 have been investigated in the past decade.
 
 
The low temperature processing and deposition techniques of these materials induce the presence of a large density of defects. Th ese states strongly aff ect the kinetic of the electrochemical reactions which generate the solar fuel. While several solutions may be applied to tackle this type of limitation (coating layers, catalyst layers, surface defect passivation), it is primordial to identify, beforehand, the role of these defects on solar energy storage. In this talk, the modeling of the various possible impacts of defect states on solar fuel production will be discussed in a fi rst part. In the second part, it will be shown how frequency and time dependent electrochemical techniques such as impedance spectroscopy, light intensity modulated spectroscopy and photocurrent decays allow identifying these states. It will also be explained how to quantify their impact on the semiconductor energetics and the kinetics of the electrochemical reactions which generate the solar fuel. Finally, a general methodology will be proposed to choose the most appropriate technique for the optimization of this technology.

Jong Moon Park

Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea

Title: Enhancement of cyanobacterial ethanol production by co-factor engineering

Time : 15:10-15:40

Speaker
Biography:

Jong Moon Park has been working in the fi eld of Energy and Environmental Engineering, using biotechnology as a tool in the research. One of his outstanding research performances is achieved in biosorption of heavy metals using biomass, which is an integrated study of environmental engineering and biotechnology. Recently, he focuses on biomass researches, more specifi cally on biorefi nery and bioenergy production from biomass such as micro- and macro-algae and organic wastes.

Abstract:

Cyanobacteria have gained a great attention as promising ethanol producer. Genetically engineered cyanobacteria can produce ethanol from the atmospheric carbon dioxide using sunlight as the sole energy source. Th eir rapid growth rate, low land requirement for cultivation, natural diversity and potential to genetic engineering off er great advantages over competing resources such as wood and agricultural crops/residues. However, cyanobacterial ethanol production is still a long way to commercialization due to low productivity. Due to the abundant NADPH produced from photosynthesis, NADPH-utilizing pathway is more favored than NADH-utilizing pathway in cyanobacteria.
 
 
 
By reducing the NADH-dependence in ethanol production pathway, we can exploit the abundant NADPH-pool and increase the ethanol production. It is also expected that increased NADPH supply through metabolic engineering can create a synergistic eff ect for ethanol production. In this talk, we introduce our research to increase ethanol production of cyanobacteria by applying these approaches.

Break: Networking & Refreshment Break 15:40-16:00 @ Foyer

Jong-Sung Yu

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Sicence & Technology, South Korea

Title: Highly effi cient oxygen-defi cient reduced Tio2-x for sunlight-induced water splitting for H2 generation

Time : 16:00-16:30

Speaker
Biography:

Jong-Sung Yu has earned his BSc in Chemistry from Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea and PhD from the University of Houston in 1990 before postdoctoral work at Ohio State University. He was a Professor in South Korea University during 2008-2015 and then joined DGIST. Currently, he is a Supervisor for graduate students of Light,Salts and Water Research Lab and a Chairperson at Energy Systems Engineering Department of DGIST, where his research focuses on nanostructured materials, including nanoscale 0-3D materials and their composites and their energy applications for fuel cells, batteries, super-capacitors, sensors and photocatalytic systems.

Abstract:

High effi ciency with stable performance and utilization of visible light is a key challenge to sunlight-induced photochemical generation of H2, the cleanest energy carrier. Recently, black TiO2-x materials were achieved by creating oxygen vacancies and/or defects at the surface using diff erent methods. Fascinatingly, they exhibited an extended absorption in VIS and IR as well as UV light, along with a band gap decrease from 3.2 (anatase) to ~1 eV. However, despite the dramatic enhancement of optical absorption of black TiO2-x material, it fails to show expected visible light-assisted water splitting effi ciency.
 
                                                       
Therefore, a new reduced TiO2 material with optimized properties would be highly desired for visible light photocatalysis. Herein, we report H-doped reduced TiO2-x nanoparticles prepared by a controlled reduction via the simultaneous presence of two active reducing species, [Mg] and [H] in a confined microenvironment at the surface of TiO2. Th is new material exhibits outstanding activity (31.4 mmolg-1h-1) and excellent stability aft er Pt deposition for photochemical H2 generation from methanol-water in simulated sunlight. Th e excellent photoactivity of H:TiO2-x is attributed to the oxygen vacancies and H doping at the TiO2 surface generated by [Mg] and [H]. The photocatalyst works at wavelengths <700 nm and exhibits reasonable visible-light activity with a quantum yield of 17.8, 7.62 and 3.72% at 400, 420 and 454 nm, respectively, along with an exceptionally high turnover number (238680) with respect to Pt. Th is outstanding activity can be correlated with the extended absorption of visible light, perfect band position, presence of an appropriate amount of Ti3+ and oxygen vacancy and slower charge recombination.

Lara Fernandez-Cerezo

University College London, UK

Title: An ultra scale-down method to predict diafi ltration performance during formulation of concentrated mAb solutions

Time : 16:30-16:50

Speaker
Biography:

Lara Fernandez-Cerezo is currently a Doctorate student working towards an Engineering Doctorate degree from University College London sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc., USA. She is working towards establishing an ultra-scale down method to predict large-scale fi ltration processes of concentrated antibody therapies. During her Doctorate degree, she has developed expertise in computational fl uid dynamics modeling, which has been implemented to characterize the ultra-scale down device and different laboratory skills including operation of different membrane filtration systems and analytical techniques for protein quality and quantity measurements.

Abstract:

Formulation of monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions using membrane fi ltration processing is a critical unit operation in the preparation of antibody therapies. A key constraint in formulation process development, particularly in the early stages of development and when using high protein concentration solutions, is the availability of material for experimental studies. Ultrascale down (USD) technologies use a combination of critical fl ow regime analysis, bioprocess modeling and experimentation at the milliliter scale to enable a more eff ective process development approach signifi cantly reducing process material, cost and time requirements. Th e ability to predict the performance of large-scale (LS) operations, e.g., fl ux profi le characteristics and changes in protein structure will help maximize the value of eventual high cost pilot-scale runs during process development. In this study a USD membrane device, comprising a sheared cell unit with a rotating disc and with an eff ective membrane area of 0.00021 m2 developed at University College London, is used to predict the performance of a LS cross-fl ow membrane cassette of area 0.11 m2. Th e USD set up was designed to mimic the LS in terms of processing volumes, membrane area and process times. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is implemented to characterize average shear rates as a function of suspension viscosities and disc speed of the USD membrane device. A series of trials at USD scale established the eff ect of average shear rate on fl ux and the rate of fl ux decline during a diafi ltration operation reaching 7 diafi ltration volumes. A series of LS runs were carried out at diff erent cross flow rates covering a similar range of average shear rates as the USD trials. Good correlation was obtained between USD and LS performance using constant average shear rate over the membrane surface as the basis for scale translation between the two scales of operation. Th e predicted eff ect of change in shear rate on fl ux in USD matched that found in LS. Th is scale correlation on performance was additionally verifi ed by studying the eff ect of type and concentration of mAb. Th e comparable process performance was achieved at USD with 520-fold reduction in eff ective membrane area, required process material and diafi ltration buff er for the trial. Future studies will include membrane concentration operations and evaluating sensitivity to stress-related eff ects and the impact of operation at higher protein concentrations.

Break: Panel Discussions 16:50-17:00 @ ZURICH
Day 1 Program Closed by 17:00

Anderson José Beber

Solenis Water Technologies, Brazil

Title: Reduction on Water Consumption on a Cooling Tower With The Application of a Novel Biocide
Speaker
Biography:

Anderson José Beber has over 17 year experience in industrial water treatment, especially clarification, demineralization, reverse osmosis, low and high pressure boiler water treatment and cooling water treatment. He has worked for different multinational water treatment companies, servicing serveral industries: pulp and paper, power, steel, manufacturing, food and beverage, automotive and many others. Over the past 6 years Anderson Beber has dedicated his expertise on special projects and technical assistance to Solenis sales team, being responsible for new product launch, technical training, project development, consultancy for boiler and cooling water treatment for industries in Latin America.

Abstract:

Microbiological control is essential in any cooling water system. A cooling system such as a large cooling tower is an excellent environment for micrboloigcal growth: water,

warm temperature, oxygen, dust and debries from air,

nutrients and others are some of the variables that contribute largely to the growth of microbiology colonies. The main negative  consequence is that the biofilm (sludge) formed is highly insulating. It is known that biofilm is more insulating that CaCO3 or SiO2 scales. The best and less expensive way to control MB is by using large amounts of oxidizing biocides like chlorine gas, hypochlorite, bromine, chlorine dioxide.  The goal is to maintain an oxidizing environment which is not friendly for bio cells. However, strong oxidizer may cause high chloride content, lower concentration cycles, higher cost among others. Also, a high oxidant environment may lead to higher corrosion rates. And finally the strong oxidizers are not selective, reacting to any contamination not only MB.

This paper shows the results of the application of a novel mild oxidizer  on a large cooling tower at a power plant. This specific cooling tower utilizes grey water (tertiary treated domestic sewage) as make up water. After the application of this mild oxidizer, the concentration cycles were enhanced from an average of 4 up to 6.5, resulting in large savings to the plant. Also, stainless steel corrosion rates droped significantly due to the reduction of chlorides and sulfates residuals.