4^th International Conference on Chemical Engineering September 17-18 Pacific Gateway Hotel at Vancouver Airport, Vancouver, BC, Canada, September 17-18, 2018

Denis S Kuprin, head of the laboratory of fire and explosion prevention, graduate of the Saint Petersburg State University. He is a co-author of the invention concerning generation and application of fast-hardening foam based on the structured silica particles. He is the author of publications concerning the main concept of the sol-gel transition for the creation of fire-extinguishing foams which are intended for fire and explosion prevention, heat protection, screening in the case of accidents with radiation and hazardous chemicals and others.

Accidents and catastrophes with fires and explosions including accidents at facilities with hazardous chemicals are getting the global problem. These problems are getting more dangerous because of the high probability of the terroristic attacks connected with hazardous chemicals application. The new technology of the accelerated accident liquidation in the case of chemical and radiation dangerous materials opened appearance risk is presented by the manuscript authors. Experience of application of the new patented binary mixtures sol-gel transition technology is described as applied for fire and explosion prevention, solid combustible materials and explosives fire-extinguishing, chemical protection and others.

Milorad Ninkovic is a chemical engineer, graduated 2013 at University of Novi Sad, department for polymer materials. Moved to Toronto in 2013. It was determined that with the increase in the share of hard segments of polyurethane, as well as the increase in the content of the added elastomer, the temperatures of the maximum reaction rate of the networking and activation energy of the reaction of the epoxy resin interaction decrease, which confirms the catalytic effect of thermoplastic polyurethanes based on the polycarbonate diol.

In this thesis, the modification of epoxy resins with thermoplastic polyurethanes of good elastic properties was performed. The influence of synthesized polyurethane based on the polycarbonate diol was studied (5,10 and 15% by weight in relation to epoxy), as well as the share of hard elastomeric segments (20, 25 and 30% by weight), was studied on the process of epoxy composite networking. The networking of epoxy hybrid materials was investigated using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC Q20 TA Instruments), at three different heating rates (5, 10 and 20^oC/min). For the modification of epoxy resins, thermoplastic polyurethane films with a different share of hard segments (20, 25 and 30% by weight) were used. Synthesized polyurethane elastomers were added to the epoxy in various weight percentages relative to the resin (5, 10 and 15 wt%). To mix elastomers and epoxides, a composite mixture was mixed with a magnetic stirrer at 60^oC for 2 hours. Then for better homogenization, the mixture is further stirred for 20 min in an ultrasonic bath. After that, the Jeffamine D-2000 cross-linker was added to the prepared binary component. The new reaction mixture was then placed for 1 hour in a vacuum dryer to remove the residual bubbles of CO₂. In order to obtain films, the reaction mixture is poured onto polypropylene plates. After 24 hours at room temperature, the polypropylene plates were placed in the dryer, where the process of networking modified epoxy resins lasted an an additional 4 hours at 140^oC.

Anand Prakash has contributed extensively to the development and analysis of multiphase reactors widely used in clean fuels and chemicals production processes. The reactor models and techniques developed by his research group have been used by other research groups in industry and academia. The reactor models for Fischer Tropsch synthesis were developed by integrating years of research by different groups and validated with data from pilot and demonstration scale units. His research group is also developing low-cost process for biodiesel production.

Statement of the Problem: Petroleum refinery will remain the main source of transportation fuels for a foreseeable future. There is, however, need to continuously improve the quality of these fuels to make them cleaner and greener to reduce harmful emissions. However, a limit has been reached for quality improvements in conventional refinery and there is a need to consider alternative and synergistic approaches to improve quality and set higher standards. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The proposed approach aims to improve the quality of main liquid fuels namely diesel and gasoline by integrating Fischer Tropsch (FT) synthesis based on syngas derived from natural gas reforming with a conventional refinery. FT synthesis can produce high quality clean burning diesel and gasoline fuels. In particular, the diesel fuel from the FT synthesis process is essentially free of particulate emissions precursors (i.e. polynuclear aromatics) and sulfur content is below 0.5 ppm. Similarly, gasoline from FT refinery is very low in sulfur and high in octane. Continuous efforts to increase the content of drop-in biodiesel and bioethanol will increase the renewable content of these fuels and further improve their quality. Conclusion & Significance: The proposed integration of conventional petroleum refinery with the natural gas-based production of high-quality clean diesel and gasoline fuels by FT synthesis process has significant potential to mitigate harmful emissions from these fuels. Greening these fuels by drop-in biodiesel and bioethanol will further improve their quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Gui-huan Yao has his expertise in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by NH3 on the iron-based catalyst in a magnetically fluidized bed (MFB). His novel idea integrates magnetic fluidization with catalytic technology for NO removal. Thus the NO removal efficiency on iron-based catalysts is improved synergistically by factors such as temperature, flow, catalysis and magnetic field. Furthermore, he focuses on magnetic field effects on the SCR of NO over magnetic iron-based catalysts in MFB. He also has a research interest in multi-phase flows, granular media, energy and environment engineering and magneto-chemistry.

Statement of the Problem: A notion of “Sustainable development” and the new concept of “Zero emissions” become dominant in the 21^st century. The techniques for NO removal, which are low-temperature, low-cost, environmental-friendly and high efficiency, have become a new research field in the academic and industrial world. Nowadays, due to the special properties of transitional metal element Fe, Fe-based catalysts have become a hot issue on the development of catalysts for SCR of NO. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Hematite ore and siderite ore were used as raw material to prepare SCR catalysts for NO removal and NO removal performance was investigated with synthetic flue gas in a fixed bed reactor. Specific surface area analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), NH₃-temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTs) were used to analyze the iron ore catalysts and the De-NOx reaction to understand the catalytic performance and mechanism of SCR of NO by NH3. Findings: The siderite catalyst calcined at 450°C was mainly composed of γ-Fe₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃. The experiments of catalytic activity on SCR of NO expressed that the siderite catalyst had an optimal NO removal efficiency and the efficiency was above 96% in the temperature range of 150-300°C at GHSV of 7500 h-1. Conclusion & Significance: Siderite catalysts calcined at 450°C showed a good performance of SCR of NO by NH3 at low temperatures. This catalyst had developed pore structure and a big specific surface area. The adsorbed NO₂ would enhance the adsorption and conversion of NO on the siderite catalyst surface at the low-temperature window. Meanwhile, there were a variety of Lewis acid sites to enhance the adsorption of NH3 and NO on the surface of siderite catalyst by both of L-H and E-R mechanism at low temperatures.

Christo Boyadjiev is a chemical engineering professor. Dr.Sci. (1978), Doctor of Technical Sciences of Higher Institute of Chemical Technology (Sofia, Bulgaria). Associate Professor – 1971. Professor in Chemical Engineering, since 1981. Editor-in-Chief of the “Transactions of Academenergo” (Scientific journal of the Russian Academy of Science). Chairman of the Scientific Council of the International Scientific Centre for Power and Chemical Engineering Problems (http://www.int-sci-center.bas.bg). Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Workshop on “Transport Phenomena in Two-Phase Flows” (No.1 - 15).

The diffusion boundary theory is not applicable for the modeling of chemical, absorption, adsorption and catalytic processes in column apparatuses, where the velocity distributions and interphase boundaries are unknown. The use of the physical approximations of the mechanics of continua for the interphase mass transfer process modeling in industrial column apparatuses is possible if the mass appearance (disappearance) of the reagents on the interphase surfaces of the elementary physical volumes (as a result of the heterogeneous reactions) are replaced by the mass appearance (disappearance) of the reagents in the same elementary physical volumes (as a result of the equivalent homogeneous reactions), i.e. the surface mass sources (sinks), caused by absorption, adsorption or catalytic reactions must be replaced with equivalent volume mass sources (sinks). The solution of this problem is related with the creation of new type of convection-diffusion and averageconcentration models (Chr. Boyadjiev, M. Doichinova, B. Boyadjiev, P. Popova-Krumova, Modeling of Column Apparatus Processes, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, 2016). The convection-diffusion models permit the qualitative analysis of the processes only because the velocity distribution in the column is unknown. On this base is possible to be obtained the role of the different physical effect in the process and to reject those processes, whose relative influence is less than 1%, i.e. to be made process mechanism identification. The average-concentration models are obtained from the convection-diffusion models, where average velocities and concentrations are introduced. The velocity distributions are introduced by the parameters in the model, which must be determined experimentally.

Nicolas Abatzoglou is Professor and ex-Head of the Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering of the University of Sherbrooke. He is 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 Pfizer Industrial Research Chair in Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) in Pharmaceutical Engineering. He is a co-founder of the company Enerkem Technologies Inc., the precursor of Enerkem Inc., a spin-off commercializing technologies in the field of energy from renewable resources.

In previous publications, a new family of catalysts, relying on some particular physicochemical behavior of spinels derived from metal-doping of a negative-value mining residue (UGSO, standing for UpGraded Slug Oxides) has been tested with high success on steam and dry reforming as well as on partial oxidation of methane. In this work, the use of such catalysts is extended to other, chemically refractory materials, under conditions of reforming. These materials include aromatic hydrocarbons and bio-oils produced through pyrolysis of biomasses and other carbon-rich materials (i.e. plastics); thus, bio-oils are complex and rather unstable liquid mixtures which cannot be used without further processing as fuels or, more generally, as feedstock in the chemical industry. The tests take place in a lab-scale differential isothermal fixed-bed reactor at selected weight-hourlyspace velocities and temperature ranging between 750 and 850°C. The gaseous products are analyzed by gas chromatography and full mass balances accompanied with statistical validation are provided with. Fresh and used catalysts are analyzed by electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-rays diffraction BET for specific surface calculation and thermogravimetric analyses. In general, for all feedstock tested, the catalyst catalytic efficiency and stability are tested over time-on-stream up to 500 h. These highly promising results are produced at atmospheric pressures. In industrial applications for H₂ production, the reforming reactors are operated at pressures typically around 20 atm. All other conditions are similar to the ones tested at our lab. We are presently building a new kg-lab-scale facility which will be operated at 20 atm in order to reproduce the industrial conditions and, thus, benchmark the new family of catalysts. It is highly probable that some initial results at kg-lab scale will be available for presentation in the conference.

Rakesh Govind obtained his M.S. and PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and is currently Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He has published papers on the entrained flow gasification of Ohio coal and on membrane separation.

Coal, an abundant raw material in both the U.S. and in many other parts of the world, has been considered as a suitable raw material for the production of coal oil, since the 1900s. Production of liquid fuels from coal is possible through a variety of conversion processes (e.g., Fischer−Tropsch synthesis, pyrolysis, or direct coal catalytic liquefaction) but one, in particular, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), often referred to as hydrous pyrolysis, is attractive due to its relatively low cost and ease of implementation. Direct coal liquefaction requires an addition of hydrogen and expensive catalysts, while a Fischer-Tropsch process is expensive and wastes a substantial amount of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. Hydrothermal Liquefaction is a process that involves the use of subcritical liquid water in the absence of oxygen to artificially mature coal, kerogen and biomass

samples. Hydrothermal Liquefaction does not require sample drying since the reaction medium is water, saving valuable time and money. The process generates low molecular weight hydrocarbons, mainly alkanes. In this paper, the application of Hydrothermal Liquefaction simultaneously to mixtures of coal and biomass will be reviewed with the objective of generating partially carbon-neutral coal oil. With the use of coal in the U.S. dwindling for power generation, with consequent loss of jobs in several mid-western states, it is proposed to apply Hydrothermal Liquefaction to coal-waste biomass mixtures to generate partially carbon-neutral coal oil. While there is an excess of oil in the U.S. and refineries in the U.S. are operating at peak capacity, coal oil, manufactured in the U.S., can be exported to Asia, which has coal, but no oil and no natural gas. This strategy will allow U.S. to revive coal mining jobs in the U.S., balance the trade deficit with countries like China and decrease the sale of middle-east oil to Asia. Furthermore, the sale of partial carbon-neutral oil to Asia will allow Asian countries to meet their carbon emission goals as per the Paris Treaty on Global Warming. This paper will discuss the technical details of hydrothermal Liquefaction of various types of coal and compare the economics of the coal-oil produced with crude oil. 

Lorena Jaramillo awarded the Master degree in Process Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg-Germany in 2007, Master in Environmental Engineering at the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN), Quito-Ecuador, where her undergraduate studies as Chemical Engineering were finished in 2000. She has work experience as Process Engineer developing detailed engineering for different chemical plants. Currently, she works as Professor at the EPN, teaching design plant and as the director of several research projects related to extraction of biocoumpunds from native plants as well as the sintetization of products of industrial interest.

Inulin is a mixture of fructose polysaccharides, which is synthesized inside of plants as an energy reserve. Its physicochemical, functional and technological properties are exploited in food and pharmaceutical industry. Novel extraction techniques are investigated to obtain inulin because they reduce time, energy consumption and improve extraction yields. Inulin from jicama (Smallanthus sonchifolius) roots and cabuya (Agave americana) meristem was obtained using conventional extraction (CE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Firstly, CE was done to determine the suitable non-conventional extraction technique for each plant. MAE was selected for jicama and UAE for cabuya. The variables considered for MAE were microwave power, S:L ratio and temperature; and S:L ratio temperature and ultrasonic amplitude for UAE. In all extraction techniques soluble matter yield was the response variable. The best conditions to extract inulin by CE for jicama were 130 rpm, 75°C, 1:5 S:L and 25 min; and for cabuya were 80°C, 300 rpm, 1:5 S:L and 100 min. In the other hand, the best MAE extraction conditions were 90 W, 1:15 S:L and 80°C; and for UAE were 60°C, 1:20 S:L and 30% ultrasonic amplitude. When extraction techniques were compared, UAE achieved a higher yield (62%) than CE (52%) at the same time (10 min); and extraction time using MAE was shorter than CE to obtain the highest yield (12,12%), 13 and 25 minutes, respectively. Finally, inulin extract was purified, dried and characterized by FTIR, DSC and TGA for each technique.

Mehdi Ghaffari Sharaf is a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta. He has masters in biophysics and has his experience on eye disease related proteomic studies, nanotechnology-based diagnosis and peptide-based treatment options for cataract and exfoliation glaucoma. His main research focus is on an identification of targeting peptides for fibrillar aggregates associated with exfoliation syndrome.

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) (pseudoexfoliation syndrome) is an age-related disease, characterized by the production of

a fibrillar extracellular material that accumulates on many ocular tissues and dramatically affects ocular homeostasis.

Despite some success in elucidating pathomechanisms, curative pharmacotherapy for this disease has not been achieved to date. The ability to treat this disease necessitates the ability to target the fibrillar structures related to the exfoliation within the in vivo context. The scope of this research is to engineer molecules that can both target and treat the aggregation of proteins within the anterior segment of the eye; for within this region, the deposition of exfoliation materials leads directly to impaired vision. An ex vivo protocol has been developed for identification of exfoliation material-targeting molecules. Specific binding of targeting molecules was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy. Suggested therapeutic strategy rests on the thought of conjugation of targeting biomolecules with nanoparticles. Alkyne-modified targeting biomolecules were conjugated to the magnetic nanoparticles to evaluate the effect of engineered biomolecules on the exfoliation material. Bio-conjugation was evaluated through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequent pharmacotherapies will be dependent on the ability to preferentially target these fibrillar structures and that this study will be the precursor to further systematic studies on developing strategies for this express purpose.