The focus of this research was to improve the sustainability of various processes by employing tunable solvents, switchable solvents, and catalysis. In Chapter 2, we report applications of tunable solvents to metal and enzyme catalyzed reactions of hydrophobic substrates. Tunable solvents are defined as solvent that change properties rapidly but continuously upon the application of an external physical stimulus and we utilize these solvents to couple homogeneous reactions with heterogeneous separations. We developed organic-aqueous tunable solvents that utilize propane for efficient phase separation at moderate pressures around 1 MPa; for example the water contents in the propane-expanded THF is 3 wt% at 0.8MPa at 30°C. Also, we extended the use of CO2-organic-aqueous tunable solvents to a pharmaceutically-relevant reaction--the hydroformylation of p-methylstyrene. The homogeneous reactions provide fast rates with excellent yields. At 60°C, the reaction reaches completion after 180 minutes with 95% branched aldehyde yield. The CO2-induced heterogeneous separation of the product from the catalyst provides an efficient and simple way to remove 99% of the product, to retain 99.9% of catalyst, and to recycle the Rh-TPPMS catalyst for five consecutive reactions. In chapter 3, we investigated the use of reversible ionic liquids (RevILs) for synthesis of nanoparticles. RevILs are formed by the reversible reaction of compounds with basic nitrogen functionalities (molecular liquid) with CO2 at ambient pressure to form a liquid salt (ionic liquid). We demonstrated that RevILs form microemulsions that can be switched-on by bubbling CO2 and switched-off by heating. These microemulsions solubilize ionic compounds such as chloroauric acid. We utilized these microemulsions as a template for controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles. With 2-component RevILs, [TMBGH]+[O2COCH3]-/N-propyl-octylsulfonamide/hexane were used to form particles in the size range of 6-20 nm with an average particles size of 11.4±3.3. With 1-component RevILs, (3-aminopropyl)-tripropylsilane was used to prepare semi-spherical gold particles with an average size of about 20nm. The 1-component RevILs systems provide a simpler method to form microemulsions when compared to the 2-componenet RevILs systems since they eliminate the need for alcohols and surfactants. In chapter 4, we developed a catalyst that efficiently decomposes hydrazine to selectively produce ammonia. This enables the use of the chemical propulsion hydrazine for electric propulsion as well. We prepared nickel, copper, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium nanoparticles that were supported on silica and we tested these silica-supported metals for the decomposition of hydrazine. To study the catalytic activity, we designed and constructed a continuous flow reactor. The results show that nano-nickel supported on silica is the most active and selective catalyst with 100% conversion of hydrazine and 94±3% yield of ammonia.

L(objectif de cette thèse a été de développer de nouveaux solvants d'absorption des composés organiques volatils (COV). Ces derniers sont des polluants atmosphériques primaires généralement utilisés comme solvants et émis directement par les industries. Ils induisent des effets nocifs pour la santé, et certains d'entre eux, sont classés comme cancérogènes. La réduction des émissions de ces polluants reste donc une préoccupation majeure. L'objectif de notre travail a été d'évaluer les solvants eutectiques profonds (DES) comme absorbants pour les COV. Les DES représentent une nouvelle génération de solvants. Ils sont formés par simple mélange de 2 ou plusieurs composés. Ils peuvent être produits à partir de composés économiques, naturels et biodégradables. La préparation de ces solvants est facile et permet une économie d'atome de 100%. Le travail a été divisé en trois parties.La première partie a été consacrée à la caractérisation des propriétés physico-chimiques des DES, telles que la densité et la viscosité. L'analyse des spectres infrarouge des DES et de leurs composés purs a montré une implication des liaisons hydrogène dans la formation des DES. La polarité a été étudiée à l'aide de la sonde Nile red. Enfin, la solubilité de gaz (CO₂, CH₄ and Ar) a été mesurée dans les DES en fonction de la température. La deuxième partie a porté sur l'évaluation de la capacité d'absorption des DES en utilisant la technique d'headspace statique couplée à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Ceci nous a permis de déterminer le coefficient de partage gaz/liquide pour les COV dans les DES à différentes températures. L'influence des mélanges de COV sur les capacités d'absorption des DES a été également déterminée. Ces derniers ont montré des capacités d'absorption élevées pour la variété de COV, sans saturation même à forte concentration. Un nouveau système DES-cyclodextrine a également été évalué. Les capacités d'absorption ont été améliorées grâce au rôle de molécule cage de la cyclodextrine. La deuxième partie a été tournée vers l'application industrielle. Nous avons évalué les capacités d'absorption des DES à l'aide d'un montage dynamique qui simule une colonne d'absorption industrielle. Cette installation permet de moduler le débit du COV, les teneurs en eau ainsi que la température de la colonne. Enfin, la régénération des DES a été effectuée par plusieurs cycles absorption/désorption sans perte de capacité d'absorption. En conclusion, l'ensemble des résultats obtenus a montré que les DES possédaient de nombreux atouts leur permettant d'être considérés comme des solvants prometteurs pour l'absorption des COV. / The aim of this thesis was to develop new solvents for the absorption of volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC are primary air pollutants generally used as solvents and emitted directly from industries. They have adverse health effects and some of them are classified as carcinogenic. Consequently, the reduction of the emissions of these pollutants remains a major challenge to reduce air pollution. Hence, our objective was to evaluate deep eutectic solvants (DES) as absorbents for VOCs. DESs represent a new generation of solvents that is formed by simply mixing two or more compounds. They can be produced from cheap, natural and biodegradable compounds. The preparation of these solvents is easy and is 100% atom efficient. This work was divided into three parts.The first part focused on the physicochemical properties of DES, such as density and viscosity. Analysis of the infrared spectra of DES and their pure compounds showed that hydrogen bonds are essential for the formation of DES. Their polarity was studied using the Nile red probe. In addition, solubility of various gases (CO₂, CH₄ and Ar) was measured as a function of temperature. The second part dealt with the evaluation of the aborsption capacity of DESs using static headspace coupled with gas chromatography. The determination of gas/liquid partition coefficient was performed for various VOC and DES at different temperatures. In addition, the influence of VOC mixtures on DES absorption capacities was determined. DES showed high absorption capacities for a variety of VOCs, without saturation even at high concentration. A new DES-cyclodextrin system was developed and showed improved absorption capacities due to the complexation ability of the cyclodextrin. The last part was oriented towards the industrial application of DESs. The absorption capacities of DESs were evaluated using a dynamic set-up which simulated an industrial absorption column. This set-up allows the modulation of the VOC flow rate, water content and column temperature. Finally, the regeneration of the absorbent was carried out by several absorption/desorption cycles without loss of absorption capacity. In conclusion, the overall results showed that DES have characteristics that allow them to be considered as promising solvents for VOC absorption.

This thesis involves a study of the thermodynamics of liquid mixtures containing N-methyl-2pyrrolidone (NMP) and hydrocarbons or ethers. NMP is a polar liquid which is used in liquid extraction procedures for the separation of polar and nonpolar hydrocarbons. It was considered important enough to devote an entire thesis to the properties of NMP related to its interactions with simple hydrocarbons and ethers. The thesis consists of four parts: Part one is devoted to liquid-liquid equilibria. Experimental results at 298.2 K, are presented for the mixtures: NMP + an aromatic hydrocarbon + an n-alkane. Firstly, the effect increasing the chain length of the alkane has on the liquid-liquid equilibria was investigated, by studying mixtures of the type: an n-alkane + toluene + NMP; where the n-alkane refers to n-hexane or n-nonane or n-tetradecane or n-hexadecane. Secondly, the effect of substitution on the benzene ring on the equilibria was studied by measuring the liquid-liquid equilibria for the mixtures: n-hexadecane + an aromatic hydrocarbon + NMP; where the aromatic hydrocarbon refers to toluene or o-xylene or m-xylene or p-xylene or mesitylene or ethyl benzene. The chain length of the n-alkane had a significant effect on the liquid-liquid equilibria. Methyl substitution on the benzene ring had a small effect on the liquid-liquid equilibria. Part two is devoted to activity coefficients at infinite dilution. Experimental results at 298,15 K, determined using gas-liquid chromatography, are presented for the mixtures: NMP (solvent) + n-pentane or n-hexane or n-heptane or n-octane or cyclopentane or cyclohexane or cycloheptane or I-hexene or 1-heptene or l-octene or diethyl ether or diisopropyl ether. The magnitudes of the infinite dilution activity coefficients had the following order: n-alkanes > cycloalkanes > l-alkenes > ethers. Part three is devoted to excess molar enthalpies. Experimental results at 298.15 K are presented for the mixtures: NMP + an aromatic hydrocarbon. Here, an aromatic hydrocarbon refers to one of benzene or toluene or o-xylene or m-xylene or p-xylene or mesitylene or ethyl benzene. Isothermal flow microcalorimetry was used to determine the excess molar enthalpies. Increased methyl substitution on the' benzene ring manifests itself as a reduction in the association between NMP and the aromatic hydrocarbon. Part four is devoted to excess molar volumes. Experimental results at 298.15 K are presented for the mixtures: NMP + an aromatic hydrocarbon. Here, an aromatic hydrocarbon refers to one of benzene or toluene or o-xylene or m-xylene or p-xylene or mesitylene or ethyl benzene. Densitometry was used to determine the excess molar volumes. The excess molar volumes were negative for all the mixtures. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1997.

Separation processes are fundamental to all chemical engineering industries. Solvent separation, either liquid-liquid extraction or extractive distillation, is a specialised segment of separation processes. Solvents can be used either to optimise conventional distillation processes or for azeotropic systems, which can not be separated by conventional means. This work focuses on the performance of monoethanolamine (MEA) as a solvent in extractive distillation. Furthermore, the methodology of solvent evaluation is also studied. The preliminary assessment of solvent selection requires the determination of selectivity factors. The selectivity factor is defined as follows: P• = y,." . y, where y" is the activity coefficient at infinite dilution of the solute in the solvent. Subscript 1 and 2 refer to solute 1 and 2. A large selectivity factor implies enhanced separation of component 1 from 2 due to the solvent. Activity coefficients at infinite dilution were determined experimentally (gas-liquid chromatography) and predicted theoretically (UNIFAC group contribution method) for twenty-four solutes at three temperatures. Solutes used were alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cyclo-alkanes, aromatics, ketones and alcohols. Most of this experimental work comprises data for systems which have not been measured before. Predicted and experimental values for y' were compared. For systems such as these (with polar solvents and non-polar solutes), UNIFAC results are not accurate and experimentation is vital. The experimental selectivity factors indicated tihat MEA could be an excellent solvent for hydrocarbon separation. Three binary azeotropic systems were chosen for further experimentation with MEA n-hexane (1) - benzene (2): fJ,~ = 31. Compared to other industrial solvents this is one of the largest values and MEA could serve as an excellent solvent. cyclohexane (1) - ethanol (2): fJ,~ = 148. This high value indicates an excellent solvent for this system. Acetone (1) - methanol (2): fJ,~ = 7.7. Further work involved vapour-liquid equilibrium experimentation at sub-atmospheric pressures in a dynamic recirculating stil l. The binary components with a certain amount of MEA were added to the still. The vapour and liquid mole fractions for the binary azeotropic components were measured and plotted on a solvent-free basis. The results are summarised below: n-hexane - benzene: Amount MEA added to still feed: 2%. MEA improved separability slightly. Further addition of MEA resulted in two liquid phases forming. cyclohexane - ethanol: Amount MEA added to still feed: 5% and 10%. Two liquid phases were formed for cyclohexane rich mixtures. Addition of MEA improved separability but did not remove the azeotrope. acetone - methanol: Amount MEA added to still feed : 5%, 10% and 20%. The ternary mixture remained homogenous and separability improved with addition of MEA. The binary azeotrope was eliminated. Due to the hetrogenous nature of the cyclohexane - ethanol system liquid-liquid equilibrium experimentation was performed to complete the analysis. Viable separation processes are possible for (a) cyclohexane - ethanol mixtures and for (b) acetone - methanol mixtures using MEA as the solvent. Comparison of various solvents used for the separation of acetone from methanol was possible by constructing equivolatility curves for the ternary systems. Results showed that MEA may possibly be the best solvent for this extractive distillation process. This study provides the following results and conclusions: • New thermodynamic data, important for the understanding of MEA in the field of solvent separations, was obtained. • Results show that the UNIFAC contribution method cannot be used to accurately predict polar solvent - non-polar solute y«> values. Experimentation is essential. • Selectivity factors indicate that MEA could be an excellent solvent for hydrocarbon separation. • The separation of the azeotropic cyclohexane - ethanol mixture is possible with a combination of extractive distillation and liquid-liquid extraction or simply liquid-liquid extraction using MEA as the solvent. • The separation of the azeotropic acetone methanol mixture is possible with extractive distillation using MEA as the solvent. The solvent MEA is possibly the best solvent for this separation. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-Univeristy of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Optimisation attempts within the petrochemical industry have led to interest in alternate solvents. The most widely used commercial solvents for the separation of hydrocarbons, by extractive distillation, are N-methylpyrrolidone and sulfolane. There has also been reference made to other solvents, such as N-formylmorpholine and the ethylene glycols [mono-, di-, tri- and tetra], being used. The alternate solvents proposed for this study were N-formylmorpholine, triethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. Infinite dilution activity coefficients, γ∞, provided a means of comparing the ease of separation of the different solutes using different solvents in extractive distillation. There is a substantial database of γ∞ measurements for systems involving N-methylpyrrolidone and hydrocarbons. A fairly large data set of γ∞ values of hydrocarbons in N-formylmorpholine has also been measured. Very little work has been conducted on the γ∞ values of hydrocarbons in either diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol. Gas liquid chromatography is one of the more common methods used to measure γ∞. To enable the measurement of γ∞ at higher temperatures, a pre-saturator was installed prior to the column. This ensured that the carrier gas entering the column was saturated with solvent and prevented the elution of solvent from the column. The γ∞ values of 25 solutes; including n-alkanes, alk-1-enes, alk-1-ynes, alcohols and aromatics; were measured at temperatures of 333.15, 348.15 and 363.15 K. The γ∞ measurements in N-formylmorpholine were used to verify this experimental set up and technique. Once the experimental set up had been proven, γ∞ in N-methylpyrrolidone, triethylene glycol and diethylene glycol were measured. Selectivities and capacities, at infinite dilution, of several solute combinations in the four solvents were then compared. In a few of these separation cases, the alternative solvents appeared to have better separation performance than N-methylpyrrolidone. The γ∞ values of three of the solutes in N-formylmorpholine and N-methylpyrrolidone were also measured using the novel cell design and measurement procedure suggested by Richon. It was found that this new technique required further development for the case of volatile solvents, since the results obtained using this technique did not compare favourably with the literature data. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

This study is an investigation into the biodegradation potential of a TCE contaminated aquifer located at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the UK, and the remediation prospects by employing biological and biotechnological processes such as bacterial community structure and diversity assessment, toxicity and isotopic fractionation.  Quarterly monitoring of boreholes from the former military site suggested that the plume is predominantly aerobic and therefore reliance cannot be placed only on natural attenuation.  In addition the contaminated plume contains a variety of volatile organic chemicals, petroleum, diesel and metals, which introduces potential co-metabolites as well as additional toxicity.  Assessment of the natural bacterial community of the site revealed sufficient bacterial counts to support intrinsic bioremediation and the presence of multiple additional contaminants.  Variable toxicity responses not solely explainable by TCE were observed with a broad functional bacterial diversity, which could be bio-stimulated (with substrates such as the terpenes carvone, pulegone and linalool as well as the aromatic compound cumene) or bio-augmented (with <i>Dehalosporillium multivorans</i>) to increase rates of TCE degradation.  Other additional agents such as iron filings were able to stimulate rapid rates of TCE degradation.  There is also evidence of potential TCE degraders within the more heavily contaminated boreholes (the finding of <i>Pseudomonas putida</i>).  Lastly isotopic fractionation suggests that degradation of TCE is occurring on site.

Dissertation research involves development of Mobile Order Theory thermodynamic models to mathematically describe and predict the solubility, spectral properties, protonation equilibrium constants and two-phase partitioning behavior of solutes dissolved in binary solvent mixtures of analytical importance. Information gained provide a better understanding of solute-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions at the molecular level, which will facilitate the development of better chemical separation methods based upon both gas-liquid and high-performance liquid chromatography, and better analysis methods based upon complexiometric and spectroscopic methods. Dissertation research emphasizes chemical equilibria in systems containing alcohol cosolvents with the understanding that knowledge gained will be transferable to more environmentally friendly aqueous-organic solvent mixtures.

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the thermodynamic properties of nonelectrolyte solutes dissolved in ternary solvent mixtures, and to develop mathematical expressions for predicting and describing that behavior in the solvent mixtures. Thirty-four ternary solvent systems were studied containing either alcohol (1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and 2-butanol), alkane (cyclohexane, heptane, and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane) or alkoxyalcohol (2-ethoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol) cosolvents. Approximately 2500 experimental measurements were performed. Expressions were derived from the Combined Nearly Ideal Multiple Solvent (NIMS)/Redlich-Kister, the Combined Nearly Ideal Multiple Solvent (NIMS)/Bertrand, Acree and Burchfield (BAB) and the Modified Wilson models for predicting solute solubility in ternary solvent (or even higher multicomponent) mixtures based upon the model constants calculated from solubility data in sub-binary solvents. Average percent deviation between predicted and observed values were less than 2%, documenting that these models provide a fairly accurate description of the thermodynamic properties of nonelectrolyte solutions. Moreover, the models can be used for solubility prediction in solvent mixtures in order to find the optimum solvent composition for solubilization or desolubilization of a solute. From a computational standpoint, the Combined Nearly Ideal Multiple Solvent/Redlich-Kister equation is preferred because the needed model constants can be calculated with a simple linear regressional analysis. Model constants for the Modified Wilson equation had to be calculated using a reiterative trial-and-error method. The C++ program for the Modified Wilson equation applied to ternary and heptanary solvent mixtures is attached.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a citotoxicidade in vitro dos solventes utilizados em terapia de retratamento endodôntico: óleo de casca de laranja, eucaliptol, xilol, clorofórmio e halotano através da avaliação da citotoxicidade de cada solvente em diferentes concentrações finais e condições de contato com as células de fibroblastos de linhagem NIH 3T3. O experimento foi dividido em 4 etapas: etapa 1- os solventes foram misturados em meio de cultura (DMEM) nas concentrações finais de 0, 5, 10, 25, 50 e 100% e depositados sobre a cultura de células para o tempo de 5 minutos; etapa 2-os solventes foram misturados em meio de cultura nas concentrações finais de 0, 10 e 25% e depositados sobre a cultura de células para os tempos de 10 e 15 minutos; etapa 3a- os solventes foram depositados sobre as células de fibroblastos (contato direto) e acrescido de meio de cultura; etapa 3b-onde os fibroblastos receberam o meio de cultura e sobre este depositado os solventes testes (contato indireto) nas concentrações finais de 0, 5 e 10% para o tempo de 5 minutos; etapa 4- os solventes foram previamente solubilizados com o álcool absoluto na proporção de 1:1 e depois misturados ao meio de cultura na concentração final de 5% para o tempo de 5 minutos. A avaliação foi realizada pela contagem celular através de método de exclusão de células coradas pelo azul Trypan. Os resultados obtidos nos permitiram concluir que todos os solventes testados são citotóxicos in vitro, sendo que o óleo de laranja foi o menos tóxico, ao permitir alguma viabilidade celular. Observou-se ainda que o preparo prévio dos solventes influenciou no percentual de células viáveis. / SUMMARY The aim of this study was to compare in vitro solvents used in endodontic retreatment therapy: orange oil, eucalyptol, xylene, chloroform and halothane through cytotoxicity evaluation of each solvent in different final concentration and contact conditions to NIH 3T3 fibroblasts cells lines. The experiment was divided in four stages: stage 1- the solvents were mixed in culture medium (DMEM) in final concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100% placed on the cells in culture for periods of 5 minutes; stage 2- the solvents were mixed in culture medium in finals concentrations of 0, 10 and 25% placed on the cells in culture for periods of 10 and 15 minutes; stage 3a- the solvents were placed on the fibroblasts cells (direct contact) and added culture medium; stage 3b- the fibroblasts cells get first culture medium and after that solvents were placed (indirect contact), in bouth the finals concentrations were 0, 5 and 10% for periods of 5 minutes; stage 4- solvents were previously solubilized in absolut alcohol in 1:1 proportion and mixed in culture medium in 5% final concentration for periods of 5 minutes. The evaluation were achieved by cellular counting through dyed exclusion method-Trypan blue. The results showed that all solvents were toxic in vitro, and orange oil was less toxic and it allowed some cellular viability. And we could observe that a previous solvents preparation influenced in the viable cells percentage.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Timothy George Peter Gutowski. / Ph.D.