The goal of the thesis is to investigate and propose a new design for a contactor platform, both in terms of hardware and embedded software, which incorporates support to implement new state-of-the-art functions. The platform must support a wide range of contactors from basic ones with only core functions to advanced contactors using modern microcontrollers to provide efficient, quick and reliable operation.   Further, a significant focus of the thesis is on the interaction between electrical engineering and computer engineering. The electronics needs to interact seamlessly with a microcontroller running a versatile software to provide industry-leading performance. To achieve this, the software and hardware is evaluated with focus to develop an optimal platform.   The proposed embedded software uses development techniques rarely used in embedded applications such as UML code generation, compile-time initiation of objects and an object-oriented design, while maintaining the performance of traditional embedded programming. The thesis also provides suggestions to hardware changes to further improve to the contactor’s operation.

This master thesis’s subject is to model an ABB contactor’s dynamics and to develop a hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment. The hardware-in-the-loop method utilizes computer models that are simulated in a real-time simulator. The real-time simulator is connected to hardware components. A contactor is an electrically controlled mechanical switching device and it is used in circuits where large currents can occur. In this thesis, the contactor is divided into three separate subsystems and models are developed for each of them. The three subsystems correspond to the contactor’s mechanics, electromagnetics and electronic components. Computer models are implemented in MATLAB and Simulink to realize the subsystems. The hardware part, of the hardware-in-the-loop simulations, consists of electronic parts that are not modeled. To connect the hardware part to a real-time simulator, from dSPACE, a hardware interface was constructed. This report focuses on the modeling of the mechanics and the electromagnetics as well as the software implementations. The thesis work was carried out in collaboration with another student. The focuses of his report are the modeling of the electronics and the construction of the hardware interface. Validation of the hardware-in-the-loop simulations is done by using measurements collected from a real contactor. The conclusion is that the simulations of the contactor’s behavior correspond well with a real contactor.

Hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) has been carried out industrially for a number of years, producing a material with exceptional resilience to high temperatures and oxidative conditions. Current processes involve a batch reactor which is difficult to optimize further for larger scale production. A continuous process for this particular process is required in order to provide a large volume of production with consistent qualities. The integration of heat balance could be realized in a continuous process. A novel continuous process for hydrogenation of NBR has been developed in the present work. A multistage agitated contactor (MAC) was proposed as a gas liquid reactor for this process. Comprehensive hydrodynamic data have been acquired under various process conditions. The hydrodynamic behaviour under different operating variables such as stirring speed, liquid flow rate and gas flow rate has been understood through experimental study. It is found that an increase in stirring speed intensifies liquid backmixing while an increase liquid flow rate decreases liquid backmixing. The presence of gas flow helps in reducing liquid back mixing by two coupled effects: liquid entrainment effect due to a cocurrent operation manner and a strengthening effect of liquid flow rate due to its reduction of liquid hold-up. Contradictory conclusions regarding the effect of liquid viscosity on liquid backmixing in a MAC have been resolved through experimental investigation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. It is shown that an increase in liquid velocity dampens turbulence which contributes to liquid phase backmixing within the reactor. The established hydrodynamic understanding of MACs in the present work widens its potential application for gas liquid process. Based on comprehensive understanding of the proposed reactor, a bench-scale prototype was designed and constructed in order to demonstrate hydrogenation performance. One more efficient catalyst for NBR hydrogenation, an osmium-based catalyst, was used in the present work. Hydrogenation degree of NBR in the continuous unit was investigated at operating conditions relevant to industrial applications. It is indicated from the experimental results that a desired hydrogenation degree of over 95% in 2.5% and 5% NBR solutions can be achieved at the conditions investigated. It is also shown that both system pressure and catalyst loading increase hydrogenation conversion. Mathematical modeling of the designed process was established by coupling the intrinsic catalytic hydrogenation from batch studies and flow behavior of the reactor. A cascade of stirred tanks with back flow (CTB) model was used to characterize the dynamic hydrogenation performance in a MAC. The comparison of experimental results and numerical prediction indicates that the established model could satisfactorily predict the hydrogenation in the designed process with consideration of approximately 30%-50% catalyst deactivated due to impurities and oxygen contamination in the polymer solution. A revised n CSTRs-in-series model was proposed to predict the hydrogenation degree at steady state and a good agreement was found when comparing the predicted results with the experimental data. A continuous process for hydrogenation at a pilot scale was designed based on the primary results from the bench scale process. A process with a capacity of 50 tons/year was targeted and the hydrogenation efficiency provided by the pilot scale unit has been estimated through the established reactor model.

Three membrane bioreactors, a low flux filter (LFF), a diafilter (DF), and an ion-exchange (IE) membrane bioreactor were used to treat water polluted with 50 ppm-N nitrate. The three systems were compared in terms of removal efficiency of nitrate, operational complexity, and overall quality of the treated water. In the low flux filter (LFF) membrane bioreactor an hemo-dialysis hollow fiber module was used and operated continuously for 29 days with a constant flux of permeate. The performance of the system was constant during the span of the experiment, which demonstrated that when the module was operated under constant low flux of permeate, the membrane filtration process was not affected by fouling. The removal rate of the LFF was 100% since the treated effluent did not contain nitrate or nitrite. The volumetric denitrification rate was 240 g-N day-1 m-3, which is within the range of denitrification rates obtained in tubular membrane modules. The treated effluent contained acetate, the carbon source of the biological process, and other inorganic nutrients, which showed that operating this ultrafiltration module at controlled flux did not improve the retention of these substances in the bioreactor. The same hemo-dialysis hollow fiber module employed in the LFF system was used in the diafilter (DF) membrane bioreactor. In the DF system, however, the membrane module was used as a contactor that separated the treated water and the bioreactor system, which allowed the transfer of solutes through the membrane porous structure and supported the growth of a biofilm on the membrane surface. The nitrate removal rate of the DF system increased from 76% to 91% during the 17 days assay. Unfortunately, this improvement could be attributed to microbial contamination of the water circuit because significant concentrations of the carbon source, acetate, nutrients, and nitrate were found in the treated effluent. The volumetric denitrification rate of the system was 200 g-N day-1 m-3, and the surface denitrification rate was lower than values previously reported for contactor membrane bioreactors. The results hereby presented do not evidence any advantage of operating the Filtral 20 ® membrane module as a contactor instead of as a filter such as in the LFF system. On the other hand, the third system herein presented, the IE membrane bioreactor, demonstrated several advantages of a contactor configuration but with a non-porous ion exchange membrane module in place of the Filtral 20 ®. As in a contactor system, the anion membrane provided a surface for biofilm growth, facilitated the transport of nitrate, and prevented mixing of treated water and bioreactor medium. Compared to the two previous systems, the most remarkable result of the IE was the reduction of secondary pollution in the treated water. The concentrations of phosphate and ethanol were zero and less than 1% of the concentration in the bioreactor, respectively. In addition, the IE system was less complex than the two other systems because the ion exchange membrane is non-porous. Therefore, unlike with porous contactors, it was not necessary to control the flux of treated water that could be lost through the bioreactor. The average surface denitrification rate of the IE system was 7.0 g-N day-1 m-2, which is higher than what had been reported for other contactor denitrification systems. However, because of the low surface to volume ratio of the membrane module that was used, the volumetric denitrification rate of the IE system was low, equivalent to 65 g-N day-1 m-3. / Master of Science

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-06-30T17:56:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Vanessa Schweitzer dos Santos.pdf: 1081901 bytes, checksum: 117ce960501c8c561bd7ee102cf9254a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-30T17:56:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vanessa Schweitzer dos Santos.pdf: 1081901 bytes, checksum: 117ce960501c8c561bd7ee102cf9254a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-31 / CNPQ – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / FINEP - Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia / O lixiviado de aterro sanitário é um efluente gerado através da infiltração de águas pluviais nas camadas de cobertura do aterro e da biodegradação da fração orgânica dos resíduos sólidos urbanos aterrados. Caracteriza-se por um alto potencial poluidor e elevadas concentrações de matéria orgânica, portanto sua coleta e tratamento posterior são necessários. Sistemas biológicos podem ser aplicados no seu tratamento, visando remover matéria orgânica e nutrientes através das atividades metabólicas dos micro-organismos envolvidos no processo. Os contactores biológicos rotatórios são reatores cilíndricos que possuem em seu interior meios de suporte, onde a biomassa atua fixada, na forma de biofilme. Este entra em contato com o substrato através de rotação mecânica do tambor cilíndrico no efluente. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo principal estudar a capacidade de remoção de matéria orgânica de lixiviado de aterro sanitário, através da utilização de um contactor biológico rotatório. O lixiviado do aterro sanitário de São Leopoldo/RS foi tratado por um contactor biológico rotatório de três estágios, que foi operado de duas formas. Uma deles foi com vazão de 8,5 L/h e tempo de retenção hidráulica de 15 h (Fase 1). Neste modo de operação a carga orgânica afluente média foi de 434 mg/L de DBO (limites entre 304 mg/L e 576 mg/L), 2484 mg/L de DQO (limites entre 882 mg/L e 3617 mg/L) e 992 mg/L de COT (limites entre 405 mg/L e 1420 mg/L). O outro modo de operação testado teve vazão de 5,1 L/h e tempo de retenção hidráulica de 24 h (Fase 2). A carga orgânica afluente média foi de 500 mg/L de DBO (limites entre 325 mg/L e 580 mg/L), 3818 mg/L de DQO (limites entre 2647 mg/L e 4764 mg/L) e 1250 mg/L de COT (limites entre 940 mg/L e 1360 mg/L). O lixiviado pesquisado apresentou como principal característica a baixa biodegradabilidade, além de ampla variação em sua composição ao longo do experimento, principalmente na Fase 1. Esta variação em sua composição pode ter afetado as eficiências de remoção de matéria orgânica, que foram de 50% de DBO, 11% de DQO e 13% de COT na Fase 1. Na Fase 2 os valores afluentes se mantiveram mais semelhantes, e as taxas de remoção de matéria orgânica foram mais constantes, além de que os valores médios de eficiência de remoção foram maiores do que os verificados na Fase 1. As eficiências de remoção na Fase 2 foram de 66% de DBO, 15% de DQO e 18% de COT. O aumento do tempo de retenção hidráulica na Fase 2 resultou em aumento da eficiência de remoção de matéria orgânica. Este efeito provavelmente está associado ao maior tempo de contato entre a biomassa e o substrato disponível no lixiviado de aterro sanitário. Quanto à remoção de matéria orgânica nos diferentes estágios do contactor biológico rotatório, foi observada uma maior eficiência nos dois primeiros estágios do sistema, principalmente dos parâmetros de DQO e COT, em ambas as fases monitoradas. Para o lixiviado e os modos de operação testados, o estágio 3 não apresentou eficiência que justifique sua presença, quanto aos parâmetros de DQO e COT. / The sanitary landfill leachate is an effluent generated by infiltration of rainwater into the layers of the landfill cover and biodegradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste grounded. It is characterized by a high pollution potential and high concentrations of organic matter, so their collection and further treatment is needed. Biological systems can be applied in their treatment in order to remove organic matter and nutrients through the metabolic activity of micro-organisms involved in the process. The rotating biological contactors are cylindrical reactors having inside support means, which acts fixed biomass in the form of biofilm. This comes into contact with the substrate by mechanical rotation of the cylindrical drum in the effluent. This research aimed to study the capacity of organic matter removal of landfill leachate, through the use of a rotating biological contactors. The landfill leachate São Leopoldo/RS was treated by a three-stage rotating biological contactor, which was operated in two modes. One was a flow rate of 8.5 L/h hydraulic retention time of 15 h (Phase 1). In this mode of operation the load influent organic average was 434 mg/L of BOD (limits between 304 mg/L and 576 mg/L), 2484 mg/L COD (limits between 882 mg/L and 3617 mg/L) and 992 mg/L of TOC (limits between 405 mg/L and 1420 mg/L). The other operation mode tested had a flow rate of 5.1 L/h and hydraulic retention time of 24 h (Phase 2). The average influent organic load was 500 mg/L of BOD (limits between 325 mg/L and 580 mg/L), 3818 mg/L COD (limits between 2647 mg/L and 4764 mg/L) and 1250 mg/L TOC (limits between 940 mg/L and 1360 mg/L). The researched showed landfill leachate as main characteristic the low biodegradability, and wide variation in composition throughout the experiment, especially in Phase 1. This variation in composition may have affected the removal efficiency of organic matter, which were 50% BOD, 11% COD and 13% TOC in Phase 1. In Phase 2 affluent values remained more similar, and the removal rates of organic matter were more constant, and that the average values of removal efficiency was higher than those observed in Phase 1. The removal efficiencies in Phase 2 were 66% BOD, 15% COD and 18% TOC. The increase in Phase 2 hydraulic retention time resulted in increased efficiency of removal of organic material. This effect is probably associated with greater contact time between the substrate and the biomass available in the landfill leachate. As for the removal of organic matter at different stages of rotating biological contactor, greater efficiency was observed in the first two stages of the system, particularly the parameters of COD and TOC in both phases monitored. For leachate and operating modes tested, stage 3 showed no efficiency to justify their presence, for the parameters COD and TOC.

Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-07-14T23:05:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 03c.pdf: 7786125 bytes, checksum: 1e0da23c7cb679804d62aea58a41732a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-14T23:05:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 03c.pdf: 7786125 bytes, checksum: 1e0da23c7cb679804d62aea58a41732a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-30 / CNPQ – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / FINEP - Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / O lixiviado gerado nos aterros caracteriza-se por conter altos teores de material orgânico recalcitrante e nutrientes com alto potencial poluidor. Diversas alternativas para o tratamento de lixiviados de aterros sanitários (LAS) têm sido amplamente estudadas obtendo-se bons resultados quanto à remoção de matéria orgânica biodegradável, porém, em sua maioria, não atingem os padrões de lançamento quanto à remoção de nutrientes. Tendo em vista a promoção de um tratamento adequado aos lixiviados e a minimização de impactos ambientais causados por este efluente, este trabalho estudou a aplicação de um contactor biológico rotatório (CBR) de 3 estágios, em escala piloto, para o tratamento de LAS. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho do CBR quanto à remoção de nitrogênio e verificar a relação desta com outros parâmetros como o TRH, razão C/N, cargas superficiais aplicadas e remoção dos compostos orgânicos. O sistema experimental foi operado com alimentação continua de lixiviado proveniente do aterro sanitário de São Leopoldo. Não foram realizados ajustes de pH e temperatura. Nas primeiras 8 semanas operou-se o sistema com um TRH de 15 h (fase 1) e nas 8 semanas subsequentes com TRH de 24h (fase 2). Como resultado, observou-se que a oxidação do nitrogênio amoniacal (NA) alcançou 94% na fase 2 de operação sendo este valor significativamente maior do que o da fase 1 onde se obteve cerca de 49% de oxidação do NA. Não foram obtidas boas remoções de orgânicos, porem observou-se uma melhora na remoção de todos os parâmetros na fase 2 de operação. Esta melhora na eficiência do sistema na fase 2 foi atribuída ao aumento de TRH. Quanto à avaliação da nitrificação no sistema, foi possível observar, na fase 2 de operação, o acúmulo de nitrito predominantemente, enquanto a concentração de nitrato no efluente final foi praticamente inexistente variando de 13 a 31 mg/L . Para as condições avaliadas por este estudo, concluiu-se que, o CBR estudado apresenta potencial para realizar a nitrificação e remoção dos compostos nitrogenados presentes no LAS. Entretanto as condições operacionais devem ser reestudadas para permitir a nitrificação total e não apenas a formação de nitrito. Da mesma forma, prover a remoção de compostos orgânicos carbonáceos. O TRH de 24h proporcionou uma melhora nas eficiências de remoção pelo sistema. Porém, para um melhor desempenho do CBR são necessárias investigações quanto aos ajustes nos parâmetros de operação que possibilitem aumentar a eficiência tanto da nitrificação quanto na remoção de matéria orgânica carbonacea. / The leachate generated in landfills is characterized by high levels of recalcitrant organic compounds and nutrients with high polluter potential. Several alternatives for the treatment of landfill leachate (LL) have been widely studied and presented good results regarding the removal of biodegradable organic matter, however, most of these systems do not reach the standards of environmental disposal of nutrients such as nitrogen compounds. Owing to promote an appropriate treatment to the leachate and minimize the environmental impacts caused by this effluent, this work studied the application of a 3 stage rotating biological contactor (RBC) in a pilot scale. The objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of nitrogen and overall performance of the RBC and check the relationship of this removal with other parameters such as the HRT, C/N ratio, ammonium and COD loads and removal of organic compounds. The experimental system was fed continuously with leachate from São Leopoldo landfill. No adjustments of pH and temperature were made. The first 8 weeks the system was operated applying an HRT of 15 h (1st period) and for the 8 subsequent weeks with HRT of 24h (2nd period). As a result, it was observed that the oxidation of ammonium nitrogen reached 94% in the 2nd period of operation which was greater than the 1st period which obtained approximately 49% of ammonium nitrogen oxidation. Low levels of organic compounds removal were obtained, however an improvement was observed in the organics removal efficiency in the 2nd period of operation. This improvement in overall efficiency of the system in the 2nd period was due to the increase of the HRT. Regarding the evaluation of nitrification in the system, in 2nd period of operation was observed the accumulation of nitrite in the system, while the concentration of nitrate in the final effluent was practically non-existent, ranging from 13 to 31 mg/L. For the conditions evaluated in this study, the conclusion was that the experimental RBC has the potential to carry out the nitrification and the removal of nitrogen compounds in the landfill leachate. Meanwhile, the operational conditions must be re-studied to allow the total nitrification and not only the formation of nitrite, as well as provide the removal of carbonaceous organic compounds. The HRT of 24h provided an improvement on removal efficiencies by the system. However, for a better performance of the RBC, investigations are necessary concerning adjustments in the operational parameters that increase efficiency of nitrification and removal of organic matter.

Membrane gas absorption technology is considered as one of the promising alternatives to conventional techniques for CO2 separation from the flue gas of fossil fuels combustion. As a hybrid approach of chemical absorption and membrane separation, it may offer a number of important features, including operational flexibility, compact structure, linear scale up and predictable performance. The main challenge is the additional membrane mass transfer resistance, especially when this resistance increases due to the absorbent intruding into the membrane pores. In this thesis, the experimental was set up to investigate how the operating parameters affect the absorption performance when using absorbent in hollow fiber contactor, and to obtain the optimal range of operation parameters for the designated membrane gas absorption system . During 20 days’ continuous experiment, we observed that the CO2 mass transfer rate decreases significantly following the operating time, which is attributed to the increase of membrane mass transfer resistance resulting from partial membrane wetting. To better understand the wetting evolution mechanism, the immersion experiments were carried out to assume that the membrane fibers immersed in the absorbents would undergo similar exposure as those used in the membrane contactor. Various membrane characterization methods were used to illustrate the wetting process before and after the membrane fibers were exposed to the absorbents. The characterization results showed that the absorbent molecules diffuse into the polypropylene (PP) polymer during the contact with the membrane, resulting in the swelling of the membrane. In addition, the effects of operating parameters such as immersion time, CO2 loading, as well as absorbent type on the membrane wetting were investigated in detail. Finally, based on the analysis results, methods to smooth the membrane wetting were discussed. It was suggested that improving the hydrophobicity of PP membrane by surface modification may be an effective way to improve the membrane long-term performance. Modification of the polypropylene membrane by depositing a rough layer of PP was carried out in order to improve the non-wettability of membrane. The comparison of long-term CO2 absorption performance by PP membranes before and after modification proves that the modified polypropylene membranes retained higher hydrophobicity than the untreated polypropylene membrane. Therefore modification is likely to be more suitable for use in membrane gas absorption contactors for CO2 separation, particularly over long operation time.

Le travail présenté porte sur le couplage d’un procédé membranaire à extraction liquide-liquide avec un bioréacteur impliquant des molécules hydrophobes. La bioconversion modèle utilisée est la production de cis-2-methyl-5-isopropylhexa-2,5-dienal (isonovalal) à partir d’α-pinène oxyde, instable en phase aqueuse, par des cellules entières perméabilisées de Pseudomonas rhodesiae (CIP 107491). La production d’isonovalal en milieu biphasique eau (tampon phosphate)/hexadécane présente des verrous technologiques importants, dont une inactivation de l'enzyme à l'interface eau-solvant organique ainsi que l'apparition d'une émulsion stable. L’intérêt de la membrane porte sur l'absence de formation d'émulsion et sur l’augmentation de la durée de vie du biocatalyseur en raison de l'absence de contact direct du biocatalyseur avec l'interface liquide-liquide. La nature de la membrane a été choisie à partir de l'analyse des propriétés physico-chimiques du matériau et de l’étude des affinités entre membrane et composés d’intérêt (solutés, solvants). Il a été montré que les conditions d'écoulement au voisinage de la membrane, notamment du côté aqueux, jouent un rôle prépondérant sur les vitesses de transfert. Ce résultat souligne l'importance du design et des conditions d'opération du module membranaire sur les capacités de transfert. Le couplage de l’extraction membranaire liquide-liquide et de la réaction biologique a conduit à la mise en place d’un système bi-membranaire. Le prototype développé a permis de doubler les capacités catalytiques (+ 100 % d’isonovalal par gramme de biomasse) ainsi que de la durée de vie du biocatalyseur (160 h contre 80 h) par rapport à la même bioconversion réalisée en système biphasique conventionnel. / The study deals with the combination of a membrane process based on liquid/liquid extraction with a bioreactor producing hydrophobic molecules. The bioconversion used is the production of cis-2-methyl-5-isopropylhexa-2,5-dienal (isonovalal) from α-pinene oxide (unstable in aqueous phase) by whole cells of Pseudomonas rhodesiae (CIP 107491). The production of isonovalal in two-phase medium water/organic is known about but presents important technological brakes. Membrane interest concerns the stabilization of liquid/liquid interface and capacity to increase the biocatalyst life-time. Membrane nature is chosen from the analysis of physical and chemical properties of membrane material and study of the affinities between membrane and interest compounds (solutes, solvents). Two membrane contactors are designed and implemented on laboratory scale to study transfers between liquid phases. It is shown that the hydrodynamic conditions in the membrane neighborhood, in particular on aqueous side, play a major role on transfer speeds. This result underlines the importance of design and operation conditions in membrane module about the transfer capacities. The combination of liquid/liquid membrane extraction and biological reaction with unstable substrate had been studied and lead to the implementation of a serial bi-membrane system. The developed prototype, equipped with a PTFE membrane (polytetrafluoroethylene) with 0.22 μm pores’ diameter, highlights a doubling of catalytic capacities (+ 100 % of isonovalal per gram of biomass) as well as biocatalyst life-time (160 hours against 80 hours) compared with the same bioconversion realized in conventional two-phase medium system.

<p>Membrane gas absorption technology is considered as one of the promising alternatives to conventional techniques for CO₂ separation from the flue gas of fossil fuels combustion. As a hybrid approach of chemical absorption and membrane separation, it may offer a number of important features, including operational flexibility, compact structure, linear scale up and predictable performance. The main challenge is the additional membrane mass transfer resistance, especially when this resistance increases due to the absorbent intruding into the membrane pores.</p><p>In this thesis, the experimental was set up to investigate how the operating parameters affect the absorption performance when using absorbent in hollow fiber contactor, and to obtain the optimal range of operation parameters for the designated membrane gas absorption system . During 20 days’ continuous experiment, we observed that the CO₂ mass transfer rate decreases significantly following the operating time, which is attributed to the increase of membrane mass transfer resistance resulting from partial membrane wetting.</p><p>To better understand the wetting evolution mechanism, the immersion experiments were carried out to assume that the membrane fibers immersed in the absorbents would undergo similar exposure as those used in the membrane contactor. Various membrane characterization methods were used to illustrate the wetting process before and after the membrane fibers were exposed to the absorbents. The characterization results showed that the absorbent molecules diffuse into the polypropylene (PP) polymer during the contact with the membrane, resulting in the swelling of the membrane. In addition, the effects of operating parameters such as immersion time, CO₂ loading, as well as absorbent type on the membrane wetting were investigated in detail. Finally, based on the analysis results, methods to smooth the membrane wetting were discussed. It was suggested that improving the hydrophobicity of PP membrane by surface modification may be an effective way to improve the membrane long-term performance.</p><p>Modification of the polypropylene membrane by depositing a rough layer of PP was carried out in order to improve the non-wettability of membrane. The comparison of long-term CO₂ absorption performance by PP membranes before and after modification proves that the modified polypropylene membranes retained higher hydrophobicity than the untreated polypropylene membrane. Therefore modification is likely to be more suitable for use in membrane gas absorption contactors for CO₂ separation, particularly over long operation time.</p>

Hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) has been carried out industrially for a number of years, producing a material with exceptional resilience to high temperatures and oxidative conditions. Current processes involve a batch reactor which is difficult to optimize further for larger scale production. A continuous process for this particular process is required in order to provide a large volume of production with consistent qualities. The integration of heat balance could be realized in a continuous process. A novel continuous process for hydrogenation of NBR has been developed in the present work. A multistage agitated contactor (MAC) was proposed as a gas liquid reactor for this process. Comprehensive hydrodynamic data have been acquired under various process conditions. The hydrodynamic behaviour under different operating variables such as stirring speed, liquid flow rate and gas flow rate has been understood through experimental study. It is found that an increase in stirring speed intensifies liquid backmixing while an increase liquid flow rate decreases liquid backmixing. The presence of gas flow helps in reducing liquid back mixing by two coupled effects: liquid entrainment effect due to a cocurrent operation manner and a strengthening effect of liquid flow rate due to its reduction of liquid hold-up. Contradictory conclusions regarding the effect of liquid viscosity on liquid backmixing in a MAC have been resolved through experimental investigation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. It is shown that an increase in liquid velocity dampens turbulence which contributes to liquid phase backmixing within the reactor. The established hydrodynamic understanding of MACs in the present work widens its potential application for gas liquid process. Based on comprehensive understanding of the proposed reactor, a bench-scale prototype was designed and constructed in order to demonstrate hydrogenation performance. One more efficient catalyst for NBR hydrogenation, an osmium-based catalyst, was used in the present work. Hydrogenation degree of NBR in the continuous unit was investigated at operating conditions relevant to industrial applications. It is indicated from the experimental results that a desired hydrogenation degree of over 95% in 2.5% and 5% NBR solutions can be achieved at the conditions investigated. It is also shown that both system pressure and catalyst loading increase hydrogenation conversion. Mathematical modeling of the designed process was established by coupling the intrinsic catalytic hydrogenation from batch studies and flow behavior of the reactor. A cascade of stirred tanks with back flow (CTB) model was used to characterize the dynamic hydrogenation performance in a MAC. The comparison of experimental results and numerical prediction indicates that the established model could satisfactorily predict the hydrogenation in the designed process with consideration of approximately 30%-50% catalyst deactivated due to impurities and oxygen contamination in the polymer solution. A revised n CSTRs-in-series model was proposed to predict the hydrogenation degree at steady state and a good agreement was found when comparing the predicted results with the experimental data. A continuous process for hydrogenation at a pilot scale was designed based on the primary results from the bench scale process. A process with a capacity of 50 tons/year was targeted and the hydrogenation efficiency provided by the pilot scale unit has been estimated through the established reactor model.