Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri, School of Mines and Metallurgy, 1947. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Typescript. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed June 16, 2010) Includes bibliographical references (p. 51).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Dept. of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Solvent extraction, as a chemical engineering method, has been the subject of a great deal of research during the past quarter century. The analogy between this operation and the other diffusional processes, distillation and gas absorption has long been recognized; common theoretical foundations have been found for all three processes. In each case mass is transferred from one fluid phase to another across an interface. Recent progress in the field of extraction has been in the direction of determining the quantitative data for the design of equipment in expanding and improving such industrial applications as have already been made, and in developing new modifications of the basic process of simple liquid extractions. Among these developments is that of fractional liquid extraction. The process of fractional liquid extraction is analogous to that of fractional distillation in that the components to be separated are distributed unequally between two fluid phases. In the case of fractional extraction the two phases concerned are the two solvents, and the components to be separated are distributed between these two phases in a manner which is dependent on their relative solubility in the solvents chosen. Somewhat better separation than that attainable by distillation is theoretically possible by fractional extraction in that two solvents are chosen, each of which has a preferential effect on certain components of the mixture to be separated. Yet even in the case of fractional extraction, the possibilities of economy inherent in the thermodynamic advantages of extraction over distillation apparently are not completely attained. The difficulty seems to be one of obtaining better contact between the two phases involved in this and other methods of extraction. The problem of securing intimate and continuous contact between the solvents and feeds involved is one that has greatly vexed the designers of extraction equipment, as evidenced by the numerous patents that have been obtained on ingenious designs. Many different combinations of sprays and baffles, with and without packing, have been developed, the former to produce the necessary dispersion of one liquid within another, and the latter to maintain this dispersed phase in contact with the continuous phase that constitutes the main body of liquid within the equipment. The question of interfacial tension between the two phases is intimately related to the question of contact in that it vitally affects the production and maintenance of the dispersed phase. The effect is mentioned qualitatively in the literature, but little data on the relationship of surface tension to extraction efficiency are found. It was the purpose of this investigation to study the effect of a wetting agent, sodium lauryl sulfate, on the efficiency of the fractional liquid extraction of a mixture of ethanol and ethanol and isopropanol with benzene and water. / Master of Science

Managing soil hydrophobicity caused by localized dry spots (LDS) on sand based golf greens has become one of the greatest challenges for golf course superintendents and managers, especially as water restrictions intensify. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thirteen soil surfactants in eliminating LDS and in maximizing root zone soil moisture on a sand based USGA golf green located on the California Central Coast. Potential water repellency of air dried cores (measured utilizing the water droplet penetration time (WDPT) method), phytotoxicity, and climate were analyzed during two experimental trials. Phytotoxicity data was collected for Trial I using visual quality ratings and for Trial II using a chlorophyll meter. Phytotoxicity decreased during Trial I. Differences in phytotoxicity as measured using chlorophyll index were not at all significant during Trial II (p = 1). Ten of the thirteen wetting agent treatments significantly (p < 0.001) decreased soil hydrophobicity compared with the other wetting agent treated plots and the non-treated control. More frequent application of Cascade Plus resulted in a more significant reduction in soil hydrophobicity. Increasing the application rates also resulted in the reduction of soil hydrophobicity. Wetting agent treatment 6-CP(10day) maintained the highest volumetric water content (VWC) but treatment 13-2079337 maintained the highest levels for wetting agents treated monthly.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 203-208).

Thesis (M.S.); Submitted to Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO (US); 17 Dec 2004. / Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information. Kerr, Kent. NNSA Kansas City Site Office (US) NNSA Kansas City Site Office. 12/17/2004. Report is also available in paper and microfiche from NTIS.

The influence of soil water repellency (WR) on vegetation recovery after a fire is poorly understood. This dissertation presents strategies to broaden opportunities for enhanced post-fire rangeland restoration and monitoring of burned piñon and juniper (P-J) woodlands by: 1) mapping the extent and severity of critical and subcritical WR, 2) determining the influence of WR on soil ecohydrologic properties and revegetation success, and 3) evaluating the suitability of a wetting agent composed of alkylpolyglycoside-ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers as a post-fire restoration tool for ameliorating the effects of soil WR and increasing seedling establishment. Results indicate that: • Post-fire patterns of soil WR were highly correlated to pre-fire P-J woodland canopy structure. Critical soil WR levels occurred under burned tree canopies while sub-critical WR extended out to approximately two times the canopy radius. At sites where critical soil WR was present, infiltration rate, soil moisture, and vegetation cover were significantly less than at non-hydrophobic sites. These parameters were also reduced in soils with subcritical WR relative to non-hydrophobic soils (albeit to a lesser extent). Aerial photography coupled with feature extraction software and geographic information systems (GIS) proved to be an effective tool for mapping P-J cover and density, and for scaling-up field surveys of soil WR to the fire boundary scale. • Soil WR impairs seed germination and seedling establishment by decreasing soil moisture availability by reducing infiltration, decreasing soil moisture storage capacity, and disconnecting soil surface layers from underlying moisture reserves. Consequently, soil WR appears to be acting as a temporal ecological threshold by impairing establishment of desired species within the first few years after a fire. • Wetting agents can significantly improve ecohydrologic properties required for plant growth by overcoming soil WR; thus, increasing the amount and duration of available water for seed germination and seedling establishment. Success of this technology appears to be the result of the wetting agent increasing soil moisture amount and availability by 1) improving soil infiltration and water holding capacity; and 2) allowing seedling roots to connect to underling soil moisture reserves.