Determination of Surfactant Solution Viscosities with a Rotational Viscometer

Aqueous surfactant solutions are used in engineering systems for improving boiling heat transfer. The purpose of this research is to determine the viscosities of surfactant solutions and to investigate the effect of composition on viscosity. The results obtained can possibly be used as reference for further study in the effects of surfactant solution viscosities on nucleate boiling. A rotational viscometer was used to determine the viscosities of three surfactant solutions – SLS, EH-14, and SA-9 – of various compositions at room temperature. It was discovered that the viscosities of SLS, EH-14, and SA-9 had a nearly consistent pattern as their compositions increased. The approximate maximum viscosity measured was 1.39 mPa.s for SLS, 1.52 mPa.s for EH-14, and 3.17 mPa.s for SA-9. Based on the results, it was inferred that as the composition of these surfactant increases, so does the viscosity of the solution

Determination of Aqueous Surfactant Solution Surface Tensions with a Surface Tensiometer

Surfactant solutions are applicable to engineering systems for cooling equipment for electronics. Surfactants can be added to water to improve heat transfer. An application of using aqueous surfactant solutions can be through microchannel heat sink. Although it is ideal to redesign these systems to reduce heat, it is a costly method. Surfactant solutions at optimal solution concentration can be able to transfer heat quickly and effectively with minimum expense. The surface tension of surfactant solutions is an important parameter for boiling heat transfer and must be taken into consideration. The purpose of this research is to measure surface tension of surfactant solutions at varied concentrations and determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) point. A surface tensiometer that utilizes the Wilhelmy plate method was used to measure the surface tensions of SLS, ECOSURFTM EH-14, and ECOSURFTM SA-9 of various compositions at room temperature. The measured data for SLS followed a pattern similar to reported data in the literature. There are no reported data for EH-14 and SA-9 in the literature since they are new surfactants. Although each surfactant solution had different surface tension values, it was observed that, as surfactant concentration increased, the surface tension decreased and eventually leveled out at the CMC point

Influence of Aluminum Passivation on the Reaction Mechanism: Flame Propagation Studies

Currently, two main known mechanisms of aluminum (Al) nanoparticle reaction are discussed in the literature, namely those based on diffusion through an oxide shell and melt-dispersion. The two mechanisms lead to opposite predictions in nanoparticle design. The diffusion mechanism suggests that the reduction or complete elimination of the oxide shell will increase Al reactivity, whereas the meltdispersion mechanism suggests an increase in initial oxide thickness up to an optimal value. The goal of this study is to perform critical experiments in a confined flame tube apparatus to compare these two predictions. Specifically, the flame propagation rates of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (C 13F27COOH)-treated Al nanoparticles with and without an alumina shell were measured. Results show that when there is no alumina passivation shell encasing the Al core, the flame rate decreases by a factor of 22-95 and peak pressure deceases by 3 orders of magnitude, in comparison with the Al particles with an oxide shell. These results imply that the melt-dispersion reaction mechanism is responsible for high flame propagation rates observed in these confined tube experiments

Determination of Aqueous Surfactant Solution Surface Tensions with a Surface Tensiometer

Surfactant solutions are applicable to engineering systems and can be used as heat sink. Surfactants can be added to water to improve boiling heat transfer. Some applications of using water and surfactants for cooling electronic equipment can be through heat exchangers in radar systems, aircraft ground support, and lasers. Although it is ideal to redesign these systems to reduce heat, it is a costly method. Surfactant solutions are able to transfer heat quickly and effectively with minimum expense. However, the surface tension of surfactant solutions is a parameter of boiling that must be taken into consideration. The purpose of this research is to measure the surface tension of surfactant solutions to investigate the effect of concentration on boiling. A surface tensiometer that utilizes the Wilhelmy plate method is used to measure the surface tensions of SLS, EH-14, and SA-9 of various compositions at room temperature. After all the measurements are recorded, plots will be made to observe any trend between surface tension and surfactant concentration; and CMC of solutions will also be determined. The results obtained can be applied to future research that pertains to the boiling of surfactant solutions

Stockholm City Hall

The city hall of Stockholm is depicted in the photo in pastel medium.https://commons.erau.edu/db-art-exhibit-2016/1096/thumbnail.jp

Mystic Forest

\u27Mystic Forest\u27, 14 in x 11 in, acrylic paint on canvas by Birce Dikici

Ballerina

\u27Ballerina\u27, 12 in x 12 in, acrylic paint on canvas by Birce Dikici

The Abstract of Paradox

This abstract art uses shapes, colors, and patterns to achieve its effect. Abstraction exists along a continuum.https://commons.erau.edu/db-art-exhibit-2016/1095/thumbnail.jp

Melt dispersion versus diffusive oxidation mechanism for aluminum nanoparticles: Critical experiments and controlling parameters

Critical experiments were performed on Al and MoO3 thermites. The diameter and alumina shell thickness of the Alnanoparticles were varied, and flame propagation velocities were measured. The results strongly support the melt-dispersion mechanism and contradict the diffusionoxidation mechanism. The parameters that control the oxidation rate and flame velocity are justified and directions for the synthesis of Alnanoparticles (which are opposite to the current directions based on diffusionoxidation) are suggested. An equation for the flame velocity versus Alnanoparticle geometrical parameters, thermomechanical properties, and synthesis parameters is formulated

Formula SAE

Please stop by the following lab anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to learn more about what they have to offer! Interdisciplinary student project groups and students in the Clean Energy Systems track of the Mechanical Engineering degree work in the Clean Energy Systems Laboratory to develop clean energy sources, focusing on environmentally friendly and efficient energy systems. In addition to its role as a classroom laboratory space, the Clean Energy Systems Laboratory is home to the Clean Energy Club and Project Haiti which is an extracurricular interdisciplinary group that designs and installs a system to purify drinking water for Haitians. The Aqua Pack solar-powered water purification backpack and associated spin-off company, AquaSolve LLC, was also developed in this lab. This is one of four labs available to Mechanical Engineering students for research purposes