RAPID Funded Projects

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Modular Mechanical Vapor Compression-Membrane Distillation (MVC-MD) for Treatment of High TDS Produced Water

This projects aims to integrate mechanical vapor compression with membrane distillation (MVC-MD) to intensify the treatment of produced water resulted from hydraulic fracturing of shale oil and gas. In particular, membrane distillation offers a viable pathway to treat concentrated brine streams with high salinity brines, and it has the potential to be utilized for near-zero liquid discharge. However, MD in its current state is handicapped by significant energy intensity due to loss of heat of evaporation, and scaling (fouling).

Investigators

Mahdi Malmali
Assistant professor of Chemical Engineering

Partner Organizations

Texas Tech University University of Arkansas Apache Corp. AspenTech W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Focus Areas

Date approved

July 01, 2018
Current TRL
6

RAPID MCPI - Energy Efficient Technology for Metals Separation

This project addresses the demonstration of a low-cost and low-energy pathway for the separation of metals from mixed scrap based on ionic liquids. The goal of the project is to develop and demonstrate a novel electrochemical process for the separation of metals from mixed scrap using ionic liquids (ILs) at low temperatures.

Investigators

Ramana Reddy
Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Partner Organizations

University of Alabama Secat, Inc. Idaho National Laboratory Aveva Software LLC

Focus Areas

Date approved

November 01, 2017
Current TRL
5

Multiphase Microchannel Separator

In conventional two-phase separation, mass transport between the two phases can be intensified via increased surface area, usually in the form of smaller droplets or bubbles. The increase in the interfacial surface area typically results in higher energy cost due to agitation or mixing and slower processing time as the smaller droplet phase requires more time to separate. One can increase processing speed in centrifugal extractors but this, in turn, increases energy requirements significantly.

Investigators

Goran Jovanovic
Professor, Chemical Engineering

Partner Organizations

Oregon State University

Focus Areas

Date approved

November 01, 2017
Current TRL
4

Thermoneutral Propane Dehydrogenation via a Solid Oxide Membrane Reactor

This project is utilizing solid oxide membrane reactors for chemical transformations that are critical to the seamless integration of shale natural gas and liquids into the chemical industry supply chain. The project is particularly interested in the production of propylene from propane. Current propylene production occurs primarily via naphtha steam cracking, a highly energy-intensive process that is not amenable to distributed operations, which are highly desirable when shale natural gas and liquid is used as the carbon source.

Investigators

Suljo Linic
Professor of Chemical Engineering

Partner Organizations

University of Michigan ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company

Focus Areas

Date approved

November 01, 2017
Current TRL
3

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