2018 Research Projects

PhD Research

Re-examine current basis for gas and fire detector placement

PI: Prof. Carl Laird

Optimal placement of gas detectors in process facilities: bringing optimization-based gas detector placement into practice (continuing project)

PI: Prof. Carl Laird

Robust model-based control for safe pharmaceutical manufacturing

PI: Prof. Zoltan Nagy

Prevention through catalyst design for applications in the petrochemical industry

PI: Prof. Raj Gounder

Computational analysis of drop coalescence in emulsions to reduce retention times in oil-water separators

PI: Prof. Osman A. Basaran

Advanced separation techniques for producing rare earth elements and other chemicals from coal fly ash

PI: Prof. N.-H. Linda Wang

Professional M.S. Research

Acoustically-induced vibration of piping systems (ExxonMobil mentor) 

Develop a scheme for conducting process hazard analyses and develop guidance for automating (Kenexis mentor) 

A systems engineering approach for managing changes in chemical process R&D labs (Dow AgroSciences mentor) 

Quantification of toxicity effects of H2S ingress into buildings / temporary refuge (Shell mentor) 

Undergraduate Research (PI: Prof. Ray Mentzer)

Assessment of Benson Groups Missing from CHETAH for Thermodynamic Property Prediction

Project suggested/proposed by: Lilly

Compilation of process safety related software commercially available

Project suggested/proposed by: Prof Mentzer
Process Safety-Related Software
Safety Software Categorization Matrix

Develop database of MIEs of dusts with focus on pharma/mixtures

Project suggested/proposed by: GSK

Installation and use ARSST calorimeter on select systems

Project suggested/proposed by: Lilly

Risk and reliability of aged natural gas pipelines - cont'd

Project suggested/proposed by: ExxonMobil

Other Research (PI: Prof Ray Mentzer - e.g. add'l research by Prof MS & PhD students beyond capstone / thesis)

Safety in Academic & Industrial Laboratories - cont'd

Joint Topic with CISTAR, NSF Funded

Inherently Safe & Secure Physical Systems - cont'd

Joint Topic with CISTAR, NSF Funded

Determine and predict temperature at which time to max rate of reaction is 24 hr 

Partnered with Amgen

Develop guidance on energy released during testing vs. volume of sample for pharma industry

Partnered with Amgen