The flow pattern and distribution of energy dissipation rate in a batch rotor-stator mixer fitted with disintegrating head have been numerically investigated. Standard k-e turbulence model in conjunction with sliding mesh method was employed and the simulation results were verif…
The flow of rheologically complex fluids in industrial equipment poses a number of challenges, not least from a modelling point of view. Research is needed to further understand and be able to predict the flow behaviour of such materials and to investigate ways of improving thei…
Fuel cells could substantially decarbonise domestic energy production, but at what cost? It is known that these micro-CHP systems are expensive but actual price data has been elusive. Economic realities constrain individuals’ decisions to purchase and national policies on climat…
The aim of this study was to create a bi-layered packed bed chromatography support for the purification of nano-sized bioproducts. The effect of three different chemistry approaches, different solvent conditions, and microwave heating were investigated on construction of a bi-la…
The optimisations of reduction and operation of Ni-YSZ anode supported micro tubular cells on pure methane were studied. A major problem of SOFCs is nickel anode performance on methane and higher hydrocarbons. The aim of this work was to study the effect of reduction and operati…
This work discusses optimisation of the cryopreservation of Bacillus licheniformis cell banks, used as inoculum for α-amylase producing 5 L batch fermentations. The effect of the presence of various cryopreservants including glycerol, Tween 80 and dimethyl sulphoxide on final fe…
In modern times we have become increasingly reliant on mammalian cell culture for the production of biopharmaceuticals; therefore research aimed at improving the characteristics of the cell-lines being used for recombinant protein production is essential. In this study I have ex…
Chapter One reviews the synthesis, properties and reactions of 2-methyleneaziridines, the subject of this thesis. Chapter Two describes the use of these heterocycles in the development of a new four-component synthesis of biologically important α-aminophosphonates. This new chem…
The term extractives defines chemical compounds of different classes that can be extracted from wood or bark by means of polar or non-polar solvents. Extractives are derived mostly from the metabolic processes of the tree, particularly the sapwood to heartwood transformation. Th…
Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier as it only produces water as a by-product. However, technical and social issues first need to be overcome in order to achieve such economy. In particular, this work focuses on solid state hydrogen storage as it is a key technological challenge…
Characters on computer keyboards are typically printed using one of the two different processes, namely tampographic printing and laser marking. Tampographic printing is time consuming (app. 3-5 mins.), requires skilled workers and employs difficult-to-handle chemicals. On the o…
The wide-scale usage of VOCs in industrial processes requires monitoring the concentrations of these vapours to keep a safe operating environment. Most combustible hydrocarbons can be ignited as a gas-air mixture in the range of 0.5% to 15% by volume. This has led to the develop…
The work presented in this thesis deals with two important low dimensional nanostructures: carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and quantum dots (QDs). In the part of the work related to CNTs a novel method for growing CNTs without the need of metal catalyst is presented. The as produced CNT…
This thesis describes the development, characterisation and application of large diameter multimode plastic optical fibre (POF) sensors using evanescent field modulation. The exposed polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) core of the POF fibre forms the sensor interface that detects refr…
The research conducted can be split into three major regions; pigment material, a simulation program called QuadFit and mesoporous oxides. There has also been some extra work conducted on a catalyst for partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils. Various techniques have been used o…
The synthesis and characterisation of a variety of zeolites and aluminosilicates has been achieved using hydrothermal methods and solid state calcinations. The system using elemental aluminium, silica and sodium hydroxide solution as starting materials was explored using hydroth…
Multifunctional structures offer the potential for large savings in the mass and cost of spacecraft missions. By combining the functions of one or more subsystems with the primary structure, mass is reduced and internal volume freed up for additional payload, or removed to reduc…
In recent years the industrial application of advanced control techniques for the process industries has become more demanding, mainly due to the increasing complexity of the processes themselves as well as to enhanced requirements in terms of product quality and environmental f…
This thesis describes thermally induced bubble behaviour changes in liquid nitrogen (LN2) under electric fields. Cryogenic liquids such as LN2 have been used not only as the coolant but also as the electrical insulator in superconducting and cryogenic apparatus. However, bubbles…