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Mark C Thies

Publications and source records attributed to Mark C Thies.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The formation of fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrin nanoparticles via rapid expansion processes: RESS vs RESOLV.

Organic nanoparticles of a fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrin (TBTPP) were produced by rapid expansion of supercritical CO(2) solutions into both air (RESS) and an aqueous receiving solution containing a stabilizing agent (RESOLV). The effect of processing conditions on both particle size and form was investigated. The size of the porphyrin nanoparticles produced via RESS increased in a well-behaved manner from 40 to 80 nm as the preexpansion temperature increased from 40 to 100 degrees C, independent of porphyrin concentration, degree of saturation, and preexpansion pressure. RESOLV of TBTPP + CO(2) solutions was investigated both for minimizing particle growth in the free jet and for the prevention of particle agglomeration. Anionic, nonionic, and polymeric stabilizing agents for the aqueous receiving solution were considered. Expansion into a 0.05 wt % SDS solution produced nanorods 50-100 nm in diameter with an aspect ratio of 3-5. RESOLV in a 0.025 wt % Pluronic F68 solution produced well-dispersed, individual, spherical nanoparticles averaging 23 +/- 10 to 32 +/- 10 nm in diameter, independent of the rapid expansion processing conditions selected. Furthermore, the resulting nanoparticle suspensions were stable, with particle sizes remaining unchanged after several months. However, some particle agglomeration occurred at higher (i.e., 1 wt % TBTPP in CO(2)) concentrations. Contact-angle measurements on solid TBTPP compacts with the tested receiving solutions indicate that a moderate wetting agent such as Pluronic F68 is most effective for preserving the size and form of the porphyrin nanoparticles produced by RESOLV. Finally, the fact that nanoparticles are produced from RESS of TBTPP, in contrast with other organics for which microparticles are produced, can be explained in terms of the high melting point of TBTPP (388 degrees C), which results in a solid-state diffusion coefficient of TBTPP low enough so that particle coalescence is significantly reduced in the free jet.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Supercritical water oxidation of the PCB congener 2-chlorobiphenyl in methanol solutions: a kinetic analysis.

Incineration is commonly used to destroy polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes, but this method of treatment is not ideal for all mixed liquid wastes, especially those containing radioactive materials. Therefore, other remediation technologies are needed to efficiently treat these waste forms. This study examined the supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) of 2-chlorobiphenyl (2-PCB), using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant and methanol as a cosolvent at 2 vol %. Kinetic studies were carried out in a plug flow reactor at temperatures from 686 to 789 K and a pressure of 250 bar, with reactor residence times ranging from 1.1 to 5.8 s. Least-squares regression of the collective reaction rate data revealed that 2-PCB exhibited second-order kinetics, with an Arrhenius frequency factor, A, equal to 10(18.2+/-2.3) L x mol(-1) x s(-1) and activation energy, Ea, of 181.7 +/- 33.2 kJ/mol. The primary organic reaction products from the SCWO of 2-PCB were biphenyl at low temperatures (<700 K) and CO2 at elevated temperatures. No dioxins or chlorinated dibenzofurans were ever detected in any of the effluent samples. Additional experiments with higher organic feed concentrations (4 vol %) illustrated how the exothermic nature of the organic oxidation reactions can be used to render the process self-sustaining. Finally, SCWO destruction rates greater than 99.98% were achieved for a simulated PCB-contaminated job control waste similar to that encountered at many U.S. Department of Energy sites.

Benzofurans↗