Browsing by Author "Nieuwoudt, Izak"

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    Contributions to theoretical developments and practical exploitation of mass transfer principles in separation technologies
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Nieuwoudt, Izak; Burger, Andries Jacobus; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Chemical Engineering. Process Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Our standard of living and quality of life rely on producing consumer products from chemicals. These chemicals typically have to be purified, and distillation, extraction and absorption are the primary technologies for affecting these separations. Such technologies are energy intensive, and further development and optimization can reduce their impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, reduction in the capital consumed by these processes can significantly improve value creation. My contributions to these fields over the past 36 years are covered in detail in this dissertation under the sections highlighted below. It is conservatively estimated that these contributions generated more than two billion dollars of value for the companies who commercialized and use these technologies. In the process of making contributions to this field, I have been blessed to collaborate with brilliant people and their contributions to my endeavors are gratefully acknowledged. Improved separation processes My research into separation processes with reduced energy and capital consumption was focused on solvent-driven separations. Computer Aided Molecular Design (CAMD) methodologies for solventdriven separation processes were developed and, from this, improved extractive distillation, azeotropic distillation and liquid extraction processes were conceived. The energy and capital consumption of these processes were significantly lower than that of competing technologies, which also translates into lower greenhouse gas emissions. These processes were commercialized and create significant value for the chemical producers and the companies who produce consumer products. Improved separation tower internals My research into separation tower internals was focused on creating novel equipment that had higher separation efficiency and higher hydraulic capacity than the best equipment available at the time. The novel INTALOX® ULTRATM random packing exhibited higher efficiency and capacity than other random packing. This allowed chemical companies and refiners to debottleneck towers for capacity and/or separation efficiency. This reduced energy consumption and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. The size of new towers could also be reduced. The PROFLUX® severe service packing allowed refiners to increase capacity, increase run lengths and increase the product yield in vacuum towers. I developed several tray configurations that improved the capacity and/or efficiency of separation towers. Other developments included improved liquid distributors and droplet separators. These new, improved separation tower products generated significant value for both the companies that commercialized it and the end-users who installed it in their separation towers. Separation technology education Although the separation processes and separation tower internals discussed in this dissertation generated significant revenue for the companies who commercialized and used these technologies, the lasting value lies in the underlying methodologies and knowledge that were developed. It is important that this knowledge be passed on to the next generation of engineers. To this end, I have developed university courses, the Koch-Glitsch Mass Transfer School and the FRI Distillation Academy. Under my guidance 14 Masters and 7 PhD students graduated in the field of separation technology. Almost 1000 students attended these courses and many commented that they have received unique knowledge that equipped them for the future. The details of my non-confidential contributions to the field of separation technology have been summarized in 410 patents (46 patent families), 48 papers and 80 conference contributions. At the 2022 Spring Meeting the Separations Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) gave special recognition to my “many outstanding achievements in distillation, extraction, 5 absorption, and troubleshooting” by dedicating an honors session to celebrate my “lifetime of contributions as an engineer, educator, inventor, and R&D leader in separations technology and engineering”.
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    Dynamic model for the competitive adsorption of metal cyanides on activated carbon in batch reactors
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1989) Nieuwoudt, Izak; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of . Dept. of .
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    The fractionation of high molecular weight alkane mixtures with supercritical fluids
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1994) Nieuwoudt, Izak; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of . Dept. of .