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The phase change from germ nuclei to growth nuclei and subsequent volume transformation in a crystallization process was modeled by Avrami equations. The phase change during the hydrate formation was fitted with the classical Avrami model by utilizing gas uptake data. The idea is to understand the difference in growth behavior of hydrate crystals when in small pores compared to a stirred tank reactor which does not pose any physical restrictions to hydrate growth. The parameters n and k of the Avrami equation were determined explicitly for CO2 hydrate formation.

The complexation of boric acid (B(OH)3), the primary form of aqueous boron at moderate pH, with polyols is proposed and mechanistically studied as an efficient way to improve membrane processes such as reverse osmosis (RO) for removing boron in seawater by increasing the size of aqueous boron compounds. Computational chemistry based on the density functional theory (DFT) was used to manifest the reaction pathways of the complexation of B(OH)3 with various polyols such as glycerol, xylitol, and mannitol. The reaction energies were calculated as −80.6, −98.1, and −87.2 kcal/mol for glycerol, xylitol, and mannitol, respectively, indicating that xylitol is the most thermodynamically favorable for the complexation with B(OH)3. Moreover, the 1: 2 molar ratio of B(OH)3 to polyol was found to be more favorable than the ratio of 1: 1 for the complexation. Meanwhile, latest lab-scale actual RO experiments successfully supported our computational prediction that 2 moles of xylitol are the most effective as the complexing agent for 1 mole of B(OH)3 in aqueous solution.

Pilot studies were conducted for the removal of two freshwater diatoms (Synedra acus andStephanodiscus sp.). Poly aluminum chloride (PAC), one of the coagulants commonly used in conventional potable water treatment, was found to be not effective in removing diatoms, especially forSynedra. In this work, preozonation and polyamine coagulant-aid in the presence of PAC were compared with each other and combined to investigate their performances on removing diatoms. It was found that the preozonation and polyamine coagulant-aid increased the removal rate significantly for both diatoms, better performance than PAC alone. When polyamine coagulant-aid and preozonation were combined with PAC, approximately 90% ofSynedra and 100% ofStephanodiscus were eliminated. It can be concluded that the combination of preozonation and polyamine coagulant-aid in the presence of PAC could be a promising solution for removing resistant diatoms in water treatment.

The global energy system is characterized by a gradual de-carbonization and move to cleaner burning technologies: from wood to coal to oil and to natural gas. A final destination characterized by the term“hydrogen economy” is desired. Gas hydrate found in the earth’s crust is considered a source of natural gas that is essentially 100% methane (CH4) gas. Natural gas hydrate estimates worldwide range from 10,000 to 40,000 trillion cubic meters (TCM). Efforts are underway to exploit this resource. These methane hydrates in the earth’s crust also have the potential to be a significant factor in global climate change. Moreover, gas hydrates offer opportunities for the development of innovative technologies (separation of CO2 from CO2/N2 and CO2/H2 mixtures, CO2 sequestration, natural gas transportation and storage and H2 storage). In this work we assess the progress towards exploitation of gas hydrates as a resource for methane (cleaner energy) and summarize the state of the art with respect to the role of gas hydrates in the development of innovative technologies.