Simulation of Solid Processes by Aspen Plus

Solid processes are used for obtaining the valuable minerals. Due to their worth, it is obligatory to perform different experiments to determine the different values of these minerals. With the passage of time, it is becoming more difficult to carry out these experiments for each mineral for different characteristics due to high labor costs and consumption of time. Therefore, scientists and engineers have tried to overcome this issue. They made different software to handle this problem. Aspen is one of those software for the calculation of different parameters. Therefore, the aim of this report was to do simulation for solid processes to observe different effect for minerals. Different solid processes like crushing, screening; filtration and crystallization were simulated by Aspen Plus. The simulation results are obtained by using this simulation software and they are described in this thesis. It was noticed that the results were acceptable for all solid processes. Therefore, this software can be used for the designing of crushers by calculating the power consumption of crushers, can design the filter and for the calculation of material balance for all processes.

Development of simple and efficient synthetic strategies for production of fine chemicals of pharmaceutical relevance : metal-mediated allylation combined with applied catalysis

Den snart 200 år gamla vetenskapsgrenen organisk synteskemi har starkt bidragit till moderna samhällens välfärd. Ett av flaggskeppen för den organiska synteskemin är utvecklingen och produktionen av nya läkemedel och speciellt de aktiva substanserna däri. Därmed är det viktigt att utveckla nya syntesmetoder, som kan tillämpas vid framställningen av farmaceutiskt relevanta målstrukturer. I detta sammanhang är den ultimata målsättningen dock inte endast en lyckad syntes av målmolekylen, utan det är allt viktigare att utveckla syntesrutter som uppfyller kriterierna för den hållbara utvecklingen. Ett av de centralaste verktygen som en organisk kemist har till förfogande i detta sammanhang är katalys, eller mera specifikt möjligheten att tillämpa olika katalytiska reaktioner vid framställning av komplexa målstrukturer. De motsvarande industriella processerna karakteriseras av hög effektivitet och minimerad avfallsproduktion, vilket naturligtvis gynnar den kemiska industrin samtidigt som de negativa miljöeffekterna minskas avsevärt. I denna doktorsavhandling har nya syntesrutter för produktion av finkemikalier med farmaceutisk relevans utvecklats genom att kombinera förhållandevis enkla transformationer till nya reaktionssekvenser. Alla reaktionssekvenser som diskuteras i denna avhandling påbörjades med en metallförmedlad allylering av utvalda aldehyder eller aldiminer. De erhållna produkterna innehållende en kol-koldubbelbindning med en närliggande hydroxyl- eller aminogrupp modifierades sedan vidare genom att tillämpa välkända katalytiska reaktioner. Alla syntetiserade molekyler som presenteras i denna avhandling karakteriseras som finkemikalier med hög potential vid farmaceutiska tillämpningar. Utöver detta tillämpades en mängd olika katalytiska reaktioner framgångsrikt vid syntes av dessa molekyler, vilket i sin tur förstärker betydelsen för de katalytiska verktygen i organiska kemins verktygslåda.

High-speed solid-rotor induction machine – calculation program

The aim of this thesis is to utilize the technology developed at LUT and to provide an easy tool for high-speed solid-rotor induction machine preliminary design. Computer aided design tool MathCAD has been chosen as the environment for realizing the calculation program. Four versions of the design program have been made depending on the motor rotor type. The first rotor type is an axially slitted solid-rotor with steel end rings. The next one is an axially slitted solid-rotor with copper end rings. The third machine type is a solid rotor with deep, rectangular copper bars and end rings (squirrel cage). And the last one is a solid-rotor with round copper bars and end rings (squirrel cage). Each type of rotor has its own specialties but a general thread of design is common. This paper follows the structure of the calculating program and explains some features and formulas. The attention is concentrated on the difference between laminated and solid-rotor machine design principles. There is no deep analysis of the calculation ways are presented. References for all solution methods appearing during the design procedure are given for more detailed studying. This thesis pays respect to the latest innovations in solid-rotor machines theory. Rotor ends’ analytical calculation follows the latest knowledge in this field. Correction factor for adjusting the rotor impedance is implemented. The purpose of the created design program is to calculate the preliminary dimensions of the machine according to initial data. Obtained results are not recommended for exact machine development. Further more detailed design should be done in a finite element method application. Hence, this thesis is a practical tool for the prior evaluating of the high-speed machine with different solid-rotor types parameters.

Strategic outsourcing of R&D: The location-specific advantages of India to the pharmaceutical industry

Companies are increasingly under pressure to be more efficient both in terms of costs and overall performance and thus, they seek new ways to develop their products and innovate. For pharmaceutical industry it can take several decades to launch a new drug to the markets. Since pharmaceutical industry is one of the most research-intensive industries, is outsourcing one way to enhance the R&D processes of such companies. It is said that outsourcing to offshore locations is vastly more challenging and complicated than any other exporting activity or inter-company relationship that has evoked a lot of discussion. By outsourcing strategically, companies must also thoroughly focus on transaction costs and core competences. Today, the suppliers are looked for beyond national boundaries and furthermore, the location of the outsourcing activity must also be thoroughly considered. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to analyze what is known of strategic outsourcing of pharmaceutical R&D to India. In order to meet the purpose of the study, this study tries to answer three sub-questions set to it: first, what is strategic outsourcing, second, why pharmaceutical companies utilize strategic outsourcing of R&D and last, why pharmaceutical companies select India as the location for outsourcing their R&D. The study is a qualitative study. The purpose of the study was approached by a literature review with systematic elements and sub-questions were analyzed through different relevant theories, such as theory of transaction costs, core competences and location advantages. Applicable academic journal articles were comprehensively included in the study. The data was collected from electronic journal article databases using key words and almost only peer-reviewed, as new as possible articles were included. Also both the reference list of the included articles and article recommendations from professionals generated more articles for inclusion. The data was analyzed through thematization that resulted in themes that illuminate the purpose of the study and sub-questions. As an outcome of the analysis, each of the theory chapters in the study represents one sub-question. The literature used in this study revealed that strategic outsourcing of R&D is increasingly used in pharmaceutical industry and the major motives to practice it has to do with lowering costs, accessing skilled labor, resources and knowledge and enhancing their quality while speeding up the introduction of new drugs. Mainly for the above-mentioned motives India is frequently chosen as the target location for pharma outsourcers. Still, the literature is somewhat incomplete in this complex phenomenon and more research is needed.

Translational research : pharmaceutical industry view

Translationaalinen lääketutkimus ja -kehitys.

CFH Y402H polymorphism and response to intravitreal Ranibizumab in brazilian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Objective: To investigate the association between CFH gene polymorphism and response to ranibizumab in Brazilian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: 95 patients were genotyped for the CFH rs1061170 (Y402H) single nucleotide polymorphism. Patients with neovascular AMD initially received intravitreal ranibizumab injections for three months and were retreated as needed. Visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.Results: For patients with the TT and TC genotypes, paired comparisons of VA showed a statistically significant improvement when the data obtained at all visits were compared with baseline. Patients homozygous for the risk genotype (CC) did not show a statistically significant improvement when VA obtained at visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 were compared with baseline. For all genotypes, paired comparisons of CRT showed a statistically significant improvement when the data obtained at visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 were compared with baseline.Conclusion: Patients with the CC genotype showed poorer long-term functional response to intravitreal ranibizumab.

Analysis and validation of space averaged drag model for numerical simulations of gas-solid flows in fluidized beds

This thesis presents an approach for formulating and validating a space averaged drag model for coarse mesh simulations of gas-solid flows in fluidized beds using the two-fluid model. Proper modeling for fluid dynamics is central in understanding any industrial multiphase flow. The gas-solid flows in fluidized beds are heterogeneous and usually simulated with the Eulerian description of phases. Such a description requires the usage of fine meshes and small time steps for the proper prediction of its hydrodynamics. Such constraint on the mesh and time step size results in a large number of control volumes and long computational times which are unaffordable for simulations of large scale fluidized beds. If proper closure models are not included, coarse mesh simulations for fluidized beds do not give reasonable results. The coarse mesh simulation fails to resolve the mesoscale structures and results in uniform solids concentration profiles. For a circulating fluidized bed riser, such predicted profiles result in a higher drag force between the gas and solid phase and also overestimated solids mass flux at the outlet. Thus, there is a need to formulate the closure correlations which can accurately predict the hydrodynamics using coarse meshes. This thesis uses the space averaging modeling approach in the formulation of closure models for coarse mesh simulations of the gas-solid flow in fluidized beds using Geldart group B particles. In the analysis of formulating the closure correlation for space averaged drag model, the main parameters for the modeling were found to be the averaging size, solid volume fraction, and distance from the wall. The closure model for the gas-solid drag force was formulated and validated for coarse mesh simulations of the riser, which showed the verification of this modeling approach. Coarse mesh simulations using the corrected drag model resulted in lowered values of solids mass flux. Such an approach is a promising tool in the formulation of appropriate closure models which can be used in coarse mesh simulations of large scale fluidized beds.

Modeling and Control of the Power Conversion Unit in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Environment

In this doctoral thesis, a power conversion unit for a 10 kWsolid oxide fuel cell is modeled, and a suitable control system is designed. The need for research was identified based on an observation that there was no information available about the characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell from the perspective of power electronics and the control system, and suitable control methods had not previously been studied in the literature. In addition, because of the digital implementation of the control system, the inherent characteristics of the digital system had to be taken into account in the characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell as well the methods for the modeling and control of the DC/DC converter and the grid converter are studied by a literature survey. Based on the survey, the characteristics of the SOFC as an electrical power source are identified, and a solution to the interfacing of the SOFC in distributed generation is proposed. A mathematical model of the power conversion unit is provided, and the control design for the DC/DC converter and the grid converter is made based on the proposed interfacing solution. The limit cycling phenomenon is identified as a source of low-frequency current ripple, which is found to be insignificant when connected to a grid-tied converter. A method to mitigate a second harmonic originating from the grid interface is proposed, and practical considerations of the operation with the solid oxide fuel cell plant are presented. At the theoretical level, the thesis discusses and summarizes the methods to successfully derive a model for a DC/DC converter, a grid converter, and a power conversion unit. The results of this doctoral thesis can also be used in other applications, and the models and methods can be adopted to similar applications such as photovoltaic systems. When comparing the results with the objectives of the doctoral thesis, we may conclude that the objectives set for the work are met. In this doctoral thesis, theoretical and practical guidelines are presented for the successful control design to connect a SOFC-based distributed generation plant to the utility grid.

Determination of chlorophenols from water by solid phase microextraction - ion mobility spectrometry (SPME-IMS)

Chlorophenols have been classified as possible carcinogens for humans. Chlorophenols have been used as pesticides and wood preservatives. In Finland, during 1930 – 1980s, saw mills used KY-5 wood preservative that contained 2,4,6-TCP, 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP. Especially in Finland chlorophenols have entered the environment by leaking from contaminated grounds of old saw mills. Although chlorophenol concentrations found in environment do not cause acute concern, long term exposure can increase the risk of cancer. SPME is relatively cheap and simple sampling method, in which the sample extraction and concentration are performed in a single step. Solvents are not required in SPME. IMS is based on the detection of sample ion drift times. Based on the drift times, reduced mobilities are calculated, which are comparable despite the measurement conditions. SPME-IMS coupling has not been used earlier in the determination of chlorophenols from water samples. The scope of this work was to study, if SPME-IMS system is suitable for detecting chloro-phenols from water samples. The aim was to determine the most optimal extraction condi-tions, which were then applied to real water samples. Following detection limits were deter-mined: 2,4,6-TCP: 0.33 mg/l; 2,3,4,6-TeCP: 0.63 mg/l and PCP: 1.63 mg/l. Detection limits were high compared to the highest possible chlorophenol concentration that is allowed in Finnish drinking water, 10 μg/l. Detected concentrations from water sample differed from verified concentrations in the case of 2,3,4,6-TeCP by 4.6 % and in the case of 2,4,6-TCP by 48.4 %. Based on the results it can be said that SPME-IMS setup is suitable for preliminary analysis of mg/l chlorophenol concentrations from water samples.