Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-31-1995

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Mohamed E. Labib

Second Advisor

William R. Spillers

Third Advisor

Peter J. Zanzucchi

Abstract

In this thesis we studied the physics and chemistry of the adhesion of various classes of organic compounds to glass and stainless steel surfaces, by using diagnostic aqueous cleaning solutions and other techniques. We defined the thermodynamic requirements for aqueous cleaning based on extensive experimental and theoretical work. Novel cleaning diagrams are introduced, based on electrostatic interactions between organic compounds and solid surfaces, to facilitate the design of aqueous cleaning systems. We studied the mass transfer parameters for selected situations. The electrochemical Pourbaix-diagrams were used to explain the effect of hydrogen peroxide added to aqueous solutions and to avoid corrosion of solid surfaces during cleaning. On the basis of this work, we defined the necessary requirements for new non-stick materials to be developed. The use of such new materials should minimize the adhesion of organic materials to vessel surfaces.

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