(334f) Gas-Liquid Separators: Challenges and Uncertainties

The knowledge of mass transfer is a crucial parameter for any separation process. A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the absorption of gas into a liquid, while limited literature is found on the rate of desorption of gas (i.e., gas evolution) from the liquid. The rate of gas evolution is assumed to be instantaneous or within the retention time in the vessel. The rate of absorption and desorption are often assumed to be identical under the same pressure, temperature, and hydrodynamic conditions (assuming no bubbles are formed). The symmetry between absorption and desorption of gas may have been investigated using low viscous liquids. However, in the oil and gas industry, high viscous liquids are also encountered. The incomplete separation of gas can lead to plant shut down, which can cause huge revenue losses. My research interest is aimed towards better understanding the gas-liquid separation at elevated pressures and deconvoluting the factors that influence the rate of gas evolution like viscosity, presence of water in the form of emulsions, presence of solid particulates, and supersaturation ratio. The symmetry between rates of absorption and desorption would be understood as well, along with the factors mentioned.

Postdoctoral Project: Fluid Phase Kinetics – Joint Industrial Project

Under the supervision of Clint P. Aichele, School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University.

Ph.D. Dissertation: “Bio-Based Active Barrier Material and Packaging Development”

Under the supervision of Maria R. Coleman and Saleh A. Jabarin, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toledo/ Polymer Institute, University of Toledo

Research Experience:

Throughout my academic career, I have worked on various application-oriented research. The research areas that I have worked on are the removal of dyes (adsorption), reduction of oxygen permeability through polymers, and factors affecting the rate of gas evolution from supersaturated liquids at elevated pressures. As a result of working on these projects, I have acquired experience in many research areas: water treatment, polymers, nanomaterials, emulsions, surface tensions, and gas-liquid separations. I have become proficient as an experimentalist with an ability to develop a lab that is geared towards addressing these areas of research.

Teaching Interests:

I have been a Teaching Assistant (TA) for various courses, including Process Separation, Fluid Dynamic, Reaction Kinetics, and Unit Operation Lab. For the above course, I have been well appreciated and reviewed by the students. As an instructor, my teaching philosophy would be to embrace an active classroom environment, which encourages question/discussion and solving practical problems to better understand chemical engineering concepts.

Teaching Experience:

Throughout my doctoral program, I have undertaken various TA assignments at the University of Toledo. I have assisted in handling the Unit Operations Lab for 4 semesters and given review lectures for Process Separation and Reaction Kinetics. Having received the Best Teaching Assistant award twice (University of Toledo) reflects my ability as an instructor. I have also mentored graduate and undergraduate students in their research.

Publication:

1. Michael Angelo Miranda, Sayeed A Mohammad, Hariprasad J. Subramani, and Clint P Aichele “Kinetics of Gas Evolution from Super-Saturated Oils at Elevated Pressures and Temperatures” Energy & Fuels (2020)
2. Michael Angelo Miranda, Ashwin Yegya Raman, David M. Lavenson, Hariprasad J. Subramani, Sayeed A. Mohammad, and Clint P. Aichele, “Gas Evolution Rates in Supersaturated Water-in-Oil Emulsions at Elevated Pressures” Energy & Fuels (2019).
3. Alden B Daniel, Sayeed A Mohammad, Michael A Miranda, and Clint P Aichele “Absorption and Desorption Mass Transfer Rates as a Function Pressure and Mixing in a Simple Hydrocarbon System” Journal: Chemical Engineering Research and Design (2019).
4. Michael Angelo Miranda, Maria Coleman, Saleh. A. Jabarin “Modification of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using linoleic acid for oxygen barrier improvement: Impact of processing methods” Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2017).
5. Miranda, M.A., M. Coleman, and S. Jabarin. Impact of Processing Method and Loading of Active scavenger (Linoleic Acid) on Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate. in SPE ANTECâ„¢ Indianapolis 2016.
6. Michael Angelo Miranda, P. Dhandapani, M. Helen Kalavathy, and Lima Rose Miranda, “Chemically activated Ipomoea carnea as an adsorbent for the copper sorption from synthetic solutions” Adsorption (2010) 16: 75–84.