(37a) Some Perspectives in Thermodynamics Needs of Chemical Industry

Some Perspectives in Thermodynamics
Needs of Chemical Industry

Chau-Chyun Chen

Texas Tech University

Applied thermodynamics is a key scientific foundation of
chemical industry. While tremendous past accomplishments and recent advances in
applied thermodynamics have served the industry needs well and contributed to
the progress of chemical industry, many unsolved problems remain and new
challenges emerge. This presentation shares some research opportunities being
pursued with the aim to serve the diverse thermodynamics needs of the industry.
Specifically, we touch on thermodynamic modeling needs and new lessons learned for
high salinity produced water in oil and gas productions, defense nuclear waste
treatment processes, drug solubility in polymers/surfactants for lipid-based or
solid dispersion formulation, asphaltene aggregation in petroleum blending, and
electrochemical potential of flow battery systems for energy storage.