@misc{DorneanuFarhadiArellanoGarcia, author = {Dorneanu, Bogdan and Farhadi, Maryam and Arellano-Garc{\´i}a, Harvey}, title = {Conceptual design of a reactive distillation column for the catalytic upgrade of ABE}, series = {Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahresntechnik}, journal = {Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahresntechnik}, pages = {2}, language = {en} } @misc{DorneanuMappasVassiliadisetal., author = {Dorneanu, Bogdan and Mappas, Vassileios and Vassiliadis, Vassilios S. and Arellano-Garc{\´i}a, Harvey}, title = {A second-order linesearch procedure within Newton's method for highly nonlinear steady-state systems simulation}, series = {2024 AIChE Annual Meeting}, journal = {2024 AIChE Annual Meeting}, abstract = {Linesearch, a crucial component of Newton's method, ensures global convergence, guaranteeing convergence to a local solution from any starting point while satisfying all simultaneous nonlinear equations (Bellavia and Morini, 2003). Despite Newton's method being considered established both theoretically and algorithmically, leaving little room for further improvements, this contribution focuses on enhancing the linesearch procedure and revealing significant advancements over existing methods. Specifically, this study aims to incorporate second-order information in a computationally efficient manner to improve the performance of the linesearch procedure, especially for highly nonlinear equation systems. Nonlinearity, particularly near the starting point, can substantially hinder algorithmic efficiency, necessitating frequent step reductions at the expense of function evaluations and major iterations involving Jacobian evaluations and factorizations (Gill and Zhang, 2024). The proposed approach leverages a a higher-order Taylor series expansion around the operating point of a major iteration in Newton's algorithm, coupled with a custom Jacobian vector product finite difference scheme. This combination requires only one additional Jacobian evaluation to construct a locally accurate fourth-degree polynomial approximating the merit function along the search direction. In addition to the theoretical advancements, this contribution provides computational evidence supporting the claim that for highly nonlinear systems, significant computational savings and enhanced solution procedure stability can be achieved. Utilizing a Python implementation, linear subsets of equations are treated separately to boost the efficiency of function and Jacobian evaluations, aligning with standard practices in professional software development. While Python may not be a high-performance language, its suitability for rapid algorithm prototyping and validation precedes potential transfer to higher-performance languages like C++. Moreover, given Newton's method central roles in various iterative solution tools, such as its repeated use within a Differential-Algebraic Equations (DAEs) integrators and potentially Partial Differential-Algebraic Equations (PDAEs) solvers, the significance of this work extends even further. Future research endeavors will explore these areas, building upon the foundations laid by this study.}, language = {en} } @misc{ShafieeDorneanuArellanoGarcia, author = {Shafiee, Parisa and Dorneanu, Bogdan and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey}, title = {Improving catalysts and operating conditions using machine learning in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of jet fuels (C8-C16)}, series = {Chemical Engineering Journal Advances}, volume = {21 (2025)}, journal = {Chemical Engineering Journal Advances}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.ceja.2024.100702}, pages = {25}, abstract = {Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) offers a promising route for producing sustainable jet fuels from syngas. However, optimizing catalyst design and operating conditions for the ideal C8-C16 jet fuel range is challenging. Thus, this work introduces a machine learning (ML) framework to enhance Co/Fe-supported FTS catalysts and optimize their operating conditions for a better jet fuel selectivity. For this purpose, a dataset was implemented with 21 features, including catalyst structure, preparation method, activation procedure, and FTS operating parameters. Moreover, various machine-learning models (Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosted, CatBoost, and artificial neural networks (ANN)) were evaluated to predict CO conversion and C8-C16 selectivity. Among these, the CatBoost model achieved the highest accuracy (R2 = 0.99). Feature analysis revealed that FTS operational conditions mainly affect CO conversion (37.9 \%), while catalyst properties were primarily crucial for C8-C16 selectivity (40.6 \%). The proposed ML framework provides a first powerful tool for the rational design of FTS catalysts and operating conditions to maximize jet fuel productivity.}, language = {en} } @misc{ShezadSafdarArellanoGarciaetal., author = {Shezad, Nasir and Safdar, Muddasar and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey and Tai, Cheuk-Wai and Chen, Shaojiang and Seo, Dong-Kyun and You, Shujie and Vomiero, Alberto and Akhtar, Farid}, title = {Deciphering the role of APTES in tuning the metal support interaction of NiO nanolayers over hierarchical zeolite 13X for CO2 methanation}, series = {Carbon Capture Science \& Technology}, volume = {15}, journal = {Carbon Capture Science \& Technology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {10.1016/j.ccst.2025.100424}, pages = {1 -- 11}, abstract = {The development of robust nickel catalysts on porous substrates offers great potential for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into methane, thereby helping to address the global warming and sustainability challenges. This study investigates the dispersion and stability of Ni nanolayers by grafting bifunctional groups over the hierarchical zeolite 13X (h13X) support using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The Ni nanolayers, with a thickness of 1.5-7 nm, were deposited around the edges of h13X and analyzed using STEM imaging. A clear shift in the binding energies was observed by XPS analysis, substantiating the enhanced metalsupport interaction (MSI) between NiO and h13X. The influence of reaction temperature on APTES incorporation into h13X was revealed by H2-TPR and CO2-TPD, with notable variations in the reducibility and surface basicity profiles of the catalysts. The optimized catalyst exhibited CO2 conversion of 61\% with CH4 selectivity of 97\% under GHSV of 60,000 mlgCat-1h-1 at 400 oC and 1 bar and demonstrated robust stability over a period of 150 h without discernible degradation. The enhanced performance could be attributed to the strengthened MSI and reduced size of Ni nanolayers over h13X. These findings highlight the development of robust heterogeneous catalysts by changing the surface chemistry of support material for various catalytic applications.}, language = {en} } @misc{MappasDorneanuNolascoetal., author = {Mappas, Vasileios and Dorneanu, Bogdan and Nolasco, Eduardo and Vassiliadis, Vassilios and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey}, title = {Towards scalable quantum annealing for pooling and blending problems : a methodological proof-of-concept}, series = {Chemical engineering research and design}, volume = {221}, journal = {Chemical engineering research and design}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1744-3563}, doi = {10.1016/j.cherd.2025.08.031}, pages = {560 -- 576}, abstract = {Industrial optimization challenges, such as the pooling and blending problem (PBP), require advanced computational methods to address non-convexity and scalability limitations in classical solvers. This work introduces a novel methodological framework for solving PBPs using quantum annealing (QA) that transforms the PBP into quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) formulations at two resolution levels, enabling direct deployment on quantum annealers. Key innovations include a discretization technique tailored for PBP's bilinear constraints and an embedding method optimized for current quantum hardware. Benchmarking against classical solvers focuses on Haverly's classical three-stream PBP, enabling transparent comparison and development of quantum embedding and solution techniques. The proposed framework offers a scalable template for adapting similar engineering systems to quantum annealing architectures. Addressing genuine industrial-scale instances will require future advances in quantum hardware and embedding algorithms. The results demonstrate that QA exhibits the best performance among the examined alternatives, providing foundational insights towards leveraging QA in Process Systems Engineering.}, language = {en} } @misc{MappasDorneanuHeinzelmannetal., author = {Mappas, Vasileios K. and Dorneanu, Bogdan and Heinzelmann, Norbert and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey}, title = {Capturing multiscale phenomena in trickle bed reactors : a flexible framework for flow and reaction analysis}, series = {Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahrenstechnik 2025}, journal = {Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahrenstechnik 2025}, abstract = {Multiphase systems, particularly trickle bed reactors (TBRs), are critical in various industrial applications and widely employed in catalytic processes such as hydrogenation and oxidation due to their high surface area, low operational and minimal catalyst loss. Despite advancements in modelling techniques, accurately capturing the complex multiphysics and multiscale phenomena remains challenging. Conventional approaches, relying on empirical correlations or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, often fall short due to high computational demands, limited accuracy, and constraints on the number of catalytic particles that can be effectively simulated [3]. To address these limitations, this contribution presents a new framework tailored for the design and analysis of multiphase systems operating in the low-interaction regimes. This approach is based on the local structure of the packed bed and employs a Lagrangian approach, where flow dynamics within the reactor is represented by various discrete elements. The framework's modular and flexible setup enables the incorporation of multiscale information of both local and global levels, allowing for the additions of new modules or features to enhance modelling fidelity.}, language = {en} } @misc{ParkLeeKimetal., author = {Park, Haryn and Lee, Joowha and Kim, Jin-Kuk and Dorneanu, Bogdan and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey}, title = {Pathways to industrial decarbonization : renewable energy integration and electrified hydrogen production}, series = {Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahrenstechnik 2025}, journal = {Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahrenstechnik 2025}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Industrial sectors contribute substantially to global CO2 emissions, emphasizing the need for low-carbon, reliable energy supplies to meet operational demands. Achieving net-zero emissions in industrial processes involves transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. However, the intermittent nature of renewables poses challenges to energy reliability and resilience, particularly in utility systems. This contribution addresses industrial decarbonisation and sustainable hydrogen production by developing a comprehensive design and optimization framework for integrating renewable energy systems into industrial operations. This framework incorporates energy storage and grid connections to improve flexibility and stability and is evaluated through two case studies. Both case studies analyse the operational and configurational changes necessary for renewable-powered hydrogen production, estimating the cost of hydrogen or CO2 avoidance cost to analyse economic viability. These insights provide guidelines for sustainable and economically viable energy management in industrial and hydrogen production sectors, supporting broader global energy transition goals.}, language = {en} } @misc{SchowarteRiedelSafdaretal., author = {Schowarte, Julia and Riedel, Ramona and Safdar, Muddasar and Helle, Sven and Fischer, Thomas and Arellano-Garc{\´i}a, Harvey}, title = {Photocatalytic degradation of PFOA with porous lanthanoid perovskites nano catalyst}, series = {Chemie - Ingenieur - Technik : CIT}, journal = {Chemie - Ingenieur - Technik : CIT}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH GmbH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2640}, doi = {10.1002/cite.70027}, pages = {1 -- 11}, abstract = {Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent environmental pollutant, poses significant health and ecological risks. This study investigates for the first time the photocatalytic degradation of PFOA using novel doped perovskite catalysts under polychromatic UV-VIS irradiation with a peak emission at 366 nm. A series of nickel- and lanthanide-doped perovskites (NiMn2O4, LaMnO3, NdMnO3, and their nickel-doped variants) were synthesized via a facile co-precipitation technique and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-VIS-DRS), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), N2-physisorption, and microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES). Photocatalytic experiments revealed that Ni/NdMnO3 exhibited the highest degradation efficiency toward PFOA, likely due to its small band gap energy of 1.5 eV, facilitating efficient C-C bond cleavage.}, language = {en} } @misc{YentumiJurischkaDorneanuetal., author = {Yentumi, Richard and Jurischka, Constantin and Dorneanu, Bogdan and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey}, title = {Optimal design and analysis of thermochemical storage and release of hydrogen via the reversible redox of iron oxide/iron}, series = {Systems and control transactions}, volume = {4}, journal = {Systems and control transactions}, publisher = {PSE Press}, address = {Notre Dame, IN}, isbn = {978-1-7779403-3-1}, issn = {2818-4734}, doi = {10.69997/sct.121492}, pages = {631 -- 636}, abstract = {In this contribution, a thermodynamic model-based approach for the optimal design of a solid-state hydrogen storage and release system utilizing the reversible iron oxide/iron thermochemical redox mechanism is presented. Existing storage processes using this mechanism face significant limitations, including low hydrogen conversion, high energy input requirements, limited storage density, and slow charging/discharging kinetics. To address these challenges, a custom thermodynamic model using NIST thermochemistry data is developed, enabling an in-depth analysis of redox reaction equilibria under different conditions. Unlike previous studies, this approach integrates a multi-objective optimization framework that explicitly balances competing objectives: maximizing hydrogen yield while minimizing thermal energy demand. By systematically identifying optimal trade-offs, the study provides new insights into improving process efficiency and reactor design for thermochemical hydrogen storage. These findings contribute to advancing energy-efficient and scalable hydrogen storage technologies.}, language = {en} } @misc{MappasDorneanuArellanoGarcia, author = {Mappas, Vasileios K. and Dorneanu, Bogdan and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey}, title = {Solving complex combinatorial optimization problems using quantum annealing approaches}, series = {Systems and control transactions}, volume = {4}, journal = {Systems and control transactions}, publisher = {PSE Press}, address = {Notre Dame, IN}, isbn = {978-1-7779403-3-1}, issn = {2818-4734}, doi = {10.69997/sct.188358}, pages = {1561 -- 1566}, abstract = {Currently, state-of-the-art approaches to solving complex optimization problems have focused solely on methods requiring high computational time and unable to find the global optimal solution. In this work, a methodology based on quantum computing is presented to overcome these drawbacks. The novelty of this framework stems from the quantum computer's architecture and taking into consideration the quantum phenomena that take place to solve optimization problems with specific structure. The proposed methodology includes steps for the transformation of the initial optimization problem into an unconstrainted optimization problem with binary variables and its embedding onto a quantum device. Moreover, different resolution levels for the transformation step and different architectures for the embedding process are utilized. To illustrate the procedure, a case study based on Haverly's pooling and blending problem is examined while demonstrating the potential of the proposed approach. The results indicate that the succinct formulation exhibited higher success rate during the embedding procedure for the different examined architectures, and the quantum annealing solver exhibited the best performance among the various solvers investigated. This highlights the potential of the approach for solving this type of problems with the rapid development and improvement of quantum hardware and expanding it to more complex chemical engineering optimization systems.}, language = {en} }