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Lisa
Schupmann Degree: M.S., Chemical
Engineering
Advisor:
Christos Georgakis
Research Project: Development of an
experimental high throughput multi-reactor
system
Project Description:
This research project aims to develop an
experimental multi-reactor system for
investigation of the kinetic characteristics
of complex reaction networks relevant to the
production of pharmaceuticals. The first
step in this effort aims to interface
near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to a
robotic reactor with the goal to obtain
online composition vs. time reaction data.
Infrared spectroscopy can be used for rapid
in-situ process analysis of multiple vessels
via transflectance probes and fiber optics.
This system has advantages over the off-line
and time-consuming high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) reference method. NIR
is a fast and non-destructive method that
does not require sampling and can
continuously monitor a dynamic reaction in
real time.
As spectra are collected, chemometric
methods are used to deconvolute each
spectrum and interpret it into composition
versus time data. Our goal is to follow the
changing concentrations of a complex
reaction, and use this data to develop
robust stoichiometric and kinetic models.
This is needed for the design of optimal
operational recipes and the online control
of batch reactors. Online analysis is needed
to accumulate more productively the needed
number of experimental data for the
development of the appropriate models.
Education & Experience:
B.S. (summa cum laude) in Chemical
Engineering, 2005
Tufts University
Funding:
Tufts University
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