2024 Design and Research Conference
Chemical Engineering Senior Projects
Integrated Engineering and Science Building 124.
Advisor: Dr. James Palmer
Louisiana Tech Chemical Engineering students were tasked with designing a process that produces 50 tons per day of α-TNT (alpha-trinitrotoluene). Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a military explosive that is not currently produced domestically. This system was modeled using ChemCAD and was validated using data from the 1970s commercial continuous process. Spent acid recovery, along with purification, were incorporated into the simulation and economics of this process. Low-temperature nitration and the use of ortho-dinitrotoluene as a starting material were evaluated as options to reduce the waste byproducts.
| 1:00 p.m. |
Tri-Nitro-BrosTeam Members: Andrew Gros, Connor Hunsicker, Jacob Robinson |
| 1:30 p.m. |
TNT Production by Nitration of TolueneTeam Members: Hayden M. Cashat, Grason A. Hall, R. Luke Hausgen |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Synthesis of TrinitrotolueneTeam Members: Faith Corley, Charlotte Pugh, Ethan Telford |
| 2:30 p.m. |
BREAK |
| 3:00 p.m. |
Economic Evaluation of Trinitrotoluene Synthesis via the Sequential Nitration of TolueneTeam Members: Ana Hodnett, Sarah Siharath, Brooklyn Teer |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Synthesis of TNTTeam Members: Elizabeth Alexander, Megan Emmert, Audrey Shank |
| 4:00 p.m. |
Domestic TNT Production in Light of Recent World EventsTeam Members: Sean Clay, Jessica Crum, Chance White |