Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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Gasoline From Coal = | Grambling Site of Energy | at When the last barrel of oil has been pumped, just what’s go- ing to power your car, lawnmower or motorcylce? | It’s a problem that will affect the entire world and scientists here at Grambling State University are doing their part in : helping alleviate the impending crisis. In the physics laboratory of Dr. A.N. Murty, Gramblinites are concentrating their efforts on one alternative—the catalytic. process in the production of gasoline from synthetic gas (CO +. H2). The project is entitled, ‘Zero Field Nuclear Magnetic Reso- nance Study of Zeolite-Cobalt Catalysts,” and is funded by a Department of Energy grant. It runs from September of 1985 through September of 1987. Working closely with Dr. Murty are two Grambling physics students. These seniors are Arnold Williams of Atlanta and Willie Rockward of Houma. According to Dr. Murty, the objective of the study is to un- derstand the function of a catalyst on the liquefacation of syn- thetic gas. In other words, the study is attempting to help in the development of an efficient catalyst for making gasoline from synthetic gas. Dr. Murty reads printout. Willie Rockward makes an adjustment. 336 Tiger Life

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Only five more miles to Hodge. Students pass time in Adams. There is always time to study. cher Bolds. Sd Dr. Lee Britt briefs DeRan —s Tiger Life 335

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Study Coal and water can produce synthe tic gas and once this sub- “stance is passed over a catalyst (in this case cobalt), gasoline is formed. — “We are studying the properties of the catalyst before and after its use,’ explained Dr. Murty. In addition, he added, we are researching the effects of the promoter on the ferromagne- tic character of cobalt. In this study a nonradioactive form of cobalt (CO59) is being used. Although cobalt is the catalyst of Dr. Murty’s experiments, ‘other substances such as iron and copper can be substituted. Grambling’ s scientists are working closely with the Pittsburg Energy Technology Center. There the actual catalytic measure- ments are made and then the catalysts are sent to GSU for study. ZFNMR (zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance) measure- ments are then made of the catalysts using a frequency modu- lated super regenerative (NQR) spectrometer system. “One advantage we have here,” noted Dr. Murty, “‘is we have this highly sophisticated spectrometer system that was ob- tained through NASA and National ee Foundation and Re- search Corporation grants.” From the testing, the team recently concluded that whe “the promoter thoria is added, there appears to be a preference to a specific crystalline phase for cobalt while in the absence of thoria both the phases are present.” These findings were presented last spring at the zone 10 meeting of the Student Chapter of the American Physical Society at the University of Texas (Dallas). Williams and Rockward presented papers. Both students are very enthusiastic about their research. “‘t’s really enhancing my knowledge in the field of solid-state physics,” said Williams, who plans to go into bio or health phy- sics after graduation. Rockward feels the research is really preparing him for grad school where he hopes to go into solid-state physics and electro- optics. This is Willie's second research project. He worked in | ew Jersey last summer with Bell Labs. Students display certificates for paper pornos Spectrometer system gets Arnold Williams’ attention. Tiger Life 337