The objective of this three-year U.S.-Yugoslav cooperative research project in chemical engineering between Aleksandar Dudukovic of the University of Novi Sad's Institute for Petrochemistry, Gas, Oil and Chemical Engineering and Octave Levenspiel of Oregon State University is to investigate applications of three phase flowing solid contactors and engineering reactors applied to ammonia (NH3) synthesis. Particular attention will be given to the feasibility of employing flowing solid adsorbents in removing ammonia and improving its synthesis. Ammonia is a key material (fertilizer) in world agriculture, yet the original 1912 method of synthesizing ammonia, which consumes much energy and is somewhat expensive, is still being used today. Through their research on the gas-solid contactors, Dudukovic and Levenspiel will explore energy-saving methods of ammonia synthesis. This project was approved by the U.S.-Yugoslav Joint Board on Cooperation in Science and Technology and is supported through a Joint fund consisting of matching contributions from the U.S. and Yugoslav governments. The U.S. contribution is provided annually by the Department of State. No NSF funds are involved. The award, except for funds for U.S. scientist travel, is made to the Yugoslav institution. NSF's goal to advance scientific knowledge will be promoted through the joint efforts and complementary expertise of the Yugoslav and U.S. investigators.
