Chemical Engineering

Clint W. Williford

Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering

B.S., Christian Brothers College, 1974
M.E., Tulane University, 1976
Ph.D., Tulane University, 1978

Faculty member since 1982

Research Areas

Research Focus

My research activities have included biochemical conversion for cellulosic ethanol, coal conversion, and water/soil remediation. In the past twenty-six years as a Chemical engineering faculty member I have conducted research in these areas through 49 grants, contracts, and research appointments. A strong relationship has been built with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scientists. A number of publications and reports have resulted. Numerous M.S. students and four of the department’s Ph.D.s earned their degrees working with me.

Biochemical conversion of biomass. Currently, there is great concern over the price and availability of oil and gasoline, leading to a push for alternatives, including biofuels. This is a major research focus for me. Recently, I served as the coordinating PI on a multi-institution grant through the Mississippi Technology Alliance, Strategic Biomass Initiative on biomass conversion. Our component focused on coupling microbial conditioning and pretreatment to improve the yield of ethanol, and potentially lignin co-products, from grasses. Previously, I served as a PI and UM lead investigator for our DOE-EPSCoR biomass conversion project that resulted in multiple publications on the analysis of lignin. My team has investigated methanogenesis of fermentation byproducts, developed sophisticated molecular weight analyses for lignin, and conducted preliminary studies on novel microbial sources, eg. insect digestive tract agents for lignocellulose processing. The molecular weight analysis methods were developed under a CRADA with DOE-NREL.

Environmental Remediation. My other main area involves the environmental remediation of soil and water at military installations. With U.S. Army Corps of Engineers investigators, I have reviewed, performed, and published work on physical separations of heavy metals and explosives‑contaminated soil. Currently, I have two projects underway. In the first, we are synthesizing manganese oxide coatings onto sand grains. We aim to develop a trace metals adsorbent for use in permeable reactive barriers for removing metals from groundwater. In the second project we are simulating and modeling fine dust suspension in a circulating wind tunnel. We aim to better understand this phenomenon, which is a nuisance and health hazard, particularly in the Middle East.

Coal conversion. In my earliest work here, I studied pyrolysis, gasification, coal liquids upgrading, coal pretreatment for liquefaction, and ash sintering. My activities have included both experimentation and extensive literature reviews. Collaborative and funded work was performed with U.S. DOE and The Electric Power Research Institute.

Other projects have focused on a number of topics - ammonia removal from water with selective ion exchange and the transport and fate of pesticides in a riparian zone (low lying and forested) near a Mississippi Delta lake (with the U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Teaching

I have taught a wide range of courses, including those on thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction kinetics/reactor design, unit operations, numerical methods, technical communications, and laboratory instruction. I have developed and taught courses in environmental remediation at the graduate level. Outside the university, I have taught a short course to personnel at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and to students through the graduate institute with the Corps of Engineers. I have served on the committees of numerous students through the Jackson Engineering program. It's fair to say that I have been very accessible and involved with the students. I feel I enjoy very good relations with the students I have taught. Finally, my teaching appraisals could be characterized in general as "good to excellent". Recently, graduates have been asked to identify a faculty member who had a special positive influence on them at Ole Miss. I have received two of these.

Service

I have reviewed technical articles and proposals, and co-chaired a technical session, recruited students, served as the AIChE student chapter advisor, and conducted faculty searches. At one point, I and other Department faculty shared administrative tasks as required by our former Department Chairman's untimely illness and eventual loss. Tangible results include construction and improvement of unit operations laboratory equipment (reaction kinetics and liquid-liquid extraction units) and the introduction of microcomputers into numerical methods courses and unit operations laboratories. Outside the Department, I have served on the Faculty Senate (Chair of the Finance Committee, Chair of the Elections Committee, and Senate Secretary), numerous committees, e.g. to introduce microcomputers into the Engineering School, and as Chair of the Scientific Review Committee for the Regional Science Fair. I served on the Environmental Engineering committee defining and developing a complete graduate level course of study. I served as chief proctor for the Fundamentals of Engineering professional licensing exam. In recent years, recruiting has grown as a priority. I have traveled to New Orleans, Memphis, and the Math and Science High School recruiting for the Engineering School. This past month, I have teamed up with MMRI to implement the production of biodiesel for the campus. In the community, I served with the Boy Scouts as a Cub Master and District Commissioner, and met with our local School board members to improve policies.

Administrative Duties. On July 1, I assumed the chairmanship of the Department of Chemical Engineering. So far, the year has gone smoothly, a number of accreditation matters attended to and a new school recruiter hired. We have undergone visits and course reviews by our Advisory Board.

Other Professional Activities

§ Professional memberships - The American Institute of Chemical Engineers and The Society for Industrial Microbiology.

§ Consulting - Literature surveys for US DOE and Electric Power Research Institute on coal conversion; experimental studies and literature reviews on water treatment; air monitoring for NASA subcontractor; consulting as expert witness involving chemicals, fire, fuel quality, and site remediation; and environmental consulting.

§ Internships

o 1985 and 1986, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, U.S. DOE, Morgantown Energy Technology Center

o 1993-2008 - U.S. Army Summer Faculty Research & Engineering Program, USACE Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS and the Cold Regions research and Engineering Lab, Hanover, NH

§ Sabbatical Appointment - June 1991 to August 1992, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Environmental Laboratory

Where I'm From

I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis looked just fine the last time I saw him - really. From 1974-78, I lived in New Orleans and attended Tulane University for my Master's and Ph.D. From 1978-1982, I lived in Baton Rouge, LA and worked at Exxon, and briefly at Louisiana State University. The apartment was named "Oxford Place" and the sticker on the dumpster said, "Go to Hell Ole Miss." It was a sign. In late 1982, my wife, Sharyn, and I moved to Oxford.

Interests/Hobbies

I read a lot and watch good movies. History is a major interest. (My Gettysburg guide was so old, he knew the people who fought it - really.) I really like whitewater rafting, canoeing, and photography.

Philosophy

I have always liked science and technology. Being an engineer allows one to participate in the realm of discovery and invention, and have a paycheck. After, twenty-six years in education, I also much more appreciate the human dimension. As a graduate student, I saw that my fellow chemical engineering students were a really first-rate group of people. Now, I help to build them.

Community Activities

Recently signed up to help with Habitat for Humanity.

Notable Accomplishments and Enjoyments in Past Year

Worked with a couple of really good graduate students and made good progress with them on their M.S. degrees. Became department chair. My sons study art and aviation ordnance - Viva L’difference. Spent a few weeks with some very warm folks at The Loch Lyme Lodge in New Hampshire - canoes above.