ANGOLA, Ind.-- Trine University alumna Kelli (Hogenkamp) Witter was named the winner of the 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) National Students Design Contest.
A native of Coldwater, Ohio, Witter graduated from Trine in May 2015 with a degree in chemical engineering. While at Trine, Witter competed as a member of the Thunder track and field and cross country teams. The AIChE contest focused on "Alternate Technology for Sour Water Stripping," which investigated the possibility of removing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from water using natural gas. Witter received her award Nov. 8 at the AIChE national meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Witter's solution included a sour water-stripping tower using natural gas, an amine treatment system to remove hydrogen sulfide from the sour gas and a wastewater treatment system that further purified the water stream for reuse as a boiler feed. The conclusion of her design was determined to be both economically feasible and environmentally advantageous.
Witter is the fifth National Student Design contest winner from Trine University's McKetta Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering. Universities from across the nation submit entries to the contest.
Witter is currently emplyed by Michelin Tire Co. in Fort Wayne, Ind.