Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

The Use Of High-Solids Loadings In Biomass Pretreatment – A Review, Alicia A. Modenbach, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The use of high‐solids loadings (≥ 15% solids, w/w) in the unit operations of lignocellulose conversion processes potentially offers many advantages over lower‐solids loadings, including increased sugar and ethanol concentrations and decreased production and capital costs. Since the term lignocellulosic materials refers to a wide range of feedstocks (agricultural and forestry residues, distillery by‐products, and dedicated energy crops like grasses), the term “solids loading” here is defined by the amount of dry material that enters the process divided by the total mass of material and water added to the material. The goal of this study is to provide a consolidated …

Effects Of Manure Handling And Application Method On Odor And Gas Emission Potential Of Swine Manure, Rick R. Stowell

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Manure composition and emissions potential of swine manure were investigated in opposing contexts of desired and undesired methane generation. In the main study, the full-scale treatment effects of anaerobic digestion on the air emissions potential of swine manure were investigated. Manure slurry and digester effluent samples were collected from a pork production facility in eastern Nebraska that utilizes a complete-mix anaerobic digester to treat the manure and produce biogas for use in generating electricity. Samples were collected from three sites in the manure stream (below-barn pit, digester outlet, and holding pond) from 9/22/08 through 12/2/09 in order to observe changes …

Effects Of Pre-Treatments And Drying Temperatures On The Drying Rate And Qualityof African Catfish (Claris Gariepinus), Michael Ayodele Omodara, Adesoji Matthew Olaniyan

Michael Ayodele Omodara

Effects of pre-treatments and drying temperatures on the drying rate and the quality of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus was examined by drying samples of catfish under four different temperatures (40 0C, 45 0C, 50 0C and 55 0C) and four different pre-treatment methods (Salting, Sugaring, Blanching, and Control) using an experimental dryer. Drying of the fish samples for all the pre-treatments at 40 0C to 55 0C occurred in the falling rate period only showing that the predominant mechanism of mass transfer in drying process of catfish is that of internal mass transfer. The drying rate increases with increase in …

Evaluation Of The Bank Stability And Toe Erosion Model (Bstem) For Predicting Lateral Retreat On Composite Streambanks, Taber L. Midgley, Garey A. Fox, Derek M. Heeren

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Streambank erosion is known to be a major source of sediment in streams and rivers. The Bank Stability and Toe Erosion Model (BSTEM) was developed in order to predict streambank retreat due to both fluvial erosion and geotechnical failure. However, few, if any, model evaluations using long-term streambank retreat data have been performed. The objectives of this research were to (1) monitor long-term composite streambank retreat during a hydraulically active period on a rapidly migrating stream, (2) evaluate BSTEM’s ability to predict the measured streambank retreat, and (3) assess the importance of accurate geotechnical, fluvial erosion, and near-bank pore-water pressure …

Protein Purification Of Bio-Synthetic Spider Silk, Candace N. Clark, Andrea Olson

Candace Clark

Spider silk is a natural fiber that has many important mechanical properties. Potential uses for spider silk include medical, textile, and military applications. In order to produce enough silk for these applications to be viable, spider silk must be synthetically produced. Several innovative methods have been developed to produce synthetic spider silk fibers. One method involves using transgenic goats. Each goat contains one of the two genes that encode spider silk proteins. This protein is produced only in the goat milk. The milk is collected and processed through a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system. Concentrated protein is collected and further …

Chemical Modification Of Polysaccharides Using Reactive Extrusion, Pratik Bhandari

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objective of this dissertation was to study the use of reactive extrusion for the chemical modifications of starch and cellulose. A carboxymethyl derivative of starch and carboxymethyl and acetate derivatives of cellulose were prepared using reactive extrusion.

Carboxymethyl starch with rapid swelling properties in water was prepared using reactive extrusion. This was achieved by controlling the gelatinization and through the use of NaOH by controlling the water/ethanol ratio. The effects of NaOH, H₂O, temperature, ethanol, sodium mono chloro acetate, sodium tripolyphosphate, citric acid, epichlorohydrin and extruder screw configuration on the degree of substitution of carboxymethyl starch were …

Design And Construction Of A Solar Operated Gate, Jacob Gardener

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the design and construction of a solar operated gate. A solar panel is used to charge a battery, and then an inverter is used to run a garage door opener off the battery. The garage door opener operates a short lever arm which is connected to a longer lever arm which is connected to the gate. Each component and mounting mechanisms were designed and built to effectively provide the gate opening function. The finished product operates well, the gate opens in about 8 seconds after the button is pressed on the remote controller or wall mount …

On-Farm Irrigation Tracking Software For The Imperial Valley, Taylor Andrew Brady

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

In order to improve on farm irrigation, a water scheduling program specific to the needs of Imperial Valley farmers will be created. The program will help keep track of daily water schedules, as well as stay connected with the farm personnel to reduce error and save time. The program will help with on farm operations and productivity by allowing the famer, irrigation foremen, and secretary to view the same schedule simultaneously. The information that is inputted into the program will be editable by all the chosen personnel, to keep everyone on the same page. Weekly, monthly, or yearly usage reports …

Expansion Of A Dust Removal System For The Brae Department Plasma Table, Derek Hansen

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the expansion of a dust removal system for welding and cutting fumes. A Donaldson Torit Powercore TG8 dust collector is used to collect and process the fumes created during welding and cutting operations that take place in the BioResource and Agricultural Engineering department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Expansion of the system allows for greatly increased utilization of the TG8 and a cleaner working environment in Lab #6. Testing shows that the system fluently changes between the plasma table and the three hoods in the shop. Each hood is only capable of collecting a smoke …

Design, Acnd Construction Of A Portable Artificial Insemination Chute, Chris Herrera

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project report discusses the design, construction, and evaluation of a portable artificial insemination chute for the use of the Cal Poly Beef Department. The design was based on the suggested modifications from operators of several other chutes currently in use.

The main areas considered for the design were; Ergonomics, cattle safety, factors effecting maximum breeding conception rates, and Portability.

The breeding chute proved superior over traditional chutes in a variety of ways. Improvement occurred in the areas of consideration as follows, user operation was simplified, animal stress was decreased, and maximum breeding efficiency was obtained.

Wheat Strip Effects On Nutrient Loads Following Variable Manure Applications, Chance Thayer, John E. Gilley, Lisa M. Durso, David B. Marx

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Vegetative filters have been found to significantly reduce nutrient loads in runoff. This study was conducted to: (1) evaluate the effects of a narrow wheat strip, varying manure application rates, and different overland flow rates on runoff nutrient loads following application of beef cattle manure; (2) determine the upper capacity of a narrow wheat strip to reduce nutrient loads by applying excessive amounts of manure; and (3) compare the effectiveness of narrow wheat strips and grass hedges in reducing runoff nutrient loads. A 1.4 m wide strip of actively growing winter wheat was located at the bottom of selected 0.75 …

Identification And Characterization Of Mtoa: A Decaheme C-Type Cytochrome Of The Neutrophilic Fe(Ii)-Oxidizing Bacterium Sideroxydans Lithotrophicus Es-1, Juan Liu, Zheming Wang, Sara M. Belchik, Marcus J. Edwards, Chongxuan Liu, David W. Kennedy, Eric D. Merkley, Mary S. Lipton, Julea N. Butt, David J. Richardson, John M. Zachara, James K. Fredrickson, Kevin M. Rosso, Liang Shi

US Department of Energy Publications

The Gram-negative bacterium Sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1(ES-1) grows on FeCO₃ or FeS at oxic–anoxic interfaces at circumneutral pH, and the ES-1-mediated Fe(II) oxidation occurs extracellularly. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ES-1’s ability to oxidize Fe(II) remain unknown. Survey of the ES-1 genome for candidate genes formicrobial extracellular Fe(II) oxidation revealed that it contained a three-genecluster encoding homologs of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1(MR-1) MtrA, MtrB, and CymA that are involved in extracellular Fe(III) reduction. Homologs of MtrA and MtrB were also previously shown to be involved in extracellular Fe(II) oxidation by Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1. To distinguish them from those found in MR-1, …

Development Of Vitamin And Dietary Fibre Enriched Carrot Pomace And Wheat Flour Based Buns, Navneet Kumar

Navneet Kumar

Buns are basically small sized wheat based bread, which are very popular due to its small shape and complete consumption at one time. The buns are generally used as burgers and other fast food items. The buns do not possess a good quantity of vitamins and dietary fiber. Hence, studies were conducted to develop carrot pomace and fine wheat flour based buns. Product development was done by conventional method utilizing carrot pomace in the different proportions of (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%). All the ingredients were mixed to obtain good consistency dough, later on these were baked in hot …

Basin-Wide Remote Sensing Of Actual Evapotranspiration And Its Influence On Regional Water Resources Planning, Daniel J. Howes, Charles M. Burt, Kyle Feist

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training & Research Center (ITRC) at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo has been using METRIC to compute actual evapotranspiration from remote sensing sources (namely LandSAT images). The driving force behind this is the increasing need for improved evapotranspiration information on a large scale. A recent study in the Mexicali Valley of Baja California, Mexico utilized the ITRC-modified METRIC procedure to compute the crop and riparian evapotranspiration component of a basin-wide water balance. The resulting comparison between the mass balance computed change in groundwater storage and that computed using groundwater elevation data showed excellent agreement. For water …

Pump Performance With Sand Wear, Charles M. Burt, Kyle Fesit

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

In many installations, pump performance declines over time due to sand wear. In order to pinpoint the type and rate of wear caused by pumping water with higher-than-average sand concentrations and its direct effect on various pump impeller materials, vertical pump impeller/bowl assemblies of approximately 900 GPM were each pumped for up to 2500 hours with high concentrations of sand in the water. Two different impeller materials were used for a total of five configurations. Well pump operation was simulated by maintaining a constant discharge pressure. The degrading performance, in terms of changing flow rate and kilowatt load, was recorded …

Spatial Variability In Evapotranspiration Related To Irrigation System Distribution Uniformity, Daniel J. Howes, Lucas Hoffmann, Franklin Gaudi

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Understanding the causes of variable ET in a field is critical for maximizing yield on a per-acre basis as well as for proper irrigation scheduling and regional water management. Since 2004, the ITRC has provided technical irrigation support and management for over 2,000 acres of center pivot irrigated forage crops being supplied by reclaimed water near Palmdale, California. Irrigation scheduling is conducted using a daily soil water balance dual crop coefficient approach. Detailed records on planting and harvest dates, daily water applications, pivot run speeds, and annual distribution uniformity evaluations are maintained along with daily reference evapotranspiration data from a …

Comparison Of Field Level And Regional Actual Etc Values Developed From Remote Sensing And Dual Crop Coefficient Procedure, Daniel J. Howes, Lucas Hoffmann, Franklin Gaudi

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) estimates are important for regional water planning as well as irrigation scheduling. Traditional ETc computations utilize published crop coefficients (basal) that are adjusted on a daily basis depending on soil water availability (i.e., dual crop coefficient method). Recent advancements include using remote sensing data such as LandSAT combined with a surface energy balance algorithm (METRIC), allowing crop evapotranspiration to be computed for each pixel throughout images taken during the season. There are limitations and advantages for both methods. Comparisons of soil water balance evapotranspiration values to METRIC values for two scenarios in different regions of California have …

Development And Deployment Of A Bioreactor For The Removal Of Sulfate And Manganese From Circumneutral Coal Mine Drainage, C. B. Mastin, J. D. Edwards, Christopher D. Barton, Anastasios D. Karathanasis, Carmen T. Agouridis, Richard C. Warner

Forestry and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Surface mining, in the form of contour mining and mountain-top removal, is a common means for retrieving coal in the Appalachian Coal Belt region of Kentucky. Overburden or excess spoil generated by these two methods is placed in valley fills. Traditionally Constructed fills have been shown to adversely impact headwater ecosystems via stream burial and through alterations to the hydrology, sediment supply, water quality and biological composition of downstream reaches. Mine drainages emanating from the toe of valley fills often contain elevated levels of total dissolved solids and heavy metals. Drainage chemistry from Guy Cove, a valley fill located in …

Automated System To Improve Levelness Of Reconstructed Soil, Venkata Srikiran Bodapati, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Extraction of coal, ores, and minerals from the earth by surface mining has occurred for many years and has always presented a significant challenge with regard to restoration of productive soil to mined areas. Federal and state regulations require that land should be returned to pre-mine productivity or reclaimed as per specific standards following mining. Excessive compaction of reconstructed soil caused by traffic of heavy earth moving equipment has been an enduring challenge regarding successful restoration of soil. A mechanical system was previously designed and developed to reconstruct soil to a depth of 1.22 m (48 in.) while completely avoiding …

Drying Of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus); Effects Of Some Drying Parameters On The Drying Rate And Quality Of African Catfish., Michael Ayodele Omodara, Adesoji Matthew Olaniyan, Shuaeeb Niyi Oyewole

Michael Ayodele Omodara

No abstract provided.