Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Varying Cds Levels And Drying And Cooling Temperatures On Flowability Properties Of Ddgs, Rumela Bhadra, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Demand for alternative fuels and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, have triggered the growth of corn-based ethanol production, and this is expected to rise in future years. Transportation of the co-product distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from this industry occurs under various environmental conditions. It is often problematic, since caking between the particles can lead to flow problems. In this study we have prepared DDGS by combining condensed distillers solubles (CDS) with distillers wet grains (DWG) and then drying. We investigated the effects of CDS (10, 15, and 20% wb), drying temperature (100, 200, and 300°C), …

Geophysical Mapping Of Preferential Flow Paths Across Multiple Floodplains, Ronald B. Miller, Derek M. Heeren, Garey A. Fox, Daniel E. Storm, Todd Halihan, Aaron R. Mittelstet

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

In the Ozark ecoregion of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, the erosion of carbonate bedrock (primarily limestone) by slightly acidic water has left a residuum of chert gravel, producing gravel-bed streams and floodplains generally consisting of coarse chert gravel overlain by a mantle (1 to 300 cm) of gravelly loam or silt loam. Previous research has documented the occurrence of preferential flow paths (PFP) in an alluvial floodplain hypothesized to be a buried gravel bar. Field experiments have shown that the PFP affected alluvial groundwater flow in the floodplain and that water flow in the PFP was transmitted at rates that …

Multi-Robot System Control Architecture (Mrsca) For Agricultural Production, Santosh Pitla, Joe D. Luck, Scott A. Shearer

Conference Presentations and White Papers: Biological Systems Engineering

Coordinating multiple autonomous robots for achieving an assigned collective task presents a complex engineering challenge. In this paper multi robot system control architecture (MRSCA) for the coordination of multiple agricultural robots is developed. The two important aspects of MRSCA; coordination strategy and inter-robot communication were discussed with typical agricultural tasks as examples. Classification of MRS into homogeneous and heterogeneous robots was done to identify appropriate form of cooperative behavior and inter-robot communication. The framework developed, proposes that inter-robot communication is not always required for a MRS. Three types of cooperative behaviors; No-cooperation, modest cooperation and absolute cooperation for a MRS …

Pneumatic Control Of A Variable Orifice Nozzle, Joe D. Luck, Michael P. Sama, Santosh Pitla, Scott A. Shearer

Conference Presentations and White Papers: Biological Systems Engineering

A variable-orifice nozzle with droplet optimization was recently developed and introduced for use on agricultural sprayers. The VariTarget (VT) nozzle reacts to changes in the system flow rate via a metering assembly that is controlled by a diaphragm and spring. As the liquid pressure changes, the VT metering assembly attempts to control the flow rate and spray pattern exiting the nozzle. The goal of this study was to replace the spring controlled “reactive” system with a pneumatically controlled metering assembly. The proposed system would allow for the metering assembly to adjust the flow rate and spray pattern exiting the nozzle …

Practical Experience With State-Of-The-Art Technologies In Scada Systems, Beau Freeman, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is a powerful tool which, when implemented properly in irrigation districts, can lead to improved water delivery service to farms, more effective operations, reduced spill (and therefore reduced diversions), and in some cases a reduction in costs (less labor, less energy, etc.). However, widespread adoption of SCADA and automation technologies remains a technical and financial challenge for most irrigation districts. In spite of many good hardware and software products available on the market now, putting all the pieces together requires specialized expertise. Nevertheless, by following some straightforward strategies and rules of good …

Impact Of Preferential Flow Paths On Alluvial Groundwater Flow Patterns And Phosphorus Transport, Derek M. Heeren, Ronald B. Miller, Garey A. Fox, Daniel E. Storm, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Chad J. Penn

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

While surface runoff is considered to be the primary transport mechanism for phosphorus (P), subsurface transport through coarse subsoil to gravel bed streams may be significant and represent a source of P not alleviated by current conservation practices (e.g., riparian buffers). Previous research has documented P transport in a preferential flow path (PFP) identified as a buried gravel bar. It is hypothesized that PFPs, if connected to the soil surface, provide a rapid and efficient method of transporting P, and that these alluvial features are transient storage zones for nutrients, acting as a sink during high flow and a source …

A Study On Torrefaction Of Various Biomass Materials And Its Impact On Lignocellulosic Structure Simulated By A Thermogravimetry, Wei-Hsin Chen

Wei-Hsin Chen

Polarized Light Based Scheme To Monitor Column Performance In A Continuous Foam Fractionation Column, Janakiraman N. Swamy, Czarena L. Crofcheck, M.P. Mengüç

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: A polarized light scattering technique was used to monitor the performance of a continuously operated foam fractionation process. The S11 and S12 parameters, elements of the light scattering matrix, combined together (S11+S12) have been correlated with the bubble size and liquid content for the case of a freely draining foam. The performance of a foam fractionation column is known to have a strong dependence on the bubble size distribution and liquid hold up in foam. In this study the enrichment is used as a metric, representative of foam properties and column performance, and correlated to the S11+S12 parameter.

RESULTS: …

Extrusion Of Aquafeeds Containing Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) For Nile Tilapia, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Mehmet C. Tulbek

Kurt A. Rosentrater

As the global population grows, there is an increasing need to produce food; aquaculture can help meet some of this growing demand. The majority of protein for aquafeeds is fish meal. But due to growing costs and potential scarcity of fish meal supplies in coming years, there is an impending need to find alternative protein sources. DDGS, a coproduct of the fuel ethanol industry, may be suitable for this purpose. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of extrusion processing conditions on two feed blends containing DDGS and other ingredients. Based on previous research, two optimized aquafeeds …

Predicting Stability Of Distiller’S Wet Grains (Dwg) With Color Analysis, R. M. Lehman, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Distiller’s wet grain (DWG) is one of the coproducts from the fuel ethanol industry. Although many studies have investigated the nutritional properties of DWG, little work has investigated the storability and shelf life for these feed products or how to measure these quantities. The objectives of this research were to measure the development of microorganisms and their respiration over time in freshly produced DWG and to determine if there was a quantitative relationship between these microbiological parameters and a more easily measured physical property, DWG color. The numbers of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, molds and yeasts, and carbon dioxide generated by …

Nutrient Transport In Runoff From Feedlots As Affected By Wet Distillers Grain Diet, John E. Gilley, Jason R. Vogel, Roger A. Eigenberg, David B. Marx, Brian L. Woodbury

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Distillers byproducts can serve as valuable sources of protein and energy for beef cattle. However, the water quality effects of the use of distillers byproducts in cattle rations are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to: (1) measure soil properties and nutrient transport in runoff from feedlot surfaces as affected by corn‐based and wet distillers grain diets, (2) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials and consolidated subsurface materials on feedlot soil characteristics and runoff nutrient transport, (3) determine if runoff nutrient transport from feedlot surfaces is correlated to selected feedlot soil properties, and (4) identify the …

Reducing The Cost Of Pumping Irrigation Water, Derrel L. Martin, William L. Kranz, Tom W. Dorn, Steve R. Melvin, Alan J. Corr

Conference Presentations and White Papers: Biological Systems Engineering

Irrigation accounts for a large portion of the energy used in Nebraska agriculture. The cost to pump irrigation water depends on the type of energy used to power the pumping unit. This document describes a method to estimate the cost of pumping water and to compare the amount of energy used to that for a well maintained and designed pumping plant. The results can help determine the feasibility of repairing the pumping plant.

Effects Of Processing Conditions On Single Screw Extrusion Of Feed Ingredients Containing Ddgs, Nehru Chevanan, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a feed coproduct from the fuel ethanol industry, has been shown to be a viable potential alternative protein source for aquaculture feeds. To investigate this, three isocaloric (3.5kcal/g) ingredient blends containing 20, 30, and 40% DDGS, with a net protein adjusted to 28% (wet basis, wb), were prepared for use as Nile tilapia feed. Extrusion processing was then conducted using three DDGS contents (20, 30, and 40%, wb), three moisture contents (15, 20, and 25%, wb), three barrel temperature gradients (90–100–100°C, 90–130–130°C, and 90–160–160°C), and five screw speeds (80, 100, 120, 140, and 160rpm) …

Twin Screw Extrusion Of Ddgs-Based Aquaculture Feeds, S. Kannadhason, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Michael L. Brown

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Six isocaloric (3.65 kcal/g), isonitrogenous (35% dry-basis [db] protein), ingredient blends were prepared with 0, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, and 27.5% distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and other ingredients (soybean meal, corn, fish meal, whey, soybean oil, vitamin and mineral mix). The blends were moisture balanced to 15% db, then extruded in a twin screw extruder using a 2 mm die at 190 rpm, and a 3 mm die at 348 rpm. Analyses of the extrudates included moisture content, expansion ratio, unit density, bulk density, sinking velocity, color (L*, a*, and b*), water absorption, water solubility, and pellet durability …

Updating The Nebraska Pumping Plant Performance Criteria, William Kranz, Derrel L. Martin, Dean Patterson, Jerry Hudgins, Simon Van Donk, C. Dean Yonts

Conference Presentations and White Papers: Biological Systems Engineering

Irrigation water is removed from groundwater storage using deep well turbine pumps powered by electric motors or diesel, gasoline, propane, ethanol, or natural gas internal combustion engines. For best operating efficiency irrigation power units are selected to specifically meet the requirements of the irrigation system that include how deep the water in the well is under pumping conditions, the water pressure required at the pump outlet, and the system flow rate. The evaluation of pumping plants to establish pumping plant performance dates back into the 1950’s when researchers at the University of Nebraska were unable to directly compare the operation …

Cytotoxicity Of Bacterial-Derived Toxins To Immortal Lung Epithelial And Macrophage Cells, Dianne E. Peterson, Jayne M. Collier, Matthew E. Katterman, Rachel A. Turner, Mark R. Riley

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Health risks associated with inhalation and deposition of biological materials have been a topic of great concern due to highly publicized cases of inhalation anthrax, of new regulations on the release of particulate matter, and to increased concerns on the hazards of indoor air pollution. Here, we present an evaluation of the sensitivity of two immortal cell lines (A549, human lung carcinoma epithelia) and NR8383 (rat alveolar macrophages) to a variety of bacterial-derived inhalation hazards and simulants including etoposide, gliotoxin, streptolysin O, and warfarin. The cell response is evaluated through quantification of changes in mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase activity, release of …

Pump Operation With Vfd Controlled Motors, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

There are numerous reasons to consider using a VFD (variable frequency drive) controller with pumps in irrigation and drainage.These include: 1

1. Proper matching of the pump characteristics with the system. Reasonable engineers and salespersons will almost always overdesign pumps. It is very simple – if the pump is too small, there will be complaints. If, on the other hand, the pump delivers a bit more pressure than needed, there is rarely a complaint. Reasons to overdesign include:

Evaluation Of Measurement Procedures Used To Determine The Bulk Density Of Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs), Clairmont L. Clementson, Klein E. Ileleji, Kurt A. Rosentrater

Kurt A. Rosentrater

The production of corn-based ethanol in the U.S. has been dramatically increasing in recent years, and consequently so has the quantity of co-products, especially distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), generated from this industrial sector. DDGS is sold as a commodity for animal feed, and like corn, its bulk physical and chemical properties are quality attributes that can be used in trading by merchandisers. Consistency in product quality has been a cause for concern in the industry, and the lack of standard methods for physical and chemical property determination potentially confounds the issue, especially when results of attributes measured by …

Greening The Curriculum: Augmenting Engineering And Technology Courses With Sustainability Topics, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Elif Kongar

Kurt A. Rosentrater

Duties of engineers and technologists often entail designing and implementing solutions to problems. It is their responsibility to be cognizant of the impacts of their designs on and thus, their accountability to society in general. They must also be aware of subsequent effects upon the environment. They need to be able to concurrently satisfy these often competing priorities as well as constraints specific to the technical challenges at hand. Responding to these contending forces are the growing fields of green engineering and sustainable engineering. Both of these areas encompass many concepts, ideas and tools all of which are essential for …

Handbook Of Bioentrepreneurship (Book Review), Joseph R. Bell

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Joseph R. Bell.

Patzelt, Holger and Thomas Brenner, eds. Handbook of Bioentrepreneurship. New York: Springer, 2008. ISBN 9780387483436

The Handbook of Bioentrepreneurship represents volume 4 in the International Handbook Series on Entrepreneurship.This book is a collection of articles covering the rapidly evolving biotechnology industry.