Engineering Commons^™

Surface Elastic Waves In Piezoelectric Semiconductors And Layered Media, Yu-Pin Han

Doctoral Dissertations

"The primary interest of this investigation is to understand the surface elastic wave properties in piezoelectric semiconductors and layered media. Generalized piezoelectric wave equations in piezoelectric semiconductors and layered media are derived. Systems considered are the piezoelectric semiconductor, the two layer piezoelectric insulator-semiconductor, the three layer piezoelectric insulator- gap-semiconductor and the four layer piezoelectric insulator-gap-semiconductor-dielectric substrate. The eigenwave expansion and the iteration methods in the complex domain are used to solve the problems. Mathematically, it represents a solution of the eigenvalue boundary value problem which involves iteration of functions in the complex domain. Solutions obtained are eigenvalues and eigenvectors which …

Mathematical Simulation Of Gas And Water Coning In Petroleum Reservoirs By The Dynamic Material Balance Technique, Visheshwar Nath Simlote

Doctoral Dissertations

"The prediction of coning behavior at a producing oil well is one of the most difficult numerical simulation problems. Because of the convergent flow patterns and small sizes of the inner grid blocks, the radial coordinate models used to study the problem have a tendency to become unstable. Since several hundred pore volumes may flow through the inner grid blocks during a rather small time interval, instabilities are likely to occur in the saturation calculations for these grid blocks. The dynamic approach to saturation calculations is a method which first computes the correct material balance and then calculates the saturation …

Process Optimization By Flow Sheet Simulation, Larry Dale Gaines

Doctoral Dissertations

"PROPS, (Process Optimization System), has been used to simulate and optimize the Universal Oil Products solid phosphoric acid catalyst process for producing gasoline. PROPS, a modified version of CHESS (Chemical Engineering Simulation System), performs a complete design and economic evaluation of the process for each set of independent variables. The computational time during optimization was reduced by the use of a regression equation to determine K-values as a function of temperature and pressure. K-value data used for the regression was generated from the Chao-Seader correlation using mixtures of the gasoline components to be encountered during optimization. The regression equation produces …

Solid-Fluid Drag Reduction, Ian Radin

Doctoral Dissertations

"Pressure drop measurements were made on a variety of solid-liquid suspension systems in order to study the effects of particle shape and size, concentration, fluid viscosity and tube diameter on drag reduction. Measurements were made over a wide range of Reynolds numbers in two tubes: 1/4 inch and 1 inch in diameter.

Drag reduction could always be obtained with fibrous additives of length-to-diameter ratio greater than 25-35 if the concentration was sufficiently high. The drag reduction behavior of these suspensions is different from that of high polymer and soap solutions. Laminar flow behavior is stabilized giving lower than normal friction …

The Morphology Of Cellular Precipitation In Magnesium Rich Magnesium-Aluminum Alloys, Jyong Shi Cho

Doctoral Dissertations

"The morphology of cellular precipitation in a Mg-9wt. %AI alloy has been investigated by light and electron microscopy. A study of the early stages of the cellular precipitation process indicated that cellular precipitate structure forms in Mg-Al alloys by Fournelle and Clark mechanism. "Replacive" motion indicative of the Tu and Turnbull mechanism for cellular precipitation was not seen"--Abstract, page 1.

Transition Boiling Of Normal Pentane From A Horizontal Flat Gold Surface, Ronald M. Canon

Doctoral Dissertations

"The characteristic boiling curve for Normal Pentane was determined at 1 atmosphere pressure with particular attention devoted to the transition boiling region. The heat transfer surface was a horizontal, gold-plated, copper disc.

Stability analysis was employed to demonstrate why previous investigators have had only limited success in collecting data in the transition region and to provide a valid basis for equipment designed to operate in this region.

A method of predicting the transition region boiling curve from the nucleate curve and the Liedenfrost point is presented. The method was found to predict the transition boiling of Normal Pentane, Freon 12, …

An Analytical And Experimental Study Of The Dynamic Response Of A Press, Woosoon Bai

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation presents a simplified mathematical model and computer simulation of the vertical motion of a press. The model is verified by comparing simulation results with actual field measurements.

Using this model, the computer simulation is then extended to study the dynamic response of a bolted press, one with loosened anchor bolts, and one which is isolated. Press performance, in terms of acceleration of the press, velocity of its foundation, and forces transmitted to the foundation, is analyzed in relation to the foundation mass and the stiffness of the isolators, where applicable. Comparative performances of the presses secured by the …

Solid Transformations And Premelting Phenomena In Fluorite Structures And The System Srcl₂Bacl₂, Damri Sukhotanang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Thermal expansion and phase transformations in CaF₂, BaF₂, SrCl₂, and BaCl₂ were studied by high temperature x-ray diffractometry, differential thermal analysis, and thermodilatometric analysis. Thermal expansion characteristics of CaF₂, BaF₂ and SrCl₂ are very similar. The structures expand normally at lower temperatures and depart substantially from linearity at higher temperatures, because of formation of defects and disordering of anions. At high temperatures CaF₂ and BaF₂ react with water vapor, even at low humidities, forming oxides and emitting HF, leading to difficulty in observation of phase transformations. SrCl …

In Vitro Studies Of Lipid Uptake By Medical Grade Silicone Rubbers Used For Heart Valve Balls, Shu Hua Wu

Doctoral Dissertations

"Various chemical and physical aspects of high lipid absorption by medical grade silicone rubber and the dynamic mechanical properties of lipid-rubber systems were studied in order to provide an insight into the problem of 'variance' of these materials when subjected to 'in vitro' and 'in vivo' environments. Wide variations of post cure procedures of the silicone rubber were studied. Different post cures did not appreciably affect the mechanical properties of the silicone rubber. Mass transfer studies demonstrated that the diffusion of linolenic acid into a silicone rubber slab is a purely physical diffusion process (D = 3.2 x 10^{-3 …}

Anionic Polymerization Of A Series Of Cyclocarbosiloxanes, William W. Knickmeyer

Doctoral Dissertations

"A study has been made on the anionic polymerization of a series of cyclocarbosiloxanes of the type: [IMAGE] where n was varied from 2 to 8. The polymerization reaction in benzene, was initiated using cesium trihexyl silanolate, a unique organic soluble liquid catalysts. Benzene served as both a solvent and to shift the position of the NMR SiCH₃ polymer peak away from the monomer peak making it feasible to follow the kinetics on a Varian EM-360 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer. Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) was used as a promoter to solvate the initiator ions and thus increasing the polymerization rate. It …

Phase Equilibria And Transformations In Potassium Sulfate, Chromate, Molybdate, And Tungstate, Roy Richard Ramey

Doctoral Dissertations

"Thermal expansion and transformations of K₂SO₄, K₂CrO₄, K₂MoO₄, and K₂WO₄ were studied by high temperature diffractometry, differential thermal analysis, and dilatometry. K₂SO₄ and K₂CrO₄ transform from an orthorhombic to a hexagonal structure at 580°C and 670°C respectively, with initiation of the transformation probably related to increased amplitude of S-O tetrahedral vibrations. K₂MoO₄ and K₂WO₄ transform from a monoclinic to an orthorhombic structure at 300° and 370°C respectively. A minor K₂MoO_{4 …}

Removal Of Nutrients By Sorption On Activated Alumina, Checkman Michael Yue

Doctoral Dissertations

"The nutrient enrichment of surface, primarily impounded, water and the associated problems of accelerated eutrophication and prolific algal growth have become a nationwide concern. Phosphorus and nitrogen are considered to be the key elements in abating eutrophication and are contributed from many sources, natural and manmade; prominent among these is the discharge of domestic and industrial wastes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the removal of nutrients, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen, with activated alumina using a continuous-flow pilot plant system. Specific objectives were the: development and construction of appropriate bench and field-scale pilot plant units utilizing the rapid …

Parameter Identification Of Nonuniform Distributed Rc Networks, Roger Allen Hayes

Doctoral Dissertations

"The problem of the unique parameter identification of nonuniform distributed RC networks is addressed in this dissertation. Previous literature provides for the equivalence of distributed networks with respect to the terminal characteristics. Therefore, the question is whether unique parameter identification is even possible. This work settles that question by presenting the sufficient conditions to insure a unique solution to the parameter identification problem. One theorem requires the knowledge of a driving-point impedance, the knowledge of the physical length, and the constraint that the r(x)c(x) product remains constant to insure uniqueness of the parameters r(x) and c(x). Relaxation of the r(x)c(x) …

State-Space Analysis And Synthesis Of Active Rlc Networks, Wen-Pao Lee

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation provides theoretical foundations for the state-space analysis and synthesis of linear active RLC networks containing all four types of controlled sources. The analysis portion is concerned with an explicit representation of the state model and the order of complexity of a general linear active RLC network. The problem considered in the synthesis portion is the realization of a given A-matrix with an active nondegenerate RLC-ladder network or an active RLC network without any particular structure.

The general active RLC network state model representations are explicitly expressed in terms of the fundamental circuit submatrices, the network element submatrices, and …

Structural Behavior Of Cold-Formed Steel Members Made Of Thick Sheets And Plates, Ai-Shen Liu

Doctoral Dissertations

"It is well-known that the current AlSI Specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members has been developed mainly for thin steel sections. In order to extend the applicability of the specification for the design of cold-formed steel members thicker than 1/4 in., both analytical and experimental investigations have recently been conducted with special emphases on the effects of cold work on the mechanical properties of corners and the strength of bolted connections.

For the effects of cold work, previous investigations have shown that the phenomena of strain hardening and strain aging are main factors which affect the mechanical …

The Effect Of Contact Angle, Surface Roughness, And Adsorption Of Heterogeneous Nucleation Of Condensing Water, Prafulla Chandra Mahata

Doctoral Dissertations

"Condensation of water vapor on various surfaces was studied experimentally. It was found that supersaturations as high as 25% were required to initiate condensation on hydrophobic surfaces. The supersaturation data agreed qualitatively with the Volmer theory of heterogeneous nucleation. The influence of adsorption of water vapor was found to be small. Surface roughness caused a little reduction in the critical supersaturation"--Abstract, page iii.

Evaluation Of Methods For The Recovery, Chemical And Toxicological Characterization Of Trace Organics, James Robert Matthews

Doctoral Dissertations

"Organic contaminants are generated in substantial quantities by the activities of man and through natural processes, and are present in natural runoff, industrial wastes, and agricultural discharges; synthetic organic chemicals, many of which are refractory and reach surface and subsurface water, are of particular significance. Earlier studies have generally emphasized the organoleptic and esthetic problems caused by trace organics, although their acute and long-term toxic potential has also been recognized.

The overall objective of this investigation was the analytical and toxicological characterization of trace organics recovered concomitantly from Missouri waters of varied character by large-scale solvent extraction (SEM) and carbon …

Measurements Of Condensation Coefficient Exhibited By Water Drops Grown On Rural Cloud Nuclei, Abbas M. Sinnarwalla

Doctoral Dissertations

"Values of condensation coefficient, ß, were experimentally determined for water drops grown on cloud nuclei in atmospheric air samples. The measured quantities were supersaturation, final drop size (6 to 7.5 µm radius), and time to grow from near dry radius to final radius. The drops were grown in a vertical-flow thermal diffusion chamber, at supersaturations near 0.5 and 1.0%. The final drop sizes were large enough so that ß did not depend upon the size of the nucleus producing a given drop. The average value of ß was 0.025 with a standard deviation of about 0.01"--Abstract, page 2.

Rc-Gyrator Ladder And Rlc Symmetrical Lattice Network Synthesis - A State-Space Approach, Tien Hua

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation presents two network realization procedures using the state-space approach. The first procedure is the realization of a transfer function. A state model (A,B,C,D) is obtained from the given transfer function by inspection, where A is a companion matrix. Through a similarity transformation T, another state model (F,G,H,J) is obtained, where F is a tridiagonal matrix and can be realized by a RC-gyrator ladder network. The input source is inserted in the proper position of the ladder network, and the output is obtained through a summing circuit. It is a unified procedure and uses simple algebraic computation. A general …

A Study Of Exothermic Chemical Reaction In A Porous Catalyst Wedge, Joseph Michael Schardl Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations

"Temperature and composition were measured at various locations in a system where ethylene is hydrogenated to ethane on a 1/4 inch porous catalyst wedge made of nickel supported on alumina. 'When the wedge of catalyst was bathed in hydrogen, experimental results indicated a high temperature rise from the feed temperature to the catalyst which is implied by the diffusion controlled regime for solid catalyzed, highly exothermic reactions. This high activity was reversibly reduced by bathing the catalyst wedge in nitrogen for extended time periods (greater than 24 hours). This nitrogen soaking changed the experimental conditions from those of diffusion controlled …

Numerical Modeling Of The Early Stage Of Cloud Formation In A Simulation Chamber, Adel Nassif Saad

Doctoral Dissertations

"A numerical model has been developed to simulate the growth of cloud droplets by condensation upon a spectrum of hygroscopic nuclei. The model is applicable to cloud simulation chamber conditions as well as to the study of the role of these nuclei on cloud base microstructure.

Equations are given for the growth by condensation of water vapor on a population of hygroscopic nuclei in a volume being cooled by expansion. The equations are integrated simultaneously, using Hamming's modified predictor-corrector method for given initial conditions, to obtain the droplet size distribution, temperature, pressure, supersaturation, and liquid water content. Temperature fluctuations, sedimentation …

A Finite Element Method For Three-Dimensional Analysis Of Metal Forming, Nguyen Don Phu

Doctoral Dissertations

"The importance of metal forming by extrusion was reviewed. A Finite Element Approach was developed to analyze extrusion processes. A brick type linear element and the Upper Bound theorem were used to analyze the extrusion of a cylindrical billet into a square cross-section prism. A minimization technique for a non-linear functional with linear constraints was developed. Different types of boundary conditions were also formulated. A frictionless extrusion was simulated using the computer program developed. Velocity profiles at different sections of the deforming solid were obtained and an average extrusion pressure was predicted for a given area reduction ratio.

Extrusions from …

Nucleate Boiling Of N-Pentane, N-Hexane And Several Mixtures Of The Two From Various Tube Arrays, Kenneth Wayne Wall

Doctoral Dissertations

"An investigation of nucleate boiling heat transfer in saturated pools of Normal Pentane, Normal Hexane and several mixtures of the two was conducted. The fluids were boiled from gold-plated, copper, cylindrical heat transfer surfaces, 4.96 inches long, and 1.048 inch in diameter. The heat transfer elements were boiled in varying vertical tube arrays at a pressure of 14.70 psia.

It was found that the mixtures boiled with a lower heat transfer coefficient than that for either pure component when boiled alone. When boiling in any of the tube bundle arrangements, the heat transfer coefficients for the upper tubes in the …

Hydrodynamic Mixing Model Applied To A Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor With And Without Second-Order Reaction, Leon L. Otte

Doctoral Dissertations

Paper 1: "A hydrodynamic mixing (HDM) model, used to calculate the steady-state spatial distribution of conversion for a second-order reaction in a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) for non-premixed reactants was developed and contrasted with other methods. The HDM model is based on a segmental description of the reactor and includes turbulent mixing effects in each segment. As a test of the model, the experimental results obtained from a tubular reactor were found to be very well represented for a range of reactant ratios. Spatial distributions of concentration and segregation intensity (degree of mixing) within the CSTR were determined for a …

Kalman Filter Equalization For Qpsk Communications, Tze-Shen Lee

Doctoral Dissertations

"The discrete complex Kalman filter is considered as an equalizer for quadrature phase shift keyed (QPSK) systems in the presence of additive noise and intersymbol interference (ISI). For a known linear time-invariant channel with finite duration impulse response, the finite n-dimension complex Kalman filter equalizer is able to reduce the degradation caused by ISI. When the channel is unknown, an adaptive Kalman equalizer is used in which the channel complex tap gains are estimated by decision feedback. A two component multipath channel QPSK system is used as an example. Using the Chernoff upper bound to calculate the error probabilities, the …

Towards A Design Of Hmo, An Integrated Hardware Microcode Optimizer, James Oliver Bondi

Doctoral Dissertations

"This paper discusses an algorithm for optimizing the density and parallelism of microcoded routines in micro-programmable machines. Besides presenting the algorithm itself, this research also analyzes the algorithm's uses, design integration problems, architectural requirements, and adaptability to conventional machine characteristics. Even though the paper proposes a hardware implementation of the algorithm, the algorithm is viewed as an integral part of the entire microcode generation and usage process, from initial high-level input into a software microcode compiler down to machine-level execution of the resultant microcode on the host machine. It is believed that, by removing much of the traditionally time-consuming and …

Direct And Inverse Heat Conduction In Rock Materials Using The Finite Element Method, Vernon Dale Allen

Doctoral Dissertations

"A finite element method is presented for solution of direct and inverse heat conduction problems in rock materials. Finite element programs for direct and inverse heat conduction problems were developed and demonstrated. Flow charts are given for the finite element programs.

The direct finite element heat conduction program changes material properties with temperature to approximate the temperature dependent properties of rock materials. An example problem was solved by the finite element method and also using Kirchoff's transformation. The finite element solution compared quite well with the Kirchoff transformation solution.

The inverse method utilizes the direct finite element heat conduction program …

Dropwise Condensation As Affected By Vapor Diffusion And Molecular Sticking, Salil K. Banerjee

Doctoral Dissertations

"Experimental values of heat flux in dropwise condensation on a gold plated vertical copper surface were determined in presence and absence of (or minute traces of) noncondensable gas. The noncondensable gas concentration varied from 0.0045% to 7.5% over a range of subcooling from 2.155 to 17.13°F and system pressure of 4.124 to 16.67 psia. The calculated heat transfer coefficient ranged from 1,545 to 11,135 Btu/hr-ft²-°F. In the part of the experiment where precautions were taken to avoid the presence of noncondensable gas in the water vapor, much higher values of heat flux were observed. Values of heat transfer coefficient ranging …