Engineering Commons^™

Transmission Measurements Through Liquids In A White Cell, David Earl Hurley

Masters Theses

"The suitability of using the White cell for determining the extinction coefficient of liquids was examined by measuring the attenuation of electromagnetic radiation, in the visible part of the spectrum, through distilled water. The analysis of the transmittance measurements through liquids in a White cell does not provide a sufficient number of independent equations to solve directly for the extinction coefficient. Reasonable estimates however can be made by employing a correction which accounts for changes in the mirror reflectance due to a liquid-mirror interface.

The reduction in the transmittance of distilled water due to an oil film was studied for …

Nutation Control During Precession Of A Spin-Stabilized Spacecraft, Richard James Donner

Masters Theses

"The effects of precession thrust pulses and energy dissipation upon nutation of a spin-stabilized spacecraft are studied. Methods for controlling nutation during a precession maneuver are proposed and examined. In particular, a precession modulation control law is developed which uses precession thrust pulses to control nutation. Digital simulations show that precession control with separate nutation control is the fastest precessing system; however, the precession modulation method is only fractionally slower while not requiring a separate nutation control system"--Abstract, page ii.

The Effect Of Porosity On Strength Degradation In Thermally Shocked Alumina, Russell David Smith

Masters Theses

"Strength degradation and crack propagation in Al₂O₃ are shown to depend on the initial strength and porosity of the material. Specimens were fabricated containing between 0 and 5% induced cylindrical, two dimensional, and spherical porosity. The strengths of the various porosity samples decreased discontinuously at a critical quenching temperature. No difference was observed in the critical temperature for the various aluminas; initial strength decrease occurred between 165°C and 175°C temperature differential. The strength retained after thermal shock decreased with increasing initial strength. The degree of damage sustained upon shocking was also characterized by crack density and crack …

Management Of Passive Countersurveillance In The R & D Environment, James Ronald Carney

Masters Theses

"Existing management procedures that are pertinent to research and development activities within the Government are presented. The main focus of this effort is on the Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center’s Countersurveillance and Topographic Division, and highlights the relevant plans, documents, programs, and reporting systems utilized by the Army and the Department of Defense. An in-depth examination is made on the need for Countersurveillance in the Army. The Army’s existing Countersurveillance research and development missions and programs are reviewed.

A detailed investigation and analysis is performed on current management concepts and techniques that are utilized in research and development endeavors. …

The Linear New City -- A Pattern For New Cities Based On Efficiency Of Transportation, Public Services, And Land Use, Elbridge Wesley Bartley Iii

Masters Theses

"The linear new city is defined as a city consisting of some arrangement of relatively narrow, high-density strips, served by various mass transportation systems. Such a new city would be ideally suited to the implementation of the latest technology. The concentration of development along the transportation route would allow certain economies in the supply of utilities and services, as well as insuring that open space would be readily available around and throughout the city. The provisions for transportation, housing, and governmental control should combine to produce a better quality of life for the inhabitants of the linear new city"--Abstract, page …

A Study Of The Ability Of Water Treatment To Remove Trace Organics, Daniel Lee Oliver

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this investigation was to study the ability of water treatment processes, especially coagulation and chlorination, to remove trace organic materials from raw river water. Trace organic concentrations were determined using the Organics-Carbon Adsorbable (O-CA) technique, a miniaturized Carbon Adsorption Method (CAM).

Missouri River raw and treated water, obtained on 3 different dates at the Jefferson City, MO, water treatment plant, was used. The effect of various treatment steps, including settling, softening with lime, coagulating with copperas or alum over a range of doses, and chlorinating at the dose necessary to give a free residual of 2 mg/1 …

Characterization Of A Mexican Halloysitic Clay And Behavior In Dry Pressing, Jesus L. Derat

Masters Theses

"A Mexican clay, intended to be used as refractory raw material, was identified. Problems encountered in the characterization of halloysitic clays are discussed and emphasis is made on the use of the electron microscope (scanning or transmission type) as a definite evidence of the existence of halloysite due to its unique morphology within the kaolinite group of clay minerals.

Beneficiation of this particular clay was carried out on a small scale hydrocyclone equipment and the results are discussed.

In an attempt to increase the green density in dry pressing of this halloysitic clay, mixtures with grog were prepared using different …

Liquid-Liquid Extraction With First Order Reaction : A Mathematical Simulation, Alan Wayne Smith

Masters Theses

"Models for mass transfer to droplets based on film theory with first order chemical reaction are proposed and compared with experimental data. The experimental extraction data is available from the work by Andoe (1968). The physical system used was benzene as a continuous phase and water as a dispersed phase with 2-chloro-2- methyl propane the solute diffusing into and reacting in the droplet. This system had a high interfacial tension (31.0 dynes/cm) and droplet Reynolds numbers ranging from 600 to 1345.

The predicted results of this work are in the form of the dimensionless total mass transferred to the droplet …

Analysis Of Interferometric Holography In Temperature Measurement, Allan James Reifel

Masters Theses

"An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of a laser holographic interferometer. Interference fringe patterns of a free convection boundary layer on the surface of a vertical test plate were produced. The plate was heated and designed to produce a linear temperature distribution along its surface.

A thermocouple probe was used to map the temperatures in the boundary layer and these values were compared to temperatures obtained from fringe patterns. Data photographs of the holograms were used in the analysis. The number of fringes obtained were compared to predictions of the Gladstone-Dale Law.

High quality fringe …

Break-Even Criteria For A Pulsed D-T Reactor, Kenneth Franklin Keller

Masters Theses

"To those who keep track of such things and are in a position to make predictions, it appears that the use of controlled thermonuclear reactions to economically produce electric power is well within a lifetime from now. Indeed, experiments presently being conducted are putting us closer and closer to the development and construction of demonstration fusion reactors. Understandably, the people working on such products and processes are optimistic about their results. This is as it should be if our nation is to avoid major energy shortages in the future.

Unfortunately, the tenor of this paper is pessimistic. This is not …

A Highway Rest Area Design Based On A Use Study In Outstate Missouri, Dimitris Peter Perandakos

Masters Theses

"The limited number of rest areas in the State of Missouri does create a major problem for the motorist travelling in this state.

The author became more aware of this problem from personal experience and decided to investigate it. For that he interviewed over one thousand motorists on the only rest area that is located on 1-44, near the city of Stanton. He also took traffic counts to determine the average daily traffic volumes of Highway 1-44 and of the rest area stated above.

The data collected from the above steps was used for the design of a new rest …

Analysis And Design For Semi-Automatic And Automatic Control Of Vehicles By Permanent Magnets, Hari K. Mehta

Masters Theses

"The analysis and design carried out in this study relates to automatic or semi-automatic lateral control of a vehicle. This is one of the three essential subsystems needed for a complete automatic control system. The other two subsystems provide longitudinal control, and intersection or lane-changing control.

The system studied employs a series of permanent magnets which have been embedded vertically in the road and spaced at an interval to be used for position reference, leading to discontinuous error signal. This system has been analyzed by classical Z-transform analysis and control models have been developed for two kinds of controls. First, …

On The Complex Index Of Refraction Of Bulk Materials, Carol Jeanne Warren

Masters Theses

"As a part of the investigation of classical reflectance, it is determined that the hemispherical reflectance for a material with a particular pair of optical constants can be approximated by computing the angular reflectance at sixty degrees, using Fresnel's generalized reflectance formulas.

Reflection methods for the purpose of determining the optical constants of a variety of materials are discussed. The unpolarized reflectance versus angle of incidence technique is used for determination of the optical constants of bulk solids. Restrictions on the simultaneous solution of the Fresnel equations are determined and a computer program is developed to compute values necessary to …

Use Of Radioactive Iodine Evolved Into Reactor Cooling Water To Locate Defective Fuel Elements, Carl Mozel Stroud

Masters Theses

"The relative amount of radioactive iodine evolved in reactor cooling water by each fuel element provides an excellent indication of defective cladding on fuel elements. The radioactive iodine evolved into the reactor cooling water from a defective fuel element should be higher than the average radioactive iodine evolved by other fuel elements into the cooling water by an order of magnitude or more.

Radioactive iodine with non-radioactive iodine carrier is adsorbed on DOWEX SBR resin in the iodide form. The iodide is eluted from the resin with sodium hypochlorite and extracted into carbon tetrachloride. The iodine is reduced to iodide …

A Multivariable Sampled-Data Model Of An Automobile Driver, Jose A. Bermudez

Masters Theses

"In this thesis, a multivariable system model of driver performance in the basic driving tasks is presented. The driver model described acts as a serial-process, priority-accessed, time-sharing computer. This model processes the input or output task which currently possesses the highest priority. Input tasks are represented by continuous signals sampled intermittently according to priority laws. Output tasks are modeled as simple analog processes operating on the last few intermittently generated output controls. An individual priority rule is constructed for each input and output task.

The performance of the driver in the lateral control task involves a feedforward pattern which is …

Quantitative Overdesign By Stochastic Simulation, Raymond A. Freeman

Masters Theses

"The determination of overdesign, or safety, factors for industrial processes is an art acquired by the engineer through experience. In general, safety factors are increased as the uncertainty of the process variable increases; a procedure that can be expensive if safety factors are specified too small or too large. A single release of harmful substances from pollution control installations may cause irreparable damage. Likewise, the production of an off specification product by a chemical process costs money and resources. These facilities must often be designed for widely fluctuating flow rates, compositions, temperatures, and etc. Consequently, the selection of the proper …

A Study Of The Splash-Plate Tower Concept, A Biological Wastewater Treatment Process, Robert Joseph Millman

Masters Theses

"Different modifications and newer methods of treatment which utilize the basic trickling filter concepts, such as the Bio-Disc process, have been developed to increase the efficiency of wastewater treatment. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and evaluate a newer such method called the splash plate concept.

The splash-plate concept utilizes a series of circular plates mounted horizontally on a vertical axis. This allows the wastewater being treated to travel over one plate to the edge and splash down to the next lower plate and so on throughout the tower. A total of four units were operated at different …

A Thin Film Evaporator Rate Controller, Daniel Robert Kasterlein

Masters Theses

"A circuit is described which is used to control the evaporation rate of material from a resistance heated boat or electron beam evaporator. The rate controller is used in conjunction with a quartz crystal thickness monitor in a vacuum evaporator"--Abstract, page ii.

A Study Of Rf Induction Heating And Float Zone Refining Of Silicon, John Allen Reynolds

Masters Theses

"Float zone refining using simultaneous RF induction heating and electromagnetic levitation has proven to be the best technique for producing high purity silicon for the semiconductor industry.

A study of the power requirements for floating molten zones, of load to source impedance matching, and of considerations for RF heating coil design was conducted to determine possible methods of improving the technique. It is shown that the power requirements are within reason, that impedance matching can be improved by varying network parameters, and that certain vital items must be assured in the design of different RF heating coils.

It is believed …

Inertial Navigation Performance Improvement Realized By The Technique Of Interrupted Alignment, Ralph E. Herndon

Masters Theses

"Present on-aircraft ground alignment gyro bias methods can basically be categorized as (1) periodic maintenance performed by the ground crew, (2) pre-flight calibration requiring a two-position gyro compass alignment or (3) optimal filter estimation of the north gyro bias error.

This thesis discussion presents an interrupted alignment method that allows adequate level axes gyro bias correction without the restrictions associated with a conventional two-position gyrocompass alignment (i.e., a minimum time for bias calibration on a steady aircraft). The interrupted alignment technique allows the pilot to select the navigate mode at any point during gyrocompass and reselect the align mode at …

The Effect Of Gating On Soundness Of Al-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings, Dinesh Shantilal Patel

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes the step by step approach to the design of a gating system for the production of sound plate castings in permanent molds. Castings of different thicknesses were produced, utilizing various gating systems, and examined radiographically to evaluate the effectiveness of these gating systems in the production of sound castings. A gating system which allows metal to enter the mold cavity with no turbulence and which establishes proper temperature gradients in the casting will produce sound permanent mold castings"--Abstract, page ii.

Neutronics Calculations Of Two Fusion Reactor Blankets, James Edward Struve

Masters Theses

"At the present state of engineering development, the most probable fusion reactor fuel cycle will use deuterium and tritium in the reaction ²₁D + ³ ₁T → ¹₀n + ⁴₂He. This reaction is exothermic and provides 17.6 Mev of energy of which 14.1 Mev are given to the neutron. The reaction will take place in a plasma environment inside an evacuated chamber. This chamber will be surrounded by a "blanket" which will serve to transform the kinetic energy of the neutron into heat and produce tritium for subsequent use in the fuel cycle. …

Statistical Analysis Of Critical Flashover Voltage And Standard Deviation Of Switching Surges And Lightning Impulses, Gurdip Singh

Masters Theses

"In order to analyze critical flashover voltage methods a set of experimentally determined data has been used. This data was supplied by the A. B. Chance Company. The data presents the flashover probability as regards to impulse voltage. The various correction factors have been applied to get the corrected impulse voltage, thus eliminating the effect of atmospheric conditions such as temperature, pressure, and humidity. The experimental observations have been analyzed by the application and use of the method of moments, regression analysis, graphical analysis with iterative techniques and maximum likelihood method. From the results, it was found that the maximum …

Design And Construction Of An Electronic Pressure Altimeter For An Atmospheric Data Acquisition System, Larry Wayne Berkbigler

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes the design, construction, and application of an altimeter which was developed as part of the data acquisition system of a small aircraft used to study atmospheric conditions. The altimeter provides a digital readout and interfaces with analog and digital recorders. It can also provide an audio indication when a predetermined altitude is reached. The altimeter is powered by 12 volts dc, has resolution to 10 feet, and a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet. Its maximum theoretical error is ±78 feet ±0.77% of true altitude, which is an error of ±194 feet at 15,000 feet.

Since the unit …

An Experimental Analysis Of Oil Spill Drift Caused By Water Waves, Jan Michael Pottinger

Masters Theses

"A study was conducted to determine the effect of waves on oil spill drift. The investigation was performed in a long narrow tank equipped with a mechanical wave generator at one end and a beach to suppress wave reflection at the other end. It was found that a special procedure for taking data was necessary in order to assure that the data was consistent and that the waves were indeed deep water waves, and therefore similar to open ocean conditions.

The data indicated that waves do influence oil spill movement, and the velocity of the oil was found to be …

The Evaluation Of An Activated Sludge Process At Elevated Temperatures, Peter J. Dawson

Masters Theses

"The feasibility of utilizing the thermal energy from an electric power plant to operate an activated sludge process at elevated temperatures (above 40°C) was assessed.

The practicality of using this heat was determined from a heat transfer analysis and the operation of the activated sludge process was evaluated from laboratory studies of a batch process treating domestic and synthetic sewage.

The tank size for a thermophilic activated sludge chamber could be reduced by 40 to 50% as compared to ambient temperatures. For thermophilic processes a temperature of 55°C is recommended because the transition phase between mesophiles and thermophiles is around …

The Effect Of Explosive Charge Length Of Cratering, John M. Mason

Masters Theses

"In an attempt to determine the influence of charge length upon cratering, a series of small scale model blasting experiments were conducted in Plexiglas, Hydrostone, mortar and dolomite, using mild detonating fuse as the explosive charge. Single hole blasts were simulated, with the blasthole being drilled normal to one free face and parallel to a second. The resultant craters were photographed and closely studied. Particular attention was paid to effects of variation of charge length and burden upon cratering.

The investigation showed the importance of radial fracturing and the dominance of gas pressure in explosive crater formation from elongated cylindrical …

The Static Nonequilibrium Characteristics Of Planar Germanium Probes In A Slightly Ionized Hydrogen Plasma For Low Injections, Alfred Gene Williams

Masters Theses

"The theory for a planar semiconductor probe in a slightly ionized gas with small dc current densities is developed for a germanium probe immersed in a hydrogen plasma. First, the equilibrium characteristics due to the probe in the plasma are developed from Poisson's equation and current density equations. Then, the static nonequilibrium characteristics due to the probe are found by perturbing the equilibrium characteristics and substituting the perturbation terms into Poisson's equation and current density equations. The total current, I, is found to vary linearly with the applied voltages, V, and the ratios I/V are essentially the same for both …

Investigation Of An Energy Absorbing Device For Passenger Safety, Prakash Krishnaswamy

Masters Theses

"Energy absorption by driving an oversized plunger through a longitudinally slit shell has been studied. The characteristics obtained by conducting several runs indicate that such a system could be used for energy absorption and for limiting the force required to drive the plunger through the shell. The characteristics can be readily altered by changing the dimensions of the tube. Details of the experimental set-up have been given.

Such an absorber has been adapted for mitigating injury sustained by the occupants in the interior of a colliding vehicle. Full advantage has been taken of the "Ride down" potential available to the …

Release Of Pollutants From Aquatic Sediments, Lloyd Aldon Hinkle Jr.

Masters Theses

"This study was undertaken to investigate factors governing the release of pollutants from sediments and subsequent effects on water quality. Studies were carried out to: 1) determine the characteristics of selected sediments; 2) determine the level of release of pollutants under batch and fill and draw conditions; 3) determine the effect of temperature and pH on release mechanisms; 4) determine the importance of microbial (uninhibited) release and physio-chemical (inhibited) release processes.

The sediment utilized was from the Missouri River at Jefferson City, Missouri, and the Burgher Branch near Rolla, Missouri. Five environmental conditions to evaluate the effects of pH and …