Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Journal

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Long Term, Continuous Temperature Monitoring Of A Simple Anaerobic Digester And Open Manure Storage Pond In Eastern South Dakota, J. Darrington, E. Cortus Jan 2011

Long Term, Continuous Temperature Monitoring Of A Simple Anaerobic Digester And Open Manure Storage Pond In Eastern South Dakota, J. Darrington, E. Cortus

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A two-cell manure storage system with a cover on the first cell was constructed in the late summer of 2009 in Eastern South Dakota. The covered cell acts as a simple anaerobic digester. Continuous temperature monitoring for 8 months shows the winter effluent temperature equilibrated to around 6°C, and that the effluent temperature trend lagged the ambient temperature trend by a month. Manure composition was also analyzed and was found to be relatively steady throughout the system. Volatile solids were the only component that dropped appreciably across the treatment cell, with an observed maximum of 50% reduction.


Dust Emission From South Dakota Cattle Feedlots, Rick Weber Jan 2007

Dust Emission From South Dakota Cattle Feedlots, Rick Weber

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Dust and particle emissions (PM) from cattle feedlots is a concern for producers in order to maintain good relations with neighbors and also to comply with the EPA proposed PM2.5 particulate emission rules. Dust at 2.5 microns, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, is a potential health hazard since it can be ingested into the lungs of humans. One of the proposed regulations of the Federal Clean Air Act is to apply the PM2.5 standard to the agricultural sector. This research project examines the particulate matter dust emissions of various sizes in microns including 2.5, 10, …


Economic Evaluation Of Integrating Biodiesel Production With A Dry Mill Ethanol Plant, Steven Bly Jan 2006

Economic Evaluation Of Integrating Biodiesel Production With A Dry Mill Ethanol Plant, Steven Bly

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biodiesei is produced by adding methyl ester products to diesel fuel. Base catalyzed transesterification of oil with methanol is the primary process used today. Current dry mill ethanol production facilities allow the com oil to pass through the process where it becomes part of the dried distiller's grain with solubles (DDGS), a lower valued feed co-product. This study evaluated the economic feasibility of integrating a biodiesel production facility with existing and/or new dry mill ethanol plants. The following methods for com oil separation were considered; hexane extraction of com oil from the dried distiller's grain stream, initial germ separation and …


Optimal Spacings For Two Common Landscape Irrigation Sprinklers, Kody L. Karschnik Jan 2005

Optimal Spacings For Two Common Landscape Irrigation Sprinklers, Kody L. Karschnik

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A simple irrigation system providing sufficient watering needed to make a plant grow is not very difficult. However, to set up a system which provides uniform distribution of water is more difficult. Uniformity coefficients such as Distribution Uniformity and Christiansen coefficient of Uniformity can be used to compare systems and layouts. After measuring the distribution of water from a single sprinkler, a densogram is created with software. The densogram is a numerical and graphical representation of the overlap pattern that the sprinklers create on a given area of surface that is being irrigated. By varying the distance between the sprinklers …