Engineering Commons^™

Analysis And Correctional Procedure For The Operation Of The Huntsville Botanical Garden Reciprocating Constructed Wetland, Amy Louisa Cunningham

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of One-Dimensional And Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling Approaches For Red River Basin, Sajjad Ahmad, Slobodan P. Simonovic

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A devastating flood in Red River valley in 1997 emphasized the need to study the flood control measures in the Red River basin using state of the art modeling tools. The Red River and its floodplains can be modeled using one-dimensional, quasi two-dimensional or fully two-dimensional hydrodynamic models. Each modeling approach has its own advantages and limitations. The main purpose of this report is a comparison between one-dimensional (or quasi two dimensional) and fully two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling approaches for modeling floods in the Red River basin.

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, MIKE 21, coupled with Geographic Information System (GIS) …

Metadata In A Digital Special Library: The Energy And Environmental Information Resources Center In Lafayette, Louisiana, Dan Foley

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

This paper discusses three kinds of metadata and how they are used in the Energy & Environmental Information Resources Center (EE-IR Center), a digital special library of text, numeric, and geospatial data, located in Lafayette, Louisiana. These metadata are Dublin Core (DC), MARC21 (formerly USMARC), and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata.

The EE-IR Center was formed as a partnership between the National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Center for Advanced Computer Studies of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (CACS/USL). Both partners are located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The EE-IR Center is funded by a …

Characterization Of Steel Corrosion In An Aggressive Environment, Sung Min Maeng

Theses

As part of the Sustainable Green Manufacturing Program, the corrosion resistance of sputtered tantalum is being studied in order to evaluate it as a replacement coating for electroplated chrome. To accomplish this, studies were conducted to evaluate corrosion properties of the gun barrel steel by employing corrosion rate and bulk measurements including x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and x-ray fluorescence (XRF), as well as synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

Corrosion behavior of steel immersed in an aggressive environment of 37.8 % hydrochloric acid at room temperature was investigated as a function of time from …

Modeling Of A Permeable Reactive Barrier, Guatam C. Ijoor

Theses

The focus of the presentstudy was centered on the modeling analysis to support the Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) design. The flow model formulated to simulate the Permeable Reactive Barrier System integrated the available geologic, hydro geologic and geo-chemical data from numerous recent installations to simulate a subsurface ground water scenario.

Different generic cases that a PRB system would fall into were identified based on its utility and aquifer conditions and then employed to produce different model adaptations. The different simulation codes and interfaces were evaluated, and the most expedient of them was used to simulate the Model.

The simulations were …

Pirolityczne Metody Utylizacji Odpadów Niebezpiecznych - Przykładowe Rozwiązania I Emisja Zanieczyszczeń, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The paper presents the pyrolysis and gasification processes of organic matter and the main directions of their use for the thermal disposal of hazardous waste. Used for this purpose the basic technical solutions are discussed with regard to existing and new technologies. Given the fact that the pyrolytic methods in Poland were primarily used for the incineration of medical waste, most attention was paid to a facility designated for such waste disposal. The problem of air pollutant emissions from this type of installation and some operating guidelines was also presented on the basis of the literature analyses and own research. …

Zastosowanie Procesów Pirolizy I Zgazowania Do Termicznej Utylizacji Odpadów, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The paper presents characteristic of pyrolysis and gasification processes and main trends to their application for the waste thermal treatment. Selected examples of the applications and course of these processes as well as sorts of their final products is here also discussed.

English title: The use of pyrolysis and gasification processes to waste thermal utilization.

Utilization Of Processed Fly Ash In Mortar, Walairat Bumrongjaroen

Dissertations

Grinding process is introduced to provide fine particles of coal fly ash that enhances the strength gain of cement mortars. It is discovered that grinding can make all the studied fly ashes more suitable for concrete use at higher replacement value than previously anticipated even when the effect of high carbon content is considered.

In this study, new mechanisms for strength gain of fly ash mortars are proposed. They are dispersion and nucleation, which are results from the presence of fly ash in the cement mortar. These effects are shown to enhance the hydration of cement. The pozzolanic action of …

Production Of Submicron Aerosols By Powder Depressurization, Amit Haryani

Theses

Disaggregation of dry powders in shear flow has limitations in producing submicron particles. This study explores a new method for the production of submicron particles by the depressurization of powder aerosols. The depressurization mechanism is based on the rapid depressurization of the aggregated powder through a specially designed nozzle. As the pressure suddenly decreases from very high values inside the aggregates (800 psi) to ambient at the surface of such aggregates, disaggregation takes place due to the force exerted by the gas escaping through their pore structure.

he effect of various process parameters, namely: nozzle diameter, pressure and pretreatment with …

Coagulation And Disinfection By-Products Formation Potential Of Dissolved Organic Matter Fractions, Neeraj S. Pipada

Theses

Both the proposed United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Disinfectants- Disinfection By-Products and Enhanced Surface Water Treatment rules have provisions for minimizing the formation of undesirable precursors of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water Natural Organic Matter (NOM) contains many of the precursors to the DBPs formed following disinfection of drinking water. DAX-8 resin procedures were used to isolate and fractionate NOM into six dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions; Hydrophobic acid (FA), base (FB), neutral (FN), and hydrophilic acid (PA), base (PB) and neutral (PN). Aluminum sulfate (alum) jar coagulation tests were performed to determine the optimum coagulation ranges of …

Analysis And Modeling Of Ultrasound To Decontaminate Heavy Metals In Dredged Sediments, Ruvini Perera

Theses

Sediments contaminated with heavy metals due to past disposal practices threatens the environment and requires remediation. This research is an attempt to develop a technology to decontaminate heavy metals in the dredged sediments with an integrated set of processes using ultrasound. Acoustic cavitation caused by ultrasound energy can be used to remove chromium from the sediments. Two coupled processes were used to treat both coarse (Process#1) and fine (Process#2) fractions of the sediments. Full factorial experimental designs were carried out to evaluate the treatment technique and to statistically model and optimize the processes. The model for Process#1 had four contributing …

Ultrasound To Decontaminate Organics In Dredged Sediments, Kanya Veerawat

Theses

In this research, it was attempted to decontaminate and separate dredged sediments contaminated with organic compounds by the application of ultrasound energy coupled with sub-atmospheric pressures. The decontamination and separation of contaminated sediments was achieved by integrated two processes. For Process 1, ultrasound energy was used to decontaminate the sandy fraction in dredged sediments, and sub-atmospheric pressure was used to separate and remove fines. For Process 2, ultrasound was again used to decontaminate fines with bulk fluid, and sub-atmospheric pressure was used to remove the contaminants with water. Process 1 was evaluated and found to have four variables contributing to …

Emisja Związków Fluoru Z Hutnictwa Żelaza, Marian Mazur, Marek Bogacki, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The article presents the results of the last few years of comprehensive researches related to the emission of fluorine compounds from iron metallurgy in Poland. Determined of the levels of flue-gas concentrations and air emissions for fluorine in the form of gaseous and solid compounds, including water-soluble compounds (considered to be toxic). The study also made it possible to analyze of raw materials used in these processes taking into account fluorine content and its impact on the amount of fluorine compounds emitted to the air.

English title: Emissions of fluorine compounds with iron metallurgy.

Microscopic Characterization Of Hydrocarbon-Polyelectrolyte Interactions During Coagulation, Vesna Dimitric Clark

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate effectiveness of polyelectrolyte in removal of different hydrocarbons and to obtain information on settling velocity, size and density of the floe. Image analysis technique provided multilevel data concerning interactions between hydrocarbons and polyelectrolyte. Captured images were digitized, enhanced by numerous filtering techniques and examined. Additional, video-monitoring system was used to provide information on settling velocity of the floes. Results indicated that polyelectrolyte Cat-Floc 2953, in comparison to EB-5000, was more efficient in removal of all hydrocarbons, which was supported with turbidity measurements, GS analysis and microscopic analysis.

An Empirical Investigation On The Impacts Of Ground-Level Ozone Concentrations On National Ambient Air Quality Standards: The Case Of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Benedict Nweke Nwokolo

Doctoral Dissertations

This study presents information upon which the state of Louisiana can base its ozone State Implementation Plans (SIPs) designed to achieve planned emissions reduction that are required by the Clean Air Act (CAAA) of 1990. The research investigation included an assessment survey on a number of Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) and their degree of acceptability by the residents of Lake Charles area of Louisiana, the research target area. The TCMS were first ranked on the basis of people's perception of each TCM and four TCMs were later analyzed for cost-effectiveness using computer mathematical models. The Traffic Flow Improvements TCM was …

Modelowanie Stężenia Ozonu W Niskiej Troposferze Na Przykładzie Nowego Sącza, Marek Bogacki, Marek Mazur, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The paper presents the results of research related to the modeling of physicochemical phenomena occurring in the ground layer of the atmosphere in terms of ozone formation. For this purpose, the box model was used, in which the computational area is defined as a space designated by a steady surface and a variable height. Conducted in Nowy Sącz (Poland) experiment confirmed the possibility of using this type of model to diagnose and possibly forecasting ozone concentrations in any area of ​​calculation. The study also showed that the quality of the results depends mainly on accuracy in preparing of input data, …

Institutional Controls For Contaminated Sites: Help Or Hazard, Mary R. English, Robert B. Inerfeld

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

The authors discuss the different institutional controls available to control long term site remediation of hazardous waste to prevent exposure to residual contamination.

Three Dimensional Hydrodynamic-Sedimentation Modeling Study : Hampton Roads Crossing, Lower James River, Virginia, John D. Boon, Harry V. Wang, S. C. Kim, Albert Y. Kuo, G. M. Sisson

Reports

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic-sedimentation computer model, HYSED-3D, was used to evaluate the effect of bridge-tunnel infrastructure for a proposed highway crossing of Hampton Roads on the physical characteristics (tides, currents, circulation, salinity, and sedimentation) of the James River estuary in Virginia. Model-represented infrastructure included tunnel islands and bridges on pilings connecting the islands to interstate highways in Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, Virginia. Combinations of these elements occur in each of three proposed crossing routes designated Alternative 1 (Hampton-Norfolk), Alternative 2 (Hampton-Norfolk, Norfolk-Portsmouth), and Alternative 9 (Newport News-Portsmouth-Norfolk). Simulation comparisons were made between the existing waterways and infrastructure in Hampton …

Natural Attenuation Of Chlorinated Ethenes By Anaerobic Reductive Dechlorination Coupled With Aerobic Cometabolism, Derek D. Veerkamp

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorinated solvents and their daughter products are the most common contaminants of groundwater at industrial and military facilities in the United States. Limitations of conventional technologies have intensified efforts to find alternative methods to remediate contaminated sites to regulatory goals set by CERCLA. Natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents is a promising alternative to traditional pump and treat methods but has not been well understood or widely accepted. This modeling study investigated the ability of TCE to completely degrade under various aquifer conditions and rate order constants. It also examined a case study of a former landfill site at Moody AFB. …

Optimal Pulsed Pumping Schedule Using Calculus Of Variation Methodology, Tay W. Johannes

Theses and Dissertations

Application of a variational optimization technique has demonstrated the potential strength of pulsed pumping operations for use at existing pump-and-treat aquifer remediation sites. The optimized pulsed pumping technique has exhibited notable improvements in operational effectiveness over continuous pumping. The optimized pulsed pumping technique has also exhibited an advantage over uniform time intervals for pumping and resting cycles. The most important finding supports the potential for managing and improving pumping operations in the absence of complete knowledge of plume characteristics. An objective functional was selected to minimize mass of water removed and minimize the non-essential mass of contaminant removed. General forms …

Development Of Site Characterization Simulator, Neil W. Kassel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool for Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) to learn and practice the site characterization process. One of the key difficulties encountered by RPMs during site characterization is the need to develop a model of the site based on limited data. These limited data are used to determine parameters that describe hydrogeologic and contaminant properties (aquifer hydraulic conductivity, contaminant concentration, etc.) and are obtained using sampling techniques that interrogate a very small volume, usually much smaller than node spacing of the computer model used to simulate site conditions. The value of the parameter …

Concept Design And Optimization Of Msw Management System, James R. Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

The maximum recovery of recyclables from municipal solid waste (MSW) using material recovery facility (MRF) technologies is determined. Two waste streams at Spangdahlem AB, Germany are analyzed; stationary container wastes and commingled recyclables. Three schemes are considered, one for each waste stream, and one for both. Multi-criteria decision making is the methodology. The criteria are recovery and annual benefit minus cost (B-C). Recovery is determined using the recovery factor transfer function of Diaz et al. (1982). Each technology, or unit operation, in a sequence is independent because particle size distribution of each waste component is considered. B-C is based on …

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Cosolvent Flushing To Treat Groundwater Contamination Source Areas, Stacey L. Anason

Theses and Dissertations

Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in the zone beneath the water table can be a virtually permanent source of groundwater contamination that cannot be remediated by currently available technologies. Cosolvent flushing is a new technology that has the potential to remediate these sites and could pose a solution to the problem of DNAPL source areas. A computer model was developed to determine the cost and time to remediate an aquifer using cosolvent flushing. Included in the model is a module to calculate the costs of recycling the alcohol that is used as the cosolvent. The model was validated using site …

Biodegradation Of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Components In Soil, Baron W. Burke

Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft de-icing fluids (ADFs) are used worldwide to ensure safe aircraft operations. This research effort was conducted to analyze the biodegradation effects of two chemical components of ADFs, propylene glycol (PG) and tolyltriazole (TTA), in a high-clay soil. The research used four test methods; automated respirometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), microbial colony population counts (MCPC), and agar well diffusion tests (AWDT). The research was partitioned into two phases of investigation. Phase-one analyzed individual and combined ADF chemical components on uncontaminated soil. The presence of TTA, from 25 - 1,000 mg/kg, reduced the maximum respiration rate of 1,000 mg/kg PG …

Substrate Availability In Solid Waste Landfills, Brian D. Benter

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous models exist to both predict and represent the many biological activities that occur in the modern landfill. These different models use varying methods of characterizing what is happening, what is thought to happen, or what should be happening based on both empirical data and theoretical reasoning. The model presented here is an extension of the system dynamics model originally presented by Colborn in 1997. The revamped model presents a different perspective on what happens as solid organic waste is transformed to simpler substances. This new view involves a bacterial population performing hydrolysis whose growth is limited by the amount …

Textual Analysis Of Environmental Compliance Assessment Program Findings, Arthur L. Gepner Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) is committed to assessing environmental compliance; this is achieved in the USAF through the Environmental Compliance Assessment Management Program (ECAMP). These ECAMP audits are designed strictly to assess compliance performance at one point-in-time. They are not intended to assess underlying environmental management systems. This study provides insight into the USAF Environmental Management System (EMS) through a textual analysis of ECAMP data. The analysis discovers eleven categories that emerged from the data: performance, communication, documentation, coordination, training, guidance, notification, resource, human resource, material resource, and financial resource. These categories display a hierarchical relationship. This hierarchical …

Expeditious Method For Estimating Cleanup Costs At Department Of Defense Installations In Korea, John M. Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop and test a method that can be used to expeditiously estimate costs of hazardous waste site remediation at US DoD installations in Korea allowing decision-makers to formulate remediation strategy. This objective was addressed through answering the following questions: (1) What cost and time constraints do the decision-makers have in developing remediation cost estimates; (2) What degree of accuracy do the decision-makers require in cost estimates; (3) What estimating models are available for determining costs of remediation activities; (4) Have models been used to estimate remediation activities' costs at Korean installations; and (5) …

Environmental Management Strategies In Public Sector Organizations, Charles P. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental management research investigates environmental and ecological practices in organizations. Environmental strategy models or typologies are developed to classify organizations according to their environmental and ecological practices. Past research for environmental management strategy has focused on the profit sector versus the public sector. Drivers such as market and financial forces may not be as evident in the public sector as they are in the profit sector. This research explored environmental management strategies in public sector organizations. An environmental management strategy typology was developed to investigate the structural aspects of organizations. The typology and respective instruments were used in a case …

Expeditious Methods For Site Characterization And Risk Assessment At Department Of Defense Hazardous Waste Sites In The Republic Of Korea, Dean H. Hartman

Theses and Dissertations

The overall goal of this research was to provide Department of Defense (DoD) decision-makers in the Republic of Korea (ROK) with preferred innovative site characterization technologies and risk assessment methods to meet their needs in obtaining hazardous waste site data and then prioritizing those sites for remediation based upon risk. The study examined the following: primary sources and types of existing contamination at DoD installations in the ROK; available site characterization data; criteria to be used in selecting innovative site characterization technologies; costs and capabilities of the innovative site characterization technologies; risk assessment or risk-based corrective action (RBCA) methods available …

Sorption Of The Aircraft Deicing Fluid Component Methyl-Benzotriazole In Soil, David L. Kellner

Theses and Dissertations

The air transportation industry requires deicing/anti-icing (ADAF) fluids to maintain flight operations in cold weather conditions. Additives to the ADAF aid in the performance of these agents. Approximately 52M liters of concentrated aircraft deicing fluid are used in North America per year in an attempt to correct this safety problem. Among the additives to ADAF are corrosion inhibitors flame retardants, wetting agents, and thickening agents. Some of these agents are known to be toxic to microorganisms. Identification of the transport processes of these agents in the environment is a necessary first step to understanding how to remediate ADAF. Methyl-Benzotriazole (MeBT) …