Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Applying A Revised Approach Of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps On A Hybrid Electrical Energy System, Ekavi Antoniou, Eleni S. Vergini, Peter P. Groumpos

UBT International Conference

Complex systems modeling is a rapidly developing research field which incorporates various scientific sectors from bio medicine and energy to economic and social sciences. However, as the systems’ complexity increases pure mathematical modeling techniques prove to be a rather laborious task which demands wasting many resources and in many occasions, could not lead to the desired system response. This realization led researchers turn their attention into the field of computational intelligence; Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic etc. In this way scientists were able to provide a model of a system which is strongly characterized by fuzziness and uncertainties. Fuzzy Cognitive …

Smart Grid Operation: A Survey, Kozeta Sevrani, Romina Muka

UBT International Conference

Creation of Smart Grid meets the energy requirements of the 21stcentury in a high-tech manner with real time approach by providing asignificant improvement in power reliability and services, and integrating thelatest digital communications in the current power grid. This grid improves theability of consumers and utilities to monitor, control, and predict the use ofenergy. Up to the present time, Smart Grid has involved numerous researchersfrom different viewpoints. This paper provides an extensive literature review ofSmart Grid technologies and its characteristics. There are a lot of problems andchallenges in the field of Smart Grid. Therefore, this paper can help to find …

Wind Turbine Technology Enables Sustainable Development Of Electricity In Kosovo, Vehebi Sofiu

UBT International Conference

The requirements of the EU directives for the renewable energy market, in particular wind turbines, enable sustainable development to meet the requirements for electricity generation. Global changes and environmental disasters resulting from industrial pollution do not allow a sustainable development of alternative natural resource exploitation. Balkan states and Kosovo are obliged to increase energy efficiency, to increase the discipline related to flow of fossil fuel emissions, which means less CO2 and greenhouse gases, and to advance the renewable energies by 20% up to 2020. Wind generation turbines are used to transform energy from a rotational mechanical action to generate electricity. …

Using Of Hvdc Technology In Super Grids, Ines Bula, Valmira Hoxha, Edin Bula

UBT International Conference

This paper describes the HVDC system, its organization, as well as advantages over the AC system. Implementation of this system will help to make Europe sustainable energy independent which will require a renewable generation portfolio where much of this portfolio will be fueled by wind and will be developed offshore as it is presented in this paper. To deliver this energy to European consumers will require the development of a high capacity transmission system the so called Supergrid, which will be capable of delivering this energy to Europe's load centers. In this paper also is presented, a DC connection of …

Spatial And Temporal Variation In Precipitation In Togo, Koffi Djaman, Vivek Sharma, Daran Rudnick, Komlan Koudahe, Suat Irkmak, Kokou Adambounou Amouzou, Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Precipitation is one of the important variables in hydrological cycle and has important application in both irrigated and rainfed agricultural crop production. Better understanding of spatio-temporal variability of precipitation across Togo is important and useful for water users and most agricultural activities. Thus, the objective this study was to analyze the spatial and temporal variation in monthly and annual precipitation across Togo for the period of 1961-2001. Monthly precipitation data was provided by the national direction of meteorology. The performed analysis revealed a decline in annual total precipitation across almost all agro-ecological zones in Togo with the Maritime Region revealed …

Case Study: Modernization Of The Walker River Irrigation District, Stuart Styles, Robert C. Bryan, Sierra Layous

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) and Walker River Irrigation District (WRID) collaborated on the modernization of WRID with support from the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of Interior in Carson City, Nevada. This paper presents an update to the USCID case study that was presented in 2014 on the initial proposed plan for improving water gauges throughout WRID. There has been phased implementation of the initial proposed plan as well as modification and expansion of that plan. The initial scope of work for system improvements was developed by ITRC in 2009 following field investigations and engineering analyses of …

Holistic Approach In Microalgae Conversion To Bioproducts And Biofuels Through Flash Hydrolysis, Ali Teymouri

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, the demand for renewable energy, mainly biomass has increased. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that more than 13.3% of the total energy production in the first seven months of 2017 was produced from a biomass source. Among all biomass resources, microalgae has brought a lot of attention due to their numerous advantages such as higher growth rate and productivity compared with the conventional energy crops, higher energy conversion efficiency by photosynthesis, and less water requirement than terrestrial crops. However, its development is far behind industrial production. Several research efforts across the globe have been concerned with …

Event And Time-Triggered Control Module Layers For Individual Robot Control Architectures Of Unmanned Agricultural Ground Vehicles, Tyler Troyer

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

Automation in the agriculture sector has increased to an extent where the accompanying methods for unmanned field management are becoming more economically viable. This manifests in the industry’s recent presentation of conceptual cab-less machines that perform all field operations under the high-level task control of a single remote operator. A dramatic change in the overall workflow for field tasks that historically assumed the presence of a human in the immediate vicinity of the work is predicted. This shift in the entire approach to farm machinery work provides producers increased control and productivity over high-level tasks and less distraction from operating …

Patentability Of Living Matter Related To Biofuel Production In The U.S., Nathan K. Shrewsbury

Oklahoma Journal of Law and Technology

No abstract provided.

The Gmo/Ge Debate, Joanna K. Sax

Texas A&M Law Review

We live longer and healthier lives because advances in science create easier and better ways to sustain and survive. Society has an intricate relationship with biotechnology. Vaccines save lives. Fluoridated water decreases dental issues. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Nuclear power is a form of clean energy. With any emerging technology, the benefits do not exist in a vacuum, thus, negative consequences result as well. Our widespread uses of antibiotics are creating antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Our research into nuclear energy also facilitated the creation of nuclear bombs. Perhaps it is human nature to use scientific advances for good and for …

Impulse, Matt Schmidt, Lora Berg, Christine Delfanian, Dave Graves, Heidi Kronaizl, Emily Weber, Micayla Standish

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

[Page] 2 Better Equipped
[Page] 4 Flashback Summer Scholars
[Page] 6 Biomedical Engineering
Ryan Mahutga is the third mechanical engineering graduate in five years to receive a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
Nigerian native John Asiruwa is working with associate professor Stephen Gent on a mechanical engineering project to help Sanford Health build better heart stents.
Electrical engineering graduate Bruce Lutz has selected the biomedical engineering program as a target for his future giving.
[Page] 9 Programs Accredited
[Page] 10 Fast Wheels
[Page] 12 Five Unforgettable Weeks
[Page] 14 Second in the Nation
[Page] 16 Athletes and Engineering …

Analysis Of Asynchronous Supplemental Course Modules In Statistical Process Control, Matthew E. Harvey, John R. Haughery, Sai K. Ramaswamy

Sai Ramaswamy

Many engineering and technology departments at the collegiate level have developed extensive online and hybrid (face-to-face and online) course offerings (Bourne, Harris, & Mayadas, 2005). These courses may meet several goals such as increasing access, reducing university costs, providing schedule flexibility, and increasing curriculum offerings. An additional opportunity for computer-based learning is to increase student success by offering asynchronous learning modules to extend content beyond traditional lectures.

Rice Hull Bioreactor For Recirculating Aquaculture, Marlon A. Greensword

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The engineering of floating media biofilters has been optimized over the years. The backwashing process has made them more energy and water efficient. Likewise, moving bed bioreactors (MBBR) are gaining interest and popularity because they are relatively affordable to build. Yet, developing countries’ aquaculture production remains largely excluded from the advances made in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). This discrepancy is partially driven by the high costs of media such plastic beads and Kaldnes (KMT) media, commonly used in MBBR.

This dissertation evaluates the usability and profitability of rice hulls (RH), an abundant by-product in many developing nations, as a sinking …

So2-Alcohol-Water Fractionation Of Sugarcane Straw, Asif Sharazi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Climate change resulting from fossil fuels combustion is motivating researchers to explore feasible routes to convert renewable biomass into biofuels and biochemicals for a sustainable society. Typically, biofuel is produced from corn or sugarcane but both feedstocks compete with human food supply. Thus, lignocellulosics as renewable feedstock represent a more ethical and ecofriendly approach. Sugarcane straw (SCS) is a cheap and abundantly available feedstock which potentially can be used for biofuels/biochemicals production. It can also help to mitigate environmental and health problems resulting from conventional practice of SCS burning in the fields.

There are different biomass conversion technologies for production …

Biofuels From Crop Residue: Soil Organic Carbon And Climate Impacts In The Us And India, Adam Liska

Adam Liska Papers

The transformation of crop residue to soil organic carbon and CO₂ is a conserved process that occurs globally. Due to the mathematics of carbon intensity calculations found in government regulations, the amount of CO₂ emitted from crop residue per unit of energy in biofuel is largely independent of the amount of residue removed and the location of its removal, as shown by results from the US and India.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) levels are at equilibria determined by carbon inputs from plant material (+I_c) and loss from oxidation to CO₂

Are the US results relevant …

Catalytic Oxidation And Depolymerization Of Lignin In Aqueous Ionic Liquid, Lalitendu Das, Siquan Xu, Jian Shi

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Lignin is an integral part of the plant cell wall, which provides rigidity to plants, also contributes to the recalcitrance of the lignocellulosic biomass to biochemical and biological deconstruction. Lignin is a promising renewable feedstock for aromatic chemicals; however, an efficient and economic lignin depolymerization method needs to be developed to enable the conversion. In this study, we investigated the depolymerization of alkaline lignin in aqueous 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate [C₂C₁Im][OAc] under oxidizing conditions. Seven different transition metal catalysts were screened in presence of H₂O₂ as oxidizing agent in a batch reactor. CoCl₂ and …

Reducing Equifinality Using Isotopes In A Process-Based Stream Nitrogen Model Highlights The Flux Of Algal Nitrogen From Agricultural Streams, William I. Ford, James F. Fox, Erik Pollock

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The fate of bioavailable nitrogen species transported through agricultural landscapes remains highly uncertain given complexities of measuring fluxes impacting the fluvial N cycle. We present and test a new numerical model named Technology for Removable Annual Nitrogen in Streams For Ecosystem Restoration (TRANSFER), which aims to reduce model uncertainty due to erroneous parameterization, i.e., equifinality, in stream nitrogen cycle assessment and quantify the significance of transient and permanent removal pathways. TRANSFER couples nitrogen elemental and stable isotope mass‐balance equations with existing hydrologic, hydraulic, sediment transport, algal biomass, and sediment organic …

Assessment Of The Ecosystem Services Of Rain Gardens, Hannah M. Hawrot, Dr. Sara Mcmillan, Rachel Scarlett

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces contributes to degradation of urban stream ecosystems. Impacts include increased flooding, water quality impairment, and disruption of habitats. Rain gardens are a type of green infrastructure designed to mitigate the adverse effects of stormwater runoff by promoting evapotranspiration, reducing peak flows, and retaining pollutants. Rain gardens can provide additional ecosystem services, defined as benefits that ecosystems provide to people. This includes, but is not limited to, increasing biodiversity by providing habitat, creating green spaces for recreation, and storing carbon. To date, little research has been done integrating these multiple services. My research measured water quality, …

Development Of Portable Hyperspectral Imaging Device, Chenxi Li, Youngkee Jung, Iyll-Joon Doh, Euiwon Bae

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Most of the conventional hyperspectral imaging devices require sophisticated optical components, occupy a large footprint, and requires an initial capital investment for laboratories which mostly suits for laboratories benchtop system. The requirement of shipping the sample and waiting an extended period of time to get the results are the main downsides of this traditional approach. Capitalize in many specific field applications and diagnosis, portable devices provide both convenience and on-site results which are desirable for government agencies and food safety inspectors. This project was aimed to develop a low-cost, portable hyperspectral device for food safety applications. A smartphone was used …

Characterization Of High Oleic Acid Biodiesel: Improving Biofuel Properties, James M. Muskat, Nathan Mosier

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

In 2016, the world produced an amount of biofuel equivalent to 82,306,000 tonnes of oil. A portion of the biofuels produced was categorized as biodiesel. While still growing as a fuel alternative, current biodiesel fuels are at risk for causing increased engine coking, lower engine performance and durability, oil ring sticking, carbon deposits, and gelling of lubricating oil. Due to these primary issues, biodiesel cannot completely replace petroleum diesel as a fuel source. Instead, biodiesel is commonly blended with petroleum diesel at 5% and 20% (B5 and B20) in the U.S. to create a mixture that has acceptable fuel properties. …

The Effects Of Compaction On Reconstitution Characteristics Of Dairy Powder, Michelle P. Dixon, Rose Prabin Kingsly Ambrose, Dhananjay Ashok Pai

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Milk powders are becoming more ubiquitous within the food industry, and they offer consumers a convenient form for direct intake of dairy. The costs associated with dairy are reduced when products are converted to powder, which markedly increases shelf life at ambient temperatures. Creating compacts from powders further improves cost efficiency by reducing volume. However, milk powders typically possess poor rehydration properties, such as a slow dispersion rate and low solubility, and powder compaction additionally prolongs rehydration time, reducing consumer acceptability. Previous studies have shown that modifying dairy products before or during the drying process can improve rehydration properties, but …

Development Of A Water Quality Status And Trend Detection Tool*, Ruchir Aggarwal, Valeria Mijares, Margaret W. Gitau

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Water Quality Index (WQI) models have been developed since the early 1970s. They present a means by which water quality status and trends can be compared across time and space on the basis of a composite value computed using existing water quality data. There is a need for a tool that can bring the different water quality parameters together and calculate the WQIs so as to facilitate data use in predictive modeling and water quality management. We are developing a software tool that can be used by water quality managers and others with different technical backgrounds to calculate WQI of …

Analysis Of The Flow Behaviors Of Corn Meal During Extrusion, Daniel N. Hauersperger, Martin R. Okos, Troy Tonner

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Food extrusion can be used to make many products we consume today, including pasta, cereals and more. The ability to predict the characteristics of the final product from an extruder using raw material characteristics and operating conditions is vital to the extrusion process. In order to answer this need, the flow behavior of corn meal was measured in a lab viscometer (off-line) and compared to the flow behaviors from an extruder (in-line) at three different moisture contents (32.5%, 35%, 37.5% wet basis). The extruder and product are heated through the friction of the corn meal passing through the barrel not …

Natural Ventilation Models And Production Management In An Experimental High Tunnel, Muzi Zheng

Doctoral Dissertations

High tunnels (HTs) help producers to be more profitable through crop protection and extension of growing season. Proper ventilation and heat managements inside HTs are crucial for adjusting inner microclimates and future obtaining marketable crop production. This study first analyzed daytime ventilation rates that responds to the changes of external weather conditions in a Gothic-type HT located in eastern Tennessee. A mathematical energy balance model and instrumental measurement serve as validation data were developed with a good agreement for ventilation rates (R²>0.70). The coupling of energy balance model and air-flux calculation based on external weather parameters can be …

A Comparative Analysis Of Feed And Environmental Factors On Broiler Growth In The United States, Alexandra Gulli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broiler production in the United States has become an important industry within the last half century. As the demand for poultry continues to increase and the concern of climate change also increases, it will become an important part of the industry to become more sustainable. This study uses a feed optimization model, a broiler growth model, and a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine how feed ingredients and the barn environment can affect the broiler’s growth and production emissions. A multi-criteria ration optimization model is used to produce feeds based on carbon footprint and cost. A growth model is used …

Evaluating Thermal Comfort Of Broiler Chickens During Transportation Using Heat Index And Simulated Electronic Chickens, Kaushik Luthra

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broilers experience high physiological stress during pre-slaughter transport, especially under extremes of thermal environment. Characterization of thermal environment on the trailer is crucial to identify stress-prone regions during transportation. At the same time, Broilers experience high physiological stress during pre-slaughter transport, especially under extremes of thermal environment. Characterization of thermal environment on the trailer is crucial to identify stress-prone regions during transportation. At the same time, quantification of heat loss of the broilers loaded on trailers is important in understanding the well-being of the broilers. We have developed four electronic chickens (E-chickens) to simulate the sensible heat loss of live …

Evaluating Methods For Quantifying Evapotranspiration In Arkansas Rice, Colby Reavis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to evaluate different methods for quantifying evapotranspiration (ET) in commercial rice fields using different irrigation regimes. The rice fields were located in south central Arkansas. The different irrigation regimes were alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF). Alternate wetting and drying and conventional flooding estimates of ET were 602 mm and 570 mm, respectively, based on field observations using eddy covariance. Models used to estimate ET estimated values between 498 and 653 mm for the 2015 growing season. The Penman Monteith actual evapotranspiration model (PM AET) performed best when compared to the …

Development Of The End-Effector Of A Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulator For Automated Crop Sensing, Iman Salafian

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A four cable-driven parallel manipulator (4CDPM), consisting of sophisticated spectrometers and imagers, is under development for use in acquiring phenotypic and environmental data over an acre-sized maize field. This thesis presents the design, controls, and testing of two sub-systems in a 4CDPM: a Center of Mass Balance System (CMBS) and a Drop-Down System (DDS).

One of the factors that influences stability is the center of mass (COM) position of the end effector. An offset in COM can cause a pendulum effect or an undesired tilt angle. A center of mass balancing system is presented in this thesis to minimize the …

The Effects Of Sprayer Speed And Droplet Size On Herbicide Burndown Efficacy, Justin Carroll

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An Apache AS1220 self-propelled boom sprayer with a 27.4 m (90 ft) boom was equipped with different sizes (02, 04 and 06) and types (TeeJet AI, XR, AIXR and TTI) of nozzles to achieve medium, very coarse and ultra coarse droplet sizes traveling 11 km/h (7 mph), 19 km/h (12 mph), and 29 km/h (18 mph). These combinations of speed and droplet size were evaluated for percent coverage of the spray and percent control of targeted weeds 3, 7, and 15 days after treatment (DAT). Four replications were conducted for each speed and droplet size combination except for at 19 …

Nuclear Weapons In A Changing Climate: Probability, Increasing Risks, And Perception, Adam Liska, Tyler R. White, Eric Holley, Robert J. Oglesby

Adam Liska Papers

Many people tend to think that the outcome of any nuclear weapons use today will result in an escalatory situation with apocalyptic outcomes for the countries involved. Yet many factors are increasing the probability of the limited use of nuclear weapons (e.g., 1 to 20 warheads) in a range of conflict scenarios. Previous atmospheric model simulations of regional nuclear conflicts employing many relatively small bombs have been estimated to cause a global “nuclear autumn,” with great reductions in agricultural productivity, stratospheric ozone loss, and spread of hazardous radioactive fallout. The totality of these effects would result in widespread damage …