Engineering Commons^™

Steam Raising With Low-Btu Gas Generators And Potential For Other Applications, Robert Owen Williams, John R. Goss, Brian C. Horsfield, Robert Hodam

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A pilot plant gas producer was installed at a Walnut processing plant to recover usable energy from cracked walnut shell. The shell was converted to a low-Btu fuel gas (producer gas) and this was used to replace natural gas in a steam boiler. Longterm continuous operation of the producer has yet to be achieved due to mechanical inadequacies of the fuel feed and grate systems. These problems are a result of special fuel characteristics of walnut shell, which are being further investigated on a laboratory scale gasifier. It is expected that component changes and/or fuel preparation can facilitate satisfactory long …

Cost Effectiveness Of Bio-Gas Systems For Dairy Farms, J. C. Oppenlander, E. A. Cassell, R. N. Downer

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Considerable attention has recently been focused on the development of farm management practices that utilize the total resource potential of animal wastes. In addition to the fertilizer value of manure, energy in the form of bio-gas can be generated from manure wastes by an anaerobic digestion process. The purpose of this economic analysis was to evaluate the feasibility of producing energy from the anaerobic digestion of dairy-cow manure. Anaerobic digestion systems were rationally designed for several farm management practices on Vermont dairy farms. These designs were sized to accommodate dairy herds of 20, 50, 100, and 200 cows for both …

Coal Gasification And Its Alternatives, Robert L. Huffman

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper presents the importance and need for coal gasification to the homeowner in light of the available alternatives. The status of coal gasification and announced projects are outlined citing the regulatory and financial problems which have caused unnecessary and unreasonable delays. Present energy systems are compared showing the efficiency and cost advantages of natural gas to the consumer over electricity. Energy projections stress the importance of coal and nuclear energy for the future. In this regard, utilization of U.S. coal resources for coal gasification and electric power generation are compared. These comparisons show that synthetic gas from coal is …

Recovery Of Oil From Oil Shale -- An Overall Technological Perspective, Abu Ahmad, Sayeed Hasan

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The hydrocarbon content of oil shale can be converted into liquid oil which is a possible energy resource for the future. Different aspects of shale oil recovery is briefly discussed. The technology of modified in situ oil shale retorting, which is receiving increasing attention for commercialization, is discussed in a little more detail.

Economic Incentives In The Exploration, Extraction And Refining Of Crude Oil, Angelos Pagoulatos, David Debertin, Emilio Pagoulatos

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A simultaneous econometric model consisting of 37 stochastic equations and 3 identities which captures the decisions affecting the supply of new discoveries, the size of proven reserves, the production out of reserves, the demands and supplies of refined products and the imports of crude oil and refined products, is estimated. Simulation with the econometric model analyzed the effect of alternative pricing policies on domestic oil production, consumption and imports.

Systematic Implementation Of Local, State And Federal Regulations To Control Transportation And Land Use Can Reduce Energy Required For Transportation, J. Larry Josey, J. Edwin Clark

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Petroleum is available in limited amounts and the Transportation industry is currently using a giant share of the petroleum based fuel used in America. Ways are explored in this paper to reduce the amount of fuel needed to maintain mobility. Regulations on Transportation and Land Use are shown to be potential tools for fuel savings.

The Current Status Of The Canadian Coal Industry, Philip S. Martin

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Mineable reserves of coal are known to exist right across Canada and some 30 mines are currently operating in five provinces, plus one small mine in the Yukon. Total production in 1977 will a- mount to some 30 million short tons with a value of approximately $700 million, which will be a new record tonnage.

The Opec Oil-Pricing Policies, Vaman Rao

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The capital-theoretic model suggested for determining the price- quantity combinations does not hold in the case of most natural resources, including petroleum, since the inelastic demand function would vitiate the optimal solution. The specification of a dynamic demand function, with necessary, attributes, no doubt, results in a valid optimal solution in period t, but that could be achieved only at the cost of sub-optimal solution in other periods. If the OPEC starts behaving as a discriminating monopoly, instead of as a pure monopoly, the optimal solution is assured in all markets and in all time periods.

Theoretical And Empirical Approaches To The Analysis Of Opec, Albert L. Danielsen

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Formal theoretical models of world oil price determination have been developed in recent years. In addition, some empirical estimates of expected future prices have been proposed. This paper explains how exhaustible resource and cartel theory are integrated into the opitmal control framework. Some empirical studies in the optimal control tradition are surveyed and evaluated.

Manufacturers' Responses To Fuel Supply Problems, Evelyn R. Rosenthal

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The progress of energy conservation in industry was investigated with the aim of identifying barriers to strong energy conservation efforts. One of these barriers proved to be fuel supply problems as exemplified by the natural gas shortage of 1976-77.

The Energy Needs Of The Developing Countries, Vaman Rao

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The energy needs of the developing countries are enormous. They will grow with the passage of time as the pace of economic development accelerates and those countries enter the industrial epoch. The sheer physical non-availability of coal and petroleum to most of them makes it obligatory to choose an unconventional resource as an energy-base. The nuclear fission is the only option now available which is feasible, less-expensive and plentiful. Solar and fusion may be the ultimate sources in the steady state, when appropriate technologies are developed.

The Political Economy Of Opec, Loring Allen

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a part of the hard reality of the present and future energy position of the U. S. It burst upon the world scene in 1973 in response to long years of shabby treatment by the oil companies and oil-importing countries. Through cooperation in the exercise of their sovereignty over oil deposits, OPEC members have extracted increasing revenues through restricting production and raising price. Although serving its own interests, OPEC benefits also the rest of the world, even though its presence portends a shift in the world balance of power.

An Overview Of Potential Impacts Of Changing Petroleum Energy Prices On Grain Farms, Jean-Paul Chavas, James B. Kliebenstein

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Since the early 1970s world fossil fuel energy prices have risen dramatically. Assuming there is no significant breakthrough in en- ergy technology, the world will see further increases in energy prices. These changes will likely lead to economic adjustments in U. S. agriculture. A firm level linear programming model is used to evaluate what some of these adjustments could be on a Missouri grain farm. To obtain expected energy price affects on production mixes, energy prices are changed parametrically. Potential crop adjustments are from corn to single-crop soybeans to wheat as energy prices increase. Fertilization adjustments are from chemical to …

The Impact Of Changing Net Returns On Minimum Energy Requirements For Grain Farms, James B. Kliebenstein, Robert M. Finley, Douglas C. Farthing

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

With sources of energy more restricted and higher priced, optimal combinations of enterprises must logically be considered on the basis of energy efficiency. One method of ascertaining this efficiency is to optimize solutions for given levels of income on the basis of energy used (e.g., the objective function was in terms of energy kilocalories). In general, soybeans were most feasible at lower levels of income regardless of farm size and labor circumstance. As income levels increased, double-cropping (wheat soybeans) was first substituted and finally corn at highest income levels.

4th Annual Umr-Dnr Conference On Energy -- Entire Proceedings, University Of Missouri--Rolla

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

No abstract provided.

Large And Small Applications Of Energy Farming, Oliver C. Sitton, E. A. Kobylinski, J. L. Gaddy

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The collection of solar energy by photosynthesis and the subsequent conversion of crop matter to natural gas can be practiced in farm scale applications or very large installations. This paper discusses the design and economics of these systems.

The Operator’S Guide For Minimizing Energy Costs, Charles Dare, Frank A. Gerig

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The consumption of petroleum by transportation activities is increasing despite the finite limits on its supply. This paper concentrates on the motor vehicle driver, his driving habits, and guides to reduced fuel consumption which would enable the individual to curtail wasteful practices with respect to vehicle operation.

Separation Of Organic Solutions By The Indirect Fractional Solidification Process With In-Situ Washing And Melting Operations, Juiuun-Perng Chiang

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

The main objective of the present thesis study is to experimentally investigate the feasibility of purifying both dilute and concentrated organic solutions by the indirect freezing process with in-situ washing and melting operations under industrially practicable operating conditions. The smooth deposit approach and the dendritic deposit approach are respectively used in separating dilute solutions and concentrated solutions and small ΔT's for heat transfer, less than 3 °C, have been used throughout the study.

A convenient ultrasonic device and easily practicable operating procedures for nucleating slightly super-cooled liquids have been developed. Several freezer­melter systems incorporating the new ultrasonic devices have been …

The Separation Of Proteins Via Parametric Pumping And Ion Exchange, Paul Albert Falcon

Theses

A pH parametric pump, coupled with ion exchange, was used in an experimental investigation to separate a protein-water binary mixture. The model system consisted of a hemoglobin-water binary mixture. A pH gradient throughout the parametric pumping column was sustained with the use of hollow fiber devices incorporating phosphate buffer circulation.

Data is presented for both batch and semi-continuous recuperative mode pH parametric pumping. Continuous pH parametric pumping for protein isolation has also been envisioned.

No attempt has been made to optimize this newly devel-oped process; however, certain parameters are suspected of controlling separation, including buffer concentration, half cycle time, packed …

The Settling Of Particles In A Square Contained Medium, Richard S. Matyas

Theses

Stokes' Law, has been standardly utilized to calculate the terminal velocity of falling particles. However, the limitation of Stokes' Law is that it does not take into account the container walls and their resulting drag forces. Extensive work with additional drag due to cylindrical container walls has been examined by many investigators. The classical and earliest is the well know Ladenburg Correction which cannot be utilized with non-cylindrical containers. This experimental thesis examines the analog of the Ladenburg relationship for a square container. This experimental thesis was undertaken to experimentally determine the value of the constant K₁ for a …

Flow Of Polymer Melt Blends Through Porous Media, James Atwood Parker

Dissertations

The flow of molten polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate) and three blends of these polymers has been studied in a rheogoniometer and in packed beds of unconsolidated spherical glass beads. One primary purpose of the study was to determine the behavior of polymer melt blends in porous media flow. The second major purpose of the work was to develop and test a new and powerful model for packed bed flow based upon the Huang generalized rheological constitutive equations.

Rheological characterization of the pure polymers and blends was obtained using a Roberts-Weissenberg rheogoniometer. Shear and normal stresses were measured at shear rates from …

An Experimental Study Of Separation Of Binary And Ternary Gas Mixtures By Parametric Pumping, Stephen E. Belsky

Theses

An experimental study of gas parametric pumping is presented which examines the purification of helium using silica gel to remove the impurity carbon dioxide. Low gas flow rates are used to allow adequate time for equilibrium to be approached, assuming intraparticle diffusion is the controlling mass transfer step. By varying the cycle time, at long cycle times, the effect of penetration length (a function of dynamic capacity) is indicated. Also, at low cycle time, the effects during pressure changes become more significant.

Using low flow rate improves separation effectiveness if evaluated at equal dynamic capacity. When using low flow rate …

The Effect Of Ultrasonic Vibrations And Catalyst Particle Size On The Decomposition Of Cumene, John F. Pietranski

Theses

The effect of ultrasonic vibrations on the vapor phase decomposition of cumene to benzene and proplyene was investigated using silica-aluminum as the cracking catalyst.

The system consists of a tubular reactor with a 4 inch long catalyst chamber made from 1 cm. diameter stainless steel tubing. The catalyst bed was irradiated from above by means of an ultrasonic horn.

The reactor was run at temperatures of 850 to 950°F., frequencies of 26,000 and 39,000 Hz, with a power innut of 0.30 watts/cm.² . Feed rates of 100 to 300 gms./hr. and catalyst particle sizes of 0.0209 to 0.358 cm. …

Non-Equilibrium Parametric Pumps For Separating Liquids Or Gases, Anil Krishna Rastogi

Theses

An experimental and theoretical study has been done of Non-Equilibrium parametric pumps. Mathematical models and computer programmes are developed for both thermal and heatless parametric pumps based on non-equilibrium conditions and linear isotherms. A mathematical study was done for thermal parametric pumps whereas both experimental and theoretical studies were made for a heatless parametric pump. The effect of different operating conditions has been investigated on the separation of NaCl-H₂O via a thermal parametric pump and He-CO₂ and He-C₃H₆ gas mixtures via a heatless parametric pump.

The experimental study of heatless parametric pumps was extended …

Air Control In A Newark City Subway Station, Robert H. Burch

Theses

During the period from June, 1974 to January, 1976, 103 24-hr samples of the air at the Broad Street station of the Newark City Subway were collected by cascade impactor. The size distributions (based on Stoke's equivalent diameters) of the total suspended particulate matter were determined gravimetrically. Samples were also analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry to obtain information on the concentration of iron, manganese, lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium in each size fraction. The geometric mean particulate level was found to be more than twice the Federal Ambient Air Quality Standard and triple that of ambient Newark air sampled nearby. …

Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium At Low Pressures : Correlation Of Binary And Prediction Of Multicomponent Data, Norman I. Silverman

Theses

The Wilson equation is chosen as typical of the new correlations for activity coefficients gaining wide distribution for use in the correlation and prediction of vapor-liquid equilibria today. Vapor liquid equilibrium data for 247 binary systems have been regressed against each of ten (10) objective functions and values of the Wilson energy parameters obtained. For the typical binary system, a wide variation of the Wilson energy parameters are observed when different objective functions are used with the given set of binary data. These are each examined with respect to their capability to correlate multicomponent vapor-liquid equilibrium data for seventy-three (73) …

Theoretical Thermodynamic Functions For Argon, Peter Yi-Ren Sheh

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Reactivity And Kinetic Comparison Of Large Single New Mexican And South African Subbituminous Coal Particles, Wendall Gerald Stoddart

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

This study focuses on one aspect of coal gasification; that is, devolatilization of large single coal particles. Devolatilization is an important and key economic step in the overall gasification process. From a commercial standpoint for New Mexico, there are two processes in the field of coal gasification of importance: the Lurgi synthetic natural gas process and in-situ gasification. Since both the Lurgi and in-situ processes treat rather large particles of coal, the findings in this study might be used by industry to improve the design and operation of these processes. The work presented is a study and comparison of the …

Energy Conservation In Ammonia Production, Yash P. Gupta, Donald B. Wilson

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The Federal Energy Administration currently is considering energy conservation goals for the industry. This paper presents methods for chemical/petroleum industry to conserve energy. Ammonia Production is used as an example.

The Impact Of Regulation Upon The Oil And Gas Industries, Lee Carter

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

It is paradoxical that the oil and gas industries both ask for and resist the idea of regulation. Historic examples are given of how and why this is so. Since the Arab oil crisis of 1973, new and onerous rules for domestic producers have been introduced, first by improvization and more recently by a national energy plan. Both the good and bad features of the 1977 national energy plan are reviewed to generate words of commendation and words of warning about its effect on the oil and gas industries.