Engineering Commons^™

Halonitromethane Treatment Using Advanced Oxidation Process: Rates, Mechanisms And Kinetic Modeling, Stuart Kirkham Cole

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Halonitromethanes (HNMs) are low molecular weight halogenated disinfection-by-products (DBPs) found to be formed during ozonation, chlorination, or chloramination of waters containing natural bromide ion and nitrogenous organic matter. This work identifies the absolute rate constants for the oxidative hydroxyl radical (•OH) and reductive hydrated electron e^- _aq extinction of HNM compounds. Three forms of HNMs included in this study are the chlorinated, brominated, and mixed halogenated compounds. Electron pulse radiolysis and transient absorption spectroscopy were used to measure •OH and e^- _aq radical absolute reaction rate constants for a total of nine HNMs. To elucidate the decomposition reaction …

Effects Of Reduced Ras And Volume On Anaerobic Zone Performance For A Septic Wastewater Biological Phosphorous Removal System, Daniel Magro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR) performance was found to be adequate with reduced Return Activated Sludge (RAS) flows (50% of available RAS) to the anaerobic tank and smaller than typical anaerobic zone volume (1.08 hours hydraulic retention time or HRT). Three identical parallel biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plants were fed with strong, highly fermented (160 mg/L VFAs), domestic/industrial wastewater from a full scale wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The pilot plants were operated at 100%, 50%, 40% and 25% RAS (percent of available RAS) flows to the anaerobic tank with the remaining RAS to the anoxic tank. In addition, varying …

The Effect Of Free Chlorine And Chloramines On Lead Release In A Distribution System, Ferdinand Vasquez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Total lead release in drinking water in the presence of free chlorine and chloramine residuals was investigated in field, laboratory and fundamental investigations for finished waters produced from ground (GW), surface (SW), saline (RO) and blended (B) sources. Field investigations found more total lead was released in the presence of chloramines than in the presence of free chlorine for RO and blended finished waters; however, there were no statistical differences in total lead release to finished GW and SW. Laboratory measurements of finished waters oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) were equivalent by source and were not affected by the addition of more …

Numerical Modeling Of Dissimilatory Iron Reduction In Sediments At A Field Site, Chun-Wen Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study is to identify the 'universal' rate formulations with scaled-dependent parameters for the biological reduction of hematite. Three possible rate formulations were proposed to describe the bioreduction rate of hematite, and two kinds of simulation were conducted to validate the formulations and parameters with both batch and column experimental data: a reaction-based biogeochemical (batch) modeling with BIOGEOCHEM 1.0 and a reactive biogeochemical transport (column) modeling via HYDROGEOCHEM 4.0. Based on the results of simulations, only the dual Monod kinetic with inhibition rate formulation with respect to the concentrations of lactate, ßFeOOH, and Fe2+ under certain …

Mechanisms Of Nanofilter Fouling And Treatment Alternatives For Surface Water Supplies, Charles Robert Reiss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the role of individual fouling mechanisms on productivity decline and solute mass transport in nanofiltration (NF) of surface waters. Fouling mechanisms as well as solute mass transport mechanisms and capabilities must be understood if NF of surface waters is to be successful. Nanofiltration of surface waters was evaluated at pilot-scale in conjunction with advanced pretreatment processes selected for minimization of nanofilter fouling, which constituted several integrated membrane systems (IMSs). Membrane fouling mechanisms of concern were precipitation, adsorption, particle plugging, and attached biological growth. Fouling was addressed by addition of acid and antiscalent for control of precipitation, addition …

Evaluation Of Toxic Cyanobacteria In Central Florida Stormwater Ponds, Robert Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Algal blooms are a common occurrence in water bodies of all shapes and sizes throughout the United States and countries around the world. The State of Florida is no exception to this phenomenon. Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, have proven to be of special concern due to its proliferation and potential to produce toxins that are harmful to humans, livestock and wildlife. A casual drive along the roads and in the neighborhoods of central Florida will confirm algal conditions in many areas. The potential for exposure to harmful and possibly fatal toxins associated with these algal blooms are becoming more evident …

Evaluation Of Methods For Estimating Daily Reference Crop Evapotranspiration At A Site In The Humid Southeast United States, R. E. Yoder, Lameck O. Odhiambo, Wesley C. Wright

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Estimated daily reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o) is normally used to determine the water requirement of crops using the crop factor method. Many ET_o estimation methods have been developed for different types of climatic data, and the accuracy of these methods varies with climatic conditions. In this study, pair−wise comparisons were made between daily ET_o estimated from eight different ET_o equations and ET_o measured by lysimeter to provide information helpful in selecting an appropriate ET_o equation for the Cumberland Plateau located in the humid Southeast United States. Based on the standard error of the …

Remote Estimation Of Canopy Chlorophyll Content In Crops, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Andrés Viña, Veronica Ciganda, Donald Rundquist, Timothy J. Arkebauer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Accurate estimation of spatially distributed chlorophyll content (Chl) in crops is of great importance for regional and global studies of carbon balance and responses to fertilizer (e.g., nitrogen) application. In this paper a recently developed conceptual model was applied for remotely estimating Chl in maize and soybean canopies. We tuned the spectral regions to be included in the model, according to the optical characteristics of the crops studied, and showed that the developed technique allowed accurate estimation of total Chl in both crops, explaining more than 92% of Chl variation. This new technique shows great potential for remotely tracking the …

Modeling Sediment Trapping In A Vegetative Filter Accounting For Converging Overland Flow, M. J. Helmers, D. E. Eisenhauer, Thomas G. Franti, Michael G. Dosskey

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Vegetative filters (VF) are used to remove sediment and other pollutants from overland flow. When modeling the hydrology of VF, it is often assumed that overland flow is planar, but our research indicates that it can be two-dimensional with converging and diverging pathways. Our hypothesis is that flow convergence will negatively influence the sediment trapping capability of VF. The objectives were to develop a two-dimensional modeling approach for estimating sediment trapping in VF and to investigate the impact of converging overland flow on sediment trapping by VF. In this study, the performance of a VF that has field-scale flow path …

Detecting Anomalous Inclusions In Soil Profiles: Encouraging The Use Of Geophysics To Solve Engineering Problems, Barbara Luke, Carlos Calderon-Macias

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Geotechnical site investigations often do not take full advantage of geophysical methods. As examples, when delineating cemented strata and when detecting shallow cavities, investigations can be enhanced greatly for low additional cost by incorporating seismic surface-based measurements.

Sustainable Water Supply In Ireland, Liam Mccarton, Sean O'Hogain

Reports

Sustainable water technology is concerned with the complete range of technologies, techniques, products and processes that will enable humankind to reduce the impact of water production and water consumption on the environment and to establish a more sustainable mode of development. The concept of sustainable development has gained wide usage over the past 15 years in an attempt to balance development needs and environmental protection. The Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future (1987) identified sustainable development as a global objective, which involved economic, social and environmental values. It defined sustainable development as ‘ …

Modeling Contaminant Transport And Fate And Subsequent Impacts On Ecosystems, Ming Fan

Dissertations

Assessing risks associated with the release of metals into the environment and managing remedial activities requires simulation tools that depict speciation and risk with accurate mechanistic models and well-defined transport parameters. Such tools need to address the following processes: (1) aqueous speciation, (2) distribution mechanisms, (3) transport, and (4) ecological risk. The primary objective of this research is to develop a simulation tool that accounts for these processes. Speciation in the aqueous phase can be assessed with geochemical equilibrium models, such as MINEQL+. Furthermore, metal distribution can be addressed mechanistically. Studies with Pb sorption to amorphous aluminum (HAG), iron (HFO), …

Day 3: Friday, August 6, 2004: Cbm And Unconventional Gas Development, Gary Bryner, Ken Wonstolen

Energy Field Tour 2004 (August 4-6)

19 pages (includes illustrations and maps).

Day 3: Friday, August 6, 2004: Air Quality And Energy Resources, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Energy Field Tour 2004 (August 4-6)

2 pages (includes illustration).

Day 2: Thursday, August 5, 2004: Valmont Power Plant, Valmont Power Plant

Energy Field Tour 2004 (August 4-6)

5 pages (includes illustrations).

Agenda: Energy Field Tour 2004, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Energy Field Tour 2004 (August 4-6)

Tour (day trips along the Front Range, originating in Boulder) held August 4-6, 2004.

Summary: Assorted articles, maps, brochures, and other materials prepared for participants of the tour

Contents:

2004 energy field tour agenda -- Mission and vision of the Natural Resources Law Center -- Natural Resources Law Center, University of Colorado School of Law : a brief introduction -- Boulder area street map 4 -- Chatauqua area map -- [Bus] Route 203/225 : Boulder/Lafayette/Baseline -- Boulder-Lafayette via Baseline [bus schedules]

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2004: OIL & GAS PRODUCTION FACILITIES AND PLATTEVILLE GAS PROCESSING FACILITY: 'Our next shortage', The Washington …

Day 1: Wednesday, August 4, 2004: Ponnequin Wind Farm, Western Resource Advocates

Energy Field Tour 2004 (August 4-6)

2 pages (includes illustration).

Day 1: Wednesday, August 4, 2004: Calpine Rocky Mountain Energy Center, Calpine Rocky Mountain Energy Center

Energy Field Tour 2004 (August 4-6)

5 pages (includes illustrations).

A Nebraska Odor Footprint Tool For Planning Pork Facilities, Richard Koelsch

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Pork producers and rural communities are struggling to balance air quality issues (primarily odors) with the presence and growth of the industry. Currently the type of pork facility, odor control measures, prevailing wind direction, atmospheric conditions, and a community's tolerance to some degree of odor are largely ignored in the planning process because scientific tools that incorporate this information are lacking. Without such tools, decisions on setback distances and acceptable type and size of facilities are influenced by a range of arguments, often emotional in nature. In addition, pork producers lack tools to assist in evaluating impact on a rural …

Performance Of Constraint-Handling Techniques Applied To A Genetic Algorithm-Based Watershed Management Model, Kwisun Park Yu

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Wet detention ponds are a commonly used structural best management practice to reduce nonpoint source pollutant loading into receiving water bodies. Design of these ponds is typically carried out individually to meet a target total suspended solids (TSS) removal level. An improvement to this approach is to generate cost-effective pond configurations that meet system-wide targets for removal of pollutant loadings, corresponding to a specific build-out land use plan. The cost-effectiveness can be further improved through appropriate land use allocation planning conducted simultaneously with the design of detention ponds. Harrell and Ranjithan (2003) presented an evolutionary algorithm- (EA-) based modeling approach …

A Recommendation For An Enhanced Fujita Scale (Ef-Scale)

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Background

National Weather Service (NWS) personnel who are responsible for rating tornadoes have expressed frustrations in applying the Fujita Scale in a consistent and accurate manner. Weak links in a structural system or a slow-moving storm sometimes lead to an overrating of a tornado event. Several technical articles suggest that wind speeds associated with some descriptions of damage are too high. For example, a 260 mph wind speed is not required to completely destroy a well constructed house and blow away the debris. The damage occurs at significantly lower wind speeds. Minor et al. (1977) and Phan and Simiu (2003) …

Performance Of Self-Compacting Concrete, Mohamed Samir Rushdy

Archived Theses and Dissertations

Concrete compaction is one of the indispensable fundamentals of concrete manufacturing. However, thorough compaction cannot always be insured. This can be wholly or partially encountered in congested sections, out-of reach deep foundations and narrow or irregular precast components. On the other hand, typical vibrators were considered as contributor to health hazards to workers. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is an emerging concrete where the cohesive yet flowable consistency of the concrete itself secures adequate placement with high level of homogeneity and little or no segregation. Such concrete is primarily achieved by incorporating admixtures that is referred to as viscosity modifying (VM) admixtures …

Zone Heating For Wean-To-Finish Facilities: A Performance Comparison, Rick R. Stowell

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Farm research trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to assess the effects of the type of zone heater and floor mat used in a wean-to-finish building on the thermal environment created for newly weaned pigs and resulting pig performance. Modulated LP gas-fired brooder heaters were compared to electric heat lamps, and floor mats made from farm-cut wood sheathing (3/8” oriented-strand board, OSB) were compared to commercial [unheated] rubber mats in a replicated 2x2 factorial experiment. No consistent differences in air temperature near the heating zone were found between either of the treatments, with treatment means within 1^oF …

Source Identification Of Ammonia Inputs To The Wastewater Treatment Holding Pond At International Paper Franklin Mill, Melissa Riddick Wolford

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

While nitrogen is an essential nutrient in aquatic systems, elevated levels of nitrogen can be fatal to many aquatic organisms including fish and other organisms that are in the river. Elevated levels of ammonia have been recently (2001-2002) detected in the water released from a wastewater treatment system holding pond at International Paper Franklin, Virginia and are a concern for the receiving system. The elevated ammonia concentrations observed in previous years were not observed in 2003, due likely to increased precipitation and the occurrence of a major hurricane (Hurricane Isabel) during the sampling period that may have influenced the observations. …

Extension Of A Cross-Shore Beach Profile Model For Coarse Materials And Steep Slopes, Kentaro Hayashi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In the present SBEACH model, the effective grain size can range from 0.13 to 1.0 mm. The grain size greatly influences three main processes of the model: fall velocity, sediment transport direction, and sediment transport rate. First, the theory of the fall velocity, which is called Hallermeier's formula in the SPM (1984), is replaced by the new theory in the CEM (2002). Second, the sediment transport direction is changed by two criteria. One was developed by Sunamura and Horikawa (1974). This theory includes the beach slope. The other was derived by Ahrens and Hands (2000). The effective grain size range …

Characterization Of Microbial Processes That Degrade Chlorinated Solvents In A Constructed Wetland Using Organic Acid And Inorganic Anion Concentration Profiles, Chad B. Bondurant

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorinated solvents have been used in industrial cleaning and degreasing processes in the United States since the early 1900s, and their induction into the environment increased significantly with the growth of industrial processes over the past century. PCE, TCE and their daughter products have been associated with a number of human health concerns and are currently the most common contaminants found in groundwater in the United States. Wetlands possess characteristics necessary for the complete degradation of chlorinated ethenes by microorganisms via anaerobic and aerobic regions that foster the necessary oxidation-reduction conditions. Organic acid and inorganic anion concentrations were evaluated in …

Application Of Horizontal Flow Treatment Wells For In Situ Treatment Of Mtbe-Contaminated Groundwater, Preston F. Rufe

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a three-dimensional numerical model to evaluate the potential application of HFTWs to manage MTBE-contaminated groundwater. HFTWs consist of two dual-screened treatment wells. One well operates in an upflow mode, with MTBE-contaminated water extracted from an aquifer through a screen in the deep portion of an aquifer and injected into the aquifer through a shallow well screen, while the adjacent well operates in a downflow mode, extracting water from the shallow zone of the aquifer and injecting it into the deep zone. As the MTBE-contaminated water flows through the wells, an electron acceptor and/or another electron donor is …

Modeling A Field Application Of In Situ Bioremediation Of Perchlorate-Contaminated Groundwater Using Horizontal Flow Treatment Wells (Hftws), Peter G. Chosa

Theses and Dissertations

Perchlorate contaminated groundwater is rapidly becoming a significant environmental remediation issue for the Department of Defense. In this study, an existing numerical model that simulates the operation of a Horizontal Flow Treatment Well (HFTW) system to effect the in situ biodegradation of perchlorate through the addition of an electron donor is modified to include a submodel that describes bioclogging. Bioclogging restricts flow out of the HFTW due to the accumulation of biomass directly adjacent to the well. The modified model is then applied to an existing perchlorate contaminated site that will be used for an evaluation of the HFTW technology. …

Making The Business Case For Sustainable Design In The Department Of Defense, David M. Warnke

Theses and Dissertations

Buildings are one of the largest consumers of natural resources, a major source of ecological pollution, and occasionally toxic to human health. Sustainable design is the common term associated with buildings which, during their construction, use, and eventual disposal, seek to minimize their negative impact on the environment and human health. The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system helps to assess a building's sustainability level. In the Federal Government's push to set the example for the rest of the nation, nearly every Federal Agency has chosen to adopt the LEED assessment tool. Each …

Recycled Concrete Properties And Feasibility, Mourad Nabil Shenouda

Archived Theses and Dissertations

As conventional good quality aggregates are becoming scarce in some zones in Egypt and many areas worldwide, and as environmental concerns are raised on dumping old and fresh concrete in landfills, recycled concrete has been receiving increased interest worldwide for its potential environmental, economic and technical merits. In fact, many countries have adopted such concrete in their codes and the majority of their old concrete is being recycled. An attempt is being made to trigger factors and means that enhance the economic feasibility of recycled concrete. The overall goal of this work is to pinpoint strength and deficiencies in this …