Engineering Commons^™

Occurrence Of Radionuclides And Hazardous Elements In The Transboundary River Basin Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan, Mariya A. Severinenko, Vladimir P. Solodukhin, Bekmamat M. Djenbaev, The National Academy Of Science Of The Kyrgyz Republic G. Lennik, Baktiyar T. Zholboldiev, Daniel D. Snow

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

Important for irrigation, the transboundary river basin between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is vulnerable to geochemical and anthropogenic sources of pollution. The use of water use indices, together with measurements of the elemental and radionuclide composition of the water and bottom sediments, provides a means for evaluating the continued use of the water from this region. Recent monitoring shows the highest concentrations of hazardous contaminants include lead and thorium contained in the bottom and banks of the Kichi-Kemin River. These contaminants are likely remnants of an accidental spill at the Aktyuz tailing dump in 1964. The specific activity of the Th-232 …

Producer Long-Term Marketing Opportunities With Ethanol Plants, Austin Harthoorn, Logan Lloyd, Cory Walters, Kate Brooks

Cornhusker Economics

Commodity marketing operates in a complex decision environment with constant information flow, which can conceal long-run financially profitable marketing opportunities for producers. In the corn marketing space, the competitive role of ethanol plants throughout the state may provide producers with long-run financial gains by strategically approaching marketing decisions. In this article, we characterize whether producers can gain financially from strategically marketing corn to ethanol plants. For example, do ethanol plants provide a better long-run return from pre-harvest hedging, spring sale, or harvest sale?

We investigate three important contracting times--forward contract for harvest delivery (called pre-harvest hereafter), harvest delivery, and spring …

Fabrication Of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Components Using Stereolithography 3d Printing, Hannah Dyer

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Transitioning from fossil fuel supplied energy to renewable technology must meet cost efficient parameters throughout the manufacturing process while possessing the characteristics of a functioning and reliable power source. With a significant demand in renewable energy products, developmental techniques require adaptive approaches and procedures for novel materials in the manufacturing phase. This report proposes how a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a renewable energy system, can employ additive manufacturing for directly 3D printing its components by utilizing stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing techniques. Fabrication of the printed components from the mixtures were first mixed with varying concentrations of ceramic powder and …

Catalytic Water Photolysis For Generating Renewable Hydrogen Fuel, Dr. Niveditha Nanda

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Modern advances have enabled rapid industrialization and urbanization. However, the consequences of global modernization have included significant pollution to the air and water resources. Consequently, many changes to energy use must come to address and mitigate damages to our future. Solar energy derived hydrogen gas is a clean, renewable fuel that does not produce carbon dioxide or other pollutants. My research investigates the use of heterogeneous photocatalysis, by focusing on solar photochemical energy conversion, which is the making of hydrogen from water using sunlight. The production of clean, renewable hydrogen fuel will enable the utilization of low-cost, pollution-free energy resources …

Trace Dna Detection Using Diamond Dye: A Recovery Technique To Yield More Dna, Leah Davis

Master's Theses

This study aspires to find a new screening approach to trace DNA recovery techniques to yield a higher quantity of trace DNA from larger items of evidence. It takes the path of visualizing trace DNA on items of evidence with potential DNA so analysts can swab a more localized area rather than attempting to recover trace DNA through the general swabbing technique currently used for trace DNA recovery. The first and second parts consisted of observing trace DNA interaction with Diamond Dye on porous and non-porous surfaces.

The third part involved applying the Diamond Dye solution by spraying it onto …

Historic Downtown Streetscape Plan Price City, Utah, Patricia Beckert

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The idea of a small-town Main Street has profound meaning within the American culture that has prevailed for the past two centuries. Historically, Main Street serves as the beating heart of a community, a place where economic, social, cultural, and civic activities are centered (Francaviglia, 1996; Main Street America, n.d.). Since the beginning of the 19th century, many factors have led to the decline of Main Streets, and despite a variety of efforts from different stakeholders, that decline has only intensified in recent decades (Isenberg, 2008; Orvell, 2014 Howard, 2015). In 1980, after a three-year project conducted by the National …

Multi-Objective Optimization Framework For Electrified Vehicle Penetration Based On Life Cycle Assessment And Life Cycle Cost., Eva Alondra Diaz Lozano

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research proposed a novel framework for creating optimal transportation scenarios that consider multiple objectives such as minimum greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutant levels, and cost of ownership. The thesis approach is a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm coupled with the AFEET tool, allowing us to efficiently explore the complex trade-offs between these objectives and identify a diverse set of optimal solutions. Through several case studies and a design of experiments, this demonstrates the effectiveness and practicality in different scenarios. This approach has significant implications for policymakers and industry professionals seeking to make sustainable and cost-effective decisions in the transportation sector.

Addressing The Challenged Of Dcop Based Decision-Making Algorithms In Modern Power Systems, Luis Daniel Ramirez Burgueno

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Natural disasters have been determined as the leading cause of power outages, causing not only huge economic losses, but also the interruption of crucial welfare activities and the arise of security concerns. Because of the later, decision-making considering grid modernization, power system economics, and system resiliency has been a crucial theme in power systemsâ?? research. The need to better withstand catastrophic events and reducing the dependency of bulky generating units has propelled the development and better management of behind-the-meter generation or distributed energy resources (DERs). DERs can assist in the grid in different manners, not only by meeting energy demand …

Metastability And Degradation In Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin-Film Solar Cells, Mohsen Jahandardoost

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 or CIGS is a thin-film semiconductor that has shown a device efficiency of 23.35% and 24.2% for single-junction and perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells, respectively. CIGS offers promising properties such as tunable bandgap and ease of processing making them great candidates for thin-film tandem devices. However, knowledge of the effect of material defects, buffer materials, and post-deposition treatment (PDT) on degradation and metastability behavior in these devices is not well understood.In this dissertation, metastability and long-term degradation of CIGS thin-film solar cells have been investigated under combinatorial stress factors of heat, light, and voltage bias to systematically understand the effect …

An Exploration Of The Application Of Desalination In Disaster Relief, Emma Sager

Senior Honors Theses

This paper aims to explore the application of small-scale desalination systems to provide clean water in the wake of marine natural disasters. A lack of clean water is a devastating impact of many natural disasters. Desalination technologies, both thermal and membrane, show potential for being scaled down and self-powered by renewable energy. Desalination can transform ocean water and contaminated drinking water with a high salt content into drinkable, usable water. While these techniques are not perfected, and the solution to a need for clean water is multifaceted, desalination shows potential. Through further research and ever-advancing technology, small-scale desalination could develop …

Rattus Norvegicus As A Biological Detector Of Clandestine Remains And The Use Of Ultrasonic Vocalizations As A Locating Mechanism, Gabrielle M. Johnston

Master's Theses

In investigations, locating missing persons and clandestine remains are imperative. One way that first responder and police agencies can search for the remains is by using cadaver dogs as biological detectors. Cadaver dogs are typically used due to their olfactory sensitivity and ability to detect low concentrations of volatile organic compounds produced by biological remains. Cadaver dogs are typically chosen for their stamina, agility, and olfactory sensitivity. However, what is not taken into account often is the size of the animal and the expense of maintaining and training the animal. Cadaver dogs are typically large breeds that cannot fit in …

Impacts Of Preferential Flow On Tc-99and Np-237 Vadose Transport In Soils At The Savannah River Site, Josh Parris

All Theses

Since the 1950s, the United States has produced approximately 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) (Office of Nuclear Energy, 2022); however, no long-term storage solutions are available. Technecium-99 and neptunium-237, two fission products found in SNF, readily form highly mobile species in oxidizing conditions (Hu, 2008; Bondietti, 1979) and have respective half-lives of 2.13 x 10⁵ and 2.14 x10⁶ years (Hu, 2010). Considering these characteristics, ⁹⁹Tc and ²³⁷Np are two risk-driving isotopes found in SNF storage. The process of macropore-facilitated preferential flow, transport through cracks within a soil matrix, has been recognized to increase …

A One-Dimensional Analysis Of A Microbial Fuel Cell For Efficient Acetate Removal And Power Density Output, David Rouhani

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices that utilize microorganisms to convert organic matter into electrical energy. MFCs have been discussed to have potential application for sustainable wastewater treatment due to their ability to generate electricity while simultaneously treating contaminated water. To optimize MFC performance, numerical models can be used to understand the complex electrochemical and biological processes occurring in the system. In this study, a numerical model was developed to simulate the performance of MFCs under varying operating conditions and to investigate the performance of a MFC for treating wastewater fuel. More specifically, the MFC was modeled to oxidize …

Investigating Haloacetonitrile (Han) Formation Potential From Nitrogenous Antibiotics And Agrochemicals, Kazi Shafayet Haider

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Disinfection can promote safe drinking water. Chlorine and chloramines are the two most used disinfectants. While these disinfectants are effective in inactivating disease-causing pathogens, they also produce hazardous byproducts when they react with organic compounds (precursors). Nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (N-DBPs) are more toxic than their counterparts. The increased use of nitrogen-based agrochemicals and antibitics has led to their detection in different water sources. The presence of secondary amine and aniline in these compounds can act as a source of reactive nitrogen to form N-DBPs. In addition, the increased concentration of bromide in water systems due to anthropogenic activities can enhance …

Numerical Simulation On Development Effect Of Tar-Rich Coal Through In-Situ Conversion By Convective Heating In Huangling Mining Area, Dong Guangshun, Zhu Chaofan, Li Jiazong, Xu Shaotao, Guo Wei

Coal Geology & Exploration

The effective development of tar-rich coal to extract oil is of great practical significance to alleviate the oil and gas tension in China, and the convective heating technology of underground in-situ mining is one of the main technologies for the effective development of tar-rich coal. Herein, the mining effect and energy return rate of the two heating media (high-temperature steam and nitrogen) under different injection pressures were studied by convective heating technology for underground in-situ conversion mining based on the tar-rich coal seam of Yan'an Formation in Huangling Mining Area. The results show that: the heating efficiency of steam injection …

Mechanical Property Evaluation Of Coal Bed And Favorable Area Prediction Of Coalbed Methane (Cbm) Development Based On Well Logging: A Case Study Of No. 3 Coal Bed In Zhengzhuang Block, Southern Qinshui Basin, Qiu Feng, Liu Jinhua, Cai Yidong, Liu Dameng, Sun Fengrui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Accurately grasping the mechanical properties of coal is of great significance to reservoir reconstruction and CBM development. Herein, the prediction model of shear wave time difference in coal reservoir based on multiple logging parameters and the brittleness index evaluation model based on dynamic and static mechanical parameter conversion were established for the research horizon of No.3 coal bed in Zhengzhuang Block. The brittleness index of coal reservoir in the study area was comprehensively evaluated by elastic parameter method. By this way, it is found that the brittleness index of coal bed in single well is obviously affected by “boundary effect” …

Threshold Segmentation Method Of Ct Scanning Data Of Coal And Rock Samples Considering Beam Hardening Effect And Its Application, Wang Kai, Fu Qiang, Xu Chao, Ai Zibo, Wang Lei, Shu Longyong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Beam hardening is a common phenomenon in the application of industrial computerized tomography (ICT). It can cause different grayscale values in components with the same density, which affects the threshold segmentation and later reconstruction of components seriously. Herein, study was conducted on the distribution law of grayscale values under the effect of beam hardening, so as to segment the CT scanning data of coal and rock samples under the beam hardening effect accurately. Through the study, it is found that the change in grayscale value on the grayscale beam could truly reflect the change in component density, which is proved …

Sedimentary Coal-Controlling Effect And Coal-Forming Model Of Paleogene Coal Measures In Paralic Faulted Basin：A Case Study Of Huangxian Basin, Shandong Province, Wu Yue, Wang Dongdong, Wang Hailiang, Liu Haiyan, Li Zengxue, Zheng Xue

Coal Geology & Exploration

There are abundant coal-type oil and gas resources in Chinese sea area, but few researches have been conducted on the coal-type source rock, which seriously restricts the exploration of coal-type oil and gas resources in the sea area. Herein, this study on sedimentary coal-controlling effect and coal-forming model was carried out based on Huangxian Basin that is a paralic faulted basin with same coal-forming period, similar geological conditions and high degree of research for the coal basins in the sea area. Specifically, the pattern, evolution and sedimentary coal-controlling effect of paleogeography during the coal-forming period were reconstructed with full consideration …

Deterioration Characteristics Of Water-Rock Interaction On Combustion Metamorphic Rocks In Northern Shaanxi, Hu Xin, Sun Qiang, Yan Changgen, Zhao Chunhu, Wang Shaofei

Coal Geology & Exploration

There are a lot of combustion metamorphic (CM) rocks formed by high temperature baking of coal fires in the border area of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia in the northeastern margin of Ordos Basin. Compared with the virgin rock, the rock mass subjected to combustion metamorphism is broken in structure, with pores developed, and a large number of dangerous rock masses are formed under the long-term water-rock interaction. Herein, 50 dry-wet cycle experiments were carried out with the CM rocks in Daliuta Area of Shenmu in Shaanxi Province. Meanwhile, the changes in the physical and mechanical properties of CM rocks …

Ecological Natural Restoration And Its Artificial Promotion Mode In Coal Mining Area, Liu Wei, Yin Qinrui, Liu Xianghong

Coal Geology & Exploration

The natural ecological restoration is an important direction of the national ecological restoration policy. Taking limited artificial measures to promote the natural ecological restoration in coal mining areas is in line with the actual engineering requirements under the context of "double carbon" goal and thus has a better prospect in market application. Herein, the research results in terms of natural ecological restoration were sorted out systematically for the three main types of damaged land in the coal mining areas. Meanwhile, the concept connotation of artificial promotion of natural restoration was studied and analyzed. Besides, the governance mode by zone and …

Hydrochemical Characteristics And Source Analysis Of Mine Water In Shallow Coal Seams In Shaanxi And Inner Mongolia Contiguous Area, Wang Yutong, Wang Hao, Wang Tiantian, Xue Jiankun, Shang Hongbo, Zhou Zhenfang

Coal Geology & Exploration

In order to study the hydrochemical characteristics and sources of mine water under the mining of shallow coal seams in the contiguous area of Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi, the hydrochemical characteristics and the formation action of mine water in this area were investigated through the study of hydrochemical characteristics, mathematical statistics, ion ratio coefficient method and the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in combination, by collecting samples of the mine water, groundwater in different aquifers and surface water in the study area. Based on this, the main sources of mine water in the study area were identified. The results show that …

Visco-Elastic Full-Waveform Inversion Based On Multi-Objective Function, Liang Xu, Ma Yue, Liu Chao, Chen Zhen, Jia Dongdong, Li Zhiyong, Pan Wenyong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is one of the core technologies developed in exploration geophysics. Through FWI, the subsurface velocity structures can be constructed and the attenuation parameter (the quality factor Q) model can be inverted, which is helpful to characterize the types and structures of subsurface media (such as the fluid and collapse column in collapse column). This is significant for the exploration and development of natural resources such as coal, oil and gas. Parameter crosstalk is the key difficulty of visco-elastic FWI. Due to the influences of velocity errors, the inverted Q models contain very strong crosstalk noise. To …

Design Of Multi-Channel Continuous Cable Duct For Double-Bit Self-Balancing Drilling System, Zhao Yan, Ai Hongxin, Gao Ke, Zhang Congshan, Lyu Xiaoshu, Xie Xiaobo

Coal Geology & Exploration

The problems, such as low drilling efficiency, large disturbance to the hole wall and long assistance time of tripping caused by the “long arm jurisdiction” drive of the ground drilling rig to the underground drill bit, are faced during the drilling rescue of mine disaster. In order to solve these problems, the bionic self-balancing continuous cable duct drilling technology of double drill bit without drilling rig was proposed, the design of the multi-function continues cable duct is one of the key and challenging aspects of this technology. In terms of the technology, a multi-functional continuous cable duct with built-in channels …

Development Of A Biobased Carbon Adsorbent For Treating Emerging Contaminants In Recycled Water On The International Space Station, Savanna Vacek, Madeline Carroll, Gabson Baguma

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The International Space Station (ISS) operates as a closed system. Water is recycled from humidity and urine and held in a wastewater tank; part of the Water Processing Assembly (WPA). Potable treated water is used indirectly in the Sabatier Reactor.The Sabatier Reactor is a key component in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Three main functions of ECLSS: water recovery, air revitalization, and oxygen generation Sabatier Reactor recently failed due to contamination of DMSO2, dimethyl sulfone, and DMSD, dimethylsilanediol. DMSO2 and DMSD are emerging contaminants that are not removed by the media used in the WPA due to …

A Preliminary Evaluation Method For Coal-Based Graphite, Liu Kang, Ning Shuzheng, Cao Daiyong, Wu Guoqiang, Wang Lu, Lin Zhongyue, Wang Anmin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Coal-based graphite is a type of strategic mineral resource and has unique advantages in the fields such as nuclear graphite and military aircraft tires. The evaluation of coal-based graphite is crucial to its exploration and development, upgrading and storage increase, and strategic resource security. Owing to the continuous transition between coal-based graphite and highly metamorphosed coals, some coal-based graphite tends to be wrongly treated as blind coal, and, accordingly, the identified resources of existing coal-based graphite may have been greatly underestimated. In fact, the resources of coal-based graphite are directly related to those of high-rank coals. Therefore, it is significant …

Study On Methane Adsorption/Desorption And Flow Law In The Nanopores Of Coal Based On Lammps, Shi Yu, Liu Yang, Xue Junhua, Li Shugang, Zhang Chao

Coal Geology & Exploration

In this work, the influence rules of driving force, pore size, temperature and pressure on methane adsorption/desorption and flow in coal nanopores were investigated by the molecular dynamic method based on Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS). The investigation results show that the viscosity of methane gradually decreases with the increasing driving force, while its fluidity and flow velocity increase. Meanwhile, the absolute slip length decreases and the flow tends to the non-slip state. Generally, the adsorption density of methane is independent of the driving force, but greatly affected by the gas-solid action. Methane can be adsorbed on the pore …

Application Of Ecological Geological Layer Theory In Coal Seam Protection And Ecological Restoration—An Example Of Ecological Management Practice In Plateau Alpine Mining Areas, Wang Qingwei, Xing Xiafan, Zou Mingjun, Guo Biao, Zhao Xin, Wang Tong

Coal Geology & Exploration

The ecological management of alpine permafrost area in plateau is a global problem, with few precedents for coal resource protection while ecological management. In this paper, the following results achieved in the ecological management in Muli area of Qinghai Province were understood in accordance with the idea of systematic engineering for the purpose of ecological environmental protection, with consideration to the protection of residual coal resources. Specifically, study was conducted on the ecological vulnerability of Muli mining area to damage and the difficulty of restoration under the control of natural climatic characteristics. Meanwhile, the characteristics of soil erosion and vegetation …

Processing Of Coal Mine Csamt Data With Wide Field Electromagnetic Method, Zhu Yunqi, Li Diquan, Liu Zuiliang, Zhang Xin

Coal Geology & Exploration

A CSAMT detection test was carried out for a coal mine with V8 multi-functional electrical instrument. Due to the serious electromagnetic interference within the area, the Cagniard apparent resistivity was low in quality. In order to improve the quality and utilization rate of data, authors attempted to process the CSAMT data collected by V8 with the wide field electromagnetic method, which used single-component method and ratio method (Electric field divided by magnetic field) to calculate apparent resistivity. The results showed that there was some deviation between the single-component wide field apparent resistivity and the actual terrestrial electricity because the emission …

Experimental Study On Heat Transfer Performance Of Double U-Shaped Buried Tube Heat Exchanger, Li Lei, Zhang Weidong, Xu Shuanhai, Zhao Yongzhe, Dang Dongsheng, Wang Qilong, Gou Li, Lei Yanzi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Double U-shaped buried tube heat exchanger (DUBTHE) are prone to pipe crossing and thermal short-circuiting in the practical applications, resulting in the reduced heat transfer performance and directly affecting the operational efficiency of shallow geothermal heat pump system. Based on the initial line thermal average temperature, thermal conductivity theory and slope method, and taking a shallow geothermal heat pump project in Xi'an as the engineering background. Then, this study investigate the effects of initial average temperature, thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of rock-soil, and tube clamp spacing on the heat transfer performance of DUBTHE through field geotechnical thermal response …

Quality Assessment Of Resistivity Monitoring Data Of Coal Mines, Cui Weixiong, Yuan Bo

Coal Geology & Exploration

Resistivity monitoring of coal mines is an important technical means of preventing water hazards on the roof and floor of a mining face. However, it is difficult to guarantee high-quality resistivity data monitored and collected due to the complex and extremely strong electromagnetic interference in the monitoring environment, as well as the limitations of the maximum emission current for the purpose of safe coal mining. To select and utilize highly reliable data from the massive data monitored daily, this study compared and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used methods for quality assessment of data obtained using the DC …