Engineering Commons^™

Short-Term Generation Asset Valuation, Chung-Li Tseng, G. Barz

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present a method for valuing a power plant over a short term period using Monte Carlo simulation. The power plant valuation problem is formulated as a multi stage stochastic problem. We assume there are hourly markets for both electricity and the fuel used by the generator, and their prices follow some Ito processes. At each hour, the power plant operator must decide to run or not to run the unit so as to maximize expected profit. A certain lead time for commitment decision is necessary to start up a unit. The commitment decision, once made, is subject to physical …

Integrated Manufacturing System For Precision Press Tooling, S. Chaturvedi, Venkat Allada

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The press tooling industry, characterized by many small-scale job-shops, is facing an increasingly competitive global market. This comes at a time when there is a shortage of experienced process planners and unavailability of affordable CAD/CAM systems that could provide an integrated solution for manufacturing sheet metal tooling. Many commercially available CAD/CAM systems are either too expensive or too narrow in scope, in the sense that they provide only point solutions. The design of press tools and its manufacturing functions are highly specialized and knowledge-intensive in nature. This paper presents a framework and the implementation details of an integrated system that …

A Biologically Inspired Connectionist Model For Image Feature Extraction In 2d Pattern Recognition, Cihan H. Dagli, Raymond K. Chafin

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new edge detection method is presented which borrows from recent research into primate vision biology, and offers improved noise performance over classical methods. Beginning with spatio-temporal shunting models for retinal cones, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, and retinal ganglions, a set of simplified steady-state solutions are developed which lend themselves to efficient computation on standard computer equipment. The retinal model output is found to be nominally equivalent to the classical edge detector, but is produced differently. A simplified model of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) has been produced. Taking the output of the retinal model, the LGN simple cell and …

Road Rescue Implements A Continuous Process Improvement Framework, John Olson, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Continuous improvement programs traditionally focus on making small incremental improvements to a system. Unfortunately, their success can be limited due to the rapid changing environment within which most small companies operate. Improvement efforts should be flexible enough to capitalize on incremental and radical changes to a system. This paper presents a case analysis of how Road Rescue, an ambulance manufacturer, uses a continuous improvement framework to capitalize on both radical and incremental improvement opportunities. Results include a 10% increase in throughput, reduced cycle time of 44%, increased customer satisfaction, and higher quality.

New Technologies For Thermal Disposal Of Sewage Sludge, T Ogada

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The traditional methods for the disposal of sewage sludge are landfilling, recycling as fertilisers in agricultural lands, dumping into sea and incineration. In thc recent past, Sludge incineration has been rapidly gaining ground duc to environmental constraints facing the Other methods. However, the cost of pollution control during sewage sludge incineration is currently very high due to the expensive flue gas treatment facility required. Futhermore, large quantity Of ash is produced which is highly contaminated with heavy metals and must be disposed off in special landfilling sites in order to avoid ground water pollution. To reduce the cost Of pollution …

A Comparison Of Three Numerical Methods Of Solutions Of Equations Describing Unsteady Gas Flow At Pipe Boundaries In Reciprocating Compressor Systems, M Mkumbwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A number of finite difference schemes are available to study pressure fluctuation effects in unsteady pipe flows. This paper presents a comparison Of the predictions made by three such schemes of unsteadyjlow effects in a number of reciprocating compressor pipe-work systems. The finite difference schemes considered were;- a first order scheme known as the method Of characteristics, two second order schemes which were the Leapfrog method and MacCormacVs method. A reciprocating compressor simulation computer program was coupled with equations describing the cylinder thermodynamic processes with the pipe flow equations for steady non-homentropicflow. The comparison presented takes into account both the …

Experimental Study Of Domestic Charcoal Stoves, Simbo Kimario

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The demand of fuelwood for domestic cooking especially the charcoal fuel is increasing in the urban settlements due to the increase in population of low income class earners who are the main consumers Of this type of fuel. This paper is presenting rhe results Of experiments conducted on the popularly used domestic charcoal stoves in Tanzania. The results revealed some significant differences on stoves performances. The type of insulation materials and some design features incorporated into the combustion chambers of the stoves had positive impacts in relative charcoal fuel saving. About two tons of charcoal fuel could be saved by …

Oxygen Transfer In A Three-Phase Fluidised Bed Bioreactor With Novel Biomass Support When Used In Industrial Wastewater Treatment, S Manyele,

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The effect of support mass and liquid height on the oxygen transfer in the three- phase fluidised bed were experi/nenta/ly investigated. Novel biomass support, rhe KMT*, with density of 850 kg/n/ and an equivalent size, dp 8.3 mm, has been used in this work. The oxygen transfer rate was expressed in terms of rhe volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient, kca. It has been found out that the* a values increased with increasing support mass up to a critical solids load of 4.0 kg, above which the kca decreased and that kca decreased with increasing liquid height. It has been recommended that …

Technical And Economic Comparison Of Performance Between Farmer And Government Managed Irrigation Schemes In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Kapunga Irrigation Project, D Chemka

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper conwares the perforinance Of governnyent ro fanner-managed irrigation schemes at Kapunga Rice Project in Mbeya Region, south-west Tanzania. The results showed that the farmer-managed irrigation scheme (FMIS) performed better than the government-managed irrigation scheme (GMIS) in attaining good performance. Applicable indicators for farmer-managed irrigation scheme are as shown below with those of government-managed scheme indicated in brackets. Its overall irrigation efficiency was 61' percent (29 percent) average productivity was 3.2 ton/liG (2.2 ton/ha); economic profirability: internal rate of return was 3.2 percent (5 percent), benefit/cost ratio of 0.60 (0.14); while its financial profitability: internal rate of return was …

The Significance And Effects Of Oil Injection On The Performance Of Sliding Vane Compressors., M Mkumbwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A computer model of a sliding vane air compressor was used to predict the behaviour of machines having different geometries operating at different conditions. The performance parameters which were calculated by the model were the free air delivery, power input and specific capacity which is defined as the free air delivery per unit of power input.The model also included the study of the effects of Oil injection on these mentioned compressor performance parameters. The paper describes the simulation model developed incorporating an analysis Of the effects of the oil injected into the compressor on lhe thermodynamic processes taking place in …

A Study On Ring Pack Lubrication In Internal Combustion Engine, I Mshoro

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Most efthe lubricating oil from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is lost through piston rings. Hence, in order to optimally reduce ICE oil consumption, a better insight into tribology of the ring pack is required. This can only be achieved by an inwroved characterization of the lubricant behaviour within the opelating environment of the engine. In The present ieork, an optical tcchnique using laser- induced fluorescence was employed to measure oil film thickness within the ring pack. The experiment was conducted on a Phaser 1000 Series engine, whereby optical access to the ring pack was achieved by a fused silica-window positioned …

Acuta Enews December 1998, Vol.27, No. 12

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Increase in PICC Charges Delayed

Looking for Answers in '99

Overheard on the Listserve

411 Newsletter Salary Survey

Beefing Up User Support on Campus

Board Report

DC at a Glance

Positions Available

Welcome New Members

Feature Saliency In Artificial Neural Networks With Application To Modeling Workload, Kelly A. Greene

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation research extends the current knowledge of feature saliency in artificial neural networks (ANN). Feature saliency measures allow for the user to rank order the features based upon the saliency, or relative importance, of the features. Selecting a parsimonious set of salient input features is crucial to the success of any ANN model. In this research, several methodologies were developed using the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) Feature Screening Method and its associated SNR Saliency Measure for selecting a parsimonious set of salient features to classify pilot workload in addition to air traffic controller workload. Candidate features were derived …

How To Develop An Interactive Electronic Technical Manual: An Industry Perspective, Ali N. Karabulut, Hilmi Oz

Theses and Dissertations

Improvements in technology, especially in computer science, in the last two decades have made it possible, and preferable to develop digital technical manuals. A digital manual, which is called an Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM), is a package of information required for the diagnosis and maintenance of a weapon systems, optimally arranged and formatted for interactive screen presentation to the end-user. Being the largest organization in the U.S., the Department of Defense has pioneered in the development of IETM concept as well as in the establishment of its standards. There have been many researches done about different IETM applications and …

Development Of An Operations Research Software Package For Army Divisions, Blane C. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

There exists great potential for applying operations research techniques to solve specific problems in the areas of operations, installation support, and training at the Army division level. Because of the operational tempo of today's active-duty and reserve component units, command must focus on accomplishing the daily missions. Also, due their limited knowledge of the field, planners may not be aware of how operations research can be used to enhance planning and operations. Time, training funds, resources, safety, personnel, and equipment are all critical factors in this process. Operations research techniques could be used to improve division-level operations by saving time, …

Acuta Enews November 1998, Vol.27, No. 11

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Student Paper Competition

University of Oregon Overhauls Two-Way Radio Systems

Overheard on the Listserve

FTC Web Site: Information You Can Use

Board Report

DC at a Glance

Positions Available

Welcome New Members

Screen Printing Process Design Of Experiments For Fine Line Printing Of Thick Film Ceramic Substrates, Jianbiao Pan, Gregory L. Tonkay, Alejandro Quintero

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Screen printing has been the dominant method of thick film deposition because of its low cost. Many experiments in industry have been done and many models of the printing process have been developed since the 1960’s. With a growing need for denser packaging and a drive for higher pin count, screen printing has been refined to yield high resolution prints. However, fine line printing is still considered by industry to be difficult. In order to yield high resolution prints with high first pass yields and manufacturing throughput, the printing process must be controlled stringently.

This paper focuses on investigating the …

A Slip-Line Field For Ploughing During Orthogonal Cutting, Daniel J. Waldorf, Richard E. Devor, Shiv. G. Kapoor

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Under normal machining conditions, the cutting forces are primarily due to the bulk shearing of the workpiece material in a narrow zone called the shear zone. However, under finishing conditions, when the uncut chip thickness is of the order of the cutting edge radius, a ploughing component of the forces becomes significant as compared to the shear forces. Predicting forces under these conditions requires an estimate of ploughing. A slip-line field is developed to model the ploughing components of the cutting force. The field is based on other slip-line fields developed for a rigid wedge sliding on a half-space and …

Productivity Improvement At A High-Tech State-Owned Industry--An Indonesian Case Study Of Employee Motivation, Adik A. Soedarsono, Susan L. Murray, Yildirim Omurtag

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The purpose of this case study was to identify the level of employee motivation at an Indonesian high-tech state-owned company. Comparisons were drawn between labor and management as well as Indonesian and Western industrial environments. The overall results provide insight into employee motivation and the potential for productivity improvement that should prove beneficial to management at state-owned and privately owned companies in Indonesia and the Pacific Rim. The study can also help Westerners appreciate culture differences and productivity challenges in this developing country.

Cracking The Shell To Student Learning: An Innovative Instructional Approach, John R. Olson, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Management and Industrial Engineering courses is motivating students to learn and apply the quantitative and managerial aspects of the material. The aim of our educational methodology is to not only teach and reinforce the core principles of the disciplines, but to have students develop a set of skills that will make them competitive in the classroom and the workforce. Teaching is why a university exists. As a result, the objective of our instructional approach is to attract and retain dedicated students to the fields of Operations Management and Industrial Engineering and to keep those students competitive and in focus with …

Fuzzy Logic Control Of A Model Airplane, Jon C. Ervin, Sema E. Alptekin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Common uses of fuzzy logic control today are found in relatively simple applications in products. These applications only scratch the surface of the potential of fuzzy logic control in complex mechatronic systems. In order to demonstrate the utility of fuzzy logic in complex device control, a fuzzy logic fly-by-wire system has been developed for a model airplane. The model airplane is a complex system of several critical inputs that require rapid processing and action in order to maintain flight stability. In addition, payload and power constraints severely limit the size, weight and processing power of the hardware to be carried …

Acuta Enews October 1998, Vol.27, No. 10

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FCC Approves Two-Way Digital ITFS and MDS Communications

Recognizing Our Best

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Using Simulation To Derive Activity-Based Costing Estimates, Paul Savory, Robert Williams

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

This presentation showcases integrating activity based costing into the development of a SIMAN simulation of a manufacturing system.

A Parametric Programming Technique For Efficient Cnc Machining Operations, Manocher Djassemi

Industrial Technology and Packaging

In this paper the application of parametric programming to CNC machining is discussed. As one of the less frequently utilized features of CNC machines, parametric programming has the potential to increase the efficiency of CNC operations. This feature is particularly beneficial to companies with group technology manufacturing where parts with similar design or operational requirements are processed within a machine cell. Using two case studies, the capabilities of parametric programming for CNC machines are illustrated.

The Role Of Air Cargo In California's Goods Movement, H.-S. Jacob Tsao

Faculty Publications

Caltrans began a systematic investigation into the role of air cargo in California’s goods movement, as part of the larger development effort for a statewide goods movement strategy, and funded a research project in 1997 for the Institute of Transportation Studies at U.C. Berkeley to (i) gain a broader understanding of the State’s air cargo industry and the role of air cargo in California’s goods movement, (ii) assess the importance of air cargo to the State’s economy, (iii) begin identification of issues hindering efficient air cargo movement in the State, and (iv) explore possible State roles for resolving the issues. …

Acuta Enews September 1998, Vol.27, No. 9

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Is xDSL Right for Your Campus?

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An Integer Program Decomposition Approach To Combat Planning, John C. Van Hove

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last two decades, our military forces have been working to incorporate the latest computer technology into the combat planning process. The earliest efforts use word processors, spreadsheets, and databases to organize planning data and to display high level summaries for commanders. Later efforts perform feasibility checks as missions are planned to insure that the necessary resources are available and that the assets requested are capable of meeting the assigned scheduling requirements. Some of the most recent computer planning tools have included the capability to automatically plan individual missions or groups of missions. These automated efforts have been heuristic …

Analysis Of Usaf Medium And Heavylift Space Launch Mission Reliability Requirements, Arthur R. Dawkins

Theses and Dissertations

The launch services that the USAF procures to carry DOD payloads into orbit are characterized by high risks and high costs. If a launch vehicle experiences a catastrophic failure, the cost of the entire launch vehicle, the launch processing, and the payload are completely lost (often in excess of 1,5 billion dollars.) Despite this enormous risk for the payload customer, and indeed the launch provider, launch success rates around the world are not much above 90 percent. The current USAF medium and heavylift launch systems are often based on technology that is 20 years old and older. Furthermore, little historical …

Data Storage Devices For Air Force Space Command: A Comparative Analysis, Darryl E. Mosley

Theses and Dissertations

Two of Air Force Space Command's primary missions are ballistic missile warning and global navigation, accomplished by commanding and controlling Defense Support Program and Global Positioning System satellites respectively. The computerized ground control system, called the satellite command and control system (CCS) used to perform command and control of the satellites currently uses antiquated peripheral storage devices. These storage devices are critical components, but are often prone to failure, possibly resulting in adverse mission impact. The Air Force must choose an alternative storage device for use in conjunction with CCS in order to accommodate planned operations tempo increases. This thesis …

Feasibility Study On The Use Of The Internet For Traffic Of Unclassified Data, Alexandre L. Guerra, Luiz Gustavo F. P. Silva

Theses and Dissertations

This research compares two possible networking methods for connecting all Brazilian Air Force Materiel Command units responsible for support and operation of Brazilian Air Force's weapons systems. The network includes the use of dedicated X.25 links, and the use of a virtual Private Network using the Internet (TCP/IP) as the medium of transmission. The Brazilian Air Force Materiel Command, responsible to support operating units over a very large sparse territory, lacks an efficient media of computer communications, which makes it difficult to control the supply chain channels of materiel present in each unit, depots, and warehouses. We studied the network …