Engineering Commons^™

Utilization Of Electronic Spreadsheets For Laboratory Data Analysis, C. F. Maguire Iii, William W. Durgin

Office of the Provost Scholarship

The utilization of business spreadsheets for laboratory data manipulation is discussed. The spreadsheet, LOTUS 1-2-3, is presently being utilized to store and analyze data obtained from a deep cavity resonator type apparatus. Methodology for the analysis, from non dimensionalization of parameters, to relevant plotting of data pairs, is presented. All discussions are based upon current theory, and laboratory observations of flow induced resonance in deep cavities.

New Specimen Design For Studying The Growth Of Small Fatigue Cracks With Surface Acoustic Waves, Blair London

Materials Engineering

The study of small surface fatigue cracks in AISI 4140 quenched and tempered steel by a nondestructive surface acoustic wave technique is summarized. A novel cantilevered bending, plate-type fatigue specimen is described that is compatible with the acoustic method. Small cracks are initiated from a 25-μm deep surface pit produced by an electrospark machine. The importance of studying these

Method And Apparatus For Generating Electrical Energy From A Heated Gas Containing Carbon Particles, Samuel A. Vigil, Rick B. Spielman

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Carbon particles entrained in the gas flow into a magnetohydrodynamic generator are electrostatically charged from a source of high voltage and then function as charge carriers in the MHD process. Lower flow temperatures may be used and seeding with alkali metal salts is unnecessary as the MHD process becomes independent of thermal ionization of constituents of the gas flow.

Noninvasive Detection Of Arterial Occlusive Disease: A Theoretical And Model Study, Lauren I. Stratouly, William W. Durgin, Frederick A. Anderson Jr., H. Brownell Wheeler

Office of the Provost Scholarship

To develop a noninvasive method of detecting arterial occlusive disease, pulse waveforms were recorded at two locations on the lower extremities of young normal volunteers and patients with arteriographically confirmed arterial occlusive disease. Pulses were monitored using impedance plethysmography at the knee· and the iliac regions. The frequency spectra of the abnormal iliac waveforms contained 4-5 harmonics as compared to the 2-3 harmonics present in normals'. It was hypothesized that the occurrence of high frequencies resulted from pulse wave interactions with diseased portions of the vessel. This paper will present the results of a theoretical and experimental model developed to …

Solid Waste Resource Recovery Alternatives, U.S. Facility, Subic Bay, Philippines, Samuel A. Vigil, R. M. Roberts, Donald E. Brunner

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The U.S. Navy Public Works Center, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines (PWC Subic Bay) is responsible for the collection and disposal of almost 300,000 yd³ of solid waste annually. A portion of this solid waste is manually sorted and recycled, resulting in gross revenues of over $200,000 in FY82. The present manual sorting and recycling system is considered by PWC Subic Bay to be inadequate in terms of sanitation, safety, and recyclable materials recovery. Therefore , PWC Subic Bay requested that the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory (NCEL) study the system and recommend improvements.

Evaluation Of Micro Irrigation Systems, Charles M. Burt, Robert E. Walker, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Applications Of Optical Emission Spectroscopy To Semiconductor Processing, Richard N. Savage, John G. Shabushnig, Paul R. Demko

Materials Engineering

Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) has proven to be a valuable tool in the developmrent and production of state-of-the-art semiconductor devices. Application to the plasma etching of a variety of materials necessary for integrated circuit fabrication is discussed, with particular emphasis placed on etch endpoint analysis. The utility of OES techniques in monitoring photolithographic processes is also presented.

A Light Transmission Model For Biological Materials, R. A. Cavaletto, Shrinivasa Upadhyaya, Michael O'Brien

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper describes a model to predict light transmission in biological materials. The model can be used for any shaped sample. Scattering and absorption coefficients are used in the model and may be varied throughout the sample, thus allowing both uniformly distributed and concentrated defects to be modelled.

Guarding Of Table Saws With Light Beams: The Light Guard Concept, R. A. Cavaletto, M. S. Kaminaka, C. M. Zahner

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper describes a unique type of psychological safety guard for hazardous tools such as table saws, presses. and other tools with areas and components which are dangerous to human fingers, hands, and limbs. It is not a piece of hardware but rather a shalt of light which defines a danger zone around the saw blade or cutting area.

Method For Stemming Tomatoes, Henry F. Studer, R. A. Cavaletto, Gene Giacomelli

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Method and apparatus for de-stemming picked tomatoes. Each tomato is introduced into the upper end of a generally vertically disposed, open-ended, resilient, open-mesh fabric tube, a substantial portion of which approximates but is larger than the diameter of the tomato. The stem penetrates into and through the open mesh at some point, the open areas being somewhat larger than the stem, while the tomato continues to fall, thereby exerting a bending moment on the stem that snaps the stem from the fruit. The tomato, free from its stem, is discharged from a lower end of the tube.

Low Technology Recycling And Rdf System At The U.S. Facility, Subic Bay, Philippines, Samuel A. Vigil, Donald E. Brunner

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The U.S. Facility Subic Bay is located about 50 miles east of Manila, on the East China Sea. The Facility consists of seven major Naval installations. The Facility is essentially a large commercial/industrial complex. The Public Works Center (PWC) Subic Bay is the public works agency responsible for the collection and disposal of the solid waste produced by the facility. A portion of the solid waste is manually sorted and recycled. Although the present manual sorting and recycling system is effective, PWC Subic Bay feels that it can be improved. Therefore , the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory (NCEL) was requested …

Performance And Economic Feasibility Of A Sludge/Wastepaper Gasifier System, N. W. Sorbo, George Tchobanoglous, John R. Goss, Samuel A. Vigil

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Thermal gasification of densified sludge/wastepaper fuels has been shown to be technically feasible for the co-disposal of sludge and source-separated wastepaper. The performance and economic feasibility of a downdraft packed-bed gasifier system fueled with densified sludge/wastepaper and wastepaper fuels has been evaluated.

To assess the performance of the gasifier, a series of gasifier runs were conducted at various air input rates with the use of various densified fuels. In eight of the runs, a densified fuel consisting of 20 percent lagoon-dried sludge and 80 percent recycled wastepaper was used; in five runs, densified wastepaper cubes were used. Gaseous and particulate …

A Basic Computer Program For The Gaussian Equation For A Point Source, Harold M. Cota

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Many readers now are using microcomputers in their work. The advantages of these inexpensive and powerful tools are being recognized by both industry and universities. Microcomputers can be used in lengthy calculations, simulations, data collection and handling, and word processing. Programming these computers can be done in numerous languages such as Basic, Fortran and Pascal. It is often possible to find commercial programs or software available to handle a given application. There are a growing number of programs published which are now in the public domain. Only a limited number of programs dealing with air pollution problems are available ready …

Modeling Of Purge Valve Closure, William W. Durgin, Benito Zannini

Office of the Provost Scholarship

In some nuclear reactor containment isolation applications, butterfly valves with pneumatic actuators are used to close pipelines in the event of containment pressure transients resulting from postulated accidents. A model is developed which predicts the closure time history of such valve/actuator systems under prescribed transients. Examples are presented which show the importance of the valve and actuator characteristics. It was found that actuation delays of sufficient magnitude could allow the dynamic torque to exceed the available actuator torque, thus preventing valve closure.

Augmentation Of Free Surface Heat And Mass Transfer Due To Electrostatic Fields, Alan F. Smelewicz, Mark P. Majcher, James B. Nystrom, William W. Durgin

Office of the Provost Scholarship

Experiments were conducted to measure heat transfer rates and mass transfer rates from a water surface in the presence of electrostatic fields of various strengths generated between the water surface and a wire grid above the surface.

Heat transfer rates were determined by the temperature decay after heating the test and control basins. Mass transfer rates were determined by measuring the water loss while holding the basins at fixed temperatures.

It was found that very little increase in transfer coefficients took place for voltages below an onset voltage which depended on atmospheric conditions and test geometry. The heat transfer coefficient …

An Update On College And University Programs In Air Pollution Control, Harold M. Cota

Civil and Environmental Engineering

A survey of academic programs in air pollution control was made. Results from the 127 schools reporting are tabulated by state. Faculty involved in air pollution instruction are identified. Some conclusions and recommendations are presented.

Gasification Of Densified Sludge And Wastepaper In A Downdraft Packed-Bed Gasifier, George Tchobanoglous, Nelson W. Sorbo, Samuel A. Vigil

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The co-disposal of densified sludge and wastepaper in a co-current flow packed bed gasifier represents new application of the thermal gasification process. Advantages of this technology include lower costs than other incineration or pyrolysis technologies, simple construction and operation, and the ability to use a variety of fuels including agricultural wastes and other biomass materials in addition to densified sludge and wastepaper.

Thermal Gasification Of Densified Sewage Sludge And Solid Waste, Samuel A. Vigil, George Tchobanoglous

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Disposing of sewage sludge in an economical and environmentally acceptable manner is a problem for all communities that have wastewater treatment plants , Similarly , many communities are having to dispose of increasing quantities of solid waste. These problems could be solved by co-disposal of sludge and solid waste in a common facility. This study, a condensation of the original report, presents results of an experimental program on the feasibility of gasifying densified sludge and source-separated solid waste.

Speciation Of Cr (Iii) And Cr (Vi) Via Reversed Phase Hplc With Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopic Detection (Hplc-Icp)24, Richard N. Savage, I. S. Krull, D. Bushee, R. G. Schleicher, S. B. Smith, Jr.

Materials Engineering

Chromium ions, viz., chromic (Cr⁺³ = III) and chromate (Cr⁺⁶ = VI), can be reliably, conveniently, reproducibly, and quickly separated and detected by the use of conventional paired-ion, reversed phase (RP) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) together with refractive index (RI) and/or inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopic (ICP) detection. A number of novel paired-ion approaches have now been developed, using PIC A (tetrabutylammonium hydroxide) or PIC B (sodium n-alkyl sulfonate) separately in the mobile phase. This allows for the retention of each Cr species depending on the particular ion pairing reagent being used, while the remaining Cr ion …

The Use Of Appropriate Technologies For Biomass Waste Conversion In Small Communities, Samuel A. Vigil, Douglas W. Williams, Robert E. Spitzka, Hilary M. Theisen

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This paper will describe several simple, appropriate technologies for biomass waste conversion which can be applied in rural or small community settings. Technologies to be discussed include ethanol production from cannery wastes with a mobile fermentor/still, production of low-energy fuel gas from agricultural and municipal wastes. Each of the technologies will be briefly discussed below.

The Design, Construction, And Evaluation Of A Thermosiphon Solar Water Heater, James R. Coughlin, Mark R. Bender

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this senior project was to design, construct and evaluate a thermosiphon solar water heater. The project was to be used as a department demonstration of a passive solar water heating system. Overall maximum dimensions of the system needed to be maintained to insure the system's transportability through doors and corridors.

Final Project Report: Development Of A Hydrogen Fueled Transit Vehicle, C. A. Maccarley

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Metal Cation/Anion Speciation Via Paired-Ion, Reversed Phase Hplc With Refractive Index And/Or Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopic Detection Methods, Richard N. Savage, D. Bushee, I. S. Krull, S. B. Smith, Jr.

Materials Engineering

Conventional high performance liquid chromatography instrumentation and packing materials can be inexpensively and rapidly utilized for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of various metal cations or anions. The final approaches utilize reversed phase HPLC in the form of paired-ion separations. The detection of individually eluted, fully resolved metal cations or anions is possible via conventional refractive index or inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopic detection. In many cases, unresolved mixtures of metal cations, eluted as a single peak on HPLC, can be resolved and identified via the use of ICP detection. Both metal cations and anions can be easily resolved, according …

Development And Characterization Of A 9-Mm Inductively-Coupled Argon Plasma Source For Atomic Emission Spectrometry, A. D. Weiss, Richard N. Savage, G. M. Hieftje

Materials Engineering

A new 9-mm (i.d.) inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described which supports a stable, analytically useful plasma at less than 500 W of r.f. power and 7 l min^-1 total argon gas flow. Detection limits, working curves and other analytical characteristics of the new device are compared with those of both a miniature (13-mm i.d.) and conventional (19-mm i.d.) ICP. Although temperatures of the new plasma are somewhat lower than those in the larger plasmas, the new system offers promise for future, miniaturized ICP instruments.

Characteristics Of The Background Emission Spectrum From A Miniature Inductively-Coupled Plasma, Richard N. Savage, G. M. Hieftje

Materials Engineering

The spectral characteristics of the background radiation emitted by a miniature inductively-coupled plasma (i.c.p.) are carefully examined and methods for reducing undesirable features discussed. The complex nature of the background emission spectrum for the mini-i.c.p. indicates that careful line selection criteria and background correction procedures should be employed. Extending the torch coolant tube to the bottom of the region being observed in the plasma proved to be the most effective method for reducing undesirable spectral band features. Acute changes in background emission levels with r.f. power and nebulizer gas flow rates emphasize the need for careful control of these parameters …

The Performance Of Crossed-Vane Swirl Meters, H. L. Lee, William W. Durgin

Office of the Provost Scholarship

Vortimeters consisting of vanes rotating about pipe axes are frequently used to indicate the swirl present in pump columns and feedlines from sumps and in piping networks. Since the design of such devices varies widely, the study described herein was undertaken to identify salient design parameters and to evaluate a device designed according to information available in the literature.

An apparatus which could produce known amounts of angular momentum in a pipeline was verified by direct measurement of axial and tangential velocity profiles. By using the assumption that a vortimeter, with vanes spanning only the rotational core, responded to an …

Thermal Gasification Of Densified Sewage Sludge And Solid Waste, Samuel A. Vigil, George Tchobanoglous

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The disposal of sewage sludge in an economic and environmentally acceptable manner is a problem common to all communities that have municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Similarly, all communities are faced with the disposal of increasing quantities of solid waste. The co-disposal of sludge and solid waste in a common facility is a potential solution to both of these problems. The results of an experimental program to verify the feasibility of the gasification process for the co-disposal of densified sludge and source separated solid waste are presented in this paper.

Lower Mode Response Of Circular Cylinders In Cross-Flow, William W. Durgin, P. A. March, Paul J. Lefebvre

Office of the Provost Scholarship

Transverse amplitude responses of a circular cylinder in cross-flow were determined as a function of reduced velocities for a variety of spring constants and damping coefficients. Maxima were found at reduced velocities of 5 and 16, and were of comparable amplitude. The first resonance, designated the "fundamental mode, " was due to normal vortex street excitation of the spring-mass system. The second resonance, designated the "lower mode," occurred when the natural frequency was approximately one-third of the normal vortex shedding frequency. By assuming that the driving force was sinusoidal, it was possible to evaluate the lift coefficients at resonance. Lift …

Electronic Fuel Injection Techniques For Hydrogen Powered I.C. Engines, Art Maccarley, W. D. Van Vorst

Electrical Engineering

Numerous studies have demonstrated the advantages of hydrogen as a fuel for Otto Cycle engines due to high thermal efficiency and low exhaust pollutant levels. Characteristic of hydrogen engine operation using premixed intake charge formation is a problem of pre-ignition resulting in an intake manifold “backfire”. Additional problems include high NO_x production when using certain equivalence ratios and power output degradation due to low fuel energy/volume density.

Techniques for direct and port fuel injection are discussed as means for overcoming these problems. Emphasis is placed on the need for total engine control, integrating control of fuel injection, ignition timing, …

An Integrated System Employing Alternate Technologies For Liquid And Solid Waste Managment For Intermediate And Small Communities, George Tchobanoglous, John E. Colt, Robert G. Smith, Samuel A. Vigil

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Over the past 20 years , a variety of alternative, and in many cases innovative, technologies have been proposed for use in waste management systems. If alternative technologies are to be adopted they must, 1) be technologically feasible, 2) minimize the use of energy and resources, 3) maximize the recovery of the energy and nutrients contained in wastewater, 4) be cost-effective, and 5) not be unnecessarily disruptive of the existing order in their implementation. Although a number of the proposed technologies have met some or all of these requirements , few of them have been widely adopted. The principal reason …