Engineering Commons^™

Treatment Of A Pharmaceutical Waste With The Anaerobic Filter, Norman Dale Dennis Jr.

Masters Theses

"The anaerobic filter is essentially a plug-flow, packed-bed, column type reactor in which the anaerobic bacteria responsible for the waste stabilization are attached to the filter media. This process is a relatively new concept in waste treatment which has been used only in laboratory studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate anaerobic filter performance when used to treat an actual industrial waste under controlled conditions of flow rate, organic strength and temperature.

Four 0.5 cu ft (14.25 l) laboratory filters were operated for 180 days at 35° C using a pharmaceutical waste as the substrate. By varying influent …

An Optical Detector Of Water Droplets Within A Thermal Diffusion Chamber, Duane Burton Bush

Masters Theses

"A technique is investigated for counting water droplets formed in a vertical plate steady flow thermal diffusion chamber designed to count cloud condensation nuclei. The counting technique utilizes light scattering. The light source is a He-Ne laser. The detector is a photomultiplier tube. The technique differs from that used in instruments manufactured by Bausch and Lomb, Royco, Climet, etc., in that the aerosol is not passed through a capillary tube. Instead, the viewed volume is optically defined.

It was found that in the configuration tested, the viewed volume is not well enough defined for use with polydisperse aerosols, although the …

Quantitative Overdesign By Stochastic Simulation, Raymond A. Freeman

Masters Theses

"The determination of overdesign, or safety, factors for industrial processes is an art acquired by the engineer through experience. In general, safety factors are increased as the uncertainty of the process variable increases; a procedure that can be expensive if safety factors are specified too small or too large. A single release of harmful substances from pollution control installations may cause irreparable damage. Likewise, the production of an off specification product by a chemical process costs money and resources. These facilities must often be designed for widely fluctuating flow rates, compositions, temperatures, and etc. Consequently, the selection of the proper …

Disposal Of Cattle Feedlot Wastes By Anaerobic Digestion, Eric Bayard Rapp

Masters Theses

"Disposal of animal waste represents a severe environmental problem, particularly in areas such as cattle feedlots where livestock are concentrated. Animal waste can be converted to carbon dioxide and methane by the autocatalytic process of anaerobic fermentation. A scheme, based upon this process, for the disposal of the waste from two different size feedlots is presented. The design of this process is based on kinetic data from the literature which are fitted to a kinetic model including diffusional resistances. Economic calculations based upon available cost data are made to determine the profitability of the process. Economic evaluations indicate that this …

Precipitation Of Carbon From Martensite In Ductile Iron, Devendra Ratilal Majmundar

Masters Theses

"Since metallographic studies of quenched and tempered cast iron have indicated that the carbon might precipitate directly as graphite rather than as carbides which are found in steels, this investigation used the Debye-Scherrer x-ray diffraction technique to examine electrolytically extracted residues from quenched and tempered ductile cast iron samples to determine if cementite was present. The precipitation of carbon in quenched samples of this ductile cast iron was found to be similar to the precipitation process in steels. Cementite was identified during the early stages of the tempering process when the tempering temperature was 800 degrees F, 900 degrees F, …

Transmission Measurements Through Liquids In A White Cell, David Earl Hurley

Masters Theses

"The suitability of using the White cell for determining the extinction coefficient of liquids was examined by measuring the attenuation of electromagnetic radiation, in the visible part of the spectrum, through distilled water. The analysis of the transmittance measurements through liquids in a White cell does not provide a sufficient number of independent equations to solve directly for the extinction coefficient. Reasonable estimates however can be made by employing a correction which accounts for changes in the mirror reflectance due to a liquid-mirror interface.

The reduction in the transmittance of distilled water due to an oil film was studied for …

Attitude Scaling As A Public Involvement Tool In The Lower Mississippi River Region Comprehensive Study, William A. Lee

Masters Theses

"The planner is under considerable pressure to involve the public in water resource planning. The public, however, often lacks sufficient knowledge to offer useful comments or suggestions. The use of a Likert Type Attitude Scale in the public involvement effort of the Lower Mississippi Region Comprehensive Study demonstrates the usefulness of attitude scaling techniques in obtaining public input to the planning process. The measurement of an individual's attitude, or his thoughts, feelings and disposition to act toward some aspect of his environment with some degree of consistency, gives an indication of the goals and objectives toward which a plan acceptable …

On The Complex Index Of Refraction Of Bulk Materials, Carol Jeanne Warren

Masters Theses

"As a part of the investigation of classical reflectance, it is determined that the hemispherical reflectance for a material with a particular pair of optical constants can be approximated by computing the angular reflectance at sixty degrees, using Fresnel's generalized reflectance formulas.

Reflection methods for the purpose of determining the optical constants of a variety of materials are discussed. The unpolarized reflectance versus angle of incidence technique is used for determination of the optical constants of bulk solids. Restrictions on the simultaneous solution of the Fresnel equations are determined and a computer program is developed to compute values necessary to …

Relative Volatility In The System 1-Butene - N-Butane, Steven Lewis Walker

Masters Theses

"An apparatus suitable for the rapid collection of P-x data at constant T is described. Isothermal P-x data at 40, 70, 100, 130, and 160 degrees Fahrenheit at the extremes of the composition range for the 1-butene - n-butane system are presented as a demonstration of the suitability of the device for its intended purpose. Limiting values of the relative volatility for the binary are presented. The relative volatilities were calculated using limiting forms of the general coexistence equation which are given in the literature. Several recommendations are given for improvements of the equipment and experimental technique"--Abstract, page ii.

The Linear New City -- A Pattern For New Cities Based On Efficiency Of Transportation, Public Services, And Land Use, Elbridge Wesley Bartley Iii

Masters Theses

"The linear new city is defined as a city consisting of some arrangement of relatively narrow, high-density strips, served by various mass transportation systems. Such a new city would be ideally suited to the implementation of the latest technology. The concentration of development along the transportation route would allow certain economies in the supply of utilities and services, as well as insuring that open space would be readily available around and throughout the city. The provisions for transportation, housing, and governmental control should combine to produce a better quality of life for the inhabitants of the linear new city"--Abstract, page …

Managerial Performance Appraisal, Benildus Wai-Young Lau

Masters Theses

"Questionnaire surveys were sent out to two hundred medium-sized companies in industry. The study is an attempt to find the main cause for the unsatisfactory results in most appraisal programs and to make recommendations concerning the implementation of an effective performance appraisal program. Human factors play an utmost important role in the success of the entire appraisal program. An atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust should be established between the well trained supervisor and his subordinate so that the rapport between them can be brought to the highest possible level. Performance appraisal should be considered as an integral part of …

A Technique For Improving Material Balance Accuracy In Reservoir Simulation Models, A. R. Merchant, Marion D. Arnold, A. Herbert Harvey

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One criterion for determining the precision of pressures calculated by a simulation model is the accuracy of the material balance. A high degree of precision in the calculated pressures is a necessary but not sufficient condition for elimination of significant errors in the prediction of fluid migration in the reservoir. A new procedure, called error matrix technique, has been developed for reduction of material balance errors. This reduction is accomplished by adjusting potential gradients at every grid point in the simulation model so that the material balance is accurately maintained. Performance of a hypothetical oil reservoir was simulated both by …

Stratigraphic Relations Of Members Of The Needles Range Formation At Type Localities In Southwestern Utah, M. G. Best, R. T. Shuey, C. F. Caskey, S. Kerry Grant

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Needles Range Formation is one of the most extensive of the middle Tertiary ash-flow sheets in the Great Basin of Nevada and western Utah. The original definition of the formation by Mackin (1960) named two members and mentioned three type localities. Our recent studies have shown that this published information now requires revision. To provide a firm basis for stratigraphic studies of the Needles Range Formation, this paper presents geologic maps, measured sections, and paleomagnetic data for three type localities in southwestern Utah. These include the northern Needles Range and Wah Wah Springs localities previously mentioned by Mackin, plus …

Oxidation Of Tetragonal Pbo In Air, Charles A. Sorrell

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Isothermal oxidation of tetragonal PbO in air produced multiphase assemblages with apparent equilibrium compositions which varied linearly with temperature from PbO1.548 at 286°C to PbO1.333 at 351°C. Oxidation at each temperature was relatively rapid to PbO1.40 and very slow from PbO1.40 to apparent equilibrium values. Pseudocubic PbO1+x, with compositions between PbO1.41 and PbO1.57, was indexed on a cubic unit cell at the lower O/Pb ratios and on a tetragonal unit cell at the higher ratios. Linear changes in lattice parameters and deviation from cubic symmetry accompanied reversible oxidation and reduction of the phase. Pseudocubic PbO1+x was reduced irreversibly to Pb3O4 …

Polynary Silicon Arsenic Chalcogenide Glasses With High Softening Temperatures, H. E. Anthonis, N. J. Kreidl, W. H. Ratzenboeck

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The introduction of Ag in SiAsTe glasses permits the incorporation of Se, otherwise volatile and/or degradable as a constituent in Si-containing chalcogenide glasses. SiAsAgTeSe glasses exhibit much higher softening ranges and glass transition temperatures than encountered in known chalgogenide systems. A glass Si35As15Ag10Te20Se20 had the viscosity log ν = 13 at about 500°C, as compared to 370°C for the base glass Si35As25Te40, the viscosity of log ν = 9.8 at about 560°C, as compared to 442°C for the base glass. Phase separation occurs in the system SiAsAgTeSe and becomes manifest in two glass transitions indicated by changes in the slopes …

Oxidation State Control Of Volatile Species In Sintering, P. D. Ownby

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Combined Thermal Weakening And Mechanical Disintegration Of Hard Rock, George Bromley Clark, T. F. Lehnhoff, Vernon Dale Allen, Mahendrakumar Ramkrishna Patel

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

"The research under modified Contract No. H0220068 has been devoted to experimental thermal-mechanical fragmentation of Missouri red granite in place, and to supporting theoretical analyses. The results of the previous year's experimental work showed that thermal stresses are several times more effective in fragmenting hard rock when they are created within the rock rather than upon the surface. Also, large blocks {4-foot cubes) are not adequate to simulate the response of in situ rock.

Based upon laboratory tests an experimental round was designed analogous to an explosive blasting round with coiled wire heating elements placed in drill holes. Three displacement …

An Accurate Digital Instrument To Measure Reactor Period, Ernest W. Scott, Paul D. Stigall

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

At Facilities Having a Research-Training Reactor, such as the University of Missouri-Rolla Reactor (UMRR), One Finds It Necessary to Perform a Large Number of Rod Calibrations during the Course of the Year. in Practice Rod Worths Are Determined by Measuring the Reactor Period Created by an Incremental Withdrawal of the Rod under Calibration. Period is Then Related to Reactivity Thru the Use of a Publication Such as the AEC Publication, ID016485. This Frequent Measurement of Period Makes It Desirable to Have a Simple, Automatic and Accurate Method to Make Such Measurements. at UMRR We Have Designed, Constructed and Installed Such …

Flowware -- A Flow Charting Method To Describe Digital Systems, Wayne Everett Omohundro

Doctoral Dissertations

"FLOWWARE is an interactive, graphical language to aid in the understanding and design of digital networks. The language is based upon the concept of flow charting. The user specifies the register layout of the system and the sequential operation in the form of a diagram on a graphics terminal. FLOWWARE makes full use of a local minicomputer to perform editing and drawing functions, and a remote large computer to perform translation and simulation. This division of labor allows the user to build his description off-line without having the remote computer program active"--Abstract, page ii.

Convergence Of Material Balance In Mathematical Simulation Of Petroleum Reservoirs, Abdul Rashid Merchant

Doctoral Dissertations

One criterion for determining the precision of pressures calculated by a simulation model is the accuracy of the material balance. A high degree of precision in the calculated pressures is a necessary condition for elimination of error in prediction of fluid migration in the reservoir. However, this condition is not sufficient to guarantee accuracy of the simulation, since inaccuracies are introduced by truncation errors, machine round-off errors, and by the use of finite difference approximations to represent nonlinear partial differential equations.

A new procedure called Error Matrix Technique has been developed for reduction of material balance errors. This reduction is …

Numerical Simulation Of Individual Wells In A Field Simulation Model, Ali Mohammed Akbar

Doctoral Dissertations

"Conventional numerical simulation of hydrocarbon reservoirs is inadequate for the prediction of bottom-hole pressures at production wells. This problem can be overcome by using a special mathematical model which combines individual well simulation with reservoir simulation. Severe computational instability is commonly encountered in the radial models due to the relatively small grid-blocks and high fluid velocities in the vicinity of the well bore. This instability is found to be more pronounced during depletion of the reservoir when the pressure near the well bore is below bubble-point pressure. A new technique is introduced here for saturation calculations in the critical region …

Transient State Analysis Of Separated Flow Around A Sphere, Ching-Liang Lin

Doctoral Dissertations

"Transient state solution of the Navier Stokes equation was obtained for incompressible flow around a sphere accelerating from zero initial velocity to its terminal free falling velocity. By assuming rotational symmetry around the axis in the falling direction, the Navier Stokes equation and the continuity equation were simplified in terms of vorticity and stream function. The instantaneous acceleration of the falling sphere was calculated by considering the difference between the gravitational force and the drag force in a transient state. The governing partial differential equations were non-dimensionalized. A set of implicit finite difference equations was developed. In order to obtain …

Stability Of The Developing Laminar Flow In A Circular Tube, Lung-Mau Huang

Doctoral Dissertations

"An investigation is made of the linear stability of the developing laminar flow of an incompressible fluid in the entrance region of a circular tube. Both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric small disturbances are considered in the analysis. The stability characteristics of the fully developed flow are also re-examined. The main flow velocity distribution used in the stability analysis is that from the solution of the linearized momentum equation. The governing equations for the disturbances and the boundary conditions constitute an eigenvalue problem which is solved by a direct numerical integration scheme along with an iteration technique. The solution starts with a …

Electro-Reduction Of Bromate On Mercury, Jaw-Shin Chang

Doctoral Dissertations

"The electrochemical reduction of BrO⁻₃ was studied on a stationary Hg electrode in neutral and basic solutions containing K⁺, Na⁺, and L⁺. Coulombic efficiency studies showed Br⁻ to be the predominant reduction product. The steady state kinetic parameters include Tafel slopes of ca. -0.120 V, approximate first order activity dependences for both BrO⁻₃ and the accompanying cation, and no pH dependence. A reaction scheme is proposed which involves BrO⁻₃ "bridged" to the electrode by the accompanying cation. It is suggested that the "bridging" is a result of ion-pairing in the electrical double-layer"--Abstract, page 1.

Measurement Of Molecular Diffusivities Of Liquid Alkane Systems, James W. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations

"An unsteady-state porous frit method of diffusion coefficient measurement, recently developed in this laboratory, was improved and expanded upon. The experimental technique has been refined and documented. The unsteady-state diffusion of an initially 0.5 N NaCl solution into pure water (effective diffusivity -1.480 x 10^-5 cm²/sec) was employed as the calibration standard. An overall calibration precision of ±4% was obtained. Diffusion times of two hours or less were used for the non-aqueous diffusivity measurements. The validity of this measurement technique was confirmed by the agreement of the measured self-diffusion coefficient of n-heptane (25⁰C) with literature values.

A …

Investigation Of Roof Shales In Illinois Coal Mines, Peter J. Conroy

Doctoral Dissertations

"This thesis describes an investigation of the relationships among the composition, physical properties and the performance of roof shales in Illinois coal mines. The study included cataloging the physical and mineralogical properties of typical roof shales, determining the interrelationships of the properties and defining the factors in the rock which effect deterioration. From the results, a classification system has been developed which may provide a means for evaluating coal mine roof stability.

A coring apparatus was developed for obtaining in situ samples from mine roofs. Five coal mines with varying geologic and roof conditions were sampled. Precautions were taken to …

The Effects Of High Pressure And Temperature Environments On The Properties Of 6061-T651 Aluminum, Patrick George Davidson

Doctoral Dissertations

"During this experimental testing program the effects of the simultaneous application of high pressure and temperature environments on the mechanical properties of 6061-T651 aluminum were analyzed. From the data obtained at the yield and ultimate points a yield and ultimate model was developed based upon the parameters effective stress, effective strain, and the hydrostatic component of stress. This model was obtained solely from the data acquired from uniaxial tensile specimen tested at various pressures and temperatures. Two other loading paths--biaxial tension and torsion--were then used to verify the accuracy of the model. From the testing program, data were also obtained …

Prebainitic Phenomena In Aisi 86b80 And 0.8c-5.3ni Steels, Chung Lim

Doctoral Dissertations

"An ultrasonic investigation shows that the prebainitic kinetics of AISI 86B80 and 0.8C-5.3Ni steels follow t^2/3 and or t¹ time laws in the lower bainite temperature region. The data analysis indicates that these kinetics signal carbon segregation to dislocations. The simple time laws are interrupted at the bainite start time. It is shown that at this time the carbon depleted regions around dislocations transform martensitically. The lower bainite reaction is thus initiated by the formation of supersaturated ferrite through carbon segregation and the subsequent local martensitic transformation"--Abstract, page iii.

Hydrostatic Extrusion Of Waste Glass And Plastic, Subhash Govind Kelkar

Doctoral Dissertations

"Waste glass and waste plastic combine to form a major portion of nonbiodegradable, solid waste. These waste products aggravate the already too serious problem of environmental pollution. Hence, a means is sought of utilizing this waste in the construction industry, thus solving two problems simultaneously - that of beautifying the environment, and of procuring inexpensive building materials.

Extrusion is not an uncommon process as far as the manufacture of original products is concerned. Hydrostatic extrusion is a modification of the process wherein a billet or slug of some material is forced to flow through a die under the influence of …

Applications Of Frequency Domain Stability Criteria In The Design Of Nonlinear Feedback Systems, Allen Joseph Rushing

Doctoral Dissertations

"The Popov criterion for absolute stability of nonlinear feedback systems is applied to several example problems. Model transformations such as pole shifting and zero shifting extend the class of systems to which the criterion applies. Extensions of the criterion having simple graphical interpretations yield stronger results for systems with constant monotonic slope-bounded nonlinearities. Additional extensions lacking simple graphical interpretations in the complex plane are also demonstrated by example.

Stability throughout a region in parameter space is discussed, and the Kalman conjecture is verified for a new class of systems. The Popov criterion is also used to prove BIBO stability, process …