Engineering Commons^™

Mathematical Model Of A Continuous Sterilization System For Fermentation Media Containing Suspended Solids, Mark A. Leskowicz

Theses

A mathematical model has been developed for a continuous sterilization system where the role of suspended solids on the overall degree of sterilization achieved is taken into account. Evaluation of a "typical" commercial continuous sterilization system showed the role of suspended solids to have little effect on the overall sterilization obtained. For continuous sterilization systems operating in a total residence time of less than one minute, the role of solids may become important and should be evaluated.

A Study Of The Effect Of Some Inhibitors On The Corrosion Rates Of Austenitic Stainless Steels In Sulfuric Acid, Shang-Yinn Chiou

Theses

Four sulfur-containing and three nitrogen-containing organic compounds have been tested as inhibitors for four different austenitic stainless steels-SS304, S5316, SS317L, and SS41O-in 10-50 weight% sulfuric acid solutions respectively. Results confirmed that the sulfur-containing compounds were more effective than the nitrogen-containing compounds. The effect of sodium iodide additions on the behaviours of two of the nitrogen-containing compounds was also studied. The synergistic effect caused by the 1 ion was essential for nitrogen-containing compounds as inhibitors in sulfuric acid solution.

Adsorption And Desorption Of Chromium On Clayey Soils, Ker-Shu Tan

Theses

Chromium residue waste was produced during sixties in the chromium production process. It was used as construction fill. Problems associated with chromium waste sites include structure distress and surface and groundwater contamination.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adsorption and desorption of chromium on soil. In order to achieve this purpose, experiments were conducted to study the effect of pH, type of chromium compound, and type of soil on adsorption and desorption.

Experiments were performed on kaolinite, bentonite and sand. In our study, it was found that sand had almost no adsorption for chromium. Kaolinite had less …

Recirculation Flow Bioreactor For The Synthesis Of Nitroxide And N-Oxide Pharmaceuticals, Douglas Lischick

Theses

An investigation of the properties of calcium alginate immobilized hog liver microsomes, rich in FAD-containing mixed function oxidase, was performed. Studies involving catalyst storage, immobilization of cofactors within the matrix, and alginate gel concentration were performed using a 1.8 ml mixed flow micro assay reactor. A recirculation flow reactor was designed and used for the biochemical production of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-oxazolidine-l-oxyl, a potentially useful MRI contrast agent.

The activity of the immobilized microsomes was found to increase over time when stored in CaCl₂ or in buffer at 4-8°C. The increase in activity is a result of the removal of inherent inhibitors …

Estimation Of Thermodynamic Properties Of Petroleum Fractions To Supplement The Aspen Simulator, Steven E. Sund

Theses

The objective of this study was to develop a method of estimating hydrocarbon pseudocomponent data in a format that is consistent with the ASPEN simulator. Although algorithms exist to estimate the pseudocomponent properties, no comprehensive program exists for the public version of ASPEN. A computer program was developed which will take a minimum of input data and can generate the necessary pure component properties for an ASPEN simulation. The program is meant to complement the ASPEN simulator, so the input is similar to ASPEN's input. The output can be incorporated directly into an ASPEN input or can be of the …

Reactor Design For Hazardous Waste Treatment Using Immobilized Phanerochaete Chrysosporium, Ikram Ul Haq

Theses

The degradation of 2-Chlorophenol by Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a white rot fungus, was studied in three different reactor configurations, namely a batch reactor, a chemostatic reactor with the fungus immobilized on a silica based porous biocatalyst, and a packed bed reactor utilizing balsa wood chips as packing.

Preliminary experiments indicated that the use of porous solid support improved the degradation rate in batch reactor and chemostatic reactor. However, the packed bed configuration was found to be superior, and was studied in greater detail. The apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants were obtained for the packed bed reactor.

Thermal Decomposition Of 1,1,1-Thrichloroethane-Methane-Oxygen Mixture In Tubular Flow Reactor, Yo-Ping Wu

Theses

The thermal decomposition of 1,1,1-trichloroethane in methane/oxygen mixtures and argon bath gas was carried out at 1 atmosphere total pressure in a tubular flow reactors. The thermal degradation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methane were analyzed systematically over temperature ranges from 500 to 800°C, with average residence times in the range of 0.05 to 2.5 seconds. Five reactants ratio sets in three different size flow reactors were studied.

It was found that the complete decay (99%) of the 1,1,1-trichloroethane at 1 second residence time occurs at about 600°C for all the reactants ratio sets. The major product for 1,1,1-trichloroethane decomposition are 1,1-dichloroethylene …

Prediction And Correlation Of Liquid-Liquid Equilibria, Jose Simonetty Jr.

Theses

The NRTL, LEMF, and UNIQUAC models are used in the prediction and correlation of liquid-liquid equilibrium data for ten type I systems. The results indicate that best predictions are obtained with the LEMF equation, with an overall average absolute percentage error in distribution coefficients of 19.5 as compared to 23.0 and 24.7 with the NRTL and UNIQUAC equations, respectively. Good correlation of liquid-liquid equilibrium data alone is obtained with all three models; the LEMF equation is slightly better with an overall average absolute percentage error in distribution coefficients of 5.5 as compared to 6.7 and 5.9 for the NRTL and …

In Vitro Biocompatibility Study To Determine The Synergistic Effect Of Components For An Artificial Bone Graft Material, Levelle Elise Burr Alexander

Theses

A composite bone graft material which can induce or promote new bone growth has potential orthopaedic applications in the repair of bone defects or the stabilization of surgically implanted devices. This material should be biocompatible, have good handling properties, promote osteoinduction and/or osteoconduction and have a good shelf life. Demineralized bone matrix and bone morphogenetic protein have been demonstrated to promote osteoinduction in vitro and in vivo.

This in vitro study examined the inductive ability of an osteoinductive protein, bone morphogenetic protein, when absorbed on non-active devitalized bone matrix. In culture, fetal rat muscle was grown on powdered rabbit demineralized …

Investigation Of Surface Formation In Abrasive Waterjet Cutting, Shy-Shyan Chen

Theses

This study is concerned with experimental and numerical investigation of the dynamics of surface generation during the impingement of the abrasive waterjet on a workpiece.

A series of erosion zones were generated by the abrasive waterjet on the polished surface of stainless steel samples. The impingement was carried out at different traverse speeds and abrasive flow rates. An optical, a scanning electron microscope and a laser displacement sensor were used to investigate the developed surface.

The microscopical examination of the surface enabled determination of the shape of asperities created by individual particles, distribution of asperities on the surface and the …

The Applicability Of Parametric Inverse Scattering For Optical Waveguides With Imperfect Boundaries, Hyoung Jin Choi

Theses

In this thesis, the applicability of an inverse scattering technique for an optical waveguide with imperfect boundaries is investigated. The inversion of imperfect boundaries of waveguides is different from usual inverse scattering algorithms because only eigenmodes can propagate in a waveguide. We suggest a parametric inversion method based on the first-order coupled mode equation. The validity and usefulness of the method are demonstrated using examples of periodic and almost periodic imperfect boundaries.

Robotic Safety Utilizing A Safety Engineering Approach, Brian Gallagher

Theses

Robotic safety is examined and explained using a safety engineering perspective. After reviewing robot fundamentals and defining the need for safety, hazard assessment and risk analysis techniques are studied. Reasons for a comprehensive robot safety program are discussed. Currently available accident statistics are examined to better understand the hazards associated with robot installations. Robotic safety procedures and methods are listed which can help reduce the severity or frequency of hazards. Various safeguarding sensors and types are analyzed for they are the "last line of defense" to reduce hazards to an acceptable level. The American Robot Safety Standard, ANSI/RIA R15.06 - …

A Decomposition Algorithm For The State Transition Lattices Of Certain Non-Product Queueing Protocols, Cheng-Kuo Hong

Theses

In this thesis, an algorithm is developed to decompose the state transition lattice of a class of non-product form queueing models. Here only the lattices of regular type A structure are considered. By applying the algorithm, the lattice is decomposed into solvable subsets which can be solved sequentially.

Modelling And Parameter Estimation In Clinical Electrooculography, Shengche Hsu

Theses

The Corneoretinal potential (CRP) was discovered in 1848. Its response to changes in light intensity can provide information relevant in the diagnosis of some retinal degenerative disorders. The indirectly measured CRP is referred to as electro-oculography (EOG). A system for automatic data acquisition and modelling, providing graphic presentation, data processing and file management, has been developed. A linear feedback model is proposed to represent the dynamics of the EOG signal. Model parameters are estimated by the nonlinear least-square method. The effect of measurement time on the reliability of parameter estimation is discussed.

An Interactive Graphics Capability For Numerical Design Optimization, Abbay P. Joshi

Theses

Hierarchical Object Oriented Program Software [HOOPS] is used here to develop an interactive graphical interface for the design optimization program CADOP5. A preprocessor provides the user with button menu options. Using various buttons like Variable Button, Obj Button, Parameter Button, etc. the user can interactively define problem variables, parameters and limits as well as interactively modify the behavior and the constraint functions. The post processor displays variable values for three consecutive design cycle in the form of bar charts. Objective function values are plotted against the number of design cycle. Using this information the user can determine if the solution …

Adaptive Subband Video Coding With Motion Compensation, Manjunatha S. Kadur

Theses

An efficient scheme for video sequence coding is presented here. The interframe redundancy present in the video sequence is exploited by motion compensation using the efficient independent orthogonal search technique, which requires least number of computations in the worst case. The motion compensated frame difference signal is encoded with a new technique — subband adaptive vector quantization.

Subband coding like transform coding results in signals of unequal energy patterns, which is efficiently utilized for bit allocation. In addition, the subband approach offers means for efficient (but suboptimal) Vector Quantization (VQ) by splitting the signal into several signals. By rate distortion …

Variations Of Alkalinity, Ph, Oxidation Reduction Potential, And Conductivity In Single And Multi-Stage Sludge Digestion Systems, Nasser M. Kamazani

Theses

Anaerobic digestion is used at many municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Recent increase in the cost of energy and search for an alternative source of energy for the future have prompted renewed interest in anaerobic digestion for energy recovery by production of methane from waste materials, including wastewater sludges and agricultural and municipal solid wastes. Accordingly, a large literature exist on the subject, most of it dealing with more physical aspects of different process design. Little or not enough attention has been paid to its highly complex biochemical characteristics.

The purpose of this study is a preliminary investigation regarding …

Output Feedback Applied To Observer Based Controller, Nainn-Ping Ke

Theses

This thesis presented the results of an investigation on the stability robustness issues of the Infinite-horizon linear-quadratic-Gaussian (IH-LQG) control system design methodology. The goal of this research deals with the design of Observer based controller using Output Feedback (00F), and this is a new method to solve estimation problems. The primary difference of this method from others is that the estimator is considered as a system. The results of this research shows that the optimal output feedback control law and the optimal state estimator can be designed by the optimal output feedback control method, and shows that the OOF Weighting …

The Kinetics Of Degradation Of 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane And 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane In A Photoreactor Using Ozone, Hydrogen-Peroxide And Ultraviolet Radiation, Yuan-Shen Li

Theses

The experiments to oxidize the refractory chemicals, 1,2- Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichlotoethane and 1,1,2,2- Tetrachloroethane using Ozone, Hydrogen Peroxide and Ultraviolet Radiation have been conducted in a ss-304 photoreactor. The reaction kinetic models have been proposed and through the experiments we demonstrate that these models for these compounds perfectly. Analysis is done by gas chromatograph for the substrate concentration and the gas/liquid mass transfer coefficients are calculated. The reaction late constants are determined by use of the Rosenbrock Hillclimb Optimization Algorithm in conjunction with the Fourth-Order Runge- Kutta method on a digital computer. By comparing the effects of O₃,O_{3 …}

User Interactive Compensation For Si/So Systems Via Root-Locus, Shih-Mim Liu

Theses

A powerful computer-aided root-locus method is described and applied to the compensation for SI/SO systems. The approach is based on the concept of continuation methods in which the solution of a parameterized family of algebraic problems is converted into the solution of a differential equation and incorporates the quadratic synthetic division technique. The root-locus is obtained in a systematic manner by numerical integration. Breakaway points are analyzed and classified according to the properties of higher order derivatives. A Turbo Pascal(4.0) program which utilizes the algorithm has been written.

Red Blood Cell Deformability Testing By Using A Rheological Method, Zhenglei Ma

Theses

A rheological model of blood has been used for testing red cell deformability. The result of the testing is characterized by five parameters of the model. We suggested that the rheological behavior of blood is affected by red cell deformability. The result of the parameter C of the model, which is the kinetic rate constant of the structural breakdown of rouleaux into individual erythrocytes induced by shearing, from decreased red cell deformability group higher than that from normal control group lead to a criterion for separating normal subjects from decreased red cell deformability. The easy experiment method of using whole …

Removal Of Contaminants From Clay Soils By Thermal Desorption, Wen-Ming Mao

Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate the removal of contaminants from clay soils by thermal treatment. There were two phases involved in this project. The first was a study of equilibrium adsorption of clay - organics study, and the second was the determination of the thermal desorption characteristics.

Three organics, phenol, chlorophenol, and chlorobenzene and one clay soil, bentonite, were selected for these studies. The first phase, involved the simulation of the isothermal adsorption simulated the process of contaminants being sorbed onto bentonite. Three different isotherm models,viz, Linear isotherm, Freundlich isotherm, and Langmuir isotherm were evaluated with experimental …

Study Of System Dynamics In A Primitive Identification/Counter Model, Zofia Monczka

Theses

Previous study of a simplified identification/counter model (1), (2) indicated bifurcations in its behavior. In order to study this topic, graphical representations of the system dynamics are derived. Analysis of the structure of the identification/counter model reveals the reasons why the graphs assume their given shapes.

The graphical representations of the system are used to characterize the system behavior and thus explain the bifurcations previously encountered. These representations are then used as the basis for deriving a general model for system behavior. Analysis of this model for a specific range of parameter values indicates that the system contains numerous additional …

Survival Rate Study Of Intrashock Versus Postshock Microwave Rewarming In Rats Subjected To Hemorrhagic Shock, Hani M. Patel

Theses

In search for a more effective treatment for rewarming of profound accidental hypothermia, a comparative survival rate study was conducted of intrashock versus postshock microwave rewarming in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock. In an anechoic chamber, rats were illuminated with 50 Watts of continuous microwave power supplied by a 915 MHz microwave generator. This frequency corresponds to a free-space wavelength of about 33 cm. The incident-power density was calculated to be about 8.5 mW/cm2, and the whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated to be 14.5 W/kg.

The microwave postshock group showed a significantly higher post shock survival rate than …

Hardware And Software Designs For Integrated Electrical Engineering Experiments, Sujin Pramojaney

Theses

The interfacing between the various electrical engineering fields is not emphasized in the electrical engineering laboratory; the traditional aim of a laboratory course is to complement a single theoretical course. The object of this thesis is to provide means, hardware and software, that can be used in different system configurations to perform useful industrial tasks. The chosen task is to control electrical machines using a microcomputer. Experiments can be written to be performed by students, using these systems. The emphasize of these experiments can be on the characteristics of a power electronics device, but the device will be seen as …

Network Realizability Approach To Robust Stability Of Discrete-Time Systems Characterized By Polynomials, Sri Indran Rasiah

Theses

In system design, the coefficients of a characterizing polynomial are usually not precisely known but can be bounded from above and below by real numbers. The requirement of robust system design from the stability standpoint demands, then, the guaranteeing of the stability of a set of polynomials.

Stability theorems for continuous-time systems and discrete-time systems, are studied in this report. It is shown that one more condition has to be included into each of the theorem. The revised theorem for continuous-time systems is proved through network realizability theory. The one for discrete-time systems is, then, proved via the use of …

Digital Image Restoration Using Power Spectrum Equalization Filtering Technique, Debdatta Sen

Theses

Digital deblurring of micro-circulatory images using both homomorphic and power spectrum equalization filtering are considered. An existing homomorphic filter was modified by changing filter parameters. This permitted an image with better contrast to be obtained. The power spectrum equalization approach consists of modeling and characterization of degradation and estimation of the power spectrum of the image using the Welch method. The restoration is considered from the point of view of spatial-frequency domain descriptions of images. Consideration is restricted to degradations arising from additive noise and spatially invariant linear blurring. The filter restores the power spectrum of the image to what …

Multiphase Solid-Liquid And Solid-Liquid-Gas Mixing In Stirred Tanks, Jessyca Susanto

Theses

A number of investigations can be found in the literature on the effect of mixing parameters on solid-liquid dispersions in agitated systems. However, the determination of the effect of impeller clearance on minimum suspension speed has received little attention. This work is mainly focused on the determination of the effect of the impeller clearance on N_js (the minimum agitation speed required for complete solid-liquid dispersion) and its corresponding power consumption, using both radial and axial impellers in stirred tanks. In addition, the effect of other significant parameters on N_js was also investigated.

The importance of the impeller clearance …

Thermal Desorption Of Phenol Contaminated Clay Soils, Chia-Ling Ting

Theses

Clay mineral/organic reactions have been studied extensively by a numerous physicochemical methods. There also has been extensive research done in the areas of adsorption, Lewis acid-base reactions, desorption, adduct formation. Many of these studies explain the role and dehydration of silicates.

Studies have shown through extraction, thermal analysis, and gas chromatography. That there is more than one type of bonding, weak and strong, taking place between the clay mineral and the organic waste.

In order to determine the practicality of the containment technology, this research has been investigated by using more powerful tools, such as thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry …

Analysis On Dielectric Resonators, Xuan Tu

Theses

This dissertation deals with the studies and analysis of Dielectric Resonators (DR). A shielded dielectric iesonator structure, consisting of the substrate, the spacer, the dielectric resonator and the metallic shielding is modelled theoretically. The theoretical expressions for the resonance fields are derived by using radial-mode matching and axial mode-matching techniques. In these techniques, the structure is divided into partial regions and the fields in each pai tial region are represented in terms of a series of the appropriate modes with unknown coefficients. Matching the adjacent regions yields a system of linear or nonlinear equations — which then are solved. The …