Engineering Commons^™

Granular Activated Carbon Pilot Plant For The Removal Of Color, Toc, And Thmfp, Jeffrey L. Herr

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As part of an Environmental Protection Agency grant to reduce the trihalomethane concentration in the Melbourne, Florida drinking water, a granular activated carbon (GAC) plant was operated for approximately 1 year. Four GAC pilot plant systems were operated in parallel each treating a different influent. Raw water, coagulated, settled and filtered water, filtered water with ozone pretreatment, and filtered water with chlorine dioxide pretreatment were pumped through the individual systems. Influent and effluent concentrations of various pollutants were monitored regularly throughout the study. The raw water GAC system showed rapid breakthrough for color, total organic carbon (TOC) and trihalomethanes (THM's). …

Mathematical Model For Estimating Transient Pressure Surges In Cryogenic Liquid-Vapor Systems, Philippe Pfister

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Numerical treatments have become the most accurate methods for transient liquid flows analysis. Based on a computer code provided by NASA/KSC, this paper presents two simulations of cryogenic transfer systems. Experimental data originated from the Space Shuttle Liquid Oxygen Servicing were obtained during drain flows. Two sets of data (pressure at various locations versus time) corresponding to a drain stop and a drain initiation were used for a comparison with the predicted pressures. The first test case was a single-phase flow whereas the second one was associated with liquid-column separation and vapor cavity collapse. Major modifications were made to the …

The Simulation And Water Quality Characterization Of A Coal Slurry Involving Eastern Coal, Michael R. Todd

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The water quality characteristics of a coal slurry were found to vary widely, depending upon the coal used and the use of a corrosion inhibitor. The coal-water interactions were evaluated in a pilot-plant closed-loop coal slurry pipeline. Pulverized coal from eastern Kentucky and tap water were slurred and pumped through a 40 foot (12.2 m) pipe loop for ten days. Slurry samples were collected at 3 hours, 7 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 7 days and 10 days from the start of a run. The samples were filtered and analyzed for 29 water quality parameters, including 15 metals. …

Low Cost Neutron Detector, Sebastian K. Namukolo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Neutron bombardment of bipolar transistors creates cluster defects in semiconductor material. The clusters are small volumes of semiconductor material containing several hundred atoms displaced from their proper lattice sites owing to collision processes. They act as recombination centers in transistor bases, reducing minority carrier lifetime and consequently reducing transistor current gain. The damage is permanent to the semiconductor device and can only be corrected by thermally annealing the transistor. Copious test data available on bipolar transistors d.c. gain (h_FE) response to incident fast neutron fluences confirm their mathematically derivable functional relationships. This report develops a neutron fluence detector …

Modal Analysis By State Space Approach In Frequency Domain, Feliciano Feijo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report tests a new procedure to identify the eigenvalue problem matrix "A" by utilizing the frequency response of a system in state-space for a given sinusoidal forcing input. Two sample identification tests are performed and a detailed explanation of both cases is presented. The method proved to be correct and the results obtained were accurate in both cases. A random error was then added to both sample tests in order to simulate real measuring conditions. Results indicate that it is more difficult to identify the "A" matrix of an undamped system. The error in the system must be very …

Simulation Of Naval Student Flow Using Pipeline Management Model, Mary L. Sankey

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Navy's training system is an extensive, complex system of interrelated and interacting components. This paper presents the results of several approaches to the problem of modeling this system and developing computer programs to simulate and analyze its operation. Two programs using special-purpose simulation languages, SLAM and GASP, are described briefly. The PMM inter-active system is described and analyzed in the greatest detail. Possible future utilization of this PMM system for experimentation and forecasting is also briefly discussed.

The Technical And Economic Feasibility Of Producing Methane From Biomass Using A Leaching-Bed/Packed-Bed Conversion Process, Steven W. Hinton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The economic feasibility and energy effectiveness of producing pipeline quality methane gas from biomass was assessed for a new and totally unproven process. The biomass feedstock considered was the common aquatic weed water hyacinth and a novel active boom-winch harvesting system is proposed for its collection. The conversion process analyzed is a two stage biological process which utilizes a leaching-bed for the production of volatile acids and a packed-bed for the production of methane gas. In order to determine the feasibility of the proposed process equipment requirements, capital costs and operating/maintenance costs were developed for three system sizes. This data …

Digital Communications System Evaluation: Design Developments In Pseudorandom Sequence Usage, Signal Conditioning And Timing Regeneration, Barry Lane

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this paper is to develop a series of designs which allow evaluation of several digital communication system design concepts. Circuits were developed and tested which deal with three central areas of concern in digital communication networks. They include random signal generation and detection, signal conditioning, and digital timing extraction. A pseudorandom sequence generator and correlator design form the basic digital channel. Bi-phase transmission coding and digital timing regeneration were later added to the initial channel. System performance was confirmed by inserting errors and measuring error rate.

Spacially Sampled Multi-Aperture Optical System For Robot Vision, Ali R. Baradar

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

One of the solutions to the world's industrial and economic recovery and survivability is "Flexible Automation," wherein vision is the key to its cost-effective flexibility. Vision gives the robot a measure of environmental intelligence. The majority of present vision systems are patterned after the human eye, but this is not a requirement. It has been shown that the multi-aperture insect eye cannot image an object. The physiology of an insect eye is fundamentally different than that of the human eye in that it is not binocular by multioccular in nature. In order to study multi-aperture optics and indirectly the functioning …

Vlsi Multiple Microcomputer Technology Applied To Real-Time Simulators, David M. Kotick

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

VLSI technology, embodied in state of the art microprocessors and microcomputers, has implied a computer system architecture that offers the possibility for extensive standardization, modularity, and performance improvements that can significantly impact and reduce the lifetime costs of real-time simulators. This report discusses one such system. Both the hardware and software aspects of the system are examined.

An Extension To The Best Numerical Integration Formula Development, Jorge Medina

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A mathematical analysis seeking an accurate measure of the worth of numerical integration techniques used for real-time digital flight simulation problems is presented. This investigation allows the subject of best integration methods to be pursued making emphasis on the choice of practical steps and the use of available mathematical techniques to illustrate and evaluate a potential root matching approach involving a selected first-order differential system. This study allows certain evaluation techniques to be developed. Notable among these are the schemes for comparing roots of sampled ideal integrators to roots of sampled approximated integrators, the development of an integration and of …

Laminar Film Condensation Heat Transfer Of Water Vapor-Air Mixture On A Vertical Flat Plate And Cylindrical Surface, Chick-Hong Ng

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This theoretical study has been undertaken in order to provide insights into the steady two-dimensional laminar film condensation heat transfer on an isothermal vertical flat wall and a cylindrical surface. Condensation is given to both the pure water vapor and water vapor-air mixture. Only the saturated state of the bulk vapor is considered.

The effects of liquid-vapor resistance, gas-solubility in the condensate, thermal diffusion and diffusion thermo are neglected. The presence of air as non-condensing gas has been fully accounted for in this study. The physical properties of the condensate liquid are taken to be those of saturated water at …

The Performance Of The 8089 Integrated I/O Processor In Iapx 86 Microcomputer Systems, Jeffrey A. Lohman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the performance of the Intel 8089 integrated I/O processor through a predictive performance model for the I/O subsystem architectures available to the designer of an iAPX 86 system. The model provides system throughput estimates and is intended to be used prior to any detailed design. The derivation of the model is followed by a description of a prototype system which is used to provide actual throughput measurements. These measurements are compared with the model predictions to evaluate the model error and its utility. The model estimates are then combined with subsystem cost data to gauge the cost-effectiveness …

Design Methodology Of Very Large Scale Integration, Ankush D. Oberai

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) deals with systems complexity rather than transistor size or circuit performance. VLSI design methodology is supported by Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Design Automation (DA) tools, which help VLSI designers to implement more complex and guaranteed designs. The increasing growth in VLSI complexity dictates a hierarchical design approach and the need for hardware DA tools.

This paper discusses the generalized Design Procedure for CAD circuit design; the commercial CADs offered by CALMA and the Caesar System, supported by the Berkeley design tools. A complete design of a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) cell, using the Caesar …

A Checklist For Building An Energy Efficient Home In Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Michael Houston

FSEC Energy Research Center®

To design and build an energy-efficient home in Florida, seriously consider each of the steps listed here. Some are common sense, most are relatively inexpensive, and all add up to much lower energy bills. In fact, by following this checklist, you could expect to be very comfortable year round in your home and save about 30%-50% on your utility bills.

Simulation Of A Solar-Driven Thermoelectric Generator, Iraj Andampour

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

With improvements of thermoelectric materials leading to higher figures of merit, interest has been developed in a broad spectrum of applications. In this study, the thermal performance of a solar-driven thermoelectric (TE) generator was examined by computer simulation and analytical formulations. The hot junction of the disk-shaped TE module is heated by a conical-shaped solar concentrator reflecting rays onto a cylindrical inner electrode. Controllable cooling water flow cools the outer P ΓÇô N junctions to establish the necessary thermal potential for electric generation. Desired power output can be obtained from a number of TE modules in series and parallel. The …

Simulation Of Traffic At A T-Intersection Using Slam, Karen M. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The flow of traffic at an intersection is often controlled by a traffic signal. This research report models a T-intersection with a disjoint network for each direction of traffic flow, eastbound, westbound and southbound. The traffic signal is modeled with a fourth network. Three types of signal control (pretimed, semi-actuated and full-actuated) are modeled to examine the effect of each type on the average delay time and average length of queues for each lane of traffic queue at the intersection. The computer models presented in the report use SLAM computer language to simulate the traffic signal and vehicle flow.

Development Of A 64 To 1 Monolithic Analog Multiplexer, Vincent H. Angleton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A 64 to 1 monolithic multiplexer for video signal switching applications was designed. The performance analysis and the testing of the first devices fabricated and packaged show close agreement in on channel resistance and on channel bandwidth. Other requirements, such as off channel isolation and output signal distortion, have poorer agreement in the calculated values versus the measured data. Arguments for these differences are presented.

An Expandable Architecture For A Conferencing Digital Communications Switch, Timothy A. Mitchell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper architecturally describes the switching portion of a digital communications system that is dedicated to conferencing. The basic ideas and methods of circuit switching and packet switching are introduced. The conferencing function is described, and some resulting design considerations are discussed. The architecture of the switch is then presented. Circuit switching techniques are used throughout the architecture of the switch, coupled with arithmetic processing to accomplish the conferencing function. The architecture is developed in such a way that it is expandable in all directions to meet a given set of requirements. The requirements include the number of users the …

The Development Of A Reentry Program For Women In Engineering At The University Of Central Florida, Lucy C. Morse

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to familiarize local women with advanced degree possibilities in engineering and with expanding local industry, as well as increasing the graduate enrollment in the College of Engineering, the University of Central Florida has developed a Reentry Program for Women in the Industrial Engineering Department. Master of Science degrees are offered to the women with four options: Operations Research, Computer Systems, Engineering Administration, and Engineering Systems Analysis. The program is designed for women who received a bachelor's degree at least two years ago in mathematics, engineering, physics, or another hard science. Seed money for the program was obtained as …

Microsoftware For Facility Layout, James D. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study presents five supporting programs in the area of facility layout design. Programs are "stand alone" adapted type which cover data analysis and analytical techniques. Programs are From/To (From/To Chart generator), CRAFT* (Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique), RELVAL (Relationship Chart generator), CORELAP* (Computerized Relationship Layout Planning), and EVAL (Layout Evaluation program). Theory, complete program documentation, and case example for each program are presented. Programs are written in an interactive basic mode and have been tested on the Apple II Plus system.

Hospital Short Term Planning Through Patient Census Forecast, Wenhao Chiu

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An adequate health care resource allocation in a hospital is directly dependent upon the ability to estimate the hospital's patient census accurately. Efforts to estimate hospital's patient census are classified into two general methods: estimating from historical data, and demographic analysis. This paper takes the position that the estimate from the historical data is more economic and convenient for understanding than the estimate from the demographic analysis. Seven models that predict hospital's patient census by using the hospital's historical data are evaluated to fit the characteristics of each pattern shown in historical information. Where a microcomputer is available, this forecasting …

On-Site Excreta Treatment And Disposal In West Africa, Godfrey E. Igbokwe

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In operation, liquid from the test facility is circulated through the RHS core. The liquid is heated by passing over the resistance heaters. If the test facility's calibrations are under investigation, the RHS input power and temperatures are compared with those recorded by the test facility. If a collector is under test, the RHS is placed in series with the collector. The power input to the RHS is placed in series with the collector. The power input to the RHS core heaters is adjusted to give a temperature rise through the RHS equal to some fraction (usually one-half to one) …

Concrete: Its History In Florida To World War Ii, John M. Weavil

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Real Time Microprocessor Based Digital Lead-Lag Compensation, Vicente C. Garcia

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The dynamic performance of control systems can be improved by incorporating carefully designed compensators. Historically, these compensators have been implemented with analog hardware. However, digitally based compensator designs offer far superior advantages; such as no aging, repeatability, etc. The major reason for rejecting the digital approach to compensator design has been cost. With the introduction of the INTEL 2920 4-input, 8-output, real-time signal processing chip (with AD and DA on-board), cost is no longer a barrier. In this research paper, the complete software-hardware 2920 design cycle required to implement a lead-lag control system compensator is illustrated.

Two-Phase Flow Pressure Drop Across Thick Restrictions Of Annular Geometries, Saeed Ghandeharioun

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents the methods of predicting the steady-state two-phase flow (steam and water) pressure drop across the restrictions of annular geometries formed when tubes extend through circular holes in tube support plates. Two approaches are discussed and a detailed sample calculation of the one selected is presented. The major areas of discussion are the orientation of tubes-to-tube support plate holes, and the thickness of tube support plate. Finally, the conclusion gives a comparison of methods and recommendations for future investigations.

Photovoltaic Cells: Common Power Source For Tomorrow?, Florida Solar Energy Center, Arthur Litka

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The word "photovoltaic" combines the scientific terms "photo", meaning light, and "voltaic", meaning voltage. Together, the terms mean voltage generated by light energy. Specially treated silicon, or another substance, is manufactured in such a way that when light strikes it electricity is produced. The cells have no moving parts, and they are durable. They are commonly called solar cells.

A Comparative Study Of In-Core And Out-Of-Core Equation Solvers For Microcomputer Applications, Salahuddin A. Siddiqui

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluates the applicability to microcomputers of various methods for determining the solution of large systems of simultaneous linear algebraic equations. Such systems of equations characterize physical systems often encountered in Civil Engineering and other engineering disciplines. Many methods of solution involving either in-core or out-of-core storage of data have been developed for use with large digital computers. These methods are reviewed and their applicability to microcomputers is evaluated. A comparison of several schemes is made regarding core size required, time of execution, and precision of results. The out-of-core solution schemes for banded matrices are found to be most …

A Dynamic Analysis Of An Explosion Driven Hydrodynamic Conical Distributed Breach Shock Tube, Lee E. Griesemer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to better simulate an explosive underwater environment, a new design of the existing explosion driven hydrodynamic conical shock tube has been proposed. This new concept calls for the removal of part of the old tube to accommodate a distributed breach plug. The distributed breach should enhance shock wave characteristics by minimizing the energy losses associated with plastic deformations which occur at detonation. This report makes use of a finite element program, SAP IV, to investigate the modal characteristics of the new distributed breach design. A dynamic response history analysis has also been performed in order to predict the …

Evaluation Of Swale Design, David E. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Swales are designed to infiltrate runoff from intermittent storm events. Present design methodologies have resulted in swales which operate under several conditions; these conditions are soil, vegetation, climatic and geographical location dependent. To attain a swale design which considers and accounts for the important factors under Florida conditions, adequate assessment of rainfall, overland, flow, infiltration and soil moisture must be given priority treatment. Several roadside and residential swales were studied and relationships were drawn for soil moisture, porosity and infiltration rates. A design methodology is included and computer modeling infiltration aids in the design.