Engineering Commons^™

Modeling Technique For Optimal Recovery Of Immiscible Light Hydrocarbons As Free Product From Contaminated Aquifer, Grant S. Cooper Jr., Richard C. Peralta, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Contamination sites associated with light non-aqueous phase liquids {LNAPL) are numerous and represent difficult cleanup problems. Remediation methods for cleanup of LNAPL fluids in subsurface systems are continuously evolving with the development of various technologies for pump.-and~treat, soil venting, and in-situ bioremediation. Evaluating the effectiveness of remediation techniques as well as attempting to improve their efficiency has been a focus of many researchers, These efforts have included the development of computer simulation models to predict and analyze the fluid movement, entrapment, and mobilization of three~phase systems in porous media. The capability of computer models that not only simulate but optimize …

S/O Modeling Technique For Optimal Containment Of Light Hydrocarbons In Contaminated Unconfined Aquifers, Grant S. Cooper Jr., Jagath J. Kaluarachchi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

An innovative approach is presented to minimize pumping for immobilizing a floating plume of a light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL). The best pumping strategy is determined to contain the free oil product and provide for gradient control of the water table. This approach combined detailed simulation, statistical analysis, and optimization. This modeling technique uses regression equations that describe system response to variable pumping stimuli. The regression equations were developed from analysis of systematically performed simulations of multiphase flow in an areal region of an unconfined aquifer. Simulations were performed using ARMOS, a finite element model. ARMOS can be used simulate …

The Spirit Iii Radiometer Data Compression System, Scott E. Budge

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, we describe the image data compressor designed and built for the SPIRIT III radiometer which will be used to provide a real-time "quick-look" capability for the instrument. A a brief description of elements of the radiometer design which determine the data compression requirements is given, followed by a description of the VQ-based hybrid data compression algorithm. Highlights of the hardware design are also discussed.

The performance of the compressor is presented. Tests made using data obtained during cold tests of the instrument indicate an RMS error of 6.26 counts for the 10:1 compression mode and 5.83 counts …

Review Of Planning Distribution Model (Pdm) Status And Application Possibilities For The Egyptian Irigation System, Robert W. Hill, Richard C. Peralta, Gary P. Merkley

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The comprehensive water management Planning Distribution Model, or PDM, was developed by the Biological and Irrigation Engineering Department, Utah State University (USU), under contract with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). Most of the work was carried out in the Planning Sector, Ministry of Public Works and Water Resources (MPWWR) , in Cairo, under the Planning Studies and Models Component of the USAID funded Irrigation Management Systems Project.

Optimal Contaminant Plume Management With Us/Wells, Alaa H. Aly, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A micro-computer based software package developed at utah State University for computing optimal pumping strategies for well systems (US/WELLS) is demonstrated. US/WELLS is used to determine the optimal time-varying sequence of extraction and injection rates when only limited data is available. The software determines the extraction/injection rates, in pre-specified locations, needed for immobilizing and/or extracting a groundwater contaminant plume. In the optimization problem, the objective function can be either to minimize the extraction/injection rates needed {linear) or to minimize the hydraulic power used for lifting water (quadratic). In either case, different weights can be assigned to emphasize any time period. …

Optimizing Conjunctive Water Use In A Dynamic Stream Aquifer System, Getachew Belaineh, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Long-term water management planning models frequently use large time steps and must employ fairly crude assumptions (such as average climatic conditions, etc.). Managing stream aquifer systems during a dry season requires using finer discretization in time and space. Presented is a computer model, US/REMAX, developed by Utah State University personnel for aiding best management of stream-aquifer systems for both long and short eras. The model computes strategies for optimally allocating surface and ground water resources in time and space. For a water supply problem the model can maximize the sum of delivered surface and ground water. For an environmental protection …

Optimizing Irrigation Management For Pollution Control And Sustainable Crop Yield, G. R. Musharrafieh, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

We developed a simulation-optimization model which maximizes crop yield while maintaining target salt concentration in the root zone, and/ or preventing salt from leaching to the groundwater. The model performs nonlinear optimization and simulation. Implicit finite difference forms of the nonlinear, transient, unsaturated water flow equation, and the convection-diffusion equation are embedded as constraints. Other constraints include nonlinear functions describing the hydraulic properties of the medium. The objectives of the management model is to develop irrigation strategies which prevent salt leaching to the groundwater when salty irrigation water is used. Five different irrigation strategies are developed for Huntington Research Farm, …

Practical Optimization Modeling For Contaminant Plume Management, Richard C. Peralta, Alaa H. Aly

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Simulation/optimization (S/0) models can be used to greatly speed the process of computing desirable groundwater pumping strategies for plume management. They make the process of computing optimal strategies fairly straightforward and can help minimize the labor and cost of groundwater contaminant clean-up.

A Complexity Analysis Of Smart Pixel Switching Nodes For Photonic Extended Generalized Shuffle Switching Networks, Thomas J. Cloonan, Gaylord W. Richards, Anthony L. Lentine, Frederick B. Mccormick, Harvard Scott Hinton, Stephen J. Hinterlong

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper studies the architectural tradeoffs found in the use of smart pixels for nodes within photonic switching interconnection networks are discussed. The particular networks of interest within the analysis are strictly nonblocking extended generalized shuffle (EGS) networks. Several performance metrics are defined for the analysis, and the effect of node size on these metrics is studied. Optimum node sizes are defined for each of the performance metrics and system-level limitations are identified.

Multiple Quantum-Well Technology Takes Seed, Harvard S. Hinton

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Progress in the development of self-electrooptic-effect devices (SEEDs) is discussed. The devices include the resistor-SEED (R-SEED) device, which can be viewed as a simple NOR gate. The symmetric SEED (S-SEED) and the logic-SEED (L-SEED) devices with improved features, functionality, and performance are also considered. The integration of FETs with multiple quantum well (MQW) modulators (FET-SEED), enables optical interconnections of electronic circuits. Where the SEED technology can be used is discussed, and an experimental optical switching fabric made using these devices is described.

Surface Subsidence Over A Room-And-Pillar Mine In The Western United States, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Mines

Mines and Mineral Resources

This report summarizes the results from the subsidence research study completed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines at the Roadside Mine, Powderhorn Coal Co., Palisade, CO. This research was conducted from February 1981 to August 1985, with additional data obtained during July 1991, to evaluate residual subsidence. The Bureau studied subsidence at three distinct room-and-pillar sections at separate locations over the mine and determined the maximum subsidence values and surface subsidence profiles for each mining section. Maximum subsidence of 3.0 ft. occurred over the room-and-pillar sections, with over-burden depths ranging from 50 to 600 ft. Surface tension cracks had occurred, …

Computer Methodology For Transportation Agencies To Screen Technologies For Hazardous Waste Remediation, William J. Grenney, Ravi Kumar Penmetsa

Reports

Executive Summary: Many pathways exist for transportation agencies and other public and private agencies to become responsible for sites contaminated by hazardous wastes. As a reult, agencies frequently face a multitude of lega, regulatory, financial, technical, and health risk problems. When transportation agencies become involved in the remediation of hazardous waste sites, the common practice is to hire consultants and contractors for the clean up process. Because the field of hazardous waste site remediation is changing so rapidly, agency personnel evaluating the consultant's recommendations need to ahve access to the most recent regulatory and remediation information. Early stages of the …

Effectiveness Determination Of Two Different Water-Saving Devices For Toilet Tanks, C. Earl Israelsen, Gilberto Urroz

Reports

Introduction: The project was successful in obtaining eight different brands of new toilet tanks in the 3.5 gals-per-flish-bariety, and two used ones requiring 5.0 gals per flish. The tanks were installed on a t atime on a padded stell frame and connected to a water supply. The float was adjusted to maintain the water in the tank at the level recommended by the manufacturer. When the flush and shut-off mechanisms were adjusted properly, the testing begain.

Interpretation Of Drill Log Data: Dlog3d - A Probabilistic Tool For Analyzing Subsurface Soil Variability, Alaa El-Din Ali, Upmanu Lall

Reports

Groundwater contamination potential is directly related to the location of zones of high hydraulic conductivity. Sedimentary depositional environments can be quite complex. Pockets of sand of varying thickness and orientation may be scattered over the aquifer. A contaminant pathway can esist where these pockets or lenses are interconnected. Aquifer pump tests do not provide useful information on the occurrence of such lenses. Drill log data directly sample the soil, but may represent very local sections of the aquifer, and are of relatively poor quality. Here we present a methodology (DLOG3D) that allows a probabilistic interpretation of drill log data that …

Development Of Mountain Climate Generator And Snowpack Model For Erosion Predictions In The Western United States Using Wepp: Phase Iv, David S. Bowles, U. Lall, D. G. Tarboton, E. Malek, B. Rajagopalan, T. Chowdhury, E. Kluzak

Reports

Executive Summary: Introduction: This report summarizes work conducted during the funding period (December 1, 1991 through September 30, 1992) of a Research Joint Venture Agreement between the Intermountain Research Station, Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL), Utah State University (USU). The purpose of the agreement is to develop a Western Mountain Cilmate Generator (MCLIGEN) similar in function to the existing (non-orographic area) Climate Generator (CLIGEN), which is part of the Water Erosion Prediciton Project (WEPP) procedure. Aso, we are developing a Western U.S. Snowpack Simulation Model for includsion in WEPP. In the …

A Prototype Computer Based Tutorial For The Use Of Highway Patrol Radar Guns, William J. Grenney, Thad E. Senti

Reports

Executive Summary: The software contained in this package, termed POSAT (Police Officer Standards and Training) is the prototype knowledge-base decision support system developed specifically for the Utah State Police Academy. All police officers must be certified annual for the use of radar guns. This self-study computer program is intended to reduce the cost of providing field training for hundreds of police officers each year. By installing the POSAT software at remote locations, polic officers within a certain districut need only to travel to the nearest remote testing sight to take the exam and renew their radar certification. POSAT automatically transmits …

Simulation Of Daily Precipitation From A Nonparametric Renewal Model, Balaji Rajagopalan, Upmanu Lall, David G. Tarboton

Reports

Wet/dry spell characteristics of daily precipitation are of interest for a number of hydrologic applications (e.g., flood forecasting or assessment of erosion potential). Here, we examine issues related to designing an appropriate nonparametric scheme that focuses on spell characteristics for resampling historically daily precipitation data. A subset of the nonparametric wet/dry spell model presented in Lall et al (1993) is tested with synthetic data to justify the strategy proposed for applications. An application of the nonparametric wet/dry spell model to a Utah data set follows. Performance is judged on a set of statistical measures. Numerical comparisons of model performance with …

A Kernel Quantile Function Estimator For Flood Frequency Analysis, Young-Ii Moon, Upmanu Lall

Reports

A kernel estimator (KQ) of the quantile function is presented here. Boundary kernels are used for extrapolation of tail quantiles. The bandwidth of the estimator is chosen using an automatic, "plus-in" method. Confidence intervals for the estimated quantile are estimated by bootstrapping. Comparisons of the estimator with selected tail probability estimators are offered. The KQ estimator presented here is shown to be competitive with other estimators.

Candi (Chemical And Irrigation Management) Users Manual, Vs 2.0., A. H. Aly, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This manual describes an interactive computer model, CANOl. CANOl is a decision support tool designed to aid in on-farm pesticides and irrigation management. CANOl simulates downward chemical movement through the soil in response to different irrigation practices. CANOl estimates the relative amount of a non-polar organic chemical which remains in the soil profile by the time it reaches a specified depth. Future releases of CANOl will involve the management of different types of chemicals. CANOl is also able to delineate the wellhead protection areas for domestic wells. For this purpose, CANOl involves USEPA's model (MWCAP). Different versions of CANOl handle …

Best Management Of Pesticide And Irrigation Application Systems: Background And Candi Software, Alaa H. Aly, Richard C. Peralta, Howard M. Deer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In this chapter, we discuss a commonly-used volume balance approach for simulating the movement of water through the root zone. We then show how this approach can be coupled with pesticide leaching prediction. Finally we show how information about irrigation system design can be used with the previous processes. The result is an integrated approach for estimating the environmental consequences of irrigation and pesticide management.