Engineering Commons^™

Improving The Complementary Methods To Estimate Evapotranspiration Under Diverse Climatic And Physical Conditions, Fathi Anayah, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Reliable estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is important for the purpose of water resources planning and management. Complementary methods, including complementary relationship areal evapotranspiration (CRAE), advection aridity (AA) and Granger and Gray (GG), have been used to estimate ET because these methods are simple and practical in estimating regional ET using meteorological data only. However, prior studies have found limitations in these methods especially in contrasting climates. This study aims to develop a calibration-free universal method using the complementary relationships to compute regional ET in contrasting climatic and physical conditions with meteorological data only. The proposed methodology consists of a systematic …

Sustainable Production Of Novel Biomaterials In Escherichia Coli, Asif Rahman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The biotechnology revenues in the United States exceeded $100 billion in 2010 and the potential impact of synthetic biological engineering has been identified nationally as an emerging technology to further expand the national bioeconomy. Synthetic biological engineering approaches biology from an engineering perspective to make biology easier to engineer. The potential to engineer microorganisms for novel applications can have far-reaching implications and benefits for society. Some of the potential applications range from biosensors, biofuels, therapeutics, and biomaterials.

In this study two biomaterials were produced in genetically engineered Escherichia coli: polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) and spider silk. PHBs are bioplastics that have …

The Antimycobacterial Activity Of Hypericum Perforatum Herb And The Effects Of Surfactants, Shujie Shen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Tuberculosis is a stubborn and lethal infectious disease. The world-wide tuberculosis surveillance reports that the new TB cases ranges from seven to eight million per year and deaths ranges from 1.3 to 1.6 million every year. The treatment of tuberculosis mainly depends on antituberculosis drugs, such as isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. However, drug-resistance acquisition is an inevitable process during tuberculosis treatment. Today, multi-drug resistant and the extensively drug-resistant TB cases have been widely reported around the world. Thus, the discovery of novel antituberculosis drugs is essential to effective TB treatment. Hypericum perforatum, also called St. John’s Wort, is …

Improving Complementary Methods To Predict Evapotranspiration For Data Deficit Conditions And Global Applications Under Climate Change, Fathi M. A. Anayah

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A reliable estimate of evapotranspiration (ET) in river basins is important for the purpose of water resources planning and management. ET represents a significant portion of rainfall in the water budget; therefore, the uncertainty in estimating ET can lead to the inaccurate prediction of water resources. While remote sensing techniques are available to estimate ET, such methods are expensive and necessary data may not be readily available. Classical methods of estimating ET require detailed land use/cover information that are not readily available in rural river basins. Complementary methods provide simple and reliable approaches to estimate ET using meteorological data only. …

Multi-National River Basin Cooperation And Management Case Study: Senegal River Basin, Patricia Ayaa

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

With increasing populations, urbanization and thus increasing demand for water, conflict on International River basins has been increasing over the years which has necessitated formation of International River frameworks to devise means of cooperation among the countries sharing the river basins. The main modes of cooperation in international river basins include allocating the waters of the river to the sharing countries such that each country manages its own water resources, or treating the river basin as one system and jointly managing and sharing the costs and benefits from the various services or use-sectors of the river.

This research was aimed …

Planning And Management Modeling For Treated Wastewater Usage, Leila Ahmadi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Population growth, urbanization and water scarcity in many parts of the world has resulted in transfer of agricultural water to municipal and industrial users on one hand and excessive production of wastewater on the other hand. Due to importance of agriculture in food production and in the economy of many regions around the world,
water resources management and considering new water resources (such as treated wastewater) is critical.This study focused on analyzing the effects of population and
urban growth on water demand for various users and municipal wastewater quantity changes; as well as investigating the feasibility of wastewater reuse projects. …

Year Eight Annual Report: Activities, Findings And Evaluators' Reports, Ncete Faculty, Jim Dorward

Reports to NSF

The National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) is a collaborative network of scholars with backgrounds in technology education, engineering, and related fields. Our mission is to build capacity in technology education and to improve the understanding of the learning and teaching of high school students and teachers as they apply engineering design processes to technological problems. NCETE was granted a no-cost extension for an eighth year of work. Significant activities were focused in three areas: building research capacity within the engineering and technology education field; building on current research programs; and communicating and disseminating NCETE works and findings.

Creating Tomorrow, Fall 2011, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

Annual magazine for the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

Automatic Merging Of Lidar Point-Clouds Using Data From Low-Cost Gps/Imu Systems, Scott E. Budge, K. Von Niederhausern

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Stationary lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) systems are often used to collect 3-D data (point clouds) that can be used for terrain modelling. The lidar gathers scans which are then merged together to map a terrain. Typically this is done using a variant of the well-known Iterated Closest Point (ICP) algorithm when position and pose of the lidar scanner is not accurately known. One difficulty with the ICP algorithms is that they can give poor results when points that are not common to both scans (outliers) are matched together. With the advent of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems)-based GPS/IMU systems, it is …

Simple And Appropriate Methods For Household Water Treatment, Morris Elya Demitry

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Shortage of drinking water is the big challenge for Sudan. The cost of water treatment is the main reason for using untreated water for drinking purposes in many urban areas in Sudan. Water born‐diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, etc) are common and there are many victims in unimproved urban areas in Khartoum (Sudan) due to poor or the lack of treatment of drinking water.

In this work, a simple and appropriate method (sand filter) for household water treatment was tested and developed. The main objective of using this method is to help people in urban areas without access to treated water to …

Creating Tomorrow, Fall 2010, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

Annual magazine of the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

Architecture, Inertial Navigation, And Payload Designs For Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Personal Remote Sensing, Calvin Coopmans

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis presents work done towards a Personal Remote Sensing (PRS) system: small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with electronic, control, and sensing subsystems. Based on papers presented to conferences (AutoTestCon2008 and MESA2009), as well as other work on PRS, multiple levels of engineering are detailed: complex multi-UAV data flow; attitude estimation filters; real-time microprocessor functionality; and small, mobile power systems. Wherever possible, Open-Source tools and designs have been used, modified, or studied, providing excellent cost to performance ratios in most cases. First, the overall PRS UAV architecture, AggieAir, is presented with a motivating examples (GhostEye and EagleEye camera payloads). Then, …

Water Allocation Challenges In Rural River Basins: A Case Study From The Walawe River Basin, Sri Lanka, D. K. Neelanga Weragala

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation evaluates the water allocation challenges in the rural river basins of the developing world, where demands are growing and the supply is limited. While many of these basins have yet to reach the state of closure, their water users are already experiencing water shortages. Agricultural crop production in rural river basins of the developing world plays a major role in ensuring food security. However, irrigation as the major water consumer in these basins has low water use efficiency. As water scarcity grows, the need to maximize economic gains by reallocating water to more efficient uses becomes important. …

Creating Tomorrow, Fall 2008, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

Annual magazine for the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

Hydrogen Production Using Geothermal Energy, Theodore Wayne Hand

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With an ever-increasing need to find alternative fuels to curb the use of oil in the world, many sources have been identified as alternative fuels. One of these sources is hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced through an electro-chemical process. The objective of this report is to model an electrochemical process and determine gains and or losses in efficiency of the process by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the feed water. In order to make the process environmentally conscience, electricity from a geothermal plant will be used to power the electrolyzer. Using the renewable energy makes the process of producing …

Rank-Data Distribution Method (R-D Method) For Daily Time-Series Bayesian Networks And Total Maximum Daily Load Estimation, Joon-Hee Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Daily time series-based models are required to estimate the higher frequency fluctuations of nutrient loads and concentrations. Some mechanistic mathematical models can provide daily time series outputs of nutrient concentrations but it is difficult to incorporate non-numerical data, such as management scenarios, to mechanistic mathematical models. Bayesian networks (BNs) were designed to accept and process inputs of varied types of both numerical and non-numerical inputs.

A Rank-Data distribution method (R-D method) was developed to provide large time series of daily predicted flows and Total Phosphorus (TP) loads to BNs driving daily time series estimates of T-P concentrations into Hyrum and …

Review Of The Book - Teaching About Technology: An Introduction To The Philosophy Of Technology For Non-Philosophers, Vincent Childress

Publications

Marc de Vries' latest book, Teaching about Technology: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Technology for Non-Philosophers, was interesting to the reviewer because it provided a link between philosophies of technology and the nature of the technology curriculum more than any other philosophy-related work he has read. The book is intended for use with pre-service teachers, graduate students, and others who are interested in teaching technology. Teaching about Technology is part of a series of books on science and technology that is edited by William Cobern of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The editorial board for the series is …

Evapotranspiration Using A Satellite-Based Surface Energy Balance With Standardized Ground Control, Ricardo Trezza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study evaluated the potential of using the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) as a means for estimating evapotranspiration (ET) for local and regional scales in Southern Idaho. The original SEBAL model was refined during this study to provide better estimation of ET in agricultural areas and to make more reliable estimates of ET from other surfaces as well, including mountainous terrain. The modified version of SEBAL used in this study, termed as SEBAL_ID (lD stands for Idaho) includes standardization of the two SEBAL "anchor" pixels, the use of a water balance …

Estimating Life Loss For Dam Safety Risk Assessment, Duane Michael Mcclelland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

"Estimating Life Loss for Dam Safety Risk Assessment" explores the need for a new life-loss model in dam safety risk assessment, historical foundations on which that model can be built, and issues that are critical for a successful life-loss model to address. After critiquing existing life-loss models, the work presents a summary of historical insights that were derived by characterizing flood events on the level of subpopulations at risk, using nearly 100 carefully defined variables. Building upon both conceptual and historical insights, the work culminates by presenting the conceptual basis for a new life-loss model that remains under development.

Chapter …

Utah Water Research Laboratory Publications Listing 1989-1994, David S. Bowles, Leaunda S. Hemphill

Reports

No abstract provided.

Bear River Water Quality: Bioavailable Phosphorus Measurement, Sources, And Control, Kenneth W. Barker, Darwin L. Sorensen, Jay C. Andersen, Jean M. Ihnat

Reports

No abstract provided.

Bioavailable Phosphorus In The Bear River System, Utah, Kenneth Warren Barker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The bioavailable fraction of phosphorus (BAP) in the lower Bear River system waters was investigated. BAP plays a critical role as the limiting nutrient for algal production and eutrophication in proposed reservoirs in the Bear River system. The Bear River system has a hardness ranging between 180-240 mg/L as CaCO₃ which significantly affects BAP.

BAP estimation was done by a modified Selenastrum capricornutum Printz Algal Assay Bottle Test. The algal bioassay is considered the best estimator of BAP because no chemical tests or indicator parameters are available. Autoclaving and UV radiation were found to be unacceptable means for sterilization …

Improvement Of Deep Tubewell Irrigation Project Performance In Bangladesh, Md. Mirjahan Miah

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A computer model for use in predicting the impact of various improvement options on command area expansion of a deep tubewell irrigation system has been developed. A field study was conducted on 11 selected deep tubewells located at two sites, namely Dhamrai and Thakurgaon, in Bangladesh to collect necessary physical data to provide irrigation engineering insight and a basis for testing and application of the model. The results of the investigation revealed that the actual discharge of most of the deep tubewells was lower than the design or rated capacity. The duration of pump operation in the majority of the …

Human Health Effects Assays, Ronald C. Sims, J. L. Sims, R. R. Dupont

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Current development and use of short-term bioassays to evaluate potential human health hazards of environmental chemical exposure has been the focus of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Second and Third Symposia on the Ap plication of Short-Term Bioassays in the Analysis of Complex Environmental Mixtures.¹'² Topics addressed included development and applications of bioassays, collection and preparation of environmental samples, characterization of hazardous components using bioassays, and environmental assessment. Bartsch and Tomabis,³ using six mutagenicity assays including sub mammalian and mammalian assays to evaluate the quantitative relationship between carcinogenicity and mutagenicity for 532 chemicals, concluded …

Direct Filtration Versus Conventional Water Treatment In The Intermountain Region, Susan K. Burns, V. Dean Adams, Steel B. Maloney

Reports

The direct filtration water treatment scheme does not include sedimentation and in some cases flocculation. Compared to conventional treatment, direct filtration has lowered capital costs, reduced space requirements, decreased sludge quantities, and reduced coagulant dosages. One objective of this research was the statistical comparison of the direct filtration, Utah Valley Water Purification Plant (Orem, Utah) and the conventional Little Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant (Salt Lake City, Utah). These treatment plants are the two most compatible treatment plants having the highest correlation of source water in the local area. The Little Cottonwood plant receives approximately 65 percent of its sources water …

Hydrologic Evaluation Of The Coastal Belt Water Project Sarir And Tazerbo Well Fields, Libya, Edward P. Fisk, Christopher J. Duffy, Calvin G. Clyde, Roland W. Jeppson, Phillip H. Degroot, Bhasker Rao K., Win-Kai Liu

Reports

Executive Summary: The basic purpose of this study was to conduct a finite-element computer model and give an dindependent appraisal of the reliability of the groundwater supply for the proposed Coastal Belt Water Project (CBWP_ Well Fields at Sarir and Tazerbo. There is no doubt that ample quantities of groundwater of acceptable quality occur at the sites selected for these well fields for the estimated 50-year life of the project and longer. Of major concern is the predicted drawdown of wells and total pumping lifts throughout the 50-year period. Excessive drawdowns could cause operating costs to become prohibitibely expensive. Average …

Cost Allocation Alternatives For The Senegal River Development Program, J. Paul Riley, Jay C. Andersen, A. Bruce Bishop, David S. Bowles, John E. Keith

Reports

The primary purpose of the study reported herein is to present methods for using estimated project benefits as the basis for distributing the capital, oeprating, maintenance, and replacement costs associated with the proposed Senegal River development program. The problem is complicated because the Senegal River is an international stream, so that it is necessary to consider not only the various economic use sectors involved with the program, but also the three separate countries of Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. In attempting to meet the primary objective stated above, the report proposes an economic model which estimates economic benefits of the development …

Vulnerability Of Water Supply Systems To Drought, D. T. Jensen

Reports

The objective of this study is to develop a relatively simple and practical method for improving the availability and reliability of information about droughts to those responsibile for water supply management and planning. The information technique developed provides an objective basis for the selection of wate rsupply management alternatives during periods of drought. The derived drought information can assist water supply planners and managers in identifying priorities among proposed water supply developments fron consideration of water supply vulnerability and exisitng drought severity levels. Two drought indices are developed to achieve the overall objective of the study: (1) the drought severity …

Performance Evaluation Of An Existing Seven Cell Lagoon System, James H. Reynolds, Ralph E. Swiss, Christine A. Macko, E. Joe Middlebrooks

Reports

No abstract provided.

Review Paper: Evaluation Of Techniques For Algae Removal From Wastewater Stabilization Ponds, E. Joe Middlebrooks, Donald B. Porcella, Robert A. Gearheart, Gary R. Marshall, James H. Reynolds, William J. Grenney

Reports

Introduction: Approximately 90 percent of the wastewater lagoons in the United States are located in small communities of 5,000 people or less. These communities, many with an average daily wastewater flow of only 175,000 - 200,000 gallons, do not have the resources to keep man at the lagoon sites throughout the day (38). A high degree of technical knowhow is usually lacking in these communities. Often only periodic inspection or maintenance is carried out by the general municipal work force. Therefore, the development of a relatively inexpensive method that does not require sophisticated and constant operation or extensive maintenance is …