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LSU Master's Theses

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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Kekf R1 Reservoir - West Delta Block 84, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana - An Analysis And Confirmation Of Bypassed Primary And Secondary Reserves, William Clay Kimbrell Jan 2002

Kekf R1 Reservoir - West Delta Block 84, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana - An Analysis And Confirmation Of Bypassed Primary And Secondary Reserves, William Clay Kimbrell

LSU Master's Theses

West Delta Block 84 Field is located off the coast of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The intent of this endeavor is to prove that the two of the reservoirs, the KE-1 and KF-1, form a single communicating reservoir, the KEKF-R1; that a waterflood into the KF-1 reservoir was ineffective; that oil reserves were bypassed; and that a portion of these bypassed oil reserves can be recovered without drilling new wells. Comparisons between pre-seismic and post-seismic geological interpretations were studied, a thorough volumetric analysis was performed with a subsequent material balance calculations and a reservoir computer simulation was performed. Once a history …


Fecal Coliform Concentration In Surface Runoff From Pastures With Applied Dairy Manure, Alyson Kristine Bertges Hubbs Jan 2002

Fecal Coliform Concentration In Surface Runoff From Pastures With Applied Dairy Manure, Alyson Kristine Bertges Hubbs

LSU Master's Theses

This study examined the magnitude of release of fecal coliform indicator bacteria in surface runoff from pasture amended with dairy manure. The experiment was conducted at Southeast Research Station in Franklinton, Louisiana between March and June, 2001. The experiment was designed to compare the effects of two methods of manure application on fecal coliform release. Manure application simulating natural deposition by cattle (Treatment A) was compared to that of land application of manure as fertilizer (Treatment B). Application of inorganic fertilizer was used as the control. Each Treatment was applied to three field plots. Simulated rainfalls were conducted on plots …


Evaluation Of The Hydrocarbon Potential In Low-Salinity Shaly Sand, Fnu Kurniawan Jan 2002

Evaluation Of The Hydrocarbon Potential In Low-Salinity Shaly Sand, Fnu Kurniawan

LSU Master's Theses

This research utilizes reservoir data from an oilfield in Indonesia, which is characterized by shaly sand and low salinity formation water. Both low salinity and shaliness reduce the resistivity contrast between oil and water. The aim of this research was to build a comprehensive interpretation algorithm to evaluate the shaly-sand reservoir in a low salinity formation water using limited well log data. Shaly-sand interpretation is still evolving with numerous researchers conducting investigations of the clay minerals effect on rock conductivity through theoretical and experimental approach. These investigations can be loosely divided into either Fractional Shale Volume models or the Cation …


Comparison Of Numerical And Experimental Results Of Four Liquid Spray Combustors, Dong Hu Jan 2002

Comparison Of Numerical And Experimental Results Of Four Liquid Spray Combustors, Dong Hu

LSU Master's Theses

Validation of CFD predictions for liquid spray combustion application is a challenging task due to difficulties in both modeling and experimental measurements. Validation is considered to be a key step for successful CFD predictions of combustion systems. The goals of this thesis are threefold: (1) validation of models used for spray combustion predictions, (2) using the validated predictions to explain steady flow and combustion physics, and (3) using the validated procedure to simulate conditions where unstable combustion behavior is observed experimentally, and to explore if such unstable behavior can be predicted correctly. The model validation is done with respect to …


Efficient Convolvers Using The Polynomial Residue Number System Technique, Surendar Paruchuri Jan 2002

Efficient Convolvers Using The Polynomial Residue Number System Technique, Surendar Paruchuri

LSU Master's Theses

The problem of computing linear convolution is a very important one because with linear convolution we can mechanize digital filtering. The linear convolution of two N-point sequences can be computed by the cyclic convolution of the following 2N-point sequences. The original sequence padded with N zero’s each. The cyclic convolution of two N-point sequences requires multiplications and additions for its computation. A very efficient way of computing cyclic convolution of two sequences is by using the Polynomial Residue Number System (PRNS) technique. Using this technique the cyclic convolution of two N-point sequences can be computed using only N multiplications instead …


Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Of Lipids From Raw And Bioconverted Rice Bran, Rohit Badal Jan 2002

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Of Lipids From Raw And Bioconverted Rice Bran, Rohit Badal

LSU Master's Theses

Rice bran is often discarded despite its nutritional value because the oil in rice bran easily becomes rancid. This has necessitated the search for a method for utilizing the rice bran. The present study involves the application of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and bioprocessing (microbial growth on rice bran media) for increasing the value of the rice bran to produce products of high value (nutraceuticals) with superior health benefit. This study was focused on determining the effect of particle size (>48 mesh and 16-48 mesh) and biotreatment on the yield and quality of rice bran oil. SFE technique (40°C, …


Development Of Trip Generation Models Of Hurricane Evacuation, Bing Mei Jan 2002

Development Of Trip Generation Models Of Hurricane Evacuation, Bing Mei

LSU Master's Theses

In this study, alternative trip generation models for hurricane evacuation movement were developed using logistic regression and neural networks. The southwest Louisiana post-Andrew survey data were used for model estimation, validation, and comparison. The performance of the alternative models was compared with each other as well as against that of an existing evacuation model, the PBS&J model, developed for the same area. The results showed that the models developed in this study displayed similar performance. It was also found that the models developed in this study performed better than the existing PBS&J model in predicting household evacuation trip generation for …


Nonlinear State And Parameter Estimation And Model Predictive Control Of Nitrogen Purification Columns, Shoujun Bian Jan 2002

Nonlinear State And Parameter Estimation And Model Predictive Control Of Nitrogen Purification Columns, Shoujun Bian

LSU Master's Theses

High-purity distillation columns are highly nonlinear systems. Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of these columns is challenging. The complexity of a first-principles model of a multi-stage distillation column, which involves a large number of differential and algebraic equations, makes Model Predictive Control computationally expensive. This thesis has focused on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control based on a simplified wave model of a distillation column; the simplified wave model consists of only one ordinary differential equation along with several algebraic equations. The predictive capability of the nonlinear wave model can be improved significantly through the application of nonlinear state estimation. Off-line estimation by …


Nitrification Rates In A Reversed-Flow, Spouted-Bed, Bioreactor Applied To Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, Jonathan Thomas Scott Jan 2002

Nitrification Rates In A Reversed-Flow, Spouted-Bed, Bioreactor Applied To Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, Jonathan Thomas Scott

LSU Master's Theses

The effects of media selection and organic loading on nitrification rates in a reversed-flow, three-phase, spouted-bed, bioreactor with draft-tube (A-1 Aquaculture Continuous-Cleaning Multifunctional Biofilter or CCMB) were studied. Experiments were conducted on three identical recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) each having a CCMB unit with a unique plastic pelletized media and operated over five successive trials with varying components and operating conditions. Based upon organic loading, three of the five trials were grouped into two organic loading regimes of approximately 91 mg/L COD and 149 mg/L COD. Comparing nitrification rates against the three media types by organic loading showed that media …


Geostatistical Shale Models For A Deltaic Reservoir Analog: From 3d Gpr Data To 3d Flow Modeling, Hongmei Li Jan 2002

Geostatistical Shale Models For A Deltaic Reservoir Analog: From 3d Gpr Data To 3d Flow Modeling, Hongmei Li

LSU Master's Theses

The effects of shales on fluid flow in marine-influenced lower delta-plain distributary channel deposits are investigated using a three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data volume from the Cretaceous-age Ferron sandstone at Corbula Gulch in central Utah, USA. Using interpreted GPR data, we formulate a geostatistical model of the dimensions, orientations, and geometries of the internal structure from the subaerial exposure surface down to about 12 m depth. The correlation function between GPR instantaneous amplitude and shale index is built after statistical calibration of the GPR attributes (amplitude) with well data (gamma ray logs). Shale statistics are computed from this correlation function. …


Movement Along The Baton Rouge Fault, Araya Eshetu Kebede Jan 2002

Movement Along The Baton Rouge Fault, Araya Eshetu Kebede

LSU Master's Theses

The Baton Rouge fault is one of two faults (the other being Denham Spring-Scotlandville fault) that traverse the city of Baton Rouge and has long been thought to be active. Structural damages to buildings, streets and sidewalks near the fault have previously been attributed to movement of the fault. Although the presence of the fault has been known for nearly 60 years, previous investigations have failed to determine its rate of movement. This study was aimed at determining the rate of modern movement along the Baton Rouge fault. Using a precise geodetic leveling technique, the current elevations of NGS (National …


Ternary And Quaternary Logic To Binary Bit Conversion Cmos Integrated Circuit Design Using Multiple Input Floating Gate Mosfets, Harish N. Venkata Jan 2002

Ternary And Quaternary Logic To Binary Bit Conversion Cmos Integrated Circuit Design Using Multiple Input Floating Gate Mosfets, Harish N. Venkata

LSU Master's Theses

Multiple-input floating gate MOSFETs and floating gate potential diagrams have been used for conversion of ternary-valued input and quaternary-valued input into corresponding binary-valued output in CMOS integrated circuit design environment. The method is demonstrated through the design of a circuit for conversion of ternary inputs 00 to -1-1 (decimal 0 to -4) and 00 to 11 (decimal 0 to +4) into the corresponding binary bits and for conversion of quaternary inputs (decimal 0 to 3) into the corresponding binary bits (binary 00 to 11) in a standard 1.5 mm digital CMOS technology. The physical design of the circuits is simulated …


Tension Lap Splice Lengths Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bars, Gregory Patrick Sepeda Jan 2002

Tension Lap Splice Lengths Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bars, Gregory Patrick Sepeda

LSU Master's Theses

With recent advances in the area of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), more effort has been spent trying to incorporate the use of FRP in design applications. FRP bars offer both an ultimate strength and a corrosion resistance greater than traditional steel reinforcing. Fiber reinforced polymer bars can either consist of continuous glass (GFRP), aramid (AFRP) or carbon fibers (CFRP). CFRP bars, while lighter than GFRP typically offer a much greater tensile strength. With the recent release of the American Concrete Institute’s first edition manual ACI-440.1R “Guide for the Design and Construction of Concrete Reinforced with FRP Bars” (2001), unified design …


A Model Of Heat And Mass Transfer In An Idealized Micro Heat Pipe, Jin Zhang Jan 2002

A Model Of Heat And Mass Transfer In An Idealized Micro Heat Pipe, Jin Zhang

LSU Master's Theses

Micro heat pipes have been used to cool computer chips, but their heat transfer coefficients are low compared with that of conventional heat pipes. To understand this deficiency, an idealized micro heat pipe is proposed that has simplified interfacial geometry but retains the essential physics. It is a long and narrow cavity of rectangular cross section with the bottom made of a wetting material and the top a non-wetting material. A wetting liquid fills the bottom half of the cavity, and its vapor fills the rest. This configuration ensures that the liquid-vapor interface is pinned at the contact line. Since …


Modeling Adsorption Of Cane Sugar Colorant In Packed-Bed Ion Exchangers, Hugh Anthony Broadhurst Jan 2002

Modeling Adsorption Of Cane Sugar Colorant In Packed-Bed Ion Exchangers, Hugh Anthony Broadhurst

LSU Master's Theses

The removal of cane sugar solution colorant by packed-bed ion exchangers was modeled using a linear driving force (LDF) adsorption model. Adsorption of colorant is of interest to the developers of the White Sugar Mill (WSM) process as it is a complex subject. The problem is that color is an indiscrete mixture of many components making it difficult to measure and even more challenging to model. Colorant formation was investigated using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with the objective of developing a method to define pseudo-components representative of cane sugar solution colorants. WSM is a process for producing white sugar directly …


Application Of Duhamel's Theorem To Problems Involving Oscillating Heat Source, Haribabu Krishnamurthy Jan 2002

Application Of Duhamel's Theorem To Problems Involving Oscillating Heat Source, Haribabu Krishnamurthy

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis deals with a systematic development of a method for predicting the temperature field in various domains subjected to oscillating heat sources on its boundaries using the Duhamel’s method. First a method is devised for single domain problems in both Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates for oscillating heat sources and also for unidirectional rotation of shafts in cylindrical coordinates. The analytically computed results for the problems in Cartesian coordinates compared favorably with the results from Finite Element Method, attesting to the validity of this novel approach. Later, the method is extended to predict the maximum temperature in oscillating Pin-Bushing mechanism, …


Liga Mold Insert Fabrication Using Su-8 Photoresist, Jian Zhang Jan 2002

Liga Mold Insert Fabrication Using Su-8 Photoresist, Jian Zhang

LSU Master's Theses

The LIGA process potentially enables economic mass-production of devices with high aspect ratio geometry. Central to the LIGA process is the fabrication of high quality LIGA molds. But in the traditional LIGA mold insert fabrication process, the x-ray photoresist poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) is not highly sensitive to x-rays and a thick piece of PMMA sheet (>1mm) needs too much time to get exposed (bottom dose: 3500J/cm3), which results in excessive cost/ fabrication difficulty of the mold insert. Thus, in this thesis a negative photoresist SU-8 was tested as an x-ray photoresist in the LIGA fabrication process. SU-8 is much more …


Design And Microfabrication Of A Molded Polycarbonate Continuous Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Device, Michael Mitchell Jan 2002

Design And Microfabrication Of A Molded Polycarbonate Continuous Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Device, Michael Mitchell

LSU Master's Theses

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an amplification technique that is used with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and can produce millions of copies of the starting material, even from single molecules. Since its discovery by Kary Mullis in the mid-1980s, PCR has been one of the most important techniques in the arsenal of tools used for genetic analyses. For this research a continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (CFPCR) system was designed, microfabricated from molded polycarbonate, and tested. Finite element modeling was used to model thermal and microfluidic response of the system. X-ray LIGA was used to fabricate mold inserts for the …


Development Of A Micro Power Relay With Static Electrical Actuator, Ren Yang Jan 2002

Development Of A Micro Power Relay With Static Electrical Actuator, Ren Yang

LSU Master's Theses

In this thesis, a research about design and fabrication of a micro power relay is presented. Compared with the traditional electromagnetic relay and solid-state relay, MEMS micro power relay is introduced. After introducing the advantage and other people's research about the MEMS relay, some design and simulation about a new prototype micro power relay are done. Based on the design, UV-LIGA is used as the fabrication method. The bottom part and top part of the micro power relay are fabricated separately. After assembly the top part on the bottom part, some simple tests about the micro power relay are done. …


The Effects Of Rock And Fluids Characteristics On Reservoir Wettability, Chandra S. Vijapurapu Jan 2002

The Effects Of Rock And Fluids Characteristics On Reservoir Wettability, Chandra S. Vijapurapu

LSU Master's Theses

Wettability is the ability of a fluid to spread or adhere on a rock surface in the presence of other immiscible fluids. Knowledge of wettability is important to decide what production strategy needs to be employed for optimum oil recovery. Wettability is affected by rock mineralogy, rock surface roughness, and brine compositions. Previous studies have dealt with solid-liquid-vapor systems and those involving wettability characterization in solid-liquid-liquid systems have used contact angle techniques known to have reproducibility problems. In this study, a new technique called the Dual-Drop-Dual-Crystal (DDDC) Technique has been used to characterize wettability in terms of dynamic contact angles. …


A New Approach To Evaluate Fracture Strength Of Uv-Liga Fabricated Nickel Specimens, Catherine Oropeza Jan 2002

A New Approach To Evaluate Fracture Strength Of Uv-Liga Fabricated Nickel Specimens, Catherine Oropeza

LSU Master's Theses

One of the major difficulties faced by MEMS researchers today is the lack of data regarding properties of electroplated metals or alloys at micro-levels as those produced by the LIGA and LIGA related process. These mechanical properties are not well known and they cannot be extrapolated from macro-scale data without experimental verification. This lack of technical information about microscale physical properties has affected the consistency and reliability of batch-fabricated components and leads to very low rates of successful fabrication. Therefore, this material issue is of vital importance to the development of LIGA technology and to its industrial applications. This thesis …


Prediction Of Transient Head On Seepage Path Using Boundary Fitted Coordinate (Bfc) System, Sherly Hartono Jan 2002

Prediction Of Transient Head On Seepage Path Using Boundary Fitted Coordinate (Bfc) System, Sherly Hartono

LSU Master's Theses

One of the main causes of levee failure is seepage through levee. This seepage can cause weakening in the levee structure, which in turn can cause sudden levee failure or overtopping of the levee due to levee depression. The purpose of this study is to determine the transient head on the seepage path due to changing water level during flood period. Transient seepage problems are very important as critical condition can occur during this time rather than during steady state condition. Seepage path through a levee can be predicted using the Boundary Fitted Coordinate (BFC) system method. The physical coordinate …


Analysis Of Methods For Assigning Capacity In A Transportation Planning Network, Yogesh Kandaswamy Dheenadayalu Jan 2002

Analysis Of Methods For Assigning Capacity In A Transportation Planning Network, Yogesh Kandaswamy Dheenadayalu

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of the research was to analyze the current practice of assigning capacity values to links of a network and to determine how capacity can be assigned more accurately without greatly increasing time, effort and costs. Currently in most planning networks, the link capacities are assigned based on the number of lanes and a gross facility and area type considerations (LSU, 1997). This practice might have affected the results of travel demand modeling performed using the network. To test this hypothesis, the current practice was compared to the practice of assigning capacities link-by-link using the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) …


Tribological Behavior Of Nanostructured Nickel, Dean Joseph Guidry Jan 2002

Tribological Behavior Of Nanostructured Nickel, Dean Joseph Guidry

LSU Master's Theses

The present study reports the effects of electroplating parameters on the microstructure, and thus the mechanical and tribological properties, of nanostructured nickel. Electroplating was conducted in a Watt's type bath with a pH of 3.0 carried out using direct current in galvanostatic mode at current densities of 30 mA/cm2 and 15 mA/cm2 in electroplating bath temperatures of 30°C and 50°C. Grain size and distributions were determined from TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) micrographs. Tribological tests were carried out on a pin-on-disc type tribometer. The same tests were conducted on Ni-200 for the purpose of …


Wavelength Assignment In All-Optical Networks For Mesh Topologies, Prabhulaiah Bijja Jan 2002

Wavelength Assignment In All-Optical Networks For Mesh Topologies, Prabhulaiah Bijja

LSU Master's Theses

All-Optical Networks employing Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) are believed to be the next generation networks that can meet the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth of the end users. This thesis presents some new heuristics for wavelength assignment and converter placement in mesh topologies. Our heuristics try to assign the wavelengths in an efficient manner that results in very low blocking probability. We propose novel static and dynamic assignment schemes that outperform the assignments reported in the literature even when converters are used. The proposed on-line scheme called "Round-Robin" assignment outperforms previously proposed strategies such as first-fit and random assignment schemes. …


Development Of Catalytic Processes For Aromatic Amides And Carboxylic Acids, Yujun Song Jan 2002

Development Of Catalytic Processes For Aromatic Amides And Carboxylic Acids, Yujun Song

LSU Master's Theses

New catalysts were prepared and studied for: (1) a model amidation with a hindered amine, diethylamine (DEA), to N,N¡¯-diethyltoluamide (DEET); (2) the oxidation of m-xylene (MX) to DEET¡¯s alkylaromatic precursor, m-toluic acid (MTA). In both cases the goal was to reduce waste associated with current processes. Thermodynamic analyses showed that the amidation to produce DEET from MTA and DEA was an equilibrium limited reaction with equilibrium constants (Ke) less than 41 at temperatures below 320¡ÆC. The kinetics on silica-supported titanium (¥³) (triethanolaminato)-isopropoxide (Tyzor TE), calcium hydroxyapatites and silica supported tungsten heteropolyacids were studied using a continuous reactor. Both porous hydroxyapatites …


Visco-Elastic Creep In The Lumbar Spine Associated With Static Flexion: A Feline Model, Guntulu Selen Hatipkarasulu Jan 2002

Visco-Elastic Creep In The Lumbar Spine Associated With Static Flexion: A Feline Model, Guntulu Selen Hatipkarasulu

LSU Master's Theses

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have become a major health concern with the industrial revolution and technological advances. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently estimated the cost of MSDs at $13 to $20 billion annually. Back, spine, and spinal cord disorders add up to 60% of the total MSD injuries. Based on pervious studies, it is known that lumbar ligaments play a limited or little role in stabilizing the spine; where as the musculature around the spine is the major stabilizing structure. However, repetitive or prolonged static displacement or load induces creep in passive tissues of the spine …


Fecal Coliform Decay And Regrowth Kinetics In An Anaerobic Dairy Wastewater Environment, Shufang Liu Jan 2002

Fecal Coliform Decay And Regrowth Kinetics In An Anaerobic Dairy Wastewater Environment, Shufang Liu

LSU Master's Theses

The kinetics of fecal coliforms (FC) decay and regrowth were analyzed under laboratory conditions using filtered dairy wastewater under anaerobic conditions. The mean specific growth rates during the regrowth phase, µr , in the batch study were 1.79, 1.46, and 1.27d-1 for initial organic carbon concentrations of 478, 235 and 127 mg/L COD, respectively. The substrate concentrations had a significant impact on the FC regrowth. A maximum specific growth rate (mmax) of 1.92 d-1, and half-saturated coefficient (ks) of 60.92mg/L were determined from these data. The mean dark FC decay rate coefficients, kd , at 35oC in the batch study …


Bayesian Updating Of Simulated Household Travel Survey Data For Small/Medium Metropolitan Areas, Sirisha Murthy Kothuri Jan 2002

Bayesian Updating Of Simulated Household Travel Survey Data For Small/Medium Metropolitan Areas, Sirisha Murthy Kothuri

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis tests an approach for generating simulated travel survey data that has local characteristics incorporated in it. Travel survey data are generally required for estimating and calibrating travel demand models for a region. The high cost associated with travel surveys puts them beyond the budget of most small/medium MPOs. Therefore simulation of travel survey data provides a viable alternative for these data starved regions to generate data. The simulated data is produced by combining socio-demographic data along with a national survey data set. Updating the simulated data distributions with the distributions obtained by surveying a small sample of local …


Intrinsic Biodegradation Potential Of Crude Oil In Salt Marshes, Julius Enock Jan 2002

Intrinsic Biodegradation Potential Of Crude Oil In Salt Marshes, Julius Enock

LSU Master's Theses

Understanding the influence of different perturbations on the fate of spilled oil in marine ecosystems is useful in assessing the environmental impact and remedial investigation. The effect of flooding and spill recurrence on the fate of an experimental crude oil spill (2 L/m2) was investigated using salt marsh intact cores, incubated for about 3 months, by monitoring residual petroleum hydrocarbons, heterotrophic microbial activity (fluorescein diacetate assay) and soluble organic carbon (SOC). For the flooding study, biodegradation rate of crude oil (with half-lives varying between 16.50 and 49.51 days and turnover times between 23.81 and 71.43 days) and microbial …