Engineering Commons^™

Absorber Geometry Optimization For A New Wave Energy Converter, Rachel A. Durren

Masters Theses

Alternative energy technologies are on the forefront of research due to the rising costs of oil and natural gas. One relatively under development source of energy is ocean waves. In order to make the use of ocean waves economically viable, the amount of energy absorbed by wave energy converters (WEC) must be optimized. The research within presents a new conceptual design, "Aqua Fly", for a WEC with emphasis on maximizing the amount of energy absorbed. The energy absorption component of the "Aqua Fly" was isolated and a small scale 2-D study of energy absorption. First, the amount of energy in …

Identification Of Starry Milia-Like Cysts In Seborrheic Keratoses And Malignant Melanomas Using Image Processing Techniques, Viswanaath Subramanian

Masters Theses

"Seborrheic keratoses are the most common benign tumors found in older individuals. Seborrheic keratoses are normally benign in nature, but sometimes in a large lesion area of seborrheic keratoses, secondary tumors, or squamous cell carcinoma in situ or malignant melanoma may occur. It has been found that seborrheic keratoses have a few features that distinguish them from melanomas. Milia-like cysts, comedo-like openings and network-like structures are the most prominent features found in seborrheic keratoses. Comedo-like openings are pigmented structures and are mostly oval yellowish, brown or black in appearance. They can also be observed in melanocytic lesions and melanomas. Milia-like …

Maximum Power Point Tracking Control Of Hydrokinetic Turbine And Low-Speed High-Thrust Permanent Magnet Generator Design, Hailong Zhou

Masters Theses

"River-based hydrokinetic turbine power generation systems have been studied to introduce an effective energy flow control method. Hydrokinetic turbine systems share a lot of similarities with wind turbine systems in terms of physical principles of operation, electrical hardware, and variable speed capability for optimal energy extraction. A multipole permanent magnet synchronous generator is used to generate electric power because of its ability to reach high power density and high thrust at low speed. A 3-phase diode rectifier is used to convert AC power from the generator into DC power and a boost converter is used to implement energy flow control. …

Dynamic Model-Based Systems Engineering Using Xml Metadata Interchange, Dustin Scott Nottage

Masters Theses

"Designing systems presents an engineer with numerous design choices based on multiple conditions and constraints. Base camp planning must take into account the number of soldiers, the permanency of the base, the location of the base, etc. To help alleviate the complexity of constructing a base camp, a model-based systems engineering approach is used. This method creates and integrates models for all of the facilities that can make a base camp, as well as interactions between facilities and required utilities for each. The goal is to have a camp design, and then solve a system of equations to solve for …

Effects Of Coal Comminution In Relation To Waterjet And Selected Feed Properties, Yaqing Li

Masters Theses

"The necessity to develop a viable alternative to oil means that the development of coal-water fuels (CWF) has become increasingly important. However, the existing methods of comminution to prepare ultrafine particles for CWF are very inefficient. Consequently, a number of novel methods of comminution have been investigated in order to increase the efficiency of the process.

In this research, a new method of comminution using a high-pressure waterjet has been tested to produce ultrafine particle sizes necessary for efficient CWF process. To establish the fundamental performance of the waterjet mill, the influence of the operational pressure, standoff distance, feed size, …

Towards On-Line Voltage Stability Assessment Using Synchrophasors, Himanshu Subandhu Hirlekar

Masters Theses

"Voltage instability has become a growing concern in the operation of power systems in recent years. The reason is that power systems all over are being operated with reduced margins because of increased demand exacerbated by a general reluctance to invest in improvement of the electric grid infrastructure. Until recently it was difficult to predict voltage instability in the on-line environment. However, advances in technology has made possible the on-line monitoring and assessment of voltage stability. Synchrophasors is a relatively new technology in the field of power systems which allows system operators to monitor the system conditions at specific measurement …

Density Determination Of Tristructural-Isotropic Nuclear Fuel Using Multiple Projection X-Ray Radiography, Frank Angelo Strantz

Masters Theses

"Effective methods of enhancing the safety and efficiency of the nuclear power industry embolden its perception and economic viability. Fuel reliability is an essential component of the prosperity of next generation high temperature reactors; as such, an equally dependable quality control method is mandatory. Tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel, the fuel developed for use in these reactors, utilizes density measurement of coating layers as a standard for quality control. Common methods of measuring density, such as sink-float and ceramography are destructive, and as such generate radioactive waste, take a relatively long time to prepare samples, rely on a low sampling rate to …

Integration And Characterization Of An Electrical Storage System For A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Edward Alexei Anculle Arauco

Masters Theses

"Hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicles are an advance technology that promises to solve the energy crisis in transportation and green houses emissions. Even more, Plug-in or extended range vehicles can add diversity in energy sources. Extended range vehicles have the capability to extract energy from the grid and hence reduce the cost of operation of the vehicle. EcoCAR: the NeXt Challenge is a Noth [sic] American competition with seventeen schools participating across North America. Missouri S&T is developing a Fuel Cell Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicle which has a large lithium-ion battery able to store 16 kWh. The fuel cell powertrain …

Development And Evaluation Of An Effective Process For The Recovery Of Oil And Detoxification Of Meal From Jatropha Curcas, Sarthak Gaur

Masters Theses

"There has been significant research on biofuels to ensure national security and economic stability of the US. Jatropha curcas, a hardy plant, holds tremendous potential as a biodiesel source and cattle feed-stock largely due to its high triglyceride and crude protein content. However, its viable economic utilization is limited due to the presence of important toxic compounds, phorbol esters. A novel and efficient process has been developed that obtains high yields of jatropha oil and detoxifies the defatted (oil free) jatropha meal. Principles of solid-liquid extraction were utilized to detoxify the meal and then liquid chromatography was employed to analyze …

The Effects Of Water To Fuel Ratio On The Kinetics Of Supercritical Water Reformation Of Jet Fuel, Satya Putta

Masters Theses

"The noncatalytic direct reformation of jet fuel was studied in a supercritical water medium using a specially designed 400-mL Haynes® 230 alloy tubular reactor. The experiments were conducted at 1042±5 K, 240.9±0.1 bar, and at water flow rates of 7.5, 15, 30 g/min with varying water-to-fuel feed ratios of 7.5, 15 and 30. The principal reactions are direct reformation of jet fuel into hydrogen and carbon oxides and pyrolysis of jet fuel into lighter hydrocarbons and coke. The effluent gas contained H₂, CO, CO₂ and CH₄, with smaller concentrations of C₂H₄ and C₂H₆. This thesis discusses the effects of the …

Release And Removal Of Microcystins From Microcystis During Disinfection Treatments, Jie Ding

Masters Theses

"The presence of algal toxins, or cyanotoxins, in surface water has been increasingly reported. These highly hazardous toxins are potential threat to both human health and animals by contaminating drinking water sources over the world. In this research project, inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa cells and release and removal of intracellular microcystins during several oxidative and physical treatments was studied. The results of this study show that chlorine dioxide, sonication, low salinity and quick blending with tissuemiser caused immediate release of microcystin-LR to water after treatment. No significant increase of toxin level was observed after treatment with free chlorine, ozone, permanganate, …

Investment Casting Using Ice Patterns -- Solid Mold And Shell Mold Methods, Harish Jose

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on the development and implementation of the investment casting process using ice patterns. The traditional method of the investment casting process involves using wax patterns. Wax patterns tend to expand during the dewaxing process, and this causes stress on the shell wall which can eventually lead to the breaking of the wall. Ice patterns on the other hand shrink when heated. This is a very desirable property for the investment casting process. The process of dewaxing (dewatering) of ice patterns can be achieved by keeping the shells at room temperature, instead of heating the shell in an …

Innovative Contracting Prequalification/Selection Model Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (Ahp), Saad J. Zidan

Masters Theses

Design-Build, Cost-Plus-Time, and warranty are the three innovative contracting methods that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) decided to fund. FHWA allowed the usage of these methods in federally funded projects if this will result in reducing time, improving quality, and saving tax payers' money. Prequalification is recognized as the best way of assuring that contractors do have the required qualifications to deliver projects successfully. Prequalification is even more critical when low-bid selection method is used with any of the innovative contracting, since incompetent contractors may get awarded for low-bids that are not based on valid assumptions.

This study presents a …

An Empirical Study Of Just-In-Time And Total Quality Management Principles Implementation In Manufacturing Firms In The U.S., Loknath Sriparavastu

Masters Theses

Literature in vogue points out that, in the last decade, American manufacturing companies came a long way in their renewed emphasis on the quality process. Justin- Time (JIT) and Total Quality Management (TQM) are the two magical phrases that are being frequently used in almost all the articles published on quality and productivity. Nevertheless, the literature does not provide any satisfactory explanation as to how JIT and TQM principles are implemented in the manufacturing industries.

This research, through a nationwide empirical survey, analyzed the effects of JIT and TQM strategies implementation. Survey results showed that implementing both JIT and TQM …

Simulation Model For Predicting The Impact Of Progressive Diseases In The U.S. Population By Tracking, Biju Suseelan

Masters Theses

Computer Aided Simulation is the process of designing a mathematical-logical model of a real system and experimenting with this model on a computer. Simulation encompasses a model building process as well as the design and implementation of an appropriate experiment involving that model. A simulation experiment involves observing the dynamic behavior of a model by moving from state to state in accordance with well-defined operating rules designed into the model. This research contains the development of a novel approach for the HIV transmission dynamics by using computer simulation to track the HIV positive individuals in a population and to determine …

Water Desalination Using Nocturnal Radiation Cooling, Ali Mufarreh Saleh Al-Amri

Masters Theses

"In this investigation nocturnal radiation condensation cooling is considered to determine the possibility of using this method as a desalination process in remote areas, villages and resorts, etc. An experimental study was made and programs were developed to calculate water collection under ideal conditions. Both experimental and theoretical work indicated that this process is useful for small scale water production where there is no available energy sources. It can be used also in conjunction with solar desalination processes. Cost analysis and a preliminary design are included"--Abstract, page ii.

A Study Of Stability Of Ac And Dc Transmission Lines Operated In Parallel., Tzyy-Cheng Wang

Masters Theses

"This thesis is concerned with the analysis, optimization and simulation of parallel operation of ac and de transmission lines.

An introduction and literature review are provided to give background information on how the parallel operation should be considered. The parallel system is analyzed, and the state equation is derived for determining the stability limit. The optimization of the control law U = Fx is determined by a standard quadratic cost function. Prefault, during fault and postfault situations in the parallel operation has been simulated by Continuous System Modeling program. Some comparison and comments are made between 1 ac, 1 de …

Analysis Of The Stresses Induced In Rock By Rock Splitters., Diogenes De Jesus Chollett

Masters Theses

"The method of solution of the problem of determining the stress and displacement distributions around an unfractured circular hole subjected to nonuniform applied internal pressure located in an infinite plate is developed. Two problems are solved for two different representative boundary conditions. The problem of determining the stress distribution around a circular hole with two symmetric radial cracks subjected to nonuniform applied radial pressure located in an infinite plate is analyzed and developed for further solution"-- Abstract, p. ii

A Study On The Feasibility Of Using Pipelines For The Collection And Transportation Of Urban Solid Wastes, William Leo Sago Jr.

Masters Theses

"This study was conducted to determine the technological feasibility of using a tube transport (pipeline) system to supplement and partially eliminate the present inadequate solid waste collecting and transporting techniques employed in most cities throughout the United States. Specific objectives were to develop a practical pipeline system for the transport of refuse by means of a fluid and to determine the uniformity of composition of refuse. The hydrodynamic characteristics of each transport medium, water and Chemical Emulsion., W-4088, were to be determined also. Another item of interest was the degree of grinding necessary to transport refuse by pipeline. An experimental …

A Flood Frequency Study For Small Watersheds In Missouri, Ronald Anthony Rusch

Masters Theses

"The quantity and quality of streamflow data available on small watersheds in Missouri has improved in the last ten years. However, it will be years before there is sufficient data on both the large and small watersheds to enable investigators to conduct extensive studies in the state. This study of 70 small watersheds within the state of Missouri presents a technique to estimate the discharge from watershed of 25 square miles or less...Results from this study may be used in the design of small hydraulic structures such as culverts, bridges, and dams for small reservoirs"--Abstract, page ii.

A Comparison Of Friction And Drum Hoisting Systems On An Energy-Input Basis, Hemendra Nath Kalia

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this thesis is to provide a suitable basis for comparing the relative advantages of the friction and drum hoists under various conditions of operation.

Such comparisons are mainly and necessarily based upon physical characteristics of the mechanisms for lack of appropriate economic data. It is believed, however, that this inadequacy may be alleviated to some extent by substituting comparative theoretical energy requirements of' the two hoisting systems under identical duty conditions over a practical range of mining situations involving various depths and daily productions.

This has been accomplished by adapting a computer to standard mine-hoist design techniques …

A Study Of Stress Distribution And Measurement Of Axial Strain Around A Pilot Hole During Overboring, Varakantham Sreedhar Reddy

Masters Theses

"Stress distribution around a pilot hole during overcoring was investigated. A study of axial strain on the borehole surface was undertaken. Two-dimensional epoxy resin models were prepared and stress frozen in a centrifuge. The stress-frozen models were examined under a direct-viewing polariscope. The magnitude of axial strain and the effect of strain relaxation on the pilot hole were measured on blocks of brittle materials. Factors contributing to discing of core during the overcoring operation were investigated and a mechanism of failure postulated. The loading conditions simulating in situ, core and bit pressures were applied individually to the brittle models and …

Use Of Spent Sulphite Liquor For Stabilization Of Fractured Rock And Sealing Off Water Bearing Formations, Laxman Singh Sunda

Masters Theses

"The paper industry, in its process of manufacturing pulp from wood, produces large quantities of a substance called lignin, lignin sulphite, or lignosulphonate. This material has been disposed of as a waste product; however, it does have many potential uses. In this investigation, lignosulfonates were used as agents for bonding rock sections together and, as the chief component of gels, for filling the pores of artificial rock cores. The purposes of these tests were to find how this substance could be used in the mining industry, for stabilizing fractured ground around mine openings and for sealing off water influx into …

A Study Of The Work Functions Of Nigerian Industrial Technicians, Olugbenro A. Ajayi

Masters Theses

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

A curriculum can be developed in several ways. The simplest method is to use the curriculum of another institution without modification. The hazard of such an approach lies in the possibility that the curriculum may not be a good one or, even if satisfactory for the original institution, may not fit into the conditions of the setting where it is to be used. For example, entrance requirements for institutions vary from country to country and from one institution to another.

Another method is to study a number of curriculums and develop a composite curriculum …

Investigations Of The Feasibility Of Transporting Ore In Open-Flumes., Kirtikant R. Sheth

Masters Theses

"Considerable effort has been expended and many data are published on developing the technologies of pipeline transportation and hydraulic hoisting. However, comparatively little information is available on the techniques of hydraulic mining, and nearly none ii is reported on conveying slurries in open flumes. For this reason, the author chose to investigate some of the parameters that influence open-flume transport.

It was found that Durand has assembled the findings of several investigators into a simple mathematical expression which is accepted as a standard for designing slurry pipelines. ·Further investigation by the writer revealed that Durand's formula, with only minor modification, …

Electrolytic Corrosion Of Reinforcing Steel In Concrete., Lawrence D. Green

Masters Theses

"Deterioration of bridge decks has increased the interest in the corrosion of steel in concrete. A comprehensive review of literature on the subject of electrolytic corrosion of steel in concrete is presented in this thesis.

Development of theory from the literature leads to the following statements. There are two causes for electrolytic corrosion of steel in concrete, stray currents from direct current power sources and the formation of macro-cells within the structure. The corrosion caused by the macro-cells appears to be the more important of the two. Anodic areas exhibit corrosion of the steel and cracking of the concrete.

Many …

Some Effects Of Impact Of Low Magnitude On The Deformation Of Prestressed Gypsum Cylinders., Arthur Joe Bush

Masters Theses

"A review of the literature pertaining to the subject is presented. Many series or impacts were made on specimens of gypsum which were already under a static load. A special. repetitive impact machine was used to allow a variety or weights to fall from predetermined heights. Tests were conducted inside a roan constructed especially for these tests. Heat gained or lost through the ceiling and walls was kept at a minilI1um by a lining or aluminum-covered, fiber glass insulation. Temperature and humidity conditions were kept nearly constant by a combination air-conditioner and dehumidifier.

Repetitive loading of the prestressed specimen was …

Mechanics Of The Voussoir Arch As Applied To Block Caving, Christopher Haycocks

Masters Theses

"The theories of ground failure in massive rock with special reference to the problem of the mechanics of block caving were studied and evaluated.

The mechanics of arch or dome formation underground were studied quantitatively using the Voussoir arch theory. The effect of shear stress on the arch stability was considered and found to affect the system only when the arch height increased beyond certain limits.

A theory of the mechanism of ground failure in an undercut block using the dome theory was advanced. Photo- elastic model studies were used to support the conclusions reached"--Abstract, page i.

Correlation Of Dust-Count Results By Zeiss Konimeter And Midget Impinger, Chandmal Jain

Masters Theses

"In this modern age, the scientific and technological developments have advanced mechanized mining to the status wherein the attendant dust problems have reached very serious hazard proportions. The significant roles, which have been perfected for the Zeiss konimeter and the midget impinger, in evaluating dust concentrations and thereby revealing possible improvements in making the atmospheric conditions safer, cannot be over emphasized.

While introducing the subject of this paper in the first chapter, the author has presented a historical resume, wherein he pointed out that performances of these instruments have not been correlated in the past. However, the work reported on …

Segregation Method As Possible Process To Beneficiate Oxidized Lead Ores, Jose Molfino Tomasio

Masters Theses

"In this investigation it has been demonstrated that the Segregation Process has merit for treating oxidized lead ores.

The process comprises heating the crushed ore with salt and coal at about 750° C. to produce metallic lead attached to the carbon particles, which then is recovered by conventional flotation methods.

The quantities of sodium chloride and coal required for the best segregation of lead obtained in this work was 1.0 percent of coal and 1.0 percent of salt by weight.

Good segregation was obtained by using salt and coal as fine as 65 or 48 mesh. Segregation varied with the …