Engineering Commons^™

Variations Of Alkalinity, Ph, Oxidation Reduction Potential, And Conductivity In Single And Multi-Stage Sludge Digestion Systems, Nasser M. Kamazani

Theses

Anaerobic digestion is used at many municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Recent increase in the cost of energy and search for an alternative source of energy for the future have prompted renewed interest in anaerobic digestion for energy recovery by production of methane from waste materials, including wastewater sludges and agricultural and municipal solid wastes. Accordingly, a large literature exist on the subject, most of it dealing with more physical aspects of different process design. Little or not enough attention has been paid to its highly complex biochemical characteristics.

The purpose of this study is a preliminary investigation regarding …

Simulation And Off-Line Programming Of Robotic Workcells, Krishnaprasad V. Kamisetty

Theses

A typical, complex robotic workcell, namely NJIT's Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) cell has been designed, modelled and simulated to bridge the gap between design and its implementation. McDonnell Douglas' (McAuto) PLACE, BUILD, COMMAND and ADJUST have been used to simulate entire cycle of the NJIT's FMS cell. Various aspects such as "Cycle Time Analysis", robot reachability of various positions in the cell and "Collision Detection" have also been studied and analyzed.

The ease of effecting any modifications to the existing workcell design has been demonstrated. The NJIT's FMS cell consists of the GE P-50 robot, the IBM 7535 robot, the …

Output Feedback Applied To Observer Based Controller, Nainn-Ping Ke

Theses

This thesis presented the results of an investigation on the stability robustness issues of the Infinite-horizon linear-quadratic-Gaussian (IH-LQG) control system design methodology. The goal of this research deals with the design of Observer based controller using Output Feedback (00F), and this is a new method to solve estimation problems. The primary difference of this method from others is that the estimator is considered as a system. The results of this research shows that the optimal output feedback control law and the optimal state estimator can be designed by the optimal output feedback control method, and shows that the OOF Weighting …

Feasibiltiy, Planning, And Justification Of Fms : A Case Study, Joo Hwan Kim

Theses

FMS production technology, because of its ability to adjust to changes in product demands and produce at competitive costs even on small runs and at above quality levels, has caused its adoption by the major automobile manufacturers. These attributes are of particular interest to Korean automobile manufacturers who due to a small home market need to manufacture in relative small quantities and to export.

This paper considers how such a technology can be implemented. It discusses the key factors to be considered such as strategy, selection and design of the appropriate hardware and software, required organizational changes, and its economic …

Investigation Of The Distribution Of Particles In An Abrasive Water Jet, Sun Kim

Theses

This study is concerned with the distribution of abrasive particles within an abrasive waterJet. The Jet is generated by the Ingersoll Rand nozzle set at the different diameters of the sapphire nozzles and carbide mixers. Water pressure is maintained at 4.7- 4.9 ksi.

The distribution of particles is examined by the separation of the central and adjacent part of the flow and the measurement of the fractions of the mixture and abrasive in the separated region. The separation is carried out by diamond washers coaxial with a carbide mixer. The second series of experiments involve the estimation of the Jet …

A Cmos Robotic Lan Interface Integrated Circuit Design, Yong-Bin Kim

Theses

This thesis describes the design including specification, schematics,logic and circuit simulation, and standard cell layout for a CMOS mixed-mode I.C. for interfacing sensors into a robotics local area network. The network accepts up to 256 interface chips as nodes in each area. A simple network protocol permits acquisition of digital data from the interface nodes through gateways into ARCNET and MAP.

The sensor chip interfaces directly from analog signals of range 0-1V and 0-20mV. It contains an 8-bit ADC. The application I.C. interfaces to sensors for pressure, tactile stress, humidity, temperature, etc.

Each of the sensor interface node I.C.s is …

The Rate Of Vibrational Segregation In Particulate Materials, Yidan Lan

Theses

The rate of vibratory size segregation has been modeled in multi-component size systems as a process of mutual sorting between each size species. The concept of mutual sorting is introduced from which generalized expressions are derived for the rates of change of the local concentration of each size species. In a binary system, the expressions simplify to give the expected result that the segregation rates for the large and small particles are equal but of opposite sign. Also, in these systems, the segregation rate is described by measuring the rising speed of the interface between the small and large particles. …

The Kinetics Of Degradation Of 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane And 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane In A Photoreactor Using Ozone, Hydrogen-Peroxide And Ultraviolet Radiation, Yuan-Shen Li

Theses

The experiments to oxidize the refractory chemicals, 1,2- Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichlotoethane and 1,1,2,2- Tetrachloroethane using Ozone, Hydrogen Peroxide and Ultraviolet Radiation have been conducted in a ss-304 photoreactor. The reaction kinetic models have been proposed and through the experiments we demonstrate that these models for these compounds perfectly. Analysis is done by gas chromatograph for the substrate concentration and the gas/liquid mass transfer coefficients are calculated. The reaction late constants are determined by use of the Rosenbrock Hillclimb Optimization Algorithm in conjunction with the Fourth-Order Runge- Kutta method on a digital computer. By comparing the effects of O₃,O_{3 …}

Visual System Modeling And System Response Analysis, Zhongquan Li

Theses

Based on the anatomical structure, a structural model of the visual system was established. System responses of different stimulations were analyzed based on the model. More extensive study was made on the system impulse response. A mathematical model with parameters representing prominent process components was developed to represent the system response in a compact form and the parameters were statistically studied to correlate to the real physiological characteristics of the visual system. The parameters of the model were used to fit the system intensity response function. The result shows that it is a more quantitative way to construct the system …

User Interactive Compensation For Si/So Systems Via Root-Locus, Shih-Mim Liu

Theses

A powerful computer-aided root-locus method is described and applied to the compensation for SI/SO systems. The approach is based on the concept of continuation methods in which the solution of a parameterized family of algebraic problems is converted into the solution of a differential equation and incorporates the quadratic synthetic division technique. The root-locus is obtained in a systematic manner by numerical integration. Breakaway points are analyzed and classified according to the properties of higher order derivatives. A Turbo Pascal(4.0) program which utilizes the algorithm has been written.

The Effects Of Degraded Indoor Air Quality On Employees Working In High Rise Office Buildings, Richard Patrick Luongo

Theses

An examination of the effects of poor indoor air quality on workers in high rise office buildings was conducted. These effects are manifested physiologically, psychologically and economically and originate from sources inside and outside the building, as well as from the building's ventilation system. These sources include combustion products, microorganisms, volatile organic chemicals, cigarette smoke and miscellaneous chemicals. Lower productivity and higher absenteeism are the initial results of these effects. If the situation becomes chronic, an erosion of trust between employer and employee can occur which may eventually serve as the basis for litigation, such as worker's compensation claims and …

Red Blood Cell Deformability Testing By Using A Rheological Method, Zhenglei Ma

Theses

A rheological model of blood has been used for testing red cell deformability. The result of the testing is characterized by five parameters of the model. We suggested that the rheological behavior of blood is affected by red cell deformability. The result of the parameter C of the model, which is the kinetic rate constant of the structural breakdown of rouleaux into individual erythrocytes induced by shearing, from decreased red cell deformability group higher than that from normal control group lead to a criterion for separating normal subjects from decreased red cell deformability. The easy experiment method of using whole …

Distributed Data Collection System Based On Hierarchical Network, Harish Mahindrakar

Theses

On line data collection systems are essential in order to satisfy the requirements for real-time applications. Typical applications are computer integrated manufacturing, security control, hourly wage calculations, human resources management. On line data collection system makes it possible to closely monitor and track different operations with more accuracy. On line data collection systems eliminate redundant work, save time and money.

If the distributed system is based on a multicontroller, it becomes really cost effective solution to build such a system.

This effort is the design of a distributed multicontroller system, required in a data collection system. A hierarchical network is …

Removal Of Contaminants From Clay Soils By Thermal Desorption, Wen-Ming Mao

Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate the removal of contaminants from clay soils by thermal treatment. There were two phases involved in this project. The first was a study of equilibrium adsorption of clay - organics study, and the second was the determination of the thermal desorption characteristics.

Three organics, phenol, chlorophenol, and chlorobenzene and one clay soil, bentonite, were selected for these studies. The first phase, involved the simulation of the isothermal adsorption simulated the process of contaminants being sorbed onto bentonite. Three different isotherm models,viz, Linear isotherm, Freundlich isotherm, and Langmuir isotherm were evaluated with experimental …

Study Of System Dynamics In A Primitive Identification/Counter Model, Zofia Monczka

Theses

Previous study of a simplified identification/counter model (1), (2) indicated bifurcations in its behavior. In order to study this topic, graphical representations of the system dynamics are derived. Analysis of the structure of the identification/counter model reveals the reasons why the graphs assume their given shapes.

The graphical representations of the system are used to characterize the system behavior and thus explain the bifurcations previously encountered. These representations are then used as the basis for deriving a general model for system behavior. Analysis of this model for a specific range of parameter values indicates that the system contains numerous additional …

Sediment Transport/Sand Bypassing Analysis At Manasquan, Nj, Christopher Clemens Obropta

Theses

An experiment to determine the longshore sediment transport rate using a fluorescent dyed sand tracer was conducted during the summer of 1987 to help determine the feasibility of sand bypassing at the Manasquan Inlet in New Jersey. After the fluorescent sand tracer was introduced to the longshore transport system, the Spatial Integration Method was used to sample the surf zone. The Spatial Integration Method allowed the tracer cloud to be monitored in both time and space. The tracer experiment provided a constant to be used in the calculation of the longshore sediment transport rate. This constant is specific to the …

Nonlinear, Metal-Clad Optical Waveguide, Bhavesh Patel

Theses

Planar optical waveguides consisting of different types of films including nonlinear films with metal cladding have been studied theoretically. Ideal metal cladding with σ = ∞ and nonideal metal cladding with σ ≠ ∞, that is, with complex refractive index is considered to get electric field and wave number for TE₀ mode. For nonlinear material, approximate solution is derived in a series form using Rayleigh-Schrodinger method. The appropriate eigenvalue equations are solved by Newton-Raphson iteration method. For self-focusing media in the center, the propagation constant increases with increasing power and with self-focusing media in the cladding the propagation constant …

Survival Rate Study Of Intrashock Versus Postshock Microwave Rewarming In Rats Subjected To Hemorrhagic Shock, Hani M. Patel

Theses

In search for a more effective treatment for rewarming of profound accidental hypothermia, a comparative survival rate study was conducted of intrashock versus postshock microwave rewarming in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock. In an anechoic chamber, rats were illuminated with 50 Watts of continuous microwave power supplied by a 915 MHz microwave generator. This frequency corresponds to a free-space wavelength of about 33 cm. The incident-power density was calculated to be about 8.5 mW/cm2, and the whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated to be 14.5 W/kg.

The microwave postshock group showed a significantly higher post shock survival rate than …

Experimental Evaluation Of J-Integral For Fiber Reinforced Concrete Subjected To Impact Loading, Piyushkumar Patel

Theses

This research presents an experimental Evaluation of J-Integral for Fiber Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Impact Loading. Three-point edge notched bend specimen were employed in evaluation of J-Integral using both the multi-specimen, and the single specimen techniques. In the multi-specimen technique three different notch lengths were employed for extracting the energetic fracture parameter J_Ic. In the single specimen technique, the method developed by Rice[13] was used to evaluate J_Ic at three different notch lengths.

Different proportions of fiber were employed in determining the J_Ic values. Experimental results from present study indicates that the J_Ic values calculated …

Trellis Encoded M-Ary Partial-Response Schemes, Raju P. Patel

Theses

Convolutional codes can be used to improve the reliability of partial-response channels in a Gaussian noise environment. Multilevel partial-response schemes can be used to increase the information rate in a given bandwidth compared to binary partial-response schemes. This thesis deals with the theory and construction of convolutionally encoded 4-ary partial- response schemes. The free Euclidean distance of the combined trellis of rate-1/2 convolutional code and 4-ary partial-response scheme is found through a computer search, using the Viterbi-algorithm.

The matched encoding concept is also applied to find the conditions for matched encoding for combined trellis of rate-1/2 convolutional codes and 4-ary …

Network Realizability Approach To Robust Stability Of Discrete-Time Systems Characterized By Polynomials, Sri Indran Rasiah

Theses

In system design, the coefficients of a characterizing polynomial are usually not precisely known but can be bounded from above and below by real numbers. The requirement of robust system design from the stability standpoint demands, then, the guaranteeing of the stability of a set of polynomials.

Stability theorems for continuous-time systems and discrete-time systems, are studied in this report. It is shown that one more condition has to be included into each of the theorem. The revised theorem for continuous-time systems is proved through network realizability theory. The one for discrete-time systems is, then, proved via the use of …

Digital Image Restoration Using Power Spectrum Equalization Filtering Technique, Debdatta Sen

Theses

Digital deblurring of micro-circulatory images using both homomorphic and power spectrum equalization filtering are considered. An existing homomorphic filter was modified by changing filter parameters. This permitted an image with better contrast to be obtained. The power spectrum equalization approach consists of modeling and characterization of degradation and estimation of the power spectrum of the image using the Welch method. The restoration is considered from the point of view of spatial-frequency domain descriptions of images. Consideration is restricted to degradations arising from additive noise and spatially invariant linear blurring. The filter restores the power spectrum of the image to what …

Study Of Ionized Cluster Beam Techniques For Reactive Deposition Of Gallium Nitride Thin Films, Jyh Sheen

Theses

This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part investigates the Ionized Cluster Beam( ICB ) technique through measurements of the energy of ionized gallium beam. The presence of ions and their kinetic energy in the ICB technique is advantageous in the formation process of thin film. The results of retarding potential measurement are comparable with the presence of clusters as large as 500 atoms. The second part examines the formation of gallium nitride thin film. In order to enhance the reaction of gallium and nitrogen, dissociation of molecular nitrogen by microwave discharge method was used to generate atomic …

Firmware Toolkit For Larynx Synchronous D.S.P., Shih-Chieh Su

Theses

During the past ten years, digital signal processing has been an extremely active and dynamic field. Advances in integrated circuit technology and in processor architecture have greatly enlarged the scope of the technical areas to which digital signal processing techniques can be applied. Research in fundamental signal processing techniques and algorithms has led to dramatic improvements in the efficiency of signal processing systems.

This thesis creates a fast and cheap DSP package for 8052AH-BASIC. This is a useful and potential package when we apply research in speech science and medical diagnostics. It exploits the latest software-in-silicon technology to create a …

Electrical Insulation Screening For Reliability, Vinu Sundaresan

Theses

This thesis work includes an investigation on the use of electrical noise for the screening of dielectric sheet material for reliability. Three different high voltage insulation sheet materials, commonly used in power industry, have been studied. These are - Westinghouse Polyester resin coated glass cloth, Dupont ‘NOMEX' aramid calendared paper and a cotton rag commonly known as Fishpaper. Samples of each material have been categorized into low noise and high noise units. Subsequently, these samples were subjected to accelerated life testing.

It is seen that units having high noise are failing quicker compared to low noise units when subjected to …

Multiphase Solid-Liquid And Solid-Liquid-Gas Mixing In Stirred Tanks, Jessyca Susanto

Theses

A number of investigations can be found in the literature on the effect of mixing parameters on solid-liquid dispersions in agitated systems. However, the determination of the effect of impeller clearance on minimum suspension speed has received little attention. This work is mainly focused on the determination of the effect of the impeller clearance on N_js (the minimum agitation speed required for complete solid-liquid dispersion) and its corresponding power consumption, using both radial and axial impellers in stirred tanks. In addition, the effect of other significant parameters on N_js was also investigated.

The importance of the impeller clearance …

Optimal Design Of Prestressed Concrete Members Using Numerical Techniques, Nasseruddin Syed

Theses

This research consists of the application of nonlinear optimization techniques for the economical design of prestressed concrete members. A computer program using Lattice and Matrix methods of optimization is employed for least weight design of I-shaped prestressed concrete girders. The program calculates the most optimum values of the cross-sectional dimensions.It has the freedom to impose any constraints on any of the design variables, including sectional dimensions, eccentricities, concrete cover and limiting stresses.

Comparison of results obtained in this thesis with other analytical methods indicate that with the advent of computers, the numerical methods have a definite advantage over other analytical …

Slurry Wall Backfill Integrity And Desiccation, Mahendraratnam Thilliyar

Theses

The upper reaches of slurry wall, in a waste containment structure may under go cycles of wetting and drying, because of seasonal ground water level fluctuations. This may result in desiccation and cracking of back fill material. Experiments were conducted to study these effects with water, aniline, phenol, hydrochloric acid solutions on soils containing different proportions of bentonite, kaolinite, and sand. The largest crack was formed with phenol and the smallest with water. With hydrochloric acid no crack was formed. With increase kaolinite content, the width and density of crack decreased. Hydraulic conductivity tests on cracked specimens indicated high hydraulic …

Nonlinear Variants Of The Least Mean Square (Lms) Algorithm, John George Van Saders

Theses

Adaptive systems using the LMS algorithm or its variants usually require bilinear correlation multipliers with high dynamic range and large bandwidth. The class of LMS-type algorithms utilizing zero-memory limiters (on one or both correlation multiplier inputs) to reduce dynamic range are examined. The correlator limiters may be included to simplify the hardware implementation or may arise due to limited dynamic range of the loop components. The application of a theorem due to Price provides a technique for simplifying the analysis, which otherwise might be extremely difficult. The analysis provides closed-form expressions for the mean weight convergence behavior, permitting examination of …

Arithmetic Pipeline Analysis Package Ii, Sai K. Vedantam

Theses

This work describes the implementation of arithmetic pipeline scheduling algorithms, to enhance an existing simulation package. The user need only specify the arithmetic equations to be processed and the required stage configuration. The program automatically performs the tasks of forming the reservation table, building the pipeline and specifying the input/output connectivity for each segment and multiplexer in the pipeline. This package integrates two existing simulation tools and enhances many aspects of the previous programs.

The main application area for such a tool is education. Since it is very easy to use and requires little or no time for one to …