Engineering Commons^™

Method Of Predicting Cut-Time Of Milk Coagulum In Cheese-Making Process, Frederick A. Payne, Clair L. Hicks

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

An apparatus for predicting milk coagulum cut-time in a cheese making process includes a light source, a sensor or detector for sensing diffuse reflectance of light from said milk and a controller for analyzing the diffuse reflectance and accurately predicting the cut-time to significantly enhance overall yield. More specifically, the apparatus includes an optical probe which may be suspended over the milk or attached to a wall of a fermentation vessel in which the milk is contained. A method for predicting milk coagulum cut-time includes the steps of (a) directing light from a light source toward milk undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis; …

Field Calibration Of A Transient Model For Broiler Misting, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Robert W. Bottcher, Shu Hui Zhang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A transient model to predict temperature within a tunnel ventilated broiler house during misting is developed. The model is calibrated with field data to obtain steady-state constants; transient predictions are compared to measured temperatures during cyclic misting for two different size birds. Measured temperatures during cyclic misting are shown to swing between steady-state asymptotes predicted from the model. Transient response of the model was faster than measured temperature data, in part due to temperature sensor dynamic response. The model predicts the length-wise temperature profile within the building during misting, and can be used to investigate alternate misting strategies and designs. …

Mechanical Backup Systems For Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A series of mechanical backup systems for electronic environmental controllers is presented for a typical finishing swine barn and a typical tunnel ventilated broiler house. The systems consist of mechanical thermostats and timers used in parallel with the electronic controller, designed to ensure animal survival in the event of controller or related hardware failure. For swine housing, three distinct mechanical backup functions are identified; for broiler housing, four distinct mechanical backup functions are identified. Schematic diagrams of the mechanical backup functions are provided and their implementation is described.

Micro-Sprinkler And Fan Cooling For Dairy Cows: Practical Design Considerations, Larry W. Turner, Richard C. Warner, John P. Chastain

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Research and on-farm demonstrations have shown that micro-sprinklers, spray jets and fan cooling systems can be effective in relieving heat stress in dairy cows under hot, humid conditions. Based on these results, many dairymen are considering installing sprinkler and fan cooling. Several Kentucky dairymen have already installed sprinkler cooling systems, but they could improve their performance by modifying them to take into account the principles involved and the components used in sprinkler and fan cooling.

A Survey Of Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Sixteen commercially available electronic environmental controllers were evaluated. The units were classified according to enclosure type, analog versus microprocessor based control, power supply, sensors, alarms, control relays and triac output, interval timers, outside temperature feedback, and retail price. An assessment of these controllers indicated several critical limitations in the application of this technology.

The use of integrated controllers for animal production has the potential for substantial improvements in production efficiencies. If the limitations observed in the present controller technology, as represented by this sample, are addressed, industry acceptance of the technology can be accelerated. A uniform standard to address this …

Transient Overvoltage Testing Of Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Larry W. Turner, Douglas G. Overhults

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The integrated electronic control system will provide a new method for the day-to-day management of environmental control of animal production systems. No standards are currently accepted for transient overvoltage protection of these controllers. To assess the adequacy of existing designs, a test circuit was designed and used for a transient open circuit over-voltage waveform (ANSI/IEEE C62.41-1980) of 16 environmental control units: a maximum spike of 770 V was applied to the power supplies, and a spike up to 100 V was applied to temperature sensor lines. For these relatively mild tests, no failures were noted due to power supply transients, …

Compact – A Reclamation Soil Compaction Model Part Ii. Sensitivity Analysis And Applications, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

COMPACT, a physically based, event-oriented compaction model, was developed as a management or research tool to evaluate the influence of a surface mining system on compaction of soil material during reclamation. Two systems of area mining reclamation operations were simulated by COMPACT. The first system involved scrapers and bulldozers and the second also included trucks. Scrapers or trucks were used to pick up and deposit the soil material. Bulldozers were then used to shape the site for reclamation. The simulated results were compared with measured results and show how equipment patterns and soil parameters can affect overall soil compaction. This …

Compact – A Reclamation Soil Compaction Model Part I. Model Development, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A physically based, event oriented soil compaction model, known as COMPACT, was developed as a management or research tool to evaluate the effect of surface mining systems on compaction of soil material during reclamation. Simulation of compaction throughout the soil profile at a surface mining reclamation site requires information describing how equipment moves on the site. The compaction processes that are caused by vehicles throughout the soil profile are described by applying the pressure distribution of the surface contact area of a tire or track to determine stresses in the soil profile. A virgin compression curve is then used to …

Broad-Crested Weir Application On 15,000-Acre Farm, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Growers in California have been subjected to increasing pressure to account for water used on the farm due to limited water supplies and increasing energy costs. Water measurement capability provides for equitable distribution of assigned costs and enables effective water management to be accomplished. Broad-crested weirs are proven water measurement devices, especially when applied to on-farm applications. The broad-crested weirs and published data were developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Phoenix, Arizona. This paper is a discussion of an application of these weirs.

Evaluation Of Gamma Ray Attenuation For Measuring Soil Bulk Density Part I. Laboratory Investigation, Xiwen Luo, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Gamma ray attenuation was evaluated as a means of determining soil bulk density. Experiments were conducted using clay, silt, and sandy loam soils wherein samples were compacted to uniform densities at various moisture contents. We determined the attenuation characteristics of dry soil to be independent of soil texture while being significantly different from that of water. Comparison of gamma density measurements with known soil sample densities indicated that the gamma gauge provided reliable measurement of soil bulk density, provided that the effect of soil moisture on attenuation was accounted for and the manufacturer-prescribed calibration procedure was followed daily. Further, we …

Evaluation Of Gamma Ray Attenuation For Measuring Soil Bulk Density Part Ii. Field Investigation, Larry G. Wells, Xiwen Luo

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A field investigation was conducted at sites near Lexington and Central City, Kentucky, to evaluate the use of gamma ray attenuation for measuring soil bulk density. Experiments were conducted whereby the gamma gauge was calibrated by various means and compared with volumetric cores collected from the field soils. Calibration by the manufacturer’s recommended procedure was determined to be as accurate as more rigorous laboratory calibration or calibration via regression of soil bulk density data, provided that the effect of soil water on gamma attenuation is correctly considered. We also developed a linear regression equation to correct for the occurrence of …

Pesticide Application And Handling Technology: Decreasing Drift Potential During Application, G. A. Watkins, Samuel G. Mcneill, James R. Martin, S. A. Shearer

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Accidental spray drift from pesticide applications can result in dangerous conditions for humans, animals, and the environment. It also can mean extra costs for the applicator due to wasted chemical and inefficient applications. Although complete elimination of spray drift is nearly impossible, drift problems and their effects on our environment can be minimized with proper application techniques and favorable weather conditions.

Underground Farm Petroleum Storage Tanks, Mike Williams, Joseph L. Taraba, Scott Shearer

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Protection of farmstead water supplies is a topic which should be a prime concern of every rural landowner. Contamination of underground and surface water supplies by pesticides, fertilizers and petroleum products is a real and present hazard of modern agricultural operations. Contaminated soil and water sources can result in immediate, obvious losses such as unhealthy livestock and the need to develop alternative water sources, and long term losses such as reduced land values.

Contaminated Sediment Transport During Floodsl, Thomas A. Fontaine

US Department of Energy Publications

Over the past 48 years, operations and waste disposal activities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have resulted in the contamination of parts of the White Oak Creek catchment. The contaminants presenting the highest risk to human health and the environment are particle reactive and are associated with the soils and sediments in the White Oak Creek drainage system. The erosion of these sediments during floods can result in the transport of contaminants both within the catchment and off-site into the Clinch River. A data collection program and a modeling investigation are being used to evaluate the probability of contaminated sediment …

Structural And Non-Structural Alternatives For Accommodating Larger Floods At Dams, Louis E. Buck

US Department of Energy Publications

This paper provides an overview of structural and non-structural alternatives for accommodating larger floods at dams. The first two alternatives discussed, raising the height of the project and/or lowering the reservoir pool, can be used to prevent overtopping by increasing the available floodwater detention storage in the reservoir. Data gathered by an ASCE task committee survey on modifications that include increased storage by raising project height are summarized and discussed. The third alternative discussed, early warning systems, can provide a low cost alternative to structural modifications. Case studies for the warning systems at the Santee Cooper North Dam and the …

Hydraulic Risk Of Flood Disaster Reduction At Dams, Shou-Shan Fan

US Department of Energy Publications

Floods are major natural hazards, not totally predictable and manageable, at least at the present time. We believe that floods, no matter how violent, need not cause major damage. Loss of lives can be prevented and economic catastrophe minimized if a decision maker has accurate prior information on major flood characteristics, such as the magnitude and arrival time of the flood and its potential damages.

Integrated Assessment Of Temperature Change Impacts On The Tva Reservoir And Power Supply Systems, B. A. Miller, V. Alavian, M. D. Bender, D. J. Benton, P. Ostrowski, Jr., J. A. Parsly, M. C. Shiao

US Department of Energy Publications

Power systems often depend upon reservoir operations to generate hydropower, as well as to support thermal (nuclear and fossil) power generation. Thermal power plants frequently utilize reservoirs/rivers to provide condenser cooling water, dissipate thermal waste discharges, and/or supply safety intake water for emergency cooling systems at nuclear plants. Support of power production, however, must usually be balanced against other reservoir multiple uses such as flood control, navigation, recreation, water supplies, and environmental management.

Dynamic Fish Growth Modeling For Tailwater Fishery Management, Ming Shiao, Gary Hauser, Gary Chapman, Bruce Yeager, Tom Mcdonough, Jim Ruane

US Department of Energy Publications

Tailwater fisheries below hydroprojects are affected by variable flows and water quality in dam releases. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) identified undesirable flow regimes, low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, and undesirable temperatures as having the greatest biological impact on tailwater, and steps are being taken to mitigate impacts at numerous dams. To help evaluate mitigation efforts, an interdisciplinary team of water quality modelers, fisheries biologists, and environmental engineers developed a one-dimensional dynamic fish growth model. This model was coupled with previously developed dynamic flow and water quality models. The model results were compared to (1) fish growth data in Norris …