Engineering Commons^™

An X-Ray Diffraction Analysis Of The Lacro₃-Laalo₃ Solid Solution Series, Robin Ashley Murphy

Masters Theses

"A crystallographic study was made of powders from the LaCr_1-x Al_xO₃, La_.90(Mg_.05 Cr_1-x Al_x )_.95O_2.83 , and La_1±xCrO₃ systems. The relationships between composition and thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, and vaporization were also investigated. The x-ray diffraction data of the LaCrCO₃ - LaAlO₃ compounds showed the system to form a single phase solid solution for any given sample from the series. The orthorhombic to rhombohedral phase transition was depressed to below room temperature at approximately 13% Al⁺³ substitution"--Abstract, page ii.

Utilization Of Waste Heat From The University Of Missouri Research Reactor., Anek Punyakumleard

Masters Theses

"An analysis has been conducted to determine the economic as well as technical feasibility of using waste heat from the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) to heat the reactor containment building and the associated laboratory building.

Several methods of waste heat utilization were reviewed, including open field agriculture, animal shelter heating, aquaculture, waste water treatment, and space heating. Based on this review, it was concluded that several of these waste heat utilization methods are feasible for the MURR. However, the most practical means of utilizing the MURR waste heat appears to be for space heating in the reactor containment …

A Simple Multicoupled Band-Pass Active Filter Design Employs Resistor Summing To Provide Multicoupling, Talal K. Chatila

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to present a new design configuration for multicoupled band-pass filter based on Mason's loop rule, together with the negative feedback topology and to compare it with Leap Frog (LF) and Follow the Leader Feedback (FLF) design examples.

Realization Of A Fast Automatic Correlation Algorithm For Registration Of Satellite Images, John E. Kassak

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The requirement for a fast automated correlation algorithm for registration of satellite images is discussed. An overview of current registration techniques is presented indicating a correlator, matching binary maps compressed from the original imagery, may provide the required throughput when implemented with a dedicated hardware/processor. An actual registration problem utilizing GOES digitally processed imagery is chosen and defined. The realization of a fast correlator, matching image input data with sampled data base reference image data in real time is considered.

The Design And Development Of A Power Hybrid, Robert J. Albert

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report discusses the design, development and the fabrication of a power hybrid. Foldback current limiting which is self reseting is used whereby withstanding indefinitely a short circuit. Thermal design considerations and thermal analysis are described as well as stability analysis. The maximum current capability of this design is four amperes and forty watts can be dissipated in the power transistors over a wide range of temperatures.

Design Curves For Groundwater Mounds Beneath Recharging Basins, Jack Weinstein

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Design curves are developed to simplify solution of the Hantush (1967) equation for groundwater mound build-up under a rectangular recharge basin. Curves are developed by analyzing a large number of solutions to the theoretical equation. Two sets of curves are developed, one for build-up beneath the center of the basin, the second for build-up anywhere in the field. Center-point curves are presented for 3 basins with length to width ratios of 2 to 1, and were easily developed. The more generalized curves are developed for the limited case of a 200 ft by 100 ft basin and are complicated by …

Simulation Of Domestic Hot Water System Using Trnsys, Mohammed Shafi Uz Zaman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A Transient Simulation program (TRNSYS) was used to formulate the simulation of a domestic hot water system. Solar percent utilization and collector efficiency was observed for different set temperatures and hot water demand. The effect of hot water demand pattern on these parameters was likewise investigated. Regression analysis was used to forecast solar percent utilization with respect to set temperature and daily hot water demand.

A Search For An Edge Image Algorithm For Application In An Automatic Registration System, Ronald J. Wojtasinski

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Transition Of An Engineer To An Engineering Manager: The People Problem., Edward Leon Boyd

Masters Theses

“A review of existing literature and a survey of engineering managers are used to determine the work of the engineering manager, the career path leading to an engineering management position, and the skills that should be acquired by the engineer desiring to make the transition to an engineering management position.

The work of the engineering manager, like that of any manager, is getting things done through other people. In advancing to the first formal management position, the engineer usually passes through three career stages: engineer, informal manager, and formal manager. While advancing through these career stages, the engineer must increase …

Development Of A Quadratic Finite Element Solution Of The Convective-Transport Equation., David A. Dillard

Masters Theses

"A quadratic finite element has been developed for the solution of the general three-dimensional convective-transport equation. Inherent instabilities in the numerical solution arise when the convective terms in the governing equation become significant. An application of upwinding techniques to the 20 degree of freedom serendipity element failed to produce acceptable results. Upwinding was applied to the 27 degree of freedom Lagrangian element with good results. Results of the latter element are given for several problems, including a model of a round to round metal forming process"--Abstract p. iii

Measurement Of Poisson's Ratio And Tangent Modulus Of A Loess, Craig Randall Bowers

Masters Theses

"A series of triaxial tests are used to develop mathematical models for tangent modulus and Poisson's ratio for a remolded loessial soil. These two models are then utilized in a finite element computer program to model the behavior of a shallow foundation placed on compacted loess. Different models for Poisson's ratio gave widely varying load settlement curves, however a constant value of .32 gave results very similar to that given by the experimentally developed model. It was found that the model developed for tangent modulus yielded unreasonable results when utilized in the finite element analysis until a limiting value was …

Torsional Vibrations Of A Composite Elastic/Viscoelastic Cylindrical Shaft, Deepak Kumar Mullick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to analyze the torsional vibrations of a composite bar, and the parameters associated with the vibrations. The ultimate goal in this study of vibrations is to determine their effect on the performance and safety of the system under consideration.

Audio Triamplification System., John James Mccure

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is for the purpose of determining if active filters are useful as audio crossover networks and in particular if they are better than passive crossover networks. An entire audio reproduction system was constructed with the express design intent of linear operation in two separate modes. These two modes being, first, a conventional single power amplifier passive crossover system, and second, an active filter triamplification system. Both systems were subjected to three different objective tests and one subjective test. The subjective testing included a wide spectrum of listeners ranging from rank amateurs to highly trained recording and mixing engineers. …

Performance Of A Diurnally Tracking Solar Energy-Intensifier, Calvin E. Siegel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States agricultural system provides numerous opportunities in which solar energy can be utilized. Low to moderate temperature rise collectors can provide a large percentage of the energy requirements normally met by using high quality fossil fuels. As world demand for food production increases due to a growing population, alternative sources of energy need to be developed and applied as substitutes for these increasingly scarce fossil fuels. Agriculture offers practical advantages for the use of solar heat energy because there exists sufficient area for solar collectors and a wide range of temperature applications on most farmsteads. Demand for energy …

The Effects Of Certain Impurities And Their Interactions On Zinc Electrowinning, Donald R. Fosnacht

Doctoral Dissertations

“The effects of germanium, antimony, arsenic, cobalt, glue, and free acid concentration were studied on both commercial and synthetic electrolytes. The effects of a single factor and the combined effects of multiple factors were elucidated. The temperature, zinc concentration, and current density were also varied. It was found that the acid concentration was the most critical factor when impurity levels were at normal plant solution concentrations. The ranges where the effect of the impurity became apparent were: greater than 20 ppb for antimony; 40 ppb for germanium; 120 ppb for arsenic; and 7-8 mg/l for cobalt for a solution containing …

Cellulase Production By Fermentation With Trichoderma Viride On Cellulose And Wood Wastes, Nguyen Huu Kho

Doctoral Dissertations

"Cellulase production by the fungus Trichoderma viride QM 6a and the use of this cellulase for cellulose hydrolysis were studied using Solka Floc cellulose and waste wood (oak) as substrates. The fermentation produced higher enzyme concentration solutions with media containing additional amounts of soy peptone and KH₂PO₄.

The kinetics of fermentation in fermentors and shake flasks of Solka Floc and sawdust were investigated, and equations were selected to express the relationship of the rates of growth and enzyme production with cell mass, enzyme concentration and substrate remaining in the media.

Agitation and aeration decrease the enzyme …

Adaptive Control Of A Cloud Simulation Chamber Expansion System, Katiya Greigarn

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation describes the design and construction of a closed-loop computer controlled expansion system for a cloud simulation chamber. The chamber is used to simulate atmospheric phenomena for the study of microphysical processes. In order to accomplish this, the sample gas inside the chamber must be expanded adiabatically. This means the wall temperature and the gas temperature must be made to agree as closely as possible. The wall is cooled by thermoelectric modules, and the temperature is controlled by analog controllers. The gas is cooled by the adiabatic expansion, and the corresponding pressure is controlled by a laboratory minicomputer, a …

A Study Of A Buoyancy Balanced Gas-Liquid Contacting System, Jaw-Ruey Leu

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

In a conventional gas-liquid contacting system that provides a long gas-liquid contact time, a pressurized gas is released at the bottom of a pool of liquid to form gas bubbles; the bubbles move upward through the liquid and break at the surface of the liquid. A large amount of work is spent in pressurizing the gas. Even though it is theoretically possible to recover work from rising bubbles, a work recovery scheme has not been incorporated into a conventional system.

A buoyancy-balanced gas-liquid contacting system concept has recently been introduced. The system comprises two processing zones filled with a liquid, …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Hole-Drilling Technique For Measuring Residual Stresses In Welded Fabricated Steel Tubes, Chau Mong Tran

Dissertations and Theses

Among semi-destructive methods of measuring residual stresses in elastic materials, the blind hole-drilling strain-gage method is one of the best because it is simple, economical and accurate. It is based on the measurement of strains disturbed by machining a small diameter shallow hole in the test piece. The strains measured in three known directions permit the determination of the direction and magnitude of principal stresses and subsequently of any stress in any direction.

This thesis presents the investigation of residual stresses in the longitudinal direction of a welded fabricated steel tube of 22 inch diameter, relating to a series of …

An Investigation Into The Elasticity Of Demand For Motor Gasoline, Samy Fouad El-Iskandarany

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis investigates the existence and determinants of the elasticity of demand for motor gasoline.

The research can be divided into four main stages. In the first stage, time series data of fifteen member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are analyzed.

The ratio of gasoline price per gallon to the per capita GNP is introduced in this research to explain the variability in the size of the price elasticities of demand over the various countries. The ratio is called the "Price Factor" and designated as P.F. The introduction of P.F. established the basis for meaningful …

A Microprocessor Based-Instrument For Reconstructing A Coherent Optical Wavefront, Glenn Thomas Lommasson

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Characterizing a propagating laser's wavefront is a necessary procedure when evaluating the performance of coherent lasing systems. Measurement of this wavefront structure uncovers more useful information on the operation of lasing systems than does any other single diagnostic measurement, and is, therefore, critical when analyzing developmental lasers. There are currently several methods being used to measure this wavefront structure. One method that is noted for its operational simplicity measures the gradient of the wavefront as the wavefront is two-dimensionally scanned. An instrument that incorporates this methodology for scanning a wavefront's gradient field has been previously developed. Reconstructing the wavefront using …

Computer Graphics: Conversion Of Contour Line Definitions Into Polygonal Element Mosaics, Thomas W. Sederberg

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a disparity between the conventional method of describing topographic surfaces (i.e. contour line definition) and a format of surface description often used in continuous-line computer graphics (i.e. panel definition). The two differ enough that conversion from contours to panels is not a trivial problem. A computer program that performs such a conversion would greatly facilitate continuous tone display of topographical surfaces, or any other surface which is defined by contour lines.

This problem has been addressed by Keppel and alluded to by Fuchs. Keppel's is a highly systematic approach in which he uses graph theory to find …

An Application Of Infrared Spectroscopy To The Study Of Binder Migration In Paper Coatings, Fred E. Huang

Masters Theses

Multiple internal reflectance (MIR) was used to study binder migration of paper coatings. Casein and an acrylic latex were selected as binders because of their characteristic infrared absorption bands. The coatings analyzed were prepared on the Western Michigan University Pilot Coater using the airknife coating method at different coating speeds. A surface grinder was used to obtain several layers of coating for surface studies.

It was concluded that the MIR technique could satisfactorily be used in the binder migration studies. Its success mainly depends on the precision of surface grinding, caliper measurement and infrared characteristics of the binders. The results …

Assessment Of Feasibility Of Proposed Bolted Connections For Tubular Structures, John Henry Tausch

Dissertations and Theses

The search for new and additional sources of energy -- from sun, wind, waves, and ocean currents -- is necessitating the development of structures in the open environment of the oceans as well as on land. The advantages of round or tubular members for use in such structures are shown; and to avoid the uncertainties of welded joints, two bolted connections are proposed and their feasibility explored.

Reliability And Surface Degradation Aspects Of Synthetic Insulator Materials For Hv Application, Satyapal S. Bhatia

Dissertations

This study is a theoretical and experimental investigation on the state of the art of synthetic insulators for outdoor high voltage transmission systems.

The surface of a polymeric material is known to be degraded by, among other things, environmental stresses such as UV, air pollutants, etc. The reliability of an insulator material is governed by the surface and other characteristics that do not drift much as a function of stresses and time.

The surface characteristics of various synthetic materials, when these materials were exposed to UV radiation in the laboratory were studied. The changes in the surface properties of these …

So2-Scrubber Technology : Double Alkali Mode, Krishna K. Rao

Theses

Double alkali (D/A) processes for the desulfurization of flue gases occupy an increasingly important role in applied technology.

D/A processes involve two steps, namely, scrubbing and regeneration. In the scrubbing step, the alkali (Na₂SO₃) reacts with SO₂. In the regeneration step the acid formed, NaHSO₃, reacts with an alkali to regenerate Na₂SO₃.

This study was focused on the regeneration step. Regenerants investigated were slurries of lime and limestone. The major factors studied were reactor configuration and mixing patterns.

These systems were investigated in a batch, backmix, and plug-flow …

Municipal Point Source Pollution In The Hackensack Meadowlands Estuary, Alfonso Augustine Hernandez

Theses

A study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of various sewage treatment facilities in the Hackensack Meadowlands District. The study dealt with overall plant efficiencies based on percent removals of suspended solids and Biochemical Oxygen Demand although other parameters were also included.

Samples for this study were obtained from the inlet and outlet channels of the individual plants. The parameters studied were: Suspended Solids, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Nitrogen, Nitrate-Nitrite Compounds, Total Organic Carbon, Orthophosphate-P, Total Oxygen Demand and Fecal Coliform. Results obtained were averaged so as to collectively represent wet and dry weather conditions.

The results indicate that most …

Drug Induced Changes In Ventricular Defibrillation Threshold, Charles F. Babbs

Open Access Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Reliability Of Mos Devices : Threshold Voltage Instability, Sesha Rajamani Shankar

Dissertations

A very important factor in the reliability of MOS devices is the stability of the threshold voltage. This dissertation examines the effects of positive and negative gate bias stresses at elevated temperatures on the drift in the threshold voltage of MOS field effect transistors.

Over 400 p-channel enhancement mode devices were life tested under different temperature and gate bias conditions for periods of up to 15,000 hours, and the drift in their threshold voltages studied and analyzed. It was found that under both negative and positive bias-temperature tests, the threshold voltage drifted towards more negative values, though in the negative …

Vacuum-Freezing Vapor-Desublimation High Pressure Ice-Melting Process For Water Desalination, Ting-Chuan Chung

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

The present thesis study makes a preliminary technical feasibility study and a preliminary economic study of the Vacuum-Freezing Vapor-Desublimation High Pressure Ice-melting Process that was first introduced by C. Y. Cheng and W. Cheng. In the study, the processing steps are divided up into several key unit operations. Some of these key unit operations are similar to some operations in existing vacuum freezing processes and have already been studied extensively. Some key operations are, however, unique to the process under study. The feasibility study is made by borrowing information for the unit operations that have already been studied in connection …