Engineering Commons^™

The Deconvolution Analysis Of The Radiohippurate Renogram, Conrad Robert Appledorn Jr.

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The evaluation of kidney function is a necessary procedure in assessing the extent of renal disease in today's population. In particular, this assessment should include measurements of the patient's plasma flow into and urine flow from each kidney. Changes in either measurement from accepted normal ranges indicate the presence of a disease process.

The combination of radioactive tracer methods with data analysis using models describing biological kinetics has demonstrated the potential of large computers in the assessment of renal function. However, the requirement for sophi􀂵ticated computer resources has limited the widespread application these techniques might otherwise receive. This work investigates …

Investigation Of Evaporation From Grooved Inverted Meniscus Heat Pipe Wicks, Richard Clarke Oliver

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The heat transfer process for a special class of wick fed grooved heat pipe evaporators was investigated analytically and experimentally. The heat pipes studied had vapor release slots cut through the evaporator wick to enhance removal of the vapor generated in the evaporator. As a result of the slots, the liquid menisci formed between the groove tips and the transport wick rather than at the base of the grooves as normally observed. This type of heat pipe evaporator is referred to as an inverted meniscus design.

A comprehensive survey of the literature was completed to establish the existing state of …

Laser Damage In Semiconductors, Surender Kumar Gulati

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Experimental damage thresholds for Si, Ge, GaAs, GaAs_xP_1-x and GaP have been determined at 10.6 µm and 1.06 µm laser wavelengths. For CW CO₂ laser damage, all the thresholds are of the order of a few kW/cm² for an irradiation time of about 0.10 second. At 1.06 µm wavelength and for nanosecond pulses, the damage thresholds are of the order of 10⁹ W/cm2. The damage thresholds can be explained by assuming that the anomalous absorption takes place through the parametric instability of the type formulated by DuBois and Goldman. The plasma concentration required for …

Lower Bounds To Colunm And Plate Buckling Loads, Pen-Yuan Shih

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The complexity inherent in the theory of elastic stability has resulted in the extensive use of approximate techniques for determining buckling loads. The Rayleigh quotient provides reasonable answers for a surprisingly broad category of problems. However, the quotient is an upper bound to the buckling load and for certain engineering structures, further it is difficult to estimate the error. A rigorous and conservative analysis requires that a lower bound be computed.

There are several techniques for finding lower bounds to eigenvalues but because of various complicating factors none is routinely used for elastic stability analyses. The purpose of this dissertation …

A Study Of Geologic Hazards And Geotechnical Input For Selected Critical Facilities - Cache Valley, Utah, Kenneth Robert Green

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Important public facilities located in Cache Valley, Utah, were studied to assess their exposure to geologic hazards. Also, the level of geotechnical and geologic expertise involved in the siting, design, and construction of critical public facilities was studied. A discussion of several individual facilities, that were exposed to some degree of hazard, was presented to illustrate the nature of the problem.

Earthquake hazards probably constitute the greatest threat to facilities and to the general welfare of the public. Many earthquake hazard mitigation measures were discussed and recommendations were made, based on aseismic design criteria which has been developed for seismically …

Salt Production From Micro-Channels In The Price River Basin, Utah, Richard Bruce White

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Salt production from micro-channels in the Price River basin of east-central Utah was studied using artificial inputs in order to better define the general sources and processes involved in diffuse source salt release within the basin. An attempt was made to determine what factors are most significant in relation to salt release. The study revealed that the micro-channel systems are highly heterogeneous in relation to salinity. This natural variability tends to increase as the salt content of the channel increases.

The Bluegate member of the Mancos shale was found to be the prime source of salt within the basin. Gypsum …

A Thermal Energy Storage Tank Model For Solar Heating, Robert Arthur Pate

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The results of a combined theoretical and experimental study of the kinetics of a hot-liquid energy-storage tank are presented. A physical model is developed which accurately describes the thermal stratification behavior in a storage tank. The governing differential equations are developed for the physical model. A numerical solution to the system of equations is presented. Some existing models were examined and the predicted results of each are discussed. The concepts developed can be used to predict the thermal stratification behavior in a storage tank under most conceivable operating conditions. These conditions include flow configurations at the top and the bottom …

Naturally Occurring Organic Compounds Found In Hyrum Reservoir, Utah, Russell Richard Renk

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Methods of collecting, concentrating, separating, and identifying organic compounds in natural water systems are presented. These methods were applied to a eutrophic reservoir (Hyrum Reservoir, Utah) and resulted in the identification of the following 27 volatile, organic compounds:

Alcohols: methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 1-pentanol, 2-methyl-l-butanol, methyl-1- butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 1-penten-3-ol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol

Ketones: acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one

Aldehydes: acetaldehyde, propanal, 2-buten-1-al

Others: acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, pyridine, 3-methylpyridine, diethyl ether

The concentration level of the following 13 compounds was established in the reservoir from October 1974 to January 1976:

Alcohols: methanol, ethanol, propanol, …

Dynamic Analysis Of Structures With Solid-Fluid Interaction, Rennee Ramona Pedrido

Dissertations

Interaction between solid and fluid has been recognized to be an important factor in the areas of aeroelasticity, hydroelasticity, and the study of flow-induced vibration in nuclear reactor components. This study develops a finite element model for interaction between an elastic solid and a fluid medium. Plane triangular finite elements have been used separately for fluid, solid, and solid-fluid continua and the equivalent mass, damping, and stiffness matrices and interaction load arrays for all elements are derived and assembled into global matrices. The global matrix differential equation of motion developed is solved in time to obtain the pressure and velocity …

The Effects Of Pressure On The Biodegradability Of Sanitary Sewage In A Model Activated Sludge Reactor, Nicholas A. Mezei

Theses

Based on existing information concerning the effects of pressure on the biodegradability of sanitary sewage, a model activated sludge reactor was used in conjunction with pressurization to determine the viability of pressurization as a primary sewage treatment process.

Municipal sewage samples were pressurized at 40 psig for one hour with an excess of oxygen. An air compressor and a steel drum were used for sample pressurization. A non-pressurized control sample was maintained. After pressurization, the samples were fed into separate model activated sludge reactors. Biodegradability of both types of effluent was measured by determining their five day biochemical oxygen demands …

Theoretical Thermodynamic Functions For Argon, Peter Yi-Ren Sheh

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Fundamental Analysis Of The Linear Multiple Regression Technique For Quantification Of Water Quality Parameters From Remote Sensing Data, Charles Henry Whitlock Iii

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Inconsistent results have been obtained from previous experiments which have applied linear multiple regression techniques to remote sensing data for quantification of water quality parameters. The objective of this investigation is to define optical physics and/or environmental conditions under which the linear multiple regression should be applicable. To achieve this objective, an investigation of the signal response equations is conducted and the concept is tested by application to both analytical test cases and actual remote sensing data from a laboratory under controlled conditions.

Investigation of the signed response equations shows that the exact solution for a number of optical physics …

Evaluation Of Hydrogen As A Cryogenic Wind Tunnel Test Gas, Richard Carl Haut Ii

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A theoretical analysis of the properties of hydrogen has been made to determine the suitability of hydrogen as a cryogenic wind tunnel test gas. By using Cryogenic hydrogen, instead of air or cryogenic nitrogen, as the wind tunnel test gas, a significant increase in the test Reynolds number may be achieved without increasing the aerodynamic loads. Under sonic conditions, for example, compared to air at ambient temperature, cryogenic hydrogen at a pressure of one atmosphere produces an increase in Reynolds number of a factor of approximately fourteen while cryogenic nitrogen, at the same pressure, produces an increase of only a …

A Model To Investigate The Influence Of Suspended Sediment On The Mass Transport Of A Pollutant In Open Channel Flow, Raymond Scott Chapman

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The environmental impact of the transport of pollutants in open channel flow has for many years been of interest due to the continuous introduction of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and other foreign substances into natural waterways. In order to fully understand this transport process, it-is necessary to examine the significance of its individual components. In the present study an explicit two-dimensional finite difference model, designed to investigate the influence of suspended sediment on the pollutant transport process, is presented. Specific attention is directed toward examining the role of suspended sediment in 1) the turbulent vertical transport mechanism in a stratified …

Precise Frequency Control Of The Voltage Controlled Oscillator Using Finite Digital Word Lengths, Timothy Peter Hulick

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

For an oscillator that is periodically swept in frequency between some upper and lower bound, the output amplitude may easily be made constant and therefore known with a high degree of certainty. The instantaneous frequency exists only at a point in time and therefore possesses a zero probability of existing at any point. This thesis deals with the development of a method for interchanging the probability density functions of amplitude and frequency so that the latter becomes known with certainty while the former is known only to the extent that it is within a certain range.

The method developed makes …

Thermal Stratification And Circulation Of Water Bodies Subjected To Thermal Discharge, Mohammad A. Borhani

Dissertations

A three-dimensional analytical model for large water bodies is presented. Time histories and spatial distribution of pressure, velocity and temperature in water bodies, subjected to thermal discharge, are determined employing a digital computer. The dynamic response is obtained for a rectangular water body by applying a finite difference method to the mass, momentum and energy balance equations. These partial differential equations are algebraically manipulated to obtain; 1) three parabolic differential equations integrated temporally to find the horizontal velocity components and temperature; 2) one algebraic integral equation to get the vertical velocity component; 3) one elliptic differential equation integrated spatially to …

D. C. Conductivity Of Magnetite And Nickel Ferrites, Nazeih M Botrous El Badramany

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Reactivity And Kinetic Comparison Of Large Single New Mexican And South African Subbituminous Coal Particles, Wendall Gerald Stoddart

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

This study focuses on one aspect of coal gasification; that is, devolatilization of large single coal particles. Devolatilization is an important and key economic step in the overall gasification process. From a commercial standpoint for New Mexico, there are two processes in the field of coal gasification of importance: the Lurgi synthetic natural gas process and in-situ gasification. Since both the Lurgi and in-situ processes treat rather large particles of coal, the findings in this study might be used by industry to improve the design and operation of these processes. The work presented is a study and comparison of the …

Heat Transfer In Beaded Thermocouples Mounted On Solid Substrates-- Application To Transient Measurement Errors, Karl Wally

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Beaded thermocouples mounted on the surface of a solid for the purpose of measuring surface temperature are liable to introduce measurement errors as a result of heat transfer between the surface and the bead, and also because of the thermal inertia of the bead. For the prediction or correction of such errors, an accurate model of the thermocouple response is required. This paper uses a solution technique known as Quasi-Coupling to solve for the heat transfer in idealized beaded thermocouples mounted on idealized solids. The parameters controlling the thermocouple response are identified and the sensitivity of the response to these …

Analysis Of Switching Regulator Power Supply, Chang Il Lee

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Nose Tip Recession Measuring System For Hypersonic Test Vehicles, James Anthony Brown

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A method is presented which permits the measure of nose tip recession of re-entry vehicles and advanced terminal interceptors by employing a double choked flow coolant gas system. Recession of the tip results in an increased exit flow area which reduces the total pressure of the gas in the blast tube. Measurement of the blast tube pressure and gas generator (chamber) pressure will produce an effective measurement of the nose tip recession as long as choked flow (i.e., sonic velocity) is maintained in both the tip exit area and the gas generator throat area. Governing flow equations documented in the …

Economic Feasibility Of Domestic Hot Water Heating By Solar Energy At Florida Community Colleges, Catherine Ann Colford

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of A Variable Geometry Diffuser For Ftu's Four Inch Supersonic Wind Tunnel, William Robert Freed

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The primary object of the investigation reported in this paper was to obtain information that would aid in the design of a more efficient diffuser for FTU's tunnel, and thus increase the run time. Presently FTU's four inch supersonic wind tunnel uses a constant area, normal shock, diffuser to recover the fluid pressure after the test section. Also, FTU's tunnel is of the intermittent blowdown type, which provides only a relatively short test time before the storage pressure decreases to a limiting value at which flow in the test section ceases to be supersonic. The use of a constant area …

High Pressure Hydraulic Supply System Model, William H. Mock

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A mathematical model is derived to provide quasi-steady state predictions of the performance of a high pressure hydraulic supply system, using equations which govern the physical processes as opposed to equations which match input-output characteristics. Model equations are developed to describe the operation of the power source, control valves, energy source, gas side of the system, hydraulic accumulator, the motorpump, and hydraulic side of the system. The accuracy of the model is then checked by inserting known parameters from a previously developed control system and comparing model predictions with performance data from this system.

Modeling The Silicon Solar Cell As An Optical Detector, Leo Albert Mallette

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Solar cells have traditionally been used for a direct sunlight to energy conversion, and there has been relatively little investigation into their use as a low data rate optical detector. This report summarizes the results of experimental work to model a silicon solar cell, and its response to a pulse of light. A lumped circuit model, and governing equations for each of the elements is developed. Experimental data on several cells are used to curve fit the governing equations. The parameters of interest are tested as a function of both temperature, and background illumination. Having derived a working model, using …

Aggregate Production Planning Techniques And Comparison, Fariborz Mazaheri

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Aggregate production planning models are of the greatest importance to operations management, since these plans enable management to utilize the major resources at its command. In this report the structure of the aggregate planning problem and a number of different approaches are reviewed and presented. Approaches are classified in three categories: a) workforce smoothing models, b) production smoothing models, c) production and workforce models. The models are compared with respect to the cost structure, parameters estimation, forecast requirement, decision variables, computability and optimization techniques.

The Silicon Solar Cell As An Optical Detector, Stephen O. Saltsman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The optical detector characteristics of a silicon solar cell are examined. A general equivalent circuit model is developed and typical parameter values are determined. A comparison is made between the photovoltaic and short circuit operating modes and the short circuit mode is shown to be preferable in terms of linearity, extended frequency response, and temperature stability. A method is developed to determine the noise characteristics of the amplifier-detector system used in the short circuit mode. The silicon solar cell is shown to be an economical alternative to standard photodiodes in low to medium data rate systems.

Application Of Fire Protection Models In Urban Planning, Ronald George Thomas

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Spruce Creek Watershed Non-Point Source Loading Model, James L. Smoot

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The pollutant transport from watershed to receiving waters is modeled for Spruce Creek basin. The data requirements for such a model are: daily rainfall; monthly lake evaporation; soil and land use breakdown; water quality history for the main indicators, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, suspended solids, and total organic carbon; surface flow and interflow delay coefficients; channel flow time; daily flow gage records; and channel flow characteristics. The model uses the SCS runoff curve number method to generate rainfall excess where the antecedent conditions are varied daily by a water budget analysis. The direct runoff is delayed and routed by the …

Aging Characteristics Of An Aluminum-4.5% Copper-1.5% Magnesium Alloy, Robert Earl Sulouff

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The effects of quenching conditions, single-step and two-step aging treatments on the tensile properties of an AL-4.5%Cu-1.5%Mg alloy has been investigated. Results indicate that two distinctly different precipitates of GPB and S' form during aging. Single-step aging at 140°C , 160°C and 190°C indicated that 24 hours at 160°C produced optimum strength (67 ksi UTS). Two-step aging for 3 days at 140°C plus 190°C resulted in a slight increase in strength over single step aging at 190°C. Slow (oil) quenching as well as direct quenching improved the tensile properties when aged at 190°C. Reversion occurred slowly over the temperature range …