Engineering Commons^™

Biodiesel Industry – A Statewide Assessment, Loren Isom

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

CONTENTS:
Nebraska Soybean Association
Introduction of the Project Development Te
Objectives
Supporting Events
Summary of the findings
Biodiesel Demand
Biodiesel Market Price
Estimated Biodiesel Production Costs
Competition in the Biodiesel Industry
Biodiesel Feedstock Resources
Best Locations in Nebraska
State Incentives and Public Policy
Biofuel Industry Trends
The Role of Incentives

The Biodiesel Industry: A National Perspective, Leland Tong

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

CONTENTS:
Increasing OEM Support
Inquiries & Sales Up in All Markets
Demand Trends
US Biodiesel Demand
Reasons for Industry Growth
Ranked Importance of Biodiesel Benefits for U.S. Consumers
US Crude Oil, Diesel Fuel and Biodiesel Spot Prices
Biodiesel and Diesel Prices
Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit
Renewable Fuel Standard
Small Agri Biodiesel Producer Credit
Alt Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Credit
Distribution Locations
Terminal Blending
Production Locations
Industry Plant Size
Plants Under Construction & Expansion
Size of Plants Under Construction & Expansion
Production Capacity by State
Production Capacity Trends
Industry Implications
Soybean oil, Palm Oil and Yellow Grease Prices
USDA Soybean Oil Price …

Modeling Dynamics And Exploring Control Of A Single-Wheeled Dynamically Stable Mobile Robot With Arms, Eric M. Schearer

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper focuses on simulations of a dynamically stable mobile robot (Ballbot) with arms. The simulations are of Ballbot lifting its arms in various directions. A PD arm controller works independently of an LQR-designed balancing/station keeping controller. The PD controller drives the arms to follow desired trajectories. When the arms are raised, Ballbot assumes a leaning equilibrium (the physical equilibrium) as opposed to the standing equilibrium (body stands totally upright - a predefined desired equilibrium) that the LQR drives toward. The conflict between these two equilibria causes the robot to lose its balance when lifting heavy (10 kg) loads. A …

A Wireless Method For Monitoring Medication Compliance, Jeffrey Scott Jonas

Theses

There are many devices on the market to help remind patients to take their pills, but most require observation by a caregiver to assure medication compliance. This project demonstrates three modes to detect pill removal from a pillbox: a switch under the pills, a reflective type photointerrupter and a transmissive "electric eye" photosensor. Each mode exhibited blind spots or other failures to detect pill presence, but by combining modes with complementary characteristics, the accuracy of pill detection is greatly increased.

Two methods of caregiver notification are demonstrated: text messages transmitted via an attached cellular phone, or the status is collected …

Fpga-Based Implementation Of Parallel Graph Partitioning, Mohammad Kharashgeh

Theses

Graph partitioning is a very important application that can be found in numerous areas, from finite element methods to data processing and VLSI circuit design. Many algorithms have been developed to solve this problem. Of special interest is multilevel graph partitioning that provides a very efficient solution. This method can also be parallelized and implemented on various multiprocessor architectures. Unfortunately, the target of such implementations is often unavailable high-end multiprocessor systems. Here a parallel version of this method for an in-house developed multiprocessor system is implemented on an FPGA. The system designed provides a cost-effective solution.

The design is based …

Characterization Of Thermally Diffused Bordie Layers On Aisi 1018 Steel : Residual Stresses (By Synchrotron Radiation) And Microhardness, Joel A. Payne

Theses

Boronization is a thermal diffusion process in which needle like boride layers are formed at the surface of the metallic substrate. The boride coatings formed by the diffusion process have high hardness and strong ware and corrosion resistance. In order for coatings of this nature to be industrially successful, their service life should be long and characterization should be extensive. Measuring the residual stresses of the coatings caters to each of these aspects.

In this study, AISI 1018 steel samples were boronized by a powder-pack process for four hours at 850°C in an argon atmosphere. Characterization techniques included coating thickness, …

Submicron Patterning Using Laser Interference Lithography, Luigi Pollara Verdoni

Theses

In this thesis, the theory, fabrication protocol, and initial results of an alternative nanopatterning technique called Interferometric Lithography (IL) are presented. Comprised of the identical process attributes of traditional projection photolithography, IL mirrors the wafer preparation and development procedures of our existing clean room capabilities. The main departure is solely in means of pattern delineation. IL is a "mask less" technique that employs the interference fringe pattern of two coherent beams, and can therefore be generated with a commercial laser. Due to its simplicity, Interferometric Lithography provides an attractive supplement to existing methods of nano-patterning.

Utilizing a 325 nm HeCd …

Dem Simulated Floor Pressure Induced By A Granular Column, Shawn A. Chester

Theses

At the end of the 19th century, H. A. Janssen discovered that the bottom floor pressure in a cylindrical container of granular material asymptotes exponentially to a value less than the weight of the material i.e., the pressure becomes independent of the fill height of the column. This phenomenon is investigated using discrete element simulations of inelastic, frictional spheres in a cylindrical vessel having a particle-to-cylinder diameter ratio at approximately 13.3 or 26.6, with varying bed heights in both cases. The axial pressure profile and the load experienced by a piston that is supporting the granular column are computed. In …

Individual Cell Pressure Control In An Air Mattress For The Prevention Of The Pressure Sores, Kapilchandra Anand

Theses

Many kinds of pressure-relieving mattresses have been developed to prevent pressure sores in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and obesity. Current technology uses alternating air pressure mattress, foam and low pressure mattress for reducing the incidence of pressure sores in SCI and obesity patients. These mattresses do not have control of pressure in individual air chambers. They are open loop system and they do not receive any feedback from the system. They have at the most control of two different pressures. The purpose of this study is to improve the current assistive technology in reducing pressure sores and to …

In-Vitro Characterization Of Boronized Titanium Alloy By Means Of Corrosion And Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Methods In Simulated Body Fluids, David Anthony Panus

Theses

Titanium and titanium alloys are becoming the backbone of medical implants and prosthetics. Titanium alloys are used because of its high biocompatibility and similarity to bone. However, titanium and titanium alloys have a low wear resistance. Titanium and titanium alloys are susceptible to particle erosion, which can cause inflammation, infection, and even implant rejection. Boronizing titanium alloy improves titanium's wear resistance and also improves corrosion resistance.

The target of this research was to characterize the corrosion characteristics of both unboronized and boronized titanium using both electrochemical corrosion methods and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (ELS) in simulated body fluid. Using electrochemical methods …

Fabrication Of Hydroxyapatite-Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds By Electrospinning For Potential Bone Tissue Application, Satomi Suzuki

Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of combining hydroxyapatite (HA) and polymers to form synthetic composite materials used for bone tissue engineering applications. In this study, ceramic-biodegradable polymer composites are fabricated by electrospinning method. The biodegradable polymers used are poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Two types of HA-polymer solutions are first prepared to achieve HA weight percentage of 0, 10, and 25%of the total combined weight of HA and PLLA, and HA and PLGA. The solutions are electrospun to form nanofibrous mats incorporated with HA powder. A biomimetic process was also conducted as a …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Back Illuminated Cmos Photodiode Array, Amitra Banerjee

Theses

With the rapid development in low-cost CMOS technology, silicon photodiodes are currently recognized as promising choice for the imager core. In this research, the arrays of back illuminated photodiodes were designed, fabricated and demonstrated with CMOS imager fabrication process on silicon wafers. The main purpose of this work was to improve the contribution of these arrays on the imaging systems before committing their design on the chips.

In this CMOS process, first the n-well, p-well, n+and p+ regions were simulated and fabricated by several implantation processes. The n-well region was implanted by phosphorus at an energy of 170 keV and …

Research Of Explosion Mechanism Of Lithium-Ion Battery, Yu-Hong Chen, Zhi-Yuan Tang, Yan-Bing He, Qiang Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The heat character of Lithium-ion battery materials and explosion mechanism of Lithium-ion cells under the overcharge,short-circuit and other abuse behavior are tested by C₈₀ calorimeter, DSC and charge-discharge instrument.SEI reactions, Li_xC₆/electrolyte and Li_xC₆/PVDF reactions take place at the anodes. Electrolyte and solvent reactions happen after 178℃ and Li_1-xCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ decomposes after 230℃. The batteries explode at 150℃ oven test or 1.5C, 5.5 V overcharge and do not explode at short-circuit.

Studies On Performance And Electrode Materials For All Vanadium Flow Battery, Jun Yuan, Qing-Chun Yu, Yi-Feng Liu, Liang-Liang Ma, Yi-Hua Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper,cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the electrochemical performance of the treated and untreated graphite,soft graphite and PAN-carbon cloth in vanadium sulfate solution.The results show that: the reversibility of reaction can be improved on the surface of treated electrode,and the current can also increase;the electrochemical performance of treated electrode is remarkably enhanced;in the process of charge/discharge,the charge current can reach up to 20 mA/cm²,and discharge current up to 15 mA/cm²;surface morphology of the treated and untreated graphite show that the treatment can change the surface structure of electrode and also add the reaction …

Immobilization Of Cytochrome C On The Surface Of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube And Its Direct Electron Transfer And Electrocatalysis, Ya-Jing Yin, Ya-Fen Lv, Ping Wu, Pan Du, Yan-Mao Shi, Chen-Xin Cai

Journal of Electrochemistry

Cytochrome c(Cyto c) was immobilized on the surface of the single-wall carbon nanotube(SWNT) by using the method of adsorption.Infrared spectroscopy indicated that the Cyto c remained in its original structure and did not undergo structural change after its immobilization on the SWNT.The direct electrochemistry of cyto c,which was adsorbed on the surface of the SWNT,was studied by cyclic voltammetry.The voltammetric results demonstrated that the SWNT had promoting effects on the direct electron transfer of Cyto c and also indicated that the immobilized Cyto c retained its bioelectrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H₂O₂.This modified electrode might …

Investigation Of The Direct Electrochemical Reduction Of Cr2O3 Powder In Molten Cacl2 By A Metallic Cavity Electrode, Guo-Hong Qiu, Di-Hua Wang, Xian-Bo Jin, Xiao-Hong Hu, Zheng Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

A metallic cavity electrode is used for further investigation of the electrochemical behaviour of Cr₂O₃ powder in molten CaCl₂(Na: ~0.02% by mass,Mg: < 0.005% by mass) at 900 ℃.The Cr₂O₃ powder reduction mechanism was confirmed in line with EDX and SEM analysis of the potentiostatic electrolysis products.The correlations between the particle size of metallised product and the electrolysis potential,or electrolysis time were analysed.

Studies On Synthesis And Electrochemical Performance Of LiXNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 As Cathode Material For Lithium Ion Batteries, Xiao-Jian Guo, Jie Li, Yi-Xiao Li, Yong Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

A series of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ were synthesized by a combined hydroxides coprecipitation and calcination method.Effects of synthesizing temperature of coprecipitations and the Li∶M ratios on structure and electrochemical performance of the materials were studied.The results showed that materials synthesized with coprecipitation at room temperature(~20 ~(o)C) delivered the best electrochemical performance.Another series of cathode materials Li_XNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ with different Li∶M ratios were synthesized with this method.The results showed that sintering at high temperature could cause loss of LiOH,thus more LiOH should be added.It is demonstrated that Li …

Pre-Oxidative Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Incorporated With Carbon Nanotube And Pbo2, Hong-Lan Qi, Cheng-Xiao Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

A pre-oxidative amperometric glucose biosensor incorporated with carbon nanotube,ferrocenemonocarboxylic acid and PbO₂ was designed.The interferences coming from reduced substances,such as ascoribic acid and urine acid were eliminated by PbO₂.The oxidative current is linear at the potential of +0.40 V(vs.SCE) to the concentration of glucose in the range from 0.50 to 20 mmol·L^-1,and the detection limit of glucose is 0.1 mol L^-1.The relative standard deviation is 3.3% for seven successive assays at 5.0 mmol·L^-1glucose.This biosensors have been applied to determination of the glucose in serum with satisfying results.

The Electrochemical Study On Self-Assembled Monolayers Of Sodium Stearate Surfactant On Oil/Water Interface, Li-Na Tang, Feng-Ping Wang, Yong-Chun Zhu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The self-assembled monolayers of sodium stearate surfactant on oil/water interface was investigated by CV with copper ion as probe.The self-assembling process includes four stages,and forms a stable assembly.The electrochemical oxidation of copper ion at assembled surface is a combine controlled process both surface and diffusion with regression equation as i_p = 9.214-3.889 v^1/2 +0.5809v,r=0.9978,compared with the oil covered bared electrode,it is a complete surface controlled.

Recycling Of The Spent Nickel-Cadmium Batteries Based On Bioleaching Process, Liang-Shu Xia, Shi-Fu Fu, Zhong-Qing Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Less than 1 percent of discarded dry batteries are recovered in china.it is necessary to find an economic,fast and environmentally friendly process to recycle spent dry batteries.Bioleaching is better one of the few technology applied for the recovery of the toxic metals from hazardous spent batteries.In this study,after the acidified sludge made by the inoculated and cultured indigenous sewage sludge was acted as leaching bacteria species,the influence of the different pH values,the different residence time of the sludge in bioreactor(RTB),the leaching time,whether or not adding Fe(iron powder) to the leaching liquid on the leaching rate of Ni,Cd was tested.The results …

Electrochemical Behavior Of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide In Mgso4 Solution, Dan-Mei Yu, Yu-Jun Si, Chang-Guo Chen, Yu-Ping Liu, Yan Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The rechargeability and crystal structure changing of electrolytic manganese dioxide(EMD) in MgSO₄ electrolyte were investigated by cyclic voltammetry,galvanostatic charge/discharge and X-ray diffraction.The results have shown that the EMD has good rechargeability;after several initial cycles,the charge and discharge became stability;after discharge,the γ-MnO₂ structure of EMD was changed,the production was reversible and could be recharged to γ-MnO₂ structure again which ensured the rechargeability of EMD.

Experimental And Modeling Investigations Of Biomass Particle Combustion, Hong Lu

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation provides a comprehensive analysis of entrained-flow biomass combustion processes. Experimental and theoretical investigations indicate how particle shape and size influence biomass combustion rates. Experimental samples include flake-like, cylinder-like, and equant (nearly spherical) shapes with similar particle masses and volumes but different surface areas. Samples of small (less than 500 µm) particles were passed through a laboratory entrained-flow reactor in a nitrogen/air atmosphere and a maximum reactor wall temperature of 1600 K, while large samples were reacted in suspension in a single particle furnace operated at similar conditions as the entrained-flow reactor. A separately developed computer and image analysis …

The Property Study Of Libob-Pc/Dec Electrolyte, Ying-Kun Ning, Bi-Tao Yu, Fu-Shen Li, Wei-Hua Qiu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The new electrolyte salt LiBOB for Li-ion battery was synthesized in laboratory,and series of electrolytes of LiBOB and PC/DEC was compounded.The conductivity of the electrolytes was compared by changing the temperature and concentration.The cycling performance of charging-discharging was also compared by the charging-discharging test,the results showed that the varying regularity of conductivities and cycling stability and capacity were not always identical,but there were a suitable electrolyte for Li/ARG cell.The A.C.impedance and CV were used to test the compatibility of the most suitable electrolyte and ARG anode.Conclusion can be drawn that the ARG anode can be protected very well by SEI …

Degradation Of P-Nitrophenol Wastewater By Liquid Phase Catalyzed In Bipolar Liquid Bed Cell, Shi-Yuan Guo, Ai-Li Zhang, Ji-Ti Zhou, Dan Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

This investigation was performed to study the degradation of p-nitrophenol(PNP) in the bipolar liquid bed cell catalyzed by liquid phase.The hydrogen peroxide produced on cathodes with the ferrous generated Fenton's reagent to produce hydroxyl radicals which are very active toward organic compounds to strengthen bipolar liquid bed cell in disposing organic compounds.The effects of cell voltage,ferrous concentration and airflow on the COD and PNP removal efficiency were also studied.When pH=3.0,cell voltage is 30V,ferrous concentration is 500×10^-6 and airflow is 0.4 m³/h,higher removal efficiency of the COD and PNP are obtained.

Electrodeposition Of Nano-Sb-Zn Alloy In Acetamide-Urea-Nabr-Kbr Melt, Peng Liu, Xin-Ai Guo, Ye-Xiang Tong, Qi-Qin Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electroreduction of Zn(II) and Sb(III) in acetamide-urea-NaBr-KBr(343 K) were studied by cyclic volatmmetry.The reduction of Zn(II) or Sb(III) to the metals is an irreversible process.The transfer coefficient of Zn(II)+2e→Zn and Sb(III) +3e→Sb were calculated to be 0.231 and 0.319,the diffusion coefficient of Zn(II) and Sb(III) in the melt were determined as 1.70*10^-6 and 3.21*10^-6 cm²· s^-1 respectively.The Zn-Sb films with different Zn content from 29.67 at% to 97.34 at% were electrodeposited in acetamide-urea-NaBr-KBr melt at 343 K by controlling the deposition potential and the Zn(II)/Sb(III) molar ratio.The morphology of Zn-Sb film was observed by …

Investigations On Electrochemical Characteristics Of Liv3O8 Electrode In Lithium Sulfate-Water-Ethanol Electrolytes, An-Bao Yuan, Wei-Xiang Song

Journal of Electrochemistry

The active material of LiV₃O₈ prepared using low-temperature pre-reaction in solution followed by intermediate-temperature calcination at 450 ℃.The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscope observation.The performance of LiV₃O₈  electrode in neutral lithium sulfate-water-ethanol electrolytes was investigated using electrochemical methods.Galvanostatic charge/discharge results indicated that the specific capacity of LiV₃O₈  electrode decreases with ethanol content increasing in electrolyte.The most appropriate water/ethanol volumetric ratio is 4 ∶1 in terms of conductivity of the electrolyte and stability of the electrode.AC impedance measurements demonstrated that the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte …

The Influence Of Pva As Disperser On Lifepo4 Synthesized By Hydrothermal Reaction, Hui-Lin Li, Hui Zhan, Yu-Hong Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

LiFePO₄ was synthesized by means of hydrothermal reaction,in which PVA acts as disperser and glucose as carbon source. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical measurement. SEM results show that the sample is homogeneously composed of grains with a particle size of ca.200nm. In the charge/discharge test, the products exhibited a 3.45V discharge voltage plateau and a maximum specific capacity of 140mAh/g. After 40 cycles, its capacity only declined by 2.1%. Besides these, the mechanism for the influence of the particle size and carbon coating on the electrochemical property of LiFePO₄ material was …

Calcined Temperatures Influence On Synthesis And Electrochemistry Charactarization Of Li[Ni0.475Mn0.475Co0.05]O2 For Li-Ion Batteries, Li-Qin Wang, Li-Fang Jiao, Hua-Tang Yuan, Yong-Mei Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Layered Li[Ni_0.475Mn_0.475Co_0.05]O₂ materials have been prepared by a solid-state pyrolysis method.Experiments of XRD,SEM,cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge cycling were carried out.It can be learned that when calclined at 800 ℃,the sample showed the highest first discharge capacity of 178.8 mAh·g^-1 at a current density of 20 mA/g in the voltage range 2.3~4.6 V

Study On The Microstructure Of Pb-Sn Alloy Obtained From Quasi-Two-Dimensional Electrodeposition, Bin Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

A two-layered structure of eutectic-solid sulotion is formed in the microstructure of Pb-Sn alloy obtained from quasi-two-dimensional electrodeposition.It is showed that this unique structure is caused by the variation of the current density on the growth interface.When the interface is located in the front of the whole deposits,the current density is high.So the Pb and Sn can deposit together and the eutectic texture forms.When the interface is in the rear of the whole deposits,the current density is low.At this moment the electrodeposition of Pb is the dominant reaction,and the Pb-based solid solution appears.

Investigation On The Resistance To Electrochemical Oxidation Of Carbon Nanotubes With Various Diameters, Yu-Yan Shao, Ge-Ping Yin, Yun-Zhi Gao, Peng-Fei Shi

Journal of Electrochemistry

The resistance to electrochemical oxidation of multi-wall carbon nanotubes(CNT) with various diameters is investigated by applying a fixed potential of 1.2 V(RHE) for 120 h in 0.5 mol L^-1 H₂SO₄.The oxidation current of CNTs decreases with their diameters,but CNTs between 10~20 nm in diameter(D1020) shows the lowest oxidation current.XPS analysis shows that,after oxidation,the increase in surface oxygen for D1020 is the smallest,implying that the oxidation degree for D1020 is the lowest.The conclusion can be reached that CNTs between 10~20 nm in diameter are the most resistant to electrochemical oxidation.The difference in electrochemical stability of CNTs …