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Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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Articles 61 - 73 of 73

Full-Text Articles in Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering

Impacts Of Land Use And Climate Changes On Hydrological Processes In South Dakota Watersheds, Manashi Paul Jan 2016

Impacts Of Land Use And Climate Changes On Hydrological Processes In South Dakota Watersheds, Manashi Paul

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to evaluate the impacts of climate and land use change on the hydrology of South Dakota’s watersheds using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The study analyzed the hydrologic impacts of climate and land use changes in two ways. The first aspect consists of characterizing hydrological changes between two recent decades in three representative watersheds – Bad River watershed, Skunk Creek watershed and Upper Big Sioux River watershed. Two historical land use maps (NLCD 1992 and 2011) were used to represent land use change on these watersheds, and two historical climate datasets (1981-1990 and 2005-2014) were …

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Understanding The Impact Of Non-Thermal Processing And Co2 Assisted Extrusion On Antioxidant, Textural And Functional Properties Of Corn, Sorghum And Apple Pomace Based Extrudates, Umesh Chandra Lohani Jan 2016

Understanding The Impact Of Non-Thermal Processing And Co2 Assisted Extrusion On Antioxidant, Textural And Functional Properties Of Corn, Sorghum And Apple Pomace Based Extrudates, Umesh Chandra Lohani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there is a worldwide demand for antioxidant rich foods in diet, especially ready to eat foods, i.e. cereals and snacks. In recent years, the research has got momentum to valorize the underutilized crops, i.e. millet, sorghum and industrial food by-products, i.e. fruit pomace to incorporate into main stream of human diet due to their enrichment in nutritional as well as bioactive compounds like phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants. However, most of the phenolic compounds in plant are present in the bound form with the carbohydrates, lignin, pectin and proteins which reduces their ability to function as good antioxidants. Therefore, in …

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A Process-Based Nutrient Model For The Bedded Manure Pack Of Confined Beef Systems, Ferouz Y. Ayadi Jan 2015

A Process-Based Nutrient Model For The Bedded Manure Pack Of Confined Beef Systems, Ferouz Y. Ayadi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Manure management is of growing concern for beef cattle producers and the general public. The overall objective of this research was to develop a process-based model that predicts concentration and gaseous emission from the bedded manure pack of a confined beef cattle system, with respect to different bedding material, manure storage time, and ambient temperature. The model incorporated the data collected in three experiments designed to understand transformations and processes occurring in the bedded pack. The first study evaluated the source of volatilized ammonia nitrogen from beef cattle manure. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used to determine the origin of …

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Assessment Of Corn Stover Torrefaction For On-Farm Biochar Production, Christina M. Gerometta Jan 2014

Assessment Of Corn Stover Torrefaction For On-Farm Biochar Production, Christina M. Gerometta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Torrefaction is a thermochemical pretreatment process that is typically achieved by slowly heating biomass (<50°C/min) within the temperature range of 200 – 300°C under an inert atmosphere. This process yields a storable solid product with enhanced fuel characteristics that are influenced by the ligno-cellulosic composition of the original feedstock and the imposed torrefaction conditions (time and temperature). This study is an assessment of corn stover properties that are relevant for designing an on-farm torrefaction system. The first portion of this study compared the thermal decomposition behaviors of corn stover fractions (leaf, stalk, cob) to the respective ligno-cellulosic composition using thermo-gravimetric analysis. It was found that the thermal decomposition pattern correlates to the structure and ratio of ligno-cellulosic polymers and provides design guidelines for an on-farm torrefaction system capable of handling large quantities of mixed fraction stover. The second part of this study investigated the effects of torrefaction time and temperature on the mass and energy yield of mixed fraction corn stover using a 46.3 L batch style reactor. It was found that longer reaction times and higher temperatures were required to obtain mass and energy yields similar to those found using lab-scale reactors and finely milled samples. Non-uniform torrefaction occurred between fractions due to chemical composition of each fraction and proximity to the heating elements.

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Modeling The H2s Concentrations Affected By Shelterbelts Downwind From A Swine Facility, Brett D. Pettigrew Jan 2014

Modeling The H2s Concentrations Affected By Shelterbelts Downwind From A Swine Facility, Brett D. Pettigrew

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Odor from swine facilities can be a nuisance to the nearby residences and communities. Shelterbelts have been shown to positively impact the downwind air quality, but the impacts are dependent on wind speed and direction, and shelterbelt configuration. The first objective of this research was to develop an empirical model of shelterbelt-induced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration reductions as a function of horizontal distance beyond a swine facility, based on data from a previous study by Hofer (2009). The Hofer (2009) study measured H2S concentrations at a swine facility at four discrete distances beyond the barn (55, 246, 510, and 805 …

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Techno-Economic And Fluid Dynamics Analysis For Growing Microalgae With The Intent Of Producing Biofuel Using A System Model, Leah R. Raffaeli Jan 2013

Techno-Economic And Fluid Dynamics Analysis For Growing Microalgae With The Intent Of Producing Biofuel Using A System Model, Leah R. Raffaeli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Techno-economic and systems studies on microalgal growth scenarios to date are abbreviated and missing a number of important variables. By including these variables in a detailed model integrating biology, chemistry, engineering, and financial aspects, a more defined systems analysis is possible. Through optimizing the model productivity based on the resulting net profit, the system analysis results in a more accurate assessment of environmental and economic sustainability of specific algal growth scenarios. Photobioreactor algal growth scenario optimization in the system model has resulted in realistic engineering design requirements based on algal growth requirements and fluid dynamics analysis. Results show feasibility for …

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Soil Phosphorus Availability And Buffering Capacity In Eastern South Dakota Assessed Using Quantity-Intensity Relationships And Diffusive Gradients In Thin Films, Rose Eitemiller Jan 2012

Soil Phosphorus Availability And Buffering Capacity In Eastern South Dakota Assessed Using Quantity-Intensity Relationships And Diffusive Gradients In Thin Films, Rose Eitemiller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phosphorus (P) availability is influenced by soil properties and depth, creating challenges for nutrient management across agricultural landscapes. This study evaluated two complementary approaches for quantifying P availability and adsorption dynamics in eastern South Dakota soils: Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) and P quantity–intensity (Q–I) relationships. The objectives were to (1) quantify bioavailable P using DGT, (2) compare DGT measurements with established soil test P (STP), (3) evaluate Q–I parameters describing P adsorption characteristics, and (4) assess spatial variability in P availability across eastern South Dakota soils. DGT-measured P increased with STP levels and was strongly correlated with Bray-1, …

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Water And Nutrient Balances Of Vegetative Treatment Systems For Feedlots In South Dakota, Daniel T. Ostrem Jan 2010

Water And Nutrient Balances Of Vegetative Treatment Systems For Feedlots In South Dakota, Daniel T. Ostrem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vegetative treatment systems (VTS) are a possible alternative to storage basins for managing feedlot runoff but have not been researched in South Dakota. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of VTS within South Dakota. The performance was evaluated by determining water and mass balances on each vegetative treatment area (VTA). The balances were determined by measuring all inflow, outflow, evapotranspiration, precipitation, and both soil and water nutrient concentrations within the VTA. Twelve site years have been completed in researching VTS from four feed lots in South Dakota. Seven of the twelve site-years VTS were able to prevent water …

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Modeling Sugarbeet Quality Variables From Satellite Images And Canopy Spectral Indices, Subodh Kulkarni Jan 2003

Modeling Sugarbeet Quality Variables From Satellite Images And Canopy Spectral Indices, Subodh Kulkarni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Remote sensing was used to model crop quality from measurements of canopy spectra. Three indices of canopy characteristics, derived from satellite image data, were tested for relationship to whole-field sugarbeet quality. Quality was quantified as recoverable sucrose per ton of harvested sugarbeets. Quality data were extracted from the year 2002 Field Database of the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Co-operative, (SMBSC), Renville, Minnesota. Linear regression models utilizing canopy indices and changes in canopy indices over time were tested for relationship to sugarbeet quality for four classes of sugarbeets. Classes of sugarbeet tested represented fields planted to a mix of varieties resistant …

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Performance And Evaluation Of A Variable-Speed Darrieus Wind Turbine, Kasey W. Abbott Jan 1982

Performance And Evaluation Of A Variable-Speed Darrieus Wind Turbine, Kasey W. Abbott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developing wind energy suitable for agriculture applications is a critical step towards providing a reliable, affordable energy supply for United States agriculture. United States agriculture, due to its energy intensive nature-, is dependent on petroleum fuels. Because agriculture is extremely sensitive, to supply interruptions, steps must be taken to reduce this dependence on oil, including developing wind energy systems. It appears that the potential is there since winds over the United States contain more than 30 times the total energy consumed in this nation (Soderholm, 1979).
Agricultural applications (e.g. irrigation pumping, product processing and building heating) are uniquely suited to …

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Performance And Evaluation Of Swine House Heating With A Solar Energy Intensifier-Thermal Energy Storage System, Albert J. Heber Jan 1979

Performance And Evaluation Of Swine House Heating With A Solar Energy Intensifier-Thermal Energy Storage System, Albert J. Heber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The urgency for energy independence in the United States is unprecedented in its history. The demand for energy is reflected in rising fuel costs which affects every segment of the economy. Among the most severely affected sectors is the agriculture industry, whose fossil fuel consumption is crucial to its efficient production of food and fiber. Solar, one of several alternative energy sources being developed nationwide has unique possibilities in the U.S. agriculture system. Large areas are available for locating collector units, and the energy requirements in the farm are low compared with the available radiation falling on the area. Drying …

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Design Of A Vertical Axis And Turbine-Variable Speed Heat Pump Alternate Energy System, John V. Karnitis Jan 1979

Design Of A Vertical Axis And Turbine-Variable Speed Heat Pump Alternate Energy System, John V. Karnitis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective if the project is to design an unguyed wind energy conversion system consisting of a Savonius rotor assisted non-articulating 5m (15 ft) diameter Darrius vertical axis wind turbine, which is self-starting, and is mechanically coupled by a V-belt drive to an automotive air conditioning variable speed compressor. The variable speed-compressor is utilized as a mover for a variable speed heat pump system. The basic objective is further subdivided into the following objectives:
1. To develop a preliminary design of the wind energy conversion system, which later cane be modified to the existing energy needs.
2. To predict …

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Design And Performance Of A Solar Energy Intensifier System For Drying Shelled Corn, Kenneth J. Hellevang Jan 1979

Design And Performance Of A Solar Energy Intensifier System For Drying Shelled Corn, Kenneth J. Hellevang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since utilizing solar energy as an alternate energy source for agricultural applications is dependent on improvement in the design of solar systems and on documentation of the performance characteristics, reliability and economic feasibility of solar systems, research was conducted with the following objectives: 1. Design a multi-purpose solar energy system with a diurnally tracking solar energy intensifier and a thermal energy storage unit to warm the ventilation air for a swine confinement building and to dry corn. 2. Test the solar energy intensifier-collector system for corn drying under actual conditions. 3. Evaluate the performance and economic feasibility of a diurnally …

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