Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

California Agricultural Water Electrical Energy Requirements, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes, Gary Wilson

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center, working under agreement with the California Energy Commission as part of its Public Interest Energy Research Program, conducted an analysis of the energy used to supply water to California's agriculture and examined potential future trends in the agriculture water community to predict future energy requirements.

Assessing The Benefits Of Misting-Cooling Systems For Growing-Finishing Swine In Kentucky As Affected By Environment And Pig Placement Date, Thomas C. Bridges, R. S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

The growth performance of animals is often affected by extreme environmental conditions. In the case of swine, generally a cold environment will increase feed intake as the pig strives to maintain body temperature, while warmer environments may reduce growth, increase body maintenance demands, and subject the animal to environmental stress. Confinement houses are widely used as a primary means of modifying the environment to improve conditions for the growth of swine. Environment in these structures is usually controlled by natural or mechanical ventilation and by insulation for cold climates and limited use of evaporative cooling for summertime conditions.

Water Level Sensor Testing, Stuart Styles, Sarah Herman, Marcus Yasutake, Chuck Keezer

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The findings presented here are the continuation of a series of studies begun in 1998 by the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, California, on behalf of the Mid-Pacific Region of the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to test water level sensors under a variety of hydraulic conditions. This report is intended as a supplement to the original 1999 report, entitled “Water Level Sensor and Datalogger Testing and Demonstration” (ITRC Report No. R-01010), which describes the testing processes in detail and presents detailed results for the first 17 sensors …

Canal Velocity Indexing At Colorado River Indian Tribes (Crit) Irrigation Project In Parker, Arizona Using The Sontek Argonaut Sl, Stuart W. Styles, Mark Niblack, Beau J. Freeman

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

An index velocity rating was developed for a SonTek/YSI Argonaut Side-Looking (SL) ultrasonic Doppler flow meter installed in the Main Canal of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Irrigation Project in Parker, Arizona. Velocity data collected concurrently with the ultrasonic flow meter and conventional current meter were compared using linear regression techniques. The rating equation for this installation provides a reasonably accurate means of computing discharge. This project was completed by the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, working under a technical assistance contract for the Water Conservation Office, United States Bureau of …

Soil Salinity Accumulation In Orchards With Drip And Micro-Spray Irrigation In Arid Areas Of California, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A soil salinity accumulation study was conducted by ITRC during the summer of 2002 to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity build-up in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. This study assessed the current level of salinity accumulation in orchards irrigated with drip/micro systems and provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.

There is a concern that soil salinity accumulation in orchards, which comprise large acreages in the Central Valley of California, will eventually require reclamation leaching. Not only would this consume large quantities …

Reclamation Leaching For Salinity Buildup Under Drip/Micro Irrigation Of Trees, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

ITRC conducted a reclamation leaching experiment in a pistachio orchard in order to quantify the leaching water required to remove salts from the effective root zone of trees. This experiment tested a new reclamation leaching technique - multiple lines of low-flow drip tape were used to apply water to the area of salinity accumulation along a tree row.

Soil Salinity Accumalation In Orchards With Drip And Micro-Spray Irrigation In Arid Areas Of California, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A soil salinity accumulation study was conducted to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity build-up in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. The study assessed the current level of salinity accumulation in orchards irrigated with drip/micro systems and provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.

Long-Term Salinity Buildup On Drip/Micro Irrigated Trees In California, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell, Lisa Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) of Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, hypothesized that there is salinity accumulation in the root zone of tree crops that have been irrigated with drip or micro-spray irrigation systems, located in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, a study was conducted by ITRC during the summer of 2002 to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity accumulation in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. The project also provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.

During the …

Salinity Patterns: On Row Crops Under Subsurface Drip Irrigation (Sdi) On The Westside Of The San Joaquin Valley Of California, Charles M. Burt, Othman Al-Amoudi, Alejandro Paolini

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The objectives of this study were to identify if there was detrimental salinity buildup in the upper layers of soil caused by the usage of SDI on row crops, identify the extent of any detrimental salinity buildup, and identify successful and/or essential practices used by farmers who use SDI.

Temperature Control Of A Solid Substrate Cultivation Deep - Bed Reactor Using An Internal Heat Exchanger, Mari S. Chinn, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The solid substrate cultivation (SSC) process is often limited by rapid increases in temperature as a result of metabolic activity and poor heat transfer properties of the solid substrate. High temperatures can adversely affect microbial growth and product formation. Reduction of substrate temperatures is important for improved productivity, yet effective and efficient control of heat transfer in a deep-bed SSC reactor has proven difficult. An internal cooling water coil was incorporated into a deep-bed reactor system and evaluated for its ability to reduce substrate temperature. Three operating treatments were investigated: cooling water circulation whenever the center bed temperature was above …

Evaluation Of Foam Fractionation Column Scale-Up For Recovering Bovine Serum Albumin, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Kelly Gillette

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Foam fractionation is an adsorptive-bubble separation method that, according to researchers, is a feasible technique for the separation and/or concentration of proteins. The foam fractionation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in laboratory-scale foam fractionation columns (750 and 1250 mL) and the relationship between the two laboratory-scale columns and a pilot-scale column (5000 mL) were investigated. Recovery, enrichment, and performance factor values were experimentally determined with three different column volumes with varying pore sizes, gas superficial velocities, and, in the case of the 750 mL column, foam column height. As the pore size decreased, the amount of protein recovered from the …

Underground Pipe Locating Demonstration At Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, Stuart Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A presentation/demonstration of some of the latest underground pipe locating equipment was conducted on August 13, 2003 at the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District. All the techniques shown were non-destructive pipe locating procedures that provide approximations to the depth and location of underground-buried pipe.

3 types of technology were shown at the demonstration:

1. Acoustic pipe locators
2. Leak detectors
3. Ground penetrating radar

Each form of technology has its own merits and advantages. Acoustic technology is effective in locating single, small diameter pipes with pressurized flow located within about 500-ft of the sound (sonde) units. Leak detection technology is more accurate in locating …

Simulation Of Fixed– And Variable–Rate Application Of Granular Materials, John Patrick Fulton, Scott A. Shearer, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Michael E. Anderson, Thomas F. Burks, Stephen F. Higgins

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Research has shown that application errors exist with variable–rate technology (VRT) systems. Consequently, using prescription maps for economic and agronomic analyses can generate misleading results. The intent of this article was to develop and validate a spatial data model for generating “as–applied” maps to support the advancement of precision agriculture practices. Previous research modified ASAE Standard S341.2 to include a 2–D matrix of collection pans to assess fixed–rate and variable–rate (VR) deposition of granular fertilizers and agricultural lime from a spinner disc spreader. The “as–applied” spatial data model uses GIS functionality to generate “as–applied” surfaces by merging distribution patterns and …

Evaluation Of The Performance Of A Waste Stabilization Pond System In An Arid Region, Nadine Aly El-Aassar

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Gis Mapping For Irrigation District Rapid Appraisals, Daniel Howes, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Geographic information system (GIS) mapping is slowly becoming commonplace in irrigation districts as the need for more accurate and organized data becomes increasingly important. The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo commonly uses GIS as a tool in technical assistance packages for irrigation districts. One of the challenges in developing a strategic irrigation district modernization plan is to organize spatial data in such a way that various options can be easily understood. ITRC uses a combination of commercially available software with web-downloadable maps and photographs to organize and present the spatial information. …

Dam Design For Pastoral Stock Water Supplies, J S. Addison, R J. Law, G B. Eliot

Bulletins 4000 -

These notes provide information on many components of water harvesting storage systems designed for use in semi-arid areas. The notion of a water harvesting and storage system is deliberately emphasised. No single design component can be considered in isolation if the goal of a drought-proof water supply is to be achieved.

A drought-proof surface water supply is achieved by integrating the many design components of a water harvesting/storage system into a practical plan.

Assessing The Benefits Of Misting–Cooling Systems For Growing/Finishing Swine As Affected By Environment And Pig Placement Date, Thomas C. Bridges, Larry W. Turner, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The NCPIG swine growth model was used to evaluate swine growth performance for Wilmington, North Carolina; Bardstown and Mayfield, Kentucky; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as influenced by the use of a misting–cooling system. Five pig placement dates (Julian days 106, 126, 146, 166, and 186) were evaluated for each location using 22 years of weather data (1978–1999). The use of a misting system, while quite variable, was found to be generally profitable, reducing the length of the time to reach market weight. As the placement date increased, the average return to misting ($/pig/year) decreased from $8.12 to $1.98 for Oklahoma …

Chemigation And Fertigation Basics For California, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Chemigation is the application of any chemical through an irrigation system. Examples of chemicals include insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, water amendments, soil amendments, and compounds used to reduce plugging of drip emitters. Proper chemigation reduces energy consumption (less fertilizer, chemicals, and tractor travel) and improves crop quality and yields.

Fertigation accounts for the majority of chemigation. The sophistication of fertigation knowledge and practices is at about the same level as drip/microirrigation was in the mid-1970s. A lot of equipment and chemicals exist, and many farmers use fertigation, but only a relatively small percentage of those farmers are sophisticated users.

Harvesting, Drying, And Storing Grain Sorghum, Samuel G. Mcneill, Michael D. Montross

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Grain sorghum (milo) has been successfully produced in many areas of Kentucky and can be grown in alternating years with soybeans to replace corn in a crop rotation cycle. For most of the past 20 years, it has ranked fourth in production of all grain crops grown in the state and was valued at $1.16 and $1.53 million in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Rotating milo with soybeans can help control soybean cyst nematodes and other pests that suppress yield. It can provide higher yields than corn in dry years, especially on sandy soils. The feed/energy value of milo is similar …

The Development Of Relationships Between Constituent Concentrations And Generic Hydrological Variables, Carmen T. Agouridis, Dwayne R. Edwards

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The collection and analysis of samples from storm events constitutes a large portion of the effort associated with water quality research. Estimating concentrations or loads from these events is often difficult. The equipment necessary to analyze the samples and the required laboratory resources are typically significant expenses incurred by the researcher. One potential method to reduce these costs is through the development of generic relationships between concentrations and easily measured variables such as dimensionless flow rate or time. The benefits recognized from such an effort include a reduction in the number of required samples, resulting in a reduction in cost. …

Pc–Based Data Acquisition For A Solid Substrate Cultivation Deep Bed Reactor, Mari S. Chinn, Sue E. Nokes, Richard S. Gates

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

This work describes an instrumentation and data acquisition system designed for a deep bed reactor used to cultivate Trichoderma longibrachiatum on wheat bran. The system allowed on–line measurements of substrate temperature, oxygen concentration within the reactor headspace, relative humidity and temperature of the inlet air, and inlet airflow rates while maintaining aseptic conditions and without disturbing the cultivation process. An error analysis for the instrumentation and data acquisition equipment was completed and provided insight into the reliability of the sensor readings. The collected data provided quantitative information about the reactor system dynamics which can be used to evaluate and apply …

California Crop And Soil Evapotranspiration, Charles Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The goal of this publication is to provide water users, consultants, water agency personnel, and others throughout California with information that will: (a) help individual water users with irrigation scheduling and system design and (b) help agricultural water agency personnel with water balances and future planning.

The tables in this publication represent the consolidation of results from thousands of annual ET simulations that accounted for crop, rainfall (wet, dry, or “typical”), soil, and irrigation method in each of 13 major ETo zones in California. The annual simulations used daily water balances at the soil surface, crop canopy, and soil root …

Desorption Kinetics Of Radiocesium From Subsurface Sediments At Hanford Site, Usa, Chongxuan Liu, John M. Zachara, Steven Smith, James Mckinley, Calvin Ainsworth

United States Department of Energy: Publications

The desorption of ¹³⁷Cs⁺ was investigated on sediments from the United States Hanford site. Pristine sediments and ones that were contaminated by the accidental release of alkaline ¹³⁷Cs⁺ -containing high level nuclear wastes (HLW, 2 X 10⁶ to 6 X 10⁷ pCi ¹³⁷Cs⁺/g) were studied. The desorption of ¹³⁷Cs⁺ was measured in Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and NH₄⁺ electrolytes of variable concentration and pH, and in presence of a strong Cs⁺-specific sorbent (self-assembled monolayer on a mesoporous support, SAMMS). ^{137 …}

Recommended Strategies For Odor Control In Confinement Beef Cattle Operations, Kent Tjardes, Alvaro Garcia, Hans Stein, Charles Ullery, Stephen Pohl, Christopher Schmit

SDSU Extension Special Series

Odors coming off a beef feeding operation are generated from three different sources: the feedlot facility, waste storage, and the land where the manure is applied. In some operations, the feedlot facility may also serve as the primary waste storage area. To reduce the total amount of odor generated from a beef feeding operation, odor generation and emission by each of these three sources needs to be reduced.

Telog Pr-31 Water Level Tracker, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center, working under a technical service agreement with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Mid-Pacific Region, has undertaken a performance review of advanced electronic water level measurement technologies in irrigation applications. An example is the Telog PR-31 Level Tracker.

Itrc Weir Stick, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center, working under a technical service agreement with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Mid-Pacific Region, has developed a new weir rule for open-channel flow rate measurement.

Government Highline Canal – A Win-Win Solution, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center, working under a technical service agreement with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Upper Colorado Region, Western Colorado Area Office, performed canal modernization on the Government Highline Canal in the form of automated canal structures, in-system storage, and new operational procedures that could significantly reduce operational spill.

Simultaneous Observations Of Mesospheric Gravity Waves And Sprites Generated By A Midwestern Thunderstorm, D.D. Sentman, E.M. Wescott, R.H. Picard, J.R. Winick, H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, E.M. Dewan, D.R. Moudry, F.T. São Sabbas, M.J. Heavner, J. Morrill

United States Department of Energy: Publications

The present report investigates using simultaneous observations of coincident gravity waves and sprites to establish an upper limit on sprite-associated thermal energy deposition in the mesosphere. The University of Alaska operated a variety of optical imagers and photometers at two ground sites in support of the NASA Sprites99 balloon campaign. One site was atop a US Forest Service lookout tower on Bear Mt. in the Black Hills, in western South Dakota. On the night of 18 August 1999 we obtained from this site simultaneous images of sprites and OH airglow modulated by gravity waves emanating from a very active sprite …

Global Optical Lightning Flash Rates Determined With The Forte Satellite, Tracy E. Light, Sean M. Davis, William Boeck, Abram Jacobson, David Suszcynsky

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Using FORTE photodiode detector (PDD) observations of lightning, we have determined the geographic distribution of nighttime flash rate density. We estimate the PDD flash detection efficiency to be 62% for total lightning through comparison to lightning observations by the TRMM satellite's Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), using cases in which FORTE and TRMM viewed the same storm. We present here both seasonal and total flash rate maps. We examine some characteristics of the optical emissions of lightning in both high and low flash rate environments, and find that while lightning occurs less frequently over ocean, oceanic lightning flashes are somewhat more …

Transformation Of 2-Line Ferrihydrite To 6-Line Ferrihydrite Under Oxic And Anoxic Conditions, Ravi K. Kukkadapu, John M. Zachara, James K. Fredrickson, Steven C. Smith, Alice C. Dohnalkova, Colleen K. Russel

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Mineralogical transformations of 2-line ferrihydrite were studied under oxic and Fe³⁺-reducing conditions to establish the role, if any, of 6-line ferrihydrite (“well” organized ferrihydrite) in the reaction pathway and as a final product. In oxic experiments, concentrated suspensions (0.42 mol/L Fe³⁺ in 0.1 mol/L NaClO₄) of freshly synthesized 2-line ferrihydrite, with and without 3% Ni2+, were aged at an initial pH = 7.2 (unbuffered and unadjusted) and 25°C for more than three years. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements were performed on the solids after different aging periods. The primary mineralogical products …