Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Leaching Of Accumulated Soil Salinity Under Drip Irrigation, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Conducted a reclamation leaching experiment in a drip-irrigated pistachio orchard south of Huron, California, during the winter of 2002-2003. The study was conducted 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. This new technique allows water to be applied where there is salt accumulation along the tree row, as opposed to putting water on the entire area of the field. Since reclamation leaching …

Distribution Pattern Variability Of Granular Vrt Applicators, John P. Fulton, Scott A. Shearer, Stephen F. Higgins, Dennis Wayne Hancock, Timothy S. Stombaugh

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Granular applicators equipped with variable-rate technology (VRT) have gained popularity in recent years as a result of increased interest in variable-rate application. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize distribution patterns at varying rates for different granular applicators. Uniform-rate (UR) tests were conducted to assess the accuracy of variable-rate application from four granular applicators: two spinner-disc spreaders (A and B), and two pneumatic applicators (C and D). Pattern results indicated a consistent triangular pattern for spinner spreader B and consistent patterns for the pneumatic applicators (C and D). However, applicator D produced pattern variations at the center and right …

Rate Response Assessment From Various Granular Vrt Applicators, John P. Fulton, Scott A. Shearer, Stephen F. Higgins, Matthew J. Darr, Timothy S. Stombaugh

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Variable-rate technology (VRT) adds complexity to application equipment, thereby confounding the assessment of applicator performance. The intent of this investigation was to assess the rate response of various VRT granular applicators: two spinner spreaders (A and B), and two pneumatic applicators (C and D). Variable-rate (VR) tests were conducted to quantify the rate response characteristics (delay and transition times) for the applicators. A sigmoidal function was used to model the rate response for five of the six tests. Applicator A exhibited a linear response during decreasing rate changes. Results indicated that only applicator B demonstrated consistent delay and transition times, …

Addressing Our Global Water Future, Center For Strategic And International Studies (Csis), Sandia National Laboratories

United States Department of Energy: Publications

This White Paper addresses the growing global challenges of dealing with the devastating effects of increasing water scarcity and declining water quality. Across the planet, in developing and developed regions alike, poor governance and mismanagement of natural resources coupled with rising population growth, increasing urbanization, and economic development have led to a growing imbalance between water supply and demand. This imbalance is reaching crisis proportions in many regions. It will have even more significant consequences for economic development, stability and security unless the there is a more dramatic and urgent international response. Several international forums have arisen to address just …

Irrigation Network Regulation Through Cad System, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed Sohag, Ali Asghar Mahessar

International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies

The irrigation system of Pakistan is the largest integrated network in the world. There are 3 major storage reservoirs, 19 barrages, 12 inter-river link canals, 45 independent irrigation canal commands and over 1,22,268 watercourses. The network of irrigation of the province of Sindh consists of 3 barrages and 14 canal commands. The irrigation water is being used for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes. Owing to mismanagement and inequitable distribution of water, it is necessary to have a fool-proof system where water is supplied to the end-users judiciously. Therefore water managers and farmers cannot know, how much quantum of water has …

Biodiesel Plant Development Seminar, Larry Breeding

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

CONTENTS:
West Central History
Annual Operations
Sales History (millions)
Soy Nutrition Products
West Central Biodiesel Plant
Why Biodiesel?
Reduce Emissions
Operational Benefits
Energy Balance of Biodiesel
Expanded use for Soy Crops
Nation’s Energy Goals
USES FOR BIODIESEL
RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP
MANAGEMENT
PROCUREMENT
SALES & MARKETING
SUMMARY

Biodiesel Plant Development Seminar, What You Need To Know

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

Agenda

Biodiesel Plant Investment—Making The Correct Decisions, Leland Tong, Steve Howell

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

Overall Purpose of IBFG:
• Provide the most accurate, up-to-date, detailed, independent information on biodiesel and the biodiesel industry
• Provide Information you need to make an intelligent decision on a biodiesel plant….

Biodiesel Plant Development Seminar, What You Need To Know: Technology Processes And Provider Overview, Steve Howell

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

CONTENTS:
The Transesterification Reaction
Transesterification Material Balance
Esterification of Free Fatty Acid
Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel Technology Providers
Educational Resources
NBB Resources
Other Biodiesel Resources
IBFG

The Global Positioning System, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Doug Mclaren, Benjamin K. Koostra

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is quickly becoming part of the fabric of everyday life. Beyond recreational activities such as boating and backpacking, GPS receivers are becoming a very important tool to such industries as agriculture, transportation, and surveying. Very soon, every cell phone will incorporate GPS technology to aid first responders in answering emergency calls.

Uranium Geochemistry In Vadose Zone And Aquifer Sediments From The 300 Area Uranium Plume, John M. Zachara, J. A. Davis, James Mckinley, D. M. Wellman, Chongxuan Liu, N. Qafoku, S. B. Yabusaki

United States Department of Energy: Publications

In 1996, an interim record of decision was issued for the 300-FF-5 Operable Unit on the Hanford Site in southeast Washington State. The record of decision specified the interim remedy as (1) continued monitoring of groundwater and (2) institutional controls to restrict groundwater use. This record of decision was based on a remedial investigation that suggested levels of uranium would decrease with time because of natural geochemical and hydrologic processes. A prediction was made that concentrations of uranium would decrease to the proposed drinking water standard or lower (20 μg/L) in 3 to 10 years from 1993. This prediction has …

Spatial Variation Of Protein, Oil, And Starch In Corn, Samuel G. Mcneill, Michael D. Montross, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Significant spatial yield variations are known to exist in cornfields with different soil types, topsoil depth, and other variables. Similarly, variations might also be found among the highly valued chemical components (oil, protein, and starch) in corn kernels due to local differences in soil type, fertility, acidity/pH, organic matter, etc. This study quantified the spatial variability of protein, oil, and starch content of corn from two conventional cornfields and two high-oil cornfields. Whole ears were harvested by hand from 20 to 40 randomly selected locations within each field. A differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver recorded the location of each …

Permeability Of Corn, Soybeans, And Soft Red And White Winter Wheat As Affected By Bulk Density, Michael D. Montross, Samuel G. Mcneill

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Darcy’s law is a function of viscosity, permeability, and velocity and can be used to predict the airflow resistance in granular materials at low air velocities. Permeability also governs the magnitude of natural convection currents during periods of non-aerated grain storage. The permeability of corn, soybeans, soft white winter wheat, and soft red winter wheat were measured as a function of bulk density and moisture content. Air was passed through a column of grain and the flow rate and pressure drop measured. Bulk density and kernel density were also measured to determine the porosity of grain in the test column. …

Airflow Resistance Of Seeds At Different Bulk Densities Using Ergun's Equation, Marek Molenda, Michael D. Montross, Samuel G. Mcneill, Jozef Horabik

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Airflow resistance of grains and oilseeds has been extensively studied. Traditionally the data has been presented using Shedd’s curves. However, this assumes that airflow resistance is independent of grain depth. Grain undergoes compaction during storage that changes the bulk density, porosity, and therefore the airflow resistance. Ergun’s equation is a function of particle size and porosity of the granular material. Airflow resistance by Ergun’s equation was used to predict the pressure drop across a column of corn, soft white winter wheat, soft red winter wheat, and soybeans at three moisture content levels and two bulk densities. The maximum root mean …

Crop Yield Response To Precision Deep Tillage, Larry G. Wells, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Experimental precision deep tillage was applied at three sites in central Kentucky with relatively well-drained silt loam soils in no-till crop production. Fields were divided into 0.4 ha (1 ac) grid cells using DGPS mapping. Assessment of soil compaction by machinery traffic was made using multiple soil cone penetrometer measurements and expressed as cone index (CI). Corn, wheat, and soybean yields were depressed in grid cells with CI_avg ≥ 1.5 MPa (218 psi) prior to application of tillage treatments at sites 1 and 3, whereas at site 2, where most of the highest average CI values ranged from 1.44 …

Effect Of Fat And Casein Particles In Milk On The Scattering Of Elliptically Polarized Light, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Jeremie Wade, Janakiraman N. Swamy, Mustafa M. Aslan, M. Pinar Mengüç

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

In this article, we present an experimental approach to determine the milk fat content using scattered light intensity profiles. The elements of the scattering (Mueller) matrix have been shown to provide valuable information about variation of the optical properties of scattering particles. The scattering behavior of fat and casein in terms of the scattering matrix elements was experimentally determined for milk with varying fat levels ranging from 0.05 wt% (skim) to 3.20 wt% (whole). Three of the scattering Mueller matrix elements, specifically S₁₁, S₁₂/S₁₁, and S₃₃/S₁₁, were found to be …

Systematic Framework For Evaluating Treated Wastewater Usage In Agricultural Irrigation, Yasser Kamal Nazzal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A general systematic framework with several sub-frameworks was developed to help managers make informed decisions related to the reuse of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation. The framework involves the identification and evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of using treated wastewater with some common constituents of concern (e.g. salts and some specific ions, nutrients, heavy metals, organic compounds, and microorganisms) on the environmental elements (crop, soils, surface water, and groundwater), and on the public health. Local and/ or international standards, criteria, and guidelines related to agricultural reuse are applied to the evaluation of the effects. Based on the evaluation …

Preparing For Financial Close (Project Finance), Jeff Kistner

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

Contents

What Is Project Finance?
Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing
Start Up Stages for Added Value
Comprhensive Business Plan
Items to Consider When Planning a Value-added Project
Proving the Money
Keys to Success
Where Do We Go from Here?

Non-Standard Structure Flow Measurement Evaluation Using The Flow Rate Indexing Procedure – Qip, Stuart Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper summarizes the results of a performance evaluation using advanced hydroacoustic rating techniques in irrigation canal systems. Standardized field-tested procedures and technical specifications for index velocity ratings have been developed for rating measurement locations using hydroacoustic flow meters. Water managers and users of advanced electronic flow measuring devices can improve the cost effectiveness, accuracy, and quality control of discharge records, even at sites with complex flow conditions, by observing these recommended guidelines.

Moveable Tobacco Curing Frames, George A. Duncan, Larry D. Swetnam, Linus R. Walton

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Moveable (or portable) curing frames offer the tobacco grower another option for successfully reducing labor and costs for producing air-cured tobacco. Reducing labor and costs is essential to continuing profitable tobacco production.

Two designs that use the cantilever-beam concept for supporting two rails of stick tobacco on a central beam are shown and explained in this publication. Further details of construction and covering are shown in the following drawings.

Non-Standard Structure Flow Measurement Evaluation Using The Flow Rate Indexing Procedure - Qip, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper summarizes the results of a performance evaluation using advanced hydroacoustic rating techniques in irrigation canal systems. Standardized field-tested procedures and technical specifications for index velocity ratings have been developed for rating measurement locations using hydroacoustic flow meters. Water managers and users of advanced electronic flow measuring devices can improve the cost effectiveness, accuracy, and quality control of discharge records, even at sites with complex flow conditions, by observing these recommended guidelines.

California Energy Commission: Estimated Energy Requirements Under Drought Conditions, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This study is a continuation of a previous study conducted by ITRC for the CEC summarized in a report titled California Agricultural Water Energy Requirements (ITRC Report No. 03-006), which focused on determining a baseline energy requirement for agricultural sectors as well as analyzing potential future trends in the agricultural water community to predict future energy requirements. This study utilized the data and model developed in the previous analysis in order to quantify the impact of drought conditions on energy requirements of the agricultural water sector.

Farm Dams In Western Australia, David Stanton

Bulletins 4000 -

This bulletin provides practical information on the location and construction of dams on farms in Western Australia. Various types of dam, with diagrams and explanations, are included. Also discussed are the planning considerations, failures and problems, design, construction, maintenance, legal aspects, impacts and risks of dams.

Controller Area Network Based Distributed Control For Autonomous Vehicles, Matthew J. Darr, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The goal of this project was to evaluate the potential of a controller area network (CAN bus) to be used as the communication network for a distributed control system on an autonomous agricultural vehicle. The prototype system utilized microcontroller-driven nodes to act as control points along a CAN bus. Messages were transferred to the steering, transmission, and hitch control nodes via a task computer. The task computer utilized global positioning system data to generate appropriate control commands. Laboratory and field testing demonstrated that each of the control nodes could function simultaneously over the CAN bus. Results showed that the task …

Selecting An Air-Cure Tobacco Housing And Curing Facility, George A. Duncan, Larry D. Swetnam

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Once or twice in a lifetime the average tobacco producer faces the decision of what tobacco housing and curing facility he needs to build. For some, this may be to replace a barn that has burned or blown down. For others, the need may arise from an expansion of production by farm acquisition or lease-in of extra poundage.

In all cases, it is important to build the most suitable facility for present and projected production methods. With labor becoming more costly and scarce, labor-saving features are a must Rising material and construction costs continue to increase the initial investment costs …

Multiple-Model Optimization Of Proportional Integral Controllers On Canals, P. J. Van Overloop, J. Schuurmans, R. Brouwer, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Canals or open channels that convey water often consist of pools in series separated by control structures. Successful implementation of water-level control with these structures using decentralized proportional integral (PI) controllers depends heavily on the tuning of the control parameters. These parameters are hard to determine due to the interactions between the pools and the varying flow conditions in the canal. This paper presents a procedure for tuning any linear controller (including decentralized PI controllers) that guarantees stability of the controlled canal. It minimizes a cost function that weights the water-level deviations from the target level against control efforts at …

Cec Agricultural Peak Load Reduction Program - Water Agencies Final Report, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

During the winter of 2000-2001, California experienced a severe imbalance in electricity supply and demand that resulted in blackouts and brownouts. The state legislature initiated a number of emergency programs, one of which was Senate Bill 5x. The primary goal of SB 5x is to reduce peak period electric demand throughout California. The California Energy Commission (CEC), acting under authority of Section 5(b) of the legislation, developed the “Agricultural Peak Load Demand Program”. The program was funded in early June 2001, and the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo was …

Measuring Relative Humidity In Agricultural Environments, George A. Duncan, Rich Gates, Michael D. Montross

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Relative humidity is very important for many agricultural environments, such as fruit and vegetable storage facilities, greenhouses, and tobacco curing and handling facilities.

Several scientific instruments measure temperature and relative humidity. The more accurate the instrument, the more it will cost. Devices that are economical for agricultural use in a barn, greenhouse, or a semi-protected environment often do not hold their accuracy over very long periods (six months to a year or longer) if they are used carelessly.

Several instruments that are readily available and affordable for general farm use are described here. Often called hygrometers or hygro-thermometers, some …

Composting For Organic Agriculture, Mona Mohamed Hamdy Mostafa Sayed Ahmed

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

California Energy Commission Agricultural Peak Load Reduction Program Case Study: Berrenda Mesa Wsd, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Berrenda Mesa Water Storage District (BMWSD) is located in the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield. The district receives water from the State Water Project – California Aqueduct.