Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Manufactured Coal Ash Aggregates For Aqueous Tnt Sorption, Sangchul Hwang, Victor Hernandez

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

No abstract provided.

Mineralogy And Leaching Characteristics Of Coal Ash From A Major Brazilian Power Plant, Luis F.O. Silva, Colin R. Ward, James C. Hower, Maria Izquierdo, Frans Waanders, Marcos L.S. Oliveira, Zhongsheng Li, Rachel S. Hatch, Xavier Querol

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

The feed coals, fly ashes and bottom ashes collected from seven different units in a major Brazilian PF power plant have been subjected to comprehensive mineralogical, geochemical, and petrographic studies, to investigate the links between feed coal and ash characteristics. Ashes from two of the units were collected while the coal was being co-fired with oil as part of the boiler start-up procedure, allowing the impact of oil co-firing on ash characteristics also to be evaluated. High proportions of unburnt carbon and high proportions of retained sulphur were found in the fly ashes produced during oil co-firing, probably reflecting less …

Precipitation Of Germanium From Coal Fly Ash Leachates, Fatima Arroyo, Constantino Fernandez-Pereira, Pilar Coca

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

The valorization of a coal gasification fly ash was studied by leaching the fly ash using different aqueous solutions followed by the subsequent precipitation of the germanium solubilized from the ash. Experimental investigations were focused on the precipitation of a germanium2catechol (CAT) complex with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The influences of pH and amounts of CTAB and CAT on the precipitation yield were investigated. To this aim, a central composite rotatable design and ANOVA Design Expert 7.0.3 Wiley software were employed for experimental design and analysis of the results. Thus, the independent and combined effects of pH, CAT/Ge and …

The Effect Of Drag-Reducing Additives On The Rheological Properties Of Fly Ash-Water Suspensions At Varying Temperature Environment, H.K. Naik, M.K. Mishra, Rao Karanam U.M.

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Fly ash transportation and disposal is a major problem in India. Presently fly ash is being transported as lean slurry in pipe lines requiring about 80 to 85% of water which, in turn, consumes more energy input. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the rheological characteristics of fly ash slurry at varying temperatures with and without an additive to facilitate smooth flow in the pipelines. Six fly ash slurry samples were prepared from the fly ash obtained from a thermal power plant situated in the southern part of India. The main constituents of the slurry were fly …

Waste Stabilization/Solidification (S/S) Of Eaf Dust Using Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers. Influence Of Carbonation On The Stabilized Solids, Y. Luna Galiano, C. Fernandez Pereira, J. Vale

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

The effect of the curing in a carbonated ambient of the solids obtained after the stabilization/solidification (S/S) of metallurgical waste using geopolymerization technology is described in this paper. The electric arc furnace (EAF) dust to stabilize contains hazardous metals such as Pb, Cd, Cr, or Zn. Different geopolymeric agents such as potassium hydroxide, potassium silicate, metakaolin, and blast furnace slag have been used. Mixtures of EAF waste with these geopolymeric materials and class F fly ash as main silica and alumina source have been processed. Samples were submitted to an accelerated carbonation test. Compressive strength tests and different leaching tests …

Variations In Fly Ash Composition With Sampling Location: Case Study From A Portuguese Power Plant, B. Valentim, A. Guedes, D. Flores, C.R. Ward, J.C. Hower

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Fly ash (FA) is a heterogeneous and complex material resulting from coal combustion in thermoelectric power plants (TPP). Therefore, different types of coals, worldwide, produce FAs with different compositions. However, the location of the FA sampling system, inside the TPP, is also important to the composition of the FA produced at each location. A case study of FA from a Portuguese TPP, using several coal and FA characterization techniques (particle size analysis, proximate and ultimate analyses, XRF, SEM/ESEM/EDS, Optical microscopy, XRD, inferred chemistry, and AAS), has shown that FA chemical classification, mineralogy and phase-mineral classification, and trace elements (Cr, Cu, …

Zeolite Synthesised From Fused Coal Fly Ash At Low Temperature Using Seawater For Crystallization, Claudia Belviso, Francesco Cavalcante, Antonio Lettino, Saverio Fiore

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

A sample of coal fly ash from an Italian thermoelectric power plant was used in order to synthesize zeolite by hydrothermal activation after a pre-treatment fusion with NaOH. The experiments involved were performed at different temperatures of crystallization, ranging from 35 up to 60uC, with seawater and distilled water, separately, during hydrothermal process. A comparison between the results obtained from the use of the different kinds of water showed that at low temperature (35–40 uC) the synthesis yield of zeolite X is higher using seawater as crystallizing agent than using distilled water. This implies a possible application for seawater in …

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 …

Low-Cost Obstacle Detection Sensor Array For Unmanned Agricultural Vehicles, Santosh Pitla, Joe D. Luck, Scott A. Shearer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Mobile robots deployed for agricultural applications must operate in harsh environments where they encounter a variety of both moveable and immovable obstacles. Typically, robots utilize vision sensors to learn about the environment in which they are working. In this study, a low-cost infra-red (IR) sensor array was developed to act as an obstacle detection aid for an unmanned agricultural vehicle (UAgV). The IR sensor array developed consists of six IR sensors mounted on two orthogonal steel plates. The array of sensors was continuously oscillated about the yaw-axis to traverse a 200° field of view in front of the UAgV. Three …

2010 Nebraska Water Monitoring Programs Report, Marty Link

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality: Reports

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is charged with monitoring, assessing, and to the extent possible, managing the state’s water resources. The purpose of this work is to protect and maintain good quality water and encourage or execute activities to improve poor water quality. Monitoring is done on the over 18,000 miles of flowing rivers and streams, our greater than 280,000 acres of surface water in lakes and reservoirs, and the vast storage of groundwater in Nebraska’s aquifers.

Validation Of A Model For Static And Dynamic Recrystallization In Metals, Arthur Brown, Douglas Bammann

United States Department of Energy: Publications

In this paper, modifications are proposed to a phenomenological plasticity model to account for the evolution of recrystallization and the resultant softening behavior. The novel model includes internal state variables representing dislocation density and the spacing between geometrically necessary subgrain boundaries. In order to capture both single and multiple peak recrystallization, the model tracks the evolution of recrystallized volume fractions for multiple cycles of recrystallization, and has a set of state variables for each volume fraction. A rule of mixtures is used to determine the average stress. The model is capable of capturing static recrystallization as well as both single …

Fractionation Of Oxygen Isotopes In Phosphate During Its Interactions With Iron Oxides, Deb P. Jaisi, Ruth E. Blake, Ravi K. Kukkadapu

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Iron (III) oxides are ubiquitous in near-surface soils and sediments and interact strongly with dissolved phosphates via sorption, co-precipitation, mineral transformation and redox-cycling reactions. Iron oxide phases are thus, an important reservoir for dissolved phosphate, and phosphate bound to iron oxides may reflect dissolved phosphate sources as well as carry a history of the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus (P). It has recently been demonstrated that dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) in rivers, lakes, estuaries and the open ocean can be used to distinguish different P sources and biological reaction pathways in the ratio of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O (δ¹⁸O …

Role Of Outer-Membrane Cytochromes Mtrc And Omca In The Biomineralization Of Ferrihydrite By Shewanella Oneidensis Mr-1, C. L. Reardon, Alice Dohnalkova, P. Nachimuthu, David Kennedy, D. A. Saffarini, B. W. Arey, L. Shi, Zheming Wang, D. Moore, J. S. Mclean, D. Moyles, M. J. Marshall, John M. Zachara, James K. Fredrickson, A. S. Beliaev

United States Department of Energy: Publications

In an effort to improve the understanding of electron transfer mechanisms at the microbe–mineral interface, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 mutants with in-frame deletions of outer-membrane cytochromes (OMCs), MtrC and OmcA, were characterized for the ability to reduce ferrihydrite (FH) using a suite of microscopic, spectroscopic, and biochemical techniques. Analysis of purified recombinant proteins demonstrated that both cytochromes undergo rapid electron exchange with FH in vitro with MtrC displaying faster transfer rates than OmcA. Immunomicroscopy with cytochrome-specific antibodies revealed that MtrC co-localizes with iron solids on the cell surface while OmcA exhibits a more diffuse distribution over the cell surface. After 3-day …

Testing Fuel Efficiency Of Tractors With Both Continuously Variable And Standard Geared Transmissions, Christopher N. Howard

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A John Deere 8295R IVT tractor with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a John Deere 8295R PowerShift (PST) tractor (Waterloo, Iowa) with a standard geared transmission (GT) were tested for fuel consumption at three different travel speeds with six different load levels applied per speed. The JD 8295R PST tractor was tested both at full throttle (FT) and shifted up two gears and throttled back (SUTB) to achieve the same travel speed as at full throttle conditions. The three speeds tested corresponded to the maximum speeds achieved in 6th, 8th and 10th gear for the JD 8295R PST tractor …

Where Is All That Water Going?, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Some have proposed to conserve 4-6 Million AF/yr in Agriculture with pragmatic, economical measures. All we need to do is find the inefficiencies. Then we'll get rid of them.

Heating Performance Assessment Of Domestic Microwave Ovens, Krishnamoorthy Pitchai, Sohan Birla, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, David D. Jones

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Due to inherent nature of standing wave patterns of microwaves inside a cavity and dielectric properties of different components in a food, microwave heating leaves non-uniform distribution of energy inside the food volumetrically. Achieving heating uniformity plays critical role in improving the safety of microwave heated products. In this paper, we present a method for assessing heating uniformity within domestic microwave ovens. A custom designed container
was used to assess heating uniformity of a range of microwave ovens using IR camera. The study suggested that the best place to place food in a microwave oven is not at center but …

Generating ‘As-Applied’ Pesticide Distribution Maps From A Self-Propelled Agricultural Sprayer Based On Nozzle Pressure Data, Joe D. Luck, Ajay Sharda, Santosh Pitla, John P. Fulton, Scott A. Shearer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

The application of pre-emergence, post-emergence, and burn-down herbicides (i.e., glyphosate) continues to increase as producers attempt to reduce both negative environmental impacts from tillage and input costs from labor, machinery and materials. The use of precision agriculture technologies such as automatic boom section control allows producers to reduce offtarget application when applying herbicides. While automatic boom section control provides benefits, pressure differences across the spray boom resulting from boom section actuation can lead to offrate application errors. Off-rate errors may also result from spray rate controller compensation for ground speed changes and velocity variation across the spray boom during turning …

Numerically Predicting Seepage Gradient Forces And Erosion: Sensitivity To Soil Hydraulic Properties, Garey A. Fox, Derek M. Heeren, Glenn V. Wilson, E. J. Langendoen, Amanda K. Fox, Maria L. Chu-Agor

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Research has suggested that streambank seepage can be an important mechanism of bank instability; however, limited information is available on the level of soil characterization necessary to accurately predict seepage gradient forces and erosion. The objective of this research was to quantify the expected range of predicted seepage gradients for various degrees of site characterization. Uncertainty analysis on seepage gradient predictions was performed relative to variability in soil hydraulic properties. A two-dimensional unsaturated/saturated groundwater flow model was used to simulate a homogeneous soil layer for sand and loamy sand soils packed at various bulk densities, ρ_b. A pedotransfer …

Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Demonstration Network (Nawmdn): Integrating Research And Extension/Outreach, Suat Irmak, Jennifer M. Rees, Gary L. Zoubek, Brandy S. Van Dewalle, William R. Rathje, Rodney Debuhr, Dan Leininger, Darrel D. Siekman, James W. Schneider, Andrew P. Christiansen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Maximizing the net benefits of irrigated plant production through appropriately designed agricultural water management programs is of growing importance in Nebraska, and other western and Midwestern states, because many areas are involved in management and policy changes to conserve irrigation water. In Nebraska, farmers are being challenged to practice conservation methods and use water resources more efficiently while meeting plant water requirements and maintaining high yields. Another challenge Nebraska experiences in it's approximately 3.5‐million‐ha irrigated lands is limited adoption of newer technologies/tools to help farmers better manage irrigation, conserve water and energy, and increase plant water use efficiency. In 2005, …

A Continuous Mathematical Model Of The One-Dimensional Sedimentation Process Of Flocculated Sediment Particles, Sebastian Fernando Torrealba

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

A new continuous one-dimensional sedimentation model incorporating a new continuous flocculation model that considers aggregation and fragmentation processes was derived and tested. Additionally, a new procedure to model sediment particle size distribution (PSD) was derived. Basic to this development were three different parametric models: Jaky, Fredlund and the Gamma probability distribution (GPD) were chosen to fit three different glass micro-spheres PSDs having average particle sizes of 7, 25 and 35 microns. The GPD provided the best fit with the least parameters. The bimodal GPD was used to fit ten sediment samples with excellent results (< 5% average error). A continuous flocculation model was derived using the method of moments for solving the continuous Smoluchowski coagulation equation with fragmentation. The initial sediment PSD was modeled using a bimodal GPD. This new flocculation model resulted in a new general moments’ equation that considers aggregation and fragmentation processes, which is represented by a system of ordinary differential equations. The model was calibrated using a genetic algorithm with initial and flocculated PSDs of four sediment samples and four anionic polyacrylamides flocculants. The results show excellent correlation between predicted and observed values (R² > 0.9878). A new continuous …

161. The Potential Role Of Extensor Muscle Fatigue In The Onset Of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Novel In Vivo Model, Mary Beth M. Grabowsky, Nicholas A. Pallota, Matthew W. Connelly, Brett Van Etten, Rebecca A. Wachs, Max Alley, Joseph C. Glennon, Andrew H. Dubin, John W. German, Richard L. Uhl, Eric H. Ledet

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Occupation is strongly correlated to low back pain (LBP). Specific occupational activities associated with low back pain include poor posture, whole body vibration, and repetitive lifting. These activities have a common link: they result in fatigue of the primary spinal extensor musculature. This fatigue may lead to increased intervertebral loading - a stimulus for disc degeneration. If true, this association could provide a vital connection between detrimental physical activities and LBP. However, the link between muscle fatigue and increased load across the disc space has never been quantified in vivo.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to …

Hydraulic Geometry Relationships And Regional Curves For The Inner And Outer Bluegrass Regions Of Kentucky, Ruth Roseann Brockman

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Hydraulic geometry relationships and regional curves are used in natural channel design to assist engineers, biologists, and fluvial geomorphologists in the efforts undertaken to ameliorate previous activities that have diminished, impaired or destroyed the structure and function of stream systems. Bankfull channel characteristics were assessed for 14 United States Geological Survey (USGS) gaged sites in the Inner Bluegrass and 15 USGS gaged sites in the Outer Bluegrass Regions of Kentucky. Hydraulic geometry relationships and regional curves were developed for the aforementioned regions.

Analysis of the regression relationships showed that bankfull discharge is a good explanatory variable for bankfull parameters such …

Design, Construction And Evaluation Of A Fueltank/Tool Box Combination, Michael R. Chase Jr

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project is the design and development of a combination tool box and auxiliary fuel tank built as a single unit, specifically built for a 2000 Ford F250 short bed truck; having a fuel capacity exceeding 50 gallons; meeting federal requirements for motor vehicle fuel tanks; performing as an auxiliary tank using the factory fuel gauge and having a tool box that can carry a wide array of tools. This paper will describe the design considerations, the regulation requirements, the material selection, and the construction process of the combination tool box/fuel tank.

Water Conservation's Role In California Water Transfers, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper describes various irrigation district water transfer projects. Water transfers have been of many types, including agriculture to agriculture, agriculture to urban, and agriculture to environment. In each case that will be described, the unique circumstances of each district will be described. Typical actions include developing a water balance to determine if “wet water” truly exists for conservation, then identifying the sources of that wet water. Subsequent actions include developing designs that will conserve the water, achieving board approval, and constructing and implementing the conservation measures.

Increasing Productivity In Irrigated Agriculture: Agronomic Constraints And Hydrological Realities, Chris Perry, Pasquale Steduto, Richard C. Allen, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Irrigation is widely criticised as a profligate and wasteful user of water, especially in watershort areas. Improvements to irrigation management are proposed as a way of increasing agricultural production and reducing the demand for water. The terminology for this debate is often flawed, failing to clarify the actual disposition of water used in irrigation into evaporation, transpiration, and return flows that may, depending on local conditions, be recoverable. Once the various flows are properly identified, the existing literature suggests that the scope for saving consumptive use of water through advanced irrigation technologies is often limited. Further, the interactions between evaporation …

Next Generation Biofuels And Advanced Engines For Tomorrow’S Transportation Needs, Sandia National Laboratories, Doe Combustion Research Facility, Doe Joint Bioenergy Institute

United States Department of Energy: Publications

In November 2009, Sandia National Laboratories hosted the Next Generation Biofuels and Advanced Engines for Tomorrow’s Transportation Needs Workshop. The event focused on the combined opportunities in biofuels and engines in the transportation sector. The workshop brought together the DOE Combustion Research Facility and the DOE Joint BioEnergy Institute along with oil companies, biofuel developers, engine manufacturers, suppliers, and experts from the university, regulatory, finance, and national laboratory communities. The intersection of biofuels and engines, if properly scaled, can meet a triad of national goals:

• Reduced climate impact

• Economic development

• Energy security through energy diversity

The workshop …

Nutrient And Bacterial Transport In Runoff From Soil And Pond Ash Amended Feedlot Surfaces, John E. Gilley, Jason R. Vogel, Elaine D. Berry, Roger Eigenberg, David B. Marx, Brian L. Woodbury

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The addition of pond ash (fly ash that has been placed in evaporative ponds and subsequently dewatered) to feedlot surfaces provides a healthier environment for livestock and economic advantages for the feedlot operator. However, the water quality effects of pond ash amended surfaces are not well understood. The objectives of this field investigation were to: (1) compare feedlot soil properties, and nutrient and bacterial transport in runoff, from pond ash amended surfaces and soil surfaces; (2) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials (USM) (loose manure pack) and consolidated subsurface materials (CSM) (compacted manure and underlying layers) on nutrient and …

Identification Of The [Fefe]-Hydrogenase Responsible For Hydrogen Generation In Thermoanaerobacterium Saccharolyticum And Demonstration Of Increased Ethanol Yield Via Hydrogenase Knockout, A. Joe Shaw, David A. Hogsett, Lee R. Lynd

Dartmouth Scholarship

Three putative hydrogenase enzyme systems in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum were investigated at the genetic, mRNA, enzymatic, and phenotypic levels. A four-gene operon containing two [FeFe]-hydrogenase genes, provisionally termed hfs (hydrogenase-Fe-S), was found to be the main enzymatic catalyst of hydrogen production. hfsB, perhaps the most interesting gene of the operon, contains an [FeFe]-hydrogenase and a PAS sensory domain and has several conserved homologues among clostridial saccharolytic, cellulolytic, and pathogenic bacteria. A second hydrogenase gene cluster, hyd, exhibited methyl viologen-linked hydrogenase enzymatic activity, but hyd gene knockouts did not influence the hydrogen yield of …

Variability Within Irrigated Fields, Charles M. Burt, Byron Clark

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

In agricultural production and research, it is common to represent fields as uniform areas. For example, fertilizers, soil amendments, and other inputs have traditionally been applied uniformly (or as uniformly as possible) based on estimated needs for the field as a whole (or as an “average”).

Of course, it is also recognized that fields are not truly uniform with respect to soil characteristics, uniformity of applied water, pest pressures, fertility needs, crop growth and yield, and other characteristics. With the emergence and refinement of variable rate application technology, many growers now attempt to maximize returns by “prescribing” variable amounts of …

Use Of Co2 Concentration Difference Or Co2 Balance To Assess Ventilation Rate Of Broiler Houses, Hongwei Xin, Hong Li, Robert T. Burns, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, John W. Earnest

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Ventilation rate (VR) is one of the two key elements for quantifying aerial emissions from animal production facilities. Direct, continuous measurement of building VR can be challenging and impractical under certain circumstances,e.g., naturally ventilated animal housing or a large number of ventilation fans in the building. This study examined the suitability of estimating VR of broiler houses with built‐up litter (mixture of manure and bedding), when supplemental heating was not in use, through either carbon dioxide (CO₂) balance or the relationship of VR to CO₂ concentration difference between exhaust and inlet air. The reference VR was based …