Numerous factors have pushed energy from biomass to the forefront of policy and industry discussions. Large harvests of traditional crops, low farm prices, dependence on foreign energy sources, and environmental problems have increased interest in renewable energy sources. Tools are needed to evaluate and compare different available feedstocks and to identify parameters and modifications for the production of renewable fuels such as biodiesel. The first paper examines the development of a biodiesel process model using commonly available spreadsheet software and process-engineering principles. The basis of the model is a continuous process with two stirred-tank reactors and sodium methoxide catalysis. The process is modeled as 27 units with 51 flows and 18 components. Mass flow rates and compositions of the process input and output streams are quantified using mass and component balances, energy balances, stoichiometric relations, and established process parameters. Oil composition and rate, methanol:triglyceride ratio, and expected transesterification of triglyceride are the user-specified inputs in the model. Based on commonly reported parameters (6: 1 methanol:triglyceride ratio and 98% transesterification) and a basis of 100 kg/h crude soybean oil, the model computes inputs of 13.8, 10.8, and 34.7 (in kg/h) for methanol, 10% sodium methoxide in methanol, and process water, respectively; and outputs of 93.5, 10.3, and 55.6 for soy biodiesel, glycerol, and waste stream, respectively. In the second paper, the mass flow rate data from the developed biodiesel process model are linked to cost data for evaluating the economic feasibility of biodiesel production in North Dakota with canola oil as the feedstock. Estimations of capital investment cost and total annual biodiesel product cost are conducted for two canola biodiesel production plants with 5 and 30 million gallons per year (MGY) capacities. These capacities were selected based on North Dakota and neighboring states' biodiesel demands, respectively. Capital investment cost analysis shows the presence of considerable economies of scale for the biodiesel production process for the two capacities. These cost calculations are based on the purchased equipment cost calculated from the equipment specifications. Total annual biodiesel product cost analysis shows that the major portion (>80%) of the total product cost is the raw material cost, similar to the analysis of previous economic feasibility studies. Cost benefits from the economies of scale are still present for the fixed charges, general expenses, and the manufacturing costs (other than the raw material costs) in the annual product cost calculations for the two production plant capacities. Finally, based on the gross profit evaluation for both plants, this study concludes that it is more worthwhile to invest in the 30 MGY production plant because of the greater cost returns from the economies of scale benefits. The results are more encouraging after the incorporation of the federal biodiesel tax incentive and favor the investment for biodiesel production in North Dakota. / North Dakota. Agricultural Experiment Station / USDA-CSREES (under Agreement No. 2003-34471-13523)

This study explored and evaluated the communication strategies used by Fargo city leaders to persuade residents to work together as a community to withstand the repetitive flood hazards that threatened the city on a yearly basis, especially in 1997, 2006, and 2009. The literature review explored vigilance and complacency as well as strategies used by high-reliability organizations (HROs) to manage crises with little or no failures. Difficulties in processing multiple messages, desensitization, and fatigue were identified as barriers to remaining vigilant in the face of multiple crises. The communication strategies applied by the HROs to maintain vigilance were shown to be working; however, limited application of those HRO communication strategies to communities have been undertaken in the field. Individual, in-depth interview data were collected. The data revealed the emergence of risk fatigue as a result of multiple flood experiences; however, the strength of the communication strategies applied by city leaders made members of the community demonstrate resilience through their individual and collective actions to respond when called upon. The findings also revealed that all the HRO principles and tenets were identified from the evaluations of the residents to show that HRO principles can be transferred to communities to make them high reliability communities (HRCs).

In the past decade, North Dakota has experienced a substantial shift in economic and political activity due to oil. In addition to jobs and revenue, corporate interests have surged into the state with a dominating force. As players in a highly valued industry, oil companies have worked hard to protect and uphold viable markets in the state. These interests are observed in relationships with key politicians, especially among those regulating the oil industry as members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC). Critics label this development as misguided, as an example of big business manipulating government. This thesis, on the other hand, contends that such arguments are predicated on prevailing, yet unhelpful standards, and offers an understanding of how ND's government operates in the real world through the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. By testing the relationship between political contributions and oil spills in North Dakota and interpreting the results using three political theories—tliberalism, realism, and elite theory—tthe case study shows the allegations against key politicians and the oil industry are not substantiated. Instead of a case of political corruption, the thesis shows that the case of the NDIC is in fact a paradigmatic example of how liberal-democracy really works. / Master of Arts

The field work, upon which this article is based, was done during the summer of 1911 by a party of United States Geological Survey, under the direct supervision of Mr. E. M. Parks assisted by the writer. The duty of this party was to map the coal for the purpose of land classification. The region examined is located in the extreme northwestern corner of South Dakota and township 21 north of latitude 44 degrees, range 5 east of the Black Hills meridian, which is the state line between South Dakota and Wyoming is taken as typical of the larger fields examined, and is described in detail in this article. This work is treated in three parts which fall under the following heads: Part I, a resume of the literature on the field abstracts of articles relating to descriptive geology but contains only mention of those articles dealing with age and origin of the formation; Part II, a detailed geologic description of Tp. 21 Rg. 5; Part III, a historical review of the opinion in regard to age and origin of the Lance, Fort Union and White River formations. / Master of Science

No description available.

The Upper Devonian–Lower Mississippian Bakken Formation in the Williston Basin is estimated to have significant amount of technically recoverable oil and gas. The objective of this study is to identify differences in the character of the seismic response to Bakken interval between locations with high and poor production rates. The predicted seismic responses of the Bakken Formation will hopefully help achieve such discrimination from surface seismic recordings. In this study, borehole data of Bakken wells from both the Cottonwood and the Sanish Field were analyzed, including density information and seismic P and S wave velocities from Sonic Scanner logs. The Bakken Formation is deeper and thicker (and somewhat more productive) in the Sanish Field and is shallower and thinner in the Cottonwood Field. The Upper and Lower Bakken shale units are similar and can be characterized by low density, low P and S wave velocities and low Vp/Vs ratios. The Sonic Scanner data suggest that the Upper and Lower Bakken shales can be treated as VTI media while the Middle Bakken may be considered as seismically isotropic. Models of seismic response for both fields were constructed, including isotropic models and models with variations in VTI, HTI, and the combination of VTI and HTI in the Bakken intervals. Full offset elastic synthetic seismograms with a vertical point source were generated to simulate the seismic responses of the various models of Bakken Formation. This sensitivity study shows pronounced differences in the seismic reflection response between isotropic and anisotropic models. P-P, P-SV and SV-SV respond differently to anisotropy. VTI anisotropy and HTI anisotropy of the Bakken have different character. In particular, types of seismic data (P-P, P-SV, and SV-SV) and the range of source-receiver offsets that are most sensitive to variations in anisotropic parameters and fluid saturation were identified. Results suggest that bed thickness, anisotropy of the Upper and Lower Bakken shales, fractures/cracks and fluid fill in the fracture/cracks all influence the seismic responses of the Bakken Formation. The paucity of data available for “poorly” producing wells limited the evaluation of the direct seismic response to productivity, but sensitivity to potentially useful parameters was established. / text

The purpose of this study is to explore the roles and uses of multiple literacies in the lives of four Lakota and Dakota (Sioux) young adolescents who live and attend school in a predominantly white community in southeastern South Dakota. Significant to this research is a focus on the perceptions of the participants themselves about their literacy experiences both in and out of school. In addition to describing the participants' uses of reading and writing, this study examines the ways in which they construct meaning through other sign systems such as visual art, music, and movement or dance. As ethnographic case study research, this investigation employs data collection techniques such as participant and non-participant observation, use of fieldnotes, in-depth interviewing, and sampling of literacy artifacts. Also reflective of ethnographic research, this study is developed within historical and sociocultural frameworks. In the review of literature and in the collection of data, the influences of different cultures--American Indian cultures, mainstream culture, school culture, and popular culture--are examined to understand their impact on the participants' transactions with literacy. The findings of this study indicate that the participants' uses of literacy reflect the needs and/or issues that are most central in their lives. Most significantly, the participants use literacy to explore and express their self-identity and to examine issues, such as prejudice, racism, and discrimination, that are critical to them. Another important finding of this study is that the participants possess literacy strengths and knowledge that are not fully revealed within the school setting.

Thesis. 1977. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Catherine Lu. / M.C.P.

abstract: After the passing of the Homestead Act in 1862, a large wave of immigrants arrived in Dakota Territory, most of them during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Two of the largest immigrant populations in the Dakotas were the Norwegians and Germans who had spent approximately the last hundred years living in isolated rural colonies in Russia, referred to as Germans from Russia or russlanddeutschen. This document examines the role of music in the lives of these ethnic groups from the 1862 to 1930, and includes the discussion of sacred music, especially hymns, secular music such as folk songs and dance music, and music’s place in the rural one-room schools that their children attended. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2018

Fallow is a creative non-fiction book of memory and place. It chronicles the lives of William and Vera Lutz and their lives of struggle on the Northern Plains of North Dakota. It follows a narrator and his attempts to make sense of, and connect to their, lives following both of their deaths. It examines the life of William as the life left behind, and the life of Vera as the life continually felt, but never known. The chapters are held together by the quest of the narrator and a rumination on the idea that the sometimes brutal nature of prairie life shapes the lives of those who live there. That is, this story could not happen in any other place. / Graduation date: 2003