Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Computer Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-100). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19758

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2005. / (UnM)AAI3201458. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-12, Section: B, page: 6759. Director: Vitaly J. Vodyanoy.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-11, Section: B, page: 7521. Adviser: Julie L. Zilles. Includes bibliographical references. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Lehigh University, 2007. / Adviser: Derick G. Brown.

Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 2009. / "August, 2009." Title from electronic dissertation title page (viewed 9/30/2009) Advisor, Christopher M. Miller; Committee members, William Brian Arbuckle, George G. Chase, Annabelle M. Foos, William H. Schneider IV; Department Chair, Wieslaw Binienda; Dean of the College, George K. Haritos; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1973. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 3932. Adviser: Yuanhui Zhang. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-142) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

<p> Conventional cereal crop residues, namely, rice (<i> Oryza sativa</i> L.), corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.), and wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) is very abundant and readily available widely. It has been a nuisance to agronomic producers to manage these immense &ldquo;so-called wastes&rdquo;. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) promulgated by the United States and The EU&rsquo;s renewable energy directive mandated the substantial incorporation of renewable energy in their final energy consumption. These led to the increase in R&amp;D&rsquo;s on biomass and bioenergy products in the United States as well. </p><p> Hammer mill grinds of different cereal crop residues, rice, wheat, and corn, sieved through 5"/64 , 1"/8 , and 5"/32 hammer mill screen sizes (details in chapter 3) are mixed with different binders namely gelatin, wheat gluten, and dry milk at 1:10, 1:15, and 1:20 proportions (Chapter 4). Applying Taguchi-Grey relational analysis for four factors with three levels each, optimal operating level for the control factors based on multi-response characteristics was determined. The multi-responses used for the study are bulk density, durability, compressive strength, and gross heating values. Binder ratio was most influential in determining pellet quality. Binder type was next influential factor. The combination of factor levels A₁B₁C₃D₁ was found to be optimal conditions for pelletization as final results were confirmed with tests. </p><p> The pelletization parameters for making better quality composite pellets were also investigated (in Chapter V). The same Taguchi &ndash;Grey relational analysis method was used for optimization. The process (material variables) parameters those are material type, particle size or grind size, binder type, and proportion of binder were closely studied using L9 Taguchi orthogonal array. Binder ratio (blending ratio) has most significant impact, and particle size (Hammer mill grind) has second greatest impact on pelleting composite wastes. Tests conducted employing optimal conditions (A3B3C2D1) has confirmed that better pellets were produced compared with the hypothesized conditions. </p><p> The cost analysis using Invest for excel was carried out in order to study the feasibility of solid biofuel project. The biomass assessment using Biopower Atlas and associated GIS tools from NREL demonstrated that the State of Arkansas has agricultural residues sufficient to support 50 kilotons and 66 kilotons biomass pellet plant. Economy of scale effect can be observed when comparing 50 kilotons and 66 kilotons pellet mill. Gelatin-wheat pellet mill at 50 kiloton and even 66 kilotons were predicted to be unprofitable at the current stage. However, analysis results showed pellet produced from pine shavings &ndash; wheat residue blends is profitable. Crop residues are promising resources due to its wide distribution and availability. It can be termed as a &ldquo;Backstop resource&rdquo; because it is renewable and will be economically viable option as the price of oil and gas become expensive. </p><p>

Climate change impacts the hydrological cycle. The intensity of extreme precipitation events and droughts is expected to increase, creating stress on the water and wastewater infrastructure. The objective of this study is to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the existing water and wastewater treatment infrastructure in rural Eastern Ontario. In total, 13 municipal WTPs and 28 municipal wastewater treatment systems in the Eastern Ontario region were investigated. These facilities were characterized using existing data, questionnaires, and sites visits. On the basis of this information, potential impacts of climate change were identified. One conclusion of this analysis was the potential need to convert lagoon systems to mechanized WWTPs. Such a conversion would represent a significant financial burden for a small community. Therefore, a cost-estimation methodology was developed, based on the existing CAPDET software. Dry periods, heavy rain events, heavy spring runoff and increased temperatures are the critical climate change phenomena that are expected to have the greatest impact on the water infrastructure of the study area. It was found that WTPs on the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River are not likely to exhibit water shortages, but those using smaller surface water sources are more vulnerable to water scarcity. Furthermore, this vulnerability to water scarcity will be exacerbated by and increase in water demand resulting from higher temperatures and more severe droughts. Turbidity events typically occur during periods of heavy runoff, and it is expected that climate change will increase the intensity of heavy runoff events. Taste and odor problems due to algal growth during spring and summer are an existing concern for at least five facilities in the study area. It is expected that this phenomenon will increase as a consequence of increased temperatures, increased evaporation rates and longer dry periods during the spring, summer and fall. Inflow and infiltration into the sewer system during spring runoff and rain events are typical problems in the study area, resulting in high peak flows at wastewater treatment facilities. Currently, certain WWTPs in the study area use bypass as a method to cope with extreme peak flows. It is expected that climate change will increase the intensity of spring runoff, and the intensity and frequency of rain events. Consequently, it is likely that there will be an increase in the frequency of bypass events, and an increase in the volume of bypassed wastewater. In lagoon systems, intensified rain events will further swell the normal wastewater flow to several times the dry weather flow, likely causing incomplete treatment of the wastewater particularly at continuous discharge lagoons. During dry periods and warm weather, algal growth in lagoon systems will likely increase. The discharge of effluent containing high quantities of algae will degrade the receiving waters quality. An increased frequency and intensity of periods of low streamflows will reduce the dilution capacity of receiving waters, particularly in small streams. This increased vulnerability may eventually be reflected in more stringent discharge criteria. A reduction in streamflows could also lead to more extensive algal growth, resulting in more turbidity, more taste and odor problems and possibly algal toxins contaminations.

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