Poster exhibited at GPSC Student Showcase, February 24th, 2016, University of Arizona. / There has been little research carried out which assesses the ability or inability of the Pima pineapple cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) to be transplanted successfully, and what a successful transplant entails. From what little research has been done, experiments have demonstrated low-levels of survival, and determinate variables remain largely unknown. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) does not consider transplanting as a viable conservation measure. This study monitors [a population] of individual Pima pineapple cactus (PPC) transplanted in 2014 and distributed along the natural gas pipeline put in place by Kinder Morgan Inc. southwest of Tucson, Arizona, as well as other data sets from past transplant experiments. This post-transplant monitoring, in addition to a thorough analysis of varying transplant methodology and abiotic variables associated with each site, will be used to develop a framework for analyzing transplant successes for the PPC. Variables assessed during this study will include the influence of supplemental watering, using soil vs. bare root methods, and the number of times an individual is transplanted. With the information gathered from the PPC along the pipeline right-of-way, along with information gathered from historical PPC transplant locations, I will present a predictive model for transplanting success of PPC using a chi-square test with the statistical software package, STATA. Success will show a clear correlation between plant vigor after transplanting and the methodology with which each cactus was moved.

This thesis proposes the use of an Advanced Engineering Geographical Information System (AEGIS) for the improved design of onshore pipelines, from concept to operation. The system is novel in that it is function rather than discipline or software specific. The thesis statement has been developed, and an aim and set of research objectives identified (along with the success criteria for the evaluation of the system), based on a review of current pipeline design methods. Drawing on a design science research methodology (DSRM), the thesis proposes the development of the system as an artefact in order to validate the proposed constructs, models, methods and implementations. The thesis discusses the underlying issues of data interoperability, the application of open data standards, and the integration of computer aided design (CAD) and geographical information systems (GIS). These challenges are addressed in the thesis and demonstrated through the implementation of the system. To support the development of the system, research was undertaken in the fields of pipeline engineering, environmental engineering and engineering design. As part of this research, a number of peer-reviewed journal papers were published, and conference papers presented in Kampala, Houston, London and Split. These papers covered the key fields contained in the thesis including, fluid mechanics, bio-systems engineering, environmental engineering, CAD/GIS integration (CGI), and the application and development of geospatial pipeline data models. The thesis concludes that the approach is valid, offering significant improvement across all fields compared to the current method of pipeline design. By taking a functional approach to the challenges of the design of pipelines, a system has been developed that addresses the requirements of the pipeline engineer, environmental engineer and engineering designer. The system enables the user to select the software of their choice, thereby reducing the problems associated with data interoperability, retraining and system integration. The sharing of data and outputs from analysis carried out within the system, provides an integrated approach, which can subsequently be used for the integrity management of the pipeline during the operational phase of the project. The scope for further development of this approach to pipeline design is also discussed. In addition to the inclusion of further engineering and environmental analysis, there is the potential for using the system for the design of subsea pipelines.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / November 04-07, 1991 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Recent advancements in high-speed Digital Signal Processing (DSP) concepts and devices permit digital hardware implementation of relatively high-frequency signal processing, which formerly required analog circuitry. Systems utilizing this technology can provide a high degree of software programmability; improved reproducibility, reliability, and maintainability; immunity to temperature induced drift errors; and compare favorably in cost to their analog counterparts. This paper describes the DSP implementation of a software programmable, digital frequency multiplexed FM system providing up to 4 output multiplexes, containing up to 36 subcarrier channels extending up to 4 MHZ, and accommodating modulating frequencies up to 64 kHz. System overall design goals and the implementation of these goals are presented.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the facilitators and barriers to women in STEM through comparison to men and non-STEM faculty members. The Pipeline Model and The Vanish Box model were examined to explain the underrepresentation of women in STEM. The current study, using the established facilitators and barriers to women in STEM by Bolton (2016), examined 12 categories that were identified through existing literature, critical incidents (CIs), and a subject-matter expert (SME). It was hypothesized that Teaching, Service, Research Funding, Mentoring, Professional Development, Administrative Leadership, Hiring Policies, New Child Leave/FMLA policies, and Promotion and Tenure Policies would be identified as barriers to academic careers in STEM disciplines more often than non-STEM disciplines and by women more often than by men. It was also hypothesized that Fairness of Policy Implementation and Practice, Other Policies, and Research Support other than Funding will be identified as a facilitators to women’s academic careers to academic careers in STEM disciplines more often than non-STEM disciplines and by women more often than by men. Two-hundred and forty-two participants completed a survey via Qualtrics that assessed facilitators and barriers to academic careers. Of those that completed the survey, only 134 were used in the analyses, as identification of sex and STEM status was essential for inclusion in the study. Results revealed that neither hypothesis was confirmed. Exploratory analyses examining the frequencies 12 categories as well as specific facilitators and barriers were conducted. The implications, limitations, and future directions for research were suggested.

This thesis contains three essays related to fixed investment and crude oil. The first essay examines the implications of building a cross-border oil infrastructure project within the context of the bargaining problem (the Nash bargaining solution, and the alternating offer bargain of Rubinstein). We examine the viability of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, which is employed as a case study - for the multinational corporation, and the three host countries (Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia) by examining the profitability of the project for each partner with two different bargaining formulations (simultaneous and sequential bargaining). The findings suggest that the project is feasible for the partners when the transit charge is greater than $3 per barrel (this is the Break-Even charge at which the project produces a zero total surplus); but for a tariff charge higher than this rate, the project generates returns for each participant greater than his outside option. Furthermore, the outcomes show how with bargaining over discounted flows, each bargaining scenario results in a different total surplus. Thus, the participants’ discount rates, their bargaining orders, and their outside options are the determinants of the gross payoffs they receive over the life of the project. The second essay examines the effect of oil abundance on domestic investment in 22 oil-exporting non-OECD countries over the period 1996-2010. Employing static and dynamic panel estimators, the oil impact is investigated in light of other investment determinants which reflect government policies including output growth, inflation, the exchange rate, and financial and openness factors. Estimation results indicate that oil abundance exerts an adverse effect on gross domestic investment in these countries, implying the necessity of improving institutional quality and oil management polices to better exploit oil revenues and direct them towards enhancing domestic investment, thereby sustained economic growth in these countries. The third essay examines the effect of the oil price and oil price volatility on domestic fixed investment in a group of oil-importing OECD countries from 1970 to 2012 within the framework of the production function. Estimation results indicate that there is a long run relationship running from oil prices and the other control variables (output, trade, inflation, and the exchange rate) to investment where the long run coefficient on the oil price is negative and significant, but the short run coefficient on oil prices is insignificant. Thus, the outcomes of this study indicate that high oil prices are contributing to investment decline, which affirms the importance of adopting long run energy policies that might lessen investment reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Gas Turbines (GTs) are used extensively in pipelines to compress gas at suitable points. The primary objective of this study is to look at CO2 return pipelines and the close coupling of the compression system with advanced prime mover cycles. Adopting a techno-economic and environmental risk analysis (TERA) frame work, this study conducts the modelling and evaluation of CO2 compression power requirements for gas turbine driven equipment (pump and compressor). The author developed and validated subroutines to implement variable stators in an in-house GT simulation code known as Variflow in order to enhance the off-design performance simulation of the code. This modification was achieved by altering the existing compressor maps and main program algorithm of the code. Economic model based on the net present value (NPV) method, CO2 compressibility factor model based on the Peng-Robinson equation of state and pipeline hydraulic analysis model based on fundamental gas flow equation were also developed to facilitate the TERA of selected GT mechanical drives in two case scenarios. These case scenarios were specifically built around Turbomatch simulated GT design and off-design performance which ensure that the CO2 is introduced into the pipeline at the supercritical pressure as well as sustain the CO2 pressure above a minimum designated pressure during transmission along an adapted real life pipeline profile. The required compression duty for the maximum and minimum CO2 throughput as well as the operation site ambient condition, guided the selection of two GTs of 33.9 MW and 9.4 MW capacities. At the site ambient condition, the off design simulations of these GTs give an output of 25.9 MW and 7.6 MW respectively. Given the assumed economic parameters over a plant life of 25 years, the NPV for deploying the 33.9 MW GT is about £13.9M while that of the 9.4 MW GT is about £1.2M. The corresponding payback periods (PBPs) were 3 and 7 years respectively. Thus, a good return on investment is achieved within reasonable risk. The sensitivity analysis results show a NPV of about £19.1M - £24.3M and about £3.1M - £4.9M for the 33.9 MW and 9.4 MW GTs respectively over a 25 - 50% fuel cost reduction. Their PBPs were 3 - 2 years and 5 - 4 years respectively. In addition, as the CO2 throughput drops, the risk becomes higher with less return on investment. In fact, when the CO2 throughput drops to a certain level, the investment becomes highly unattractive and unable to payback itself within the assumed 25 years plant life. The hydraulic analysis results for three different pipe sizes of 24, 14 and 12¾ inch diameters show an increase in pressure drop with increase in CO2 throughput and a decrease in pressure drop with increase in pipe size for a given throughput. Owing to the effect of elevation difference, the 511 km long pipeline profile gives rise to an equivalent length of 511.52 km. Similarly, given the pipeline inlet pressure of 15 MPa and other assumed pipeline data, the 3.70 MTPY (0.27 mmscfd) maximum average CO2 throughput considered in the 12¾ inch diameter pipeline results in a delivery pressure of about 15.06 MPa. Under this condition, points of pressure spikes above the pipeline maximum operating allowable pressure (15.3 MPa) were obtained along the profile. Lowering the pipeline operating pressure to 10.5 MPa gives a delivery pressure of about 10.45 MPa within safe pressure limits. At this 10.5 MPa, over a flat pipeline profile of same length, the delivery pressure is about 10.4 MPa. Thus, given the operating conditions for the dense phase CO2 pipeline transmission and the limit of this study, it is very unlikely that a booster station will be required. So also, compressing the CO2 to 15 MPa may no longer be necessary; which eliminates the need of combining a compressor and pump for the initial pressure boost in order to save power. This is because, irrespective of the saving in energy, the increase in capital cost associated with obtaining a pump and suitable driver far outweighs the extra expense incurred in acquiring a rated GT mechanical drive to meet the compression duty.

Subsea pipelines are used extensively throughout the world’s oceans to transport oil and gas from offshore facilities to land, often hundreds of miles. These pipelines range in diameter from three to sixty inches and are installed in deeper depths every year, currently as deep as 2,900 meters. Pipeline construction and installation costs are a large percentage of offshore projects and thus, methods toward reducing costs is an imperative objective. With pipeline installation projects taking place in harsher environments, vessel operability is vital. This work presents an improved method for determining limiting criteria for pipelay operations to more effectively plan and execute offshore projects. This improvement is based on the consideration of total effective pipeline stresses as the limiting criterion rather than the traditionally used limiting pitch angle. Limiting sea curves based on a sample dynamic pipeline analysis are shown and their incorporation in workability planning is discussed.

Guided Wave Testing (GWT) is a relatively new development in non-destructive testing. Conventional Ultrasonic Testing (UT) methods are operated at high frequencies (MHz) and are capable of detecting very small (down to micrometre-scale) flaws within a range of millimetres from a transducer. GWT, however, is carried out at lower frequencies (kHz) and is capable of highlighting the position of volumetric structural detail and discontinuities, such as gross corrosion at a minimum of 9% of the cross-sectional area, tens of metres from a test location. Conventional ultrasonic testing relies on the transmission of bulk waves whereas GWT employs so-called ultrasonic guided waves (UGW). To simplify UGW inspections, several tests are conducted sequentially at a range of different excitation frequencies. The frequency bandwidth of each of these tests needs to be controlled to avoid complexities caused by the frequency dependent nature of the propagation of guided waves. This gives rise to the current GWT inspection procedure, where a number of different narrowband tests are conducted at several distinct frequencies. It is also found that different test circumstances (such as pipe coating or defect type) are inspected more easily with certain excitation frequencies than with others - and the optimum frequency can not always be predicted ahead of time. Thus, where time allows it is often beneficial to carry out a frequency sweep, whereby a large range of excitation frequencies are incrementally generated - for example, from 20 to 80kHz in 1kHz steps. This research proposes a novel approach to the existing pipeline inspection procedure by utilising the information contained within a broadband response. The overarching proposition given by this research is that the current collection procedure be entirely rewritten. This thesis will present ideas related to every area of the inspection procedure beginning with the tuning of excitation signals and concluding with recommendations on how tooling and excitation configuration can be modified to further optimise the technique for broadband excitation.

O empreendimento Gasoduto Urucu-Coari-Manaus é uma rede de tubulações que conduz o gás natural do Terminal Solimões TESOL do município de Coari até a Refinaria de Manaus REMAN, na cidade de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas. A tubulação do gasoduto ocupa uma extensão de aproximadamente 700 km, atravessando territórios dos sete municípios do Estado do Amazonas: Coari, Codajás, Anori, Anamã, Caapiranga, Manacapuru e Iranduba. A jazida de gás natural da bacia do Solimões/Amazonas sinaliza um elevado potencial de desenvolvimento regional na geração de energia a gás. Seu aproveitamento vem sendo apontado como um marco de referência na economia da Amazônia Ocidental. Em 1998, na mesma faixa de oleoduto de Urucu até o Terminal do Solimões, foi construído o trecho do Gasoduto para Manaus. A construção do gasoduto pode ser um fator de desenvolvimento socioeconômico em uma região de poucas opções principalmente de fontes energéticas. Neste sentido, o estudo do recurso natural (gás) do gasoduto em questão e de seus impactos ambientais e socioeconômicos tornam-se cada vez mais importante, pois contribuem com a pesquisa nessa área e poderão ser observados os resultados destes, especialmente, na cidade de Manacapuru-AM. Este trabalho demonstra a importância dos questionamentos a cerca da exploração dos recursos naturais, desenvolvimento econômico, social e preservação do meio ambiente. Assim, em ciência geográfica pode-se afirmar que a temática Recurso Natural, exige uma abordagem que considera aspectos sociais e naturais. Por um lado, o recurso é algo ao qual se recorre, portanto é histórico, por outro, é natural e exige o conhecimento da dinâmica da natureza para se compreender sua ocorrência e distribuição na superfície ou crosta terrestre. Este trabalho desenvolveu-se in loco verificando a relevância da implantação do Gasoduto Urucu-Coari-Manaus analisando os aspectos sociais e econômicos no referido município. / The project Urucu-Coari-Manaus pipeline network is a leading natural gas Solimões Terminal - TESOL in the city of Coari to Manaus Refinery - REMAN in the city of Manaus, in Amazonas state. The pipe of the pipeline occupies an area of approximately 700 km across the territories of the seven counties of the State of Amazonas Coari Codajás, Anori, Anamã, Caapiranga, Manacapuru and Iranduba. With this natural gas field in the basin of the Solimões / Amazonas, signals to a high potential for regional development in power generation gas. Its use has been appointed as a benchmark in the economy of the Western Amazon. In 1998, in the same range of pipeline Urucu to the Solimões Terminal, was built the section of pipeline to Manaus. The construction of the pipeline may be a factor of socio-economic development in a region with few options especially for energy sources. In this sense, the study of natural resource (gas) pipeline in question and its environmental and socioeconomic impacts becomes increasingly important as it contributes to research in this area and may be seen the results of environmental and socioeconomic impacts, especially in the city of Manacapuru-AM. This research demonstrates the importance of natural resources in the questioning of economic development with environmental preservation. Thus, in geographical science can say that the theme \"Natural Resource\", requires an approach that considers the social and natural. On the one hand, the feature is something to which it refers, so it is historical, the other is natural and requires knowledge of the dynamics of nature to understand their occurrence and distribution on the surface or crust. This research has developed on-site checking the relevance of deployment of the Urucu-Coari-Manaus analyzing the social and economic aspects in that municipality.

O empreendimento Gasoduto Urucu-Coari-Manaus é uma rede de tubulações que conduz o gás natural do Terminal Solimões TESOL do município de Coari até a Refinaria de Manaus REMAN, na cidade de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas. A tubulação do gasoduto ocupa uma extensão de aproximadamente 700 km, atravessando territórios dos sete municípios do Estado do Amazonas: Coari, Codajás, Anori, Anamã, Caapiranga, Manacapuru e Iranduba. A jazida de gás natural da bacia do Solimões/Amazonas sinaliza um elevado potencial de desenvolvimento regional na geração de energia a gás. Seu aproveitamento vem sendo apontado como um marco de referência na economia da Amazônia Ocidental. Em 1998, na mesma faixa de oleoduto de Urucu até o Terminal do Solimões, foi construído o trecho do Gasoduto para Manaus. A construção do gasoduto pode ser um fator de desenvolvimento socioeconômico em uma região de poucas opções principalmente de fontes energéticas. Neste sentido, o estudo do recurso natural (gás) do gasoduto em questão e de seus impactos ambientais e socioeconômicos tornam-se cada vez mais importante, pois contribuem com a pesquisa nessa área e poderão ser observados os resultados destes, especialmente, na cidade de Manacapuru-AM. Este trabalho demonstra a importância dos questionamentos a cerca da exploração dos recursos naturais, desenvolvimento econômico, social e preservação do meio ambiente. Assim, em ciência geográfica pode-se afirmar que a temática Recurso Natural, exige uma abordagem que considera aspectos sociais e naturais. Por um lado, o recurso é algo ao qual se recorre, portanto é histórico, por outro, é natural e exige o conhecimento da dinâmica da natureza para se compreender sua ocorrência e distribuição na superfície ou crosta terrestre. Este trabalho desenvolveu-se in loco verificando a relevância da implantação do Gasoduto Urucu-Coari-Manaus analisando os aspectos sociais e econômicos no referido município. / The project Urucu-Coari-Manaus pipeline network is a leading natural gas Solimões Terminal - TESOL in the city of Coari to Manaus Refinery - REMAN in the city of Manaus, in Amazonas state. The pipe of the pipeline occupies an area of approximately 700 km across the territories of the seven counties of the State of Amazonas Coari Codajás, Anori, Anamã, Caapiranga, Manacapuru and Iranduba. With this natural gas field in the basin of the Solimões / Amazonas, signals to a high potential for regional development in power generation gas. Its use has been appointed as a benchmark in the economy of the Western Amazon. In 1998, in the same range of pipeline Urucu to the Solimões Terminal, was built the section of pipeline to Manaus. The construction of the pipeline may be a factor of socio-economic development in a region with few options especially for energy sources. In this sense, the study of natural resource (gas) pipeline in question and its environmental and socioeconomic impacts becomes increasingly important as it contributes to research in this area and may be seen the results of environmental and socioeconomic impacts, especially in the city of Manacapuru-AM. This research demonstrates the importance of natural resources in the questioning of economic development with environmental preservation. Thus, in geographical science can say that the theme \"Natural Resource\", requires an approach that considers the social and natural. On the one hand, the feature is something to which it refers, so it is historical, the other is natural and requires knowledge of the dynamics of nature to understand their occurrence and distribution on the surface or crust. This research has developed on-site checking the relevance of deployment of the Urucu-Coari-Manaus analyzing the social and economic aspects in that municipality.