Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Ocean Engineering, 1978 / Bibliography: leaf 103. / by George L. Clemmer, II. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Ocean Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Grain Science and Industry / Sajid Alavi / The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 has set the goal of 36 billion gallons of annual ethanol production in the U.S. by 2022, which is equivalent to 17.5% of the current gasoline consumption in the U.S. However, corn ethanol is expected to plateau at a level of 7.3% of current gasoline consumption on an energy-equivalent basis. Thus, it is essential to utilize a variety of substrates including lignocellulosic biomass from perennial energy crops such as switch grass, crop residues such as corn and sorghum stover, and agri-industrial co-products such as soybean hulls and wheat bran. Lignocellulosic substrates have a recalcitrant nature and require a pretreatment step that is critical for efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose to fermentable sugars. In this study, soybean hulls were used as a model substrate for cellulosic ethanol. A novel thermo-mechanical pretreatment process using extrusion was investigated and compared with two traditional pretreatment methods, dilute acid and alkali hydrolysis, with regard to structural changes in the lignocellulosic substrate, and glucose and ethanol yields. The effect of extrusion parameters, such as barrel temperature, in-barrel moisture and screw speed, on glucose yield from soybean hulls was determined. Optimum processing conditions were screw speed of 350 rpm, maximum barrel temperature of 80C and 40% in-barrel moisture content, resulting in 95% cellulose conversion to glucose. Compared with untreated soybean hulls, the cellulose to glucose conversion of soybean hulls increased by 69.5, 128.4 and 132.2% for dilute acid, alkali and thermo-mechanical pretreatments, respectively. Glucose and other hexose sugars such as mannose and galactose were effectively fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, resulting in ethanol yields of 13.04–15.44 g/L. Fermentation inhibitors glycerol, furfural, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde (HMF) and acetic acid were found in the thermo-mechanically pretreated substrate, ranging in concentrations from 0.072–0.431, 0–0.049, 0–0.023 and 0.181–0.278 g/L, respectively, which were lower than those reported from acid hydrolyzed substrates. The economic feasibility of commercial cellulosic ethanol production processes employing dilute acid hydrolysis and thermo-mechanical pretreatment were compared using a system dynamics modeling approach. It was concluded that low feedstock cost and high sugar conversion are important factors that can make cellulosic ethanol production commercially viable. Thermo-mechanical pretreatment was a more promising technology as compared to dilute acid hydrolysis because of the lower capital and operating costs, and higher sugar conversion.

The diverse applications of advanced marine craft ascribed to their high speed and technological advancements has led to the use of stronger and lighter metals in such crafts. High speed, in effect also increases slamming loads as higher speed increases frequency of wave encounter while operating in waves. The present study is limited to wedge impact models. Fundamentally, the study is thus about two-dimensional (2D) wedge impact in water. In an attempt to predict the structural response to impact hydrodynamic force, a beam element based finite element (FE) computer program is written and the results of the code are presented in the thesis. A computational tool is developed to predict the transient elastic response of a 2D wedge under impact force using two different numerical methods. Both explicit and implicit numerical schemes have also been studied in order to apply to the present work. Explicit forth order Runge-Kutta (RK4) method and implicit Newmark-b (NB) method have been used in the present work. Coupling effects between excitation and response are ignored in the present numerical computations. Both the numerical schemes are validated using simple static solution and also modal expansion technique.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Jim Nelssen / Six experiments using 3,659 nursery and finishing pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soybean hulls and ingredient processing in corn-soybean meal or corn-soybean meal-DDGS diets on nursery and finishing performance. Experiment 1 tested increasing soybean hulls (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) and increasing soybean hulls decreased ADG and G:F. Experiment 2 evaluated increasing soybean hulls (0, 10, and 20%) in diets balanced or not for NE and showed reduced performance with increasing soybean hulls. Balancing for NE resulted in G:F similar to pigs fed the control. Experiments 3 and 4 evaluated increasing dietary soybean hulls in corn-soybean meal and corn-soybean meal-DDGS diets. Soybean hulls in either diet worsened G:F and improved caloric efficiency, suggesting current INRA (2004) values for soybean hulls underestimate their energy value. Experiment 5 evaluated 10 and 20% ground or unground soybean hulls in meal and pelleted diets. Caloric efficiency improved with high levels of soybean hulls. Pelleting improved ADG and eliminated negative effects on G:F with increasing soybean hulls, while grinding soybean hulls reduced performance. Experiment 6 tested increasing ground and unground soybean hulls (0, 7.5, and 15%). Increasing soybean hulls worsened G:F, carcass yield, and hot carcass weight. Grinding soybean hulls to finer particle sizes did not improve ADG and worsened G:F. Experiments 7 and 8 evaluated the replacement of corn with wheat and crystalline amino acids in nursery and finishing pig diets. Replacing 50% of corn with wheat did not affect growth performance in either nursery or finishing; however 100% replacement of corn with wheat reduced performance. In addition, feeding wheat improved carcass fat IV, while use of high levels of crystalline amino acids in wheat-based diets did not influence performance in either study. Experiment 9 evaluated the replacement of soybean meal with high-protein dried distiller’s grains with solubles and crystalline amino acids. High-protein DDGS and crystalline AA can replace 50% of the SBM in finishing diets without negatively affecting performance or carcass yield. Replacing 100% of SBM with high-protein DDGS reduced growth rate, but increasing crystalline AA levels can help mitigate negative effects on carcass yield and fat IV.

A fim de avaliar formas de associações do resíduo úmido de cervejaria com uso de aditivos no processo de ensilagem ; e desempenho e digestibilidade de cordeiros a partir a das associações, foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiram ente casualizado 5 tratamentos com 4 repetições: C: ensilagem de 100% resíduo de cervejaria; PC15: 15% de polpa cítrica; PC30: 30% de polpa cítrica; CS15: 15% de casca de soja; CS30: 30% de casca de soja, adicionados com base na matéria fresca do resíduo de cervejaria. Das silagens foram coletadas amostras para as análises bromatológicas, pH, poder tampão, nitrogênio amoniacal, DIVMS e determinação de ácidos orgânicos (ácidos lático, acético, propiônico, butírico) e perfil microbiológico. Os dados da silagem foram analisados por meio da Eficiência Biológica Relativa (EBR), através da técnica do \"slope ratio\". Para análise in vivo foi verificado o desempenho dos animais e digestibilidade. Os dados foram analisados através do programa computacional Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2008), considerando efeitos fixos a inclusão de aditivos e os níveis. As médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas por contrastes ortogonais. Houve aumento do teor de MS, carboidratos e poder tampão para os níveis de inclusão; aumento da digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca; aumento na relação desejável/indesejável de ácido lático/ acético e butírico; aumento da população de bactérias ácido lática, e clostrídeos da silagem. Houve melhora no desempenho com a adição de casca de soja e polpa cítrica e na digestibilidade in vivo de MS, sendo os melhores resultados encontrados, em conjunto, para o tratamento da silagem com inclusão de 30% de polpa cítrica. / In order to evaluate the production of silage and the use of additives in the process of silage of brewery residue, they were distributed in a completely randomized design treatments 5 and 4 repetitions: C: silage 100% brewery residue; PC15: 15% of citrus pulp; PC30: 30% of citrus pulp; CS15: 15% of soybean hulls; CS30 mice: 30% of soybean hulls- added on the basis of the fresh of the residue of brewery. The silage samples were collected for the qualitative analysis, pH, buffer, ammoniacal nitrogen, IVDMD and determination of organic acids (Lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic, butyric) and microbiological profile. The Relative Biological Efficiency (RBE) was calculated by the slope ratio technique For in vivo analysis was verified the performance of the animals and digestibility.The data were analyzed by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2008), whereas fixed effects the inclusion of additives and levels. The treatment average was compared by orthogonal contrasts There was an increase in the content of MS, carbohydrates and power buffer from the inclusion; increase in vivo digestibility of DM and increase of the population of lactic acid bacteria, clostridium; IVDMD, and the best results, together, for the treatment of silage with inclusion of 30% of citrus pulp.

A finite element tool has been developed to design and investigate a multi-hull composite ship structure, and a hybrid hull of identical length and beam. Hybrid hull structure is assembled by Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) frame and sandwich composite panels. Wave loads and slamming loads acting on both hull structures have been calculated according to ABS rules at sea state 5 with a ship velocity of 40 knots. Comparisons of deformations and stresses between two sets of loadings demonstrate that slamming loads have more detrimental effects on ship structure. Deformation under slamming is almost one order higher than that caused by wave loads. Also, Titanium frame in hybrid hull significantly reduces both deformation and stresses when compared to composite hull due to enhancement of in plane strength and stiffness of the hull. A 73m long hybrid hull has also been investigated under wave and slamming loads in time domain for dynamic analysis. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

Thesis. 1977. Ocean E.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Ocean Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Includes bibliographical references. / by William Augustus Tyler Cassedy IV. / Ocean E.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING / Bibliography: leaf 51. / by Kim Arthur Mosley. / M.S.

Cento e sessenta ovelhas, no terço final da gestação, foram distribuídas em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, para avaliar os efeitos da diminuição da concentração de CNF na dieta pré e pós-parto, sobre a lactação e o desempenho das crias após o nascimento. As dietas experimentais foram compostas por 50% de volumoso (feno de \"coastcross\") e 50% de concentrado, sendo o milho o principal ingrediente utilizado na dieta com mais CNF e a casca de soja o principal ingrediente da dieta com reduzido CNF, correspondendo aos tratamentos M e CS, respectivamente. Foram avaliados o CMS e as concentrações de glicose, insulina e ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE), 3h após a oferta de alimento nos dias 21 e 7 antes do parto e imediatamente após a parição. No dia do parto foi avaliado o peso e o escore da condição corporal (ECC) das ovelhas. Da segunda à 12ª semana de lactação, 38 ovelhas e suas respectivas crias foram utilizadas para avaliar a lactação. Após a parição as ovelhas permaneceram nos tratamentos experimentais (M e CS) pré-parto e foram blocadas de acordo com a data do parto, o sexo e o número de crias. Uma vez por semana as ovelhas foram separadas de suas crias e ordenhadas mecanicamente. Três horas após a 1° ordenha, as ovelhas foram novamente ordenhadas e a produção de leite registrada. Também foram avaliados o CMS diário, o ECC, nas semanas 3, 6, 9, e 12 pós-parto, e as concentrações séricas de glicose, insulina e AGNE, 0 e 3h após o fornecimento das dietas, na 2ª, 4ª, 6ª, 8ª, 10ª e 12ª semanas de lactação. O efeito do tratamento materno sobre o desenvolvimento das crias foi avaliado através do peso ao nascimento, GMD e CMS durante o aleitamento. No confinamento, além do GMD e o CMS, foram determinados a eficiência alimentar e as características das carcaças ao abate. No final da gestação a dieta CS promoveu aumento do CMS e maior peso das fêmeas ao parto, assim como maior peso das crias ao nascimento. Entretanto, não houve alteração no ECC e nas concentrações de glicose, insulina e AGNE. Durante a lactação, não houve efeito das dietas na produção e composição do leite. Houve aumento na concentração de AGNE, às 3 h após alimentação, para o grupo CS sem diferença para as demais variáveis sanguíneas. Não houve diferença no desempenho dos cordeiros durante o aleitamento ou no confinamento. A diminuição de CNF da dieta de ovelhas pré-parto aumenta o CMS, resultando em maior peso ao parto, assim como maior peso das crias ao nascimento. Entretanto, no período pós-parto não altera o desempenho das crias e das ovelhas na lactação, mas aumenta a concentração de AGNE 3 h após a alimentação. / One hundred and sixty ewes, in the last third of gestation, were allotted in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of lowering the concentration of NFC in the pre and postpartum diets on lactation performance and offspring growth. The experimental diets were composed of 50% roughage (coastcross hay) and 50% concentrate, with corn being the main ingredient used in the diet with high NFC and soybean hulls as the main ingredient of the diet with reduced NFC, corresponding to treatments C and SH, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) and the concentrations of glucose, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), 3h after feeding, in the days 21 and 7 prior and immediately after lambing. At lambing, ewes and lambs were weighed and ewe\'s body condition score (BCS) was recorded. From the second to the 12th week of lactation, 38 ewes and their offspring were used to evaluate lactation performance and lamb growth. After lambing, the ewes remained in the experimental pre-natal treatments (C and SH) and were blocked according to date of birth, sex and number of offspring. Once a week the ewes were separated from their lambs and mechanically milked. Three hours after the 1st milking, the ewes were again milked and the production was recorded. In addition it was determined the daily DMI, the BCS, in weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12 postpartum, and blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and NEFA, 0 and 3 hours after feeding, in the 2nd , 4th , 6th , 8th , 10th and 12th weeks of lactation. The effects of maternal diet on the growth of offspring were assessed by birth weight, ADG and DMI. During the feedlot, in addition to ADG and DMI, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics at slaughter were determined. In late gestation reducing NFC increased DMI and weight of ewes at parturition, as well as lambs birth weight. However, there was no change in BCS and in the concentrations of glucose, insulin and NEFA. During lactation, there was no difference in the ewe\'s milk production and lamb\'s growth. An increase in the concentration of NEFA, 3 hours after feeding, was observed for the SH group, with no difference for the other blood variables. Reducing pre-partum dietary NFC increases DMI, ewes lambing weight and lambs birth weight. However, in the postpartum period there was no change on ewe\'s lactation performance and lamb\'s growth, only an increase in the concentration of NEFA, 3h after feeding.

Thesis (Ocean E)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING / Includes bibliographical references. / by Pierre Francois Koch. / Ocean E