Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Ted C. Schroeder / Very rapid growth in the ethanol industry has led to a void of information regarding price dynamics and utilization of distiller's grains. Understanding market conditions is essential for livestock producers to make informed decisions in the procurement of feedstuffs, especially as grain price levels have recently increased substantially. In this study, distiller's grain price discovery dynamics are evaluated to develop an understanding of spatial price relationships. The knowledge of price relationships reveals that users of distiller's grain should shop around when procuring the feedstuff. Additionally, because animal performance may be altered with increased inclusion of distiller's grains, regional competitive advantages could shift fed cattle production to geographic regions characterized by high of ethanol production plants. Therefore, the cost of current grain processing methods are evaluated to enhance the awareness of regional competitiveness and long term sustainability. The combination of these two objectives allows producers to better realize the implications of the ethanol industry on their ability to maintain their operations into the near future.

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Air-cooled steam condensers (ACSC’s) are increasingly employed to reject heat in modern power plants. Unfortunately these cooling systems become less effective under windy conditions and when ambient temperatures are high. A better understanding of the fundamental airflow patterns about and through such air-cooled condensers is essential if their performance is to be improved under these conditions. For known flow patterns, improved fan designs are possible and flow distortions can be reduced by means of extended surfaces or skirts, windwalls and screens. Spray cooling of the inlet air or the addition of an evaporative cooling system can also be considered for improving performance under extreme conditions. The present numerical study models the air flow field about and through an air-cooled steam condenser under windy conditions. The performance of the fans is modeled with the aid of a novel numerical approach known as the “actuator disc model”. Distorted airflow patterns that significantly reduce fan performance in certain areas and recirculatory flows that entrain hot plume air are found to be the reasons for poor ACSC performance. It is found that the reduction in fan performance is the main reason for the poor ACSC performance while recirculation of hot plume air only reduces performance by a small amount. Significant improvements in ACSC performance are possible under these conditions if a cost effective skirt is added to the periphery of the ACSC while the installation of a screen under the ACSC has very little effect.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Measurements on air-cooled reflux steam condensers or dephlegmators at different power plants have shown that sections of these units do not transfer heat effectively over a range of operating conditions. The ineffective sections may be due to flooding in the finned tubes although entrainment of condensate in certain steam inlet manifolds is usually the main reason for the poor performance. In this dissertation factors that limit effective dephlegmator operation are discussed and the influence of two inlet manifold designs on dephlegmator operation is investigated. Laboratory experiments are conducted to show under which conditions liquid entrainment occurs and to visualize the flow distribution within the respective manifolds. An alternative, essentially horizontal arrangement of the dephlegmator is proposed. In order to evaluate the performance of such a system, the heat transfer and pressure drop on the steam-side is determined experimentally in an air-cooled finned tube. No flooding was observed during tests conducted at zero and negative tube angles to the horizontal. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toetse op lugverkoelde stoom terugvloeikondensors, of deflegmators, by verskeie kragstasies het getoon dat sekere dele van hierdie eenhede onder verskeie werkstoestande nie warmte effektief oordra nie. Hierdie oneffektiewe dele kan deur vloeding van die vinbuise veroorsaak word alhoewel die meesleur van kondensaat in sekere stoom inlaatspruitstukke gewoonlik die hoof oorsaak is. In hierdie dissertasie word faktore wat effektiewe deflegmator werksverrigting beinvloed bespreek en die invloed van twee inlaatspruitstukontwerpe op deflegmator werksverrigting ondersoek. Eksperimente is in 'n laboratorium uitgevoer om aan te toon onder watter werkstoestande vloeistof samesleping voorkom en om vloeiverdeling binne die onderskeie inlaatspruitstukke te visualiseer. 'n Altematiewe, wesenlike horisontale deflegmator opstelling word voorgestel. Die werksverrigting van hierdie voorstelling is ondersoek deur die warmteoordrag en stoorn-kant drukval eksperimenteel te bepaal in 'n lugverkoelde vinbuis. Geen vloeding is opgemerk vir toetsgevalle waar klein negatiewe of zero hoeke tot die horisontaal ondersoek is nie.

Biomass gasification offers the chance to produce carbon neutral, renewable fuels. One of the main problems facing the commercialization of biomass gasification technology is the presence of large quantities of methane and carbon dioxide in the biogas. Catalytic reforming of these wastes allows for effective utilization of biomass derived syngas. In most reforming studies, impregnation methods are the primary synthesis technique. Impregnation methods often lead to poor dispersion and are un-reproducible from batch to batch. In the development of a novel catalyst for reforming applications, another preparation method is implemented, controlled adsorption (CA). Ni/Al2O3 and Co/Al2O3 prepared by CA are compared against catalysts that were prepared by a more traditional method, dry impregnation (DI). It is found that controlling the metal deposition provides catalysts with higher dispersion and consequently higher activity for methane dry reforming. NiAl2O4 catalysts prepared by Pechini synthesis were also studied for catalytic conditioning of biomass derived syngas. Physicochemical characterization revealed unique structural properties, indicated a high degree of mobility of nickel in the aluminate structure, and demonstrated the regeneration properties of nickel aluminates under harsh reaction conditions, which will be important at extended reaction times when catalyst regeneration becomes necessary. Fourfold coordinated nickel species are believed to be responsible for high, stable methane dry reforming activity and metallic nickel is believed to be the active site that allows for high, stable conversion during methane dry reforming.

Traditionally the reactor is recognised as the `heart' of a chemical process system and hence the focus on this part of the system is usually quite detailed. Steam reforming, however, due to the `building block' nature of its reaction products is unusual and generally is perceived as a `utility' to other reaction processes and hence the focus is drawn " towards the 'main' reaction processes of the system. Additionally as a `mature' process, steam reforming is often treated as sufficiently defined for the requirements within the overall chemical process. For both primary and secondary steam reformers several models of varying complexity were developed which allowed assessment of issues raised about previous models and model improvements; drawing on the advancements in modelling that have not only allowed the possibility of increasing the scope of simulations but also increased confidence in the simulation results. Despite the complex nature of the steam reforming systems, a surprisingly simplistic model is demonstrated to perform well, however, to improve on existing designs and maximise the capability of current designs it is shown that more complex models are required. After model development the natural course is to optimisation. This is a powerful tool which must be used carefully as significant issues remain around its employment. Despite the remaining concerns, some simple optimisation cases showed the potential of the models developed in this work and although not exhaustive demonstrated the benefits of optimisation.

Canada and Venezuela contain massive unconventional oil deposits accounting for over two thirds of newly discovered proven oil reserves since 2002. Canada, primarily in northern Alberta province, has between 1.75 and 1.84 trillion barrels of hydrocarbon resources that as of 2013 are obtained approximately equally through surface extraction or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) (World Energy Council, 2010). Due to their depth and viscosity, thermal based EOR will increasingly be responsible for producing the vast quantities of bitumen residing in Canada’s Athabasca, Cold Lake, and Peace River formations. Although the internationally accepted 174-180 billion barrels recoverable ranks Canada third globally in oil reserves, it represents only a 9-10% average recovery factor of its very high viscosity deposits (World Energy Council, 2010). As thermal techniques are refined and improved, in conjunction with methods under development and integrating elements of existing but currently separate processes, engineers and geoscientists aim to improve recovery rates and add tens of billions of barrels of oil to Canada’s reserves (Cenovus Energy, 2013). The Government of Canada estimates 315 billion barrels recoverable with the right combination of technological improvements and sustained high oil prices (Government of Canada, 2013). Much uncertainty and skepticism surrounds how this 75% increase is to be accomplished. This document entails a thorough analysis of standard and advanced EOR techniques and their potential incremental impact in Canada’s bitumen deposits. Due to the extraordinary volume of hydrocarbon resources in Canada, a small percentage growth in ultimate recovery satisfies years of increased petroleum demand from the developing world, affects the geopolitics within North America and between it and the rest of the world, and provides material benefits to project economics. This paper details the enhanced oil recovery methods used in the oil sands deposits while exploring new developments and their potential technical and economic effect. CMG Stars reservoir simulation is leveraged to test both the feasible recoveries of and validate the physics behind select advanced techniques. These technological and operational improvements are aggregated and an assessment produced on Canada’s total recoverable petroleum reserves. Canada has, by far, the largest bitumen recovery operation in the world (World Energy Council, 2010). Due to its resource base and political environment, the nation is likely to continue as the focus point for new developments in thermal EOR. Reservoir characteristics and project analysis are thus framed using Canada and its reserves. / text

<p> </p><p>This degree project aims at developing a concept for how to use solar energy to pump up water. The target audience is people living in areas where the functioning of the electricity and water network is absent. In these areas, the hand-powered water pump is the most common technology. The degree project's goal is to find an economically viable alternative to the time consuming hand-powered water pumps. The power comes from solar energy. Studies have shown that 90% of the hand pumps that have been installed have broken down within the first three years. This is because of an incorrect basic design that severely shortens lifetime.</p><p>How would a simple and robust design look like? An information seeking phase about the conditions and techniques that exist in these areas, were the basis for the requirements of the concept. Because of this the authors chose a concept similar to a simple steam engine. The pump uses vaporized water, by means of concentrating sunlight to pump up water. In total, 33 different concepts were created. The concepts were filtered in three stages that resulted in a final concept. The final concept contains a reflective dish that concentrates the sunlight to a receiver where the water evaporates. The built up pressure forces up water towards the surface from a tank located below the groundwater. The system is designed to supply 25 families with 2.5 cubic meters of water a day. The pump is working during the daily 8 hours of sunshine. The system will have an expected low efficiency <5.3% which is the theoretical maximum efficiency. Further development of the system requires a detailed analysis of the situation on the ground. Tests should be performed to examine how well the technology works and how sensitive the system is to disturbances.</p><p> </p>

Ecologization of agriculture and forestry directly and indirectly influences the environment, water, air, and landscape. Thus, analysis of organic forestry activities, evaluation and forecast are of scientific, ecological and political significance. Weed control and the resulting organic farming and forestry issues have attracted greater attention to the use of physical methods in weed control, because this weed control method is effective and does not leave chemical residues neither in the soil, nor in water. One of the physical methods is thermal weed control method, which contrary to the other weed control methods, leaves only dead biomass, preventing self-sowing of weed seeds in the soil, destroys some of the pests and disinfects the surface layer of soil (Upadhyaya et al, 2007). Meanwhile, as an alternative to seed treatment, various physical methods are also used (Lynikienė, 2006). However, the effect of some of the techniques on seed-born fungi are not explained, optimal exposures of the effects are unidentified (Clear et al., 2002). One of the possibilities to reduce the infestation of seeds by fungi - their thermal destruction. / Žemės ir miškų ūkio ekologizavimas tiesiogiai ir netiesiogiai veikia aplinką, vandenį, orą, landšaftą. Todėl ekologinės veiklos miškų ūkyje analizė, įvertinimas ir prognozė turi mokslinę, ekologinę ir politinę reikšmę (Diepenbrock, 1996). Piktžolių naikinimas ir ekologinės žemės bei miškų ūkių problemos paskatino atkreipti dėmesį į fizikinių metodų naudojimo piktžolių kontrolei svarbą, nes šis piktžolių naikinimo metodas yra efektyvus, nepaliekantis cheminių medžiagų likučių nei dirvožemyje, nei vandenyje. Vienas iš fizikinių metodų ir yra terminis piktžolių naikinimo būdas, kuris, skirtingai nuo kitų piktžolių kontrolės būdų, palieka tik negyvą jų biomasę, neleisdamas piktžolių sėkloms pasisėti dirvoje, sunaikina kai kuriuos kenkėjus ir dezinfekuoja paviršinį dirvožemio sluoksnį (Upadhyaya, 2012). Kaip alternatyva sėkloms beicuoti taip pat naudojami įvairūs fizikiniai metodai (Lynikienė, 2006). Kai kurių metodų poveikis sėklomis plintantiems mikromicetams nenustatytas, nenustatytos ir šių poveikių optimalios ekspozicijos (Clear et al., 2002). Viena iš galimybių sumažinti sėklų užterštumą mikromicetais – jų naikinimas termiškai.

Magistriniame darbe tiriama terminė piktžolių kontrolė vandens garu, kuri yra viena iš aplinką tausojančių technologijų pasėlių piktžolėtumui mažinti. Iki šiol buvo tirtas vandens garo poveikis augalui, atlikti kai kurie temperatūros sklaidos termiškai paveiktame dirvožemio sluoksnyje tyrimai, tačiau poveikis dirvožemio ekosistemai ir jo kokybei nebuvo tirtas. / This Master's thesis investigated thermal weed control by water steam which is green and efficient technology for crop protection. Until now studies of the water steam effect on plants, also some measurements of the temperature spread in soil were performed, however impact on soil ecosystem and its quality has not been studied.

In Canada, coal-fired power plants are the largest anthropogenic point sources of atmospheric CO₂. The most promising near-term strategy for mitigating CO₂ emissions from these facilities is the post-combustion capture of CO₂ using MEA (monoethanolamine) with subsequent geologic sequestration. While MEA absorption of CO₂ from coal-derived flue gases on the scale proposed above is technologically feasible, MEA absorption is an energy intensive process and especially requires large quantities of low-pressure steam. It is the magnitude of the cost of providing this supplemental energy that is currently inhibiting the deployment of CO₂ capture with MEA absorption as means of combatting global warming. The steam cycle of a power plant ejects large quantities of low-quality heat to the surroundings. Traditionally, this waste has had no economic value. However, at different times and in different places, it has been recognized that the diversion of lower quality streams could be beneficial, for example, as an energy carrier for district heating systems. In a similar vein, using the waste heat from the power plant steam cycle to satisfy the heat requirements of a proposed CO₂ capture plant would reduce the required outlay for supplemental utilities; the economic barrier to MEA absorption could be removed. In this thesis, state-of-the-art process simulation tools are used to model coal combustion, steam cycle, and MEA absorption processes. These disparate models are then combined to create a model of a coal-fired power plant with integrated CO₂ capture. A sensitivity analysis on the integrated model is performed to ascertain the process variables which most strongly influence the CO₂ energy penalty. From the simulation results with this integrated model, it is clear that there is a substantial thermodynamic advantage to diverting low-pressure steam from the steam cycle for use in the CO₂ capture plant. During the course of the investigation, methodologies for using Aspen Plus?? to predict column pressure profiles and for converging the MEA absorption process flowsheet were developed and are herein presented.