Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1993. / Typescript. Title from title screen (viewed Mar. 15, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-52). Online version of the print original.

The motive of this research is to develop a good stacking method with an automatic material handling system and the procedures that can increase productivity, reduce production costs, and prevent labor injury. A diversity of products leads to a number of different kinds of stacking problems. Much research has been done focusing on two-dimensional arrangement for rectangles, circles or irregular shapes, and threedimensional regular-shaped objects such as rectangular boxes. To solve stacking problems, many algorithms such as the genetic algorithm, simulated annealing and other heuristic algorithms have been proposed. The three-dimensional stacking problem has a practical application in the transportation, manufacturing, and construction industries. There has been relatively little emphasis on three-dimensional irregular objects; however, stacking three-dimensional irregular objects has become more common in industry. In this thesis research, three heuristic algorithms are proposed to stack irregular stone pieces nested in a container with multiple layers. Primary functions of the heuristic algorithms include three major parts. First, it approximates irregular shapes to a cluster of straight lines. Secondly, it arranges the approximated angles one-by-one with the proposed step-by-step rule. Finally, it considers the weight of the stone pieces from the pixel calculation for reasons of stability. The first and second algorithms are based on the area and angle of the stone piece and the third one is based on the approximated weight of the stone. An automatic real-time stacking system including pneumatic devices, sensors, relays, a conveyor, a programmable logic controller, a robotic arm, and a vision system was developed for this study. The algorithms developed were tested by this automatic stacking system for better utilization. Three performance measures were presented in the experimental result. Comparisons between the results from three proposed algorithms and that from the bottom-back-left algorithm are made. Experimental data demonstrate that the utilizations and the stabilities of the three proposed algorithms are statistically better than that of the bottom-back-left algorithm. However, the cycle times of the three proposed algorithms have no statistical difference from that of the bottom-back-left algorithm. In addition, a statistical test between each proposed algorithm is also conducted. Both the utilizations and stabilities have statistical differences between each proposed algorithm while the cycle times do not. The results of this study show that the algorithm developed works effectively for solving the stone-pieces stacking problem.

In general, the characteristics of stone are two: high regenerative thermal activity and low cost. In this study, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was oxidized by metallic catalysts with stones as carriers. To discover the best removal efficiency of isopropyl alcohol, different catalysts with different ratios of metal (these metals were copper, manganese, and cobalt) and different loading (loading meant the ratio of the weight of metal to the weight of stone) were made. Moreover, others parameters such as different inlet concentration of IPA, inlet concentration of oxygen, space velocity, reaction temperature, and long-term test were also discussed. Finally, two kinetic models were introduced to prove the catalytic oxidation mechanism of IPA. The experimental results showed that the most effective catalyst is copper-cobalt catalyst, which ratio of metals is 6: 4 and loading is 10%. With this kind of catalyst, the optimal operational parameters could be easily found, and they were as follows: the inlet concentration of IPA was 1500 ppm, space velocity was 13500 hr-1, and reaction temperature was 350¢J. It was noticed that the conversion of IPA was all up to 95% in these conditions. In conclusion, the experimental results also indicated that conversion was increased with reaction temperature, inlet concentration of IPA and inlet concentration of oxygen increasing. On the contrary, the conversion was decreased as space velocity was increased. Besides, after long-term test of catalyst, the results showed that the performance of the catalyst acted still fairly well in oxidation. To realize the physical properties of catalysts, some analytic instruments such as SEM, EDS, EA, XRD were used. These analytic results could also tell us the difference between fresh and aged catalysts. Two kinetic models, Power rate law Model and Mars-Van Krevelen Model, were used to fit the kinetic mechanism of the decomposition of IPA. The fitting result was that Power rate law Model was rather suitable to describe the catalytic decomposition of IPA in the operational conditions in this work, and the reaction order was nearly first order.

Water alternating gas (WAG) injection is a proven technique to enhance oil recovery. It has been successfully implemented in the field since 1957 with recovery increase in the range of 5-10% of oil-initially-in-place (OIIP). In 2004, Herbert L. Stone presented a simultaneous water and gas injection technique. Gas is injected near the bottom of the reservoir and water is injected directly on top at high rates to prevent upward channeling of the gas. Stone's mathematical model indicated the new technique can increase vertical sweep efficiency by 3-4 folds over WAG. In this study, a commercial reservoir simulator was used to predict the performance of Stone's technique and compare it to WAG and other EOR injection strategies. Two sets of relative permeability data were considered. Multiple combinations of total injection rates (water plus gas) and water/gas ratios as well as injection schedules were investigated to find the optimum design parameters for an 80 acre 5-spot pattern unit. Results show that injecting water above gas may result in better oil recovery than WAG injection though not as indicated by Stone. Increase in oil recovery with SSWAG injection is a function of the gas critical saturation. The more gas is trapped in the formation, the higher oil recovery is obtained. This is probably due to the fact that areal sweep efficiency is a more dominant factor in a 5-spot pattern. Periodic shut-off of the water injector has little effect on oil recovery. Water/gas injection ratio optimization may result in a slight increase in oil recovery. SSWAG injection results in a steady injection pressure and less fluctuation in gas production rate compared to WAG injection.

Thesis (M.S.) in Quaternary Studies--University of Maine, 2002. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 198-208).

Thesis--Auburn University, 2010. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.104-107).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2003. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 347-375). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

The aim of this essay is to investigate the impact bronze had on the South Scandinavian society during the period 2400-1700 B.C. What happened when bronze began to arrive in the Scandinavian Late Neolithic society? How did it spread and how did this influence the society.

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