Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Industrial feasibility'

A methodology was developed for determining the economic feasibility of a wood products industrial park. The methodology consists of twelve steps that address the goals of park owners, the feasibility of secondary manufacturing alternatives, the feasibility of the development corporation, and the financial areas needing management attention. Prerequisites to the financial analysis include market and technical analyses. Community impact analysis was also acknowledged as an important component of an overall feasibility analysis.

A case study was performed that consisted of an economic feasibility analysis for a wood products industrial park in Southwest Virginia. The case study assumed private ownership and found that the best mix of park tenants included: an edge-glued dimension panel manufacturer, a solid dimension lumber manufacturer, a custom millwork manufacturer, and a pallet manufacturer. Primary manufacturing and marketing services were included in the preferred park formation as subsidiaries of the park development corporation. The park was predicted to have a strong positive impact on the regional economy.
Master of Science

Bibliography: leaves 107-110.
DebTech Pty(LTD), a subsidiary of De Beers South Africa, has designed a low dosage digital X-ray machine called LODOX. This innovative machine has been commissioned in Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. It is capable of performing standard radiological scans, producing high quality images quickly and in a digital form.

Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-133).
A feasibility study for the application of reset control to the temperature control loop of a pressurized exothermic batch leach reactor in the hydrometallurgical Precious Group Metals (PGM) industry is carried out. Keywords: Reset control; Clegg integrator; initial states; industrial batch reactor; temperature control; exothermic reactions; multiple reactions; dissolve; leach; hydrometallurgy; platinum; Precious Group Metals (PGMs).

The reutilization of waste products is an important matter where world view is focusing. The most common liquid waste is waste water coming from organic processes that carries an overdose of organic compounds, usually nontoxic. Traditionally this organic contaminants have been ignored and just pumped out to the environment, or in the best case neutralized into less contaminant forms. But during the past years eutrophication (overfertilization of aquatic ecosystems) has led to many environmental problems, pushing forward more active measures for removing such contaminants from water. One of the most promising ways of doing it is aquaponics, a soilless crop growing that uses waste water as fertilizer, solving two big problems: it cleans the waste water coming from fish factories and reduces the consume of fertilizer which is a product harmful to the environment in its production and use. This farming technique is really young but is gaining more popularity each year. This work is the study of the viability of implementing an aquaponics waste water treatment in a future fish farm in Oulu, on the north of Finland. Finland is a country with hard conditions for producing vegetables so most of them are imported. All the efforts made into not relying so much in external imports are welcomed and aquaponics was one of the options taken into account when deciding how the waste water cleaning process would be. The calculus process has been made step by step stating from the desired fish production and from there calculating how much vegetables would be produced and the amount of space it takes. In the economic aspect, it has been proved that the factor that caused most of the costs was the weather, as Oulu has a subpolar climate that is not mitigated enough for being a coastal city. The main result of the study has been that aquaponics does not report profits, being the artificial light the most expensive factor. Heat costs can be mitigated importing waste heat from another factories of the area like paper factories, but vegetables need artificial light in winter that has proven to be too much expensive for the benefits the vegetables reported. The study can be used as a basis for other aquaponics studies as it sets a system easy to follow for calculating the different parameters that appear in aquaponics. Also, it stays as an evidence that aquaponics can be hard of implement in extreme weather and other systems may be needed.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small-scale farmers have the opportunity to gain access to markets through a contract farming arrangement. The key question is whether it is financially feasible for a small-scale farmer to enter into a contract. The objectives of this study were to develop a model that could be used to determine the financial feasibility of small-scale contract broiler farming in an intensive production system, compare three different genotypes namely: Cobb500 males X Hybro G females, Ross 308 males X Potchefstroom Koekoek females (crossbred) and the purebred Potchefstroom Koekoek, and evaluate current smallscale farmers’ broiler production by means of a case study. Financial performance indicators such as the net present value, cash flow and profit and loss statements were used to analyze the feasibility of all the scenarios. The model was built in Microsoft Excel. Five hundred, 1500 and 2500 birds/cycle scale of production were analyzed. Results revealed that based on the capital costs used, a 500 birds/cycle scale of production was uneconomical and that a farmer would have to receive R25.01/kg broiler meat in order to break even. The 1500 scale of production showed much better results. A farmer could break even at R17.51/kg meat. The capital investment cost of the 2500 scale of production was so high that the farmer would have had to sell his broiler meat for R18.54/kg. Performance traits of genotypes were collected through an experiment and data was statistically analyzed using ‘Statistica 9’. Results showed that there were significant differences between the cumulative feed intake, feed conversion ratios and the European production efficiency ratio of the different genotypes. No significant difference was found in the liveability of the genotypes. Data on performance traits was used as input into the model so that the economic feasibility of the genotypes could be compared. Results showed that a purebred Potchefstroom Koekoek genotype was not suitable for an intensive production system and that the crossbreed did not perform as well as the broiler breed, but that it would be worthwhile investigating the performance traits of the cross breed under less optimal conditions or in a free-range system. The lower capital costs necessary for a freerange system, together with the high premium paid for free-range broiler meat, may give admirable results in the economic feasibility of a small-scale broiler farm.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kleinboere het die geleentheid om deur kontrak boerdery toegang tot markte te verkry. Die vraag is egter of dit finansieël haalbaar is vir 'n kleinboer om kontraktueel verbind te word? Die doelwitte van die studie was om: ‘n model te ontwikkel wat gebruik kan word om die finansiële lewensvatbaarheid van' n klein-skaalse braaikuikenboer te bepaal onder 'n intensiewe produksiestelsel; verskillende genotipes naamlik: Cobb500 hane X Hybro G henne, Ross 308 hane X Potchefstroom Koekoek henne (kruising) en die suiwer Potchefstroom Koekoek te evalueer en die die huidige klein-skaal boer se braaikuikenproduksie deur middel van 'n gevallestudie te evalueer. Finansiële prestasie aanwysers soos die netto huidige waarde, kontantvloei, asook wins en verlies state was gebruik om die haalbaarheid van die verskeie gevalle te analiseer. Die model is op Microsoft Excel gebou. ‘n Produksie skaal van 500, 1500 en 2500 kuikens/siklus is ontleed. Resultate het getoon dat, gebaseer op die kapitale koste wat gebruik is, 'n produksie skaal van 500 kuikens/siklus onekonomies is en dat ʼn boer R25.01/kg sal moet ontvang om gelyk te breek. Die produksie skaal van 1500 kuikens/siklus het beter resultate getoon. 'n Boer kan gelyk breek teen R17.51/kg vleis. Die kapitale beleggingskoste van die produksie skaal van 2500 kuikens/siklus was so hoog dat die boer R18.54/kg sou moes ontvang het om gelyk te breek. Prestasie van genotipes is ingesamel deur middel van 'n eksperiment en data is statisties ontleed met behulp van Statistica 9. Resultate het getoon dat daar hoogs beduidende verskille tussen die kumulatiewe voerinname, voeromsetsverhoudings en Europese produksie effektiwiteits verhouding van die verskillende genotipes is. Geen beduidende verskil is gevind in die leefbaarheid van die genotipes nie. Inligting oor die prestasie eienskappe is gebruik as insette tot die model sodat die ekonomiese haalbaarheid van die genotipes vergelyk kon word. Resultate het getoon dat 'n suiwer Potchefstroom Koekoek genotipe nie geskik is vir 'n intensiewe produksie stelsel nie en dat die kruising nie so goed soos die braaikuiken gevaar het nie, maar dat dit die moeite werd sal wees om ondersoek in te stel na die produksie potensiaal van die kruis kuiken in minder optimale toestande, soos ‘n vryloop stelsel. Die laer kapitale koste en die hoë premie wat betaal word vir vryloop braaikuikenvleis mag geloofwaardige resultate op die ekonomiese haalbaarheid van 'n kleinskaalse braaikuikenboer toon.

This work was done with the purpose of evaluating different forms of soybean milk processing, the product acceptance by the public, and to do a study on the feasibility for the production of milk at a small scale to be used as a nutritional supplement in school breakfasts. The soybean milk was prepared with 2 varieties "(Cristalina and Doko)" and two periods of enzymatic inactivation (Before and After) of the grain mush. The "organoleptic" quality was evaluated through surveys and its posterior statistical analysis. Parameter quality was also considered just as did the microbiologic analysis and the conservation tests. The surveys showed that the products obtained were of regular acceptance. The statistical results indicate that the best treatment was that of the variety "doko" with its enzymatic inactivation previous to the trituration. The degree of microbiologic contamination is moderate, it is within the ranges permitted by human consumption. The conservation tests showed that soybean milk without conservatives can have, if refrigerated, a duration similar to that of cow's milk. The financial economic analysis showed that it is possible for the installation of small rural soybean milk processing plants (VAN=2058.68, TIR=34.8). Finally, it is concluded that soybean milk can be constituted as part of a fundamental basic food to lighten the high malnutrition present in the rural and urban areas of our country.

The wallpaper company Duro Sweden AB, one of the most important Scandinavian

wallpaper manufacturers, wants to decrease its energy use and costs and make its

production more environmentally friendly. It implies changes in the key process energy

use whom consists mainly by drying process using heat production from oil.

The purpose of this project, studied by the consulting company Sweco Theorells AB,

is to determine the feasibility of a change in the energy utilisation implemented to the

most representative process to propose future solutions’ basis on the future energy

question.

The company use mainly two kind of energy, electricity with 1055MWh per year and

oil with 1985MWh per year. The oil power consumption and cost represent respectively

65% and 73% of the global part.

Several proposed changes with better energy efficiency are presented : use of district

heating as a heat source, Infrared Drying, combination, etc; but due to the important

rebate make by the Swedish government on the oil price, they are not currently viable to

achieve.

But the constant rise of the oil price could be sooner a strong incentive to make these

improvals, strongly environmentaly friendly and power consumption reducer,

economicaly viable in the long term.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The 1990s were characterised by a process of rapid political change in South Africa, which resulted in a period of transition in the economic and social spheres of this society. South Africans need to adapt to the shift in political leadership as well the rapid rate of technological innovation globally. Leadership theory has evolved from more traditional approaches such as the trait approach and behavioural approach to more recent theories such as situational leadership theories, leader-follower exchange theories and leadership decision-making theories. The recent trends in the field of Industrial Psychology lead to a more comprehensive and all-inclusive theory of leadership, namely transformational leadership. South Africa needs transformational leaders to drive and manage the change process. From the literature study it is evident that there is a need for transformational leadership training and development in South Africa. Therefore the main goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of transformational leadership training and development in South Africa. The main problem is divided into four sub-problems. In order to develop South African managers into transformational leaders, it is important that a need for transformational leadership training exists. Therefore the first subproblem is concerned with the need for the development of transformational leadership skills in South African leaders. The data of all South African leaders (7,563 cases) that were rated on Form 5X of the Multi-factor-Leadership Questionnaire (instrument measuring transformational leadership) was obtained from Productivity Development Pty. (Ltd.). This data was generated from March 1995 to June 1999. Firstly, the Ideal Theoretical Leadership Profile is compared to the total South African sample (N=7563). Secondly, leaders who performed effectively in the world of work were extracted from the total South African sample and were compared to the rest of the South African sample. Thus the Ideal Effectiveness Leadership Profile (N=657) is compared to the rest of the South African sample (N=6906). In both instances the profiles of the South African sample resembles the two ideal leadership profiles. The fact that the South African leaders scored well below the norms of the two ideal profiles on transformational leadership dimensions indicates that there is a need for the development of transformational leaders in South Africa. Thirdly, the t-test is utilised in order to compare the total South African sample (N=7,443) to an international sample (N=2080). The South African sample scored significantly higher on transformational leadership scales than their international counterparts. This indicates that South African leaders compare well to international standards regarding transformational leadership Once it was assessed that there is a need for South African leaders to be developed as transformational leaders, it was important to determine whether the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) is a valid instrument for measuring transformational leadership in South Africa. Transformational leadership training and development can not be managed in South Africa unless it can be measured. Therefore the second subproblem was concerned with the construct validity of the MLQ in South Africa. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilised in order to assess the construct validity of the MLQ on 7563 cases. The final first-order analysis indicated that there is not conclusive evidence for the 8-factor structure in the South African context. More comprehensive research is needed in order to prove the validity of the MLQ beyond reasonable doubt in the South African context. After the conclusion was reached that transformational leadership training is needed in South Africa, it was decided to investigate the practical implementation of transformational leadership training in South Africa. In order to investigate the practical implementation of transformational leadership training, high-level managers trained at the Graduate School of Business, University of Stellenbosch (USB) were assessed as a microcosm of the larger South African sample. The USB group (N=120) was compared by means of t-tests to two other groups, namely the rest of the South African sample (N=7443) and an international sample (N=2080). The third sub-problem was thus concerned whether the USB group was a select group. The USB group scored significantly higher on all of the individual transformational factors than the two other groups. The results suggest that the USB is a select group. Once it was concluded that the USB group was a select group, they were tested on Kirkpatrick's reaction level of evaluation in order to determine whether they benefited from the course, although their MLQ scores reflected that they were already acting in a transformational manner. The fourth sub-problem was thus concerned with evaluating the reactions of the USB group towards the Full Range Leadership Programme. Overall the participants (N=46) gave a positive reaction towards the programme. Although the USB group can be classified as a select group, participants believed that the programme was of practical use. This substantiates the argument that there is a need for developing transformational leaders. The results indicate that transformational leadership training and development is feasible in South Africa. Finally, on the basis of the results of this study, conclusions and recommendations are made for future research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die negentigerjare word gekenmerk deur 'n proses van snelle politieke verandering in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing, wat In oorgangsperiode in die ekonomiese en sosiale sektore ingewy het. Dit is noodsaaklik dat Suid-Afrikaners aanpas by die veranderinge in politieke leierskap, asook by tegnologiese vooruitgang. Die leierskapsteorie, wat vroeër bestaan het uit die meer tradisionele benaderings soos die karaktertrek- en die gedragsbenadering, het gestalte gekry in meer onlangse teorieë. Hierdie teorieë sluit in die gebeurlikheids-, leier-volgeling-uitruilings- asook die leierskapsbesluitnemingsbenaderings. Die huidige neiging binne die wêreld van die Bedryfsielkunde is In meer omvattende en alles-inklusiewe benadering ten opsigte van die leierskapsteorie, naamlik transformasieleierskap. Suid-Afrika benodig transformasieleiers om die proses van verandering aan te dryf en te bestuur. Uit die literatuurstudie is dit duidelik dat daar 'n behoefte is aan transformasieleierskap-opleiding en -ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika. Vervolgens is ~die hoofdoel van hierdie studie om die praktiese uitvoerbaarheid van transformasieleierskap-opleiding en -ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika te bepaal. Die hoofprobleem word in vier sub-probleme verdeel. Daar word van die standpunt uitgegaan dat dit belangrik is om die transformasieleierskapsvaardighede van Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders te ontwikkel. Die eerste sub-probleem fokus op die behoefte van Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders aan opleiding in transformasieleierskap. Die data is ingesamel van alle Suid-Afrikaanse leiers (7,563 proefpersone) wat op die Multi-faktor Leierskapsvraelysvorm 5X (instrument wat transformasieleierskap meet) beoordeel is. Hierdie data is deur Productivity Development (Pty) Ltd beskikbaar gestel, en is vanaf Maart 1995 tot Junie 1999 ingesamel. Eerstens is die Ideale Teoretiese Leierskapsprofiel vergelyk met die leierskapsprofiel van die totale Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef (N=7,563). Tweedens is leiers wat effektief in die praktyk funksioneer, die Ideale Effektiwiteit Leierskapsprofiel (N=657), onttrek van die totale Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef en vergelyk met die res van die Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef (N=6,906). In beide gevalle is daar 'n verwantskap gevind tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef en die twee ideale leierskapsprofiele. Derdens is daar van 'n t-toets gebruik gemaak om die res van die Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef (N=7,443) met In internasionale steekproef te vergelyk. Die Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef het beduidend hoër tellings as die internasionale steekproef op alle transformasieskale behaal. Hiervolgens voldoen die Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef aan internasionale standaarde ten opsigte van transformasievaardighede. Nadat vasgestel is dat daar 'n behoefte bestaan aan transformasieleierskap-opleiding in Suid-Afrika, is daar ook besluit om die geldigheid van die Multi-faktor Leierskapsvraelys (MLO) onder Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede te ondersoek. Transformasieleierskapopleiding en -ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika kan nie bestuur word tensy dit akkuraat gemeet word nie. Daarom fokus die tweede sub-probleem op die konstrukgeldigheid van die MLO onder Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede. Daar is van bevestigende faktor-ontleding gebruik gemaak om die konstrukgeldigheid van die MLO by 7,563 proefpersone te bepaal. Die 8-faktorpatroon lewer nie voldoende bewys dat die MLO weloor 'n mate van konstrukgeldigheid onder Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede beskik nie. Nog in-diepte navorsing word benodig om bo redelike twyfel die geldigheid van die MLO onder Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede te bevestig. Nadat tot die gevolgtrekking gekom is dat daar 'n behoefte aan opleiding in tranformasievaardighede bestaan, is die praktiese implementering van transformasieleierskap-opleiding in Suid-Afrika ondersoek. Vir hierdie doel is hoëvlakbestuurders, wat opgelei is by die Nagraadse Bestuurskool aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (USB), ondersoek as 'n mikrokosmos van die groter Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef. Die USB-groep (N=120) is deur middel van t-toetse met die res van die Suid-Afrikaanse groep (N=7,443) en 'n internasionale steekproef (N=2,080) vergelyk. By die derde sub-probleem moes bepaal word of die USB-groep 'n uitgelese groep is. Dié groep het beduidend hoër tellings by al die afsonderlike transformasiefaktore as die ander twee groepe behaal. Die gevolgtrekking kan dus gemaak word dat die USB-groep wel uitgelese is. Hierna is die groep gemeet aan Kirkpatrick se reaksievlak. By die vierde sub-probleem is die USB-groep se reaksie ten opsigte van die "Full Range Leadership Programme" geëvalueer. Oor die algemeen het respondente (N=46) 'n positiewe reaksie teenoor die program getoon. Die USB-groep het die program as betekenisvol beskou, en alhoewel hulle 'n geselekteerde groep is, dui dit aan dat daar tog onder hulle 'n behoefte is aan opleiding in transformasievaardighede van Suid- Afrikaanse bestuurders. Die resultate dui aan dat daar onder bestuurslui in die algemeen 'n behoefte aan transformasieleierskap-opleiding en -ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika is. Ten slotte is gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings wat op die resultate van die studie gebaseer is, vir toekomstige navorsing gemaak.

A substantial share of the world’s energy is consumed in the form of heat in many distinct industries, which usually generates it through a boiler and consumes the heat by using steam as an energy carrier. In such factories, a cogeneration installation is economically and environmentally beneficial. In this thesis, a new type of cogeneration cycle for industrial biomass-fired boilers is studied, the Rankine Compression Gas turbine (RCG) cycle. Consisting in a combined Rankine and Brayton cycle that can be easily integrated in industries using steam boilers, the system presents clear advantages such as a up to 35% higher power output compared to a simple steam turbine system and a quick demand response in the electricity generation, being able to change its power output within seconds. Firstly, a time-based model is developed by implementing the differential equations that represent the dynamic behavior of all components, culminating in an easy-to-use Matlab-Simulink model; this model presents a robust modular concept, in which distinct systems and equipment can be studied. Then, a 40 kW pilot RCG system and a 100 kW commercial-scale RCG system are designed, aiming to investigate the system’s behavior and select its components. It is proven that most of the RCG components are found as off-the-shelf products and, thus, with reduced cost when compared to customized ones. The simulations show the system advantages and establish key design criteria for the RCG. Finally, an economic feasibility analysis of commercial-scale RCG systems is carried out. Even though the system’s feasibility is considerably sensitive to the electricity cost, capacity factor and fuel cost, the RCG system presents a payback time from 2 to 4 years and a levelized cost of electricity between €0.07 and €0.12 per kWh.
En väsentlig del av världens energikonsumtion sker i form av värme inom industrier. Dessa industrier genererar oftast värmen med hjälp av en värmepanna där ånga agerar som energibärare. I dessa industrier är en kraftvärmeinstallation både ekonomisk och miljömässigt försvarbar. I denna rapport studeras en ny teknik för kraftvärmecykler för industriella värmepannor drivna på biomassa, en så kallad Rankine Compression Gas turbine (RCG) cykel. Bestående av en kombinerad Rankine och Brayton cykel som enkelt kan integreras inom industrier som använder ångpanna. Systemet visar på tydliga fördelar, som up till 35% högre kraftutflöde, jämfört med ett system med en enkel ångturbin. Den har även snabb respons gällande el generering, med möjlighet att ändra produktionen inom fåtal sekunder.  Inledningsvis utvecklades en tidsbaserad modell genom att implementera differentialekvationerna som representerar komponenternas dynamiska beteende, vilket resulterade i en användarvänlig Matlab-Simulink modell. En modell som representerar en robust modulärt koncept, där distinkta system och utrustning kan studeras.  Därefter designades ett 40 kW pilot RCG system och ett 100 kW RCG system i kommersielle skala, med förhoppningen att undersöka systemets beteende och välja ut dess komponenter. Det visades att de flesta RCG komponenter är standardprodukter och var därmed billigare än specialbeställda. Simuleringarna visar systemets fördelar samt väsentliga kriterier gällande design och utformning av RCG.   Slutligen utfördes en ekonomisk genomförbarhetsanalys av storskaliga RCG system. Trots att systemets genomförbarhet är relativt känslig för elkostnader, kapacitetsfaktorn och bränslekostnader, ger RCG systemet en återbetalningstid från 2 till 4 år samt en stabil elkostnad mellan 0,07 och 0,12 euro/kWh

Continuous counter current extraction (CCCE) or dual flow counter current chromatography (DFCCC) is a promising technique where components can be separated continuously by two liquid phases that flow in opposite directions through a continuous length of coiled tubing. Specially designed end connectors and a coil planet centrifuge allow each respective phase to be pumped into each end of the tubing and the other phase to elute at each opposite end. In this thesis the feasibility and the mechanics of CCCE are investigated using stroboscopic photography on an experimental rig and a specially built pilot-scale CCCE centrifuge. The mechanics of the hydrodynamics in the coil was investigated systematically by comparing the measured volumes with photographic images of the process. This investigation revealed that the phases are not distributed evenly throughout the coil, which was previously assumed, but that there is a transition area where the phases switch from mainly upper phase at the head end of the tubing to mainly lower phase at the tail end. This means that the sample encounter three different phase distribution zones in the coil. At the head the upper phase is the dominant phase with a small volume of lower phase running through. At the tail the reverse situation is found and lower phase is dominant. The third zone is a short segment of the coil where there is a transition between the dominant phase conditions that exist at each end. The position of the transition zone and the volume of the other two zones are profoundly affected by the relative flow rates of the two phases. This work indicates that the volume distribution in the coil is affected most by the upper phase flow rate. The pilot-scale CCCE centrifuge was used to successfully separate industrially supplied samples. Crude reaction liquor was processed in both batch and continuous modes achieving the separation of the multi-component mixture into two groups. Changing the flow rate combinations changed the location of elution of some of the components in the mixture. Separation efficiency was maintained even when sample loading was increased. The separations were shown to be predictable with the dual flow theoretical model.

Since Pre-Colombian time corn already formed part of the diet in Aztec and Mayan cultures, and actually represented in them a fountain of wealth and power. The cultivation is utilized in the region in multiple forms, not only for the human diet, but also as feed for animals. Corn is third place in the world production, following wheat and rice. It is cultivated in a total surface of 106 million hectares, its yield is 215 million tons, that represents an average of 2 tons per hectare. The cultivation of corn has special importance, given that this cereal constitutes the basic food the Latin-Americans. This cereal adapts extensively to diverse ecological conditions. Its high performance and future possibilities of even more improvement through genetics make this cereal one of the plants most promising to confront the threat of hunger in the world. For this reason, it is cultivated in almost every part of the world because of its ample range of elevations. It can grow from sea level to approximately 2500 meters. In the last few years, the world production of corn has grown an average of 3.2% per year, set against 1.1% of semi-annual growth, for surface sown. This difference comes from a strong increase of the average unit yield. This was possible thanks to use of highly productive hybrid corn, with the aid of improve agricultural techniques, such as greater plantation density, more resilient, uses of more effective pesticides and herbicides, etc. In Bolivia, the agriculture area has large potential to develop, but because of political causes not appropriate for our country, and the insufficient economic resources that destines the area to stay rural, these negative aspects are responsible for the backward movement and the misery, making it impossible to develop the agriculture area. The region of Cochabamba, constitutes the main supplier of food. In the country, the economic activity of the valleys are based mainly in agriculture and stockbreeding, being characterized as a growing zone and basically for cereal, whose preferential scale of cultivation is as continues: Corn, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and other. The population of Cochabamba varies because of the growing of corn is only in the seasons of summer and part of the fall, the rest of the time few people stay there. The farmers, to obtain better prices, try to harvest at the start and end of the growing seasons, this is possible when they make a good management of plant's health, irrigation, and soil. etc., due to the smaller effort, the prices are higher, but in the months of February and March is when the effort pays off, because almost all of the farmers harvest, and the prices of this product drops, many times even below the price of production, being consequence of the dry culture. The price of fresh corn on the cob is greater than dry corn. When corn is fresh it has different uses such as humitas, lawas and corn on the cob. El Valle Alta (Punata), the farmers do not market their produce in the markets, despite of the small farms of the area, for this cause merchants truckers exist that gather the produce of all the farmers, and take the majority of the profits, which is why it is necessary for industrialization of the agricultural production. The vegetables are directly or indirectly the source of all the food, because they are capable of using solar energy and to carry out diverse chemical synthesis, that cannot be performed by animals. The principles of the same they are photosynthesis, which consists of the application of the solar energy, to synthesize carbohydrates, and the fixation of nitrogen, which is the foundation for the synthesis of the proteins. The vegetables most consumed are the cereals, legumes, and tubers, they constitute the basic diet. The word ""vegetable"" includes an extensive range of vegetables, and the majority of the vegetables contain at most 60%-80% of the water.

The concept of the ‘managed clinical network’ has provoked significant attention for its promise as a means of improving services for people where their condition requires care across a range of organisations and agencies. The concept suggests a model of service organisation and governance that gives privilege to working relationships among organisations, clinical work groups, and/or individual clinicians and so promotes coordination and integration of scarce care resources, knowledge and practice. Despite repeated calls by the World Health Organisation for the adoption of managed clinical networks in developing countries, the feasibility of the network model of service delivery in this setting has not been demonstrated. Taking the implementation of programme clusters for care and support of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as a ‘more feasible’ case study, this thesis examines the process of transfer of the idea of the managed clinical network into less advanced settings. The empirical findings in this dissertation suggest that the two programme clusters, as suggested by the expressed ‘Theory of Change’, altered networks of relationships and produced new forms of collaborative practice within these HIV/AIDS programme clusters in response to understanding of the disease as a ‘wicked problem’, requiring collective action. Though operationally feasible, the findings of this research study also indicate that, because these networks challenge existing institutional arrangements in Nigeria, the ability of collaborating partners to sustain the networks without reform within the institutional context is unclear. Further research is recommended, to explore ‘whether’, ‘how’, and ‘why’ the policy/idea of the managed clinical network, as an alternative means of service integration, might be situated in an institutional context that is characterized by a mix of modes of governance (hierarchy and markets) typical of Nigeria, and the possibility of ‘sustainable transfer’ into this environment.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the techno-economic feasibility of operating an aquaponics farm in South Africa. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing type of food production in the world, yet South Africa is lagging behind international efforts to boost the industry. An independent academic feasibility study on small scale aquaponics farms in South Africa has not been performed before, causing current and prospective farmers to be uncertain about the prospects of the venture. The study is approached by investigating the aquaculture and aquaponics industry and gathering the relevant information. By investigating other models used to represent aquaculture or aquaponics systems, the required information is gathered in order to build a unique model for the purpose of determining the feasibility of the case study farms. The model is modified to represent each of the case study farms. The results show that the majority of the farms are not economically viable. A sensitivity analysis provides some insight on how varying certain parameters can affect the performance of the systems. Using the information gathered in the case studies and research, a near-ideal system is specified in order to establish whether this improved system can be viable whilst taking into account the constraints placed upon aquaponics ventures in South Africa. The study suggests some recommendations for current and prospective farmers that might improve their chances of succeeding with an aquaponics venture. The study finds that currently aquaponics in South Africa is hindered by a number of constraints that result in it being a high-risk venture with meagre returns on investment. However, the study shows that if an aquaponics system were designed, built and managed correctly, it could theoretically be an economically viable venture. The investigation has, in a logical method, provided insight into the viability of operating an aquaponics farm in South Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die lewensvatbaarheid van akwaponika in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Akwakultuur is die tipe voedselproduksie wat die vinnigste groei in die wêreld, maar Suid-Afrika hou nie tred met die internasionale poging om akwakultuur te ontwikkel nie. „n Onafhanklike lewensvatbaarheid studie oor kleinskaal akwaponika plase in Suid-Afrika is nog nooit onderneem nie. Dit veroorsaak dat huidige en voornemende akwaponika boere onseker is oor die uitkomste van hulle ondernemings. Die studie is benader deur die akwaponika en akwakultuur bedrywe te ondersoek, en die relevante inligting te versamel. Deur ander modelle wat gebruik word om akwakultuur en akwaponika sisteme te verteenwoordig te ondersoek, is die nodige inligting versamel om „n unieke model te bou wat gebruik word om die lewensvatbaarheid van die gevallestudies te bepaal. Die model is aangepas om elkeen van die gevallestudies te verteenwoordig. Die resultate wys dat die meerderheid van die gevallestudie plase nie ekonomies lewensvatbaar is nie. „n Sensitiwiteitsanaliese gee insig oor hoe spesifieke parameters die prestasie van die sisteme affekteer. Deur die inligting wat versamel is tydens die gevallestudies en navorsing te gebruik, kan „n sisteem gespesifiseer word om te bevestig of hierdie verbeterde sisteem lewensvatbaar kan wees terwyl dit die beperkings waaronder akwaponika sisteme in Suid Afrika geplaas word in ag neem. Die studie verskaf „n paar aanbevelings vir huidige en voornemende boere. Hierdie aanbevelings kan die kanse van sukses van die ondernemings verbeter. Die studie het gevind dat akwaponika in Suid-Afrika deur „n aantal beperkings benadeel word, wat lei tot „n situasie waar dit „n hoë-risiko onderneming is, met lae opbrengste op die belegging. Maar, die studie wys ook dat as „n sisteem korrek ontwerp, bou en bestuur word, dit teoreties „n ekonomies lewensvatbare onderneming kan wees. Die studie het op „n logiese wyse insig gegee oor die haalbaarheid van akwaponika in Suid-Afrika.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
South African companies, as well as international companies using South Africa as a base, that have reached an appropriate size, track record and capacity to consider expanding abroad often look at business opportunities in their neighbouring countries, specifically those that are members of the Southern African Development Corporation (SADC). The markets and business environment of the 15 members in the Community differ substantially amongst themselves, but each has some characteristics and business potential to recommend it to the expansion seeking SA corporation. This paper provides an exhaustive analysis of the SADC's economic environment and characteristics. As such, it makes sense for a South African company that produces high-technology products or services and sells in the business-to-business market space to explore markets in geographical proximity to itself. The existence of the SADC region as a trade block, its associated objectives to improve regional inter-trade and regional socio-economic stability and established infrastructure motivates the focus of this study. It is envisaged that further study could be suggested to identify and develop methods to ascertain market feasibility that could be applied to other countries in Africa and in the world market. According to Thompson (2006b: 1), a business feasibility study can be defined as “a controlled process for identifying problems and opportunities, determining objectives, describing situations, defining successful outcomes and asssesing the range of costs and benefits associated with several alternatives for solving a problem.” The identification, extraction, presentation and consolidation of lessons learnt could benefit new market entrants by identifying possible pitfalls before they embark on a market entry campaign. The study delves into the intricacies of doing business in emerging economies, doing business in Africa and doing business in SADC countries. The external and internal forces that could prove instrumental and decisive in the success of an organisation that seeks to measure market feasibility is examined, thus identifying key warning signs or hazards that would hamper feasibility before embarking on costly business plans and marketing campaigns. The study develops a proposed decision support matrix to determine market feasibility. This matrix could prove useful as a preliminary investigation tool for companies active in the sector and exploring the different geographical markets in question to base an initial business decision on, prior to investing in a business plan or more focused business intelligence.

Software testing verifies the program's functional behavior, one important process when engineering critical software. Measuring the degree of testing is done with code coverage, describing the amount of production code affected by tests. Both concepts are extensively used for industrial systems. Previous research has shown that gathering and analyzing test coverages becomes problematic on large-scale systems. Here, development experience, implementation feasibility, coverage measurements and analysis method are explored; providing potential solutions and insights into these issues. Outlined are methods for constructing and integrating such gathering and analysis system in a large-scale project, along with the problems encountered and given remedies. Instrumentations for gathering coverage information affect performance negatively, these measurements are provided. Since large-scale test suite measurements are quite lacking, the line, branch, and function criteria are presented here. Finally, an analysis method is proposed, by using coverage set operations and Jaccard indices, to find test similarities. Results gathered imply execution time was significantly affected when gathering coverage, [2.656, 2.911] hours for instrumented software, originally between [2.075, 2.260] on the system under test, given under the alpha = 5% and n = 4, while both processor & memory usages were inconclusive. Measured criteria were (59.3, 70.7, 24.6)% for these suites. Analysis method shows potential areas of test redundancy.

The wastewater treated at the Hopewell Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (HRWTF) is very unique both because it is comprised of effluents of seven different industries in the area in addition to the domestic wastewater in the area, and because it reaches high temperatures in the basins, often above 45oC during the summer. Four different bench scale systems consisting of continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in series were operated during the summer of 1997 to quickly assess the feasibility of nitrifying and denitrifying the total flow at HRWTF down to a final effluent total nitrogen concentration of 10 mg-N/L or less. The four main treatment strategies tested were: aerobic/anoxic treatment of the final effluent of HRWTF at moderate temperatures (approximately 30oC); anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2/O) treatment of the primary effluent of HRWTF at moderate temperatures; treatment of the effluent of one of the industries which had a high ammonia wastewater and which was originally believed to contain nitrification inhibitors; and fully aerobic treatment of the primary effluent of HRWTF at high temperatures (of approximately 40 to 45oC) with an activated sludge gradually acclimated to such temperatures over the course of two months. At the end of the study, a two-week high temperature study was conducted on the system which had been treating the secondary effluent all summer with the same activated sludge which was acclimated only to temperatures around 30oC. The fully aerobic high temperature system which had been nitrifying the primary effluent all summer was converted to a modified Lutzack-Ettinger (MLE) process at the end of the study to test whether the primary effluent could be denitrified as well as nitrified at high temperatures with the sludge acclimated to high temperatures. All four of the main treatment strategies demonstrated that nitrification and denitrification of either the total flow or the high ammonia side stream could be achieved down to the desired total nitrogen concentrations. The high temperature study conducted on the system which had been treating the secondary effluent all summer indicated that the sudden increase from approximately 30oC to approximately 40oC over a twenty-four hour period, similar to the sudden temperature increase which occurs every spring at HRWTF, quickly ends nitrification in a system not acclimated to high temperatures, while denitrification and COD removal is hardly affected by such a temperature change. While the nitrification performance of the gradually acclimated system treating the primary effluent at high temperatures was adequate, problems maintaining a consistent MLVSS or ETSS concentration suggested that the high temperatures seen in the basins at HRWTF are likely to make consistent treatment difficult. As a result of considering both capital cost requirements and quality of treatment, the bench scale testing suggested that the most likely candidates for successful treatment of the total flow down to desired total nitrogen concentrations would involve either the A2/O treatment of the primary effluent of HRWTF, possibly with the addition of a cooling tower, or A2/O treatment of the high ammonia side stream, possibly involving the dilution of the wastewater with one of the other flows sent to HRWTF. It was concluded that pilot scale evaluation of the two options was required for a final design decision, and pilot scale evaluation was being performed when this thesis was completed.
Master of Science

With the continuous development in computer and communications technology the use of computer aided design in design processes is becoming more commonplace. A wide range of virtual prototyping technologies are currently in development, some of which are commercially viable for use within a product design process. These virtual prototyping technologies range from graphics tablets to haptic devices. With the compression of design cycles the feasibility of using these technologies for product evaluation is becoming an ever more important consideration. This thesis begins by presenting the findings of a comprehensive literature review defining product design with a focus on product evaluation and a discussion of current virtual prototyping technologies. From the literature review it was clear that user involvement in the product evaluation process is critical. The literature review was followed by a series of interconnected studies starting with an investigation into design consultancies' access and use of prototyping technologies and their evaluation methods. Although design consultancies are already using photo-realistic renderings, animations and sometimes 3600 view CAD models for their virtual product evaluations, current virtual prototyping hardware and software is often unsatisfactory for their needs. Some emergent technologies such as haptic interfaces are currently not commonly used in industry. This study was followed by an investigation into users' psychological acceptance and physiological discomfort when using a variety of virtual prototyping tools for product evaluation compared with using physical prototypes, ranging from on-screen photo-realistic renderings to 3D 3600 view models developed using a range of design software. The third study then went on to explore the feasibility of using these virtual prototyping tools and the effect on product preference when compared to using physical prototypes. The forth study looked at the designer's requirements for current and future virtual prototyping tools, design tools and evaluation methods. In the final chapters of the thesis the relative strengths and weaknesses of these technologies were re-evaluated and a definitive set of user requirements based on the documentary evidence of the previous studies was produced. This was followed by the development of a speculative series of scenarios for the next generation of virtual prototyping technologies ranging from improvements to existing technologies through to blue sky concepts. These scenarios were then evaluated by designers and consumers to produce documentary evidence and recommendations for preferred and suitable combinations of virtual prototyping technologies. Such hardware and software will require a user interface that is intuitive, simple, easy to use and suitable for both the designers who create the virtual prototypes and the consumers who evaluate them.

Biomass is a valuable and limited resource that should be used efficiently. The potential of replacing fossil-based products with bio-based ones produced in biobased industrial systems is huge. One important aim of increasing the share of biobased products is to improve the sustainability of systems for production and consumption. Therefore, it is important to evaluate what solutions are available to improve the sustainability performance of bio-based industrial systems, and if they also bring negative impacts. The thesis focuses on assessing the role of biogas solutions in developing sustainable bio-based systems. Such assessments are often quite narrow in their scope and focus on quantitative environmental or economic aspects. This thesis aims at also including feasibility related aspects involving the contextual conditions that are assessed more qualitatively. Biogas solutions are identified as a versatile approach to treat organic materials which are generated in large volumes in bio-based industrial systems. The results show that biogas solutions in bio-based industrial systems (i) improve circular flows of energy and nutrients, (ii) are especially viable alternatives when the quality of the by-product streams become poorer, and (iii) may improve the profitability of the bio-based industrial system. To perform better assessments of these systems, it seems valuable to broaden the set of indicators assessed and include feasibility-related indicators, preferably through the involvement of relevant stakeholders as they contribute with different perspectives and can identify aspects that influence the sustainability in different areas. Future studies could benefit from applying those broader assessments on more cases to build on a more generalisable knowledge base.

Background: Agricultural workers in New Zealand have high rates of occupational injury compared to most other occupational groups. They are also over-represented in work-related fatal injury statistics. While it is recognised that the personal and social costs of occupational injuries to agricultural workers are considerable, the ability to develop and evaluate evidence-based injury control strategies for this group has been limited by the lack of quality information on occupational exposures and injury events. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to develop and pilot a comprehensive occupational exposure and acute injury outcome data collection system for agricultural workers which will provide an evidence base for a public health approach to acute occupational injury control within the agricultural sector of New Zealand. The thesis objectives were therefore to: * Develop study methods to collect occupational exposure and injury outcome information. * Assess the likely validity of these study methods. * Determine the feasibility of implementing the study methods. * Suggest modifications to the study methods to enhance their validity and feasibility. Methods: Pastoral farms in the Waitaki region of New Zealand were identified using a database of New Zealand farm owners. The owners and workers on these farms were contacted and asked to participate. Participants were required to complete an Initial Questionnaire which included items on farm and personal characteristics, the farm environment, training, safety perceptions and attitudes and safety behaviour. Participants were then monitored for six months. During the monitoring period each participant completed a monthly log of their work activities during the preceding week. Any work-related injuries to workers on participating farms were also recorded and reported monthly. Participants who were injured were followed up for an interview to obtain detailed injury event information. At the end of the monitoring period a second Questionnaire was administered to assess change during the study. Participants were asked about any occupational injury events during the study as part of one of the monthly logs and the second Questionnaire to provide a comparison measure to the monthly reports. A random third of participating farms were visited at the end of the study to assess the validity of participants� reports on the farm environment. Results: Sixty-two farms were recruited into the study, a recruitment rate of 24%. This resulted in 82 study participants. Fifty-seven farms and 72 participants completed the study, resulting in retention rates of 92% and 88% respectively. Return of study items was high, with the lowest observed level of return being 92%. Levels of response error were low in most of the study items, with exceptions being the recording of the hours spent handling animals (37%) and total hours worked (22%). Most postal items (over 68%) were returned before a reminder call was made. Participants� reports about the farm environment closely matched the observations made during the visits, with little evidence of significant misreporting. The validity of reported injury events during the study could not be determined, as the two methods of capturing injury events identified different events. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, most of the study methods appeared to be feasible and have acceptable validity. The low recruitment rate and issues with validating the capture of injury events indicated that modifications to the study design were necessary to achieve acceptable validity and feasibility, however. Recommendations were made on how feasibility and validity might be improved.

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Food security is a national priority, according to Section 27 of the South African Constitution. It states: “Every citizen has the right to have access to sufficient food and water, and that the state must by legislation and other measures, within its available resources, avail to progressive realisation of the right to sufficient food.” Nevertheless, while food security is clearly a government priority and regardless of the country being considered as self-sufficient in respect of food production, food insecurity remains a dire South African challenge. This study presents the improvement of smallholder pig farmers to a commercial standard with funding from the government as a potential means to address poverty and food insecurity in South Africa. Commercial standard pig farms as opposed to smallholder pig farms provide increased employment, food production, biosecurity and food safety. This investigative study evaluates the economic feasibility of a smallholder commercial pig farm in the Mamre area. The Empolweni community’s pig farmers serve as the case study and as an example of a typical smallholder pig farming community. Their current operations are studied, the requirements for a conversion to a commercial standard are assessed and the profitability and sustainability of the proposed commercial model is judged. The study’s findings indicate that specific scenarios (high production performance, large pig farm unit sizes, pork price increases or feed costs reductions) a commercial smallholder pig farm can achieve economic feasibility. However, trends indicate that there is low likelihood of the required conditions to achieve economic feasibility will be able to occur. The thesis judges only the potential economic feasibility of the case study, as opposed to the economic feasibility of commercial smallholder pig farmers on a national or regional level.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Voedsel sekuriteit is ‘n nasionale prioriteit en vorm deel van die Artikel 27 Grondwetlike regte in Suid-Afrika. Die Grondwet stel dat elke landsburger die reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water het en dat die staat deur middel van wetgewing en ander maatreëls, binne sy beskikbare middele, progressiewe verwesenliking van die reg op voldoende voedsel moet laat geskied. Nietemin, alhoewel voedsel sekuriteit ongetwyfeld ‘n prioriteit van die regering is en ten spyte daarvan dat Suid-Afrika as selfonderhoudend ten opsigte van voedselproduksie gesien word, heers onvoldoende voedsel sekuriteit steeds. Hierdie studie stel die volgende moontlike oplossing voor: Suid-Afrikaanse kleinskaalse varkboere moet hul bedrywighede opgradeer na 'n kommersiële standaard. Verskeie redes kan gegee word waarom hierdie oplossing 'n gangbare opsie bied om armoede en voedselsekuriteit in Suid-Afrika teë te werk. Kommersiële varkboere, in teenstelling met kleinskaalse varkboere, bied verhoogde vlakke van voedselproduksie, werkskepping, biosekuriteit en veiliger voedingsbronne. Hierdie studie poog om die ekonomiese gangbaarheid van ‘n kleinskaalse kommersiële varkplaas in die Mamre omgewing te bepaal. Die Empolweni gemeenskap se varkboere dien as 'n gevallestudie van ‘n tipiese kleinskaalse varkboerdery gemeenskap. Hul huidige bedrywighede is ondersoek, die benodighede vir ‘n opgradering is bepaal en die winsgewendheid en volhoubaarheid van die kommersiële model is beoordeel. Bevindings toon dat vir spesifieke gevalle (hoë produksievlakke, groot varkplaaseenhede, varkprys verhogings en voerkoste verlagings) ‘n kommersiële kleinskaalse varkplaas ekonomiese gangbaarheid kan behaal. Alhoewel, tendense toon dat daar ‘n lae waarskynlikheid is dat die nodige kondisie om ekonomiese gangbaarheid te behaal sal kan plaasvind. Die tesis oorweeg slegs die ekonomiese gangbaarheid van die gevallestudie. Die ekonomiese gangbaarheid van kleinskaalse varkboere op ‘n nasionale of streeksvlak word dus nie ingesluit nie.

The purpose of this study is to identify the various events that would attract tourists, and develop strategies that would reach the target market to increase tourism in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), formerly known as the Trucial States prior to 1971.

Industrial private forest landowners in British Columbia have traditionally viewed their forest lands as a raw material supply for their wood processing facilities. However, they are now experiencing social and political changes which are restricting the way their forests are managed. These changes have enormous implications for large forestry firms, such as Canadian Pacific Forest Products. A portion of their lands, the focus of this study, has been examined to assess the impact of these restrictions on traditional land use. In addition, non-timber values have been examined for their revenue generating potential. A study area was delineated near the community of Sooke, B.C. Fishing, hunting, deer farming and camping were assessed. In order to complete the analysis, the costs in terms of foregone timber values, were calculated under a number of different assumptions. The impact of changes in bare land values on decisions with respect to the non-timber values were also examined. A number of policy changes, both by the landowner and the various levels of government involved, are required to promote forestry with a renewed emphasis on recreation. Initiating these changes is the next stage in the preparation of a recreation management plan for the area under study in this thesis.
Forestry, Faculty of
Graduate

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Tese (Doutoramento)
IPEN/T
Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

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Several industrial wastewater treatment plants using biogas from anaerobic processes in plants as a source of fuel for generators of electricity. This biogas comprises mainly methane which results from the digestion of organic matter in bioreactors. Biogas as alternative energy source, can be a viable solution for two major global problems that comes with population growth: increasing energy consumption and increased production of solid, liquid and gaseous. The viability of such use depends directly on the capacity of each project. This work is an approach to the study of economic viability of biogas use generated in a brewery for conversion into electricity. All data collected were collected during the period from June 2013 to July 2014, in the company's information system. The biogas generated in ETEI a brewery for conversion to electricity was studied. As the deployment of value biogas reuse project, the cost reduction opportunity for brewing and demonstrated the economic viability of biogas reuse as electric power through more traditional financial indicators as payback (bp), net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), efficiency ratio and hurdle rate. Because the growth of drinking and consequently organic load in effluent generation, as we have great potential in this business the generation of biogas that can be converted into electrical energy using already dominated the market technology.
Várias estações de tratamento de efluentes industriais utilizam biogás, proveniente de processos anaeróbios, em usinas como fonte de combustível para grupos geradores de energia elétrica. Este biogás é composto principalmente de metano que resulta da digestão da matéria orgânica em biorreatores. O biogás como fonte de energia alternativa, pode ser uma saída viável para dois dos maiores problemas mundial que vem acompanhando o crescimento populacional: o consumo cada vez maior de energia e, o aumento da produção de resíduos sólidos, líquidos e gasosos. A viabilidade desse tipo de utilização depende diretamente da capacidade produtiva de cada empreendimento. Este trabalho faz uma abordagem do estudo de viabilidade econômica do uso de biogás gerado em uma cervejaria para conversão em energia elétrica. Todos os dados levantados foram coletados durante o período de junho de 2013 a julho de 2014, no sistema de informações da empresa. Foi estudada a produção de biogás gerado na ETEI de uma cervejaria para conversão em energia elétrica. Assim como o valor de implantação do projeto de reaproveitamento de biogás, a oportunidade de redução de custo na produção de cerveja e demonstrado a viabilidade econômica do reaproveitamento do biogás como energia elétrica através dos indicadores financeiros mais tradicionais como payback (pb), valor presente líquido (VPL), taxa interna de retorno (TIR), índice de eficiência e taxa de atratividade. Devido o crescimento do consumo de bebidas e consequentemente geração de carga orgânica nos efluentes, temos como grande potencial nesse ramo a geração de biogás que pode ser convertida em energia elétrica utilizando tecnologia já dominada no mercado.

Thesis (MEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa’s health sector has not yet shown enough improvement to reach the Millennium Development Goals related to health. One of the problem areas is the low infant and child vaccination coverage in certain areas of South Africa. The use of mobile phones in health care (mHealth) has the potential to strengthen the primary health care system through improved information management. A mobile health solution for vaccination (MHSV) can be used to improve information management of vaccinations, which in turn can improve vaccination coverage. However, the feasibility of implementing such an MHSV in the South African context is unknown. This study therefore investigates the feasibility of using mobile phones to improve information management for child vaccinations in South Africa. Feasibility is determined by using a feasibility framework together with business model development. The feasibility framework, which is informed by a literature study, surveys and a case study, determines the feasibility of an MHSV in terms of human factors, technical feasibility, information management, policies and ethics, and economics. It is found that an MHSV is feasible in South Africa, although certain areas pose challenges that will have to be considered. Complementing the feasibility framework, business models are developed to suggest possible ways in which an MHSV can be deployed in South Africa. These models build on the results from the feasibility framework and are developed using Osterwalder’s business model canvas. The effect of the National Health Insurance (NHI) on these business models is also examined. In order to validate the feasibility framework and business models, interviews were held with experts in health care and mobile phone solutions. These interviews show that the research is valid and that the feasibility framework and business models can be generalised to the wider field of mHealth solutions.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika se gesondheidsektor het nog nie genoeg verbetering getoon om die gesondheidsverwante Millenium Ontwikkelingsdoelwitte te bereik nie. Een van die probleemareas is die besondere lae inentingsdekking van babas en kinders in sekere gebiede van Suid-Afrika. Die gebruik van selfone vir gesondheidsorg hou die potensiaal in om die primêre gesondheidsorgstelsel te versterk deur inligtingsbestuur te verbeter. ’n Inentingsoplossing wat gebruik maak van selfone, bekend as ‘n “mobile health solution for vaccination” (MHSV), kan inligtingsbestuur van inentings verbeter, wat hoër inentingsdekking tot gevolg kan hê. Die haalbaarheid van die implementering van so ’n MHSV in die konteks van Suid-Afrika is egter onbekend. Hierdie studie ondersoek dus die haalbaarheid daarvan om selfone te gebruik vir beter inligtingsbestuur van kinder-inenting in Suid-Afrika. Haalbaarheid word vasgestel deur ’n haalbaarheidsraamwerk en die ontwikkeling van besigheidsmodelle te gebruik. Die haalbaarheidsraamwerk, wat toegelig word deur ’n literatuurstudie, vraelyste en ’n gevallestudie, bepaal die haalbaarheid van ’n MHSV in terme van menslike faktore, tegniese haalbaarheid, inligtingbestuur, beleid en etiek, en ekonomie. Daar word gevind dat ’n MHSV haalbaar is in Suid-Afrika, alhoewel sekere areas uitdagings inhou. Die haalbaarheidsraamwerk word aangevul deur die ontwikkeling van besigheidsmodelle wat moontlike maniere voorstel waarop ’n MHSV in Suid-Afrika ontplooi kan word. Hierdie modelle word geskoei op die resultate van die haalbaarheidsraamwerk en word ontwikkel met behulp van Osterwalder se besigheidsmodelskema (“business model canvas”). Die effek van die nasionale gesondheidversekering op hierdie modelle word ook ondersoek. Onderhoude met kundiges in die veld van selfoonoplossings vir gesondheidsorg word gebruik om die haalbaarheidsraamwerk en die besigheidsmodelle te valideer. Die onderhoude toon dat die navorsing geldig is en dat die haalbaarheidsraamwerk en besigheidsmodelle veralgemeen kan word na die wyer veld van selfoonoplossings vir gesondheidsorg.

The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of the multichannel strategy in a B2B complex product context through an in-depth case study on ABB control systems. Firstly, the study focused on investigating the channel strategy for the current ABB control systems. The channel structure and sales cycle have been identified. Secondly, the study identified the challenges which have existed in the channels for ABB control systems. Channel conflicts and lack of channel integration have been recognized as the major challenges. Finally, the thesis proposed improvement suggestions on how to reduce channel conflicts and increase channel integrations for ABB control systems.

La biomasse animale issue de la filière porcine, qui est faiblement valorisée, nécessite la mise en œuvre de nouveaux procédés de diversification. L’identification de peptides bioactifs (PBs) est une voie prometteuse pour la valorisation de cette biomasse. Cela permet d’un point de vue environnemental de mieux rentabiliser les consommations en ressources naturelles (surface de culture, eau, énergie) ayant servi à l’alimentation des porcs, en fournissant un débouché économiquement intéressant à ces sous-produits. D’autre part, la génération de peptides bioactifs utilisables dans les domaines de la pharmacologie, la cosmétique, ou l’alimentation s’inscrit dans la demande croissante des consommateurs pour l’élaboration de molécules plus naturelles. L’objectif de ce projet est d’identifier des conditions d’hydrolyse optimales permettant de générer, à partir de sous-produits porcins, de nouvelles molécules bioactives à visée nutritionnelle ou médicale. Une étude de potentialité in silico est menée sur quatre matrices porcines (cœur, foie, poumon et muscle) afin d’évaluer leur capacité à générer des PBs, après hydrolyse enzymatique. De plus, la stabilité des peptides générés est testée en condition de digestion gastro-intestinale via l’utilisation d’un modèle statique. Finalement, le développement de la méthode à l’échelle pilote est réalisé. Les études in silico ont permis de sélectionner le couple d’enzymes papaïne/subtilisine présentant une forte potentialité dans la génération de peptides avec une activité antioxydante, antidiabétique (iDPP4) et antihypertensive (iECA) pour les quatre matrices d’étude. La validation in vitro, a confirmé la présence des activités antioxydante et iDPP4 dans les quatre hydrolysats générés avec la papaïne et la subtilisine. Il est noté que l’activité biologique des hydrolysats de cœur, de foie et de poumon est exacerbée au cours de la digestion gastro-intestinale. Les expérimentations sur la digestion d’un palet de porc supplémenté en hydrolysat de cœur ont montré que i) la température de cuisson (70°C ou 90°C) impacte peu le niveau des activités iDPP4 et antioxydante au cours de la digestion, ii) la supplémentation permet d’augmenter significativement l’activité iDPP4 par rapport à un échantillon témoin. Un effet plus modeste de cette supplémentation sur l’activité antioxydante a été observé et iii) l’activité antioxydante des palets de porc supplémentés augmente significativement (+40%) entre le compartiment gastrique et intestinal. Enfin, la méthodologie de génération des peptides bioactifs est transposable à l’échelle pilote moyennant l’utilisation d’enzymes commerciales et de paramètres d’hydrolyse adaptés. Les fractions peptidiques présentant une bioactivité significative pourront être valorisées comme ingrédients aromatiques et servir pour supplémenter des produits alimentaires dans le but d’obtenir des allégations de santé
The poorly valorized animal biomass from the pig sector requires the implementation of new recovery processes. The identification of bioactive peptides (BPs) is a promising way to valorize this biomass. From an environmental point of view, it is possible to reduce the consumption of natural resources (surface of culture, water, energy) having used for the feeding of the pigs, by providing an economically interesting outlet to these by-products. On the other hand, the generation of bioactive peptides that can be used in the fields of pharmacology, cosmetics or food is part of the growing consumer demand for the development of more natural molecules. The objective of this project is to identify optimal hydrolysis conditions allowing generating, from porcine by-products, new bioactive molecules for nutritional or medical purposes. An in silico potency study is conducted on four porcine products (heart, liver, lung and muscle) to evaluate their ability to generate PBs, based on the use of different enzymes. In addition, the stability of the generated peptides is evaluated in the gastrointestinal tract using an in vitro static model. Finally, the method for the generation of BPs is developed at a pilot scale. In silico studies allowed to select the papain / subtilisin pair of enzymes for the generation of the highest number of peptides with antioxidant, antidiabetic (DPP4i) and antihypertensive (ACEi) activities. In vitro validation confirmed the presence of antioxidant and DPP4i activities in the four hydrolysates generated with papain and subtilisin. The biological activity of heart, liver and lung hydrolysates increases during gastrointestinal digestion. Experiments on the digestion of a pork patty supplemented with heart hydrolysate have shown that i) the cooking temperature (70°C or 90°C) slightly modulates iDPP4 and antioxidant activities during digestion, ii) supplementation significantly increases iDPP4 activity compared to a control sample. A moderate effect of this supplementation on the antioxidant activity was observed and iii) the antioxidant activity of the supplemented pork patty increases significantly (+ 40%) between the gastric and intestinal compartment. In addition, the methodology for the generation of bioactive peptides is possible on a pilot scale with commercial enzymes and adapted hydrolysis parameters. Peptide fractions with significant bioactivity can be valued as aromatic ingredients and to supplement a food product for obtaining health claims

Worldwide CO2 generation is estimated to range between 25 and 30 gigatonne per year. Environmental specialists and legislators suggest that preventing even a small percentage of this CO2 from entering the atmosphere can help alleviate the emission-induced climatic changes. It is estimated that for the cement industry, each tonne of cement clinker generates approximately 0.8 tonne of CO2. Therefore, the mitigation of carbon dioxide has become a collective global challenge, where legislative efforts in many countries seek to mandate the recovery of flue gas CO2 in the near future. The concept of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) presents a valid means towards the effective containment of CO2 in the cement industry and its long-term fixation through utilization in the concrete industry. Carbonation curing meets the criteria of less emissions and energy consumption by presenting proactive efforts towards sustainable construction practices in the cement and concrete industries. In this study, the basic concept of CCU in cement and concrete industry will be adapted to model cradle-to-grave scenarios for carbonation curing of concrete products, which are then compared to conventional steam curing to investigate the economic, technical, and environmental benefits. The energy consumption related to the different components of CCU, which include CO2 capture, compression, transportation and utilization, were optimized to yield the lowest cost of carbonation curing scenario. Given CCU's economic benefits and strength attributes, it is possible for cement and concrete industry to attain the levied regulated emission reductions, justify its environmental contribution and keep economical competitiveness.
La production mondiale annuelle de CO2 est estimée être entre 25 et 30 gigatonnes. Les spécialistes de l'environnement et les législateurs suggèrent que la prévention d'un pourcentage minime de ce CO2 relâché dans l'atmosphère peut contribuer à atténuer les changements climatiques induits par ces émissions. Il est considéré que pour l'industrie du ciment, chaque tonne de scorie de ciment produite émet environ 0.8 tonne de CO2. Par conséquent, l'atténuation de dioxyde de carbone est devenue un défi collectif mondial, d'où les efforts législatifs dans de nombreux pays cherchent à imposer la récupération des gaz de combustion du CO2 dans un avenir proche. Le concept de la capture du carbone et de son utilisation (CCU) présente un moyen valable afin de confiner efficacement le CO2 dans l'industrie du ciment ainsi qu'à sa fixation permanente grâce à son utilisation dans le béton. Le durcissement du béton par carbonatation présente un moyen proactif pour réduire les émissions ainsi qu'à diminuer la consommation d'énergie dans la production de produits de béton durables. Dans cette étude, la CCU dans l'industrie du ciment et du béton sera adapté à des scenarios pour modéliser le concept du berceau à la tombe pour le durcissement de carbonatation de produits en béton. Ces scénarios seront ensuite comparés à la vapeur conventionnel durcissement pour enquêter sur les avantages économiques, techniques et environnementaux. La consommation d'énergie liée aux différentes étapes de la CCU, qui comprennent la capture, la compression, le transport et l'utilisation, ont été optimisés pour obtenir le coût le plus bas dans le scénario de durcissement de carbonatation. Compte tenu des avantages économiques du CCU et la résistance mécaniques des produits carbonatés, il est possible pour le ciment et l'industrie du béton à atteindre les réductions d'émissions réglementés, justifier sa contribution à l'environnement et maintenir sa compétitivité économique.

Energy is undoubtedly the driving force at the core of the development of any nation. There is a direct relation between per capita income and energy consumption. The way this energy is produced, supplied and consumed, affects the local and global environment and is therefore a key issue in sustainable development. The Kingdom of Morocco which is not an oil-producing country is heavily dependent on imported energy to meet its energy demand. Morocco relies on imports for nearly 90 % of its hydrocarbon needs, with the total cost of its imports fluctuating between US$1 billion and US$1.5 billion per year. Electricity supplies are based largely on the combustion of imported coal, which is mainly obtained from South Africa, and imported crude oil from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Nigeria, together with electricity imports from Spain and Algeria. This dependence has had an unusually large impact on its economy and environment, affecting foreign exchange, the national debt and government revenues and investment budgets according to the Moroccan Government. In Morocco, the renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass are plentiful, widely distributed and environmentally attractive. These resources add no net contributions to the atmospheric carbon dioxide and add no heat to the global environment. Levels of solar insolation exceed 5.00 kWhJm2/day on a horizontal plane in much of the country throughout much of the year, wind resources are favourable for both small scale and wind farm developments in some locations, hydro resources for micro applications are for the most part unexplored but likely to be available in the mountainous regions with good precipitation. Whilst bio-energy reserves are scarce throughout much of the arid and semi arid regions of the country, urban waste is abundant and offers good opportunity for processmg. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of renewable energy sources in meeting Morocco's primary energy demand. In this thesis, the energy, electricity, environmental and renewable energy budget for Morocco against the global backdrop is discussed and the related institutional, implementation and policy frameworks including assessment of barriers are analysed. The thesis also addresses renewable energy resource assessment which is a prerequisite to undertake any meaningful exercise to integrate renewable energy technologies into rural energy plan within the overall national energy scenario in Morocco. Furthermore, a comprehensive and scientific model for all important renewable resources such as solar, wind, biomass and micro-hydro throughout the country has been developed, which is a starting point for all future initiatives including private sector participation and market development in this sector. The proposed renewable energy plan could set Morocco on the path to a sustainable energy system with associated economic benefits setting a model for other African and developing countries to follow. The plan clearly contributes to the envisaged purpose of increasing renewable energy contribution in the primary energy balance bringing significant social and environmental benefits into the process. Plentiful wind and solar radiation resources and the proximity to Europe put Morocco in a strong position. Import of technology from and export of electricity to Europe could become a promlSlng strategy to limit the global greenhouse effect and to boost the Moroccan economy.

This thesis discusses industrialization in Tanzania by looking at the extent to which Tanzanian domestic environment conforms to the industrial aspirations of the country as reflected by its industry as well as foreign policy. This study also explores the drivers for and challenges of industrialization in the world, Africa and, particularly, in Tanzania. The study revealed that there are challenges to industrialization that affects Africa, these include; lack of competitiveness, weak logistics and trade facilitation systems, slow regional integration and absence of accreditation frameworks. The study also investigates the internal drivers for industrialization in the context of the situation in Tanzania to identify its readiness to attract foreign investment in the industrial sector. With the application of descriptive analysis in conjunction with the method of regression analysis on the data from 1961 (the year that the country gained independence) to 2015, the findings show that low agricultural output and mechanization, unreliable power supply as well as fettered economy have constrained the industrial growth and development of Tanzania. The study discusses the problems and opportunities, and drawn from the theoretical background and conceptual framework with more focus on the results. The following recommendations were made for a more effective move towards the pursuit of industrialization: the country should focus on agricultural innovations and mechanization, it should make vocational training more accessible and affordable to its communities and, last but not least, electricity sources should be diversified for a more promising power supply.

碩士
國立高雄大學
國際高階經營管理碩士在職專班(IEMBA)
99
After a comprehensive all links in Taiwan strait response to both sides, the impact of the economic development of Kinmen and Matsu, according to the CEPD plan, I hope the unique field use of the landscape, Kinmen and Matsu, Taiwanese culture, ecological tourism, marine tourism resources ... and so on Peach Blossom Island, and adjacent to the advantage of the mainland development of tourism industry. And the Government's future production of solar, biomass, wind, hydro and other renewable energy sources, the Government will ensure that the acquisition, profits and cost recovery to encourage industry development of renewable energy, energy independence rate is very low in Taiwan, the adverse environment, renewable energy worthy of development. This development is also timely to catch the world's green energy industry trend.specially in the technology systems overhaul. The development of Kinmen and the future should be different thinking, can develop into the unique conditions of the region. Compared to ten years, Xiamen has developed into an international metropolis, little development of Kinmen, Kinmen because one-third of the military authorities, one-third of the national park, only one-third of the land to be developed, so urgent center government policy is very critical,shall be guide the Kinmen future.Government can be follow Korea or Japan, Okinawa, establish special administrative regions, opening up the introduction of international capital and international trade in tourism activities, even by international BOT to trust management, reduction of limits, can soon become the most favorable prospects. Kinmen is an island surrounded by the sea, sunny wind recurrent, extensive use of wind power sunlight into energy-saving environmental protection, eco-island should be the development of green energy and green Gammon best time for sightseeing. Which, if considered on the island landscape and settlement landscape features to the development of small and beautiful area of green energy and other renewable forms of energy and spread in the villages, should be more to improve the economic benefits of green power generation. Through this study, data compilation and interviews, obtained results that the development of Kinmen island into green energy potential, as long as with the implementation of government policies and related business investment, with the Kinmen itself, Kinmen can move toward green energy, ecology, tourism target the development of the island. Based on the results of this study to make recommendations to the Government planning policy and related business planning investments for reference.

碩士
元智大學
生物科技與工程研究所
106
The foreseeable future is the commercial opportunity for the plastic and cosmetic industry . As long as these medical techniques fulfilled customer’s appeal for skin repair , it defintely will become the focus of future medical marketing . In the past study, Ectoine was evaluated in mouse skin test. Skin moisture content of each mouse is increased by 5 to 6% via a commercially available water meter probe. This fact proved that Ectoine has capability of moisturizing. In the evaluation of sunburn protection, it showed that 5% of Ectoine can significantly soothe skin inflammation of each mouse under UV stimulation. According to the above evaluation, Ectoine is a natural cell protective agent which has the capability of whitening, antioxidant, moisturizing and sunburn protection. These evidences prove that Ectoine is potential to multi-capability cosmetic applications. The main purpose of this thesis is to explore feasibility study on the application of cosmetics industry by ectoine . In this thesis, we build a series of experiments (including safety test in zebrafish, whitening test in peacockfish, cell culture, whitening test in cell and so on.) to assess the capabilities of Ectoine. The results show that Ectoine has features of anti-high temperature and considerable safety, The whitening application test was based on extracellular experiments about fish and intracellular experiments about mouse melanoma cells (B16F0). In temperature experiment , Ectoine has high stability without concentration decline after sterilization .In the safety testing , We confirmed Ectoine has high safety without side effects . In the extracellular experiments about whitening evaluation using peacock fish whitening effect . In intracellular experiments under UV using Ectoine 200ppm , melanin in mouse melanoma cells (B16F0) started to reduce ; Ectoine can maintain cell growth under different concentration 400-1000ppm with melanin function reducing effect; Under the same settings without UV, higher Ectoine concentration under 800 ppm, melanin mouse cells (B16F0) was starts to reduce. The Ectoine can inhibit production of mouse melanin and decrease melanin amount，it dose not inhibit melanin function . Also, Under UV and Ectoine concentrations 400~600ppm, the production of melanin was inhibit and amount of melanin was decrease efficiently.