Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'WCMS'

This master’s thesis deals with the determination of conditions and the proposal of appropriate instruments within the World Class Manufacturing system (WCM), mainly its pillars Professional Maintenance (PM), in order to remove, with the assistance of subsequent analysis, all the waste which occurs in the enterprise and consequently to appropriately optimise the activities of staff, especially the specialized engineers.

Mestrado em Engenharia Civil<br>Na presente dissertação é realizado um estudo de viabilidade da aplicação de módulos sanitários pré-fabricados na reabilitação do edificado antigo, focado na parte hidráulica. Atualmente, não se prevê um significativo crescimento do património edificado, mas sim a massificação da reabilitação de edifícios existentes. Em qualquer edifício a reabilitar, é usual a renovação dos WCs, seja porque as tubagens se encontram degradadas, seja porque funcionalmente e/ou esteticamente os WCs se encontram desadequados. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com a colaboração da Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Casa do Futuro (INOVADOMUS) e a empresa Oliveira & Irmão S.A. Este relatório aborda tópicos referentes ao edificado antigo, às soluções atuais de WC pré-fabricado e ao módulo sanitário em estudo. Dado este trabalho incidir em distintos tópicos, o presente relatório divide-se em duas partes. A primeira parte aborda as características e evoluções do edificado antigo, a caracterização do edifício onde será instalado o módulo sanitário (casa Santo António- Sede INOVADOMUS) e uma análise às diferentes soluções de WC que existem atualmente. Tanto a caraterização do edificado antigo como a da casa Santo António são apenas efetuadas para os elementos construtivos associados à instalação e disposição do módulo sanitário. A segunda parte refere-se à análise e dimensionamento da rede hidráulica constituinte do módulo sanitário. Inicialmente, é concebido um traçado hidráulico, tanto para a rede de distribuição de água como para a rede de drenagem de águas residuais, que satisfaça a versatilidade quanto às possíveis disposições do módulo sanitário. Após uma análise às componentes hidráulicas geralmente empregues em obra foi efetuado o dimensionamento da rede de distribuição de água e da rede de drenagem de águas residuais para o traçado anteriormente abordado. O dimensionamento efetuou-se segundo o atual Regulamento Português, as Normas Europeias e o futuro Regulamento Português, onde se elaborou uma posterior comparação dos resultados obtidos. Para ambas as redes dimensionadas, foi realizada uma subsequente análise económica para as várias soluções de componentes hidráulicas.<br>In this dissertation is carried out a feasibility study on the application of prefabricated sanitary modules in the rehabilitation of old buildings, focused on the hydraulic part. Currently, it is not expected a significant growth of the built heritage, but the massification of rehabilitation of existing buildings. In any building to be rehabilitated, it is usual the renovation of bathrooms, either because the pipes are damaged, either because functionally and / or aesthetically the bathrooms are inadequate. This work was developed with the collaboration of the Association for the Development of Future House (INOVADOMUS) and Oliveira & Irmão S.A. This report covers topics related to ancient buildings, the current solutions of prefabricated WC and the sanitary module in the study. Given that this work focus on different topics, this report is divided in two parts. The first part discusses the old buildings characteristics and evolutions, the characterization of the building where it will be installed the sanitary module (house Santo António - Headquarters InovaDomus) and an analysis of the different bathroom solutions that currently exist. Both the characterization of ancient buildings as that of the Santo António house are only made to the constructive elements associated with the installation and arrangement of the sanitary module. The second part refers to the analysis and dimensioning of the hydraulic network that constitutes the sanitary module. Initially, a hydraulic layout is designed both for water distribution network as for the sewerage network, which satisfies the versatility regarding the possible arrangements of the sanitary module. After an analysis of the hydraulic components usually employed on site, was done the dimensioning of water distribution network and sewerage network to the previously defined layout. The dimensioning was executed according to the current Portuguese Regulation, the European Standards and the future Portuguese Regulation, where it was produced a posterior comparison of the results obtained. For both dimensioned networks, it was performed a subsequent economic analysis for the various hydraulic components solutions.

Intervalos dos batimentos (R-R) vêm sendo considerado pela literatura, como um dos mais promissores meios de análise do sistema autônomo. Porém, diversos monitores e seus métodos, necessitam de validação através da análise dos parâmetros de VFC. O objetivo deste estudo foi validar um instrumento portátil, específico para mensuração dos intervalos dos batimentos (R-R) da marca WCS Pulse. Para a proposta deste estudo, 30 indivíduos do sexo masculino praticantes de Jiu-Jitsu, foram monitorados através de ECG e monitor WCS Pulse. Os parâmetros de VFC: intervalos (R-R), LF, HF e LF/HF foram coletados em pré- exercício, 24 e 48 horas após exercício. Conforme os resultados observados, os instrumentos ECG e WCS Pulse apresentam forte correlação e forte coeficiente de correlação intra-Classe, nos parâmetros de VFC (LF, HF e LF/HF). Por outro lado, quanto aos valores de Student t aplicados nos intervalos (R-R), foi observado diferença significativa entre os instrumentos (p<0.05) em todos os momentos da pesquisa. Através deste estudo, pode-se considerar que o monitor dos intervalos dos batimentos (R-R) da marca WCS Pulse é uma ferramenta de biomarcador (não invasivo) eficaz. Nesta esteira, o equipamento de monitoração dos intervalos (R-R) WCS Pulse, demonstrou um grau de concordância para a utilização em centros de treinamentos esportivos e ciências da saúde; porém, os parâmetros de resolução de amostragem do instrumento WCS Pulse, deve ser mais bem observado quando for comparado com instrumentos existentes no mercado e ou eletrocardiogramas.<br>The RR interval has been considered in the literature, the most promising analysis autonomous system. However, several monitors and validation methods is necessary through of the HRV parameters analysis. The aim of this study was, validate portable specific instrument to measurement RR interval WCS Pulse. For the proposal of this study, 30 male practitioners of BJJ were monitored through ECG and monitor Pulse WCS in different ways. The parameters of HRV: RR interval, LF, HF and LF / HF were collected in pre-exercise, 24 and 48 hours after exercise. Results: ECG instruments and WCS Pulse demonstrated strong correlation (r), and strong values to coefficient of intra-class in HRV parameters (LF, HF and LF / HF). In the other hand, the Student t values applied on the RR interval, was observed significant difference between the instruments in all moments of the research (p <0.05). Through this study, we consider that monitor RR interval WCS Pulse is effective biomarker tool (noninvasive). Thus, the equipment monitoring of RR intervals WCS Pulse, showed highs degree of agreements for use in sports training centers and Health Sciences; However, the instrument sampling resolution parameters, WCS Pulse should be more observed when compared to existing instruments in the market and electrocardiogram.

Sammanfattning Inom de flesta företag finns möjligheter att påverka rörelsekapitalet genom Working Capital Management. Detta kan även förkortas WCM, vilket enligt Deloof (2003) kan definieras som arbetet med att styra företagets rörelsekapital. De flesta företag har dessutom avsevärda summor uppbundna i rörelsekapitalet, vilket medför att WCM har en betydande roll på företagets lönsamhet. I strävan efter att nå ett optimalt rörelsekapital finns det dock risk att företagen drabbas av negativa effekter. Syfte: Denna studie syftar till att undersöka effekterna av WCM och hur dessa effekter påverkas utifrån hanteringen av WCM. Metod: Studien består av en kvantitativ enkätundersökning riktad till svenska tillverkande företag. Analys: Att frigöra kapital beskrivs som det främsta motivet för att genomföra WCM. Det framgår också att initiativ till beslut om en minskning av rörelsekapitalet är centraliserade och det är sällsynt att initiativ startar i den operativa verksamheten. Det sker däremot en nära samverkan i processen av en minskning av rörelsekapitalet mellan de som initierar WCM och den operativa verksamheten. Studien visar att de flesta företag inte upplever några negativa effekter av WCM. De negativa effekter som uppmärksammas inträffar främst i produktionen och gentemot kunder. Slutsats: Svenska tillverkande företag anser att WCM är en högt prioriterad fråga. De beslut som fattas inom WCM medför att ju längre bort från verksamheten besluten tas desto fler negativa effekter medför detta. I arbetet med WCM förekommer en hög grad av samverkan. Det har även framkommit att ökad samverkan mellan ledning och den operativa verksamheten minskar negativa effekter i samband med WCM. Nyckelord: WCM, Working Capital Management, rörelsekapital, rörelsekapitalbindning, samverkan, beslut, negativa effekter<br>Abstract Most companies are able to influence the working capital through use of Working Capital Management (WCM). According to Deloof (2003), WCM can be defined as the process of controlling a company’s working capital. Since many companies have substantial sums tied up in the working capital, WCM can have a significant role in the company’s profitability. In the pursuit of finding an optimal working capital, there is a risk that companies will experience negative effects.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of WCM and how these effects are influenced by how the WCM is managed within the company. Methodology: The study consists of a quantitative survey directed to Swedish manufacturing companies. Analysis: Releasing capital is put forward as the main motive for WCM. It also appears that the initiative for decisions regarding reduction of working capital tend to be centralized, since these initiatives rarely start in the business operations. There is however a close interaction in the process of a reduction in working capital between those who initiate WCM and the operations. The majority of companies within this study do not experience any negative effects of WCM, but when it occurs it is mainly within the production processes or in customer relations. Conclusion: Swedish manufacturing companies believe that WCM is of high priority. This study indicates that negative effects will occur increasingly if decision-making is centralized. Working with WCM requires a high degree of collaboration as the results of this study also points out that through increased interaction between management and operations, negative effects associated with WCM can be reduced. Keywords: WCM, Working Capital Management, working capital, collaboration, decisions and negative effects

COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR<br>A exploração da Logística como atividade estratégica é o resultado da combinação entre a globalização, o aumento da proliferação dos produtos e da utilização de novas tecnologias, como por exemplo, a Tecnologia da Informação. Os Sistemas de Controle de Armazéns (Warehouse Control Systems WCS) passaram a dar importância à localização do material em um endereço arbitrário no armazém, eliminando a necessidade de locais fixos para a armazenagem, permitindo a estocagem onde quer que haja espaço dentro do armazém. Um sistema computacional deve permitir a melhor utilização do espaço. Esta dissertação se propõe a expor a importância da Tecnologia de Informação para a logística, concebendo um projeto em uma empresa de pequeno porte que se enquadre nas técnicas de gestão de armazém, de modo a realizar o mapeamento da atual operação do armazém da empresa. A metodologia empregada foi estudo de caso, utilizando-se o processo de pesquisa-ação, pela necessidade de reavaliação contínua do modelo implementado. Foram realizadas análises das operações antes e durante a implementação do WCS no armazém da referida empresa, além da descrição de suas principais funções e atividades. Foram feitas considerações e discussões práticas sobre a eficiência das operações atuais, bem como de suas funções e objetivos. Foi proposto um novo padrão de execução para as operações de armazenagem com destaque ao endereçamento, separação de pedidos, embalagem, unitização e expedição. Uma base de dados e um novo layout foram constituídos com o objetivo de dar suporte a estas atividades.<br>The exploration of Logistics as a strategic activity is the result of the combination and the use of new technologies, specially the Information Technology. Identified by area, properly registered and controlled by the computer, the Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), defines by an address the location of the material in the warehouse, eliminating the traditional existence of fixed places for storage and extending the stockpiling in several sections inside the warehouse,. The main objective of this dissertation is to conceive, in a small company, a project framed in the techniques of storage administration, or in other words, the development of the current operations of the company´s warehouse. The methodology used in the elaboration of this work included the action-research process, forced by the need of continuous reevaluation of the implemented model. The main functions and activities of the warehousing operations were described and analyzed before and after the implementation, with the intent to adjust the necessary modifications in the system and its operation. Several considerations and practical discussions are included about the current operation efficiency. A new standard for carrying out warehousing operations, to activities like location issues, separation requests, package, and shipment were suggested. A data base and a new layout have been developed in order to help the realization of these activities.

L'elaborato ha come oggetto l’analisi del processo di implementazione del WCM presso l’azienda L3 Calzoni s.r.l Il punto di partenza è stato quello di creare uno strumento definito Manufacturing Excellence Audit (M.E.A.) modo da proporre un’autovalutazione interna di ciò che manca per diventare World Class ed implementare successivamente dei progetti di miglioramento dei processi. Pertanto nei primi capitoli verranno presentati i principali concetti teorici alla base di tale metodologia. Inoltre alcuni aspetti sono trattati con maggiore attenzione poiché determinanti per la rilevazione di problematiche di cui viene fornita nei seguenti capitoli l’analisi di un caso reale. Nel quarto capitolo viene presentato il contesto in cui è stato effettuato lo studio definendo contestualmente i principali punti critici emersi durante l’autovalutazione. Successivamente partendo dai punti segnalati come deboli dalla M.E.A, la trattazione si focalizza sugli aspetti operativi e saranno quindi trattate le varie attività svolte così da evidenziare i miglioramenti ottenuti nell’implementazione di ogni singola politica. In particolare il focus è stato l’ottimizzazione del processo di produzione di due nuovi centri di lavoro, mediante l’applicazione dello SMED per favorire l’ottimizzazione del processo anche lo sfruttamento delle nuove tecnologie a disposizione nel campo delle macchine utensile ed anche un modello di analisi per la gestione delle scorte attraverso una analisi selettiva, sono state definite delle aree in cui intervenire al fine di ottenere una razionalizzazione delle risorse. Attraverso questo nuovo approccio si ha anche una reinterpretazione degli sprechi sulla base del valore economico dovuto ad una loro eliminazione. L'individuazione dei costi e la relativa classificazione secondo il modello di Pareto è stata realizzata con la creazione di un modello definito Loss Cost che tiene traccia di tutte le perdite aziendali, dalla progettazione alla produzione.

Couvert à plus de 80% de forêt tropicale, et dans le contexte du spectre de l'épuisement du pétrole, le Gabon est confronté au défi d'assurer un équilibre entre exploitation et préservation de ses ressources. Les politiques qui en découlent sont largement orientées par les engagements pris par le gouvernement pour répondre aux injonctions internationales, mais aussi à la pression des bailleurs de fonds et aux promoteurs du développement durable (ONG internationales, fondations, organismes de coopération...). Cette orientation vers une gestion durable des forêts a ainsi conduit le pays à des réformes considérables : nouveaux modes de gouvernance (avec l'implication de " nouveaux " acteurs aux ambitions diverses), nouveau code forestier, nouvelle organisation des institutions, nouveaux modes d'usages des forêts. Une rupture semble être marquée ici avec une gestion héritée des indépendances, voire de l'époque coloniale. Entre revendication d'une souveraineté nationale et gestion d'une ressource qui touche à des enjeux planétaires, la gouvernance des forêts s'avère complexe pour un État aux moyens techniques et financiers limités. Les espaces forestiers et les populations qui en dépendent deviennent ainsi le terrain d'affrontements de stratégies diverses, parfois divergentes, souvent calquées sur des modèles ne correspondant pas toujours à la réalité socio-culturelle locale, mais légitimées par le seul label de gestion durable. Notre thèse donne des clés de lecture sur cette gouvernance et sur les dynamiques des politiques forestières au Gabon, en mettant l'accent sur l'observation de certains acteurs. S'il est souvent admis que les États forestiers du sud sont sous l'emprise de puissantes ONG internationales, symboles d'une gouvernance prescrite et d'une ingérence écologique, notre étude montre que la présence de ces nouveaux acteurs peut aussi témoigner d'une stratégie des gouvernements du sud pour la reconquête de leurs ressources et de leurs territoires. De dominants à dominés, on passe à une relation de gagnants à gagnants, au péril parfois d'une population locale instrumentalisée et résignée. En abordant les jeux et le rôle des acteurs pour comprendre le territoire, cette thèse offre des perspectives pour porter un nouveau regard sur la gestion des ressources forestières au Gabon.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Nampak is the industry leader in the paper and packaging industry. There are over 20 divisions which fall under the Nampak banner, supplying a diverse range of primarily packaging material, from plastic carrier bags to glass bottles. A few years ago top management realised the need to move the Nampak group into the realm of world class. This paradigm shift required a substantial education and training initiative, and so the Nampak "Colleges" were created to support and underpin the World Class Manufacturing & Services ethic that each and every division would adhere to. All Nampak training interventions or processes are based on experiential learning. Candidates are introduced to concepts and theory, given opportunities to analyse case studies, conduct plant-level audits and give feedback to the general managers of the plants. In addition each delegate is given a project to be completed in the work place. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the Nampak WCM&S College 5 using an evaluation framework. The literature was reviewed in order to: • develop an evaluation framework; • establish an evaluation process; • facilitate the construction of a relevant test format. The test instrument was designed based on the principles of test construction and Kirkpatrick's model for evaluation. Data was collected for pre and post-tests for phase 2 and phase 3, analysed using descriptive statistics and reported on at the beginning at each phase as well as at the Trade Show. The evaluation results proved to be very positive and the evaluation process was incorporated into the design of all future College interventions.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nampak is die nywerheidsleier in die papier en verpakkingsbedryf. Daar is meer as 20 afdelings wat deel van Nampak uitmaak wat 'n diverse omvang van hoofsaaklik verpakkingsmateriaal verskaf, insluitend plastiek draagsakke en glas bottels. 'n Paar jaar terug het hoofbestuur besef dat Nampak tot wêreldklas status moet aandryf. Hierdie paradigma verandering het 'n aansienlike opvoedings- en opleidings-fokus benodig en die Nampak "Colleges" is geskep om die "WCM&S" etiek te ondersteun wat elke afdeling by sou bly. Alle Nampak opleiding tussenkomstes of prosesse word gebasseer op experiential geleerdheid. Kandidate word aan konsepte en teorieë voorgestel word geleenthede gegee om gevalstudies te analiseer, fabriek oudite te doen en terugverslag te gee aan die algemene bestuurders van die fabrieke. Elke afgevaardigde word ook 'n projek gegee om by die werk te voltooi. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om die doeltreffendheid van die Nampak WCM&S College 5 te evalueer deur middel van 'n evalueeringsraamwerk. Die leesstof was hersien om 'n evalueerings raamwerk te ontwikkel; 'n evalueerings proses te vestig; die konstruksie van 'n toepassende toetsformaat aan te help. Die toets-instrument was ontwerp gebaseer op die beginsels van toets konstruksie en die Kirkpatrick model vir evalueering. Data is bymekaar gemaak vir voor- en na-toetse vir fases 2 en 3, geanaliseer deur middel van beskrywende statistieke en daar is verslag daarop gedoen by die begin van elke fase asook by die Handeisskou. Die evalueering resultate was baie positief en die evalueerings proses is saamgebring by die ontwerp van alle toekomende College tussenkomstes.

<p>The company System Andersson is developing systems for controlling materials and production in industries. They want to add a new service, where parts of those systems are accessible through cell phones.</p><p>In this paper we are investigating which technology are best suited for this kind of application. And then we describe how we are developing a prototype fort this application, based upon that technology. After investigating technologies such as Java ME, Microsoft Silverlight, and web applications we settled upon building the system as a web application, customized for a mobile environment.</p><p>To build a web page which is readable by many different cell phones we use the markup-languages which are developed for cell phones. We put much effort in reading about the standards and recommendations for the mobile web, produced by the organizations W3C and OMA. It's also very important that one consider the limitations of cell phones, such as the small screens, their limited performance and their limited means of input and navigation. Finally we are very thorough in our testing on several cell phones created by different manufacturers and with different operating systems and web browsers.</p><p>On the server we are running ASP.NET, with a database using Microsoft SQL Server, since this was a request from the company. The development is made in C#.</p><p>We reach a fully operational application with the functions that the company has requested. We got functions for handling orders, changing jobs, supply management, listing employees, and more. We also got a class for generating and rendering of lists and tables for easy and customizable lists for small screens. The application has support for several users with a secure login function.</p><p>We have also created a system running as a service in Microsoft Windows, which is regularly sending messages, in the form of e-mails to the users of the mobile application. The messages contain user defined reminders, e.g. that the factory is running low on a certain material. The message system is well integrated with the rest of the system, in which one can list the active reminders, edit them or create new ones.</p><p>Overall this has been an interesting and successful project.</p>

Studiens syfte är att undersöka expressiv fonologisk förmåga hos barn i åldrarna 3;5-4;9 år som följer en atypisk tal- och språkutveckling och jämföra den med en åldersmatchad kontrollgrupp.  Ytterligare ett syfte är att undersöka huruvida det föreligger ett samband mellan expressiv fonologisk förmåga och impressiv lexikal förmåga. Elva barn med konstaterade uttalssvårigheter rekryterades från logopedmottagningar och språkförskolor i Stockholm och i Östergötland. Barnen testades i en för dem välkänd miljö med bedömningsmaterialet LINUS. Barnens svar audioinspelades och transkriberades och utifrån transkriptionerna gjordes en analys med utgångspunkt från icke-linjär fonologi samt beräkning av Percentage Phonemes Correct och Word Complexity Measure. Resultatet jämfördes sedan med kontrollgruppen. Åtta av barnen i studiegruppen testades även med PPVT-IV för att undersöka eventuella samband mellan expressiv fonologisk förmåga och impressiv lexikal förmåga. Resultatet visade att barnen i de båda grupperna uppvisade uttalsavvikelser från vuxet målordsuttal på ord-, stavelse och segmentnivå, stavelsenivån var den nivå där flest avvikelser förekom i båda grupperna, men att avvikelserna förekom i högre grad hos barnen i studiegruppen. På stavelse- och segmentnivå kunde signifikanta skillnader ses men inte på ordnivå mellan grupperna. På stavelsenivå förekom klusterreduktioner i större utsträckning än uteslutning av enskilda segment för båda grupperna. På segmentnivå uppvisade barnen i studiegruppen problem med samtliga särdrag (sätt, plats och ton), till skillnad från barnen i kontrollgruppen som endast uppvisade problem med särdraget plats. Barnen i studiegruppen fick lägre värden på såväl PPC och WCM. En signifikant skillnad sågs mellan PPC och WCM i studiegruppen men inte i kontrollgruppen. Inget samband mellan expressiv fonologisk förmåga och impressiv lexikal förmåga kunde påvisas i följande studie. Studiens resultat indikerar att det är viktigt att ta hänsyn till alla fonologiska nivåer vid en bedömning och resultatet motiverar att ett icke-linjärt perspektiv kan vara till fördel vid planering av intervention. Då stavelsenivån ger upphov till störst svårigheter är det viktigt att ta hänsyn till detta vid fonologisk intervention. Studiens resultat kan ligga till grund för hur en icke-linjär analys kan användas inom klinisk verksamhet.<br>The aim of the study is to investigate the expressive phonological ability in children aged 3;5-4;9 following an atypical speech and language development and make a comparison to an age-matched control group following a typical speech and language development. A further purpose is to investigate whether there is a relation between expressive phonological ability and receptive lexical ability. Eleven children with speech sound difficulties were recruited from Speech-Language Pathology clinics and preschool language units in Stockholm and Östergötland. The children were tested in a familiar environment, with the swedish phonological assessment material LINUS. The children's responses were audio-recorded and transcribed and based on the transcriptions, a non-linear phonology analysis and calculations of Percentage Phonemes Correct and Word Complexity Measure were made. The results were then compared to the control group. Eight of the children were also tested with PPVT-IV to investigate a possible correlation between expressive phonological ability and receptive lexical ability. The results showed that the children in both groups had deviations at word-, syllable- and segmental levels, the syllable level appeared to be the most affected level in both groups, but that the deviations were more frequent in the study group. The differences on syllable- and segmental levels were significant, whereas the difference at word level was not significant between the groups. At the level of syllable, cluster reductions occurred to a greater extent than the exclusion of individual segments for both groups. At the segmental level, the study group showed problems with all features (manner, place and tone), whereas the children in the control group only had problems with the feature place. The study group had lower PPC and WCM than the control group. A significant difference was seen between PPC and WCM in the study group but not in the control group. No correlation between expressive phonological ability and receptive lexical ability was found. The results of the study indicate that it’s important to address all phonological levels in assessment and motivate that a non-linear approach could be beneficial as basis for planning of treatment. Since the syllable-level is the most affected it is important to address it in intervention. The report could serve as a guide for clinicians when applying a non-linear analysis.

<p> </p><p>Due to recent crop-raiding incidents an eight weeks field study to survey threats to endemic gorillas have been conducted in Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria. The report ratifies that smaller mammals than gorillas are responsible for a majority of damage done to Okwangwo farm crops. Additionally the report identifies issues that need to be dealt with in order to secure regional gorilla protection; most acute is the necessity to relocate three villages that remains within the park, and inclusion of villages that are excluded from Support Zone status in the Bumaji area. Collected data expands previously established gorilla range; therefore valuations concerning gorilla habitat range with non-specific suggestions for restructure of park borders are submitted.</p><p> </p>

Rörelsekapitalhantering (WCM) är en viktig del i små och medelstora företags (SMF) i syfte att generera nytt kapital samt effektivisera verksamheten. Företagen i Sverige består till större delen av SMF vilket gör det viktigt att undersöka hur företagen hanterar sitt kapital. Syftet för studien var att studera WCM i form av CCC och WCR med företagsspecifika, branschspecifikaoch makrospecifika faktorer. Detta testades i en OLS-modell med studiens beroende variabler CCC och WCR mot de oberoende variablerna lönsamhet, tillväxtmöjligheter, storlek, kassaflöde och branschtillhörighet. Studien undersökte även hur en finanskris påverkar rörelsekapitalet i form av ett t2-test. Denna studie innefattade 4240 företag under perioden 2008 till 2015 där 2008 till 2009 beskrivs som krisperiod. Resultatet för studien visar ett positivt signifikant samband mellan CCC och kassaflöde samt ett negativt signifikant samband medlönsamhet, storlek och branschtillhörighet. Vidare påvisar studien ett positivt signifikant samband mellan WCR och lönsamhet samt storlek medans tillväxtmöjligheter, kassaflöde och branschtillhörighet har negativt signifikant samband med WCR. Företagen har en längre CCC samt en högre WCR under krisperioder.<br>Working capital management (WCM) is an important part of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to generate new capital and streamline operations. The companies that consist in Sweden is to the majority SMEs, which makes it important to investigate how companies handle their capital. The purpose of the study was to analyse WCM thru CCC and WCR with company-specific, industry-specific and macro-specific factors. This was tested in an OLS model with this studies dependent variables CCC and WCR against the independent variables profitability, growth opportunities, size, cash flow and industry affiliation. The study also examined how a financial crisis affects working capital with a t2 test. This study included 4240 companies in the period 2008 to 2015, where 2008 to 2009 is described as a crisis period. The result for the study shows a positive significant correlation between CCC and cash flow, as well as a negatively significant correlation with profitability, size and industry affiliation. Furthermore, the study shows a positive significant correlation between WCR and profitability, and the size of the growth potential, cash flow and industry affiliationare negatively significant in relation to the WCR. The companies have a longer CCC and a higher WCR during crisis periods.

A shift in focus from growing revenues towards managing working capital could be observed in many companies in the recession that followed the financial crisis of 2008. This thesis therefore investigates the relation between working capital management (WCM) and revenue growth by examining 36 Swedish companies within the IT &amp; Telecom, Wholesale, and Manufacturing industries. The results show that there currently is a general gap between the perceived and actual performance regarding WCM and the effects on revenue growth. The studied companies report a belief that no trade-off between WCM and revenue growth exists. However, the actual performance in the studied industries indicates that increases in revenues often are not justifiable in proportion to the increases in net working capital (NWC). The study also shows that responsibility for WCM and implementation of WCM decisions are to a high extent assigned to a centralized organizational level. Recommendations derived from this study are that while companies need a centralized responsibility for WCM decisions, the responsibility also needs to be decentralized for successful implementation. Furthermore, the NWC development in relation to revenue growth needs to be continually monitored.

Mestrado em Economia<br>World Class Manufacturing é uma filosofia utilizada mundialmente, à qual pertence um pilar, o Cost Deployment (CD), cujo objetivo principal é a eliminação de desperdícios e perdas e a criação de valor. Na base deste pensamento está o conceito de melhoria contínua, conceito esse que parte do princípio que existe uma evolução gradual conjunta, sendo verificado esse aspeto para a empresa onde foi realizado o estágio, Funfrap – Fundição Portuguesa S.A. O presente relatório começa por analisar os benefícios da implementação do pilar CD na empresa, em termos de evolução de redução de custos gerados para a mesma. Complementariamente verificou-se o desempenho das fundições em Portugal através de indicadores económico-financeiros comparando-se os mesmos com os valores obtidos apenas para a empresa. Por último procede-se a uma análise da afetação eficiente de recursos e da produtividade dos inputs através da análise econométrica da função de produção Cobb-Douglas com recurso à metodologia de dados em painel para um conjunto de 80 empresas nacionais de fundição e respetiva divisão em subgrupos entre os anos de 2007 a 2012. Concluímos que, através dos indicadores económico-financeiros houve uma quebra na tendência substancial em 2009 tendo logo havido uma melhoria dos anos seguintes. Em especial na Funfrap essa quebra também foi verificada mas a partir de 2010 muito graças ao WCM e principalmente ao CD verificouse uma melhoria muito significativa. Relativamente à função de produção Cobb-Douglas verifica-se que para produzir a um custo mais baixo é possível sacrificar o input capital pelo input trabalho e obter o mesmo nível de produção.<br>World Class Manufacturing is a world used philosophy, to which belongs a pillar, the Cost Deployment (CD), whose main goal is the elimination of waste and losses and value creation. On the basis of this taught is the concept of continuous improvement which starts from the principal that there exists a gradual set evolution, where it was verified that aspect for the company where the traineeship was performed, Funfrap – Fundição Portuguesa S.A. The present report starts by analyzing the benefits of implementing the CD pillar in the company, in terms of the evolution of cost reduction generated for it. Together it was verified the performance of Portuguese smelting companies in Portugal through economic-financial ratios comparing those values with those obtained only for the company. At the end we proceed with an analysis of the efficient resources allocation and of the inputs productivity through the econometric analysis of the Cobb-Douglas production function using panel data methodology for a set of 80 smelting national companies and respective division into subgroups between 2007 and 2012. We conclude that, through financial-economic indicators there was a break in the substantial tendency in 2009 but with a following improvement in the following years. Especially in Funfrap that break was also verified but from 2010 onwards thanks to the WCM and mainly to the CD it was verified a very significant improvement. With respect to the Cobb-Douglas production function it is verified that to produce at a lower cost it is possible to sacrifice the capital input by the labor input and still obtain the same production level.

Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial<br>Com o crescente aumento da oferta de mercado cria-se a necessidade por parte das empresas de conseguirem atingir cada vez mais e melhores resultados. Apesar da diversificação de produtos ser vasta, existirão sempre produtos cuja diferença não é percecionada logo de imediato pelo cliente. O fator de diferenciação destes produtos reside muitas vezes em aspetos que vão além do visual, como o prazo de entrega, o serviço ao cliente ou a inexistência de enganos na entrega. Quando aglomeramos todos estes aspetos e outros de valor acrescentado obtemos um produto de excelência. Para isso é necessário que todo o processo produtivo antecedente seja estável e fiável. Este projeto foi desenvolvido no âmbito do Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial na Saint Gobain Weber Portugal, empresa de produção de materiais para construção e renovação. O projeto tem como objetivo a redução do tempo de disponibilidade de 3 tipos de pastas pigmentadas, através da implementação e estabilização de uma nova linha de produção, a linha de Tinting, que efetua a pigmentação das pastas. Este tempo é medido desde que a uma encomenda é registada até esta estar pronta para ser expedida para o cliente. Dado o intuito do projeto só é contabilizado para o tempo de disponibilidade o tempo de produção da linha de Tinting e não o tempo de produção das pastas. Numa primeira fase é realizada uma contextualização teórica ao projeto essencialmente centrada no pensamento Lean e nas suas ferramentas. Seguidamente é analisada a situação atual que consiste na pigmentação das pastas no centro do Carregado. Após esta análise procede-se à implementação de uma nova linha de produção com recurso a ferramentas e metodologias Lean com o intuito de contribuir para a sua estabilização, como os 5S e o trabalho padronizado. Numa última fase é analisado um conjunto de indicadores de desempenho criados para a nova linha. Esta implementação tem como objetivo reduzir stocks, transporte, custos e o tempo de disponibilidade dos produtos. Os resultados demonstram que foi alcançado o objetivo principal, ou seja, a redução do tempo de disponibilidade, assim como, a redução do transporte e, consequentemente, os custos do mesmo.<br>With the market offer increasing, the companies are forced to achieve higher and better results. Although the diversification of products is wide, there will always exist products whose differentiation is not immediately perceived by the costumer. The differentiation factor of these products resides, most of the times in aspects that go beyond sight, like the lead time, customer service or the inexistence of delivery mistakes. When we agglomerate all these points and others with increased value, a product of excellence is obtained. For this to happen is necessary that the whole productive process is stable and reliable. This project was developed within the Master in Engineering and Industrial Management in Saint Gobain Weber Portugal, a company that produces materials for construction and renovation. The project goal is to reduce the availability time of 3 types of colored cements, through the implementation and stabilization of a new production line, the Tinting line that does the pigmentation of the cements. This time is measured since the order is registered until she is ready for the client. Given the purpose of the project only the production time of Tinting line is counted and not the production time of the cements. In the first phase is presented a theoretical contextualization of the project, focused in the Lean Thinking and in its tools. Afterwards, is analyzed the current situation that consists in the cements pigmentation in the center of Carregado. After this analysis the focus was the implementation of the new production line through the use of Lean tools and methodologies with the purpose of contributing for its stabilization, as the 5S and standardized work. In the last phase a set of performance indicators created for the production line are analyzed. This implementation has as goal the reduction of stocks, transportation, costs and the availability time of products. The results demonstrate that the main goal is achieved, which means, the reduction of the availability time, as well as the reduction of the transportation and, therefore, the transportation costs.

2008/2009<br>Le attività svolte durante il Dottorato di Ricerca, e descritte dal presente elaborato, hanno avuto come obiettivo la realizzazione di un WebGIS con tecnologia open source per archiviare, gestire, visualizzare, interrogare e rendere disponibile un patrimonio, oggi frammentato, di dati spaziali archeologici, paleogeomorfologici e storico-cartografici, provenienti da ricerche diverse, orientate alla comprensione del paesaggio antico di Aquileia, in particolare attraverso l’analisi dell’evoluzione della rete idrografica. La stessa natura intrinseca di un WebGIS, costruito secondo una logica client/server, ha stimolato la ricerca e l’adozione di soluzioni che agevolano l’interoperabilità tra diversi sistemi eterogenei che hanno la necessità di dialogare tra loro attraverso il Web. In questa ottica il progetto adotta opportuni standard per la trasmissione dei dati attraverso la rete che consentono di fatto, un facile interfacciamento tra client e server superando gli ostacoli dovuti alla diversa natura dei dati e dei software che li gestiscono. Le specifiche implementate nel sistema sono quelle previste dall’OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) e dall’ISO (International Organization for Standardization) per la ricerca, la visualizzazione e il download delle informazioni geografiche, le stesse adottate dalla recente Direttiva UE che istituisce un'Infrastruttura per l'informazione territoriale nella Comunità europea (INSPIRE). La progettazione del sistema si è svolta tenendo conto del carattere eterogeneo degli operatori “lato client”, dando la possibilità di accedere ai dati archiviati “lato server” attraverso software di tipo “browser”, “GIS desktop” e/o “database”. La gestione dei dati da client differenti, insieme alla possibilità di assegnare agli utenti privilegi differenziati di lettura, inserimento, scrittura e cancellazione delle informazioni, rende il WebGIS uno strumento flessibile e utile tanto alla ricerca, quanto alla tutela e alla valorizzazione e quindi alla divulgazione della conoscenza di quanto scoperto fino ad oggi sull’antico assetto del territorio aquileiese.<br>XXII Ciclo<br>1972

a tesi di seguito presentata è frutto dell’esperienza acquisita nel periodo di tirocinio svolto presso Tiberina Sangro S.r.l., azienda metalmeccanica abruzzese, fornitore del gruppo STELLANTIS, specializzata nello stampaggio a freddo della lamiera per il settore automotive. Nel primo capitolo verranno descritti gli approcci “Lean”: World Class Manufacturing e Total Production Maintenance con i relativi pilastri e indicatori. Nel secondo capitolo verrà presentata l’azienda con una particolare attenzione al reparto di lastratura, oggetto di studio. Successivamente, si passerà alla descrizione dei robot presenti sulla Linea dal punto di vista tecnico con un breve accenno sul processo di saldatura e ravvivatura degli elettrodi. Nel terzo capitolo verranno descritti gli steps usati per individuare le soluzioni migliorative: analisi preliminare per il calcolo l’OEE, raccolta dati dei tempi ciclo di produzione dei robot, analisi statistica e tecnica per individuare i “bottleneck” dell’impianto. Nel quarto capitolo verranno proposte due soluzioni per poter aumentare la performance della Linea in esame: applicazione di modifiche ai robot bottleneck per poter ridurre il tempo ciclo, e dimensionamento buffer interoperazionali per ridurre le microfermate attraverso la simulazione Monte Carlo. Inoltre, sarà presentato lo SCADA “visual” utilizzato dall’azienda e una sua implementazione per facilitare il monitoraggio e controllo dei tempi ciclo stabiliti. Nel quinto capitolo si farà riferimento ai risultati ottenuti applicando le soluzioni proposte. con descrizione della situazione finale (before-after) concludendo l’analisi con una valutazione della convenienza economica (Pay Back Period, Break Even Point). Nell'ultimo capitolo verranno presentate delle proposte per sviluppi futuri. L’obiettivo della tesi è ottimizzare i tempi ciclo della Linea per aumentare la produzione e l’indicatore di efficienza OEE, portando notevoli vantaggi, anche a livello economico per l’azienda.

L’oggetto di analisi del presente lavoro di tesi è il modello di Operational Excellence noto come World Class Manufacturing in particolare l’approccio allo step 6 del pilastro Professional Maintenance, dove si richiede l’implementazione di un sistema di manutenzione PREDITTIVA, la cosiddetta CBM (Conditional Based Maintenance) . Il modello a cui si fa riferimento fu teorizzato dal professore giapponese H. Yamashina verso la metà degli anni 2000 e giunse in Italia attorno al 2005, quando Fiat Group (oggi FCA) lo adottò come approccio standard alla gestione della produzione. Questo tipo di analisi, orientata verso una prospettiva pratica più che teorica, deriva direttamente da un’esperienza sul campo che ho svolto all’interno di un’azienda che ha aderito al World Class Manufacturing (WCM). Nel capitolo 1 verrà proposto un excursus delle metodologie alla base del WCM e del percorso storico che ha portato alla formulazione del modello. Nel secondo capitolo verrà proposto un caso di applicazione del WCM all'interno di un Gruppo, nella fattispecie Ariston Thermo Group (ATG). Dopo un’overview sul Gruppo e sulla storia della sua adesione al programma di miglioramento, la trattazione si focalizza sull'approccio di ATG al WCM. Nel terzo capitolo verrà introdotta la Manutenzione Professionale secondo le principali politiche manutentive schematizzate dal WCM. Verranno presentate singolarmente per sottolineare i loro obiettivi seguiti dai vantaggi e svantaggi che si possono ottenere nell’implementare ogni singola politica. Nel quarto capitolo verranno specificate sotto un aspetto prettamente pratico le varie attività svolte dalla PM così da evidenziare lo sviluppo e il miglioramento continuo che essa sta ottenendo dall’introduzione del WCM; principalmente la presentazione delle varie attività si riferiscono al passaggio allo step 6 della PM, dove verrà presentata approfonditamente elencando e analizzando tutte le attività svolte per approcciarsi alla CBM.

ABSTRACT Title: Working Capital Management in Telecommunication sector: A case study of VGC telecoms Author: Gbenga Segun Akinwande Supervisor: Anders Hederstierna Department: School of Management, Blekinge Institute of Technology Course: Master’s thesis in business administration, 15 credits (ECTS). Background and Problem Discussion: The efficient management of working capital is very vital for a business survival. This is premised on the fact having too much working capital signifies inefficiency, whereas too little cash at hand signifies that the survival of business is shaky. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to study the working capital management in the small and medium scale businesses, using VGC Telecoms Company as a case study, so as to establish factors influencing working capital performance; examine how cash management, inventory management and trade credit management affects working capital management; company effectiveness in converting working capital to ready money; how working capital management impacts on the problem of slow development and to offer recommendations on possible ways of improving working capital management Method: Literatures bordering on different areas of working capital management were reviewed. Thus, this research employed qualitative and quantitative analysis; and semi- structured questions were drafted based on the issues raised from the review of various literatures. In addition, materials from journal articles, textbooks, working papers and industry practitioners are put into consideration. The use of internet and e-mails to send out questions were explored where appropriate. Analysis on the company’s financial statement was carried out in order to verify my findings. Theory: In this research, the theory section looks at various concepts that come up when analyzing the consequences of working capital management for company value and the factors that influence a company’s working capital management performance. I have therefore chosen the most common concept for the theory section. I have also tried to create a theoretical understanding for the company’s sensitivity to a workable WCM policy Analysis: In the analysis of the research findings, I employed qualitative approach to the data analysis whereby the impacts of the poor WCM on the company were discussed in depth. Conclusion: The findings corroborate the postulation of Weston et al that a company’s investment in working capital is a substantial percentage of its total investment. In case of VGC Telecoms, it is as high as 65 percent. An inefficient and ineffective management of this investment will result in slow pace of development and ultimately to the business failure. The performances of the company in the different spheres of working capital management were scored as follows:- • Cash management – 65.4 percent • Inventory management - 78.6 percent • Trade credit management and financing decisions - 60.0 percent This is an average performance of 68 percent. That is, the company’s performance is above average. This is a good performance. The financial statements as interpreted reinforce the validity of this result. The liquidity ratios are high; the collection period is short; and the cash cycle is not quite expansive. This makes it possible to sustain sufficient cash flow for the smooth running of the business. The management of working capital impacts on liquidity, investment portfolio and profitability. All these three factors are decisive in the growth or failure of a business. Hence, good performances in working capital management affects these decisive factors favourably and thus, contribute to growth and success of the business.

A seguito di eventi sismici che hanno evidenziato la fragilità del patrimonio esistente italiano e non solo, negli ultimi anni vi è stato un crescendo degli interventi di “miglioramento” e “adeguamento” sismico sulle costruzioni esistenti. Questi interventi, che possono essere di carattere locale o globale, fanno spesso affidamento all’uso di tecnologie innovative. I sistemi dissipazione di energia a controllo passivo, adottati per interventi di tipo globale, sono caratterizzati da un comportamento non lineare; al tempo stesso, anche le strutture esistenti, salvo i casi di adeguato isolamento sismico, saranno soggette a plasticizzazioni in caso di eventi sismici rilevanti. È consigliabile, dunque, l’uso di analisi non lineari. Lo scopo della tesi è quello di studiare interventi di miglioramento sismico, focalizzando l’attenzione sull’uso di controventi dissipativi. Viene presentato un caso applicativo, nel quale la struttura esistente in c.a. viene dotata di tralicci esterni di controvento con dissipatori BRAD. La struttura esistente è caratterizzata da telai monodirezionali e da quattro nuclei ascensore in c.a.; si individuano i telai come elementi sismici secondari, i nuclei come primari. Per descrivere il comportamento ciclico delle pareti costituenti i nuclei, si adotta una modellazione semplificata mediante il Wide Column Model (WCM) con inserimento di inelasticità concentrate attraverso cerniere a fibre. Piuttosto che condurre analisi statiche non lineari (pushover), si adottano analisi dinamiche non lineari con algoritmo ottimizzato FNA, capaci quindi di cogliere non solo il comportamento monotono, ma anche quello isteretico. In fase di verifica degli elementi esistenti si adottano, infine, approcci semplificati per l’applicazione delle formulazioni di Biskinis e Fardis riprese dalla normativa italiana (NTC 2018) ed europea (EC 8-3), sia per i meccanismi duttili sia per i fragili.

Mestrado em Geoinformática<br>Com o crescimento da Internet como plataforma global para partilha de informação, cresceu também a diversidade de tipologias de informação a ser partilhada e consultada, nomeadamente informação geográfica. Neste âmbito surge como preocupação a interoperabilidade entre sistemas permitindo que sistemas diferentes possam “comunicar”, partilhando informações e recursos. O presente trabalho propõe-se recolher informação sobre a utilização das normas de interoperabilidade do Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) na Administração Pública em Portugal, permitindo analisar e tirar conclusões relativamente a esta temática, tendo também em conta o seu enquadramento legal nacional.<br>With the growth of the Internet as a global platform to share information there is also an increase in the diversity of the kinds of information shared and accessed, including geographical information. In this context there is a concern with the interoperability between systems, allowing different systems to “communicate” among themselves, sharing information and resources. This dissertation collects information about the usage of interoperability norms of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) in the Portuguese Public Administration, with a subsequent analysis and drawing of conclusions regarding this matter, taking also into account the national legal framework.

Couvert à plus de 80% de forêt tropicale, et dans le contexte du spectre de l’épuisement du pétrole, le Gabon est confronté au défi d’assurer un équilibre entre exploitation et préservation de ses ressources. Les politiques qui en découlent sont largement orientées par les engagements pris par le gouvernement pour répondre aux injonctions internationales, mais aussi à la pression des bailleurs de fonds et aux promoteurs du développement durable (ONG internationales, fondations, organismes de coopération…). Cette orientation vers une gestion durable des forêts a ainsi conduit le pays à des réformes considérables : nouveaux modes de gouvernance (avec l’implication de « nouveaux » acteurs aux ambitions diverses), nouveau code forestier, nouvelle organisation des institutions, nouveaux modes d’usages des forêts. Une rupture semble être marquée ici avec une gestion héritée des indépendances, voire de l’époque coloniale. Entre revendication d’une souveraineté nationale et gestion d’une ressource qui touche à des enjeux planétaires, la gouvernance des forêts s’avère complexe pour un État aux moyens techniques et financiers limités. Les espaces forestiers et les populations qui en dépendent deviennent ainsi le terrain d’affrontements de stratégies diverses, parfois divergentes, souvent calquées sur des modèles ne correspondant pas toujours à la réalité socio-culturelle locale, mais légitimées par le seul label de gestion durable. Notre thèse donne des clés de lecture sur cette gouvernance et sur les dynamiques des politiques forestières au Gabon, en mettant l’accent sur l’observation de certains acteurs. S’il est souvent admis que les États forestiers du sud sont sous l’emprise de puissantes ONG internationales, symboles d’une gouvernance prescrite et d’une ingérence écologique, notre étude montre que la présence de ces nouveaux acteurs peut aussi témoigner d’une stratégie des gouvernements du sud pour la reconquête de leurs ressources et de leurs territoires. De dominants à dominés, on passe à une relation de gagnants à gagnants, au péril parfois d’une population locale instrumentalisée et résignée. En abordant les jeux et le rôle des acteurs pour comprendre le territoire, cette thèse offre des perspectives pour porter un nouveau regard sur la gestion des ressources forestières au Gabon<br>Covered over 80 % of tropical forest, and in the context of the spectrum of oil depletion, Gabon is faced with the challenge of ensuring a balance between exploitation and conservation of its resources. As a result, policies are largely guided by the commitments made by Governments to meet international orders, but also by pressure from donors and sponsors (international NGOs, foundations, cooperation agencies…) for a Sustainable Development. This shift towards sustainable forest management has led the country to significant reforms: new modes of governance (with the involvement of "new" actors in different ambitions), new forest code, a new organization of institutions, new ways of uses of forests. A break seems to be marked here from independence and even colonial times management. Between a claim of national sovereignty and management of a resource that touches on global issues, forest governance is complex for a state limited in technical and financial resources. Forest areas and people who depend on them become the battleground of various and diverse strategies, sometimes divergent, which do not always correspond to the local socio- cultural reality, but legitimized by the single label for sustainable management. Our thesis provides keys for the reading of this governance and the dynamics of forest policies in Gabon, with emphasis on the observation of certain players. While it is often assumed that southern states forest’s are under the influence of powerful international NGOs, a symbol of a prescribed governance and environmental intervention, Our study shows that the presence of these players may also reflect a southern Governments strategy to regain their resources and their territories. From dominants to dominated relationship, we go to a win-win relationship, sometimes at the risk of a local population exploited and designated. In addressing the role of games and players to understand the territory, this thesis provides opportunities to bring a new perspective on the management of forest resources in Gabon

碩士<br>明新科技大學<br>化學工程與材料科技系碩士班<br>102<br>Minimizing critical dimensions of electronic device and multilayer interconnection are required for semiconductor industry. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is important for semiconductor manufacturing technology since 1997. Global planarity and profile of exposure can be obtained by using polishing process to attain the request for lower margin of Depth of Focus (DoF). While CMP technology applied for IMD planarity and W plug fabrication process of multilayer connection structure. CMP technique has advantages of simplified processes, uniformity of wafer surface and high yield, compared to conventional dry etching technology. It is need huge amount of polishing slurry used for CMP process. In recently, the ratio of polishing slurry to water is 1: 1 for semiconductor throughput process. Diluting polishing slurry can cost down but affect the polishing rate and uniformity of wafer surface. In this thesis, the appropriate parameter of CMP and concentration of slurry solution is investigated to control and fit the uniformity specification of wafer. Slurry diluting will affect removal rate and surface profile. The characterization analyses will be determined by thickness measurement equipment, optical particle scanning analysis equipment (KLA-Tencor), wafer profile measurement equipment (Oxide loss) and SEM. The results show that the optimal slurry diluting ratio is 1:1.5 based on acceptable removal rate and wafer surface uniformity. 370 rpm/min and the slurry flow rate at 75 mL/min are the optimization parameter of slurry for WCMP process. Then the cost down and economic profit can be anticipated.

碩士<br>國立東華大學<br>資訊工程學系<br>90<br>The future wireless networks are expected to support multicast applications more and more. To facilitate this, multicast routing protocols are pivotal in enabling new receivers to join a multicast group. However, mobile ad hoc networks use radio propagation model. Each mobile node can freely move around in an ad hoc wireless network. It faces more serious problems than static network in multicast application such as link failures and scarce bandwidth. The current routing protocols do not have good performance between source and group members when source sending multicast datagrams to receivers. When the mobile nodes change their position, there is a change in the wireless network resources that can give rise to uncertainty in network conditions. In ad hoc wireless networks, the high mobility of hosts is usually a major reason for sending packets to all of members. For this reason, we propose a tree-based multicast protocol named, weight-based clustering multicast routing protocol (WCMP), to select appropriate clusterheads to manage the group members. In our method, there are two stages, that is, the reactive stage and the proactive stage, to maintain the multicast delivery tree and on demand determine clusterheads. First, the reactive stage can reduce the query-reply and control messages. Secondly, the proactive stage can quickly reflect the topology in mobile ad hoc networks according to weight mechanism and multicast delivery tree maintenance. We show through simulations that WCMP outperforms a mesh-based multicast routing protocol in terms of the packet delivery ratio and control message overhead, especially in high mobility situation.

O projeto apresentado foi desenvolvido numa empresa de fundição de ferro que atua para o setor automóvel, Funfrap – Fundição Portuguesa, S.A., em ambiente World Class Manufacturing, e tem como principais objetivos a redução de tempo de ciclo e redução de potencias falhas nos processos produtivos. De modo a atingir os objetivos propostos foi efetuado o diagnóstico da situação inicial, através da observação direta e com maior foco numa linha nova de acabamentos. Através desta análise, junto com os colaboradores da empresa, foi possível identificar oportunidades de melhoria e de seguida selecionar as ações de melhoria que se pretendiam introduzir. Através de planos de melhoria foi utilizada a ferramenta RFMEA para analisar preventivamente a nova linha de acabamentos e utilizando a metodologia SMED planeou-se a redução da mudança de ferramenta dessa linha tendo em vista o aumento da sua segurança também. As soluções resultaram na identificação de novos riscos e novos modos potenciais de falha associados ao processo e ao produto e foi encontrada a causa raiz de um problema de Changeover.<br>The presented project was developed in an iron foundry company that works for the automotive sector, Funfrap - Fundição Portuguesa, S.A., in a World Class Manufacturing environment, and has as main objectives the reduction of cycle time and reduction of potential failures in production processes. To achieve the proposed objectives, the diagnosis of the initial situation was made through direct observation and with a greater focus on a new finishing line. Through this analysis, together with the company's employees, it was possible to identify improvement opportunities and then select the improvement actions to be introduced. Through improvement plans the RFMEA tool was used to analyze preventively the new finishing line and using the SMED methodology the reduction of the tool change of this line was planned to increase its safety as well. The solutions resulted in the identification of new risks and new potential failure modes associated with the process and the product, and the root cause of a changeover problem was found.<br>Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial

The Anglo American Platinum Converter Plant produces a copper-nickel sulphide converter matte which is slow-cooled in ingots over several days. During the process, the formation of alloy platelets, containing the majority of the PGM’s and Au, occurs. The alloy forms a magnetic fraction in the bulk matte which can be liberated when the matte is crushed and milled. The alloy platelets are then separated via a magnetic separation process in the Magnetic Concentration plant. The quality of the converter matte is dependent on the reaction and cast temperatures, bulk matte composition and cooling rate of each ingot, which define the microstructure of the slow-cooled matte that is produced as the final product of the ACP process. The current mould size used in the ACP slow-cool aisle is ~10 tonnes (maximum 14.84t), designed for 2 full ingots to be poured from every tap from a full ladle with a capacity of ~20t. This is the ideal situation, however, during normal plant operation ladles develop a build-up of material on the inside (or skull) that reduces the ladle active volume. This results in a large number of half ingots being produced, and, given the smaller ingot size, suboptimal cooling conditions arise and subsequently poor quality Waterval Converter Matte (WCM) is produced because of rapid cooling. In an attempt to match the converter blow size, the ladle size and the slow-cool mould size in future, a larger mould size of 15 ton was specifically constructed to determine if the smelter converted matte can be cast into the larger mould size. Therefore a larger size ingot of 15t with a maximum capacity of 20.6t was also used as part of the trials in order to determine if cooling rates in the larger sized ingot necessitated longer cooling times, and would therefore negatively affect the platinum pipeline and working inventory. The data obtained from these trials were then used to develop and validate a CFD model, specifically developed to simulate the cooling process. From the heat loss data it was calculated that the bulk of the heat lost from the ingots is through the top surface. After the first 12 hours of cooling, approximately 89% of the heat lost from the ingot is via the top surface and this increases to 96% after 24 hours. It can therefore be concluded that the cooling rates of the ingots can be easily manipulated by changing the thermal insulation of the lid that is placed over the ingot after casting.<br>Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2013.<br>gm2014<br>Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering<br>unrestricted

tesis (magister en aplicaciones espaciales de alerta y respuesta temprana a emergencias)--universidad nacional de córdoba, facultad de matemática, astronomía, física y computación, 2016.<br>maestría conjunta con el instituto de altos estudios espaciales "mario gulich"-conae.<br>en el presente trabajo, se especifica un procedimiento general, que permite desarrollar sistemas web para la publicación y ejecución de geoprocesos como servicios, con el fin de brindar un conjunto de herramientas que le permita al usuario generar productos a demanda. la metodología presentada, se basa en el desarrollo de un software de aplicación con dos componentes principales. (a) un servidor de mapas para el acceso y entrega de datos geográficos y un visualizador web de mapas para la interacción con el servidor; (b) un componente de geoprocesamiento que deberá ser vinculado al servidor de mapas y una interfaz de acceso web a los geoprocesos, con procesos predefinidos, para efectuar cálculos espaciales sobre los datos disponibles. como resultado, obtenemos una infraestructura informática que permite publicar, describir y ejecutar geoprocesos, como servicios web.<br>this paper specifies a general procedure for the development of web systems that will publish and execute geoprocesses as services, with the aim of providing a set of tools which will allow users to generate products on demand. the methodology here presented is based on the development of application software made up of two main components, namely (a) a map server for access to and delivery of geographical data, including a web display of maps for interaction with the server; and (b) a geoprocessing component which will have to be linked to the map server, including a web interface for access to geoprocesses, with preset processes, in order to perform spatial calculations on the available data. as a result, we will obtain an it infrastructure which will allow us to publish, describe and execute geoprocesses as web services.<br>fil: zader, pablo javier. universidad nacional de córdoba. facultad de matemática, astronomía, física y computación; argentina.<br>fil: zader, pablo javier. universidad nacional de córdoba. instituto de altos estudios espaciales mario gulich; argentina.

The PhD activity discussed in this document was conducted between 2018 and 2021. It profited from a collaboration between the Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE) of Sapienza University of Rome and the Experimental Engineering Division of ENEA at Brasimone. Within the framework of EUROfusion Consortium research activity, the R&amp;D efforts focused on the investigation of one principal blanket option for the European DEMOnstration Power Plant (EU-DEMO): the Water-Cooled Lead-Lithium (WCLL). For this concept, ENEA and its Italian related partners are the principal investigators. During last years, DIAEE played an important role in the conceptualization of the WCLL Breeding Blanket (BB) and its related primary cooling systems. In addition, an extended transient analysis was carried out to assess their thermal-hydraulic performances in both normal operations and accidental conditions. Such work was carried out involving research activities related to both International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and EU-DEMO fusion power plant. This document is articulated in seven sections. The first one defines the PhD activity framework. In order to perform system-level transient analysis of tokamak reactors, a modified version of the thermal-hydraulic code RELAP5/Mod3.3 was developed at DIAEE in collaboration with ENEA. The aim is enhancing the code modelling capabilities with respect to fusion power plants. Section 2 is dedicated to discuss the implemented features. Sections 3 and 4 refer to the research activity involving DEMO WCLL. In § 3 the pre-conceptual design of the blanket component and related primary cooling circuits is described in detail. Their thermal-hydraulic model, developed for calculation purposes, is treated in § 4. The same section also reports the outcomes of the transient analysis. In the same way, § 5 and 6 are related to ITER WCLL-Test Blanket System (TBS) research activity. The TBS conceptual design, in particular the one of Water Cooling System (WCS) circuit whose DIAEE is responsible for, is described in § 5. To perform the system thermal-hydraulic assessment a dedicated model was developed. Its detailed description is provided in § 6, together with a full comment of the calculation results. Finally, § 7 focuses on the main conclusions and future perspectives of the work done. The first issue to be addressed was the development of a suitable code to perform the computational activity. System thermal-hydraulic codes are the reference numerical tools adopted for the nuclear reactor transient analysis. Most of them, such as RELAP5, were developed and validated to perform best-estimate transient simulations of Light Water Reactors (LWR). Once validated against experimental data coming from more than one-hundred facilities, they have been used throughout decades to perform the licensing of LWRs. Simulation results allowed to characterize the reactor transient behavior in the full range of operative and accidental conditions. The same approach to reactor transient analysis was envisaged also for fusion power plants. Although, existing system codes lack of some specific features required to properly simulate the fusion reactor performances. For this, during the last years, a modified version of the system code RELAP5/Mod3.3 was developed at DIAEE, including some new upgrades needed to address the modelling issues arising from the simulation of tokamak fusion reactors. New implementations consist in: i) lead-lithium (PbLi) and HITEC© working fluids, with their thermophysical properties; ii) new heat transfer correlations for liquid metals and molten salts; iii) helicoidally tubes dedicated heat transfer correlations and two-phase flow maps. The effectiveness of the new features introduced was verified throughout the three years of research activity by performing transient simulations involving tokamak reactors. Referring to the helicoidally geometry, the new two-phase flow maps were also tested against experimental data coming from OSU-MASLWR (Oregon State University - Multi Application Small Light Water Reactor) facility. In particular, a power manoeuvring test (named ICSP Test SP3) was selected for benchmarking purposes. Several power steps of the Fuel Pin Simulator, standing for the reactor core, was reproduced, from 80 to 320 kW. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the primary system natural circulation and secondary system superheating for a variety of core power levels and feedwater flow rates. The effects of the code modifications on the simulation outcomes were clearly visible at higher power levels when the heat transfer within the HCSG plays a more important role. Indeed, above a certain power threshold, nearly 200 kW, the default version showed limited capabilities to reproduce the test. On the contrary, the trends related to the modified version fit quite well the experimental data. Regarding the DEMO WCLL, in this document, it was presented the outcome of the pre-conceptual design developed during the just finished Horizon 2020 research programme. The design activity performed at DIAEE which the candidate took part to was mainly related to the BB Primary Heat Transfer System (PHTS) layout. The main system function is to remove the heat produced in the blanket components, delivering such thermal power to the Power Conversion System (PCS) to be converted into electricity. The BB PHTS is divided in two independent cooling systems, foreseen for the heat removal from the Breeder Zone (BZ) and the First Wall (FW). Both the BZ and the FW PHTSs consist of two cooling loops based on proven technologies extrapolated from Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). Each primary system comprises the in-vacuum vessel cooling circuit, the ex-vacuum vessel equipment (pumps, heat exchangers/steam generators and a pressurizer), and the correspondent connecting lines. The BB PHTS is conceived in order to avoid a loop segregation. The BZ/FW PHTS cold legs feed the cold ring, which accomplishes the distribution of the cold water to each in- vacuum vessel cooling circuit (one per each sector). Primary coolant removes power from the blanket components and is collected in the hot ring that delivers water to the hot legs. In case of pump trip in a single PHTS loop, the other cooling loop guarantees the power removal from the whole system after the plasma shutdown. With the aim of the design improvement, system-level transient analyses were run involving the WCLL blanket component and related PHTS. The DIAEE version of RELAP5/Mod3.3 was used for this purpose. Such activity was related to EUROfusion Consortium Work Packages Breeding Blanket (WPBB) and Balance of Plant (WPBoP). Firstly, a full DEMO WCLL thermal-hydraulic model was prepared, considering the BoP Indirect Coupling Design option. Blanket was simulated using equivalent components characterized by lumped parameters. The BZ and FW PHTS circuits were modelled including all the components within and outside the vacuum vessel. PCS nodalization starts from the main feedwater line and arrives up to the Turbine Stop Valves. Thus, only the BZ Once Through Steam Generators (OTSG) secondary side was simulated. Regarding the Intermediate Heat Transfer System (IHTS), the same approach was adopted. Only the cold and hot legs upwards/downwards the FW Heat EXchangers (HEX) shell side were added to the input deck. PCS feedwater and IHTS molten salt conditions at the BZ OTSGs and FW HEXs secondary side inlet were provided by means of boundary conditions. The model developed was tested against the design data by simulating the full plasma power state. Beginning of Life conditions were considered. Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers were implemented to: i) regulate the primary pump rotational velocity and set the required value of the system flow; ii) control the PCS feedwater and IHTS molten salt mass flows in order to obtain the required PHTS water temperature at blanket inlet (i.e. OTSG outlet, 295 °C). Simulation results were in good agreement with the nominal values, demonstrating the appropriateness of the nodalization scheme prepared and of the control system implemented. Blanket and PHTS thermal-hydraulic performances in this flat-top power state were fully characterized, including the calculation of the system pressure drops and heat losses. Then, this steady-state calculation was used as initial condition to perform the DEMO WCLL transient analysis, including some operational and accidental transients. The DEMO reactor normal operations were simulated, including both pulse and dwell phases. Reference plasma ramp-down and ramp-up curves were adopted for simulations purposes. Primary pumps were kept running at nominal velocity for the whole transient, as for DEMO requirement. In addition, during dwell, PHTS circuits must be operated at the system average temperature (nearly 310 °C). Since no control strategies related to BZ OTSGs and FW HEXs were available, a preliminary management strategy for the PCS feedwater and IHTS molten salt mass flows were proposed and investigated. The BB PHTS parameters calculated by the code were analyzed to assess the circuit performances. The imposed trends proved to be effective in keeping the PHTS average temperature during dwell at the required value. After, it was performed a benchmark exercise involving DEMO reactor power fluctuations. System code results were compared with the more detailed ones obtained with ANSYS CFX. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the thermal-hydraulic model developed for the blanket component, prepared using equivalent components characterized by lumped parameters. BZ and FW PHTS water temperatures at blanket outlet were selected as figures of merit. Their trends showed a good agreement between the simulation outcomes obtained with the system code and the Finite Element Method (FEM). Results obtained from this benchmark exercise also indicated an effective way to perform simulations involving components, such as the breeding blanket, characterized by complex geometries and heat transfer phenomena. System code and 3D calculations can be externally coupled in an iterative process where CFX provides more accurate parameters to refine the RELAP5 model and the latter is used to update the inlet conditions for finite volume model computation. Finally, the blanket primary cooling system response during accidental conditions was investigated. The selected transients to be studied belong to the category of “Decrease in reactor coolant system flow rate”. This transient analysis was aimed at understanding the thermal-hydraulic response of the blanket component and related primary circuits. In this way, it was possible to evaluate the appropriateness of their pre-conceptual design and the eventual need of mitigation actions to withstand such accidental scenarios. Different faults that could result in a decrease of the BB PHTS primary flow were postulated and investigated. In particular: i) partial and complete loss of forced primary coolant flow; ii) primary pump shaft seizure (or locked rotor); iii) inadvertent operation of a loop isolation valve. Firstly, the most limiting of the above primary flow decrease event was chosen. It consisted in the complete loss of forced circulation in both FW and BZ PHTS. In this ‘worst case’ scenario, even if very unlikely, a sensitivity was performed on the flywheel to be added to the PHTS main coolant pumps in order to keep the system temperatures within acceptable ranges. The proper moment of inertia values to be applied to BZ and FW primary pumps were selected according to the simulation outcomes. Later, they were also used in all the following transient calculations. The initiating events mentioned above were all simulated when interesting either BZ or FW system components (i.e. pumps and loop isolation valves). Calculations were replicated also considering the influence of loss of off-site power, assumed to occur in combination with the PIE. An actuation logic, involving some components of the DEMO reactor, was proposed and preliminary investigated. It was inspired by the one used for Generation III + nuclear power plants. Results highlighted how the type of circulation (natural or forced) characterizing each cooling system is the main element influencing the correspondent thermal-hydraulic performances. If forced circulation is available, the following behavior can be observed in BZ and FW systems.  Few seconds after the start of transient, the temperature spikes at blanket outlet characterizing the trend of both BZ and FW PHTS water are significantly smoothed.  In FW system, the availability of forced circulation in both primary and secondary (only for the first 10 s) circuits limits the pressure increase and avoids the intervention of the pressurizer Pilot-Operated Relief Valve (PORV) in the short term.  The OTSGs cooling capability lasts less. The presence of forced circulation in the primary cooling system enhances the steam generator heat transfer coefficient, increasing the thermal power transferred to the PCS. This reduces the time between two subsequent steam line Safety Relief Valves (SRV) openings and speeds up the evacuation of the water mass present in the OTSGs secondary side. Once terminated, the steam generators are no more able to provide any cooling function to the BZ PHTS.  For more or less two hours from PIE occurrence, the system pressure is controlled by the pressurizer sprays. The first PORV intervention in the long term is significantly delayed.  The temperature slope characterizing both BZ and FW systems (thermally coupled) is higher since pumping power is added to the power balance. This is valid until the pump trip is triggered in each system. Summarizing, forced circulation improves the BZ and FW performances in the short term, smoothing the temperature spikes, but reduces the ones in the mid-long term. In fact, it shortens the cooling interval provided to the BZ PHTS by the steam generators and increases the temperature slope experienced by BZ and FW systems, reducing the reactor grace time. The best management strategy for PHTS pumps is to use, at the start of transient, the forced circulation they provide, in order to avoid excessive temperatures in the blanket, and then stop them, to increase the reactor grace time. In all the transient simulations, BZ and FW systems experienced a positive temperature drift in the mid-long term. It is due to the unbalance between decay heat produced in the blanket and system heat losses, with the former overwhelming the latter. The temperature slope is higher if the forced circulation is still active. In these cases, it must be added another source term to the power balance, represented by the pumping power. In the calculations performed, no Decay Heat Removal (DHR) system was implemented in the input deck and the power surplus is managed by the pressurizer PORV. Power in excess produces a pressure increase and when this parameter reaches the PORV opening setpoint, PHTS water mass is discharged with its associated enthalpy content. This is the way adopted by BZ and FW system to dissipate the power surplus. In the future developments of this research activity, the impact of the DHR system will be also evaluated. In conclusion, simulation outcomes highlighted the appropriateness of the current PHTS design and of the management strategy chosen for the selected accidental scenarios. During the third ITER council (2008), it was established the so-called ITER Test Blanket Module (TBM) program. Its objective is to provide the first experimental data on the performance of the breeding blankets in the integrated fusion nuclear environment. More recently, in 2018, the WCLL option was inserted among the selected blanket concepts to be investigated. From this time, an intense research activity was conducted within the EUROfusion Work Package Plant level system engineering, design integration and physics integration (WPPMI) in order to perform the pre-conceptual and conceptual design phases of ITER WCLL Test Blanket System. The overall work (i.e. TBS) was divided in ‘Part A’, related to TBM set and ‘Part B’, referring to its related ancillary systems. For the latter, R&amp;D effort was led by ENEA and involved many European research institutions and universities, including DIAEE of Sapienza University of Rome. The work was supervised also by Fusion for Energy, the EU organization managing Europe’s contribution to ITER reactor. By the fall of 2020, both design phases were concluded, and the system successfully underwent its Conceptual Design Review. Among the TBM ancillary systems, the most relevant is the Water Cooling System, acting as primary cooling circuit of the TBM module. The design and thermal-hydraulic characterization of this circuit was up to DIAEE. The TBS conceptual design was presented in this document. A special focus was given to the WCS layout whose DIAEE is responsible for (i.e. the candidate took part to). The Water Cooling System was designed to implement the following main functions: i) provide suitable operating parameters to the water flow cooling the TBM in any operational state; ii) transfer thermal power from WCLL-TBM to CCWS; iii) provide confinement for water and radioactive products; iv) ensure the implementation of the WCLL-TBS safety functions. In addition, ITER WCLL-TBM must be DEMO relevant. Such relevancy refers to the water thermodynamic conditions at the TBM (15.5 MPa, 295-328 °C) since the experimental program will deal with the test of this blanket reference concept. The reduced thermal power produced in the TBM set (near 700 kW) with respect to DEMO blanket (1923 MW), allows to use a single water-cooling system for both the FW and the BZ. The correspondent WCS primary flow was computed considering the TBM power balance. The ultimate heat sink for the WCLL-TBM WCS is the ITER Component Cooling Water System (CCWS). With the aim to include an additional barrier between the contaminated primary water and the CCWS coolant, the WCLL-WCS was split in a primary and a secondary loop. In such a way, the CCWS radioactive inventory is kept below the limit in any operative and accidental scenario (note that CCWS is a non-nuclear system). To simplify the WCLL-WCS management, liquid only condition was selected for the secondary coolant instead of the two-phase fluid, as in DEMO PCS. It is worth to emphasize that electricity generation is not a purpose of ITER and, thus, steam production is not required. CCWS provides water coolant at low pressure and temperature (0.8 MPa at 31 °C), and requires that return temperature must be limited to 41 °C. Hence, there is a considerable difference between the average TBM temperature and the average CCWS temperature. To avoid an excessive temperature excursion (i.e. thermal stresses) between the two sides of a single heat exchanger, an economizer was installed in the middle of the WCS primary loop, leading to the typical “eight” shape of this circuit. Therefore, a total of three heat exchangers were considered for the whole WCS, namely: HX-0001 (economizer), HX-0002 (intermediate heat exchanger between primary and secondary loops) and HX-0003 (heat sink delivering power to CCWS). Each heat exchanger was provided with a bypass line allowing the regulation of the exchanged power by tuning the shell side mass flow. Finally, an electrical heater was added to the WCS primary loop in order to compensate the power unbalance in the system. Most of the WCS equipment is installed in the TCWS Vault, at level four of the tokamak building. The rest of the components, including the TBM, is placed in the level one Port Cell #16. Both locations are linked by means of connection pipes hosted in a vertical shaft. To support the WCS design a preliminary transient analysis was performed. For this purpose, a full thermal-hydraulic model of the system was developed by using the DIAEE version of RELAP5/Mod3.3. Since this circuit is directly connected to PbLi loop within the TBM, also these two systems were included in the overall TBS model. A preliminary control system was implemented for both WCS and PbLi loop. All the main circuit parameters (pressure, temperatures, and mass flows) are controlled in order to ensure system stability in any operative scenario and to provide water coolant and breeder at TBM with the required inlet conditions. Firstly, full plasma power state was simulated at both Beginning of Life (BOL) and End of Life (EOL) conditions. Such calculations were needed to test and evaluate the appropriateness of the model prepared. Simulation outcomes demonstrated that control systems corresponding to WCS and PbLi loop are able to ensure the required values at TBM inlet in both the operative scenarios. For WCS, the main differences between BOL and EOL conditions were highlighted, mainly regarding the operation of the temperature control system (i.e., the mass flow through the heat exchangers bypass). WCS and PbLi loop performances in this flat-top states were fully characterized, including the calculation of pressure and temperature fields, as well as the system power balance. In addition, an insight into the TBM behavior during full plasma power condition was given. Its operation does not change from BOL to EOL since it is provided with water coolant and liquid metal at constant thermodynamic conditions and flow rate. It is important to note that a full thermal-hydraulic characterization of the component was out of the scope of the research activity carried out by DIAEE. Nevertheless, TBM box contains part of the WCS circuit and constitutes the system source term. Furthermore, thermal coupling between WCS and PbLi loop occurs inside the module. For this, it was mandatory to properly simulate the heat transfer phenomena taking place within the component. The results obtained with the system code were compared with the more detailed ones available in literature (produced by using FEM methodologies). The latter were used to calibrate the component thermal-hydraulic model. Then, the two steady-state calculations were used as initial condition to simulate operative scenarios and abnormal conditions. The Normal Operation State (NOS) was the first to be analyzed. The WCS and PbLi loop control systems were tested to demonstrate their effectiveness in ensuring stable operations against the pulsed regime characterizing the NOS. Both BOL and EOL conditions were considered in order to assess the change in WCS thermal-hydraulic performances with the system aging. The reference ITER pulsed plasma regime was adopted for simulation purposes. The system code results demonstrated the appropriateness of the WCS and PbLi loop control systems. They are able to ensure water coolant and PbLi at the TBM with nearly constant inlet thermodynamic conditions and flow rate. For water inlet temperature, oscillations were limited to +/- 3 °C, acceptable for WCS and TBM operation. Moreover, it was verified that in any part of the PbLi loop an adequate margin (16 °C) from the freezing point is maintained. Finally, in order to assess and verify the WCS design, two abnormal scenarios were selected and investigated. The aim was to evaluate the system capabilities under degraded conditions and to verify if the standard control strategies without any external action are capable to maintain the TBM cooling function for an entire plasma pulse. This last condition allows to avoid the triggering of the Fast Plasma Shutdown System, demonstrating that a minor accident in the WCS does not interfere with the ITER global operation. The transients considered were: i) LOFA occurring in WCS secondary loop; ii) LOHS, i.e. loss of flow in the CCWS. The worst operative condition was supposed to be the EOL, since plugging and fouling limit the heat exchange. For this, NOS at EOL was imposed as initial condition for the transient calculations. In both scenarios, simulation outcomes highlighted that WCS primary loop is kept in safety conditions over the whole accidental evolution. In addition, the safety margin from the PbLi freezing is ensured by keeping the reference water temperature at the TBM inlet. The current WCS design and the control systems implemented proved to be effective to withstand the selected accidental scenarios.

La utilización de la tecnología Web Processing Service (WPS), promueve el inicio de una nueva generación de aplicaciones web en el dominio geoespacial. Los aplicativos SIG y de procesamiento de imágenes, están pasando de ser software ejecutable en computadoras personales a sistemas funcionando en la nube. Estas capacidades de geoprocesamiento, vienen a sumarse a las actuales Infraestructuras de Datos Espaciales (IDE’s), nutriéndose de procesos geoespaciales que son invocados como servicios. En el presente trabajo, se especifica un procedimiento general, que permite desarrollar sistemas web para la publicación y ejecución de geoprocesos como servicios, con el fin de brindar un conjunto de herramientas que le permita al usuario generar productos a demanda. La metodología presentada, se basa en el desarrollo de un software de aplicación con dos componentes principales. (a) un servidor de mapas para el acceso y entrega de datos geográficos y un visualizador web de mapas para la interacción con el servidor; (b) un componente de geoprocesamiento que deberá ser vinculado al servidor de mapas y una interfaz de acceso web a los geoprocesos, con procesos predefinidos, para efectuar cálculos espaciales sobre los datos disponibles. Como resultado, obtenemos una infraestructura informática que permite publicar, describir y ejecutar geoprocesos, como servicios web. Se han implementado para tal fin, dos geoprocesos: el primero que opera sobre datos raster (r nbr) y el segundo que opera sobre datos vectoriales (Buffer), ambos accesibles a través de una aplicación web. También se incorpora un tercer servicio web, r what, para satisfacer los requerimientos de un proyecto del mundo real aplicado al agro. Obtenemos de este modo, un sistema íntegramente compatible con los estándares actuales promovidos por la Open Geospatial Consortium para almacenar, presentar, publicar e invocar datos y procesos como servicios (software como servicio), mediante el uso de los protocolos WMS, WCS, WFS y WPS, logrando así la Interoperabilidad de informaci´on geográfica y geoprocesos. Por ´ultimo, los geoprocesos implementados quedan accesibles como servicios web, lográndose una solución de cómputo en la nube.

Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica Industrial e de Computadores<br>A aposta nos veículos elétricos (VEs) tem vindo a aumentar e, como tal, surgem novos desafios a nível da integração da mobilidade elétrica e das redes elétricas. Do ponto de vista da mobilidade elétrica, o tempo de carregamento de um VE e a autonomia continuam a ser os principais inconvenientes associados a estes veículos. Para mitigar estes problemas têm surgido vários sistemas inovadores, nomeadamente: sistemas de carregamento cada vez mais potentes que permitem diminuir o tempo de carregamento; novas tecnologias de sistemas de armazenamento de energia (maioritariamente baterias); e sistemas de gestão das baterias mais avançados e eficientes. Do ponto de vista da rede elétrica, a integração do VE apresenta também um conjunto significativo de vantagens, especialmente, quando os mesmos empregam sistemas de carregamento bidirecionais. Assim, além do modo de operação grid-to-vehicle (G2V), os sistemas bidirecionais permitem também outros modos de operação como o vehicle-to-grid (V2G) e o vehicle-for-grid (V4G). Com o objetivo de simplificar a interface entre o VE e o utilizador, assim como acompanhar as tendências do mercado, surge a necessidade de sistemas de carregamento sem fios. Atualmente, existem diversos sistemas de carregamento sem fios a operar de forma unidirecional com resultados que superaram as expectativas, tanto a nível da potência de carregamento, como de eficiência. Nesta dissertação foi implementado em ambiente de simulação o sistema completo para um carregamento por WPT para mobilidade elétrica. Onde foi validada as topologias dos conversores e os algoritmos de controlo dos mesmo, mais especificamente a interface com a rede elétrica, a transferência de energia bidirecional e o carregamento e descarregamento das baterias. O protótipo desenvolvido na presente dissertação foi dimensionado para uma potência de carregamento de 3,6 kW e realiza a interface entre a rede elétrica e o primário do sistema WPT. O protótipo é composto por uma única Placa de Circuito Impresso (PCB) onde se encontra o conversor CA-CC, o conversor CC-CA de alta frequência, o condicionamento de sinal e o microcontrolador. O sistema desenvolvido permite operar em três modos: G2V, V2G e V4G. Por fim, foram obtidos os resultados experimentais do protótipo que validam os três modos de operação.<br>The focus on electric vehicles (EVs) has been increasing, and new challenges arise regarding the integration of electric mobility and electric networks. According to electric mobility, an EV and autonomy charging time continues to be the main drawbacks associated with these vehicles. Several innovative systems have emerged to mitigate these problems: increasingly powerful charging systems that reduce charging times; new technologies for energy storage systems (mainly batteries); and more advanced and efficient battery management systems. According to the electricity grid, EV integration also presents a significant set of advantages, especially when using bidirectional charging systems. Thus, in addition to the grid to a vehicle (G2V) operating mode, bidirectional systems also allow for other operating modes such as vehicle to grid (V2G) and vehicle for-grid (V4G). To simplify the interface between the EV and the user and follow market trends, the need for wireless charging systems arises. Currently, wireless charging systems operate unidirectionally with results that surpass expectations, both in charging power and efficiency. In this dissertation, the complete system for a WPT charge for electric mobility was implemented in a simulation environment. Furthermore, the topologies of the converters and their control algorithms were validated, specifically the interface with the electrical network, the bidirectional energy transfer, and the charging and discharging of batteries. The prototype developed was dimensioned for a charging power of 3.6 kW and performed the interface between the electrical network and the primary of the WPT system. The prototype consists of a single Printed Circuit Board (PCB) where the AC-DC converter, the high-frequency DC-AC converter, the signal conditioning, and the microcontroller are located. The developed system allows operating in three modes: G2V, V2G, and V4G. Finally, the experimental results of the prototype that validate the three modes of operation were obtained.<br>Este trabalho de dissertação está enquadrado no projeto de IC&DT “newERA4GRIDs – New Generation of Unified Power Conditioner with Advanced Control, Integrating Electric Mobility, Renewables, and Active Filtering Capabilities for the Power Grid Improvement”, financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, com a referência PTDC/EEIEEE/30283/2017.<br>Este trabalho de dissertação está enquadrado no projeto de IC&DT “DAIPESEV – Development of Advanced Integrated Power Electronic Systems for Electric Vehicles”, financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, com a referência PTDC/EEIEEE/30382/2017.