Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid by TiO2 modified catalyst: kinetics and operating cost analysis

Low vehicle occupancy rates combined with record conventional vehicle sales justify the requirement to optimize vehicle type based on passengers and a powertrain with zero-emissions. This study compares the performance of different vehicle types based on the number of passengers/payloads, powertrain configuration (battery and fuel cell electric configurations), and drive cycles, to assess range and energy consumption. An adequate choice of vehicle segment according to the real passenger occupancy enables the least energy consumption. Vehicle performance in terms of range points to remarkable results for the FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) compared to BEV (battery electric vehicle), where the former reached an average range of 600 km or more in all different drive cycles, while the latter was only cruising nearly 350 km. Decisively, the cost analysis indicated that FCEV remains the most expensive option with base cost three-fold that of BEV. The FCEV showed notable results with an average operating cost of less than 7 cents/km, where BEV cost more than 10 €/km in addition to the base cost for light-duty vehicles. The cost analysis for a bus and semi-truck showed that with a full payload, FCPT (fuel cell powertrain) would be more economical with an average energy cost of ~1.2 €/km, while with BPT the energy cost is more than 300 €/km.

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Effective Light Source for Illuminating Overhead Guide Signs and Improving Roadway Safety

Journal of the Transportation Research Forum ◽

10.5399/osu/jtrf.55.1.4331 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammed S. Obeidat ◽

Malgorzata J. Rys

Keyword(s):

Cost Analysis ◽

Light Source ◽

Light Emitting Diode ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Mercury Vapor ◽

Light Distribution ◽

Light Sources ◽

Good Efficiency ◽

Light Emitting ◽

Roadway Safety

Driver safety is considered an important issue to departments of transportation. One way to increase highway safety is to improve the visibility of overhead guide signs for drivers. Visibility improving methods include the use of sign illumination or retroreflective sheeting materials. This paper focuses on sign illumination by comparing five light sources including high pressure sodium (HPS), metal halide (MH), mercury vapor (MV), induction lighting, and light emitting diode (LED). A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare effective light distribution of each light source and a cost analysis was performed to compare initial, maintenance, and operating cost components of the light sources. Results of the light distribution experiment indicated that HPS was the optimum light source followed by MH, induction lighting, MV, and LED. Induction lighting is a promising lighting technology which features good efficiency and long life. According to cost analysis, induction lighting was the most effective source, followed by the LED, HPS, MV, and MH. Of the five light sources considered, induction lighting provided the best overall performance when considering initial cost, operating cost, expected maintenance, and sign illuminance. Environmentally, LED does not contain mercury, and for those agencies that prefer using sources that are friendlier with the environment, the LED can be their best choice.

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Cost Analysis of Establishing a Relationship Between a Surgical Program in the US and Vietnam

International Surgery ◽

10.9738/cc81.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 97 (2) ◽

pp. 155-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Quyen D. Chu ◽

Thu Nguyen ◽

Phuong Nguyen ◽

Hung S. Ho

Keyword(s):

Cost Analysis ◽

Annual Cost ◽

Video Conferencing ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Developing Nations ◽

Infrastructure Investment ◽

Recent Experience ◽

Developing Nation ◽

The Us ◽

Medical University

Abstract “Twinning” refers to a constructive partnership between hospitals in developed and developing nations. Such an effort may contribute immensely to capacity building for the developing nation, but one of the reasons given for the lack of sustainability is cost. We share a detailed operating cost analysis of our recent experience with an institution in Vietnam. We were awarded a 1-year $54,000 grant from the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) to conduct a live tele-video conferencing course on the “Fundamentals of Clinical Surgery” with Thai Binh Medical University (TBMU). In-country lectures as well as an assessment of the needs at TBMU were performed. Total financial assistance and expenditures were tabulated to assess up-front infrastructure investment and annual cost required to sustain the program. The total amount of direct money ($66,686) and in-kind services ($70,276) was $136,962. The initial infrastructure cost was $41,085, which represented 62% of the direct money received. The annual cost to sustain the program was approximately $11,948. We concluded that the annual cost to maintain a “twinning” program was relatively low, and the efforts to sustain a “twinning” program were financially feasible and worthwhile endeavors. “Twinning” should be a critical part of the surgical humanitarian volunteerism effort.

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