scholarly journals A feasibility study of electrical energy generation from municipal solid waste in Iraq: Najaf case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 3403
Author(s):  
Othman M. Anssari ◽  
Esam A. Alkaldy ◽  
Naseem Almudhaffar ◽  
Abbas Nasir AlTaee ◽  
Nabeel Salih Ali
Keyword(s):  
Production Cost ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Electricity Crisis ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
One Year

In several developing countries, the electricity crisis obstructs both socio-economic and technological sustainable evolution. Also, it leads to reducing job availability due to shut down several industries or relocate to neighbouring countries to such an issue. A Najaf City is an important holy and tourist city in the middle of Iraq country. Indeed, waste management in An Najaf City needs to be reconsidered to be used as an energy source. In this article, we investigated and listed the waste quantity which produced recently (one year) respect to waste types and types of content. Data collected from the waste products for one year and are used as a key factor to study the feasibility of generating electrical energy from collected MSWs. The proposed model was simulated and tested respect to cost analysis factor of the suggested power plant by Homer pro simulation software. Results were very encouraging and competitive to the current energy production cost based on the production cost of the Kwh prospective among the conventional methods in Iraq. The proposed scenario provide proper and secure waste proposal technique with low-cost.

scholarly journals Huella de carbono del cultivo de rosas en Ecuador comparando dos metodologías: GHG Protocol vs. PAS 2050/ Carbon footprint of the cultivation of roses in Ecuador comparing two methodologies: GHG Protocol vs. PAS 2050

2018 ◽  
pp. 27-56
Author(s):  
Karina Guallasamin Constante ◽  
Débora Simón-Baile
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Environmental Practices ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Pas 2050 ◽  
Buenas Prácticas

Ecuador es el tercer exportador de rosas a nivel mundial. Un factor clave para la competitividad internacional es calcular y reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI). Por ello, se calculó la huella de carbono (HC) del cultivo de rosas en Ecuador, tomando como caso de estudio la Empresa Ecoroses S.A. en el año 2015. La empresa está ubicada en el cantón Mejía, provincia de Pichincha y dedica el 100% de su producción a las rosas. La HC se calculó mediante dos metodologías: GHG Protocol y PAS 2050, considerando los límites del sistema “de la cuna a la puerta”. Los factores de emisión fueron recopilados de bases de datos internacionales como IPCC y Ecoinvent v2.2. El resultado de la HC fue de 3,75 kg CO2eq/kg de rosa exportada. Las tres fuentes de emisión de GEI que más afectan son: los productos agrícolas (37,7%), la energía eléctrica (13,3%) y el uso de combustibles fósiles (10,95%). Esta HC duplica a la del cacao seco y es más de 8 veces mayor que la del banano nacional. Por ello, se propone implementar buenas prácticas ambientales para reducir los GEI, en concreto, fertilizantes orgánicos, ahorro energético y biocombustibles. Abstract Ecuador is the third largest exporter of roses worldwide. A key factor for the international competitiveness is to calculate and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). For this reason, we calculated the carbon footprint (CF) of the cultivation of roses in Ecuador, taking as a case study the Company Ecoroses S.A. in the year 2015. The company is located in the canton Mejia, province of Pichincha, and dedicates 100% of its production to roses. The CF was calculated using two methodologies, GHG Protocol and PAS 2050, considering the limits of the system “from the cradle to the door”. The emission factors were compiled from international databases such as IPCC and Ecoinvent v2.2. The result of the CF was 3,75 kg CO2eq/kg of rose exported. The three sources of emission of GHG that most affect are: agricultural products (37,7%), electrical energy (13,3%), and the use of fossil fuels (10,95%). This CF doubles that of dry cocoa, and is more than 8 times higher than that of domestic bananas. Therefore, the implementation of good environmental practices is proposed to reduce GHG, specifically, organic fertilizers, energy saving, and biofuels.

scholarly journals Combining Parcel Lockers with Staffed Collection and Delivery Points: An Optimization Case Study Using Real Parcel Delivery Data (London, UK)

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Maren Schnieder ◽  
Chris Hinde ◽  
Andrew West
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
One Year ◽  
Decision Support Method

Delivering parcels to collection and delivery points (CDPs) is often seen as a better option compared with home delivery. However, if the demand is inhomogeneous, either the parcel locker utilization or the service level (i.e., the number of parcels that can be delivered) is low. Either situation would reduce the financial viability. This paper compares two options to increase the utilization, namely: (i) modular lockers (i.e., numbers of lockers adjusted periodically depending on demand) and (ii) combining parcel lockers with staffed CDPs. The latter has the advantage of a low investment cost of staffed CDPs and a low cost per parcel of parcel lockers. Secondly, the paper calculates the optimal number of lockers at a staffed CDP, assuming that all parcels are placed in the staffed CDP if the parcel locker is full. This method was applied to data collected by a parcel delivery company in London. The advantage of using real world data over one year is that it includes seasonal and daily changes in the parcel demand. The decision support method accounts for parcels not being picked up by customers on the delivery day, returned deliveries, and the net present value (NPV) of the investment. This paper shows that having enough lockers for 100% of all parcels compared with 80% doubles the number of required parcel lockers because of the inhomogeneity of the demand. In addition, combining fixed lockers with staffed CDPs offers greater financial benefits compared with modular lockers in this case study.

First Ever Offshore Deployment of an Inflatable Packer Anchoring System for Rigless Installation of an Insertable Progressive Cavity Pump: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Osorio ◽  
Francis Ford
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Axial Loads ◽  
Slip Mechanism ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Anchoring System ◽  
One Year ◽  
Production Tubing

Abstract An offshore well located in Indonesia required rigless installation of an insertable progressive cavity pump (I-PCP) as a cost-effective solution to restore production while eliminating the need to retrieve the upper completion for extensive maintenance. The well had been previously completed with a conventional progressive cavity pump (PCP) as an integral part of the completion and was placed offline for approximately one year due to mechanical failure of downhole components. Typical I-PCP anchoring methods were not feasible alternatives for this application. A pump-seating nipple (PSN) insertable seal stack could not be used due to the lack of a PSN at the required I-PCP setting depth, and a mechanical J-slot anchoring device could not be deployed because rod conveyance from an offshore barge is subject to constant heave, which results in fluctuating axial loads and rod position, which would pose the risk of prematurely activating a mechanical J-slot anchor during deployment. An inflatable packer anchoring system was selected as a solution to the operational challenges encountered in this application. The system comprises inflatable packer technology, a hydraulically-actuated anchoring slip mechanism, seal cups, and a shearable intake sub. Conveyed on sucker rods, the system provides the required pressure competence to confirm tubing integrity and enable a complete hydraulic setting sequence. The first ever offshore installation of this system proved its optimal functionality by successfully anchoring an I-PCP inside 3-1/2" production tubing riglessly from an offshore barge. The system was set by applying pressure via the tubing-rod annulus, and the well was immediately placed into production. After being shut-in for more than one year, this unique solution provided the well operator with a safe and low-cost alternative to reestablish production while eliminating the need for a workover rig. The objective of this paper is to provide a case study analysis of the first offshore deployment of this technology, discuss its potential for optimizing PCP/I-PCP completion designs, and explain the economic and operational benefits of associated rigless well intervention operations in comparison to current alternative methods.

scholarly journals Toward a model to apprehend the complexity of manufacturing firm’s overall performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 184797902090198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aicha Lamjahdi ◽  
Hafida Bouloiz ◽  
Maryam Gallab
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
System Modeling ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Industrial Systems ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Set Up

Recently, the company’s overall performance (OP) has become a major concern of our modern society, as a key factor that can potentially increase firm’s competitive advantage and ensure its sustainable development. However, OP is increasingly being considered as highly complex because of the complex interrelationships within industrial systems. This article presents a contribution to modeling of OP in order to apprehend its complexity and take into account the interactions between all its aspects. The proposed model is based on a combination of the value chain concept and System Modeling Language modeling. The main study established an OP indicators system to better present the firm sustainability behavior, and thus provide a comprehensive view that facilitates an in-depth understanding of its complexity. Besides, a case study from the dairy industry is presented to illustrate the model. This model can identify different activities’ interactions in the firm and understand interrelationships between OP dimensions and firm’s activities. Moreover, the proposed indicators system helps to define OP problems in the firm. Such knowledge enables managers to identify OP problems’ drivers, the related activities and set up the optimal solutions to improve the most critical activities whose performance affect the whole value chain.

Toward a low-cost disdrometer: simulating the collision of raindrops with a cantilever piezo film

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Ling Wei ◽  
Wei-Jiun Su ◽  
Shu-Wei Chang ◽  
Li-Pen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Single Drop ◽  
Laser Technologies ◽  
Raindrop Size Distribution ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Radar Echo ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Raindrop Size

<p>Raindrop size distribution (DSD) is the key factor to derive reliable rainfall estimates. It is strongly related to a number of integral rainfall parameters, including rain intensity (R), rain water content (W) and radar echo (Z). Disdrometers are the senors commonly used to measure DSD based upon microwave or laser technologies; such as JWD (Joss-Waldvogel Disdrometer), Parsivel and 2DVD (Two-Dimensional Video Disdrometer). These sensors have different strengths and weakness, and they are relatively expensive. This hinders the possibility to have a large-scale and high-density observation of DSD. In this work, our goal is to explore the possibility to develop a lightweight and low-cost disdrometer with high accuracy.</p><p>We start with establish a model that can well simulate the signal reaction of a single drop falling on a cantilever piezo film. A series of experiments were conducted to test the reaction of drops with different sizes (diameters ranging from 2 - 4 mm) and as drops falling onto different locations of the film. We then modelled the collision by assuming the piezo film to be a damped cantilever beam and drop force to be a step force; and the drop force is derived based upon the measurement of the deflection of beam end, which is further used to fit the damp ratio. Preliminary results suggest that the signal reaction of a single drop hits can be well simulated based upon the proposed model under current experimental setting. More experiments and simulations are currently undergoing to explore the capacity of the proposed model with different drop falling velocity, size and position, as well as its reaction of multiple drops.  </p>

scholarly journals Self-Organised Collision-Free Flocking Mechanism in Heterogeneous Robot Swarms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Ban ◽  
Junyan Hu ◽  
Barry Lennox ◽  
Farshad Arvin
Keyword(s):  
Collective Motion ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Extended Model ◽  
Robotic Simulation ◽  
Robot Swarms ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Real World Applications ◽  
Common Behaviour ◽  
And Storage

AbstractFlocking is a social animals’ common behaviour observed in nature. It has a great potential for real-world applications such as exploration in agri-robotics using low-cost robotic solutions. In this paper, an extended model of a self-organised flocking mechanism using heterogeneous swarm system is proposed. The proposed model for swarm robotic systems is a combination of a collective motion mechanism with obstacle avoidance functions, which ensures a collision-free flocking trajectory for the followers. An optimal control model for the leader is also developed to steer the swarm to a desired goal location. Compared to the conventional methods, by using the proposed model, the swarm network has less requirement for power and storage. The feasibility of the proposed self-organised flocking algorithm is validated by realistic robotic simulation software.

Global Surgery Hackathons: A Case Study From Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 155335062110186
Author(s):  
Waqaas A. Butt ◽  
Amir Shariff ◽  
Sadaf Khan ◽  
Asad I. Mian
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
To Come ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Multiple Domains

Background. Hackathons aim to solve problems in a selected field by bringing together people from multiple domains and combining their expertise. Global surgery is an emerging field with a huge burden of disease and massive implications for bettering health care. In this study, we describe the first Global Surgery Hackathon held in Pakistan and analyze the impacts of the hack and post-hack incubation. Methods. This research study used data collected from a Hackathon held at the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi, Pakistan, and progress from the post-hack incubation teams. Data were collected from applications, from sign-in attendance, via evaluation forms, and milestone tracking of the incubation teams. A list of factors such as sectors addressed by winning projects and grants received was made. Results. The evaluations provided by the participants were positive, with mean scores of 4.00 (SD = .78) out of 5 on a Likert scale. Pitches made (n = 69, 68%) by the 109 participants were sorted into 5 categories: workplace, access, quality, safety, and design. Fifteen teams were formed, out of which 5 were accepted for incubation. All teams had a minimum viable product at the one-year mark. Conclusion. Hackathons are a reliable way to come up with effective solutions for targeted problems in various areas of health care and using the methodology of a Hackathon, a pool of low-cost, innovative solutions can be generated. These solutions can definitely impact health outcomes, especially for the field of global surgery. Further statistics should be collected to affirm the incubated solutions’ impact.

scholarly journals MAKING FORMWORK CONSTRUCTION LEAN

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Ho Ko ◽  
Jiun-De Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Control Culture ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Kanban System ◽  
Manufacturing Techniques ◽  
Construction Model

Formwork material and payroll are among the greatest costs in building reinforced concrete structures. Therefore, formwork engineering is a key factor affecting project success. Traditional formwork construction entails non-value-adding activities resulting in waste. The objective of this study is to adapt lean manufacturing techniques to formwork engineering in a bid to reduce waste, specifically by developing a lean formwork construction model. In the model, andon is used to establish an on-site quality control culture, allowing form workers to obtain assistance immediately whenever a problem occurs. In addition, formwork operations are pulled through the kanban system to reduce mould inventory and achieve continuous construction flow. A case study is used to validate the applicability of the proposed model. Results show that the proposed model can effectively reduce waste in the formwork construction flow and increase the value of operations, thus providing a new approach to improving formwork engineering.

scholarly journals Application of the Naturally Optimised Revenue Demand in Communities NORDIC Model to Improve the Workforce in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Jan Stenis
Keyword(s):  
Economic Incentives ◽  
The Public ◽  
Labour Policy ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Swedish Society ◽  
Shadow Cost ◽  
Population Ratio

The Naturally Optimised Revenue Demand in Communities (NORDIC) model was employed to improve the workforce. The proposed model produced constructed shadow costs to be inserted into the public accounts to induce economic incentives to increase the employment-to-population ratio. The resulting shadow cost, and its impact on the PSBR, constitutes a single key factor that by one digit only, expresses how successful the labour policy is over time. The launched model considered and promoted the health of the workforce and reduced the costs of non-employment. This case study showed how the workforce in the Swedish society could be improved by application of the NORDIC model, that is the system of cooperation between workers and employers. The results point at a promising methodology for improving the health of the workforce and increasing the employment-to-population ratio by using economic instruments. The study concludes that the versatile NORDIC model could be used to improve the Swedish workforce and its quality of life, particularly for seniors. Possible end users include labour authorities and politicians that want a comprehensive tool to redesign the labour policy. The NORDIC model is recommended to apply to labour issues, and employ to improve the health of the workforce. Further research should focus on developing algorithms for certain sections of the workforce.

WestJet Airlines: hybrid but profitable

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 23-25
Author(s):  
Mark Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Airline Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Strategic Positioning ◽  
Hybrid Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Low Cost Carrier ◽  
One Year

Purpose – The article looks at a Canadian airline, WestJet, that began as a low-cost carrier and is now adopting a more hybrid strategy. It analyses the difficulty of such a strategy and makes the comparison with Singapore Airlines (SIA) which has attempted to do the same. Design/methodology/approach – The article is a case study primarily of WestJet, but also of SIA. Findings – The airline industry is notorious for its low profits in the good years and appalling losses in the bad ones. The Canadian airline, WestJet, is one of the few companies that has defied this trend over the past decade. Indeed, it has reported positive net incomes for all but one year since it was created in 1996. In doing so, the Alberta-based firm is bucking not just the trend on profitability but also on strategic positioning.

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