scholarly journals EDITORIAL

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 02
Author(s):  
W. Balmant
Keyword(s):  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Oil Refining ◽  
Thermodynamic Optimization ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Different Sources

There is currently a strong UN and IPCC-led campaign promoting the rejection of oil-derived fuels because of the risk of global warming. However, global demand for oil does not decline, but tends to increase to 100 million barrels per day in 2018 according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This clearly demonstrates that a speech is not enough, but new sources of energy are needed that can unequivocally replace oil from a technical and economic point of view. In this context, one of the possible solutions is the introduction of biorefineries, which have the capacity to process biomass from different sources, generating several products and fuels derived from biomass. An example of biorefinery is the production of ethanol from sugarcane bagasse, where all sugarcane biomass is harvested for ethanol generation. However, the processes involving biorefineries are still in laboratory or pilot scale, because these processes are not yet economically feasible. One of the crucial bottlenecks of a biorefinery is the energy cost of the processes involved, which is often greater than the energy gain obtained. One way to reduce the energy costs of these processes is thermodynamic optimization. For this, mathematical models are needed that are capable of describing all the processes that occur within a biorefinery. Unfortunately, there is no such tool available, which makes thermodynamic optimization of biorefinery impossible. However, for oil refining, this tool is already available even in the form of commercial software such as Aspen Plus, after all petroleum refining is an industry more than a hundred years old and so the exploitation of oil is so profitable. If biorefineries want to compete with the oil industry, it is necessary to develop simulation tools that can be used for thermodynamic optimization, so that the processes of a biorefinery become economically feasible.

scholarly journals A Novel Method for nZEB Internal Coverings Design Based on Neural Networks

Coatings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Orosa ◽  
Diego Vergara ◽  
Ángel M. Costa ◽  
Rebeca Bouzón
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Sampled Data ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Vapour Permeability ◽  
Weather Changes

Research from the International Energy Agency about indoor ambiences and nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) in the past has been centred on different aspects such as the prediction of indoor conditions as a function of the weather using laboratory material properties for simulations and real sampled data for validation. Thus, it is possible to use real data for defining behavioural groups of indoor ambiences as a function of real vapour permeability of internal coverings. However, this method is not suitable for modelling it and predicting its behaviour under weather changes, which is of interest to improve the method of selection and use of building construction materials. In this research, artificial intelligence procedures were employed as the first model of permeable coverings material behaviour to provide a newer understanding of building materials and applications for the generation of new control procedures between the mechanical and electronic point of view of building construction materials.

Treatment of waste activated sludge together with agro-waste by anaerobic digestion: focus on effluent quality

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cavinato ◽  
C. Da Ros ◽  
P. Pavan ◽  
F. Cecchi ◽  
D. Bolzonella
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Energetic Balance

Waste activated sludge production and management plays an important role in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), especially from an economic point of view. One possible approach is the anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge with others organic substrates in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions in order to exploit the spare volume of existing reactors, recover energy from biogas production, and obtain a fertilizer as final product. The anaerobic trials were carried out at pilot scale, applying two organic loading rates (2.8 and 4.5 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m3·d)) with a hydraulic retention time of 16 and 21 days. Among agro-wastes, wine lees were chosen because of their continuous availability throughout the year, and their high COD content (up to 200–300 g/l, 70% soluble, on average). The addition of wine lees to activated sludge determined a higher biogas production (best yield was 0.40 Nm3/kgCODfed) improving the energetic balance of the sludge line of the WWTP. The characterization of both substrates fed and digester effluents was carried out in terms of heavy metals; comparison with EC proposed limits showed that, due to high content of Cu in wine lees, the loading rate of this agro-waste should be limited to maintain good characteristics of final biosolids.

Outcome focused: how to deliver value in a field (re)development. A case study from the Cooper–Eromanga Basin, South Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 491
Author(s):  
S. J. Molyneux ◽  
H. F. Wu ◽  
S. Delaney ◽  
A. Gongora
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
North West ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Eromanga Basin

The share of global hydrocarbon production from ‘aging’ assets is increasing, whereas global demand for energy continues to increase at 1–2% per year (IEA 2019). In 2018, the International Energy Agency estimated the global average production decline at 4% per annum (Gould and McGlade 2018). Production from many of Australia’s established basins, such as the Cooper–Eromanga basin and the North West Shelf, is dominated by aging assets. To arrest this decline, actions must be taken to meet global demand for oil and gas, sustain production and underpin shareholder expectations of a return on their investment. Arresting field decline is a multifaceted problem. A single fix, whether technological or operational, will not maximise production or asset value. Any project to arrest field decline, grow production or (re)develop a field must be considered in its entirety, as an integrated system, by a multidisciplinary team. In addition, and critical to success, the required outcome must be clearly established and committed to by field owners, consultants and staff assigned to the project. This paper demonstrates how using a committed, outcome-focused approach, an integrated project team identified field redevelopment opportunities that significantly increased estimated ultimate recovery in an aging oilfield (that had already produced more than 70–80% of the developed resource) in the Cooper–Eromanga basin, South Australia. Factors critical to success were: (1) a commitment to look at all aspects of the field, from geology and geophysics, through the completion, well and field performance and operational infrastructure to identify development opportunities; (2) an ability to be agile, cycling quickly through the workflow as new information became available; (3) dedicated resources, clear communication and a commitment to integrated work across consultant and staff resources; and (4) management support.

Sophie Laws, with Caroline Harper and Rachel Marcus. Research for Development: A Practical Guide. New Delhi: Vistaar Publications. 2003. xiii+475 pages. Paperback. Indian Rupees 450.00.

2003 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-172
Author(s):  
Mir Annice Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Policy Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Basic Question ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Is Research ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Development Workers

To implement any successful policy, research about the subject-matter is essential. Lack of knowledge would result in failure and, from an economic point of view, it would lead to a waste of scarce resources. The book under review is essentially a manual which highlights the use of research for development. The book is divided into two parts. Part One informs the reader about concepts and some theory, and Part Two deals with the issue of undertaking research for development. Both parts have 11 chapters each. Chapter 1 asks the basic question: Is research important in development work? The answer is that it is. Research has many dimensions: from the basic asking of questions to the more sophisticated broad-based analysis of policy issues. The chapter, in short, stresses the usefulness of research which development workers ignore at their own peril.

Preliminary report on the International Energy Agency mode of occurrence inter-laboratory comparison; Phase I, USGS results

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis A. Palmer ◽  
Allan Kolker ◽  
Jason C. Willett ◽  
Stanley J. Mroczkowski ◽  
Robert B. Finkelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Mode Of Occurrence

Bleak Weather for Sun-Shine AG: A Case Study of Impairment of Assets

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Detzen ◽  
Tobias Stork genannt Wersborg ◽  
Henning Zülch
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Professional Judgment ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Instructional Resource

ABSTRACT This case originates from a real-life business situation and illustrates the application of impairment tests in accordance with IFRS and U.S. GAAP. In the first part of the case study, students examine conceptual questions of impairment tests under IFRS and U.S. GAAP with respect to applicable accounting standards, definitions, value concepts, and frequency of application. In addition, the case encourages students to discuss the impairment regime from an economic point of view. The second part of the instructional resource continues to provide instructors with the flexibility of applying U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS when students are asked to test a long-lived asset for impairment and, if necessary, allocate any potential impairment. This latter part demonstrates that impairment tests require professional judgment that students are to exercise in the case.

The Role of Economic Evaluation in Dissemination and Implementation Research

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Raghavan
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Public Health Organizations ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation Research

This chapter presents an overview of how D&I research can be evaluated from an economic point of view. Dissemination and implementation imposes costs upon knowledge purveyors, provider organizations, public health organizations, and payers (including governments). However, whether these added costs will result in improved service delivery and, perhaps more importantly, client outcomes and improvements in population health remain as open questions. If emerging studies reveal that defined implementation strategies are more cost effective than “usual” implementation, then policymakers and service providers will need to resource these added costs of implementation in order to assure the success and sustainability of high-quality health services over the long term.

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