Contribution of Life Cycle Knowledge towards Environmental Performance of ISO 14001 Certified Malaysian Companies: Analysis of ISO 14001 and Selected Life Cycle Management Tools

The ability to enhance environmental performance has emerged as a pivotal corporate strategy for businesses in Malaysia. While the ISO 14001:2015 has been promoted extensively by the Malaysian Department of Standards, its adoption remains low and at a slow pace. There is scarce research to demonstrate the linkage between environmental knowledge, the implementation of life cycle management tools and environmental performance. Therefore, the first aim of this study is to assess the different knowledge levels of respondents on ISO 14001:2015 and four assessment methodologies (i.e., Life Cycle Assessment, Carbon Footprint, Water Footprint, and Material Flow Cycle Accounting). The second aim is to determine whether these knowledge bases contribute to the firms’ environmental performance. A total of 157 ISO-certified firm owners responded to the self-administered questionnaires. A One-Way ANOVA test revealed a difference in knowledge levels, with Life Cycle Assessment having the highest score and Material Flow Cycle Accounting having the lowest. Multiple regression revealed ISO 14001, Material Flow Cycle Accounting, and Carbon Footprint knowledge to contribute to environmental performance significantly. Counterintuitively, Life Cycle Assessment and Water Footprint exerted no significance on environmental performance. Policy implications include information dissemination and training by governmental officials for firm owners and exposure to life cycle management tools.

Analisis Komoditas Padi Pascapanen Berbasis E-SCM Studi Kasus Kilang Padi Sumber Rezeki

Abstrct : The object of this research is the Sumber Rezeki Rice Refinery which produces rice in Taman Sari, Kec.Pulo Bandring. This Rice Refinery in the processing of supply chain management that has been done can increase the amount of profit and market share by purchasing rice. Aspects of analysis that occur produce effectiveness and efficiency together in one flow cycle. The use of observations and discussions in the field and designing an application system so that it is able to cope with the rice supply that occurs and predict the rice stock that must be provided by the Sumber Rezeki Rice Refinery. Keywords: a source of sustenance; predictions; scm; application system; rice stock. Abstrak : Objek pada penelitian ini adalah pada Kilang Padi Sumber Rezeki yang berproduksi beras di Taman Sari, Kec.Pulo Bandring. Kilang Padi ini dalam pengolahan supply chain management yang telah dilakukannya dapat meningkatkan jumlah keuntungan dan pangsa pasar dengan melakukan pembelian beras. Aspek analisis yang terjadi menghasilkan keefektifan dan keefesienan bersama-sama dalam satu siklus aliran. Penggunaan observasi dan diskusi di lapangan serta melakukan perancangan sistem aplikasi sehingga mampu menanggulangi persediaan beras yang terjadi dan memprediksi stok beras yang harus disediakan oleh Kilang Padi Sumber Rezeki. Kata kunci : Kilang padi sumber rezeki; prediksi; scm; sistem aplikasi; stok beras.

First and Second Law Analyses of Double Effect Parallel and Series Flow Direct Fired Absorption Cycles for Optimum Operating Parameters

Thermodynamic analysis of double effect parallel and series flow direct fired absorption systems with lithium bromide–water has been carried out for different operating conditions. Temperatures in primary generator (Tg) and secondary generator (Tgs)/secondary condenser (Tcs) are optimized analytically using an iterative technique for maximum coefficient of performance (COP) and minimum energy required. A solution distribution ratio for a parallel flow cycle is also optimized. Source of energy used to drive the cycles is considered as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Exergy destruction rate (EDR) in individual components as well as in the whole cycle along with volume flow rate of LPG and CNG is presented and compared. Results show that maximum COP for the parallel flow cycle is 3–6% higher than the series flow cycle. Also, minimum EDR of the parallel flow cycle is around 4% less while energy consumption is 2–3% low as compared to the series flow cycle.

Ventilator Control Parameters

‘Ventilator Control Parameters’ looks at the individual ventilator settings, which are largely used to quantitatively define the properties of mechanical breaths. Following on from the previous discussion of essential variables, this chapter describes their implementation in the form of controls. This chapter begins by discussing the confusing and non-standardized terminology used for control parameters, providing a list of controls used on major ventilators. Common controls include rate, pressure and flow triggers, inspiratory time, I:E ratio, peak flow, flow cycle, tidal volume, pressure control or pressure support, PEEP, FiO2, rise time, flow pattern, and specific controls for biphasic modes. The chapter includes normal values and uses of the controls.

An Evaluation of the Nominal Stress Method for Life Prediction of Cylindrical Circumferential V-Notched Specimens Tested under Variable Amplitude Loading

An experimental device was constructed with the aim of testing various cylindrical V-notched specimens until fracture and under variable amplitude torsional loads. The specimens had different notch depths resulting in the same number of values for the stress concentration factor. Strain gages directly bonded at the specimens’ surface and using a slip ring system for their communication with the conditioner, allowed the measurement of the actual applied loads. The well-known rain flow cycle counting procedure was then applied on the scaled signal for identifying the frequency of the 64 classes of stress amplitudes and means. The traditional nominal stress-based approach was then evaluated as the most widely used tool for fatigue lifetime calculations. As the occurrence of stress amplitudes above the endurance fatigue limit tends to lower it, the Miner elementary method was used. The results show damage sum ranges between 0.5 and 6.4 with a mean value of 2.0. Despite the small size of the sample used in the present paper (only 13 tests), these significant deviations are in agreement with previous results reported by different researchers.

Portable Heat Pump Testing Device

The aim of this paper is to present the design and working principle of a portable testing device for heat pumps in the energy recirculation system. The presented test stand can be used for any refrigerating/reverse flow cycle device to calculate the device energy balance. The equipment is made of two portable containers of the capacity of 250 liters to simulate the air heat source and ground heat source with a system of temperature stabilization, compressor heat pump of the coefficient of performance (COP) of = 4.3, a failsafe system and a control and measurement system.