Following over 100 years of agriculture and continuous phosphorus (P) fertilizer application in the south west of Western Australia, there is a growing risk of P transport from cropping and pasture land to streams. However, soil and landscape factors affecting the likelihood of P losses and of stream water contamination have not yet been assessed for the South coast region of Western Australia. The present investigation was conducted in the Fitzgerald River catchment located ~ 400 km south east of Perth, to identify risk of P losses from agricultural land to streams, through an understanding of how P is retained within complex landscapes and released via surface and subsurface flow paths. The 104,000 ha catchment is in a moderately dissected landscape (average annual rainfall 450 mm) and discharges into the World Heritage listed Fitzgerald Biosphere. The main use of cleared land in the catchment is broad-scale agriculture, primarily winter grain cropping and pasture for livestock. The aim of an initial study was to identify the areas with high soil P concentrations and their relationship to factors such as soil type, topography, management (e.g. fertilizer and manure inputs, and uptake by crops or forage) and how variations in soil P concentrations were related to soil physico-chemical properties, P fertilizer management and landscape position. A wide variation in P concentrations was observed across the catchment, but few of the samples exceeded Colwell extractable P levels of 30 mg/kg in the 0-10 cm layer which is regarded as a critical level for crop and pasture productivity. The western area of the catchment, which was cleared earlier (before 1966) than the eastern area had a greater prevalence of loam soils, and higher Colwell-extractable P concentrations (average)22 mg/kg vs. 13 mg P/kg) due to soil type effects and higher P accumulation over time. Risk of P loss from the east and west of the catchment is expected to vary due to textural and topographic differences and P history (P fertilizer input and uptake by crops). The CaCl2-extractable P in the catchment was negatively correlated with oxalate extractable Fe (Feox) in soils. This suggests that P may be transported as particulate P (PP) on loam and clay soils due to sorption of P on oxides surfaces, while on sand soil leaching losses may be more likely. On loam and clay soils, higher sodicity and the dispersive nature of subsoils may increase the risk of both dissolved P (DP) and PP loss due to the effects on hydraulic conductivity of the profile. Hedley's fractionation scheme was used to quantify P fractions in the order of decreasing lability, viz: resin-P > NaOH-Pi > NaOH-Po > acid-P (H2SO4-P) > residual-P. Surface soil had higher resin and NaOH-Pi, which are regarded as water-soluble and readily exchangeable P forms, respectively and expected to contribute to DP in the runoff losses. The residual P was the largest fraction followed by the hydroxide extractable organic-P fraction (NaOH-Po): the former was positively correlated (r) with clay content, organic carbon (OC) and pyrophosphate extractable Fe and Al (0.48**, 0.61**, 0.69** and 0.58**, P < 0.01). A relatively higher value of NaOH-Po in the subsurface layer and positive correlation with OC (r = 0.45**, P < 0.01) suggests potential mobility of P as soluble organic P in run-off, throughflow and leachate. Phosphorus sorption and its relationship to soil properties was used to assess the potential P release from the catchment soils. Values of P sorption maxima varied from 1111-3333 mg/kg for surface soils and 1010-2917 mg/kg for subsoils. The P sorption isotherms conformed better to the Freundlich equation than the Langmuir equation. A highly significant negative correlation between CaCl2 extractable P and Feox in surface soils (r = -0.65**, P < 0.01) suggests that P was bound to hydrated Fe oxide surfaces and this may determine the concentration and dynamics of loosely bound P equilibrating with leachates and eroded particulate materials. On the other hand, high surface organic matter and the high proportion of total dissolved P in organically bound form may inhibit P sorption on clays and sesquioxides, which would increase P mobility through leaching or runoff losses. The relationship between soil P concentration and degree of P stratification in the top 0-10 cm of soils along five toposequences was examined to predict the effect on runoff P losses. The total Colwell-P content of the 0-10 cm layer of soils in the catchment was very low in comparison to other studies on P losses from agricultural soils, but soils showed higher P concentration at 0-1 cm depth compared to 5-10 cm (average 37 mg/kg vs. 19 mg/kg). The higher extractable P concentration in the 0-1 cm layer will create a greater P mobilization risk in surface runoff and leachate than analysis of the 0-10 cm layer might suggest. Assessment of P risk using the 0-10 cm data would still be reliable as P concentration in the 0-1 cm layer was linearly related (R2 = 0.59) with concentration in the 0-10 cm layer. The sampling at varied soil depths will result in different critical P levels for estimating the risk of P enrichment in runoff. In a glasshouse study with intact soil columns, initial high P concentrations in leachate decreased with leaching events suggesting that macropore flow dominated in initial leaching events changing later to matrix flow. The hydraulic behavior of clay and loam soil below 10 cm depends largely on structure and the type of clay minerals and exchangeable Na. Higher levels of exchangeable Na in the subsoil might increase dispersion of clay particles resulting in low permeability leading to ponding of surface water or lateral movement of water at the interface of sand A and clay B horizons. Lateral water movements increase the risk of P losses in the form of DP, dissolved organic P (DOP) or PP. The P concentration in all the P forms (DRP, DOP and TDP) increased significantly with P rates of application (P < 0.01). The DRP concentration was < 2 mg/l in unfertilized columns but an increase to 11 mg/l was observed with P application at 40 kg P/ha. The higher proportion of DOP relative to DRP and its correlation with TDP indicates that the DOP was the major form of P in leachate. However, the estimation of DOP which was by subtraction of DRP from TDP generally overestimates OP concentration. The TDP load from unfertilized soil was < 0.20 mg/l in runoff and < 2.40 mg/l in throughflow but increased with P application (20, 40 kg P/ha) for both packed box and field studies. Under field conditions, higher P loss was found with broadcast P application compared to drill placement. The higher load of DOP as a proportion of TDP and its significant relationship with TDP in runoff (R2sand = 0.81; R2clay = 0.79) and throughflow (R2sand = 0.94; R2clay = 0.98) in field and box studies also suggests DOP was the major form of P loss from soil. Dissolved OP concentration increased significantly with increase in soluble organic carbon (SOC) in soil solution at 5 cm depth (P < 0.05). Consequently, the amount of organic matter dissolved in soil solution may influence P sorption and mobility. Relatively higher affinity of soil for sorption of DRP compared to DOP might allow DOP to be more mobile through the profile. Higher PP load in clay soil in throughflow indicates subsurface lateral flow along the interface with the horizon of dispersive clay might be an additional risk factor regarding P mobility in clay soils of the catchment. The runoff, throughflow and leachate were dominated by eroded particles of clay and colloidal organic materials. However, the soil solution collected though 0.1 m pores in the Rhizon samplers had a similar dominance of DOP to the < 0.45 jum filtered samples in runoff and throughflow. This reduces the likelihood that the so-called DOP fraction was mostly P associated with PP in the 0.1 to 0.45 jum size fraction. The composition of DOP in soil solution collected through Rhizon samplers (< 0.1 jum) might provide important insights for P mobility since this more effectively excluded PP than in the < 0.45 jum filtrate used for runoff and throughflow samples. The DOP in soil solution (< 0.1 jum) might be associated with fine colloidal compound such as silicates, metallic hydroxides, humic acids, polysaccharides, fulvic acids and proteins. If so, then most, but not all of the DOP fraction would be organically bound. However, this requires verification. In conclusion, soil P levels across the catchment were never very high when assessed in the 0-10 cm layer, but levels in the 0-1 cm layer were more than twice as high. Overall, < 1 % of land area of the upper Fitzgerald River catchment had Colwell-P levels > 30 mg/kg (0-10 cm) and hydrological connection to streams. In addition, another 7 % of land had Colwell-P levels > 15 mg/kg, which appears to be a change point in soils for the release of CaCl2 extractable P. These areas, which are predicted to represent critical source areas of the catchment, need careful management. The high proportions of TDP as DOP in runoff, throughflow and soil solution suggest DOP was the major form of P loss from soil. Phosphorus losses from the catchments are also likely in the form of PP in clay and loam soil but leaching losses are more likely in sand. High exchangeable Na in the subsoil of loam and clay soils increases dispersion of clay particles resulting in low permeability of subsoil and greater lateral P mobility as throughflow at the interface of sand and clay textured horizons. In general, soils of Fitzgerald River catchment had low soil P, but nevertheless significant risk of P loss at Colwell-P > 15 mg/kg. This study provides baseline information for P loss risks in the wheatbelt of WA. Stream water quality monitoring instruments were installed in the upper Fitzgerald River Catchment at 5 stream locations by CSIRO to measure base line concentrations of P. The measured P concentrations were higher than ANZECC trigger values (> 0.05 mg P/l) for management response over the three-year monitoring period (2005-07). Hence this and many other catchments on the south coast and wheatbelt of south west Western Australia need assessment for P loss risks. Previous emphasis in south west Western Australia on P losses from sandy coastal soils under pasture may need to be reconsidered. In the South coast region, cropping land in the medium rainfall zone may still represent a risk of P loss to waterways and risk to water quality. The present study evaluated the risk of P loss based on soil P forms and their mobility. It suggests greater attention needs to be given to the difference between clay and loam soils with dispersive or non-dispersive sub-soils, and to the composition and mobility of DOP. However, a more complete understanding of P loss risks depends on follow-up studies on hydrological flow and connectivity in the upper Fitzgerald River catchment and similar landscapes of south west Western Australia.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Alnarp : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

"A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science." Title from PDF of title page (Georgia Southern University, viewed on June 19, 2010). Bruce A. Schulte, major professor; Lissa M. Leege, J. Michelle Cawthorn, committee members. Electronic version approved: December 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p.76-78).

Η σύγχρονη γεννήτρια, ή αλλιώς εναλλακτήρας, είναι σύγχρονη μηχανή η οποία μετατρέπει μηχανική ενέργεια σε εναλλασσόμενη ηλεκτρική ενέργεια. Η σύγχρονη μηχανή, χρησιμοποιούμενη ως γεννήτρια, είναι η σπουδαιότερη μηχανή για την παραγωγή ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας και αποτελεί το επίκεντρο κάθε σταθμού παραγωγής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας. Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η μελέτη της συμπεριφοράς της σύγχρονης γεννήτριας στη μόνιμη κατάσταση λειτουργίας αναλύοντας τα είδη των σύγχρονων παραμέτρων που προκύπτουν, καθώς επίσης και η μελέτη και ο προσδιορισμός των απωλειών στην ονομαστική κατάσταση λειτουργίας. / The synchronous generator is a type of synchronous machine, which converts mechanical energy into alternating electrical energy. When the synchronous machine is used as a generator, it is the most important machine for the production of electrical energy and it constitutes the epicentre for each station which produces electrical energy. The scope of this present thesis is the study of the behavior of synchronous machine in the steady-state of operation analyzing the types of synchronous parameters and synchronous quantities, as well as the study and determination of losses in the nominal situation of operation. The steady-state tests suggested in this thesis are required for analyzing the performance of a synchronous machine under normal operating conditions.

Thesis (MSc Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African avocado fruit industry is export driven and the successful storage of fruits for extended periods is, therefore, essential. It was recorded that 7.7 million cartons were exported during the 1995 season. The shipping of the avocados takes approximately 15 days and the fruits are being stored at low temperatures to minimise the possibility of fruits softening. Unfortunately low temperature storage results in chilling injury. A possible method to increase avocado resistance to chilling injury is to administer a heat shock treatment. In this way the fruits are protected from chilling injury by inducing the formation of so-called heat-shock proteins which render the cell membranes more resistant to chilling injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate different heat shock treatment protocols as a method of preventing or minimising chilling injury and to extend the shelf-life of avocado fruits while exporting at the lowest possible temperature. Examining the effect of different temperatures and exposure times on the quality of the different avocado cultivars pursued this. The exterior chilling injury on each fruit was quantified and the firmness and internal quality parameters evaluated. A total of 32 Experimental Studies were conducted. The results showed that the Hot Water Heat shock Treatment (HWHST) worked effectively for the South African 'Fuerte' cultivar between 40° and 42°C for exposure times of between 20 and 30 min. The 'Edranol' cultivar also showed promising results between 40° and 42°C for exposure time of between 8 and 22 min. The HWHST was not effective on the South African 'Hass' cultivar. The 'Ryan' cultivar with its thick skin made this cultivar less susceptible to chilling injury and therefore HWHST would be unnecessary. The 'Pinkerton' cultivar had a lot of factors that influenced the results. Therefore, more research needed to be done on the 'Pinkerton' cultivar, before any conclusions could be obtained from this cultivar, although it showed potential. Hot air treatment worked fairly well, but unfortunately the long exposure time needed made this treatment unpractical. Throughout the whole study the importance of maturity surfaced as a major role in all the aspects of post harvest quality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse avokado vrugtebedryf is hoofsaaklik gerig op die uitvoermark en daarom is dit belangrik dat die vrugte vir 'n bepaalde tyd suksesvolopgeberg kan word. Die sensus opname gedurende die 1995 seisoen het getoon dat 7.7 miljoen bokse avokados uitgevoer is. Die avokados word vir ongeveer 15 dae per boot vervoer, wat kan lei tot vrugte wat sag word. Om dit te verhoed, word die vrugte by lae temperature opgeberg. Ongelukkig veroorsaak lae opbergingstemperature koueskade. 'n Moontlike metode om avokados te beskerm teen lae temperature en koueskade te verminder, is om 'n hitteskok behandeling toe te pas. Op hierdie manier word die vrugte beskerm teen koueskade deur die vorming van sogenaamde hitteskok proteïene wat die selwande meer bestand maak teen koueskade. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die verskillende hitteskok behandelings protokols te evalueer as 'n metode van beskerming of vermindering van koueskade en om sodoende die rakleeftyd van avocados te verleng as die vrugte by lae temperature uitgevoer word. Eksperimente is uitgevoer om die effek van verskillende temperature en blootstellingstye op die kwaliteit van die verskillende avokado kultivars te bepaal. Die koueskade op die oppervlakte van elke vrug is bepaal en die fermheid en interne kwaliteit parameters is geëvalueer. In totaal is daar altesaam 32 Eksperimentele Studies gedoen. Die resultate het gewys dat die Warm Water Hitteskok Behandeling (WWHB) effektief was op die Suid-Afrikaanse 'Fuerte' kultivar by temperature tussen 40° en 42°C en by blootstellingstye van tussen 20 en 30 min. Belowende resultate is ook met die 'Edranol' kultivar by temperature tussen 40° en 42°C met blootstellingtye van tussen 8 en 22 min behaal. Die WWHB was oneffektief vir die Suid-Afrikaanse 'Hass' kultivar. Die 'Ryan' kultivar se dik skil het hierdie kultivar minder vatbaar gemaak vir koueskade en daarom was 'n WWHB onnodig gewees. By die 'Pinkerton' kultivar kon daar nog nie 'n gevolgtrekking gemaak word nie, aangesien daar nog baie faktore is wat ondersoek moet word, alhoewel die kultivar baie potentiaal getoon het. Warm lug behandeling het potensiaal gehad, maar die lang blootstellingstye het hierdie behandeling onprakties gemaak. Gedurende die hele studie is daar klem gelê op die rypheisgraad van die vrugte wat na vore gekom het as 'n belangrike faktor wat 'n hoofrol speel in al die aspekte van die na-oes kwaliteit.

Thesis (MScFoodSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Postharvest fruit loss is a major challenge in addressing food security, sustainable management of resources and profitability of agribusiness. The incidence of postharvest loss and changes in physico-chemical properties of three types of fruit (peaches, pears and oranges) were evaluated at retail and during post-purchase storage. The amount of physical loss at the three retail outlets studied ranged from 3.61% to 18.09% among the fruit types, with the highest incidence occurring in peaches. The estimated annual national physical loss at retail was 418 tons for pears, 1000 tons for oranges, and 7 240 tons for peaches. Based on the WHO recommended 146 kg per capita per year consumption of fruit, the total loss of the three types of fruit was sufficient to meet the dietary fruit requirements of 50 000 people per annum. Similarly, based on the recommended daily allowance of 50 mg of ascorbic acid, these losses could meet the annual vitamin C needs of 82 000 people. The estimated monetary value of the losses at retail ranged from R2.2 million to R96.87 million per annum depending on fruit type and retail outlet. The land wasted to produce lost fruits was 1965 ha while energy wasted was 32.77 x 106 MJ. Greenhouse gas emission of the losses was 2870 tons CO2eq and total water footprint 68 0000 m3. Losses were mainly due to the presence of severe physical damage, rots and physiological disorders. There were significant variations in physico-chemical properties of fruit of the same type from different retail outlet. Although ambient temperature storage improved fruit colour and some chemical constituents responsible for palatability, it was associated with high physical and nutritional (vitamin C) losses. Results from this study show that appropriate harvesting maturity, packaging and maximum care in fruit handling is essential in reducing postharvest losses. Efficient cold chain management and fruit inspection for rots and damages could help to reduce subsequent spoilage at retail and during post-purchase storage. Given that the incidence of postharvest fruit loss observed at retail is the result of cumulative effects along the supply chain, further studies are warranted to map fruit history and magnitude of losses along the value chain. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Naoesvrugteverlies is ‟n groot uitdaging in die strewe na voedselsekerheid, volhoubare hulpbronbestuur en winsgewende landbousake. Die voorkoms van naoesverlies sowel as fisiko-chemiese naoesveranderinge by drie vrugtesoorte (perskes, pere en lemoene) is gevolglik by kleinhandelsafsetpunte én gedurende berging ná aankoop beoordeel. Die graad van fisiese verlies by die drie betrokke kleinhandelspunte het gewissel van 3,61% tot 18,09% tussen die vrugtesoorte, met die hoogste verlies by perskes. Die geraamde jaarlikse nasionale fisiese verlies by die kleinhandelspunte was 418 ton pere, 1 000 ton lemoene en 7 240 ton perskes. Op grond van die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie se aanbevole jaarlikse vrugte-inname van 146 kg per persoon, was die totale verlies van die drie vrugtesoorte genoeg om aan die vrugtedieetvereistes van 50 000 mense per jaar te voldoen. Op grond van die aanbevole daaglikse inname van 50 mg askorbiensuur, kan hierdie verlies eweneens in die jaarlikse vitamien C-behoeftes van 82 000 mense voorsien. Die geraamde geldwaarde van die verlies by die kleinhandelspunte strek van R2,2 miljoen tot R96,87 miljoen per jaar, na gelang van die vrugtesoort en bepaalde kleinhandelspunt. Die vermorste grond om die verlore vrugte te produseer, was 1 965 ha, terwyl energievermorsing op 32,77 x 106 MJ te staan gekom het. Kweekhuisgasvrystellings met betrekking tot die verlies was 2 870 ton CO2e, en die totale watervoetspoor 68 0000 m3. Vrugteverlies kon hoofsaaklik aan ernstige fisiese skade, verrotting en fisiologiese afwykings toegeskryf word. Daar was beduidende variasies in die fisiko-chemiese eienskappe van dieselfde vrugtesoort by verskillende kleinhandelaars. Hoewel berging by omgewingstemperatuur vrugtekleur en bepaalde chemiese komponente vir smaaklikheid verbeter, word dit ook met groot fisiese en voedingstof- (vitamien C-) verliese verbind. Die resultate van hierdie studie toon dat toepaslike oesrypheid, die regte verpakking en maksimum sorg in vrugtehantering noodsaaklik is om naoesverlies te verminder. Doeltreffende koelkettingbestuur en vrugte-inspeksie vir verrotting en skade kan latere bederf by kleinhandelsafsetpunte sowel as gedurende berging ná aankoop help beperk. Aangesien die naoesvrugteverlies wat by die kleinhandelspunte waargeneem is uit kumulatiewe faktore in die verskaffingsketting spruit, is verdere studies nodig om vrugtegeskiedenis na te spoor en die omvang van die verlies in die algehele waardeketting te bepaal.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: ‘Triumph’ persimmon production in South Africa is export driven and the profitability of the industry is largely dependent on consumer demand and supermarket shelf space in the European market. In order to realise high returns, it is important to advance harvest maturity to attain early fruit that arrives on the market prior to European summer fruits. In addition, market feedback suggests that fruit picked during the second half of the harvesting period stores poorly and rapidly softens during shelf life. It is important to establish whether this is the case. The effect of paclobutrazol (PBZ) application rate on fruit maturity and keeping quality, return bloom and vegetative growth was investigated over two seasons. Advanced harvest maturity was attained at a compromise of reduced fruit storage quality and stunted growth with the severity of the compromise increasing with increasing PBZ application rate. To advance harvest maturity while maintaining acceptable keeping quality, PBZ application at 0.75 ml per plant is recommended although effects on harvest maturity will not persist into the subsequent season as found at higher application rates. Prohexadione-calcium (P-Ca) as an alternative for PBZ in advancing harvest maturity was evaluated over two seasons. A positive response to three foliar applications of P-Ca at 200 mg·L-1 was noticed in the first season. In the second season, a single application of P-Ca at 300 mg·L-1 two weeks before harvest significantly advanced harvest maturity. Due to the rapid metabolism of P-Ca in the plant, it is unlikely that growth in the subsequent season will be affected. Based on these results, the persimmon industry will undertake commercial trials in the 2012 season to further assess the efficacy of P-Ca application in advancing harvest maturity. The effect of various rest breaking agents (RBAs) on bud break, flowering, fruit maturity and quality as well as vegetative growth was assessed for one season. RBAs did not increase or advance bud break and flowering. Consequently, yield and harvest maturity were unaffected by the treatments. The ineffectiveness of the RBAs could be due to the low application rates used or the fulfilment of the chilling requirement prior to treatment application. An experiment was carried out to determine whether storability and shelf-life differ between “early” and “late” production areas in South Africa as well as between orchards within these areas. The data indicated that fruit colour is a good maturity parameter and indicator of fruit storability. However, “late” fruit were about 1 kg softer than “early” fruit at the same colour chart value. We therefore recommend that fruit from late regions are harvested at colour chart values of 5 and 6 (yellow-green) instead of 3 and 4. Fruit from “late” orchards as well as GA3-treated fruit with a colour chart value of 3 and less should be culled due to the high propensity (>20%) of these fruit to become soft during storage and shelf life. A delay in 1-MCP treatment and interruption of the cold chain considerably increased fruit softening during storage and shelf-life. Further research is required to verify this result. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘Triumph’ persimmon produksie in Suid-Afrika is uitvoergedrewe en die winsgewendheid van die bedryf is grootliks afhanklik van verbruikervraag en supermark spasie in die Europese mark. Ten einde hoë pryse te realiseer, is dit belangrik om ʼn vroeë oes te verkry sodat vrugte voor die Europese somervrugte op die mark beland. Mark terugvoer dui verder daarop dat vrugte wat tydens die tweede helfte van die oesperiode gepluk word, swakker opberg en vinnig sag word gedurende op die rak. Dit is belangrik om vas te stel of hierdie waarneming juis is. Die effek van paklobutrazol (PBZ) toedieningshoeveelheid op vrugrypwording en - houvermoë, opvolgblom en vegetatiewe groei is oor twee seisoene ondersoek. Oesrypheid is vervroeg, maar tot nadeel van vrughouvermoë en vegetatiewe groei. Die omvang van die negatiewe effekte van PBZ het toegeneem met ʼn toename in toedieningshoeveelheid. Ten einde oesrypheid te vervroeg terwyl aanvaarbare houvermoë behou word, word toediening van PBZ teen 0.75 ml per plant aanbeveel alhoewel die effek op oesrypheid anders as die geval met hoër toedieningshoeveelhede nie in die opeenvolgende seisoen sal voortduur nie. Proheksadioon-kalsium (P-Ca) as alternatief tot PBZ om oesrypheid te vervroeg is oor twee seisoene gee-valueer. ʼn Positiewe effek op vrugrypwording is in die eerste seisoen verkry met drie blaartoedienings van P-Ca teen 200 mg·L-1. In die tweede seisoen is oesrypheid betekenisvol vervroeg deur ʼn enkel toediening van 300 mg·L-1 P-Ca ʼn maand voor oes. Vanweë hierdie resultate gaan die persimmonbedryf in die 2012 seisoen kommersiële proewe onderneem om die effektiwiteit van P-Ca om oes te vervroeg, verder te ondersoek. Die effek van verskeie rusbrekende middels (RBAs) op bot, blom, vrugrypheid, vrugkwaliteit en vegetatiewe groei is vir een seisoen ondersoek. RBAs het bot en blom vervroeg of vermeerder nie en het daarom ook geen effek op produksie en oesrypheid gehad nie. Die oneffektiwiteit van die RBAs kan moontlik toegeskryf word aan die lae toedieningsvlakke wat gebruik is of aan die kouebehoefte wat bevredig is voor toediening van RBAs. ʼn Eksperiment is gedoen om vas te stel of die opberging- en houvermoë van vrugte verskil tussen “vroeë” en “laat” produksieareas in Suid-Afrika en ook tussen boorde in hierdie areas. Die data dui daarop dat vrugkleur ʼn goeie rypheidsparameter en indikator van opbergingsvermoë is. Vrugte van laat areas was egter omtrent 1 kg sagter as vrugte van vroeë areas van dieselfde kleur. Ons beveel gevolglik aan dat vrugte van laat areas by ʼn kleurkaartwaarde van 5 tot 6 (geelgroen) geoes word eerder as by 3 tot 4. Vrugte van laat boorde sowel as vrugte wat met GA3 behandel is met ʼn kleurkaartwaarde van 3 en laer moet afgradeer word weens die hoë geneigdheid (>20%) van hierdie vrugte om sag te word tydens opberging en op die rak. Uitstel van 1-MCP behandeling en die onderbreking van die koueketting veroorsaak ʼn aansienlike toename in sagte vrugte tydens opberging en op die rak. Verdere navorsing word benodig om hierdie resultaat te verifieer.

Orientador: Falcondes Jose Mendes de Seixas / Banca: Luís Carlos Origa de Oliveira / Banca: Luiz Carlos Gomes de Freitas / Resumo: A proposta deste trabalho é analisar o comportamento de transformadores de distribuição trifásicos após a recuperação estudando suas perdas elétricas fixas e variáveis tomando-se o transformador como uma unidade consumidora para demonstrar a viabilidade econômica da reforma, principalmente àquelas que não alteram o núcleo. Foram utilizados os ensaios de rotina de uma empresa recuperadora para uma importante concessionária de distribuição de energia. Este trabalho também faz uma recomendação sobre o descarte deste material segundo conceitos ambientais para uma melhor utilização dos recursos naturais. É importante mencionar o fato que muitos dos transformadores analisados operam a mais de 20 anos. A recuperação permite as concessionárias fornecer energia elétrica para consumidores residenciais e rurais de baixa renda mediante um pequeno investimento na construção de novas linhas de distribuição / Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behavior of three-phase distribution transformers when submitted to recovery, taking into consideration fixed and variable electric losses considering the transformer as a consumer unit to demonstrate the economical feasibility, especially those that do not modify the core. It has been used routine tests data obtained from a company that recover for an important power deliver. This paper also deals with the disposal of the material considering environmental concerns, for a better use of natural resources. It is important to mention the fact that many transformers have already operated for more than 20 years. The recover allows the deliver to provide energy to residential or rural low-income consumer through a low investment with the construction of new electric power grid / Mestre

As características de desempenho dos motores trifásicos de indução são fundamentais para estudos de viabilidade econômica, tanto para a manutenção como para a substituição por motores que apresentem melhor rendimento, visando à economia de energia. Existem diversos procedimentos para determinar o desempenho das máquinas de indução, no entanto, são procedimentos baseados em ensaios que exigem o desacoplamento mecânico, comprometendo assim a praticidade, sem contar no custo da instrumentação envolvida. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo e implementação de dois métodos distintos para estimar o rendimento de forma pouco intrusiva, método do torque no entreferro e método do circuito equivalente. Nesse último são estudadas duas técnicas, a primeira estima os parâmetros do circuito equivalente por meio de um conjunto de equações definidas pela resolução do modelo da máquina, e a segunda, estima os parâmetros do circuito equivalente por meio de um algoritmo de identificação por mínimos quadrados. Por fim são mostrados os resultados da aplicação das metodologias propostas no Laboratório de Eficiência Energética e Hidráulica em Saneamento – LENHS da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, onde então é apresentada uma análise dessas técnicas, considerando os aspectos de precisão e incerteza. / The performance characteristics of three-phase motors are essential for economic feasibility studies, for both maintenance and for replacement by motors that have better efficiency, to save energy. There are several procedures based on tests that require mechanical uncoupling, thereby committing practicality, without counting the cost of the instrumentation involved. This work presents the study and implementation of two different methods to estimate the efficiency in low intrusive order, method of air gap torque and method of equivalent circuit. In the latter, two techniques are studied, the first estimates the equivalent circuit parameters though a set of equations defined by the resolution of the machine model, and second, estimates the equivalent circuit parameters by means of an identification algorithm for least squares. Finally shows the results of applying the proposed methodologies in the Laboratory of Energy Efficiency and Water Sanitation – LENHS in Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, where it is then presented an analysis of these techniques, considering aspects of precision an uncertainty.