Yes / Reducing the cost of fresh water has always been a major concern in the desalination industry. A solar powered hybrid multi-effect distillation and reverse osmosis desalination plant (MED+RO) has been designed and optimised from an economical point of view in a previous work by the same authors. In the present study, the possibility of coupling the desalination plant with a photovoltaic (PV) solar farm is investigated, with the aim of generating electricity at low cost and in a sustainable way. A detailed mathematical model for the PV system has been implemented from the literature. Interestingly, the model can predict the cost of the PV system in terms of capital cost and electricity cost per kWh considering the input data of solar irradiation, duration of daylight and technical specification of a real solar module. Consequently, the solar PV model has been combined with the desalination model, which enables to estimate the cost of fresh water per cubic meter. Data about four locations, namely Isola di Pantelleria (IT), Las Palmas (ES), Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Perth (AUS), have been used to economically test the feasibility of installing the proposed plant, and especially of the PV solar farm.

Apresenta uma análise da estimação de custos em sistemas de manufatura utilizando rede de Petri (PN), ferramenta gráfica e matemática para modelagem e simulação. Esta análise permite a apresentação de um sistema aplicável à programação e otimização de processos de fabricação aliadas à estimação dos custos ao longo do processo. Para uma determinada peça, a partir de conceitos sobre custeio de produtos, é proposto um modelo que visa conectar as transições da PN com as informações de custos de produção. O estudo de caso mostra que informações importantes à tomada de decisão podem ser obtidas através do uso de uma metodologia que incorpore planejamento de processos, métodos de custeio e redes de Petri. Finalmente, traz sugestão de um trabalho subseqüente: a partir do modelo proposto, implementar um template no editor/simulador de redes de Petri, Petri Net Tools 2000, capaz de realizar os cálculos necessários para estimativas de custo e fornecer resultados relevantes para um planejamento real. / This work presents a cost estimation analysis in manufacturing systems based in Petri net (PN), which is a graphical and mathematical tool. This analysis allows the presentation of a system, applicable to the programming and optimizing of manufacturing processes joined with cost estimation. A cost model is proposed using concepts of product costing. It seeks for connecting PN transitions to the data manufacturing cost of a certain part. The case study shows that important information to decision support can be found through the use of a methodology which joins process planning, costing systems and Petri nets. There is also a suggestion of a later work: a template implementation, on Petri Net Tools 2000 editor/simulator of PN models, which is able to accomplish the necessary calculations for cost estimates and, to supply important results to a real planning.

<p>Inaccurate cost estimates contribute to lost implementation opportunity of novel manufacturing technologies or lost revenue due to under-bidding or loss of an over-bid contract. High-volume, long-term orders, such as those the automotive industry begets, are desired as they lock in revenue streams for months into years. However, high-rate composite materials and their manufacturing processes are novel among the industry and traditional costing methods have not advanced at a proportional rate. This research effort developed a method to reduce the complex composite manufacturing systems to fungible, upgradable, and linkable individual processes that derive their manufacturing parameters from the performance part design process. Employing technical cost modeling, this method accurately quantifies the value of pursuing composite manufacturing by integrating impregnation, solidification, heat transfer, kinetics, and additional technical data from computer-aided part design simulation tools to deliver an accurate cost estimate. </p> <p>Cost modeling provides a quantitative result that weighs heavily in the decision making process for adoption of a new manufacturing method. In this dissertation, three case studies were investigated for three different management decision cases: part production management, in-house manufacturing management, and global manufacturing management. </p> <p>Part production management is the decision making process for selecting a certain manufacturing method. A case study with a Tier 1 Part Producer was conducted to provide a comparison of two emerging novel preforming systems versus their in-use, metals based high-rate manufacturing line in manufacturing a structural automotive part. Determining material usage was the primary cost driver focus. Equipment Supplier A’s process operated by seaming single layers of thermoplastic tape into rolls and then stacking prior to consolidation and resulted in a scrap rate of 23-28% with a cost of $32.87-36.01 per kilogram saved depending on the input tape width. Equipment Supplier B’s layup process, essentially a multi-head automatic tape layup machine, resulted in scrap rate of 20-27% with a cost of $34.48-36.67 per kilogram saved depending on the input tape width. This exceeded the Tier 1 Part Producer’s requirement of $6.6-11 per kilogram saved and led to them to abandon this application as a feasible project and instead look for a different part with a higher return regarding cost for weight saved.</p> <p>In-house manufacturing management is the decision making process governing manufacturing operating procedures. A case study for the Manufacturing Design Laboratory’s (MDLab) hybrid molding line was undertaken to determine the manufacturing cost for a composite test coupon. Processing parameters were obtained from three sources: performance design computer aided engineering (CAE), common industry transfer estimation times, and a calculated preform layup time. Compared to a similarly shaped test coupon made of aluminum, highly-automated manufacturing realizes weight savings of 46.25% and cost savings of 16.5%. Low-automation manufacturing captures the same weight savings, but has a cost for weight saved penalty, cost increase, of $9.89 per kilogram, showing how influential the labor contribution is to manufacturing cost. </p> <p>Global manufacturing management is the decision making process governing manufacturing location. Various manufacturing cost drivers are location dependent, thus a dataset was developed to alter these parameters for the U.S. states. Global comparisons are accomplished through indexing of global cost of living allowances and labor rates. Within the U.S., high-automation manufacturing costs in the West Coast/Pacific are 20.1% greater compared to the Midwest and similarly, low-automation costs are 21.2% greater. Globally, high-automation manufacturing costs in North America are 52.1% greater compared to Asia while low-automation costs are 116.5% greater. These variations highlight why we see geographically clustered manufacturing centers within the states and major manufacturing relocations due to cost sensitive and labor sensitive production. </p>

Apresenta uma análise da estimação de custos em sistemas de manufatura utilizando rede de Petri (PN), ferramenta gráfica e matemática para modelagem e simulação. Esta análise permite a apresentação de um sistema aplicável à programação e otimização de processos de fabricação aliadas à estimação dos custos ao longo do processo. Para uma determinada peça, a partir de conceitos sobre custeio de produtos, é proposto um modelo que visa conectar as transições da PN com as informações de custos de produção. O estudo de caso mostra que informações importantes à tomada de decisão podem ser obtidas através do uso de uma metodologia que incorpore planejamento de processos, métodos de custeio e redes de Petri. Finalmente, traz sugestão de um trabalho subseqüente: a partir do modelo proposto, implementar um template no editor/simulador de redes de Petri, Petri Net Tools 2000, capaz de realizar os cálculos necessários para estimativas de custo e fornecer resultados relevantes para um planejamento real. / This work presents a cost estimation analysis in manufacturing systems based in Petri net (PN), which is a graphical and mathematical tool. This analysis allows the presentation of a system, applicable to the programming and optimizing of manufacturing processes joined with cost estimation. A cost model is proposed using concepts of product costing. It seeks for connecting PN transitions to the data manufacturing cost of a certain part. The case study shows that important information to decision support can be found through the use of a methodology which joins process planning, costing systems and Petri nets. There is also a suggestion of a later work: a template implementation, on Petri Net Tools 2000 editor/simulator of PN models, which is able to accomplish the necessary calculations for cost estimates and, to supply important results to a real planning.

<div>Machine tools are an important piece of manufacturing equipment that are widely used throughout many industries. Machine tools shape and form raw materials into desired products through processes such as grinding, cutting, bending, and forming, and when they perform these operations, they consume large amounts of energy. Due to the significant energy consumption, machine tools have a large environmental footprint. Addressing the environmental footprint of machine tools through energy reduction is important to addressing manufacturing and industry’s footprint. One strategy with great potential to reduce machine tool energy consumption is lightweighting. Lightweighting is a design strategy that reduces the mass of moving components with a goal of reducing energy consumption. This strategy is effective since a greater mass requires more energy to move. Lightweighting has had great success in the transportation sector where lightweight materials and lightweight design strategies have been implemented. There has been some work to explore the potential benefits of lightweighting machine tools, however an in-depth study relating mass to energy consumption in machine tools along with exploring other potential concerns, i.e., impact on dynamics and cost, is required.</div><div>To explore the lightweighting of machine tools, a lightweighting application along with models are proposed to investigate the connection between mass and energy in machine tools and potential concerns associated with lightweighting, i.e., decreased dynamic performance and increased machine tool cost. First, a method to reduce the mass of a vertical milling machine tool table is proposed. This method will include the implementation of a sandwich panel for the table while optimizing the structure of the table to maximize its strength and minimize its mass. Following, to link mass to energy consumption, an energy model is proposed to quantify the energy required to drive the table throughout the use of the machine, including cutting and non-cutting moves. In addition to modeling energy, this model will explore the role of motor sizing in the energy consumption of the drive system. To address dynamic concerns resulting from lightweighting, a dynamic model is proposed. This model will provide insight into the dynamic performance of the table and explore the impact of lightweighting on machine tool performance. Finally, a cost model of machine tools is proposed to study the impact of lightweighting on cost. Machine tool cost drivers will be explored along with the role that design complexity has on purchase price.</div><div>This dissertation provided a proof of concept for a lightweighting application through the sandwich panel design of the slide table. The energy model built considering the lightweight table provided a link between the mass and energy consumption in the machine tool. It was shown that more than 30% of the drive system energy could be saved by lightweighting the table. A 30% savings is substantial, especially if applied to multiple systems throughout the machine tool. The static and dynamic models showed that designing lightweight components can be accomplished without sacrificing performance. Various design tools, e.g., finite element analysis, can be used to address static and dynamic concerns. The cost model showed how lightweighting will not increase the cost of the machine tool and therefore will not discourage machine builders from implementing lightweighting to reduce energy consumption.</div><div>The contributions of this research are summarized as follows:</div><div>1.A shape optimization method to design the sandwich panel table, accomplished through a genetic algorithm. This provides a lower-cost lightweighting application.</div><div>2.A mechanistic model linking mass to energy consumption. This provides insight into design considerations required to implement lightweighting</div><div>3.Static and dynamic models of the milling machine slide table. These provide understanding of how lightweighting affects the performance machine tools</div><div>4.A cost model of milling machines. This provides insight into how lightweighting affects the machine tool cost</div><div><br></div>

This project attempts to research the manufacturing cost, with an emphasis on machining, of high performance flanges for Turbine Rear Structure (TRS) applications, as well as the tradeoffs with structural performance and weight. A combination of traditional cost modelling techniques from the literature, as well as, the non-conventional manufacturing complexity index, as cost indicator are implemented. A multidisciplinary study is carried out with the aid of ANSYS Workbench in the form of computer simulated experiments to investigate tradeoffs in flanges. It is concluded that multidisciplinary studies of cost, performance and weight lacked model robustness to draw sound conclusions about flange design. However, the manufacturing complexity index after partial validation with experienced engineers shows promising results, and could be a way forward to estimate final machining operation cost for flanges in the future. / Syftet för detta projekt är att undersöka tillverkningskostnaden, med tonvikt på bearbetning av högpresterande flänsar för turbinapplikationer (TRS), samt dess relation till strukturella prestanda och vikt. Traditionella kostnadsmodelleringstekniker kombineras med det ickekonventionella tillverkningskomplexitetsindexet och används som kostnadsindikator. En tvärvetenskaplig studie genomförs med hjälp av ANSYS Workbench i form av dator simulerade experiment för att undersöka flänsavvägningar. En slutsats av studien är att multidisciplinära modeller av kostnad, prestanda och vikt saknade robusthet för att kunna dra djupgående slutsatser om prestandan för en flänsdesign. Tillverkningskomplexitetsindexet visar dock, efter partiell validering med erfarna ingenjörer, lovande resultat och kan vara framgångsrikt ett sätt att uppskatta den slutliga bearbetningskostnaden för flänsar.

Lightweight integer compression algorithms are frequently applied in in-memory database systems to tackle the growing gap between processor speed and main memory bandwidth. In recent years, the vectorization of basic techniques such as delta coding and null suppression has considerably enlarged the corpus of available algorithms. As a result, today there is a large number of algorithms to choose from, while different algorithms are tailored to different data characteristics. However, a comparative evaluation of these algorithms with different data and hardware characteristics has never been sufficiently conducted in the literature. To close this gap, we conducted an exhaustive experimental survey by evaluating several state-of-the-art lightweight integer compression algorithms as well as cascades of basic techniques. We systematically investigated the influence of data as well as hardware properties on the performance and the compression rates. The evaluated algorithms are based on publicly available implementations as well as our own vectorized reimplementations. We summarize our experimental findings leading to several new insights and to the conclusion that there is no single-best algorithm. Moreover, in this article, we also introduce and evaluate a novel cost model for the selection of a suitable lightweight integer compression algorithm for a given dataset.

Urban rail transport systems play a vital role in providing efficient and sustainable mobility solutions for growing metropolitan areas. This thesis focuses on the case of Stockholm's urban rail transport, managed by Region Stockholm, which serves nearly 900,000 daily passengers amid rapid population growth. However, the aging power supply system poses challenges to the system's efficiency and capacity expansion. To address these issues, this study develops cost modeling and decision-making tools aimed at evaluating future energy-saving business cases within the urban rail transport system. These tools, though preliminary, provide decision-makers with a techno-economic perspective to compare the cost-effectiveness of various measures and inform future interventions. The research methodology involves a system engineering approach, with continuous collaboration between the academic institution (KTH), transport authority (TF), and industrial partner (MTR). Weekly meetings facilitated the understanding of the urban rail transport system and the development of a decision-making algorithm. The study identifies stakeholders, primarily TF and passengers, and outlines a decision-making framework to assess proposed business cases. The tools generated undergo validation through expert feedback, laying the foundation for future empirical testing. Key findings highlight two main methods for energy-saving measures: technological modifications (e.g., Energy Storage Systems - ESS) and operational adjustments. Both On board and Wayside ESS installations demonstrate significant energy-saving potential, while operational adjustments such as HVAC modifications present challenges in automation. Qualitative reviews were made on these measures. The thesis proposes a preliminary Decision Making Tool to quantify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and facilitate informed decision making. Future work includes expanding stakeholder inclusion, refining cost models, and integrating additional business cases into the decision-making framework. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the understanding of cost-effective measures for enhancing energy efficiency within urban rail transport systems. The developed tools offer an initial approach for decision-makers to navigate complex trade-offs and prioritize interventions, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of urban mobility infrastructure. / Järnvägstransportsystem i städerna spelar en viktig roll för att tillhandahålla effektiva och hållbara mobilitetslösningar för växande storstadsområden. Detta examensarbete fokuserar på fallet med Stockholms stadstrafik, som drivs av Region Stockholm, som servar nästan 900 000 dagliga passagerare i en snabb befolkningstillväxt. De åldrande strömförsörjningssystemen innebär dock utmaningar för systemets effektivitet och kapacitetsutbyggnad. För att ta itu med dessa frågor, utvecklar denna studiekostnadsmodellering och beslutsfattande verktyg som syftar till att utvärdera framtida energibesparande affärscases inom det urbana järnvägstransportsystemet. Dessa verktyg, även om de är preliminära, ger beslutsfattare ett tekniskt-ekonomiskt perspektiv för att jämföra kostnadseffektiviteten för olika åtgärder och informera framtida insatser. Forskningsmetodiken innebär ett systemtekniskt tillvägagångssätt, med kontinuerligt samarbete mellan den akademiska institutionen (KTH), transportmyndigheten (TF) och industriell partner (MTR). Veckomöten underlättade förståelsen av det urbana järnvägstransportsystemet och utvecklingen av en beslutsalgoritm. Studien identifierar intressenter, främst TF och passagerare, och skisserar en ram för beslutsfattande för att bedöma föreslagna affärsfall. Verktygen som genereras genomgår validering genom expertfeedback, vilket lägger grunden för framtida empiriska tester. Nyckelresultat belyser två huvudmetoder för energibesparande åtgärder: tekniska modifieringar (t.ex. Energy Storage Systems - ESS) och driftsanpassningar. Både ESS-installationer ombord och längs vägen uppvisar betydande energibesparingspotential, medan operativa justeringar som HVAC-modifieringar innebär utmaningar inom automatisering. Kvalitativa granskningar gjordes av dessa åtgärder. Avhandlingen föreslår ett preliminärt beslutsfattande verktyg för att kvantifiera Key Performance Indicators (KPI:er) och underlätta välgrundat beslutsfattande. Framtida arbete inkluderar att utöka inkluderingen av intressenter, förfina kostnadsmodeller och integrera ytterligare affärscase i beslutsfattandet. Sammanfattningsvis bidrar detta examensarbete till förståelsen av kostnadseffektiva åtgärder för att förbättra energieffektiviteten inom stadstrafiksystem. De utvecklade verktygen erbjuder ett första tillvägagångssätt för beslutsfattare att navigera i komplexa avvägningar och prioritera insatser, vilket i slutändan bidrar till hållbarheten och motståndskraften hos mobilitetsinfrastrukturen i städerna.

<p>Land use change constitutes a primary driving force in shaping social-ecological systems world wide, and its effects reach far beyond the directly impacted areas. Graph based landscape ecological tools have become established as a promising way to efficiently explore and analyze the complex, spatial systems dynamics of ecological networks in physical landscapes. However, little attention has been paid to making these approaches operational within ecological assessments, physical planning, and design. This thesis presents a network based, landscape-ecological tool that can be implemented for effective use by practitioners within physical planning and design, and ecological assessments related to these activities. The tool is based on an ecological profile system, a common generalized network model of the ecological infrastructure, graph theoretic metrics, and a spatially explicit, geographically defined representation, deployable in a GIS. Graph theoretic metrics and analysis techniques are able to capture the spatio-temporal dynamics of complex systems, and the generalized network model places the graph theoretic toolbox in a geographically defined landscape. This provides completely new insights for physical planning, and environmental assessment activities. The design of the model is based on the experience gained through seven real-world cases, commissioned by different governmental organizations within Stockholm County. A participatory approach was used in these case studies, involving stakeholders of different backgrounds, in which the tool proved to be flexible and effective in the communication and negotiation of indicators, targets, and impacts. In addition to successful impact predictions for alternative planning scenarios, the tool was able to highlight critical ecological structures within the landscape, both from a system-centric, and a site-centric perspective. In already being deployed and used in planning, assessments, inventories, and monitoring by several of the involved organizations, the tool has proved to effectively meet some of the challenges of application in a multidisciplinary landscape.</p>

Land use change constitutes a primary driving force in shaping social-ecological systems world wide, and its effects reach far beyond the directly impacted areas. Graph based landscape ecological tools have become established as a promising way to efficiently explore and analyze the complex, spatial systems dynamics of ecological networks in physical landscapes. However, little attention has been paid to making these approaches operational within ecological assessments, physical planning, and design. This thesis presents a network based, landscape-ecological tool that can be implemented for effective use by practitioners within physical planning and design, and ecological assessments related to these activities. The tool is based on an ecological profile system, a common generalized network model of the ecological infrastructure, graph theoretic metrics, and a spatially explicit, geographically defined representation, deployable in a GIS. Graph theoretic metrics and analysis techniques are able to capture the spatio-temporal dynamics of complex systems, and the generalized network model places the graph theoretic toolbox in a geographically defined landscape. This provides completely new insights for physical planning, and environmental assessment activities. The design of the model is based on the experience gained through seven real-world cases, commissioned by different governmental organizations within Stockholm County. A participatory approach was used in these case studies, involving stakeholders of different backgrounds, in which the tool proved to be flexible and effective in the communication and negotiation of indicators, targets, and impacts. In addition to successful impact predictions for alternative planning scenarios, the tool was able to highlight critical ecological structures within the landscape, both from a system-centric, and a site-centric perspective. In already being deployed and used in planning, assessments, inventories, and monitoring by several of the involved organizations, the tool has proved to effectively meet some of the challenges of application in a multidisciplinary landscape.