As a result of rapid product development, the product life cycle has become shorter, and thus the amount of waste from discarded industrial products has risen dramatically. An awareness of the world???s environmental problems has stimulated researchers to explore the opportunities to reuse, recycle and remanufacture end-of-life products. Disassembly is a systematic approach to separating products into components or subassemblies in order to facilitate recovery of components or materials. However, the full disassembly of a product tends to be unproductive due to technical and cost constraints and product conditions after usage. Therefore, selective disassembly has been introduced as a more practical approach, where only a limited number of disassembly paths that lead to selected parts with recovering potential are considered. This research focuses on the development of a selective disassembly methodology by reversing an assembly sequencing approach. The methodology uses a step-by-step approach to generate a disassembly sequence diagram. This involves listing all the parts within the product, generating a liaison diagram to illustrate part relationships and then establishing precedence rules describing prerequisite actions for each liaison. This is followed by segregating disassembly paths that lead to the removal of selected parts or subassemblies. Then a winnowing process is applied to these paths to eliminate invalid disassembly states and transitions. The last step is to select the optimal disassembly path by using the time requirement as the main selection criterion. In order to shorten the time for carrying out the sequencing process, a javabased program that is capable of performing the first three steps has been created. The program requires three basic inputs in forms of precedence rules, and user-required part (s) and disassembly rules, prescribing which liaison (s) should be done subsequent to a particular liaison. The viability of the methodology and the program is proved through seven case studies conducted on a fishing reel, a single-hole punch, a kettle, an entire washing machine and three washing machine subassemblies. The application of the program allows the users to determine an optimal disassembly sequence in a very short time and with only basic product information as the input.

No description available.

Tao Yuen Ting, Josephine. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2009-2010, design report." / "May 2010." / Includes bibliographical references (p. [86-87]). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1.0 --- synopsis : site background . the urbanization procedure? . compelling factors for an alternate urbanization . farming an opportunity . hypothesis --- p.6 / Chapter 2.0 --- research : farming in social potential . farming in energy potential . farming in water potential . farming practice . cases study . density study --- p.22 / Chapter 3.0 --- site design : site criteria . retaining the local farming entities . layout strategy . optimizing building with farming --- p.46 / Chapter 4.0 --- building design : massing component . compositiong strategy --- p.62 / Chapter 5.0 --- bibliography : --- p.86

Thesis (DTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / This thesis is an investigation into environmental sustainability in the South African fashion industry, with a particular focus on the role of design therein. The fashion and textile industry is a significant contributor to the South African economy and a major user of human and natural resources. It is through the use of resources – natural, constructed and human – that the industry is also supposedly damaging to the natural environment and the people working within it. Notable authors on environmentally sustainable design and, in particular, environmentally sustainable fashion design, seem to suggest that a holistic approach to environmental sustainability is fundamental to the implementation thereof. Design has the ability to direct change, and thus design and designers have the potential to drive holistic sustainable practices in the fashion system.The question this research therefore poses is what the role of environmental sustainability should be in a design-driven approach in the South African fashion industry; interrogated through an exploratory and descriptive case study. The case study consists of three purposively selected sub-units that operate within an environmentally sustainable focus in their fashion businesses, and that design, produce, and retail fashion products. The aim of the research was to explore, through a snapshot of the South African fashion system, the implementation of environmental sustainability in the fashion industry in South Africa, in order to determine what role fashion design practice can have in developing environmental sustainability in the fashion system.The most notable finding of the research highlights the immense difficulty of operating as a fashion business from an environmentally sustainable focus in South Africa due to the lack (and unsuitability) of resources that can be considered environmentally sustainable. The declining textile industry of South Africa makes it either almost impossible, or very costly, to work within an environmentally sustainable framework, and is a major impediment in the implementation of environmental sustainability in praxis. Therefore, those businesses that decide to operate within an environmentally sustainable framework do so because of inherent personal values and ethics.The second aspect identified in the survey of scholarship and underpinned by the findings, is a need for a transformative approach with regard to design praxis and how design praxis can influence consumer eco-consciousness. The research concludes with a recommended framework that suggests a holistic and integrated approach to design-driven environmental sustainability in the South African fashion industry, and elaborates on the role of the fashion designer in the implementation of environmental sustainability in the fashion system. The holistic and integrated approach should extend into fashion design education, requiring a fundamental shift in current fashion design education in South Africa. / University of Johannesburg

M.Tech. (Environmental Health) / Fluorescent lamps, because of their mercury content, are regarded as hazardous waste and fall under the category of electrical waste. This is due to mercury's toxicological, physical, and chemical or persistence properties, which may have acute or chronic detrimental impact on human health and the environment. This study adopted a quantitative research approach, which aimed at determining how fluorescent lamps are managed in selected public schools. The investigation followed an exploratory design.This research was done under the umbrella of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Urban Health's Health, Environment and Development study. The sample population included 22 public schools, and proportionate purposive sampling was used and data was collected through the use of structured questionnaires and observation checklist. There were no formal gUidelines available for the management of fluorescent lamps in schools as a result improper handling, storage or disposal thereof, poses a health risk to the learners, employees and the environment. The outcome of this study indicated the need of formal guidelines for the management of fluorescent lamps in public schools to the Department of Education, and to produce guidelines for operational procedures.

D.Phil. / Over a century gold exploration and extraction on the central Witwatersrand has left a legacy of mine residue deposits. Although there have been numerous complaints and claims of health effects associated with dust from these residue deposits, mostly these have been dismissed as mere nuisance. This study hypothesized that gold mine tailings on the Witwatersrand pose significant health risks to the nearby communities due to respirable airborne tailings material. Preliminary review of information on the tailings led to the insight that tailings source material and atmospheric properties at receptor sites are poorly characterized from the point of view of particle size-mass distributions. For years, routine monitoring of emissions from tailings storage facilities has been limited to sampling of dust fallout (settlable particles ≥ 30 μm). A suite of fifty four source samples (thirty-six slime, six newer slime and twelve sand) were collected from tailings storage facilities along the mining corridor covering deposits in the Carltonville area through to Springs. Size class characterization of source material was performed in the diameter range 0.05 μm to 900 μm using a Malvern® MS-14 Particle Analyser with 64 channels, from which the respirable (dp< 5 μm) and thoracic (dp < 10 μm) components were measured. Secondly, source materials were sieved (using a sieving cloth) in dp < 5 and < 10 μm fractions and the data derived was used in validating the size class results from the Malvern® MS-14 Particle Analyser before subjecting the samples to chemical analyses (elemental, mineralogical and radioactivity). Two years of continuous dust fall samples were collected in two different residential areas close to selected tailings storage facilities and subjected to similar size class characterization with the Malvern® MS-14 Particle Analyser. Further, continuous size-mass characterization of airborne aerosols was conducted in two different locations in the vicinity of tailings storage facilities with the Grimm® aerosol particle counter, in the diameter range 0.25 μm to 32 μm. The Grimm® aerosol particle counter was collocated with the MicroVol® PM10 filter sampler ambient monitor. The risk zones around selected tailings storage facilities were established by conducting dispersion modeling with American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD). The spatial evolution of tailings storage facilities and built-up areas is assessed using multiple aerial photographic images, covering four periods from 1952 to 2008. Overall, detailed spatial analysis was conducted and human inhabitants are now at greater risk than before. We have quantified the number of inhabitants living within the high-risk zone surrounding selected tailings storage facilities. The combined areas occupied by tailings storage facilities have increased from ~4 km2 (1952) to 10 km2 (2002); and residential areas ~4 km2 (1952) to 27 km2 (2002) within a buffer of 2 km. Population grew between 1952 and 2002 by a factor x29 at Crown Gold Recoveries; x43 at Durban Roodepoort Deep (from 1976); and x25 at East Rand Proprietary Mines.

M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) / Solid waste management is a growing environmental concern in developing countries such as South Africa. Waste tyres fall under the general solid waste category give rise to land filling, health and environmental challenges. As a result, majority of these waste tyres accumulate in large quantities at landfill sites or end up being illegally disposed in open fields. Thus, sustainable remedial technologies such as pyrolysis which are environmentally friendly must be developed. Pyrolysis offers a number of attractive advantages as a treatment option such as the production of primary and secondary economic valuable products, namely pyrolysis gas, oil, char and steel wires. The objective of this work was the development of a business model which includes costing, procurement, installation, commissioning and operating a batch pyrolysis plant in Gauteng, South Africa. In addition this work assesses the environmental, socio-economic aspects for waste tyre derived products. The study objectives were achieved through literature research, site visits, telephonic and personal interviews as well as questionnaires. An order of magnitude costing method was used for the construction of the pyrolysis business model. The model showed that it is possible to operate and sustain a batch pyrolysis plant with a constant supply of waste tyres in the Gauteng region. This research has also shown that a batch plant with a 12 year life span and a projected payback period of approximately 5 years can be operated. However, an initial capital incentive of R 10 173 075.00 is required which includes the cost of all major equipment, plant assessment costs, building and structure, engineering and construction and other costs such as contingency fees and office utilities. Four major income streams are expected to be core revenues for the business; the waste tyre gate fee, tyre derived pyrolysis oil, carbon black and steel wire. Project evaluation methods such as the Return on Investment (ROI), Return of Assets (ROA) and the Rate of Return (ROR) were in strong agreement with those obtained from literature. In addition, the positive net present value shows that the project is viable. However, a stable and well regulated market should exist for the pyrolysis products.

Environmental issues seem to be one of the most important topics in the globalised world. Organisations of all sizes are subject to pressure from suppliers, customers and governments to be more environmentally responsible. This research focuses on implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) in the automotive industry, both internationally and in South Africa, and examines the background and concepts of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), as well as the key implementation phases associated with the implementation of an EMS, in accordance with ISO 14001. The problem statement of this research is to determine if it is possible to transfer, apply and sustain environmental concepts to small, medium or large organisations. The primary objectives of this research, therefore, were to determine: does implementation of an EMS provide economic benefits to organisations; what drives an organisation to first implement an EMS; does implementation of an EMS improve environmental awareness and performance; and what implementation barriers are faced by small, medium and large organisations. To achieve these objectives, a literary review and an empirical survey were conducted. The survey consisted of an electronic, self-administered questionnaire that was circulated to respondents at various automotive organisations. Data collected from completed, returned questionnaires were analysed and graphically presented to complete the research and achieve the primary research objectives toward solving the afore-mentioned problem statement. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that there is much to gain from implementing an EMS.

The prevailing development pattern of sprawling suburbs prevents sustainability and can no longer be tolerated . Since the end of WWII the "American Dream" to own a single - family home on a large lot away from the blight of downtowns has greatly reduced the quality of life of North Americans. To reverse this trend sustainable development/ sustainability must be society’s goal. This means that the actions of society - particularly where community development/design is concerned - must promote environmental integrity, economic vitality , and social well - being . The recent New Urbanism Movement which focuses on community development/design makes this important realization . In doing so, it has fostered a series of alternative methods of community development/design which promote environmental integrity , economic vitality , and social well-being. The most prominent examples are Traditional Neighbourhood Development, Transit Oriented Development, and, more recently in Canada, the Metropolitain Purlieu . However, these concepts are not panaceas to sustainability and can gain further insight from earlier development/design projects such as Village Homes in California . By combining the best of the ideas from these concepts and supplementing them with further ideas a concept which further enhances environmental integrity , economic vitality , and social well - being is developed. However, such a concept is only useful if it can be successfully implemented. Thus, prominent barriers to sustainable community development/design such as uncertainty over cost and marketability , and inadequate regulations / guidelines to allow for or promote alternative methods of development/design must be overcome. One method of achieving this is through the use of the performance point system which is devised here. Regardless of the method of implementation used to enhance the environmental integrity , economic vitality , and social well-being of a community, it is clear that immediate action is required . Without it, the quality of life of North Americans will continue to deteriorate and sustainability will not be realized . / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

The goal of this project was to develop a recycling program for the Shalom Institute, a multi-use outdoor learning facility located in Malibu, California.