Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:48:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Marta Soranso.pdf: 1651613 bytes, checksum: caeedf53d6994dc87ab196226a803114 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-07-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamic performance of an agricultural tractor utilizing distilled biodiesel (50% ethylic + 50% methylic) in proportion function of biodiesel and diesel of petroleum (0 and 100%, 5 and 95%, 15 and 85%, 25 and 75%, 50 and 50%, 75 and 25% and 100 and 0%) respectively. This research was done in the area of the department of Rural Engineering of the State University Paulista -UNESP, campus of Jaboticabal - SP, located in the latitude 21º 14 28 S e longitude 48º 17 12 W, and a tractor 4x2 FWA was used, with power of 73,6 kW (100 cv) in the motor and a ballast tractor. The used biodiesel was produced the base of residual oil of fried foods. The experimental design was entirely casualized, with 7 treatments and 5 repetitions, totaling 35 observations. The results evidenced that the mixture, biodiesel and diesel, influenced the variables significantly, hourly volumetric consumption, hourly mass consumption, fuel consumption for worked area and specific fuel consumption. When the tractor operated with 100% of biodiesel (B100) the specific consumption increased 18% on average in relation to the diesel (B0). / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho dinâmico de um trator agrícola, funcionando com biodiesel destilado (50% etílico + 50% metílico), em função das seguintes proporções de biodiesel e diesel de petróleo: 0 e 100%, 5 e 95%, 15 e 85%, 25 e 75%, 50 e 50%, 75 e 25% e 100 e 0%, respectivamente. O experimento foi realizado em área do departamento de Engenharia Rural da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, campus de Jaboticabal - SP, localizado na latitude 21º 14 28 S e longitude 48º 17 12 W. Foi utilizado um trator 4x2 TDA, com potência de 73,6 kW (100 cv) no motor e um trator de lastro. O biodiesel utilizado foi produzido à base de óleo residual de fritura de alimentos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC), com 7 tratamentos e 5 repetições, totalizando 35 observações. Os resultados evidenciaram que a mistura, biodiesel e diesel de petróleo, influenciou significativamente as variáveis: consumo horário volumétrico, consumo horário ponderal, consumo de combustível por área trabalhada e consumo especifico. Quando o trator operou com 100% de biodiesel (B100) o consumo específico aumentou, em média, 18%, em relação ao diesel (B0).

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissertacaoPauloCremonez.pdf: 2171148 bytes, checksum: 995ec964a2e225fff5ce8c4199d9738e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The increase in the generation and accumulation of solid residues mainly compounds for packaging, led to a search for development technologies of plastics and biodegradable films eligible for treatment by conventional processes used for organic materials. Currently, various plastics, expanded polystyrene and biodegradable films are produced from the most diverse forms. The present work aims to evaluate primarily anaerobic degradation of biodegradable polymers based on manioc starch. The dissertation is divided into two chapters, the first aims at assessing the anaerobic digestion of organic polymer based on manioc starch diluted in residual water of pigs in various concentrations. Meanwhile, the second chapter aims to compare the cassava-based biodegradable polymer with other material widely studied as an additive in the biodigestion process, the glycerol. The anaerobic biodigestion process proves to be effective in the degradation and stabilization of polymeric materials based on cassava and guarantee high rates of production of biogas, rich in methane that can be used for multiple purposes, ensuring energy savings in production processes. The polymer can still be considered interesting additive on digestion processes of other agro-industrial waste aimed at quickly increased production of biogas and showing superior results to other widely used additives as glycerol. Nevertheless, for easy and quick production material degradability of volatile acids, the addition of high concentrations of polymer is not indicated by the possibility of acidification of the reactors. / O aumento na geração e acúmulo de resíduos sólidos compostos principalmente por embalagens, acarretou uma busca por tecnologias de desenvolvimento de plásticos e filmes biodegradáveis passíveis de tratamento a partir de processos convencionais utilizados para materiais orgânicos. Atualmente, diversos plásticos, poliestireno expandido e filmes biodegradáveis, são produzidos das mais diversas formas, sendo que o presente trabalho visa avaliar principalmente a degradação anaeróbia de polímeros biodegradáveis à base de fécula de mandioca. A dissertação é dividida em dois capítulos sendo que o primeiro visa avaliar a digestão anaeróbia de polímero orgânico à base de fécula de mandioca diluído em água residual de suínos em diversas concentrações. Enquanto isso, o segundo capitulo tem por finalidade comparar o polímero biodegradável à base de mandioca com outro material largamente estudado como aditivo no processo de biodigestão, o glicerol. As utilizações de processos de biodigestão anaeróbia mostram-se eficientes na degradação e estabilização de materiais poliméricos a base de mandioca e garantem elevadas taxas de produção de biogás rico em metano, podendo ser utilizado com diversas finalidades energéticas, garantindo economia em processos produtivos. O polímero ainda pode ser considerado interessante aditivo em processos de digestão de outros resíduos agroindustriais visando-se rápido aumento da produção de biogás e apresentando resultados superiores a outros aditivos largamente empregados como o glicerol. Apesar disso, pela fácil degradabilidade do material e rápida produção de ácidos voláteis, a adição de altas concentrações de polímero não é indicada pela possibilidade de acidificação dos reatores

The general problem addressed in this study was Arab League nations' over-reliance on fossil fuels as a gross domestic product (GDP) growth driver. Arab League nations that depend primarily on fossil fuel production lack alternative resources for growth in times of fossil fuel usage or price decline. Overdependence on fossil fuels has led to minimal development in other economic sectors, primarily in skilled domestic labor, and to a high dependency on foreign skilled labor for skilled domestic jobs. The purpose of this study was to examine to what extent information communication technology (ICT) management can be a viable GDP growth contributor in Arab League nations. The main theoretical foundations consisted of diffusion of innovation theory, rate of adoption theory, and the innovation-decision process. The focus of research questions was on how ICT management and fossil fuel production affect the GDP growth rate of Arab League nations. A cross-sectional design was used. Archival secondary data from unesco.org and data.worldbank.org for the 22 countries that comprise the Arab League nations were analyzed. Results of a Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis indicated that there is a significant relationship between real GDP and ICT management growth rates in Arab League nations. Based on study findings, it was recommended that both oil- and non-oil-producing governments within the Arab League give more attention to the implementation of ICT management policies. The study contributes to positive social change by providing Arab League governments and stakeholders with a comparative assessment of alternative GDP revenue drivers and potential areas to invest capital to increase skilled domestic labor and maximize human resource capital.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-188)

<p>This thesis investigates the theoretical dimension of fuel transition in developing countries; and assesses the role of socio-cultural factors as determinants of fuel choice at household level. Past research has focused on income as a determining factor for fuel transition, as depicted by the energy ladder model, and the more development oriented energy leapfrogging model. This thesis challenges this notion by providing empirical evidence from Catembe, Mozambique; suggesting that socio-cultural factors are just as important determinants for household energy transition. By applying psycho-anthropologic research techniques, a series of qualitative and quantitative results from 402 households in Catembe, provide a framework for understanding the core factors responsible for household cooking energy choice. It was determined that factors such as taste preferences, cooking practices, local cuisine, kitchen type, gender relations and fuel preferences are culturally determined, and significantly influence on the adoption of modern cooking technologies. To demonstrate the importance for considering such factors, the introduction of an ethanol cook-stove is simulated and evaluated in terms of its applicability to user needs and preferences in Catembe. Results show that despite meeting developmental objectives, the stove falls short in conforming to the culinary traditional of intended beneficiaries.</p>

This thesis investigates the theoretical dimension of fuel transition in developing countries; and assesses the role of socio-cultural factors as determinants of fuel choice at household level. Past research has focused on income as a determining factor for fuel transition, as depicted by the energy ladder model, and the more development oriented energy leapfrogging model. This thesis challenges this notion by providing empirical evidence from Catembe, Mozambique; suggesting that socio-cultural factors are just as important determinants for household energy transition. By applying psycho-anthropologic research techniques, a series of qualitative and quantitative results from 402 households in Catembe, provide a framework for understanding the core factors responsible for household cooking energy choice. It was determined that factors such as taste preferences, cooking practices, local cuisine, kitchen type, gender relations and fuel preferences are culturally determined, and significantly influence on the adoption of modern cooking technologies. To demonstrate the importance for considering such factors, the introduction of an ethanol cook-stove is simulated and evaluated in terms of its applicability to user needs and preferences in Catembe. Results show that despite meeting developmental objectives, the stove falls short in conforming to the culinary traditional of intended beneficiaries.

Forest fuels can be recovered, stored and handled in several ways and these different ways have different implications for CO2 emissions. In this thesis, comparative analyses were made on different forest-fuel systems. The analyses focused on the recovery and transport systems. Costs, primary energy use, CO2 emissions, storage losses and work environment associated with the use of forest fuel for energy were examined by using systems analysis methodology in a life cycle perspective. The bundle system showed less dry-matter losses and lower costs than the chip system. The difference was mainly due to more efficient forwarding, hauling and large-scale chipping. The potential of allergic reactions by workers did not differ significantly between the systems. In difficult terrain types, the loose material and roadside bundling systems become as economical as the clearcut bundle system. The stump and small roundwood systems showed the greatest increase in costs when the availability of forest fuel decreased. Stumps required the greatest increase in primary energy use. Forest fuels are a limited resource. A key factor is the amount of biomass recovered per hectare. Combined recovery of logging residues, stumps and small roundwood from thinnings from the same forest area give a high potential of reduced net CO2 emissions per hectare of forest land. Compensation fertilization becomes more cost-effective and the primary energy use for ash spreading becomes low – about 0,25‰. The total amount of available forest fuel in Sweden is 66 TWh per year. This would cost 1 billion €2007 to recover and would avoid 6.9 Mtonne carbon if fossil coal were replaced. In southern Sweden almost all forest fuel is obtainable in high-concentration areas where it is easy to recover. When determining potential CO2 emissions avoidance, the transportation distance was found to be less important than the other factors considered in this work. The type of transportation system did not have a significant influence over the CO2 avoided per hectare of forest land. The most important factor analysed here was the type of fossil fuel (coal, oil or natural gas) replaced together with the net amount of biomass recovered per hectare of forest land. Large-scale, long-distance transportation of biofuels from central Sweden has the potential to be cost-effective and also attractive in terms of CO2 emissions. A bundle recovery system meant that more biomass per hectare could be delivered to end-users than a pellet system due to conversion losses when producing pellets.

No description available.

The usage of biofuel as well as wood fuel has increased in Sweden and all of Europe during recent decades, and there are several reasons to believe that this increase will continue. An important reason for this increase is that the environmental and climate problems caused by fossil fuels are becoming even more evident. By replacing fossil fuel with biofuel, the problem of emissions from, among others carbon dioxide and sulphur compounds can be alleviated. However, substitution requires in many cases high quality processed biofuel. An early stage in the processing of biofuel is drying. Previous work treats the possibility of drying wood fuel in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. This thesis studies the bed drying technique, conducted both experimentally and through modeling of the drying process. The experimental work is based on continuous temperature measurements in the fuel bed and provides characteristics of the drying zone that develops in the bed during drying. The character of the drying zone is affected by both the qualities of the fuel and the operating parameters, and is decisive regarding the possibility of making the drying more efficient, i.e. optimize the usage of energy and produce a fuel with low and homogeneous moisture content. A mathematical simulation model has been developed to increase the understanding of bed drying. The model is based on fundamental physical principles and is made up of five differential equations that describe vapor flow, air flow, the fuel’s moisture content, and the bed’s pressure and temperature. The modeling work complements the experimental work and a simulation of the temperature distribution, pressure and the drying zone’s dispersion is in agreement with the experimental result. The drying of wood can signify an environmental and human health risk, since volatile organic compounds (VOC) are emitted during drying. The thesis studies these emissions with regards to type and quantity. The measurements show that the majority of the emitted compounds from Norway spruce and Scots pine are volatile monoterpenes, but also that other compounds are emitted, especially higher terpenes. Further, major differences between how the compounds are emitted and the quantities of the emitted compounds from heartwood and sapwood are shown. There are also large differences between types of wood, i.e. spruce and pine. It can be stated that both emission rate and total amount of emitted compounds increase with an increase in temperature. To reduce VOC emissions, the drying temperature should be maintained low. To develop an efficient bed drying process for wood biofuels, additional parameters must be analyzed further and weighed against each other. Based on the experimental method and the simulation model presented here, the drying can be optimized towards a more efficient use of thermal energy and a low and even moisture content in the dried biofuel.

A new generation of compact and highly efficient power production and propulsion technologies are critically needed in enabling NASAs long-term goals. Nuclear fission power technologies as part of project Prometheus are in development to meet this need. Proposed reactor concepts utilize a combination of refractory metals and stainless steels. One such refractory alloy, Niobium 1% Zirconium (Nb-1Zr), will be used because of its strength at high temperatures, neutron absorption properties, and resistance to corrosion by liquid alkali metals. One potential problem in using Nb-1Zr is that it undergoes rapid high temperature oxidation, even in low oxygen concentrations. Long-term oxidation of the niobium matrix can significantly deteriorate the mechanical properties of the alloy. This thesis reports on experimental studies of the high temperature interaction of 316 stainless steel (316 SS) and Nb-1Zr under prototypic space fission reactor operating conditions. Specifically, how the high temperature oxidation rate of Nb-1Zr changes when in contact with 316 SS at low external oxygen concentrations. The objective of the project is to determine if transport of gaseous contaminants, such as oxygen, will occur when Nb-1Zr is in contact with 316 SS, thereby increasing the oxidation rate and degrading material properties. Experiments were preformed in a realistic non-nuclear environment at the appropriate operating conditions. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis techniques were used to quantify results. Coupons of Nb-1Zr and Nb-1Zr in contact with 316 SS foil are subjected to flowing argon with oxygen concentrations between 4-15ppm and heated to a temperature of 500, 750, and 1000oC for 2 to 10 hours. Experiments were conducted at the Early Flight Fission Test Facility at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The experimental results indicate that a complex oxidation process, which depends greatly on temperature and oxygen concentration, occurs at the expected operating conditions. Non-linear regression techniques were applied to experimental data in order to derive correlations for the approximate oxidation rate of Nb-1Zr and Nb-1Zr in contact with 316 SS as a function of time, temperature, and oxygen concentration.