Much research in the area of process integration has focused on steady-state processes. However, there are many process units that are inherently unsteady-state or perform best when operated in an unsteady-state manner. Unsteady-state units are vital to chemical processes but are unable to be included in current process optimization methods. Previous methods to optimize processes containing unsteady-state units place restrictions or constraints on their use. This optimization still does not give the best system design because the solution found will only be the best out of the available options which likely excludes the true optimal design. To remedy this, a methodology was created to incorporate unsteady-state process units into process optimization analysis. This methodology is as general as possible. Unlike many existing unsteadystate optimization methods, it determines all three main components of process design: the network configuration, sizes of units, and operation schedule. This generality ensures that the truly optimal process design will be found. Three problems were solved to illustrate the solution methodology. First, a general mass exchange network was optimized. The optimization formulation resulted in a mixed-integer nonlinear program, and linearization techniques were used to find the global solution. A property interception network was also optimized, the first work done using property integration for systems with unsteady-state behavior. Finally, an industrial semi-batch water purification system was optimized. This problem showed how process integration could be used to optimize a hybrid system and gain insights into the process under many different operating conditions.

With the escalating levels of water demand, there is a need for expansion in the capacity of water desalination infrastructure and for better management and distribution of water resources. This dissertation introduces a systems approach to the optimization of macroscopic water desalination and distribution networks to tackle three problems: 1. Optimal design of desalination and allocation networks for a given demand, 2. Optimal operation of an existing infrastructure of water desalination, distribution, and storage, 3.Optimal planning for expanding the capacity of desalination plants to meet an increasing water demand over a time horizon. A source-interception-sink representation was developed to embed potential configurations of interest. Mathematical programming was used to model the problem by studying different objective functions while accounting for constraints the supply, demand, mass conservation, technical performance, and economic aspects. Such approach determines the type of technologies to be selected, the location and capacity of the desalination plants, and the distribution of the desalinated water from sources to destinations. For the operation and planning problems, the planning horizon was discretized into periods and a multi-period optimization approach was adopted with decisions made for each period. Short- and long-term water storage options (e.g., in storage tanks, aquifers) were included in the optimization approach. Water recycle/reuse was enhanced via the use of treated water and its utilization was improved by minimizing the losses observed in discharged water resulting from the linkage of power plants and thermal desalination plants and the lack of integration between water production and consumption. Several case studies were solved to demonstrate the applicability of the devised approaches.

Abstract ¡@¡@In this era of knowledge-based economy, the environment is changing fast. The continuous progress of information technology plays the important role for putting knowledge-based management into practice. On the other hand, because of appearance of knowledge-based management, persons gradually realize it become harder to produce concrete result by person¡¦s knowledge and effort. Members of organization, Nowadays, must use teamwork to gain organizational-knowledge and through communication & coordination between teams and members to finish tasks for achieving enterprise¡¦s goal. ¡@¡@This research is using the concept and the method of knowledge-based management and process management to build up organization and process design for achieving the strategy goal of enterprise. It also explores how to find adequate knowledge through information technology in the shortest time and transform the knowledge into the reliable organizational-knowledge by sharing and applying. In addition, the topics of the research include linking engineering knowledge and organizational form from a clear goal of technology strategy according to the point of view of system process integration. Under the process structure of the research, we seek and evaluate key indexes of affecting performance to develop the ability of fast developing new technology and new process. And intend to expedite organization toward creating knowledge developing related to enterprise¡¦s strategies in order to get better competitive edge.

In our daily lives, people constantly need to schedule their activities to meet their personal goals. Many of these activities involve the interaction with organization sectors, which must follow certain regulations in terms of input data, doable time and places. These regulations form personal processes. In previous work, [Chen01] proposed a personal process model that define a personal process as a set of tasks and a coordination on the tasks and a personal workflow system architecture. However, the proposed system is solely to facilitate a mobile user in deciding when, where, and how to process a task. We have noticed that many processes initiated by an individual often involve business processes coming from different organizations. Our objective in this thesis is to revise the personal process model proposed in [Chen01] by incorporating business processes existing in different sectors, developing a simpler query method, and extending personal workflow architecture in support of the new model. In our architecture, the management of personal processes involves three parties: the service provider, the template provider and the PWFMS. The service providers supply personal processes, each of which enable users to achieve a specific goal, and keep track of the status of executed tasks. The template providers incorporate several personal processes from different service providers and form a useful template for a user. The PWFMSs assist users in managing personal processes. In order to prove our idea, we implemented a prototype of the architecture.

The process industries are characterized by the enormous use of natural resources such as raw materials, solvents, water, and utilities. Additionally, significant amounts of wastes are discharged from industrial facilities. As the world moves toward sustainable progress, that is, meeting the demand of the current generation without affecting or compromising the new generation, future process facilities must focus on resource conservation and pollution prevention. The purpose of this work is to introduce a new process integration methodology for the conservation and optimization of resources in the process industries. The work is also geared towards reducing waste discharge from the processing facilities. The optimal management of fresh resources and waste disposal requires the appropriate allocation, generation, and separation of streams and species. Material recycle/reuse/substitution, reaction alteration, and process modification are some of the main strategies employed to conserve resources in the process industries. The overall problem addressed in this dissertation can be stated as follows: Given is a process with a number of streams (sources) that are characterized by certain criteria (e.g., compositions of certain compounds, targeted properties) where these streams can be utilized in a number of process units (sinks) if they satisfy given constraints on flow rate, compositions, and/or properties. Additionally, interception devices may be used to adjust stream criteria. The objective is to develop targeting procedures and synthesis tools for the identification of minimum usage of fresh resources, minimum discharge of waste, and maximum integration of process resources. The devised methodology addresses four classes of problems: • Targeting techniques using direct recycle strategies • Recycle and interception procedures for single-component systems • Recycle and interception procedures for multi-component systems • Property integration for direct recycle strategies The framework provided by this dissertation couples traditional mass integration with groundbreaking property integration techniques to target, synthesize and optimize a plant for maximal conservation of resources. In particular, this work introduces new techniques such as material recycle pinch analysis, simultaneous recycle and interception networks, and property-based allocation. Additionally, graphical, algebraic, and optimization approaches are developed and validated with case studies in order to illustrate the applicability of the devised procedures.

This work focuses on device design and process integration of high-performance Ge-based devices for CMOS applications and beyond. Here we addressed several key challenges towards Ge-based devices, such as, poor passivation, underperformance of nMOSFETs, and incompatibility of fragile Ge wafers for mass production. We simultaneously addressed the issues of bulk Ge and passivation for pMOSFETs, by fabricating Si-capped epitaxial Ge:C(C<0.5%) devices. Carbon improves the crystalline quality of the channel, while Si capping prevents GeOx formation, creates a quantum well for holes and thus improves mobility. Temperature-dependent characterization of these devices suggests that Si cap thickness needs to be optimized to ensure highest mobility. We developed a simple approach to grow GeO₂ by rapid thermal oxidation, which provides improved passivation, especially for nMOSFETs. The MOSCAPs with GeO₂ passivation show ~10× lower Dit (~8×10¹¹ cm⁻²eV⁻¹) than that of the HF-last devices. The Ge (111) nMOSFETs with GeO₂ passivation show ~2× enhancement in mobility (~715 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ at peak) and ~1.6× enhancement in drive current over control Si (100) devices. For improved n⁺/p junctions, we proposed a simple technique of rapid thermal diffusion from "spin-on-dopants" to avoid implantation damage during junction formation. These junctions show a high ION/IOFF ratio (~10⁵⁻⁶) and an ideality factor of ~1.03, indicating a low defect density, whereas, ion-implanted junctions show higher Ioff (by ~1-2 orders) and a larger ideality factor (~1.45). Diffusion-doped and GeO₂-passivated Ge(100) nMOSFETs show a high ION/IOFF ratio (~10⁴⁻⁵) , a low SS (111 mV/decade), and a high [mu]eff (679 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ at peak). Moreover, diffusion-doped Ge (111) nMOSFETs show even higher [mu]eff (970 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ at peak) that surpasses the universal Si mobility at low Eeff. For Beyond CMOS devices, we investigated Mn-doped Ge:C-on-Si (100), a novel Si-compatible ferromagnetic semiconductor. The investigation suggests that the magnetic properties of these films depend strongly on crystalline structure and Mn concentration. On a different approach, we developed LaOx/SiOx barrier for Spin-diodes that reduces contact resistance by ~10⁴, compared to Al₂O₃ controls and hence is more conducive for spin injection. These ferromagnetic materials and devices can potentially be useful for novel spintronic devices. / text

This thesis is a manifestation of efforts to integrate FM into the development process through a greater involvement of Facilities Managers in the property development industry. It also presents an original contribution to knowledge in a form of a validated best practice, which is identified as the facilities management-development process (FM-DP) integration framework. The framework potentially serves as a guide to Facilities Managers and other professionals in various organisations in the property development industry to optimise the value of Facilities Management (FM) in the development project and to achieve sustainable development. The study was conducted as an exploratory sequential mixed methods design in order to identify the issues that limit Facilities Managers from being involved in the property development industry, when they are known to be an appropriate professional to optimise the value of FM in the development process. Qualitative approach has been used as a core component of this research in order to obtain confirmation of the critical issues obtained from the literature review. To develop the framework, a survey questionnaire was used followed by relevant statistical procedure and analysis. To ensure validation, a member-checking approach was implemented through focus group interview. The validated framework reveals that there are 52 best practices to be considered by Facilities Managers or other professionals in the property development industry to optimise the role of FM in the development process for sustainable development. In addition, the framework discovers that best practices are required in all stages of the development process. Nevertheless, Stage 4: Technical Design is crucial, as it requires most of the best practices that drive the integration of FM into the development process. The framework demonstrates a ‘killing two birds with one stone’ strategy: (i) exploiting the framework is expected to increase the profile of FM among other professionals, (ii) encouraging a greater involvement of Facilities Managers in the property development industry, which (iii) leads the project to a sustainable development agenda.

Environmental concerns about the effect of greenhouse gases have led governments to regulate industrial CO2 emissions, including through emissions caps, trading and penalties, thus creating economic incentives to reduce CO2 emissions. This research focuses on strategies to reduce CO2 emissions from energy systems in the context of the process industries. In the process industries, energy systems consume fuel to generate steam and power for site process units. Improving energy efficiency can reduce costs of energy generation and use, as well as CO2 emissions. This research develops an integrated design and optimisation methodology for energy systems, allowing effective capture and control of carbon dioxide emissions. The first focus of this study is to develop a systematic approach to evaluate combinatorial strategies for reducing CO2 emissions, based on a techno-economic analysis. A conceptual design procedure with hierarchical decision-making is introduced to combine CO2 emissions reduction strategies, accounting for interactions between site components, including the heat exchanger network and utility system. CO2 emissions reduction options considered in development of this procedure include process integration techniques for improving the energy efficiency of the site and fuel switching. The proposed approach considers trade-offs between the economy of energy retrofit and CO2 emissions penalties. Opportunity for reducing the CO2 penalty is included in the economic evaluation of the combined emissions reduction strategies. A mathematical model for simultaneous optimization of emissions reduction strategies is developed. In addition to emissions reduction strategies, options for trading CO2 allowances are considered in the model. The proposed mathematical method applies Mixed Integer Non Linear Programming (MINLP) optimization, which employs a superstructure of the strategies for CO2 reduction. The proposed mathematical model relates the selected options to their operating and capital costs and to their associated CO2 emissions, allowing the optimizer to search for the optimal combination of emissions reduction strategies. While the reduction in CO2 emissions through process integration techniques is based on the existing configuration of a site and the associated structural limitations, integration of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies can provide greater mitigation of CO2 emissions from a site. However, important challenges of implementing CCS in the process industries are the energetic and economic impact of the CCS plant on the integrated site. In the second part of this study, these energy-economic issues are explored. The CCS technologies addressed in this thesis include post- and pre-combustion CO2 capture techniques. Simulation of each capture technique is carried out in process simulation software to characterize the energy performance of the CO2 capture plant. Sensitivity analyses are carried out for key parameters of the CO2 capture plant. The relationship between these key parameters and the energy balance of the capture plant is represented using a simple energy performance model for the CO2 capture plant. This model allows the integration of the CO2 capture plant with the site utility system to be explored. Interactions between the utility system and CO2 capture plant are considered. The site utility system, together with the CO2 capture plant, is optimized for minimum operating cost. The proposed procedures are illustrated by application to a case study of a medium-scale oil refinery. The results illustrate that to reduce CO2 emissions, heat integration, utility system optimization and fuel switching provide more cost-effective solutions than integrating CCS technologies. The mathematical model allows more cost-effective solutions to be identified than using sequential, conceptual methods, but the value of the conceptual method for developing insights is also illustrated. The results demonstrate that, depending on the potential of the site for increasing heat recovery and the type of fuel used on site, solutions that combine energy efficiency and fuel switching can provide up to 40% reduction in site CO2 emissions. Integrating a post-combustion CO2 capture plant with the site utility system can provide up to 90 mol% pure CO2 for sequestration; however, the high capital cost of the capture plant reduces the economic performance of the integrated site. The high heat demand of post-combustion CO2 capture for solvent regeneration increases the fuel consumption of the site and its utility system, which in turn reduces the recovery of CO2. The results reveal that pre-combustion CO2 capture can provide opportunities for heat and power generation to improve the techno-economic performance of the overall integrated site.

This thesis discusses topics in the field of process engineering that have received much attention over the past twenty years, process integration and optimization of energy and environmental systems. It emphasizes the applications of three commercial software tools for process integration, ADVENT, HEXTRAN and SlTPERTARGET, that are readily available to academic users at low costs. Specifically, Chapter 1 presents an overview of the basic concepts used in process integration of energy systems. Chapter 2 compares the use of single and dual temperature-of-approach methods to synthesize energy-optimum and minimum-cost, heat-exchanger networks (HENs), and shows how to implement them using three software tools. Chapters 3 and 4 demonstrate how to optimize the energy recovery in petroleum refinery distillation systems via process integration. Chapter 3 presents an extension to a case study of heat integration of a vacuum distillation system. Chapter 4 describes the detailed synthesis, retrofit and optimization of HENs for a system of atmospheric and vacuum distillation towers, and it represents the first process integration and optimization study of a complex process in petroleum refineries using all three commercial software tools. Chapter 5 presents, through four progressive tutorial examples, a recent conceptual method developed in the field of process integration of environmental systems applied to wastewater minimization and to the design of distributed effluent treatment systems. / Master of Science

The supplier relationship manager is one of the eight business processes of Supply chain management. There have been many researches carried out about the supply chain processes integration. However, a lack of theory has been noticed on the integration of the supplier relationship management process and no research has coped with a case study of the integration of this process between the manufacturer and its first upstream tier. The lack is also consequent when studying the obstacles to the supplier relationship management integration in Swedish construction equipment companies.