The performance of a high-power small-scale combustion-based fluidic actuator for high-speed flow control applications is characterized with specific focus on comparisons between premixed and nonpremixed operating modes for the device. Momentary (pulsed) actuation jets are produced by the ignition of a mixture of gaseous fuel and oxidizer within a small (cubic centimeter scale) combustion chamber. The combustion process yields a high pressure burst (1 to 3 ms in duration in the typical configurations) and the ejection of a high-speed exhaust jet. The actuation frequency can be continuously varied by independently controlling the flow rate of the fuel/oxidizer and the spark ignition frequency up to a maximum determined by the operating characteristics of the actuator. The actuator performance is characterized by both its peak thrust and net total impulse, with increases in peak jet momentum often two to three orders of magnitude above the baseline steady jet. Results for operation of the device in both premixed and nonpremixed modes are presented and analyzed, with nonpremixed operation typically yielding higher pressures and greater frequency ranges in the present configurations.

At present, there are 41 elementary schools in Penghu County. There are at least 24 elementary schools with less than 100 students; this includes 10 small-scale schools with less than 50 students. It shows that the small-scale schools are the characteristics of the elementary school structure in Penghu County. During the past 10 years, 4 elementary schools have dissolved as there are insufficient students. The objective of this research is to discuss on current reuse policy for the reuse of school land and building. This research uses qualitative research method with conducting the in-depth interview to understand the reuse policy and the current community participation for the dissolved small-scale elementary school in Penghu County, as well as the feasible development strategies in the future. In addition, the author summarized and organized these 2 following issues: "Current Implementing Condition of the School Land Reuse Policy for Small-scale Elementary School after Dissolve in Penghu County" and "School Land Reuse Strategy for Small-scale Elementary School after Dissolve in Penghu County". In terms of "Current Implementing Condition of the School Land Reuse Policy for Small-scale Elementary School after Dissolve in Penghu County", the research discovered the government is directing the future reuse plan towards tourism development and multi-purpose usage, and positively trying to resolve the legal restrictions for school reuse. For the solutions to the current problems, strengthened communication with the residents is used to gain a common view on future reuse development. With SWOT analysis, the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and threats of school reuse are clearly understood. As for the "School Land Reuse Strategy for Small-scale Elementary School after Dissolve in Penghu County", the government is interacting with the community on many occasions to gain their approval on the reuse plan. This would bring community participation, which provides sufficient reasons to relax the legal restrictions for school reuse and encourage the community or public associations to invest. Rental or sale of school land prevents improper reuse management, which causes unused ground again. Community participation plays an important role in the plan by expressing the participation thoughts through neighborhood meeting or community development associations. When there is no reuse of dissolved school land, the current law for donated school land does not state whether the school land is returned to the original donor. The subject gains the approval of most interviewees and this intention urges the government to resolve the current school land reuse problem.

Earlier investigations of Combustion Powered Actuation (COMPACT) have demonstrated its utility for high-speed aerodynamic flow control. In this actuation approach, momentary (pulsed) actuation jets are produced by the ignition of a mixture of gaseous fuel and oxidizer within a cubic-centimeter scale chamber. The combustion process yields a high pressure burst and the ejection of a high-speed exhaust jet. The present thesis focuses on characterization of the effects of the internal flow (which is altered through the fuel and oxidizer inlet streams) on mixing and flame propagation within the actuator's combustion chamber, and thereby on actuator operation and performance. A test chamber with a grid of interchangeable air and fuel inlets was used for parametric investigations of the effects of inlet size and location. Actuator performance is characterized using dynamic pressure measurements and phase-locked Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) of the combustor's internal flow field in the presence and absence of the active combustion process. Over the range tested, increased momentum of the air inlet jet for a given flow rate improves the actuator performance by increasing bulk velocities and small-scale motions within the chamber, thus yielding net higher flame propagation speed and subsequently faster pressure rise and higher pressure peak. Variation in inlet location that results in swirling flow within the chamber yields higher internal pressures while air flow over the spark ignition site yields lower internal pressures and erratic combustion. Improved refill and combustion processes will lead to enhanced performance combustor designs.

An energy harvesting device driven by aeroelastic vibration with self-sustained pitching and heaving using an induction based power take off mechanism has been designed and tested for performance under various operating conditions. From the data collected the results show that the device achieved a maximum power output of 48.3 mW and a maximum efficiency of 2.26% at a dimensionless frequency of 0.143. For all airfoils tested the device was shown to be self-starting above 3 m/s. A qualitative description relating to the performance of the device considering dynamic stall and the flow conditions at optimal dimensionless frequency has been proposed and related to previous work. Performance for angles off the wind up to 22 degrees and was observed to have no reduction in power output due to the change in angle to the wind. The device has shown evidence of having a self-governing capability, tending to decrease its power output for heavy windpspeeds, a thorough examination of this capability is recommended for future work. / Graduate / 0548 / 0544 / opirquet@uvic.ca

The research reported in this thesis is part of a project to develop a remote wireless sensing network for monitoring the health of highway bridges. Remote health monitoring that does not require direct human observation has many advantages in terms of cost and increased productivity. However, bridges that cannot be easily connected to the power grid require alternative means of acquiring power. This thesis describes the design of a wind energy harvester to power a particular component in the sensor network, the wireless router. The work discussed in this thesis provides a review of relevant literature and development of a detailed analytical modeling of wind turbine behavior. The analytical model provides key information on sizing generators and choosing appropriate wind turbine dimensions to provide the required amount of power. The analytical model also distinguishes the performance of vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines. The model is verified through design and testing of a first generation prototype and benchmarking of a commercially available turbine. Based on these results, the design of the next generation wind harvesting system is described. A new methodology to design non-destructive attachment systems is also discussed. / text

The Pampanga province is one of the largest pork-producing provinces in the Philippines. Half of the province's pigs are reared in so-called back-yard farms. At these farms, there are no regulations regarding manure management and because of this, large amounts of manure are dumped close to the stables. These actions lead to spontaneous emission of greenhouse gases, eutrophication of rivers and groundwater pollution. In addition, the spread of manure contributes to inadequate sanitation and increased risks of disease among the inhabitants of the province. LPG and wood are the most popular fuels for cooking in the Philippines. LPG is most common in the cities, while more than 60 percent of the rural population still relies on firewood for cooking. LPG is a fossil fuel that, when burned, contributes to an enhanced greenhouse effect. The use of wood increases the pressure on the local biomass and increases the risk of lung diseases for the user. Anaerobic digestion of pig manure under contributes to a more sustainable manure management. At the same time, energy in form of biogas is produced. Biogas is a renewable energy source, which is considered carbon neutral. If pig manure is co-digested with kitchen waste, a more efficient and stable digestion process may be achieved. This study aims to contribute to sustainable development at backyard pig farms in the Pampanga province by demonstrating how pig manure and kitchen waste can be utilized for biogas production. In order to develop an appropriate composition of pig manure and kitchen waste for anaerobic digestion, batch digestion of pig manure and kitchen waste was performed at laboratory scale. During a field study, the substrate composition was digested in test plants under local conditions in Pampanga. During the field study, several field trips to backyard pig farms were performed. Based on prevailing conditions and available materials in the province, a full-scale biogas digester was designed. The digester was sized to produce enough biogas to fulfil one family’s daily requirement of cooking fuel. If the daily biogas production reaches 2.5 m3 it is possible to replace 178 kg LPG or 9855 kg of firewood every year. The reduction of LPG prevents 2700 kg carbon dioxide equivalents from being emitted to the atmosphere every year. The reduction of LPG use also results in an annual saving of 9062 PHP (1672 SEK) for a family. This number corresponds to 11 procent of the total investment cost of the digester. / Pampangaprovinsen är en av de största producenterna av fläskkött i hela Filippinerna. Hälften av provinsens grisar föds upp på så kallade backayard farms. På dessa gårdar finns inga restriktioner gällande gödselhantering. Därför dumpas stora mängder gödsel i gårdarnas närområde vilket leder till spontana utsläpp av växthusgaser, övergödning i vattendrag och förorenat grundvatten. Dessutom leder spridning av gödslet till försämrad hygien och ökad sjukdomsspridning bland provinsens invånare. Gasol och ved är de mest populära bränslena för matlagning i Filippinerna. Gasol är mest utbrett i städerna medan drygt 60 procent av landsbygdens befolkning fortfarande förlitar sig på ved vid matlagning. Gasol är ett fossilt bränsle som vid förbränning bidrar till en förstärkt växthuseffekt. Användning av ved ökar trycket på den lokala biomassan och vid förbränning är risken för sjukdomar i luftvägarna hos användaren stor. Anaerob rötning av grisgödsel möjliggör en mer hållbar gödselhantering samtidigt som energi i form av biogas produceras. Biogas är en förnyelsebar energikälla som dessutom anses vara koldioxidneutral. Grisgödsel kan med fördel samrötas med matavfall för att uppnå en effektivare och mer stabil rötprocess. Den här studien syftar till att bidra till hållbar utveckling inom Pampangaprovinsens backyard pig farms genom att demonstrera hur grisgödsel tillsammans med matavfall kan användas för biogasproduktion. Under studiens inledande del utfördes satsvis rötning av grisgödsel och matavfall i laborativ skala, i syfte att ta fram en lämplig sammansättning av de båda substraten. Substratsammansättningen rötades därefter i testanläggningar vid lokala förhållanden under en fältstudie i Pampangaprovinsen. Under fältstudien genomfördes även studiebesök till olika backyard pig farms. Baserat på rådande förhållanden och tillgängliga material i provinsen designades slutligen en rötkammare. Rötkammaren dimensionerades så att den kunde förse en familj med bränsle för matlagning. Om den dagliga biogasproduktionen når 2.5 m3 är det möjligt att ersätta 178 kg gasol eller 9855 kg ved per år. Minskningen av gasol resulterar i en årlig reducering av växthusgasutsläpp med minst 2700 kg koldioxidekvivalenter. Minskningen av gasol resulterar också i en årlig besparing på 9062 PHP (1672 SEK). Denna siffra motsvarar 11 procent av den totala investeringskostnaden för rötkammaren.

This thesis considers the requirement engineering process from the small scale industries point of view. It begins with a brief introduction to software requirements and then proceeds to a detailed study of the requirement engineering process. The later part of the thesis considers Business Process Modeling and how it helps in understanding any business in a better way and how conceptual model helps in extracting business requirements from any particular business scenario. The Object Oriented Technique is used for building the conceptual model. The thesis concludes with a case study. / text

This dissertation examines the role of donor-funded international projects to reduce mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM). ASM is the second largest source of anthropogenic global mercury pollution, accounting for roughly 1000tonnes of atmospheric emissions and releases to the environment per annum. The artisanal mining economy involves 10-15 million people across the developing world, and supports 80-100 million people directly and indirectly. In 2003 the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program reached consensus that there is sufficient scientific evidence to trigger an international response to global mercury pollution, including the pollution generated by ASM. Yet thus far most international interventions have concentrated on environmental monitoring and assessment, while virtually no efforts have focused on implementing solutions. The aim of this dissertation is to move global mercury policy for ASM past its emphasis on assessments. It does this by developing a philosophical and strategic policy framework to guide future interventions by international institutions. A brief history of global mercury policy is provided, illustrating how ASM has been neglected and examining divisions between ecocentric and technocentric theories of environmental intervention. The relationship between ASM and poverty is examined, reaching the conclusion that because artisanal gold mining is a form of upward mobility for the world's extreme poor, the idea of reducing mercury pollution by redirecting miners into alternative livelihoods is unrealistic; indeed gold itself is the alternative livelihood. Using case studies collected in the field, the issue of conflict over property rights between artisanal miners and large-scale mining companies is explored, and a risk mitigation framework presented to assist companies to coexist with artisanal miners. Finally, a new approach to international intervention is proposed based on three interdependent principles of formalization, capitalization, and education. A plan is developed for directing more expertise and financial resources to the field, and more effectively meeting the needs of miners. Specific recommendations include a rapid assessment methodology to select project sites, and improving operational linkages among public and private institutions.

India’s strong agrarian economy, global location and climatic zoning make it highly vulnerable to the potential effects of climate change. Recent evidence of shortening cropping seasons has raised interest among academics and policy makers in tools for adaptation. Timely sowing and appropriate mechanization have been identified as attractive adaptation tools. Mechanization using locally produced biodiesel in place of conventional fossil fuel provides a relatively low-cost and sustainable opportunity to mitigate carbon emissions. An enterprise model in which farmers invest in machinery for custom hire coupled with community-produced biodiesel offers one approach to integrated adaptation and mitigation mechanisms for climate change. This research analyses agricultural practices and small farm mechanization in the state of Orissa, India, drawing on a village case study. Primary data is from twelve key informant interviews with farmers, academics and NGO representatives in India. Secondary data analysis includes Indian and Orissan government documents and reports from international organizations regarding agricultural mechanization, sustainability, resiliency and climate change. The results of this study indicate that joint mitigation and adaptation mechanisms implemented at the community level can address impacts of climate change while also offering opportunities for livelihood benefits, poverty alleviation and income generation. This research contributes to growing literature on adaptation and mitigation tools for climate change and adds an integral focus on small-scale opportunities within the broader scope of sustainable agriculture and biofuel development in India.

Marine resources, in particular the fishing industry, continue to play a major role in sustaining South Africa’s economy and social development and contribute to employment and security of the local community. Historically, the allocation of fishing rights was conferred upon predominantly white-owned commercial companies by the South African apartheid government. However, with the advent of democracy in 1994, the government had the responsibility to draft a fisheries policy that would aim to redress historical imbalances and this resulted in the introduction of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. This dissertation aims critically to analyse whether this statute has been successful in remedying the issue of unequal fishing rights amongst commercial, subsistence, recreational and artisanal fishers. In undertaking this, an evaluation of the several policies that are attached to this statute will be presented and comments will be made in relation to the constitutional and political aspects of this subject. Allied to this, there will be a consideration of how international law influences the introduction of statutes relating to marine living resources. The main approach for this dissertation has been a literature review which included the use of both electronic databases and books available in libraries. The research shows that in spite of the enactment of the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998, artisanal fishers or small-scale fisheries continue to face discrimination and large commercial fisheries continue to dominate the industry. A Small-Scale Fisheries Policy was adopted in June 2012 to remedy the situation but there is currently no implementation plan in place. The major issue however is that the Act itself does not provide a definition for small-scale fishing and it would therefore have to be amended, in order to accommodate this category. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.