In an accident, some seatbelt is let out by the seatbelt retractor in the vehicle. This is done to minimize the chest pressure and for the occupant to correctly impact the air bag. In an adaptive load limiter (LLA) the force in the seatbelt could be changed between different levels. In this way the chest pressure and the speed in to the air bag can be optimized and to minimize injuries.The work has been aimed at develop new concept of switching between the high and low force. The goal is to reduce the number of parts, the complexity and the size of the components. The LLA device today is made out of nine components.This work has included brainstorming for ideas of new concepts. The concept have been sketched. The three best concepts have been valued in a concept evaluation matrix. CAD- models have been done. Calculations have been done by hand to see which forces the components will be subjected to. FEM-calculations have also been done to see that components can handle the amount of stress they which they will be subjected to during the switching. Tests of components have also been made to verify the concept on Autolivs test center. The results were then evaluated. The work is ended by recommendations of further development.This thesis has been done on Autoliv Sweden AB in Vårgårda. Autoliv was founded in 1953 in Vårgårda of the two brothers Lennart and Stig Lindblad. Autoliv is world- leading in car safety. Autoliv is currently operating in 27 countries and has over 70 000 employees. They save over 30 000 lives and prevent over 300 000 injuries every year. Autoliv has made seatbelts since 1956. / Vid en krock släpper en bältesrulle i ett fordon ut lite bälte för att personen i sätet skall landa rätt i krockkudden och där med minska tryckskadorna på hen. I en bältesrulle med en adaptiv kraftbegränsare kan kraften i bältet varieras mellan två olika lägen av en växlingsmekanism. På det sättet minimeras trycket på bröstkorgen och hastigheten in i krockkudden kan optimeras.Arbetet har riktats mot att ta fram nya koncept för att växla mellan krafterna. Syftet med det har varit att försöka få ner antalet, minska storleken och komplexiteten på komponenterna i en adaptiv kraftbegränsare. Dagens konstruktion på kraftbegränsare innefattar nio komponenter.Arbetet har innefattat brainstorming för att ta fram nya koncept. Skisser av dessa koncept är gjorda. De tre bästa koncepten har sedan utvärderats i en konceptutvärderingsmatris. CAD- modeller är därefter framtaget. Handberäkningar för att se vilka krafter som komponenter utsätts har genomförts. FEM- beräkningar har gjorts för att se att delar inte går sönder. Provning av komponenter och funktioner är har gjorts på Autolivs test center i Vårgårda. Resultaten har även analyserats och arbetet avslutas med framtida rekommendationer för vidareutveckling.Detta examensarbete har gjorts på Autoliv Sverige AB i Vårgårda. Autoliv grundades 1953 i Vårgårda av de två bröderna Lennart och Stig Lindblad. Autoliv är världsledande inom säkerhet inom bilindustrin. Autoliv är verksamma i 27 olika länder med över 70 000 medarbetare. De räddar årligen 30 000 liv och förebygger över 300 000 skador. De har tillverkat säkerhetsbälten sedan 1956.

Barragens de rejeitos são estruturas que têm a finalidade de reter os resíduos sólidos e água dos processos de beneficiamento de minério. Seu planejamento inicia com a procura do local para implantação, etapa na qual se deve vincular todo tipo de variáveis que direta ou indiretamente influenciam a obra: características geológicas, hidrológicas, topográficas, geotécnicas, ambientais, sociais, avaliação de riscos, entre outras. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a utilização do método de analise hierárquica como apoio na tomada de decisões para seleção de locais para barragens de rejeitos. A revisão bibliográfica de fatores que influem nesta etapa de decisão resultou em indicadores claros de avaliação, que foram orientadores para a coleta de dados no estudo de caso. O estudo de caso consistiu na avaliação de três locais para a localização da nova barragem de rejeitos de beneficiamento de cobre a ser construída pela MINER S.A. no município de Carmen de Atrato, na Colômbia. Para a seleção do local entre três alternativas, foram considerados dois aspectos: custo inicial total e impacto ambiental. Na aplicação do método de análise hierárquica, o objetivo principal da hierarquia proposta foi o menor impacto ambiental, considerando-se as três causas consideradas mais importantes: implantação da barragem, ruptura da barragem e transporte de rejeitos da usina ao local de disposição. Foram analisados os impactos potenciais na água, solo, fauna, flora e ocupação humana. Os custos foram tratados separadamente. No final foi realizada uma análise conjunta dos custos iniciais totais e dos resultados do método de análise hierárquica, para servir como apoio ao tomador de decisão. Foi também realizada uma análise de sensibilidade, que mostra a influência significativa de um dos critérios nos pesos finais dos locais avaliados. / Tailings dams are structures designed to retain solid wastes and water generated in the processing of metal ore. The overall planning of these dams starts with site selection, step in which all directly or indirectly influential variables should be considered: geological, hydrological, topographic, geotechnical, environmental and social characteristics, risk evaluation etc. This work presents a study of the utilization of the hierarchy analysis process (AHP) as a tool for decision-making in the selection of sites for tailings dams. The bibliographic review of relevant factors resulted in the proposal of a list of indicators, which was very useful as an orientation for data collection in the study case, and is considered as an important contribution from this research. The study case consisted in the location of the new copper tailings dam of MINER Inc. in Carmen de Atrato, Colombia. Initially, a geochemical software was applied to the region to discard unsuitable areas. For the selection of a site among three resulting alternatives, two aspects were taken into account: total initial cost and environmental impact. In the application of AHP, the main objective of the proposed hierarchy was the lowest environmental impact. Three possible causes were considered as the most important concerning environmental impact: dam and reservoir occupancy, dam collapse and transportation of wastes from the plant to the disposal site. Potential impacts on water, soil, fauna, flora and human occupation were analyzed. Costs were treated separately. Finally, a joint analysis of total initial costs and results from the AHP application was carried out in order to convey a support for the decision maker. A sensilibtily analysis was also performed to show the influence of one of the subcriteria on the final alternatives weights.

Resumo: Chorume é um líquido produzido durante a decomposição anaeróbia dos resíduos sólidos que tem potencial impacto ao ambiente devido a larga variedade de substâncias orgânicas e inorgânicas contidas nesta matriz. Dessa forma, o presente estudo apresenta a caracterização e estudo térmico de amostras de chorume de diferentes procedências as quais foram coletadas nos aterros de Araraquara (CA), São Carlos (CSC), Campinas (CC) e da usina de compostagem na Vila Leopoldina-SP (CSP). Adicionalmente foram estudados os extratos solúveis (ES) obtidos de composto maturado (CM) e o chorume de sistemas anaeróbios (SA1 e SA2) preenchidos com resíduos sólidos provenientes de restaurante universitário simulando as condições acidogênicas de decomposição anaeróbia de aterros. Os resultados obtidos da análise térmica (TG, DTA e DSC) evidenciaram que as amostras de chorume com características acidogênicas (CC, SA1, SA2) apresentaram-se menos estáveis termicamente quando comparadas as CA e CSP que estão em condições metanogênicas. O método isoconversional de Flynn-Wall permitiu a determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos (E e A) para reações de desidratação em intervalos fixos de temperatura. Os valores de E e lnA associados ao procedimento desenvolvido por Málek e Koga conduziu ao modelo mais aproximado para as reações em estudo. O modelo cinético SB (Sesták- Berggren) foi indicado para as reações de decomposição das amostras de extratos solúveis do composto maturado, chorume e derivados. Para a primeira e segunda reação de decomposição térmica do composto maturado os modelos cinéticos mais aproximados foram RO e JMA (n<1) respectivamente. A relação linear entre lnA versus E foi verificada para grupos de reações constatando o chamado efeito de compensação cinética (KCE) . Nas análises de metais pesados realizadas em algumas amostras... (Resumo completo, clicar aceso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Leachate is a liquid produced during the anaerobic decomposition of solid waste that has a potential impact to the environment, due to a large variety of organic and inorganic substances contained in this matrix. Thus, this study presents the chemical characterization and thermal study of the leachate samples from different backgrounds which were collected in landfills of Araraquara (CA), São Carlos (CSC), Campinas (CC) and composting usine from Vila Leopoldina-SP (CSP). Additionally it was also studied the soluble extract (ES) obtained from matured compound (CM), and leachate from anaerobic systems (SA1 and SA2) filled with solid residues from the university restaurant simulating the acidogenic conditions of anaerobic decomposition of the landfills. The obtained results of the TG, DTA and DSC curves showed that, leachate samples with acidogenic characteristics (CC, SA1 and SA2) presented less thermal stability when compared with CA and CSP, which are in metanogenic conditions. Flynn-Wall isoconversional method allowed the determination of the kinetic parameters (E and A) to dehydration reactions in fixed range of temperature. The E and lnA values associated to the procedures of Málek and Koga lead to the most appropriate model to the reaction in study. SB kinetic model was indicated to the decomposition reactions to soluble extract of matured compound, leachate and derivates. To the first and second reaction of thermal decomposition of matured compound, RO and JMA (n<1) were the more approximate kinetic models, respectively. The linear relationship between lnA vs. E was verified for groups of reactions, noting the so-called kinetic compensation effect (KCE). In the analysis of heavy metals, held in some leachate samples were detected concentrations of Mn, that exceed the maximum values allowed. Phenols, phthalates, bisphenol A... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Marisa Spirandeli Crespi / Coorientador: Clóvis Augusto Ribeiro / Banca: Fernando Luis Fertonani / Banca: Eny Maria Vieira / Banca: Ana Maria de Guzzi Plepis / Banca: Valdir Schalch / Doutor

O presente estudo analisa a água da bacia do alto Tietê, tanto como insumo na forma de água potável produzido em oito Estações de Tratamento de Água (ETA), quanto insumo na forma de energia hidráulica, ou ainda, como água residuária gerada por diferentes atividades de origem antrópica. O maior problema desta bacia é a água residuária que é lançada nos rio Tietê e Pinheiros devido ao déficit de 32,41 m3/s (2008) no tratamento de esgoto da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP) o qual produz uma carga poluidora de 920 mil kg de DBO/dia. As águas urbanas que passam pelo canal do rio Pinheiros no período de cheias e de seca têm o mesmo destino que é o reservatório Billings. No entanto, os atos institucionais que permitem a operação de bombeamento da água para o reservatório são distintos. O primeiro caso ocorre pela ação de controle de cheia da RMSP e está apoiada na Resolução Conjunta de Secretarias de Estado de São Paulo (SEE- SMASRHSO em 13/03/96) que permite o bombeamento das águas nas seguintes situações de emergência: (1) previsão de vazão do rio Tietê no ponto de sua confluência com o rio Pinheiros, acima de 160 m3/s. (2) sobrelevação superior a 30 cm de nível d´água na confluência com o rio Pinheiros. No segundo caso, a Empresa Metropolitana de Águas e Energia (EMAE) propôs o Projeto Flotação à Secretaria de Estado do Meio Ambiente (SMA, 2004) para tratar 10 m3/s de águas originárias do canal de Pinheiros (set/2007 a set/2008) por meio da tecnologia de Flotação em Fluxo. Usando-se como base em informações do Plano de Tratamento de Esgoto para a grande São Paulo (SANEGRAN) e dados da operação do protótipo de flotação do Sistema Pinheiros-Billings (Projeto QAPB), concluiu-se que o impacto ambiental causado no reservatório Billings pela carga de poluentes (massa por segundo) bombeada após a flotação da água do rio Pinheiros foi sempre menor do que aquela observada na operação controle de cheias. O tratamento por flotação apresentou remoção de 91% para o fósforo total, 90% para o E.coli, 53% para a matéria orgânica e 14% para o nitrogênio amoniacal. Observou-se um aumento de 34% para o oxigênio e uma diminuição de 46% na turbidez. A análise da viabilidade técnica da operação do Sistema Elevatório Tietê-Billings realizada pelo Método AHP-Analitic Hierarchy Process, demonstrou que 65,62% da água que entra no reservatório Billings pode ser utilizada para gerar energia elétrica, enquanto que 34,38% desta água pode ser utilizada no abastecimento da RMSP. O estudo da viabilidade econômica comparou o custo do processo flotação com o custo de aporte de água proveniente de outros mananciais e demonstrou que o custo da operação de flotação das águas do rio Pinheiros para servir ao abastecimento da RMSP é economicamente viável. / This study examines the characteristics of the water from the upper Tietê, as an input in the form of drinking water produced in eight stations, water treatment plant (WTP), an input for hydropower generation and wastewater generated by different anthropogenic activities. The most important problem of this basin is the wastewater that is released in the Pinheiros river and due to the deficit of 32.41 m3/s (2008) in the treatment of sewage in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (RMSP) which produces one pollutant load of 920 thousand kilograms of BOD per day. The Pinheiros rivers flow during the floods and drought has the same destination, the Billings reservoir. However, the legislation for floods and drought periods are different. The first case - floods occurs by the action of full control of the metropolitan region and is supported by the Joint Resolution of Secretaries of State of Sao Paulo (SEE-SMA-SRHSO on 13/03/96) that allows the pumping of water in the following emergencies: (1) estimates of flow of the Tietê river at the point of its confluence with the river Pinheiros, above 160 m3/ s; (2) raised level above 30 cm water level at the confluence with the river Pinheiros. The second case - drought, the Metropolitan Company for Water and Energy (EMAE) Project proposed flotation of the Secretary of State for the Environment (SMA, 2004) to treat 10 m3/ s water originating channel Pinheiros (set/2007 the set / 2008) by means of flotation technology in flow. Using information based on Environmental Sanitation Great São Paulo (SANEGRAN) and data from the operation of the prototype flotation system Pinheiros-Billings (Project QAPB), concluded that the environmental impact of the reservoir Billings for the load of pollutants (mass per second) pumped after the flotation of the Pinheiros river water was always lower than that observed in the flood control operation. The treatment presented by flotation removal of 91% for total phosphorus, 90% for E. coli, 53% for organic matter and 14% for ammonia nitrogen. There was an increase of 34% for oxygen and a decrease of 46% in turbidity. The analysis of the technical operation of the lift system Tietê-Billings, held in the AHP-Analytic Hierarchy Process, showed that 65.62% of the water entering the reservoir Billings can be used to generate electricity, while 34.38% this water can be used to supply the ´´RMSP´´. The feasibility study compared the economic cost of the flotation process with the cost of input of water from other sources and concluded that the cost of the flotation of the waters of the Pinheiros river to serve the supply of the metropolitan region is economically viable.

Thesis. 1978. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / M.C.P.

Nowadays, pressures on the environment are increasing around the world. In particular, Hong Kong, a compact city with a population of nearly seven million, one which has undergone remarkable economic growth over the past few decades, has developed severe environmental problems. It also has deficiencies in its taxation system: a small tax base, for example. In today’s world, “green” taxes have been accepted and applied by more and more countries, especially those in the OECD. However, Hong Kong still has not adequately used the tax tool as an integral part of the government’s anti-pollution strategy. Accordingly, the major objective of this study is to make proposals for improving the use of green tax measures in Hong Kong. The study first systematically introduces background theories of green tax and discusses its advantages and disadvantages. Then, it elaborates on the primary environmental problems in Hong Kong, followed by describing the green tax measures currently existing in the city. The thesis then summarizes and analyzes green tax measures in selected countries which are at the cutting edge of utilizing the tax tool as an integral part in their environmental policy, especially the Scandinavian nations. The study also conducts interviews with Government officials, green groups and those potentially in opposition to green tax. Finally, by drawing on the experiences of green tax measures in selected countries, proposals are made on improving existing green tax measures, introducing new environmental taxes, using the revenue from these taxes and dealing with implementation issues. The research findings of this project will help modernize as well as to green Hong Kong’s taxation system and thus eventually to improve the environment of Hong Kong.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been successfully used as an environmental assessment tool for the development of ecologically sustainable products. The application of LCA in the early design stage has been constrained by the requirement of large amounts of data and time for carrying out the assessment. In addition, the complexity of LCA causes further difficulties for product developers. In order to integrate the environmental assessment into the process of product development, this research proposes an integrated decision model for sustainable product development and a simplified LCA approach for the application in the early stage of product design. The main advantage of the proposed model is that it incorporates the environmental aspects of product development into the existing product development framework. It enables designers to strike a balance between the product???s environmental performance and other traditional design objectives. The simplified LCA approach is based on the concept and application of Environmental Impact Drivers. Material-based environmental impacts and Energy-based environmental impacts are used to predict the total environmental impact of a product. Two sets of impact drivers were developed accordingly. The Material-based Impact Drivers were identified by classifying materials into 16 groups according to the nature of the materials and their environmental performance. Energy-based Impact Drivers were developed for various energy sources in major industrial regions. Product LCA cases were used to verify the proposed methods. The results computed by the application of the impact drivers were compared with the results of full LCA studies. It is concluded that with the proposed approach, the product???s environmental performance can be assessed in a very short time and with very basic data input requirements and acceptable accuracy.

<p>Today the use of anaerobic digestion technique emerges as an alternative to the conventional treatment method of pig slurry to the pig producers in Brazil because of the energy demanding intensive pig production and the negative environmental impact that arises during storage and use. The end products of AD technique are biogas as an energy source and digestate that can be used as a fertilizer.</p><p>The study took place at two pig producers in southern Brazil in order to evaluate the biogas production in the area, its applications and environmental impact. The visited pig producers run a confined animal production system where the slurry that is used in the anaerobic digesters is diluted.</p><p>The studied digesters are covered with an air tight flexible plastic membrane that takes the shape of a balloon where each digester has the volume of 620 m3. Sedimentation occurs inside each reactor where the temperature also fluctuates. The produced biogas is conveyed to a torch where</p><p>the biogas is combusted.</p><p>The results of this study show that the digesters are working properly but there is a need for mixing and constant temperature in order to optimize the process. Biogas is primarily suited for heat production and the digestate can be used as a fertilizer. Biogas production is considered to have a positive environmental impact if the biogas is used or combusted in a torch. There is also a need to apply a cover over the digestate during the storage time to avoid ammonia emissions.</p><p>The approximated biogas potential for Rio Grande do Sul is nearly 100 GWh/year. For an</p><p>approximated biogas potential of more consideration it is found that further studies of the housing systems in Rio Grande do Sul are needed. This is due to a greatly varying amount of degradable materials in the pig slurry from one ranch to another.</p>

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

This study concentrates on two questions – “Should banks take environmental concerns?”and “What is the attitude of Swedish banks towards sustainability?” The theory related to environmental concerns in the financial sector is presented and further on the empirical data describing the situation within the Swedish banking sector is discussed. The empirical data was collected with the aid of a semi-structured interview and offers a real-life example of actions and attitudes of two case banks in Sweden – SEB and Handelsbanken. The aim of this paper is not restricted to presenting and discussing the collected theoretical and empirical data but also to involve the reader in the environmental way of thinking. This text is based on the idea that banks are liable for the indirect impact on the environment and need to acknowledge that some borrowers involve in environmentally harmful businesses. The research method used for this study is of a qualitative nature, more precisely it is an exploratory research which aims to explain. The semi-structured interview used to study the attitudes of the chosen Swedish case banks, was composed of two types of questions – closed- and open-ended. Special characteristics of a semi-structured interview are the prompts and probes in its structure. These are the approaches to guide the respondent to reach broader coverage and greater depth in his/her answers. Through the interview results, it became evident that the environmental issues have gained certain visibility within the Swedish banking sector. The given answers pointed towards the impression that maintaining a sound corporate image is the prior concern of a bank and indicated that banking sector in Sweden undergoes external pressure to pursue environmentally friendly activities. It is clear that banks play a major role by financing the continuous damage to our planet, and it is comforting to know the banking sector is undergoing the pressure of becoming more involved in sustainable development. The conclusions and the empirical evidence presented in this study are hoped to give a simplified view on environmental concerns within banking sector.