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The thesis is devided into two parts - the theoretical and the practical. In the theoretical one the methods of economic analyses and their application is described. In the practical the corporation is rated and evaluated while using these tools.

Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable and economically feasible waste management technology, which lowers the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), decreases the soil and water pollution, and reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. The present thesis investigates the anaerobic digestion of waste from food-processing industries, including citrus wastes (CWs) from juice processing and chicken feather from poultry slaughterhouses. Juice processing industries generate 15–25 million tons of citrus wastes every year. Utilization of CWs is not yet resolved, since drying or incineration processes are costly, due to the high moisture content; and biological processes are hindered by its peel oil content, primarily the D-limonene. Anaerobic digestion of untreated CWs consequently results in process failure because of the inhibiting effect of the produced and accumulated VFAs. The current thesis involves the development of a steam explosion pretreatment step. The methane yield increased by 426 % to 0.537 Nm3/kg VS by employing the steam explosion treatment at 150 °C for 20 min, which opened up the compact structure of the CWs and removed 94 % of the D-limonene. The developed process enables a production of 104 m3 methane and 8.4 L limonene from one ton of fresh CWs. Poultry slaughterhouses generate a significant amount of feather every year. Feathers are basically composed of keratin, an extremely strong and resistible structural protein. Methane yield from feather is low, around 0.18 Nm3/kg VS, which corresponds to only one third of the theoretical yield. In the present study, chemical, enzymatic and biological pretreatment methods were investigated to improve the biogas yield of feather waste. Chemical pretreatment with Ca(OH)2 under relatively mild conditions (0.1 g Ca(OH)2/g TSfeather, 100 °C, 30 min) improved the methane yield to 0.40 Nm3/kg VS, corresponding to 80 % of the theoretical yield. However, prior to digestion, the calcium needs to be removed. Enzymatic pretreatment with an alkaline endopeptidase, Savinase®, also increased the methane yield up to 0.40 Nm3/kg VS. Direct enzyme addition to the digester was tested and proved successful, making this process economically more feasible, since no additional pretreatment step is needed. For biological pretreatment, a recombinant Bacillus megaterium strain holding a high keratinase activity was developed. The new strain was able to degrade the feather keratin which resulted in an increase in the methane yield by 122 % during the following anaerobic digestion. / <p>Akademisk avhandling som för avläggande av teknologie doktorsexamen vid Chalmers tekniska högskola försvaras vid offentlig disputation den 1 juni 2012, klockan 10.00 i KA-salen, Kemigården 4, Göteborg.</p>

This master's thesis is focused on solving the issues associated with economic efficiency of construction and operation of road communications' projects. The paper defines significant socioeconomic benefits the operation of the road communications provides for the users and surroundings. It offers a summary of theoretical findings about the economic efficiency's calculation method, analyses the influence of the socioeconomic benefits on the final economic efficiency of the project and based on the results of the analysis it suggests and recommends provisions for investors, compliance of which might ensure implementation of the road communications with high value for future users.

As vias pavimentadas se deterioram com o passar do tempo, por ação das cargas do tráfego e das intempéries. Por isso necessitam de intervenções (atividades de Manutenção e Reabilitação - M&R). No Brasil é mais comum que sejam realizadas apenas operações tapa-buracos e recapeamentos. São soluções sem eficiência técnica ou econômica. Uma alternativa mais racional e já em uso em países desenvolvidos é um Sistema de Gerência de Pavimentos Urbanos - SGPU. Os objetivos desta tese são apresentar uma propostas para avaliação da condição de vias urbanas com base na identificação dos defeitos da superfície do revestimento, um modelo de previsão de desempenho de vias urbanas com base em séries históricas obtidas no Município de São Carlos e uma análise econômica com a simulação de diferentes cenários para diferentes opções de M&R. Ainda como objetivos desta tese estão a apresentação das vantagens de utilizar um Sistema de Informações Geográficas - SIG, em uso no SGPU do Distrito Federal. Com base nos resultados encontrados, pode-se inferir que a avaliação de campo pode ser mais eficiente se forem considerados menos defeitos e os critérios de severidade e extensão forem fixados, com menos critérios subjetivos do avaliador. Considerando-se as estratégias de M&R adotadas pela Prefeitura Municipal de São Carlos e, ainda, de acordo com as avaliações de campo, pôde-se verificar que os pavimentos necessitam de Reforço Estrutural após 6 anos da sua construção. Os custos de manutenção, ao longo do tempo, são influenciados pela escolha da M&R a ser aplicada na preservação das vias e, também, pela época em que são realizadas, sendo as manutenções preventivas menos onerosas. Nos Estados Unidos, por exemplo, particularmente na cidade de San Antonio, Texas, são realizadas manutenções preventivas e, nas corretivas, há rigoroso controle de qualidade, o que não se verifica nas cidades brasileiras. Um SGPU possui critérios de análise de dados que, aliados ao Sistema de Informações Geográficas - SIG, garantem clareza na apresentação dos resultados, tanto em mapas temáticos quanto em gráficos e planilhas. Os relatórios no padrão SGPU possibilitam solicitar recursos federais e internacionais para manutenção viária, como o Programa Asfalto Novo do DF, que obteve, no ano de 2013, R$565 milhões para a pavimentação urbana. Em simulação de diferentes cenários de M&R, pôde-se concluir que a opção por tapa-buracos e recapeamentos é mais de duas vezes mais onerosa e mantém o pavimento em condição inferior ao que é possível com base nas técnicas de SGPU. Portanto, um SGPU proporciona benefícios socioeconômicos para toda a sociedade, com vantagens no médio e longo prazo e, ainda, mantém as vias em melhor condição. / The paved roads deteriorate over time, due to traffic loads and bad weather. Therefore, they need interventions (Maintenance and Rehabilitation activities - M & R). In Brazil, it is more common to carry out only hole-hole operations and resurfacing. They are solutions without technical or economic efficiency. A more rational alternative already in use in developed countries is an Urban Pavement Management System - UPMS. In this thesis proposals are presented for the evaluation of urban road conditions based on defects of the surface of the coating, a performance prediction model and an economic analysis with the simulation of different scenarios for different M & R options. Data were analyzed from the Municipality of São Carlos, in the State of São Paulo and the Distrito Federal - DF. Based on the results, it can be inferred that the field evaluation can be more efficient if less defects are considered and the criteria of severity and extension are fixed, with less subjectivity on the part of the evaluator. Considering the M & R strategies adopted by the municipal government of São Carlos and also, according to the field evaluations, it was possible to verify that the pavements have a useful life of 6 years. The maintenance costs, over time, are strongly influenced by the choice of M & R to be applied in the preservation of roads and also by the time in which they are carried out. In the United States, for example, preventive maintenance is carried out and, in the correctives, there is strict quality control, which is not the case in Brazilian cities. An UPMS has data analysis criteria that, together with the Geographic Information System - GIS, guarantee clarity in the presentation of results, both in thematic maps and in charts and spreadsheets. The reports in the UPMS standard make it possible to request federal and international resources for road maintenance, such as the DF Asphalt New Program, which obtained R$ 565 million for urban paving. In the simulation of different M & R scenarios, it was concluded that the option to cover holes and resurfacing is more than twice as expensive and keeps the pavement in a lower condition than is possible based on SGPU techniques. Therefore, an SGPU confers socio-economic benefits for the whole society, with advantages in the medium and long term, and also keeps the roads in better condition.

As vias pavimentadas se deterioram com o passar do tempo, por ação das cargas do tráfego e das intempéries. Por isso necessitam de intervenções (atividades de Manutenção e Reabilitação - M&R). No Brasil é mais comum que sejam realizadas apenas operações tapa-buracos e recapeamentos. São soluções sem eficiência técnica ou econômica. Uma alternativa mais racional e já em uso em países desenvolvidos é um Sistema de Gerência de Pavimentos Urbanos - SGPU. Os objetivos desta tese são apresentar uma propostas para avaliação da condição de vias urbanas com base na identificação dos defeitos da superfície do revestimento, um modelo de previsão de desempenho de vias urbanas com base em séries históricas obtidas no Município de São Carlos e uma análise econômica com a simulação de diferentes cenários para diferentes opções de M&R. Ainda como objetivos desta tese estão a apresentação das vantagens de utilizar um Sistema de Informações Geográficas - SIG, em uso no SGPU do Distrito Federal. Com base nos resultados encontrados, pode-se inferir que a avaliação de campo pode ser mais eficiente se forem considerados menos defeitos e os critérios de severidade e extensão forem fixados, com menos critérios subjetivos do avaliador. Considerando-se as estratégias de M&R adotadas pela Prefeitura Municipal de São Carlos e, ainda, de acordo com as avaliações de campo, pôde-se verificar que os pavimentos necessitam de Reforço Estrutural após 6 anos da sua construção. Os custos de manutenção, ao longo do tempo, são influenciados pela escolha da M&R a ser aplicada na preservação das vias e, também, pela época em que são realizadas, sendo as manutenções preventivas menos onerosas. Nos Estados Unidos, por exemplo, particularmente na cidade de San Antonio, Texas, são realizadas manutenções preventivas e, nas corretivas, há rigoroso controle de qualidade, o que não se verifica nas cidades brasileiras. Um SGPU possui critérios de análise de dados que, aliados ao Sistema de Informações Geográficas - SIG, garantem clareza na apresentação dos resultados, tanto em mapas temáticos quanto em gráficos e planilhas. Os relatórios no padrão SGPU possibilitam solicitar recursos federais e internacionais para manutenção viária, como o Programa Asfalto Novo do DF, que obteve, no ano de 2013, R$565 milhões para a pavimentação urbana. Em simulação de diferentes cenários de M&R, pôde-se concluir que a opção por tapa-buracos e recapeamentos é mais de duas vezes mais onerosa e mantém o pavimento em condição inferior ao que é possível com base nas técnicas de SGPU. Portanto, um SGPU proporciona benefícios socioeconômicos para toda a sociedade, com vantagens no médio e longo prazo e, ainda, mantém as vias em melhor condição. / The paved roads deteriorate over time, due to traffic loads and bad weather. Therefore, they need interventions (Maintenance and Rehabilitation activities - M & R). In Brazil, it is more common to carry out only hole-hole operations and resurfacing. They are solutions without technical or economic efficiency. A more rational alternative already in use in developed countries is an Urban Pavement Management System - UPMS. In this thesis proposals are presented for the evaluation of urban road conditions based on defects of the surface of the coating, a performance prediction model and an economic analysis with the simulation of different scenarios for different M & R options. Data were analyzed from the Municipality of São Carlos, in the State of São Paulo and the Distrito Federal - DF. Based on the results, it can be inferred that the field evaluation can be more efficient if less defects are considered and the criteria of severity and extension are fixed, with less subjectivity on the part of the evaluator. Considering the M & R strategies adopted by the municipal government of São Carlos and also, according to the field evaluations, it was possible to verify that the pavements have a useful life of 6 years. The maintenance costs, over time, are strongly influenced by the choice of M & R to be applied in the preservation of roads and also by the time in which they are carried out. In the United States, for example, preventive maintenance is carried out and, in the correctives, there is strict quality control, which is not the case in Brazilian cities. An UPMS has data analysis criteria that, together with the Geographic Information System - GIS, guarantee clarity in the presentation of results, both in thematic maps and in charts and spreadsheets. The reports in the UPMS standard make it possible to request federal and international resources for road maintenance, such as the DF Asphalt New Program, which obtained R$ 565 million for urban paving. In the simulation of different M & R scenarios, it was concluded that the option to cover holes and resurfacing is more than twice as expensive and keeps the pavement in a lower condition than is possible based on SGPU techniques. Therefore, an SGPU confers socio-economic benefits for the whole society, with advantages in the medium and long term, and also keeps the roads in better condition.

The Master’s thesis is a proposal of the business project for build-up a solar photovoltaic power plant. The first part of the thesis includes definitions of terms adherent to entrepreneurship, legal form of business, definitions and becomingness of business project, analytical processes and principals of operation of solar power plant. In next part, thesis deals with conditions of given business sector and possibilities of financing and current status of business sector. After that follows proposal of business solution with company legal form selection, SWOT analyses and actual proposal of business project. There is evaluation of proposed solutions in a final part of the thesis.

This thesis is a proposal for a business plan for the construction of biogas plants. The first part is to find a theoretical basis of the work. The second section analyzes the current situation of the company. After a chapter with a proposal for investment in construction of biogas plants, the economic part and final part of the evaluation indicated the proposed solution.

The master thesis is a proposal of the business plan for building-up solar photovoltaic power plant. The first part includes presentation of businessman and industry analyses. Theoretical basis are offered in the second part of this thesis. The next part analyzes conditions of business sector, legislative conditions and then current situation of the company is evaluated by financial indicators. After that proposal of investment in photovoltaic power plant, economical parts follow. At the end of the thesis an evaluation of the proposed solution is presented.

Cette thèse présente la première évaluation économique de la prématurité en France. La prématurité intervient avant 37 semaines d’aménorrhée. Elle est en constante augmentation dans le monde. Si les enjeux de santé publique sont bien identifiés, la prise en charge et les choix collectifs en matière de prématurité comportent des enjeux économiques importants. La première partie de cette thèse présente les enjeux de santé publique de la prématurité et les efforts restant à fournir en matière de prévention en France. Elle conduit ensuite une réflexion économique sur les moyens d’une utilisation au plus « juste » socialement des ressources dédiées à la santé périnatale, dans le contexte d’augmentation des dépenses de santé. Une mesure de la charge collective de la prise en charge de la prématurité est nécessaire et envisagée au moyen d’une étude Cost-Of-Illness. Enfin elle pose le cadre dans lequel l’éthique et l’évaluation économique sont complémentaires. La deuxième partie présente la méthodologie et les résultats de l’étude, consistant à évaluer les coûts directs hospitaliers et extrahospitaliers des naissances prématurées et à terme, dans la première année de vie, du point de vue de l’Assurance Maladie. Les données sont extraites du Système National d’Information Inter-Régime de l’Assurance Maladie. Les résultats montrent l’ampleur des coûts moyens associés à la grande prématurité et une relation inverse et significative entre les coûts moyens et l’âge gestationnel. Cette étude économique invite à la sensibilisation des décideurs publics à la nécessité d’allouer les moyens financiers et humains pour prévenir la survenue de situations critiques associées à la prématurité. / This thesis focuses on a first economic assessment of prematurity in France. Prematurity is defined as occurring before 37 weeks of gestation. It is increasing in France and worldwide. If the issues of public health are already well identified, medical care and collective choices concerning prematurity matters also involve significant economic challenges. The first part of this thesis attempts to present the public health issues of prematurity and highlights the remaining efforts required to provide prevention in France. It then considers economic issues on the use of socially fairer resources dedicated to perinatal health in a context where current health expenditure is rising. Assessment of the collective burden of care for preterm infants is necessary and envisaged by a Cost-Of-Illness study. Finally it presents a framework where ethical and economic considerations are complementary. The second part addresses the methodology and results of the study. The study assesses the hospital and non-hospital direct costs for preterm and term births, in the first year of life, from health insurance point of view. It is based on an extraction of data from the National Heal Insurance Inter-Regime Information System. The results of the study highlight in particular the level of average costs associated with extreme prematurity (before 32 weeks) and demonstrate an inverse and significant relationship between average costs and the gestational age (GA) at birth. This economic study invites awareness of the policy makers about the need to provide financial and human resources to anticipate and prevent critical situations associated with prematurity.