Yes / Technological systems are not merely designed with a narrow function in mind. Good designs typically aim at reducing operational costs, e.g. through achieving high energy efficiency and improved dependability (i.e. reliability, availability and maintainability). When there is a choice of alternative design options that perform the same function, it makes sense to compare alternatives so that the variant that minimises operational costs can be selected. In this paper, we examine this issue in the context of the design of Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) for main engines of large commercial freight vessels. We propose a method that can predict the operational cost of a WHRS via thermodynamic analysis which shows costs related to energy utilisation, and dependability analysis which shows costs related to system unavailability and repair. Our approach builds on recent advances in thermodynamic simulation and compositional dependability analysis techniques. It is a model-based approach, and allows reuse of component libraries, and a high degree of automation which simplify application of the method. Our case study shows that alternative designs can be explored in fast iterations of this method, and that this facilitates the evidence-based selection of a design that minimises operational costs.

The market segment of hybrid-electric and full function electric vehicles is growing within the automotive transportation sector. While many papers exist concerning fuel economy or fuel consumption and the limitations of conventional powertrains, little published work is available for vehicles which use grid electricity as an energy source for propulsion. Generally, the emphasis is put solely on the average drive cycle efficiency for the vehicle with very little thought given to propelling and braking powertrain losses for individual components. The modeling section of this paper will take basic energy loss equations for vehicle speed and acceleration, along with component efficiency information to predict the grid energy consumption in AC Wh/km for a given drive cycle. This paper explains how to calculate the forces experienced by a vehicle while completing a drive cycle in three different ways: using vehicle characteristics, United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Dynamometer "target" coefficients, and an adaptation of the Sovran parameters. Once the vehicle forces are determined, power and energy demands at the wheels are determined. The vehicle power demands are split into propelling, braking, and idle to aide in the understanding of what it takes to move a vehicle and to identify possible areas for improvement. Then, using component efficiency data for various parameters of interest, the energy consumption of the vehicle as a pure EV is supplied in both DC (at the battery terminals) and AC (from the electric grid) Wh/km. The energy that flows into and out of each component while the vehicle is driving along with the losses at each step along the way of the energy path are detailed and explained. The final goal is to make the results of the model match the vehicle for any driving schedule. Validation work is performed in order to take the model estimates for efficiencies and correlate them against real world data. By using the Virginia Tech Range Extended Crossover (VTREX) and collecting data from testing, the parameters that the model is based on will be correlated with real world test data. The paper presents a propelling, braking, and net energy weighted drive cycle averaged efficiency that can be used to calculate the losses for a given cycle. In understanding the losses at each component, not just the individual efficiency, areas for future vehicle improvement can be identified to reduce petroleum energy use and greenhouse gases. The electric range of the vehicle factors heavily into the Utility Weighted fuel economy of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, which will also be addressed. / Master of Science

This study examines the mental preparation of elite athletes using naturalistic action research. The focus of investigation was on the personal difficulty of dealing with the "expert issue" that existed in the consultative relationship. The unfolding research experience confronted the researcher with personal dilemmas that needed to be resolved; activating significant shifts in the direction of exploration. These shifts were triggered in conversational contexts, highlighting the impact of co-evolved intimate sharing. Quantum leaps in understanding occurred when the researcher; (a) realised that a research proposal had been formulated that was not congruent with ecosystemic philosophies, (b) discovered action research, thereby shifting from an isolated self-reflective position to embracing the phenomenon of shared inquiry, (c) formed an action research group to investigate consultative issues, (d) became aware that the action research process was a reflection of an individual's unique idiosyncratic interactive and thinking style, (e) had to deal with the impact of a work experience as the action group turned into a therapeutic team, and (f) aligned himself to a narrative writing style to formally report on the "fluid", "free-flow" conversational experiences that had occurred in the research context. "Reflective interactive exploration" written methodology to capture the ideas emerged as a formal that evolve conversation. This methodology became the vehicle to during (a) shift more responsibility onto the athlete to become the "researcher of self", (b) open up further conversation, and (c) to relieve the psychologist of the expert position. The methodology was also utilised in the action research group to explore issues and to exchange ideas with the supervisor. The theory of the "mask of competency" of the athlete existing in a "culture of competition" is forwarded. A therapeutic model that balances intervention techniques with therapeutic conversation is suggested when consulting with athletes. Therapeutic conversation is broadened to incorporate concepts such as "energy flow", "obstacles and resistances" and "connection and intimacy". The personal "expert issue" was found to be a "reflection" of the researcher's own unique perceptions and interactive tendencies. Addressing issues at this level of personal identity required special interpersonal conditions; a context of respectful, intimate conversation. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

This study examines the mental preparation of elite athletes using naturalistic action research. The focus of investigation was on the personal difficulty of dealing with the "expert issue" that existed in the consultative relationship. The unfolding research experience confronted the researcher with personal dilemmas that needed to be resolved; activating significant shifts in the direction of exploration. These shifts were triggered in conversational contexts, highlighting the impact of co-evolved intimate sharing. Quantum leaps in understanding occurred when the researcher; (a) realised that a research proposal had been formulated that was not congruent with ecosystemic philosophies, (b) discovered action research, thereby shifting from an isolated self-reflective position to embracing the phenomenon of shared inquiry, (c) formed an action research group to investigate consultative issues, (d) became aware that the action research process was a reflection of an individual's unique idiosyncratic interactive and thinking style, (e) had to deal with the impact of a work experience as the action group turned into a therapeutic team, and (f) aligned himself to a narrative writing style to formally report on the "fluid", "free-flow" conversational experiences that had occurred in the research context. "Reflective interactive exploration" written methodology to capture the ideas emerged as a formal that evolve conversation. This methodology became the vehicle to during (a) shift more responsibility onto the athlete to become the "researcher of self", (b) open up further conversation, and (c) to relieve the psychologist of the expert position. The methodology was also utilised in the action research group to explore issues and to exchange ideas with the supervisor. The theory of the "mask of competency" of the athlete existing in a "culture of competition" is forwarded. A therapeutic model that balances intervention techniques with therapeutic conversation is suggested when consulting with athletes. Therapeutic conversation is broadened to incorporate concepts such as "energy flow", "obstacles and resistances" and "connection and intimacy". The personal "expert issue" was found to be a "reflection" of the researcher's own unique perceptions and interactive tendencies. Addressing issues at this level of personal identity required special interpersonal conditions; a context of respectful, intimate conversation. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

A matéria-prima na produção de biodiesel corresponde a mais que 70% do seu custo e o estudo de viabilidade tecnológica e econômica das diferentes matérias-primas se reveste de enorme importância. A extração do óleo de soja com solvente etanol resulta em duas miscelas, uma rica em óleo (miscela rica) e outra rica em etanol (miscela pobre). A miscela pobre pode ser reutilizada no processo de extração e a miscela rica pode ser utilizada diretamente sem a necessidade de dessolventização e de etapas de refino. A miscela rica em óleo foi esterificada por dois processos diferentes: químico e enzimático, com diferentes concentrações em razão molar (óleo:etanol), diferentes temperaturas e catalisadores básico (NaOH) ou enzimático (Novozym®435), buscando o maior rendimento em ésteres etilícos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o rendimento de ésteres etílicos aplicando enzimas imobilizadas Novozym®435 e um catalisador básico (NaOH) e analisar a viabilidade energética da produção de biodiesel a partir da transesterificação da miscela rica (óleo:etanol) em óleo de soja, sem necessidade de refino do óleo. Foi adotado o planejamento experimental e análise de superfícies de resposta para a seleção das melhores condições de processo, tendo como variáveis respostas o rendimento e a qualidade do biodiesel. Foram realizados ensaios de esterificação via enzimática e química. A reutilização da enzima foi estudada através da lavagem com diferentes solventes (etanol 96%, isopropanol e terc-butanol) e reações de transesterificação na presença do co-solvente terc-butanol. A produção de ésteres em miscelas permitiu a comparação dos custos entre o processo de catálise enzimática e catálise química com base na análise dos fluxos de materiais e energia. A miscela rica foi obtida após três banhos com miscela pobre e um último banho com etanol 99% (v/v), apresentando eficiência de 83% e um teor de óleo residual no farelo de 4,2%. Em sua composição, a miscela rica apresentou 90% em óleo de soja e até 7% de etanol. A transesterificação de miscela rica com catalisador NaOH foi otimizada e apresentou rendimento de ésteres etílicos (RE) 97,2% nas condições experimentais de: razão molar 1:12, concentração de catalisador 0,67% e temperatura de 30ºC. Na transesterificação enzimática, o rendimento máximo foi de 85% nas condições reacionais de razão molar 1:4,5, concentração de catalisador 9,5% e temperatura de 40ºC. A Novozym®435 não foi recuperada com sucessivas lavagens dos solventes. Entretanto, o terc-butanol como co-solvente aumentou o rendimento de ésteres para 94%. A análise dos fluxos de energia demonstrou que o a obtenção da matéria-prima (laminação e extração) foi a etapa que mais demandou energia. A produção de miscela rica em escala semi-piloto demandou mais energia que a de óleo refinado, porém, a etapa de transesterificação a partir de miscela rica, utilizando o catalisador químico, demandou menos energia comparada ao processo com catalisador enzimático e o convencional com metanol e etanol. A esterificação de miscela rica é energeticamente viável, entretanto, com um scale up adequado, a etapa de extração com etanol deve ser ajustada para viabilizar energeticamente a cadeia de produção de biodiesel por esta via alternativa. / The feedstock for biodiesel production represents more than 70% of the cost and technological and economic feasibility studies of different oil sources are of enormous importance. The extraction of soybean oil with ethanol solvent results in two miscella, one rich in oil (rich miscellae) and another rich in ethanol (poor miscellae). The poor miscellae can be reused in the extraction process and the rich miscellae can be used directly without dessolventizing and refining stages. The oil rich miscellae was esterified by two different processes: chemical and enzymatic, with different concentrations in the molar ratio (oil: ethanol), different temperatures and either basic catalyst (NaOH) or an enzyme (Novozym®435), searching for the highest production of ethyl esters. The study goal was to prove the feasibility of producing biodiesel from the transesterification of rich miscellae (oilethanol) in soybean oil, without oil refining and evaluating the performance of ethyl esters by applying immobilized enzymes Novozym®435 and a basic catalyst (NaOH). We adopted the experimental design and the surface response methodology for the best selection of process conditions, with the response variables the yield and the quality of biodiesel. Chemical and enzymatic esterification trials were conducted. The reuse of enzyme was studied by washing with different solvents (96% ethanol, isopropanol and tert-butanol) and the transesterification reaction in the presence of the co-solvent tert-butanol. The production of esters by enzymes in the miscellae allowed a comparison of the costs between the enzymatic and chemical catalysis process based on the energy flow analysis. The rich miscellae was obtained after three baths employing the poor miscellae and a last fourth bath with ethanol 99% (v/v), presenting efficiency of 83% and a residual meal oil content of 4.2%. In its composition, the rich miscellae showed 90% of soybean oil and up to 7% ethanol. The transesterification of the rich miscellae with NaOH catalyst was optimized and had a ethyl esters yield (RE) of 97.2% under the experimental conditions of: 1:12 molar ratio, catalyst concentration 0.67% and temperature 30° C. For the enzymatic transesterification, the maximum yield was 85% for the reaction conditions: molar ratio 1:4.5, catalyst concentration 9.5% and temperature 40° C. Novozym®435 was not recovered with successive washes of the solvents. However, the tertbutanol as a co-solvent increased the yield of esters to 94%. The energy flow analysis showed that obtaining the raw material (flaking and extraction) was the most energy demanding. The rich miscellae from the semi-pilot plant demanded more energy than the refined oil, however, the transesterification of the rich miscellae using chemical catalyst, required less energy compared to the enzymatic catalysis and the conventional process methanol and ethanol. The esterification of rich miscellae is feasible energetically, however, the extraction step with ethanol should be adjusted to enable energetically the chain of biodiesel production.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:38:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 louise.pdf: 1784422 bytes, checksum: 60f4897ec789c94dd1c7ec0eda64a208 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / 1. The size spectrum associates the abundance of individuals with the size of their body. The main objective was to investigate the influence of reservoir operation regime on the process of energy transfer in fishes assemblage, testing the hypothesis that the reservoir operation modify the spatial variability of the slopes of the size spectra. 2. For this, samples were carried out the period from January 2005 to December 2007. Data were obtained in eight reservoir with different operation regime, located in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. To calculate the slopes of fish size spectra we used Pareto I model. The effects of operation regime on the size spectra were evaluate from the paired t test. 3. The results showed that the reservoir operation regime presents significant effect on the size spectra of the fish assemblages, wherein the slopes of spectra indicated that the reservoirs tend to present higher proportions of the small individuals. This effect were more pronounced in the reservoirs that operate in accumulation, indicating less efficient energy transfer through food webs in these environments / O espectro de tamanho associa a abundância de indivíduos com o tamanho do corpo destes. O objetivo principal foi investigar o efeito do regime de operação de reservatórios, sobre o processo de transferência de energia em assembleias ictiícas, testando-se a hipótese de que o regime de operação do reservatório altera a variabilidade espacial das inclinações dos espectros de tamanho, influenciando o fluxo de energia nos distintos reservatórios. Para isso, as amostras foram coletadas no período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2007. Os dados foram obtidos de oito reservatórios, com diferentes regimes de operação localizados no estado do Paraná, região sul do Brasil. Para calcular as inclinações dos espectros de tamanho de peixes foi utilizado um modelo de Pareto tipo I. Os efeitos dos regimes de operação sobre os espectros de tamanho foram avaliados através do Teste t pareado. Com a análise dos resultados evidenciou-se que o regime de operação do reservatório apresenta efeito significativo sobre os espectros de tamanho das assembleias de peixes, sendo que as inclinações dos espectros indicaram que os reservatórios tendem a apresentar maiores proporções de indivíduos pequenos, sendo esse efeito mais pronunciado nos reservatórios que operam em regime de acumulação, indicando menor eficiência na transferência de energia nesses ambientes

A matéria-prima na produção de biodiesel corresponde a mais que 70% do seu custo e o estudo de viabilidade tecnológica e econômica das diferentes matérias-primas se reveste de enorme importância. A extração do óleo de soja com solvente etanol resulta em duas miscelas, uma rica em óleo (miscela rica) e outra rica em etanol (miscela pobre). A miscela pobre pode ser reutilizada no processo de extração e a miscela rica pode ser utilizada diretamente sem a necessidade de dessolventização e de etapas de refino. A miscela rica em óleo foi esterificada por dois processos diferentes: químico e enzimático, com diferentes concentrações em razão molar (óleo:etanol), diferentes temperaturas e catalisadores básico (NaOH) ou enzimático (Novozym®435), buscando o maior rendimento em ésteres etilícos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o rendimento de ésteres etílicos aplicando enzimas imobilizadas Novozym®435 e um catalisador básico (NaOH) e analisar a viabilidade energética da produção de biodiesel a partir da transesterificação da miscela rica (óleo:etanol) em óleo de soja, sem necessidade de refino do óleo. Foi adotado o planejamento experimental e análise de superfícies de resposta para a seleção das melhores condições de processo, tendo como variáveis respostas o rendimento e a qualidade do biodiesel. Foram realizados ensaios de esterificação via enzimática e química. A reutilização da enzima foi estudada através da lavagem com diferentes solventes (etanol 96%, isopropanol e terc-butanol) e reações de transesterificação na presença do co-solvente terc-butanol. A produção de ésteres em miscelas permitiu a comparação dos custos entre o processo de catálise enzimática e catálise química com base na análise dos fluxos de materiais e energia. A miscela rica foi obtida após três banhos com miscela pobre e um último banho com etanol 99% (v/v), apresentando eficiência de 83% e um teor de óleo residual no farelo de 4,2%. Em sua composição, a miscela rica apresentou 90% em óleo de soja e até 7% de etanol. A transesterificação de miscela rica com catalisador NaOH foi otimizada e apresentou rendimento de ésteres etílicos (RE) 97,2% nas condições experimentais de: razão molar 1:12, concentração de catalisador 0,67% e temperatura de 30ºC. Na transesterificação enzimática, o rendimento máximo foi de 85% nas condições reacionais de razão molar 1:4,5, concentração de catalisador 9,5% e temperatura de 40ºC. A Novozym®435 não foi recuperada com sucessivas lavagens dos solventes. Entretanto, o terc-butanol como co-solvente aumentou o rendimento de ésteres para 94%. A análise dos fluxos de energia demonstrou que o a obtenção da matéria-prima (laminação e extração) foi a etapa que mais demandou energia. A produção de miscela rica em escala semi-piloto demandou mais energia que a de óleo refinado, porém, a etapa de transesterificação a partir de miscela rica, utilizando o catalisador químico, demandou menos energia comparada ao processo com catalisador enzimático e o convencional com metanol e etanol. A esterificação de miscela rica é energeticamente viável, entretanto, com um scale up adequado, a etapa de extração com etanol deve ser ajustada para viabilizar energeticamente a cadeia de produção de biodiesel por esta via alternativa. / The feedstock for biodiesel production represents more than 70% of the cost and technological and economic feasibility studies of different oil sources are of enormous importance. The extraction of soybean oil with ethanol solvent results in two miscella, one rich in oil (rich miscellae) and another rich in ethanol (poor miscellae). The poor miscellae can be reused in the extraction process and the rich miscellae can be used directly without dessolventizing and refining stages. The oil rich miscellae was esterified by two different processes: chemical and enzymatic, with different concentrations in the molar ratio (oil: ethanol), different temperatures and either basic catalyst (NaOH) or an enzyme (Novozym®435), searching for the highest production of ethyl esters. The study goal was to prove the feasibility of producing biodiesel from the transesterification of rich miscellae (oilethanol) in soybean oil, without oil refining and evaluating the performance of ethyl esters by applying immobilized enzymes Novozym®435 and a basic catalyst (NaOH). We adopted the experimental design and the surface response methodology for the best selection of process conditions, with the response variables the yield and the quality of biodiesel. Chemical and enzymatic esterification trials were conducted. The reuse of enzyme was studied by washing with different solvents (96% ethanol, isopropanol and tert-butanol) and the transesterification reaction in the presence of the co-solvent tert-butanol. The production of esters by enzymes in the miscellae allowed a comparison of the costs between the enzymatic and chemical catalysis process based on the energy flow analysis. The rich miscellae was obtained after three baths employing the poor miscellae and a last fourth bath with ethanol 99% (v/v), presenting efficiency of 83% and a residual meal oil content of 4.2%. In its composition, the rich miscellae showed 90% of soybean oil and up to 7% ethanol. The transesterification of the rich miscellae with NaOH catalyst was optimized and had a ethyl esters yield (RE) of 97.2% under the experimental conditions of: 1:12 molar ratio, catalyst concentration 0.67% and temperature 30° C. For the enzymatic transesterification, the maximum yield was 85% for the reaction conditions: molar ratio 1:4.5, catalyst concentration 9.5% and temperature 40° C. Novozym®435 was not recovered with successive washes of the solvents. However, the tertbutanol as a co-solvent increased the yield of esters to 94%. The energy flow analysis showed that obtaining the raw material (flaking and extraction) was the most energy demanding. The rich miscellae from the semi-pilot plant demanded more energy than the refined oil, however, the transesterification of the rich miscellae using chemical catalyst, required less energy compared to the enzymatic catalysis and the conventional process methanol and ethanol. The esterification of rich miscellae is feasible energetically, however, the extraction step with ethanol should be adjusted to enable energetically the chain of biodiesel production.

Collective intelligence (CI) emerges from local coordination, collaboration and competition among the individuals within a social group. CI mainly results in a global intelligent behavior. One of the fundamental interactional channels within a CI system is energy flow. Each agent within an artificial or physical ecosystem must absorb energy in order to survive, evolve, breed, and reshape its local environment. In addition because the energy resources are limited in the environment, each agent has to compete with other agents to reach the required level of energy. Understanding the internal energy flow can potentially provide a deep insight into internal activities and external emergent behaviors of a given complex system. This study proposes a stochastic scheme for modeling a multi-species prey-predator artificial ecosystem with two levels of food chain. This will enable us to investigate the influence of energy flow on the ecosystem’s lifetime. The proposed model consists of a stationary hosting environment with dynamic weather condition and fruit trees. The inhabitants of this ecosystem are herbivore and carnivore birds each consisting of species. In our model, the collective behavior emerges in terms of flocking with more added rules consist of breeding, competing, resting, hunting, escaping, seeking and foraging behaviors. Using multi-species scheme, we define the ecosystem as a combination of prey and predator species with inter-competition among species within same level of food chain and intra-competition among those belonging to different levels of food chain. Furthermore, in order to model the energy within the ecosystem, some energy variables as functions of behaviors are incorporated in to the model. Finally, a simulation and visualization structure for implementing the proposed model is developed in this study. The experimental results of 11,000 simulations analyzed by Cox univariate analysis and hazard function suggest that only five out of eight behaviors can statistically significant influence the ecosystem’s lifetime. Furthermore, the results of survival analysis show that out of all possible interactions among energy factors, only two of them, interaction between flocking and seeking energies, and interaction between flocking and hunting energies, have statistically significant impact on the system’s lifetime. In addition, software implementation of the proposed framework validates the stability of simulation and visualization architecture. At last regression results using Nelson-Aalen cumulative hazard function and Cox-Snell variable and scaled Schoenfeld residuals test strongly validate our experimental results. To the best of our knowledge, there are three contributions in this research: First, the high level of complexity in the structure of the proposed model in comparison with the other systems which mostly contains only one species of prey, one species of predator and a kind of resource. While this study introduces two species of prey, capability of competition among species, dynamic weather condition with two element of wind and rain and dynamic resources, various behavioral rules such as escaping, breeding, hunting, resting, etc. Energy flow analysis within an artificial ecosystem is the second contribution. To the best of author’s knowledge there is no similar comprehensive model in the previous literature that investigates the life span of a stochastic multi-species predator-prey artificial ecosystem based on energy flow using Survival Analysis method. Lastly, the simulation results show that the flocking and seeking energy and flocking and hunting energy interactions are the most significant interactions which match with the Thompson iii et al. [ 65] observations in the real life. Their findings indicate that in the real life, birds use flocking behavior for better movement, more efficient food searching and social learning. Flocking motion also decrease predation risk as much as the flock size increases.

<p>Održivo poslovanje i pozicioniranje kompanija na trži&scaron;tu zahteva od kompanija da maksimiziraju dodatu vrednost uz minimalno iskori&scaron;ćenje resursa. Sve veći izazov za kompanije predstavlja racionalna upotreba energije i energetskih izvora, a sve sa ciljem očuvanja životne sredine. Industrijski sistemi, pre svega proizvodni sistemi, predstavljaju najveće potro&scaron;ače energije. Istraživanje ima za cilj utvrđivanje trenutnog stanja u praktičnoj primeni sistema menadžmenta energijom u proizvodnim i uslužnim sistemima u Srbiji. Motivacija za ovakvu temu je pritisak evropske regulative na primenu mera za u&scaron;tedu energije, kao i za za&scaron;titu životne sredine. Standardi za sistem menadžmenta energijom, na kojima se ovo istraživanje zasniva, razmatraju energetsku performansu koju postiže organizacija. Jedan od najpoznatijih predstavnika ove vrste standarda je ISO 50001. Istraživanjem su statistički analizirane veze određenih faktora i nivoa primene zahteva za sistem menadžmenta energijom.</p> / <p>Sustainable business development and companies market positioning require companies to maximize added value with minimal resource utilization. The rational use of energy and energy sources is also a growing challenge, which aims to preserve the environment. Industrial systems, primarily production systems, are the largest energy consumers. The aim of this research is to determine the current situation regarding the application of energy management practices in production and service systems in Serbia. The motivation for these theme is the pressure of European regulation on the implementation of energy saving measures as well as on the environment. The standard for the energy management system on which this research is based consider the energy performance achieved by the organization. One of the most well-known representatives of this type of standard is ISO 50001. The research has statistically analyzed the relations of certain factors and levels of requirements application for the energy management system</p>

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