Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-137).

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 37-46).

<p></p><p>This report covers a feasibility study for a wind power project in Sri Lanka. Three potential sites for a wind farm are presented, out of which the Ambewela Cattle Farm is chosen as the most suitable. Limitations of a wind farm at the site, due to properties of the electrical grid and logistical issues, are examined and costs related to installing the wind farm are estimated. The maximum capacity of a wind farm is calculated to 45 MW. The payback period of the wind farm is calculated to 4.4 years. Environmental benefits of the wind farm are estimated in terms of avoided CO₂-emissions, which are calculated to 76 000 metric tonnes per year. The study concludes that a wind power project at the chosen site should be technically and financially feasible, if a wind turbine that matches certain logistical criteria can be found.</p><p> </p>

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the techno-economic feasibility of operating an aquaponics farm in South Africa. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing type of food production in the world, yet South Africa is lagging behind international efforts to boost the industry. An independent academic feasibility study on small scale aquaponics farms in South Africa has not been performed before, causing current and prospective farmers to be uncertain about the prospects of the venture. The study is approached by investigating the aquaculture and aquaponics industry and gathering the relevant information. By investigating other models used to represent aquaculture or aquaponics systems, the required information is gathered in order to build a unique model for the purpose of determining the feasibility of the case study farms. The model is modified to represent each of the case study farms. The results show that the majority of the farms are not economically viable. A sensitivity analysis provides some insight on how varying certain parameters can affect the performance of the systems. Using the information gathered in the case studies and research, a near-ideal system is specified in order to establish whether this improved system can be viable whilst taking into account the constraints placed upon aquaponics ventures in South Africa. The study suggests some recommendations for current and prospective farmers that might improve their chances of succeeding with an aquaponics venture. The study finds that currently aquaponics in South Africa is hindered by a number of constraints that result in it being a high-risk venture with meagre returns on investment. However, the study shows that if an aquaponics system were designed, built and managed correctly, it could theoretically be an economically viable venture. The investigation has, in a logical method, provided insight into the viability of operating an aquaponics farm in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die lewensvatbaarheid van akwaponika in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Akwakultuur is die tipe voedselproduksie wat die vinnigste groei in die wêreld, maar Suid-Afrika hou nie tred met die internasionale poging om akwakultuur te ontwikkel nie. „n Onafhanklike lewensvatbaarheid studie oor kleinskaal akwaponika plase in Suid-Afrika is nog nooit onderneem nie. Dit veroorsaak dat huidige en voornemende akwaponika boere onseker is oor die uitkomste van hulle ondernemings. Die studie is benader deur die akwaponika en akwakultuur bedrywe te ondersoek, en die relevante inligting te versamel. Deur ander modelle wat gebruik word om akwakultuur en akwaponika sisteme te verteenwoordig te ondersoek, is die nodige inligting versamel om „n unieke model te bou wat gebruik word om die lewensvatbaarheid van die gevallestudies te bepaal. Die model is aangepas om elkeen van die gevallestudies te verteenwoordig. Die resultate wys dat die meerderheid van die gevallestudie plase nie ekonomies lewensvatbaar is nie. „n Sensitiwiteitsanaliese gee insig oor hoe spesifieke parameters die prestasie van die sisteme affekteer. Deur die inligting wat versamel is tydens die gevallestudies en navorsing te gebruik, kan „n sisteem gespesifiseer word om te bevestig of hierdie verbeterde sisteem lewensvatbaar kan wees terwyl dit die beperkings waaronder akwaponika sisteme in Suid Afrika geplaas word in ag neem. Die studie verskaf „n paar aanbevelings vir huidige en voornemende boere. Hierdie aanbevelings kan die kanse van sukses van die ondernemings verbeter. Die studie het gevind dat akwaponika in Suid-Afrika deur „n aantal beperkings benadeel word, wat lei tot „n situasie waar dit „n hoë-risiko onderneming is, met lae opbrengste op die belegging. Maar, die studie wys ook dat as „n sisteem korrek ontwerp, bou en bestuur word, dit teoreties „n ekonomies lewensvatbare onderneming kan wees. Die studie het op „n logiese wyse insig gegee oor die haalbaarheid van akwaponika in Suid-Afrika.

Submitted by Dilene Paulo (dilene.fatima@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-02-05T15:39:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LUIS EDUARDO MEDEIROS FROTA – DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEQ 2012.pdf: 1801644 bytes, checksum: 1d91f3ec19c316106682f868684e0357 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-05T15:39:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LUIS EDUARDO MEDEIROS FROTA – DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEQ 2012.pdf: 1801644 bytes, checksum: 1d91f3ec19c316106682f868684e0357 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-16 / O Oxido de alumínio, Al2O3, comumente chamado de alumina se trata de um composto químico de ampla utilização na indústria estando presente em pastas de dente, tinta, aditivos para tratamento de água dentre outros. Porém sua principal utilização é na indústria do Alumínio onde representa a principal material prima para a obtenção deste metal. A maior parte do Oxido de alumínio produzido no mundo hoje tem como fonte primária a Bauxita. O Alumínio está presente nesse minério na forma de óxi-hidroxidos de alumínio onde os principais são: gibbsita Al(OH)3, diasporo AlO(OH) e boehmita AlO(OH). O processo de refino para obtenção da Alumina a partir da Bauxita mais comumente aplicado atualmente é o processo Bayer no qual o minério é atacado com uma solução cáustica a base de hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) a fim de solubilizar o Alumínio para posterior recristalização. As várias etapas do processamento do minério são definidas e ajustadas em virtude das peculiaridades da bauxita utilizada como, por exemplo, composição química, granulometria e composição mineralógica. Bauxitas com características diferentes pedem processamento diferenciado. Com a demanda por alumina crescente, novas fontes de Bauxita necessitam ser exploradas e uma preocupação é que tipo de mudanças um minério de uma nova fonte pode causar ao processo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a bauxita proveniente de uma nova fonte seus impactos no processo servindo como embasamento para tomada de decisão sobre a viabilidade da abertura de uma nova mina e um aumento de capacidade de processamento por parte da Refinaria. Caracterização química e simulação do processo Bayer em bancada mostraram que o material proveniente da nova fonte de bauxita não apresenta diferenças significativas em relação ao minério já utilizado embasando assim os investimentos para abertura e uma mina com capacidade de 4 milhões de toneladas de minério por ano e um aumento de capacidade de produção na refinaria de 2 milhões de toneladas de alumina ao ano. / The aluminum oxide, Al2O3, commonly called alumina it is a compound widely used in chemical industry and is present in toothpastes, ink, water treatment additives and others. However aluminum industry is the principal client where is the main raw material for production of this metal. Most of the aluminum oxide produced today has Bauxite as the main source. The aluminum is present in this ore as oxi-hydroxides which are the main: gibbsita Al(OH)3, diasporo AlO(OH) and boehmita AlO(OH). The refining process for obtaining alumina from bauxite most commonly is the Bayer Process where ore is attacked with a caustic solution based on sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in order to solubilize the aluminum subsequent to recrystallization. The various steps of ore processing are set and adjusted based on the characteristics used as, eg, chemical, mineralogical composition and particle size. Bauxites with different characteristics require different processing. With the increasing demand for alumina, new bauxite sources need to be explored and to know what kind of changes new ore source could require is fundamental. This work aimed to evaluate possible impacts caused by a new source and use this information to evaluate a new mine operation and increase processing capacity at Refinery. Chemical characterization and reproduction of some stages of the Bayer process in bench showed that material from the new source of bauxite does not differ significantly in relation to the first ore confirming investments for opening a anew mine with a capacity of 4 million tons per year supporting production increase refinery production capacity of 1,5 million tons of alumina per year.

Orientador: Falcondes Jose Mendes de Seixas / Banca: Luís Carlos Origa de Oliveira / Banca: Luiz Carlos Gomes de Freitas / Resumo: A proposta deste trabalho é analisar o comportamento de transformadores de distribuição trifásicos após a recuperação estudando suas perdas elétricas fixas e variáveis tomando-se o transformador como uma unidade consumidora para demonstrar a viabilidade econômica da reforma, principalmente àquelas que não alteram o núcleo. Foram utilizados os ensaios de rotina de uma empresa recuperadora para uma importante concessionária de distribuição de energia. Este trabalho também faz uma recomendação sobre o descarte deste material segundo conceitos ambientais para uma melhor utilização dos recursos naturais. É importante mencionar o fato que muitos dos transformadores analisados operam a mais de 20 anos. A recuperação permite as concessionárias fornecer energia elétrica para consumidores residenciais e rurais de baixa renda mediante um pequeno investimento na construção de novas linhas de distribuição / Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behavior of three-phase distribution transformers when submitted to recovery, taking into consideration fixed and variable electric losses considering the transformer as a consumer unit to demonstrate the economical feasibility, especially those that do not modify the core. It has been used routine tests data obtained from a company that recover for an important power deliver. This paper also deals with the disposal of the material considering environmental concerns, for a better use of natural resources. It is important to mention the fact that many transformers have already operated for more than 20 years. The recover allows the deliver to provide energy to residential or rural low-income consumer through a low investment with the construction of new electric power grid / Mestre

Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-03-16T20:42:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) elton_silva_resende.pdf: 1929897 bytes, checksum: fde632052ca1e821e00cfdb4bb839253 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-03-29T13:04:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) elton_silva_resende.pdf: 1929897 bytes, checksum: fde632052ca1e821e00cfdb4bb839253 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-29T13:04:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) elton_silva_resende.pdf: 1929897 bytes, checksum: fde632052ca1e821e00cfdb4bb839253 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Objetivou-se analisar e mensurar o desempenho econ?mico plurianual da atividade leiteira a partir de dados obtidos de seis propriedades leiteiras, situadas na regi?o do munic?pio de Montes Claros-MG entre os anos de 2007 e 2012. Al?m disso, visou-se desenvolver um software de simula??es que permitisse a avalia??o econ?mica e a viabilidade de projetos no aux?lio ? tomada de decis?es. Foram realizadas an?lises de dados de despesas, receitas e ?ndices zoot?cnicos como porcentagem de vacas em lacta??o, dias em lacta??o, produ??o total di?ria, produ??o m?dia de vacas em lacta??o, produ??o m?dia total do rebanho, rela??o matriz/funcion?rio, rela??o leite/funcion?rio, produ??o/hectare/ano e intervalo de partos de cada propriedade. Posteriormente, foi determinada a m?dia regional anual para an?lise do comportamento da atividade na regi?o durante os anos, por meio de correla??es multivariadas. As propriedades foram estratificadas em fun??o do n?mero de vacas no rebanho e, por teste de m?dias foram estabelecidas as diferen?as entre os principais indicadores zoot?cnicos e econ?micos. Na determina??o do custo de produ??o foi utilizada a metodologia do custo operacional. O software, por sua vez, foi desenvolvido em linguagem computacional Basic, com aux?lio de ferramentas administrativas na estrutura??o do algoritmo de viabilidade econ?mica de projetos. Foram adicionados ao algoritmo equa??es para realiza??o de teste de sensibilidade e an?lise de riscos segundo m?todo de simula??o de Monte Carlo. A an?lise plurianual dos componentes zoot?cnicos e econ?micos evidenciou elevado n?vel de intera??o dos indicadores zoot?cnicos no comportamento dos indicadores econ?micos avaliados. O fator gerencial esteve atuante na determina??o dos indicadores zoot?cnicos e, consequentemente, nos indicadores econ?micos. A produ??o de leite anual foi superior no intervalo de estratos de maior tamanho, demandando maiores custos com alimentos concentrados e maiores investimentos de capital para obten??o de m?dias superiores para receita, margem bruta e margem l?quida. O algoritmo implementado ao submodelo econ?mico gera dados condizentes, auxiliando a tomada de decis?es na elabora??o de projetos da atividade leiteira. O software desenvolvido possui interface amig?vel, permitindo a intera??o m?quina usu?rio. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Zootecnia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017. / The objective was to analyze and measure the multiannual economic performance of milk production through economic indicators and its correlation with some zootechnical indicators, based on data obtained from six dairy farms located near to Montes Claros- MG, Brazil, between 2007 and 2012. In addition, it was aimed the development of a simulation software, with a mathematical algorithm, capable of performing the economic evaluation and feasibility of projects in dairy farms, in the aid of decision-making. Were analyzed data of expenses, income and zootechnical indexes of the six properties. The following zootechnical indexes were determined and analyzed: percentage of lactating cows, days in lactation, total daily production, and average production of lactating cows, total average herd production, matrix/employee ratio, milk/employee ratio, yield/hectare/year and interval of deliveries of each property. After that, the annual regional average was determined to analyze the behavior of the activity in the region during the years. To determine the cost of production, the operational cost methodology. To determine the complete inventory of the goods, the methodology proposed by Lopes et al. (2004). The annual depreciation was calculated in a linear way and did not consider the depreciation of matrices, nor of the property. Revenue from the activity consisted of the sale of milk, sub-products, the sale of animals and the variation of animal inventory. The following economic efficiency indicators were determined: gross margin, net margin and profitability. Multivariate correlations were made of the zootechnical indexes with the indicators of economic efficiency and operational costs. The properties were classified according to the number of cows in the herd, and by average test the differences between the main size, zootechnical and economic indicators were established. The software was developed in Basic computational language, it was used administrative tools for structuring the economic feasibility of projects algorithm. Equations were added to the algorithm in order to perform sensitivity test and risk analysis according to the Monte Carlo simulation method. The properties with more than 100 cows in the herd had a higher average of lactating cows than the others, but properties with up to 80 cows in the herd obtained a similar average to the properties of over 100 cows in the herd. The annual milk production was higher in the range with properties with more than 100 cows in the herd, demanding higher costs, including expenses with concentrated feed and higher capital investment to obtain higher averages of revenue, gross margin and net margin.

The dissemination of disinformation is unwanted, but on the rise in Sweden, often via social media. Since the deliberative democratic ideal stresses the importance of good democratic dialogues, this study therefore aims at giving an answer to the question of how this theory claims disinformation in the comment section on social media should be handled. Via a normative given-that analysis the question is analysed from a normative perspective, based on what is required for a conversation to be deliberative, and problematized from a practical perspective. The analysis shows that disinformation disturbs the conversation, and thereby normatively should be erased. Meanwhile, the problematization shows that practically deleting a comment could go against the ideal, since only comments which are intended to misinform should be deleted, and the question of whether such an intent exists can be hard to determine. To solve the feasibility problem and thereby give the research question a clear answer, a theory development of the deliberative theory is being made. The essay concludes that following the new way of seeing the deliberative ideal, the comments which are suspected to contain disinformation should be left in the comment section, but ideally thoroughly via a deliberative conversation be questioned.

A utilização de biomassa vegetal para produção de etanol como forma de substituição dos combustíveis fósseis, é uma alternativa explorada por diversos países. O Brasil, segundo produtor mundial de etanol, utiliza como principal matéria-prima a cana-de-açúcar. Entretanto, com a possibilidade da extração de etanol de outras matérias-primas já realizados em outros países, como EUA, China, União Européia, surge, no estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil, o interesse em processar mandioca, milho e sorgo sacarino para produção do etanol. Utilizando-se do aporte teórico da Teoria da Localização, este trabalho tem por objetivo, avaliar a viabilidade da produção de etanol a partir de uma planta multi-produto na região Oeste do estado do Mato Grosso. Com a utilização de modelagem matemática, avaliou-se o local ideal para construção de uma planta industrial, bem como os custos de produção para as matérias-primas provindas de cada município. Os resultados apontam para viabilidade econômica do processamento da mandioca e do sorgo sacarino para produção de etanol em alguns municípios da região. O processamento dessas duas culturas para produção de etanol pode vir a modificar o sistema produtivo atual, aumentando as áreas destinadas ao cultivo de mandioca e sorgo sacarino, diminuindo a dependência dos programas de subsídios para o escoamento da produção do milho. A cultura do sorgo sacarino se inviabiliza conforme o aumento da necessidade de transporte. A cultura do milho, mesmo com a venda do subproduto protéico, mostrou-se inviável do ponto de vista econômico para produção de etanol. / The use of biomass for ethanol production as a way to replace fossil fuels, an alternative explored by several countries. In Brazil, the second largest producer in the world, the main raw material used for ethanol production is sugarcane. However, with the possibility of extracting ethanol from other feedstocks as already made in other countries such as USA, China, Hong Kong, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, there is a growing interest in processing cassava, maize and sweet sorghum for production of ethanol. Using the Theory of Location, this article is aimed at the evaluation of the feasibility of producing ethanol in a multi-product plant in the Western state of Mato Grosso. Using mathematical modeling, we evaluated the ideal location for building an industrial plant and calculated the production costs for raw materials coming from each neighbor municipality. The results point to the economic viability of the processing of cassava and sweet sorghum for ethanol production in some city areas. The processing of these two crops to produce ethanol is likely to modify the current production system, increasing the areas for the cultivation of cassava and sweet sorghum, and reducing the dependence on subsidy programs for marketing of corn production. The cultivation of sweet sorghum is unfeasible with increasing need for transportation. The corn crop, even with the sale of DDGS, proved to be unfeasible economically for ethanol production.