Conversion of biomass to energy does not contribute to the net increase of carbon dioxide in the environment, therefore the use of biomass waste as a clean and renewable fuel source is an attractive alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Biomass can be converted to energy via direct combustion or via thermo-chemical conversion to liquid or gas fuels. This study focuses on employing gasification technology to convert biomass waste to producer gas, which is then cleaned and fed as gaseous fuel into the gas turbine. Since the producer gases are usually low caloric values, the power plants performance under various operating conditions has not yet been proven. In this study, system performance calculations are conducted for a 5MWe and a 20MWe power plants using commercial software ThermoFlow. The power plants considered including simple gas turbine systems, steam turbine systems, combined cycle systems, and steam injection gas turbine systems (STIG) using the producer gas with low caloric values at approximately 30% and 15% of the natural gas heating value. The low caloric value fuels are shown to impose high back compressor pressure and increased power output due to increased fuel flow. Power augmentations under four different weather conditions are also calculated by employing gas turbine inlet fog cooling. Different capacity options for the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that provides the steam for STIG are analyzed.

No description available.

O experimento foi realizado para avaliar um sistema de termonebulização com desinfetante para o controle de infecções respiratórias, utilizando como indicadores o ganho de peso diário (GPD) na terminação e as lesões no trato respiratório por ocasião do abate. Foram analisados 1134 animais divididos em três tratamentos de 378: T1, controle, sem termonebulização; T2, termonebulização a cada 48 horas até 30 dias após o alojamento; T3, termonebulização a cada 24 horas até 30 dias após o alojamento. O desinfetante utilizado na termonebulização tinha como princípio ativo um peróxido. Os animais foram pesados na chegada e aos 30, 50 e 110 dias de alojamento. No abate foram avaliadas as lesões de pulmão (através do índice IPP) e de cornetos nasais (através do índice IRA). O GPD durante o período de terminação foi maior (P<0,005) no T2, seguido pelo T1 e T3 (1,025±0,006 Kg, 1,001±0,007 Kg, 0,960±0,004 Kg, respectivamente). Os animais do T1 tiveram menor IPP (P=0,0237) e tenderam a ter menor IRA (P<0,0825), em comparação aos animais do T2 e T3. Não houve correlação entre IRA e o GPD do período avaliado. Observou-se que apenas no grupo T1 houve tendência (P=0,065) de menor GPD nos animais com consolidação pulmonar em comparação aos sem consolidação (1,019±0,009 Kg vs. 0,995±0,008 Kg). Houve tendência (P<0,075) do T1 ter maior número de animais tratados para tosse em comparação aos demais grupos (10,8%, 6,9% e 7,1% para T1, T2 e T3, respectivamente). O GPD foi menor e a ocorrência de lesões de pleurite, abscesso e/ou nódulos foi maior nos animais que foram medicados para tosse nos grupos T1 e T3, mas não no T2. A taxa de mortalidade, número de animais enfermos, número de carcaças desviadas ao Departamento de Inspeção Final (DIF), tipo de lesão no DIF e destino da carcaça não diferiram entre os grupos experimentais (P>0,3586). Apesar de ter apresentado valores de IPP e IRA elevados, os animais submetidos ao sistema de termonebulização a cada 48 horas tiveram GPD significativamente maior na fase de terminação. Além disso, no T2, o sistema demonstrou ser eficiente, pois animais que apresentavam ou não consolidação pulmonar no abate tiveram GPD similares na fase de terminação. / The experiment was performed to assess the efficiency of a system of thermal fogging with disinfectant in order to control respiratory diseases, using as indicators daily weight gain (DWG) in finishing pigs and respiratory slaughter checks of the respiratory tract. 1134 animals were split into three experimental groups of 378: T1 – control, without thermal fogging; T2 – thermal fogging at each 48 hours until 30 days after arrival in the finishing unit; and T3 – thermal fogging each 24 hours until 30 days after arrival. The disinfectant used was base on peroxide. The animals were weighed at arrival and at 30, 50 and 110 days after housing. At slaughter, lung lesions were assessed (establishing a pneumonia index, IPP) and nasal turbinates were examined (establishing a rhinitis index, IRA). DWG during the finishing stage was higher (P<0.005) in T2, followed by T1 and T3 (1.025±0.006 Kg, 1.001±0.007 Kg, 0.960±0.004 Kg, respectively). Animals from T1 presented lower IPP (P=0.0237) and tended to have lower IRA (P<0.0825), when compared to animals of T2 and T3. There was no correlation between IRA and GPD in the experimental period. It was observed that only T1 showed a tendency (P=0.065) of having lower GPD in pigs with lung consolidation when compared to those without consolidation (1.019±0.009 Kg vs. 0.995±0.008 Kg). Animals of T1 showed a tendency (P<0.075) to need more treatments for coughing when compared to T2 and T3 (10.8%, 6.9% and 7.1% to T1, T2 and T3, respectively). DWG was smaller and the occurrence of pleuritis, abscesses and/or nodules was higher in animals that were treated for cough in groups T1 and T3, but not in T2. Mortality rate, number of diseased animals, number of carcasses condemned by the Department of Final Inspection (DIF), and the type of lesion considering the different carcass destination did not differ between experimental groups (P>0.3586). In spite of presenting high IPP and IRA, animals submitted to fogging at every 48 hours had a DWG significantly higher in the finishing phase. Besides, in T2, the system proved to be efficient, as animals with or without lung consolidation presented similar GPD.

O experimento foi realizado para avaliar um sistema de termonebulização com desinfetante para o controle de infecções respiratórias, utilizando como indicadores o ganho de peso diário (GPD) na terminação e as lesões no trato respiratório por ocasião do abate. Foram analisados 1134 animais divididos em três tratamentos de 378: T1, controle, sem termonebulização; T2, termonebulização a cada 48 horas até 30 dias após o alojamento; T3, termonebulização a cada 24 horas até 30 dias após o alojamento. O desinfetante utilizado na termonebulização tinha como princípio ativo um peróxido. Os animais foram pesados na chegada e aos 30, 50 e 110 dias de alojamento. No abate foram avaliadas as lesões de pulmão (através do índice IPP) e de cornetos nasais (através do índice IRA). O GPD durante o período de terminação foi maior (P<0,005) no T2, seguido pelo T1 e T3 (1,025±0,006 Kg, 1,001±0,007 Kg, 0,960±0,004 Kg, respectivamente). Os animais do T1 tiveram menor IPP (P=0,0237) e tenderam a ter menor IRA (P<0,0825), em comparação aos animais do T2 e T3. Não houve correlação entre IRA e o GPD do período avaliado. Observou-se que apenas no grupo T1 houve tendência (P=0,065) de menor GPD nos animais com consolidação pulmonar em comparação aos sem consolidação (1,019±0,009 Kg vs. 0,995±0,008 Kg). Houve tendência (P<0,075) do T1 ter maior número de animais tratados para tosse em comparação aos demais grupos (10,8%, 6,9% e 7,1% para T1, T2 e T3, respectivamente). O GPD foi menor e a ocorrência de lesões de pleurite, abscesso e/ou nódulos foi maior nos animais que foram medicados para tosse nos grupos T1 e T3, mas não no T2. A taxa de mortalidade, número de animais enfermos, número de carcaças desviadas ao Departamento de Inspeção Final (DIF), tipo de lesão no DIF e destino da carcaça não diferiram entre os grupos experimentais (P>0,3586). Apesar de ter apresentado valores de IPP e IRA elevados, os animais submetidos ao sistema de termonebulização a cada 48 horas tiveram GPD significativamente maior na fase de terminação. Além disso, no T2, o sistema demonstrou ser eficiente, pois animais que apresentavam ou não consolidação pulmonar no abate tiveram GPD similares na fase de terminação. / The experiment was performed to assess the efficiency of a system of thermal fogging with disinfectant in order to control respiratory diseases, using as indicators daily weight gain (DWG) in finishing pigs and respiratory slaughter checks of the respiratory tract. 1134 animals were split into three experimental groups of 378: T1 – control, without thermal fogging; T2 – thermal fogging at each 48 hours until 30 days after arrival in the finishing unit; and T3 – thermal fogging each 24 hours until 30 days after arrival. The disinfectant used was base on peroxide. The animals were weighed at arrival and at 30, 50 and 110 days after housing. At slaughter, lung lesions were assessed (establishing a pneumonia index, IPP) and nasal turbinates were examined (establishing a rhinitis index, IRA). DWG during the finishing stage was higher (P<0.005) in T2, followed by T1 and T3 (1.025±0.006 Kg, 1.001±0.007 Kg, 0.960±0.004 Kg, respectively). Animals from T1 presented lower IPP (P=0.0237) and tended to have lower IRA (P<0.0825), when compared to animals of T2 and T3. There was no correlation between IRA and GPD in the experimental period. It was observed that only T1 showed a tendency (P=0.065) of having lower GPD in pigs with lung consolidation when compared to those without consolidation (1.019±0.009 Kg vs. 0.995±0.008 Kg). Animals of T1 showed a tendency (P<0.075) to need more treatments for coughing when compared to T2 and T3 (10.8%, 6.9% and 7.1% to T1, T2 and T3, respectively). DWG was smaller and the occurrence of pleuritis, abscesses and/or nodules was higher in animals that were treated for cough in groups T1 and T3, but not in T2. Mortality rate, number of diseased animals, number of carcasses condemned by the Department of Final Inspection (DIF), and the type of lesion considering the different carcass destination did not differ between experimental groups (P>0.3586). In spite of presenting high IPP and IRA, animals submitted to fogging at every 48 hours had a DWG significantly higher in the finishing phase. Besides, in T2, the system proved to be efficient, as animals with or without lung consolidation presented similar GPD.

Le moustique tigre Aedes albopictus, pur produit de la mondialisation, s’est installé en Europe dans les années 1970s, et en région PACA en 2004, grâce au transport intercontinental de ses œufs, capables de résister à la dessiccation et d’effectuer une diapause. Ce moustique est capable de transmettre 27 virus comme la dengue, zika et chikungunya. Le premier objectif du présent travail a été l’étude des aspects biologique d’Ae. albopictus dans son milieu naturel dans une région où il s’est implanté depuis plus de 10 ans, à Nice au sud-est de la France. Nous avons utilisé différentes méthodes de captures : les pièges pour adultes BGs ®, les pièges pondoirs avec une infusion de foin pour la récolte des œufs ainsi que la capture sur Homme, afin d’apprécier la densité de ce moustique, ses fluctuations spatiotemporelles et les taux de parturité des femelles. Les deux années de l’étude de la dynamique saisonnière ont montrés un début d’activité des moustiques au mois d’avril atteignant un pique d’activité en Juillet-Août et diminuant par la suite jusqu'à ce que l'activité a cessé au mois de novembre. Nous avons enregistré des taux de parturité élevées qui se sont stabilisés entre 0,52 et 0,71 entre le mois de juin et octobre respectivement. Ces taux de parturités indiquent un taux de survie élevé qui pourrait être encore supérieur à cause du comportement de skip oviposition des femelles Ae. albopictus. De plus nous avons mis en évidence un taux important de femelles gravides (jusqu’à 44 %) capturées sur Homme indiquant une prise de repas multiples durant un même cycle gonotrophique. L'objectif principal de ce travail a été d'évaluer l'efficacité des pulvérisations spatiales d’Ultra Bas Volume (UBV) d’insecticides, la principale méthode utilisée dans le cas de foyers urbains. La population locale d’Ae. albopictus a montré une forte sensibilité à la deltaméthrine (le seul insecticide homologué pour lutter contre les moustiques adultes en France) bien que les mâles ont été beaucoup plus sensible que les femelles. Une comparaison des résultats par application topique et par les tests en tube OMS a confirmé que cette différence a été due à la plus petite taille des mâles par rapport aux femelles. Durant six essais sur le terrain, on n’a obtenu aucun impact significatif des traitements UBV de deltaméthrine sur les femelles, bien qu'il y ait eu une réduction significative des mâles. En revanche, le traitement par thermonébulisation autour d’un petit groupe de maisons a permis une quasi-élimination (95%) des moustiques mâles et femelles. Ces résultats apportent un élément de réponse sur les stratégies à mener en santé publique. Enfin, l'efficacité de plusieurs formulations de peintures insecticides issues de la technologie de microencapsulation ont été testée dans des conditions de laboratoire et de terrain. Les résultats ont été encourageants et les tests ont démontré que les peintures à base d’organophosphorés ont une rémanence de 2 ans. Le but ultime était d'utiliser des pièges pondoirs traités avec ces peintures insecticides comme une méthode de contrôle: en théorie, cette méthode vise l’exploitation du comportement de skip oviposition qui oblige les femelles à déposer leurs œufs sur plusieurs gîtes différents augmentant la probabilité pour que celles-ci rencontrent un piège pondoir traité avec un insecticide. Dans un petit essai sur le terrain, cependant, aucun impact sur la population sauvage n’a été observé. Nous discutons de cette méthode ainsi que de son intérêt face à la menace toujours grandissante liée à la propagation continuelle d’Ae. albopictus à travers le monde. / The Asian Tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, first appeared in Europe in the 1970s,almost certainly a result ofintercontinental transport of its dessication-resistant eggs. In the laboratory,the species is capable of transmitting 27 viruses including Yellow Fever, dengue, chikungunya and zika, although in the field it is not considered an efficient vector because it is not host-specific.The first objective of our studies was to monitor aspects of the biology of the species in Nice (southeastern France), where it has been established for more than 10 years. Infusion-baited ovitraps, B-G® adult traps and human landing captures were used to reveal seasonal population fluctuations, parous rates and other parameters. In two complete years of study, adult mosquitoes began to appear in April, reached a plateau in July-August and declined thereafter until activity ceased in November. Parous rates were stable from June to October (0,52 to 0,71%) indicating a balance between recruitment (eclosion) and mortality. During this period, daily survival probability was high although this may be an underestimate if the duration of the gonotrophic cycle is extended by skip oviposition. Up to 44% of females captured by landing capture were gravid, confirmation of multiple blood-meals per gonotrophic cycle.The main focus of the work was an assessment of the efficacy of Ultra-low Volume (ULV) space sprays, the principal method used in the event of urban outbreaks. The local population proved highly susceptible to deltamethrin (the only insecticide approved for adult mosquito control in France) although femaleswere significantly less susceptible than males. A comparison of results by topical application and by the WHO tube test confirmed this difference is a function of size. In six separate field trials,there was no evidence of any impact of ULVdeltamethrin on females although there was a significant reduction of males. By contrast, outdoor treatment of a small cluster of homes with a portable thermal fogger gave virtual elimination (ca. 95%) of both sexes.These results are clearly of public health significance.Lastly, the efficacy of several slow-release formulations of microencapsulated insecticide in paint was tested in laboratory and semi-field conditions. Results were encouraging and tests demonstrated that the paints remained effective for 24 months on plastic surface. The ultimate goal was to use paint-treated ovitraps as a control method: in theory, skip ovipositon should ensure a high probability that ovipositing females will make contact with a treated trap on their rounds of suitable oviposition sites. In a small field trial, however, no impact on the wild population was observed. This may have been because too few treated traps were deployed; further studies along these lines could prove worthwhile.

O experimento foi realizado para avaliar um sistema de termonebulização com desinfetante para o controle de infecções respiratórias, utilizando como indicadores o ganho de peso diário (GPD) na terminação e as lesões no trato respiratório por ocasião do abate. Foram analisados 1134 animais divididos em três tratamentos de 378: T1, controle, sem termonebulização; T2, termonebulização a cada 48 horas até 30 dias após o alojamento; T3, termonebulização a cada 24 horas até 30 dias após o alojamento. O desinfetante utilizado na termonebulização tinha como princípio ativo um peróxido. Os animais foram pesados na chegada e aos 30, 50 e 110 dias de alojamento. No abate foram avaliadas as lesões de pulmão (através do índice IPP) e de cornetos nasais (através do índice IRA). O GPD durante o período de terminação foi maior (P<0,005) no T2, seguido pelo T1 e T3 (1,025±0,006 Kg, 1,001±0,007 Kg, 0,960±0,004 Kg, respectivamente). Os animais do T1 tiveram menor IPP (P=0,0237) e tenderam a ter menor IRA (P<0,0825), em comparação aos animais do T2 e T3. Não houve correlação entre IRA e o GPD do período avaliado. Observou-se que apenas no grupo T1 houve tendência (P=0,065) de menor GPD nos animais com consolidação pulmonar em comparação aos sem consolidação (1,019±0,009 Kg vs. 0,995±0,008 Kg). Houve tendência (P<0,075) do T1 ter maior número de animais tratados para tosse em comparação aos demais grupos (10,8%, 6,9% e 7,1% para T1, T2 e T3, respectivamente). O GPD foi menor e a ocorrência de lesões de pleurite, abscesso e/ou nódulos foi maior nos animais que foram medicados para tosse nos grupos T1 e T3, mas não no T2. A taxa de mortalidade, número de animais enfermos, número de carcaças desviadas ao Departamento de Inspeção Final (DIF), tipo de lesão no DIF e destino da carcaça não diferiram entre os grupos experimentais (P>0,3586). Apesar de ter apresentado valores de IPP e IRA elevados, os animais submetidos ao sistema de termonebulização a cada 48 horas tiveram GPD significativamente maior na fase de terminação. Além disso, no T2, o sistema demonstrou ser eficiente, pois animais que apresentavam ou não consolidação pulmonar no abate tiveram GPD similares na fase de terminação. / The experiment was performed to assess the efficiency of a system of thermal fogging with disinfectant in order to control respiratory diseases, using as indicators daily weight gain (DWG) in finishing pigs and respiratory slaughter checks of the respiratory tract. 1134 animals were split into three experimental groups of 378: T1 – control, without thermal fogging; T2 – thermal fogging at each 48 hours until 30 days after arrival in the finishing unit; and T3 – thermal fogging each 24 hours until 30 days after arrival. The disinfectant used was base on peroxide. The animals were weighed at arrival and at 30, 50 and 110 days after housing. At slaughter, lung lesions were assessed (establishing a pneumonia index, IPP) and nasal turbinates were examined (establishing a rhinitis index, IRA). DWG during the finishing stage was higher (P<0.005) in T2, followed by T1 and T3 (1.025±0.006 Kg, 1.001±0.007 Kg, 0.960±0.004 Kg, respectively). Animals from T1 presented lower IPP (P=0.0237) and tended to have lower IRA (P<0.0825), when compared to animals of T2 and T3. There was no correlation between IRA and GPD in the experimental period. It was observed that only T1 showed a tendency (P=0.065) of having lower GPD in pigs with lung consolidation when compared to those without consolidation (1.019±0.009 Kg vs. 0.995±0.008 Kg). Animals of T1 showed a tendency (P<0.075) to need more treatments for coughing when compared to T2 and T3 (10.8%, 6.9% and 7.1% to T1, T2 and T3, respectively). DWG was smaller and the occurrence of pleuritis, abscesses and/or nodules was higher in animals that were treated for cough in groups T1 and T3, but not in T2. Mortality rate, number of diseased animals, number of carcasses condemned by the Department of Final Inspection (DIF), and the type of lesion considering the different carcass destination did not differ between experimental groups (P>0.3586). In spite of presenting high IPP and IRA, animals submitted to fogging at every 48 hours had a DWG significantly higher in the finishing phase. Besides, in T2, the system proved to be efficient, as animals with or without lung consolidation presented similar GPD.

Purpose To investigate the possibility to reduce the number of failures caused by moisture and dust ingress in lighting equipment by looking towards customer acceptance and warranty claims, and then translate the result to technical attributes. Methodology The methodology is set up to be a part of a Design for Six Sigma project including the steps up to Concept development and business/customer approval. Known product development tools are used to evaluate existing techniques and generate new concepts. Customer analysis is done by surveys and investigating warranty claims. Result &amp; Conclusions The customer analysis in this thesis show that Brazil and to some extent UK is the countries where the problem is seen as most severe. It also shows that complaints regarding dust are far more common than complaints regarding moisture when it comes to lamps placed at the lower part at the front of the truck. When the results from the customer analysis are compared with the technical aspects it shows that the most beneficial way to deal with the problem is to create a good air flow while still keeping the pore size, which could be done by using membranes and the help from CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations. Trapping solutions are also welcomed by the customer as long as they can be part of the regular service. / Syfte Att undersöka behov och möjligheter att reducera problem med fukt och damminträngning i exteriöra belysningsartiklar på lastbilar genom att titta på kundacceptans och garantiärenden samt översätta detta till tekniska attribut. Metod Arbetet är upplagt som en del av ett Design for Six Sigma-projekt och innefattar stegen fram till Concept development and business/customer approval. Kända produktutvecklingsverktyg används för att ta fram underlag till konceptgenerering. Kundanalys utförs med hjälp av enkäter och undersökningar av garantiärenden. Resultat &amp; slutsats Kundanalysen i denna examensrapport visar att Brasilien och Storbritannien är de länder där problemet uppfattas som störst. Den visar också att klagomål gällande damm är mycket vanligare än klagomål gällande fukt när det gäller lyktor placerade i den nedre delen i fronten på lastbilen. När resultaten från kundanalysen jämförs med de tekniska aspekterna finner man att det mest gynnsamma sättet att ta sig an problemet är att försöka få bra ett bra luftflöde i lyktorna men samtidigt minimera porstorleken. Detta kan man åstadkomma med hjälp av membran och CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simuleringar. Lösningar som handlar om att fånga upp dammet och fukten accepteras också av kunden så länge som detta kan lösas med hjälp av den vanliga servicen.

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Indigenous trees play important roles in livelihoods for rural communities. Sclerocarya birrea and Berchemia discolor are indigenous in Africa and are used in rural communities for food and livestock feed, as well as for medicinal and construction purposes. These trees are subject to attack by insects, which can result in lower tree productivity. However, there is no documented information about insects found on both tree species in South Africa. This study investigated the seasonal abundance and diversity of insects on S. birrea and B. discolor in Tshikundamalema Area, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Five trees were selected for each of the two tree species at two sampling sites with different vegetation cover, one site mainly the woodland bushveld while the other site was savannah grasslands. Canopy fogging was used to sample insects. Insect samples were collected at one time point for each of the seasons: summer (February), autumn (May), winter (July) and spring (November). Insects were identified to morphospecies and Simpson’s diversity index was used to compare insect diversity on both trees. Analysis of variance was used to compare the abundance of insects across seasons. The most abundant insects were collected from Coleoptera, followed by Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. A total of 3259 insects belonging to the six Orders were collected. All specimens belonging to Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera (3216 in total) were identified to Family level, with a total of 97 morphospecies, belonging to 19 Families. Insects from Diptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera were not identified further due to their low numbers. The abundance and diversity of insects were affected by seasons, sites and tree species. The number of insects was high during the spring season with 1782 insects, and summer coming second with 1104 individuals, followed by autumn (238 insects), then winter (92). B. discolor sampled for a great number of insects (1741) as compared to S. birrea (1475). The woodland bushveld (1924 insects) surpassed the savannah grassland (1292 insects) site in terms of the insect numbers sampled. / NRF