This dissertation applies a commercial flow simulation software package together with common signal processing techniques to the task of accurately detecting leakage in a large commercial gas pipeline. The techniques developed significantly improved the ability to produce accurate, reliable and stable leak detection predictions for the gas transmission pipeline studied and can be applied generally to other pipelines as well. Recommendations for minimum pipeline requirements to implement successful leak detection are also detailed. There are several commercial software packages available that perform some form of leak detection via system modelling. However, due to the commercial aspects of these products, vendors do not publish the detailed methods of leak detection. This thesis identifies the fundamental techniques required to have accurate and reliable leak detection on a gas transmission pipeline, whilst taking into account the lack of measurement data typically encountered on most gas pipelines. The investigation confirmed that a mass balance technique could be successfully used to produce stable leak detection results for compressible flow in gas transmission pipelines. This leak detection [using mass balance] can be achieved without flow measurement along the pipeline, instead, using only pressure and temperature measurements. Although it is recognized that flow measurement data will greatly improve the ability to detect leaks, the focus of this work is on pipelines where this flow measurement data at intermediate points along the pipeline is not available. It was also demonstrated the reliability of the leak detection was improved by the application of on-line signal processing techniques at various stages of the data processing. / It was clear early into the investigation that the majority of the errors within the leak detection model were created by random errors from the input field data. These non-systematic errors from the measurement data that included pressure and temperature, produced interference with model output. This interference resembled random “white” noise that was removed by a combination of well established data filtering techniques. The most appropriate process of calculating leak detection flow was determined after analysing the results of different techniques applied to large quantities of actual pipeline operating data. The validation of the on-line techniques developed provides a valuable resource for those wishing to implement similar leak detection schemes elsewhere. Furthermore a software environment was chosen which incorporated an open input and output platform for data that could be interfaced with any operating system. Therefore these techniques can be applied to the numerous Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in operation throughout the gas transmission industry, to provide a low cost solution to leak monitoring.

This diploma thesis is focused on a large-scale irrigation embedded in the urban landscape. The main goal is to find a new concept of the large-scale irrigation system using a minimum of added electrical energy. The system is aimed at rainwater harvesting and distribution in populated areas. Part of the work is the analysis of the zoning plan of the selected locality, the design of the entire system from the accumulation of collected water to the distribution of watering to the root zone of plants. In the practical part, the proposed distribution network is calculated according to the current known equations, and the calculation is finished with the choice of a suitable diameter of the pipeline network. In addition, the work suggests possible sites for new planting of plants.

The accurate determination of gender of biological samples has valuable applications in medical and forensic investigations. Gender determination based on length variations in the X-Y homologous amelogenin gene, is part of most commercial multiplex DNA profiling kits. The first report of a failure of the amelogenin sex test was in 1998 when two normal males were typed as female. Subsequently, several amelogenin Y (AMELY) negative males have been reported. This study represents the first report of this phenomenon in the black South African population. This study determined the size of the Y-chromosome deletion that resulted in the failure of the amelogenin sex test in two black South African AMELY-negative males by typing specific DNA markers surrounding the amelogenin locus. Through deletion size and Y-chromosome microsatellite haplotypes, the relationship between the samples was investigated. The samples were sequenced at the amelogenin gene and typed for thirteen sites on the short arm of the Y-chromosome. In order to determine the Y-chromosome haplotypes, eleven Y-chromosome microsatellite markers were typed. These samples had the same size deletion of approximately 3 Mb. The Y-chromosome haplotypes indicated that these were probably independent events. The frequency of AMELY-negative males is rare in this population sample of 8,344 individuals, with a frequency of 0.065% in the black South African sample population. Notwithstanding, tests performed for detecting the presence of male DNA based on the presence of the amelogenin gene alone should be reconsidered, as this study confirms that these deletions do occur in the African population. The impact of the results generated in this study on the medical and forensic practise of DNA testing is significant. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

There are many practical decision problems that fall into the category of network flow problems: numerous examples of applications can be found in areas such as telecommunications, logistics, distributions, engineering, computer science and so on. One of the most popular and valuable tools to solve network flow problems of a topological nature is the use of linear programming models. An important extension of these models is that of integer programming models that deal with problems where some, or all, of the variables are required to assume integer variables. A significant application in this class of problems is the knapsack problem that arises in different contexts such as loading containers in aircraft or satisfying the demand for various lengths of cloth which must be cut from fixed length bolts of fabric. In this study, the feasibility of representing a network flow model in a tree network model and subsequently solving it using a tree knapsack approach is investigated. To compare and validate the proposed technique, a specific case study was chosen from the literature that can be used as a basis for the research project. The said study was an oil pipeline design problem, addressed by Brimberg et al. (2003). This focuses on the optimal design of an oil pipeline network for the South Gabon oil field in Africa. The objective was to reduce oil transportation costs to a major port. Following an overview of different network flow and knapsack models, an overview of the said matter is presented. A description of the proposed tree knapsack approach and the application of this approach to the given problem is given. Results have indicated that it is feasible to apply a tree knapsack approach to solve network flow problems. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The accurate determination of gender of biological samples has valuable applications in medical and forensic investigations. Gender determination based on length variations in the X-Y homologous amelogenin gene, is part of most commercial multiplex DNA profiling kits. The first report of a failure of the amelogenin sex test was in 1998 when two normal males were typed as female. Subsequently, several amelogenin Y (AMELY) negative males have been reported. This study represents the first report of this phenomenon in the black South African population. This study determined the size of the Y-chromosome deletion that resulted in the failure of the amelogenin sex test in two black South African AMELY-negative males by typing specific DNA markers surrounding the amelogenin locus. Through deletion size and Y-chromosome microsatellite haplotypes, the relationship between the samples was investigated. The samples were sequenced at the amelogenin gene and typed for thirteen sites on the short arm of the Y-chromosome. In order to determine the Y-chromosome haplotypes, eleven Y-chromosome microsatellite markers were typed. These samples had the same size deletion of approximately 3 Mb. The Y-chromosome haplotypes indicated that these were probably independent events. The frequency of AMELY-negative males is rare in this population sample of 8,344 individuals, with a frequency of 0.065% in the black South African sample population. Notwithstanding, tests performed for detecting the presence of male DNA based on the presence of the amelogenin gene alone should be reconsidered, as this study confirms that these deletions do occur in the African population. The impact of the results generated in this study on the medical and forensic practise of DNA testing is significant. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

There are many practical decision problems that fall into the category of network flow problems: numerous examples of applications can be found in areas such as telecommunications, logistics, distributions, engineering, computer science and so on. One of the most popular and valuable tools to solve network flow problems of a topological nature is the use of linear programming models. An important extension of these models is that of integer programming models that deal with problems where some, or all, of the variables are required to assume integer variables. A significant application in this class of problems is the knapsack problem that arises in different contexts such as loading containers in aircraft or satisfying the demand for various lengths of cloth which must be cut from fixed length bolts of fabric. In this study, the feasibility of representing a network flow model in a tree network model and subsequently solving it using a tree knapsack approach is investigated. To compare and validate the proposed technique, a specific case study was chosen from the literature that can be used as a basis for the research project. The said study was an oil pipeline design problem, addressed by Brimberg et al. (2003). This focuses on the optimal design of an oil pipeline network for the South Gabon oil field in Africa. The objective was to reduce oil transportation costs to a major port. Following an overview of different network flow and knapsack models, an overview of the said matter is presented. A description of the proposed tree knapsack approach and the application of this approach to the given problem is given. Results have indicated that it is feasible to apply a tree knapsack approach to solve network flow problems. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

A presente pesquisa propõe estabelecer uma discussão em torno da integração supranacional de infra-estruturas energéticas, tendo como enfoque principal a rede de gasodutos. Entende-se que a expansão de infra-estruturas energéticas acaba gerando repercussões diferenciadas no território, tanto na escala supranacional quanto na escala regional/local. Desde a flexibilização do setor de petróleo no Brasil, em meados da década de 1990, a Petrobras vem expandindo significativamente sua atuação internacional, onde o gás natural é colocado como os dos principais objetivos para exploração. Considera-se fundamental entender os principais aspectos do processo de integração supranacional de infraestruturas energéticas, assim como as principais repercussões territoriais após a introdução de um novo insumo energético na escala local/regional, no caso específico desta pesquisa, a Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre - RMPA. Estas repercussões são mensuradas através de uma amostra do setor industrial da RMPA, onde se procura analisar a importância da inserção do gás natural para este setor, manifestado através da destinação e conversão do consumo energético, atração de novos investimentos e até mesmo mobilidade territorial. / The present research aims at establishing a discussion about the supranational integration of the energetic infrastructure, having as its main focus the gas pipeline network. We understand that the expansion of energetic infrastructures generate differentiated repercussions in the territory at both the supranational and regional/local scales. Since the flexibilization of the petrol sector in Brazil, in the middle 1990s, the international participation of Petrobras has been growing significantly, and the natural gas is placed as one of the main objectives for the exploration. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the main aspects of the process of international integration of the energetic infrastructures, as well as the main territorial repercussions after the introduction of the new energetic input at the local/regional scale, more specifically, the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre – RMPA. These repercussions are measured through a sample of the industrial sector of RPMA, where we try to analyze the importance of the insertion of the natural gas for this sector, manifested through the destination and conversion of the energetic consume, attraction of new investments, as well as territorial mobility.

A presente pesquisa propõe estabelecer uma discussão em torno da integração supranacional de infra-estruturas energéticas, tendo como enfoque principal a rede de gasodutos. Entende-se que a expansão de infra-estruturas energéticas acaba gerando repercussões diferenciadas no território, tanto na escala supranacional quanto na escala regional/local. Desde a flexibilização do setor de petróleo no Brasil, em meados da década de 1990, a Petrobras vem expandindo significativamente sua atuação internacional, onde o gás natural é colocado como os dos principais objetivos para exploração. Considera-se fundamental entender os principais aspectos do processo de integração supranacional de infraestruturas energéticas, assim como as principais repercussões territoriais após a introdução de um novo insumo energético na escala local/regional, no caso específico desta pesquisa, a Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre - RMPA. Estas repercussões são mensuradas através de uma amostra do setor industrial da RMPA, onde se procura analisar a importância da inserção do gás natural para este setor, manifestado através da destinação e conversão do consumo energético, atração de novos investimentos e até mesmo mobilidade territorial. / The present research aims at establishing a discussion about the supranational integration of the energetic infrastructure, having as its main focus the gas pipeline network. We understand that the expansion of energetic infrastructures generate differentiated repercussions in the territory at both the supranational and regional/local scales. Since the flexibilization of the petrol sector in Brazil, in the middle 1990s, the international participation of Petrobras has been growing significantly, and the natural gas is placed as one of the main objectives for the exploration. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the main aspects of the process of international integration of the energetic infrastructures, as well as the main territorial repercussions after the introduction of the new energetic input at the local/regional scale, more specifically, the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre – RMPA. These repercussions are measured through a sample of the industrial sector of RPMA, where we try to analyze the importance of the insertion of the natural gas for this sector, manifested through the destination and conversion of the energetic consume, attraction of new investments, as well as territorial mobility.

A presente pesquisa propõe estabelecer uma discussão em torno da integração supranacional de infra-estruturas energéticas, tendo como enfoque principal a rede de gasodutos. Entende-se que a expansão de infra-estruturas energéticas acaba gerando repercussões diferenciadas no território, tanto na escala supranacional quanto na escala regional/local. Desde a flexibilização do setor de petróleo no Brasil, em meados da década de 1990, a Petrobras vem expandindo significativamente sua atuação internacional, onde o gás natural é colocado como os dos principais objetivos para exploração. Considera-se fundamental entender os principais aspectos do processo de integração supranacional de infraestruturas energéticas, assim como as principais repercussões territoriais após a introdução de um novo insumo energético na escala local/regional, no caso específico desta pesquisa, a Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre - RMPA. Estas repercussões são mensuradas através de uma amostra do setor industrial da RMPA, onde se procura analisar a importância da inserção do gás natural para este setor, manifestado através da destinação e conversão do consumo energético, atração de novos investimentos e até mesmo mobilidade territorial. / The present research aims at establishing a discussion about the supranational integration of the energetic infrastructure, having as its main focus the gas pipeline network. We understand that the expansion of energetic infrastructures generate differentiated repercussions in the territory at both the supranational and regional/local scales. Since the flexibilization of the petrol sector in Brazil, in the middle 1990s, the international participation of Petrobras has been growing significantly, and the natural gas is placed as one of the main objectives for the exploration. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the main aspects of the process of international integration of the energetic infrastructures, as well as the main territorial repercussions after the introduction of the new energetic input at the local/regional scale, more specifically, the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre – RMPA. These repercussions are measured through a sample of the industrial sector of RPMA, where we try to analyze the importance of the insertion of the natural gas for this sector, manifested through the destination and conversion of the energetic consume, attraction of new investments, as well as territorial mobility.

Rapporten handlar om olika reningstekniker vilka kan användas för att behandla avloppsvatten som släpps ut vid bräddning innan det når recipienten. Rapporten beskriver först vad bräddning är och även vilka problem som kan uppstå när orenat vatten släpps ut och vad det eventuellt kan innehålla. Flera potentiella reningstekniker lyfts fram och analyseras för att sedan kunna användas i en multikriterieanalys med kriterier såsom miljöpåverkan, passivitet och kapacitet. Olika viktningar används för att bestämma hur bra de olika reningsteknikerna är med olika fokus. / The report focuses on various purification techniques that can be used to treat wastewater discharged during overflow events before it reaches the receiving water body. The report begins by describing what overflow events are and the potential issues that can arise when untreated water is discharged, including possible contaminants. Several potential purification techniques are highlighted and analyzed, intending to be utilized in a multicriteria analysis with criteria such as environmental impact, efficiency, and capacity. Different weightings are employed to determine the performance of the various purification techniques based on different focal points.