With the rising electricity, raw material and fossil fuel prices, as well as the relatively low selling price of steel, the steel industry has been put under strain to produce steel as cost–effectively as possible. Ideally the industry requires a cost–effective, stable source of energy to cater for its electricity and energy needs. Modern High Temperature Reactors are in a position to provide industries with not only electricity, but also process heat. Therefore, a study was conducted into the economic viability of centering the steel industry on nuclear power. This study considered 3 technology options: a nuclear facility to cater for solely the electricity needs of the steel industry; a nuclear facility producing hydrogen for the process needs of the steel industry; and a nuclear facility co–generating electricity and process heat for the steel industry. An economic model for each of the 3 scenarios was developed that factored in the various cost considerations for each of the 3 options. In general, this included the construction costs, operational and maintenance cost, build time and interest rate of the financed amount. For each option, the model calculated the cost of production per unit output. The outputs were electricity for option 1, hydrogen for option 2, and both electricity and process heat for option 3. Each model was optimised based on a realistic best case scenario for the capital and operational costs and respective best case cost per unit outputs for each of the options were calculated. Using the optimised cost model, it was shown that electricity produced from nuclear power was more cost effective than current electricity prices in South Africa. Similarly, it was shown that a nuclear facility could produce heat at a more cost–effective means than by the combustion of natural gas. Hydrogen proved to be not cost effective compared to reformed natural gas as a reducing agent for iron ore. Based on the cost savings, a cash–flow analysis showed that the payback period for a nuclear power plant that produced electricity for the steel industry would be around 12 years at 0% interest and 15 years at 5% interest. Due to the long payback period and lack of certainty in the steel industry, any steel manufacturer would opt for purchasing electricity from a nuclear based electricity utility rather than building a facility themselves. Savings of over $70 million/year were achievable for a 2 million tonne/year electric arc furnace. Overall this analysis showed that electricity generation is the only viable means for nuclear power to be integrated with the steel manufacturing industry. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

With the rising electricity, raw material and fossil fuel prices, as well as the relatively low selling price of steel, the steel industry has been put under strain to produce steel as cost–effectively as possible. Ideally the industry requires a cost–effective, stable source of energy to cater for its electricity and energy needs. Modern High Temperature Reactors are in a position to provide industries with not only electricity, but also process heat. Therefore, a study was conducted into the economic viability of centering the steel industry on nuclear power. This study considered 3 technology options: a nuclear facility to cater for solely the electricity needs of the steel industry; a nuclear facility producing hydrogen for the process needs of the steel industry; and a nuclear facility co–generating electricity and process heat for the steel industry. An economic model for each of the 3 scenarios was developed that factored in the various cost considerations for each of the 3 options. In general, this included the construction costs, operational and maintenance cost, build time and interest rate of the financed amount. For each option, the model calculated the cost of production per unit output. The outputs were electricity for option 1, hydrogen for option 2, and both electricity and process heat for option 3. Each model was optimised based on a realistic best case scenario for the capital and operational costs and respective best case cost per unit outputs for each of the options were calculated. Using the optimised cost model, it was shown that electricity produced from nuclear power was more cost effective than current electricity prices in South Africa. Similarly, it was shown that a nuclear facility could produce heat at a more cost–effective means than by the combustion of natural gas. Hydrogen proved to be not cost effective compared to reformed natural gas as a reducing agent for iron ore. Based on the cost savings, a cash–flow analysis showed that the payback period for a nuclear power plant that produced electricity for the steel industry would be around 12 years at 0% interest and 15 years at 5% interest. Due to the long payback period and lack of certainty in the steel industry, any steel manufacturer would opt for purchasing electricity from a nuclear based electricity utility rather than building a facility themselves. Savings of over $70 million/year were achievable for a 2 million tonne/year electric arc furnace. Overall this analysis showed that electricity generation is the only viable means for nuclear power to be integrated with the steel manufacturing industry. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Fossil fuels continue to deplete with use as they are irreplaceable. In addition, the environmental impact with the continuous use of these conventional fuels has generated global concern due to the production of harmful emission gases. An alternative source of energy has become inevitable. Technological advancements in the area of biomass use for both aviation and power generation are at different levels of development. There is however the need for an integrated approach to assess gas turbine engine behaviour in terms of performance, emission and economics when they are running on biofuels. The current research work is concerned with finding alternative fuel resources for use on stationary gas turbine engines for power generation with the necessary identification of suitable biofuels using a multidisciplinary approach. A techno-economic, environmental and risk assessment (TERA) model comprising the performance, emissions, economics and risk modules has been developed. There had been several simulations of two gas turbine engines (GTEs) to ascertain the effects of both ambient and operating conditions and the effect of fuel types on the engines. These simulations were done with the use of an in-house code-the Turbomatch and a code developed for the steam cycle which is employed for the combined cycle simulation. Cont/d.

This thesis will analyze the social life in metropolises in terms of technological changes and social transformations with their effects on everyday practices especially musical genres. This thesis also aims to understand the relationships between techno-culture, contemporary musical genres and clubbing as a subculture that reflects the aspects of techno-culture with its life style especially musical tendencies. The thesis will also make some illustrations of the features and life style of clubbers in Turkey. So, this study is composed of both theoretical and empirical structures. In order to make a comparative study, clubbing will be compared with the other subcultures appeared after the Second World War like Jazz, Punk or Acid House. The aspects of everyday life like drug use, consumption or appearance of those subcultures will be the base of this comparison.

Australia is recognising that carbon capture and storage (CCS) may be a feasible pathway for addressing increasing levels of CO2 emissions. This thesis presents a preliminary economic assessment and comparison of the capture costs for different Australian CO2 emission sources. The capture technologies evaluated include solvent absorption, pressure swing adsorption (PSA), gas separation membranes and low temperature separation. The capture cost estimated for hydrogen production, IGCC power plants and natural gas processing is less than A$30/tonne CO2 avoided. CO2 capture cost for iron production ranges from A$30 to A$40 per tonne CO2 avoided. Higher costs of A$40 to over A$80 per tonne CO2 avoided were estimated for flue gas streams from pulverised coal and NGCC power plants, oil refineries and cement facilities, and IDGCC synthesis gas. Based on 2004 and 2005 EU ETS carbon prices (A$30 to A$45 per tonne CO2 avoided), the cost of capture using current commercially available absorption technology may deter wide-scale implementation of CCS, in particular for combustion processes. A sensitivity analysis was undertaken to explore the opportunities for reducing costs. The high cost for capture using solvent absorption is dependent on the energy needed for solvent regeneration and the high capital costs. Cost reductions can be achieved by using new low regeneration energy solvents coupled with recycling the waste heat from the absorption process back to the steam cycle, and using low cost ???fit-for-purpose??? equipment. For membrane and PSA technologies, the capture costs are dominated by the flue gas and post-capture compressors. Operating the permeate or desorption stream under vacuum conditions provides significant cost reductions. Improvements in membrane and adsorbent characteristics such as the adsorbent loading or membrane permeability, CO2 selectivity, and lower prices for the membrane or adsorbent material provide further cost benefits. For low partial pressure CO2 streams, capture using low temperature ???anti-sublimation??? separation can be an alternative option. Low costs could be achieved by operating under low pressures and integrating with external sources of waste heat. Applying the cost reductions achievable with technology and process improvements reduces the capture and CCS costs to a level less than current carbon prices, making CCS an attractive mitigation option.

Zugl.: Hildesheim, Univ., Diss., 2006

Diss.--Leipzig. Titre de soutenance : Ausgewählte Aspekte des Drogengebrauchs junger Erwachsener in der Techno-Szene, 1998. / Bibliogr. en fin de chapitres.

Globally, approximately 663 million people lack access to safe drinking water sources and nearly half of these people live in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where only 68% of the population has access to improved drinking water sources. Globally, it is estimated that 79% of the people using unimproved sources and 93% of people using surface water live in rural areas. In terms of water for agriculture, most of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa rely on rain-fed agriculture, which is threatened by the effects of climate change thereby worsening food insecurity. Adequate provision of drinking and irrigation water is believed to enhance development in areas such as health, education, food security and women empowerment. This interdisciplinary study used a mixed methods approach to develop a financing and decision support model for planning and analysing of sustainable rural water provision using solar photovoltaics (PV) in SSA, with Malawi as a case study country. The research methods included household surveys, stakeholder interviews, field visits and techno-economic analysis. Findings from the household surveys show that the current water sources are inadequate; the majority of the households used boreholes as their main source of water and they faced challenges, which included queuing, low yield, non-functionality, disparity in number of water points, theft and vandalism. For irrigation, households still rely on traditional methods of irrigation namely; watering cans with very few having treadle pumps, which are all labour intensive. From the stakeholders point of view, challenges included lack of finances, failure of current community management system, lack of coordination and lack of enabling policies. In the techno-economic analysis, a solar PV system was designed to supply approximately 200 households with drinking water. The design cost was calculated to be US$18,600 and the levelized cost of water was US$0.34/m3. The levelized cost was found to be almost six times what the households are currently paying and three times what they are willing to pay. To address this issue, the study developed a cross-subsidy model for the cost of water with that of basic energy services, particularly rechargeable lantern lighting and mobile phone charging. Using this model, the levelized cost of water was reduced by over half but is still two and a half times what they are currently paying for water. Further innovations were found to reduce the breakeven cost to only US$0.06 more of what they are currently paying. The novelty of the research is that no work in SSA, particularly in Malawi has developed such an all-inclusive integrated needs-driven approach that helps identify solar PV powered water provision solutions. These results provide baseline data for researchers, policymakers, planners, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders with interest in providing water and energy to the rural areas. This thesis recommends that with proper finance and management policies, enforcement of product and installation standards and training of households, solar PV can be used to improve access for drinking and irrigation water and at the same time provide basic energy services to the people living in the rural areas of SSA.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Arilson da Silva Favareto / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do ABC. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Energia, 2014. / A inovação é considerada imprescindível nas estratégias de desenvolvimento e na competição internacional. As mudanças climáticas e o aumento da demanda mundial de energia primária acentuam a importância das inovações tecnológicas na área de energia. A implementação de tecnologias de energia limpa não transformou a matriz energética mundial. A transição para as fontes de energias renováveis implica confrontar os subsídios para a produção de combustíveis fósseis. O problema de pesquisa refere-se às inovações relativas às energias renoveveis que visam à sustentabilidade. Avaliou-se como os sistemas de inovação consideram a sustentabilidade como uma plataforma de desenvolvimento científico, tecnológico e de inovação. O agrupamento de tecnologias de energia limpa ou de baixo carbono segue uma trajetória tecnológica que não se coaduna com o modelo energético com base em combustíveis fósseis. A noção da emergência de um paradigma tecnológico com tecnologias que visam à sustentabilidade corrobora a perspectiva de que os sistemas de inovação de ambos os países se orienta para a sustentabilidade. Formulou-se a hipótese de que as inovações relativas às energias renováveis, no Brasil e na China, estão intrinsecamente vinculadas à dimensão da sustentabilidade e da segurança energética. A pesquisa teve como objetivo geral analisar as inovações referentes às energias renováveis para alcançar a sustentabilidade. O procedimento metodológico para a formulação do referencial teórico consistiu em levantamento bibliográfico de livros e artigos relativos à economia evolucionária, à economia regulacionista e à sociologia econômica. Na revisão bibliográfica identificou-se a lacuna nas abordagens econômicas, relacionada à dimensão social, em particular às estratégias de cooperação e de competição entre os agentes sociais, assim como aos indicadores de sustentabilidade. A construção de um quadro analítico foi indispensável para articular as variáveis explicativas já presentes nas teorias econômicas e as variáveis explicativas que se referem ao enfoque da sociologia econômica. A sociologia econômica contribuiu para discernir a cooperação entre os diferentes atores sociais, uma dimensão analítica que raramente constitui outras abordagens da inovação. A comparação dos sistemas de inovação do Brasil e da China teve como parâmetro o desenvolvimento sustentável e a segurança energética. Avaliou-se a perspectiva de transição de um paradigma tecnoeconômico e o processo de mudança que incide sobre ideias, comportamentos, organizações e instituições. Entende-se que a relação entre as inovações e as mudanças sociais e institucionais não pode ser compreendida apenas no contexto da sustentabilidade. As dimensões da segurança energética são cruciais para a análise das inovações, uma vez que também constrangem a direção das mudanças. / Innovation is considered essential in development strategies and in international competition. Climate change and the increase in world primary energy demand stress the importance of technological innovation in the energy sector. The implementation of clean energy technologies has not transformed the world energy matrix. The transition to renewable energy sources means challenging subsidies for fossil fuel production. The research problem refers to innovations concerning renoveveis energies aimed at sustainability. Was evaluated as the innovation systems consider sustainability as a scientific development platform, technology and innovation. The grouping of clean or low-carbon energy technologies follows a technological trajectory that is not consistent with the energy model based on fossil fuels. The notion of emergence of a technological paradigm with technologies aimed at sustainability supports the view that the innovation systems of both countries is oriented towards sustainability. Formulated the hypothesis that the innovations relating to renewable energy, in Brazil and China, are intrinsically linked to the dimension of sustainability and energy security. The research aimed to analyze the innovations relating to renewable energy to achieve sustainability. The methodological approach for the formulation of the theoretical framework consisted of literature books and articles on evolutionary economics, the regulationist economy and economic sociology. In the literature review identified the gap in economic approaches, related to the social dimension, in particular the strategies of cooperation and competition among social actors, as well as the sustainability indicators. The construction of an analytical framework was essential to articulate the explanatory variables already present in economic theories and explanatory variables relating to the focus of economic sociology. The economic sociology contributed to discern the cooperation between the different social actors, an analytical dimension that is rarely other approaches to innovation. The comparison of Brazil and China's innovation system was to parameter sustainable development and energy security. The transition perspective was assessed a techno-economic paradigm and the process of change that focuses on ideas, behaviors, organizations and institutions. It is understood that the relationship between innovations and social and institutional changes can not be understood only in the context of sustainability. The dimensions of energy security is crucial for the analysis of innovation since they also constrain the direction of change.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-03-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:24:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 negri_ss_dr_rcla.pdf: 5032619 bytes, checksum: 52b1fc097fd7fa3a502bf09f7412e1cf (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O objetivo desta pesquisa visou o entendimento dos novos usos do território de Rondonópolis-MT, resultantes do processo de internalização do meio técnicocientífico- informacional, no contexto da expansão do agronegócio da soja para as áreas de cerrado do Centro-Oeste brasileiro, particularmente no estado de Mato Grosso. Partimos do pressuposto de que o processo de modernização territorial de Rondonópolis, por meio da instalação de um novo sistema de objetos e de ações, característico do período técnico-científico-informacional, provocou a refuncionalização deste subespaço, tornando-o um centro funcional, instrumentalizado e apto a responder eficazmente às demandas dos agentes hegemônicos do capitalismo mundializado, aqui retratados pelo agronegócio da soja. Assim, enquanto essa pequena minoria usa de forma corporativa o território, interpretando-o enquanto recurso, usufruindo os novos fatores da modernidade em sua plenitude, todo o restante da sociedade local só faz uso de algumas parcelas desse mesmo território, o território entendido enquanto abrigo, e do novo sistema técnico e organizacional advindo da modernização. Assim, esse processo nos revela o uso desigual do tempo e do espaço em Rondonópolis, resultando na fragmentação do território e na manutenção e/ou agravamento de desigualdades sócio-territoriais herdadas / This study aimed for understanding of the new uses of territory of Rondonópolis - MT, resulting from the internalization process of the techno-scientific Milieu, in the context of expansion of soya agribusiness to areas of cerrado from brazilian central west, particularly in state of Mato Grosso. We start from the presupposition that the territorial modernization of Rondonópolis, through the installation of a new system of objects and actions, characteristic of the techno-scientific period, caused the re-functionalization of this subspace, making it a functional center, instrumental and able to respond effectively to the demands of the hegemonic agents of globalized capitalism, here retracted by soya agribusiness. This way, while this small minority uses of corporate the territory, interpreting it as a resource, enjoying the new factors of modernity in its fullness, the rest of local society just uses some parts of this same territory, the territory as a shelter, and the new technical and organizational system from the modernization. This way, this process reveals to us the uneven use of time and space in Rondonópolis, resulting in fragmentation of the territory and the maintenance and/or aggravation of social territorial inequalities inherited