Vakavaraisuussääntelyn muutosten vaikutukset paikallispankille

Tutkielman tavoitteena on selvittää muuttuvan pankkisääntelyn vaikutukset vähittäispankkitoimintaa harjoittavalle paikallispankille vakavaraisuuden näkökulmasta. Vaikutuksia vakavaraisuuteen mitataan luottoriskin osalta, sen muodostaessa merkittävimmän osan kohdepankin vakavaraisuusvaatimuksesta. Tarkoituksena on selvittää käytössä olevan standardimenetelmän ja vaihtoehtoisen sisäisten luottoluokitusten menetelmän erot luottoriskin mittaamisessa ja vaikutukset vakavaraisuuteen sekä Basel II että Basel III-säännöksillä mitattuina. Tutkielmassa huomioidaan myös Basel III -säännöksen mukaiset uudet sääntelyinstrumentit ja analysoidaan niiden vaikutusta liiketoimintaan. Sekä Basel II että Basel III -säännöksellä mitattuna sisäisten luottoluokitusten menetelmä paransi kohdepankin vakavaraisuutta. Basel III -säännöksen suurimmat vaikutukset kohdistuivat kohdepankilla omien varojen laatuvaatimuksiin, jotka heikensivät vakavaraisuutta. Laatuvaatimuksista ja nousseista pääomavaatimuksista huolimatta kohdepankin vakavaraisuus säilyi hyvällä ja vaatimukset ylittävällä tasolla. Uusien sääntelyinstrumenttien vaatimukset täyttyivät nykyisellä taserakenteella vähimmäisomavaraisuusasteen ja pysyvän varainhankinnan vaatimuksen osalta. Maksuvalmiusvaatimuksen täyttämiseksi sijoitussalkkuun pitää tehdä muutoksia, minkä odotetaan vaikuttavan heikentävästi kohdepankin tulokseen.

Wind Turbine Direct-Drive Permanent-Magnet Generator with Direct Liquid Cooling for Mass Reduction

Today’s electrical machine technology allows increasing the wind turbine output power by an order of magnitude from the technology that existed only ten years ago. However, it is sometimes argued that high-power direct-drive wind turbine generators will prove to be of limited practical importance because of their relatively large size and weight. The limited space for the generator in a wind turbine application together with the growing use of wind energy pose a challenge for the design engineers who are trying to increase torque without making the generator larger. When it comes to high torque density, the limiting factor in every electrical machine is heat, and if the electrical machine parts exceed their maximum allowable continuous operating temperature, even for a short time, they can suffer permanent damage. Therefore, highly efficient thermal design or cooling methods is needed. One of the promising solutions to enhance heat transfer performances of high-power, low-speed electrical machines is the direct cooling of the windings. This doctoral dissertation proposes a rotor-surface-magnet synchronous generator with a fractional slot nonoverlapping stator winding made of hollow conductors, through which liquid coolant can be passed directly during the application of current in order to increase the convective heat transfer capabilities and reduce the generator mass. This doctoral dissertation focuses on the electromagnetic design of a liquid-cooled direct-drive permanent-magnet synchronous generator (LC DD-PMSG) for a directdrive wind turbine application. The analytical calculation of the magnetic field distribution is carried out with the ambition of fast and accurate predicting of the main dimensions of the machine and especially the thickness of the permanent magnets; the generator electromagnetic parameters as well as the design optimization. The focus is on the generator design with a fractional slot non-overlapping winding placed into open stator slots. This is an a priori selection to guarantee easy manufacturing of the LC winding. A thermal analysis of the LC DD-PMSG based on a lumped parameter thermal model takes place with the ambition of evaluating the generator thermal performance. The thermal model was adapted to take into account the uneven copper loss distribution resulting from the skin effect as well as the effect of temperature on the copper winding resistance and the thermophysical properties of the coolant. The developed lumpedparameter thermal model and the analytical calculation of the magnetic field distribution can both be integrated with the presented algorithm to optimize an LC DD-PMSG design. Based on an instrumented small prototype with liquid-cooled tooth-coils, the following targets have been achieved: experimental determination of the performance of the direct liquid cooling of the stator winding and validating the temperatures predicted by an analytical thermal model; proving the feasibility of manufacturing the liquid-cooled tooth-coil winding; moreover, demonstration of the objectives of the project to potential customers.

Save Consumers Time and Money: Thou Shall Not Forget Digital Native Big Data Consumers

Poster at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

On Distributed Storage Codes

Distributed storage systems are studied. The interest in such system has become relatively wide due to the increasing amount of information needed to be stored in data centers or different kinds of cloud systems. There are many kinds of solutions for storing the information into distributed devices regarding the needs of the system designer. This thesis studies the questions of designing such storage systems and also fundamental limits of such systems. Namely, the subjects of interest of this thesis include heterogeneous distributed storage systems, distributed storage systems with the exact repair property, and locally repairable codes. For distributed storage systems with either functional or exact repair, capacity results are proved. In the case of locally repairable codes, the minimum distance is studied. Constructions for exact-repairing codes between minimum bandwidth regeneration (MBR) and minimum storage regeneration (MSR) points are given. These codes exceed the time-sharing line of the extremal points in many cases. Other properties of exact-regenerating codes are also studied. For the heterogeneous setup, the main result is that the capacity of such systems is always smaller than or equal to the capacity of a homogeneous system with symmetric repair with average node size and average repair bandwidth. A randomized construction for a locally repairable code with good minimum distance is given. It is shown that a random linear code of certain natural type has a good minimum distance with high probability. Other properties of locally repairable codes are also studied.

Iron(III) as Lewis acid catalyst in organosilicon and carbonyl chemistry

Iron is one of the most common elements in the earth’s crust and thus its availability and economic viability far exceed that of metals commonly used in catalysis. Also the toxicity of iron is miniscule, compared to the likes of platinum and nickel, making it very desirable as a catalyst. Despite this, prior to the 21st century, the applicability of iron in catalysis was not thoroughly investigated, as it was considered to be inefficient and unselective in desired transformations. In this doctoral thesis, the application of iron catalysis in combination with organosilicon reagents for transformations of carbonyl compounds has been investigated together with insights into iron catalyzed chlorination of silanes and silanols. In the first part of the thesis, the synthetic application of iron(III)-catalyzed chlorination of silanes (Si-H) and the monochlorination of silanes (SiH2) using acetyl chloride as the chlorine source is described. The reactions proceed under ambient conditions, although some compounds need to be protected from excess moisture. In addition, the mechanism and kinetics of the chlorination reaction are briefly adressed. In the second part of this thesis a versatile methodology for transformation of carbonyl compounds into three different compound classes by changing the conditions and amounts of reagents is discussed. One pot reductive benzylation, reductive halogenation and reductive etherification of ketones and aldehydes using silanes as the reducing agent, halide source or cocatalyst, were investigated. Also the reaction kinetics and mechanism of the reductive halogenation of acetophenone are briefly discussed.

Weld joint characteristics by nano-materials addition

The need for industries to remain competitive in the welding business, has created necessity to develop innovative processes that can exceed customer’s demand. Significant development in improving weld efficiency, during the past decades, still have their drawbacks, specifically in the weld strength properties. The recent innovative technologies have created smallest possible solid material known as nanomaterial and their introduction in welding production has improved the weld strength properties and to overcome unstable microstructures in the weld. This study utilizes a qualitative research method, to elaborate the methods of introducing nanomaterial to the weldments and the characteristic of the welds produced by different welding processes. The study mainly focuses on changes in the microstructural formation and strength properties on the welded joint and also discusses those factors influencing such improvements, due to the addition of nanomaterials. The effect of nanomaterial addition in welding process modifies the physics of joining region, thereby, resulting in significant improvement in the strength properties, with stable microstructure in the weld. The addition of nanomaterials in the welding processes are, through coating on base metal, addition in filler metal and utilizing nanostructured base metal. However, due to its insignificant size, the addition of nanomaterials directly to the weld, would poses complications. The factors having major influence on the joint integrity are dispersion of nanomaterials, characteristics of the nanomaterials, quantity of nanomaterials and selection of nanomaterials. The addition of nanomaterials does not affect the fundamental properties and characteristics of base metals and the filler metal. However, in some cases, the addition of nanomaterials lead to the deterioration of the joint properties by unstable microstructural formations. Still research are ongoing to achieve high joint integrity, in various materials through different welding processes and also on other factors that influence the joint strength.

Feasibility of industrial implementation of laser cutting into paper making machine

Laser cutting implementation possibilities into paper making machine was studied as the main objective of the work. Laser cutting technology application was considered as a replacement tool for conventional cutting methods used in paper making machines for longitudinal cutting such as edge trimming at different paper making process and tambour roll slitting. Laser cutting of paper was tested in 70’s for the first time. Since then, laser cutting and processing has been applied for paper materials with different level of success in industry. Laser cutting can be employed for longitudinal cutting of paper web in machine direction. The most common conventional cutting methods include water jet cutting and rotating slitting blades applied in paper making machines. Cutting with CO2 laser fulfils basic requirements for cutting quality, applicability to material and cutting speeds in all locations where longitudinal cutting is needed. Literature review provided description of advantages, disadvantages and challenges of laser technology when it was applied for cutting of paper material with particular attention to cutting of moving paper web. Based on studied laser cutting capabilities and problem definition of conventional cutting technologies, preliminary selection of the most promising application area was carried out. Laser cutting (trimming) of paper web edges in wet end was estimated to be the most promising area where it can be implemented. This assumption was made on the basis of rate of web breaks occurrence. It was found that up to 64 % of total number of web breaks occurred in wet end, particularly in location of so called open draws where paper web was transferred unsupported by wire or felt. Distribution of web breaks in machine cross direction revealed that defects of paper web edge was the main reason of tearing initiation and consequent web break. The assumption was made that laser cutting was capable of improvement of laser cut edge tensile strength due to high cutting quality and sealing effect of the edge after laser cutting. Studies of laser ablation of cellulose supported this claim. Linear energy needed for cutting was calculated with regard to paper web properties in intended laser cutting location. Calculated linear cutting energy was verified with series of laser cutting. Practically obtained laser energy needed for cutting deviated from calculated values. This could be explained by difference in heat transfer via radiation in laser cutting and different absorption characteristics of dry and moist paper material. Laser cut samples (both dry and moist (dry matter content about 25-40%)) were tested for strength properties. It was shown that tensile strength and strain break of laser cut samples are similar to corresponding values of non-laser cut samples. Chosen method, however, did not address tensile strength of laser cut edge in particular. Thus, the assumption of improving strength properties with laser cutting was not fully proved. Laser cutting effect on possible pollution of mill broke (recycling of trimmed edge) was carried out. Laser cut samples (both dry and moist) were tested on the content of dirt particles. The tests revealed that accumulation of dust particles on the surface of moist samples can take place. This has to be taken into account to prevent contamination of pulp suspension when trim waste is recycled. Material loss due to evaporation during laser cutting and amount of solid residues after cutting were evaluated. Edge trimming with laser would result in 0.25 kg/h of solid residues and 2.5 kg/h of lost material due to evaporation. Schemes of laser cutting implementation and needed laser equipment were discussed. Generally, laser cutting system would require two laser sources (one laser source for each cutting zone), set of beam transfer and focusing optics and cutting heads. In order to increase reliability of system, it was suggested that each laser source would have double capacity. That would allow to perform cutting employing one laser source working at full capacity for both cutting zones. Laser technology is in required level at the moment and do not require additional development. Moreover, capacity of speed increase is high due to availability high power laser sources what can support the tendency of speed increase of paper making machines. Laser cutting system would require special roll to maintain cutting. The scheme of such roll was proposed as well as roll integration into paper making machine. Laser cutting can be done in location of central roll in press section, before so-called open draw where many web breaks occur, where it has potential to improve runability of a paper making machine. Economic performance of laser cutting was done as comparison of laser cutting system and water jet cutting working in the same conditions. It was revealed that laser cutting would still be about two times more expensive compared to water jet cutting. This is mainly due to high investment cost of laser equipment and poor energy efficiency of CO2 lasers. Another factor is that laser cutting causes material loss due to evaporation whereas water jet cutting almost does not cause material loss. Despite difficulties of laser cutting implementation in paper making machine, its implementation can be beneficial. The crucial role in that is possibility to improve cut edge strength properties and consequently reduce number of web breaks. Capacity of laser cutting to maintain cutting speeds which exceed current speeds of paper making machines what is another argument to consider laser cutting technology in design of new high speed paper making machines.

Economics of Power-to-Gas integration to wastewater treatment plant

Solar and wind power produce electricity irregularly. This irregular power production is problematic and therefore production can exceed the need. Thus sufficient energy storage solutions are needed. Currently there are some storages, such as flywheel, but they are quite short-term. Power-to-Gas (P2G) offers a solution to store energy as a synthetic natural gas. It also improves nation’s energy self-sufficiency. Power-to-Gas can be integrated to an industrial or a municipal facility to reduce production costs. In this master’s thesis the integration of Power-to-Gas technologies to wastewater treatment as a part of the VTT’s Neo-Carbon Energy project is studied. Power-to-Gas produces synthetic methane (SNG) from water and carbon dioxide with electricity. This SNG can be considered as stored energy. Basic wastewater treatment technologies and the production of biogas in the treatment plant are studied. The utilisation of biogas and SNG in heat and power production and in transportation is also studied. The integration of the P2G to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is examined mainly from economic view. First the mass flows of flowing materials are calculated and after that the economic impact based on the mass flows. The economic efficiency is evaluated with Net Present Value method. In this thesis it is also studied the overall profitability of the integration and the key economic factors.

3D-tulostettu tuuliturbiinin vaihteen pienoismalli

Työn aiheena on vaihteen pienoismallin suunnittelu ja toteutus 3d-tulostusta hyväksi käyttäen. Pienoismalli tehdään Moventas Gears Oy:n suunnittelemasta tuuliturbiinin vaihteesta. Vaihteen pienentämisestä johtuen malliin on suunniteltava uudet laakeripesät ja hammaspyörät. 3D-tulostuksen ja pienoismallin pienen koon ansiosta vaihdetta voidaan yksinkertaistaa suuresti ja näin vähentää tulostettavien osien määrää. Lisäksi työssä selvitetään, mitä ongelmia 3D-tulostus tuo valmistukseen ja suunnitteluun. Työn kirjallisessa osassa selvennetään planeettavaihteen toimintaa yleisesti sekä esitellään Exceed Series 3+ vaihdetta. Lisäksi kerrotaan 3D-tulostuksesta, sen periaatteesta, erilaisista tulostusmenetelmistä, tulostinlaitteesta ja mahdollisista ongelmista tulostuksessa. Kokeellinen osa koostuu pienoismallin suunnittelusta ja valmistuksesta. Valmistuksessa olleiden virheiden takia muutama osa jouduttiin tulostamaan uudelleen. Muutamia osia jouduttiin myös hieman jälkikäsittelemään tulostuksen jälkeen, jotta malli saatiin kasattua. Ongelmakohdaksi muodostui tulostimen ohjelmisto ja tulostustiedostot. Tulostusprosessi sujui kuitenkin hyvin. Lopputuloksena saatiin toimiva pienoismalli. 3D-tulostus toimii hyvin monimutkaisten kappaleiden tulostuksessa. Tulostuksen hinta nousi kuitenkin varsin korkeaksi. Tulostuslaitteistosta riippuen tulostuksen voisi mahdollisesti suorittaa myös halvemmallakin.

Modeling Energy Futures Returns With Markov Regime Switching Model

Financial time series have a tendency of abruptly changing their behavior and maintain this behavior for several consecutive periods, and commodity futures returns are not an exception. This quality proposes that nonlinear models, as opposed to linear models, can more accurately describe returns and volatility. Markov regime switching models are able to match this behavior and have become a popular way to model financial time series. This study uses Markov regime switching model to describe the behavior of energy futures returns on a commodity level, because studies show that commodity futures are a heterogeneous asset class. The purpose of this thesis is twofold. First, determine how many regimes characterize individual energy commodities’ returns in different return frequencies. Second, study the characteristics of these regimes. We extent the previous studies on the subject in two ways: We allow for the possibility that the number of regimes may exceed two, as well as conduct the research on individual commodities rather than on commodity indices or subgroups of these indices. We use daily, weekly and monthly time series of Brent crude oil, WTI crude oil, natural gas, heating oil and gasoil futures returns over 1994–2014, where available, to carry out the study. We apply the likelihood ratio test to determine the sufficient number of regimes for each commodity and data frequency. Then the time series are modeled with Markov regime switching model to obtain the return distribution characteristics of each regime, as well as the transition probabilities of moving between regimes. The results for the number of regimes suggest that daily energy futures return series consist of three to six regimes, whereas weekly and monthly returns for all energy commodities display only two regimes. When the number of regimes exceeds two, there is a tendency for the time series of energy commodities to form groups of regimes. These groups are usually quite persistent as a whole because probability of a regime switch inside the group is high. However, individual regimes in these groups are not persistent and the process oscillates between these regimes frequently. Regimes that are not part of any group are generally persistent, but show low ergodic probability, i.e. rarely prevail in the market. This study also suggests that energy futures return series characterized with two regimes do not necessarily display persistent bull and bear regimes. In fact, for the majority of time series, bearish regime is considerably less persistent. Rahoituksen aikasarjoilla on taipumus arvaamattomasti muuttaa käyttäytymistään ja jatkaa tätä uutta käyttäytymistä useiden periodien ajan, eivätkä hyödykefutuurien tuotot tee tähän poikkeusta. Tämän ominaisuuden johdosta lineaaristen mallien sijasta epälineaariset mallit pystyvät tarkemmin kuvailemaan esimerkiksi tuottojen jakauman parametreja. Markov regiiminvaihtomallit pystyvät vangitsemaan tämän ominaisuuden ja siksi niistä on tullut suosittuja rahoituksen aikasarjojen mallintamisessa. Tämä tutkimus käyttää Markov regiiminvaihtomallia kuvaamaan yksittäisten energiafutuurien tuottojen käyttäytymistä, sillä tutkimukset osoittavat hyödykefutuurien olevan hyvin heterogeeninen omaisuusluokka. Tutkimuksen tarkoitus on selvittää, kuinka monta regiimiä tarvitaan kuvaamaan energiafutuurien tuottoja eri tuottofrekvensseillä ja mitkä ovat näiden regiimien ominaisuudet. Aiempaa tutkimusta aiheesta laajennetaan määrittämällä regiimien lukumäärä tilastotieteellisen testauksen menetelmin sekä tutkimalla energiafutuureja yksittäin; ei indeksi- tai alaindeksitasolla. Tutkimuksessa käytetään päivä-, viikko- ja kuukausiaikasarjoja Brent-raakaöljyn, WTI-raakaöljyn, maakaasun, lämmitysöljyn ja polttoöljyn tuotoista aikaväliltä 1994–2014, siltä osin kuin aineistoa on saatavilla. Likelihood ratio -testin avulla estimoidaan kaikille aikasarjoille regiimien määrä,jonka jälkeen Markov regiiminvaihtomallia hyödyntäen määritetään yksittäisten regiimientuottojakaumien ominaisuudet sekä regiimien välinen transitiomatriisi. Tulokset regiimien lukumäärän osalta osoittavat, että energiafutuurien päiväkohtaisten tuottojen aikasarjoissa regiimien lukumäärä vaihtelee kolmen ja kuuden välillä. Viikko- ja kuukausituottojen kohdalla kaikkien energiafutuurien prosesseissa regiimien lukumäärä on kaksi. Kun regiimejä on enemmän kuin kaksi, on prosessilla taipumus muodostaa regiimeistä koostuvia ryhmiä. Prosessi pysyy ryhmän sisällä yleensä pitkään, koska todennäköisyys siirtyä ryhmään kuuluvien regiimien välillä on suuri. Yksittäiset regiimit ryhmän sisällä eivät kuitenkaan ole kovin pysyviä. Näin ollen prosessi vaihtelee ryhmän sisäisten regiimien välillä tiuhaan. Regiimit, jotka eivät kuulu ryhmään, ovat yleensä pysyviä, mutta prosessi ajautuu niihin vain harvoin, sillä todennäköisyys siirtyä muista regiimeistä niihin on pieni. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat myös, että prosesseissa, joita ohjaa kaksi regiimiä, nämä regiimit eivät välttämättä ole pysyvät bull- ja bear-markkinatilanteet. Tulokset osoittavat sen sijaan, että bear-markkinatilanne on energiafutuureissa selvästi vähemmän pysyvä.

The feasibility of torrefaction for the co-firing of wood in pulverised-fuel boilers

Torrefaction is the partial pyrolysis of wood characterised by thermal degradation of predominantly hemicellulose under inert atmosphere. Torrefaction can be likened to coffee roasting but with wood in place of beans. This relatively new process concept makes wood more like coal. Torrefaction has attracted interest because it potentially enables higher rates of co-firing in existing pulverised-coal power plants and hence greater net CO2 emission reductions. Academic and entrepreneurial interest in torrefaction has sky rocketed in the last decade. Research output has focused on the many aspects of torrefaction – from detailed chemical changes in feedstock to globally-optimised production and supply scenarios with which to sustain EU emission-cutting directives. However, despite its seemingly simple concept, torrefaction has retained a somewhat mysterious standing. Why hasn’t torrefied pellet production become fully commercialised? The question is one of feasibility. This thesis addresses this question. Herein, the feasibility of torrefaction in co-firing applications is approached from three directions. Firstly, the natural limitations imposed by the structure of wood are assessed. Secondly, the environmental impact of production and use of torrefied fuel is evaluated and thirdly, economic feasibility is assessed based on the state of the art of pellet making. The conclusions reached in these domains are as follows. Modification of wood’s chemical structure is limited by its naturally existing constituents. Consequently, key properties of wood with regards to its potential as a co-firing fuel have a finite range. The most ideal benefits gained from wood torrefaction cannot all be realised simultaneously in a single process or product. Although torrefaction at elevated pressure may enhance some properties of torrefied wood, high-energy torrefaction yields are achieved at the expense of other key properties such as heating value, grindability, equilibrium moisture content and the ability to pelletise torrefied wood. Moreover, pelletisation of even moderately torrefied fuels is challenging and achieving a standard level of pellet durability, as required by international standards, is not trivial. Despite a reduced moisture content, brief exposure of torrefied pellets to water from rainfall or emersion results in a high level of moisture retention. Based on the above findings, torrefied pellets are an optimised product. Assessment of energy and CO2-equivalent emission balance indicates that there is no environmental barrier to production and use of torrefied pellets in co-firing. A long product transport distance, however, is necessary in order for emission benefits to exceed those of conventional pellets. Substantial CO2 emission reductions appear possible with this fuel if laboratory milling results carry over to industrial scales for direct co-firing. From demonstrated state-of-the-art pellet properties, however, the economic feasibility of torrefied pellet production falls short of conventional pellets primarily due to the larger capital investment required for production. If the capital investment for torrefied pellet production can be reduced significantly or if the pellet-making issues can be resolved, the two production processes could be economically comparable. In this scenario, however, transatlantic shipping distances and a dry fuel are likely necessary for production to be viable. Based on demonstrated pellet properties to date, environmental aspects and production economics, it is concluded that torrefied pellets do not warrant investment at this time. However, from the presented results, the course of future research in this field is clear.

Cross Listing of a Finnish Company on an Exchange in the United States of America

Finnish companies cross listing in the United States is an exceptional phenomenon. This study examines the cross listing decision, cross listing choice and cross listing process with associated challenges and critical factors. The aim is to create an in-depth understanding of the cross listing process and the required financial information. Based on that, the aim is to establish the process phases with the challenges and the critical factors that ought to be considered be- fore establishing the process plus re-evaluated and further considered at points in time during the process. The empirical part of this study is conducted as a qualitative study. The research data was collected through the adoption of two approaches, which are the interview approach and the textual data approach. The interviews were conducted with Finnish practitioners in the field of accounting and finance. The textual data was from publicly available publications of this phenomenon by the two BIG5 accounting companies worldwide. The results of this study demonstrate the benefits of cross listing in the U.S. are the better growth opportunities, the reduction of cost of capital and the production of higher quality financial information. In the decision making process companies should assess whether the benefits exceed the increased costs, the pressure for performance, the uncertainty of market recognition and the requirements of management. The exchange listing is seen as the most favourable cross listing choice for Finnish companies. The establishment of the processes for producing reliable, transparent and timely financial information was seen as both highly critical and very challenging. The critical success factors relating to the cross listing phases are the assessment and planning as well as the right mix of experiences and expertise. The timing plays important role in the process. The results mainly corroborate the literature concerning cross listing decision and choice. This study contributes to the literature on the cross listing process offering a useful model for the phases of the cross listing process.

Veden puhdistus mikro-organismisovelluksilla (EM Mudball®)

Vesistöjen rehevöityminen on maailmanlaajuinen ongelma. ”Effective microorganisms (EM)” -teknologian väitetään mahdollistavan ravinteiden poiston vesistä luonnonmukaisten mikro-organismien avulla. Työn tavoitteena on selvittää kyseistä teknologiaa hyödyntävien EM-mutapallojen soveltuvuutta suomalaisten luonnonvesien sekä jätevesien ravinteiden poistamiseen. Kirjallisuusosassa selitettiin EM-teknologian toimintaperiaate sekä esitettiin EM-mutapallojen koostumus. Tässä osassa selvitettiin myös teknologian käyttökohteita. Lisäksi perehdyttiin Suomen vesistöjen tilanteeseen sekä EM-teknologian mahdollisiin hyödyntämiskohteisiin. Kokeellisessa osassa seurattiin 6 eri vesinäytteen ravinnepitoisuuksien muutosta EM-mutapallon käytön aikana. Osaa näytteistä säilytettiin jääkaapissa, jotta päästiin lähemmäs Suomessa vallitsevia olosuhteita. Analysoidut ravinteet olivat nitraatti, sulfaatti, fosfaatti ja typpi. Tuloksien mukaan EM-mutapallojen käyttö poisti pääsääntöisesti vesinäytteistä nitraatin. Sulfaatin poisto sen sijaan oli huomattavasti heikompaa. Paria näytettä lukuun ottamatta sulfaattipitoisuudet eivät laskeneet lähtökonsentraation alle, vaikka ajoittaista laskua tapahtuikin. Fosfaattipitoisuudet näytteissä olivat yleisesti hyvin pieniä, eivätkä ylittäneet määritysrajaa kokeen aikana ollenkaan. Ainoastaan fosfaattia sisältäneessä synteettisessä näytteessä tapahtui fosfaattipitoisuuden laskua, joka kuitenkin palautui lähes alkuperäiselle tasolle koejakson lopussa. Näytteiden typpipitoisuuksien kasvun aiheutti käymistuotteena muodostuva ammonium, jonka takia myös näytteiden pH nousi. Kokeet vahvistavat aiempia tutkimustuloksia, joiden mukaan EM-mutapallo hajoaa kahden viikon kuluttua niiden lisäämisestä vesinäytteisiin. Aikaisemmista tutkimuksista poiketen tämän kokeen mukaan EM-mutapallot näyttäisivät toimivan paremmin viileämmässä lämpötilassa. Kokeen perusteella EM-teknologian hyödyntäminen voisi olla potentiaalinen vaihtoehto tulevaisuudessa Suomen vesistöjen nitraatin poistoon.

Design and Simulation of High-Speed Rotating Electrical Machinery

Global energy consumption has been increasing yearly and a big portion of it is used in rotating electrical machineries. It is clear that in these machines energy should be used efficiently. In this dissertation the aim is to improve the design process of high-speed electrical machines especially from the mechanical engineering perspective in order to achieve more reliable and efficient machines. The design process of high-speed machines is challenging due to high demands and several interactions between different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical and energy engineering. A multidisciplinary design flow chart for a specific type of high-speed machine in which computer simulation is utilized is proposed. In addition to utilizing simulation parallel with the design process, two simulation studies are presented. The first is used to find the limits of two ball bearing models. The second is used to study the improvement of machine load capacity in a compressor application to exceed the limits of current machinery. The proposed flow chart and simulation studies show clearly that improvements in the high-speed machinery design process can be achieved. Engineers designing in high-speed machines can utilize the flow chart and simulation results as a guideline during the design phase to achieve more reliable and efficient machines that use energy efficiently in required different operation conditions.

Digital rights management –systeemit ja kuluttajien suhtautuminen niihin peliteollisuudessa

Tämän kandidaatintutkimuksen tarkoituksena on löytää vastaus siihen, miten vahva voi olla DRM-systeemi, ennen kuin kuluttajat eivät enää hyväksy sitä. DRM-systeemejä on monen tasoisia, mutta ne eivät ole soveltuvia sellaisenaan kaikille eri alustoille. Peliteollisuuden digitaalisten käyttöoikeuksien hallintajärjestelmillä on omanlaisensa lainalaisuudet kuin esimerkiksi musiikkiteollisuudella. Lisäksi on olemassa tietty tämän hetkinen hyväksytty DRM:n taso, josta voi olla vaarallista poiketa. Tutkimus on luonteeltaan laadullinen tutkimus. Työssä on sovellettu sekä diskurssi- että sisällönanalyysin oppeja. Tutkimuksen aineistona on erilaisten viestiketjujen tekstit, joiden pohjalta pyritään löytämään vastaus tutkimuskysymykseen. Ketjut on jaettu eri vahvuisiksi sen perusteella, miten vahva on DRM:ää koskeva uutinen, jonka pohjalta viestiketju on syntynyt. Koska aineisto on puhuttua kieltä ja sillä on aina oma merkityksensä kontekstissaan, ovat valitut menetelmät soveltuvia analysoimaan aineistoa. Eri ketjujen analyysien tuloksien pohjalta voidaan sanoa, että DRM ei voi olla sitä tasoa suurempi kuin mikä on sen hetkinen vallitseva taso. Jos tästä tasosta poiketaan pikkaisenkin, voi se aiheuttaa suurta närästystä kuluttajien keskuudessa, jopa siihen saakka, että yritys menettää tuloja. Sen hetkiseen tasoon on päästy erinäisten kokeilujen kautta, joista kuluttajat ovat kärsineet, joten he eivät suosiolla hyväksy yhtään sen suurempaa tasoa kuin mikä vallitsee sillä hetkellä. Jos yritys näkee, että tasoa on pakko tiukentaa, täytyy tiukennus tehdä pikkuhiljaa ja naamioida se lisäominaisuuksilla. Kuluttajat ovat tietoisia omista oikeuksistaan, eivätkä he helpolla halua luopua niistä yhtään sen enempää kuin on tarpeellista.