Analysing green supply chain management practices in Brazil's electrical/electronics industry using interpretive structural modelling

Industries need to adopt the environmental management concepts in the traditional supply chain management. The green supply chain management (GSCM) is an established concept to ensure environment-friendly activities in industry. This paper identifies the relationship of driving and dependence that exists between GSCM practices with regard to their adoption within Brazilian electrical/electronic industry with the help of interpretive structural modelling (ISM). From the results, we infer that cooperation with customers for eco-design practice is driving other practices, and this practice acts as a vital role among other practices. Commitment to GSCM from senior managers and cooperation with customers for cleaner production occupy the highest level. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Eficiência energética em uma indústria madeireira

In wood processing industries, which use electrical equipment in the production process, in most cases these are badly scaled or operate under inadequate conditions, resulting directly in industrial energy efficiency, which proves important because besides having technological innovation, also with practices and policies, aims to decrease power consumption. So in a wiring project should take into account the variables that influence energy efficiency. Thus this work has been reviewed and subsequently calculated some of these variables, such as active power, power factor and demand for the entire industry (global) and also for specific equipment, the chipper. The network analysis was performed in a wood processing industry in the city of Taquarivaí - SP, and evaluated these variables with a network analyzer and also by analysis on energy bills, which were found in both analysis levels below those found in literature. These factors are due to poor design, improper use, storage of equipment or even by characteristic of the production process, ie, the equipment running on empty because of the volatility of production

Estudo do desempenho de sistemas de aterramento frente às descargas atmosféricas em instalações de baixa e média tensão

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da auto-suficiência energética em reatores anaeróbios aplicados ao tratamento de resíduos da indústria de produção do etanol

Ethanol, the main automotive biofuel, has its production based on the fermentation of sugars found in biological materials and on the distillation of the alcoholic media formed during the fermentative process. Stillage is the main residue from ethanol production, containing a high organic loading in addition to acidic and corrosive characteristics. Considering the available technologies to treat stillage, we highlight anaerobic digestion, which allows the reduction of the impacts associated to pollutants loading of this effluent and the generation of energy from the methane gas produced in the process. Based on the high treatment efficiency usually associated to the anaerobic process, this work aimed to assess whether anaerobic systems applied to the treatment of stillage are energetically self-sufficient. First we evaluated the energy recovery capacity in an anaerobic reactor applied to the treatment of stillage resulting from corn-to-ethanol processing. The results indicated the great influence that a correct selection of electrical equipment and their respective operating periods have on the net energy balance of the anaerobic treatment. The high energy consumption of the heater would not allow the system to achieve a positive net energy balance – the maximum energy recovery would reach only 0.68% of the consumption. However, the replacement of the mixture equipment would result in energy gains ranging from 8.5 to 967.9% of the consumption. In this work we also assessed the efficiency of methane yields for a few studies and the correlation between some parameters of the anaerobic process. With respect to the methane yield, we noted that mesophilic systems tend to be more advantageous than the thermophilic ones (efficiency of 76.45 ± 22.51% vs. 69.40 ± 30.36%). Considering the study... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Previsão de vendas para uma indústria de equipamentos pesados: seleção de técnicas e análise

The continuous advance of the Brazilian economy and increased competition in the heavy equipment market, increasingly point to the need for accurate sales forecasting processes, which allow an optimized strategic planning and therefore better overall results. In this manner, we found that the sales forecasting process deserves to be studied and understood, since it has a key role in corporate strategic planning. Accurate forecasting methods enable direction of companies to circumvent the management difficulties and the variations of finished goods inventory, which make companies more competitive. By analyzing the stages of the sales forecasting it was possible to observe that this process is methodical, bureaucratic and demands a lot of training for their managers and professionals. In this paper we applied the modeling method and the selecting process which has been done for Armstrong to select the most appropriate technique for two products of a heavy equipment industry and it has been through this method that the triple exponential smoothing technique has been chosen for both products. The results obtained by prediction with the triple exponential smoothing technique were better than forecasts prepared by the industry experts

Proteção de sistemas eletricos industriais: relés e suas aplicações em subestações

Electrical installations in industries involving high currents and voltages considered. On the other side is the common appearance of electrical failures, caused by human error, defects in electrical equipment or electrical installation aging itself. These failures are varied, those with the highest rate of occurrence and cause much damage to electrical installations, are overcurrent and overvoltage. Therefore there is a need to project a system that can detect and minimize possible effects caused by faults in electrical installations industries. Protection systems in electric industries emerge as an alternative to control especially voltage and current magnitudes. Engineered based on the functions of the relays, protection systems are an indispensable tool for any industrial substation. But the project of such systems becomes increasingly more complex, due to technological development. Electrical equipment not develop at the same speed that the protective devices (relays), making it indispensable knowledge of integration of technologies

Avaliação da auto-suficiência energética de reatores anaeróbicos aplicados ao tratamento de resíduos de uma cervejaria em escala piloto

This project aimed to analyze the feasibility of the methane yield associated to the anaerobic digestion of brewery residues, checking whether the energetic balance of the system is favorable. The methane yield efficiency was calculated for the parameters of two papers that treated solids with a particle-size <1mm. Theses solids are not degraded in conventional treatment systems. Calculations were based in the reactions of anaerobic degradation of the macromolecules that compose brewery residues, considering the theoretical production and the effective production of methane. The results were 50.44% and 52.86%. Regarding to the energy balance of the anaerobic treatment, we noted the high influence of the selection and operating regime of electrical equipment over the potential energy. The best situation, in which the energetic self-sufficiency was reached, was observed when using the mixer under an intermittent regime (1min/h), without employing the heating recirculator, for the maximum organic loading of 4.0 gVS/L.day (days 248-258). In this case, the system would generate an amount of energy equal to 0.0356 kWh/day, able to overcome the energy required by the equipment in about 6.5 times. Moreover, we also noted the interference of the application of different solid loadings in the reactors, once the application of the higher organic load generated 5 times more energy than the application of the smaller one

Localização de descargas parciais em transformadores de potência por meio de sensores piezelétricos de baixo custo e sistemas inteligentes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência da cultura organizacional na implementação de um programa de melhoria contínua de uma empresa de grande porte

The objective of this study was to identify the facilitators and restrictive factors promoted by the organizational culture on the implementation of a continuous improvement program in a company. The influence of organizational culture on tools used to improve processes and results demonstrate critical factors for international competitiveness, reflecting a company's strategy. Depending on how new working methods are implemented, organizational changes to reduce variation and waste, such as lean production, can affect the employee experience in the workplace and their learning conditions. Changes and formalization of the work process can be coercive, characterized by forced compliance, introduction of rules, and focus on technical and financial methods; or may be favorable, encouraging employee involvement in problem solving and stressing learning and innovation. The basis of the analysis lies with two models for assessing organizational culture - Denison Model and Competing Values Framework. The methodology used was: conducting interviews, a questionnaire, literature review and documentary analysis of a large company equipment industry. Results suggest that organizational culture plays an important role in the adoption of Lean practices. It can contribute to its effectiveness and job satisfaction, but it is not decisive feature of their success. The conclusion is that the organizational culture becomes a driving factor when aligned to the proposed practices and when taken into consideration for planning, acting as a limitation when it does not promote development and a participative environment

Automated system of seedling image analysis (SVIS) and electrical conductivity to assess sun hemp seed vigor

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The presence of fungi on contact electrical stimulation electrodes and ultrasound transducers in physiotherapy clinics

Objectives To evaluate the presence of fungi on contact electrodes and ultrasound transducers from physiotherapy clinics.Design Quantitative study conducted at the Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology of Piaui - NOVAFAPI, Teresina, Brazil.Setting Sample collection was performed in 10 clinics ( 20 ultrasound transducers and 20 contact electrodes).Main outcome measures Swabs were soaked with saline solution, inoculated in culture and incubated for filamentous fungi and yeast growth.Results Fourteen taxons were identified: Acremomium hyalinulum (Sacc.), Aspergillus terreus, Candida albicans, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium elatum, Cladosporium oxysporum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Cladosphialophora bantiana, Curvularia clavata, Curvularia senegalensis, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium decumbens, Scopulariopsis candida and Sporothrix schenckii. Aspergillus terreus, Cladosporium oxysporum, Sporothrix shenckii and Candida albicans were found most often on contact electrodes, and Penicillium decumbens and Cladosporium cladosporioides were found most often on ultrasound transducers.Conclusion Fungi were found on all of the contact electrodes and ultrasound transducers. Physiotherapy professionals need to improve the disinfection procedures for this equipment. (C) 2010 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Technique for application of hi-bright LED in automobile industry through intelligent systems

The advantages offered by the electronic component LED (Light Emitting Diode) have caused a quick and wide application of this device in replacement of incandescent lights. However, in its combined application, the relationship between the design variables and the desired effect or result is very complex and it becomes difficult to model by conventional techniques. This work consists of the development of a technique, through artificial neural networks, to make possible to obtain the luminous intensity values of brake lights using LEDs from design data.

Study of fuel cell co-generation systems applied to a dairy industry

This paper presents a methodology for the study of a molten carbonate fuel cell co-generation system. This system is applied to a dairy industry of medium size that typically demands 2100 kW of electricity, 8500 kg/h of saturated steam (P = 1.08 MPa) and 2725 kW of cold water production. Depending on the associated recuperation equipment, the co-generation system permits the recovery of waste heat, which can be used for the production of steam, hot and cold water, hot and cold air. In this study, a comparison is made between two configurations of fuel cell co-generation systems (FCCS). The plant performance has been evaluated on the basis of fuel utilisation efficiency and each system component evaluated on the basis of second law efficiency. The energy analysis presented shows a fuel utilisation efficiency of about 87% and exergy analysis shows that the irreversibilities in the combustion chamber of the plant are significant. Further, the payback period estimated for the fuel cell investment between US$ 1000 and US$ 1500/k-W is about 3 and 6 years, respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Treatment of urinary stress incontinence by intravaginal electrical stimulation and pelvic floor physiotherapy

Treatment of urinary stress incontinence (USI) by intravaginal electrical stimulation (IES) and pelvic floor physiotherapy represents an alternative to other therapies. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment inpatients with urinary incontinence. From January 1998 to May 2000, 30 women (mean age 54 years) were studied. All patients had USI and 70% urge incontinence; average follow-up was 7 months. Selection criteria were based on clinical history, objective evaluation of perineal musculature by perineometry, and urodynamics. The treatment protocol consisted of three sessions of IES per week for 14 weeks using INNOVA equipment. Physiotherapy was initiated in the fifth week of IES. A significant decrease in the number of micturitions and urgency was observed after treatment (P<0.01). The pad test showed a reduction in urinary leakage from 13.9 to 5.9 g after treatment (P<0.01). Objective evaluation of perineal muscle strength showed a significant improvement in all patients after treatment (P<0.01). A positive correlation was observed between maximum flow rate (Q(max)) and all three variables: urethral pressure profile at rest and on straining (stop test), and abdominal leak-point pressure (ALPP). A positive correlation was also observed between ALPP and the stop test. Over 100 different surgical and conservative treatments have been tried to manage USI. The majority of these procedures reveal that despite progress already made in this area, there is no ideal treatment. Satisfactory results can be achieved with this method, especially with patients who are reluctant to undergo surgery because of personal or clinical problems.

Environmental evaluation of cogeneration scenarios in sugar industry

The development of new techniques that allow the analysis and optimization of energy systems bearing in mind environmental issues is indispensable in a world with finite natural resources and growing demand of energy. Among the energy systems that deserve special attention, cogeneration in the sugar industry must be pointed out, because it uses efficiently a common fuel for generation of useful heat and power. Within this frame, thermoeconomical optimization - 2nd Law of Thermodynamics analysis by exergy function and economic evaluation of the thermal system - gradually is taking importance as a powerful tool to assist to the decision making process. Also, the explicit consideration of environmental issues offers a better way to explore trade-offs between different aspects to support the decisions that must be made. In this work it is used the technique of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) which allows to consider environmental matters as an integral part of the problem, in opposite to most of the environmental approaches that only reduce residuals generation , without taking into account impacts associated to other related processes. On the other hand, the consideration of environmental issues in optimization of energy systems is a novel and promissory contribution in the state of the art of energy optimization and LCA. The system under study is a sugar plant of Tucumán (Argentina) given the particular importance that this industry had inside the regional economy of the Argentinean Northwest. Although cogeneration comes being used a while ago in sugar industry, being the main objective the generation of heat and as secondary objective the electric power generation and mechanic power to cover several needs of working machineries, to the date it is no available a versatile tool that allows to analyze economical feasible alternatives bearing in mind environmental issues. At sugar plants, steam is generated in boilers using as fuel bagasse - cellulosic fiber waste obtained crushing the sugar cane- and it is used to give useful heat and shaft work to the plant, but it can also be used to generate electricity with export opportunities to the electrical network. The great number of process alternatives outlines a serious decision making problem in order to take advantage of the resources. Although the problem turns out to be a mixed non-linear problem (MINLP), the main contribution of this work is the development of a hybrid strategy to evaluate cogeneration alternatives that combines optimization approaches with environmental indicators. This powerful tool for its versatility and robustness to analyze cogeneration systems, will be of great help in the decision making process, because of their easy implementation to analyze the kind of problems presented in the sugar industry.