Thermoeconomic functional analysis applied in cogeneration systems associated to cellulose plants

Thermoeconomic Functional Analysis is a method developed for the analysis and optimal design of improvement of thermal systems (Frangopoulos, 1984). The purpose of this work is to discuss the cogeneration system optimization using a condensing steam turbine with two extractions. This cogeneration system is a rational alternative in pulp and paper plants in regard to the Brazilian conditions. The objective of this optimization consists of minimizing the global cost of the system acquisition and operation, based on the parametrization of actual data from a cellulose plant with a daily production of 1000 tons. Among the several possible decision variables, the pressure and temperature of live steam were selected. These variables significantly affect the energy performance of the cogeneration system. The conditions which determine a lower cost for the system are presented in conclusion.

Cogeneration for small users: case studies for Brazilian tertiary sector

In this paper we present technical and economic studies of cogeneration systems utilizing combustion engines and gas turbines, applied in two establishments of the tertiary sector, regarding Brazilian conditions (according to Silveria, 1994). In the first step cogeneration systems utilizing combustion engines associated to absorption refrigeration systems are studied, in which electricity and cold air for a university building rate produced. In the second step some possibilities of the use of the gas turbine in cogeneration systems for a hospital are shown. In this case, the exhaust gases are utilized for the production of steam in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) or cold water in an absorption refrigeration system (for air conditioning) for the hospital building. The dynamic increment of the energy demand of Brazilian tertiary sector in last years can increase the installation of these cogeneration system (in compact version) as well as strengthen the development of the decentralized energy generation in Brazil.

Joint conomic design of x̄ and R charts under Weibull shock models

This paper deals with the joint economic design of x̄ and R charts when the occurrence times of assignable causes follow Weibull distributions with increasing failure rates. The variable quality characteristic is assumed to be normally distributed and the process is subject to two independent assignable causes (such as tool wear-out, overheating, or vibration). One cause changes the process mean and the other changes the process variance. However, the occurrence of one kind of assignable cause does not preclude the occurrence of the other. A cost model is developed and a non-uniform sampling interval scheme is adopted. A two-step search procedure is employed to determine the optimum design parameters. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the model is conducted, and the cost savings associated with the use of non-uniform sampling intervals instead of constant sampling intervals are evaluated.

Spinning reserve opportunity cost in hydroelectric plants

Starting from the deregulated process of the Electric Sector, there was the need to attribute responsibilities to several agents and to elaborate appropriate forms of remuneration of the services rendered by the same. One of the services of great importance within this new electric sector is the Ancillary Services. Among the various types of Ancillary Services, Spinning Reserve is a service necessary for maintaining the integrity of the transmission system from either generation interruptions or load variations. This paper uses the application of the Economic Dispatch theory with the objective of quantifies the availability of Spinning Reserve supply in hydroelectric plants. The proposed methodology utilizes the generating units as well as their efficiencies so as to attend the total demand with the minimum water discharge. The proposed methodology was tested through the data provided by the Água Vermelha Hydroelectric Power Plant. These tests permitted the opportunity cost valuation to the Spinning Reserve supply in hydroelectric plants. © 2005 IEEE.

Towards a theory of the small firm: theoretical aspects and some policy implications

Includes bibliography

Latin America on its path into the digital age: where are we?

Includes bibliography

A indústria de defesa brasileira: o setor de carros de combate e a engesa

This paper analyzes the small and medium armored combat vehicle industry, in order to understand its modus operandi. We investigate the former largest Brazilian producer of small and medium armored combat vehicles, Engesa, and concluded that its world success was a result both of its privileged perception to occupy a market niche and of the special relationship among its CEO and the Brazilian Army. A combination of negative factors conduced the firm to its bankruptcy, in the beginning of the 1990s, but we also identified a huge business potential, which could be either occupied by Engesa, if it had not disappeared, or by a follower in this market.

Public regulation of competitive practices in business enterprise /

Includes indexes.

Electric current abroad.

Mode of access: Internet.

Franchise opportunities handbook.

This is a directory of companies that grant franchises with detailed information for each listed franchise.

Construction review.

Title from cover.

Space benefits: the secondary application of aerospace technology in other sectors of the economy

Contract NASW-3113

The National Mental Health Strategy and Geographical Access to Mental Health Services: Some empirical results

In 1992 the Australian Government adopted the National Mental Health Strategy in an attempt to improve the provision of mental health services. A component was to improve geographical access to hospital-based mental health services. This paper is concerned with determining if this objective has been achieved. Time-series data on patients (at a regional level) with mental illness in the State of Queensland are available for the years from 1968-69 to 2002-03. A change in regional classification by the Australian Bureau of Statistics complicates the analysis by precluding certain empirical tests such as converging utilisation rates by region. To overcome this problem, it was decided to apply concepts of concentration and equality that are commonly employed in industrial economics to the regional data. The empirical results show no evidence of improving regional access following the National Mental Health Strategy: in fact the statistical results show the opposite, i.e. declining regional access.

Some economic dimensions of the mental health jigsaw in Australia

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, although there are some unique features associated with mental illness, such special features do not preclude economic analysis. As a mechanism for understanding how individual economic studies fit into the mental health sector, a conceptual framework of the components of mental health service provision is outlined. Emphasis is placed on, not simply institutional and market resources, but also on the services provided by relatives, self-help groups, etc. Australian data on parts of the mental health sector are employed to illustrate that some (and different) economic analyses can be undertaken in mental health. First, time-series data on public psychiatric hospitals are employed to demonstrate trends associated with deinstitutionalisation. Other data (for Queensland alone) indicate that there are state-based differences in the provision of such services. Second, attention is then directed to the analysis of time-series data on private fee-for-service psychiatric services. Various concepts and measures from industrial economics are applied to analyse the relative size of this service industry, the pricing behaviour of the profession, the service-mix of "the psychiatry firms" operating in Australia.

Foreign and domestic investment:regional development or crowding out?

This paper tests, at the regional and industry level, the extent to which domestic investment is stimulated or crowded out by inward foreign direct investment. The paper develops a model of domestic investment, based on standard models drawn from macroeconomics and industrial economics. The paper then goes on to show that, at a general level, the 'development' or agglomeration hypothesis is confirmed that domestic investment is indeed stimulated by inward investment. However, there is also evidence that, in certain regions, inward investment has crowded out domestic investment. The implications of this from the perspective of regional policy are briefly discussed.