TREATMENT OF WASTE FROM ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUES AND REUSE IN UNDERGRADUATE LAB CLASSES FOR QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) are widely used in academic institutions and laboratories for quality control to analyze inorganic elements in samples. However, these techniques have been observed to underperform in sample nebulization processes. Most of the samples processed through nebulization system are discarded, producing large volumes of waste. This study reports the treatment and reuse of the waste produced from ICP OES technique in a laboratory of analytical research at the Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil. The treatment of the waste was performed by the precipitation of elements using (NH4)2CO3. Subsequently, the supernatant solution can be discarded in accordance with CONAMA 430/2011. The precipitate produced from the treatment of residues can be reused as a potential sample in undergraduate qualitative analytical chemistry lab classes, providing students the opportunity to test a real sample.

Development of Collaborative Product Structure Management

The purpose of this thesis is to develop an environment or network that enables effective collaborative product structure management among stakeholders in each unit, throughout the entire product lifecycle and product data management. This thesis uses framework models as an approach to the problem. Framework model methods for development of collaborative product structure management are proposed in this study, there are three unique models depicted to support collaborative product structure management: organization model, process model and product model. In the organization model, the formation of product data management system (eDSTAT) key user network is specified. In the process model, development is based on the case company’s product development matrix. In the product model framework, product model management, product knowledge management and design knowledge management are defined as development tools and collaboration is based on web-based product structure management. Collaborative management is executed using all these approaches. A case study from an actual project at the case company is presented as an implementation; this is to verify the models’ applicability. A computer assisted design tool and the web-based product structure manager, have been used as tools of this collaboration with the support of the key user. The current PDM system, eDSTAT, is used as a piloting case for key user role. The result of this development is that the role of key user as a collaboration channel is defined and established. The key user is able to provide one on one support for the elevator projects. Also the management activities are improved through the application of process workflow by following criteria for each project milestone. The development shows effectiveness of product structure management in product lifecycle, improved production process by eliminating barriers (e.g. improvement of two-way communication) during design phase and production phase. The key user role is applicable on a global scale in the company.

Identificação e quantificação de resinas, cargas e pigmentos em tintas latex branca

Resinas, pigmentos e cargas constituintes de tintas látex da linha branca foram identificados e quantificados após prévio tratamento à baixa temperatura e pressão para obtenção de amostras secas em forma de pó. TG/DTA permitiram, sob determinadas condições, distinguir e quantificar as resinas, cargas e pigmentos em tintas latex branca comerciais. Difratometria de raios X foi empregada para confirmar a presença do pigmento TiO2 de fase rutílo no resíduo final de termodecomposição.

Vähempiarvoisen kalan käsittelyketjut ja hiilijalanjälki

The condition of Baltic Sea has weakened considerably because of eutrophication which has caused massive increase of devalued fish. The condition of Baltic Sea can be helped by fishing these fish. This study handles three different ways to approach those fish utilizations and counts carbon footprint for those three chains. Environmental point of views are also examined. There are three different fish processing chains. Every processing chain begins with fishing the fish in Baltic Sea. After that the fishes are prepared by crushing and some formic acid is added to ensure preservation. In the first processing chain the fishes are processed as biodiesel. The waste from the biodiesel process is taken to the anaerobic digestion and the forming methane is used as energy. In the second chain the fishes are taken straight to the anaerobic digestion after preparing. In the third chain, the fish will be first prepared and then taken to fur farms as forage. The carbon footprint has been calculated for 1000 kg fish. The carbon footprint in the first chain is 164-178 kg CO2e, in the second chain 313 – 333 kg CO2e and in the third chain 363 kg CO2e. In the processing chains the bioenergy is produced from the biodiesel, anaerobic digestion and from the glycerol, which is by-product of the biodiesel. The energy produced from the biodiesel is so-called emission neutral, which is not taken into account when calculating emissions. The energy is used to compensate the emissions caused by fossil fuels. The PAS 2050 was used to calculate the carbon footprint. Only carbon dioxide and methane were used when calculating the carbon footprint.

Jätehuoltosuunnitelman laatiminen elektroniikka-alan yritykselle

Sähkö- ja elektroniikka-alan yritykset eivät yleensä kuormita merkittävästi ympäristöä, sillä teollisuudenalan suurimmat ympäristövaikutukset aiheutuvat alihankkijoiden ja komponenttivalmistajien toiminnasta. Yritysten oma toiminta perustuu pitkälti tuotekehitykseen ja tuotteiden loppukokoonpanoon valmiista komponenteista. Syntynyt jäte on tyypillisesti pääosin pakkausjätettä, metalleja, kaatopaikkajätettä ja vähäisessä määrin myös ongelmajätettä. Vähäisen ympäristökuormituksen johdosta yrityksiltä ei yleensä vaadita ympäristölupaa. Diplomityössä laadittiin jätehuoltosuunnitelma elektroniikka-alan yritykselle. Työ suoritettiin Kemppi Oy:n toimeksiannosta Lahdessa. Jätehuoltosuunnitelman noudattaminen parantaa yrityksen julkisuuskuvaa ja tuo kustannussäästöjä. Toimivan suunnitelman laatiminen vaatii kuitenkin aikaa ja muita resursseja. Jätehuollon toimivuus on tarkistettava säännöllisesti, etenkin silloin kun yrityksen toiminnan painopiste muuttuu. Käytännön osuudessa kartoitettiin edellisvuosien jätemäärät ja yrityksen jätehuollon tila. Jätehuoltosuunnitelman laatimiselle oli selkeä tarve, koska jätehuolto perustui osin kirjoittamattomiin sääntöihin ja vanhoihin tottumuksiin. Syntypaikkalajittelua tehostettiin lisäämällä jäteastioita ja -pisteitä jätteiden syntypaikoille. Lajittelua parannettiin myös laatimalla selkeät ohjeet ja kouluttamalla työntekijöitä.

Outsourcing process in pharmaceutical product development

The aim of this study was to create an outsourcing process for pharmaceutical product development. This study focuses on two main questions. The first question is “What is the outsourcing process model?” In the second phase key success factors of the outsourcing process are identified. As a result of the literature reviews, a general outsourcing process was created. Transaction cost economics and resource based view were used to derived a theoretical framework to the process by combining the existing processes presented in the literature. The model of process is considered used to the outsourcing broadly. The general outsourcing process was then developed further with the key factors that affect the success of pharmaceutical product development and the interviews of pharmaceutical outsourcing experts. The result of the research was the process consists of seven phases with key activities and expected outputs for each of the phases. In addition, the strategic decision-making framework for outsourcing decision in pharmaceutical product development is giving as well as the tools for selecting supplier and preparing structured contract. This study also gives some recommendations for managing the outsourcing process.

Integration of the Food Waste Disposer Unit to the Existing Sewage System

Among the numerous approaches to food waste treatment, the food waste disposers method (FWDs), as a newcomer, has become slowly accepted by the general public owing to the worries about its impact on the existing sewage system. This paper aims to justify the role of FWDs in the process of urbanization in order to better prepare a city to take good care of the construction of its infrastructure and the solid waste treatment. Both the literatures and the case study help to confirm that FWDs has no negative effects on the wastewater treatment plant and it is also environmental friendly by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. In the case study, the Lappeenranta waste water treatment plant has been selected in order to figure out the possible changes to a WWTP following the integration of FWDs: the observation shows only minor changes take place in a WWTP, in case of 25% application, like BOD up 7%, TSS up 6% and wastewater flowrate up 6%, an additional sludge production of 200 tons per year and the extra yield of methane up to 10000m3 per year; however, when the utilization rate of FWD is over 75%, BOD, TSS, and wastewater flowrate will experience more significant changes, thus exerting much pressure on the existing WWTP. FWDs can only be used in residential areas or cities equipped with consummate drainage network within the service sphere of WWTP, therefore, the relevant authority or government department should regulate the installation frequency of FWDs, while promoting the accessory application of FWDs. In the meanwhile, WWTP should improve their treatment process in order to expand their capacity for sludge treatment so as to stay in line with the future development of urban waste management.

Toimintaprosessin kehittäminen sairaalaympäristössä teollisuustalouden menetelmin

Työn tavoitteena on tutkia reaaliaikaisen sanelunpurun vaikuttavuutta ja kannattavuutta. Reaaliaikaisen sanelunpurun vaikuttavuuden tarkastelun pohjana käytetään teollisuustalouden puolella tunnettuja ja yrityksissä laajasti käytössä olevia ajatusmalleja, kuten Leania ja Six Sigmaa. Lean –ajattelu perustuu läpimenoajan nopeuttamiseen, hukkaa ja ei lisäarvoa luovien vaiheiden eliminoimisella. Six Sigma keskittyy taas laatuun, jolloin tuote ja palveluvirheitä karsitaan. Lisäksi teoriaosassa käsitellään palveluiden ulkoistamista, tietosuojaa ja palkkakustannusten rakennetta. Empiriaosassa kuvataan kirurgianpoliklinikan ja leikkausosaston prosesseja. Prosesseissa keskitytään nykytilan sekä reaaliaikaisen sanelunpurun vaikutuksiin. Prosessien kuvaamisella saadaan tietoa toiminnan ongelmista ja kehittämiskohteista. Henkilökunnan haastatteluin selvitettiin sanelujonon vaikutuksia sekä kokemuksia ulkoistamisesta. Kustannusanalyysin avulla selvitettiin ulkoistamisen kannattavuutta reaaliaikaisessa sanelunpurussa. Työn tuloksena saatiin vaikuttavuus tarkastelu reaaliaikaisesta sanelunpurusta sekä ulkoistamisen kannattavuudesta. Prosessien kuvaaminen osoittaa, että useissa prosessin eri vaiheissa sanelujen puuttuminen aiheuttaa kustannuksia ja vaikuttaa henkilökunnan työhön. Kustannusanalyysin pohjalta sanelunpurun ulkoistaminen todettiin kannattavaksi. Jatkossa sanelunpurun ulkoistamisessa tulee kiinnittää huomiota siihen, mitkä osat sanelunpurkuprosessista halutaan ulkoistaa. Sähköisten järjestelmien kehittyminen vaikuttaa osaltaan tähän päätökseen. Lisäksi suoritepohjaisen hinnoittelun kehittäminen on tärkeä osa sanelunpurkuprosessin tehokkuutta.

Product costing model for laser welded hollow core steel panels

The aim of the study was to create an easily upgradable product costing model for laser welded hollow core steel panels to help in pricing decisions. The theory section includes a literature review to identify traditional and modern cost accounting methodologies, which are used by manufacturing companies. The theory section also presents the basics of steel panel structures and their manufacturing methods and manufacturing costs based on previous research. Activity-Based costing turned out to be the most appropriate methodology for the costing model because of wide product variations. Activity analysis and the determination of cost drivers based on observations and interviews were the key steps in the creation of the model. The created model was used to test how panel parameters affect the costs caused by the main manufacturing stages and materials. By comparing cost structures, it was possible to find the panel types that are the most economic and uneconomic to manufacture. A sensitivity analysis proved that the model gives sufficiently reliable cost information to support pricing decisions. More reliable cost information could be achieved by determining the cost drivers more accurately. Alternative methods for manufacturing the cores were compared with the model. The comparison proved that roll forming can be more advantageous and flexible than press brake bending. However, more extensive research showed that roll forming is possible only when the cores are designed to be manufactured by roll forming. Due to that fact, when new panels are designed consideration should be given to the possibility of using roll forming.

Examining the Role of Rebranding in Perceived Image of a Product Line

The main objective for this study was to explore certain organization’s product line rebranding process and its impact on product line’s perceived image. The case company is a global paper, packaging and forest products company, business segment paper board. The audience explored is one of the company’s major customers, merchant in Germany. The research was performed as a descriptive case study with a purpose to provide longitudinal insight into the product line image and its eventual alteration as a result of the case company’s rebranding process. Mainly qualitative methods were used for conducting the research. The data for the empirical part was collected with a web-based survey at two different points of time; before the rebranded products entered the market and after they had been available approximately six months. The results of this study reveal that the case company has performed well in its attempt to improve product line’s brand image through rebranding. It was found that between the two brand image measurements the product brand image seems to have improved in all of the areas which according to theoretical framework of this study contribute to formation of brand image; brand associations, marketing communications and interpersonal relationships, not forgetting the original platform that initiated the change; technical quality modifications. In other words it may be concluded that as technical quality was brought to a new level, also assessments about the brand image improved respectively.

Cuticular and Suberin Polymers of Edible Plants. Analysis by Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric and Solid State Spectroscopic Methods

Cutin and suberin are structural and protective polymers of plant surfaces. The epidermal cells of the aerial parts of plants are covered with an extracellular cuticular layer, which consists of polyester cutin, highly resistant cutan, cuticular waxes and polysaccharides which link the layer to the epidermal cells. A similar protective layer is formed by a polyaromatic-polyaliphatic biopolymer suberin, which is present particularly in the cell walls of the phellem layer of periderm of the underground parts of plants (e.g. roots and tubers) and the bark of trees. In addition, suberization is also a major factor in wound healing and wound periderm formation regardless of the plants’ tissue. Knowledge of the composition and functions of cuticular and suberin polymers is important for understanding the physiological properties for the plants and for nutritional quality when these plants are consumed as foods. The aims of the practical work were to assess the chemical composition of cuticular polymers of several northern berries and seeds and suberin of two varieties of potatoes. Cutin and suberin were studied as isolated polymers and further after depolymerization as soluble monomers and solid residues. Chemical and enzymatic depolymerization techniques were compared and a new chemical depolymerization method was developed. Gas chromatographic analysis with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) was used to assess the monomer compositions. Polymer investigations were conducted with solid state carbon-13 cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C CP-MAS NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopic analysis. Furthermore, the development of suberin over one year of post-harvest storage was investigated and the cuticular layers from berries grown in the North and South of Finland were compared. The results show that the amounts of isolated cuticular layers and cutin monomers, as well as monomeric compositions vary greatly between the berries. The monomer composition of seeds was found to differ from the corresponding berry peel monomers. The berry cutin monomers were composed mostly of long-chain aliphatic ω-hydroxy acids, with various mid-chain functionalities (double-bonds, epoxy, hydroxy and keto groups). Substituted α,ω-diacids predominated over ω-hydroxy acids in potato suberin monomers and slight differences were found between the varieties. The newly-developed closed tube chemical method was found to be suitable for cutin and suberin analysis and preferred over the solvent-consuming and laborious reflux method. Enzymatic hydrolysis with cutinase was less effective than chemical methanolysis and showed specificity towards α,ω-diacid bonds. According to ₁₃C CP-MAS NMR and FTIR, the depolymerization residues contained significant amounts of aromatic structures, polysaccharides and possible cutan-type aliphatic moieties. Cultivation location seems to have effect on cuticular composition. The materials studied contained significant amounts of different types of biopolymers that could be utilized for several purposes with or without further processing. The importance of the so-called waste material from industrial processes of berries and potatoes as a source of either dietary fiber or specialty chemicals should be further investigated in detail. The evident impact of cuticular and suberin polymers, among other fiber components, on human health should be investigated in clinical trials. These by-product materials may be used as value-added fiber fractions in the food industry and as raw materials for specialty chemicals such as lubricants and emulsifiers, or as building blocks for novel polymers.

Quasi-objects and actors in the web of belief. Formation of a national nuclear waste management system: the case of Finland

Paper presented in ISA RC23 meeting, Gothenburg July 16th 2010

Towards increased productivity and quality in software development using agile, lean and collaborative approaches

Dagens programvaruindustri står inför alltmer komplicerade utmaningar i en värld där programvara är nästan allstädes närvarande i våra dagliga liv. Konsumenten vill ha produkter som är pålitliga, innovativa och rika i funktionalitet, men samtidigt också förmånliga. Utmaningen för oss inom IT-industrin är att skapa mer komplexa, innovativa lösningar till en lägre kostnad. Detta är en av orsakerna till att processförbättring som forskningsområde inte har minskat i betydelse. IT-proffs ställer sig frågan: “Hur håller vi våra löften till våra kunder, samtidigt som vi minimerar vår risk och ökar vår kvalitet och produktivitet?” Inom processförbättringsområdet finns det olika tillvägagångssätt. Traditionella processförbättringsmetoder för programvara som CMMI och SPICE fokuserar på kvalitets- och riskaspekten hos förbättringsprocessen. Mer lättviktiga metoder som t.ex. lättrörliga metoder (agile methods) och Lean-metoder fokuserar på att hålla löften och förbättra produktiviteten genom att minimera slöseri inom utvecklingsprocessen. Forskningen som presenteras i denna avhandling utfördes med ett specifikt mål framför ögonen: att förbättra kostnadseffektiviteten i arbetsmetoderna utan att kompromissa med kvaliteten. Den utmaningen attackerades från tre olika vinklar. För det första förbättras arbetsmetoderna genom att man introducerar lättrörliga metoder. För det andra bibehålls kvaliteten genom att man använder mätmetoder på produktnivå. För det tredje förbättras kunskapsspridningen inom stora företag genom metoder som sätter samarbete i centrum. Rörelsen bakom lättrörliga arbetsmetoder växte fram under 90-talet som en reaktion på de orealistiska krav som den tidigare förhärskande vattenfallsmetoden ställde på IT-branschen. Programutveckling är en kreativ process och skiljer sig från annan industri i det att den största delen av det dagliga arbetet går ut på att skapa något nytt som inte har funnits tidigare. Varje programutvecklare måste vara expert på sitt område och använder en stor del av sin arbetsdag till att skapa lösningar på problem som hon aldrig tidigare har löst. Trots att detta har varit ett välkänt faktum redan i många decennier, styrs ändå många programvaruprojekt som om de vore produktionslinjer i fabriker. Ett av målen för rörelsen bakom lättrörliga metoder är att lyfta fram just denna diskrepans mellan programutvecklingens innersta natur och sättet på vilket programvaruprojekt styrs. Lättrörliga arbetsmetoder har visat sig fungera väl i de sammanhang de skapades för, dvs. små, samlokaliserade team som jobbar i nära samarbete med en engagerad kund. I andra sammanhang, och speciellt i stora, geografiskt utspridda företag, är det mera utmanande att införa lättrörliga metoder. Vi har nalkats utmaningen genom att införa lättrörliga metoder med hjälp av pilotprojekt. Detta har två klara fördelar. För det första kan man inkrementellt samla kunskap om metoderna och deras samverkan med sammanhanget i fråga. På så sätt kan man lättare utveckla och anpassa metoderna till de specifika krav som sammanhanget ställer. För det andra kan man lättare överbrygga motstånd mot förändring genom att introducera kulturella förändringar varsamt och genom att målgruppen får direkt förstahandskontakt med de nya metoderna. Relevanta mätmetoder för produkter kan hjälpa programvaruutvecklingsteam att förbättra sina arbetsmetoder. När det gäller team som jobbar med lättrörliga och Lean-metoder kan en bra uppsättning mätmetoder vara avgörande för beslutsfattandet när man prioriterar listan över uppgifter som ska göras. Vårt fokus har legat på att stöda lättrörliga och Lean-team med interna produktmätmetoder för beslutsstöd gällande så kallad omfaktorering, dvs. kontinuerlig kvalitetsförbättring av programmets kod och design. Det kan vara svårt att ta ett beslut att omfaktorera, speciellt för lättrörliga och Lean-team, eftersom de förväntas kunna rättfärdiga sina prioriteter i termer av affärsvärde. Vi föreslår ett sätt att mäta designkvaliteten hos system som har utvecklats med hjälp av det så kallade modelldrivna paradigmet. Vi konstruerar även ett sätt att integrera denna mätmetod i lättrörliga och Lean-arbetsmetoder. En viktig del av alla processförbättringsinitiativ är att sprida kunskap om den nya programvaruprocessen. Detta gäller oavsett hurdan process man försöker introducera – vare sig processen är plandriven eller lättrörlig. Vi föreslår att metoder som baserar sig på samarbete när processen skapas och vidareutvecklas är ett bra sätt att stöda kunskapsspridning på. Vi ger en översikt över författarverktyg för processer på marknaden med det förslaget i åtanke.

Biokaasu-, bioetanoli- ja yhdistelmäprosessin energia- ja hiilidioksiditase vertailu

Biojäte soveltuu erinomaisesti biokaasuprosessin raaka-aineeksi sisältämänsä runsaan or-gaanisen aineksen vuoksi. Bioetanoliprosessin raaka-aineeksi se soveltuu, koska biojäte sisäl-tää runsaasti tärkkelystä sekä selluloosaa. Tässä työssä tutkittiin laskennallisesti bioetanoli-, biokaasu- sekä näiden yhdistelmäprosessin energia- ja hiilidioksiditaseita kirjallisuuden tietoihin pohjautuen. Biokaasuprosessista lopputuotteena saatavan biometaanin käyttäminen bensiiniä korvaavana liikennepolttoaineena tuottaa jo pelkästään palamistuotteena syntyvän hiilidioksidin säästöinä 62 kg/tbiojätettä. Energian suhteen biokaasuprosessi on selvästi yliomavaraisin kaikista kolmesta prosessista, vaikka energiankulutukseen huomioidaan myös jalostuksen tarvitsema sähkönku-lutus. Biokaasuprosessissa oma käyttö on alle 20 % lopputuotteen lämpöarvosta, yhdistelmä-prosessin osalta luku on 4 %-yks alhaisempi.

Lämmöntalteenoton tuotteistus, kannattavuus ja riskit vaneriteollisuudessa

Viilunkuivaus vaneriteollisuudessa on energiaintensiivinen prosessi, josta syntyvä hukkalämpö kannattaa ottaa talteen ja hyödyntää. Työ käsittelee erilaisten lämmöntalteenottovariaatioiden tuotteistusta ja kannattavuutta, sekä sisältää laitteiston riskianalyysin. Aiemman asiakaskohtaisen räätälöinnin sijaan, laitteiston modulaarinen tuoterakenne on otettava tuotteistuksen lähtökohdaksi. Modulaarisen tuoterakenteen ansiosta erilaisiin asiakastarpeisiin pystytään vastaamaan aiempaa tehokkaammin, kiitos erilaisten variaatioiden. Standardien ja yhtenäisten rajapintojen myötä muun muassa suunnittelua, projektinhoito ja myyntiä saadaan tehostettua. Lämmöntalteenottoratkaisuille luodaan kolme eri varustelutasoa: perus, korkea ja luksus. Näillä eri varianteilla pystytään vastamaan entistä kattavammin eri markkina-alueiden asiakastarpeisiin. Kannattavuuslaskelmat todistavat, että lämmöntalteenoton avulla saadaan merkittäviä energiasäästöjä ja eri laitteistovariaatiot maksavat itsensä erittäin nopeasti takaisin, vaikka esimerkiksi sähköenergian hinta nousisi radikaalisti. Lämmöntalteenoton voidaankin katsoa olevan aina erittäin kannattavaa. Laitteistosta on tunnistettu myös tekniset riskit, joihin on puututtava välittömästi sekä lukuisia toimenpide-ehdotuksia, joiden avulla laitteiston tuomintaa voidaan tehostaa ja muuttaa turvallisemmaksi. Riskianalyysi antaa myös suuntaviivoja tuotteistukselle sekä laitteiston huolto- ja käyttöohjeistolle.