THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL CRISIS ON ROMANIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The world is passing through the most difficult economic and financial crisis inthe history, which severely affects its stability in the long term, risking an uncontrolled slideinto chaos and uncertainty. The housing market crisis emerged in the United States in July2007, due to multiple interferences generated by the globalization, has spread to otherregions, triggering the world economy into recession. The study is trying to present the maincauses and characteristics of the crisis, with special attention to its impact on Romania, whichhas witnessed a severe economic downturn in the first half of 2009, registering a sharpdecline in industrial production, construction sector, exports and also in the lending activity.To deal with high budget deficit and liquidity pressures in the short term a financingagreement with international organizations has been concluded. But, in the long term, theexternal debt burden is increasing, the sustainable development of Romania facing new risksarising from both the global crisis and the internal vulnerabilities.international financial crisis, global recession, causes and effects of the crisis, anti-crisisremedies, external debt, sustainable development.

Characterisation of Dynamic Process Systems by Use of Recurrence Texture Analysis

This thesis proposes a method to analyse the dynamic behaviour of process systems using sets of textural features extracted from distance matrices obtained from time series data. Algorithms based on the use of grey level co-occurrence matrices, wavelet transforms, local binary patterns, textons, and the pretrained convolutional neural networks (AlexNet and VGG16) were used to extract features. The method was demonstrated to effectively capture the dynamics of mineral process systems and could outperform competing approaches

The development and application of a real-time electrical resistance tomography system.

Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.This dissertation focuses on the application of tomography in the sugar milling process, specifically within the vacuum pan. The research aims to improve the efficiency and throughput of a sugar mill by producing real-time images of the boiling dynamic in the pan and hence can be used as a diagnostic tool. The real-time tomography system is a combination of ruggedized data collecting hardware, a switching circuit and software algorithms. The system described in this dissertation uses 16 electrodes and estimates images based on the distinct differences in conductivities to be found in the vacuum pan, i.e. a conductive syrup-like fluid (massecuite) and bubbles. There is a direct correlation between the bubbles produced during the boiling process and heat transfer in the pan. From this correlation one can determine how well the pan is operating. The system has been developed in order to monitor specific parts of a pan for optimal boiling. A binary reconstructed image identifies either massecuite or water vapour. Each image is reconstructed using a modified neighbourhood data collection method and a back projection algorithm. The data collection and image reconstruction take place simultaneously, making it possible to generate images in real-time. Each image frame is reconstructed at approximately 1.1 frames per second. Most of the system was developed in LabVIEW, with some added external drive electronics, and functions seamlessly. The tomography system is LAN enabled hence measurements are initiated through a remote PC on the same network and the reconstructed images are streamed to the user. The laboratory results demonstrate that it is possible to generate tomographic images from bubbles vs massecuite, tap water and deionized water in real-time

The evaluation of a novel haptic machining VR-based process planning system using an original process planning usability method

This thesis provides an original piece of work and contribution to knowledge by creating a new process planning system; Haptic Aided Process Planning (HAPP). This system is based on the combination of haptics and virtual reality (VR). HAPP creates a simulative machining environment where Process plans are automatically generated from the real time logging of a user’s interaction. Further, through the application of a novel usability test methodology, a deeper study of how this approach compares to conventional process planning was undertaken. An abductive research approach was selected and an iterative and incremental development methodology chosen. Three development cycles were undertaken with evaluation studies carried out at the end of each. Each study, the pre-pilot, pilot and industrial, identified progressive refinements to both the usability of HAPP and the usability evaluation method itself. HAPP provided process planners with an environment similar to which they are already familiar. Visual images were used to represent tools and material whilst a haptic interface enabled their movement and positioning by an operator in a manner comparable to their native setting. In this way an intuitive interface was developed that allowed users to plan the machining of parts consisting of features that can be machined on a pillar drill, 21/2D axis milling machine or centre lathe. The planning activities included single or multiple set ups, fixturing and sequencing of cutting operations. The logged information was parsed and output to a process plan including route sheets, operation sheets, tool lists and costing information, in a human readable format. The system evaluation revealed that HAPP, from an expert planners perspective is perceived to be 70% more satisfying to use, 66% more efficient in completing process plans, primarily due to the reduced cognitive load, is more effective producing a higher quality output of information and is 20% more learnable than a traditional process planning approach

The morphological, flow and failure characteristics of fractionated natural bulk material. Evaluation of flowability of fractionated powdered liquorice using a specially designed flowmeter. The particle morphology was assessed by computer image analysis and the failure properties by shear cell testing.

With the technological development in biologically orientated industries more and more natural products in powdered form are being handled and processed. Three differently comminuted liquorice rhizome products were classified into 23 narrow size fractions to investigate the particle and bulk characteristics of the material, and to study the influence of particle shape on powder flowability. The morphology of the fibrous particulate was investigated by using a Quantimet 720 Image Analyser. The perimeter (P), projected area (A), breadth (B), length (L), horizontal and vertical projected lengths (P V and Pi) and the horizontal and vertical Feret diameters (FV FH) were measured from which four dimensionless shape factors were evaluated, [P2/47rA, PHxPV/A, L/B, FV/FH]. The surface texture of the particles was measured by fractal analysis. The influence of particle shape and size on the mean flow rate, coefficient of flow variation and flow uniformity were measured using a specially designed inclined tube flowmeter. The failure properties of powdered liquorice when sheared under known normal compressive stresses were measured and from a series of yield loci the unconfined yield strength, major consolidation stress and effective angle of internal friction were obtained. The effects of particle shape and size on the angle of internal friction, wall friction, bulk and packed densities were. investigated and the experimental correlations expressed in terms of mathematical equations. These relationships, together with the failure function plots, indicate that comminuted liquorice powder behaves as a "simple" powder.Darou-Pakhsh Pharmaceutical Compan

Optical Techniques for Defect Evaluation in Vehicles

The optical techniques are a powerful tool on situations where either the physical contact or invasive techniques for evaluation are not suitable. Vehicle environments constitute an application field for the optical techniques and are the focus of this chapter. In order to reinforce this kind of techniques, it must be clarified that the idea to manipulate the light backs to the second century before our age, when Archimedes planned to destroy enemy ships using a solar heat ray with an array of actuators to change the shape of a mirror (Bifano T., 2011). Therefore, the field of photonics is the one that offers the possibility to achieve one of the greatest realizations and applications because the light is present in all aspects of the human life and our way of living is impossible without light (Carmo J. P. et al., 2012a). Optical measurement systems are also suitable for harsh monitorization because they are non-contact and full-field techniques. This is the case of Moiré Interferometry, which is used for many optoelectronic applications as displacement measurements (Wronkowski L., 1995), evaluation of microelectronics devices deformation (Xie H. et al., 2004), optical communications (Chen L. et al., 2000), strain measurements with Fiber Bragg Grattings, FBGs, (Silva A. F. et al., 2011) and spectrography (Kong S. H. et al., 2001). In this context, it must be noted that the recent nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, confirms the need of tighter security measures be done within harsh environments (which includes the automobiles) in order to increase both the safety of people and the reliability of vehicles’ parts

Combined wet milling crystallisation methods for particle engineering

Recent advances in pharmaceutical manufacturing for consistent supply of medicines with the required physical properties has emphasised the need for robust crystallisation processes which is a critical separation and purification technique. Mechanical milling is employed post crystallisation as an offline unit operation usually in a separate dry solids processing facility for adjusting the particle size and shape attributes of crystalline products for downstream processing. An emerging and increasingly applied technology is high shear wet milling in crystalline slurries for inline size and shape modification during particle formation. This potentially avoids the need for multiple crystallisation trials and offline milling saving time, costs and powder handling. Similarly, sonication is a powerful particle engineering tool through immersing ultrasound probes directly in solution. This PhD project is focused on the investigation and process integration of wet milling and indirect ultrasound for enhancing crystallisation processes and engineering particle attributes. The experimental study combined a cooling and isothermal crystallisation (seeded & unseeded) process with wet milling and indirect sonication. Results from the combined method provides the ability to modify and selectively achieve a range of product outcomes including particle sizes with tight spans, equant shapes and low surface energies as well as increased nucleation rates.;High shear from wet milling is also implemented as a seeding protocol configured to a mixed-suspension mixed-product removal continuous crystalliser which proved to be an adequate seed generation strategy.Deploying accurate quantitative analysis of size and shape attributes for solid particles is further explored. A multi-sensor measurement approach was employed using inline sensors, computational tools and offline techniques. The performance of these tools were vigorously tested for strengths and limitations which was proven to be beneficial for characterising the breakage of crystalline materials as well as overall process understanding and opportunities for process control.Recent advances in pharmaceutical manufacturing for consistent supply of medicines with the required physical properties has emphasised the need for robust crystallisation processes which is a critical separation and purification technique. Mechanical milling is employed post crystallisation as an offline unit operation usually in a separate dry solids processing facility for adjusting the particle size and shape attributes of crystalline products for downstream processing. An emerging and increasingly applied technology is high shear wet milling in crystalline slurries for inline size and shape modification during particle formation. This potentially avoids the need for multiple crystallisation trials and offline milling saving time, costs and powder handling. Similarly, sonication is a powerful particle engineering tool through immersing ultrasound probes directly in solution. This PhD project is focused on the investigation and process integration of wet milling and indirect ultrasound for enhancing crystallisation processes and engineering particle attributes. The experimental study combined a cooling and isothermal crystallisation (seeded & unseeded) process with wet milling and indirect sonication. Results from the combined method provides the ability to modify and selectively achieve a range of product outcomes including particle sizes with tight spans, equant shapes and low surface energies as well as increased nucleation rates.;High shear from wet milling is also implemented as a seeding protocol configured to a mixed-suspension mixed-product removal continuous crystalliser which proved to be an adequate seed generation strategy.Deploying accurate quantitative analysis of size and shape attributes for solid particles is further explored. A multi-sensor measurement approach was employed using inline sensors, computational tools and offline techniques. The performance of these tools were vigorously tested for strengths and limitations which was proven to be beneficial for characterising the breakage of crystalline materials as well as overall process understanding and opportunities for process control

Multivariate statistical analysis of Hall-Héroult reduction cells : investigation and monitoring of factors affecting performance

Les cuves d'électrolyse utilisées pour la production aluminium sont soumises à des variations de la qualité des matières premières, à des perturbations diverses encourues en cours de production ou en cours de démarrage. Il est connu que ces perturbations ont un impact sur la durée de vie des cuves ainsi que sur l'efficacité de production, métallurgique et énergétique. L'amélioration des performances passe nécessairement par une meilleure compréhension des sources de variations. Plusieurs travaux ont été présentés jusqu'à présent par le biais d'études univariées entre les différents facteurs et les performances. Cependant, dans ces études, le comportement des cuves n'est pas étudié de manière multivariée, ce qui ne permet pas d'étudier les interactions entre les différentes variables. Cette thèse propose d'étudier les facteurs affectant les performances des cuves d'électrolyse, précisément la duré de vie, le rendement Faraday et la consommation énergétique, par le biais de méthodes statistiques multivariées (PCA et PLS). Premièrement, il est démontré que la durée de vie des cuves est expliquée à 72% en utilisant l'information provenant des préchauffages, des démarrages et de l'opération transitoire, démontrant ainsi l'effet de ces étapes sur la durée de vie des cuves. Cette étude est suivie d'une analyse des facteurs affectant l'efficacité de courant et la consommation énergétique des cuves. L'effet de la qualité de l'alumine, des anodes, des variables manipulées, et des variables d'états des cuves permet d'expliquer 50% des variations des performances. Cette étude démontre l'importance du contrôle de la hauteur de bain. Ainsi, une étude approfondie des facteurs affectant la hauteur de bain est effectuée. La composition du produit de recouvrement des anodes a un impact majeur sur la hauteur de bain. Malheureusement, il est présentement impossible de bien effectuer le suivi et le contrôle de cette composition puisque seulement quelques échantillons sont analysés quotidiennement. Afin de palier à ce manque, cette thèse présente une nouvelle approche, basée sur l'analyse d'image, pour prédire la composition du produit de recouvrement. Cette application faciliterait le suivi et le contrôle de la composition, ce qui améliorerait le contrôle de la hauteur de bain permettant ainsi d'améliorer les performances des cuves