Data mining OIPEA database for waste and productivity enhancements in manufacturing units

Small and medium-sized manufacturing plants (those with fewer than 500 employees) represent more than 98 percent of the more than 374,000 establishments in the U.S. manufacturing industry, 64 percent of employees in the total manufacturing labor force, and more than 42 percent of total manufacturing energy consumption.;In 1976 the federal government started funding industrial energy audits for small and medium sized manufacturing firms under the auspices of the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) that are spread throughout the U.S. The data collected from the hundreds of energy audits that are conducted each year is collected in a database maintained by the Office of Industrial Productivity and Energy Assessment (OIPEA) at Rutgers University.;This database contains a wealth of information about small and medium scale industries that are spread throughout the U.S. The objective of this research it to develop a database querying tool to analyze the database to elicit useful information about waste and productivity issues to help research any trends that may exist in the data

A computer-based product classification and component detection for demanufacturing processes

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 24(10), 900-914, 2011 [copyright Taylor & Francis], available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0951192X.2011.579169.The aim of this paper is to propose a novel computer-based product classification, component detection and tracking for demanufacturing and disassembly process. This is achieved by introducing a series of automated and sequential product scanning, component identification, image analysis and sorting – leading to the development of a bill of material (BOM). The produced BOM can then be associated with the relevant disassembly/demanufacture proviso. The proposed integrated image sorting and product classification (ISPC) approach can be considered as a step forward in automation of demanufacturing activities. The ISPC model proposed in this paper utilises and builds on the state-of-the-art technology and current body of research in computer-integrated demanufacturing and remanufacturing (CIDR). An appraisal of the latest research material and the factors that inhibit CIDR methods inpractice are presented. A novel solution for the integration of imaging and material identification techniques toovercome some of the existing shortcomings of automated recycling processes is proposed in this paper. The proposed product scanning and component detection ISPC software consists of four distinct models: the repertory database, the search engine, the product-attributes updater and the image sorting and classification algorithm. The software framework that integrates the four components is presented in this paper. Finally, an overall assessment of applying ISPC at various stages of CIDR processes concludes the article.University of Ibadan MacArthur Foundation Gran

Dynamic hybrid simulation of batch processes driven by a scheduling module

Simulation is now a CAPE tool widely used by practicing engineers for process design and control. In particular, it allows various offline analyses to improve system performance such as productivity, energy efficiency, waste reduction, etc. In this framework, we have developed the dynamic hybrid simulation environment PrODHyS whose particularity is to provide general and reusable object-oriented components dedicated to the modeling of devices and operations found in chemical processes. Unlike continuous processes, the dynamic simulation of batch processes requires the execution of control recipes to achieve a set of production orders. For these reasons, PrODHyS is coupled to a scheduling module (ProSched) based on a MILP mathematical model in order to initialize various operational parameters and to ensure a proper completion of the simulation. This paper focuses on the procedure used to generate the simulation model corresponding to the realization of a scenario described through a particular scheduling

Analysis of Current Situation in Municipal Waste Management and Implementation of Decision Support Software in Astana, Kazakhstan

The city of Astana, capital of Kazakhstan with population of 804,474 generates approximately 1.39 kg/inh./day of municipal solid waste while collection rate is higher than 72% (MSW). An MBT plant of planned capacity of 600-800 tn/day and a new landfill cell of about 2 million tones are in place. Preliminary studies showed that the MSW composition is as follows: food and garden waste 29.5%, plastics 18.5%, paper 13%, glass 14.5%, textiles 9.5%, metals 0.9% and others 14.1%. About 23-34 tons of recyclables (paper, metal, glass, PET bottles, HDPE film, HDPE plastic, etc.) is separated in the existing MBT daily. In 2014 it is planned to implement separate waste collection in places of waste accumulation and a waste separation at source system. The purpose of the study is to assess the current situation of municipal solid waste in Astana and implement a Decision Support Software tool developed by the research team in order to analyse data, compare alternative waste management scenarios and propose a holistic approach in solid waste management planning. The latest available data on waste generation, composition and existing infrastructure were used in order to identify the baseline situation. This is the first research of this type conducted in Kazakhsta

Analysis of Current Situation in Municipal Waste Management and Implementation of Decision Support Software in Astana, Kazakhstan

The city of Astana, capital of Kazakhstan with population of 804,474 generates approximately 1.39 kg/inh./day of municipal solid waste while collection rate is higher than 72% (MSW). An MBT plant of planned capacity of 600-800 tn/day and a new landfill cell of about 2 million tones are in place. Preliminary studies showed that the MSW composition is as follows: food and garden waste 29.5%, plastics 18.5%, paper 13%, glass 14.5%, textiles 9.5%, metals 0.9% and others 14.1%. About 23-34 tons of recyclables (paper, metal, glass, PET bottles, HDPE film, HDPE plastic, etc.) is separated in the existing MBT daily. In 2014 it is planned to implement separate waste collection in places of waste accumulation and a waste separation at source system. The purpose of the study is to assess the current situation of municipal solid waste in Astana and implement a Decision Support Software tool developed by the research team in order to analyse data, compare alternative waste management scenarios and propose a holistic approach in solid waste management planning. The latest available data on waste generation, composition and existing infrastructure were used in order to identify the baseline situation. This is the first research of this type conducted in Kazakhsta

PC image-based analysis system for particle characterization of deinked pulps

Journal ArticleA low cost PC image-based particle analysis system is being developed for particle characterization of deinked pulps at the University of Utah. Initial R&D efforts of such an image analysis system were made for on-line particle characterization in the mineral processing field but now it has been found to be applicable for the analysis of deinked pulps in the wastepaper recycling industry. Both the size and shape of ink particles in hand sheets and paper pulps for all three typical wastepaper resources (newsprint, xerographic, and magazine) can easily be determined by the image analysis system. Preliminary results indicate that the system is quite successful for the evaluation of products obtained from deinking air-sparged hydrocyclone (ASH) flotation tests. Quantitative analysis can give both the size and shape of ink particles for such products. In addition, the hardware and software used to implement this image analysis system are discussed. Finally, on-line instrumentation of such a system for the direct measurement of wastepaper pulp is considered as part of future research activities

Motivating change: An Interactive journey in sustainability in environmental concerns

Despite the grave environmental issues facing the world, little is being done to educate our future generation of consumers on resource consumption and waste generation. There is a need for major change in the approach to education about sustainability. In the classroom, environmental education has been presented statically through traditional teaching methods. Environmental education is evolving to include information on how a person\u27s efforts and behavior can affect global change. However, changes in education are not happening as rapidly as the deterioration of the environment. The sustainability of the environment requires action and reaction, therefore it requires a more interactive approach to education. Can education through interactivity result in major changes? Can the inclusion of computer graphics as an alternative approach to education promote and motivate change in a person\u27s behavior in relation to the environment? This thesis is an exploration of the role Computer Graphics can play in environmental education. It is divided into two main components, Design Center and Action Toolkit. Through interactive engagement of the user this thesis offers experiential learning that successfully communicates the issue of sustainability of the environment, creating the opportunity to develop a lasting change in their daily behavior

Fuzzy Rule-based Framework for Effective Control of Profitability in a Paper Recycling Plant

The rapid and constant growth of urban population has led to a dramatic increase in urban solid waste production, with a crucial socio-economic and environmental impact. As the demand for materials continues to grow and the supply of natural resources continues to dwindle, recycling of materials has become more important in order to ensure sustainability. Recycling is one of the best ways for citizens to make a direct impact on the environment. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions that may lead to global warming. Recycling also conserves the natural resources on Earth like plants, animals, minerals, fresh air and fresh water. Recycling saves space in the landfills for future generations of people. A sustainable future requires a high degree of recycling. Recycling industries face serious economic problems that increase the cost of recycling. This highlights the need of applying fuzzy logic models as one of the best techniques for effective control of profitability in paper recycling production to ensure profit maximization despite varying cost of production upon which ultimately profit, in an industry depend. Fuzzy logic has emerged as a tool to deal with uncertain, imprecise, partial truth or qualitative decision-making problems to achieve robustness, tractability, and low cost. In order to achieve our objective, a study of a knowledge based system for effective control of profitability in paper recycling is carried out. The root sum square of drawing inference is found to be the most suitable technique to infer data from the rules developed. This resulted in the establishment of some degrees of influence on the output. To reinforce the proposed approach, we apply it to a case study performed on Paper recycling industry in Nigeria. A computer simulation using the Matlab/Simulink and its Fuzzy Logic Tool Box is designed to assist the experimental decision for the best control action. The obtained simulation and implementation results are investigated and disc

Municipal solid waste management in Kazakhstan : astana and almaty case studies

The present paper provides an overview of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in Kazakhstan and focuses in more detail on two major cities, Astana, the new capital and Almaty, the former capital of the country. Legislation, current management policy, facilities and infrastructure, as well as typical solid waste quantity and composition are presented and analysed in detail in the light of the recently approved long-Term waste management plan. The analysis is supported by the implementation of a Decision Support Tool (DSS), which provides insights in waste management needs and supports comparison and ranking of Integrated Waste Management (IWMP) alternatives. Finally, a certain IWMP plan is proposed, which could be used as a basis for further detailed feasibility studies