Evaluation of rape-seed oil production, extraction and use as fuel in modified diesel engines

End of project reportIt is now well established that rape-seed oil can provide a sustainable source of renewable fuel for diesel engines. The main problem is a high viscosity and vaporisation temperature, which could lead to pumping, atomisation and combustion difficulties. These problems can be overcome in either of two ways: by further processing of the oil to improve its pumping and combustion properties (usually achieved by esterification and layer separation to produce biodiesel) or by some peripheral modifications to the engine to allow it to cope with the more viscous fuel. Engine conversion kits for this purpose are widely available. The second option has attractions in Ireland, at least in the short-term, for a number of reasons. Plants can be established quickly, and so could make an immediate if small contribution to the achievement of Ireland’s substitution target in the Transport Biofuels Directive (Commission of European Communities, 2003). The small operating scale of coldpressing oil extraction plants could be achieved without undue difficulty, and the capital investment required to launch such a project is relatively low. In the event of a biodiesel plant being established at some stage in the future, the option of sourcing some of the oil requirement from these extraction plants would still be available.This study was commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland. The complete report has been published on their web-site (www.sei.ie)

Smart Growth: A Catalyst for Public-Interest Investment

Written by a former mayor of Seattle, this Article describes the smart growth movement as a way to sustain the livability of large urban centers in the twenty-first strategy. It describes some of the problems facing urban areas experiencing population growth, namely traffic, rising housing prices and a scarcity of open space. The smart growth movement seeks to address these problems in a cost efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Specifically, it seeks to do so through increased citizen participation in development decisions an constructive dialogue regarding development on individual neighborhoods. Ultimately, the goal of the movement is to make urban areas more attractive to live and work in, creating both investment and jobs. The Article also describes some of the community sacrifices required by the movement, including low-density residential neighborhoods, dependence on the automobile, and the separation of the middle and upper income households from the urban poor

An air-bearing weight offload system for ground test of heavy LSS structures

The capability and use of the Gravity Offload Facility (GOF) are discussed. Briefly explained are the: truss and base casting; carriage assembly; carriage weldment; vertical lift axis control; lifting cylinder; payload gimbal; motion base layout; and control processor

The PACTUM model: product analysis of cost and time using mathematics

Establishing a mathematical supply-chain model is a proposition that has received attention due to its inherent benefits of evolving global supply-chain efficiencies. This paper discusses the prevailing relationships found within apparel supply-chain environments, and contemplates the complex issues indicated for constituting a mathematical model. Principal results identified within the data suggest, that the multifarious nature of global supply-chain activities require a degree of simplification in order to fully dilate the necessary factors which affect, each sub-section of the chain. Subsequently, the research findings allowed the division of supply-chain components into sub-sections, which amassed a coherent method of product development activity. Concurrently, the supply-chain model was found to allow systematic mathematical formulae analysis, of cost and time, within the multiple contexts of each sub-section encountered. The paper indicates the supply-chain model structure, the mathematics, and considers how product analysis of cost and time can improve the comprehension of product lifecycle management

Magnetic domain formation in itinerant metamagnets

We examine the effects of long-range dipolar forces on metamagnetic transitions and generalize the theory of Condon domains to the case of an itinerant electron system undergoing a first-order metamagnetic transition. We demonstrate that within a finite range of the applied field, dipolar interactions induce a spatial modulation of the magnetization in the form of stripes or bubbles. Our findings are consistent with recent observations in the bilayer ruthenate Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, minor changes, references adde

Plant Populations and Row Widths for Diploid Sugar-beet Varieties.

End of Project ReportThe aim of this work was to see whether the introduction of diploid varieties, with their more erect leaf growth, would require any adjustment of the traditional plant spacing and row width recommendations for sugar beet. Five trials were carried out in 1996-98 in which the diploid variety Celt was sown at three row widths: 51, 56 and 61 cm. At each row width, seed spacings were adjusted to give four plant densities between 30,000 and 89,000 plants/ha. In four of the trials, field establishment was between 75 and 90%. In these trials, there was a slight increase in sugar yield with population up to 75,000 plants/ha, and little or no change above this level. There was a slight increase in extractability at higher populations, but not sufficient to have a significant effect on extractable sugar yield. In one trial where plant establishment was reduced by very cold weather, yield and sugar content continued to increase up to the highest plant count of 65,000 plants/ha. Over the five trials, there were no yield or quality differences between 51- and 56-cm rows. There was a reduction of 3.5% in extractable sugar yield in 61-cm rows, though this reached statistical significance in only one trial. Taking into account the high emergence that is normally achieved with diploid varieties, these results suggest that no change should be made to the seed spacings currently recommended for triploid varieties. For those using 61-cm rows, a small yield increase could probably be achieved by reducing row width.Teagasc acknowledges the support of Irish Sugar plc and Sugar Beet Levy Farmer Funds in the financing of this projec

An Experimental Method for Profit Maximization

This paper develops a procedure for locating profit maximizing operating conditions when the input variables are subject to control by the experimenter and observations on physical output may be taken subject to experimental error at any combination of these inputs. This procedure uses the Box-Wilson technique, a well-known statistical search procedure, together with the pria of the output and the cost of the inputs so as to search for maximum profit points rather than maximum output points. The result is an experimental search method which maximizes profit when the functional form of the physical response surface (production function) is unknown. In this case, of course, standard mathematical programming models are of no use in the absence of the required functional forms. This functional form, though unknown, is determined by the existing investment in capital equipment. These procedures, like the Box-Wilson technique, are more likely to be applicable to flow process reactor systems in the chemical and oil industries, but are certainly not limited to such applications