Performance analysis of air source heat pumps using detailed simulations and comparison to field trial data

The take-up of heat pump technologies in the UK domestic sector has lagged far behind other countries in Europe and North America due primarily to the ready availability of cheap natural gas; this has led to the predominance of gas central heating systems in UK housing. However, with recent gas price volatility along with the depletion of the UK's natural gas reserves interest in heat pump technology, particularly Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) is growing as they have the potential to be a direct, low-carbon replacement for existing gas boiler systems. However, to-date there have been few detailed, simulation-based performance studies of ASHP systems. In this paper a robust, dynamic simulation model of an ASHP device is described. The ASHP model has been integrated into a whole-building model and used to analyse the performance of a retro-fit domestic ASHP heating system. The simulation results were then compared to field trial data

Groundwater trends in the central agricultural region

This report provides an update of groundwater data and interpretation for each of the hydrozones of the central agricultural region in Western Australia

Groundwater study of the Bullaring townsite

A groundwater study was carried out in the townsite of Bullaring, Western Australia. This report describes the town and its catchment, the hydrogeological investigation characterising groundwater flow systems within the townsite, and recommends actions for managing salinity risk

Groundwater study of the Wandering townsite

A groundwater study was carried out in the townsite of Wandering, Western Australia. This report describes the town and its catchment, the hydrogeological investigation characterising groundwater flow systems within the townsite, and recommends actions for managing salinity risk

Infill groundwater study of the Quairading townsite

An infill groundwater study of Quairading in Western Australia was carried out as part of the Rural Towns Program Community Bores Project to clarify reasons for localised moisture accumulation in buildings

Bioleaching of metal ions from low grade sulphide ore: Process optimization by using orthogonal experimental array design

The present work was aimed at studying the bioleachability of metal ions from low grade sulphide ore containing high amount of carbonaceous materials by selected moderately thermophilic strain of acidophilic chemolothotrophic bacteria, Sulfobacilllus thermosulfidooxidans. The bioleaching process was optimized by constructing L25 Taguchi orthogonal experimental array design and optimization of variable proportions of process parameters. Five factors were investigated and twenty five batchbioleaching tests were run under lower, medium and higher levels of these factors. The parameters considered for shake flask leaching experiments were initial pH (1.8, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5), particle size, (50, 100, 120, 200, 270 m), pulp density (1, 5, 10, 15, 25%), temperature (40, 45, 47, 52, 57oC) and agitation (100, 120, 180, 220, 280 rpm). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was also employed to determine significant relationship between experimental conditions and yield levels. The experimental results for selective leaching showed that under engineered leaching conditions; pH 1.8, particle size 120 m, pulp density 10%, temperature 47°C and agitation 180 rpm, the percent bioleachabilities of metals were Zn 72%, Co68%, Cu 78%, Ni 81% and Fe 70% with an inoculum size of 1.0 ×107 /mL

The state of ambient air quality in Pakistan—a review

Background and purpose: Pakistan, during the last decade, has seen an extensive escalation in population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, together with a great increase in motorization and energy use. As a result, a substantial rise has taken place in the types and number of emission sources of various air pollutants. However, due to the lack of air quality management capabilities, the country is suffering from deterioration of air quality. Evidence from various governmental organizations and international bodies has indicated that air pollution is a significant risk to the environment, quality of life, and health of the population. The Government has taken positive steps toward air quality management in the form of the Pakistan Clean Air Program and has recently established a small number of continuous monitoring stations. However, ambient air quality standards have not yet been established. This paper reviews the data being available on the criteria air pollutants: particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Methods: Air pollution studies in Pakistan published in both scientific journals and by the Government have been reviewed and the reported concentrations of PM, SO2, O3, CO, NO2, and Pb collated. A comparison of the levels of these air pollutants with the World Health Organization air quality guidelines was carried out. Results: Particulate matter was the most serious air pollutant in the country. NO2 has emerged as the second high-risk pollutant. The reported levels of PM, SO2, CO, NO2, and Pb were many times higher than the World Health Organization air quality guidelines. Only O3 concentrations were below the guidelines. Conclusions: The current state of air quality calls for immediate action to tackle the poor air quality. The establishment of ambient air quality standards, an extension of the continuous monitoring sites, and the development of emission control strategies are essential. © Springer-Verlag 2009

Capacity Optimization of Next-Generation UAV Communication Involving Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access †

Unmanned air vehicle communication (UAV) systems have recently emerged as a quick, low-cost, and adaptable solution to numerous challenges in the next-generation wireless network. In particular, UAV systems have shown to be very useful in wireless communication applications with sudden traffic demands, network recovery, aerial relays, and edge computing. Meanwhile, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been able to maximize the number of served users with the highest traffic capacity for future aerial systems in the literature. However, the study of joint optimization of UAV altitude, user pairing, and power allocation for the problem of capacity maximization requires further investigation. Thus, a capacity optimization problem for the NOMA aerial system is evaluated in this paper, considering the combination of convex and heuristic optimization techniques. The proposed algorithm is evaluated by using multiple heuristic techniques and deployment scenarios. The results prove the efficiency of the proposed NOMA scheme in comparison to the benchmark technique of orthogonal multiple access (OMA). Moreover, a comparative analysis of heuristic techniques for capacity optimization is also presented

National culture and tourist destination choice in the UK and Venezuela: an exploratory and preliminary study

National culture determines consumer attitudes and behaviour. While this holds true for tourism consumption, little research has sought to better understand the effect of culture on tourist destination choice. The geographical scope of analysis has also been restricted. This study employs the Hofstede’s cultural dimensions framework to conduct an exploratory, qualitative evaluation of the influence of the tourist cultural background on destination choice. It focuses on the UK and Venezuela, the two countries with significant cultural differences and forecast growth in outbound tourism. The study shows the distinct role of culture in tourist preferences for destination choice and structure of travel groups. The effect of culture is also recorded in how tourists research destinations prior to visit and perceive travel risks, thus ultimately influencing their motivation to travel. Recommendations are developed on how to integrate knowledge on the cultural background of tourists into tourism management and policy-making practices