Management arrangements for accommodating nonrice crops in rice-based irrigation systems: Proceedings of the First Progress Review and Coordination Workshop of the Research Network on Irrigation Management for Crop Diversification in Rice-Based Systems (IMCD), held in Quezon City, the Philippines, 10-14 December 1990

Irrigation management / Crops / Diversification / Rice / Irrigated farming / Policy / Research / Sri Lanka / Bangladesh / India / Indonesia / Malaysia / Nepal / Philippines / Thailand

Instrumentation and Evaluation of a Pilot Scale Fluidized Bed Biomass Gasification System

A pilot scale fluidized bed biomass gasifier developed at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas was instrumented with thermocouples, pressure transducers and motor controllers for monitoring gasification temperature and pressure, air flow and biomass feeding rates. A process control program was also developed and employed for easier measurement and control. The gasifier was then evaluated in the gasification of sorghum, cotton gin trash (CGT) and manure and predicting the slagging and fouling tendencies of CGT and manure. The expected start-up time, operating temperature and desired fluidization were achieved without any trouble in the instrumented gasifier. The air flow rate was maintained at 1.99 kg/min and the fuel flow rate at 0.95 kg/min. The process control program considerably facilitated its operation which can now be remotely done. The gasification of sorghum, CGT and manure showed that they contained high amounts of volatile component matter and comparable yields of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. Manure showed higher ash content while sorghum yielded lower amount of hydrogen. Their heating values and gas yields did not vary but were considered low ranging from only 4.09 to 4.19 MJ/m3 and from 1.8 to 2.5 m3/kg, respectively. The production of hydrogen and gas calorific values were significantly affected by biomass type but not by the operating temperature. The high values of the alkali index and base-to acid ratio indicated fouling and slagging tendencies of manure and CGT during gasification. The compressive strength profile of pelleted CGT and manure ash showed that the melting (or eutectic point) of these feedstock were around 800 degrees C for CGT and 600 degrees C for manure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed relatively uniform bonding behavior and structure of the manure ash while CGT showed agglomeration in its structure as the temperature increased. The instrumentation of the fluidized bed gasifier and employing a process control program made its operation more convenient and safe. Further evaluation showed its application in quantifying the gasification products and predicting the slagging and fouling tendencies of selected biomass. With further development, a full automation of the operation of the gasifier may soon be realized

Classification of Brain Hemorrhage using Textural Analysis

In order to assist in fast diagnosis of brain hemorrhage, computer-aided diagnosis have been developed in recent years. Image processing and analysis is considered to be an important area as technological tool for medical evaluation and diagnosis. With this, we decided to venture in the image processing and analysis of brain hemorrhage. Image processing comprises of different techniques and phases, wherein each techniques intend to contribute to the accuracy of medical diagnosis. With only few studies on image processing for the diagnosis of brain hemorrage, there is a need to improve the algorithm of image processing for accuracy and robustness

Classification of Brain Hemorrhage using Textural Analysis

In order to assist in fast diagnosis of brain hemorrhage, computer-aided diagnosis have been developed in recent years. Image processing and analysis is considered to be an important area as technological tool for medical evaluation and diagnosis. With this, we decided to venture in the image processing and analysis of brain hemorrhage. Image processing comprises of different techniques and phases, wherein each techniques intend to contribute to the accuracy of medical diagnosis. With only few studies on image processing for the diagnosis of brain hemorrage, there is a need to improve the algorithm of image processing for accuracy and robustness

Development of a Segregated Municipal Solid Waste Gasification System for Electrical Power Generation

Gasification technologies are expected to play a key role in the future of solid waste management since the conversion of municipal and industrial solid wastes to a gaseous fuel significantly increases its value. Municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification for electrical power generation was conducted in a fluidized bed gasifier and the feasibility of using a control system was evaluated to facilitate its management and operation. The performance of an engine using the gas produced was evaluated. A procedure was also tested to upgrade the quality of the gas and optimize its production. The devices installed and automated control system developed was able to achieve and maintain the set conditions for optimum gasification. The most important parameters of reaction temperature and equivalence ratio were fully controlled. Gas production went at a rate of 4.00 kg min-1 with a yield of 2.78 m3 kg-1 of fuel and a heating value (HV) of 7.94 MJ Nm-3. Within the set limits of the tests, the highest production of synthesis gas and the net heating value of 8.97 MJ Nm-3 resulted from gasification at 725°C and ER of 0.25 which was very close to the predicted value of 7.47 MJ Nm-3. This was not affected by temperature but significantly affected by the equivalence ratio. The overall engine-generator efficiency at 7.5 kW electrical power load was lower at 19.81% for gasoline fueled engine compared to 35.27% for synthesis gas. The pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system increased the net heating value of the product gas by an average of 38% gas over that of inlet gas. There were no traces of carbon dioxide in the product gas indicating that it had been completely adsorbed by the system. MSW showed relatively lower fouling and slagging tendencies than cotton gin trash (CGT) and dairy manure (DM). This was further supported by the compressive strength measurements of the ash of MSW, CGT and DM and the EDS elemental analysis of the MSW ash

Instrumentation and Evaluation of a Pilot Scale Fluidized Bed Biomass Gasification System

A pilot scale fluidized bed biomass gasifier developed at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas was instrumented with thermocouples, pressure transducers and motor controllers for monitoring gasification temperature and pressure, air flow and biomass feeding rates. A process control program was also developed and employed for easier measurement and control. The gasifier was then evaluated in the gasification of sorghum, cotton gin trash (CGT) and manure and predicting the slagging and fouling tendencies of CGT and manure. The expected start-up time, operating temperature and desired fluidization were achieved without any trouble in the instrumented gasifier. The air flow rate was maintained at 1.99 kg/min and the fuel flow rate at 0.95 kg/min. The process control program considerably facilitated its operation which can now be remotely done. The gasification of sorghum, CGT and manure showed that they contained high amounts of volatile component matter and comparable yields of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. Manure showed higher ash content while sorghum yielded lower amount of hydrogen. Their heating values and gas yields did not vary but were considered low ranging from only 4.09 to 4.19 MJ/m3 and from 1.8 to 2.5 m3/kg, respectively. The production of hydrogen and gas calorific values were significantly affected by biomass type but not by the operating temperature. The high values of the alkali index and base-to acid ratio indicated fouling and slagging tendencies of manure and CGT during gasification. The compressive strength profile of pelleted CGT and manure ash showed that the melting (or eutectic point) of these feedstock were around 800 degrees C for CGT and 600 degrees C for manure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed relatively uniform bonding behavior and structure of the manure ash while CGT showed agglomeration in its structure as the temperature increased. The instrumentation of the fluidized bed gasifier and employing a process control program made its operation more convenient and safe. Further evaluation showed its application in quantifying the gasification products and predicting the slagging and fouling tendencies of selected biomass. With further development, a full automation of the operation of the gasifier may soon be realized

Promoting crop diversification in rice-based irrigation systems: Proceedings of the Second Progress Review and Coordination Workshop of the Research Network on Irrigation Management for Crop Diversification in Rice-Based Systems (IMCD) held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from 9 to 12 September 1991

Rice / Crops / Diversification / Crop-based irrigation / Irrigation management / Research / Bangladesh / India / Indonesia / Malaysia / Nepal / Philippines / Sri Lanka / Thailand / Vietnam

Soil erosion management research in Asian catchments: Methodological approaches and initial results - Proceedings of the 5th Management of Soil Erosion Consortium (MSEC) Assembly, held at Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, 7-11 November 2000

Erosion / Runoff / Soil management / Soil conservation / Cost benefit analysis / Water resources development / Planning / Watershed management / Catchment areas / Rain / Simulation models / Maize / Soil degradation / Ecosystems / Farming systems / Weed control / Vertisols / Land use / Land management / Development plans / Public policy / Forestry / Hydrology / Monitoring / Asia / India / Indonesia / Java / Laos / Philippines / Thailand / Vietnam / Nepal

Irrigation management for rice-based farming systems in Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines: Proceedings of the Tri-Country Workshop held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 12-14 November 1990

Irrigation management / Farming systems / Rice / Irrigation systems / Bangladesh / Indonesia / Philippines

Soil Erosion Management in Catchments: Identifying Best Bet Options with Farmers' Participation

Abstract: Sustaining upland agriculture and food security is very much constrained by continuing land degradation brought by soil erosion in the sloping lands of Asia. With the primary purpose of developing and promoting sustainable and socially acceptable communitybased land management systems through a participatory and interdisciplinary approach, the Management of Soil Erosion Consortium (MSEC) started a project in 1998 with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and supervised by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Representative catchments were selected by using carefully defined criteria and methodological guidelines (IBSRAM, 1997). The baseline information were established through biophysical and socio-economic characterization of the sites. Up to five smaller subcatchments of various land uses were further delineated and instrumented soil erosion and hydrological studies. Monitoring of the socieoeconomic parameters was likewise undertaken. The best bet options were identified in consultation with the farmers. Observations showed the significant influence of land use and catchment size on soil erosion. Smaller and more intensively cultivated catchments yielded relatively higher soil loss Variants of the contour hedgerow farming in combination with soil fertility management, use of improved varieties and livestock integration were the primary interventions identified. Consultation with the farmers helped very much in the identification of the land management options that were introduced. While farmers are aware of soil erosion and its effects, their more active involvement increased their appreciation of looking at a longer time horizon. As they are aware of the declining productivity of their land, they were also interested in improving the fertility of their land. Because their immediate concern are the benefits in the short term, other sources of livelihood must also be explored