Average Monthly Production Research Articles

Designing Supply Chain Resilience With a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Approach at PT. XYZ

PT. XYZ is a leading company in the palm oil industry, but there are still problems that need to be addressed in its supply chain management. The problems include 3% product returns from cooking oil shipments to distributors under the brands Sania cooking oil, Fortune cooking oil, Sovia cooking oil, and Siip cooking oil. In addition, there are fluctuations in demand, an increase in demand of 170% with a demand of 20,774 tons and a decrease in demand of 59% with a demand of 7,225 tons at an average monthly production of 12,195 tons. This research aims to design Supply Chain Resilience with a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach. This QFD approach uses a 3-level HOQ. HOQ 1 assesses the relationship between customer needs and potential risks, resulting in risk prioritization. HOQ 2 assesses the relationship between potential risks and risk causes, resulting in the prioritization of risk causes. HOQ 3 assesses the relationship between risk causes and resilience measures, resulting in the prioritization of resilience measures. From the research results, 20 resilience measures were obtained and the 5 highest ranks were obtained as priority resilience measures, namely insurance, marketing quick response, product quality, customer relations, preventive maintenance and repair. The results of the resilience measure design are expected to be used as risk mitigation for the company.

Combination of value stream mapping (VSM) method and kanban system to reduce time waste in the production process of making parts for the four-wheel vehicle industry

Fulfilling orders from customers in the automotive industry is a necessity that inevitably causes problems that arise in product delivery to customers due to production delays and decreased production yields. The production process often experiences wasted time in the production process of four-wheeled vehicle spare parts. This research aims to reduce production process time, provide solutions to reduce waste and increase the number of four-wheeled vehicle spare parts produced. This research method uses the Lean Manufacturing (LM) approach by combining the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) method with Kanban system improvements, the application of Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and the Kaizen method. This research found that four factors cause waste in process time, including environmental factors, methods, humans, and machines. This research produces the right solution in the relay out of the Assembly and Final Inspection production processes, as well as the use of the e-kanban system in material and product inventory. The research results have reduced the production process time from 17.10 days to 10.05 days, meaning a decrease of 41.22%. This affected production results which increased from an average monthly production of 42,917 pcs to 60,157 pcs, meaning an increase of 128.65%.

Estimated greenhouse gas emissions in the Mbalmayo thermal power plant between 2016-2020 using the genetic-Gaussian algorithm coupling.

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories in our context result from the production of electricity from fuel oil at the Mbalmayo thermal power plant between 2016 and 2020. Our study area is located in the Central Cameroon region. The empirical method of the second level of industrialisation was applied to estimate GHG emissions and the application of the genetic algorithm-Gaussian (GA-Gaussian) coupling method was used to optimise the estimation of GHG emissions. Our work is of an experimental nature and aims to estimate the quantities of GHG produced by the Mbalmayo thermal power plant during its operation. The search for the best objective function using genetic algorithms is designed to bring us closer to the best concentration, and the Gaussian model is used to estimate the concentration level. The results obtained show that the average monthly emissions in kilograms (kg) of GHGs from the Mbalmayo thermal power plant are: 526 kg for carbon dioxide (CO2), 971.41 kg for methane (CH4) and 309.41 kg for nitrous oxide (N2O), for an average monthly production of 6058.12 kWh of energy. Evaluation of the stack height shows that increasing the stack height helps to reduce local GHG concentrations. According to the Cameroonian standards published in 2021, the limit concentrations of GHGs remain below 30 mg/m3 for CO2 and 200 μg/m3 for N2O, while for CH4 we reach the limit value of 60 μg/m3. These results will enable the authorities to take appropriate measures to reduce GHG concentrations.

Hydrocarbon production induced land deformation over Permian Basin; analysis using persistent scatterer interferometry and numerical modeling

The Permian Basin, encompassing Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas, has been an important source of oil and natural gas for over a century for the United States. With recent advancements in petroleum extraction methods, such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, production has increased exponentially. Such rapid developments, along with the disposal of wastewater back into the subsurface, have caused significant changes in the stress regime of the region’s subsurface, resulting in various geohazards including land subsidence. In this work, we used the Sentinel-1C-band SAR dataset acquired between 2016 and 2021 to measure the basin-wide deformation over the entire Permian Basin. We utilized Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) technique to produce the time-series deformation at millimeter-level accuracy. The average monthly production and injection volumes and well depths over the Delaware Basin in New Mexico were calculated for each well and the impact of the hydrocarbon activities on the deformation was modeled using a distributed point source model from fluid volume and well depth data. The results show that the Permian Basin was deforming at a rate of 3–4 cm/yr., with two large pockets of deformation to the north of the Grisham Fault Zone (GFZ) in the Delaware Basin. The region south of the GFZ shows complex deformation features with linear patterns, indicating the presence of faults hindering fluid flow. Some areas in the Delaware Basin also show an uplift, especially along the Texas side of the border driven by shallow wastewater injection. The Midland Basin is also affected by subsidence with several localized subsidence zones identified in the region. Further, the Midland Basin experienced an increase in intensity and the spatial distribution of the deformation over the last few years. Given both production and injection well data, the modeled deformation results agree with the observed except in two pockets. When only production data is used for the modeling, the modeled deformation shows better agreement with the observed, especially in the interior of New Mexico. The modeling results suggest that the deep wastewater injection has minimal impact on surface deformation in the region. Additionally, it is also possible that the region has undergone inelastic deformation. While we used an elastic model in this preliminary study, a more accurate study requires regional poroelastic modeling to study the interaction between the solid subsurface and fluid hydrocarbons in detail.

A randomized field trial assessing the timing of postpartum calcium bolus administration on milk yield of multiparous Holstein cows

Recent studies have shown that cows with subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) at 4 d in milk (DIM), regardless of their blood Ca concentration before that time point, suffer from an increased early-lactation disease risk and reduced milk yield, whereas cows experiencing a transient reduction in blood Ca that regain normocalcemia by 4 DIM are at a reduced risk of disease and have greater milk yields. With a goal of improving outcomes for dyscalcemic cows with SCH at 4 DIM, our primary objective was to assess the effect of a herd-level oral Ca bolus strategy that delayed supplementation to 24 and 48 h postpartum on productive performance of multiparous Holstein cows. Our secondary objectives were to assess the effects of delayed Ca bolus supplementation on blood Ca concentration, disease incidence within 30 DIM, and pregnancy risk to first service. At calving, multiparous cows on a single commercial dairy farm in Iran were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) control, no Ca bolus administration (CON; n = 95); (2) traditional bolus, one Ca bolus administered immediately following calving and a second Ca bolus administered 24 h after calving (TRD, n = 102); or (3) experimental bolus, one Ca bolus administered 24 h after calving with a second Ca bolus administered 48 h after calving (EXP, n = 99). Blood samples were collected at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and 7 d after parturition, with sampling occurring before bolus administration for the TRD (0 and 24 h) and EXP (24 and 48 h) groups. A general linear mixed model was created to analyze the change milk yield over the first 4 monthly tests and serum Ca concentrations over 7 DIM. Given the lack of disease events diagnosed within 30 DIM, no statistical analysis was conducted for this outcome. The effect of treatment group on risk of pregnancy to first service was assessed using Poisson regression. The incidence of dyscalcemia within CON cows was 72%. We found no difference in mean monthly milk yield among treatment groups across the first 4 tests, with an average monthly production of 51.8 ± 8.8 kg/d for CON cows, 52.5 ± 8.7 kg/d for TRD cows, and 51.8 ± 8.7 kg/d for EXP cows. Mean blood Ca concentration also did not differ across 7 DIM among treatment groups and was 2.04 mmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.00 to 2.07 mmol/L] for CON cows, 2.06 mmol/L (95% CI = 2.03 to 2.09 mmol/L) for TRD cows, and 2.09 mmol/L (95% CI = 2.05 to 2.12 mmol/L) for EXP cows. The risk of pregnancy to first service was numerically greater for CON than TRD and EXP cows but not statistically different; however, our study was underpowered for this outcome. Under the conditions of our study, our findings suggest that delaying oral Ca bolus supplementation to 24 and 48 h postpartum has no effect on milk production across the first 4 monthly tests.

General methodology and optimization for the analysis of bottoming cycle cogeneration

This paper aimed to develop a general calculation methodology for bottoming cycle cogeneration. The methodology considered the simultaneous generation of heat, power and cold; the energy rate demands curves of the process; the storage of cold thermal energy; the local environmental conditions for the calculations of the electricity generated; the performance coefficients of chillers; and the commercialization of electricity and carbon credits. The methodology shows the main performance indexes for bottoming cycle cogeneration, as well as the results of the minimum requirements for the cogeneration unit qualification, besides environmental and economic gains. A case study done for a small steel mill with 5,500 tons of pig iron average monthly production shown that ambient temperature and altitude influence remarkably on the electricity generation and cold production. It is observed that at lower ambient temperature and altitude, higher values of electricity generation and cold are given. Average environmental gains with electricity and fuel can reach 1,862,212 kg(CO2-Eq)/TT and 562,728 kg(CO2-Eq)/TT, respectively. Average economic gains from electricity, fuel and carbon credits can reach 1,893,249 US$/TT, 88,578US$/TT and 124,933 US$/TT, respectively. Performance indexes shown 26.15 % of energy efficiency, 1,326.78 kW of primary energy consumption reduction, 4,395.60 kW of primary energy saving and 6.085 % of primary energy savings gain. The presented methodology could assist governmental and non-governmental agencies in the elaboration of standards and laws to verify the performance indexes, environmental gains, and economic viability study of bottoming cycle cogeneration projects.

Local production of alcohol-based hand rub to optimize hand hygiene facility in healthcare settings during COVID-19

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) remains arguably the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ultimately improve the prospect of patient safety. Studies have shown that as many as 50%–70% of infections are transmitted through hands due to poor HH practices. HH with use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is preferred over handwashing with soap and water because of its wide microbial efficacy, time efficiency, and improved skin tolerance. It is also well known that ABHR can be used as an effective prevention measure during disease outbreaks. Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, health facilities in Sierra Leone have been challenged with HH infrastructural problems such as lack of sinks with constant running water. Before Sierra Leone recorded its first case of COVID-19 in March 2020, the consumption of ABHR in the health facilities was estimated to be 24,000 L per year, which doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for commercially available ABHR increased, leading to acute shortages. The estimated cost of the locally produced ABHR ~$2–3 per 500 mL, although it may cost up to $10 for 500 mL when buying imported ABHR products from the local market. Methods: All ingredients were procured locally, and ABHR production was based on WHO formula 1. The production was set for 12 months to cover the estimated annual consumption of ABHR, with periodic monitoring to ensure effective distribution and availability at the point of care. Analysis of assessment results in 12 hospitals from the pre-COVID-19 era (2019) to the COVID-19 era (2021) was performed based on the WHO IPC Assessment Framework (IPCAF) indicator. Results: With an average monthly production of 3,482 L, a total of 41,780 L ABHR was produced and packaged in branded 500-mL containers for distribution to healthcare facilities. This quantity exceeded the estimated demand for ABHR during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data show a considerable increase (from 25% to 44%) in the number of available and functioning HH stations with mainly locally produced ABHR. Results from the monitoring of 575 peripheral health units (PHUs) in 2021 also showed that >67% of PHUs had HH facilities in all clinical areas and that the locally produced ABHR was used in 79% of these HH stations. Conclusions: Locally produced ABHR has shown to be a cost-effective and evidence-based intervention to optimize HH at the point of care. Therefore, localities are encouraged to undertake this realistic and sustainable approach to address issues of acute shortage of ABHR, especially during a global pandemic.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Life cycle analysis to estimate CO2 e emissions from forest harvesting systems in intensively managed Pinus radiata plantations

ABSTRACT A Life Cycle Analyses (LCA) assessment was evaluated comparing three harvesting systems on intensively managed Pinus radiata (radiata pine) plantations growing in the Biobío Region, Chile. Evaluated systems considered semi-mechanized, mechanized, and tower logging in steep slope forest operations. Our LCA study focused on CO2 e emissions from six harvesting activities: felling, logging, processing, sorting, loading, and transportation, all under the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. The average and maximum monthly production scenarios were the highest for the semi-mechanized system with 24 and 25.2 kg CO2 e m−3, followed by the tower logging with 23.2 and 24.5 kg CO2 e m−3 and, lastly, the mechanized system with 11 and 12.1 kg CO2 e m−3. Similar to other studies, harvesting phases that contributed the most were logging, loading and transport. Concerning LCA stages, forest equipment operation generated the highest CO2 e level across the three harvesting systems where fuel consumption was the activity that contributed with 76% of CO2 e for the mechanized system, and 50% in the case of the tower logging and semi-mechanized systems. The mechanized system had the highest fuel use efficiency and the lowest CO2 e emissions.

EFFICIENCY OF LAND TRANSFORMATION IN THE LAND OF SOLAR ENERGY (KREMENCHUK TOWN AS AN EXAMPLE)

The article considers the problems of modern use of urban areas, which are mostly related with the lack of reasonable scientifically and economically rational land policy. The issues of rational urban land using and land management in settlements have been studied by many domestic scientists, but to achieve the goal of rational and efficient land using, there is a need to continue research on these issues, especially at the regional and local levels. In particular, this applies to the formation of the mechanism of payment for land in conditions where the collection of taxes on labor and entrepreneurship significantly exceeds the amount of payment for land and other natural resources. The article gives an example of effective transformation of reserve lands which are not provided for permanent use and rent, located in the peripheral zone of the city, in the land of solar energy. The issue is considered from the standpoint of the value of unused urban land in their ability to generate additional income. Calculations to determine the efficiency of land transformation in the land of solar energy were made on the example of the commissioned solar power plant LLC «NOVE TEPLO", which is in the northern industrial hub of Kremenchuk, Poltava region, which covers an area of ​​150.00 hectares, and the total capacity of installed solar panels 75 MW. The total income of land transformation from reserve lands to solar energy lands for 10 years and rent income from 150 hectares of land for the specified period for reserve lands in Kremenchuk according to the values ​​of capitalized rent income standards are determined. The total income after the transformation of land was almost 300 times higher than the total income received before the transformation. Rating of ground-based SES was created by using the PV GIS web application. This tool allows you to estimate the average monthly and annual energy production from a solar electrical system connected to the grid. PV GIS calculates the optimal slope and slope exposure, which maximizes annual energy production.

Perencanaan Produksi Agregat CV XYZ Dengan Jumlah Tenaga Kerja Tetap

CV XYZ is a growing plywood company. In increasing the company's competitiveness, CV XYZ seeks to find more ideal production planning for the company. The difference between supply and demand of CV XYZ has a total gap of 7,676 m3 over a period of 30 months. This proves that the current CV XYZ production planning is not ideal to be able to keep up with fluctuating demand. This study aims to analyze medium term production planning. Demand forecasting method is used to determine demand in the coming 12 months period. To compare the current CV XYZ strategy with the level, chase, mixed strategy. Based on calculations that have been made using demand and CV XYZ production variables, it is known that the ideal method used for future production planning is the chase strategy. The chase strategy focuses on eliminating existing inventory in the company, using adjusting the number of working days to the number of demands, as well as purchasing units from subcontracts. The use of a chase strategy has a 43% lower cost impact. In 2017-2018, the average monthly production cost is Rp1,633,316,531 to Rp930,905,200. Keywords: demand forecasting, aggregate planning, level strategy, chase strategy, mixed strategy

ANALYSIS OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PRODUCTIVITY AND WORKIN CONDITIÓN IN THE MACANA SECTOR. CANTON GUALACEO; PROVINCE OF AZUAY

The research developed corresponds to the applied economy, seeking to determine a relationship between the working conditions developed by the artisans, who use the ikat technique and the level of productivity. The research was developed under a mixed approach, not experimental descriptive and with a correlational scope; For this, the information obtained from the survey was based on 36 artisans from the sectors of Bullcay and Bulzhun of the canton of Gualaceo; in which the data obtained from the working condition and the average monthly production of the activity were considered. It is important to mention that the results establish that the work condition is regular, due to the fact that its activity is carried out in inadequate areas and with an investment in time longer than the 8 hours established in the country's Labor Code. With respect to production, the average obtained is 7 monthly macanas; Finally, it was found that there is a correlation between the level of productivity and conditions of perfect positive work, because it presents a correlation coefficient p = 1. The presented analysis suggests that other significant variables can be associated with productivity, as it is a factor key to the sustainability of this activity.

Building Construction Labour Productivity in Arid Climate Environment

Abstract Productivity is a significant aspect of construction industry that plays vital role for success and failure of any construction project. This industry generates 11% to 13% of GDP all around the globe and the cost of labour in any building project is 20% to 35% of the cost of Building. On daily basis labour utilizes 30% of time on productive activities rest 70% of the time is ruined in non-productive activities, there are multi factors which are affecting the labour production in construction industry hence this study provides an overview of productivity, Total Factor productivity, method used to measure accurate productivity in construction projects. The objective of this study is find out percentage up to what extent labour production is affected due to weather conditions, however this study is carried out in arid climate region in Month of June 2018, where minimum temperature was recorded 26.0 Celsius degree at 7:30 AM and Maximum was 47.80 Celsius degree at 3:00 PM. A descriptive survey research design approach was adopted using continuous observation method of study. Project work study manual served as the research instrument to collect the data on selected building sites for 30 working days. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statics. The results show that average monthly production of mason gang was recorded with less production of 28.759%, Carpentry gang with average monthly loss of production 16.74% & steel fixer gang had average monthly loss of production was 12.188. This concludes that prior to signing the contract for construction project. The location, environment, topography of region, capacity of construction operatives must be kept in mind to decide the proper timeline for the successful of project.

Developing and evaluating threshold-based algorithms to detect drinking behavior in dairy cows using reticulorumen temperature

In this study, we assessed for the first time the use of a reticuloruminal temperature bolus and a thresholding method to detect drinking events and investigated different factors that can affect drinking behavior. First, we validated the detection of drinking events using 16 cows that received a reticuloruminal bolus. For this, we collected continuous drinking behavior data for 4 d using video recordings and ambient and water temperature for the same 4 d. After all the data were synchronized, we performed 2 threshold algorithms: a general-fixed threshold and a cow-day specific threshold algorithm. In the general-fixed threshold, a positive test was considered if the temperature of any cow fell below a fixed threshold; in the cow-day specific threshold, a positive test was considered when the temperature of specific cows fell below the threshold value deviations around the mean temperature of the cow for that day. The former was evaluated using a threshold varying between 35.7 and 39.5°C, and the latter using the formula μ-n10σ, where µ = mean of the temperature of each cow for one day, n = 1, 2, …, 20, and σ = standard deviation of the temperature of each cow on that day. The performance of the validation of detection using each of the threshold types was computed using different metrics, including overall accuracy, precision, recall (also known as sensitivity), F-score, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false discovery rate, false omission rate, and Cohen's kappa statistic. The findings of the first study showed that the cow-day specific threshold of n = 10 performed better (true positives = 466; false positives = 167; false negatives = 165; true negatives = 8,416) than using a general-fixed threshold of 38.1°C (true positives = 449; false positives = 181; false negatives = 182; true negatives = 8,402). With the information gained in this first study, we investigated the different factors associated with temperature drop characteristics per cow: number of drops, mean amplitude of the drop, and mean recovery time. For this, we used data from 54 cows collected for almost 1 yr to build a mixed-effect multilevel model that included days in milk, parity, average monthly milk production, and ambient temperature as explanatory variables. Cow characteristics and ambient temperature had significant effects on drinking events. Our results provide a platform for automated monitoring of drinking behavior, which has potential value in prediction of health and welfare in dairy cattle.

An estimation of monthly propagation of dengue vector Aedes aegypti in rainwater filled tires

Present study was designed to estimate the average monthly production rate of Ae. aegypti in a rainwater filled bus/truck tire (1.041 m) and car tire (0.737 m) as well as in bus/truck tire lodged with pondwater which are lacking. An average of 3957 Ae. aegypti propagated from single rainwater filled bus/truck tire which was significantly higher than the average number of them produced in a rainwater filled car tire and a pondwater lodged bus/truck tire in a rainy month. Higher water holding capacity might be the cause of difference between the bus/truck tire and the car tire. On other hand, difference in multiple physio-chemical aspects between rainwater and pondwater seemed to be the determining factor to make difference in mosquito breeding potential in a bus/truck tire. It is assumed from the present study that an open dumping ground of discarded tires may account for huge production of Ae. aegypti. Discarded tires are recommended to be kept under shade or covered with polythene-sheet or apertures be made underside each tire for draining out the accumulated rainwater.

Influence of seasonal factors in the earned value of construction

Abstract The objectives in each construction process can be multiple. However, the constructions have to be carried out under some restrictions concerning price and terms. They constitute some strategic and interdependent goals. In other words, “time is money”. Several papers support that seasonal effects influence the execution rate of construction. Thus, most of them try to improve the forecasts by evaluating and joining them to the planning, although always measuring their influence indirectly. In this paper, we suggest a methodology to directly measure the influence of the seasonal factors as a whole over the earned value of construction. Additionally, we apply it to a certain case study regarding the subsidised housing of public promotion in the Castilla-La Mancha region (Spain). It is worth mentioning that our results are clarified: we have calculated the average monthly production for each month a year with respect to the annual monthly mean. Moreover, the differences regarding the average monthly production we have contributed are quite significant, and hence they have to be taken into account for each earned value forecast so that a project becomes reliable.

Hubungan Produk Tahu dan Tempe dalam Optimalisasi Laba (Keuntungan Maksimum) pada UD Wahyu di Kota Denpasar

Relationship of Products Tofu and Tempeh for the Optimization of Profits(Maximum Profits) at UD Wahyu in Denpasar City
 UD Wahyu is one of the largest industry tofu and tempeh in Denpasar, proved by itsability of the average monthly production reached 167.36 tons of tofu and 51.76 tonsof tempeh. Problem faced by UD Wahyu is the selling price of tofu and tempehremain the same every year and uncertain incurred costs causing change profits overtime. The purposes of the research are to determine the production relationshipbetween tofu and tempeh and to find out the optimal production of tofu and tempehby UD Wahyu. Data collected by in-depth interview to the owner and observation tothe local site of production. Data analysis techniques was using regression andmaximum profit analysis by the marginal cost approach. The results showed thatproduction relationship between tofu and tempeh is complementary. It means thatany increase of tofu production will be followed by an increase in tempehproduction. The optimal monthly production of tofu amounted to 69.582 tons and theoptimal production of tempeh every month prevailed into two options, amounted to32.3073 tons and 43.9101 tons respectively. Profits earned by UD Wahyu fromproduction of 32.073 tons tempeh and 69.582 tons tofu between Rp 44.618.449 andRp 147.989.431. While profits earned by UD Wahyu production of tempeh 43.9101tons and tofu 69.582 tons between Rp 112.318.141 and Rp 215.689.123. Averageproduction of tofu and tempeh at UD Wahyu every month still exceeds the optimalproduction. To control costs, UD Wahyu is recommended to work on the optimalproduction.

Biological aspects of the associations of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in two saline rivers of the Elton Lake Basin, Russia

We studied species composition, density, biomass and production of larvae of the family Ceratopogonidae in two saline rivers (Volgograd region, Russia). Ceratopoponids make up an important part of macroinvertebrate community in these rivers. Average monthly production (dry weight) of ceratopogonid larvae in the rivers was 3.5–4.8gm–2 month–1 in May and ~0.9gm–2 month–1 in August. For the first time, feeding spectra of ceratopogonid larvae, Palpomyia schmidti Goetghebuer, 1934, was studied using fatty acid analyses. The larvae of P. schmidti appeared to selectively consume diatoms and other algae and to avoid bacteria and decomposed dead organic matter (detritus) of low nutritive quality.

Successful establishment of commercial farming of carrageenophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii Doty (Doty) in Sri Lanka: Economics of farming and quality of dry seaweed

Kappaphycus alvarezii seed material was brought from Malaysia in 2011 to initiate cultivation in Sri Lanka. After conducting trial cultivation, the results were found encouraging and commercial farming was started in mid-2012 at Valaipadu village. The average daily growth rates (ADGRs) using bamboo raft method were varied from 3.44 ± 0.12 to 4.45 ± 0.85% in 2014 and 3.47 ± 0.33 to 4.51 ± 0.58% in 2015, whereas using the monoline method, the same were 2.99 ± 71 to 3.95 ± 0.55% in 2014 and 2.44 ± 1.14 to 4.22 ± 0.37% in 2015. ADGR% decreased with increasing seawater temperature (p = −788, r = 0.01) and was positively correlated with water motion (p = 820, r = 0.001). The average monthly production of dry seaweed of a family of three members was 1359 to 1800 kg, and their monthly income ranged between US$465 and 615. The qualities of dry weed produced in 2014 in terms of moisture, clean anhydrous weed, soluble salt, impurities, and C/s ratio were 34.20 ± 3.47, 40.18 ± 3.77, 25.04 ± 2.39, 0.56 ± 0.46, and 1.42 ± 0.35, respectively, whereas in 2015, the values were 34.08 ± 1.81, 39.20 ± 3.62, 25.24 ± 1.90, 1.44 ± 0.50, and 1.46 ± 0.37%. The yield of SRC manufactured at commercial level was 34.64 ± 2.36% and its water and KCl gel strengths were 430 ± 147.88 and 871 ± 166.30 g cm−2, respectively. The absorbance of SRC sample at 1257, 1074, 929, and 846 cm−1 in IR spectrum confirms that it was a kappa kind of carrageenan. Results of commercial cultivation of K. alvarezii in the present investigation showed that Sri Lanka has good potential to create additional income for coastal people through its farming and produce quality dry weed for the carrageenan industries.

Holistic performance appraisal of a photovoltaic system

During this research, performance of a 2.45 kWp PV system was evaluated over a period of 5 years. International electrotechnical committee (IEC) standard, IEC 61724: 1998 and a robust mathematical model were used as a guide for the purpose. Performance of the system was closely monitored during the dry winter season. Annual production decreased from 3463.8 kWh to 3370.9 kWh and the capacity utilisation factor decreased from 16.14% to 15.71% over the period. Monthly production was stochastic, but the average monthly production curve followed the same trend as incident global horizontal radiation with low production during dry winter months. Performance ratio was above 90% at the beginning of dry winter month, it then decreased to less than 70% after three months. A mathematical model based on five parameter model and one diode equation was then used to extract essential cell parameters and simulate performance of the system. Statistical indices were computed to assess performance of the model against measurement data. Hence the quality factor of the PV system was computed and was found to be between 60% and 100% with an average of 87% in the dry winter month.

Real-Time Analysis of Energy Generation of a Photovoltaic System Installed in the City of Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul

Considering successive and costly increases in electricity rates, this article evaluates the generation of electricity from a photovoltaic system using solar energy, a renewable source. The solar photovoltaic system is installed at UNIVATES University Center, a public university in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and it is also connected to the electrical grid. Data related to the climatic conditions of the location, such as incident solar radiation, rainfall, and mean temperature, were obtained during the system's evaluation period and used along with bibliographic research on similar systems installed in southern Brazil. Our study quantified the energy produced over one calendar year (2014) and related it to the climatic variables and the conversion efficiency achieved by the system's photovoltaic modules. Our results show that there is both a strong relationship between the production of energy and climatic conditions and that the city, Lajeado, and the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, have good potential to supply energy using photovoltaic systems connected to the electrical grid. The horizontal global solar radiation average obtained in the study location was 4.14 kilowatts per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), and the average monthly production of energy reached 243.93 kWh/m2/month, with a total of 2,927.10 kWh produced in 2014, achieving a monthly average conversion efficiency of 11.07%. This conversion efficiency is close to the value of 12.6% obtained in 2013 in a similar study of the same solar photovoltaic system conducted over a shorter time period.