Unit Consumption Research Articles

A Taguchi-SQP Approach for Minimizing Energy per Unit Diesel Production at Crude Distillation Unit

Crude distillation unit (CDU) is one of the largest energy consumer units in a refinery. It consumes around 35-40% of the total process energy in refinery. This paper presents a systematic approach for selecting optimization variables using Taguchi method. These variables are subsequently employed in minimizing energy consumption per unit diesel production at CDU. A steady state model of the CDU was developed under the HYSYS 7.2 environment and utilized to demonstrate the efficacy of this method. Optimum energy consumption per unit diesel production obtained from Taguchi were validated by comparing the results with those obtained from HYSYS built-in SQP solver. The results reveal that the combination of Taguchi and SQP solver can reduce CPU time for optimization purposes.

Trends Of Change Regarding Poverty In The Republic Of Serbia In The Period 2006-2010

Abstract The purpose of the study was to assess poverty in Serbia in the period 2006-2010. This paper analyzes the percentage of the poor by: type of neighborhood, regional distribution, household type, age, involvement of children and adults, level of education and socio - economic status of the household. The following methods of descriptive statistics were applied: the average value of the appearance, the interval of variation, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and the rate of change. It points to the differences in the values of consumer units denominated in RSD, which is used as a threshold for determining the percentage of the poor population. The research results indicate that the poorest are multi-member households and adults at the age of 19-24.

An Intelligent Energy Metering Using Zigbee and Arm7

Traditional meter reading for electricity consumption and billing is done by human operator from houses to houses and building to building. This requires huge number of labor operators and long working hour to achieve complete area data reading and billing. Human operator billing or prone to reading error as sometime the houses electric power meter is place in a location where it is not easily accessible. The concept is to reduce the time delay .Hence it need not wait for the slack time of other previously task .The power management system is consists of Zigbee Digital Power meters installed in every consumer unit and an Electricity e-Billing system at the energy provider side. The Zigbee Digital Power meter (ZPM) is a single phase digital kWh power meter with embedded Zigbee modem which utilize the Wireless sensor network to send its power usage reading using information back to the energy provider wirelessly.

Confirmation of in vitro and clinical safety assessment of behentrimonium chloride-containing leave-on body lotions using post-marketing adverse event data

Behentrimonium chloride (BTC) is a straight-chain alkyltrimonium chloride compound commonly used as an antistatic, hair conditioning, emulsifier, or preservative agent in personal care products. Although the European Union recently restricted the use of alkyltrimonium chlorides and bromides as preservatives to ⩽0.1%, these compounds have been safely used for many years at ⩽5% in hundreds of cosmetic products for other uses than as a preservative. In vitro, clinical, and controlled consumer usage tests in barrier-impaired individuals were conducted to determine if whole body, leave-on skin care products containing 1–5% BTC cause dermal irritation or any other skin reaction with use. BTC-containing formulations were predicted to be non-irritants by the EpiDerm® skin irritation test and the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP)/chorioallantoic membrane vascular assay (CAMVA) ocular irritation test battery. No evidence of allergic contact dermatitis or cumulative dermal irritation was noted under the exaggerated conditions of human occlusive patch tests. No clinically assessed or self-reported adverse reactions were noted in adults or children with atopic, eczematous, and/or xerotic skin during two-week and four-week monitored home usage studies. These results were confirmed by post-marketing data for five body lotions, which showed only 0.69 undesirable effects (mostly skin irritation) reported per million shipped consumer units during 2006–2011; a value consistent with a non-irritating body lotion. No serious undesirable effects were reported during in-market use of the products. Therefore, if formulated in appropriate conditions at 1–5%, BTC will not cause dermal irritation or delayed contact sensitization when used in a whole-body, leave-on product.

Modelo para setorizar redes de distribuição de água baseado nas características das unidades consumidoras

Além dos custos diretos, a ocorrência de rupturas na rede de distribuição de água tem sempre consequências sociais associadas, principalmente pela interrupção do abastecimento de água durante a reparação da infraestrutura. Nesses casos, a setorização da rede torna mais fácil qualquer atividade de manutenção. Porém, além do elevado custo da alocação de válvulas de fechamento, as normas brasileiras sobre setorização das redes dizem respeito apenas a questões técnicas que devem ser obedecidas. Portanto, propõe-se uma setorização que também incorpore a intensidade do impacto gerado pela falta de água em cada trecho da tubulação. Para medir esse impacto é proposto um índice de priorização que agrega as características das unidades consumidoras por meio do método multicritério SMARTER. Assim, desenvolve-se um modelo de setorização para manobra que leva em consideração esse índice, buscando a maximização dos benefícios gerados e a minimização do número de válvulas de fechamento.

The Impact of Agriculture and Home Economics in National Development

Effective solutions to ecological problems must be based upon recognition of the diversity that exists in rural settings around the world (Slayter-Thomas et al. 1991). Prescriptive action must also recognize the very significant role of women in managing natural resources in a nation’s development with appropriate target conservation messages and techniques. Thus, family is an important income-earning and consuming decision-making unit in all developing country societies, and it should be a focal point for efforts to put adequate food within reach of all people (Seltzer 1980). Ipso facto, there is clearly a need for an integrated, holistic approach to training and extension, and to expand curricular content in a way that relates the local environment to the global community, and that relates macro and micro levels of interaction. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n5p65

Reactive power excess charging in grid-connected PV systems in Brazil

This paper proposes a simple approach to treat an as yet undiscussed problem: reactive power excess charging in electrical consumer units that install PV generators under the energy compensation system in Brazil. Under ANEEL regulation RN 482/2012, about mini and micro distributed generation, the installation of PV generators will be allowed to offset electricity consumption. This will cause the power factor of the consumer unit to fall, permitting utilities to charge for a reactive power excess, lessening the economic attractiveness of PV systems. This charge will discourage measures to bring higher quality to these systems, such as changing the power factor to reduce the increase in voltage at the point of common coupling caused by the energy's feeding into the grid.

큰느타리버섯의 모의 수출운송과정에서 소포장 적용에 따른 품질변화 비교

큰느타리버섯 수출과정에서의 운송 포장방법으로서 현지 판매에 바로 적용할 수 있는 소포장 기술의 적용 가능성을 조사하였다. 5월 하순에 수확하여 <TEX>$4^{\circ}C$</TEX>로 예냉한 버섯을 2kg 단위 PE 필름봉지 대포장과 판매용 소포장 3개 방식을 적용한 후 4주 및 5주 모의운송 기간을 거쳤다. 기존의 2kg 대포장 버섯은 운송 후 소포장을 하였고 운송 단계에서부터 소포장을 적용한 버섯은 그 상태로 각각 7일간 저온유통 후 품질을 비교하였다. 소포장 방법은 400g 폴리프로필렌 봉지(PPB), 200g 스티로폼 트레이 + 랩핑(STW) 및 200g PET용기(PETC) 포장으로 구분하였다. 운송 조건은 <TEX>$0.5^{\circ}C$</TEX>로 설정한 소형 저장실에서 수행하였고 현지 저온유통은 <TEX>$7^{\circ}C$</TEX>로 설정한 저온 챔버를 활용하여 모의하였다. 모의 운송 중 포장 내부 MA 환경은 2kg 봉지 대포장의 경우 <TEX>$O_2$</TEX> 2% 이하 + <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 10% 이상으로써 장해 발생이 우려되는 수준까지 조성된 반면, PPB, PETC 소포장 운송 시에는 <TEX>$O_2$</TEX> 농도가 상대적으로 높은 경향이었고 STW 소포장에서는 MA 조성 효과가 미미하였다. 유통 7일간 적용한 소포장의 내부 MA 환경은 짧은 기간임에도 불구하고 PPB, PETC 포장에서 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 농도가 매우 높은 수준으로 상승하는 경향을 보였다. 이취, 갈변 정도를 반영한 전반적인 상품성은 2kg 대포장 운송 후 현지에서 재선별을 거쳐 소포장을 하는 방식과 운송초기부터 PPB, PETC 소포장 방식을 적용한 경우 모두에서 우수 수준 이상의 품질이 유지되었고 처리 간 뚜렷한 차이는 없었다. 다만, MA 조성 효과가 낮았던 STW 포장에서는 품질 저하가 빠르게 진행되어 운송 포장으로는 부적합한 것으로 판단되었다. 현장 적용 시 작업 효율과 안정적인 품질유지를 고려할 때, 큰느타리버섯의 5주 운송 + 현지유통 7일로 설정한 수출과정에서 운송에 적합한 포장방법으로는 기존 방식인 <TEX>$30{\mu}m$</TEX> PE 2kg 대포장 방식보다는 <TEX>$30{\mu}m$</TEX> PP 필름 백이나 PET 용기 소포장 방식이 보다 실용적인 것으로 판단되었다. Potential of consumer unit packaging was investigated for quality maintenance during export simulation in king oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii). Mushrooms were harvested in late May, precooled to <TEX>$4^{\circ}C$</TEX> within 6 hours, and then packaged for shipping in two ways: 2 kg bulk packaging in a polyethylene (PE) bag or three types of unit packaging methods such as 400 g in polypropylene film bag (PPB), 200 g on styrofoam tray + PE shrinkage film wrapping (STW), and 200 g in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers (PETC). For local distribution of bulk-packaged commodity, mushrooms were sorted again and packaged into 3 consumer units in the same way as for the initial shipping packages. Simulation of refrigerated container shipping was performed in a walk-in type pilot storage at <TEX>$0.5^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 5 weeks, while local marketing simulation was carried out on the shelf at <TEX>$7^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 7 days. During the shipment simulation, creation of modified atmosphere (MA) was substantial in 2 kg bulk packages with low <TEX>$O_2$</TEX> below 2% and high <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> over 15% whereas, in PPB and PETC unit packages, relatively higher <TEX>$O_2$</TEX> concentrations were observed. On the shelf at <TEX>$7^{\circ}C$</TEX>, <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> concentrations rapidly increased in PPB and PETC packages despite the short marketing period. Overall marketability evaluated by off-flavor, browning, and texture rating was maintained at excellent level when 2 kg bulk packaging in PE or unit packaging in PPB and PETC were used for shipment. In contrast, establishment of MA was very slight in STW packages during shipment and local distribution resulting in poor quality after export simulation. The results suggested that shipment using adequate consumer unit packaging is more practical and economically beneficial than using bulk packaging in the export program consisting of 5-week shipment and 7-day local distribution.

Labour-use pattern on Swiss dairy farms

Abstract: Analysing the labour-use pattern on Swiss dairy farms, we apply a typology scheme with two criteria: on-farm wage labour and off-farm family labour. The resultant four farm types are analysed based on the data from the Swiss Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) as well as the spatial data on available jobs. Only 17% of dairy farms have neither on-farm wage labour nor off-farm family labour. 60&amp;nbsp;% have family members involved in off-farm activities. On average, 0.3&amp;nbsp;annual work units (AWU) are employed in off-farm activities, earning double the on-farm income per AWU. In line with the literature, we found that the likelihood of on-farm wage labour increases with the farm size and the degree of diversification. Involvement in off-farm activities is more likely if the farm manager is young and has a spouse with a non-agricultural education. Furthermore, private consumption per consumer unit has a positive marginal effect on the likelihood of off-farm work. Finally, no evidence was found of available jobs within a range of 10 kilometres acting as a proxy for the local labour demand for off-farm activities, leading us to the conclusion that involvement in off-farm work is an option for most of the analysed dairy farms. &amp;nbsp;

Electric Energy Consumption of the Full Scale Research Biogas Plant “Unterer Lindenhof”: Results of Longterm and Full Detail Measurements

This work thoroughly evaluates the electric power consumption of a full scale, 3 × 923 m3 complete stirred tank reactor (CSTR) research biogas plant with a production capacity of 186 kW of electric power. The plant was fed with a mixture of livestock manure and renewable energy crops and was operated under mesophilic conditions. This paper will provide an insight into precise electric energy consumption measurements of a full scale biogas plant over a period of two years. The results showed that a percentage of 8.5% (in 2010) and 8.7% (in 2011) of the produced electric energy was consumed by the combined heat and power unit (CHP), which was required to operate the biogas plant. The consumer unit agitators with 4.3% (in 2010) and 4.0% (in 2011) and CHP unit with 2.5% (in 2010 and 2011) accounted for the highest electrical power demand, in relation to the electric energy produced by the CHP unit. Calculations show that 51% (in 2010) and 46% (in 2011) of the total electric energy demand was due to the agitators. The results finally showed the need for permanent measurements to identify and quantify the electric energy saving potentials of full scale biogas plants.

The Adult Male Equivalent Concept and its Application to Household Consumption and Expenditures Surveys (HCES)

Knowledge of the amount and quality of food consumed by a population is essential in determining the adequacy of the food availability and supply. Since its founding the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed methods for determining food availability and consumption that may be useful to other investigators. Based on FAO's 60 years of experience in conducting Household Consumption and Expenditures Surveys (HCES), to explain and demonstrate the advantages and use of the Adult Male Equivalent (AME) and Equivalent Nutrition Unit (ENU) concepts. The important factors related to the AME and ENU, such as energy requirements, size and composition of the food consumer unit, and attendance at meals, are explained through the examples of two hypothetical families: a family consisting of a father, a mother, a 12-year old daughter, and a 3-year old son plus an adult guest; and a family consisting of a single mother, a 10-year old son, and two daughters, 6 and 4 years of age. The reader is guided through the steps in calculating the AME and ENU. The various scenarios of the composition, size, and attendance at meals of the consumer unit show that the calculated food energy adequacy can range from +2% to -29%. Care and attention must be given to correctly attributing the consumers of the food intake measured or estimated. In addition, use of these concepts allows for a valid comparison of food consumption units of various sizes and compositions.

EFFECT OF ASPIRIN® (ACETYL SALICYLIC ACID) ON LONGEVITY OF CUT ROSES

The effect of Aspirin and Aspirin Plus C and their active ingredients acetyl salicylic acid and ascorbic acid as household remedies for prolonging cut flower life was analysed in comparison to a commercial cut flower food (Chrysal) and a untreated control in several experiments with six cut rose cultivars in a growth chamber. Therefore practical consumer units (one or two tablets) were observed. All Aspirin and active agents treatments reduced the shelf life of the roses highly significant. Generally increasing concentration led to a decreased flower longevity. Aspirin and active agent treated roses showed already at the second day of the tests a lot of dried and later necrotic leaves what reduced their optical value and led to an early end of vase life after 4.5 days in average. Furthermore the rose flower buds demonstrated almost no development with these treatments. In contrast the use of the cut flower food resulted in a highly significant longer shelf life (9.6 days) compared to untreated tap water (7.4 days). So instead the use of pharmaceutical Aspirin products as a household remedy for extending vase life of cut roses, the use of an effective cut flower food or only water is recommended.

Lecture critique de l'ouvrage pour une révolution fiscale

Résumé L’article propose une lecture critique de l’ouvrage de Camille Landais, Thomas Piketty et Emmanuel Saez, Pour une révolution fiscale (Le Seuil, 2011). Les auteurs suggèrent de rendre la fiscalité française plus simple, plus juste, plus progressive. Ils développent un instrument d’analyse devant permettre à chaque citoyen d’évaluer la fiscalité française et les réformes possibles. En même temps, ils donnent une présentation caricaturale du système actuel dont ils dénoncent à tort la régressivité. Voulant individualiser l’impôt, les auteurs refusent de considérer que les familles partagent leurs ressources, refusent d’utiliser le concept d’unité de consommation, de sorte qu’il est impossible de déterminer si la réforme proposée augmente effectivement la redistributivité du système. Le simulateur fiscal proposé est biaisé et ne permet pas d’évaluer les réformes fiscales.

Income gap between rural and non-rural households — Case of the Czech Republic

The paper compares incomes of Czech rural and non-rural households and identifies households persisting below the poverty line. The data were taken from the statistical research entitled “Statistics on Income and Living Conditions for 2005 and 2008”. Households were classified according to the municipality size (up to 2,000 inhabitants is rural). Household incomes were assessed according to net annual income per consumer unit. Positive skewness and high kurtosis is a typical feature of household incomes; a similarity with log-normal distribution can be presumed. The difference between rural and non-rural household incomes was significant. In 2005, the share of households with incomes below the poverty line did not significantly differ in rural and non-rural areas. The probability of escape from the group with the lowest incomes seems to be higher in the Czech Republic compared to foreign countries.

Antioxidant capacity of tomato paste is stable during growing season and shelf‐life

Few data exist regarding the effect of growing season and shelf life on the stability of the antioxidant capacity of foods. To assess these factors in commercially available tomato paste, the sum of lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity [oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), Brunswick Laboratories, Norton, MA] was measured in composite samples comprised of production lots prepared from tomatoes harvested during early, middle, and late growing season periods early in their shelf life (± 6 months) and at 12 and 18 months post‐production. All composites comprised 12 individual consumer units from the same production lot and where measured in duplicate. ORAC for tomato paste produced from early growing season tomatoes was 1341 (μmole Trolox equivalents/100 g). Values for composites made from tomatoes from middle and late growing season harvest were 109% and 118% greater, respectively. Compared to composites measured within 6 months post‐production, ORAC values were 105% and 109% greater at 12 and 18 months post‐production, respectively. These data demonstrate neither within season growing period, nor storage time, adversely affects the antioxidant capacity of tomato paste.Supported by ConAgra Foods

Metodologia para Ajuste do Fator de Esgoto/Água para Aproveitamento de Água de Chuva

Rainwater harvesting generates sewage volumes released to the public network, whose destination and treatment costs are not accounted for by the sewage charging scheme generally adopted in Brazil, since this collection is carried out based on the volume of potable water supplied, although the advantages of its use are known. This paper proposes a methodology for estimating the volume of sewage generated, based on the characteristics of the rainwater harvesting system and indexed by the volume of treated water measured in the meter of the consumer unit. Two examples with distinct features (efficiency and service capacity) are presented and discussed to elucidate the use of the new methodology. The conclusions indicate that the method to estimate the sewage generated volume by rainwater harvesting is coherent to estimate the volume of sewage generated by the use of rainwater and has immediate practical application since it requires no investment in any additional equipment

Distribution charges for consumers and microgeneration considering load elasticity sensitivity

This paper presents an approach for calculating a tariff for electrical energy distribution systems. The methodology is similar to the standard tariff-calculation method used in Brazil. The approach combines the concepts of time-of-use tariffs and Ramsey prices. The process, initially designed for energy consumers, can be used to establish tariffs for micro-generation units. The resulting regulated distribution tariffs, for both consumer and generation units, has an hourly signal associated with long-run marginal costs. Moreover, while minimizing any loss of social benefits, the tariffs comply with the revenue reconciliation constraint. The proposed approach is applied to a real Brazilian distribution system and compared to the current procedure used by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency.

Effect on Perceived Stimulation dan Perceived Crowding on the Decision of the Unplanned Purchase (Impulse Buying)

Purchase decisions aren’t made necessarily planned, because impulsive buying is such a result of environmental stimuli shopping. Things affecting unplanned purchasing decisions are perceived by stimulation and crowding. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are influences between perceived crowding and stimulation of impulse buying simultaneously or partial. The object used is one of the largest retailers in Cilegon. This research design is quantitative analysis of the consumer unit. The collecting data technique includes using questionnaires, interviews, and literature from previous research. Data processed using the SPSS 16.0 program through the validity and reliability, normality test, and regression analysis. The study states that there is significant influence between perceived crowding and perceived stimulation both simultaneous and partial response to impulse buying.

Effects of change in price of medical care on daily living of people in the USA

Objectives To examine (a) how changes in the price of medical care affected demand for different goods of daily use among people in the USA and (b) how changes in the price of medical care affected demand for basic necessities of life, namely food, housing and medical care for people belonging to different socioeconomic groups. Methods This study used out-of-pocket expenditure data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and price data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during 1996–2005. The unit of analysis for this study was a consumer unit. Ordinary least-square regressions and Tobit regressions were used to perform analysis. Key findings Increases in the price of medical care caused a decrease in demand for most commodities used for daily living. As price of medical care increased, demand for medical care also decreased. Demand for medical care was price inelastic (coefficient of price elasticity, 0.72) with low positive income elasticity (0.13). Demand for food, housing and medical care was worst affected for poor people compared to people in middle- and higher-income groups due to the increased price of medical care. Demand for medical care increased across all income and ethnic groups with educational attainment. Conclusions Increases in the price of medical care could adversely affect the nutritional and housing status of poor people. If demand for medical care could act as a proxy for access to and availability of medical care, it could be inferred that poor people are most affected by the price increase. This study could prompt policy makers to provide more support to indigent people to improve access to medical care and to ensure adequate nutritional and housing needs.

The impacts of solar water heating in low-income households on the distribution utility’s active, reactive and apparent power demands

Abstract In Brazilian low-income households, water-heating requirements are typically met by electrical showerheads. On average, 73.1% of all residential units in the country are equipped with these resistance-heating devices, with nominal powers ranging from 3 to 8 kW. This situation imposes a considerable burden on the electricity utility companies, since electrical showerheads typically represent the highest load but the lowest utilization (load factor) in a residential consumer unit. Furthermore, typical utilization times coincide with, and contribute to, the electrical power demand peaks in Brazil, rendering these low-cost, high-power electrical devices a high-cost consumer for the electrical system to cater for. For low-income residential consumers, electricity tariffs are subsidized, and utilities must therefore make a considerable investment in infrastructure for a limited return. In this paper we analyze the impacts of solar water heating in low-income households on the distribution utility active, reactive and apparent power demands. We have monitored a statistically representative group of low-income residences equipped with a compact domestic solar water heater in Florianopolis – Brazil for 1 year. We show that in comparison with identical residential units using electrical showerheads, with the adoption of solar water heating the reductions in the active, reactive and apparent power demands on the distribution utility were 49%, 29% and 49% respectively.