End Of Life Cycle Research Articles

Remanufacturing Process Capability Maturity Model

Remanufacturing is a key discipline at the end of a product's life or use cycle. Besides the economic advantages, remanufacturing is also more ecological compared to the new production of parts. Due to the rising amount of product variants and the resulting increasing process complexity, as well as the dirty old parts used, remanufacturing processes face different challenges than processes in new productions. Unfortunately, there are hardly any tools available to analyze and compare remanufacturing processes. Therefore, this paper shows the results of an analysis of remanufacturing operations by using a capability maturity model.

Modular Simulation Model for Remanufacturing Operations

Today, remanufacturing is a key industrial discipline at the end of a product's life or use cycle. Due to high product and resulting process variety, static analytical approaches to assess and improve remanufacturing operations are not reliable. Whereas dynamic material flow simulation is a promising approach. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge when it comes to simulation based improvement of remanufacturing operations. To close the lack of knowledge, this paper will show a modular simulation model to improve production systems of remanufacturing operations. The results will enable remanufacturing companies to assess and improve their production systems in an efficient way.

Study of Aramid Fiber/Polychloroprene Recycling Process by Thermal Degradation

Aramid fiber is an important polymer applied as reinforcement in high-performance composites, which, due its exceptional properties, becomes an excellent impact absorption material. It has been broadly utilized in aeronautic industry and ballistic protection. In aircrafts, it is mainly used in secondary structures, such as fairings, floor panels, and bullet proof structures in helicopters, whereas, in ballistic protection industry, it is applied in automotive armor and bullet proof vest. Under environmental perspective, it is worrying the development and application of composites, which generate proportional discards of these materials, whether originated from manufacturing process, spare parts or end of life cycle. High-performance composite materials like those using aramid fiber are generally difficult to recycle due to their properties and the difficulty for the separation of the components, making their recycling economically unviable. From the characteristics of composite materials and environmental viewpoint, this paper presents a new aramid fiber recycling process. The main objective of this research was to study different recycling methods in aramid fibers/Neoprene® composites. To promote the Neoprene® degradation, it was used a pyrolysis oven with controlled atmosphere and CO2 injection. For the degraded separation, it was designed a mechanical washing machine in which the most degraded separation occurred. To complete the materials separation, it was employed a manual cleaning process, and, at least to prove the efficacy of the process, it was applied a tensile test in the yarns.

CCTV Based Surveillance And Monitoring System Using Ip Camera And A Web Application Platform For Watching Feeds From The Camera

CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes. Security and surveillance system is then essential in modern organizations like banks due to the precarious security situation in the country. Most crimes perpetuated in most organizations are mainly due to lack of proper security and surveillance system within these areas, this has further aggravated the rising spate of crime and security challenges in most organizations, which led to the development of CCTV based surveillance and monitoring system that will proffer solutions to augment human resources and efforts. Wired surveillance security system has some short coming such as clumsy in nature, surveillance is not portable, and hence monitoring cannot be remotely done. The proposed system therefore explores the use of a modeled IP cameras for monitoring, securing and surveillance as the wired systems are now being replaced by Internet Protocol (IP) cameras or network video surveillance systems due to the growing availability of faster and cheap broadband internet access, and also its ambiguous remote access to feeds as it would be viewed via the web page. The proposed system will also enable a close monitoring and remote access and retrieval of feeds from the video source, also feeds from the security camera would be handy during crime investigation and reporting as material evidence. The overall research therefore is aimed at developing a surveillance system using IP camera as its source feed and also a web interface to view the feeds irrespective of the location of the user. The methodology that will be adopted to carry out this work is structured analysis and design methodology, which was chosen because it provides clear-cut steps in moving between the phases from the beginning to the end of the systems development life cycle.

Methodology for appreciation the manufacturing castings from perspective of circular economy

This paper presents a methodology for studying the trends toward developing circular economy, comprising the following steps: description the field analyzed statistically and technological, establishing assessment criteria, establishing the event which will be analyzed and its description and evaluation of the event from the perspective of circular economy. The case study was designed to the manufacture castings through the analysis, after the methodology proposed, by the work of the 71-th World Foundry Congress in 2014 from Bilbao. The conclusion of this approach shows us that the manufacture castings through the trends expressed fall in the principles of circular economy. At the level of resources needed for the manufacturing process of castings - specifically immaterial resources, materials and energy, are analyzed at all levels, specific phases, namely: 1. Information analysis specific for the field; 2. Analysis preparation in terms of manufacturing technology and technological infrastructure available; 3. Analysis of manufacturing castings; 4. Analysis of the results of the manufacturing process; 5. Analysis of exploitation and disposal at end of life cycle; 6. Analysis of other phases that contribute to achieving castings; 7. Analysis of the entire process in terms of respecting the environment and sustainable development. The analysis method on a field belonging to the specific requirements of circular economy is made by analyzing a global event. This comprises the following stages: Establish specific criteria for the analyzed domain in relation to the circular economy; Specifying event works falling within the criteria set, which will be analyzed, and justification for selection.

Experimental study of flush end plate beam-to-column composite joints with precast slabs and deconstructable bolted shear connectors

Composite steel-concrete floor systems represent a ubiquitous structural steel framing system for commercial and industrial buildings in the developed world, which exploit the strengths of reinforced concrete and structural steel both symbiotically and in a complementary fashion. However, as attention is being focused increasingly towards minimising emissions and maximising recycling, these composite systems are problematic for many reasons. This paper describes the results of tests on three full-scale sustainable flush end plate semi-rigid beam-to-column joints and three push-out tests with deconstructable tensioned bolted shear connectors, needed to establish the strength of the shear connection in order to design the joints. For this system, precast concrete slabs having a reduced content of ordinary Portland cement are attached compositely to the steel beam using post-tensioned high-strength friction-grip bolts that are unbolted readily at the life-cycle end of the building. This innovative connection system is proposed to circumvent the high-carbon attributes associated with the demolition of conventional steel-concrete composite framing systems. The push-out tests show that the behaviour of specimens with post-installed bolts in clearance holes is significantly different to that of members with stud shear connectors in slabs cast in situ, and the bolted connectors provide reliable and adequate shear connection to composite beams and joints with precast concrete slabs. The test results show that these composite joints have credible rotation and moment capacities within the recommendations of EC3 and EC4, and that fracture of the joint occurs after substantial rotational deformations had been achieved.

Comparative life cycle energy and cost analysis of post-disaster temporary housings

Temporary housings play an important role by providing people a habitable environment while the effects of a disaster are being fixed. In this paper, life cycle energy and cost analysis of two common types of post-disaster temporary housings constructed in Turkey has been studied. The aim of this study was to identify whether it is more convenient to use prefabricated (PH) or container housings (CH) in post-disaster reconstruction projects. Construction and operational energy requirements are calculated over 15years using a comprehensive approach. The energy and financial requirements of the housings have been evaluated by considering four different base areas. The life cycle investment, operation, maintenance, service and end of life costs have been investigated by using the net present value technique. Life cycle primary energy consumption values of the most widely used prefabricated (PH70) and container (CH20) housings are calculated to be 18.5 and 24.7GJ/m2, respectively. The results show that operational phase was dominant over the housings 15-year lifetime. The life cycle cost of PH70 and CH20 are calculated to be 919 and 1308$/m2, respectively. It is found that increasing the total base area of the housings is an important cost-effective energy reduction measure. The results expressed that prefabricated housings have 25.1 and 29.7% lower life cycle energy and cost requirements respectively.

Difference in drought resistance among three Brassica species at different growing stages and application of zeolite

One of the factors limiting the growth of crops is water deficit. A split plot factorial experiment was conducted in Qazvin (Iran) to determine the effects of water deficit stress on three Brassica species at different growing stages and application of zeolite in 2010-12 growing seasons. In these experiments factorial combination of different levels of water deficit stress (regular irrigation (I0), with holding irrigation from flowering stage to end of plant life cycle (I1), and with holding irrigation from pod stage to end of plant life cycle (I2) and zeolite were applied (0 and 10 t.ha<sup>-1</sup>), in main plot units, and different species (B. napus, B. rapa and B. junceu) were placed in sub plot units. Results showed that interactions among water deficit stress and different species, different water deficit stress and two zeolite amounts were significant for number of branches per plant, length of main, sub and total plant pod, and seed oil yield. Application of zeolite in all water deficit regimes increased the seed oil percent and seed oil yield and in interaction between these two factors, I1 without zeolite reduced the seed oil yield, in comparison to I0 and zeolite application.

Involvement of Lysosome Membrane Permeabilization and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in the Necrosis Induced by Chlamydia muridarum Infection in L929 Cells.

Chlamydiae, obligate intracellular bacteria, are associated with a variety of human diseases. The chlamydial life cycle undergoes a biphasic development: replicative reticulate bodies (RBs) phase and infectious elementary bodies (EBs) phase. At the end of the chlamydial intracellular life cycle, EBs have to be released to the surrounded cells. Therefore, the interactions between Chlamydiae and cell death pathways could greatly influence the outcomes of Chlamydia infection. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigated host cell death after Chlamydia infection in vitro, in L929 cells, and showed that Chlamydia infection induces cell necrosis, as detected by the propidium iodide (PI)-Annexin V double-staining flow-cytometric assay and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an important factor in induction of necrosis, was increased after Chlamydia infection, and inhibition of ROS with specific pharmacological inhibitors, diphenylene iodonium (DPI) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), led to significant suppression of necrosis. Interestingly, live-cell imaging revealed that Chlamydia infection induced lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP). When an inhibitor upstream of LMP, CA-074-Me, was added to cells, the production of ROS was reduced with concomitant inhibition of necrosis. Taken together, our results indicate that Chlamydia infection elicits the production of ROS, which is dependent on LMP at least partially, followed by induction of host-cell necrosis. To our best knowledge, this is the first live-cell-imaging observation of LMP post Chlamydia infection and report on the link of LMP to ROS to necrosis during Chlamydia infection.

Remanufacturing Process Assessment – A Holistic Approach

Today, remanufacturing is a key industrial discipline at the end of a product's life or use cycle. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge when it comes to the assessment of remanufacturing processes (technical and organizational processes within the production) and the comparability of remanufacturing processes. To close the lack of knowledge, both in industry and science, this paper shows the main aspects of a holistic approach to assess and improve remanufacturing processes. The rudiments of the holistic assessment approach are a maturity model, the value stream methodology and material flow simulations. On the one hand, the holistic approach will enable remanufacturing companies to analyze their processes, and on the other hand, the approach will enable them to manage the progress of improvement of their remanufacturing processes. At the end of the day, the holistic approach will support the remanufacturing industry to improve their competitiveness by increasing their cost and resource efficiency.

Life Cycle Analysis and Optimization of a Timber Building

The present study propose a thorough approach to the optimization of the whole-life cost of a timber building focusing mostly on its mechanical, structural and energy subsystems for a life cycle of 20 years. Another parameter that is examined, is the effect of the fuzziness of the design temperature inside a building on its life cycle cost. The objective function of the energy performance optimization problem of the study is a cost function. The components of the timber frame are optimized according to Eurocode 5. Two scenarios for the management of the timber frame components at the end of the building's life cycle are examined.

Proactive remanufacturing timing determination method based on residual strength

Nowadays, since the resources of remanufacturing are the ‘cores’, the uncertainty in quantity and quality of the ‘cores’ is an obstacle in remanufacturing engineering. To solve this problem, production management and design for remanufacturing have been discussed in the former studies. However, the current remanufacturing mode, which is carried out in the end of life cycle, is reactive. To delimit the uncertainty of ‘cores’, the concept of proactive remanufacturing is presented in this paper. And one issue is to identify the proactive remanufacturing timing. In the beginning, the reactive remanufacturing timing and proactive remanufacturing timing are introduced. Then, to characterise the remanufacturability of components, the concept of residual strength is proposed. To identify the proactive remanufacturing timing, the mathematical model is established based on the residual strength, remanufacturing value and technical feasibility. Based on this model, the timing determination method in proactive remanufacturing is presented and expanded. Finally, to validate this method, the proactive remanufacturing timing of engines is determined by analysing the crankshaft. As a consequence, in the proactive remanufacturing mode, the remanufacturing rate of product might be increased. Thus, the proactive remanufacturing could provide a new perspective in future remanufacturing engineering.

The End of Windows 7? [From the Screen of Stone

From the Screen of Stone first appeared in the December 1987 issue of the AP-S Newsletter. It has since appeared either as a separate column or in a “lite” version (appended to my Editor’s Comments) in almost every issue of the Newsletter and Magazine. The scope is quite literally whatever crosses my screen, with an emphasis on computer hardware and software, but always trying to provide information that engineers will find of personal practical value. Mahta was kind enough to allow me to continue the column, although it may be somewhat limited in length (and therefore, some of the discussions will be more terse than usual). The topics in this issue include the end of life cycle for Windows 7, one reason why your computer may be slowing down, using the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to plan technology purchases, something to consider if you need a dental crown, and a note about DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems.

CONTEMPORARY PROSPECTS FOR THE RAILWAY ENGINEERING INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE IN THE VIEW OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

The purpose of the paper is to explore the current state of the railway engineering industry in Ukraine, the prospects of its development, current threats and possibilities; to propose incentives for the railway industry development. Methodology . The research was based on open sources of statistical information which was compared by years in relation to events in political and economic spheres. Data was also received from producers’ web-sites. Analytical economic articles have been also used to obtaine the full scope of information regarding the railway industry in Ukraine. Results of the research showed that today Ukraine had a grea demand for the rolling stock as the current rolling stock is obsolete and 98% of it reached their lifecycle end. Currently Ukraine has six car building plans and two plans for construction of locomotives and they offer a variety of units of the rolling stock. The main customer for all those plants is the State Railway Administration of Ukraine “Ukrzaliznytsya”, that, for recent years, almost had not ordered new rolling stock. The problem is that Ukrzaliznytsya does not have own funds to pay for the rolling stock renewal, and credit funds are almost unachievable due to economic crisis and structural reorganization of the railway operator. That’s why the plants went abroad with their products, and Russia became the main customer abroad. Due to the events of 2013-2015, Russia closed its market for Ukrainian rolling stock by non-issuance of technical certificates for the rolling stock. However, in the period of political and economic instability, together with the recent cancellation of import duties to the EU countries, Ukrainian rolling stock producers have now a real chance to diversify their customers and explore new markets. Practical implications . Thus, to overcome the current difficulties, Ukrainian government has to introduce a special program to renew the rolling stock, to encourage governmental-private enterprise, and the producers should explore new markets as they have products to offer in Europe and other regions. Value/originality . The received data show that the Ukrainian railway industry has perspectives in case of finding new markets for its products. The technical level of the produced rolling stock is on the high level and can be easily improved.

Life Cycle Assessment of the Naphtha Production from Crude oil

A Life Cycle Assessment study involves the collection, assessment and interpretation of data from an environmental perspective over a product's life cycle (production, use, and end of life). Studies can evaluate entire product life cycle, often referred to as cradle-to-gate. The ISO 14040 series of standards contain the international standards for LCA. This work presents an evaluation of life cycle energy balance and net environmental impacts of naphtha production using Life Cycle Assessment as a tool. In this study the naphtha is produced from crude oil at Switzerland refinery. In this study, the impact assessment method Eco-Indicator 99 is used to model the results. The results obtained allowed to characterize the main environment impacts associated with naphtha production from crude oil and then analyzing the results.

WRCloud: A Novel WEEE Remanufacturing Cloud System

Cloud manufacturing is a new manufacturing paradigm that offers manufacturing capabilities in terms of Cloud services. As a specific type of manufacturing, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) remanufacturing experiences difficulties in system integration, data exchange and resource management, especially when the products reach the end of lifecycle. Thus it is possible to introduce the Cloud manufacturing paradigm into WEEE remanufacturing environment, to overcome the obstacles and bottlenecks. In this paper, a novel Cloud-based system is developed to support WEEE remanufacturing. The WEEE recycle/recovery capabilities are integrated and deployed as flexible services in the Cloud. Supporting mechanisms and technologies are also developed, which are presented and evaluated via case studies.

Português

Given the privatization of the Telebras system in 1998 and the constant development of new technologies, mobile phone consumption picked up in the form of a craze in Brazil to the extent of in 2010 mile stoning 100% density, i.e., more than 190 million units were then in use within the domestic market. On the other hand, it seems appropriate to wonder what happens to this equipment once their lifecycle ends. Sheltered by this context, the prime purpose of this study is not only to evaluate user behaviour in the State of Sao Paulo in as much as mobile phone disposal and recycling is concerned, but also to contribute with the improvement of the current scenario. To this effect, some aspects of existing Brazilian mobile telephony market post-consumption reverse logistics practices were diagnosed. A quantitative exploratory survey centred on Sao Paulo State respondents was also conducted so as to pinpoint their behaviour in terms of mobile phone recycling and assess the factors that influence their disposal and recycling. Outcomes unveiled that although 60% of respondents are aware of the fact that mobile phones are recyclable, only 7% have so done with their old phones. Finally, the study sought to contribute with suggested mobile phone market actions so as to increase post-consumption recycling.

Comportamento do Usuário em Relação ao Descarte e Reciclagem de Aparelhos Celulares no Estado de São Paulo

Com a privatização do Sistema Telebras em 1998 e com o desenvolvimento constante de novas tecnologias, os aparelhos celulares tornaram-se uma febre de consumo no Brasil, atingindo a importante marca de 100% de densidade em 2010, ou seja, mais de 190 milhões de aparelhos em utilização no mercado nacional. Porém, cabe questionar qual o destino dado para esses aparelhos ao final de sua vida útil. Nesse contexto, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é não só avaliar o comportamento do usuário do estado de São Paulo em relação ao descarte e à reciclagem de aparelhos celulares, como também contribuir para a melhoria do cenário atual. Para isso, foi feito um diagnóstico sobre algumas das práticas de logística reversa pós-consumo já existentes no mercado de telefonia móvel no Brasil, além da realização de uma pesquisa exploratória quantitativa (survey) com foco nos respondentes do estado de São Paulo para identificar seu comportamento quanto à reciclagem de aparelhos celulares e para avaliar os fatores que influenciam no descarte e na reciclagem. Nos resultados da pesquisa, evidenciou-se que, apesar de 60% dos respondentes terem ciência de que um aparelho celular pode ser reciclado, apenas 7% já reciclaram seu celular antigo. Por fim, no trabalho, buscou-se contribuir com a sugestão de ações para o mercado de telefonia celular a fim de aumentar a reciclagem de aparelhos no pós-consumo.

Phoma medicaginis colonizes Medicago truncatula root nodules and affects nitrogen fixation capacity

The ability of Phoma medicaginis to infect legume nodules and the subsequent effect on their functioning was investigated in Medicago truncatula lines, TN.8.20 and Jemalong6, inoculated with an efficient Sinorhizobium meliloti strain. Colonization of nodules by P. medicaginis strain Pm8 was confirmed by morphological and molecular analyses. P. medicaginis effect was more relevant on the most susceptible line, TN.8.20, where it decreased the nitrogen fixation capacity (NFC) significantly in nodules from 62 days after sowing (das) till the end of nodule life cycle; however in Jemalong6 nodules, the NFC inhibition was significant only at the flowering stage. Analyses of stress indices as structure, lipid peroxidation and leghemoglobin content did not show significant structural or metabolic alterations in infected nodules. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased in nodules of both M. truncatula lines up to 62 das. After 78 das, increase of SOD activity continued only in Jemalong6 nodules. Changes in peroxidase (POX) activity were correlated to those revealed on NFC. Indeed, POX was decreased in nodules of TN.8.20 line but remained almost unchanged in Jemalong6. These results, suggest that POX represents a strong component of the defence mechanisms in nodules of resistant M. truncatula lines, where it could be involved in reinforcing the cell wall barrier. The stimulation of SOD activity is also a key mechanism in maintaining nodule integrity via controlling ROS overproduction when counteracting fungal attacks.

A new eco-design approach on CAD systems

Today it becomes necessary for manufacturers to adopt Eco-design to guard their place in the market. Eco-designing products, is reducing their environmental impact in the early design stages throughout all stages of their life cycle (raw material extraction, manufacturing process, use, transport and end of life treatments). In the literature, many tools and methodologies were developed to simplify the environmental task to the designer by helping him reduce the environmental impact of his products. The most of these works are based in feature-based modeling to extract data for realizing environmental evaluation (EE) also we found that this technology is essentially used in selecting a green machining process through Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP). In this paper we propose a methodology based on feature technology and on the integrations realized on CAD systems such as CAD/CAM/CAPP and CAD/PLM to generate alternative scenarios in order to choose the most ecological one till feature’s selection. The environmental impact is calculated with CML method and shown to the designer as End-Points Indicators (Resources, Human Health, Eco-system damages) which are related to the designer’s Degrees of Freedom (DoFs). A case study was considered to valid our proposed approach and results are shown and compared to results obtained from SW sustainability and a complete LCA from SimaPro integrations.