Handling Equipment Research Articles

Digital assistances in remote operations for ITER test blanket system replacement: An experimental validation

Removal/reinstallation of all Test Blanket System (TBS) equipment present in the Port Cell is required during the ITER Long Term Shutdown. TBS shall be designed so that occupational radiation exposure can be As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) over the life of the plant to follow the ITER Policy. The expected level of radiation in this area still allows performing maintenance tasks hands-on. However, the cumulated dose could be significant for operators. Classical Dose Reduction Measure (DRM) is to deploy Remote Handling systems. Consequently, use of robotized equipment, remotely operated means or collaborative robotics, have been investigated. Taking advantage of new digital technologies such as digital assistances, is expected to help operators during complex remote operations under limited vision conditions. Experiments were performed on a set of three TBS maintenance representative tasks: remote visual inspection of DN80 pipe, dye penetrant testing operation on pipe and dexterity test. A panel of remote handling equipment operators of different skill level was selected and involved onto these tasks. The results prove without ambiguity that for all operators the quality of the task execution is significantly improved when using digital assistances

Carbon emission strategies for container handling equipment using the activity-based method: A case study of Ambarlı container port in Turkiye

One of the most important components of a port's sustainability is its environmental impact. Port operators are currently focusing on the sustainable development of ports to measure this environmental impact and determine the emissions inventory. To combat climate change globally, Turkiye envisages reduction of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rate by 21% until 2030. In line with this target, container ports are also focusing on the sustainability of their environmental impact and determining their emissions inventory. This study aims to estimate the total carbon emissions produced by the container handling equipment (CHE) used in the container port operations and to plan the carbon emission reduction strategy as concerns the climate change adaptation policy. The Ambarlı container port, which handles approximately 30% of Turkiye's total container volume, has been chosen as the application area of this case study. Carbon emissions from CHE vehicles in the port were estimated using the activity-based method. The carbon emission value per TEU in 2021 is calculated as 0.011335 tCO2e/TEU. Carbon emission reduction scenarios were created at two-year intervals until 2030. It has been determined that the dominant contribution to carbon emission in the container port is provided by terminal tractors that consume diesel fuel.

EFFECTS OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PADDY AND DEHUSKED RICE

The physical properties of rice are among the most important parameters for design of agricultural machine and other equipment for handling, planting, harvesting, processing, packaging and storing. This work is aimed at the determination of some of the physical properties of two varieties of rice at varying moisture content that are important in designing rice handling machine. The physical properties of two most popular produced rice varieties in Nigeria (FARO 44 and FARO 57) both paddy and dehusked at three different moisture content (5, 10 and 15%) were determined. Laboratory studies were carried out to determined physical properties of the two varieties of rice ((FARO 44 and FARO 57) important properties for the laboratory work includes: bulk density, unit density, roundness, axial dimensions, sphericity, projected areas, unit volume, unit weight, apparent density, were determined based on different moisture content and random sampling techniques. The results showed that minimum lengths of dehusked rice ranged from 4.57 - 5.29 mm while maximum lengths were between 8.21 - 8.25 mm. For paddy these lengths were minimally 7.65 - 8.78 mm and maximum lengths were 11.39 mm. The least range of minor diameters of dehusked rice was 4.57 - 5.29 mm and maximally these were 8.21 - 8.25 mm. Intermediate diameters were minimally 1.43 mm and maximally in the range of 2.71 - 2.78 mm for dehusked rice; for paddy these were 1.65 - 1.76 mm and 2.46 - 2.78 mm, respectively. Geometric mean diameters ranged between 3.31 - 4.05 mm. For paddy, projected area obtained within the range of 11.71 - 29.75 mm 2. For dehusked rice, projected area obtained in the range of 8.79 - 21.19 mm 2. Estimates of roundness were not higher than 33.6% for paddy or 54% for some grains of dehusked rice. The grains appeared more spherical than they were round since paddy were 35.3 - 48.3% spherical while dehusked grains were 39.8 - 59.4% spherical. Bulk densities ranged between 531.0 - 553.8 kg/m 3 and 839.6 - 852.7 kg/m 3 for dehusked forms of Faro 44 and Faro 57, respectively. True density was in the range of 1071.6 - 1566.2 kg/m 3.This study concludes that moisture content and variety affect the engineering property and is useful in the design, development of machine for processing and handling of rice products.

Operational Effect on the Increase of Quay Cranes to Reduce Dwelling Time at the Container Terminal

Currently, the container terminal is growing rapidly and is the entrance to world trade. Terminal productivity is one of the keys to superior service. One indicator of container terminal productivity is dwelling time. In developing countries, among the causes of high dwelling time is the lack of container handling equipment. This paper aims to study the effect of the number of quay cranes on the number of dwelling time. The investigation was carried out using a container terminal simulation. As a case study, a simulation of a container terminal with a berth length of 300 meters with average daily ship calls is 600 TEUs. The simulation is done by making the parameters of adding quay cranes to each case. The results of the simulation show the addition of a quay crane can reduce the number of dwelling time average by 0.1 days, this decrease depends on the container capacity of the ship. The results of this study provide an overview of the container terminal in port infrastructure planning.

Treinamento mediado pela prática supervisionada à beira-leito para enfermeiros durante a pandemia de COVID-19: estudo observacional

Abstract Objective to describe a strategy of mediated training by bedside supervised practice for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine nurses’ perception about contribution of bedside training for the acquisition of knowledge and skills for healthcare practice in critical care settings. Methods this was an observational, longitudinal, retrospective and descriptive study that used a quantitative approach, conducted at a large private health care facility in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The data collected refer to the period from April to June 2021. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, under Protocol 5.423.393. Ten procedures were selected for supervision, such as tracheal aspiration, nasogastric tube, venipuncture, donning, dressing and equipment handling. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analyses and statistical tests. Results of the participants (72), 87.7% were women with mean age of 33 years and their mean work experience was 9 months (50%). Initially, professionals participated in the standard 26-hour institutional training and, later, in supervised practice-mediated training. The mean time per procedure was 45 minutes. The median proficiency in eight of the procedures was eight. Most professionals rated themselves as confident (98.9%) and satisfied with the training (99.4%). Conclusion and implications for practice the training enabled a structured process of identification and monitoring of care practice, allowing for an effective strategy to provide prepared professionals who work safely.

Clinical usability of vasundhara's transit for gutta-percha (V transit GP) - A questionnaire-based survey.

The lack of a suitable armamentarium to aid in the disinfection and handling of gutta-percha (GP) cones during obturation has been a common challenge amongst dentists. This study assessed the clinical usability of 'Vasundhara's (V) Transit GP' through a questionnaire-based survey. This questionnaire-based study was conducted in Davanagere, Karnataka, in February 2021 for 4 months. The design was 3D printed using a heat-resistant polypropylene material and named 'Vasundhara's Transit for Gutta Percha (V Transit GP)'. Eighteen postgraduate students participated in the study. Fourteen cases were done by each student, seven without and seven with the use of 'V Transit GP'. The GP cones, before obturation, were transferred to their respective canal slots containing 5.25% sodium hypochlorite for one minute and then transferred to their respective distilled water slots. The cones were dried with sterile gauze and taken for obturation. At the end of the procedure, a questionnaire was handed out, the responses were recorded, and the results were tabulated and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 software. The results showed that without the use of 'V Transit GP', 84.2% of the dentists felt that the disinfection and handling of GP cones were difficult, whereas with the use of 'V Transit GP', 94.2% of the participants found it to be extremely easy. 'V Transit GP' proved to be an extremely efficient and user-friendly equipment for easy handling and disinfection of GP cones during obturation.

Effects of the Use of ICT on Public Administrator’s Service Delivery: A Study of Edo Specialist Hospital Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

The study focused on effect of information and communication technology (ICT) on service delivery in Nigerian public service industry using Edo State Specialist Hospital as a Case Study. The study is empirical and data were collected through questionnaire which was conducted among 102 respondents. The research work investigates the effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on public service delivery in Nigeria. The data generated were analyzed using frequencies and simple percentages and the hypothesis tested via Chi-square (X2). The study is situated on public choice theory and Weber’s bureaucratic model. The study reveals that the availability of technological facilities within the study area significantly improve the Quality of Service Delivery in the Edo State Specialist hospital. Also, the respondents indicated that technology has significantly affected service delivery in the study area, reduced mortality and fatality rate and, improved customer service, in the usage of the various available technological facilities. Consequently, the research recommends that hospital workers should improve on their skills on the handling of new technological equipment and facilities and also ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of these facilities. Managements of the study area should ensure regular maintenance of these technological facilities in order to ensure maximization. The study concludes that power is a major factor affecting use of ICT in the hospital.

Ecological and Health Assessment of Heavy Metals Present in the Soil of E-Waste Collection, Recycling and Dismantling Sites in the Region of DAKAR, Senegal

Soil pollution from waste electrical and electronic equipment is a growing concern in Africa. The heavy metals contained in this waste are now one of the main sources of pollution and the handling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is increasingly a health and environmental concern. In Dakar, several handling points of this equipment were identified and our study investigated the presence of trace metals in the soil of e-waste handling sites in the Dakar region and about the spatial distribution of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, As, Hg and Mn according to the activity carried out on these sites. Three categories of activity were identified, namely collection, dismantling and recycling and a control site. The results show an abundance of metals for the collection and recycling sites which were such as Fe> Mn> Pb> Cu> Cr> Cd> As> Hg. In contrast, at the dismantling sites, the average total concentration of these elements was classified as Fe> Pb> Mn> Cu> Cr> As> Cd> Hg and that of the control site was Fe> Mn> Cu> Pb> Cr> Cd> As> Hg. The estimation of the potential ecological risk (Er) in relation to the control site shows an average risk coefficient for Fe, Mn and Cr below 40 for all sites, as well as for As in the collection and recycling sites and for Cu in the collection sites. Pb, Cd and Hg showed an average level of ecological “very high risk” for all sites and As also showed a “very high risk” for the dismantling sites for an ecological risk index of “Very high ecological risk” (RI> 600) for all sites associated with a non-carcinogenic risk greater than 1 for all site categories.

Reference framework for material handling equipment selection in distribution centres

Reference framework for material handling equipment selection in distribution centres

REVOLUTIONISING CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT: UNLEASHING HYPER-PERSONALIZATION STRATEGIES FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE

This research paper explores the application of hyper-personalization in enhancing customer experiences, focusing on a Forklift Company as a case study. The company, a leading material handling equipment provider in the Pacific Northwest, faces challenges in a competitive forklift market characterised by economic unpredictability, regional industrial nuances, and logistical complexities. Through executive interviews and a comprehensive market survey, the paper uncovers insights into the forklift industry in the Northwest. Key findings include regional economic fluctuations, intense competition, and specific industry needs influencing forklift demand. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation, evidenced by advancements like hydrogen fuel cell forklifts, aligns with evolving market preferences. Employee interviews shed light on the Forklift Company's resilient work culture, emphasising continuous improvement, innovation, and employee well-being. The survey of customer reviews reflects generally high satisfaction levels, with notable commendations for reliability, safety features, and sustainability efforts. However, concerns about pricing and customer support are identified. The conclusion highlights the importance of personalised marketing strategies for the Company to address these challenges and enhance customer engagement. Recommendations include data-driven insights, tailored product recommendations, customer segmentation, a multichannel approach, customised content, regular engagement, and feedback loops. Implementing these strategies can position the company for increased sales and customer satisfaction in a competitive market landscape.

Maritime terminals’ cargo handling equipment cooperation leveraging IoT and edge computing: The ASSIST-IoT approach

Port container terminals with their logistic infrastructure are essential nodes for a functional economic activity in the developed world. Hence, innovation in efficiency of the port-container industry is a fundamental issue. This paper presents a Next Generation IoT architecture inspired by the merging of commercial terminal-oriented ICT solutions with the results of H2020 research. The architecture is designed to overcome the constraints and meet requirements of a real scenario in maritime ports where different Container Handling Equipment must share heterogeneous data in a decentralized way, leveraging edge computing. This allows for their easier cooperation and avoiding unproductive movements and central communication, while reducing communication latency related to terminal operations. The paper describes a usage example, accompanied with evidence of the first stages of deployment.

Một số yếu tố ảnh hưởng đến tuân thủ quy trình xử lý ống nội soi mềm tại khoa nội soi bệnh viện đa khoa vùng Tây Nguyên năm 2021

The study was conducted to analyze some of influencing factors in the implementation of the flexible endoscope handling procedure at the Endoscopy department of the Central Highlands General Hospital, in 2021. Qualitative research was conducted by in-depth interviews and group discussions to learn about the factors affecting the performance of the endoscope handling procedure. Findings: Factors affect the implementation of the flexible endoscope handling procedure, including the individual performs the procedure with the right knowledge and positive attitude, the lack of facilities and equipments, lack of specific guidelines, regular training, reward and punishment regulations, inspection and supervision work were not optimized, and other factors such as working environment, work pressure and occupational health also affect process performance. Conclusions: It is recommeded that hospital leaders to pay more attention on human resources, provide adequated facilities, chemical equipments for endoscope handling, and strengthen the inspection and supervision. Medical staff should strictly follow the regulations on handling flexible endoscopes. Key words: Procedure compliance, flexible endoscope, endoscope handling, influencing factors.

Predicting the ionicity of ionic liquids in binary mixtures based on solubility data

Ionic liquids (ILs) are ionic compounds which are liquid at room temperature and pressure, and can be applied in many fields, such as industrial synthesis, catalysis, electrochemistry, and liquid-liquid separations. To enhance the description of mixtures containing ILs and, consequently, to allow a more rigorous evaluation of the feasibility of chemical processes, it is important to study properties such as the ionicity (α) of ionic liquids, i.e., the fraction of dissociated molecules. However, experimental determinations of ionicity (also known as dissociation degree or dissociation extent) are time-consuming and require the handling of expensive equipment, so the prediction of this property as a function of the system's composition using thermodynamic modelling is of great relevance. For that purpose, the UNIversal QUAsi-Chemical (UNIQUAC) model was combined with the Pitzer-Debye-Hückel (PDH) equation, which is often referred as PDH+UNIQUAC, and it was used to predict the ionicity of ILs in binary mixtures based on liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) data. The results were compared with the available experimental data from literature and low deviations were observed, validating thereafter the developed approach. In total, the IL ionicity was predicted, as function of composition, for fourteen ionic liquid / solvent (water or 1-butanol) binary systems. Further, a sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the LLE uncertainties on ionicity (α), and it was concluded that α was not significantly affected by small deviations, for which the methodology proposed in this work was considered robust. The prediction of IL ionicity with composition using PDH+UNIQUAC thermodynamic modelling was considered a breakthrough, since very accurate results were achieved without the need of undergoing complex experiments.

An automated guided vehicle conflict-free scheduling approach considering assignment rules in a robotic mobile fulfillment system

Automated guided vehicle (AGV), as a material handling equipment, has been widely used in various applications, especially in the automated warehouse of manufacturing. The working efficiency of the warehouse is greatly influenced by the organization of the order picking process. As the picking tasks of AGVs increase in a certain period, conflicts and deadlocks of simultaneously working AGVs occur more frequently, which are also defecting factors of efficiency. In this paper, a multi-AGV scheduling approach considering assignment rules (MASA) is proposed, and a stage conflict avoidance method is designed to generate a conflict-free working route for AGVs in an automated warehouse with multiple workstations. Different from the random assignment rule of workstations in previous studies, the crowding-based assignment rule (CAR) and opening-time-based assignment rule (OTAR) are proposed to adjust the AGV working route and alleviate the congestion of AGV at the workstations. The scheduling model of AGVs is constructed to minimize the total completion time based on a space–time network, and a cooperative optimization algorithm is designed to solve the AGVs conflict-free scheduling problem. Numerical experiments verify the effectiveness and stability of the proposed algorithm. With the same working loads, CAR and OTAR result in a 5.55% and 9.56% decrease in the total completion time than the traditional random assignment rule, and the completion time is reduced by 8.01% and 12.13% in class-based tasks, respectively. MASA has great potential to improve the system efficiency of the warehouse when there are massive picking tasks and workstations.

Management of the Processes of Filling, Storage and Discharge of Grain Cargo at Transport Storage Facilities

The active transformation of transport links and redistribution of cargo fl requires intensive development of new promising areas of cargo transportation. It is necessary to use existing transport and technological systems to develop measures to increase productivity and reduce non-production costs. This approach provides for increasing the effi of the transport and logistics system.The objective of the article is to study, develop and specify transport and technological facilities intended to handle grain cargo and their individual, most significant elements.The organisation of transportation of various cargoes, taking into account the parameters of rolling stock, handling and storage equipment, is of decisive importance in determining the efficiency of transport and technological schemes.The paper considers the technology developed to move the material flow from the consignor to the consignee, which allows to supply cargo to the recipients at a fixed time while keeping its qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The study of the grain cargo transportation market made it possible to draw a conclusion about the importance of filling, discharge, and temporary storage operations for the entire operation chain.A proposed innovative design of a class of bunker silos could significantly expand their functionality together with the developed technology of their operation to handle grain cargo.Study on the analysis and modelling of the processes in proposed bunker silo considered physical and mechanical properties of the considered cargoes. The main parameters and factors, as well as the range of their influence on the efficiency of its operation were investigate for filling, storage and discharge stages.

Cargo Handling Equipment and Ports Performance in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between cargo handling equipment and Ports Performance in Nigeria. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey in its investigation of the variables. Primary source of data was generated through structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 2,416 employees of six ports in Nigeria including Abuja office. The sample size of 344 was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. The research instrument was validated through supervisor’s vetting and approval while the reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. Data generated were analyzed and presented using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Statistics. The tests were carried out at a 95% confidence interval and a 0.05 level of significance. The study findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between cargo handling equipment and Ports Performance in Nigeria. The study recommends that management of ports in Nigeria should seek to have modern cargo handling equipment should be taken as a step toward delivering efficient and timely port capacity. Keyword: Cargo Handling Equipment, Ports Performance, Cargo Turnaround, Vessel Turnaround

Information management in the area of occupational health and safety for the prevention of occupational accidents in companies

Objective: to analyze the culture and control of occupational health and safety management to reduce occupational accidents among workers in companies in the city of Juliaca-Puno, 2022. Methods: a non-experimental transectional design was used, based on a quantitative, basic and descriptive methodology. The sample consisted of 200 workers to whom a questionnaire was applied. As for the statistical data analysis, SPSS V.26 software was used. Results: the predominant economic activity is commerce (59%), with activities in the administrative area (53%). In addition, safety and hygiene induction was 61.5%, knowledge of occupational hazards 57%, induction in the handling of machinery and equipment 70.5%, safe working environment 55.5%, while training on industrial safety and hygiene 61.5% and control measures or sanctions for non-compliance 46.5%, are applied some. Conclusions: The culture and control of occupational health and safety management for the prevention of occupational hazards in companies in Juliaca are insufficient, due to the lack of greater training, compliance and control to promote occupational health and safety where people are exposed to various risks.

Oscillometric blood pressure measurement in a neonatal intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate how neonatal blood pressure measurement with the oscillometric method is performed by a nursing team, including patient preparation, documentation, materials, and equipment. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through direct observation of procedures performed by nursing staff. A systematic script was used for observation and documentation of the procedure, patient reparation, and handling of equipment. The results were analyzed through inferential statistics. Results: In a total of 150 observations, 60% or more of steps were classified as correct in 13 of the 26 target items. There was no difference between RNs and nurse technicians concerning the procedure´s success rate (p = 0.3933). Blood pressure measurement was obtained in the first attempt, according to the procedure´s adequacy (p <0.0001). Conclusion: Published recommendations for oscillometric blood pressure measurement were not followed completely. Continuing education should focus on routine procedures to ensure essential aspects of care.

Material Handling Equipment Selection Algorithm for Production Workplaces

Nowadays, the consumption is the most significant factor in the economy. The consumption requires different items, which must be produced by the industry. Production processes are realized mainly on workplaces, so their importance is inevitably. This paper presents an overview about the planning process of material handling machines, especially for the production workplaces. The research, shown in this paper, targets to develop a model, which can help to select the most suitable material handling equipment for different production workplaces. The topic presented in this paper deals with the building of selection algorithm for the exclusion of non-applicable equipment types. To show the useability of the concept an example will also be presented.

Development of Histamine in Fresh and Canned Tuna Steaks Stored under Different Experimental Temperature Conditions.

Among biogenic amines, histamine is most frequently involved in foodborne intoxication. To evaluate histamine formation in tuna, several storage conditions were reproduced. An LC-MS/MS method was used for analytical determinations. Fresh tuna samples (not contaminated and grafted with tuna muscle naturally incurred with histamine at 6000 mg/kg) were stored at 4, 12, and 20 °C, and daily samples were collected for 6 days. The development of histamine was observed only in grafted tuna samples. At 4 °C, histamine formation progressed from 12.8 mg/kg (day 1) up to 68.2 mg/kg (day 6). At 12 °C, higher concentrations developed (23.9 mg/kg on day 1 up to 2721.3 mg/kg on day 6) relative to 20 °C (from 12.0 to 1681.0 mg/kg). It was found that at 4 °C, if grafted tuna was submerged in oil, histamine formation progressed more slowly. In a naturally contaminated sample, it was observed that the histamine distribution was uniform, while the normal cooking process did not affect the histamine level. Furthermore, it was found that the use of histamine-contaminated equipment for food handling may result in histamine formation in food. These results confirm the importance of implementing good hygiene practices and respecting the cold chain.