Industrial Projects Research Articles

Mining industry project in India uses IDE Technologies’ WWTP

Singapore-based CleanEdge Water Pte Ltd has awarded IDE Technologies a contract to deliver a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for a mining industry project in Rajasthan, India.

AixLib: an open-source Modelica library for compound building energy systems from component to district level with automated quality management

Open-source modelling libraries facilitate the standardization and harmonization of model development. In the context of building energy systems, Modelica is a suitable modelling language as it is equation-based and object-oriented. As an outcome of the IBPSA project 1 cooperation, four open-source modelling libraries have been successfully deployed which all share the core library Modelica IBPSA. One of them is the AixLib modelling library. AixLib supports different modelling depths ranging from component to district level and covers all relevant domains in the context of building energy systems. To ensure high-quality simulations, continuous integration has been successfully added to automatically compare simulation results with existing validation data. This paper presents AixLib's key features, scope, and associated tools. We present three use cases that highlight the broad application range of AixLib models. Furthermore, an overview of relevant research and industry projects is provided. Finally, we give an outlook on future development goals.

A regional assessment of ecological environment quality in Thailand special economic zone: Spatial heterogeneous influences and future prediction

Abstract“Eastern Economic Corridor” is a development plan under the Thailand 4.0 scheme to revitalize the economy. However, it has influenced the environment through numerous infrastructural and industrial projects. The ecological environment is the most fragile component since it is susceptible to land use, land cover changes (LULCC) and rapid development. Meanwhile, there is currently a lack of comprehensive studies on spatial heterogeneity and future simulation of ecological environment quality (EEQ). Therefore, this study aims to analyze changes in EEQ and controlling factors and to predict near‐future EEQ by adopting an integrated approach of remote sensing and spatial analyses. It revealed that the regional EEQ has considerably fluctuated in the period 2013–2021. The dynamic areas, accounting for nearly half of the area, include ecologically degraded areas in coastal urban and surrounding areas and ecologically improved areas in the eastern forest and perennial plantations. Chonburi is the most vulnerable province due to its long coast with extensive urban infrastructures and industrial estates. These changes are an integrated consequence of natural and socioeconomic impacts. Particularly, LULCC, infrastructural projects, and climate are the most crucial contributors since they directly regulate the functions of the ecological environment, which will amplify the future changes of EEQ reflected via the near‐future prediction. This research identified key controlling factors and spatial heterogeneities that are useful for policymakers and local authorities to have appropriate local‐oriented plans for each area relevant to their uniqueness. Besides, regional plans should be also considered along with regional concerns such as LULCC, crop structures, water management, and green infrastructure, as well as legal interventions to promote sustainable development in this special economic zone.

Analysis of Degradation Phenomena of SOC Stacks Operated in Reversible SOFC / SOEC Cycling Mode

The reversible SOFC/SOEC operation of solid oxide cell (SOC) stacks promise high overall electricity-to-electricity round-trip efficiencies and low storage costs. Although in recent years the degradation rates of SOFC and SOEC stacks in single mode long-term operation have been steadily decreased, the understanding of degradation mechanisms during reversible SOFC/SOEC operation remains an important and challenging issue. Therefore, the Korean-German project “Solid Oxide Reversible Fuel Cell / Electrolysis Stack” (SORFES) focuses on the development of the core component technology for a 1 kW reversible SOC stack in order to enhance the hydrogen productivity and its utilization. The primary goals are the improvement of the performance and the durability of SOC stacks during reversible SOFC/SOEC operation and the quantification and the qualification of the relevant degradation effects.The paper presents and compares the performance and degradation results of two SOC stacks which were operated mainly in galvanostatic steady-state SOFC mode and in reversible SOFC/SOEC cycling mode. The stacks with ASC cells of Elcogen (Estonia) were fabricated by the industrial project partner E&KOA (Daejeon, Korea). The reversible cycles consist of day/night switches between SOEC and SOFC, thus covering intermittent renewable electricity supply (e.g. of photovoltaics). The stacks were electrochemically characterized by jV-curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).The first SOC stack with 10 cells was operated during 500 h in SOFC at constant current density followed by 500 h of operation under reversible SOFC/SOEC cycling conditions. The initial performance and homogeneity along the repeat units (RUs) of the stack in SOFC and SOEC at the beginning of operation are presented. In order to better understand the stack degradation, the results between reversible SOFC/SOEC cycling and galvanostatic steady-state SOFC operation are compared. The degradation, especially of the OCV, the power density and the area specific resistance (ASR) of the different RUs are analyzed and discussed. Moreover, the progression of the individual resistances, specifically of the ohmic-, the electrode polarization- and the gas concentration resistances of the RUs are evaluated and presented. The influence of temperature gradients and thermo-mechanical stresses during reversible exothermic (SOFC) and endothermic (SOEC) cycling are outlined and discussed.The results of the first stack test were used to improve the stack components and setup, e.g. the contacting and sealing of the cells in the stack and the protective coating on the interconnects. Moreover, the operating conditions during reversible SOFC/SOEC cycling were optimized. The second improved stack with 6 RUs was operated for 2800 h in galvanostatic steady-state SOFC mode and reversible SOFC/SOEC cycling mode with low degradation rate.The results of the present paper help to understand and improve the long-term stability of SOC stacks during reversible SOFC/SOEC cycling, thus promoting the SOC technology for renewable energy storage applications.

Toyota Kata for continuous improvement; an action research project in the construction industry

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate how Toyota Kata can be effectively applied in the engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing within the construction industry. The objective is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for the Toyota Kata implementation in this environment and to develop a continuous improvement (CI) method – based on Toyota Kata and adapted to the ETO manufacturing within the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach An action research (AR) approach was applied, which includes a participatory form of inquiry and learning from both intended and unintended outcomes, while simultaneously building up scientific knowledge about successful implementation of Toyota Kata. Findings All the CSFs in the AR project are addressed by the earlier literature, thus confirming the existing body of knowledge. Moreover, the existing knowledge was arguably extended through the modified Toyota Kata as an approach for CI. New elements regarding how to run the small experiments by extending the core team with personnel who work with the problem on a daily basis. Originality/value This research addresses a gap identified in the literature regarding how Toyota Kata can be adapted to the ETO manufacturing within the construction industry. It also presents an overview of CSFs for the Toyota Kata implementation in this environment.

Policy-driven responsibility for innovations and organisational learning: an ethnographic study in additive manufacturing product innovations

PurposePolicy-oriented responsibility initiatives are institutional attempts to make innovations more responsible. One such initiative is offered by the European Commission’s responsible research and innovation (RRI) keys (public engagement, gender equality, science education, open access and ethics). This study is conducted in the context of an EU Horizon 2020 project and focuses on the introduction of RRI keys to innovation projects of the additive manufacturing (AM) industry. This study aims to understand how these RRI keys are perceived and adopted by industry project partners.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use an ethnographic study based on “participant observation”, supported by interviews and workshops with AM industry experts. In particular, the analysis covers two specific innovation use cases – one in the medical field, and second in the automotive field, in the context of the EU project. The analysis, based on ethnographic data, is inductive and interpretative.FindingsThe authors take a critical approach towards the implementation of RRI policy keys as measurable indicators, and argue that they are not easy tools to implement. The authors portray how RRI keys were understood and welcomed by industrial organisations, and how their implementation raised controversies. The authors also found that RRI keys are difficult to understand. They are not easy to measure and report, and this contrasts with earlier proposals of how RRI keys should be governed or implemented. The governance, meaning the dialogue between stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation, was time-consuming and required constant organisational learning.Originality/valueDue to the insightful ethnographic methodology, the authors could well underline the faults and difficulties of the application of policy-oriented responsibility in innovation. The findings illustrate the difficulty of implementing RRI in an industry that mainly operates business-to-business. This can help future policymakers to find more successful ways of pushing industry and innovators to be more responsible. It can also suggest better ways of reaching higher organisational learning for the purpose of more responsible innovations.

Balancing Project Schedule, Cost, and Value under Uncertainty: A Reinforcement Learning Approach

Industrial projects are plagued by uncertainties, often resulting in both time and cost overruns. This research introduces an innovative approach, employing Reinforcement Learning (RL), to address three distinct project management challenges within a setting of uncertain activity durations. The primary objective is to identify stable baseline schedules. The first challenge encompasses the multimode lean project management problem, wherein the goal is to maximize a project’s value function while adhering to both due date and budget chance constraints. The second challenge involves the chance-constrained critical chain buffer management problem in a multimode context. Here, the aim is to minimize the project delivery date while considering resource constraints and duration-chance constraints. The third challenge revolves around striking a balance between the project value and its net present value (NPV) within a resource-constrained multimode environment. To tackle these three challenges, we devised mathematical programming models, some of which were solved optimally. Additionally, we developed competitive RL-based algorithms and verified their performance against established benchmarks. Our RL algorithms consistently generated schedules that compared favorably with the benchmarks, leading to higher project values and NPVs and shorter schedules while staying within the stakeholders’ risk thresholds. The potential beneficiaries of this research are project managers and decision-makers who can use this approach to generate an efficient frontier of optimal project plans.

Hydrogel and aerogel‐based flame‐retardant polymeric materials: A review

AbstractHydrogels are multifunctional engineering materials best known for their promising characteristics such as toughness, flexibility, water absorption capacity, and porosity. These features can support fire protection missions. Application of hydrogels as flame‐retardant materials is receiving much attention, such that several research and industrial projects have been devoted to design, manufacturing, and optimization of flame‐retardant hydrogels—taking a unique position among advanced multifunctional materials and strategies. Likewise, aerogels (derived from gels) due to their porous structure filled with a gas, usually air, rather than water in the case of hydrogels, have shown superior thermal insulation potential. Correspondingly, they have been used in fire and flame protection applications. In this work, the flame‐retardant hydrogels and aerogels along with mechanisms underlying their flame retardancy are reviewed. Besides classifying and interpreting the open literature on flame‐retardant hydrogels and aerogels, challenging aspects of future developments ahead of these advanced materials are highlighted.Highlights Briefly overviewed general features of hydrogels including synthesis and applications. Briefly overviewed principles of flame retardancy and flame‐retardant polymers. Reviewed and classified flame‐retardant hydrogels and aerogels as advanced materials. Summarized the latest advancements in flame‐retardant hydrogels and aerogels. Highlighted future fire protection by flame‐retardant hydrogels and aerogels.

Building Trust and Employee Engagement: Co-creation of the employee journey during a regional integration

As service design consultants, we spend most of our time thinking and crafting experiences for our clients, we often use our skillset to engage with users, understand new global trends and deliver value to all kind of industries. This time we had our heads down thinking about our own experience as employees and seeing ourselves as end users. We thought we had overcome the steep learning curve, the one we usually have in a rush when starting a project in a new industry. Little did we know that digging into our own employee experience would take us to another level of exploration.

Multi-agent collaborative conceptual design method for robotic manufacturing systems in small- and mid-sized enterprises

Robotic manufacturing systems are essential in the post-pandemic world owing to their high level of flexibility and automation during a labor crisis. However, designing a suitable robotic manufacturing system for small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) is challenging, considering both their financial burdens and the current supply chain disruptions of component suppliers. To address these challenges, this study proposes a distributed multi-agent collaborative conceptual design method involving designers and suppliers to assist SMEs in implementing robotic manufacturing systems. First, we propose a common data model that enables knowledge interaction between different agents during collaborative conceptual design. Subsequently, based on the proposed data model, the agent-based collaborative conceptual design process is developed, which enables different agents to communicate, interact, and negotiate with each other according to their experiences and knowledge. Third, an integrative algorithm based on 2-additive fuzzy measures, Choquet integral, and stochastic multi-criteria acceptability analysis is implemented to support the multi-agent decision-making process to robustly select architecture alternatives. As a case study, a real industrial design project of a robotic manufacturing system required by our industrial partner, is adopted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

A Synthesis-Based Stateful Approach for Guiding Design Thinking in Embedded System Development

Embedded systems have attracted more attention and have become more critical due to the recent computer technology advancements and applications in various areas, such as healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. Traditional software design approaches and the finite state machine cannot provide sufficient support due to two major reasons: the increasing need for more functions in designing an embedded system and sequential controls in the implementation. This deficiency particularly discourages inexperienced engineers who use conventional methods to design embedded software. Hence, we proposed a design method, the Synthesis-Based Stateful Software Design Approach (SSSDA), which synthesizes two existing methods, the Synthesis-Based Software Design Framework (SSDF) and Process and Artifact State Transition Abstraction (PASTA), to remedy the drawback of conventional methods. To show how to conduct our proposed design approach and investigate how it supports embedded system design, we studied an industrial project developed by a sophomore student team. Our results showed that our proposed approach could significantly help students lay out modules, improve testability, and reduce defects.

Iraqi Economy and Renewable Energy Projects Between Economic Necessity and Investment Challenges

Purpose: Given Iraq's current excessive fossil fuel output, this article seeks to investigate the country's potential for future renewable energy sources. The report also endeavors to foresee Iraq's future position in clean energy production in Iraq and throughout the globe and the rate at which the global energy market will shift towards renewable energy sources.
 
 Theoretical framework: Iraq's reliance on oil earnings and the country's overburdened public sector poses serious economic issues. There is a domination of state-owned firms, stringent laws, a need for more access to finance, a shortage of competent labor, and poor infrastructure that limits the expansion of numerous industries. Growth in recent years has not led to decreased poverty since the economy has changed greatly since 2014.
 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The study included both retrospective and prospective approaches. The most pressing problems in implementing and making use of renewable energy sources were described and analyzed descriptively. Future outcomes for the Iraqi economy were envisioned using a prospective approach in the form of development scenarios.
 
 Findings: A significant source of international capital flows and a key source of funding for economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI) has mostly focused on the oil industry and certain tourism projects. As a result of the country's outdated energy grid, investors are interested in something other than investing in Iraq's electrical industry.
 
 Research, practical & social implications: We describe the current issues confronting Iraqi economic development, including the need for more diversity in the economy, structural imbalances between the main sectors, and the near-total dependence on crude oil export revenues, resulting in a decline in industrial production.
 
 Originality/Value: We describe the reality of the Iraqi economy, analyze the structure of Iraq's energy sector based on conventional energy, and then find out about the progress made in renewable energy and existing and future projects under fossil fuels.

Retracted: A Visual Comprehensive Evaluation of Cultural and Creative Industry Projects Based on Improved Literature Measurement Method

Retracted: A Visual Comprehensive Evaluation of Cultural and Creative Industry Projects Based on Improved Literature Measurement Method

TRANSFORMATION OF VALUES OF THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS FROM A VUCA TO A BANI ENVIRONMENT MODEL

The article is dedicated to the study of impact of a BANI-world conditions to implementation of the high technology industrial projects and in particular of the nuclear industry projects. The purpose of the article is to analyze tendencies of changes of different factors related to the high technology nuclear project implementation against the changing conditions of the environment. The object is the project management methodologies in the BANI environment. The subject is theoretical analysis of the values differentiation in between the VUCA and BANI worlds, key aspects of BANI impacting implementation of the nuclear projects. Tasks to be solved: to analyze the transformation from the VUCA model to the BANI model, to present values and their differentiation as the basis for survival in the new world order, to develop a method for assessing project risks in the BANI environment. Methods: practical empirical analysis of nuclear project risks in comparison with BANI-model forecasts, applied research, project risk management methodology, probability theory. The following results were obtained: the differences between the values of s VUCA and BANI are determined, an understanding of the general changes that have arisen due to the functionality of the environment is provided, the project management methodology applicable in the BANI environment is analyzed, a qualitative and quantitative risk analysis based on BANI projections is implemented on the example of a nuclear project in Ukraine, and the grounds for determining the most influential BANI forecast are proposed. The main results of the research are identification and analysis of values and their differentiation in the process of transformation from the VUCA to the BANI world, proposals for the project management approach which could cover the needs of the nuclear project and the consequences of this transformation. To estimate risks, it was proposed to use qualitative and quantitative methods of risk assessment. The case study of one of the nuclear projects in Ukraine, and a mixed classic-Agile methodology for the management of the nuclear project was performed. Conclusions: risk management of the nuclear projects has to be carried out based on the impact of the BANI-projections to identified risks.

Effects of Water—Binder Ratio on Strength and Seismic Behavior of Stabilized Soil from Kongshavn, Port of Oslo

In many civil engineering problems, soil is stabilized by a combination of binders and water. The success of stabilization is evaluated using seismic tests with measured P-wave velocities. Optimization of process, laboratory testing and data modelling are essential to reduce the costs of the industrial projects. This paper reports the optimized workflow of soil stabilization through evaluated effects from the two factors controlling the development of strength: (1) the ratio between water and binder; (2) the proportions of different binders (cement/slag) were changed experimentally in a mixture of samples to evaluate the strength of soil. The experimental results show an optimal combination of 30% cement and 70% slag with a binder content of 120 kg/m3 and a maximum water binder ratio (w/b) of 5. Such proportions of mixture demonstrated effective soil stabilization both on a pilot test scale and on full scale for industrial works. The correlation between the compressive strength and relative deformation of specimens revealed that strength has the highest values for w/b = 5 and the lowest for w/b = 7. In case of high water content in soil and wet samples, the condition of a w/b ≤ 5 will require a higher amount of binder.

Gap Analysis of Factors Affecting Tendering Phase of PPP Projects in Nigeria

Tendering phase as a key factor for PPP projects is complicated and has some major problems including lengthy negotiation time and high cost. The CSFs identified at other stages do not address these issues of the tendering stage. In order to ensure the success tendering stages of PPP projects in the construction industry, this paper conducted a gap analysis of the importance level of CSFs for the tendering stages of PPP projects in Nigeria. Using a survey design, the participation, level of knowledge, and experience of professionals involved in the tendering stages of PPP projects, as well as the expected and observed significance of CSFs, were evaluated. To sample professionals' opinions in the study area, a closed-ended questionnaire was used. Quadrant and gap analyses were used to analyse the collected data. The research reveals a high level of expected importance for CSFs in the bidding stages of PPP projects but a lower level of observed importance. In addition, the study provided recommendations for bridging the sustainability gap between tendering stages and PPP initiatives in general. This paper reaches the conclusion that there is a disparity between the expected and observed importance CSFs in the tendering stages of PPP projects and discusses the CSFs that required attention but did not receive it. These CSFs, if observed as expected during the tendering phases of PPP projects, will improve the private-public relations of PPP stakeholders and the probity of the processes.

Carbon emission reduction accounting method for a CCUS-EOR project

It is difficult to quantify and certify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in the entire process of a project of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)-enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Under the methodological framework for GHG voluntary emission reduction project, the carbon emission reduction accounting method for CCUS-EOR project was established after examining the accounting boundaries in process links, the baseline emission and project emission accounting methods, and the emission and leakage quantification and prediction models, in order to provide a certification basis for the quantification of GHG emission reduction in the CCUS-EOR project. Based on the data of energy consumption, emission and leakage monitoring of the CCUS-EOR industrial demonstration project in Jilin Oilfield, the net emission reduction efficiency is determined to be about 91.1% at the current storage efficiency of 80%. The accounting and prediction of carbon emission reduction for CCUS-EOR projects with different concentrations and scales indicate that within the project accounting boundary, the certified net emission reduction efficiency of the low-concentration gas source CCUS-EOR projects represented by coal-fired power plants is about 37.1%, and the certified net emission reduction efficiency of the high-concentration gas source CCUS-EOR projects represented by natural gas hydrogen production is about 88.9%. The proposed method is applicable to the carbon emission reduction accounting for CCUS-EOR projects under multiple baseline scenarios during the certification period, which can provide decision-making basis for the planning and deployment of CCUS-EOR projects.

Integrated FAHP-FDEMATEL for determining causal relationships in construction crew productivity modelling

Construction crew productivity is affected by the motivation of the crew performing given activities and by situational/contextual factors forming the dynamic construction environment. The literature lacks a comprehensive analysis of causal relationships between crew motivation and situational/contextual factors for dynamic modelling of crew productivity. The contributions of this paper are (1) identifying a set of criteria for performing expert weight assignment for heterogenous group experts in productivity research, (2) proposing an integrated fuzzy analytic hierarchy process–fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory approach that provides a systematic, structured method for determining causal relationship mapping between factors affecting crew productivity, and (3) proposing an approach for identifying cause-and-effect groups among the situational/contextual factors and crew motivation, which can further be used to formulate strategic productivity improvement solutions. The proposed methodology is demonstrated using a case study on an actual industrial construction project in Alberta, Canada.

A methodological approach for mobile applications development: MethApp4Mob

The mobile platform has challenged the software development industry, with the consequent need to adapt commonly used methodologies. The study presents MethApp4Mob: a methodological approach based on the traditional technical phases of software development and industrial project experience. It consists of 8 phases: negotiation, planning, design, implementation and alpha testing, beta testing and feedback analysis, promotion, application publication, release and maintenance, and mechanisms to optimize the software development process. MethApp4Mobile tries to keep the balance between a simple and practical approach without losing formality. Validations results encourage its possible application to offer a robust and easy-to-apply methodology in an industrial context.

Development of HOIS guidance for ultrasonic NDT for non-intrusive inspection at elevated temperatures

The non-intrusive inspection (NII) of pressure vessels using external in-service ultrasonic NDT has multiple advantages compared to internal visual inspection, including the significant reduction of down-time related costs and safety benefits from avoiding manentry into vessels. The HOIS joint industry project, with support from the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), has recently been focussing on NII of components with operating temperatures of up to 250°C (typical of upstream applications). These inspections are challenging because they require probes to be in contact with the hot surface much longer than for spot thickness measurements. The aim of the work has been to develop recommendations for in-service inspection of components at relatively high operating temperatures, thereby extending the benefits of the NII process, including avoiding or deferring internal visual inspection, to a wider range of vessels. Experimental trials have been performed on test components at up to ~250°C, with an emphasis on scanning ultrasonic systems used for corrosion mapping and weld inspection using TOFD and angled-beam phased-array (PA). The most successful trials gave corrosion mapping and TOFD weld examination results that had similar differences from benchmark values to those achieved in earlier ambient temperature trials. For angled-beam PA, it was found that some trials appeared to have issues with accurate correction of the data for the effects of the elevated component temperature on both the refracted beam angle and signal arrival times. Other trials were more successful in this respect. The lessons learned from trials on both ex-service and manufactured samples are leading to the development of specific guidance for NII at elevated temperatures. The paper highlights the technical challenges associated with ultrasonic scanning systems at elevated temperatures, share the lessons learned from the experimental trials and summarise the guidance developed.