Software engineering: An example of misuse

Managers of programmers and designers are sometimes wont to adopt the new and shiny. This paper describes a situation in which managers at several levels grasped for the ‘new and shiny’ in the form of software engineering. This approach was not without its hidden dangers, especially when established guidelines were ignored or violated. The results of an experience with a large software project are reported. This project dealt with a sophisticated inventory control system. The effects on the project of ignorance and the violation of rules are described. Several measures of the final product are reported. Observations of the authors conclude the paper.     

Sandwich solutions

We review come of the latest developments in core materials and sandwich composite structures. Amanda Jacob reports.     

Cobra strikes out into industrial markets

Already a world leading manufacturer of watersports equipment, Cobra International Co Ltd is now translating its composites expertise into other markets and also aims to raise the profile of Thailand as a composites manufacturing centre. Amanda Jacob visited Cobra's headquarters in Chonburi, Thailand.     

Effect of Illite Clay and Divalent Cations on Bitumen Recovery

The adverse effect of illite clay on bitumen recovery was found to be related to its acidity. The addition of calcium or magnesium ions to the flotation deionized water had a marginal effect on bitumen recovery when measured using a Denver flotation cell. However, the co‐addition of illite clay and divalent cations caused a significant reduction in bitumen recovery. The effect was found to be compounded at a lower process temperature and low pH values. Zeta potential distributions of illite suspensions and bitumen emulsions were measured individually and as a mixture to investigate the effect of divalent cations on the interaction between bitumen and illite clay. The presence of 1 mM calcium or magnesium ions in deionized water had a significant effect on the interactions between bitumen and illite clay. Slime coating of illite onto bitumen was not observed in zeta potential distribution measurements performed in alkaline tailings water.     

International scene in remote sensing

A brief survey of the status of remote sensing or earth observations from space as applied to earth-bound resources management is made. Glimpses of space systems under execution and under planning are given. Utilisation of the remote sensing technology by developed and developing countries is reviewed, pointing out current problems and future potentials.     

A simplified buffer capacity model for sanitary landfill leachate

An initial simplified buffer capacity model for landfill leachate is postulated and compared to that of two different leachate samples from the same landfill. This equilibrium model is based on the products of anaerobic decomposition. The number of species is reduced by considering all organic acids as acetic acid. This simplification reduces the number and complexity of chemical analyses required to measure the species, and also, lessens the calculations involved.The model predicts maximum buffer capacity pH within a ΔpH = 0.35, and underpredicts the magnitude by 16%.     

Processibility of Athabasca Oil Sand Using a Laboratory Hyd ro t ransport Extraction System (LHES)

A novel laboratory scale apparatus has been developed and used to assess the extraction performance of oil sands under conditions analogous to current industrial processes. The apparatus can be used to investigate independently, the liberation of bitumen from the sand as well as air‐bitumen attachment and bitumen recovery. Experiments show that lower operating temperatures have a detrimental effect on bitumen recovery and controlled air addition is beneficial for recovery. The liberation of bitumen from sand grains has been found to proceed faster than air attachment and bitumen recovery, making the flotation the ratelimiting step in the extraction process. The potential benefit of staged air injection into hydrotransport pipelines as a possible process aid is discussed.