Introduction of a method of rammed linings of 230-ton steel teeming ladles

Refractories and Industrial Ceramics -     

Multi-storey timber buildings: breaking industry path dependency

The Swedish legal restriction on construction of multi-storey timber buildings was imposed in 1888 and repealed in 1994. The subsequent emergence of such a timber building system in Sweden is analysed in the context of the existing concrete-based construction system. The characteristics of the construction industry and its path dependency over the past century hamper the development of a timber building system. However, government policies and funding, the wood industry's interest in an enhanced market for value-added wood products, and involvement of the wood research community has helped develop such a construction system. Investments in knowledge creation, incentives for the entry of new firms, and increased prefabrication may facilitate a transition from this formative phase to a growth phase in the diffusion of timber buildings.

En Suède, les restrictions juridiques frappant la construction de bâtiments en bois de plusieurs étages ont été édictées en 1888 et annulées en 1994. L'auteur analyse l'arrivée résultante d'un tel système de construction en bois en Suède face à la construction en béton qui existe actuellement. Les caractéristiques de l'industrie du bâtiment et sa dépendance au chemin au cours du siècle dernier empêchent le développement d'un système de construction en bois. Toutefois, les politiques officielles et les financements ainsi que les intérêts de l'industrie du bois dans un marché amélioré pour des produits en bois à valeur ajoutée et l'engagement des chercheurs dans le domaine du bois ont aidé à développer un tel système de construction. Les investissements dans la création du savoir, les incitations à l'arrivée de nouvelles entreprises et l'augmentation de la préfabrication peuvent faciliter le passage de cette phase de formation à une phase de croissance à la diffusion des bâtiments en bois.

Mots clés: système d'innovation, restriction, bâtiments de plusieurs étages, dépendance au chemin, systèmes technologiques, charpente en bois, bâtiments en bois, Suède     

Implementation of energy-efficient windows in Swedish single-family houses

A questionnaire survey of 1010 homeowners in Jämtland and Västernorrland, which are two counties in central Sweden, was conducted to understand the factors influencing their decision to install energy-efficient windows. We complemented this survey with an interview of 12 window sellers/installers in the county Jämtland. The annual energy cost reduction, age, and condition of the windows were the most important reasons for the window replacement decision. Approximately 80% of the respondents replaced their windows with energy-efficient windows with U-value of 1.2 W/m² K. Condensation problems, perceived higher prices, and lack of awareness about windows with lower U-values were important reasons for non-adoption of more energy-efficient windows. Window sellers/installers have a strong influence on homeowners’ window selection that was indicated by the 97% of homeowners who bought the windows that were recommended to them. Sellers/installers revealed that they did not recommend windows with U-value of less than 1.2 W/m² K because they thought that investing in such windows was not economical and because windows with U-value less than 1.2 W/m² K could cause water condensation on the external surface of window pane.     

Adoption of innovative heating systems—needs and attitudes of Swedish homeowners

Questionnaire surveys of Swedish homeowners of detached houses were carried out in 2004 and 2007 to understand their needs and attitudes towards attributes of innovative heating systems (IHSs) comprised of a bedrock heat pump, district heating, or a wood pellet boiler. In each occasion 1,500 homeowners were randomly selected. The response rate was 42% in 2004 and 48% in 2007. Results showed that the majority of the respondents were satisfied with their existing heating system and did not intend to install new systems. Economic factors and functional reliability were the most important factors in the respondents’ choices of heating system, while environmental factors were of lower importance. Among the IHSs, respondents had the most favorable attitude towards bedrock heat pumps followed by district heating and pellet boilers. But the attitude was more favorable towards electric boilers than for pellet boilers. The least favorable attitude was towards oil boilers. Between 2004 and 2007, there was a positive change in respondents’ attitude towards IHSs and electric boilers, and a negative change in attitude towards resistance heaters and oil boilers.     

Evaluation of Dielectric Properties of CCTO-BT/Epoxy Composites for Electronic Applications

In the current study, the calcium copper titanate (CCTO)/epoxy, barium titanate (BT)/epoxy and CCTO-BT/epoxy composite samples with variable volume fractions of CCTO and BT are fabricated using hand lay-up and compression moulding process. The composite samples are characterized for the frequency dependence on dielectric properties, conductivity, impedance spectroscopy and electrical modulus. X-ray diffraction (XRD) representation of CCTO-BT/epoxy composite samples confirmed the presence of both CCTO and BT ceramic samples separately. The dielectric characteristics of hybrid CCTO-BT/epoxy composite samples with CCTO∶BT ratio of 40∶60, 60∶40, and 50∶50 was found relatively better than those of single ceramic filler reinforced epoxy composites. AC conductivity analysis shows improvement in the results of hybrid filler-filled CCTO-BT/epoxy composites in comparison with single filler-filled epoxy composite. 50∶50 CCTO-BT/epoxy composite shows the best AC conductivity value of ~2.2×10^-5 ohm^-1·m-1 at a higher frequency of 1 MHz. The impedance analysis confirms the higher insulating properties for hybrid 40∶60 and 60∶40 CCTO-BT/epoxy composites with respect to the single and other hybrid ceramic epoxy composites. The analysis suggests the hybrid CCTO-BT/epoxy composites to be adopted as a potential dielectric material for energy storage devices and other electronic applications.     

A deductive approach to select or rank journals in multifaceted subject, Oceanography

Whether singleton approach (citation analysis of identified source journals) used by Gross and Gross (Science 66(1713):385?C389, 1927) or differential approach (citation analysis of articles in specific subject field) applied by Bradford (Engineering 137:85?C86, 1934) suitable to select or rank journals in multifaceted subject????Oceanography?? is presented. This study discusses both the approaches analyzing citations of published literature in oceanography from 30 countries. The ranking correlation of journals showed better positive correlation (lowest ???=?0.662 for 2005?C2009 to highest ???=?0.817 for 1995?C1999) when top ranked journals from the list generated complying Gross and Gross approach (GA) were correlated with same journal titles of the list generated complying Bradford approach than the other way (lowest ???=?0.588 for 2005?C2009 to highest ???=?0.726 for 1990?C1994). Both the approaches matched similar number of journals to country-wise lists and give unbiased choice in preferring a ranking list. The journals distribution graphs showed typical Bradford?CLeimkuhler curves in both the approaches for all the datasets. But the groos droop appears comparatively early with shorter straight line in GA. The high clustering of literature to limited number of journals is a disadvantage in multifaceted subject. So the differential approach used by Bradford is being considered suitable for multifaceted subject like, ??Oceanography??.     

A behavioral change-based approach to energy efficiency in a manufacturing plant

In the realm of industrial energy efficiency studies, very little research has been done to understand the barriers and opportunities to influence behavior of production workers and the corresponding energy-saving potentials. This paper analyzes a case study of Volvo Construction Equipment AB in Braås, Sweden (VCE Braås), that has reduced its relative idle electricity use by more than 10 percentage points during 2013–2016 by implementing a strategy of changing everyday behavior of production workers. The results based on interviews with actors involved in the energy efficiency project showed that a concrete goal, the employment of a fulltime operational leader who earlier worked as a production worker at VCE Braås, and the involvement of both the leadership and employees in project management were key to the success of the project.     

Swedish energy advisers' perceptions regarding and suggestions for fulfilling homeowner expectations

Municipality energy advice services were re-introduced in Sweden in 1998 as a way of advising end-users, mainly owners of detached houses, on energy issues. In this paper, we investigate Swedish energy advisers' perceptions of homeowners' awareness of the energy advice service and their perceived ability to fulfil homeowners' expectations. Our study is based on a mail-in questionnaire survey conducted in 2009 and distributed to municipality energy advisers in all municipalities in Sweden. About 66% of the energy advisers responded. The results show that 43% of the energy advisers thought that fewer than 50% of the homeowners were aware of the service and that mass media advertisements and presentations at different organisations could improve homeowner awareness. Energy adviser attitudes, job satisfaction, and the perception that the advisers possessed up-to-date and good knowledge and sufficient financial resources to execute their duties had a significant influence on their perceived ability to fulfil homeowner expectations. Increased training in technical aspects of energy measures and increased financial support were the two measures most widely suggested as a means to improve energy advisers' performance.     

Updraft Gasification of Salmon Processing Waste

ABSTRACT:  The purpose of this study was to judge the feasibility of gasification for the disposal of waste streams generated through salmon harvesting. Gasification is the process of converting carbonaceous materials into combustible "syngas" in a high temperature (above 700 °C), oxygen deficient environment. Syngas can be combusted to generate power, which recycles energy from waste products. At 66% to 79% moisture, raw salmon waste streams are too wet to undergo pyrolysis and combustion. Ground raw or de-oiled salmon whole fish, heads, viscera, or frames were therefore "dried" by mixing with wood pellets to a final moisture content of 20%. Ground whole salmon with moisture reduced to 12% moisture was gasified without a drying agent. Gasification tests were performed in a small-scale, fixed-bed, updraft gasifer. After an initial start-up period, the gasifier was loaded with 1.5 kg of biomass. Temperature was recorded at 6 points in the gasifier. Syngas was collected during the short steady-state period during each gasifier run and analyzed. Percentages of each type of gas in the syngas were used to calculate syngas heating value. High heating value (HHV) ranged from 1.45 to 1.98 MJ/kg. Bomb calorimetry determined maximum heating value for the salmon by-products. Comparing heating values shows the efficiency of gasification. Cold gas efficiencies of 13.6% to 26% were obtained from the various samples gasified. Though research of gasification as a means of salmon waste disposal and energy production is ongoing, it can be concluded that pre-dried salmon or relatively low moisture content mixtures of waste with wood are gasifiable.