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Biogas production from seaweed biomass : a biorefinery approach
Full text linkAs the demand for energy is increasing worldwide, many countries are becoming\ud
increasingly dependent on fossil fuel consumption, leading to a rapid increase in carbon\ud
dioxide and reduction of petroleum reserves.\ud
Alternative and viable options to replace fossil fuels, improve energy security and\ud
reduce greenhouse emissions have been proposed worldwide. Marine macroalgae\ud
(seaweed) has emerged as an alternative feedstock for the production of a myriad of\ud
renewable fuels, such as biogas. The implementation of the anaerobic digestion (AD)\ud
process of seaweed requires optimisation before commercialisation is feasible. This\ud
PhD study, therefore, aimed to establish a seaweed-based biorefinery approach to\ud
produce biogas as main commodity.\ud
The study initially focused on exposing two seaweed species common in Irish waters\ud
(Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissima) to chemical, mechanical, enzymatic and\ud
physical pretreatment methods in order to enhance the release of macromolecules\ud
(lipids, protein, total carbohydrate and reducing sugars) and, ultimately, increase biodigestibility\ud
to produce biogas.\ud
Results showed that, among all chemical pretreatment conditions tested in this study,\ud
dilute acid hydrolysis (4% HNO3 at 130ºC for 2 hrs) had the greatest effect in releasing\ud
macromolecules from L. digitata and S. latissima. The environmentally friendly\ud
pretreatments (freezer milling, oxalic acid and the enzymatic product Cellulase)\ud
improved the recovery of reducing sugars.\ud
The two seaweed species were subjected to AD to investigate their suitability to\ud
generate biogas as source of renewable energy in 120 ml and 1.0 L size reactors.\ud
Pretreatments inhibited the anaerobic digestion (AD) process and only a 6% increase in\ud
biogas production was obtained when the biomass was subjected to a combination of\ud
2.0% citric acid and Cellulase.\ud
For an economically viable digester operation, digester temperature setting is one of the\ud
most critical factors. Reactors incubated at a mesophilic temperature were more\ud
5\ud
effective for biogas and methane production efficiency than either thermophilic or\ud
psychrophilic digesters during the AD of L. digitata\ud
The AD of different seaweed species commonly found in Irish and the Northern\ud
Atlantic Ocean was compared in order to evaluate their potential to produce biogas. The\ud
lowest concentration of biogas was achieved from the AD of Fucus serratus. S.\ud
latissima, Saccorhiza polyschides and L. digitata produced the highest biogas yields,\ud
making the three species prospective candidates for the production of biogas as a\ud
renewable source of energy.\ud
The seaweed-based biorefinery model integrates the AD of by-products from the\ud
biodiesel (glycerol) and the livestock industry (bovine slurry) to produce biogas. The\ud
anaerobic co-digestion of these waste streams with either L. digitata or S. latissima\ud
increased biogas and methane yields when compared to AD of the seaweed alone.\ud
Results show that the process could be a promising approach to integrating these byproducts\ud
in order to generate biogas.\ud
During experiments to investigate the scaling up of the process, in 10 L pilot plants, 217\ud
and 305 ml g/VS of methane were produced from the anaerobic digestion of L. digitata\ud
and S. latissima, respectively. The low volatile solid destruction, high alkalinity and\ud
accumulation of H2S caused a reduction in methane production. The organic residue\ud
(digestate) generated after the AD of L. digitata was shown to be a source of biofertiliser\ud
that can be used to enhance the growth rate of two biofuel crops, ryegrass and\ud
sunflower.\ud
The results obtained from this study provided essential data to support the scale-up of\ud
anaerobic digestion of seaweed in order to generate biogas as a source of renewable\ud
energy. A seaweed-based biorefinery approach achieved the extraction of\ud
macromolecules, the co-digestion of waste products, production of biogas and digestate\ud
re-use as source of fertiliser
PESI - a taxonomic backbone for Europe
Full text linkReliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation\ud
and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations,however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as high quality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for non-specialists.\ud
The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools. The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (expertise) and information (standards, data and technical) capacities of five major community networks on taxonomic indexing in Europe, which is essential for proper biodiversity assessment and monitoring activities. The key objectives of PESI were: 1) standardisation in taxonomic reference systems, 2) enhancement of the quality and completeness of taxonomic data sets and 3) creation of integrated access to taxonomic information. \ud
New information\ud
This paper describes the results of PESI and its future prospects, including the involvement in major European biodiversity informatics initiatives and programs
Quantity surveying: has cost certainty been achieved since the Introduction of the new GCCC Construction Contracts
Full text linkIn 2007 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform implemented the Construction Procurement Reform initiative in Ireland. The reform process saw the introduction of an entire set of new public works contracts, aimed at achieving cost certainty throughout the entire public works sector.\ud
The Construction Procurement Reform initiative set out to reform the method by which public works contracts were implemented and delivered throughout Ireland. One of the main aims of the reform process was the achievement of cost certainty at tender award stage.\ud
Cost certainty was to be achieved through the use of new generic forms of contracts. Various clauses were introduced within the new contracts in order to help achieve cost certainty.\ud
It was clear from the beginning of the research project that cost certainty has not been achieved through the introduction of the new GCCC construction contracts.\ud
This research set out to investigate the measures introduced within the new contracts to help achieve cost certainty and to discover whether cost certainty has been achieved through the introduction of the new contracts.\ud
The findings of this research project outlines the thoughts and perception of various individuals involved with the use of the new forms of contract and details their thoughts on cost certainty throughout the public works sector
Implications of the transition to a product-service system on the business model
Full text linkProduct-service system (PSS) is a very complex concept that involves multiple aspects (e.g. business, environment and design). PSS have the potential to reduce the adverse environmental impact of manufacturing while simultaneously gaining economic benefit. When competition on the basis of price, time, quality, flexibility or environment has become insufficient for the success of a company, the adoption of a PSS business model can have a beneficial impact on company competitiveness. However, the shift from product to product-service is a major strategic decision which not only has implications on some of the classical components of a traditional business model, but other elements should also be taken into account. The authors approach the PSS business model from this perspective and identify two new components in addition to the traditional ones: business strategy as the driving force for all the other elements, and sustainability, because PSS are believed to have the potential to reduce the environmental burden
Collaborative sustainable tourism development in Ireland: Local Authorities' use of sustainable tourism indicators.
Full text linkResponsible Tourism development and resort planning guidelines in Ireland hold one of the keys to collaborative sustainable development. Tourism planning permission is granted by Local Authorities. Yet in order to achieve collaborative sustainable tourism development specific tools are increasingly available to Local Authorities to help sustainably plan and develop tourism. The EC developed the European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS) and here in Ireland the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded the development of the DIT-ACHIEV Model of Sustainable Tourism Planning (2012), using sustainable tourism indicators.\ud
The aim of this baseline study is to investigate every Local Authority’s use of tourism indicator systems in Ireland when planning sustainably for tourism. Both published and draft County Development Plans (CDPs) of the 29 Local Authorities in Ireland were examined using a content analysis approach. This analysis centred on eleven criteria based on existing theory and incorporating various models and guidelines developed by the industry such as the EPA/DIT ACHIEV Model (2012) and the European Tourism Indicator System (2013) to determine if Local Authorities have moved toward implementing sustainable tourism indicator systems in order to achieve collaborative sustainable development of tourism.\ud
This research identified that Local Authorities CDP’s did acknowledge the contribution tourism has on the local economy. Similarly, CDP’s also valued the natural environments, which is crucial to tourism in Ireland and are developing plans based on this. However, while some CDP’s did employ certain resort planning guidelines, this study found that Local Authorities had a very low utilisation of specific planning tools such as indicator systems (ETIS and DIT ACHIEV Model) for achieving collaborative sustainable tourism development in their respective counties.\ud
This paper concludes with the future direction of research into factors impacting on this such as staffing, budget or training and what is the key to addressing this for successful collaborative sustainable development into the future
Collaborative sustainable development in drive tourism on the Wild Atlantic Way: A community perspective.
Full text linkThe Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) large-scale drive tourism route is unique in Ireland in that it runs for 2500km of coastline from Donegal to West Cork. It incorporates hundreds of coastal communities on the extreme periphery of Europe. The success of drive tourism depends on the level of community collaboration and engagement in tourism developments (ITIC, 2011; WTTC, 2013; Timothy & Boyd, 2015), especially since communities have been identified as vital to a tourist’s experience (Carson et al, 2002). However obtaining community support and collaboration in such tourism developments can be difficult to attain. In order to achieve collaborative sustainable development in drive tourism on the WAW, community engagement is required to sustain this product and to further grow its potential. As such this drive tourism product requires a careful collaborative planning and management approach to sustainably develop the route and to ensure its longevity.\ud
The aim of this research was to assess the level of community collaboration and engagement with drive tourism on the WAW. In order to determine the specific levels of community engagement in this drive tourism product, a blended qualitative and quantitative methodology was employed. The questionnaire and qualitative interviews were conducted with a representative sample of community members along the WAW from Kinsale to Malin. This particular approach allowed for a valuable representation of results in relation to community collaboration in drive tourism in Ireland. The collected data was analysed using SPSS and NVIVO to produce findings. Analysis provided a valuable insight into community perspectives on the WAW while revealing a high level of awareness of the WAW and a basic understanding of the overall concept. The research identified at this early stage of the WAW product development lifecycle, a moderate level of community collaboration and engagement with the WAW. A limitation encountered with this study involved non engagement of the community. Finally this paper concludes that while there are moderate levels of community engagement with the drive tourism product, there is a significant level of community support for the development of this drive tourism product in Ireland.\ud
Acknowledgement of funding for this research is given to Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland
The Irish survey of student engagement: A comparative analysis with international surveys of student engagement.
Full text linkAccording to Coates (2010), measuring engagement can provide a means to develop a fuller understanding of the student experience above and beyond that ascertained through student satisfaction surveys. To examine this topic further, this research analyses the Irish Survey of Student Engagement (ISSE) and compares it to similar surveys of student engagement from other countries. The surveys deal with student engagement, rather than satisfaction and are modelled on the first such survey used in the United States and Canada, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The underpinning design decisions for the NSSE is based on the premise that what students do during college counts more in terms of desired outcomes than who they are or event where they go to college (Kuh, 2001). The development of the NSSE was based on Chickering and Gameson’s (1987) seven practices in undergraduate education and other instruments that measured the student experience.\ud
In Ireland, the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 (HEA, 2011) recommended that every Irish higher education institution should put in place a comprehensive anonymous student feedback system, coupled with structures to ensure that action is taken promptly in relation to student concerns. This brought about the Irish Survey of Student Engagement (ISSE) and the central objective of this project is to develop a valuable source of information about students’ experiences of higher education in Ireland by asking students themselves.\ud
This paper aims to address the question: how does the Irish Survey of Student Engagement compare to other such surveys and is it achieving what it set out to do? The researcher proposes recommendations for improving the Irish Survey of Student Engagement and explores alternative options to measuring student engagement.\ud
The methodology employed is secondary research of the actual surveys used elsewhere and related academic journal articles on this topic. The research explores the background and context of the surveys and provides an overview of each. Throughout the paper, the local experience at the researcher’s Irish higher education institute is considered and used to support claims made, where possible.\ud
The surveys of student engagement have immense value and encourage a participation rate that could not be replicated through qualitative means. With some more rigid approaches and a combination of other methodological possibilities, the Irish survey could be more comparable internationally, but this may not be of great importance. Of utmost importance is comparisons of institutions within a country and due to the latitude given to institutions in how they participate, this is not always possible. This merits attention and a more cohesive approach should be developed in order address the important underpinning rationale for the research, to give students a voice and to improve student engagement
Stealth analysis of Network Topology using Spanning Tree Protocol
Full text linkAlmost every network over the last 30 years is built on Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). This protocol makes topology information available to individual switches by exchanging Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) containing data fields which enable the Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) to determine a hierarchy of switches on the network. A review of literature shows limited investigation into information leakage due to this protocol has been carried out since its first publication by the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1985.\ud
Scripts were developed using the Python Programming language accepting information from STP Packets with the aim of identifying the network topology of a Local Area Network (LAN) as well as information leakage from STP. Mitigation techniques for any information leakage discovered are discussed.\ud
As a result of this project the viability of a security auditor using the developed scripts within a LAN in order to obtain a situation awareness of the network security perimeter of an organisation and assets within in this perimeter is also determined
Analysis of a sustainable travel modal share study at the IT Sligo campus
Full text linkResearch was carried out at IT Sligo to determine travel modes, and views and preferences\ud
of commuter stakeholders on sustainable transport provision. Findings were planned to\ud
provide inputs into development of a workplace travel plan and targeted reduction in car\ud
travel to the Institute, due to a planning application and associated transport development\ud
control conditions relating to a major Institute building project. It was also considered that\ud
existing parking demand was excessive and unsustainable thereby the plan provided an\ud
opportunity to influence travel modes positively.\ud
Quantitative and qualitative survey methodologies were utilised in the initial stage of the\ud
study from November 2012 to February 2013. This included the identification of relevant\ud
stakeholder groups, the issuance of on-line questionnaires to determine modal choice and\ud
preferences of stakeholders, “live” interviews to gather real time journey characteristics,\ud
modal focus groups to determine concerns and attitudes, car parking accumulation surveys\ud
and comprehensive technical assessments of the Institute’s transport infrastructure. An\ud
analysis of public transport services, usage and facilities was also performed.\ud
As part of the Institute’s implementation of a Sustainable Workplace Travel plan under the\ud
Smarter Travel Campus programme, monitoring of travel modes and attitudes was instigated\ud
during November/December 2014. This included an extended on-line stakeholder survey\ud
based on the 2012/13 study with additional questions relating to sustainable travel facilities\ud
to increase cycling, walking and public transport uptake, and a technical review of transport\ud
facilities and services.\ud
It was found from the 2012/13 on-line (494 respondents/343 students) and 2012 live surveys\ud
(1346 interviewees) that the dominant travel mode to the Institute was by private car at 80%\ud
(60% for live survey), with car-sharing only occurring in 15% of trips (22% for live survey). It\ud
was determined that travel distance, convenience, public transport provision, and car sharing\ud
issues were the dominant factors affecting transport mode. Walking trips corresponded to a\ud
27% modal share (on-line survey), compared with 36% (‘live’ survey). It was considered that\ud
a significant portion of walking commuters did not participate in the on-line survey.\ud
Inadequate lighting was also found to be a significant inhibitor to walking with security\ud
concerns highlighted. Parking availability influenced commuters’ time of arrival negatively.\ud
The use of public transport services (private/public bus) from the 2012/13 surveys was low\ud
(2% live survey; 5% on-line survey) with lack of facilities on campus and poorly connected,\ud
infrequent services the main hindrances identified. Cycling trip (2% live survey; 7% on-line\ud
survey) rates were low with obstacles such as weather, inadequate cycling routes,\ud
commuting distance, and poor Institute facilities identified.\ud
The 2014 on-line questionnaire (210 respondents) findings strongly correlated with 2012/13\ud
findings. Recent upgrades to Institute bus services had increased public transport bus mode\ud
share to 8%.Cycling modal share had also increased to 8% but awareness of new cyclist\ud
facilities and services was low amongst respondents. The 2014 survey also indicated that\ud
walking had also increased in popularity from 27% to 32% of respondents. It was concluded\ud
that insufficient awareness of new sustainable transport facilities had limited its potential
Reflections on "reflection" in Action Research
Full text linkThere is wide agreement in the literature that “reflection” is a critical component of any good research, but certainly in the methodology of action research (AR). Despite consensus regarding its importance, this paper argues that there is little practical guidance for management researchers on how to carry out the process of reflection. The work is presented in the context of a case study of innovation in APC Ireland, a subsidiary of the critical power and cooling services division of the Schneider Electric Corporation. The study proposes to make a contribution by providing a questionnaire to assist the process of reflection in the course of AR cycles. The questionnaire provides a structured mechanism to assist both the practitioner and researcher. The instrument was developed from engagement with the psychology literature and it is suggested as a methodological plug-in to Davison et al.’s Principles of Canonical Action Research