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    1076 research outputs found

    Development of Decision-making Model for Cost Optimization of Heat Exchanger on the Basis of Spreadsheet Programs

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    The current advancements in the field of heat exchangers have expanded their range of applications in many industries. The most important factor while investing in the heat exchanger is sizing them for a particular application. The sizing of a shell and tube heat exchanger is always a challenge, often causing customers to invest in either an oversized or undersized heat exchanger. The purpose of this study is to solve the customer’s conundrum of investing in an appropriate size shell and tube heat exchanger. The objectives of this study were (a) to develop and implement a spreadsheet program for optimization of overall heat transfer coefficient of shell and tube heat exchanger, (b) to determine profitability analysis using the Net Present Value (NPV) method, (c) to analyse the price sensitivity using the Monte Carlo simulation. The iteration and optimization are based on Kern’s method. The user defines the process parameters such as the temperature of hot and cold streams, mass flow rates and fluid densities. The user also assumes the tube related properties. The final sizing of the shell side is determined along with Reynolds number and pressure losses on the shell and tube side. The pressure losses are then converted into the operating cost of the heat exchanger to determine NPV. The Monte Carlo simulation calculates 1000 different NPVs for a given scenario, thus facilitating the user’s crucial decision-making process. This study is probably a first instance to combine preliminary sizing of the shell and tube heat exchanger with price sensitivity analysis using the Monte Carlo method

    A Benchmarking Research on Effective Sales Training Methods

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    Large organisations annually invest large amounts of money into training and training delivery tools, however, the return from these investments is very low. This study tackles the question that arose after the realization that on a mean curve, the under performing and mediocre performing sales reps take up the majority, yet the excelling sales reps are just but a small population at the end. The question is then, why doe the sales reps that receive the same tools and same training perform extremely differently? To tackle this conundrum, four main models were included in the research

    Evaluation of two methods to reduce legume-related flatulence through enzymatic digestion of flatulence factors

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    Legumes are nutritionally equivalent to many meat products, and can be used to supplement or replace meat in daily diets. This is beneficial for a variety of reasons, such as: i) growing legumes can help to reduce acidification of soil, global warming potential and energy use; ii) livestock is taxing on the environment in terms of adding to the volume of greenhouse gases and nitrification of soil while legume crops fix soil nitrogen. Consumers can be opposed to adding legumes to their diet due to the perception of legumes causing flatulence. Intestinal gas buildup, bloating, cramps, abdominal pain and flatulence are caused by raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) which cannot be digested in monogastric organisms such as humans. They are therefore broken down by microflora in the intestine; this bacterial digestion releases large volumes of hydrogen, which causes flatulence. The human body lacks the enzyme required to break down these RFOs — ⍺-galactosidase. This experiment evaluated two methods of applying ⍺-galactosidase to RFOs before they reach the intestinal microflora. The first method evaluates the effectiveness of enzymatically digesting the legumes before consumption. The second evaluates the effectiveness of the enzyme supplement Beano, which applies the enzyme to RFOs in the stomach. Experimental data showed that enzymatically digesting raw flours does significantly reduce the amount of RFOs in the legume. Similarly, Beano also reduces RFOs significantly. In 4 out of the 6 legumes sampled, there was no significant difference between the two methods. In order to consider the methods for commercial use, other factors (such as economic, logistical, etc.) must also be considered. At the outset, it appears that taking an enzyme supplement such as Beano might be more economically viable in the long term for the consumer, since processing costs for the flatulence free legumes would drive up the price of (normally cheap) legumes. There is an increase in the amount of people who are giving up meat for environmental and other reasons. For these consumers, as well as those who come from cultures that integrate legumes in their cuisine, the removal of flatulence factors from this nutrition-rich food group will be very beneficial

    Collective Action Opportunities for Upgrading the Value Chain of Small-scale Wooden Furniture Enterprise in Hawassa, Ethiopia

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    Ethiopia is challenged with a widening domestic wood supply gap and concurrent rapid population growth. Along with these developments, the population’s growing purchasing power is driving the demand for wooden furniture. The majority of this demand is satisfied by small-scale enterprises. Adding to the domestic wood supply uncertainty, such enterprises are exposed to various challenges, such as infrastructural limitations, unfavourable market conditions, weak government support, or skill gaps, thereby hindering their development and often situating them in a subsistent and poor survival state. A development opportunity comes to light when considering that small-scale wooden furniture enterprises are linked to a critical natural resource base, exposed to growing markets, and mostly consist of individuals with an entrepreneurial vision. If guided effectively, this sector has the potential to drive an economic environment of innovative entrepreneurship, create skilful employment, and disseminate propulsive market signals towards wood suppliers. Collective action is a frequently discussed upgrading option for countering development barriers in the context of emerging economies and therefore, is explored as a potential upgrading mechanism. This study aims to develop a potential institutional model of collective action among small-scale enterprises in Hawassa, Ethiopia. The study follows the general procedure of a value chain analysis and frames the collective action model as a potential value chain upgrading strategy. As the target actor is poorly studied, an explorative and descriptive research approach is applied. In-depth interviews were conducted with 54 wooden furniture enterprises to gain insight into their value chain position and condition, cost structures, network ties, as well as challenges. Then, individual enterprises were asked to envision a desired collective action upgrading scenario. Several key informant interviews were also conducted with direct (internal) and indirect (external) value chain actors to forge a holistic value chain structure as well as to triangulate data. The situation for small-scale furniture enterprises was found to be highly unfavourable. The most substantial issue is the limited access to adequate factors of production, especially regarding the production site, physical capital and financial capital. With markets failing to provide these, enterprises were often observed to engage in social network ties with other furniture enterprise to enable access to resources. In addition, the government’s role in supporting these enterprises was found to be weak and poorly organized. Access to support services was observed to be obstructed by ethno-centrism as well as a high labour turnover amongst development agents. Promised trainings and access to factors of production were either rarely fulfilled or qualitatively low. To counter these issues, an institutional collective action in the form of a business association is recommended. On the basis of a literature review, empirical evidence on the status quo of the target enterprises, as well as their perception on upgrading scenarios, the study develops a model association, describing its form, purpose, institutional arrangements as well as the characteristics of participating actors and potential members. It is purposed to facilitate stable network ties and act as a collective voice for improving the condition of small-scale furniture producers. It especially serves to lower transaction costs with authoritative entities, supports the access to improved business development services, such as microfinances or trainings, and advocates for improved market conditions. In the long run, the association will help small-scale enterprises collectively develop into innovative and resource efficient businesses, thereby driving and improving local forest-based markets

    Verwaltungsrecht

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    In diesem Arbeitspapier, das an der Fakultät für Kommunikation und Umwelt der Hochschule Rhein-Waal entstanden ist, werden die juristischen Grundlagen und aktuelle Fälle der Rechtsprechung erörtert und mit genauen Quellenangaben versehen

    The seven "quality tools" and their usage

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    In this working paper, which was created at the Faculty of Communication and Environment of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, the seven quality tools and their use are discussed, and exact sources are given

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