| 1. |
- Bergquist, Bjarne, et al.
(författare)
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Alive and kicking–but will Quality Management be around tomorrow? A Swedish academia perspective
- 2012
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Ingår i: Quality Innovation Prosperity. - : Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling. - 1335-1745 .- 1338-984X. ; 16:2, s. 1-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this article is to describe how Quality Management (QM) is perceived today by scholars at three Swedish universities, and into what QM is expected to develop into in twenty years. Data were collected through structured workshops using affinity diagrams with scholars teaching and performing research in the QM field. The results show that QM currently is perceived as consisting of a set of core of principles, methods and tools. The future outlook includes three possible development directions for QM are seen: [1] searching for a “discipline X” where QM can contribute while keeping its toolbox, [2] focus on a core based on the traditional quality technology toolbox with methods and tools, and [3] a risk that QM, as it is today, may seize to exist and be diffused into other disciplines.
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| 2. |
- Lindkvist, Mathias, 1979
(författare)
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The influence of management practices and policy on the environmental performance of metal packaging waste management: The cases of Sweden and the Netherlands
- 2014
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this report, management practices and waste management and prevention policy that influence the environmental impacts from the metal packaging systems of Sweden and the Netherlands are described. Thereby, the report aims to target the environmental concerns related to packaging in Europe. The approach for reaching this aim has been to synthesise and spread knowledge about the, this far, little considered specific practices of for example the implementation of packaging recycling policy.The environmental concerns related to packaging generally follow a life cycle assessment perspective and have since two decades been considered through not least an EU directive from 1994. The environmental concerns are related to the main materials commonly identified as the bases of metal packaging: steel and aluminium. Particularly prominent environmental issues are: energy use, global warming potential, raw material scarcity, and landfill space scarcity. Recycling (which in the packaging context and in this report refers to reprocessing in production processes but not for example energy recovery) is the promoted approach, and percentage wise large energy reductions have been stated to follow this approach.A few conclusions and recommendations for lowering environmental impacts from metal packaging systems are made based on the analysis of the results in this study, and they are summarised in the following. Conclusions are presented for both countries. The conclusions might be of relevance both specifically for the metal packaging systems, but also for waste management more generally. The conclusions are targeted for all actors in the respective systems, including producers, consumers, waste management actors, and public authorities. For an overview, see also Figure 8 on page 52.1) Sweden: Use complementary extraction from ashes. 2) Sweden and the Netherlands: Increase the focus on aluminium. 3) Sweden and the Netherlands: Scrutinise official statistics. 4) Sweden and the Netherlands: Better avoidance of downgrading, in for example re-melting. 5) Sweden and the Netherlands: Improving relations between public and private actors could help. 6) Sweden and the Netherlands: Opportunities for considerable improvements exist, particularly in Sweden, but are difficult to assess. 7) Sweden and the Netherlands: It is easy to overlook factors of considerable importance. 8) Sweden and the Netherlands: Other practices not identified in this study can be of importance in addition.
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| 3. |
- Munthe, Christian, 1962
(författare)
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The Price of Precaution and the Ethics of Risk
- 2011
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Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Since a couple of decades, the notion of a precautionary principle plays a central and increasingly influential role in international as well as national policy and regulation regarding the environment and the use of technology. Urging society to take action in the face of potential risks of human activities in these areas, the recent focus on climate change has further sharpened the importance of this idea. However, the idea of a precautionary principle has also been problematised and criticised by scientists, scholars and policy activists, and been accused of almost every intellectual sin imaginable: unclarity, impracticality, arbitrariness and moral as well as political unsoundness. In that light, the very idea of precaution as an ideal for policy making rather comes out as a dead end. On the basis of these contrasting starting points, Christian Munthe undertakes an innovative, in-depth philosophical analysis of what the idea of a precautionary principle is and should be about. A novel theory of the ethics of imposing risks is developed and used as a foundation for defending the idea of precaution in environmental and technological policy making against its critics, while at the same time avoiding a number of identified flaws. The theory is shown to have far-reaching consequences for areas such as bio-, information- and nuclear technology, and global environmental policy in areas such as climate change. The author argues that, while the price we pay for precaution must not be too high, we have to be prepared to pay it in order to act ethically defensible. A number of practical suggestions for precautionary regulation and policy making are made on the basis of this, and some challenges to basic ethical theory as well as consumerist societies, the global political order and liberal democracy are identified
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| 4. |
- Johansson, Björn, 1975, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation and Calculation of Dynamics in Environmental Impact Assessment
- 2013
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Ingår i: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg. - 1868-4238 .- 1868-422X. - 9783642403514 ; 397:1, s. 135-141
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In ten years customers will select products not only based on price and quality but also with strong regard to the product value environmental footprint, including for example the energy consumed. Customers expect transparency in the product realization process, where most products are labeled with their environmental footprint. Vigorous companies see this new product value as an opportunity to be more competitive. In order to effectively label the envi-ronmental impact of a product, it is pertinent for companies to request the envi-ronmental footprint of each component from their suppliers. Hence, companies along the product lifecycle require a tool, not only to facilitate the computing of the environmental footprint, but also help reduce/balance the environmental impact during the lifecycle of the product. This paper proposes to develop a procedure that companies will use to evaluate, improve and externally advertise their product’s environmental footprint to customers.
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| 5. |
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INNOTRACK: Concluding technical report
- 2010
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Samlingsverk (redaktörskap) (refereegranskat)abstract
- The track structure, rails, switches and crossings account for more than 50% of maintenance and renewal costs for the rail industry. To improve the competitiveness of rail transportation, the cost-efficiency of these areas needs to be addressed.This the background to INNOTRACK, an integrated research project funded by the European Commission’s 6th research framework pro- gramme. Running from September 2006 to December 2009, INN- OTRACK has developed a multitude of innovative solutions in the areas of track substructure, rails & welds, and switches & crossings. The solutions have been assessed from technical, logistics and life cycle cost point of views.This Concluding Technical Report of INNOTRACK includes an overview of the project. It further details implementable results, and clusters them into ”highlight” areas. In addition, the book acts as a ”key” to the vast amount of information from INNOTRACK: All sections refer to project reports where more information can be found.
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| 6. |
- Acuña, José, 1982-
(författare)
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Distributed thermal response tests : New insights on U-pipe and Coaxial heat exchangers in groundwater-filled boreholes
- 2013
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Konstnärligt arbete (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- U-pipe Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHE) are widely used today in ground source heating and cooling systems in spite of their less than optimal performance. This thesis provides a better understanding on the function of U-pipe BHEs and Investigates alternative methods to reduce the temperature difference between the circulating fluid and the borehole wall, including one thermosyphon and three different types of coaxial BHEs.Field tests are performed using distributed temperature measurements along U-pipe and coaxial heat exchangers installed in groundwater filled boreholes. The measurements are carried out during heat injection thermal response tests and during short heat extraction periods using heat pumps. Temperatures are measured inside the secondary fluid path, in the groundwater, and at the borehole wall. These type of temperature measurements were until now missing.A new method for testing borehole heat exchangers, Distributed Thermal Response Test (DTRT), has been proposed and demonstrated in U-pipe, pipe-in-pipe, and multi-pipe BHE designs. The method allows the quantification of the BHE performance at a local level.The operation of a U-pipe thermosyphon BHE consisting of an insulated down-comer and a larger riser pipe using CO2 as a secondary fluid has been demonstrated in a groundwater filled borehole, 70 m deep. It was found that the CO2 may be sub-cooled at the bottom and that it flows upwards through the riser in liquid state until about 30 m depth, where it starts to evaporate.Various power levels and different volumetric flow rates have been imposed to the tested BHEs and used to calculate local ground thermal conductivities and thermal resistances. The local ground thermal conductivities, preferably evaluated at thermal recovery conditions during DTRTs, were found to vary with depth. Local and effective borehole thermal resistances in most heat exchangers have been calculated, and their differences have been discussed in an effort to suggest better methods for interpretation of data from field tests.Large thermal shunt flow between down- and up-going flow channels was identified in all heat exchanger types, particularly at low volumetric flow rates, except in a multi-pipe BHE having an insulated central pipe where the thermal contact between down- and up-coming fluid was almost eliminated.At relatively high volumetric flow rates, U-pipe BHEs show a nearly even distribution of the heat transfer between the ground and the secondary fluid along the depth. The same applies to all coaxial BHEs as long as the flow travels downwards through the central pipe. In the opposite flow direction, an uneven power distribution was measured in multi-chamber and multi-pipe BHEs.Pipe-in-pipe and multi-pipe coaxial heat exchangers show significantly lower local borehole resistances than U-pipes, ranging in average between 0.015 and 0.040 Km/W. These heat exchangers can significantly decrease the temperature difference between the secondary fluid and the ground and may allow the use of plain water as secondary fluid, an alternative to typical antifreeze aqueous solutions. The latter was demonstrated in a pipe-in-pipe BHE having an effective resistance of about 0.030 Km/W.Forced convection in the groundwater achieved by injecting nitrogen bubbles was found to reduce the local thermal resistance in U-pipe BHEs by about 30% during heat injection conditions. The temperatures inside the groundwater are homogenized while injecting the N2, and no radial temperature gradients are then identified. The fluid to groundwater thermal resistance during forced convection was measured to be 0.036 Km/W. This resistance varied between this value and 0.072 Km/W during natural convection conditions in the groundwater, being highest during heat pump operation at temperatures close to the water density maximum.
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| 7. |
- Bannova, Olga, 1964
(författare)
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Extreme environments - Design and human factors considerations
- 2014
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The starting point of this research is based on my experience at SICSA performing research and design for extreme environments, including orbital and lunar planetary facilities, disaster shelters, polar stations and offshore surface and submersible habitats. This thesis explores what aspects and issues of design and planning processes in extreme environments have to be addressed in a similar way and therefore may be used as a basis for further work toward PhD thesis to develop a methodological planning tool or matrix. That "tool" will be proposed for the purpose of facilitating a dialogue between all parties involved during developments in extreme conditions of Polar Regions.This work investigates both sides of any activity's planning process for Polar Regions: physical conditions and human factors and as an important part of the latter – possible human error complications. The complexity of the problem calls for a multi-disciplinary approach where the many facets of sustainability have to be also addressed. Dealing with the difficulty of combining multiple components is a role for an architect as a facilitator for a dialogue between all actors involved in development activities in extreme environments.Although requirements and hardships specific to diverse extreme environments are outlined at the beginning of the text, the study is later more focused on polar and boreal sites and based on two case studies located there. The text is also based on an overview of related to research problem technical papers, discussions with professionals about their work experience with projects in extreme conditions, and students' workshops debating strategies to form sustainable behavior and design practices.This study finds that an interdisciplinary, comprehensive approach includes highlighting influences upon general habitat requirements, and constraints upon delivery, construction, and special provisions for safety and hazard intervention. Optimization of such design requirements based on a summary of design considerations will be a key element for future development of systematic planning approach.In summary, the next steps of the research advancement are outlined; emphasizing the importance of equal attention to all elements of the project development, including human factors and psychological aspects, in design and planning processes. Such an approach is essential to enable successful sustainable development and maintenance practices.
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| 8. |
- Earon, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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Groundwater Resources Potential in Hard Rock Terrain : A Multivariate Approach
- 2014
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Ingår i: Ground Water. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0017-467X .- 1745-6584.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Groundwater resources are limited and difficult to predict in crystalline bedrock due to heterogeneity and anisotropy in rock fracture systems. Municipal-level governments often lack the resources for traditional hydrogeological tests when planning for sustainable use of water resources. A new methodology for assessing groundwater resources potential (GRP) based on geological and topographical factors using principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was developed and tested. ANOVA results demonstrated statistically significant differences in classed variable groups as well as in classed GRP scores with regard to hydrogeological indicators, such as specific capacity (SC) and transmissivity. Results of PCA were used to govern the weight of the variables used in the prediction maps. GRP scores were able to identify 79% of wells in a verification dataset, which had SC values less than the total dataset median. GRP values showed statistically significant correlations using both parametric (using transformed datasets) and non-parametric methods. The method shows promise for municipal or regional level planning in crystalline terrains with high levels of heterogeneity and anisotropy as a hydrogeologically and statistically based tool to assist in assessing groundwater resources. The methodology is executed in a geographic information systems environment, and uses often readily available data, such as geological maps, feature maps and topography, and thus does not require expensive and time-consuming aquifer tests.
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| 9. |
- Ahlroth, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Weighting and valuation in selected environmental systems analysis tools - suggestions for further developments
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 19:2-3, s. 145-156
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In environmental systems analysis tools like Life Cycle Assessment, strategic environmental assessment, cost benefit analysis and environmental management systems, results need to be presented in a comprehensible way to make alternatives easily comparable. One way of doing this is to aggregate results to a manageable set by using weighting methods.. In this paper, we explore how weighting methods are used in some selected Environmental Systems Analysis Tools (ESATs), and suggest possible developments of their use. We examine the differences in current use patterns, discuss the reasons for and implications of such differences, and investigate whether observed differences in use are necessary. The result of our survey shows that weighting and valuation is broadly used in the examined ESATs. The use of weighting/valuation methods is different in different tools, but these differences are not always related to the application; rather, they are related to traditions and views on valuation and weighting. Also, although the requirements on the weights/values may differ between tools, there are intersections where they coincide. Monetary weights, using either endpoint or midpoint methods, are found to be useful in all the selected tools. Furthermore, the inventory shows that that there is a common need for generic sets of weights. There is a need for further research focusing on the development of consistent value sets derived with a wide range of methods. In parallel to the development of weighting methods it is important with critical evaluations of the weighting sets with regard to scientific quality, consistency and data gaps.
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| 10. |
- Frischknecht, Rolf, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Geosyhnthetics versus Conventional filter layer
- 2013
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. - 9782859784744 ; 4, s. 3203-3206
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Geosynthetics made from plastics can replace filter layers made of gravel. In this article goal and scope, basic data and the results of a comparative life cycle assessment of gravel and geosynthetics based filter layers are described. The filter layers of a road made of 30 cm gravel and a filter geosynthetic, respectively, form the basis for the comparison. The filter layers have the same technical performance and the same life time of 30 years. The product system includes the supply of the raw materials, the manufacture of the geotextiles and the extraction of mineral resources, the construction of the road filter, its use and its end of life phase. The life cycle assessment reveals that the geosynthetics based filter layer causes lower environmental impacts per square metre. The cumulative greenhouse gas emissions amount to 7.8 kg CO2-eq (mineral filter) and to 0.81 kg CO2-eq (geosynthetic filter). The variation of the thickness of the gravel based filter layer confirms the lower environmental impacts of a geosynthetics based filter layer. Environmental impacts of the geosynthetic production are dominated by the raw material provision (plastic granulate) and electricity consumption during manufacturing.
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