bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KERAGAMAN JENIS BURUNG AIR DI TAMAN NASIONAL WASUR, MERAUKE
Authors: Winara Aji
Published: March 2017

Water birds is one of the featured biodiversity of Wasur National Park in Papua. Rawa Donggamit and Ndalir Beach is a habitat for water birds closest to residential areas and became the object of tourist attraction. This study aims to determine the species diversity of water birds and habitat conditions in Wasur National Park. The research was conducted in October 2010. The method was used is the exploration field. The results showed as many as 56 species of birds from 15 families found scattered in the area of Rawa Donggamit (50 species) and Ndalir Beach (22 species). The diversity level of bird classified as moderate with Shannon-Wienner value index (H ') of 1,72 to 2,81, Margalef richness index (R') is high for Rawa Donggamit (R '= 6,32) and moderate for Ndalir Beach (R '= 2,64). There are significant differences in the diversity between locations with Jaccard index value of 0,28. The condition of the habitat of water birds in the Rawa Donggamit suffered invasion some plant species with the widest level of invasion is kind of Fimbristylis sp. 25% of the forest habitat, while bird habitat in Ndalir beach was not much disturbed.Burung air merupakan salah satu keanekaragaman hayati unggulan di Taman Nasional Wasur Papua.  Rawa Donggamit dan Pantai Ndalir merupakan habitat burung air terdekat dengan wilayah pemukiman dan menjadi objek daya tarik wisata. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keragaman jenis burung air dan kondisi habitatnya di Taman Nasional Wasur. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Oktober 2010. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah penjelajahan lapangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sebanyak 56 jenis burung dari 15 famili dijumpai tersebar di wilayah Rawa Donggamit (50 jenis) dan Pantai Ndalir (22 jenis). Tingkat keragaman jenis burung tergolong sedang dengan nilai indeks Shannon-Wienner (H’) sebesar 1,72-2,81, Indeks kekayaan Margalef (R’) tergolong tinggi untuk Rawa Donggamit (R’= 6,32) dan sedang untuk Pantai Ndalir (R’= 2,64). Terdapat perbedaan keragaman yang nyata antar lokasi dengan nilai Indeks Jaccard sebesar 0,28. Kondisi habitat burung air di Rawa Donggamit mengalami invasi beberapa jenis tumbuhan dengan tingkat invasi terluas adalah jenis Fimbristylis sp. mencapai 25 % dari luas habitat, sedangkan habitat burung di Pantai Ndalir tidak banyak terganggu.
Specific and Complete Local Integration of Patterns in Bayesian Networks
Authors: Biehl Martin , Ikegami Takashi , Polani Daniel
Published: March 2017

We present a first formal analysis of specific and complete local integration. Complete local integration was previously proposed as a criterion for detecting entities or wholes in distributed dynamical systems. Such entities in turn were conceived to form the basis of a theory of emergence of agents within dynamical systems. Here, we give a more thorough account of the underlying formal measures. The main contribution is the disintegration theorem which reveals a special role of completely locally integrated patterns (what we call ι-entities) within the trajectories they occur in. Apart from proving this theorem we introduce the disintegration hierarchy and its refinement-free version as a way to structure the patterns in a trajectory. Furthermore we construct the least upper bound and provide a candidate for the greatest lower bound of specific local integration. Finally, we calculate the i-entities in small example systems as a first sanity check and find that ι-entities largely fulfil simple expectations.
Optimal Consumption and Portfolio Decision with Heston’s SV Model Under HARA Utility Criterion
Authors: Wang Chunfeng , Chang Hao , Fang Zhenming
Published: March 2017

This paper studies the optimal consumption-investment strategy with Heston’s stochastic volatility (SV) model under hyperbolic absolute risk aversion (HARA) utility criterion. The financial market is composed of a risk-less asset and a risky asset, whose price process is supposed to be driven by Heston’s SV model. The risky preference of the individual is assumed to satisfy HARA utility, which recovers power utility, exponential utility and logarithm utility as special cases. HARA utility is of general framework in the utility theory and is seldom studied in the existing literatures. Legendre transform-dual technique along with stochastic dynamic programming principle is presented to deal with our problem and the closed-form solution to the optimal consumption-investment strategy is successfully obtained. Finally, some special cases are derived in detail.
Using Grey Relational Analysis with Entropy to Predict the International Financial Center of China
Authors: Jiang Hang , Lin Jan-Yan , Jiang Peng
Published: March 2017

The establishment of the China Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has significantly promoted international trade, financial development, and economic growth. Building international financial centers (IFCs) satisfies the demand for FTZs to facilitate financial development, as well as promoting economic growth. Thus, successfully predicting the next IFC in China under the FTZ framework is an important issue. In this study, we applied grey relational analysis combined with entropy method to predict potential IFCs among seven FTZ cities. According to the results, our interesting findings include: 1) the “total stock turnover”, “total value of imports and exports”, and “Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)” are key indicators for determining future IFCs; 2) among seven cities, Shenzhen and Tianjin are highly likely to become the next IFCs, while Shanghai is already an IFC.
Estimating Effective Fracture Pore Volume From Flowback Data and Evaluating Its Relationship to Design Parameters of Multistage-Fracture Completion
Authors: Fu Yingkun , Dehghanpour Hassan , Ezulike Dannel Obinna , Jones R. Steven
Published: March 2017

Flowback data from seven multifractured horizontal tight oil/gas wells in Anadarko Basin show two separate regions during the single-phase water production. Region 1 shows a dropping casing pressure, and Region 2 shows a flattening casing pressure. This paper investigates the flowback behavior of the two regions, and illustrates how flowback data can be interpreted to estimate effective fracture pore volume, and to investigate its relationship to completion-design parameters. We construct diagnostic plots to understand the physics of Regions 1 and 2. Region 1 represents pressure depletion in fractures, and Region 2 represents the hydrocarbon breakthrough into the effective fracture network. The results of our analyses indicate that the duration of Region 1 depends on initial reservoir pressure and hydrocarbon type. We apply a previous flowback model (Abbasi et al. 2012, 2014) on Region 1 to estimate effective fracture pore volume, and also propose a procedure to estimate fracture compressibility by use of diagnostic-fracturing-injection-test (DFIT) data. The results suggest that the estimated effective fracture pore volume is very sensitive to fracture compressibility, and is generally larger than the final load-recovery volume, and less than the total injected-water volume. The results also suggest that most of the effective fractures are unpropped, and host the nonrecovered fracturing water. We investigate the relationship between the estimated effective fracture pore volumes and completion-design parameters, including total injected-water volume, proppant mass, gross perforated interval, and number of clusters, by use of the Pearson correlation-coefficient method. The results show that total injected-water volume, gross perforated interval, and the number of clusters are among the key design parameters for an optimal fracturing treatment. Higher total injected-water volume and closer cluster spacing generally lead to a larger effective fracture pore volume.
A Novel Versatile LDHI to Treat Multiple Conditions
Authors: Lan Qiang , Monteiro Deepak , Ceglio Mark , Krishnamurthy Pushkala
Published: March 2017

Oil and water conditions can have significant impact on the performance of anti-agglomerant (AA) low-dose hydrate (gas hydrate) inhibitors (LDHIs). For example, chemistry that performs well in high water cut (WC) and high salinity might not be effective in conditions of low salinity. This paper discusses development of versatile AA hydrate inhibitor chemistry effective under various conditions, including condensate water/low WC, certain salinity/high WC, etc. A systematic study was also conducted on the structure-property relationship of hydrate inhibition performance and water quality.

A rocking cell was used to test the hydrate inhibition performance of the chemicals. The tests were conducted using black oil and condensate from a field under three different conditions using actual field operating temperatures, pressures, and water salinities. The results of the tests were graded using a pass (flowable hydrate slurries) or fail system (plugged systems) based on the visual observation of the movement of the ball and an indirect measurement of the viscosity of the oil/water/hydrate mixture. Water quality was also analyzed at different conditions by means of direct visual observation.

The systematic study discussed in this paper helps demonstrate that the structure of the molecules has a significant effect on performance. For such surfactant type molecules, the head and the length of the tail should be properly modified to work effectively for particular oil and salinity. Such knowledge enabled the development of products to treat single particular conditions. More importantly, it also led to development of a product capable of treating multiple conditions at the same time. The formulation presented here also helps improve the overboard water quality so that an emulsion breaker is not necessary to manage it, helping to minimize additional costs.

The AA chemistry discussed can be adjusted to a wide range of conditions from low to high WC and salinity. It is particularly advantageous when several different conditions exist for certain fields. A single product can be used, thus helping reduce the costs associated with using multiple products, as well as reducing storage space necessary on platforms.
On-Demand Water Control: Molecular Host-Guest Interaction for In-Situ Modification of Formation Fluid Permeability
Authors: Recio Antonio , Eoff Larry , Lewis Christopher , Reddy B. R.
Published: March 2017

Hydrophobically modified hydrophilic polymers (HMHPs) have numerous applications in the petroleum industry, among which stand out relative permeability modifiers (RPMs) for acid diversion, drilling, fracturing, water control, water-injection profile modification, or improved oil recovery (IOR) operations. The efficacy of the polymeric RPM is attributed to a bimodal mechanism of action, which involves the association of the hydrophobic appendages in addition to adsorption of the amphoteric material to the formation surface. As a result, one challenge associated with the use of HMHPs is the pressure increase often observed when the material enters the formation. A second limitation is the inability to reverse the effect of the treatment fluid, which can be significant when the HMHP is overdisplaced, resulting in a reduction of flowback fluid, or when operational requirements call for placement of a deactivated HMHP that can be selectively activated at a desired time and location.

Because of the self-diverting nature of the HMHP discussed in this paper, field deployment has been limited to near-wellbore (NWB) applications. Within this context, a linear surfactant additive [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)] has been an effective mitigation strategy against such self-diverting characteristic; however, this also inhibits other desirable HMHP properties. Restoration of the native RPM properties was achieved using a surfactant control agent that allows on-demand RPM reactivation. Recently, it was realized that the sodium dodecyl sulfate has a much higher affinity for hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) than HMHP.

This paper discusses developments that allow for improved injectivity of HMHPs when used as RPMs for water-control operations. In addition, this study attempts to advance the existing understanding of the performance and associative mechanism of action of RPMs. Currently, there is a lack of consensus about the role hydrophobic modifications play in HMHP performance. Using host-guest attraction, the nature of the hydrophobic moieties is revealed, which compliments the current body of literature related to the use of HMHP in the petroleum industry. To this end, adsorption, fluid loss, and coreflow results prove the increased affinity of the surfactant for HPCD serve to release HMHP from the HMHP/linear-surfactant complex, reactivating the HMHP to its original associative mechanism-based RPM-performance profile.
Iron Sulfide Precipitation and Deposition under Different Impact Factors
Authors: Liu Y. , Zhang Z. , Bhandari N. , Yan F. , Zhang F. , Ruan G. , Dai Z. , Alsaiari H. A. , Lu A. Y. , Deng G. , Kan A. T. , Tomson M. B.
Published: March 2017

Iron sulfide scale is a serious concern to flow assurance in the oil and gas production, which is especially true for oil wells with high concentration H2S. FeS is oil wet and can cause emulsions, leading to operational problems and impairing oil quality. FeS accumulation on tubular can reduce oil production efficiency and may cause further corrosion to tubulars. To tackle FeS problems, it is essential to understand how FeS precipitates and deposits under various operation conditions.

In this study, we developed a strictly anoxic plug flow reactor to study FeS precipitation kinetics. Argon gas is used to remove oxygen in the solution and apparatus, and acetic acid and sodium acetate are used for pH control. We studied the impact of temperature, ionic strength, Fe(II) to S(-II) concentration ratio, steel type, and FeS dispersant on FeS precipitation kinetics and deposition.

It was observed that FeS precipitation is pseudo 1st order when Fe(II) to S(-II) concentration ratio is below 1:5, although the precipitation rate is extremely fast. At temperature range of 23 - 100 °C, freshly precipitated FeS was found to be mackinawite or amorphous FeS. A strongly attached FeS layer can form on both mild steel C1018 and corrosion resistant hastelloy C-276 alloy. FeS precipitation kinetics can be strongly accelerated by temperature or IS increase. [Fe(II)] / [S(-II)] ratio surprisingly does not affect FeS precipitation kinetics. FeS deposition can be significantly inhibited by low temperature, extra high IS (≥ 4 mol/L), and a FeS dispersant. H2S corrosion of mild steel C1018 coupon and FeS scale retention on the coupon were also investigated. We found that high temperature and moderately high IS (e.g. 2 mol/L) promotes H2S corrosion and FeS scale retention, but the FeS dispersant can effectively inhibit FeS scale retention.

This study contributes valuable data of FeS precipitation kinetics and deposition, which is rarely reported but essential for FeS prediction. Also, it has never been systematically investigated howdifferent factors affect FeS precipitation and deposition, but it is rather valuable for FeS control in the oil and gas production. Moreover, the developed strictly anoxic apparatus provides a reliable way for FeS research and FeS inhibitor or dispersant testing.
Employing an Arrhenius Rate Law to Predict the Lifetime of Oilfield Resins
Authors: Jones Paul , Boontheung Charm , Hundt Greg
Published: March 2017

In recent years, the use of polymer resins in oil and gas well cementing operations has increased. Unlike cement, resins do not have wide spread, vast case histories spanning 100 years, which leads to questions about their lifespan. The degradation kinetics of a commercially available oilfield resin system was studied and modeled to predict resin system lifetime as a function of temperature. Chemical degradation was monitored above the glass transition temperature using isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The rate of weight change as a function of temperature was used to determine the reaction rate constant at various temperatures. This information was used to determine the activation energy and pre-exponential constant. These important parameters were then used to model the degradation reaction using an Arrhenius equation to predict the material lifetime as a function of service temperature. For selected resin systems, the degradation kinetics data were also collected at elevated pressure. The rate of weight loss strongly increased with increasing temperature; however, in experiments where pressure was applied under isothermal conditions, this rate was observed to be reduced. The degradation process was observed to follow a first order rate law. Comparing calculated rate constants to experimentally obtained rate constants yielded good correlation. The formulation of the resin system as well as component selection was observed to have a significant effect on material lifetime at downhole temperatures. The glass transition temperature of the resin system was not determined to directly correlate with degradation kinetics, and in some cases, increasing the glass transition temperature was not determined to increase the lifetime of the resin system at the temperature range evaluated.

This work provides an experimental outline for the necessary data collection and evaluation techniques to predict the lifetime of various resin systems at downhole temperature conditions using classical chemical kinetic equations. This allows the service company and operator to determine under what conditions and applications usage of resin systems is appropriate.
Analysis and Optimization of H2S Scavenger Systems Using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Horton Dave , Bakuska Derrick , Soderberg Jeff
Published: March 2017

Field methods are available for the determination of dithiazine content in spent hydrogen sulfide scavengers. While these methods are useful, accuracy of the assay and interference from other chemical species or matrix effects can limit the utility of these methodologies. Due to the limitations of these methods, alternate analytical techniques were investigated. An analytical method has been developed using x-ray fluorescent (XRF) techniques that rapidly provides accurate results for total sulfur content in these scavengers. The method uses analytical equipment commercially available for sulfur in oil analysis. Sulfur compound speciation is not possible with XRF techniques, however speciation is not a critical factor in optimization as the goal is to maximize sulfur uptake while limiting dithiazine content and available sulfur to form dithiazine. The method finds application in any other scavenger solutions where soluble sulfur species are present, for example, alkanolamines or solvent based such as polyethylene glycol methyl esters. Instrument calibration is dependent upon the matrix being analyzed; however the method is robust within similar matrices of material. Instruments used for this application are light, portable and easy to use in a laboratory environment or a field environment. The method has been applied in a variety of locations in the United States and Canada to aid in optimization of scavenger application. Verification of the accuracy of the method was confirmed by random sampling and combustion analysis of the random sample of spent scavenger at Alberta Sulphur Research.
A Predictive Equation-of-State for Modeling Microemulsion Phase Behavior with Phase Partitioning of Co-Solvent
Authors: Basilio Enoc , Mu Binbin , Jin Luchao , Jamili Ahmad
Published: March 2017

Co-solvents are widely used to improve chemical flooding formulation design, but their partitioning between phases has great impacts on microemulsion phase behavior. Therefore, it is critical to accurately model microemulsion phase behavior with phase partitioning of co-solvents in a compositional chemical flooding simulator, in order to correctly predict oil recovery and better evaluate the performance of the designed formulation.

We use the physics based HLD-NAC EOS implemented with the co-solvent partitioning model developed by Biais et al. (1981) and Hirasaki (1982) to model microemulsion phase behavior with cosolvents. The HLD-NAC model can determine microemulsion phase type by correlated phase behavior dependent variables and can calculate the overall interfacial area and sizes of micelle by characterized surfactant properties. To accurately estimate the interfacial area taking into account the contribution of co-solvents, an interfacial pseudophase composed of surfactant and co-solvents is defined. Partitioning coefficients of co-solvents between interfacial pseudophase and bulk pseudophase are experimentally measured. This novel model has only one fitting parameter, which is the tail length (Lsurf) of surfactant mixtures.

We used five microemulsion systems to examine the developed approach. Solubilization ratios under a salinity scan of these systems are reproduced. Without using the co-solvent partitioning model, the matched Lsurf is dramatically underestimated for each system due to assuming all co-solvents are adsorbed onto the interface. With the improved model, the matched Lsurf is more physically representing the actual surfactant tail length. Microemulsion compositions predicted by the novel HLD-NAC EOS is in a good agreement with the experimentally measured microemulsions at all phase behavior types from Winsor Type I, through Winsor Type III to Winsor Type II. The results prove the physics based HLD-NAC EOS coupling with the thermodynamic co-solvent phase partitioning model can accurately simulate phase behavior of surfactant/co-solvent/brine/crude oil systems.

The novelty of the present work is to exercise the physics-based HLD-NAC EOS to model the phase behavior of the aforementioned systems considering co-solvent partitioning. The new model can be used in compositional chemical flooding reservoir simulation to improve the predictability of surfactant floods.
Development and Execution of Sand Control Gas Completions in the York Field, UK Southern North Sea
Authors: Langford Marc , Couper Christopher , Tovar Juan
Published: March 2017

York field is located in the Southern North Sea (SNS), within the UK offshore license blocks 47/2a, 47/3a, 47/3d, and 47/3e. The field lies 40 km east of the Humberside coast in a water depth of 42 m, approximately 25 km northeast of the Yorkshire coast and adjacent to the Rough Gas storage field.

York field has been in production since 2012. The field consists of four production wells from a normally unmanned installation (NUI). All four wells have active downhole sand control and long horizontals drilled and completed in the reservoir section.

This paper presents the design phase and execution for sand screen completions and provides an in depth process of the selection criteria for the lower completions performed in York field.

Findings are presented along with analyses of the design methodology and installations to date. In addition, results of the well post-completions data are discussed.
Financial institutions performance evaluation in a unique developing market using TOPSIS approach
Authors: Al Kharusi Sami , Savaş Başci Eşref
Published: March 2017

Using Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS) approach for the data from 2011 to 2015, the authors investigate the financial performance of 16 different financial institutions in Oman that include nine commercial banks, three specialized banks, two investment companies, and two finance companies. They find that the one investment company, Dhofar International Development and Investment Holding Co., was more efficient in 2015 and 2011. Moreover, Oman Housing Bank was more efficient in 2013 and 2014, while Ahli Bank was more efficient in the year 2012. In contrast, Bank Muscat that has the largest total assets was ranked number 16 for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. As a result of Spearman’s Rho (Rank-Order) Correlation, all ranked results are related to other years. If a bank is at placement in level, it can be affected by year before or year after. But Oman banks’ correlations shows that there are 2 different periods as effecting one year to the other.
Keywords: financial institutions performance, TOPSIS, emerging markets, efficiency, decision making criteria. JEL Classification: G21, G23, L25
The impact of macroeconomic and bank-specific factors toward non-performing loan: evidence from Indonesian public banks
Authors: Fajar Hanifan , Umanto
Published: March 2017

The present study focuses on the need for banking sector to be more reactive when facing globalization that could bring impact on banking industries complexity. Based on empirical studies, there is a need to analyze non performing loan determinants comprehensively using macroeconomic and bank-specific factors to make a good condition on bank, because combining macroeconomic and bank-specific variable as NPL determinants has made a big improvement to analyze NPL. The object of present study is 20 Banks listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) between q12005-q42014. Using dynamic panel data GMM-system method shows that the previous period of NPL (non performing loan), change of PDB (Gross Domestic Product) and inflation rate have a significantly negative impact on NPL. However, BOPO (Operations Expenses to Operations Income) and ROE (Return on Equity) has a significantly positve relationship to NPL. On the other hand, this research does not find any significance on BI rate (interest rate), solvency ratio, and size to NPL. From the result, it can be concluded that combining macroeconomic and bank-specific variable could be an alternative method to analyze NPL determinants on bank. Keywords: nonperforming loans, banks, credit risk, globalization, dynamic panel data, banking industries. JEL Classification: G21, E44, E51, E5, F60
Scum yield and effectiveness of a hydrostatic removal device: case study of Laboreaux STP
Authors: Rosa A. P. , Santos A. V. , Schmidt A. D. U. C. , Borges J. M. , Chernicharo C. A. L.
Published: March 2017

This paper aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a device to remove scum from the inner part of gas-liquid-solid separators of a full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating domestic sewage, as well as determining the scum yield coefficient for different reactors’ operating conditions. The experiments were carried out at the Laboreaux sewage treatment plant (Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil) and the effectiveness of the scum removal device was fully demonstrated, with median efficiencies ranging from 65 to 90%. The average scum yield varied from 6.8 to 14.6 mL of scum formed per kg COD applied.
Upgrading and evaluation of a simple pond system for small communities with simple interventions to reduce land requirements and increase performance
Authors: Dias D. F. C. , de Matos M. P. , Passos R. G. , Rodrigues V. A. J. , von Sperling M.
Published: March 2017

The study covers different investigations related to the upgrading of a post-treatment system for the effluent from a upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. The original post-treatment scheme comprised three ponds in series and a small coarse rock filter inserted in the last pond. Upgrading involved reducing the pond depths, applying baffles in the second pond and converting all of the third pond into a rock filter (three decreasing grain sizes). The system was conceived for 250 population equivalents, occupied an area of only 1.5 m2/inhabitant and aimed at very good removals of all major wastewater constituents. Overall final effluent concentrations for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were very good, and lower than those from the previous treatment line. Hydraulic flow patterns in both ponds showed daily thermal stratification and destratification periods. The conversion of the third pond into a rock filter increased the removal capacity of TSS (algae), but could potentially result in clogging, a phenomenon that was evaluated by a geophysical method called Georadar. The influence of accumulated sludge on treatment performance was tested before starting the operation of the upgraded system by operating the two ponds in parallel (one with sludge accumulated after 11 years of operation and the other without sludge). In this test, ammonia removal was virtually the same in both ponds.
From R&D to application: membrane bioreactor technology for water reclamation
Authors: Lay Winson C. L. , Lim Charles , Lee Yingjie , Kwok Bee Hong , Tao Guihe , Lee Kah Seng , Chua Seng Chye , Wah Yuen Long , Ghani Yahya A. , Seah Harry
Published: March 2017

PUB Singapore has been developing the membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology for water reclamation. The MBR technology has significant versatility and can be applied for production of industrial water or combined with reverse osmosis to produce NEWater. The MBR technology offers greater opportunity for process intensification and further enhancement to achieve water sustainability. Compared to conventional treatment, MBR is a 3-in-1 solution that combines bioreactor, secondary sedimentation tank and microfiltration/ultrafiltration in one single step. The advantages of MBR include process robustness, superior filtrate quality and compact footprint. Progressing from pilot studies and demonstration testing, the MBR technology is currently implemented at full-scale in Jurong and Changi Water Reclamation Plant. Moving forward, PUB continues to embark on R&D in developing innovative MBR systems for future application that includes the forthcoming Tuas Water Reclamation Plant as part of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase 2 project. This manuscript provides an overview of R&D initiatives for developing the MBR technology for water reclamation spanning more than a decade at PUB.
Resilient urban water supply: preparing for the slow-moving consequences of climate change
Authors: Díaz Pacia , Morley Kevin M. , Yeh Daniel H.
Published: March 2017

Extensive efforts have been made in preparedness and restorative action to mitigate impacts on critical water sector services from extreme events, such as storms, earthquakes, and terrorism. Comparatively, with some exceptions, the more gradual, slow-moving consequences associated with climate change have garnered lower priority in decision-making processes. This research focuses on surface- and ground- water source contamination by elevated chloride levels, which is a common climate-induced effect. Historic and current response actions by water utilities to address elevated chloride levels were analyzed based on a literature review and interviews with water utility professionals. Key lessons and findings were selected to highlight the operational challenges, solutions implemented, and the adaptive measures considered to improve community water supply resilience.
Flexibility and adaptability: essential elements of the WRRF of the future
Authors: Daigger Glen T.
Published: March 2017

All Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) must comply with evolving treatment objectives and product water quality requirements, using technologies which also evolve over time. The useful life of the physical structures, especially hydraulic conveyance (pipes and channels) and water holding structures, is significantly longer than that of the specific technologies used. Thus, the WRRF of the future must, first and foremost, be designed with the flexibility to adapt to a wide variety of requirements over its life using a wide variety of technologies, some of which are currently known while others will be invented and/or further developed over time. This might be seen as the true essence of the WRRF of the future, rather than the specific technology implemented at a particular time. While incorporating flexibility and adaptability into facilities may seem daunting, especially since future requirements and technologies are largely unknown, experience indicates that much can be done to prepare for such changes. Proven engineering approaches are presented and discussed in the paper, including the ‘building block approach’ to plant layout and design, and the choice of process tank configurations which can accommodate numerous technologies.
Treatment of industrial mineral oil wastewater – effects of coagulant type and dosage
Authors: Kweinor Tetteh E. , Rathilal S. , Robinson K.
Published: March 2017

The use of coagulants is essential in the diverse disciplines of conventional water and wastewater treatment. This work aimed to select an economic and effective coagulant, to minimize the cost of treatment and the oil droplet content of the water, thus enhancing the efficiency of a local South African oil refinery effluent plant recovering water and oil for reuse by treating the industrial mineral oil wastewater. A standard dissolved air flotation jar test preceded evaluation of four coagulants, viz. aluminum sulfate (Alum), aluminum chloride, ferric sulfate and ferric chloride. Chemical oxygen demand, soap oil and grease, total suspended solids and turbidity were determined as water quality parameters to check coagulant efficiency. Removal of over 70% was achieved for each parameter. The results obtained at pH 5 and coagulant dose of 50 mg/L showed that alum was the best pretreatment coagulant for destabilizing and minimizing oil droplets in water, due to its trivalent cationic nature. It was also economically viable.
Simultaneous sorption of As, B, Cr, Mo and Se from coal fly ash leachates by Al3+-pillared bentonite clay: implication for the construction of activated geo-synthetic clay liner
Authors: Masindi Vhahangwele , Gitari W. Mugera , Tutu Hlanganani
Published: March 2017

The present study reports the optimum conditions for intercalating the Al3+ species to bentonite clay matrices and evaluate the potential of using Al3+-modified bentonite clay (Alum-Bent) for removal of oxyanionic species of As, B, Cr, Mo and Se from coal fly ash (FA) leachates. Removal of oxyanionic species was done in batch experimental procedures. Parameters optimized were: contact time, adsorbent dosage, concentration and pH. The adsorption affinity of Al3+-bentonite clay for oxyanionic species varied as follows: B ≈ Se > Mo > Cr ≈ As respectively. The adsorption data fitted better to Langmuir adsorption isotherm than Freundlich adsorption isotherm hence confirming mono-site adsorption. The adsorption kinetics fitted well pseudo-second-order kinetic model hence confirming chemisorption. The fact that most of the oxyanion were adsorbed at pH ≥ pHpzc indicated that both electrostatic and chemical interactions occurred with the clay surface and interlayers. The Al3+-modified bentonite clay successfully removed oxyanion species from generated coal FA leachates. This study shows that Al3+-modified bentonite clay is an effective adsorbent for oxyanion species in coal FA leachates and could be applied as a reactive barrier in coal FA retention ponds.
Assessment of decentralized wastewater treatment systems in the rural area of Cuenca, Ecuador
Authors: Alvarado Andrés , Larriva Josué , Sánchez Esteban , Idrovo Diego , Cisneros Juan F.
Published: March 2017

The rapid urbanization of Cuenca, Ecuador, since about 1990 has led to efforts to build and operate decentralized domestic wastewater treatment systems in periurban and rural areas. The treatment efficiency of some of these is falling, however, and others are no longer working. ETAPA, the municipal institution in charge of water supply and sanitation, is evaluating them fully to identify common operating and maintenance difficulties, as well as deficiencies in design and/or construction. This paper presents an evaluation of the physical infrastructure and characterization of the treatment processes performed historically. The objective is to overcome the technical deficiencies and adopt a long-term, sustainable O&M plan.
Optimizing external carbon source addition in domestics wastewater treatment based on online sensoring data and a numerical model
Authors: Wang Qibin , Chen Qiuwen , Chen Jing
Published: March 2017

The removal of total nitrogen in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is often unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons. One possible measure to improve nitrogen removal is the addition of external carbon. However, the amount of carbon addition is directly related to WWTP operation costs, highlighting the importance of accurately determining the amount of external carbon required. The objective of this study was to obtain a low nitrate concentration in the anoxic zone of WWTPs efficiently and economically by optimizing the external carbon source dosage. Experiments were conducted using a pilot-scale pre-denitrification reactor at a Nanjing WWTP in China. External carbon source addition based on online monitoring of influent wastewater quality and a developed nitrification–denitrification numerical model was investigated. Results showed that carbon addition was reduced by 47.7% and aeration costs were reduced by 8.0% compared with those using a fixed-dose addition mode in the pilot reactor. The obtained technology was applied to the full-scale Jiangxinzhou WWTP in Nanjing with promising results.
Entre roças e florestas: passado e presente na Mata Atlântica do estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Oliveira Rogério Ribeiro de , Fernandez Annelise Caetano Fraga
Published: March 2017

Este trabalho trata da coexistência de ambientes florestais com ambientes agrícolas em duas áreas da Mata Atlântica na região Sudeste do Brasil. Uma está localizada na Ilha Grande (litoral sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro), sua superfície é quase toda coberta por florestas, que, em sua maior parte, recobriram áreas anteriormente cultivadas pelos caiçaras. A outra área é o Maciço da Pedra Branca (na zona oeste da cidade do Rio de Janeiro), também recoberta por florestas secundárias onde ainda existem alguns cultivos. Nesta última, estuda-se a relação dos agricultores com a dinâmica de crescimento da cidade. Nos dois casos, examinam-se os conflitos e particularidades advindos da coexistência de unidades de conservação com comunidades de plantadores e as consequências perante a dinâmica da Mata Atlântica. O registro dessas experiências, por meio de uma perspectiva interdisciplinar de longa duração sobre a paisagem, pode trazer novos enfoques sobre os processos de coevolução das sociedades humanas com o meio natural.
Impactos antrópicos nas lagoas costeiras do norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro: uma revisão sobre a eutrofização artificial e gases de efeito estufa
Authors: Marinho Claudio Cardoso , Fonseca André Luiz Dos Santos , Esteves Francisco De Assis
Published: March 2017

A eutrofização artificial é uma ação antrópica que altera o metabolismo dos ecossistemas aquáticos continentais, potencializando a incorporação ou a emissão de carbono para a atmosfera, na forma de gases de efeito estufa (CO2 e CH4). Neste artigo, avalia-se a contribuição de diversos estudos para a compreensão da relação entre a eutrofização artificial e a dinâmica do CO2 e do CH4 em lagoas costeiras. Alguns dos fatores controladores da dinâmica dos gases de efeito estufa foram identificados. De modo geral, observou-se que a eutrofização artificial potencializa a emissão de CO2 e de CH4 para a atmosfera. Os estudos foram conduzidos de forma segmentada ao invés de uma abordagem integrada sobre os principais fatores controladores. Os estudos foram realizados em diferentes programas de pós-graduação no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Destaca-se a importância desses programas, uma vez que os profissionais formados continuam desenvolvendo pesquisas em diversas instituições pelo Brasil.
Análisis financiero para la implementación de un sistema de energía solar fotovoltaica para el centro recreacional “Club Naval de Oficiales Santa Cruz de Castillogrande”
Authors: Gómez Niño Manuel D. , Alzate Rincón Freddy A. , Zapateiro Altamiranda Orlando
Published: March 2017

La globalización ha traído consigo mercados más abiertos y personas más consumistas, lo cual exige a las industrias el desarrollo de economías a escala para satisfacer la demanda. A razón de esto, del impacto de la industrialización y de las consecuencias de la acción humana en el medioambiente, como la emisión de gases de efecto invernaderos en los últimos años las corrientes medioambientales han adquirido protagonismo.La Armada Nacional quiso contribuir a estos esfuerzos con la investigación del patrón de consumo de energía del Club Naval de Oficiales mediante la visita de expertos en ingeniería eléctrica y topografía, para analizar y determinar cuál sería el posible modelo de celdas fotovoltaicas necesarias para cubrir las necesidades energéticas del club. La implementación y puesta en marcha de este proyecto contribuye eficientemente a la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, en particular del CO2, y así mismo, ayuda a reducir la dependencia de la energía del sistema nacional.De igual forma, este modelo permite a corto plazo retornar los costos de inversión y convertirla en una unidad autosuficiente, lo que a la vez hace posible utilizar los recursos que anteriormente se utilizaban en otros proyectos encaminados al cumplimiento de los 17 acuerdos firmados por los países de las Naciones Unidas, que refieren al desarrollo sostenible, dentro de los cuales está Colombia.
Humanist Principles Underlying Philosophy of Argument
Authors: Boger George
Published: March 2017

This discussion reviews the thinking of some prominent philosophers of argument to extract principles common to their thinking. It shows that a growing concern with dialogical pragmatics is better appreciated as a part of applied ethics than of applied epistemology. The discussion concludes by indicating a possible consequence for philosophy of argument and invites further discussion by asking whether argumentation philosophy has an implicit, underlying moral, or even political, posture.
Analyzing Argumentation In Rich, Natural Contexts
Authors: Reznitskaya Anita , Anderson Richard C.
Published: March 2017

The paper presents the theoretical and methodological aspects of research on the development of argument- ation in elementary school children. It presents a theoretical framework detailing psychological mechanisms responsible for the acquisition and transfer of argumentative discourse and demonstrates several applications of the framework, described in sufficient detail to guide future empirical investigations of oral, written, individual, or group argumentation performance. Software programs capable of facilitating data analysis are identified and their uses illustrated. The analytic schemes can be used to analyze large amounts of verbal data with reasonable precision and efficiency. The conclusion addresses more generally the challenges for and possibilities of empirical study of the development of argumentation.
Making Sense of “Informal Logic”
Authors: Johnson Ralph H.
Published: March 2017

This paper is an exercise in intellectual history, an attempt to understand how a specific term—”informal logic”— came to be interpreted in so many different ways. I trace the emergence and development of “informal logic” to help explain the many different meanings, how they emerged and how they are related. This paper is also, to some degree, an account of a movement that developed outside the mainstream of philosophy, whose origins lie in a desire to make logic useful (echoing Dewey).
Informal Logic’s Influence on Philosophy Instruction
Authors: Blair J. Anthony
Published: March 2017

Informal logic began in the 1970s as a critique of then-current theoretical assumptions in the teaching of argument analysis and evaluation in philosophy departments in the U.S. and Canada. The last 35 years have seen significant developments in informal logic and critical thinking theory. The paper is a pilot study of the influence of these advances in theory on what is taught in courses on argument analysis and critical thinking in U.S. and Canadian philosophy departments. Its finding, provisional and much-qualified, is that the theoretical developments and refinements have had limited impact on instruction in leading philosophy departments.
Whately on Arguments Involving Authority
Authors: Hansen Hans V.
Published: March 2017

Richard Whately’s views of arguments involving authority are very different in his Elements of Rhetoric and his Elements of Logic. This essay begins by documenting these differences and wondering why they are. It then proceeds to take a broader and more historical view of Whately’s discussions of authority and finds him occupying an important developmental ground between his predecessor Locke and contemporary views of the argument from authority. In fact, some of the things we now think are important in a good argument from authority are anticipated by Whately.
Argument Has No Function
Authors: Goodwin Jean
Published: March 2017

Douglas Walton has been right in calling us to attend to the pragmatics of argument. He has, however, also insisted that arguments should be understood and assessed by considering the functions they perform; and from this, I dissent. Argument has no determinable function in the sense Walton needs, and even if it did, that function would not ground norms for argumentative practice. As an alternative to a functional theory of argumentative pragmatics, I propose a design view, which draws attention to the way participants strategically undertake and impose norms on themselves in order for their arguments to have force.
An audience with … the public, the representative, the sovereign
Authors: Milanese Niccolo
Published: March 2017

The right of audience, in common law, is the right of a lawyer to represent a
client in a court. Royalty, the Pope and some Presidents grant audiences.
What does the power to grant an audience consist in? And what does it mean to
demand an audience (with)? Through a reading of the way in which the
vocabulary of theatre, acting and audience is involved in the generation of a
theory of state by Hobbes and Rousseau, this paper looks to reopen these
questions as a political resource for us to re-imagine and refigure our ways
of being together. Through readings of Hobbes and Rousseau, it looks at the
ways in which the performance of politics creates the public, the
representative and the sovereign and the ways these figures interact. It
proposes an alternative role for theatre as places of affective learning and
a civic ethics of playfulness, in which the auto-institution of the state as
an imagined collectivity is fully assumed.
‘If you are a girl, stay at home’ - an ethnographic examination of female social engagement from the rural 19th century to contemporary political protests in Macedonia
Authors: Jakimovska Ilina
Published: March 2017

Balkan history has been presented, in gender terms, as a history of oppressed
women, stark patriarchy and male domination. This narrative has rarely been
questioned, its echoes still lingering in the corridors of those disciplines
that helped its creation and promotion. Being one of them, ethnology can, and
should play a central role in the deconstruction of the role of women in the
so-called traditional cultures, thus establishing a potential continuity
between their past and their present struggles.