title: The eco-profile of thermoplastic protein derived from bloodmeal

authors: Bier, James Michael

subjects: life cycle assessment

abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method that can be used to evaluate the eco-profile of a product over a portion of its life cycle. Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP) is a second generation bio-based polymer being developed at the University of Waikato, using bloodmeal as a feedstock. The objective of this study was to estimate the cradle to gate eco-profile of a hypothetical commercial process producing NTP. Specific objectives were to:
 	● Estimate non-renewable energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
 	● Identify which portions of the cradle to gate system have the greatest contribution to such impacts.
 	● Evaluate this material against other polymers.
It was found that the allocation method used for the multiple outputs of farming and meat processing had a significant influence on the non-renewable primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions attributed to NTP. This resulted in great differences between the eco-profile of NTP relative to other polymers.
The production of bloodmeal was found to have the largest contribution to both non-renewable primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of all life cycle phases. This was even more pronounced when impacts from farming and meat processing were allocated to blood or bloodmeal on a mass basis. This is in contrast to fermentation based polymers, which typically have impacts dominated by energy supply for fermentation and recovery, rather than production of biomass. If allocation from farming is based on the mass of blood as proportion of live weight, 13 kgCO₂e/kg polymer are attributed to NTP, considerably higher than the 1 - 2 kgCO₂e/kg polymer typical of other bio-based plastics (when using conventional energy) and conventional commodity polymers. Non-renewable primary energy in this scenario is 48.28 MJ/kg polymer, similar to that of other bio-based polymers. 
If allocation is based on the mass of bloodmeal, excluding wastes and losses, only 28.41 MJ/kg polymer are attributed to NTP. Emissions are still slightly higher than other bio-based polymers at 2.82 kgCO₂e/kg polymer, but in the same order of magnitude.
Alternatively, blood can be considered a waste with regard to farming and meat processing, and only the impacts of blood drying and associated transport are attributed to bloodmeal. In this case 24.03 MJ non-renewable primary energy and 0.35 kgCO₂e/kg polymer greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to NTP. For comparison, the production of polyethylene uses 72.3 MJ/kg non-renewable primary energy and releases 1.89 kgCO₂e/kg polymer.
It was concluded that the most appropriate allocation scenario is to only attribute the impacts of blood drying (and associated transport) to bloodmeal, and not any impacts from farming and meat processing. Under such as scenario, the production of NTP has the potential to reduce non-renewable primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by replacing synthetic polymers or other bio-based polymers. For each potential application, however, a full cradle to grave life cycle system should be considered to ensure that impacts from the use and end of life phases do not outweigh any differences in impacts from manufacture.

text: The eco-profile of thermoplastic protein derived from bloodmeal Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method that can be used to evaluate the eco-profile of a product over a portion of its life cycle. Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP) is a second generation bio-based polymer being developed at the University of Waikato, using bloodmeal as a feedstock. The objective of this study was to estimate the cradle to gate eco-profile of a hypothetical commercial process producing NTP. Specific objectives were to:
 	● Estimate non-renewable energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
 	● Identify which portions of the cradle to gate system have the greatest contribution to such impacts.
 	● Evaluate this material against other polymers.
It was found that the allocation method used for the multiple outputs of farming and meat processing had a significant influence on the non-renewable primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions attributed to NTP. This resulted in great differences between the eco-profile of NTP relative to other polymers.
The production of bloodmeal was found to have the largest contribution to both non-renewable primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of all life cycle phases. This was even more pronounced when impacts from farming and meat processing were allocated to blood or bloodmeal on a mass basis. This is in contrast to fermentation based polymers, which typically have impacts dominated by energy supply for fermentation and recovery, rather than production of biomass. If allocation from farming is based on the mass of blood as proportion of live weight, 13 kgCO₂e/kg polymer are attributed to NTP, considerably higher than the 1 - 2 kgCO₂e/kg polymer typical of other bio-based plastics (when using conventional energy) and conventional commodity polymers. Non-renewable primary energy in this scenario is 48.28 MJ/kg polymer, similar to that of other bio-based polymers. 
If allocation is based on the mass of bloodmeal, excluding wastes and losses, only 28.41 MJ/kg polymer are attributed to NTP. Emissions are still slightly higher than other bio-based polymers at 2.82 kgCO₂e/kg polymer, but in the same order of magnitude.
Alternatively, blood can be considered a waste with regard to farming and meat processing, and only the impacts of blood drying and associated transport are attributed to bloodmeal. In this case 24.03 MJ non-renewable primary energy and 0.35 kgCO₂e/kg polymer greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to NTP. For comparison, the production of polyethylene uses 72.3 MJ/kg non-renewable primary energy and releases 1.89 kgCO₂e/kg polymer.
It was concluded that the most appropriate allocation scenario is to only attribute the impacts of blood drying (and associated transport) to bloodmeal, and not any impacts from farming and meat processing. Under such as scenario, the production of NTP has the potential to reduce non-renewable primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by replacing synthetic polymers or other bio-based polymers. For each potential application, however, a full cradle to grave life cycle system should be considered to ensure that impacts from the use and end of life phases do not outweigh any differences in impacts from manufacture.

year: 2010

title: Speed control of small motors through the Ćuk Converter Topology

authors: Hutchins, Michael

subjects: motor speed control

abstract: The Ćuk Converter offers simultaneous buck-boost operation, but requires careful design owing to its having a fourth-order transfer function and numerous practical design constraints. We exploit a serendipitous overlap between the converter circuit and the equivalent circuit of a dc motor to design a motor controller that can operate with supply voltage that is lower than the motor full-speed requirement. We examine the transfer function when such a topology is used to control the speed of a small motor. We conclude that the approach is relatively straightforward owing to the impact of the motor’s inductance. Measurements agree with theory.

text: Speed control of small motors through the Ćuk Converter Topology The Ćuk Converter offers simultaneous buck-boost operation, but requires careful design owing to its having a fourth-order transfer function and numerous practical design constraints. We exploit a serendipitous overlap between the converter circuit and the equivalent circuit of a dc motor to design a motor controller that can operate with supply voltage that is lower than the motor full-speed requirement. We examine the transfer function when such a topology is used to control the speed of a small motor. We conclude that the approach is relatively straightforward owing to the impact of the motor’s inductance. Measurements agree with theory.

year: 2016

title: Disabled Māori and disability support options

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori

abstract: The goal of this research project was to provide information to enhance the development and implementation of an effective model of disability support service provision to Maori with disabilities. This was done by identifying and documenting the needs expressed by disabled Maori and their carers living in the Midland area, and by considering the experiences and observations of a key informant group. From our reading of the literature and the feedback we received from participants, a proposed model of disability support service provision has been proposed.

In five sections, this report begins by defining disability, and also by defining the act of caring for the disabled. Focussing on the Maori experience, obstacles, access to existing support services, cultural barriers, and health policies are discussed. In the second chapter, the research methodology is described, along with how the information was gathered. Following this is the third section which presents the opinions and reflections of Maori with disabilities. It concludes strategically with a view of the ideal community, suggesting possible resolutions, by exposing current flaws and inadequacies. Chapter four records the views and perspectives of key informant/whanau carers who participated in the project. They offer an insightful account of the often unrecognised side of the disability experience. Considering the preceding discussions, the final section develops a model of service provision for Maori with disabilities, and proposes this for effective service delivery.

text: Disabled Māori and disability support options The goal of this research project was to provide information to enhance the development and implementation of an effective model of disability support service provision to Maori with disabilities. This was done by identifying and documenting the needs expressed by disabled Maori and their carers living in the Midland area, and by considering the experiences and observations of a key informant group. From our reading of the literature and the feedback we received from participants, a proposed model of disability support service provision has been proposed.

In five sections, this report begins by defining disability, and also by defining the act of caring for the disabled. Focussing on the Maori experience, obstacles, access to existing support services, cultural barriers, and health policies are discussed. In the second chapter, the research methodology is described, along with how the information was gathered. Following this is the third section which presents the opinions and reflections of Maori with disabilities. It concludes strategically with a view of the ideal community, suggesting possible resolutions, by exposing current flaws and inadequacies. Chapter four records the views and perspectives of key informant/whanau carers who participated in the project. They offer an insightful account of the often unrecognised side of the disability experience. Considering the preceding discussions, the final section develops a model of service provision for Maori with disabilities, and proposes this for effective service delivery.

year: 2004-01-01