This paper presents an analysis of the essential characteristics of the TQM philosophy by comparing the work of five notable authors in the field. A framework is produced which gather the identified TQM enablers under the well-known operations management dimensions of process, business and people. These enablers are linked with sustainable development via balance scorecard type economic and non-economic measures. In order to capture a picture of Libyan Company’s efforts to implement the TQM, a questionnaire survey is designed and implemented. Results of the survey are presented showing the main differentiating factors between the sample companies, and a way of assessing the difference between the theoretical underpinning and the practitioners’ undertakings. Survey results indicate that companies are experiencing much difficulty in translating TQM theory into practice. Only a few companies have successfully adopted a holistic approach to TQM philosophy, and most of these put relatively high emphasis on hard elements compared with soft issues of TQM. However, where companies can realise the economic outputs, non-economic benefits such as workflow management, skills development and team learning are not realised. In addition, overall, non-economic measures have secured low weightings compared with the economic measures. We believe that the framework presented in this paper can help a company to concentrate its TQM implementation efforts in terms of process, system and people management dimensions. 

The continuous call on the increase of the quality of teaching put more pressure on academics to

draw on students experiences and propose new approaches for delivering information and increasing the

standards of teaching excellence. There are several generalized approaches to the scholarship of teaching and

learning such as continuous professional development and learning by developing, however cooperative

learning combined with project-based learning can be used in a range of disciplines in graduate studies such

as Information Technology. From our experience in teaching: e-commerce subject and web application

security course we found that such a strategy encourages lecturer to continue improve the curriculum and

delivery process leading to better learning experience for the students. This paper reports on the practical

nature of cooperative learning and how to use it to bridge Teaching and Learning as well as Theory and

Application. Our purpose is to report on cooperative learning in graduate studies using Project-based learning

strategy. It demonstrates the value of student empowerment and leadership in autonomous project groups.

The strategy is designed primarily to increase student engagement and improve the learning process. We

evaluate the success of the strategy by evaluating student attendance and active participation in classroom

discussions, learning outcomes, and student results. The success of the strategy encourages us to incorporate

the project-based approach on more than one course

This paper presents an application of the hazard model reliability analysis on wind generators, based on a condition monitoring system. The hazard model techniques are most widely used in the statistical analysis of the electric machine’s lifetime data. The model can be utilized to perform appropriate maintenance decision-making based on the evaluation of the mean time to failures that occur on the wind generators due to high temperatures. The knowledge of the condition monitoring system is used to estimate the hazard failure, and survival rates, which allows the preventive maintenance approach to be performed accurately. A case study is presented to demonstrate the adequacy of the proposed method based on the condition monitoring data for two wind turbines. Such data are representative in the generator temperatures with respect to the expended operating hours of the selected wind turbines. In this context, the influence of the generator temperatures on the lifetime of the generators can be determined. The results of the study can be used to develop the predetermined maintenance program, which significantly reduces the maintenance and operation costs. 

Due to the increase in the number of failures in the wind turbine generators, the condition monitoring system plays a significant role in overcoming the negative effects resulting from the difficult operation conditions. Mechanical and electrical properties can be combined to detect the faults coming from wind turbine generators by analyzing their behavior under different (normal and abnormal) operation conditions. Studying the trend and effect of the electrical torque pulsations on wind turbine generators under different conditions allows for a proper condition monitoring. In this paper, different methodology has been adopted to develop a proper condition monitoring system on the wind generators by evaluating the generator electrical torque based on mechanical torque and taking into account the acceleration torque, which has not been considered in previous work. Using the electric torque with respect to the rotor angular speed of the generator, when it is running under different operation conditions, indicates the generator health, which is the main methodology of the proposed work. A case study, which is based upon collected data from actual measurements, is presented in this work in order to demonstrate the adequacy of the proposed model.

Due to the increase in the failures of the wind generators, Condition Monitoring System (CMS) plays a significant role in overcoming these failures resulting from the harsh operation conditions. The mechanical, thermal, and electrical analyses can be utilized to detect the faults, which are coming from the wind generators by monitoring the changes in their characteristics under different (normal and abnormal) operation conditions. Observing the trend of the electrical torque pulsations of the wind generators under different conditions is beneficial to perform proper condition monitoring. In this paper, different methodology has been adopted to implement a proper condition monitoring system on the wind generators by evaluating the generator electrical torque based on the mechanical and the acceleration torque. Then, in order to specify the generator faults, the trend of the electrical torque with respect to the rotor angular speed of the wind generator under different operation conditions is analyzed. Further, the rate of change in the generator temperature is considered as well as an indicator to define the health of the wind generators with respect to the induced electrical torque, because of the negative effect of the elevated generator temperature on the induced electrical torque. Case study, which is based upon collected data from actual measurements, is presented in this work in order to demonstrate the adequacy of the proposed model.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate quality factors that are absolutely essential for successful implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Libyan oil and gas companies (LOGCs). Design/methodology/approach – In all, 11 quality factors with 42 elements were identified to develop a questionnaire to carry out the survey in order to identify the quality factors that are seen by LOGCs to be critical to the success of TQM implementation. In total, 45 questionnaires were provided by hand to quality-related managers from the Libyan oil and gas sector. A total of 42 were returned sufficiently completed, that gave us a response rate of approximately 93.33 per cent. Findings – The empirical analysis demonstrates several key findings: the analysis indicated that 24 quality factors are found to be critical and absolutely essential for successful TQM implementation. These factors classify into three levels of criticality. All of the factors were found to be supported by similar studies and cited literatures. Research limitations/implications – The research is subject to the normal limitations of survey research. The study is using perceptual data provided by quality managers and engineers which may not provide clear picture. It may be suitable to consider gathering information from various stakeholders such as employees, customers, suppliers and even competitors. However, this can be overcome using multiple methods to collect data in future studies. Interestingly, the findings here may be generalisable outside Libya, i.e. South Mediterranean countries. Practical implications – LOGCs should consider TQM as an innovative tool for improving business performance in today’s competitive environment. The findings suggest that the TQM critical success factors should be implemented completely as a whole package rather than on a fragmented basis to get the full potential of the TQM. Originality/value – The study investigate the critical quality factors for successful TQM implementation which will direct an organisation towards business excellence and enhancing success of TQM practices in the oil and gas sector. Very few studies have been performed to investigate and understand this issue. Therefore, the research can make a useful contribution

The demand for economical steels has increased over past years. Steels are expected to have as lean chemistry as

possible and to be easier to fabricate. At the same time they are expected to have properties at least equal to steels which

are being substituted. These demands have been, at least in part, met by V microalloyed medium carbon forging steels

in order to substitute traditional quenched and tempered (Q+T) steels. In spite of some lower toughness, V microalloyed

medium carbon forging steels broaden its application due to considerable energy save by eliminating the heat treatment

from the production route. During continuous cooling, dominantly acicular ferrite microstructure is formed. Main

characteristics of acicular ferrite are intragranular nucleation and strongly disorganized microstructure with a larger

ability to deflect cracks. Acicular ferrite is, therefore, widely recognized to be a desirable microstructure due to good

mechanical properties [5]. On the other hand, generally, data related to isothermal decomposition seems to be lacking.

Therefore, the aim of the present study is to clarify the influence of transformation temperature and time on austenite

isothermal decomposition in V-microalloyed forging steels.

This paper presents an application of a condition-monitoring system (CMS) based on a polynomial regression model (PRM) to study the influence of heat loss on a wind generator’s temperatures. Monitoring the wind generator temperatures is a significant for efficient operation, and plays a key role in an effective CMS. Many techniques, including prediction models can be utilized to reliably forecast a wind generator’s temperature during operation and avoid the occurrence of a failure. PRMs are widely used in situations when the relationship between the response and the independent variables are curve-linear. These techniques can be used to construct a normal behavior model of an electrical generator’s temperatures based on recorded data. Many independent variables affect a generator’s temperature; however, the degree of influence of each independent variable on the response is dissimilar. In many situations, adding a new independent variable to the model may cause unsatisfactory results ;therefore, the selection of the variables should be very accurate. A generator’s heat loss can be considered a significant independent variable that greatly influences the wind generator with respect to the other variables. A generator’s heat loss can be estimated in intervals by analyzing the exchange in the heat between the hot and cold fluid through the heat exchangers of wind generators. A case study built on data collected from actual measurements demonstrates the adequacy of the proposed model. 

Abstract

Fuel flexibility will drive the energy demand in the near future. The use of different syngas compositions from various sources will play a major role in the global fuel mix. CO2 in the blends will also be added as a mechanism to improve carbon capture and storage technologies. However, this can trigger instabilities such as thermoacoustics, flashback, autoignition and blowoff. In terms of blowoff, the phenomenon is still not entirely understood. This project presents a series of experiments to determine the behaviour and impact on the blowoff process at various swirl numbers, nozzle geometries and gas compositions. The Central Recirculation Zone was analyzed just before blowoff. The results show how the strength and size of the recirculation zones are highly influenced by these parameters. However, it seems that the CRZ dimensions/strength does not play an important role in the blowoff, whilst the composition of the mixture shows high correlation. Nevertheless, the CRZ intensity using these compositions can increase residence time, important for combustion improvement of other blends.

The objectives of this study (baseline study, n = 20) were to implement Matlab procedures for quantifying selected static balance variables, establish baseline data of selected variables which characterize static balance activities in a population of healthy young adult males, and to examine any trial effects on these variables. The results indicated that the implementation of Matlab procedures for quantifying selected static balance variables was practical and enabled baseline data to be established for selected variables. There was no significant trial effect. Recommendations were made for suitable tests to be used in later studies. Specifically it was found that one foot-tiptoes tests either in static balance is too challenging for most participants in normal circumstances. A one foot-flat eyes open test was considered to be representative and challenging for static balance.