Technical Performance

The desire to replace cadmium is generally attributed to its toxicity, both in terms of process pollution and product corrosion, and several alternatives are feasible thicker zinc, tin-zinc alloy or tin-nickel alloy depending upon the precise application " . The demise of decorative nickel-chrome systems in the automotive industries of the world is partly due to cost and partly to market image, and not to technical performance where major improvements took place in the period 1960-1975 through the establishment of duplex nickel under-layers and micro discontinuous chromium top-layers. In the 1980s the trend has been towards black finishes produced generally by powder-applied epoxy polymers. 

The ultimate goal of process development is to achieve feasibility where it is possible to produce amino adds on a large scale at a production cost per kg of amino add comparable to, or cheaper than, the processes currently used by other companies. If we presume that the technical performance (fermentation and recovery) are sorted out on a laboratory scale and scaling up looks promising, then it is time to find out whether it is possible to operate economically on a large scale. 

Synthetic-based muds are mineral oil muds in which the oil phase has been replaced with a synthetic fluid, such as ether, ester, PAO, or linear alkylbenzene, and are available from major mud companies. The mud selection process is based on the mud s technical performance, environmental impact, and financial impact. Synthetic muds are expensive. Two factors influence the direct cost unit or per-barrel cost and mud losses. Synthetic muds are the technical equivalent of oil-based muds when drilling intermediate hole sections. They are technically superior to all water-based systems when drilling reactive shales in directional wells. However, with efficient solids-control equipment, optimized drilling, and good housekeeping practices, the cost of the synthetic mud can be brought to a level comparable with oil-based mud [1308]. 

Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) are a class of surfactants that have been used widely in the drilling fluid industry. The popularity of these surfactants is based on their cost-effectiveness, availability, and range of obtainable hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values [693]. Studies have shown that APEOs exhibit oestrogenic effects and can cause sterility in some male aquatic species. This may have subsequent human consequences, and such problems have led to a banning of their use in some countries and agreements to phase out their use. Alternatives to products containing APEOs are available, and in some cases they show an even better technical performance. 

In terms of fastness properties, carbonyl dyes and pigments are often superior to their azo counterparts. They are thus commonly the colorants of choice when high technical performance is demanded by a particular... 

On September 23, 1988, U.S. EPA issued the final technical performance standards and associated regulations for USTs.13 On October 26,1988, U.S. EPA issued the final regulations for financial responsibility for those USTs related mainly with petroleum products. The technical standards for USTs comprise eight components, as described in the following sections13-14 ... 

DNA array-CGFI data were provided by Sandy DeVries at Dr. Fredric Waldman s Lab at UCSF. RNA extraction experiments were technically performed by Cheng Liu and Kelly Smith. Both studies were supported by NUT grant 1 R33 CA103455. Use of human tissues has been exempted under 45 CFR 46.101 (b) and was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB 009071) at USC. 

There should be a regular and independent assessment of the technical performance of a laboratory. 

Examples of MST Products, which will be improved over the coming years in their technical performance, lifetime and cost reduction, include... 

Generation of more reproducible and long-life sensors. Improvement of technical performances of the instrument ... 

The various types of fuel cells are at somewhat different stages in the technology cycle the MCFC is ready for market introduction but faces the typical problem of a new technology, i.e., is expensive because of the lack of economies of scale for its production and the lower cost of its technical rivals (engine-driven co-generation and microturbines). From the technical point of view, the phase of euphoria has almost passed for PEMs and SOFCs and further R D activities are necessary for these two types to match the technical performance of their competitors or the necessary cost level for fuel cells to be technologically and economically ripe for the market. Only the DMFC has reached a standard that allows its use in niche markets, like caravans or yachts, despite poor efficiency levels. 

The speed of the structural change will also be determined by the competition between internal combustion engines and fuel-cell propulsion systems. Measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions may cause additional development and investments in the technical performance of combustion engines, reduce the advantages of fuel-cell applications, and slow down the diffusion of the mobile or even the stationary fuel cell. 

The background for the development of VK69 was a need for reduction of S02 emissions from double-absorption plants by installing a more active catalyst at low temperature downstream from the intermediate absorption tower. Clearly, the catalytic solution should be more competitive than the alternatives, e.g. tail gas scrubbing or triple-absorption layout, in terms of capital and operating costs. In the following, the required technical performance of the catalyst with respect to S02 oxidation activity, mechanical strength and pressure drop is discussed, and input from the literature and from practical experience in the field is presented. Reviews of the extensive literature published on sulphuric acid catalysts can be found in [2-5],... 

Rijckaert, V., De Geyter, S., Van Acker, J. and Stevens, M. (2000). Screening of the technical performance and aqnatic toxicity of V-methylolacrylamide treated wood. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Doc. No. IRGAVP 00-40166. 

PP/EPDM-Vs are marketed in two series, one for technical applications and the other for general-purpose and economical applications. Differences concern technical performances and cost. 

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