Mauricio Nogueira Frota

Uncertainty associated with the energy content in flow measurement of natural gas including real-time correction for fluid properties

A procedure is proposed to calculate the uncertainty of the energy content associated with real-time flow measurements of natural gas. The procedure was applied to a measuring scheme consisting of an arrangement of orifice plate meters installed in parallel, coupled to an on-line gas chromatograph and a real-time data processing flow computer. Two distinct sources of natural gas with appreciable fluctuations in chemical properties were considered. The analysis suggests that the uncertainty depends mainly on these fluctuations, on the flow regime and on systematic errors. The work also suggests that the chemical analysis-sampling rate plays an important role in the overall uncertainty budget.

Tools for education and training in measurement and instrumentation - a review of requirements

This paper examines the requirements for new information technology tools for education and training in measurement and instrumentation, given the advances in capability of information technology. It bases the examination on the proceedings of the IMEKO XVII World Congress held in Croatia, June 2003, and particularly the round table discussions on metrology education and training. A brief discussion is given of the nature of the discipline. The nature of formation is considered. A review is presented of the capabilities and limitations of educational tools. It is argued that the requirements are effected by the widening global spread of the application of measurement and instrumentation technology, the increasing importance of the metrological perspective of the discipline, the need for education and training at all levels and not only at the advanced scientific level, and the importance of resource limitation.

Higher education institutions: a strategy towards sustainability

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to guide higher education institutions (HEIs) in accomplishing sustainability goals while strengthening their associated systems and processes. Pursuing this goal, this study proposes a conceptual framework for modeling the HEI organizational environment; a set of strategic sustainability actions to drive movements toward sustainability; and an assessment scheme incorporating four indices to measure the degree of commitment, parity, difficulty and institutional performance throughout the implementation process of the actions proposed. Design/methodology/approach Development of the work included a literature review focused on internationally established concepts, recommendations and guidelines aimed at driving HEIs to fully acknowledge the principles of sustainable development, a study of the state-of-the-art evaluation frameworks for sustainability and an analysis of scientific studies on sustainability in HEIs and society. Findings The overall approach proposed proved to be robust, as it synthesizes global concepts, recommendations and guidelines endorsed by key international organizations and researchers thoroughly discussed in worldwide publications related to sustainability. Moreover, the conceptual framework for modeling the HEI organizational environment, the strategic sustainability actions formulated and the assessment scheme are confirmed to be a practical and realistic strategy for assisting HEIs to effectively achieve their sustainability targets and goals. Practical implications Facilitation of institutional performance assessment using the hands-on tool proposed to drive HEIs toward sustainability. Originality/value Few studies have proposed multidimensional approaches and indices to assess the institutional performance of HEIs in implementing sustainability actions.

Impacts of the Technological Change Introduced by Smart Energy Metering in the Legal Department of an Electricity Utility.

Abstract Even though intelligent measurements of energy consumption is envisioned by electric utilities as a strategic communication network to create transparency and efficiency in the operation of the energy industry, the transition from traditional to state-of-the-art technologies have induced a significant impact in the legal department of the utilities. Not straightforwardly understood by consumers unfamiliar with the updated innovative technologies, surprisingly, the modernization of the sector has generated complaints and legal processes that are everyday filed in the legal departments of the utilities. In connection with a project developed under the framework of the regulated ANEEL R&D Program (sponsored by the Brazilian Regulatory Agency responsible for controlling the electrical sector), a study was developed (i) to evaluate the litigation impact caused by the replacement of electromechanical to electronic meters and (ii) to estimate the additional operational costs generated by the introduction of smart metering technology. Making use of the time series methodology, forecasting univariate models, exponential smoothing, and dynamic regression, a case study was developed based on real data made available by an electricity utility operating in Brazil. Results of the work confirm the applicability of the dynamic regression model proposed that allowed an estimation of the impact of the new measurement technology introduced on the amount of input processes named billing complaint on the overall general mass litigation handled by the Legal Department of the utility.

Evaluation of the Influence of the Composition of Natural Gas in the Ultrasonic Measurement of Flow in Flare-type Pressure Relief Systems

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the composition of the natural gas on flow rate measurements in pressure relief flare systems, which is a legal requirement imposed by the Brazilian Regulator. The historical technical difficulties associated with collecting gas samples from flare systems, and the constant questions about the representativeness of the collected samples, are the main drivers motivating this study. The study indicated (i) a maximum error of 0.04% associated with ultrasonic measurement of gas flow rate when the actual gas composition was unknown; (ii) collected gas samples directly extracted from the flare systems do not necessarily represent the actual measured gas and (iii) the estimated maximum error associated with the totalization of the gas volume proved to be negligible when compared either to the total documented gas volume given by historical measurements or to the acceptable random errors that is inherent to this type of measurement system.

Commitment and alignment of PUC-Rio’s postgraduate programme with sustainable development

In line with the the me “postgraduate education and sustainable development” of this issue of the Revista Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao, this article reflects the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro’s – PUC-Rio – commitment to sustainable development. It highlights the actions taken in response to recommendations from The United Nations Conferences on the environment and sustainable development (1972, 1980, 1992 and 2012) and from the “Global Colloquium of University Presidents” (New York University, 1987),attended by rectors of leading universities in the world. Being aware of its responsibility, PUC-Rio has oriented its commitment to environmental ethics to target the transformation of anthropocentric culture for the wholeness of human beings through biodiversity and environmental preservation. In the context of an integrated action by the university, the article discusses the consolidation of the sustainability pillar in its Postgraduate Programme in Metrology for Quality and Innovation.