Browsing by Author "Punchihewa, H"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

item: Thesis-Full-text
Assessment of the geothermal potential for energy generation in Sri Lanka
Arachchi, GSM; Punchihewa, H
Geothermal energy is the heat extracted from the subsurface of the earth. The heat loss of the earth is higher at plate boundaries compared in the tectonic plates. The global heat loss is about 44TW where volcanic eruptions in the range 2.4 – 4.0 TW. Sri Lanka has not located geologically favor conditions for geothermal energy development it has nine hot water springs in the eastern and southern region of the country. Out of nine 7 were located in the Vijayan complex. Geochemical analysis of geothermal water of 6 selected hot water springs and the resistivity depth cross sections for few magnetotelluric tested traverses were used for the assessment of geothermal potential in southern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. Geothermal energy potential for 1 km3 reservoir near the six hot springs in southern and eastern of Sri Lanka can be calculated around 5.76 MW in Mahapelessa to 34.86 MW in Marangala. Based on the geochemical analysis, average temperatures of the geothermal reservoirs are around 120-160°C for MP, KI, KP and NW and for Marangala, Maha Oya 390 and 230°C respectively. Also the water from Kapurella, Nelum wewa, Maha Oya has representing the characteristics of volcanic water and Marangala as steam heated water. Available potentials according to the magnetotelluric studies were well beyond the economical depth of exploration so located deep in the available magnetotelluric cross sections. However according to the chemical analysing the presence of intermediate reservoirs in between the traverse can be expected in shallower. Night time infrared photography can be used to explore the surface hot water accumulations hence can explore new hot springs. Other than the chemical concentrations, isotopes characterization is useful to detect the origin of the geothermal water. To identify the exact dimensions of the reservoirs three dimensional magnetotelluric testing should be done near the hot springs.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Development a cinnamon bark peeling equipment
Ranaweera, KS; Punchihewa, H
The Cinnamon Industry has been in Sri Lanka for hundreds of years and the product is commonly known as Ceylon Cinnamon. Sri Lanka is the dominant supplier in the world cinnamon market from the past due to its special taste and quality. Therefore, this has been a solid export earner over the years for Sri Lanka. At present it accounts for 80 % of the global cinnamon market and brings in an annual income of LKR 3,000 million. Although the cinnamon industry is bringing in foreign exchange to the country, development activities in the cinnamon industry have been rare compared to the other industries. There is potential to develop the industry in various facets. The cinnamon peeling is one such process that needs development in this industry. It is a time consuming process. This is also a labour intensive process, and requires highly skilled labour to perform the task. Therefore, the new generation is reluctant to work in this sector. This has badly affected the entire cinnamon industry. In addition, only primitive tools are being used in the cinnamon peeling process. Thus, mechanization of process is one of the options available to overcome the existing issues in the industry. In the current study, a new cinnamon peeling equipment was developed by introducing a new peeling technology. Existing cinnamon peeling method and other peeling technologies have been scrutinised to propose an appropriate peeling method. Cinnamon peelers‟ (n = 12) and exporters (n = 2) feedback was gathered to improve the design. It was identified that the introduced equipment in general can be used with minimal training and knowledge. The study also showed that the safety and efficiency of the cinnamon peeling process is increased significantly when the equipment was used. Apart from that, there is a possibility to automate the process and it is suggested as future work. The Cinnamon Industry has been in Sri Lanka for hundreds of years and the product is commonly known as Ceylon Cinnamon. Sri Lanka is the dominant supplier in the world cinnamon market from the past due to its special taste and quality. Therefore, this has been a solid export earner over the years for Sri Lanka. At present it accounts for 80 % of the global cinnamon market and brings in an annual income of LKR 3,000 million. Although the cinnamon industry is bringing in foreign exchange to the country, development activities in the cinnamon industry have been rare compared to the other industries. There is potential to develop the industry in various facets. The cinnamon peeling is one such process that needs development in this industry. It is a time consuming process. This is also a labour intensive process, and requires highly skilled labour to perform the task. Therefore, the new generation is reluctant to work in this sector. This has badly affected the entire cinnamon industry. In addition, only primitive tools are being used in the cinnamon peeling process. Thus, mechanization of process is one of the options available to overcome the existing issues in the industry. In the current study, a new cinnamon peeling equipment was developed by introducing a new peeling technology. Existing cinnamon peeling method and other peeling technologies have been scrutinised to propose an appropriate peeling method. Cinnamon peelers‟ (n = 12) and exporters (n = 2) feedback was gathered to improve the design. It was identified that the introduced equipment in general can be used with minimal training and knowledge. The study also showed that the safety and efficiency of the cinnamon peeling process is increased significantly when the equipment was used. Apart from that, there is a possibility to automate the process and it is suggested as future work.
item: Article-Full-text
Energy performance enhancement in institutional and commercial buildings
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, 2022-12) Ariyaratne, R; Karunathilake, H; Punchihewa, H
The built environment has been identified as a major contributor to the energy consumption as well as the GHG emissions across the world. Enhancing the energy performance of the building sector is crucial in meeting the current climate action targets, as well as in improving the economic outcomes and welfare of building owners and occupants. With the current energy and foreign exchange reserve crises faced by Sri Lanka, it is clearly evident that reducing the energy use in buildings as well as the reliance on imported fossil fuels are important. When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions curbing and climate action initiatives, demand side management initiatives appear to be more promising for Sri Lanka compared to supply side interventions, as the latter have higher costs of mitigation [3]. The effectiveness of the energy efficiency enhancement strategies employed in buildings depends on the archetype of the building as well as locational parameters such as climate conditions [1].
item: Conference-Abstract
Work-Activities and compatible ranges of movement to assess the capability of people with physical disabilities to enhance employability
Abeykoon, K; Nanayakkara, J; Punchihewa, H
People with Physical Disabilities (PPDs) can effectively contribute towards economic growth by enhancing their employability if their residual physical capabilities are correctly identified. Therefore, the aim of the research was to identify typical manual WAs and RMs of PPDs. The objectives were to identify typical manual WAs in industry and to identify the essential RMs of body regions/joints. The research was carried out in two phases where the typical manual WAs were identified using industrial engineering experts (n=3) and then, essential RM of each body regions and/or joints required to perform WAs were identified using medical experts (n=9). Both phases employed a modified delphi approach for data collection. It was found that only a limited RMs are necessary to carry out the WAs. This could lead to the development of a tool to enable select PPDs for manual work based on their residual capabilities.