Research Papers - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/604

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Start date: 2010Subject: search.filters.subject.Sri Lanka

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Reviewing the Economics of Using LPG Vs. Electricity for Household Cooking in Sri Lanka
    (IEEE, 2020-11-16) Jayasekara, S; Fernando, Y. S
    Cooking is an essential activity in the households in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan households utilize several types of fuel to produce heat for their daily cooking needs. The most commonly used energy sources are Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Electricity. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the economic aspects of using each of these energy sources. This research aims to use existing data on several cooking appliances along with LPG and Electricity charges in Sri Lanka to calculate the costs of using each of the energy sources. With the total monthly cost of LPG at Rs.560/= and Electricity at Rs.1150/= as of March 2020, this study suggests that LPG is the most suitable energy source for cooking in Sri Lankan households.
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    The Potential Role of Carbon Tax in Achieving the Paris Agreement Targets for a Developing Country: A Case Study of Sri Lanka
    (IEEE, 2020-10-20) Fernando, G. L; Liyanage, M. H
    This study assess the effect of carbon taxes on energy and emissions of the Sri Lankan energy sector during 2015-2050. Along with a Business As Usual (BAU) scenario, three alternative carbon price trajectories were considered. These scenarios have been proposed based on fifth Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP5) to achieve the 2°C Paris target for Asia. The Carbon Price trajectories proposed by AIM/CGA, REMIND-MAgPIE and GCAM were considered. The energy-economic-environmental system was modelled using the AIM/Enduse model. It considered both energy supply and demand sectors. The results show that in the BAU scenario the GHG emissions are expected to increase from 19.8MtCO 2e in 2015to 106.2MtCO 2e in 2050. Out of three carbon tax scenarios the prices proposed by AIM/CGA has been the most efficient for reduction of GHG emissions as it could reduce final energy consumption by 26% and GHG emissions by 24% in 2050 as compared to BAU scenario.
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    Economic Viability of Solar PV for Domestic Applications in a Middle-Income Country: A case Study of Sri Lanka
    (IEEE, 2020-10-20) Wijesinghe, J. K; Najim, M. Y. M; Fernando, G. L; Liyanage, M. H
    This study focuses on the economics of using solar Photovoltaics for residential in a middle-income country like Sri Lanka. It considers solar irradiance in the Colombo district to estimate the power generation potential by a selected 2.16kWp solar PV system throughout the year. It used solar irradiance data by NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy (SSE), satellite solar insolation values for Sri Lanka and used the Liu and Jordan (LJ) method. Furthermore, it considered the economics of four different scenarios as model houses depending on appliance usage with net accounting. It was seen that without net accounting the Levelized cost of electricity could be as high as US0.69/kWh.However,withmechanismslikenetaccounting,itcouldbereducedtoUS 0.12 /kWh with full owners' contribution. Under the net accounting scheme houses that consume above 300 kWh/month will have the lowest payback period of 2 years and 9 months.
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    Readiness for" Social Learning Management System"(Social LMS) in Sri Lankan Universities: A case study research based on the students' perspectives.
    (International Journal of Advanced Studies in Computers, Science and Engineering, 2018-11-30) Gunawardhana, D. N. T; Perera, H. S. C
    Paper discusses the readiness for the Social Learning Management System in Sri Lankan Universities. The main objective of the study, was to identify the factors to be reconsidered in the existing Learning Management Systems. This is a multiple case study research based on two universities in Sri Lanka. Undergraduate students in the University of Colombo and the University of Moratuwa were included in the population and the sample method employed for the data collection in this research was Stratified Purposive Sampling. Learning Management System has become a support system of vital importance in higher education. Social Learning Management System is formed because of the Collaborative Learning methods in an online learning environment. The findings reveal that the willingness of undergraduate students to work in the social network environment for learning and grouping. The Social Learning Management System is a new concept and it has not yet been initiated in universities in Sri Lanka. The students’ responses have indirectly shown the importance of 'Social LMS'. That is, they have been explaining the features of 'Social LMS' in their responses. They have discussed the functionality of ‘Social LMS’ pointing out the lack of collaborative learning environment of existing LMS. The research has discovered that students already possess the mental and knowledge readiness towards the building of Social Learning Management System in Universities of Sri Lanka.
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    Technology Assessment of Herbal Products Industry in Sri Lanka
    (SSRN, 2021-06-29) Silva, N; Perera, H. S. C; Perera, L. C. D.T
    Production of herbal product is not only a local business but also has global market opportunities. Therefore manufacturing with proven quality and consistency is an important aspect. The manufacturers should gain technological competence to ensure authenticity and efficacy, complying the quality and safety regulations, enhanced productivity and efficiency. In the competitive market environment technology assessment is a tool which can be used in projecting future trajectories of technology as well as current performance level of the organization. Out of the available models and frameworks for technological assessments, this study has used inputs from two models namely, the Technology Audit Model by Garcea – Areola and Outline of Innovation Management Audit by Tidd et al. these inputs have been used to develop a single model that can be effectively adaptable to herbal products industry. There are two main objectives of the study. Firstly, develop a model which includes guide lines for technology assessment of the herbal products industry in Sri Lanka. Secondly, assessment of the level of technology position of LNP Ltd using the model and presenting recommendations for future improvements. To accomplish the objectives, the study has identified five broad areas of technology, namely Technological Environment, Technological Strategy, Innovations and Technology Development, Technology Component and Technology Transfer, against which the LNP Ltd has been analyzed. A check sheet to cover these elements has been used to guide through the assessment process. The elements using a three of the point scale ranging from High to Low (High -3, Low-1). The score of 3 for each element will represent the industry standard practice against which the other practices are measured.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Factors affecting successful implementation of lean manufacturing tools and techniques in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka
    (SSRN, 2011-04-27) Silva, N; Perera, H. S. C; Samarasinghe, D
    Lean Manufacturing is a business strategy which was originated and developed in Toyota Motor Company, Japan. It is useful in identifying waste associated with processes. As a result companies can improve their productivity and quality and can achieve a competitive advantage over others. Lean Manufacturing was originated in automotive industry and then later on spread to many other industries in both developed and developing countries. In implementing this concept Toyota has introduced and developed many tools and techniques which can be used effectively. In Sri Lanka, apparel sector is the leader in implementing Lean Manufacturing. However a little research work is carried out in regarding its suitability. Therefore in order to fill this empirical gap, this research is an attempt to identify factors such as suitable methods of implementation, order of implementation, challenges, how to overcome those challenges and benefits of implementing Lean Manufacturing concepts in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka. The study first undertook literature review in the field of Lean Manufacturing. Then it developed broader research questions and administered them to fifteen apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka using personal interviews and observations methods. The sample firms were selected judgmentally. In analyzing the data descriptive statistics and qualitative techniques were used. The result of the study revealed factors such as implementation strategies, order of implementation, challenges, how to overcome those challenges and benefits have influenced the successful implementation of Lean Manufacturing in mass production apparel industry. Since Lean is new to most of the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers, the full benefit is not yet achieved. But current situation suggests that the industry can go forward with Lean.
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    Viability of lean manufacturing tools and techniques in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka
    (Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2012) Silva, S. K. P. N; Samarasinghe, G. D; Perera, H. S. C
    Lean Manufacturing can be considered as a business strategy which was originated and developed in Japan. It tries to identify waste and eliminate it. Thus it leads to improvement in productivity and quality and companies can achieve a competitive advantage over others. Sri Lankan industries, especially apparel sector have attempted to implement this, but a little research work is carried out in regarding its suitability. This research is an attempt to identify a suitable Lean model for the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. As the initial stage of this study, a literature review is carried out to study about the Lean Manufacturing. It starts by looking at how Lean Manufacturing first began. Then it seeks to identify the core principles, tools and techniques and how those tools and techniques are currently being used worldwide. After studying the global scenario the next step is to look at the Sri Lankan context using real world data. This was undertaken by means of structured surveys, observations, and on site interviews. Also the study will reveal period of Lean implementation, suitable implementation methods, order of implementation, tools which are avoided, sustainability of different tools, challenges faced, ways of overcoming challenges and benefits achieved after applying Lean Manufacturing concepts in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka. The findings state Lean Manufacturing can be applied to mass production apparel industries and has created a positive mindset on employees. As implementation of Lean concepts is still in developmental stage, the full benefit is not yet achieved. But current situation suggests that the industry can go forward with Lean and capitalize on its full potential. In this research the authors have proposed a model which can be used to implement Lean in a systematic manner and each manufacturer must develop their own Lean system through training, experiments, employee empowerment, right leadership and kaizen mindset. Originality of the research— The research builds up a Lean Model which is not yet developed for the apparel sector in Sri Lanka. It can be further modified to suit the global apparel industry and other industries as well.