Abstract

Worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO members), whereby members (governmental and non-governmental organizations) have the right to be represented on such committees; approval of ISO procedures requires at least 75% approval by the members voting; standards are prepared by technical committees; appropriate standard to apply depends on activities of the company; → see therefore iso 9000, iso 9000-3, iso 9001, iso 9002, iso 9003, iso 10011–2.

Abstract

Most of the fruit in Europe is transported by road, but the saturation of the major arteries, the increased demand for freight transport, and environmental concerns all indicate there is a need to change this means of transport. A combination of transport modes using universal containers is one of the solutions proposed: this is known as intermodal transport. Tracking the transport of fruit in reefer containers along the supply chain is the means by which product quality can be guaranteed. The integration of emerging information technologies can now provide real-time status updates. This paper reviews the literature and the latest technologies in this area as part of a national project. Particular emphasis is placed on multiplexed digital communication technologies and wireless sensor networks. La calidad de los productos hortofrutícolas adquiere cada día más importancia. En la Unión Europea la mayor parte de la fruta es transportada en camiones, pero la congestión de la principales carreteras, el aumento de la demanda de transporte de mercancías, estimado en un 38% para los próximos 10 años, y los problemas medioambientales que de ello se derivan hacen necesario modificar los procedimientos de transporte. El transporte intermodal puede ser preciso, flexible y más respetuoso con el medio ambiente. Para asegurar la calidad de las frutas es imprescindible realizar un seguimiento y garantizar la trazabilidad de las mismas durante su transporte a lo largo de la cadena de suministro. Un sistema que integre diferentes tecnologías emergentes puede informar en tiempo real del estado de la carga. Este artículo hace una revisión de las últimas publicaciones y tecnologías aparecidas y recoge una propuesta de desarrollo de una red de sensores en un contenedor frigorífico mediante redes inalámbricas de sensores, buses de campo y sensores inteligentes. También se expone una propuesta de especificaciones para un sistema de supervisión multidistribuido de frutas y hortalizas mediante diferentes sensores y dispositivos electrónicos. Document type: Article

Abstract

Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) have a substantial biomass production and export potential. The objective of this study is to assess whether the market for biofuels and trade can be profitable enough to realize a supply of biofuels from the CEEC to the European market and to estimate the cost performance of the energy carriers delivered. Five NUTS-2 (Nomenclature d'Unités Territoriales Statistiques) regions with high biomass production potentials in Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic were analysed for biofuel export options. From these regions pellets from willow can be provided to destination areas in Western European countries (WEC) at costs of 105.2–219.8 € t−1. Ethanol can be provided at 11.95–20.89 € per GJ if the biomass conversion is performed at the destination areas in the WEC or at 14.84–17.83 € GJ−1J if the biomass to ethanol conversion takes place (at small scale) at the CEEC region where the biomass is produced. Short sea shipping shows most cost advantages for longer distance international transport compared to inland waterway shipping and railway. Another reason for lower biofuel supply costs are shorter distances between the regions of biomass production and the destination areas. Therefore the Szczecin region in Poland, closely located to the Baltic Sea, shows a better economic performance for long distance trade of biomass production than the selected region in Hungary (‘land-locked’). It is concluded that in future key CEEC regions can supply (pre-treated) biomass and biofuels to the European market at cost levels, which are sound and attractive to current and expected diesel and gasoline prices.