Sunday, January 26, 2020

A Major Problem In Palm Oil Mill Effluent Engineering Essay

A Major Problem In Palm Oil Mill Effluent Engineering Essay In Malaysia, for example, 9.9 million tons of solids wastes consisting of empty fruit bunch , fibre and fruit shell and approximately 20 million tons of palm oil mill effluent (POME) are generated every year. In response to this, there has been increasing efforts to manage the wastes generated from mills. A major problem in Palm Oil Mill Effluent is their Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) characteristic in final discharge (waste water). BOD is a chemical procedure for determining how fast biological organisms use up oxygen (through degradation of organic material) in a body of water. COD is to determine the amount of organic pollutants found in surface water. The purpose of this study was to minimize the BOD and COD level in waste water treatment plant using the Sequencing Batch Reactor Process (SBR) system. The capability of treatment efficiency was proven during the system is widely used in other industry. As Malaysia forges ahead with its plan to become a fully developed nation, palm oil mills will have to adapt to various new challenges, including more stringent environmental regulation, labor shortage and competition from other lower cost palm oil producing countries. Basically milling technology has not changed in terms of developing a new sustainable and economics process to extract more oil and kernel. This may sound odd with so many new mills built and best time to incorporate new technology being to start on a green field. Anyway new technology has developed with concentrated on better mechanical handing, higher throughput, and more durable and reliable equipment with longer intervals between failure and renewal. The extraction of palm oil and kernel from the palm fruit is a commonly known in palm oil process. But this extraction process also produces a brown effluent which can devastate any aquatic life if dumped directly into our river. It is estimated that for every tone of palm oil produced, 2.5 tons of wastewater is generated. Thus, with Malaysias palm oil production is standing close to 8 million tons per annum , the amount of palm oil mill effluent ( POME ) generated would be equivalent to that of sewage discharged by a population of 22 million people Palm oil mill effluents are high volume liquid wastes which are non toxic but have an unpleasant odor. They are highly polluting. The Biological and Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD COD) of this effluent is very high and goes for the Total Nitrogen, Ammonia Nitrogen and Oil Grease. The effluent also acidic. The nature of raw effluent, it is hot, has a bad aroma and brown in color. An effluent with its quality and quantity were to be discharged into river, all aquatic life will perish. At present there are many methods to treat this raw effluent. The most common method of treatment being employed is the biological treatment. This method of treatment is by using a combine effect of the aerobic, anaerobic and facultative ponds; where at the end of the treated effluent is dumped into a river. Alternatives treatment methods have propped up in the recent past. In this case, proposed a method which involved Sequencing Batch reactor ( SBR ) Technology with aerated oxygen enriched air. The sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is a batch process for treating wastewater. This process is capable to minimized BOD and COD in a reactor. 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Typical Flow Charts Typical Palm Oil Mill Schematic Flow Diagram As the palm oil industry grows rapidly, the number of palm oil mills also increases significantly especially in Malaysia. Therefore, one of the major problems arises from this industry is the large amount of wastes generated during the processes. Generally, operation of the palm oil mill generates many by-product and liquid waste which may pose a significant impact on the environment if they are not dealt with properly. The most common method is biological effluent treatment system (ponds). 2.2 Effluent Treatment Plant The function of the biological effluent treatment plant is to treat the mill liquid waste to levels within the prescribed limits set by the Department of Environment (D.O.E). The method of biological treatment in the mill is the anaerobic process. This process comprises three stages: The anaerobic digestion in the acidification phase The anaerobic digestion in the methanogenic phase The quiescent facultative stage of aerobic digestion. The complete anaerobic digestion or bio-degradation of the mill effluent is a complex operation as this process requires the acid forming organisms to grow in harmony with the methanogenic formers. Any imbalance of activities of these two organisms would upset the digestion process. The acid producing bacteria and their associated enzymes degrade most type of organic material into fatty acids. The methanogenic bacteria convert the soluble products of the acid produces into methane and carbon dioxide. The acidification stage is controlled to promote the growth of the acid formers. While in the second stage i.e. the methanogenic phase, the environment is optimum to form the methane formers. The biological effluent treatment plant in the mill comprises of the following: De-oiling tank 2 Acidification ponds 1 primary anaerobic pond 2 anaerobic maturation ponds 2 facultative ponds De- sludging facilities De-oiling tank/ sludge pit Sludge waste from this mill is pumped into the tank. The purpose of this tank is to trap remnants of free oil and permit solids to settle out. Solids settled here should be removed on a regular basis in order that working levels be maintained. Regular checks should be made and any trace of oil here must be removed. Acidification ponds There are 2 ponds and these are operated in parallel. The acidification stage is a very rapid process converting the organic components of the waste water into volatile fatty acids (vfa) and depresses the pH of the system. However recycling of the anaerobic liquor is done here for buffering i.e. Obtaining the desirable pH level Cooling to obtain the desired temperature Seeding i.e. introducing active organisms population The above is practiced at this stage to prepare the feed before entering into the anaerobic ponds. Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) here in each pond is 2 days Temperature: 35ËÅ ¡c 45ËÅ ¡c PH: 4.0 to 5.5 Vfa: 5000 mg/l Primary anaerobic In this stage the strictly anaerobic bacteria called methanogen converts the volatile acids to methane, CO2 and other trace gases. Destruction efficiencies are high here wherein from a high B.O.D. of 24,000mg/l B.O.D. levels of the supernatant at the pond outlet are reduced to 300mg/l. Temperature at Anaerobic 2 outlet is approx. 30-35ËÅ ¡c with a pH in the region of 5.5 to 6.5. Vfa=1000 to 2000 mg/l. Alkalinity = 1500 to 2000 mg/l. Anaerobic Maturation Pond This is a final step of the methanogenic anaerobic stage where further reduction of BOD is made possible. BOD at this stage is down to about 200mg/l . Temperature at the outlet end is 20 to 30ËÅ ¡c with a pH in the region of 7.0. Vfa is approximately 700mg/l and alkalinity above 1500mg/l. Facultative Ponds The use of anaerobic digestion alone would not be sufficient to meet the standards stipulated by DOE hence further treatment of effluent is necessary in the facultative. These facultative ponds are for quiescent aerobic respiration of the aerobically treated waste water. These 3 ponds are in series and in these ponds sufficient oxygenation to the waste water is introduced. The effluents after sedimentation in these ponds are allowed to discharge into the water course, with BOD levels below 110 ppm as required by the Dept. of Environment. Temperature at the outlet of the Facultative is 25 to 30ËÅ ¡c with a pH of 7.0 9.0. Vfa less than 100. Alkalinity in the region of 1000mg/l. De-sludging of the ponds The ponding system is operated at low rate with organic loading ranging from 0.2 to 0.35 kg BOD/cu.m/day. Because of the size and configuration of the ponds mixing is hardly adequate. Also the rising biogas will bring along with them fine suspend solids and therefore it is common to find islands of solids floating in the anaerobic pond. This often results in dead spots which will lead to short circuiting in the ponds. Undoubtedly it is very labor intensive to maintain the ponds in satisfactory condition at all times. It is also imperative to ensure that as little oil as possible be allowed into the ponds as the oil will agglomerate with the rising solids brought up by the biogas and from a scum which is difficult to remove. Due to the inadequate mixing by biogas, solids build up at the bottom of the ponds, especially the anaerobic ones. Excessive solids built up at the bottom of the ponds will reduce the effective design capacity and consequently shorten the hydraulic retention time. This will adversely affect the treatment efficiency of the system. In view of the above regular desludging of the ponds is a must. A de-sludging pond is made available for this purpose. Solids from the ponds are pumped using submersible pumps into this desludging pond and water liquid recycled while solids are left to dry out and subsequently removed. 2.3 Operation procedures Sludge pits / Fluming tank Supervisors / operators are to visually check the pit on a regular basis throughout processing and ensure that a trace of oil is recovered soonest possible. Also when excessive trace of oil is sighted, immediate measures must be taken to trace and arrest the source of this excessive oil loss. Schedule cleaning of the sludge pit and tanks must be instituted to remove solids / sands and any debris on a scheduled basis. Pumps in this area must be checked to be in good operating condition. Any faults or malfunction noticed must be reported for immediate repair. Buffering Ponds Ensure that recycling of anaerobic liquor is carried out as per instruction. Remove any solids scum / oil traces on a daily basis. Ensure free flow into and out of the ponds. Anaerobic ponds Monitor visually ponds bacteria for any signs of fouling. Solids removal should be carried on a regular basis. Ensure stirrer / mixers are operated as per instructions. Ensure that in flow and outlet discharge is proper and feed to downstream ponds is regulated as required. Facultative ponds Regulate final discharge as necessary. Ensure solids recycling where necessary. Desludging ponds Ensure that pumping of solids into the pond is monitored. Ensure that excessive liquid is recycled to the anaerobic ponds. 3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.2 Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) Technology Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) is an activated sludge biological treatment process. The process uses natural bacteria and when the bacteria are aerated, they grow and multiply using the organics or pollution as food. This purifies the wastewater before it is discharged to the environment. The process is managed in a fill and draw, or batch fashion. This process allows for exceptional flexibility and controls which results in a highly treated effluent that will not harm the environment when it is discharged. Generally the SBR process can be conveniently described in five distinct steps: Step 1: Fill/React The treatment Reactor contains bacteria or biomass that processes the wastewater. The cycle starts with the Reactor at least half full of activated sludge. When the wastewater enters the Reactor, air is intermittently supplied by a blower, to maintain an aerobic (air enriched) environment. The pollution in the wastewater is consumed by the biomass as food. The biomass grows and multiplies during this treatment process assuring the system is sustained for further treatment. This cycle of filling and intermittent aeration continues until the Reactor has filled. Step 2: React only During this step incoming wastewater is diverted to a second Reactor or is stored. The full Reactor is aerated or mixed continuously during this step. The React only step provides time for additional treatment or polishing of the wastewater to meet required discharged consents. The duration of the react only step is easily adjusted at the computerized control panel. Step 3: Settle The biomass in the Reactor must be separated from the treated liquid or supernatant, so there will be sufficient biomass remaining for treatment of the next batch of wastewater. In the SBR system the Reactor becomes the settling device or clarifier when all the pumps and blowers are turned off. This creates quiescent settling conditions to allow the biomass and the treated liquid to separate. After settling, the treated clarified liquid is discharged or decanted from the Reactor. Step 4: Decant The treated clarified liquid is discharged or decanted using pumps which have their intake located at the midpoint of the Reactor depth. This assures that any floating debris or settled biomass is not discharged from the Reactor. A non-return valve on the pump intake prevents the entry of solids into the Decant pump and piping during the aerated treatment steps. Step 5: Idle When the Reactor has decanted, and there is no wastewater waiting to be pumped to the Reactor enters an idle or waiting phase. In idle, with no wastewater load, it is not necessary to run the blowers at the same rate as during the filling stage. The blowers automatically reduce the volume of air at idle, saving energy. When the Reactor receives more wastewater, it automatically switches back to the Fill/React step, and the entire cycle repeats. Sludge waste Since the biomass continues to grow or increase in volume during each treatment cycle it is necessary to remove excess biomass from the Reactor on a regular basis. The biomass volume is always maintained below the pump intake and at the proper level by means of automatic sludge waste pumps. The excess biomass is pumped to the Trash Tank at the end head end of the plant where it is anaerobically (without air) decomposed. Regular sludge wasting ensures that enough biomass remains in the Reactor to treat the next batch of wastewater, but does not increase to the point where it would be pumped out of the reactor during the Decant cycle. 3.3 FLOCCULATION TREATMENT Raw effluent from facultative pond (last pond) is pump into vertical steel clarifier. Flocculation agent and pH correction agent is dose into the pipe line before entering clarifier to ease coagulation process. PRE AERATION The clarified raw effluent will over flow into the 1st holding tank. Filling is estimated for 3 hours. While in the holding tank, the raw effluent is subjected to pre aeration for 2 hours before transfer to the reactor tank. Pre-aeration is done through fine air bubbles passes through an array of disc type diffuser at tank base. SBR PROCESS The pre-aeration effluent from holding tank is transferred into the reactor tank via transfer pump. The SBR process inside the reactor tank will be control through a present time for 24 hours operation based on the following activity: Filling 3 hours Slow aeration 4 hours Fast aeration 10 hours Settling 2 hours Discharge 2 hours Filling Pre-aerated anaerobic liquid is pump from holding tank. During start up, seeding of bacteria is carried out. The quantity from of seeding is depending on the MLSS concentration in the reactor. Slow aeration While filling up of the pre-aerated anaerobic liquid half of the diffuser inside the reactor tank will activate, via control valve install at the distribution header. Fast aeration Filling completed and full aeration processes activate. Settling To allow solids and liquids are separated under true quiescent conditions. Discharge The treated or clarified supernatant is pump into a final treated effluent tank for storage. The excess sludge will settle and remain in the reactor tank. Desludging will depend on the MLSS concentration, not to exceed 20-30 % by ratio of the pre-aerated anaerobic liquid. This can be done by taking sample and allow to settle naturally. Standby The reactor tank is ready for the next batch. The treated water will overflow through a constant level flexible outlet into a transfer (clarified) water tank. The clarified water enters an activated carbon filter via booster pump, which act to polish the water before discharge out to river. At this stage the BOD level should be à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 20 ppm. A reject line is installed to return treated effluent into anaerobic pond if the BOD level exceeds 20 ppm. 3.4 NOPOL- diffuser The NOPOL system has a suitable diffuser for any wastewater application. Reliable construction The main component of the system is the NOPOL dual layer polyethylene disc. This has a thin fine top for maximum oxygen transfer efficiency. All deposits are easily removed by the formic acid. The NOPOL disc aeration system is ideal for all biological processes. An aeration system covering the entire bottom of the basin gives the desired oxygen content throughout. Mixing energy is evenly distributed throughout the basin. Uniform mixing prevents any sludge sedimentation. Adjustment range-volume of air per diffuser is wide enough for any load variation. The disc aeration system does not cool down the activated sludge or produce any harmful aerosols. 3.5 SBR system tank and pipe layout 4.0 ANALYSIS 4.1 A BASIC DESIGN OF SBR SYSTEM Capacity : 1080 m ³ / day Influent BOD: 200 ppm Discharge BOD: 20 ppm Basic design data Actual waste water quantity discharged from plant : 1080 m ³ / day ( max ) Design waste water quantity : 1080 m ³ / day or 45 m ³ / hour BOD : 200 mg / l COD (assume) : 300 mg / l PH : 7.2 Temperature : 26 ËÅ ¡c Suspended solids (assume) : 300 mg / l Oil grease (assume) : 20 mg / l Sequence of operation of SBR reactor tank No.1 or 2 Filling and slow aeration time : 8 hours Fast aeration time : 12 hours Settling time : 2 hours Discharge of treated effluent : 2 hours Sizing of tanks Based on the above operation sequence and the two trains of SBR tank operating alternatively, the sizes of the holding tank and reactor tanks are as follows: Holding tank Tank required : 1 unit Waste water flow rate : 45 m ³ / hour The retention time for the holding tank : 6 hours Volume of tank required : 270 m ³ Selected holding tank size is 8700 m Ø ÃÆ'- 7.62 m height Capacity : 400 m ³ Reactor tanks Wastewater flow rate : 45 m ³ / hour No of tanks required : 2 units Retention required for reactor vessel : 12 hour Volume of waste water in each reactor tank : 540 m ³ Volume of activated sludge to be retained in reactor tank : 20 % of the waste water Therefore required volume of reactor tank : 648 m ³ Selected reactor tank size is 11650 mm Ø ÃÆ'- 7.62 m height Capacity : 800 m ³ Calculation of air required for aeration at reactor tank Process utilized : Palm Oil Mill Effluent Type of waste : Industrial Design flow : 1080 m ³ / day BOD5 : design 200 mg / l = 216 kg / day Temperature of waste : 26 ËÅ ¡c Dissolved oxygen to be maintained in waste water ( CÃŽÂ » ) : 2.0 mg / l Oxygen to BOD5 ratio : 1.5 (assume) Oxygen required per hour : (216 ÃÆ'- 1.5) / 12 = 27 kg / hour Oxygenation capacity required per hour = 02 required per hour / correction factor Correction factor = ÃŽÂ ± [(ÃŽÂ ²) (Cà Ã†â€™) CÃŽÂ »] 1.024 (à Ã¢â‚¬Å¾-20)/ Cà Ã†â€™H20 Cà Ã†â€™ H20: oxygen solubility factor ÃŽÂ ± = 0.9 ÃŽÂ ² = 0.95 Cà Ã†â€™ at 26ËÅ ¡c at 200 ft elevation = 8.1 1.024 (à Ã¢â‚¬Å¾-20) at 26ËÅ ¡c = 1.153 CÃŽÂ » = 2 ppm Therefore, oxygenation capacity required per hour = 27 / 0.7289 = 37.04 kg / hour Density of air at 26ËÅ ¡c = 1.18 kg / m  ³ Volume of air required taking oxygen content in air is 20% by unit weight = (37.04ÃÆ'-5m ³/hr)/1.18 = 157 m ³ / hour Efficiency of aeration by using Nopol diffuser at 4m water dept = 18 % at 4m ³ / hr per unit Flow rate of air blower required = 157 m ³ / hr / 18 % = 872 m ³ / hr Use air blower = 900 m ³ / hr No. of diffuser required = 900 / 4 = 225 pcs Therefore, No. of diffuser installed per reactor = 225 (for 1080 m ³/day) operating at 12 hours Determination of number of diffusers per tank for holding tank The required aeration for waste water in holding tank is to ensure saturation concentration of oxygen dissolved in water. Based on temperature of 26ËÅ ¡c, the saturation concentration of oxygen in water is = 8.11 mg/l With influent flow rate = 45 m ³ / hour Total oxygen required = 364.9 g / hour Allow 20% extra air to ensure saturation, the actual aeration rate = 438 g / hour No. of diffusers at 1 m ³ / hour per unit at 18 % = 11 nos. No. of diffusers installed at holding tank for primary aeration and mixing to saturation point = 30 nos. (At 0.4 pc/m ² distribution density) Total diffuser used for 2 trains system = 510 nos. Selection of two ( 2 ) units of surface aerator Model = EEE FA- 1010 Specifications are enclosed. The application of these surface aerations installed at facultative pond is for: Proper mixing of the effluent before pumping to the effluent treatment plant To supply some aeration to the facultative pond so as to minimize the inlet BOD to the effluent plant and at the same time to improve the bacteria activity. Selection of one ( 1 ) unit activated carbon filter at treated effluent discharge point Dimension = 2420 mm Ø ÃÆ'- 1828 mm SL Surface area = 4.59 m ² Flow rate = 60 m ³ / hour Flow velocity = 13.0 m / hour Volume of activated carbon = 4.1 m ³ The activated carbon filter acts as a polishing filter for the final treated effluent. 5.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION A more responsible biological treatment process through a proven automated operation program responding on time every situation and alarm in a reactive way so that the plant performance can be maintained regardless of the operator attendance and equipment failure. Lower investment and recurrent cost, as secondary settling tanks and sludge return systems are not required. Lower space requirements. Better settling, as settling conditions in an SBR are Ideal while the sludge population changes towards better settle able micro-organisms. Improved effluent quality. Improved operational reliability. Hardly any or no smell problems. Better temperature control. Lower effluent COD and BOD. The batch nature process and high organic concentrations (feast) during Fill encourages the growth of organisms with high organic uptake rates. The famine period at the end of React encourages the utilization of recalcitrant organics. The combined effect of the feast and famine periods is the optimal removal of BOD and COD. Better settling sludge. The feast-famine conditions that naturally occur in each cycle promote the growth of floc-forming organisms and disfavor filamentous organisms, thereby eliminating the need for polymers. In a number of situations the application of an SBR system will thus result in lower investment as well as operational costs. Critical in this respect are the load and concentration of the wastewater, the design and the local situation. 6.0 SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER WORK At this study, Sequencing Batch Reactor process, raw effluent from facultative pond (last pond) is pump into clarifier in system. Thereby, the pond still need for this system due to oil recovery in first 2 ponds. In future study, the pond system which consumed a large area needs to remove. The wastewater from the mills, directly pump to SBR system tanks for further treatment. The new method for oil recovery in SBR system will be taken in action. The discharge water which in brownish color need to be analyze due to remove the color.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Rene Descartes: a Great Thinker of the Western World Essay

â€Å"I think therefore I am† are the words that come to mind as we encounter the subject of Descartes. We see man full of knowledge and ideas ready to expand and break free. His interest in knowledge and the acquisition of truth itself brought him to doubt all around him, including God and his very own existence. He is even considered to be the Father of Modern philosophy because he guided the thinkers of his time to deviate from the Scholastic-Aristotelian method. This is due to his belief that the scholastic method was prone to doubt since it relied on sensation as the source for all knowledge, meaning that teachings adhered to traditional methods posed by the church. However we cannot simply look at Descartes without knowing anything about his background and inspirations. Rene Descartes is credited with being the father of modern philosophy. Not only is he accredited to being a man of extraordinary genius, but his ideas changed the way western European thinkers viewed theology. Having his mother die after he was born caused young Rene to live with his grandmother in La Haye. He was sent to a Jesuit college called La Fleche, where he studied grammar, rhetoric, and a philosophical curriculum of verbal arts and logic. He was disappointed in the courses he had to take, except for mathematics, thus explaining his infatuation with the subject along with physics. Either way he left La Fleche with a very broad liberal arts education in 16141. He received his degree and license in civil and canon law at the University of Poiters. From there, Descartes became a volunteer for the army of Maurice of Nassau in the Netherlands during the summer of 1618. It is said that before he went to Netherlands, Descartes had lost all interest in science and mathematics and exp erienced a period of depression or mental breakdown. However while at Nassau, he met the most important influence of his early adulthood: Isaac Beekman3. It was Beekman who re-ignited Descartes interest in science and opened his eyes to the possibility of applying mathematical techniques to other fields outside of the pre-determined mindset. A push was all that Descartes needed to make him set his eyes on a new method of scientific findings. For a while, he was on and off theories, starting and never finishing them, including his Rules for the Direction of the Mind. He moved to the Netherlands yet again in 1628 in order to find a place full of peace and quiet where he could think. He tried to run away from Paris and its city full of distractions. It is here that Descartes began to work on â€Å"a little treatise,† which took him approximately three years to complete, entitled The World3. The World constituted in showing the mechanisms behind not using the Scholastic principles of substantial forms and real qualities3 and in giving an account for the origin of the universe, nature and the human body. He also stated here that he agreed with the heliocentric theory proposed by Galileo, that the sun is the center of the universe rather than the earth. He chose not to publish his work after learning of Galileo’s condemnation; thus his work was not seen until his death. He did decide, however, to publish his Geometry, Dioptrics, and Meteors which he prefaced with a brief Discourse on Method. He saw this method as something that could be applied to almost anything; but mostly to philosophy. Before Descartes, there was Aristotle and previous other thinkers who believed in syllogisms or basically deductive reasoning that can be used as an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument. For example syllogisms’ usually follow something along the lines of â€Å"All A is C; all B is A; therefore all B is C3.† Descartes did not believe in syllogisms because their conclusions merely brought forth a probable statement which could not be easily proven. â€Å"Since a statement is probable because it is a statement† this just caused confusion. In order to avoid these confusions, Descartes sought geometry and absolute certainty. For example, in geometry a theorem is deduced from a set of clear, simple, undeniable truths3 that are universally agreed with, thus we can deduce that these undeniable truths are supported by deduction and reasoning. As Descartes laid this basis down, he found them promising due to the idea that geometry is clear, distinct and therefore it is easily understood. The idea behind geometry is not just simple speculation; instead it is something that is agreed upon, unlike the confused ideas of sensation. Even though he was able to prove his theories in geometry, he was unable to provide the same way of thought to human thinking, because of the people’s skepticism. To solve this he came up with Meditations on first philosophy. In this work, he laid out arguments doubting his previous beliefs3, since they did not apply to human thought. He observed that the senses can be deceiving. For example your vision can deceive you by letting you believe that there is water on the road, even though it is just a formulation of radiated heat. Moreover, although this may apply to sensations derived under certain circumstances, doesn’t it seem certain that â€Å"I am here, sitting by the fire, wearing a winter dressing gown, holding this piece of paper in my hands, and so on†? (AT VII 18: CSM II 13)1. His point was that even though senses do deceive, you reading this paper right now may not be based on true sensations, instead it may be based on those inside a dream. Since we cannot prove that we are dreaming at this moment, Descartes concluded that any belief based on sensation had to be doubtful; because it could all very well be a dream, thus disproving the syllogism view. This in turn does not pertain to mathematical beliefs. We all know that 2+3=5, whether we are asleep or awake, this is proven to be true and thus accepted. However, Descartes saw it as a predetermined belief’ that 2+3=5 was not really reasoning or sensing on his own but that God was conspiring against him to make him wrong about everything including math. And since God is the one conspiring against him, then God ceases to exist, meaning that there is a mean demon waiting for him to fail. After such statements, Descartes finds himself even doubting these beliefs, thus leaving him in a whirlpool of false beliefs3 by the end of his First Meditation. He does however recognize that these are all just exaggerated conceptions, which give him the opportunity to rid himself of all preconception beliefs, thus being open to accept future undeniable truths. It seems that Descartes was trying to clear his mind of what he had learned from the past, putting it all into one thought (or First Meditation) this writing seems to have helped him open his mind, and become more accepting to new theories and consider their possibility instead of discarding them. In his second meditation Descartes tries to find absolute certainty in his most famous reasoning: â€Å"Cogito ergo sum†: â€Å"I think therefore I exist.† These words marked the end of Descartes doubt and open a passage where he can seek to discover the nature of his own essence, to demonstrate the existence of God, and to provide the criterion to guide the mind in search of truth2. Here not only does he experience the â€Å"I exist† shock, but he realizes what he has left behind from the previous theory. All belief in sense has been left behind from the First Meditation, and now the belief of: â€Å"if I exist† comes to mind because he can now see that in order for the demon to deceive him he must be real. The thought of â€Å"I exist, and I am real† are now embedded in the mind2. This new embodiment allowed Descartes to see the mere fact of his thoughts being engaged in activity, thus seeing a thinking â€Å"I† being combined with â€Å"I exists becomes an absolute certain truth. The ‘therefore’ is something that is embodied by Descartes, meaning the consideration of himself and his existence as something immediate. Lastly, we review the ‘I exist’ meaning that since â€Å"I think and reason,† it must mean that I must be present to think therefore I exist. Descartes, in the end, at around his Sixth Meditation3 determines what he is in terms of the phrase: A thinking thing. A thing that doubts, understands, affirms, denies, refuses, that imagines and also feels2. Thus, Descartes sees his thoughts as operations all occurring within the will, the intellect and the imagination, all which are occurring inside the thoughts of the mind. At the end of his theory, Descartes sees that he does have a mind and indeed also has a body, and that he is nothing more than a thinking thing. However, he does not believe that his mind and body are connected, in fact his belief is that they are separated from each other and that he can clearly conceive each of them separately and thus whatever he â€Å"thinks god can set asunder2†. Descartes does not solve this conflict of mind and body, what he does is condensing it. By saying that a human is the compound of mind and body, he was able to transition his philosophy into the biology of the body itself. He says that mind and body interact at the pineal gland which controls the perception and motion of the body. The nest step in Descartes theoretical strategy was to prove God’s existence. He decided to do this by providing proofs, such as those used in geometry. The first base is that there is an idea of a supreme perfect being, the second is based on the cause of one’s very existence as an imperfect being and the third is the idea that a supreme perfect being must have in itself the necessity to exists2. Because something cannot come from nothing, his existence has to come from someone or something that created him, (a bigger power,) thus if he exists and he has to have been created by another existing force then that means that such a force has to also exist1&3. For example, if you are boiling a pot of water, that pot is being boiled by the heat source coming from underneath the pot, meaning that something (in this case the kitchen) has to provide an specific amount of heat, or at least be hot enough to provide heat to the cool un-heated pot. Same way if the kitchen did not have heat, then the water would not boil, because something cannot give what it does not have3, this is called the Casual Adequacy principle. In the end, god has to be real since he created a real being, in this case Descartes. God exists because I exist, and I exist because the existing perfect being of god created me, thus I was given existence by someone already possessing it. At last, Descartes was able to prove that eliminating predetermined beliefs helps those in philosophy think and accept rationality outside of society’s box. As a philosopher, he was able to prove his existence and reality and God’s existence as well by following steps in order to reach complete satisfaction with his theories. As a mathematician, he was able to introduce ideas of geometrical coordinates and use them as an application in his more profound thoughts. Of course Descartes’ extensive philosophies exceeded the ones discussed in this paper, even though his most influential ones were covered.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Logistic Planning

Logistic planning and management largely focus on lowering the cost associated with producing and distributing products under a variety of constraints. Logistics can be meant in different aspects of terms. In the perspective of Customer, the definition is getting the right product, to the right customer, in the right quantity, in the right condition, at the right place, at the right time and at the right cost. In the perspective of utility and value, the definition is providing the time and place utility/value of materials and products in support of organization objectives.In the perspective of Functional Management, the definition is provide materials requirements determination , purchasing , transportation , inventory management, warehousing, materials handling, industrial packaging, facility location analysis, distribution, return goods handling, information management, customers service, and all other activities concerned with supporting the internal customer (manufacturing) with materials and the external customer(retail stores) with product.Citied from Stephen H. Russell, â€Å"A General Theory of Logistic Practices. Logistic is the support of producing products in order for marketers to market the product. An example describing my statement will be that in order to sell laptops to customers, the logistics management would gather the products and send to retailers for sale. This operation is an important task. † Logistic is the support of producing products in order for marketers to market the product. An example describing my statement will be that in order to sell laptops to customers, the logistics management would gather the products and send to retailers for sale. This operation is an important task.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Virtue Essays - 814 Words

Virtue Virtues contribute to people’s actions in today’s society. Society as a whole has a common set of virtues that many people agree on. In today’s society, these are known as laws. Virtues also mold the individual outlook on life, and give them the moral’s to do what is right. In The Republic, Plato divides the city into three classes: gold, silver, as well as bronze and iron souls. Each class is designated to posses a specific virtue. He believes that wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice combine together to form The Republic. However, Plato’s four virtues individually do not necessarily produce a utopian society. A combination of the four in each citizen is imperative in producing the ideal society. In Plato’s search for the†¦show more content†¦Plato used the dyeing analogy to state how he wishes to train the silver souls (429d- 430b). He states that the people will undergo a precise training. Certain music and physical activity w ill only be allowed. Plato wanted a good upbringing to make the right ideas permanent in them, so that the bleach of pleasure, grief, fear, or death, would not wash the true colors from their souls. For, in my opinion, you regard the right opinion about these same things that comes to be without education- that found in beast and slaves- as not at all lawful and call it something other than courage (430b). Once they got to this point of having a clear, firm grasp of what is really dangerous to a man, they knew their only task was to show courage. The third virtue in The Republic, is moderation. The Greek term for moderation is Sophrosune. Plato defines moderation as the kind of accord and harmony between the bronze and silver souls. Moderation is the ability to control desires and to be the master of ones self. There are two things at work in a man’s heart. One is good, and one is bad. The bad can overwhelm the good. If the people have bad training or keep company with the wr ong people, the bad force grows powerful and can overwhelm the good. If the good one controls them, then there is moderation; but if the bad one controls, they are a slave to their own desires and that they are out of control or unprincipled. If, therefore, any city ought to be designedShow MoreRelatedVirtue Vs. Moral Virtue938 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is virtue? Is it something we can all comprehend? Is it part of our soul, mind or bodies? Perhaps it’s a type of lifestyle where we act a certain way and treat everyone equally. Or maybe it’s a belief or religion which carries its own sets of rules and regulations. Many individuals are mistaken for the true definition of virtue; virtue is a theory used to make moral decisions which leads to happiness. Moral virtue is to be learned through habit and practice, which makes one into a better personRead MorePlato s Views On The Virtue Of The Virtues Essay1256 Words   |  6 Pagesa kind of virtue or not, or whether a perso n who has it is happy or unhappy† (Republic 354c) Plato presents Socrates as believing in the unity of the virtues, skeptical of those who, like Meno, wish to treat the virtues as distinct objects of inquiry in dialogues such as Laches, Protagoras, Meno, the Republic, and Euthyphro. These dialogues provide good reason to deny that Plato’s Socrates believed in the numerical identity of the virtues. I shall argue that in the various virtues is one essenceRead MoreVirtue Ethics1184 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Virtue ethics is a theory used to make moral decisions. It does not rely on religion, society or culture; it only depends on the individuals themselves. The main philosopher of Virtue Ethics is Aristotle. His theory was originally introduced in ancient Greek times. Aristotle was a great believer in virtues and the meaning of virtue to him meant being able to fulfil ones functions. Virtue ethics is not so much interested in the question What should I do? but rather in theRead MoreThe Scrutiny of Virtue1075 Words   |  5 PagesThe Scrutiny of Virtue Virtue is a mean condition which falls between the extremes of excess and deficiency which are both subject to vices. Either of those two vices, or the practices of base behaviors, happen to rely on the virtue that one aims for. For instance, courage is a virtue of which cowardice and rashness are the deficiency and excess of respectively. Evidence of this is seen in Book II, Chapter 9 of Nichomachean Ethics where Aristotle mentions â€Å"†¦virtue of character is a mean conditionRead MoreThe, Virtue, By Socrates And Meno1009 Words   |  5 Pagesof virtue. This passage mainly goes through dialogues between Socrates and Meno, who debated with each other in order to make a certain definition of virtue. In the passage, Socrates gave his opinion of virtue and tried to make Meno understand his ideas, while Meno held his opinion. In fact, virtue is rather difficult to be defined. Even though both Socrates and Meno had contemplated what virtue, it is still hard to give a definition of it. Also, trying to make a certain definition of virtue is alsoRead MoreStrengths And Weaknesses Of Virtues920 Words   |  4 PagesVirtues he tells us are like diverse judgments of excellence or admirableness and you cannot reduce to a single principle explanation of what it is excellent. He makes a comparison â€Å"X seems excellent, but why?† â€Å"Because X has characteristics of A, B, and C which are excellent.† He goes on to tell us that he naturally begins to think why are they excellent and what is excellent about them. He says most people will reflect on this and will come up with different reasons and it can just keep goingRead MoreEssay on Virtue Ethics900 Words   |  4 PagesVirtue, when I hear that word I think of value and morality and only good people can be virtuous. When I hear the word ethics I think of good versus evil, wrong and right. Now when the two are put together you get virtue ethics. You may wonder what can virtue ethics possibly me an. It’s just two words put together to form some type of fancy theory. Well this paper will discuss virtue ethics and the philosophy behind it. Virtue ethics is a theory that focuses on character development and what virtuesRead MoreSocrates And Protagoras On Virtue1435 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates and Protagoras on Virtue This paper will be examining Plato’s dialogue Protagoras. Specifically, it will provide insight into Socrates’ reasons for challenging the view that virtue can be taught. Protagoras’ reply in his great speech will also be deliberated. Finally, there will also be a discussion based on these differing perspectives. Firstly, it is important to understand that Socrates was not merely arguing for virtue as being something that was not able to be taught. Socrates insteadRead MoreQuestions On Virtue And Value1414 Words   |  6 Pages Running Head: Virtue and Value Rice Virtues and Values De’Jaun Rice MHA622 Health Care Ethics Law Robert Smiles March 21, 2016 1 - 1 - 1 1. Running Head: Virtue and Value Your document’s heading is not formatted correctly. In the upper left corner of the first page, the words Running head: should preface a shortened version of your title. The upper right corner of the page should have the numerical page number. The shortened version of your title should be in all capital letters. On subsequentRead MoreConfucius And Aristotle On Virtue1318 Words   |  6 PagesConfucius and Aristotle on Virtue This essay compares two philosophers of two very different and distinct backgrounds. Confucius’s ideas were developed as a result of his involvement and manifestation in the ancient Chinese culture while Aristotle’s ideas were a result of his absorption and existence in the ancient Greek culture. Subsequently, both philosophers touched on subjects of a similar nature quite frequently, so as, what constitutes virtue or good ethical character and conduct. According