The construction of an LNG facility implies a considerable expenditure the capital, generally, the process simulators are used to estimate the operating parameters of the liquefaction plant and to size the equipment needed. Although, natural gas data has been widely studied under non-cryogenic conditions, the availability of thermodynamic data for multi-component mixtures at high pressure, and cryogenic temperatures is still poor (Laskowski L., 2008). Therefore, accurate vapour-liquid equilibria (VLE), and calorific data for multi-component mixtures at LNG process conditions would enhance the simulations.Measurements of VLE data for binary mixture consisted of methane and butane and also a multi-component mixture; methane, ethane, propane and butane were performanced. Furthermore, a comparison of these data with the predictions given by Aspen HYSYS software, using the Peng-Robinson (PR), Soave Redlich Kwong (SRK) and the GERG equations of state (EOSs). Moreover, an improvement in the performance of cubic EOSs in HYSYS is studied by anchoring these data using a tuning code. Finally, analyse the impact of those finding in the LNG scrub column.The experimental part of the project has completed using a cryogenic VLE apparatus, while the modelling part has done by using a tuning code that interacts between HYSYS and MS Excel; it optimizes an objective function by the modification of binary interaction parameters in the equation of state.

Climate change, environmental legislation and binding targets for renewable energy, alongside an increased focus on the economic benefits of energy and fuel conservation, are driving the adoption of new technologies as sources of energy. With these dynamics, it is evident that waste heat recovery technologies can play a key role in reducing in reducing indirectly the CO2 footprint of existing fossil power generation and achievement of renewable energy targets. Since the recovered heat is effectively ‘free of charge’, there is a direct positive impact on the energy costs to the end user. This project aims to implement a Organic Rankine Cycle system in a Petrochemical plant, in this case a Low density Polyethylene Plant because is generated hug quantities of heat waste in the polymerization reaction during 8000 hours/year. Also is evaluated the Technical and economical advantages in order to check the feasibility of the implementation of Organic Rankine Cycle System in a Petrochemical Plant. The impact of this Project could give a good guide of the feasibility of the implement ORC system in Industrial process, because the most projects launched with this Technology have been usually used in Geothermal Applications.

The aim of this work is to propose an effective design strategy to deliver complex information to a multicultural audience. Following this notion, this project attempts to recognise how the principles of interface design and learning could be applied in cross-cultural communication. To carry out this proposal, an e-learning course aimed at international students was developed. E-learning was chosen as an ideal starting point to perform an interface analysis, as through learning effectiveness is possible to assess efficacy in communication, giving a chance to evaluate an interface design under specific parameters. To propose a method that could address this goal, it became clear that the application of a multidisciplinary approach was crucial. Therefore, the proposed design strategy seeks to find the links between interface design heuristics, learning principles and cultural factors analysing a group of 349 international students from five different nationalities registered at the Bauhaus University of Weimar (Winter Semester 2015/16). Using the design strategy detailed in this document, an interface for an e-learning course was developed and, it will be implemented in the context of a pilot test during the Summer Semester 2017.

The discussion whether indigenous peoples have or have not determined collective and individual rights related to the environment, within international and regional instruments, will be addressed within the chapters of the thesis. Thus, here we will devote special attention to the right to a healthy environment, considering also if the paternalistic point of view that has been given to this minority is currently necessary. Consequently, for reaching a final conclusion we will develop in a logical order the topic, starting from the root, which is the origin of the term indigenous and its scope, going through determinant historical events and how this will mark the current legal instruments and state practice around the world. Afterwards, we will dedicate the second part to the explanation of the ancestral bound of peoples and their native lands, as well as how modern events, such as climate change, and not so modern events, such as the exploitation of natural resources and the building of mega projects are still affecting their territories. Hence, we will explain how this vulnerability has to deal with the procedural and substantive rights, exposing for these purposes the different international instruments, which develop both collective and individual rights of peoples. Finally, we will bring selected cases regarding the developed topics.

Colombia ha sido el escenario de una de las guerras más largas del mundo que ha dejado casi ocho millones de víctimas y ha impactado negativamente las estructuras sociales, políticas y económicas del país. Debido a los diferentes esfuerzos de construcción de paz de las últimas décadas, Colombia está atravesando un costoso proceso de reconstrucción y reconciliación que exige la aplicación de estrategias innovadoras. Uno de estos mecanismos es la participación del sector privado en los procesos de construcción de paz a través de las Alianzas Público-Privadas - APP, en las que Colombia es un país pionero. Precisamente, debido a sus recursos, knowhow y networking, las APPs se han convertido en un elemento fundamental de la Infraestructura para la paz de Colombia. En este contexto, uno de los principales desafíos de la construcción de paz es el ambicioso plan gubernamental para la reparación de las víctimas, que, por su magnitud y complejidad, ha requerido la inclusión de la estrategia de las APPs. El presente trabajo analiza la dinámica de las APP como mecanismos de construcción de paz en Colombia, haciendo hincapié en las experiencias de reparación a las víctimas, las principales características de este proceso y los desafíos y oportunidades para el futuro.

Institutional investors are crucial for the successful operation of speculative companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), and it is therefore critical that their relationship is strong. However, there is limited research on this topic. The purpose of this research is to critically evaluate how institutional investors affect the decision making process of corporate managers in these companies, and how corporate governance can be affected. The study used a qualitative research design through a case study based on a biotechnology company. Interviews with company directors and secondary resources were implemented to enhance the understanding of the research and tested through empirical research. Moreover, review of the literature was explored as a framework to support the analysis of this thesis. The findings indicate that even though corporate governance is not compulsory for AIM listed companies, it is highly encouraged and has a positive impact in establishing trust and credibility. Furthermore, in a speculative business, institutional investors revealed a limited interest towards intervening in company governance because of their long-term investment orientation, in addition, they have confidence in the company strategy and management. The findings indicate that corporate managers are not concerned with maximizing the short-term value of institutional investors. The decision making process is focused on maximizing the long-term value of its shareholder. The research suggests that corporate governance is a channel to create ‘intangible value’ and ‘add value’ to shareholders, enhancing confidence and trust in the board of directors. Moreover, by effectively managing the investor relations process, corporate managers are capable of managing market expectations. From managerial perspective, this work demonstrates the importance of corporate managers in setting and communicating a clear business strategy by effectively managing investor relations and by incorporating good practices such as corporate governance.

Studying abroad implies not only academic interaction, but also living through life experiences in a new country. Thus, this qualitative research attempts to be a starting point for those interested in students’ perceptions about studying abroad and how this develops their global citizenship skills. Four student experiences were analysed through semi-structured interviews, to examine the opportunities and challenges the students faced while living and studying abroad and what their perceptions are towards global citizenship. Furthermore, it is explored how their global citizenship skills are developed, after the living abroad experience. There were three significant findings of the study: firstly, student ideas of global citizenship were more positive among the students from developing countries, than those who came from developed countries. Secondly, students from developing countries experienced more academic and social challenges than those from developed countries. Thirdly, it was evidenced that the experience of studying abroad developed students’ global citizenship skills, regardless of their countries background – developed or developing. The four participants were a male and a female from developed countries and a male and a female from developing countries. All of them were pursuing their MA degree in education at Bath Spa University at the time of this research.

Abstract: This mixed methods study investigates how native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) and non-native English-speaking teachers (NNESTs) approach the teaching of listening strategies. The participants were 6 NESTs and 6 NNESTs who all possessed experience as English teachers. A triangulation technique was executed by means of a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Analysis of the quantitative data was carried out through the computer software IBM SPSS Statistics version 22 while the qualitative data was transcribed and then analysed through coding. Subsequently, in order to contrast the two groups, t-tests were applied to the quantitative data. The results indicated that neither NESTs nor NNESTs seemed to be teaching listening strategies successfully as they both appeared to rely heavily on the traditional product-based approach. Quantitatively, no statistical differences were found between the two groups in the t-tests. However, qualitatively, it was revealed that NNESTs seemed to be more reflective and analytical than NESTs in their own teaching approach. The study concludes the debate by highlighting that nativeness has little influence on teachers’ approaches to listening instruction and a discussion of the pedagogical implications along with the identification of the limitations is given at the end of the study. Resumen: Este estudio de métodos mixtos investiga cómo profesores nativos de habla inglesa (NESTs) y profesores no nativos de habla inglesa (NNESTs) enfocan la enseñanza de estrategias de escucha. Los participantes fueron 6 NESTs y 6 NNESTs que poseían experiencia como profesores de inglés. Se realizó una técnica de triangulación mediante un cuestionario y una entrevista semiestructurada. El análisis de los datos cuantitativos se realizó a través del software IBM SPSS Statistics versión 22, mientras que los datos cualitativos fueron transcritos y luego codificados. Con el fin de contrastar los dos grupos, se aplicaron t-tests a los datos cuantitativos. Los resultados indicaron que ni los NEST ni los NNEST parecían estar enseñando estrategias de escucha con éxito, ya que ambos parecían basarse en gran medida en enfoques tradicionales que miden el número de respuestas correctas de los estudiantes. Cuantitativamente, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre los dos grupos en las pruebas t. Sin embargo, cualitativamente, se reveló que los NNEST parecían ser más reflexivos y analíticos que los NEST en su propio enfoque de enseñanza. El estudio concluye el debate destacando que la natividad tiene poca influencia en los enfoques de los maestros a la instrucción de escucha. Para concluir el estudio se discuten las implicaciones pedagógicas y limitantes de la investigación.

Abstract: Climate Change will have a variety of impacts on water resources as temperature is predicted to increase and affect all aspects of the hydrological cycle. The increase in temperature is expected to result in severe droughts and floods, and consequently have an impact on water availability in countries such as Colombia. An option for society is to adapt to these climate change impacts by designing and implementing adaptation strategies. However, the design of adaptation strategies is challenging and requires collective cooperation of diverse groups of actors working together. Actors are forced to communicate and negotiate in multiple networks and policy arenas to achieve a common understanding. During these negotiations many actors face barriers that challenge both the design of adaptation strategies and their implementation. This research aimed to investigate the main barriers involved in the process of designing climate change adaptation strategies in relation to water management by identifying and analysing actors’ experience in one of the main organizations involved in this design process, the regional climate change clusters of Colombia. The method used was a detailed analysis of primary data collected through 15 unstructured teleconference interviews with key actors at national and regional levels involved in these regional climate change clusters and an online questionnaire containing 41 individual barriers clustered in different groups. On this online questionnaire I got a response from 37 actors (e.g. policy makers, scientific, academia) with expertise on climate change and the design of adaptation strategies. The online questionnaire aimed to gather the actors point of view and perceptions about barriers identified in the scientific literature and from their personal experiences. From actors’ point of view of the main groups of barriers to design climate change adaptions strategies in water management were: resources, conflicting time scale and motives and willingness to act. Furthermore, the analysis showed that barriers can be understood differently and can differ for each group of actors. Social context, level, sector and policy domains can influence the perception of the barriers. Resumen: El cambio climático tendrá una variedad de impactos sobre los recursos hídricos, ya que se prevé que la temperatura aumente y afecte a todos los aspectos del ciclo hidrológico. Se pronostica que el aumento de la temperatura provoque graves sequías e inundaciones y, por consiguiente, repercute en la disponibilidad de agua en países como Colombia. Una opción para la sociedad es adaptarse a estos impactos del cambio climático; diseñando e implementando estrategias de adaptación. Sin embargo, el diseño de estrategias de adaptación es un desafío y requiere la cooperación colectiva de diversos grupos de actores trabajando juntos. Los actores se ven obligados a comunicarse y negociar en múltiples redes y entornos políticos para lograr un entendimiento común. Durante estas negociaciones muchos actores enfrentan barreras que desafían tanto el diseño de estrategias de adaptación como su implementación. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo investigar las principales barreras el proceso de diseño de estrategias de adaptación al cambio climático en relación con la gestión del agua, identificando y analizando la experiencia de los actores en una de las principales organizaciones involucradas en este proceso de diseño, como los son los Nodos Regionales de Cambio Climático. El método utilizado fue un análisis detallado de datos primarios recogidos a través de 15 entrevistas semiestructuradas realizadas por teleconferencia con actores claves a nivel nacional y regional involucrados en los Nodos regionales de cambio climático y un cuestionario en línea que contenía 41 barreras individuales agrupadas en diferentes grupos. Del cuestionario en línea se recibió una respuesta de 37 actores (por ejemplo, responsables políticos, científicos, académicos) con experiencia en el cambio climático y el diseño de estrategias de adaptación. El cuestionario en línea tenía como objetivo reunir el punto de vista y percepciones de los actores sobre las barreras identificadas en la literatura científica y según sus experiencias personales. Según el punto de vista de los actores los principales grupos de barreras que bloquean el diseño de las estrategias de adaptación al cambio climático en la gestión del agua fueron: recursos, conflicto en tiempo y escala y motivos y la voluntad de actuar. Además, el análisis mostró que las barreras pueden ser entendidas de manera diferente y pueden cambiar para cada grupo de actores. El contexto social, el nivel, el sector y las políticas pueden influir en la percepción de las barreras.

Current sustainability models rely on the triple line approach, in which economic growth, environmental sustainability and social are fundamental pivots. In recent years, the model of Biomimicry has emerged as a sustainable option of production, challenging the industrial revolution in which resource depletion and maximization of profits are key .At present , economic growth and environmental benefits has been well documented, however little is known about how social justice can be impacted by this biomimicry production systems. In the present study, a framework has been created with the purpose of assessing biomimicry production systems (BPS) in terms of social justice. In specific, an approach of poverty that has been gaining attention in the past decades and which represent poverty as a result of social relations has been used for its construction. The framework has then been done to understand the extent to which BPS can disrupt relational poverty (RP). As a study case, the polyculture quinoa production systems in the South America altiplano is presented. Evidence shows that these ancient farming systems have disruption effects on RP mechanisms with different intensities. This model of production rivals monocroping areas in areas like the Peruvian coast in terms of the avoidance relations that perpetrate poverty and of diversity, a fundamental aspect of Biomimicry. Other beneficial relations relate to moral economy were found as opportunities for these BPS’s. The framework generated here can be used to analyse other BPS in terms of social justice, it is robust and covers much of the aspects involved in power relations, agency and empowerment.