•An overview of the state-of-the-art in CO2 chemical absorption is provided.•A comprehensive analysis of different process configurations is carried out.•Current initiatives towards large-scale ...commercialization are presented.•Partial oxy-combustion as a new approach for carbon capture is analyzed.
This work provides a wide overview of the state-of-art of the CO2 chemical absorption applied to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. The objective is not only to provide the current status of the technology and the research and development activities carried out towards its deployment in the CCS field, but also to identify the future directions and knowledge gaps. A summary of the conventional solvents used for acid gas removal and novel solvent formulations specifically adapted to new challenges such as fossil-fuels power plants and industrial processes was reported. Novel configurations from the conventional CO2 absorption-desorption layout were summarized and their impact on the operational performance and the reboiler duty was further evaluated. Novel opportunities offered by CO2 concentrated flue gas derived from partial oxy-combustion were further discussed in the final section. A large review of the published data from pilot plants has been done to facilitate the final comparison between the current status of post-combustion and novel partial oxy-combustion configurations. Demonstration plants currently available and the commercial solutions proposed by the most important companies were briefly described. CCS pilot plants via chemical absorption have been executed in last decades reaching several CO2 capture capacities up to 80 t CO2/day. Commercial scale plants have been recently developed, being US and China the countries which lead the investment funds. The most important commercial scale demo plants, namely Boundary Dam and Petra Nova, were also described. Nevertheless, there were still many countries which need to bet for CCS at large scale.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The projected growth of biodiesel world production has led to an increasing interest in finding new routes to valorize the large amount of glycerol produced linked to this biofuel obtaining process. ...One of these routes is glycerol transformation in value added products such as oxygen fuel additives. This review collects the latest advances in routes of glycerol valorization, considering the great majority of reactions with ketones and aldehydes, among other reactants. In order to justify the interest in these processes, this work includes a discussion of the main effects on fuel properties and engine performance. The characteristics that glycerol derivatives can provide to fuel blends, such as increasing in octane index, improving some cold flow properties or mitigating some negative aspects of other oxygenated compounds, such as environmental issues, flash point or gums formation will be exposed and discussed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Melatonin acute treatment limits obesity of young Zücker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats by non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). We recently showed melatonin chronically increases the oxidative status of ...vastus lateralis (VL) in both obese and lean adult male animals. The identification of VL skeletal muscle-based NST by uncoupling of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA)- sarcolipin (SLN) prompted us to investigate whether melatonin is a SERCA-SLN calcium futile cycle uncoupling and mitochondrial biogenesis enhancer. Obese ZDF rats and lean littermates (ZL) of both sexes were subdivided into two subgroups: control (C) and 12 weeks orally melatonin treated (M) (10 mg/kg/day). Compared to the control groups, melatonin decreased the body weight gain and visceral fat in ZDF rats of both sexes. Melatonin treatment in both sex obese rats restored the VL muscle skin temperature and sensitized the thermogenic effect of acute cold exposure. Moreover, melatonin not only raised SLN protein levels in the VL of obese and lean rats of both sexes; also, the SERCA activity. Melatonin treatment increased the SERCA2 expression in obese and lean rats (both sexes), with no effects on SERCA1 expression. Melatonin increased the expression of thermogenic genes and proteins (PGC1-α, PPARγ, and NRF1). Furthermore, melatonin treatment enhanced the expression ratio of P-CaMKII/CaMKII and P-AMPK/AMPK. In addition, it rose mitochondrial biogenesis. These results provided the initial evidence that chronic oral melatonin treatment triggers the CaMKII/AMPK/PGC1α axis by upregulating SERCA2-SLN-mediated NST in ZDF diabetic rats of both sexes. This may further contribute to the body weight control and metabolic benefits of melatonin.
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•Chronic melatonin treatment (CMT) improves obesity in both sex obese-diabetic rats.•CMT activates Skeletal Muscle (SKM) Non-Shivering Thermogenesis.•SKM SERCA2-SLN uncoupling induced by CMT is a novel strategy to combat obesity.•CMT activates CaMKII/AMPK/PGC1α pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis in SKM..
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Particulate matter, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) originating from the combustion of fossil fuels, has become the main cause of air pollution Feng, Y. ; Fuel 2018, 224, 801−813. There ...is currently growing interest worldwide in maintaining the emissions of these particles within levels, which allows preventing their negative effects on the environment and human health. The PM2.5 fraction of the particles emitted by stationary and mobile sources is comprised of both filterable particulate matter (FPM) and condensable particulate matter (CPM). Environmental regulations do not envisage readings of the CPM fraction, even though it has been shown that in some characterized sources, this type of particle represents higher emissions than FPM Li, J. ; Energy Fuels 2017, 31, 1778−1785; Cano, M. ; Energy Fuels 2017, 31, 7831–7838; Goodman, N. ; Stationary Source Test Methods for Condensible Particulate Matter and PM2.5; Electric Power Research Institute, 2006; Vol. 3, pp 1–34; Yang, H. ; Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 2015, 15, 1672–1680. Given above, it is vitally important to quantify the CPM fraction of the different types of sources and to establish the best measurement method by ensuring its reproducibility and accuracy. This work presents an estimate of the contribution of CPM to total PM2.5 emissions deriving from Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM). Specifically, it presents the results of CPM and FPM concentrations emitted by an agricultural diesel engine, obtained using a dilution sampling train developed by the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DIQA, according to its Spanish acronym) in accordance with the method EPA CTM-039, as well as chemical analysis of the samples, obtained using the combined ion chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. The conclusions reached in this study confirm that the ratio of CPM/FPM concentrations oscillates between 0.29 and 0.36, depending on the conditions under which the engine is working, that the CPM emissions increase as the engine torque rises and that quantifying CPM as particulate matter emitted by the NRMM would raise the percentage of total annual PM2.5 emissions by up to 1.65%.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Although significant steps have been taken over the last few decades in terms of creating policies aimed at controlling emissions, with the consequent toughening of the emission thresholds, the ...damage to air quality caused by particulate matter 2.5 μm or less in diameter particles currently represents a major worry on a global scale, mainly as a result of its involvement in significant harm to human health and the environment alike. Within this subgroup, the condensable particulate matter (CPM) produced in large combustion plants is susceptible to being a major contributor to the total mass of fine particles present in the air that we breathe. This work compiles the results obtained from CPM concentration measurements taken at the source of combustion gas emissions in an industrial clinker kiln, using an innovative sampling train developed at the University of Seville. In addition to this and applying adequate analytical techniques, we have characterized the nature of the CPM emitted at this facility and its morphology, obtaining varying results, depending upon the nature of the fuel in question, the raw material involved in the process, and the different operating modes of the system. The conclusion to this paper confirms that clinker production plants emit CPM in concentrations that are below the current legal limits for particle emissions in this kind of facility, although they are, for the most part, higher than the usual emissions of filterable particles.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Historically, the emission of particles from clinker kiln stacks has been one of the main environmental concerns in cement manufacturing processes. Up to now, environmental regulations have only ...focused on determining and controlling filterable particulate matter (FPM) in industrial emission sources. However, in recent years a growing interest in determining and analysing condensable particulate matter (CPM) has been evidenced due to the significant and established contribution of CPM to total emissions of particulate matter (PM).
In this work, total PM (FPM + CPM) emissions from a clinker kiln in a cement manufacturing process have been characterized. A series of tests were performed to simultaneously collect FPM and CPM using a sampling train patented by University of Seville. The results showed very low level of emissions compared to regulatory limits. The average FPM and CPM concentrations obtained in the kiln were in the same order of magnitude, at 3.4 mg/Nm3 and 2.8 mg/Nm3, respectively. The CPM analysed was predominantly inorganic and represented 46% of total PM emissions.
In addition, a microscopic morphological analysis was carried out on the samples and confirmed the presence of CPM with a size of less than 2 μm, as well as establishing the principal constituent elements of the same. The main element components were Al, Ca, Fe, Si, C and O. Compounds such as CaCO3, alite, ferrite and dolomite were detected with analytical characterization techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD), providing a better understanding of the sources of contamination within CPM.
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•Understanding the physical-chemical nature of CPM from a clinker•Multi-technique analytic approach including SEM-EDX, FITR and XRD•The CPM was predominantly inorganic and represented 46% of total PM emissions.•CaCO3, alite, ferrite and dolomite were detected in the composition of the CPM.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Partial oxy-combustion capture was tested in a bench-scale CO2 capture unit.•The novel configuration achieved a 64% energy reduction respect to post-combustion.•The reboiler duty was reduced up to ...11% of compared to conventional configuration.•The use of high cyclic capacity solvents can lead to further energy reductions.
Partial oxy-combustion is considered a promising carbon capture and storage technology that can lead to further energy penalty reductions. The presence of large amounts of CO2 in the flue gas should enhance the driven force in the bulk gas and hence the absorption performance. A novel concept known as Shift to Low Temperature configuration has been developed in order to strengthen the potentialities of partial oxy-combustion. This novel configuration aims at relaxing the operating conditions in the stripper based on the benefits – kinetics and driven force – observed in the absorption unit by means of shifting the operational CO2 cyclic capacity of the solvents towards lower energy requirements for solvent regeneration. In this work, three partial oxy-combustion operating conditions were tested in an experimental bench-scale CO2 capture facility. Results from the test campaign were further compared with both post-combustion and partial oxy-combustion at conventional operating conditions. The energy requirements were further improved as this novel configuration was applied, particularly using 118 °C as stripping temperature in combination with 60%v/v CO2 in the flue gas. Under these operating conditions, the energy penalty was reduced by 11% with respect to conventional partial oxy-combustion operation using the same flue gas composition – from 4.55 to 4.05 GJ/t CO2 using MEA 30 wt% as solvent. The energy penalty was further decreased by up to 64% in comparison with the post-combustion test. The results endorse the use of large CO2 cyclic capacity solvents to enhance the potentialities of the Shift to Low Temperature configuration for carbon capture applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
COPD is a highly heterogeneous disease that has a serious impact on affected populations. Patients share some of the features of bronchial asthma, often summarized under the term ACOS (asthma-COPD ...overlap syndrome). The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of the measurement of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FENO50) in the diagnosis of COPD phenotypes.
The study comprised cross-sectional observation of patients receiving assistance during a respiratory outpatient visit. Patient data was collected on lung function, FENO, questionnaires scoring CAT®(COPD Assessment Test), and COPD clinical phenotype.
192 patients were studied: 103 with COPD; 16 healthy non-smokers; 30 healthy smokers; and 43 asthmatics. COPD patients were grouped by phenotype: 34 non exacerbators (33.0%); 22 ACOS (21.3%); 13 frequent exacerbators with emphysema (12.6%); and 34 frequent exacerbators with chronic bronchitis (33.0%). ACOS patients showed significantly higher FENO50 values compared to the others after adjustments for confounding factors. FENO50 demonstrated greater diagnostic accuracy than the bronchodilator test (BT) in the diagnosis of ACOS and COPD phenotypes (AUC 0.79 vs 0.74), with an optimal cut-off value of 19 ppb (sensitivity 0.68, specificity 0.75).
Patients with COPD have different levels of FENO50 depending on the COPD phenotype. FENO50 measurement provides better diagnostic accuracy than BT, with an optimal cut-off value of 19 ppb.
•FENO50 is an attractive biomarker for the diagnosis of COPD phenotype.•FENO50 values above 19 ppb could be a marker for COPD with features of ACOS.•The diagnostic performance of FENO50 is higher than bronchodilator test.•FENO50 can offer complementary information for the clinician.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The in vitro study demonstrates wirelessly controlled modulation of neural activity using magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs), synchronized to magnetic field application with a sub-25-msec temporal ...response. Herein, MENPs are sub-30-nm CoFe2O4@BaTiO3 core-shell nanostructures. MENPs were added to E18 rat hippocampal cell cultures (0.5 μg of MENPs per 100,000 neurons) tagged with fluorescent Ca2+ sensitive indicator cal520. MENPs were shown to wirelessly induce calcium transients which were synchronized with application of 1200-Oe bipolar 25-msec magnetic pulses at a rate of 20 pulses/sec. The observed calcium transients were similar, in shape and magnitude, to those generated through the control electric field stimulation with a 50-μA current, and they were inhibited by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin. The observed MENP-based magnetic excitation of neural activity is in agreement with the non-linear M − H hysteresis loop of the MENPs, wherein the MENPs’ coercivity value sets the threshold for the externally applied magnetic field.
•A study through a reduced in vitro model (on E18 rat hippocampal cell cultures) for the first time demonstrates how 30-nm MENPs can be used to wirelessly induce neural activity via application of magnetic fields, with a sub-25-msec temporal response.•The property of the nanoparticles such as the magnetic coercivity is used as a wireless switch to activate action potential in selected regions.•The validity of MENPs-based neural firing approach is confirmed through different positive and negative control measurements.•The importance of having MENPs adequately dispersed to ensure the desired wireless neural firing control operation is being demonstrated.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
