Durable ethanol steam reforming in a catalytic membrane reactor at moderate temperature over cobalt hydrotalcite

Ethanol steam reforming has been carried out in a catalytic membrane reactor consisting of cobalt hydrotalcite [Co2Mg4Al2(OH)(16)]CO3 center dot 4H(2)O-derived catalyst doped with potassium supported over cordierite and a composite Pd-Ag selective membrane. No sweep gas has been used, therefore, pure hydrogen has been obtained in the permeate stream, which has been maintained at atmospheric pressure. The configuration with the catalyst bed packed around the membrane has shown values of STP L-H2, (permeate) mL(ETOH), (-1)(liquid) g(cat)(-1) up to 3 times higher than the observed for the staged membrane reactor, where the catalyst has been placed in-series with the membrane. The influence of the temperature (673-873 K), the water-ethanol ratio (S/C = 1.8-3) and the retentate pressure (1-18 bar) on different performance parameters such as the hydrogen production and the pure hydrogen recovery has been evaluated. No carbon accumulation has been observed by SEM and XPS after 650 h operation. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Postprint (published version

Durable ethanol steam reforming in a catalytic membrane reactor at moderate temperature over cobalt hydrotalcite

Ethanol steam reforming has been carried out in a catalytic membrane reactor consisting of cobalt hydrotalcite [Co2Mg4Al2(OH)(16)]CO3 center dot 4H(2)O-derived catalyst doped with potassium supported over cordierite and a composite Pd-Ag selective membrane. No sweep gas has been used, therefore, pure hydrogen has been obtained in the permeate stream, which has been maintained at atmospheric pressure. The configuration with the catalyst bed packed around the membrane has shown values of STP L-H2, (permeate) mL(ETOH), (-1)(liquid) g(cat)(-1) up to 3 times higher than the observed for the staged membrane reactor, where the catalyst has been placed in-series with the membrane. The influence of the temperature (673-873 K), the water-ethanol ratio (S/C = 1.8-3) and the retentate pressure (1-18 bar) on different performance parameters such as the hydrogen production and the pure hydrogen recovery has been evaluated. No carbon accumulation has been observed by SEM and XPS after 650 h operation. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Raman LIDARs for the atmospheric calibration along the line-of-sight of CTA

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation ground based observatory for gamma ray astronomy at very high energies. Employing more than 100 Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes in the northern and southern hemispheres, it was designed to reach unprecedented sensitivity and energy resolution. Understanding and correcting for systematic biases on the absolute energy scale and instrument response functions will be a crucial issue for the performance of CTA. The LUPM group and the Spanish/Italian/Slovenian collaboration are currently building two Raman LIDAR prototypes for the online atmospheric calibration along the line of sight of the CTA. Requirements for such a solution include the ability to characterize aerosol extinction at two wavelengths to distances of 30 km with an accuracy better than 5%, within time scales of about a minute, steering capabilities and close interaction with the CTA array control and data acquisition system as well as other auxiliary instruments. Our Raman LIDARs have design features that make them different from those used in atmospheric science and are characterized by large collecting mirrors (2.5 m2), liquid light guides that collect the light at the focal plane and transport it to the readout system, reduced acquisition time and highly precise Raman spectrometers. The Raman LIDARs will participate in a cross calibration and characterization campaign of the atmosphere at the CTA North site at La Palma, together with other site characterization instruments. After a one year test period there, an in depth evaluation of the solutions adopted by the two projects will lead to a final Raman LIDAR design proposal for both CTA sites

Raman LIDARs for the atmospheric calibration along the line-of-sight of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

International audienceThe Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation ground-based observatory for gamma-ray astronomy at very-high energies. Employing more than 100 (north and south sites) Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes in the northern and southern hemispheres, it was designed to reach unprecedented sensitivity and energy resolution. Understanding and correcting for systematic biases on the absolute energy scale and instrument response functions will be a cru- cial issue for the performance of CTA. The Montpellier group and the Spanish/Italian/Slovenian collaboration are currently building two Raman LIDAR prototypes for the online atmospheric cal- ibration along the line-of-sight of the CTA. Requirements for such a solution include the ability to characterize aerosol extinction at two wavelengths to distances up to 30 km with an accuracy better than 5%, within exposure time scales of about a minute, steering capabilities and close interaction with the CTA array control and data acquisition system as well as other auxiliary in- struments. Our Raman LIDARs have design features that make them different from those used in atmospheric science and are characterized by large collecting mirrors (∼2.5 m2), liquid light- guides that collect the light at the focal plane and transport it to the readout system, reduced acquisition time and highly precise Raman spectrometers. The Raman LIDARs will participate in a cross-calibration and characterization campaign of the atmosphere at the CTA North site at La Palma, together with other site characterization instruments. After a one-year test period there, an in-depth evaluation of the solutions adopted by the two projects will lead to a final Raman LIDAR design proposal for both CTA sites

Raman LIDARs for the atmospheric calibration along the line-of-sight of CTA

International audienceThe Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation ground based observatory for gamma ray astronomy at very high energies. Employing more than 100 Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes in the northern and southern hemispheres, it was designed to reach unprecedented sensitivity and energy resolution. Understanding and correcting for systematic biases on the absolute energy scale and instrument response functions will be a crucial issue for the performance of CTA. The LUPM group and the Spanish/Italian/Slovenian collaboration are currently building two Raman LIDAR prototypes for the online atmospheric calibration along the line of sight of the CTA. Requirements for such a solution include the ability to characterize aerosol extinction at two wavelengths to distances of 30 km with an accuracy better than 5%, within time scales of about a minute, steering capabilities and close interaction with the CTA array control and data acquisition system as well as other auxiliary instruments. Our Raman LIDARs have design features that make them different from those used in atmospheric science and are characterized by large collecting mirrors (2.5 m2), liquid light guides that collect the light at the focal plane and transport it to the readout system, reduced acquisition time and highly precise Raman spectrometers. The Raman LIDARs will participate in a cross calibration and characterization campaign of the atmosphere at the CTA North site at La Palma, together with other site characterization instruments. After a one year test period there, an in depth evaluation of the solutions adopted by the two projects will lead to a final Raman LIDAR design proposal for both CTA sites

Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir ± ribavirin is safe and effective in HCV-infected patients in a real-life cohort from Latin America

Information about the use of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir ± ribavirin (OBV/PTV/r/DSV ± RBV) in real-clinical practice in Latin America is scarce. We aimed to confirm safety and effectiveness of OBV/PTV/r/DSV ± RBV therapy in real-world setting. We analyzed a cohort of patients with genotype 1 infection treated with OBV/PTV/r/DSV ± RBV. Data on demographics, clinical features, safety, and virological response were retrospectively collected from 21 centers in Latin America. A total of 96 patients received OBV/PTV/r/DSV, associated with RBV in 68% of the cases. Most were genotype 1b (80%), 56 (58%) had cirrhosis, and 45 (47%) failed prior HCV treatment. Adverse events occurred in 62% of patients. The most common adverse events were pruritus (21%), hyperbilirubinemia (17%), and asthenia (17%). Five patients discontinued therapy prematurely due to hepatic decompensation, three of them were Child-Pugh B at baseline and one patient died due to multi-organ failure. Follow up HCV-RNA 12 weeks after completion of therapy was evaluated in all the patients and sustained virologic response rate was 97%. No virologic breakthrough was detected. Our study confirms that OBV/PTV/r/DSV treatment is highly effective in patients with chronic HCV without cirrhosis or with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis in non-European populations. Adverse events were often mild and rarely led to treatment discontinuation except for patients with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis or with previous history of hepatic decompensation. These results can support the development of public strategies to expand the access of OBV/PTV/r + DSV and other DAAs combinations in order to reduce the burden of HCV infection in our region.Fil: Mendizabal, Manuel. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Haddad, Leila. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Gallardo, Patricia E.. Fundación Sayani; ArgentinaFil: Ferrada, Alejandro. Hospital Clinico San Borja Arriaran; ChileFil: Soza, Alejandro A.. Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Adrover, Raul. Centro de Hepatología; ArgentinaFil: Aravena, Edmundo. Hospital Clinico San Borja Arriaran; ChileFil: Roblero, Juan P.. Hospital Clinico San Borja Arriaran; ChileFil: Prieto, Jhon. Clínica Universitaria Colombia y Centro de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas; ColombiaFil: Vujacich, Claudia. Fundacion Centro de Estudios Infectologicos; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Gustavo. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología ; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Alberto. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología ; ArgentinaFil: Anders, Margarita. Hospital Alemán; ArgentinaFil: Hernández, Nelia. Hospital de Clinicas Dr. Manuel Quintela; UruguayFil: Coccozella, Daniel. Centro de Hepatología; ArgentinaFil: Gruz, Fernando. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Reggiardo, Maria V.. Provincia de Santa Fe. Ministerio de Salud y Medio Ambiente - Rosario. Hospital Provincial del Centenario; ArgentinaFil: Ruf, Andres E.. FUNDIEH; ArgentinaFil: Varón, Adriana. Instituto de Cardiologia; ColombiaFil: Cartier, Mariano. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología ; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Ravier, Roberto. Instituto Universidad Escuela de Medicina del Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Ridruejo, Ezequiel. Hospital Universitario Austral; Argentina. Centro de Educación Medica E Invest.clinicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Peralta, Mirta. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas ; ArgentinaFil: Poncino, Daniel. Sanatorio Municipal Dr. Julio Méndez; ArgentinaFil: Vorobioff, Julio. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Aballay Soteras, Gabriel. Sanatorio Mitre; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Marcelo O.. Hospital Universitario Austral; Argentin