Three dimensional modelling of interaction between surface and Darcy flow regimes through soils

The present paper deals with the impact of surface flow on hydrodynamic conditions in saturated underground domains. A three dimensional finite element scheme has been used to simulate underground flow resulting from the flow of water over a saturated land. The results clearly show the effects of the surface flow on the hydrodynamic conditions of the subsurface porous regions. This analysis is an important prerequisite for the prediction of contaminant mobility in soils and hence provides a convenient tool for the prediction of interaction between surface and subsurface flow processes. For low permeability cases, considered here, the governing equations consist of water continuity and Darcy equations. These equations are solved using a robust and reliable finite element procedure

Development of cGMP manufacturing processes for the large-scale production of cell-based therapies for commercial applications

The landmark discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) ushered in a new era of cell and gene-based therapies and their potentially curative nature for a number of devastating diseases and disorders. This has resulted in a large number of clinical trials being initiated for the use of cell-based therapies for the treatment of various diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Type I diabetes, and large B-cell lymphoma. Additionally, the recent approval of therapies using immune cells and their success in the clinic are positive indicators of the commercial applicability of cell-based therapies. However, in order to reach the market it is necessary to develop industrialized cGMP manufacturing processes that are scalable, robust and reliable and can meet commercial demands. In addition, for a commercial process it is important to have a good understanding of the critical process parameters (CPPs) and their impact on the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the final therapeutic product. Lonza has approached the development of industrialized bioprocesses with focus on (1) the development of cGMP manufactured, quality-assured cell bank processes (e.g. iPSC manufacturing process utilizing a robust cell culture system), (2) implementation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to aid in scaling culture systems, (3) implementation of process analytical technologies (PAT) to monitor/control the culture conditions and automation to decrease labor and improve reproducibility of the process, (4) utilizing a standard approach to performing process characterization studies based on a failure mode and affects analysis (FMEA) to identify modes of failure, risks and mitigations and aid in commercial readiness, and (5) the development, optimization and qualification of analytical methods to characterize the state of the cultures and support release of cell-based products. Importantly, the development of analytical methods that can demonstrate the characteristics and potency of the final drug product as it relates to its in vivo mechanism of action are critical. In this respect, Lonza has developed a library of robust / qualified analytical methods that can be assessed and utilized for different clinical programs in order to support commercial activities. Here, we will discuss how we have applied our unique approach to support the industrialization of cell-based therapies for applications utilizing iPSCs and T-cells.

The prediction model for additively manufacturing of NiTiHf high-temperature shape memory alloy

NiTi-based alloys are one of the most well-known alloys among shape memory alloys having a wide range of applications from biomedical to aerospace areas. Adding a third element to the binary alloys of NiTi changes the thermomechanical properties of the material remarkably. Two unique features of stability and high transformation temperature have turned NiTiHf as a suitable ternary shape memory alloys in various applications. Selective laser melting (SLM) as a layer-based fabrication method addresses the difficulties and limitations of conventional methods. Process parameters of SLM play a prominent role in the properties of the final parts so that by using the different sets of process parameters, different thermomechanical responses can be achieved. In this study, different sets of process parameters (PPs) including laser power, hatch space, and scanning speed were defined to fabricate the NiTiHf samples. Changing the PPs is a powerful tool for tailoring the thermomechanical response of the fabricated parts such as transformation temperature (TTs), density, and mechanical response. In this work, an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to achieve a prediction tool for finding the effect of the PPs on the TTs and the size deviation of the printed parts

Impact of gaseous and particulate matter emission for fluid catalytic cracking units

Fluid catalytic cracking unit is a major part of petroleum refineries as it treats heavy fractions from various process units to produce light ends (valuable products). FCC unit feedstock consists of heavy hydrocarbon with high sulphur contents and the catalyst used is zeolite impregnated with rare earth metals i.e. Lanthanum and Cerium. Catalytic cracking reaction takes place at an elevated temperature in fluidized bed reactors generating sulphur-contaminated coke on the catalyst with large quantity of attrited catalyst fines. In the regenerator, coke is completely burnt producing SO2, PM emissions are mainly due to high attrition of cold makeup catalyst charge and operating conditions, vapour velocity particle velocity, particle collision and particle degradation. This study is dedicated to the quantitative analysis of the impact of harmful emissions resulting from FCC units on the environment

Effects of Three Types of Oil Dispersants on Biodegradation of Dispersed Crude Oil in Water Surrounding Two Persian Gulf Provinces

Objective. To determine the most effective and biodegradable dispersant of spilled oil in water surrounding two Persian Gulf provinces. Methods. This study compared the effects of three dispersants, Pars 1, Pars 2, and Gamlen OD4000 on removal of oil in two Persian Gulf provinces' water. Overall, 16 stations were selected. Using the Well method, the growth rate of isolated bacteria and fungi was identified. To specify the growth rate of microorganisms and their usage of oil in the presence of the above-mentioned dispersants, as exclusive sources of carbon, the bacteria were grown in culture medium for 28 days at 120 rpm, 30°C, and their optical density was measured by spectrophotometry. Then, we tested biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in microorganisms. Results. The highest growth rate was documented for the growth of microorganisms on either Pars 1 or Pars 2 dispersants or their mixtures with oil. However, the culture having microorganisms grown on Pars 1 had higher BOD and COD than the other two dispersants (9200 and 16800 versus 500 and 960, P < 0.05). Mixture of oil and Pars 2 as well as oil and Pars 1 dispersants showed the highest BODs and CODs, respectively. In the Bahregan province, microorganisms grown on Pars 2 had maximum amount of BOD and COD in comparison with Pars 1 and Gamlen dispersants (7100 and 15200 versus 6000 and 10560, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Pars 1 and Pars 2 were the most effective dispersants with highest degradability comparing Gamlen. In each region, the most suitable compound for removing oil spill from offshores with least secondary contamination should be investigated