Temperature Stabilisation in Fischer-Tropsch Reactors Using Phase Change Material (PCM)

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction is a highly exothermic reaction. The high exothermicity combined with a high sensitivity of product selectivity to temperature, constitute the main challenges in the design of FT reactors. The use of micro-encapsulated- Phase Change Material (PCM) in conjunction with the supervisory temperature control mechanism has been suggested as an effective way of mitigating these challenges. A 2-dimensional, pseudo-homogeneous, steady-state model, with the dissipation of the enthalpy of reaction into an isothermal PCM sink, in a fixed bed reactor is presented. Effective temperature control with the PCM shows a shift in thermodynamic equilibrium favouring the selectivity of C5 to the disadvantage of CH4 selectivity - a much desired outcome in the hydrocarbon Gas-to-Liquid industry

Utilization of the partograph in primary health care facilities in Southwestern Nigeria

No Abstract

Sociodemographic factors in anaemia in pregnancy in south-western Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy persists, especially in third world countries where poor diet, low levels of literacy, infections, infestations and cultural practices predispose pregnant women to being anaemic. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and to identify the possible associations between socio-economic status and anaemia in pregnancy among antenatal care seekers at Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.Method: A total of 350 pregnant women were recruited at booking from the antenatal clinic of the hospital. A standardised questionnaire was administered to collect sociodemographic data. The subjects were stratified into upper, middle and lower socio-economic groups according to a scoring system designed by Olusanya et al. for Nigeria and other African countries.Anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin level of less than 11 g/dl by the World Health Organization.Results: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was 58.0% in the study population. Anaemia prevalence was significantly higher among the subjects in the middle and lower socio-economic classes: 78.3% and 80.3% respectively (P < 0.05). The majority of the severely anaemic subjects (80.0%) were from the lower social class.Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was found to be high in this population. Low socio-economic status is significantly associated with increased prevalence and severity of anaemia. It is recommended that the socio-economic situation of women be improved. This no doubt will help to reduce anaemia in pregnancy

Knowledge and Utilization of the Partograph among obstetric care givers in South West Nigeria

This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge and utilization of the partograph among health care workers in southwestern Nigeria. Respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling method from primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care. 719 respondents comprising of CHEWS - 110 (15.3%), Auxiliary Nurses - 148 (20.6%), Nurse/Midwives - 365 (50.6%), Physicians – 96 (13.4%) were selected from primary (38.2%), secondary (39.1%) and tertiary levels (22.7%). Only 32.3% used the partograph to monitor women in labour. Partograph use was reported significantly more frequently by respondents in tertiary level compared with respondents from primary/secondary levels of care (82.4% vs. 19.3%; X2 = 214.6, p < 0.0001). Only 37.3% of respondents who were predominantly from the tertiary level of care could correctly mention at least one component of the partograph (X2 = 139.1, p < 0.0001). The partograph is utilized mainly in tertiary health facilities; knowledge about the partograph is poor. Though affordable, the partograph is commonly not used to monitor the Nigerian woman in labour. (Afr Reprod Health 2008; 12[1]:22-29).Cette étude transvasale a évalué la connaissance et l\'utilisation du partographe parmi les membres du personnel soignant au sud-ouest du Nigéria. Les personnes interrogées ont été sélectionnées à l\'aide d\'une méthode d\'échantillon à plusieurs étapes à partir des niveaux de soin primaire, secondaire et tertiaire. Au total 719 personnes ont été interrogées, y compris les travailleurs communautaires pour l\'extension des services de santé 110 (15,3%), des infirmières auxillaires – 148 (20,6%), les infirmières / sages–femmes – 365 (50,6%), les médecins – 96 (13,4%) ont été sélectionnées à partir des niveaux primaire (38,2%), secondaire (39,1%) et tertiaire (22,7%). Seuls 32,3% se sont servis du partographe pour surveiller les femmes au travail. L\'utilisation du partographe a été plus fréquent chez les interrogés qui appartiennent au niveau tertiaire par rapport aux intérrogés des niveaux primaire et secondaire de soin (82,4% vs 19,3% ; X2 = 214,6 p < 0,0001). Seules 37,3% des intérrogés qui appartenaient en majorité au niveau tertiaire de soin pouvaient mentionner au juste au moins un constituent du partographe (X2 = 139, p < 0,0001). Le partographe est utilisé surtout dans les établissement de santé tertiaire ; la connaissance du partographe est faible. Bien qu\'il soit abordable, le partographe n\'est pas communément utilisé pour surveiller la femme nigériane au travail.Keywords: partograph, healthcare providers, knowledge, utilization Knowledge and Utilization of the Partograph among obstetric care givers in South West NigeriaAfrican Journal of Reproductive Health Vol. 12 (1) 2008: pp. 22-2