feasibility analysis of coupling an orc to a mgt in a biogas plant

Abstract An increasing interest is devoted to biogas plants as they might play a key role in the reduction of current fossil fuel consumption for power production. The main component of the plant is the anaerobic digester where the organic fraction of waste products is converted in a gas with high concentration of methane and carbon dioxide. This biogas is converted in power and heat in a cogeneration unit that may consist in a micro gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. Electric power is used to satisfy the plant internal need and the surplus is sold to the grid. A portion of the heat is used to keep the digester at a constant temperature as requested by the anaerobic digestion, the reaming is generally dissipated. This study focuses on the potential of using an Organic Rankine Cycle as a possible additional thermal user to reduce the amount of dissipated heat and increase the power production. The study is based on an existing biogas plant operating in the town of Viareggio (Italy) which will be equipped with a 600kWe micro gas turbine. The integration of the two systems was studied in detail to have high values of thermal energy recovery. A reference and a modified solution were simulated in AMESim by considering a yearlong period with actual ambient conditions. Off-design behavior of all the components was also included in the simulation. The results of the investigation showed that a thermal energy recovery up to 77% could be achieved. From the economic point of view, the plant modification for introducing the ORC system has a payback period lower than 6 years and an interesting profitability index

techno economic sizing of a battery energy storage coupled to a wind farm an italian case study

Abstract The study focuses on the technical and economic issues which arise when a battery energy storage is coupled to a wind farm to improve its profitability. The electric energy storage technologies may fulfil the dual role of promoting the renewable energy sources development and of allowing an economic optimization of the energy output. In this study, the optimal economic and technical sizing of a lithium-ion battery, is analyzed by focusing on the day-ahead market profit maximization. This is done by scheduling the aleatory wind production using a 24-hours rolling horizon MILP optimization algorithm. The annual utilization profile and daily charge level are analyzed, and the related battery degradation is assessed. Finally, the battery cost is compared to the additional revenues, to assess the battery cost-optimal size in presence of battery degradation. The analysis is based on real Italian wind data and energy price time series

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinal safety concerns during COVID-19 outbreak

Purpose: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared by the World Health Organization a global pandemic. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been largely adopted in the clinical setting for the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, their known retinal toxicity has raised some safety concerns, especially considering the higher-dosage employed for COVID-19 patients as compared with their suggested posology for their usual indications, including systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic diseases. In this review, we will discuss the optimal dosages recommended for COVID-19 patients when treated with HCQ and CQ. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase and Scopus, by using the following search terms: "chloroquine retinal toxicity" and "hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity" alone or in combination with "coronavirus", "COVID-19", " SARS-CoV-2 infection " from inception to August 2020. Results: Although there is still no consistent evidence about HCQ/CQ retinal toxicity in patients with COVID-19, these possible drug-related retinal adverse events may represent a major safety concern. For this reason, appropriate screening strategies, including telemedicine, should be developed in the near future. Conclusion: A possible future clinical perspective for patients with COVID-19 treated with HCQ/CQ could reside in the multidisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmologists monitoring the risk of HCQ/CQ-related retinal toxicity and those physicians treating COVID-19 infection

Iris Reconstruction: A Surgeon's Guide.

Objectives: The aim of this review paper is to summarise surgical options available for repairing iris defects at the iris-lens plane, focusing on suturing techniques, iridodialysis repair, and prosthetic iris devices. Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted using multiple databases, including Medline, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to February 2024. Relevant studies were screened based on predefined criteria, and primary references cited in selected articles were also reviewed. Results: Various surgical techniques were identified for iris defect repair. Suturing methods such as interrupted full-thickness sutures and the McCannel technique offer solutions for smaller defects, while iridodialysis repair techniques address detachment of the iris from the ciliary body. Prosthetic iris devices, including iris-lens diaphragm devices, endocapsular capsular tension ring-based devices, and customizable artificial iris implants, provide options for larger defects, each with its own advantages and limitations. Conclusions: Successful iris reconstruction requires a personalised approach considering factors like defect size, ocular comorbidities, and patient preference. Surgeons must possess a thorough understanding of available techniques and prosthetic devices to achieve optimal outcomes in terms of both visual function and, nonetheless, cosmetic appearance

Faricimab for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Nowadays; intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs are considered the first-line therapeutic strategy for treating macular exudative diseases; including wet age-related macular degeneration (w-AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Despite the important clinical achievements obtained by anti-VEGF drugs in the management of w-AMD and DME; some limits still remain; including high treatment burden; the presence of unsatisfactory results in a certain percentage of patients and long-term visual acuity decline due to complications such as macular atrophy and fibrosis. Targeting the angiopoietin/Tie (Ang/Tie) pathway beyond the VEGF pathway may be a possible therapeutic strategy; which may has the potential to solve some of the previous mentioned challenges. Faricimab is a new; bispecific antibody targeting both VEGF-A and the Ang-Tie/pathway. It was approved by FDA and; more recently; by EMA for treating w-AMD and DME. Results from phase III trials TENAYA and LUCERNE (w-AMD) and RHINE and YOSEMITE (DME) have shown the potential of faricimab to maintain clinical efficacy with more prolonged treatment regimens compared to aflibercept (12 or 16 weeks) with a a good safety profile