Thermodynamic analysis of Glycerol steam reforming

A thermodynamic analysis of steam reforming of glycerol using the stoichiometric method has been performed. Since the aim of this work is to study product distribution and coke formation in equilibrium, two different models have been proposed: (a) CO as primary product and (b) CO2 as primary product. Moreover, substantial information regarding the behavior of the different reactions could be acquired. Product distribution at equilibrium has been investigated in a broad range of conditions: temperature (600-1200 K), water-to-glycerol feed molar ratio (0:1-10:1), and pressure (1-9 atm). Glycerol conversion results completely over the whole range of the mentioned conditions. Consequently, product distribution at equilibrium is determined by water gas shift (WGS) and methanation or methane steam reforming reactions. Finally, high temperatures and a high water-to-glycerol feed molar ratio favor hydrogen production and decrease both methane and coke.Fil: Dieuzeide, María Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Laboratorio de Procesos Catalíticos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Amadeo, Norma Elvira. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Laboratorio de Procesos Catalíticos; Argentin

Sorption-enhanced steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production

In last years, sorption-enhanced steam reforming of ethanol (SESRE) has become an interesting alternative for the industry, since it offers high H2 purity with a simpler and smaller system. In this study CaO derived materials were synthesized to improve multicyclic CO2 sorption-desorption stability. A dispersant and inert phase (Ca12All4O33) was incorporated into CaO structure. The effects of CaO:Ca12Al14O33 ratio on the characteristics of the new absorbents and on their performance in sorption-enhanced steam reforming of ethanol were analyzed. The results obtained indicate that the absorbent 85% CaO – 15% Ca12Al14O33 had significantly improved cyclic reaction stability. Additionally, it was proved that with this adsorbent CO purity on wet basis was lower than 2 %, making it possible to attain in only one reaction stage the CO purity obtained after de WGS reactor.Fil: Avendaño Cañizalez, Roger Orlando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnologías del Hidrogeno y Energias Sostenibles. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías del Hidrogeno y Energias Sostenibles; ArgentinaFil: Dieuzeide, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnologías del Hidrogeno y Energias Sostenibles. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías del Hidrogeno y Energias Sostenibles; ArgentinaFil: Bonelli, Pablo Ricardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Amadeo, Norma Elvira. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnologías del Hidrogeno y Energias Sostenibles. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías del Hidrogeno y Energias Sostenibles; Argentin

Registry of people with diabetes in three Latin American countries : a suitable approach to evaluate the quality of health care provided to people with type 2 diabetes

Q2Q2Aims: To implement a patient registry and collect data related to the care providedto people with type 2 diabetes in six specialized centers of three Latin Americancountries, measure the quality of such care using a standardized form (QUALIDIAB)that collects information on different quality of care indicators, and analyze thepotential of collecting this information for improving quality of care and conductingclinical research. Methods: We collected data on clinical, metabolic and therapeu-tic indicators, micro- and macrovascular complications, rate of use of diagnosticand therapeutic elements and hospitalization of patients with type 2 diabetes in sixdiabetes centers, four in Argentina and one each in Colombia and Peru. Results:We analyzed 1157 records from patients with type 2 diabetes (Argentina, 668;Colombia, 220; Peru, 269); 39 records were discarded because of data entry errorsor inconsistencies. The data demonstrated frequency performance deficiencies inseveral procedures, including foot and ocular fundus examination and variouscardiovascular screening tests. In contrast, HbA1cand cardiovascular risk factorassessments were performed with a greater frequency than recommended by inter-national guidelines. Management of insulin therapy was sub-optimal, and deficien-cies were also noted among diabetes education indicators. Conclusions: Patientregistry was successfully implemented in these clinics following an interactiveeducational program. The data obtained provide useful information as to deficien-cies in care and may be used to guide quality of care improvement efforts.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6860-3620N/

Síntesis de material adsorbente de CO₂, en base a hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al, para el reformado de etanol

En el presente trabajo se compara el desempeño en la captura de CO₂, en condiciones secas y en condiciones de reformado de etanol, de diferentes materiales adsorbentes sintetizados en base a hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al. De acuerdo con resultados previos, con el fin de obtener el material activo para la captura de CO₂, las hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al son calcinadas a 400 ºC y luego promovidas con una carga de 15 %p/p de K. Se ha comparado que, para las muestras sin promover con K, la capacidad de captura de CO₂ aumenta con la relación Mg/Al; mientras que para las muestras promovidas con K la muestra con relación Mg/Al=4 es la que presenta el mayor tiempo de pre-breakthrough y la que tiene la mayor capacidad de captura de CO₂. Finalmente se han empleado las muestras en el reformado de etanol con captura simultanea de CO₂, donde fue posible alcanzar purezas de hidrógeno en base seca mayores al 90 % a bajos tiempos de operación; obteniendo los mejores resultados nuevamente para el material adsorbente en base a una hidrotalcita con relación Mg/Al=4. La mayor capacidad de captura de CO2 de esta muestra podría atribuirse a su mayor área superficial.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management and Body Mass Index: Experiences with Initiating Insulin Detemir in the A1chieve Study

INTRODUCTION: This sub-analysis of the A(1)chieve study aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir (IDet) initiation over 24 weeks in relation to baseline body mass index (BMI) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A(1)chieve was a 24-week non-interventional study to assess the safety and efficacy of insulin analogs in routine practice. This sub-analysis included insulin-naïve patients who initiated IDet therapy based on their physicians’ decision. Patients were stratified according to baseline BMI (Group I, <25.0 kg/m(2); Group II, 25.0 to <30.0 kg/m(2); Group III, 30.0 to <35.0 kg/m(2); Group IV ≥35.0 kg/m(2)). Safety and efficacy variables were assessed over 24 weeks. RESULTS: Overall, 10,650 insulin-naïve patients were included (3,045 patients in Group I, 4,186 patients in Group II, 2,365 patients in Group III, and 1,054 patients in Group IV). Four serious adverse drug reactions (SADRs) were reported. From baseline to Week 24, there was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients reporting overall hypoglycemia in Group I (4.0% vs. 4.4%), while a significant decrease in Group II (4.8% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.0335) and significant increases in Groups III and IV (3.3% vs. 5.4% and 3.4% vs. 7.0%, respectively, p < 0.001) were noted. The mean body weight increased from baseline to Week 24 in Group I (60.7 ± 8.4 vs. 61.8 ± 8.5 kg) and reduced in Groups II, III, and IV (74.5 ± 9.2 vs. 74.2 ± 9.2 kg, 87.4 ± 10.3 vs. 86.0 ± 9.8 kg, and 102.2 ± 14.3 vs. 100.1 ± 14.2 kg, respectively; all p < 0.001). Significant improvements were noted in glycemic parameters, systolic blood pressure, and lipids over 24 weeks, irrespective of baseline BMI status. CONCLUSION: IDet therapy was associated with improved glycemic control and a low number of SADRs. Greater weight loss was observed with higher BMI. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0054-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Síntesis de material adsorbente de CO2, en base a hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al, para el reformado de etanol

En el presente trabajo se compara el desempeño en la captura de CO2, en condiciones secas y en condiciones de reformado de etanol, de diferentes materiales adsorbentes sintetizados en base a hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al. De acuerdo con resultados previos, con el fin de obtener el material activo para la captura de CO2, las hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al son calcinadas a 400 ºC y luego promovidas con una carga de 15 %p/p de K. Se ha comparado que, para las muestras sin promover con K, la capacidad de captura de CO2 aumenta con la relación Mg/Al; mientras que para las muestras promovidas con K la muestra con relación Mg/Al=4 es la que presenta el mayor tiempo de pre-breakthrough y la que tiene la mayor capacidad de captura de CO2. Finalmente se han empleado las muestras en el reformado de etanol con captura simultanea de CO2, donde fue posible alcanzar purezas de hidrógeno en base seca mayores al 90 % a bajos tiempos de operación; obteniendo los mejores resultados nuevamente para el material adsorbente en base a una hidrotalcita con relación Mg/Al=4. La mayor capacidad de captura de CO2 de esta muestra podría atribuirse a su mayor área superficial

Síntesis de material adsorbente de CO₂, en base a hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al, para el reformado de etanol

En el presente trabajo se compara el desempeño en la captura de CO₂, en condiciones secas y en condiciones de reformado de etanol, de diferentes materiales adsorbentes sintetizados en base a hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al. De acuerdo con resultados previos, con el fin de obtener el material activo para la captura de CO₂, las hidrotalcitas con distintas relaciones de Mg/Al son calcinadas a 400 ºC y luego promovidas con una carga de 15 %p/p de K. Se ha comparado que, para las muestras sin promover con K, la capacidad de captura de CO₂ aumenta con la relación Mg/Al; mientras que para las muestras promovidas con K la muestra con relación Mg/Al=4 es la que presenta el mayor tiempo de pre-breakthrough y la que tiene la mayor capacidad de captura de CO₂. Finalmente se han empleado las muestras en el reformado de etanol con captura simultanea de CO₂, donde fue posible alcanzar purezas de hidrógeno en base seca mayores al 90 % a bajos tiempos de operación; obteniendo los mejores resultados nuevamente para el material adsorbente en base a una hidrotalcita con relación Mg/Al=4. La mayor capacidad de captura de CO2 de esta muestra podría atribuirse a su mayor área superficial.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Thermodynamic modelling and energy balance of direct methanation of glycerol for Bio-SNG production

Glycerol can be considered a waste product when the cost of processing is higher than the processed glycerol value. In these situations, conversion of glycerol to an energy vector may be more beneficial. The aim of this work was to design and assess the feasibility of a process for low temperature steam reforming of glycerol (GLT-SR). GLT-SR is a novel form of direct methanation that produces a CH rich, renewable fuel gas (Bio-SNG) that could substitute the current natural gas consumption associated with biodiesel production. In this work, thermodynamic modelling to determine the conditions that suited CH₄ production and minimised carbon below 600 K as well as the impact of molar steam to carbon ratio (S/C) and pressure on the biomass to fuel efficiency of a GLT-SR plant were carried out using Aspen Plus® (V8.8) chemical processing software. Operating at 8 atm provided the benefits of high conversion to CH₄ whilst minimising the outlet reformer temperature and achieving the required inlet temperature for catalyst operation. The Bio-SNG produced had an LHV of 16.7 MJ kg¯¹ and had properties like landfill gas and biogas. An energy balance of the process determined that the electricity demand was negligible due to the low energy use of pumps and fans without the need for compressors. Operating at 8 atm, the production of Bio-SNG in the GLT-SR plant has the potential to offset 30% of the natural gas embodied energy requirement or 8.9% of the total embodied energy requirement for soybean biodiesel production from farm to use

Opeatogenys gracilis (Pisces: Gobiesocidae): An overlooked species or another ‘Mediterranean endemism’ found in Atlantic waters?

The occurrence of Opeatogenys gracilis outside the Mediterranean Sea is confirmed for the first time. This is probably a more common species than previously thought, but its apparent complete dependence on seagrass beds suggests the possibility of including it in the IUCN threatened species list. Some sex differences are described and a complete meristic and morphometric description of the species is presented. The occurrence of the species in the north-east Atlantic indicates that it might be a recent dispersal from the Mediterranean Sea, or an overlooked part of the autochthonous fauna