Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in microchannels

Different metallic supports (aluminum foams of 40ppi, honeycomb monolith and micromonolith of 350 and 1180cpsi, respectively) have been loaded with a 20%Co-0.5%Re/γ-Al2O3 catalyst by the washcoating method. Layers of different thicknesses have been deposited onto the metallic supports. The catalytic coatings were characterized measuring their textural properties, adhesion and morphology. These structured catalysts have been tested in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and compared with a microchannel block presenting perpendicular channels for reaction and cooling. The selectivity depends on the type of support used and mainly on the thickness of the layer deposited. In general, the C5+ selectivity decreased at increasing CO conversion for all of the systems (powder, monoliths, foams and microchannels block). On the other hand, the selectivity to methane increased with the thickness of the catalytic layer due to the higher effective H2/CO ratio over the active sites resulting from the higher diffusivity of H2 compared with CO in the liquid products filling the pores. The C5+ selectivity of the microchannels reactor is higher than that of the structured supports and the powder catalyst.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación MAT2006-12386-C05, ENE2009-14522-C0

Design and testing of a microchannel reactor for the PROX reaction

The different steps for manufacturing a microchannel reactor for the PROX reaction are discussed. Transient Liquid Phase bonding (TLP) using a Ni-B-Si amorphous melt spun is used for joining micromilled Al-alloyed ferritic stainless steel plates followed by recrystallization at 1200°C for 5h. A CuOx-CeO2 catalyst synthesized by the coprecipitation method was washcoated on the microchannel block resulting in a homogenous 20-30μm thick layer. The catalytic activity for CO-PROX reaction is similar in both the powder catalyst and the microchannel coated reactor but the selectivity is higher in the microchannel reactor. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación MAT-2006-12386-C05, ENE-2009-14522-C05-01, BES-2007-14409, BES-2007-15297Junta de Andalucía P06-TEP-0848

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Aluminum Anodization in Oxalic Acid: Controlling the Texture of Al2O3/Al Monoliths for Catalytic Aplications

9 páginasThe anodization and postanodization processes of aluminum in order to prepare monoliths for catalytic applications have been studied in this work using oxalic acid as electrolyte. The effect of anodization variables (anodization time, current density, temperature, and electrolyte concentration) and postanodization processes on the surface morphology and textural properties of AAO (anodic aluminum oxide) films is analyzed. The anodization variables affect the two main processes taking part in the Al2O3 layer formation: alumina generation and its dissolution that are controlled by temperature, electrolyte concentration and time. The proper combination of both processes, as a result of the anodization variables choice, produces adherent alumina layers with tailored porosity and surface morphology that show excellent properties to be used as catalyst structured support. Larger pore sizes and the complete absence of sulfur that may poison reduced metal−supported active phases are main differences with the classical, most often used, sulfuric acid anodization processFinancial support by the MICINN (ENE 2009-14522-C05, MAT2006-12386-C05, and FPU fellowship to F.J.E.), the UPV/EHU (GIU07/63 and the “Ayuda de especialización de investigadores doctores en la UPV/EHU” to O.S.), and Gobierno Vasco (CTP08-02) are gratefully appreciatedPeer reviewe

Anti-inflammatory bowel effect of industrial orange by-products in DSS-treated mice

This work addresses the role of different by-products derived from the industrial extraction of orange juice in a possible anti-inflammatory effect in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Fresh orange residue (FOR), dry orange residue (DOR), orange liqueur (OL) and animal feed (AF), as well as commercial citrus pectin (CP), were administered to C57BL/6J mice for 15 days before starting the DSS treatment. Analysis of macroscopic parameters such as the Disease Activity Index (DAI) and the colonic weight/length ratio revealed an anti-inflammatory effect following intake of FOR, AF or CP. Moreover, q-PCR of RNA from colonic tissue indicated measurable changes in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, and intercellular adhesion molecules ICAM I, as well as in intestinal barrier proteins such as MUC-3, occludin, and ZO-1. Pectin, phenolic compounds and/or Maillard reaction products formed at initial steps were identified as relevant components exerting the ascribed beneficial effects. Our findings could open up the further application of a variety of orange by-products as food supplements in the potential amelioration of inflammatory bowel diseases.The authors are grateful to the García Carrión SA for providing samples and funding projects AGL2014-53445-R (MINECO) and ALIBIRD-CM S-2013/ABI-272 (CAM). M. T. P. thanks the National Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ecuador (SENESCYT).Peer reviewe

Effect of orange by-products on inflammatory indicators in a DSS mouse model

Trabajo presentado al XII Congreso Internacional Nutrición, Alimentación y Dietética, celebrado en Madrid el 11 y 12 de abril de 2018.[Introducción] Inflammation is a response triggered by damage to living tissues. The mechanisms involved in the initiation and perpetuation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not known exactly; however, there are mediators released in the early stages and may act as indicators of the disease. Colonic cytokines production and macroscopic indicators such as weight loss, reduction of food consumption, soft stools, among others, allow to evaluate the degree of IBD. Orange by-products (OBP) namely: fresh residue (FOR), dry residue (DOR), liquor (OL) and animal feed (AF), analysed in a previous study contain: phenols, pectin and/or furosine (Maillard reaction product). These compounds can show anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer effect, but its anti-inflammatory activity is still little studied.[Objetivos] In consequence the aim of this work was to study the effect of OBP ingestion on IBD, using a DSS mice model; which exhibits similar characteristics to those present in human Crohn´s disease.[Métodos] 2-Furoylmethyl-Amino Acids (2-FM-AA) were analyzed by ionpair RP-HPLC-UV, and monosaccharides through hydrolysis with 2 M trifluoroacetic acid and subsequent formation of trimethylsilyloximes derivatives, by GC-FID. Male C57BL/6 mice (Janvier, St Berthevin Cedex, France) were distributed in 7 groups: healthy, DSS control, FOR, DOR, OL, AF and Citrus pectin (CP) (CEAMSA, O Porriño, Spain) was used as standard. Animals pre-treatment start 15 days before induction of colitis with DSS (2,7%) on drinking water. On day 22, animals were euthanized and colon samples were obtained. Macroscopic indicators were observed every day (body weigth, food consumption, disease activity index (DAI)), and tissue pro-inflammatory cytoquines and intestinal protective proteins were determined by Real-Time quantitative PCR (EcoTM Real-Time PCR System, Illumina, CA, USA).[Resultados] Weights lost was high for DSS control group and CP, AF and FOR significantly reduced the drop. In addition, FOR and CP groups, presented low disease activity index (DAI) values vs. DSS control group (p < 0.05). On the contrary, DOR and OL groups showed a DAI value similar to non-treated groups. Colonic weight/length ratio was significantly less in all the OBP or CP treated mice vs the DSS group. Colonic inflammatory cytokines expression as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and NOS were significantly reduced in AF and CP group and expression of protein with intestinal barrier functions as ICAM I, MUC 3, occludin, and ZO-1 were also positively modified in mice treated with FOR, AF and CP (p < 0.05).[Discusión] Analyzing the consumption effect of AF vs. CP; CP intake allowed to obtain, a better anti-inflammatory response, which could be due to its greatest content of soluble dietary fiber SDF and N-fructosyl-lysine.[Conclusiones] In general, CP and AF intake allowed to obtain a better anti-inflammatory response in DSS model of IBD compared with other OBP products assayed, which could be due to its greatest content of furosine. The product namely FOR also show a beneficial effect in some parameters measured probably due at its biggest phenols content. The evaluated indicators underline the potential role of pectin and Maillard reaction compounds in ameliorating some IBD symptoms. However, in order to reach more accurate conclusions, the analysis of additional biochemical indicators should be conducted.Peer reviewe

Design and testing of a microchannel reactor for the PROX reaction

The different steps for manufacturing a microchannel reactor for the PROX reaction are discussed. Transient Liquid Phase bonding (TLP) using a Ni-B-Si amorphous melt spun is used for joining micromilled Al-alloyed ferritic stainless steel plates followed by recrystallization at 1200°C for 5h. A CuOx-CeO2 catalyst synthesized by the coprecipitation method was washcoated on the microchannel block resulting in a homogenous 20-30μm thick layer. The catalytic activity for CO-PROX reaction is similar in both the powder catalyst and the microchannel coated reactor but the selectivity is higher in the microchannel reactor. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.Financial support by PETROBRAS and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through (MAT-2006-12386-C05) and (ENE-2009-14522-C05-01). O.H. Laguna and F.J. Echave thank to the same Ministry for their FPI fellowships (BES-2007-14409) and (BES-2007-15297) respectively. Junta de Andalucía (P06-TEP-08480) is gratefully acknowledged, also by S.A. Cruz for her fellowship. This work has been co-financed by FEDER funds from European Union. TEKNIKER is acknowledged for the mechanical construction.Peer Reviewe

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in microchannels

Different metallic supports (aluminum foams of 40ppi, honeycomb monolith and micromonolith of 350 and 1180cpsi, respectively) have been loaded with a 20%Co-0.5%Re/γ-Al2O3 catalyst by the washcoating method. Layers of different thicknesses have been deposited onto the metallic supports. The catalytic coatings were characterized measuring their textural properties, adhesion and morphology. These structured catalysts have been tested in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and compared with a microchannel block presenting perpendicular channels for reaction and cooling. The selectivity depends on the type of support used and mainly on the thickness of the layer deposited. In general, the C5+ selectivity decreased at increasing CO conversion for all of the systems (powder, monoliths, foams and microchannels block). On the other hand, the selectivity to methane increased with the thickness of the catalytic layer due to the higher effective H2/CO ratio over the active sites resulting from the higher diffusivity of H2 compared with CO in the liquid products filling the pores. The C5+ selectivity of the microchannels reactor is higher than that of the structured supports and the powder catalyst. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.Financial support by PETROBRAS, the Spanish MICINN (MAT2006-12386-C05 and ENE2009-14522-C05) and UPV/EHU (GIU07/63) are gratefully acknowledged. TEKNIKER is acknowledged for the mechanical construction.Peer Reviewe