In situ optimization methodology for the water circulation pumps frequency of ground source heat pump systems: Analysis for multistage heat pump units

[EN] In order to optimize the global energy performance of a ground source heat pump system, special attention needs to be paid to the auxiliaries as they stand for a considerable part of the total energy consumption. A new in situ experimental methodology based on the frequency variation of the water circulation pumps in order to optimize the energy performance of the system was previously published by the authors for a ground source heat pump system using a single stage heat pump with ON/OFF regulation. The original single stage heat pump was recently replaced with a multistage unit consisting of two compressors of the same capacity working in tandem. A new experimental campaign was carried out and a new study was performed in order to adapt the in situ optimization methodology to the performance of the tandem compressors unit, and, by extension, to the multistage case. This paper presents the in situ optimization methodology for the water circulation pumps frequency adapted for multistage ground source heat pump systems. Results show that energy savings up to 32% can be obtained by applying this optimization methodology.This work was supported by the "Programa de Ayudas de Investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID)" of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. This work was also supported by the European FP7 project "Advanced ground source heat pump systems for heating and cooling in Mediterranean climate" (GROUND-MED).Cervera Vázquez, J.; Montagud Montalvá, CI.; Corberán Salvador, JM. (2015). In situ optimization methodology for the water circulation pumps frequency of ground source heat pump systems: Analysis for multistage heat pump units. Energy and Buildings. 88:238-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.12.008S2382478

In situ optimization methodology for ground source heat pump systems: Upgrade to ensure user comfort

[EN] Ground source heat pump systems have been proved to be one of the most efficient systems for heating and cooling in buildings. However, an optimal energy performance depends on a good control of the auxiliaries, which stand for an important part of the total energy consumption. The authors previously developed an experimental in situ optimization methodology for the water circulation pumps frequency of ground source heat pump systems when single stage and multi-stage ON/OFF regulation is employed. However, the user comfort was not completely met under extreme weather conditions during summer. This paper presents the upgrading of this energy optimization strategy combining circulation pumps frequency variation and building supply temperature compensation in order to ensure the user comfort while keeping high energy savings. Experimental results show that the user comfort is met by means of this new methodology and the energy savings (33%) are even higher than those obtained with the previous methodology. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the "Programa de Ayudas de Investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID)" of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. This work was also supported by the European FP7 project "Advanced ground source heat pump systems for heating and cooling in Mediterranean climate" (GROUND-MED).Cervera Vázquez, J.; Montagud Montalvá, CI.; Corberán Salvador, JM. (2015). In situ optimization methodology for ground source heat pump systems: Upgrade to ensure user comfort. Energy and Buildings. 109:195-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.10.026S19520810

Mutations in the ELANE Gene are Associated with Development of Periodontitis in Patients with Severe Congenital Neutropenia

# The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Background Patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) often develop periodontitis despite standard medical and dental care. In light of previous findings that mutations in the neutrophil elastase gene, ELANE, are associated with more severe neutropenic phenotypes, we hypothesized an association between the genotype of SCN and development of periodontitis. Methods Fourteen Swedish patients with SCN or cyclic neutropenia harboring different genetic backgrounds were recruited for periodontal examination. Peripheral blood, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and subgingival bacterial Thomas Modéer and Katrin Pütsep have contributed equally to the study

A Reflection on Economic Uncertainty and Fertility in Europe: The Narrative Framework

none5openVignoli, Daniele; Guetto, Raffaele; Bazzani, Giacomo; Pirani, Elena; Minello, AlessandraVignoli, Daniele; Guetto, Raffaele; Bazzani, Giacomo; Pirani, Elena; Minello, Alessandr

Beyond What Meets the Eye: Imaging and Imagining Wood Mechanical–Structural Properties

Abstract: Wood presents a hierarchical structure, containing features at all length scales: from the tracheids or vessels that make up its cellular structure, through to the microfibrils within the cell walls, down to the molecular architecture of the cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses that comprise its chemical makeup. This structure renders it with high mechanical (e.g., modulus and strength) and interesting physical (e.g., optical) properties. A better understanding of this structure, and how it plays a role in governing mechanical and other physical parameters, will help to better exploit this sustainable resource. Here, recent developments on the use of advanced imaging techniques for studying the structural properties of wood in relation to its mechanical properties are explored. The focus is on synchrotron nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray tomographical imaging, Raman and infrared spectroscopies, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Critical discussion on the role of imaging techniques and how fields are developing rapidly to incorporate both spatial and temporal ranges of analysis is presented