Bio-Hydrocarbons through Catalytic Pyrolysis of Used Cooking Oils: towards sustainable jet and road fuels

Abstract Vegetable Oil (VO) is today the most used feedstock for transport biofuel production by transesterification to biodiesel. Other commercial technologies for renewable fuels production are mainly based either on Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis from coal, natural gas and possibly biomass, or hydro treating of vegetable oil (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, HVO): this also includes Hydrotreated Renewable Jet fuel, HRJ, Used Cooking Oil (UCO) is a highly sustainable feedstock (based on EC-RED scheme): it is therefore considered as a possible alternative to VOs for greening of air transport and, under proper circumstances, for reducing the feedstock cost component. However, the use of UCO is not trivial in reactors, as catalysts are sensitive to impurities and contaminations, which are typical of waste oils. Moreover, the chemical composition of UCO is variable regionally as well as seasonally, because the type of base-vegetable oils vary with Country and period of the year. In the framework of the ITAKA EU FP7 project, (catalytic) thermochemical conversion of UCO has been considered to obtain an intermediate biofuel suitable for upgrading by hydrotreating. The catalytic conversion of UCO and Fatty Acids were investigated in a 1.5 kg/h pilot unit. UCO, properly filtered and conditioned, was characterized, and then converted in bio-oil by means of thermal and catalytic reactionsunder controlled conditions. The type of catalyst and the reaction conditions, including several parameters such as temperature, reactor geometry, heating rate and residence time, were evaluated, and selected combinations were tested. The bio-oil was characterized in terms of main constituents and hydrocarbons content, and GC-MS and GC-FID analyses were used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the composition of the fuel

Co-composted biochar improves barley yield, manure use efficiency and offsets chemical fertilizer demand in organic agriculture under low rainfall conditions

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Safety and tolerability of biodegradable balloon spacers in patients undergoing radiotherapy for organ-confined prostate cancer

Introduction: Radiotherapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer, and can be administered in various ways, including 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and hypo-fractionated radiation therapy. During treatment the gastrointestinal tract may be exposed to radiation and the rectal wall may be exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation, which can lead to rectal bleeding, ulcers or fistulas, and an increased risk of rectum cancer. Various strategies to minimize these complications have been developed in the last decade; one of the most promising is to use a rectal balloon to fixate the prostate gland during treatment or to inject biodegradable spacers between the prostate and rectum to reduce the rectal dose of radiation. Aim of our paper is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of spacers implantation. Materials and methods: From January 2021 to June 2022 all patients with a diagnosis of prostate cancer with unfavorable/ intermediate risk - poor prognosis and programmed hypofractionated radiation therapy were enrolled. In all patients biodegradable balloons spacers were placed posteriorly to the prostate to increase the separation between prostate and rectum. The duration of the procedure, observation time, the appearance of early and late complications and their severity (according to Charlson comorbidity index) and tolerability of the device were recorded at the time of positioning and after 10 days. Results: 25 patients were enrolled in our study. Two patients (8%) underwent acute urine retention resolved with catheterization and one patient (4%) developed a mild perineal hematoma that did not require any treatment. As regards late complications 1 patient (4%) developed hyperpyrexia (> 38°C) the day after the procedure requiring continuation of antibiotic regimen. At T1 visit we recorded no medium-high grade complications. As for the tolerability of the device, it was optimal with no perineal discomfort or alterations of bowel function. Conclusions: Biodegradable balloon spacers appears to be safe and well tolerated and its positioning does not present any technical difficulties or risks of major complications

GT2004-53546 PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF A BIOMASS FED MICRO - GAS TURBINE PLANT FOR DECENTRALISED ENERGY GENERATION IN TUSCANY

ABSTRACT Biomass is a significant renewable energy source in Tuscany. A GIS-based software model, jointly developed by th

Use of biofuels in a micro gas turbine: tests and results

USE OF BIOFUELS IN A MICRO GAS TURBINE: TESTS AND RESULT The paper reports the tested performances (mainly emissions levels) of a micro gas turbine fed with different biofuels such as vegetable oil, biodiesel and their blends. The experimental activity was carried out thanks to a in-house designed and equipped test bench. The performed tests demonstrated that the MGT can be successfully operated with these biofuels, with emissions comparable to the standard diesel oil. UTILIZZO DI BIOCOMBUSTIBILI IN UNA MICRO TURBINA A GAS: TEST E RISULTATI L'articolo riporta le prestazioni (principalmente i livelli di emissioni) di una micro turbina a gas alimentata con differenti biocombustibili come olio vegetale, biodiesel e loro miscele. L'attività sperimentale è stata realizzata su un banco prova opportunamente progettato, assemblato e strumentato. I risultati ottenuti hanno dimostrato che le MGT possono operare con questo tipo di combustibili producendo emissioni paragonabili a quelle dei combustibili standard