Efficient Conversion of Aqueous-Waste-Carbon Compounds Into Electrons, Hydrogen, and Chemicals via Separations and Microbial Electrocatalysis

Valorization of waste streams is becoming increasingly important to improve resource recovery and economics of bioprocesses for the production of fuels. The pyrolysis process produces a significant portion of the biomass as an aqueous waste stream, called bio-oil aqueous phase (BOAP), which cannot be effectively converted into fuel. In this report, we detail the separation and utilization of this stream for the production of electrons, hydrogen, and chemicals, which can supplement fuel production improving economics of the biorefinery. Separation methods including physical separation via centrifugal separator, chemical separation via pH manipulation, and electrochemical separation via capacitive deionization are discussed. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) including microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), and electro-fermentation processes are reviewed for their potential to generate current, hydrogen, and chemicals from BOAP. Recent developments in MECs using complex waste streams and electro-active biocatalyst enrichment have resulted in advancement of the technology toward performance metrics closer to commercial requirements. Current densities above 10 A/m2 have been reported using BOAP, which suggest further work to demonstrate the technology at pilot scale should be undertaken. The research on electro-fermentation is revealing potential to generate alcohols, diols, medium chain fatty acids, esters, etc. using electrode-based electrons. The ability to derive electrons and chemical building blocks from waste streams illustrate the advancement of the BES technology and potential to push the frontiers of bioenergy generation one step further toward development of a circular bioeconomy

The need of a unified method for strength and ductility analysis of strengthened concrete columns

The current paper reports selected findings from a research programme is being carried out at the United Southampton into the fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of FRP confinement, when applied to circular concrete columns as a means of improving strength and ductility. The paper shows that the predictions from the empirical formulae-based design guidelines recommended by The Concrete Society Technical Report No. 55 (the most widely used design standard in the UK) and ACI 440.2R-02 (the most widely used design standard in the USA) are unreliable. By comparing the predictions from the two design recommendations for a database of test results extracted from the published literature, the paper shows that the formulae do not provide correct results. The models do not effectively take into account of differences in the confinement provided by FRP jackets in large columns. Similarly, the less effective confinement exerted in high strength concrete, reduction in the rupture strain of thick (stiff) FRP jackets, effects due to the height / diameter ratio of the column cannot be incorporated into the models. In particular, the paper shows that although the predictions form the models agree well with the test results used to derive the original empirical formulae they do not provide accurate predictions for the failure load of new test specimens

[Agenesis of the right carotid in a subject with dextrocardia. Diagnostic imaging in 1 case with unique characteristics].

A man aged 51 with dextrocardia and right common and internal carotid artery agenesis is described. Cerebral blood flow is allowed internally by the left carotid and left vertebral antegrade flow, while right artery has only the function to drain the blood from the left side of vertebral system. A small external right carotid does exist, but it is separated from the cerebral hemodynamics. Diagnosis of dextrocardia was made on the basis of the standard chest X-ray, that of carotid agenesis on the basis of selective digital arteriography, color-Doppler and magnetic resonance. The diagnosis of congenital agenesis was based on the absence of a foramen caroticus and of a canalis caroticus. Large anasthomosis between the left and right side of cerebral system permit a normal perfusion to left cerebral hemispherium and a quite normal life