OMEx-diesel blends as high reactivity fuel for ultra-low NOx and soot emissions in the dual-mode dual-fuel combustion strategy

[EN] Previous works demonstrated that the use of Oxymethylene ether (OMEx) in advanced combustion modes, as the dual-mode dual-fuel combustion, leads to a notable reduction of the lifecycle CO2 emissions while promoting lower NOx and soot emissions than those from conventional diesel combustion. Nonetheless, the low heating value of OMEx results in a fuel consumption increase. A possible solution to avoid this drawback is by blending OMEx with diesel fuel. This will help to introduce the OMEx in the market with minimum changes in the infrastructure. In this context, this work evaluates the impact of using OMEx-diesel blends in different mass percentages (50% and 70% of OMEx in diesel), compared to the reference net fuels (net diesel and OMEx) in a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine operating under dual-mode dual-fuel combustion at different engine loads (25%, 50%, 80% and 100%) and 1800 rpm. At each condition, an air mass sweep was performed to assess the limiting operating conditions with each fuel due to either excessive pressure gradients and soot production, or low combustion efficiency. The results suggested that the OMEx-diesel blends allow to reduce the soot emissions compared to net diesel for all the conditions tested. In addition, blends having an OMEx mass content greater than 70% allowed to fulfill the EUVI limits for NOx with ultra-low soot levels (.Soler A. Role of e-fuels in the European transport system. Literature review. Concawe, Brussels, January 2020.Benajes, J., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Martínez-Boggio, S. (2019). Optimization of the parallel and mild hybrid vehicle platforms operating under conventional and advanced combustion modes. Energy Conversion and Management, 190, 73-90. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2019.04.010Luján, J. M., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Martínez-Boggio, S. (2019). Effectiveness of hybrid powertrains to reduce the fuel consumption and NOx emissions of a Euro 6d-temp diesel engine under real-life driving conditions. Energy Conversion and Management, 199, 111987. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2019.111987Pastor, J. V., García, A., Micó, C., & Lewiski, F. (2020). An optical investigation of Fischer-Tropsch diesel and Oxymethylene dimethyl ether impact on combustion process for CI engines. Applied Energy, 260, 114238. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114238Ershov, M., Potanin, D., Gueseva, A., Abdellatief, T. M. M., & Kapustin, V. (2020). Novel strategy to develop the technology of high-octane alternative fuel based on low-octane gasoline Fischer-Tropsch process. Fuel, 261, 116330. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116330Verhelst, S., Turner, J. W., Sileghem, L., & Vancoillie, J. (2019). Methanol as a fuel for internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 70, 43-88. doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2018.10.001Deutz, S., Bongartz, D., Heuser, B., Kätelhön, A., Schulze Langenhorst, L., Omari, A., … Bardow, A. (2018). Cleaner production of cleaner fuels: wind-to-wheel – environmental assessment of CO2-based oxymethylene ether as a drop-in fuel. Energy & Environmental Science, 11(2), 331-343. doi:10.1039/c7ee01657cOmari A, Heuser B, Pischinger S. Potential of oxymethylenether-diesel blends for ultra-low emission engines, Fuel, 209, 2017, 232–237, ISSN 0016-2361, doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.07.107.Burre, J., Bongartz, D., & Mitsos, A. (2019). Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part II: Modeling and Analysis for OME3–5. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 58(14), 5567-5578. doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05577Burre J, Bongartz D, Mitsos A. Production of oxymethylene dimethyl ethers from hydrogen and carbon dioxide—Part II: Modeling and analysis for OME3–5, Ind Eng Chem Res, March 2019, 58, 5567–5578, doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05577.García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., Villalta, D., Lago Sari, R., Gordillo Zavaleta, V., & Gaillard, P. (2019). Potential of e-Fischer Tropsch diesel and oxymethyl-ether (OMEx) as fuels for the dual-mode dual-fuel concept. Applied Energy, 253, 113622. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113622Payri, R., De La Morena, J., Monsalve-Serrano, J., Pesce, F. C., & Vassallo, A. (2018). Impact of counter-bore nozzle on the combustion process and exhaust emissions for light-duty diesel engine application. International Journal of Engine Research, 20(1), 46-57. doi:10.1177/1468087418819250Di Sarli, V., Landi, G., Lisi, L., Saliva, A., & Di Benedetto, A. (2016). Catalytic diesel particulate filters with highly dispersed ceria: Effect of the soot-catalyst contact on the regeneration performance. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 197, 116-124. doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.01.073Orihuela, M. P., Gómez-Martín, A., Miceli, P., Becerra, J. A., Chacartegui, R., & Fino, D. (2018). Experimental measurement of the filtration efficiency and pressure drop of wall-flow diesel particulate filters (DPF) made of biomorphic Silicon Carbide using laboratory generated particles. Applied Thermal Engineering, 131, 41-53. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.11.149Pachiannan T, Zhong W, Rajkumar S, He Z, Leng X, Wang Q. A literature review of fuel effects on performance and emission characteristics of low-temperature combustion strategies. Appl Energy, 251,2019,113380.Martins M, Fischer I, Gusberti F, Sari R et al., HCCI of wet ethanol on a dedicated cylinder of a diesel engine, SAE Technical Paper 2017-01-0733, 2017, doi: 10.4271/2017-01-0733.Reitz, R. D., & Duraisamy, G. (2015). Review of high efficiency and clean reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion in internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 46, 12-71. doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2014.05.003Olmeda, P., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Lago Sari, R. (2018). Experimental investigation on RCCI heat transfer in a light-duty diesel engine with different fuels: Comparison versus conventional diesel combustion. Applied Thermal Engineering, 144, 424-436. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.08.082Benajes, J., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Lago Sari, R. (2018). Fuel consumption and engine-out emissions estimations of a light-duty engine running in dual-mode RCCI/CDC with different fuels and driving cycles. Energy, 157, 19-30. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.144Curran S, Hanson R, Wagner R. Reactivity controlled compression ignition combustion on a multi-cylinder light-duty diesel engine. Int J Engine Res 13 (3), 216–225.Kokjohn SL, Hanson RM, Splitter DA, Reitz RD. Fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI): a pathway to controlled high-efficiency clean combustion, Int J Engine Res, 2011. 12, June 2011, 209–226.Benajes, J., Molina, S., García, A., & Monsalve-Serrano, J. (2015). Effects of low reactivity fuel characteristics and blending ratio on low load RCCI (reactivity controlled compression ignition) performance and emissions in a heavy-duty diesel engine. Energy, 90, 1261-1271. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2015.06.088Benajes, J., Molina, S., García, A., & Monsalve-Serrano, J. (2015). Effects of direct injection timing and blending ratio on RCCI combustion with different low reactivity fuels. Energy Conversion and Management, 99, 193-209. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2015.04.046Benajes, J., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Lago Sari, R. (2018). Experimental investigation on the efficiency of a diesel oxidation catalyst in a medium-duty multi-cylinder RCCI engine. Energy Conversion and Management, 176, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2018.09.016García, A., Piqueras, P., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Lago Sari, R. (2018). Sizing a conventional diesel oxidation catalyst to be used for RCCI combustion under real driving conditions. Applied Thermal Engineering, 140, 62-72. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.05.043Benajes, J., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Villalta, D. (2018). Exploring the limits of the reactivity controlled compression ignition combustion concept in a light-duty diesel engine and the influence of the direct-injected fuel properties. Energy Conversion and Management, 157, 277-287. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.12.028Benajes, J., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., Balloul, I., & Pradel, G. (2017). Evaluating the reactivity controlled compression ignition operating range limits in a high-compression ratio medium-duty diesel engine fueled with biodiesel and ethanol. International Journal of Engine Research, 18(1-2), 66-80. doi:10.1177/1468087416678500Molina, S., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Estepa, D. (2018). Miller cycle for improved efficiency, load range and emissions in a heavy-duty engine running under reactivity controlled compression ignition combustion. Applied Thermal Engineering, 136, 161-168. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.02.106Pedrozo V, May W, Guan W, Zhao H. High efficiency ethanol-diesel dual-fuel combustion: a comparison against conventional diesel combustion from low to full engine load. Fuel, 230, 2018, 440–451, ISSN 0016-2361, doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.05.034.Benajes, J., García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Boronat, V. (2017). Achieving clean and efficient engine operation up to full load by combining optimized RCCI and dual-fuel diesel-gasoline combustion strategies. Energy Conversion and Management, 136, 142-151. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.01.010García, A., Monsalve-Serrano, J., Rückert Roso, V., & Santos Martins, M. E. (2017). Evaluating the emissions and performance of two dual-mode RCCI combustion strategies under the World Harmonized Vehicle Cycle (WHVC). Energy Conversion and Management, 149, 263-274. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.07.034Benajes, J., García, A., Pastor, J. M., & Monsalve-Serrano, J. (2016). Effects of piston bowl geometry on Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition heat transfer and combustion losses at different engine loads. Energy, 98, 64-77. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2016.01.014Luján, J. M., Dolz, V., Monsalve-Serrano, J., & Bernal Maldonado, M. A. (2019). High-pressure exhaust gas recirculation line condensation model of an internal combustion diesel engine operating at cold conditions. International Journal of Engine Research, 22(2), 407-416. doi:10.1177/1468087419868026AVL manufacturer manual. Smoke value measurement with the filter-papermethod. Application notes. June 2005 AT1007E, Rev. 02. Web:.Payri R, Gimeno J, Mata C, Viera A. Rate of injection measurements of a direct-acting piezoelectric injector for different operating temperatures. Energy Convers Manage, 154, 2017, 387-393, ISSN 0196-8904, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2017.11.029.Pedrozo, V. B., May, I., & Zhao, H. (2017). Exploring the mid-load potential of ethanol-diesel dual-fuel combustion with and without EGR. Applied Energy, 193, 263-275. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.04

What is the role of adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in relation to physical fitness components among adolescents?

Background: Physical inactivity, excessive sedentary time, and lack of sleep time have been independently associated with lower health-related physical fitness. However, little is known about the combined association between 24-h movement guidelines (i.e., physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration) and components of physical fitness. Objective: The main aim was to examine the likelihood of having high/very high levels on different components of physical fitness based on meeting with 24-h movement guidelines. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1276 Spanish youths (13.07±0.86; 55.88% boys), aged 11–16 years, completed self-reported questionnaires on physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration. Physical fitness components were assessed by 20-m shuttle-run test, standing long jump test, handgrip strength test, and 4×10-m shuttle-run test. Meeting 24-h movement guidelines was defined as: 9–11h/day (children aged 5–13) or 8–10h/day (adolescents aged 14–17) of sleep, ≤2h/day of recreational screen time and at least 60min/day of moderateto-vigorous physical activity. The probability of having a high/very high score for each physical fitness components (i.e., ≥60th centile according to the normative cut-off points for European adolescents) in relation to adherence to 24-h movement guidelines was analyzed using a series of binary logistic regressions. Results: Participants who met the three 24-h movement guidelines were more likely to have high/very high for cardiorespiratory fitness (OR=3.31; 95% CI: 1.79, 6.14; p<0.001), standing long jump (OR=1.91; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.45; p=0.031), muscular fitness (OR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.86; p=0.048) and physical fitness (OR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.66; p=0.012), but not for handgrip strength (OR=1.15; 95% CI: 0.64, 2.01; p=0.636) and speed/agility (OR=1.65; 95% CI: 0.92, 2.96; p=0.093), compared to those who did not meet all three recommendations. Conclusion: Since meeting the three 24-h movement guidelines increased the likelihood of having higher levels in most physical fitness components, it seems necessary to promote these movement behaviors early in life, as they could serve as a gateway for improving health-related fitness in future generations.This study has been funded by the European Community and the Ministry of Economy of Extremadura (IB16193). We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructures and European Community. Dr. Tapia-Serrano is supported by the Junta of Extremadura (PD18015) and European Social Fund (FSE). In addition, this research has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, The FSE, and the Junta of Extremadura, with grant numbers GR21124. Dr. López-Gil is a Margarita Salas Fellow (Universidad Pública de Navarra – 1225/2022). Dr. García-Hermoso is a Miguel Servet Fellow (Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FSE – CP18/0150)

Olfactory function in focal epilepsies: Understanding mesial temporal lobe epilepsy beyond the hippocampus

Several lines of research have linked olfactory regions with the pathophysiology of focal epilepsies. Among those regions, the piriform cortex represents the major part of the primary olfactory cortex. According to these data, we raised the hypothesis that in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis exists an interictal dysfunction of olfactory processing that could be more significant compared to patients with extra‐hippocampal focal epilepsy and healthy controls. This could be the consequence of a dysfunctional epileptogenic network that extends beyond the hippocampus and affects other structures, including the piriform cortex. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the olfactory function with the Sniffin' Sticks test in 32 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis, 30 patients with extra‐hippocampal focal epilepsy, and 22 healthy controls. Compared to the other study groups, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis showed a basal olfactory dysfunction characterized by an impairment in odor discrimination and odor identification. We also found that high seizure frequency had a strong correlation with the evaluated olfactory tasks. Our results are consistent with neuroimaging and neuropathological data that establish a link between olfactory regions and the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epileps

EMU and Trade : A PPML re-assessment with intra-national trade flows

Since Rose's (2000) path-breaking study, a lot of studies have been carried out on the effect of currency unions on trade. Both Rose's striking finding that sharing a currency union more than triples trade between countries and the creation of the euro have propelled an intense debate on this issue and, in particular, about the effect of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on trade. More than 50 papers have examined the effect of EMU on bilateral trade flows given that it is, by far, the most important monetary union. However, so far the results vary greatly across studies and even the most recent articles provide mixed results. Whereas Glick and Rose (2016) and Larch, Wanner, and Yotov (2018) find a positive EMU effect on trade, Mika and Zymek (2018) and Larch, Wanner, Yotov, and Zylkin (2019) provide no evidence of a positive effect on trade. Therefore, the debate is still ongoing

Integration of a collaborative robot in a U-shaped production line: a real case study

In lean production environments, such as the U-shaped cells, flexibility is a priority. Therefore, any element that introduces process stiffness is negatively valued. Former studies establish that robotization of tasks in U-shaped cells presents some drawbacks. For instance: it may complicate continuous improvement, prolong changeover time, use a large space or create safety problems for the operators. However, the collaborative robots (CoBots) may change this situation, since they overcome most of the issues previously mentioned. The present study analyses a real case of de-robotization in a traditional assembly line to transform it into a manual U-shaped line. In a second step a CoBot is integrated in the cell replacing one of the workers. This study empirically compares the manufacturing process in these three scenarios. Results in real production conditions show that a U-shape cell assisted by a CoBot increases productivity and reliability while reducing the surface used. These results suggest that collaborative robotics can be integrated in U-shaped production lines and even increase the efficiency of a traditional robotized assembly line.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Germination and Early Seedling Development in Quercus ilex Recalcitrant and Non-dormant Seeds: Targeted Transcriptional, Hormonal, and Sugar Analysis

Seed germination and early seedling development have been studied in the recalcitrant species Quercus ilex using targeted transcriptional, hormonal, and sugar analysis. Embryos and seedlings were collected at eight morphologically defined developmental stages, S0–S7. A typical triphasic water uptake curve was observed throughout development, accompanied by a decrease in sucrose and an increase in glucose and fructose. Low levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and high levels of gibberellins (GAs) were observed in mature seeds. Post-germination, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), increased, whereas GA remained high, a pattern commonly observed during growth and development. The abundance of transcripts from ABA-related genes was positively correlated with the changes in the content of the phytohormone. Transcripts of the drought-related genes Dhn3 and GolS were more abundant at S0, then decreased in parallel with increasing water content. Transcripts for Gapdh, and Nadh6 were abundant at S0, supporting the occurrence of an active metabolism in recalcitrant seeds at the time of shedding. The importance of ROS during germination is manifest in the high transcript levels for Sod and Gst, found in mature seeds. The results presented herein help distinguish recalcitrant (e.g., Q. ilex) seeds from their orthodox counterparts. Our results indicate that recalcitrance is established during seed development but not manifest until germination (S1–S3). Post-germination the patterns are quite similar for both orthodox and recalcitrant seeds.España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación AGL2009-12243-C02-0

Tracking microbial diversity and hygienic-sanitary status during processing of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aquaculture is becoming a strategic sector for many national economies to supply the increasing demand for fish from consumers. Fish culture conditions and processing operations can lead to an increase in microbial contamination of farmed fish that may shorten the shelf-life of fish products and byproducts, and ready-to-eat fishery products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary status of water, environment, and processing of fresh-farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets produced in a local fish farm in Andalusia, Spain. To achieve this, a longitudinal study was carried out by collecting environmental (air and food-contact surfaces), water from fish ponds, and rainbow trout samples. Thereby, seven sampling visits were performed between February 2021 and July 2022, where foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, together with physicochemical parameters, were analysed in the collected samples. Further, microbial identification of microbiota was achieved through a culture-dependent technique using blast analysis of 16S RNA gene sequencing. The results showed that Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella were not detected in the analysed samples. Regarding the hygienic-sanitary status of the fish farm, the slaughtering bath, the eviscerating machine and the outlet water from fish ponds presented the highest counts of coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, and Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus and sulphite-reducing Clostridium were identified in the conveyor belts, fish flesh, and viscera. The 16S RNA identification confirmed the presence of viable spoilage bacteria such as Citrobacter gillenii, Macrococcus caseolyticus, Hafnia paralvei, Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus cremoris, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, and Shewanella. Three of these genera (Citrobacter, Hafnia, and Pseudomonas) were present in all types of samples analysed. The results evidenced potential transmission of microbial contamination from contaminated packaging belts and boxes, evisceration and filleting machines to flesh and viscera samples, thus the establishment of control measures should be implemented in fish farm facilities to extend the shelf-life of farmed fishery products

Osmotic stress activates nif and fix genes and induces the Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 Nod factor production via NodD2 by up-regulation of the nodA2 operon and the nodA3 gene

The symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes is characterized by a complex molecular dialogue in which the bacterial NodD protein plays a major role due to its capacity to activate the expression of the nodulation genes in the presence of appropiate flavonoids. These genes are involved in the synthesis of molecules, the nodulation factors (NF), responsible for launching the nodulation process. Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899, a rhizobial strain that nodulates Phaseolus vulgaris, is characterized by its tolerance to multiple environmental stresses such as high temperatures, acidity or elevated osmolarity. This strain produces nodulation factors under saline stress and the same set of CIAT 899 nodulation genes activated by inducing flavonoids are also up-regulated in a process controlled by the NodD2 protein. In this paper, we have studied the effect of osmotic stress (high mannitol concentrations) on the R. tropici CIAT 899 transcriptomic response. In the same manner as with saline stress, the osmotic stress mediated NF production and export was controlled directly by NodD2. In contrast to previous reports, the nodA2FE operon and the nodA3 and nodD1 genes were up-regulated with mannitol, which correlated with an increase in the production of biologically active NF. Interestingly, in these conditions, this regulatory protein controlled not only the expression of nodulation genes but also the expression of other genes involved in protein folding and synthesis, motility, synthesis of polysaccharides and, surprinsingly, nitrogen fixation. Moreover, the non-metabolizable sugar dulcitol was also able to induce the NF production and the activation of nod genes in CIAT 899.España, MINECO AGL2016-77163-