Development and Validation of a Minichannel Evaporator Model under Dehumidification

[EN] In the first part of the current thesis, two fundamental numerical models (Fin2D-W and Fin1D-MB) for analyzing the air-side performance of minichannel evaporators were developed and verified. The Fin2D-W model applies a comprehensive two-dimensional scheme to discretize the evaporator. On the other hand, the Fin1D-MB model is based on the one-dimensional fin theory in conjunction with the moving boundaries technique along the fin height. The first objective of the two presented models is to identify and quantify the most influential phenomena encountered in the process of cooling and dehumidification. The second objective is to study the impact of the classical modeling assumptions on the air-side performance of minichannel evaporators. Different comparative studies between the traditional Effectiveness-NTU approach and the proposed numerical models were implemented to achieve the mentioned goals. The results revealed that the modeling assumptions which have the most significant impacts on the heat and mass transfer rates are: the uniform air properties along the fin height, adiabatic-fin-tip at half the height, and negligence of partial dehumidification scenarios. These widely used assumptions resulted in substantial deviations in total heat transfer rate, up to 52%, between the Effectiveness-NTU approach and Fin2D-W model. In the second part of the thesis, the Fin1D-MB model was integrated into the IMST-ART® simulation tool to evaluate the global performance of minichannel evaporators (air- and refrigerant-side). The Fin1D-MB model was selected because of its simplicity, calculation speed, and reasonable solution accuracy relative to the Fin2D-W model. The validation of the complete Fin1D-MB model was conducted against many experimental data and numerical models available in the literature. The validation process was achieved for different heat exchanger geometries, refrigerants, and operating conditions. The results showed that for the R134a minichannel evaporators studied, the Fin1D-MB model successfully predicted the Inlet refrigerant and outlet air temperatures, cooling capacity, and refrigerant-side pressure drop within error bands of ±0.5 ºC, ±5%, and ±20%, respectively. For the CO2 (R744) minichannel evaporator studied, the presented model estimated the cooling capacity and outlet air temperature within error bands of ±10% and ±1.0 ºC, respectively. Regarding the CO2 pressure drop, the Fin1D-MB model generally underpredicted the pressure drop values compared to the experimental data, with a maximum deviation of 11 kPa.[ES] En la primera parte de la tesis actual, dos modelos numéricos fundamentales (Fin2D-W y Fin1D-MB) para analizar el lado del aire de los evaporadores de minicanales se han desarrollado y verificado. El modelo Fin2D-W aplica un esquema detallado de dos dimensiones para discretizar el evaporador mientras que el modelo Fin1D-MB se basa en la teoría de la aleta unidimensional junto con la técnica de fronteras móviles para el lado del aire. El primer objetivo de los dos modelos presentados es identificar y cuantificar los fenómenos más influyentes encontrados en el proceso de enfriamiento y deshumidificación. El segundo objetivo es estudiar el impacto de las hipótesis comúnmente usadas en el modelado de la transmisión de calor del aire de los evaporadores de minicanales. Se implementaron diferentes estudios comparativos entre el enfoque tradicional Effectiveness-NTU y los modelos numéricos propuestos para alcanzar los objetivos mencionados. Los resultados muestran que las hipótesis que provocan una mayor desviación con respecto a la solución detallada en la transferencia de calor y masa son: propiedades de aire uniforme a lo largo de la altura de la aleta, extremo adiabático de aleta a mitad de su longitud, y no contemplar el supuesto de deshumidificación parcial en la aleta. Estas hipótesis ampliamente utilizadas han resultado en errores importantes en la transferencia de calor total, hasta un 52%, entre el enfoque Effectiveness-NTU y el modelo Fin2D-W. En la segunda parte de la tesis, el modelo Fin1D-MB se integró en la herramienta de simulación IMST-ART® para evaluar el rendimiento global de los evaporadores de minicanales (en el lado del aire y del refrigerante). El modelo Fin1D-MB se seleccionó gracias a su simplicidad, velocidad de cálculo, y solución de una precisión razonable relativa al modelo Fin2D-W. Se realizó una validación del modelo completo Fin1D-MB con la ayuda de datos experimentales y modelos numéricos ya disponibles en la literatura. El modelo se ha validado para diferentes geometrías de intercambiadores de calor, refrigerantes y condiciones de funcionamiento. Los resultados han mostrado que para los evaporadores de minicanales funcionando con el refrigerante R134a, el modelo Fin1D-MB predice de manera correcta las temperaturas de entrada del refrigerante y de salida del aire, la capacidad de enfriamiento, y la caída de presión del lado de refrigerante dentro de las bandas de error de ±0.5 ºC, ±5%, y ±20%, respectivamente. Para el evaporador de minicanales con CO2 (R744) estudiado, el modelo estima la capacidad de refrigeración y la temperatura de salida del aire dentro de las bandas de error de ±10% y ±1.0 ºC, respectivamente. En cuanto a la caída de presión de CO2, el modelo Fin1D-MB generalmente predice a la baja los valores de la caída de presión en comparación con los datos experimentales, con una desviación máxima de 11 kPa.[CA] A la primera part de la tesi actual, dos models numèrics fonamentals (Fin2D-W i Fin1D-MB) per analitzar el costat de l'aire dels evaporadors de minicanals s'han desenvolupat i verificat. Al model Fin2D-W s'aplica un esquema detallat de dues dimensions per discretitzar l'evaporador mentre que al model Fin1D-MB es basa en la teoria d'aleta unidimensional juntament amb la tècnica de frontera mòbil per al costat de l'aire. El primer objectiu dels dos models presentats és identificar i quantificar els fenòmens més influents trobats en el procés de refredament i deshumidificació. El segon objectiu és estudiar l'impacte de les hipòtesis comunament utilitzades en el modelatge de la transmissió de calor de l'aire dels evaporadors de minicanals. Es van implementar diferents estudis comparatius entre l'enfocament tradicional Effectiveness-NTU i els models numèrics proposats per assolir els objectius esmentats. Els resultats mostren que les hipòtesis que provoquen una major desviació respecte a la solució detallada a la transferència de calor i massa són: propietats d'aire uniforme al llarg de l'altura de l'aleta, extrem adiabàtic d'aleta a la meitat de la seua longitud, i no contemplar el supòsit de deshumidificació parcial en l'aleta. Aquestes hipòtesis àmpliament utilitzades donen errors importants en la transferència de calor total, fins a un 52%, entre l'enfocament Effectiveness-NTU i el model Fin2D-W. A la segona part de la tesi, el model Fin1D-MB es va integrar en l'eina de simulació IMST-ART® per avaluar el rendiment global dels evaporadors de minicanals (al costat de l'aire i del refrigerant). El model Fin1D-MB es va seleccionar gràcies a la seva simplicitat, velocitat de càlcul, i solució d'una precisió raonable relativa al model Fin2D-W. Es va realitzar una validació del model complet Fin1D-MB amb l'ajuda de dades experimentals i models numèrics ja disponibles a la literatura. El model s'ha validat per a diferents geometries d'intercanviadors de calor, refrigerants i condicions de funcionament. Els resultats mostren que per als evaporadors de minicanals funcionant amb el refrigerant R134a, el model Fin1D-MB prediu de manera correcta les temperatures d'entrada del refrigerant i de sortida de l'aire, la capacitat de refreda-ment, i la caiguda de pressió del costat de refrigerant dins de les bandes d'error de ±0.5 ºC, ±5%, i ±20%, respectivament. Per a l'evaporador de minicanals amb CO2 (R744) estudiat, el model estima la capacitat de refrigeració i la temperatura de sortida de l'aire dins de les bandes d'error de ±10% i ±1.0 ºC, respectivament. Pel que fa a la caiguda de pressió de CO2, el model Fin1D-MB generalment prediu a la baixa els valors de la caiguda de pressió en comparació amb les dades experimentals, amb una desviació màxima d'11 kPa.Hassan, AHA. (2016). Development and Validation of a Minichannel Evaporator Model under Dehumidification [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/71357TESI

Two-dimensional numerical modeling for the air-side of minichannel evaporators accounting for partial dehumidification scenarios and tube-to-tube heat conduction

This paper presents a comparative study between the air-side heat transfer results of a two-dimensional numerical model for minichannel evaporators (Fin2D-W), and the results of the classical ε¿NTU approach. This study is carried out for different dehumidifying conditions, and for scenarios with different degree of temperature difference between tubes due to the refrigerant superheat. The Fin2D-W model solves the two-dimensional heat conduction in the fin wall considering also a 2D discretization for the air flow in contact with it. Thus, the presented model is able to capture the partial dehumidification scenarios and the effect of the heat conduction between tubes. The results analyze the differences, due to these phenomena, between the proposed model and the classical approach. Significant deviations between the two models are reported, especially in the cases of partially wet fin and high values of superheat, resulting in being up to ≈ 52% in total heat transfer.Abdelrahman H. Hassan is partially supported by the Santiago Grisolia 2012 program, which is funded by the Valencian Community under reference number: GRISOLIA/2012/005. Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance, project number: DPI2011-26771-C02-01, is also gratefully acknowledged.Hassan, AHA.; Martínez Ballester, S.; Gonzálvez Maciá, J. (2016). Two-dimensional numerical modeling for the air-side of minichannel evaporators accounting for partial dehumidification scenarios and tube-to-tube heat conduction. International Journal of Refrigeration. 67:90-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2016.04.003S901016

Surgery for brain metastases: radiooncology scores predict survival-score index for radiosurgery, graded prognostic assessment, recursive partitioning analysis

BACKGROUND: Radiooncological scores are used to stratify patients for radiation therapy. We assessed their ability to predict overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing surgery for metastatic brain disease. METHODS: We performed a post-hoc single-center analysis of 175 patients, prospectively enrolled in the MetastaSys study data. Score index of radiosurgery (SIR), graded prognostic assessment (GPA), and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) were assessed. All scores consider age, systemic disease, and performance status prior to surgery. Furthermore, GPA and SIR include the number of intracranial lesions while SIR additionally requires metastatic lesion volume. Predictive values for case fatality at 1 year after surgery were compared among scoring systems. RESULTS: All scores produced accurate reflections on OS after surgery (p ≤ 0.003). Median survival was 21–24 weeks in patients scored in the unfavorable cohorts, respectively. In cohorts with favorable scores, median survival ranged from 42 to 60 weeks. Favorable SIR was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.44 [0.29, 0.66] for death within 1 year. For GPA, the HR amounted to 0.44 [0.25, 0.75], while RPA had a HR of 0.30 [0.14, 0.63]. Overall test performance was highest for the SIR. CONCLUSIONS: All scores proved useful in predicting OS. Considering our data, we recommend using the SIR for preoperative prognostic evaluation and counseling

MicroRNA-150 down Regulation in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Patients and Its Prognostic Implication

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that are important for post-transcriptional gene regulation in both healthy and morbid conditions. Numerous miRNAs promote tumorigenesis, while others have a tumour suppressive effects. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of genetically diverse hematopoietic malignancies with variable response to treatment. AIM: Our study aimed to investigate the possible role of miR-150 in de novo adult AML and the impact of its level on survival, and we used in the silicon analysis to predict the main target genes involved in miR-150 mediated cancer pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated miR-150 expression profiling assay using TaqMan primer probes RT-PCR in the plasma of 50 adult AML patients, before the start of treatment and at day 28 of treatment, along with 20 normal adult control samples. miR-16 was used as an endogenous reference for standardisation. Follow-up of patients during treatment at day 28 of induction chemotherapy and after one year was done. RESULTS: In this study, we found a significantly lower level of miR-150 in AML patients when compared to controls (p = 0.005) with 0.62 fold change than in healthy controls. Patients were divided into two groups: the low miR-150 group (miR-150 < 1) and the high miR-150 group (miR-150 > 1). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding initial total leukocytic count and initial PB blast count while for the TLC, HB and PLT count at follow up. No difference in the overall survival between the low and the high miR-150 groups could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that miR-150 functions as a tumour suppressor and gatekeeper in inhibiting cell transformation and that its downregulation is required for leukemogenesis

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Small-signal stability effects of frequency and voltage controllers on power systems with integration of wind power

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-53).This thesis investigates the stability effects of the integration of wind power on multi-machine power systems. First, the small-signal stability effects of turbine governors connected to synchronous generators in the presence of large-scale penetration of wind and load power disturbances are analyzed. Results suggest that tuning the turbine governors when wind power generation is present can improve the small-signal stability of an interconnected system. Then, the transient stability effects of integrating doubly-fed induction wind turbine generators through different transmission line configurations and at different buses are analyzed. Results show that connecting the wind through transmission lines and to different buses introduces a delay in the oscillatory response of the synchronous generator speed, and bus voltage oscillations are also affected. Results also show that there is no significant effect on the base cases when using different interconnection voltages to connect the wind. Overall, the results can be used by power system operators when making decisions on turbine governor tuning and transmission line configurations when connecting wind farms to existing power systems while optimizing for small-signal and transient stability response.by Hussein Mohamed Abdelhalim.S.M