The mOxy-CaL Process: Integration of Membrane Separation, Partial Oxy-combustion and Calcium Looping for CO2 Capture

CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is considered as a key strategy in the short to medium term to mitigate global warming. The Calcium-Looping process, based on the reversible carbonation/calcination of CaO particles, is a promising technology for post-combustion CO2 capture because of the low cost and non-toxicity of natural CaO precursors and the minor energy penalty on the power plant in comparison with amines capture based technologies (4-9 % compared to 8-12 %). Another interesting process to reduce CO2 emissions in power plants is oxy-combustion, which is based on replacing the air used for combustion by a highly concentrated (~95 % v/v) O2 stream. This work proposes a novel process (mOxy-CaL) for post-combustion CO2 capture based on the integration of membrane separation, partial oxy-combustion and the Calcium-Looping process. An oxygenenriched air stream, which is obtained from air separation by using highly permeable polymeric membranes, is used to carry out partial oxy-combustion. The flue gas exiting partial oxy-combustion shows a CO2 concentration of ~30 % v/v (higher than 15 % v/v typical in coal power plants). After that, the flue gas is passed to the CaL process where the CO2 reacts with CaO solids according to the carbonation reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis show that the multicycle CaO conversion is enhanced as the CO2 concentration in the flue gas stream is increased. Process simulations show that the mOxy-CaL process has a high CO2 capture efficiency (~95%) with lower energy consumption per kg of CO2 avoided than previously proposed post-combustion CO2 capture technologies. Moreover, the overall system size is significantly lower that state-of-the-art CaL systems, which allows for an important reduction in the capital cost of the technology

Recent tectonic effects in the Campo de Calatrava deduced from the paleomagnetic data of the neogene volcanism

The Campo de Calatrava region shows some effects of the recent tectonics related to origin of the Betic orogen. Some of the effect recognizable at Campo de Calatrava was: vertical blocks movements leading to depressions where neogene sediments began to deposit giving rise to the tertiary basins located in the center of the Ciudad Real province. The neotectonic also has influenced in the distribution of the volcanism, which appears aligned with the main structures activity. The analysis of the variations of the magnetic declination of some of existing volcanoes allows detect the block rotations over vertical axis. Nevertheless the results show that the declination values do not prove that there has been a generalized rotation of all the are

La influencia de la cultura organizativa en el rendimiento de los programas de Gestión de la Calidad Total

This paper aims to examine the relationships between different types of cultures and effectiveness in Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation. Using Cameron’s framework, we have tested the connection between a quality culture taxonomy and TQM programme performance using data from a survey carried out with 113 Spanish companies that have implemented TQM systems. A structural equation modelling is proposed to assess the links between both types of constructs using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. The most substantial results confirm, in the sample analysed, the relationship between quality culture types and the TQM programme performance, and there being different influence levels of the quality cultures.Este artículo examina las relaciones entre los diferentes tipos de cultura y la efectividad en la implantación de la Gestión de la Calidad Total (GCT). Utilizando el modelo de Cameron, hemos testado la relación entre una taxonomía de culturas de calidad y el rendimiento de un programa de GCT en una muestra de 113 empresas espanolas ˜ que tienen implantados sistemas GCT. Se propone un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para evaluar las relaciones entre ambos tipos de constructos utilizando para ello la técnica Partial Least Squares (PLS). Los resultados en la muestra utilizada confirman las relaciones entre los tipos de culturas de calidad y el rendimiento de los programas GCT, así como la existencia de diferentes niveles de influencia de estas culturas de calidad

The Calcium-Looping (CaCO3/CaO) Process for Thermochemical Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Articulo aceptado por la revista. * No publicado aún [28-06-2019]Energy storage based on thermochemical systems is gaining momentum as potential alternative to molten salts in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants. This work is a detailed review about the promising integration of a CaCO3/CaO based system, the so-called Calcium-Looping (CaL) process, in CSP plants with tower technology. The CaL process relies on low cost, widely available and non-toxic natural materials (such as limestone or dolomite), which are necessary conditions for the commercial expansion of any energy storage technology at large scale. A comprehensive analysis of the advantages and challenges to be faced for the process to reach a commercial scale is carried out. The review includes a deep overview of reaction mechanisms and process integration schemes proposed in the recent literature. Enhancing the multicycle CaO conversion is a major challenge of the CaL process. Many lab-scale analyses carried out show that residual effective CaO conversion is highly dependent on the process conditions and CaO precursors used, reaching values as different as 0.07-0.82. The selection of the optimal operating conditions must be based on materials, process integration, technology and economics aspects. Global plant efficiencies over 45% (without considering solar-side losses) show the interest of the technology. Furthermore, the technological maturity and potential of the process is assessed. The direction towards which future works should be headed is discussed.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad CTQ2014-52763-C2, CTQ2017- 83602-C2 (-1-R and -2-R)Unión Europea Horizon 2020 Grant agreement No 727348, project SOCRATCES

Active Q-switched distributed feedback erbium-doped fiber lasers

This letter presents a distributed feedback fiber laser that operates in an actively controlled Q-switched regime. The laser is based on a Bragg grating made in an erbium-doped fiber. The grating has a defect induced by a magnetostrictive transducer that configures the distributed feedback laser structure. The phase shift generated by the defect can be dynamically modified by an electric current, permitting active Q-switching of the laser. The laser generates pulses of 75 ns duration and the repetition rate can be continuously adjusted from 0 to 10 kHz

Malófagos encontrados sobre pollos de Garza imperial Ardea purpurea y Garceta común Egretta garzetta en la Albufera de Mallorca

Mallophaga found on chicks of purple heron Ardea purpurea and little egret Egretta garzetta at S’Albufera de Mallorca. We describe the species of chewing lice found on ten purple heron Ardea purpurea) chicks and seven little egret Egretta garzetta chicks inspected in S’Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park (Balearic Islands, Spain) in 2008. Ardeicola leucoproctus was found on the head of one of the herons, whereas Ciconiphilus decimphastiatus was detected on the wings of two other herons and in five egrets. This is the first observation of A. leucoproctus in Europe, though it is known to parasitize the purple heron in other locations. Ciconiphilus decimphastiatus has been described parasitizing Ardeid species in the Iberian peninsula but not in the Balearic Islands. The transmission of these parasites probably follows a vertical route. The low prevalence observed, together with the detection of species typical of Ardeidae, may indicate that the birds inspected were in a condition of good health