Decomposition kinetics of materials combining biomass and electronic waste

The disposal of waste from electrical and electronic equipment is an actual problem of industrialized countries. In the present work, thermal decomposition of different materials has been studied in a thermobalance at different heating rates. Kinetic models are proposed for the pyrolysis, gasification and combustion of crushed wood pellets (CWP), halogen-free electrical wires (EWs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). Three different heating rates were used at each atmosphere condition. One set of parameters can explain all the experiments at the different atmospheres and at the three different heating rates used. In the case of CWP, a model considering three independent first-order reactions gave very good correlations all the heating rates tested both in inert and oxidant atmosphere. The decomposition of synthetic materials (EW and PCB) is modeled by using nth order kinetics. On the other hand, mixtures of these three materials have been prepared and tested for decomposition behavior. A weighted sum of the curves simulated using kinetics of the materials separately gives a good concordance with the experimental curve in the case of PCBs, indicating that there is not chemical interaction between CWP and PCBs when heated and decomposed. This would indicate that the production of pollutants in the decomposition will not be affected by the presence of the other material. Nevertheless, a strong interaction is found with the mixtures between biomass and EW.Support for this work was provided Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport and by the CTQ2013-41006-R project from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain) and the PROMETEOII/2014/007 project from the Valencian Community Government (Spain)

Reducción de contaminantes en la descomposición térmica de residuos de aparatos eléctricos y electrónicos

Esta Tesis Doctoral realizada en el Grupo de Investigación “Residuos, Energía, Medio Ambiente y Nanotecnología (REMAN)” del Departamento de Ingeniería Química de la Universidad de Alicante presenta, por un lado, el estudio relacionado con la descomposición térmica de materiales que combinan biomasa y residuos de aparatos eléctricos y electrónicos (RAEE), centrándose en la cinética de descomposición y la formación de contaminantes derivados de este proceso y, por otro lado, diversos estudios de alternativas viables para reducir la formación de contaminantes en los tratamientos térmicos de residuos

Tax Treaty Interpretation in Spain

This paper provides insight in the interpretation of Spanish double taxation conventions. Taking as a premise the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the wording of Article 3(2) OECD Model Convention, the authors explore the relevance of mutual agreements, tax authority practice and foreign court decisions on the tax treaty interpretation

Fly ash reactivity modified by nitrogen and sulfur compounds

The inhibitory effect of thiourea (TUA), ammonium thiosulfate (TSA) and amidosulfonic acid (ASA) on the reactivity of fly ash air was investigated using a thermobalance at different heating rates (5, 10 and 20 K min-1). A model fly ash (activated carbon + 50 wt.% CuCl2·2H2O, pyrolyzed at 700 ºC and washed) was used as carbonaceous material. Adding CuCl2·2H2O to the activated carbon led to an increased rate of decomposition with the air’s oxygen. TUA and TSA behaved in a similar way, accelerating the decomposition of the model fly ash. ASA also accelerated the decomposition but to a lower extent. We proof that the increase in decomposition rate is caused by a reaction between carbonaceous material and N- and S-containing compounds. The formation of nitrogenated and sulphured compounds was confirmed by TG-MS. A kinetic model based on a single reaction of order 0.6 showed very good correlations with all the heating rates tested in oxidant atmosphere.This work was supported by the CTQ2016-76608-R project from the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (Spain), and the UAUSTI17-07 grant from University of Alicante (Spain)

ASSISTÊNCIA À PARTURIENTE SUBMETIDA À INFUSÃO ENDOVENOSA CONTÍNUA DE OCITOCINA

No presente trabalho destaca-se a importância da assistência criteriosa à parturiente submetida à estimulação do parto com infusão endovenosa contínua de ocitocina. Para isso, descreve-se os procedimentos recomendados por diversos autores para a administração correta da infusão de ocitocina, assim como para a avaliação das condições materna e fetal, no evolver do primeiro período do parto.This paper emphasizes the importance of specialized nursing assistance to the woman in labor when contractions are stimulated by infusion containing oxytocin. The author describes the procedures recommended in the litterature for the treatment and for control of mother and child conditions during the firts phase of delivery

Estado nutricional e fatores associados em pessoas acima de 75 anos não institucionalizadas

Objetivo: determinar los factores relacionados con el riesgo de desnutrición en la población de mayores de 75años no institucionalizada. Método: estudio transversal realizado mediante cuestionario en una muestra de 326 individuos mayores de 75 en Castellón (España), durante 2015. Seleccionados mediante muestreo intencionado. Resultados: Prevalencia de desnutrición 2,8%. El 26,9% de los individuos están en riesgo de desnutrición, las mujeres lo presentan en mayor proporción (31,5%). Las mujeres presentan una salud general buena en menor proporción que los hombres, el 55% frente a 69%. Tienen menor riesgo de desnutrición los individuos que tienen una percepción positiva y los que tienen una buena salud general. Los mayores frágiles presentan un mayor riesgo de desnutrición (57,5%) frente a los no frágiles (20,2%) p< 0.001. Conclusión: Se relacionan con mayor riesgo de desnutrición, mujeres fragilidad, percepción de la salud, salud global y utilización de Servicios sanitarios (consulta de la enfermería).Objective: to determine the factors related to the risk of malnutrition in a non-institutionalized population over 75 years of age. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire in a sample of 326 individuals over 75 years of age in Castellón (Spain), during 2015, and selected through intentional sampling. Results: Malnutrition prevalence was 2.8%. 26.9% of the individuals were at risk of malnutrition, whereas women presented a higher rate (31.5%). Women with a good overall health status showed a lower rate than men, 55% and 69%, respectively. Individuals that showed a lower risk of malnutrition are those with a positive perception than those who have a good overall health. Frail elderly people showed a higher risk of malnutrition (57.5%) compared to non-frail subjects (20.2%) p< 0.001. Conclusion: Frail women, self-assessed health, overall health, and use of health care services (nursing consultation) were related to a higher risk of malnutrition.Objetivo: determinar os fatores relacionados com o risco de desnutrição na população acima de 75 anos não institucionalizada. Método: estudo transversal realizado mediante questionário em uma amostra de 326 indivíduos acima de 75 anos em Castellón (Espanha), durante 2015, e que foram selecionados por meio de amostragem intencional. Resultados: prevalência de desnutrição de 2,8%. 26,9% dos indivíduos correm risco de desnutrição, sendo que as mulheres se apresentam em maior proporção (31,5%). As mulheres apresentam uma boa saúde geral em menor proporção que os homens, 55% e 69%, respectivamente. Os indivíduos que apresentam um menor risco de desnutrição são os que têm uma percepção positiva e os que têm uma boa saúde geral. Os idosos frágeis apresentam um risco maior de desnutrição (57,5%) comparado aos não frágeis (20,2%) p< 0.001. Conclusão: relacionam-se com maior risco de desnutrição as mulheres frágeis, a percepção da saúde, a saúde global e a utilização dos serviços de saúde (consulta de enfermagem)

Dechlorination of polyvinyl chloride electric wires by hydrothermal treatment using K2CO3 in subcritical water

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste generation has significantly increased in recent years and their disposal is considered a major environmental concern. Removal techniques of chlorine from PVC waste are being studied to minimize a negative environmental impact. In this work, the use of K2CO3 as an alkaline additive to improve the dechlorination efficiency (DE) in the hydrothermal degradation of PVC wires was studied. Different experiments were carried out varying both temperature (175, 200, 225, 235 and 250 °C) and K2CO3 concentration (0.025, 0.050 and 0.125 M), using a solid/liquid ratio of 1:5 in order to determine the evolution of the dechlorination efficiency with time. About 4.66, 21.1, 24.4, 45.7 and 92.6 wt% of chlorine in PVC wire was removed during hydrothermal dechlorination (HTD) with an additive/chlorine ratio of 1:25 (K2CO3 solution of 0.050 M) at 175, 200, 225, 235 and 250 °C, respectively. Optimal additive/chlorine ratio decreased to 1:50 (K2CO3 solution of 0.025 M) at 250 °C, obtaining a dechlorination degree of 99.1% after 4 h without the need of metallic catalysts. Concerning the solid phase behavior during dechlorination, a linear correlation between the DE reached and the weight loss of PVC was found.Support for this work was provided by the CTQ2016-76608-R project and the scholarship BES-2017-080382 from the Ministry of Economy Industry and Competitiveness (Spain)

Fatores associados à incontinência urinária em mulheres submetidas ao exame urodinâmico

OBJECTIVE Analyzing factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI) among women submitted to urodynamic testing. METHOD A cross-sectional study of 150 women attended at a urological center. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics. RESULTS White women (79.3%), overweight (45.3%), menopausal (53.3%), who drink coffee (82.7%), sedentary (65.3%), who had vaginal birth (51.4%), with episiotomy (80%), and who underwent the Kristeller maneuver (69%). 60.7% had Urethral Hypermobility (UH). A statistical association was found between: weight change and UH (p = 0.024); menopause, Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD) and Detrusor Instability (DI) (p = 0.001); gynecological surgery, ISD and DI (p = 0.014); hysterectomy and all types of UI (p = 0.040); physical activity and mixed UI (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION Interventions and guidance on preventing UI and strengthening pelvic muscles should be directed at women who present weight changes, who are sedentary menopausal women, and those who have undergone hysterectomy or other gynecological surgery. Studies on pelvic strengthening methods are needed in order to take into account the profile of the needs presented by women.OBJETIVO Analizar los factores asociados con la Incontinencia Urinaria (IU) entre mujeres sometidas al estudio urodinámico MÉTODO Estudio transversal llevado a cabo con 150 mujeres atendidas en un centro urológico. Los datos fueron analizados por medio de estadística uni y multivariada. RESULTADOS Mujeres blancas (79,3%), con sobrepeso (45,3%), en la menopausia (53,3%), que ingerían café (82,7%), sedentarias (65,3%), que tuvieron parto normal (51,4%), con episiotomía (80%), que sufrieron Maniobra de Kristeller (69%), el 60,7% presentaban Hipermovilidad Uretral (HU). Hubo asociación estadística entre: cambio de peso e HU (p = 0,024); menopausia, Deficiencia Intrínseca del Esfínter (DIE)e Inestabilidad del Detrusor (ID) (p = 0,001); cirugía ginecológica, DIE e ID (p = 0,014); histerectomía y todos los tipos de IU (p = 0,040); realización de actividad física e IU mixta (p = 0,014). CONCLUSIÓN Intervenciones y orientaciones en cuanto a la prevención de la IU y al fortalecimiento de la musculatura pélvica deben dirigirse a mujeres que presentan cambio de peso, sedentarias, que se hallan en la menopausia y las que realizaron histerectomía u otra cirugía ginecológica. Son necesarios estudios sobre métodos de fortalecimiento pélvico, de modo a contemplar el perfil de las necesidades presentadas por las mujeres.OBJETIVO Analisar os fatores associados à Incontinência Urinária (IU) entre mulheres submetidas a estudo urodinâmico. MÉTODO Estudo transversal realizado com 150 mulheres atendidas em um centro urológico. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística uni e multivariada. RESULTADOS Mulheres brancas (79,3%), com sobrepeso (45,3%), na menopausa (53,3%), que ingeriam café (82,7%), sedentárias (65,3%), que fizeram parto normal (51,4%), com episiotomia (80%), que sofreram Manobra de Kristeller (69%). 60,7% apresentavam HipermobilidadeUretral (HU).Houve associação estatística entre: mudança de peso e HU (p=0,024); menopausa,Deficiência Esfincteriana Intrínseca (DEI) e Instabilidade Detrusora (ID) (p=0,001); cirurgia ginecológica, DEI e ID (p=0,014); histerectomia etodos os tipos de IU (p=0,040); realização de atividade física eIU mista (p=0,014). CONCLUSÃO Intervenções e orientações quanto à prevenção da IU e ao fortalecimento da musculatura pélvica devem ser voltadas amulheres que apresentam mudança de peso, sedentárias, que se encontram na menopausa e àquelas que realizaram histerectomia ou outra cirurgia ginecológica. São necessários estudos sobre métodos de fortalecimento pélvico, de modo a contemplar o perfil dasnecessidades apresentadaspelas mulheres

Emissions of Gases, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Brominated Pollutants during Thermal Degradation of Waste Printed Circuit Boards

Resumen del póster presentado en Symposium on Renewable Energy and Products from Biomass and Waste, CIUDEN (Cubillos de Sil, León, Spain), 12-13 May 2015Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world due to the rapid pace of technology enhancement and development. The exponential growth of electronic waste contributes to a rapid increase in the rate of contaminants and waste entering landfills. This fact implies the need for an appropriate management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Printed circuit boards (PCB) are one of the most complex constituents of WEEE, with a mixture of both valuable and/or hazardous elements. Thermal treatments represent an interesting alternative to recycle this kind of waste, but particular attention has to be paid to the potential emissions of toxic by-products. In this study, the emissions from thermal degradation of printed circuit boards (with and without metals) have been studied using a laboratory scale reactor, under oxidizing and inert atmosphere at 600 and 850 oC. The study comprises the analysis of gases, halogens and hydrogen halides, carbon oxides, light hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated phenol, chlorinated benzenes and brominated phenols, among other semivolatile compounds, as well as polybromo- and polychloro- dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls. The maximum formation of PAHs was found in pyrolysis at 850 oC, naphthalene being the most abundant. High levels of 2-, 4-, 2,4-, 2,6- and 2,4,6-bromophenols were found, especially at 600 oC. Emissions of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs were very slow and much lower than that of PBDD/Fs, due to the higher bromine content of the samples. Combustion at 600 oC was the run with the highest PBDD/F formation: the total content of eleven 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners (tetra- through heptaBDD/Fs) was 7240 and 3250 ng WHO2005-TEQ/kg sample, corresponding to the sample with and without metals, respectively.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain): CTQ2013-41006-R. Valencian Community Government (Spain): PROMETEOII/2014/00