A World Overview of the Organic Rankine Cycle Market

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology is a reliable way to convert heat into electricity, either for renewable energy applications (biomass, geothermal, solar), or industrial energy efficiency. ORC systems range from micro-scale (a few kW) for domestic cogeneration to large multi-megawatt geothermal power plants. After a slow initial start, the technology has experienced a much stronger development since the 1970s, mainly because of economic incentives and surging energy prices. However, the large range of applications, manufacturers, and countries make it hard to track the evolution of the technology over the world. Information about more than 700 projects has been collected, cross-validating 27 manufacturers' data with publications and testimonies, allowing to build the first reliable and exhaustive database of ORC plants. As a result, this work analyses the evolution of the ORC market over the years, with today 2.7 GW of cumulated installed capacity. After introducing the ORC technology with a focus on its history, working principle and main applications, the current state and the new trends of the ORC market are presented with a detailed analysis of each application. The evolution of each market is discussed considering the present installed capacity, historical data and macro-economic trends. Finally, future perspectives and growth potential of the ORC market are evaluated, with a special focus on Waste Heat Recovery applications

Les paysages, les milieux écologiques et l'environnement vécu comme outils dialogiques d'analyse et de prospective territoriale pour l'implantation d'équipements structurants

International audienceL'aménagement des grandes infrastructures a des effets sur les paysages des sites traversés, ainsi que sur les milieux naturels d'accueil, donc aussi sur des territoires perçus et vécus par les populations habitantes. Or, malgré une incontestable évolution de la prise en compte des problématiques écologiques et environnementales dans le cadre de grands projets, ces effets peuvent conduire à des réactions voire mobilisations locales. Celles-ci affectent, depuis maintenant 30 ans, nombre des grands équipements structurants les territoires

Estimation of the diameter and cross-sectional area of the internal jugular veins in adult patients

International audienceINTRODUCTION: Unawareness of an asymmetry between the right and left internal jugular vein (IJV) and methodological pitfalls in previous studies raise concerns about such asymmetry. Hence the aim of this prospective non-interventional study was to validate the hypothesis that right IJV diameter is greater than those of left IJV and to determine the cross-sectional area of the IJVs using computed tomography (CT)-scans and original automatic software. METHODS: All consecutive adult outpatients who underwent a thoracic contrast-enhanced (TCE) helical CT-scan during a 5-month period were included. To determine diameter and cross sectional area of the IJVs, we used Advanced Vessel Analysis software integrated in a CT-scan (Advanced Vessel Analysis on Advantage Workstation Windows 4.2; General Electrics) allowing automatic segmentation of vessels and calculation of their diameters and cross-sectional areas. RESULTS: A total of 360 TCE CT-scans was performed; 170 were excluded from the analysis. On the remaining 190 CT scans, the diameter and cross-sectional area of the right IJV were significantly greater than those of the left IJV (17 +/- 5 mm [median: 17 mm, range: 13 to 20 mm] vs. 14 +/- 5 mm [median: 13 mm, range: 10 to 16 mm], P < 0.001; and 181 +/- 111 mm2 [median: 160 mm2, range: 108 to 235 mm2] vs. 120 +/- 81 mm2 [median: 102 mm2, range: 63 to 168 mm2], P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In a general population of adult outpatients, the diameter and cross-sectional area of the right IJV were significantly greater than those of the left IJV. This could be an additional argument to prefer right over left IJV cannulation

Change of bilateral difference in radial artery pulse morphology with one-side arm movement

Previous studies have demonstrated that the compliance of peripheral artery changes with arm movement. This study aimed to quantify the bilateral difference in radial artery pulse morphology with one-side arm movement. Twenty-four healthy subjects were recruited. Radial artery pulses were synchronously recorded from both arms, with one arm (left or right) at five different positions (90°, 45°, 0°, −45° and −90°) and the other arm at horizontal level (0°) as reference. Two types of indices of arterial pulse morphology were derived from the normalized arterial pulse signals: the waveform width corresponding to the 50%, 60% and 70% pulse amplitude (W50, W60, W70) and the total area of normalized pulse waveform (Apulse). No matter whether the moving arm was left or right arm, when compared with the other side reference arm, all the waveform widths decreased with arm moving from 90°, 45°, 0°, −45°, and −90°. The bilateral difference of W50, W60 and W70 with the moving arm (either left or right) at 90°, 45° were significantly positive (both p < 0.01) and significantly negative at −90° (both p < 0.05). Meanwhile, no matter whether the moving arm is left or right, Apulse decreased with arm moving from 90°, 45°, 0°, −45°, and −90°. The bilateral difference of Apulse with the left moving arm were significantly positive at 45°, 90° (both p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the bilateral difference of Apulse from the moving right arm was significantly positive at 90° and significantly negative at −45° and −90° (all p < 0.05). In summary, this study quantified the bilateral arterial pulse morphology between arteries with different compliances induced by a simple arm positioning procedure

Development and numerical modelling of a supercharging technique for positive displacement expanders

This study presents a novel strategy to enhance the recovery performance of any positive displacement expander technology which aims at the maximization of the power output rather than solely its efficiency. The approach is based on an auxiliary injection of fluid under the same suction conditions as the main intake but during the closed volume expansion phase. The operating principle of the supercharging technology is firstly outlined in theoretical terms, while the benefits over a conventional configuration are numerically assessed with reference to a sliding vane expander for applications based on Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC). The holistic modelling platform used for the benchmarking is preliminarily validated over an experimental campaign in which the vane expander was installed in a heavy-duty automotive ORC system and generated up to 1.9 kW (3% of the engine mechanical power) with an overall efficiency of 51.2%. After the simulation platform is validated, the auxiliary intake line is parameterized in terms of four geometrical quantities and the effects of the supercharging with respect to baseline angular pressure trace are shown. An optimization based on a genetic algorithm is eventually performed and the resulting optimized design led to an average mechanical power increase of 50.6%. © 2018 The Authors.Ing. Enea Mattei S.p.A

Vascular disease as a predictor of long-term mortality in patients hospitalized for new-onset heart failure

SummaryBackgroundComorbidities have an adverse influence on the outcome of patients with heart failure (HF).AimWe investigated the impact of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) on long-term mortality in hospitalized patients with HF.MethodsWe included prospectively consecutive patients (N=799) hospitalized for a first episode of HF in all healthcare establishments within a single French department during 2000. Patients with peripheral arterial disease and/or history of stroke were considered to have PVD. Baseline characteristics and 5-year mortality were compared according to PVD status.ResultsPVD was diagnosed in 172 patients (22%) and clinical coronary artery disease in 302 patients (38%). Patients with PVD were older, predominantly men, smokers, and more often had diabetes and coronary artery disease. PVD was associated with an increased risk of crude 5-year overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–2.03; P<0.001). After adjustment for covariates, the relationship remained significant (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.08–1.65; P=0.008). Compared with the expected survival, the 5-year survival of the PVD group was dramatically lower (24% versus 67%). The risk of cardiovascular death was higher for PVD patients (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.07–1.80; P=0.014). PVD probably modulates the impact of other covariates on outcome.ConclusionPVD is a potent predictor of adverse outcome in patients with new-onset HF

Dominio público y posesión: hacia el cambio de un paradigma

Possession and public property appear to exist as parallel concepts in legal theory and legislation, with the understanding that each belongs to a different sector of the legal system. This, however, is not correct, and it is unfortunate that the new Patrimony Act, in its integration efforts, does not take care of the link existing between these concepts, using the same approach followed with regard to registration matters. This study is thus a short contribution towards overcoming this tendency, that the modernization of our property law, public and private, requires. With this purpose, this study begins with the influential teachings of IHERING, who uses public goods as a case in which his objective theory, opposed to animus domini as a central element of possession theory, is applicable. From that basis, the study continues with an effort to overcome the traditional public domain theory, which has been absolutely disconnected from superior legal concepts such as good faith and legal appearance. The conclusion is reached that the legal system should not do away with knowledge about legal relationships, by using completely separated categories, even in the case of goods affected to public use or services. This would be the purpose of the abovementioned modernization.Posesión y dominio público parecen vivir como institutos paralelos en doctrina y legislación, en el entendimiento de pertenecer cada uno a un distinto sector del ordenamiento. Pero no es así, por lo que se echa de menos que la nueva Ley de Patrimonio, en su afán integrador, no se ocupara de su vinculación en la misma senda adoptada en materia de registración. Supone, pues, éste un breve aporte en la superación de una tendencia que la modernización de nuestro Derecho de cosas, público y privado, viene exigiendo. Con tal propósito, el estudio comienza por las influyentes enseñanzas de IHERING, quien utilizara los bienes públicos como demostración de su teoría objetiva contraria al animus domini como elemento trascendental en la teoría posesoria. Desde ahí, el trabajo avanza sobre la construcción muy tradicional acerca del dominio público, en cuanto absolutamente desvinculada de las nociones superiores de buena fe y apariencia jurídica. En el desarrollo, se llega a la conclusión de que el orden jurídico no puede prescindir, por vía de compartimentos estancos, de la cognoscibilidad de las relaciones jurídicas, aun respecto de aquellos bienes afectados al uso o un servicio público. En esto consistiría justamente la modernización antes comentada

Salt substitute recommendations for heart failure patients may influence guideline‐directed medical therapies titration

Abstract Aims Reducing sodium intake is necessary for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Salt substitutes (saltSubs) have become increasingly popular as recommendations by healthcare professionals (HCPs) as well as options for patients and their caregivers. However, their consumption is generally potassium based and remains poorly evaluated in CHF management. Their impact on guideline‐directed medical therapies (GDMTs) also remains unknown. The primary objective of this study was to provide a description and estimate of HCP recommendations and reported use of saltSubs in France. Secondary objectives were to identify if there was an association between these recommendations by HCPs and the use of GDMTs. Methods and results A nationwide, questionnaire‐based, cross‐sectional, epidemiological study was conducted from September 2020 to July 2021. Data collection included baseline characteristics, the use and recommendations of saltSubs, and the use of GDMTs, which included (i) angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors (ARNis), (ii) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and/or (iii) beta‐blockers (BBs). In total, 13% of HCPs advised saltSubs and 17% of patients and 22% of caregivers reported their consumption. CHF patients advised to take saltSubs did not differ in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) <40%, ischaemic origin, and New York Heart Association III–IV class, but were more recently hospitalized for acute HF (P = 0.004). HCPs who recommended saltSubs to patients were more likely to advise an anti‐diabetic diet (P < 0.001), cholesterol‐lowering diet (P < 0.001), and exercise (P = 0.018). In the overall population, ACEi/ARB/ARNi use was less frequent in case of saltSub recommendations (74% vs. 82%, P = 0.012). The concomitant prescription of none, one, two, or three GDMTs was less favourable in case of saltSub recommendations (P = 0.046). There was no significant difference for the presence of MRA (56% vs. 58%) and/or BB (78% vs. 82%). The under‐prescription of ACEi/ARB/ARNi was found when patients had EF < 40% (P = 0.029) and/or EF ≥ 40% (P = 0.043). In the subgroup with left ventricular EF ≥ 40%, we found a higher thiazide use (P = 0.014) and a less frequent use of low EF GDMTs (P = 0.044) in case of being recommended saltSubs. Conclusions Beyond the well‐established risk for hyperkalaemia, our preliminary results suggest a potentially negative impact of saltSubs on GDMT use, especially for ACEis/ARBs/ARNis in CHF management. saltSub recommendations and their availability from open sale outlets should be considered to avoid possible misuse or deference from GDMTs in the future. Informed advice to consumers should also be considered from HCPs or pharmacists