2 research outputs found
Environmental, Economic, and Scalability Considerations and Trends of Selected Fuel Economy-Enhancing Biomass-Derived Blendstocks
Twenty-four
biomass-derived compounds and mixtures, identified
based on their physical properties, which could be blended into fuels
to improve spark ignition engine fuel economy, were assessed for their
economic, technology readiness, and environmental viability. These
bio-blendstocks were modeled to be produced biochemically, thermochemically,
or through hybrid processes. To carry out the assessment, 17 metrics
were developed for which each bio-blendstock was determined to be
favorable, neutral, or unfavorable. Cellulosic ethanol was included
as a reference case. Overall economic and, to some extent, environmental
viability is driven by projected yields for each of these processes.
The metrics used in this analysis methodology highlight the near-term
potential to achieve these targeted yield estimates when considering
data quality and current technical readiness for these conversion
strategies. Key knowledge gaps included the degree of purity needed
for use as a bio-blendstock. Less stringent purification requirements
for fuels could cut processing costs and environmental impacts. Additionally,
more information is needed on the blending behavior of many of these
bio-blendstocks with gasoline to support the technology readiness
evaluation. Overall, the technology to produce many of these blendstocks
from biomass is emerging, and as it matures, these assessments must
be revisited. Importantly, considering economic, environmental, and
technology readiness factors, in addition to physical properties of
blendstocks that could be used to boost engine efficiency and fuel
economy, in the early stages of project research and development can
help spotlight those most likely to be viable in the near term
Effects of rare kidney diseases on kidney failure: a longitudinal analysis of the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) cohort
Individuals with rare kidney diseases account for 5-10% of people with chronic kidney disease, but constitute more than 25% of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy. The National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) gathers longitudinal data from patients with these conditions, which we used to study disease progression and outcomes of death and kidney failure.People aged 0-96 years living with 28 types of rare kidney diseases were recruited from 108 UK renal care facilities. The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence of mortality and kidney failure in individuals with rare kidney diseases, which were calculated and compared with that of unselected patients with chronic kidney disease. Cumulative incidence and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated for the following outcomes: median age at kidney failure; median age at death; time from start of dialysis to death; and time from diagnosis to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) thresholds, allowing calculation of time from last eGFR of 75 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or more to first eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (the therapeutic trial window).Between Jan 18, 2010, and July 25, 2022, 27 285 participants were recruited to RaDaR. Median follow-up time from diagnosis was 9·6 years (IQR 5·9-16·7). RaDaR participants had significantly higher 5-year cumulative incidence of kidney failure than 2·81 million UK patients with all-cause chronic kidney disease (28% vs 1%; p
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