Application of CFD modelling at a full-scale ozonation plant for the removal of micropollutants from secondary effluent.

Since November 2009, Germany's first full-scale ozonation plant for tertiary treatment of secondary effluent is in continuous operation. A kinetic model was developed and combined with the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS(®) CFX(®) to simulate the removal of micropollutants from secondary effluents. Input data like reaction rate constants and initial concentrations of bulk components of the effluent organic matter (EfOM) were derived from experimental batch tests. Additionally, well-known correlations for the mass transfer were implemented into the simulation model. The CFD model was calibrated and validated by full-scale process data and by analytical measurements for micropollutants. The results show a good consistency of simulated values and measured data. Therewith, the validated CFD model described in this study proved to be suited for the application of secondary effluent ozonation. By implementing site-specific ozone exposition and the given reactor geometry the described CFD model can be easily adopted for similar applications.

Amisulpride augmentation of clozapine: an open non-randomized study in patients with schizophrenia partially responsive to clozapine.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment options are very limited for individuals with schizophrenia resistant to clozapine. We tested the hypothesis that amisulpride augmentation would lead to an improvement in these patients. METHOD: This was an open non-randomized study. Thirty-three patients with sub-optimal response to clozapine were commenced on amisulpride in addition to clozapine. Clinical status was evaluated at baseline, 3 and 6 months using the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), Calgary Depression Scale, Calgary Anxiety Scale and various side effect rating scales. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects completed 6 months treatment on clozapine and amisulpride. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean scores for PANSS, SANS and GAS at follow-up and no significant changes in side effect ratings. CONCLUSION: Co-administration of amisulpride, in a group of patients partially or non-responsive to clozapine, may lead to a substantial improvement in positive and negative symptoms, without worsening the side effect burden.

Clozapine.

Clozapine is an atypical agent for intractable schizophrenia which was introduced into the UK at the beginning of 1990. Its lack of extrapyramidal side effects and its action on negative symptoms single it out from conventional neuroleptics. This article describes the drug's development/special monitoring and dispensing arrangements, and gives advice on how it can best be utilized.

Acute functional psychoses: treatment with zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride ('Clopixol') tablets.

An assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride tablets in the treatment of acute psychotic episodes was undertaken in 63 patients in an open multi-centre study. Most patients prior to entering the study had received other neuroleptic drugs, but with inadequate effect. During the 10-week study, the dosage of zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride tablets could be adjusted to obtain optimum clinical benefit. The majority of patients received 20 to 75 mg daily (range 10 to 150 mg daily) at the start of the study and later, for most of those patients successfully treated, the dosage was 20 to 55 mg daily. Assessments before and during treatment utilized the BPRS and CGI rating scales and a check-list of side-effects. A successful response to treatment was achieved in 70% of 50 patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychoses and in 69% of 13 patients with mania or hypomania. Almost half (30) of the patients studied had a successful response within 4 weeks of starting treatment and some after only 1 week of treatment. All patients but 1 had either no side-effects or side-effects not overtly affecting performance.