Data from steady-state simulation and economic evaluation in the power to methane context for synthetic natural gas production and power generation.

The data presented in this article is generated by a steady-state simulation for performing a techno-economic assessment for comparing three electrolysis technologies in the PtM context. The data is focused on two aspects. First, the description of the steady-state simulation of six PtM systems modeled using Aspen Custom Modeler (ACM) and Aspen Plus (AP). Second, an economic assessment is carried out for each of the mentioned PtM systems to compare the feasibility, the profitability and performance of these systems on a larger scale to produce synthetic natural gas, power generation and carbon utilization given in the main research article. Three electrolysis technologies (namely Alkaline Electrolysis - AE, Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis - PEME and Solid Oxide Electrolysis - SOE) were modeled having in mind two methane applications: a combined cycle for power generation and the syngas generation. In addition, on each PtM system is carried out an economic evaluation by calculating fixed capital investment (FCI) and manufacturing costs (MC).

Cascade Proportional-Integral Control Design and Affordable Instrumentation System for Enhanced Performance of Electrolytic Dry Cells.

In this paper, we present a cost-effective system for monitoring and controlling alkaline electrolyzers, intending to improve hydrogen gas production on a laboratory scale. Our work includes two main innovations. Firstly, we suggest an approach to calibrate a standard air flow meter to accurately measure the flow of hydrogen-rich gas from electrolyzers, improving measurement accuracy while keeping costs low. Secondly, we introduce a unique cascade control method to manage hydrogen-rich gas production in the electrolyzer, ensuring precise control over gas flow rates. By combining affordable, energy-efficient devices with a PI control system, we achieve efficient gas production through electrolysis, replacing manual control approaches. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our cascade control method, demonstrating stable operation with minimal errors. These results provide a foundation for further research into control strategies to enhance the performance of electrolytic cells.

A review on recent environmental electrochemistry approaches for the consolidation of a circular economy model.

Availability of raw materials in the chemical industry is related to the selection of the chemical processes in which they are used as well as to the efficiency, cost, and eventual evolution to more competitive dynamics of transformation technologies. In general terms however, any chemically transforming technology starts with the extraction, purification, design, manufacture, use, and disposal of materials. It is important to create a new paradigm towards green chemistry, sustainability, and circular economy in the chemical sciences that help to better employ, reuse, and recycle the materials used in every aspect of modern life. Electrochemistry is a growing field of knowledge that can help with these issues to reduce solid waste and the impact of chemical processes on the environment. Several electrochemical studies in the last decades have benefited the recovery of important chemical compounds and elements through electrodeposition, electrowinning, electrocoagulation, electrodialysis, and other processes. The use of living organisms and microorganisms using an electrochemical perspective (known as bioelectrochemistry), is also calling attention to "mining", through plants and microorganisms, essential chemical elements. New process design or the optimization of the current technologies is a major necessity to enhance production and minimize the use of raw materials along with less generation of wastes and secondary by-products. In this context, this contribution aims to show an up-to-date scenario of both environmental electrochemical and bioelectrochemical processes for the extraction, use, recovery and recycling of materials in a circular economy model.

Distiquíase congênita: uma afecção de difícil tratamento / Congenital distichiasis: a condition difficult to be treated

RESUMO A distiquíase congênita é uma condição rara, de origem controversa, com opções terapêuticas cujos resultados nem sempre são favoráveis. Este é o relato de caso de uma criança do sexo masculino, de 7 anos, portadora de distiquíase congênita afetando as quatro pálpebras, com permanência de alguns folículos pilosos distiquiáticos mesmo tratados cirurgicamente pela técnica da divisão interlamelar, com aplicação seletiva de crioterapia e de eletrólise. O tratamento da distiquíase congênita envolveu a necessidade de associar técnicas, a fim de se obterem resultados mais efetivos.

ABSTRACT Congenital distichiasis is a rare condition, of controversial origin, with therapeutic options not always having favorable results. This is a case report of a seven-year-old male child with congenital distichiasis affecting all eyelids, with the presence of some distichiasis hair follicles despite surgical treatment using the interlamellar division technique, selective application of cryotherapy and electrolysis. The treatment of congenital distichiasis involves the need to combine techniques to achieve more effective results.

Feasibility analysis of green hydrogen production from oceanic energy.

Oceanic energy, such as offshore wind energy and various marine energy sources, holds significant potential for generating green hydrogen through water electrolysis. Offshore-generated hydrogen has the potential to be transported through standard pipelines and stored in diverse forms. This aids in mitigating the variability of renewable energy sources in power generation and, consequently, holds the capacity to reshape the framework of electrical systems. This research provides a comprehensive review of the existing state of investigation and technological advancement in the domain of offshore wind energy and other marine energy sources for generating green hydrogen. The primary focus is on technical, economic, and environmental issues. The technology's optimal features have been pinpointed to achieve the utmost capacity for hydrogen production, providing insights for potential enhancements that can propel research and development efforts forward. The objective of this study is to furnish valuable information to energy companies by presenting multiple avenues for technological progress. Concurrently, it strives to expand its technical and economic outlook within the clean fuel energy sector. This analysis delivers insights into the best operating conditions for an offshore wind farm, the most suitable electrolyzer for marine environments and the most economical storage medium. The green hydrogen production process from marine systems has been found to be feasible and to possess a reduced ecological footprint compared to grey hydrogen production.

High Pulsed Voltage Alkaline Electrolysis for Water Splitting.

Pulsed electrolysis has become a promising research topic in recent decades due to advances in solid-state semiconductor devices. These technologies have enabled the design and construction of simpler, more efficient, and less costly high-voltage and high-frequency power converters. In this paper, we study high-voltage pulsed electrolysis considering variations in both power converter parameters and cell configuration. Experimental results are obtained for frequency variations ranging from 10 Hz to 1 MHz, voltage changes from 2 V to 500 V, and electrode separations from 0.1 to 2 mm. The results demonstrate that pulsed plasmolysis is a promising method for decomposing water for hydrogen production.

An Alkaline-Acid Glycerol Electrochemical Reformer for Simultaneous Production of Hydrogen and Electricity.

This study shows the results, for the first time, of an glycerol alkaline-acid electrolyzer. Such a configuration allows spontaneous operation, producing energy and hydrogen simultaneously as a result of the utilization of the neutralization and fuel chemical energy. The electroreformer-built with a 20 wt% Pd/C anode and cathode, and a Na+-pretreated Nafion® 117-can simultaneously produce hydrogen and electricity in the low current density region, whereas it operates in electrolysis mode at high current densities. In the spontaneous region, the maximum power densities range from 1.23 mW cm-2 at 30 °C to 11.9 mW cm-2 at 90 °C, with a concomitant H2 flux ranging from 0.0545 STP m-3 m-2 h-1 at 30 °C to 0.201 STP m-3 m-2 h-1 at 90 °C, due to the beneficial effect of the temperature on the performance. Furthermore, over a chronoamperometric test, the electroreformer shows a stable performance over 12 h. As a challenge, proton crossover from the cathode to the anode through the cation exchange Nafion® partially reduces the pH gradient, responsible for the extra electromotive force, thus requiring a less permeable membrane.

Electrolipolysis associated with aerobic activity does not reduce subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal region of young women: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of electrolysis, through a medium frequency current, associated to aerobic physical activity in the body composition of young women. METHODS: The study was composed of 34 sedentary women (24.35 ± 4.43 years, 71.30 ± 7.08 kg, 1.61 ± 0.06 m, 27.31 ± 1.67 kg/m2) which were evaluated for their anthropometric measures and body composition. The volunteers were randomly assigned to two group: Electrolyphysis plus Aerobic Exercise (gEEA): 17 volunteers were submitted to the application, for 60 min , of the Aussie current, followed by aerobic physical activity (77% of HRmax) on the trampoline for 40 min, through video-lessons of Jump; and Aerobic Exercise group (gEA): 17 volunteers performed only physical activity following the same parameters mentioned above. Each group performed its protocols twice weekly, for 5 weeks, totaling 10 sessions. For the data analysis, measures repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the means of the variables analyzed before and after the treatment protocols using the SPSS - 21.0 software, adopting a p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Although gEEA decreased suprailiac skinfold (p = 0.04), abdominal skinfold (p = 0.03) and circumference at umbilical scar (p = 0.02) in an intragroup analysis, these means differences in anthropometric measures were not important between-groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no effect of treatment on body composition (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: To this studied condition, our results suggested that application of medium frequency electrolysis did not enhance the losses on anthropometric measures and body composition.

Biodegradation of PFOA in microbial electrolysis cells by Acidimicrobiaceae sp. strain A6.

Acidimicrobiaceae sp. strain A6 (A6), is an anaerobic autotrophic bacterium capable of oxidizing ammonium (NH4+) while reducing ferric iron and is also able to defluorinate PFAS under these growth conditions. A6 is exoelectrogenic and can grow in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) by using the anode as the electron acceptor in lieu of ferric iron. Therefore, cultures of A6 amended with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were incubated in MECs to investigate its ability to defluorinate PFAS in such reactors. Results show a significant decrease in PFOA concentration after 18 days of operation, while producing current and removing NH4+. The buildup of fluoride and shorter chain perfluorinated products was detected only in MECs with applied potential, active A6, and amended with PFOA, confirming the biodegradation of PFOA in these systems. This work sets the stage for further studies on the application of A6-based per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) bioremediation in microbial electrochemical systems for water treatment.

Valorization of high-salinity effluents for CO2 fixation and hypochlorite generation.

In this work, it is evaluated the fixation of carbon dioxide using the alkali generated in the chloralkaline process, as a new way to face the treatment of highly saline wastewater, in which it is aimed not to separate the wastewater into concentrated and diluted streams but to recover value-added products (VAPs) while contributing to minimize the carbon fingerprint of other processes. The electrolytic process is combined with a reactive absorption and with a crystallization, demonstrating the formation of pure nahcolite, hypochlorite (or chlorine) and hydrogen from the waste. Carbon dioxide is captured with a current efficiency over 90% and the energy required is around 0.65 kWh kg-1, which is very promising from the view point of sustainability, considering that the system can be easily powered with green energies.

A review of recent advances in electrode materials for emerging bioelectrochemical systems: From biofilm-bearing anodes to specialized cathodes.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES), mainly microbial fuel cells (MEC) and microbial electrolysis cells (MFC), are unique biosystems that use electroactive bacteria (EAB) to produce electrons in the form of electric energy for different applications. BES have attracted increasing attention as a sustainable, low-cost, and neutral-carbon option for energy production, wastewater treatment, and biosynthesis. Complex interactions between EAB and the electrode materials play a crucial role in system performance and scalability. The electron transfer processes from the EAB to the anode surface or from the cathode surface to the EAB have been the object of numerous investigations in BES, and the development of new materials to maximize energy production and overall performance has been a hot topic in the last years. The present review paper discusses the advances on innovative electrode materials for emerging BES, which include MEC coupled to anaerobic digestion (MEC-AD), Microbial Desalination Cells (MDC), plant-MFC (P-MFC), constructed wetlands-MFC (CW-MFC), and microbial electro-Fenton (BEF). Detailed insights on innovative electrode modification strategies to improve the electrode transfer kinetics on each emerging BES are provided. The effect of materials on microbial population is also discussed in this review. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities for materials scientists and engineers working in BES are presented at the end of this work aiming at scaling up and industrialization of such versatile systems.

Evaluation and ranking of polymeric ion exchange membranes used in microbial electrolysis cells for biohydrogen production.

This work characterizes and comparatively assess two cation exchange membranes (PSEBS SU22 and CF22 R14) and one bipolar membrane (FBM) in microbial electrolysis cells (MEC), fed either by acetate or the mixture of volatile fatty acids as substrates. The PSEBS SU22 is a new, patent-pending material, while the CF22 R14 and FBM are developmental and commercialized products. Based on the various MEC performance measures, membranes were ranked by the EXPROM-2 method to reveal which of the polymeric membranes could be more beneficial from a complex, H2 production efficiency viewpoint. It turned out that the substrate-type influenced the application potential of the membranes. Still, in total, the PSEBS SU22 was found competitive with the other alternative materials. The evaluation of MEC was also supported by analyzing anodic biofilms following electroactive bacteria's development over time.

Clopyralid degradation by AOPs enhanced with zero valent iron.

Four different technologies have been compared (photolysis, ZVI + photolysis, electrolysis and ZVI + electrolysis) regarding the: (1) degradation of clopyralid, (2) extent of its mineralization, (3) formation of by-products and main reaction pathways. Results show that photolysis is the less efficient treatment and it only attains 5 % removal of the pollutant, much less than ZVI, which reaches 45 % removal and that electrolysis, which attains complete removal and 78 % mineralization within 4 h. When ZVI is used as pre-treatment of electrolysis, it was obtained the most efficient technology. The identification of transformation products was carried out for each treatment by LCMS. In total, ten products were identified. Tentative pathways for preferential clopyralid degradation for all processes were proposed. This work draws attention of the synergisms caused by the coupling of techniques involving the treatment of chlorinated compound and sheds light on how the preferential mechanisms of each treatment evaluated occurred.

Feasibility of quaternary ammonium and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-functionalized anion-exchange membranes for biohydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells.

In this work, two commercialized anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), AMI-7001 and AF49R27, were applied in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) and compared with a novel AEM (PSEBS CM DBC, functionalized with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) to produce biohydrogen. The evaluation regarding the effect of using different AEMs was carried out using simple (acetate) and complex (mixture of acetate, butyrate and propionate to mimic dark fermentation effluent) substrates. The MECs equipped with various AEMs were assessed based on their electrochemical efficiencies, H2 generation capacities and the composition of anodic biofilm communities. pH imbalances, ionic losses and cathodic overpotentials were taken into consideration together with changes to substantial AEM properties (particularly ion-exchange capacity, ionic conductivity, area- and specific resistances) before and after AEMs were applied in the process to describe their potential impact on the behavior of MECs. It was concluded that the MECs which employed the PSEBS CM DBC membrane provided the highest H2 yield and lowest internal losses compared to the two other separators. Therefore, it has the potential to improve MECs.

Improving biotreatability of hazardous effluents combining ZVI, electrolysis and photolysis.

In this work, nine types of combination advanced oxidation processes/zero-valent iron (AOP-ZVI) were tested, in order to determine if any of these combinations demonstrate good chances as pretreatment for the biological degradation processes of organochlorinated pollutants. To do this, the changes undergone in the respirometric behavior, toxicity and short-term biodegradability were compared. The three AOPs studied were anodic oxidation with mixed metal oxides anodes (AO-MMO), with boron doped diamond anodes (AO-BDD) and photolysis and they were evaluated in three different modes: without any addition of ZVI, with ZVI-dehalogenation as pre-treatment and with ZVI-dehalogenation simultaneous to the AOP treatment. Clopyralid has been used as a model of chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutant. Results show that technologies proposed can successfully treat wastes polluted with clopyralid and the biological characteristics of the waste are significantly modified by dehalogenating the waste with ZVI, either previously to the treatment or simultaneously to the treatment, being the information provided by the three techniques very important in order to evaluate later combinations of the advanced oxidation technologies with biological treatments.

Stability-indicating analytical method of quantifying spironolactone and canrenone in dermatological formulations and iontophoretic skin permeation experiments.

A simple, stability-indicating, chromatographic method of quantifying spironolactone (SPI) and its metabolite, canrenone (CAN), in the presence of excipients typical in dermatological formulations and skin matrices in studies of passive and iontophoretic permeation was proposed and validated here. SPI and CAN were separated using a reversed-phase column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Data were collected with a UV detector at 238 and 280 nm, with retention times of 6.2 and 7.9 min for SPI and CAN, respectively. The method was precise, accurate and linear (r2 > 0.99) in a concentration range of 1-30 µg/mL, and recovery rates of SPI and CAN from the different skin layers exceeded 85%. The method was not only sensitive (LOD of 0.05 and 0.375 µg/mL and LOQ of 0.157 and 1.139 µg/mL for SPI and CAN, respectively) but also selective against skin matrices and highly representative components of topical formulations. The method moreover demonstrated SPI's degradation in iontophoresis by applying Pt-AgCl electrodes and its continued drug stability using Ag-AgCl electrodes. Altogether, the method proved valuable for quantifying SPI and CAN and may be applied in developing and controlling the quality of dermatological products.

Nivel de satisfacción sobre la seguridad y complicaciones a cuatro años de la introducción de la técnica Microelectrólisis Percutánea (MEP®) Sport como práctica fisioterapéutica / Vigilância em segurança e complicações quatro anos após a introdução da técnica Microeletrólise Percutânea (MEP®) Sport como prática fisioterapêutica / Surveillance on safety and complications four years after the introduction of Percutaneous Microelectrolisis (MEP®) Sport technique as a physical therapy practice

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar la experiencia de los fisioterapeutas formados en microeletrólisis percutánea sport y conocer la cantidad de aplicaciones realizadas semanalmente, los efectos adversos presentados y el nivel de satisfacción de los terapeutas con sus pacientes. Se realizó una encuesta que evaluó la opinión y la experiencia de profesionales certificados en microelectrolisis percutánea sport. Los datos fueron obtenidos a través de la plataforma virtual SurveyMonkey, enviando por correo electrónico una invitación a 1.096 fisioterapeutas de América Latina. Respondieron el cuestionario 315 profesionales, entre los cuales 165 (56,51%) atienden de uno a cinco pacientes por semana. Las respuestas sobre efectos adversos fueron: nunca he tenido complicaciones (56,79% - 159 respuestas); choque hipotensivo (19,64% - 55 respuestas.); alergia al metal (5,36% - 15 respuestas). Los sitios/patologías a que más se aplican la microelectrolisis percutánea sport son: tendón rotuliano (10,77% - 198 respuestas.); tendón de aquiles (9,58% - 176 respuestas); tendón supraespino (9,36% - 172 respuestas.); fascitis plantar/espolón calcáneo (8,05% - 148 respuestas.); y puntos-gatillo (7,18% - 132 respuestas.). La satisfacción de los profesionales fue: satisfecho (51,87% - 152 respuestas) y muy satisfecho (40,96% - 120 respuestas). Las respuestas de los pacientes fueron: satisfecho (61,90% - 182 respuestas) y muy satisfecho (29,93% - 88 respuestas). La técnica MEP se aplica principalmente en tendinopatías y produce resultados satisfactorios y muy satisfactorios tanto para los pacientes como para los terapeutas, con baja presencia de efectos adversos.

RESUMO O objetivo do trabalho é pesquisar sobre a experiência dos fisioterapeutas formados em MEP Sport, conhecer a quantidade de aplicações realizadas semanalmente, os efeitos adversos que tenham sido apresentados e o nível de satisfação dos terapeutas com seus pacientes. Realizou-se uma enquete de perguntas mistas que avaliam a opinião e experiência de profissionais certificados em MEP Sport. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da plataforma virtual SurveyMonkey, enviando por correio eletrônico um convite a 1.096 fisioterapeutas da América Latina. Responderam 315 profissionais, destes, 165 (56,51%) atendem de um a cinco pacientes por semana. As respostas sobre efeitos adversos foram: nunca tive complicações (56,79% - 159 respostas); choque hipotensivo (19,64% - 55 respostas.); alergia ao metal (5,36% - 15 respostas). Os locais/patologias em que mais se aplicam MEP são: T. rotuliano (10,77% - 198 respostas.); T. Aquiles (9,58% - 176 respostas.); T. supraespinhoso (9,36% - 172 respostas.); fascite plantar/esporão calcâneo (8,05% - 148 respostas.); e pontos gatilhos (7,18% - 132 respostas.). A satisfação dos profissionais foi: satisfeito (51,87%, 152 respostas.) e muito satisfeito (40,96%, 120 respostas). As respostas dos pacientes foram: satisfeito (61,90%, 182 respostas.) e muito satisfeito (29,93%, 88 respostas). A técnica MEP é aplicada principalmente em tendinopatías e produz resultados satisfatórios e muito satisfatórios tanto para os pacientes quanto para os terapeutas, com baixa presença de efeitos adversos.

ABSTRACT This work aims to recollect information about the experience of physical therapists trained in MEP Sport, to know how many treatments they did per week, the adverse effects that might have appeared and the patients and therapists' satisfaction. A mixed multiple choice survey with the option of choosing one or more alternatives to assess the opinion and experience of physical therapists trained in MEP Sport was carried out. SurveyMonkey was used for data collection. The invitations were sent by email to 1.096 physical therapists of Latin America. The survey was answered by 315 professionals, of whom 165 (56,51%) treat 1 to 5 patients per week. The answers about adverse effects were: I've never had adverse effects: 159 answers (56,79%), Hypotensive shock: 55 answers (19,64%), Allergy to metal 15 answers (5,36%). The most common areas/conditions where the MEP is applied are: Patellar tendon (10,77% - 198 answ.), Achilles tendon, (9,58% - 176 answ.), Supraspinatus tendon (9,36% - 172 answ.), Plantar fasciitis/Calcaneal spurs (8,05% - 148 answ.), Trigger points (7,18% - 132 answ.). The professionals' satisfaction was: Satisfied (51,87%, 152 answ.) and Very Satisfied (40,96%, 120 answ.). Patients' satisfaction was: Satisfied (61,90%, 182 answ.) and Very satisfied (29,93%, 88 answ.). MEP is applied mainly in tendinopathies and produces satisfactory and very satisfactory results, both for patients and professionals, with low incidence of adverse effects.

Electrolysis with diamond anodes of the effluents of a combined soil washing - ZVI dechlorination process.

In this work, a new soil washing process in which Soil-Liquid extraction technology is enhanced by adding iron particles (zero valent iron nanoparticles or granules) was investigated to remove clopyralid from spiked soils. This novel approach can be efficiently used to extract chlorinated hydrocarbons from soil and aims to obtain soil-washing wastes with low content of hazardous chlorinated species. The iron particles used were subsequently removed from the treated soil using magnetic fields. Then, the complete mineralization of the produced soil washing effluents was successfully achieved by applying anodic oxidation with diamond anodes in an electrochemical flow cell. Results demonstrated that, opposite to what it was initially expected, no improvements in the efficiency of the electrochemical process were observed by adding iron particles during the soil washing. This behavior is explained in terms of the lower electrochemical reactivity of the dechlorinated derivatives produced. Although results are not as promising as initially expected, it does not mean a completely negative outcome for the use of ZVI during washing, because the hazardousness of the pollutants is rapidly decreased in the initial stages of the soil-washing, opening the possibility for the combination of this technology with other processes, such as biological treatment.

Improving the catalytic effect of peroxodisulfate and peroxodiphosphate electrochemically generated at diamond electrode by activation with light irradiation.

Boron doped diamond (BDD) anode has been used to oxidatively remove Rhodamine B (RhB), as persistent organic pollutant, from synthetic wastewater by electrolysis, photoelectrolysis and chemical oxidation containing sulfate and phosphate as supporting electrolytes. RhB is effectively oxidized by electrolysis and by chemical oxidation with the oxidants separately produced by electrolyzing sulfate or phosphate solutions (peroxodisulfate and peroxodiphosphate, respectively). The results showed that light irradiation improved the electrolysis of RhB due to the activation of oxidants under irradiation at high current densities. Meanwhile, the efficiency of the chemical oxidation approach by ex situ electrochemical production of oxidants was not efficient to degrade RhB.

Interaction between municipal solid waste leachate and Bauru aquifer system: a study case in Brazil.

Leachate contamination is a chronic and urgent problem present in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. Geochemical mathematical models in this work was suitable to study the dynamics of the leachate from an MSW landfill located in the Midwest of Sao Paulo, Brazil, a region with high precipitation and temperature and rich in chalcophile compounds and lithophile compounds, despite contamination with nitrogenous compounds. After 13 years of local aquifer monitoring, some groundwater samplings in Feb. 2004, Aug. 2007, Nov. 2009, and Feb. 2014 were chosen to be simulated. The hydrolysis is the main process at the landfill, together with absorption, adsorption, complexation, dilution, cation exchange, and oxidation, besides nitrification, reoxidation, and reduction.