Method to determine instantaneous transient responses in pressurized pipes from transfer functions and state space for evaluation of leak signals.

This article addresses the impact of transient pressure anomalies in hydraulic systems, triggered by the opening or closing of valves or pumps, instantly disturbing the line of hydraulic gradient (LGH). This variation in pressure has significant consequences both in hydraulic and structural terms for water networks. Most of the existing techniques to detect transients in water distribution systems use asynchronous methods, generating timeless information that limits the response capacity in critical situations. Therefore, an automatic transient detection system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) is proposed, capable of identifying overpressure or underpressure pulses in soft real-time, activating alarms to facilitate decision-making. This approach helps maintain the safety of the water distribution system and prevent leaks in the network. Furthermore, a model of the transient behavior of pressure and flow is presented by linearizing the water hammer equations from the Laplace transform, thus generating a transfer function that describes the algebraic relationship between the outlet and inlet of the hydraulic system.•The transient analysis of the hydraulic system prototype underscores its high sensitivity to initial conditions, attributed to turbulence. This observation suggests the possible presence of a dynamic strange attractor related to water hammer phenomena in pressure pipes.•The methodology involving transfer functions and state-space models enables the assessment of how leaks impact the transient responses of the system, including the magnitude, duration, and frequency of disturbances generated by them.•The proposed method introduces a dynamic transfer function capable of identifying instantaneous changes over time in terms of flow and pressure.

Method for phase space reconstruction to estimate the short-term future behavior of pressure signals in pipelines.

In this study, we propose a method based on phase space reconstruction to estimate the short-term future behavior of pressure signals in pipelines. The pressure time series data were obtained from an IoT experimental model conducted in the laboratory. The proposed hydraulic system demonstrated the presence of traces of weak chaos in the time series of the pressure signal. Fractal dimension analysis revealed a complex fractal structure in the data, indicating the existence of nonlinear dynamics. Similarly, Lyapunov coefficients, divergent trajectories, and autocorrelation analysis confirmed the presence of weak chaos in the time series. The results demonstrated the existence of apparently chaotic patterns that follow the theory proposed by Kolmogorov for deterministic dynamic systems that exhibit apparently random behaviors. Phase space reconstruction allowed us to show the dynamic characteristics of the signal so that short-term predictions were stable. Finally, the study of strange attractors in pipeline pressure time series can have significant contributions to anomaly detection.•A methodology is proposed for the reconstruction of the phase space to estimate the short-term future behavior of pressure signals in pipelines in real time.•The analysis of the proposed hydraulic system revealed some indications of weak chaos in the time series of the pressure signal obtained experimentally.•The methodology implemented and the results of this study showed that the short-term predictions were very accurate and consistent; Chaotic patterns were also identified that support the theory proposed by Kolmogorov.

Gestión ambiental en hospitales públicos: aspectos del manejo ambiental en Colombia / Environmental management in public hospitals: Environmental management in Colombia

Resumen Introducción. La actividad de los hospitales genera impactos ambientales que sin un manejo adecuado originan riesgos para la salud humana y ambiental; por esta razón, es necesaria una gestión ambiental hospitalaria que no solo se enfoque en el manejo de los residuos sólidos, sino que incluya todos los aspectos ambientales asociados a la actividad de las instituciones de salud. Objetivos. Revisar los aspectos de la gestión ambiental en los hospitales públicos para identificar alternativas de manejo ambiental y aspectos por mejorar. Materiales y métodos. Estudio cualitativo de corte descriptivo, con diseño transversal, que identifica algunas de las características más relevantes de la gestión ambiental en hospitales. Resultados. Se identificó que el enfoque generalizado de la gestión ambiental en los hospitales corresponde al manejo de los residuos sólidos hospitalarios y se descuidan otros aspectos que producen un impacto ambiental negativo en el ambiente próximo como consumo de energía, consumo de agua, manejo de alimentos y manejo de medicamentos, entre otros. Conclusiones. Los hospitales pueden aplicar instrumentos de gestión ambiental más amplios que incluyan análisis de ciclo de vida de sus servicios y productos, seguimiento a la huella de carbono y que tengan en cuenta las diferentes áreas de impacto ambiental de su operación.

Abstract Introduction: Activities in hospitals have environmental impacts which may pose risks to human and environmental health if they are not managed correctly. For this reason, it is necessary to implement an environmental management plan in hospitals that not only focuses on solid waste management but includes all aspects associated with health within institutions. Objective: To review environmental management aspects related to public hospitals in order to identify environmental management alternatives and aspects to improve. Materials and methods: Descriptive qualitative study with cross-sectional design, which identifies some of the most important characteristics of environmental management in hospitals. Results: The general approach to environmental management in hospitals is related to the management of solid waste, and other aspects that have a negative environmental impact on the surrounding areas, such as energy and water consumption, food handling and medication waste, among others, are not properly addressed. Conclusions: Hospitals can apply broader environmental management instruments, including life cycle analysis of their products and services and monitoring of the carbon footprint; they may also take into account the different areas of environmental impact of their operation.

Residuos hospitalarios: indicadores de tasas de generación en Bogotá, D.C. 2012-2015 / Hospital waste: Generation rates in Bogotá, 2012-2015

Resumen Introducción. La generación de residuos provenientes de actividades hospitalarias en grandes centros urbanos requiere de una gestión integral, la cual implica conocer sus características de producción. Objetivo. Establecer indicadores de desempeño en la gestión de residuos hospitalarios a partir de las tasas de generación y la clasificación de los residuos hospitalarios de Bogotá, D.C. del año 2012 al 2015. Materiales y métodos. El estudio fue cualitativo de corte descriptivo-prospectivo con diseño transversal y se realizó a partir de información secundaria obtenida de los hospitales en Colombia. Resultados. De acuerdo con la información analizada, entre los años 2012 y 2015 se generaron 2 727 947 toneladas de residuos hospitalarios en Bogotá, D.C., de los cuales 45% fueron residuos no peligrosos (reciclables y ordinarios) y 55% residuos peligrosos (infecciosos, químicos y peligrosos administrativos). Conclusiones. Las tasas de generación de residuos observadas superan el cálculo de 40% presentado por el Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible y otras fuentes que reportan un porcentaje de 10-15% para residuos peligrosos.

Abstract Introduction: The generation of waste by hospital activities in large urban areas requires comprehensive management, which involves knowing its production characteristics. Objective: To establish performance indicators for the management of hospital waste based on generation rates and hospital waste classification in Bogotá D.C. in the period 2012 - 2015. Materials and methods: Qualitative descriptive-prospective study, with cross-sectional design performed based on secondary information obtained from hospitals in Colombia. Results: According to the information analyzed, between 2012 and 2015 2 727 947 tons of hospital waste were generated in Bogotá D.C; 45% of waste corresponded to non-hazardous waste (recyclable and ordinary) and 55% to hazardous waste (infectious, chemical and dangerous administrative waste). Conclusions: The waste generation rates observed exceed by 40% the calculation presented by the Ministry of Environment and other sources reporting a percentage of 10-15% for hazardous waste.

Valoración económica en salud y medio ambiente del control de contaminantes orgánicos persistentes en Colombia / Economic assessment in health and environment from control of persistent organic pollutants in Colombia

Objetivo Estimar los beneficios económicos en salud y ambientales relacionados con la implementación del Convenio de Estocolmo para el control de Compuestos Orgánicos Persistentes (COP) en el país. Método La estimación se realizó teniendo en cuenta dos escenarios: cumplimiento del convenio y no cumplimiento del Convenio y el beneficio bruto se derivó de la diferencia en valor presente entre los costos en salud y ambientales que se asumen en cada escenario. Resultados Los beneficios brutos por la disminución de gastos en salud derivados de la implementación del Convenio se estiman entre USD $511 y USD $501 millones. Al introducir variables como los costos de gestión del convenio y los posibles beneficios por acceso a mercados internacionales, los beneficios para el país se estiman entre USD $1631 y USD $3118 millones. Discusión A pesar de los beneficios económicos generados por menores gastos en salud con la aplicación del Convenio, los costos asociados a la reducción de estos contaminantes, generan un balance negativo, que solo es compensado al cruzar estas cifras con la expectativa de mayores ingresos por acceso a mercados internacionales. Se considera que esta valoración económica como un primer ejercicio es un aporte importante, pero que debe ser actualizado a la luz de metodologías de valoración que involucren otras variables de rentabilidad social y diferentes escenarios por tecnologías emergentes, nuevo conocimiento sobre estos contaminantes, cambios en la legislación y/o cambios en las condiciones de tratados internacionales, entre otros.(AU)

Objective To estimate the economic benefits related to environment and health in the context of the implementation of the Stockholm Convention for the control of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the country. Method: The estimation was conducted based on two scenarios: non-compliance with the agreement and compliance with the Convention. Gross profit was derived from the difference in present value between the health and environmental costs that are assumed in each scenario. Results Gross profit by decreasing health costs arising from the implementation of the Convention was estimated at USD $ 511 and USD $ 501 million. By introducing variables such as management costs and agreement on potential benefits for access to international markets, the benefits to the country were estimated at between USD $1631 and USD $ 3118 million. Discussion Despite the economic benefits generated by lower expenditure on health for the Convention implementation, the costs associated with reducing pollutant emissions generated a negative balance, compensated only by the expectation of higher revenues for international market access. We consider this initial economic assessment an important contribution, but it should be reviewed to include valuation methodologies involving other social profitability variables and different scenarios for emerging technologies, new scientific knowledge about these pollutants, changes in legislation and / or changes in trade agreement conditions, among others.(AU)