scholarly journals Toward a more sustainable mining future with electrokinetic in situ leaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (18) ◽  
pp. eabf9971
Author(s):  
Evelien Martens ◽  
Henning Prommer ◽  
Riccardo Sprocati ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
Xianwen Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Environmental Footprint ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Metal Mining ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ore Bodies

Metals are currently almost exclusively extracted from their ore via physical excavation. This energy-intensive process dictates that metal mining remains among the foremost CO2 emitters and mine waste is the single largest waste form by mass. We propose a new approach, electrokinetic in situ leaching (EK-ISL), and demonstrate its applicability for a Cu-bearing sulfidic porphyry ore. In laboratory-scale experiments, Cu recovery was rapid (up to 57 weight % after 94 days) despite low ore hydraulic conductivity (permeability = 6.1 mD; porosity = 10.6%). Multiphysics numerical model simulations confirm the feasibility of EK-ISL at the field scale. This new approach to mining is therefore poised to spearhead a new paradigm of metal recovery from currently inaccessible ore bodies with a markedly reduced environmental footprint.

Simulations of In-Situ Upgrading Process: Interpretation of Laboratory Experiments and Study of Field-Scale Test

SPE Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (06) ◽  
pp. 2711-2730
Author(s):  
A.. Perez–Perez ◽  
M.. Mujica Chacín ◽  
I.. Bogdanov ◽  
A.. Brisset ◽  
O.. Garnier
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Solid Residue ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
Scale Test

Summary In–situ upgrading (IU) is a promising method of improved viscous– and heavy–oil recovery. The IU process implies a reservoir heating up and exposure to a temperature higher than 300°C for a time period long enough to promote a series of chemical reactions. The pyrolysis reactions produce lighter oleic and gaseous components, while a solid residue remains underground. In this work, we developed a numerical model of IU using laboratory experience (kinetics measurements and core experiments) and validated the results by applying our model to an IU field–scale test published in the literature. Finally, we studied different operational conditions in a search for energy–efficient configurations. In this work, two types of IU experimental data are used from two vertical–tube experiments with Canadian bitumen cores (0.15 and 0.69 m). A general IU numerical model for the different experimental setups has been developed and compared with experimental data, using a commercial reservoir–simulator framework. This model is capable of representing the phase distribution of pseudocomponents, the thermal decomposition reactions of bitumen fractions, and the generation of gases and residue (solid) under thermal cracking conditions. Simulation results for the cores exposed to a temperature of 380°C and production pressure of 15 bar have shown that oil production (per pseudocomponent) and oil–sample quality were well–predicted by the model. Some differences in gas production and total solid residue were observed with respect to laboratory measurements. Computer–assisted history matching was performed using an uncertainty–analysis tool with the most–important model parameters. To better understand IU field–scale test results, the Shell Viking pilot (Peace River) was modeled and analyzed with the proposed IU model. The appropriate gridblock size was determined and the calculation time was reduced using the adaptive mesh–refinement (AMR) technique. The quality of products, the recovery efficiency, and the energy expenses obtained with our model were in good agreement with the field test results. In addition, the conversion results (upgraded oil, gas, and solid residue) from the experiments were compared with those obtained in the field test. Additional analysis was performed to identify energy–efficient configurations and to understand the role of some key variables (e.g., heating period and rate and the production pressure) in the global IU upgrading performance. We discuss these results, which illustrate and quantify the interplay between energy efficiency and productivity indicators.

An implicit scheme for simulation of free surface non-Newtonian fluid flows on dynamically adapted grids

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-176
Author(s):  
Kirill Nikitin ◽  
Yuri Vassilevski ◽  
Ruslan Yanbarisov
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Newtonian Fluid ◽  
Viscoelastic Fluid ◽  
Fluid Flows ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Implicit Scheme ◽  
New Approach

Abstract This work presents a new approach to modelling of free surface non-Newtonian (viscoplastic or viscoelastic) fluid flows on dynamically adapted octree grids. The numerical model is based on the implicit formulation and the staggered location of governing variables. We verify our model by comparing simulations with experimental and numerical results known from the literature.

scholarly journals Neuroimmune Response Mediated by Cytokines in Natural Scrapie after Chronic Dexamethasone Treatment

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Isabel M. Guijarro ◽  
Moisés Garcés ◽  
Pol Andrés-Benito ◽  
Belén Marín ◽  
Alicia Otero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prion Diseases ◽  
Global Approach ◽  
Profile Data ◽  
Dexamethasone Treatment ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Natural Scrapie ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

The actual role of prion protein-induced glial activation and subsequent cytokine secretion during prion diseases is still incompletely understood. The overall aim of this study is to assess the effect of an anti-inflammatory treatment with dexamethasone on different cytokines released by neuroglial cells that are potentially related to neuroinflammation in natural scrapie. This study emphasizes the complex interactions existent among several pleiotropic neuromodulator peptides and provides a global approach to clarify neuroinflammatory processes in prion diseases. Additionally, an impairment of communication between microglial and astroglial populations mediated by cytokines, mainly IL-1, is suggested. The main novelty of this study is that it is the first one assessing in situ neuroinflammatory activity in relation to chronic anti-inflammatory therapy, gaining relevance because it is based on a natural model. The cytokine profile data would suggest the activation of some neurotoxicity-associated route. Consequently, targeting such a pathway might be a new approach to modify the damaging effects of neuroinflammation.

scholarly journals Moving Consumers along the Innovation Adoption Curve: A New Approach to Accelerate the Shift toward a More Sustainable Diet

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4477
Author(s):  
Antje Gonera ◽  
Erik Svanes ◽  
Annechen Bahr Bugge ◽  
Malin Myrset Hatlebakk ◽  
Katja-Maria Prexl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Food System ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Environmental Footprint ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Dietary Shift ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Sustainable Diet

Unsustainable food production and consumption contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Adopting a more plant-based diet has been identified as a necessary change toward a more sustainable food system. In response to the call for transdisciplinary research on the sustainability of food consumption, this exploratory study combined consumer science, nutrition and health, sustainability research, and innovation to develop a new approach that can accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable diet. Quantitative data on the eating habits and attitudes of 1785 consumers was combined with data on environmental impacts via a life cycle assessment for different consumer segments. We studied the sustainable dietary shift using the diffusion of innovation theory, as well as qualitative and quantitative approaches. We identified and characterized seven consumer segments and related habits and attitudes toward an increase in plant-based foods and meat reduction. The nutritional quality and the environmental footprint of the segments’ dinners showed large differences. The results indicate that moving consumers along the innovation adoption curve with targeted interventions can reduce the environmental footprint of people’s diets and improve dietary health. We also discussed the value of user-centric innovation tools for the translation of insights into interventions by working with personas.

scholarly journals An Unconventional Field Mapping Application: A Complete Opensource Workflow Solution Applied to Lithological Mapping of the Coatings of Cultural Heritage

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
Niccolò Iandelli ◽  
Massimo Coli ◽  
Tessa Donigaglia ◽  
Anna Livia Ciuffreda
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Coating Materials ◽  
Historical Building ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Photo Interpretation ◽  
Organization Management ◽  
Field Mapping ◽  
Lithological Mapping ◽  
Entire Amount

The conservation of a primary importance historical building requires organization, management, continuous updating, comparison, and visualization of a large amount of data of different nature and origin. In relation to these aspects the use of a GIS brings various advantages including single and univocal management of the entire amount of existing data in a relational, dynamic, updatable and queryable way. The integration of a mobile solution permits the updating of the dataset and checking on site all information. The workflow presented uses opensource solutions, desktop and mobile, which allows the creation of an unconventional lithological Field Mapping activity: starting from photo interpretation and in situ survey, all the coating materials (stone, etc.) of some monuments of primary historical and cultural interest have been mapped (i.e., Duomo di Firenze, Duomo di Prato). The product can be considered as a lithological cartography, vertically oriented, processed by field surveys, geognostic surveys and photo interpretation. All combined to create a “lithological” mapping of the coatings of the various monuments; the advantage is a new approach for conservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage. The proposed workflow involves a mobile solution, opensource, that allows the verification and management of the database in the field.

scholarly journals Effects of Infills in the Seismic Performance of an RC Factory Building in Pakistan

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Nisar Ali Khan ◽  
Giorgio Monti ◽  
Camillo Nuti ◽  
Marco Vailati
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Building Codes ◽  
Construction Technique ◽  
Infill Walls ◽  
Mortar Strength ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Seismic Response Of Buildings

Infilled reinforced concrete (IRC) frames are a very common construction typology, not only in developing countries such as Pakistan but also in southern Europe and Western countries, due to their ease of construction and less technical skills required for the construction. Their performance during past earthquakes has been in some cases satisfactory and in other cases inadequate. Significant effort has been made among researchers to improve such performance, but few have highlighted the influence of construction materials used in the infill walls. In some building codes, infills are still considered as non-structural elements, both in the design of new buildings and, sometimes, in the assessment of existing buildings. This is mainly due to some difficulties in modeling their mechanical behavior and also the large variety of typologies, which are difficult to categorize. Some building codes, for example, Eurocode, already address the influence of infill walls in design, but there is still a lack of homogeneity among different codes. For example, the Pakistan building code (PBC) does not address infills, despite being a common construction technique in the country. Past earthquake survey records show that construction materials and infill types significantly affect the seismic response of buildings, thus highlighting the importance of investigating such parameters. This is the object of this work, where a numerical model for infill walls is introduced, which aims at predicting their failure mode, as a function of some essential parameters, such as the friction coefficient between mortar and brick surface and mortar strength, usually disregarded in previous models. A comprehensive case study is presented of a three-story IRC frame located in the city of Mirpur, Pakistan, hit by an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 on 24 September 2019. The results obtained from the numerical model show good agreement with the damage patterns observed in situ, thus highlighting the importance of correctly modeling the infill walls when seismically designing or assessing Pakistani buildings that make use of this technology.

scholarly journals Non-dispersive UV Absorption Spectroscopy: A Promising New Approach for in-situ Detection of Sulfur Dioxide

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan-Lukas Tirpitz ◽  
Denis Pöhler ◽  
Nicole Bobrowski ◽  
Bruce Christenson ◽  
Julian Rüdiger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sulfur Dioxide ◽  
Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Uv Absorption ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Uv Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
In Situ Detection

A new approach to arylhydrazides via the reaction of the Mitsunobu reagent with arynes: further application to access diverse nitrogen-containing heterocycles in one pot

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 1636-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Cheng ◽  
Bian Bao ◽  
Yanhe Chen ◽  
Ning Wang ◽  
Yun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
One Pot ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Mild Conditions ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Active Intermediates

A new route to arylhydrazides involving the reaction of two highly active intermediates, the 1,3-zwitterion generated in situ from the Mitsunobu reagent and arynes, under mild conditions has been developed.

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