Simulation of a kinetic model integrated with variable catalyst holdup applied in industrial fluid catalytic cracking risers

The importance of the axial catalyst holdup on the accurate prediction of reaction yields from Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) risers was explored in this study. The Kunii and Levenspiel model was incorporated in the FCCU riser simulations for predicting the solid holdup. Two approaches were compared – the popular one assuming Constant Holdup (CH) and the other incorporating Variable Holdup (VH) in the reaction kinetics models. Simulation predictions using these two approaches were fitted to the yield profiles obtained from industrial plant data reported in the literature. The kinetic parameter estimates, including frequency factors and coking parameters obtained from these two approaches, were quite similar, indicating insensitivity to catalyst holdup. However, the kinetic model incorporating VH expression could predict the plant conversion and yield to within ±10% error throughout the riser. In contrast, the CH model led to predictions that were rather erroneous (>±25%) at the riser bottom as the catalyst particle acceleration zone was neglected. Temperature, gas density, catalyst particle, and gas phase velocity profiles obtained from the VH approach were considerably different from those obtained using the CH approach. The VH approach showed that the slip factor, especially, was quite distinct as it reached a peak value before decaying exponentially. On the other hand, the CH model showed a monotonic increase in slip factor along the riser.

Simplified Model for Evaluation of Hydropower Plant Conversion into Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant

Increasing capacity of intermittent generation brings new challenges to balance demand and supply in power systems. With retirement of conventional fossil generation, the role of energy storage is increasing. One of the most competitive storage technologies is pumped storage hydropower plant (PSHP). Usually, such PSHPs are constructed as green field solutions, but in some cases conversion of a hydropower plant into a pump storage hydropower plant by building a pump station is possible. To evaluate the feasibility of such modernisation it is necessary to estimate the benefits of PSHP operation. The simplified model was developed for simulation of charging and discharging cycles of PSHP in Latvian power system and trading electricity in Nord Pool power exchange. The nature of this task is stochastic as the price volatility has a trend to increase with expansion of wind and solar power plant capacity. Results of PSHP operation simulation were then used in the economic model to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed conversion.

Indirect Somatic Embryogenesis and Cryopreservation of Agave tequilana Weber Cultivar ‘Chato’

Agave tequilana Weber cultivar ‘Chato’ represents an important genetic supply of wild severely in decline populations of ‘Chato’ for breeding and transformation programs. In this work, the indirect somatic embryogenesis and cryopreservation of Somatic Embryos (SEs) were investigated using the ‘Chato’ cultivar as a study case. Methods: Embryogenic calli were induced by the cultivation of 1 cm of young leaves from in vitro plants on MS semisolid medium supplemented with 24.84, 33.13, 41.41, 49.69, and 57.98 μM 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2- pyridinecarboxylic acid (picloram) in combination with 2.21, 3.32, and 4.43 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The origin and structure of formed SEs were verified by histological analysis. Cryopreservation studies of SEs were performed following the V-cryoplate technique and using for dehydration two vitrification solutions (PVS2 and PVS3). Results: The highest average (52.43 ± 5.74) of produced SEs and the Embryo Forming Capacity (estimated index 52.43) were obtained using 49.69 µM picloram and 3.32 µM BAP in the culture medium. The highest post-cryopreservation regrowth (83%) and plant conversion rate (around 70%) were achieved with PVS2 at 0 °C for 15 min. Conclusion: Our work provides new advances about somatic embryogenesis in Agave and reports the first results on cryopreservation of SEs of this species.

Long-Term Maintainable Somatic Embryogenesis System in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Using Leaf Explants: Embryogenic Sustainability Approach

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is one of the most important forage legume crops because of its mass production and high feeding value. It originated in Asia and is one of the most ancient plants cultivated throughout the world as a fodder. Despite the well-studied somatic embryogenesis of alfalfa, there is a lack of a long-term maintainable somatic embryogenic system. Every time an embryogenic callus culture must be started from new explants, which is laborious, costly and time consuming. In addition to this, endogenous microorganisms present in ex vitro explants of alfalfa can often cause contamination, reducing the efficiency of callus culture. An attempt was made to establish long-term continuous somatic embryogenesis system in alfalfa using cultivar Regen-SY. Nine somatic embryogenesis pathways were studied and evaluated for embryo yield, plant conversion rate and embryogenic sustainability. Somatic embryos passed through the same stages (globular, heart-shaped, torpedo and cotyledonary) as characteristic of the zygotic embryo and secondary somatic embryogenesis was also observed. B5H-B5 system showed the highest embryo yield and plant conversion rate whereas SH4K-BOi2Y system demonstrated the highest embryogenic sustainability and maintained the embryogenic potential even after six subculture cycles. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to study the morphology of the somatic embryos and secondary somatic embryogenesis. Therefore, long-term maintainable somatic embryogenesis system protocol was developed through this study, which will help to enhance and accelerate the alfalfa biotechnology research.

Indirect somatic embryogenesis from transgenic immature leaf of safflower Carthamus tinctorius (Mohler, Roth, Schmidt & Boudreaux, 1967) (Asterales: Asteraceae)

Highly efficient protocol is developed for indirect somatic embryogenesis from transgenic immature leaf of safflower Carthamus tinctorius (Mohler, Roth, Schmidt & Boudreaux, 1967) (Asterales: Asteraceae) explants in solid culture. Here two different half strength mediums like MSG and EMM both were tested in addition to inorganic and organic nitrogen sources and also combination of the reference medium. Inorganic nitrogen source shows about 39.5 number of embryos with 37% embryo germination and organic Nitrogen source like L-glutamine (20 uM) on reference medium influenced 80.5 number of somatic embryos with 44.9% germination. However, maximum of 92.0 number of embryo induction with 52.5% germination was noticed on CH (casein hydrolysate) (1.5 mg/L) containing medium. Combination of inorganic and organic nitrogen sources like NH4NO3 (40 uM) in combinations with reduced form of organic nitrogen casein hydrolysate (CH) (1.5 mg/L) was found to be most suitable for induction of somatic embryos with a maximum of 117 number of somatic embryos with 60.9% germination in immature leaf explants. About 57% plant conversion rate showed in NARI-6 cultivar after 2 weeks of culture. However it showed maximum plant conversion rate about 68% with basal medium along with 1.5% sucrose supplemented with GA3 (1.5 uM) and spermidine (1.0 uM). Germinated embryos with shoot and root poles were isolated and subcultured on suitable root induction medium containing NAA (2.5 uM) + AgNO3 (1.5 uM) showed maximum rooting frequency of about 69.6%.

Energy Conservation Via Greywater Reuse for Power Plant Cooling and Wastes Minimization

Sustainable engineering brings about multidisciplinary solutions to environmental, sociocultural, and economic needs. Sustainable methods and technologies ensure the effectiveness of products, designs, and infrastructure, and minimize waste. Managing waste is critical in the successful practice of sustainable engineering. Success in the implementation of a waste management program must consider a very important strategy, namely, waste reduction which is highly dependent on social stewardship, education, and waste conversion. A sustainable program mix must include public policy, health management, and engineering. This paper presents a number of proven sources and techniques for wastes minimization and conversion and a discussion about the development of effective decision-making tools to implement the most feasible and cost-effective applications. Specifically, the conversion of waste as a resource is presented including the use of wastewater (greywater) for condenser cooling in a power plant; conversion of restaurant grease into biodiesel; the use of phosphate mine tailings as a road surface material; recycling and reuse of glass, metal, and plastics; reuse of rare metals from discarded computers; and the use of cattle waste as building materials. In all of these, the conservation of energy is realized practically. More emphasis has been focused on the use of greywater because it has direct impact on the energy–water nexus.