Solar thermal energy application to dry reforming of methane on the open-cell foam to enhance the energy storage efficiency of a thermochemical fluidized bed membrane reformer: modelling and simulation

The hydrodynamic characterization of the solar-driven CO2 reforming of methane through b-SiC open-cell foam in a fluidized bed configuration is performed by reacting Methane (CH4) with carbon dioxide (CO2). The mathematical modelling is important to design and optimize the reforming methods. Usually, the reforming methods's application through b-SiC foam bed improves the heat transfer and mass transfer due to high porosity and surface area of the b-SiC foam. Fluidized Bed Membrane (FBM) Reformers can be substantially studied as a promising equipment to investigate the thermochemical conversion of CH4 using CO2 to produce solar hydrogen. This work has as main objective a theoretical modelling to describe the process variables of the solar-driven CO2 reforming of methane in the FBM reformer. The FBM reformer is filled with b-SiC open-cell foam where the thermochemical conversion is carried out. The model variables describe the specific aims of work and these objectives can be identified from each equation of the developed mathematical model. The present work has been proposed to study two specific aims as (i) The effective thermal conductivity's effect of the solid phase and (ii) molar flows of chemical components. The endothermic reaction temperature's profiles are notably increased as the numeral value of the effective thermal conductivity's effect of the solid phase. is rised. The solar-driven CO2 reforming method is suggested to improve the Production Rate (PR) of H2 regarding the PR of CO.

O-EGS08 Endoluminal Vacuum Therapy (EVT) for leaks in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract; 10-years’ experience in a specialist Oesphagogastric centre

Background Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) is an emerging treatment strategy for UGI leaks. When compared to traditional treatments strategies EVT is reported to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with delayed presentation and established sepsis. We report the outcomes for patients with UGI leaks and perforations treated with EVT using an ad-hoc endoluminal vacuum device (EVD) in a tertiary UK hospital over a 10-year period. Methods Sixty-seven patients with UGI leaks from disparate causes were treated with EVT between April 2011 and July 2021. The ad-hoc EVD was constructed using a piece of open cell foam sutured around the distal end of a nasogastric tube, and placed endoscopically either through the perforation and into the extra-luminal leak cavity OR intraluminally depending on the morphology of the leak cavity. Continuous negative pressure (125mmHg) was applied. Endoscopic re-evaluation of the leak cavity with change of EVD was performed every 48-120 hours depending on the patients clinical condition. Information related to treatment and outcome was recorded prospectively. Results Patients had a median age of 66 years (range 23-92), and median Apache II score of 21 (range 4-36) at presentation. Fifty-two leaks were oesophageal (78%), 12 gastric (18%), 2 duodenal (3%), and 1 pharangeal (1%). The leak cause was anastomotic in 26 (39%), iatrogenic in 20 (30%), spontaneous in 19 (28%), and traumatic in 2 (3%). The median number of EVD changes required to heal the leak was 6 (range 1-27), and median length of hospital stay was 42 days (range 1-182). Successful resolution of the leak was achieved in 59 patients (88%). Eight (12%) patients died during treatment. There were no complications related to insertion of the EVD. Conclusions EVT is an effective treatment for UGI leaks which can be delivered safely in a tertiary oesophagogastric centre, and used to treat a wide range of leak causes in critically unwell patients. Further studies are required to develop a standardized procedure to improve the ease with which EVT can be delivered. This will enable broader adoption of EVT for this group of patients.

Viscoplastic flow of functional cellular materials with use of peridynamics

The subject of the study is the deformation of the oxygen-free high conductivity copper. The copper sample is given in the form of a foam. The sample undergoes an impact into an elastic wall. The strain rate hardening effect is investigated. The numerical model of the open-cell foam skeleton is prepared in the framework of the peridynamics method. The dynamic process of compression with different impact velocities is simulated. It has been found that the strain rate hardening effect is essential for the load-carrying capacity of the material under study. Taylor impact test of solid cylinder analysis precedes the analysis of the metallic foam.

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE ENDOTHERMIC PROCESS OF THE STEAM REFORMING OF METHANE IN A FIXED BED REFORMER

Thermochemical Packed-Bed (TPB) reformer has been substantially studiedin the past years as a promising equipment to investigate thethermochemical conversion of methane (CH4). This work has as mainobjective a theoretical modelling to describe the process variables of SteamReforming of Methane (SRM) method in the TPB reformer. The TPBreformer is filled with β-SiC open-cell foam where the thermochemicalconversion of CH4 is carried out. The model variables describe the specificaims of work and these objectives can be identified from each equation ofthe developed mathematical model. This work has been proposed to studytwo specific aims as (i) the effective thermal conductivity's effect of thesolid phase (λs,eff.) and (ii) molar flows of chemical components. Theendothermic reaction temperature's profiles are notably increased as thenumeral value of λs,eff. is raised. The Steam Reforming of Methane (SRM)method is suggested to improve the Production Rate (PR) of H2 regardingthe PR of CO. As results, the PR of H2 is of 29.48% while the PR of CO isof 2.76%.