Simulation and optimization of a CHP biomass plant and district heating network

Conference (2013, July)

Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants connected to district heating (DH) networks are recognized nowadays as a very good opportunity to increase the share of renewable sources into energy systems ... [more ▼]

Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants connected to district heating (DH) networks are recognized nowadays as a very good opportunity to increase the share of renewable sources into energy systems. However, as CHP plants are not optimized for electricity production, their operation is profitable only if a sufficient heat demand is available throughout the year. Most of the time, pre-feasibility studies are based on peak power demand and business plans only assume monthly or yearly consumption data. This approach usually turns out to overestimate the number of operating hours or oversize the plant capacity. This contribution presents a methodology intended to be simple and effective that provides accurate estimations of economical, environmental and energetic performances of CHP plants connected to district heating networks. A quasi-steady state simulation model of a CHP plant combined with a simulation model of the district heating network installed on the Campus of the University in Liège (Belgium) is used as an application framework to demonstrate the effectiveness of the selected approach. Based on the developed model and actual consumption data, several scenarios for energy savings are considered and ranked. The potential energy savings and resulting energy costs are estimated enabling more general conclusions to be drawn on the opportunity of using district heating networks in urban districts for Western Europe countries. [less ▲]

L'éruption de la fin. Emotion, mort et conscience dans la préface aux Damnés de la terre

Conference (2013, June 26)

Impacts and mechanisms of action of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the hermaphroditic freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Doctoral thesis (2013)

Adverse impacts exerted by molecules called endocrine disruptors on reproduction have been extensively described in vertebrates. However, endocrine-disrupting chemicals might alter reproduction of ... [more ▼]

Adverse impacts exerted by molecules called endocrine disruptors on reproduction have been extensively described in vertebrates. However, endocrine-disrupting chemicals might alter reproduction of invertebrate species, at lower concentrations or through different modes of action, with consequences on population growth and stability. Among invertebrates, molluscs have been shown to be very sensitive to endocrine disruptors and were therefore proposed as model species for the development of OECD guideline for the testing and the assessment of reprotoxic effect of chemicals, including EDCs. The hermaphrodite gastropod species Lymnaea stagnalis is a candidate species for the development of such guidelines. In this context, the aim of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of the impacts and the mechanisms of action of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the reproduction of L. stagnalis. The chemicals tested in the present work were chosen based on their interactions with the endocrine system of vertebrates. Testosterone is the natural ligand of the androgen receptor in vertebrates. Three different molecules were selected for their antagonism of the androgen receptor in vertebrates: the synthetic steroid cyproterone acetate, the dicarbamide fungicide vinclozolin and the organophosphate insecticide fenitrothion. Chlordecone is an organochlorinated pesticide, which binds oestrogen receptors in vertebrates. Finally, two organotin compounds, triphenyltin and tributyltin, are able to induce the development of imposex, imposition of male sex organs in females, in gonochoric gastropod molluscs. Results of the present work are divided into two main sections. Firstly, we investigated the impacts of the selected chemicals on the reproduction of L. stagnalis. Our results displayed that TBT, TPT, and chlordecone are able to induce adverse impacts on the reproduction of L. stagnalis through a reduction of the cumulative number of eggs and clutches produced per individual. The assessment of the quality of eggs produced showed that exposure to the chemicals, except TPT, increases the frequency of abnormal eggs laid. The impacts on egg quality were observed at lower concentrations than those affecting the classical reproductive endpoints assessed in reprotoxicity tests in this species. Our results highlight that the implementation of egg quality as an endpoint should increase the sensitivity of the reprotoxicity test with L. stagnalis. The second section of results aims at providing new insights on the mechanisms of action of putative endocrine disruptors in L. stagnalis. Results from chapter 3 and 4 allowed us to select chemical treatments (testosterone, tributyltin, cyproterone acetate, and chlordecone) that induced adverse effects, by interacting with the endocrine system, on the reproduction of L. stagnalis. In Chapter 5, we analysed endogenous concentrations of testosterone, in its free and esterified forms, in the reproductive organs of L. stagnalis. Exposure to waterborne testosterone has confirmed that molluscs can take up this steroid from environmental media and that a homeostatic regulation of endogenous concentrations occurs through the esterification of steroids to fatty acid esters. Moreover, our results support that testosterone is endogenously synthesised in L. stagnalis, as it has been suggested in other mollusc species. However, the impacts on the reproduction and the modifications of endogenous concentrations of testosterone reported in this thesis could not be associated. In chapter 6, proteomic experiments were used to identify proteins differently expressed in reproductive organs of L. stagnalis exposed to testosterone, tributyltin, cyproterone acetate, and chlordecone. Modifications in the expression of three proteins involved in L. stagnalis reproduction (i.e., ovipostatin, yolk ferritin and PIWI) could be associated with the alterations of reproductive endpoints reported in chapters 3 and 4, therefore suggesting possible endocrine disruption mechanisms. Altogether, the results obtained in the present work provide evidences of interactions between chemicals and the endocrine system of this hermaphrodite species. Moreover, the additional sensitive reproductive endpoints described in this thesis (i.e., egg quality) as well as the identification of particular proteins (i.e., ovipostatin, yolk ferritin and PIWI) and their differential expression patterns following chemical exposure, provide reliable tools to screen potency of toxicants to be endocrine disruptors in a partial life cycle test on the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis. [less ▲]

Primo @ ULg : Implémantation de Primo 4.1 à l'ULg

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

Multiscale computational homogenization methods with a gradient enhanced scheme based on the discontinuous Galerkin formulation

in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics & Engineering (2013), 260

When considering problems of dimensions close to the characteristic length of the material, the size e ects can not be neglected and the classical (so–called first–order) multiscale computational ... [more ▼]

When considering problems of dimensions close to the characteristic length of the material, the size e ects can not be neglected and the classical (so–called first–order) multiscale computational homogenization scheme (FMCH) looses accuracy, motivating the use of a second–order multiscale computational homogenization (SMCH) scheme. This second–order scheme uses the classical continuum at the micro–scale while considering second–order continuum at the macro–scale. Although the theoretical background of the second–order continuum is increasing, the implementation into a finite element code is not straightforward because of the lack of high–order continuity of the shape functions. In this work, we propose a SMCH scheme relying on the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method at the macro–scale, which simplifies the implementation of the method. Indeed, the DG method is a generalization of weak formulations allowing for inter-element discontinuities either at the C0 level or at the C1 level, and it can thus be used to constrain weakly the C1 continuity at the macro–scale. The C0 continuity can be either weakly constrained by using the DG method or strongly constrained by using usual C0 displacement–based finite elements. Therefore, two formulations can be used at the macro–scale: (i) the full–discontinuous Galerkin formulation (FDG) with weak C0 and C1 continuity enforcements, and (ii) the enriched discontinuous Galerkin formulation (EDG) with high–order term enrichment into the conventional C0 finite element framework. The micro–problem is formulated in terms of standard equilibrium and periodic boundary conditions. A parallel implementation in three dimensions for non–linear finite deformation problems is developed, showing that the proposed method can be integrated into conventional finite element codes in a straightforward and e cient way. [less ▲]

Copper phthalocyanine blue pigments in conservation

Doctoral thesis (2013)

The phthalocyanine family, and more specifically the copper phthalocyanines (CuPcs) are the most important blue and green artists’ pigments from the end of the 20th century. This thesis focuses on the ... [more ▼]

The phthalocyanine family, and more specifically the copper phthalocyanines (CuPcs) are the most important blue and green artists’ pigments from the end of the 20th century. This thesis focuses on the CuPc blue pigments used in the artists’ paint formulations. CuPc blue extensive use as modern artists’ pigment and its implications in conservation science are pointed out. Their discovery, chemical composition, molecular structure and general properties are also reviewed. Additionally, the polymorphism and the influence of the crystal form on the final properties of the phthalo blue pigments are discussed. A methodology using non-destructive techniques and statistical analysis is then presented. This new procedure allows the identification of the CuPc crystal form in paint layers and is suitable for artwork analysis. Some CuPc polymorphs are prone to crystallization defects in presence of aromatic solvents, leading to a reduction of color strength and a shift in hue. Crystallization resistance of the CuPc polymorphs has then been assessed by means of crystallization tests performed on dry pigments and on paint films. Case studies are then presented. La famille Soler by Picasso has been studied by imaging and non-invasive analytical techniques. The successive underlying compositions have been revealed and the pigments used for the different compositions have been characterized. Then micro-samples taken from Delvaux’s paintings and Francis and Lichtenstein’s studio paints have been analyzed to characterize the blue pigments preferred by these artists. The crystal form of the phthalo blue pigments identified from four micro-samples taken from two Léger and Pechstein fake paintings have been investigated as well. Finally, the historic phthalo blue samples from the Getty Conservation Institute Reference Collection have been studied. [less ▲]

Satellitenbasiertes Kollisionsvermeidungssystem

Scientific conference (2013, June 12)

Gegenwärtig entwickelt die RWTH Aachen University im Rahmen des Projekts "Galileo above" (Anwendungszentrum für bodengebundenen Verkehr ) ein Kollisionsvermeidungssystem (Collision Avoidance System, CAS ... [more ▼]

Gegenwärtig entwickelt die RWTH Aachen University im Rahmen des Projekts "Galileo above" (Anwendungszentrum für bodengebundenen Verkehr ) ein Kollisionsvermeidungssystem (Collision Avoidance System, CAS) unter Einbeziehung von Galileo-Daten. Ziel des CAS ist - wie der Name suggeriert - Fahrzeuge zu erkennen, die sich auf Kollisionskurs mit dem eigenen Fahrzeug befinden und automatisch eine kollisionsvermeidende Maßnahme (Bremsen und/oder Lenken) einzuleiten, insofern der Fahrer nicht rechtzeitig reagiert. Der begrenzte Erfassungsbereich und die Einschränkungen, der die verwendete kosten-optimierte Sensorik unter unterschiedlichsten Umgebungsbedingungen unterliegt, sind häufig ein begrenzender Faktor für die Realisierbarkeit und Robustheit von Fahrerassistenzsystemen (FAS). Der Einsatz von GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) in Verbindung mit einer digitalen Karte und Fahrzeug-zu-Fahrzeug- bzw. Fahzeug-zu-Infrastruktur-Kommunikation bietet das Potenzial, den Erfassungsbereich der Sensorik deutlich zu erweitern und diese unter schwierigen Umgebungsbedingungen zu stützen. Für die Entwicklung des CAS wird das Galileo Testzentrum automotiveGATE in Al-denhoven genutzt. Das automotiveGATE erweitert das Aldenhoven Testing Center um sogenannte Pseudoliten (Pseudo-Satelliten), welche Galileo-ähnliche Navigati-onsdaten in einem begrenzten Gebiet ausstrahlen. Das automotiveGATE ermöglicht somit die Entwicklung und Erprobung von Galileo-basierten Applikationen vor der Inbetriebnahme des eigentlichen Galileo-Satellitennavigationssystems. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags werden Erläuterungen zur Perzeption und Sensorfusion, zur Deeskalationsstrategie und Eingriffsentscheidung sowie zu Testergebnissen bei Auffahrsituationen des CAS gegeben. [less ▲]

Distribution and identification of molecular interactions between tomato roots and bacterial biofilms

Poster (2013, June 12)

Some non-pathogenic microorganisms evolving in the root micro-environment can trigger a positive effect on plant, increasing host defense against disease or/and directly inhibiting growth of pathogen in ... [more ▼]

Some non-pathogenic microorganisms evolving in the root micro-environment can trigger a positive effect on plant, increasing host defense against disease or/and directly inhibiting growth of pathogen in soil (1). To initiate both phenomena leading to biocontrol activity, microorganisms use plant exudates to grow on roots and to produce in-situ active compounds. In Bacilli, cyclic lipopeptides of the surfactin, iturin and fengycin families represent important antibiotics involved in biocontrol (2). Recent studies in microbiology allowed a better understanding of plant microorganism interactions but few has been done at the molecular level. In this study, MALDI MS imaging has been used to study the nature of the secreted lipopeptide molecules, their relative quantity and their distribution in the root’s environment.Disinfected tomato seeds were first germinated at 28°C in sterile conditions for germination. Seedlings were then placed in Petri dish on ITO glass slide recovered with a thin layer of plant nutritive solution containing 1,75% of agar and treated with freshly-grown cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S499. Petri dishes were incubated at 28°C with a 16h photoperiod. Different growth / incubation durations were studied: 10/3; 13/7; 21/14 and 39/32. For MALDI imaging experiments, the ITO slide was removed from the agar and dried in a dessiccator under vacuum. (HCCA, 5mg/mL in ACN/0.2% TFA 70:30) was used as matrix. UltraFlex II TOF/TOF and Solarix FT-ICR mass spectrometers were used to record molecular cartographies and perform MS/MS experiments for structural analysis purposes. The average mass spectra recorded around the tomato root (2-3 mm on both sides of the root) showed that lipopeptides were major compounds detected on the agar. The relative intensity of lipopeptides families varied with respect to the age of the root/biofilm system. In the 10/3 system, 3 homologues of surfactins were essentially detected (C13, C14 and C15), with very few iturins and fengycins. Their localizations were identical, whatever the considered homologue. Then the production of iturin and fengycin families increases in older systems (13/7 and 21/14) and a novel homologue of surfactin is detected (C12). Some variations in localizations within families may be observed (around the root or at the close vicinity of it in function of the considered homologue or alkali adduct). Then for the oldest system we studied, iturins and fengycins are not detected anymore and the localization of surfactins is less precise. In the 39/32 system, we also detected unknown compounds at 986.6, 1000.6, 1014.7 and 1028.7 m/z. The mass range of these compounds allied to the mass difference between two consecutive ion peaks let us think that these unknown compounds could be a new lipopeptide family. Tandem mass spectrometry experiments, performed on the dried culture medium, allowed to partially sequence these new lipopeptides. MS/MS results allied to exact mass measurements and isotopic pattern simulation give good confidence in the chemical structure we suggest. Nevertheless, to fully identify these new variants of surfactin, micro-extractions followed by (LC)-nano-ESI-MS/MS using a LESA module are in progress. MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging becomes a tool to decipher inter-species molecular communication. [less ▲]

Structural characterization of disulfide-bridged-peptides by a combined use of ETD and Ion-Mobility mass spectrometry

Poster (2013, June 11)

Chemlook, an iterative boltzmann stochastic method to predict the conformation and structural lability of small biomolecules

Poster (2013, June 10)