1,721,116 research outputs found
The role of simulation in neonatal and pediatric training and research
Full text linkFrom a pediatric perspective, the two main types of simulation-based research are: studies that assess the efficacy of simulation as a training methodology and studies where simulation is used as an investigative methodology.
Aim of the study. Overall, the aim of the research activity is to inquire the use of simulation as investigative methodology in pediatric and neonatal settings.
Study design: Previously, we investigated the current use of simulation in pediatric fellowships in Italy in order to understand the state of the art and the expectations of pediatric residents with regard to simulationbased training and research. Furthermore, we developed suitable simulated scenarios for pediatric training and research. As second step, we evaluated technical (TS) and non-technical (NTS) skills in a sample of Italian pediatric residents using a neonatal resuscitation scenario;
Finally, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of NeoTapAS in reliably determining HR from auscultation in a high-fidelity simulated newborn resuscitation scenario.
Results and future perspectives: Firstly, we highlighted that an extremely high percentage of pediatric italian residents spent less than 5 hours/year in simulation-based education. Secondly, the mean compliance to last ILCOR recommendations about neonatal resuscitation was 59 % and a very low compliance (< 30%) was observed for a number of important technical items. Finally, NeoTapAS showed a good accuracy in estimating HR and it could be an important resource for neonatologists in delivery room resuscitation As future perspective, we designed a new simulation-based multi-center research (“Simarrest ”) in collaboration with University of Padua in order to identify gaps about in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest management in a standardized setting
An alternative methodology to treat solar radiation data for the optical efficiency estimate of different types of collectors
No full text
Microalgae cofiring in coal power plants: Innovative system layout and energy analysis
No full textThis paper investigates the smart integration of a 500 ha microalgae culturing facility with a large scale coal power plant (758.6 MWe): a fraction of the CO2 contained in the coal plant flue gases is used for the algal cultivation, a fraction of the low-temperature flue gas heat available is used for the biomass drying, finally the produced biomass is co-fired in the coal plant. The produced algal biomass represents approximately 1% of the boiler heat input.Through the solution of energy and mass balances of each plant component, the overall system performances in terms of net energy ratio (NER) and CO2 emissions reduction are obtained. The computed NER (1.92) guarantees an energy harvest almost twice the energetic cost needed to produce the microalgal fuel. The total CO2 emissions are reduced of approximately 0.48%, identifying microalgae cofiring as a solution able to reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation. A simplified economic analysis has allowed an estimate of the algal system investment cost (about 235 k€ ha-1) and of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) (554.4 € MWh-1). A set of sensitivity analyses is finally performed to investigate the influence of the initial hypotheses on the results
Comparison of Two Linear Collectors in Solar Thermal Plants: Parabolic Trough Versus Fresnel
No full text
Techno-economic assessment of small-scale solar tower plants with modular billboard receivers and innovative power cycles
Full text linkThis work investigates performances and costs of various configurations of 5 MWel solar tower CSP plants, located in Sicily. The design of the plants aims at comparing two solar towers concepts (i.e., a single tower and modular towers), both adopting billboard receivers. A sensitivity on various heat transfer fluids (i.e., solar salt and sodium), storage fluids (solar salt and NaCl-MgCl2) and power block technologies (i.e., steam Rankine and sCO2 cycles) is also proposed. For each investigated plant configuration, tailored numerical models are presented to assess the performances of each plant subsystem (e.g., solar field, receiver, piping system, power cycle). The results show very competitive LCOE (between 160 and 180 $/MWhel), achievable with satisfactory capacity factors (around 55%), while suggesting good profitability levels for such investments in small scale CSP plants
Techno-Economic Analysis and Optimal Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Cycle Configuration for Novel Concentrating Solar Power Plants Adopting Tubular Fluidized Particles Central Receivers
Full text linkComparison of Different Strategies for Heliostats Aiming Point in Cavity and External Tower Receivers
No full textThis paper investigates different strategies for the reduction of peak heat fluxes on the receiver of a solar tower plant through the variation of the heliostats aiming points. The analysis is performed for two different solar tower receivers and heliostat field layouts. The innovative aspect of the work is in the methodology proposed: the effect of different aiming points is evaluated at different sun positions, and the yearly optical efficiency is calculated to determine drawbacks in terms of energy production. The optical simulation of the solar plant is performed with delsol through a matlab suite to easily manage the input and output. Preliminary assessments showed that the most important displacement is the vertical one, and the variation of the aiming point is important for the rows that are closer to the tower. With the appropriate strategy, the peak heat flux can be reduced by about 40% with limited spillage increase compared to the reference case. This result is similar for the two investigated plants, and it is confirmed also at different sun positions. The yearly optical efficiency with the optimal aiming strategy is reduced by less than 0.5% points. Future analysis will assess potential cost reductions and thermal efficiency increase brought about by the proposed strategies. Copyright © 2016 by ASME
- …
