Search

The world's largest demonstrator of a revolutionary energy system in desalination for drinking water production is in operation. MIDES uses Microbial Desalination Cells (MDC) in a pre-treatment step for reverse osmosis (RO), for simultaneous saline stream desalination and wastewater treatment. MDCs are based on bio-electro-chemical technology, in which biological wastewater treatment can be coupled to the desalination of a saline stream using ion exchange membranes without external energy input. MDCs simultaneously treat wastewater and perform desalination using the energy contained in the wastewater. In fact, an MDC can produce around 1.8 kWh of bioelectricity from the energy contained in 1 m3 of wastewater. Compared to traditional RO, more than 3 kWh/m3 of electrical energy is saved. With this novel technology, two low-quality water streams (saline stream, wastewater) are transformed into two high-quality streams (desalinated water, treated wastewater) suitable for further uses. An exhaustive scaling-up process was carried out in which all MIDES partners worked together on nanostructured electrodes, antifouling membranes, electrochemical reactor design and optimization, life cycle assessment, microbial electrochemistry and physiology expertise, and process engineering and control. The roadmap of the lab-MDC upscaling goes through the assembly of a pre-pilot MDC, towards the development of the demonstrator of the MDC technology (patented). Nominal desalination rate between 4-11 Lm-2h-1 is reached with a current efficiency of 40 %. After the scalability success, two MDC pilot plants were designed and constructed consisting of one stack of 15 MDC pilot units with a 0.4 m2 electrode area per unit. This book presents the information generated throughout the EU funded MIDES project and includes the latest developments related to desalination of sea water and brackish water by applying microbial desalination cells. ISBN: 9781789062113 (Paperback) ISBN: 9781789062120 (eBook)

The main goal of this chapter is to outline the areas for further development and research of microbial desalination cells (MDCs) for production of low energy drinking water. This chapter highlights the challenges ahead in the context of membrane and electrode development, scaling-up, construction, environmental challenges, capital and operational costs, social acceptancy and further identification of niche areas for MDCs.

The phosphorothioate structure is highly present in several organophosphorus pesticides. However, there is insufficient information about its degradation process after the release to the atmosphere and the secondary pollutants formed. Herein, the atmospheric reaction of chlorpyrifos-methyl (o,o-dimethyl o-(3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-yl) phosphorothioate), is described for semi-urban or rural locations. The photo-oxidation under low NOx conditions (5-55 ppbV) was reproduced in a large outdoor simulation chamber, observing a rapid degradation (lifetime

The gas-phase degradation of lindane (gamma-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) towards OH radical was investigated under atmospheric conditions at the large outdoor European simulation chamber (EUPHORE) in Valencia, Spain. The rate coefficient for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with lindane was measured using a conventional relative rate technique leading to a value of k(OH(lindane)) = (6.4 +/- 1.6) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 300 +/- 5 K and atmospheric pressure. The results suggest that the tropospheric lifetime of lindane with respect to OH radicals is approximately 20 days. The product distribution studies on the OH-initiated oxidation of lindane provided evidence that the major initial carbon-containing oxidation product is pentachlorocyclohexanone. 1,3-Dichloroacetone was employed as a model compound for pentachlorocyclohexanone, and an investigation of its photolysis and reaction with OH radicals under atmospheric conditions was carried out. The data indicate that the atmospheric degradation of pentachlorocyclohexanone would be relatively rapid, and would not form persistent organic compounds. Theoretical study was also employed to calculate possible degradation pathways. Mechanism for reaction of lindane with OH radicals is proposed, and C-Cl bond cleavage is discussed. OH abstraction is considered to be a reasonable way for Cl to escape during degradation. The atmospheric implications of the use of lindane as an insecticide are discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objetivos: Valorar la eficacia analgésica de la gabapentina (GBP) en pacientes con dolor raquídeo crónico (DRC), que no han respondido adecuadamente a los tratamientos farmacológicos habitualmente empleados (antiinflamatorios no esteroideos -AINE-, opioides menores o mayores, relajantes musculares, antidepresivos, etc.). Material y métodos: Se han estudiado de modo prospectivo y aleatorio 41 pacientes afectos de DRC (cervical, dorsal y/o lumbar), independientemente de su etiología, con o sin radiculopatía asociada, que no hubieran respondido previamente a los tratamientos farmacológicos habituales. No obstante, durante el estudio, por razones éticas y, en un intento de obtener la mayor eficacia analgésica posible con tales fármacos, se permitió el empleo de los mismos, aunque realizando, previamente, un reajuste de las dosis por parte de un especialista de la Unidad de Dolor. Si tras este ajuste no se obtenía una respuesta adecuada, se iniciaba el tratamiento con gabapentina de manera gradual hasta alcanzar una dosis de 300 mg cada 8 h; dicha dosis se fue incrementando hasta obtener una respuesta terapéutica (con un máximo de 2400 mg.día-1) o la aparición de efectos secundarios intolerables. A partir del inicio del tratamiento con gabapentina se realizó un seguimiento durante tres meses en el que se valoraban características del dolor, localización, irradiación, y se cuantificaba mediante una escala analógica visual -EVA- (100 mm) y test de Lattinen. Asimismo, se evaluó la calidad del sueño mediante una EVA modificada. Se recogieron también la dosis utilizadas para el control del dolor así como los efectos secundarios aparecidos y las causas de abandono. Resultados: Desde el primer mes de tratamiento y ya con dosis bajas de gabapentina se observó una mejoría significativa en los valores de la EVA del dolor, test Lattinen y calidad de sueño, incluso en aquellos pacientes en los que no existía radiculopatía asociada o dolor de características neuropáticas claras. Dicha mejora en los parámetros mencionados fue progresiva incluso sin necesidad de seguir aumentando la dosis de gabapentina. La tolerancia fue muy buena no siendo preciso interrumpir en ningún caso el tratamiento por los efectos secundarios, los cuales han sido en general leves y autolimitados. Conclusión: La gabapentina, como coadyuvante de la terapia habitual, es un fármaco eficaz en pacientes con dolor crónico raquídeo, no precisando dosis elevadas y presentando buena tolerancia con una baja incidencia de efectos secundarios.