Closed Adsorption Heat Storage—A Life Cycle Assessment on Material and Component Levels

Closed adsorption storages have been investigated in several projects for heat storage in building applications with focus on energy density and performance. This study complements this research with the assessment of the environmental impacts over the life cycle. Global warming potential (GWP) was chosen as the assessment criterion. Selected sorption materials in combination with water as the refrigerant were analyzed first by themselves and then embedded in a generic storage configuration. Sensible storage in water served as the reference benchmark. Results on material and component level showed that the relative storage capacity compared to water under realistic operating conditions reached values of below 4 and 2.5, respectively, in the best cases. Since the effort for producing the sorbents as well as the auxiliary material demand for assembling storage components was significantly higher than in the reference case, the specific environmental impact per storage capacity also turned out to be ~2.5 to ~100 times higher. We therefore suggest focusing sorption storage research on applications that (a) maximize the utilization of the uptake of sorbents, (b) do not compete with water storages, and (c) require minimal auxiliary parts.

Spatial distribution of bottom sediment deposits in water reservoirs at Zesławice

Spatial distribution of bottom sediment deposits in water reservoirs at Zesławice Spatial distributions of bottom sediment deposits in two small water reservoirs located on the River Dłubnia at Zesławice is presented in this paper. The distribution was elaborated according to Dendy's method on the basis of results of silting measurements performed in the 2005. Horizontal and vertical distribution of sediment deposits was shown as relation between the relative volume of deposited sediments (Sh/S) and relative storage capacity of the reservoir (Vh/V); the vertical distribution of sediment deposits was presented as relation between the relative volume of deposited sediments (Sv/S) and relative reservoir depth (D/Dm). On the basis of performed analysis of horizontal distributions of sediment deposits it was stated that in the main reservoir at Zesławice 58% of the sediment trapped in the reservoir was accumulated in the inflow (upstream part of the reservoir, whose relative volume is 0.25). In the inflow section of the assistant reservoir of relative storage capacity equal 0.22 only 29% of the sediment was deposited. Comparing curves of horizontal sediment deposits distribution in the main reservoir in its inflow part according to measurement data from the 2005 and 1986 i.e. from a comparable period of operation before desilting and building of an assistant reservoir it was stated that relative volumes of sediment trapped after desilting are over 40% higher than before desilting. In a comparable period of operation before desilting (measurement in the 1983) and after desilting (measurements in the 2005) i.e. after seventeen and sixteen years respectively in the main reservoir the accumulated sediments formed an isle - the value Sv/S equaling 0.09 for D/Dm equal 0 in consequence of a change of hydraulic conditions of water and sediment flow - due to a part of inflowing water of the River Dłubnia being directed to the assistant reservoir.

Determination of sulfobromophthalein excretion in rabbits

The excretion of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) is determined by hepatic uptake (storage capacity) and secretion (transport maximum). We calculated the BSP excretion data in six rabbits by measuring the rate of rise of BSP at various infusion rates. The relative storage capacity was determined to be 0.34 +/- 0.13 mg.mg-1.dl-1.kg-1. The transport maximum was calculated to be 0.91 +/- 0.12 mg.min-1.kg-1. These results compare closely with previously reported results using more direct measurements that require anesthesia and surgical cannulation of the biliary tree. Repeated studies were easily performed. Our method provides a reliable and simple technique to study the effects of various conditions or substances on BSP excretion in conscious, unanesthetized rabbits.

Effect of Clofibrate on the Metabolism of Bilirubin, Bromosulphophthalein and Indocyanine Green and on the Biliary Lipid Composition in Gilbert's Syndrome

1. Clofibrate (20 mg day−1 kg−1 body weight) given orally for 2 weeks to 18 subjects with Gilbert's syndrome reduced the total serum bilirubin concentration from 44.4 (22.1–71.7) μmol/l (median, range) to 15.0 (7.9–28.9) μmol/l, mainly by decreasing the ‘indirect’ fraction to 34.5% of pretreatment values. 2. In contrast to treatment with phenobarbitone, clofibrate did not change the ratio of bilirubin mono- to di-conjugates in bile. 3. The initial plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green and of bromosulphophthalein did not show consistent changes during clofibrate treatment but the ‘apparent’ maximal biliary secretion capacity of bromosulphophthalein (Tm) decreased in most of the patients studied, whereas the relative storage capacity (S) tended to increase. 4. As expected, the cholesterol saturation of bile increased in all subjects. 5. These results suggest that clofibrate increases mainly the glucuronidation of bilirubin, promoting as such the overall hepatic transport in Gilbert's syndrome. However, it decreases the maximal biliary secretion of bromosulphophthalein, possibly by an increased hepatic retention. These phenomena might be linked to the augmented content of Z protein in the liver.

An Evaluation of Bilirubin Kinetics with Respect to the Diagnosis of Gilbert's Syndrome

1. The kinetics of the plasma disappearance of bilirubin (2 mg/kg intravenously) were studied in 106 patients with Gilbert's syndrome and in 13 normal subjects. 2. All patients had significant decreases in hepatic bilirubin clearance and transfer rates from plasma to liver, resulting in increased values for plasma retention at 4 h. The calculated value for unconjugated bilirubin production was normal in 40% of patients and increased in the remainder. 3. In 29 of the Gilbert's patients their bromosulphthalein kinetics were studied 1 week before the bilirubin test. These results were essentially normal and it was concluded that the hepatic clearance mechanisms for bilirubin and bromosulphthalein are different. 4. In 10 patients the bilirubin transport maximum (Tm) was found to be low whereas the relative storage capacity (S) was normal. Phenobarbitone treatment in four patients resulted in an increase in Tm, and S decreased in two patients and remained unchanged in the other two. 5. These results support the hypothesis that there are several variants of Gilbert's syndrome and that the bilirubin tolerance test is a useful diagnostic test.