Social Performance Part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Performance Part 2 - Essay Example Companies have set up a code of conduct which ensures smooth operations hence success. Different codes of conduct are used such as Legal and Ethical Responsibility to the Company (Atkins, 2006). This code has further divisions such as Responsibility for Compliance whereby the stakeholders of the company have the responsibility to read and understand this code and to abide by it in both spirit and letter. All records, information and data owned and used by the company must be complete and accurate at all times as explained in the records and reporting (Atkins, 2006). The code of Proper Use of Company Assets gives the employees of various power companies the responsibility of protecting the Company’s assets against misuse, theft and loss (Balmer, 1983). The second code of conduct among the similar power companies is the Additional Legal and Ethical Responsibilities which include commodity marketing and trading whereby they are complying with the set marketing rules (Atkins, 2006). The environment Commitment code enables the company to conduct its business in a manner which is environmentally friendly (Balmer, 1983). The company must comply with the environmental regulations, laws and standards. Privacy of employee information encourages confidentiality of employee’s information (Atkins, 2006). Code of Intellectual Property gives protection to the company’s intellectual property in accordance with federal and state laws (Balmer, 1983). The Antitrust Code is designed to protect consumers from unfair business arrangements and to preserve competition among enterprises (Balmer, 1983). In the Code of Conflicts of Interests, the employees must be careful so that they are not involved in activities that may conflict with their abilities to take action that are useful to the company (Balmer, 1983). The most vital one is the compliance with other rules, laws and regulations such as

The Nurse' Responsability in the Prevention of Medical Errors Essay - 1

The Nurse' Responsability in the Prevention of Medical Errors - Essay Example Errors can happen at any part of the healthcare organization. Understanding that errors take place, learning from such mistakes, and putting an effort to avoid potential or future errors embodies an important development in the healthcare system, a transition from a culture of sanctions and ‘pointing fingers’ to examination of the underlying reasons for errors and techniques to enhance procedures and mechanisms. All healthcare providers have a part in guaranteeing a safe environment for staffs and patients. This essay specifies four strategies on how nurses can prevent medication errors, namely, (1) knowing their patients, (2) knowing the medications, (3) communicating, (4) dealing carefully with medications that look and sound the same. Introduction Nurses carry out several of the major chores in medical or clinical settings; they are usually assigned to most patient services. Due to their substantial interaction with patients, nurses have the opportunity to serve a maj or function in the discovery of medical errors and the growth of a safe medical environment. This essay discusses four measures that nurses can take in order to prevent medical errors, namely, (1) knowing their patients, (2) knowing the medications, (3) communicating, (4) dealing carefully with medications that look and sound the same. Four Strategies to Prevent Medical Errors Researchers have reported that avoidable harmful medical errors take place because the nurse does not sufficiently know the patient (e.g. knowledge of a patient’s adverse reaction to several drugs) before prescribing and administering medications. Thoroughly and accurately knowing details about the patient allows nurses to identify needed and correct medications and procedures. Details like medical history, allergies, vital signs, and others are crucial in the process of monitoring the results of medications and the causal health condition (Yarbro, Wujcik, & Gobel, 2010). The nurse should properly infor m the pharmacist so that s/he can correctly identify and prepare all the prescribed medications. However, solely knowing the patient is not sufficient to avoid a medical error. The nurse should make sure of the identity of the patient before administering a medication. According to Yarbro and colleagues (2010), this can be done by making use of two patient markers, in addition to the room number of the patient. Staying up to date with new medications is vital. Being ignorant or uninformed about new medications can be as dangerous as not adequately knowing the patient. Almost all major medical errors take place because the patient obtains the incorrect medication or dosage. Mistakes in administering medication dosage often happen because of inaccuracy or miscommunication (Garber, Gross, & Slonim, 2009). In order for a nurse to acquire the latest details about medications, s/he should make use of a variety of sources (e.g. medication administration documents, dosing guidelines, drug p rocedures, textbooks, and constant communication with the pharmacists (Garber et al., 2009). Nurses should also regularly inform their patients about changes or new developments in their medications. Miscommunication is identified as a primary root of medical errors. It may be caused by the following. First is the lack of

Human genome online assignment Essay Example for Free

Human genome online assignment Essay 1) If genetic manipulation does become a reality, I think allowing non-disease characteristics to be altered would have serious ethical and social implications. Screening for diseases and treating or eradicating them totally would be a huge benefit to mankind, but to use genetic technology to produce â€Å"designer babies† will most likely lead to a social divide similar to that portrayed in the movie â€Å"Gattaca† (De Vito and Niccol, 1997). Such technology would most likely be expensive and only those who can afford it will benefit and gain undue advantage over those not fortunate enough to have the financial means to avail of the technology, leading to a social system where you have the genetically-enhanced superior class and the â€Å"inferior† citizens conceived the natural way. 2) I don’t think life insurance companies should have access to a person’s genetic information. As it is, I believe insurance policies already hold a lot of stipulations that policy holders more often than not, end up receiving the short end of the bargain. If insurance companies find out that a person has a predisposition to a disease, they could easily refuse to provide that person with insurance and that I think, would be unfair since they would be depriving that person of his need to secure financial aid in case he does get sick. In the interest of fairly sharing risks though, insurance companies may be allowed limited access to genetic information. Limited, because I believe the welfare of policy holders should still be of topmost priority and any form of discrimination against individuals should not be allowed. 3) Yes, I believe that the information from the Human Genome Project (HGP) will bring tremendous benefits to a lot of people in the next 20 years. Technology develops at a very fast pace and it is not impossible that Collins’ predictions may very well come true. Already, the underlying genetic problems responsible for certain diseases have already been identified and with the genetic map from the HGP, the causes of a lot of other afflictions will be identified and from there, therapies can and will be developed. Even though custom-made therapies will most likely be more difficult to develop and perfect, the identification of disease genes will still greatly benefit the general population (Nova Online, 2001). 4) I think we are not that prepared for the implications that will result from the applications of these information. Right now, our society is already struggling with various other ethical issues in other biotechnological fields like stem cell research and it would be too naive to ignore the present and potential issues that may arise due to the far-reaching consequences of the HGP. 5) I don’t think employers should have access to an individual’s genetic information since there is the danger that a person may be discriminated on the basis of his genetic profile. As of present, I think discrimination may be viewed as singling out an individual for what he is (e. g. his race, gender, etc. ), but to discriminate someone based on his genetic profile would also mean discriminating him for what he could be. A person can be at risk for a certain disease but that’s just it – it’s a probability, not a guarantee. Besides, it would also mean discounting a person’s capabilities in spite of whatever genetic condition he may have. There have been countless stories of people overcoming their disabilities so there is no reason that one should be discriminated or favored based on his genetic makeup. 6) I don’t think it is that surprising, especially if I consider that like me, these lower organisms are alive, so it’s really just logical that we do share something in common. Considering though how much more complex we seem to be compared to these organisms, then yes, it is surprising that we don’t seem to be that genetically different from them. 7) I believe that testing of unborn children should be confined to deleterious genes, i. e. those that have serious and possibly life-threatening consequences such as that with diseases. I believe it’s a matter of putting things in perspective. Traits and disabilities like homosexuality or color blindness may be undesirable but they really seem trivial compared to serious afflictions that may mean life or death for the child. 8) If it’s a curable or preventable disease, then I would probably be in favor of being tested so that I can take the necessary steps to prevent or prepare myself in case I do get sick. However, I can’t say that decision would be as simple in the case of non-treatable diseases, because as with the woman who tested positive for a BRCA mutation (Nova Online, 2001), knowing that I am at risk for a disease that has no cure will probably mean that I will be living my life everyday with a sword hanging over my head and it would be very hard to live life that way. 9) Yes, I would want my mate and I to be tested if we were carriers for a disease prior to having children. I wouldn’t want to take the risk of bearing a child only to have him/her suffer from the disease that we carry when we could’ve spared him/her from that difficult life. I believe that I owe it to my future child to have myself and my partner tested. 10) I don’t think genes or genomic material should be patented because as Lander has observed, apprehensions over whether a particular gene or part of the genome has already been patented has become a limiting factor in that drug companies usually wouldn’t want to take the risk of working on treatments that might already be protected by a patent (Nova Online, 2001). I believe that there are several ways that scientists can approach a disease and develop a treatment for it, so why patent genes or genomic material? Why not just let everybody have access to such information so that not only one drug company can work at a specific disease but rather several, so that there’s a better chance that one of them will be able to develop a treatment which they would then have all the right to patent? Let’s take for example the case of cystic fibrosis. The gene responsible for this disease was discovered way back in 1989 and yet no cure has been discovered up to now (Nova Online, 2001). It only goes to show that identifying the gene responsible for the disease does not automatically mean that the cure would also be discovered consequently, so why allow the burden of further limitations brought on by patents? References: De Vito, D. (Producer), Niccol, A. (Director). (1997). Gattaca [Motion Picture]. USA: Sony Pictures. NOVA Online. (2001). Cracking the code of life. Retrieved May 30, 2007, from http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/genome/program. html.

Optimization of Distillation Column Experiment

Optimization of Distillation Column Experiment Optimization of distillation column in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emission Sina Radfar[1]* * Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran Abstract The distillation is one of the energy consuming process in worlds process industry. Therefore, there must be approach for optimal use of energy and reduction of harmful gas emission such as CO2. The Aspen Plus Column Targeting Tool (CTT) options in a simulation environment can help reduce the use of energy and hence CO2 emissions. Also, the Aspen Plus Carbon Tracking (CT) together with the Global Warming Potential (GWP) options can quantify the reduction in CO2 emission. The CTT is based on the practical near minimum thermodynamic condition approximation and uses thermal and hydraulic analyses of distillation columns to identify the objects for possible column modifications. By using the CO2 emission factor data source and fuel type, the CT estimates the total CO2 emission and net carbon fee/tax on the use of a utility. In this study, by using these Aspen plus options and also using energy efficient distillation column, namely HIDiC, the way for optimization of energy consumption and CO2 emission expressed and the results compared with conventional distillation column namely RADFRAC. Finally, it was concluded that despite lower energy consumption in HIDiC, the rate of CO2 emission is twice the conventional column. Keywords: Energy-efficient Distillation column, Column targeting tool, Column grand composite curves, Carbon tracking, Global warming potential. Distillation is the most widely used industrial separation technology and distillation units consume a significant part of the total heating energy in the worlds process industry. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 40,000 distillation columns are presently in operation in the United States and consumes 4.8 quadrillion BTUs of energy 40% of the processing energy used in refining and continuous chemical processes [1] [2]. Although distillation is by far the most widely applied separation technology, its major drawback is the inevitable reduce of energy due to the temperature difference between the reboiler and condenser; which leads to a low overall thermodynamic efficiency of a distillation column, e.g., below 10% [3]. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of this unit operation is important to achieving energy savings of plant. Aspen Plus Column Targeting Tool (CTT) is based on the Practical Near-Minimum Thermodynamic Condition (PNMTC) approximation representing a pra ctical and close to reversible operation [4]. It uses thermal and hydraulic analyses of distillation columns to identify the objects for possible column modifications in: 1) stage feed location, 2) reflux ratio, 3) feed conditioning, and 4) side condensing and/or reboiling. These modifications can reduce the utility usage and improve energy efficiency. The Column Targeting Tool (CTT) option can help reduce the use of energy, while the Carbon Tracking (CT) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) options can help quantify the reduction in CO2 emission in a simulation environment. Sustainability has environmental, economic, and social dimensions and requires the responsible use of resources such as energy and reduction in CO2 emission [5]. In this study, the energy and CO2 emission as the pollutant are used as the sustainability metrics in distillation column operations. This study demonstrates how to reduce and quantify the energy consumption and CO2 emissions by using the commercial software, Aspen Plus. 2.1. Column targeting tool A practical near-minimum thermodynamic condition purposes a reversible column operation at minimum reflux with appropriate heat integration and hence negligible entropy production. To achieve this, heaters and coolers with appropriate duties must be operate at each stage; so that the   minimum reflux ratio would be result, and hence the operating line approaches the equilibrium curve. This would correspond to the distribution of reboiling and condensing loads throughout the column, and hence over the temperature range of the operation. The Aspen Plus column targeting tool for thermal analysis and hydraulic analysis is helpful in identifying the objects for appropriate modifications in order to reduce utility and capital costs by improving thermodynamic driving forces, improve energy efficiency, and decrease column bottlenecking. The column-targeting tool of Aspen Plus produces the enthalpy and the exergy loss profiles based on the practical near-minimum thermodynamic condition . The enthalpy estimations take into account the thermodynamic losses due to column design and operating conditions, such as pressure drop, multiple feed and side products, as well as side heat exchangers. The pinch point in distillation requires that there should be no side reboiling below the pinch and no side condensing above the pinch in heat-integrated columns [6]. The CTT can be activated by using the related option on the Analysis / Analysis Options sheets, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: Analysis / Analysis Options to activate the Column Targeting Tools (CTT). Results of the column targeting analysis depend strongly on the selection of light key and heavy key components in Targeting Options (Figure 2) [7]. Figure 2:   Analysis / Targeting Options with key component specification. Before designating light key and heavy key components for the column (refer to Table 1), the user runs the simulation and considers the column split-fractions, composition profiles, and component K-values displayed by the Plot Wizard. In case of multiple light and heavy key, if there is more than one light key component, the heaviest of them is selected as the light key; similarly, if there is more than one heavy key component, the lightest of them is selected as the heavy key. In the default method for this study, key components are selected based on the component K-values. The CTT has a built-in capability to select light and heavy key components for each stage of the column [4] [7]. Table 1: Selection of key components within the Targeting Options. Method Use When User defined Allows you to specify the light key and heavy key components. Based on component split fractions This method is best for sharp or near-sharp splits fractions in product streams. Based on component K-values This method is best for sloppy splits. Based on column composition profiles In principle, this method is similar to the K-value based method. It is best suited for sloppy splits and it is, in general, inferior to the K-value based method. 2.2. Column Grand Composite Curve To analyze the energy-saving potential of distillation columns, it is common to form the temperature-enthalpy and stage-enthalpy curves, called column grand composite curves. Column grand composite curves (CGCC) are based on the practical near-minimum thermodynamic condition approximation proposed by Dhole and Linnhoff [8] [9], and show the theoretical minimum heating and cooling duties within the temperature range. The stage-enthalpy calculations take into account losses or inefficiencies caused by the actual column design, such as pressure drops, multiple side products, etc. Column grand composite curves display the net enthalpies for the actual and ideal operations at each stage, and the cold and hot utility requirements. Therefore, the area between the actual and the ideal operations in a column grand composite curve should be small for a thermodynamically efficient operation. Column grand composite curves are formed by solving the mass and energy balances for a reversible column operation. Simulation packages such as Aspen Plus are making column grand composite curves readily available even for multicomponent, complex distillation column operations such as crude oil distillation. These simulators enable the process engineer to assess the performance of an existing operation and explore the possibility of reducing utility costs by improving efficiency in energy usage. Column grand composite curves can identify targets for restructuring and modification, and may be helpful in suggesting retrofits. Some of the retrofits consist of feed conditioning (preheating or precooling), feed splitting, reflux adjustments, and adding side condensers and reboilers. These retrofits purpose a practical near-minimum thermodynamic loss [6]. 2.3. Thermal analyses Thermal analysis ability is useful in identifying design objects for enhancements in energy consumption and efficiency [8] [10] [11]. In this ability, the reboiling and condensing loads are distributed over the temperature range of operation of the column. The thermal analysis of CTT produces Column Grand Composite Curves and Exergy Lost Profiles. The user makes changes to column specifications until the profiles look right based on the column targeting methodology. The CGCCs are displayed as the stage-enthalpy (S-H) or temperature-enthalpy (T-H) profiles. They represent the theoretical minimum heating and cooling requirements over the stage or temperature range of separation. This approximation takes into account the inefficiencies introduced through column design and operation, such as pressure drops, multiple side-products, and side strippers. Using the equilibrium compositions of light (L) and heavy (H) key components obtained from a converged simulation, we estimate the minimum vapor and liquid flow rates leaving the same stage with the same temperatures from the following mass balances: (1) (2) where and are the equilibrium mole fractions of liquid and vapor streams, and the minimum amounts of the liquid and vapor streams, and the distillate. The enthalpies for the minimum vapor and liquid flows are obtained from the molar flow ratios (3) (4) where and are the molar flows of equilibrium, and the enthalpies of equilibrium vapor and liquid streams leaving the same stage, respectively. From the enthalpy balances at each stage, the net enthalpy deficits are obtained   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   (before the feed stage) (5)   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   (after the feed stage) (6) After adding the individual stage-enthalpy deficits to the condenser duty, the enthalpy values are cascaded, and plotted in column grand composite curves. This is called the top-down calculation procedure, which will be the same as the bottom-up calculations for a stage without any feed. At the feed stage, mass and energy balances differ from a stage without feed, and finite changes of composition and temperature disturb the reversible operation. For the two procedures to yield similar results, the enthalpy deficit at the feed stage becomes (7) The values of and may be obtained from an adiabatic flash for a single phase feed, or from the constant relative volatility estimated with the converged compositions at the feed stage and feed quality. This procedure can be reformulated for multiple feeds and side products as well as different key components. A pinch point near the feed stage occurs for nearly all binary ideal mixtures. However, for nonideal multicomponent systems, the pinch point exists in rectifyingand stripping sections. A horizontal distance between the column grand composite curve pinch point and the vertical axis represents excess heat, and therefore the scope for reduction in reflux ratio. For smaller reflux ratios, the column grand composite curve will move toward the vertical axis, and hence reduce the reboiler and condenser duties, which may be estimated by (8) where is the heat of vaporization. The horizontal distance of the column grand composite curve from the temperature axis determines the targets for installing a side reboiler or side condenser at suitable temperatures (or stages). On the other hand, a sharp change in the enthalpy represents inappropriate feed conditioning, such as poor feed quality or nonoptimal temperature. For example, a sharp change on the reboiler side may be due to a subcooled feed, and a feed preheater can be installed. Feed conditioning is usually preferred to side condensing or reboiling, since the side heat exchangers are effective at suitable temperature levels only. Exergy () is defined the maximum amount of work that may be performed theoretically by bringing a resource into equilibrium with its surrounding through a reversible process. (9) where and are the enthalpy and entropy, respectively, and is the reference temperature, which is usually assumed as the environmental temperature of 298.15 K. A part of accessible work potential is always lost in any real process. Exergy losses represent inefficient use of available energy due to irreversibility, and should be reduced by suitable modifications [8]. Exergy balance for a steady state system is (10) where is the shaft work. As the exergy loss increases, the net heat duty has to increase to enable the column to achieve a required separation. Consequently, smaller exergy loss means less waste energy. The exergy profiles are plotted as stage-exergy loss or temperature-exergy loss. In general, the exergy loss profiles can be used as a tool to examine the degradation of accessible work due to [7] [8]: Momentum loss (pressure driving force) Thermal loss (temperature driving force) Chemical potential loss (mass transfer driving force) 2.4. Hydraulic analysis Hydraulic analysis helps identify the allowable limit for vapor flooding on the Tray Rating Design/ Pressure drop or Pack Rating Design/Pressure drop sheets. Tray or packing rating information for the entire column is necessary to activate the hydraulic analysis. In addition, allowable flooding factors (as fraction of total flooding) for flooding limit calculations can be specified. The default values are 85% for the vapor flooding limit and 50% for the liquid flooding limit. The liquid flooding limit specification is available only if the downcomer geometry is specified. The allowable limit for liquid flooding (due to downcomer backup) can be specified on the Tray Rating/Downcomers sheet [7]. The hydraulic analysis ability helps understand how the vapor and liquid flow rates in a column compare with the minimum (corresponding to the PNMTC) and maximum (corresponding to flooding) limits. For packed and tray columns, jet flooding controls the calculation of vapor flooding limits. For tray columns, parameters such as downcomer backup control the liquid flooding limits. Hydraulic analysis produces plots for flow rates versus stage and can be used to identify and eliminate column bottlenecks [7]. Graphical and tabular profiles (Figure 3 and Figure 4) help identifying targets and analysis for possible modifications by the user. The Plot Wizard (Figure 4) produces various plots including the types: Thermal analysis: The CGCC (T-H) Temperature versus Enthalpy Thermal analysis: The CGCC (S-H) Stage versus Enthalpy Exergy loss profiles: Stage versus Exergy loss or Temperature versus Exergy loss Hydraulics analysis: Thermodynamic Ideal Minimum Flow, Hydraulic Maximum Flow, Actual Flow Figure 3: Tabular profile for hydraulic analysis.   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Figure 4: Plot Wizard displays several plots as a part of Analysis and Column Targeting Tool. 2.5. Heat-Integrated Distillation Column (HIDiC) As distillation is one of the most energy-intensive units in chemical process industries, many efforts have been focused on the development of distillation systems and distillation equipment in order to improve its energy efficiency. Many complex distillation configurations have been studied and proposed to improve the energy efficiency. For example, the dividing-wall distillation column or the Petlyuk column is a complex distillation scheme which has been successfully commercialized after several decades of research. More recently, another distillation scheme called the internally heat-integrated distillation column (HIDiC) has received extensive attention. Unlike the Petlyuk column, the key idea of the HIDiC leading to considerable energy savings is the combination of direct vapor recompression scheme (VRC) and the heat integration between two diabatic sections. The diabatic section is a column section which allows heat transfer to enter or leave its stages. Its purpose is to distribute exergy loss from the main condenser or reboiler to all stages in the section, hence reducing the main utility load and the overall exergy loss of the section. If two diabatic sections with opposite directions of heat transfer are integrated, the energy requirement along both sections can then be saved. As shown in Figure 5a, the rectifying and the stripping sections are separated by the feed tray. Instead of having heat rejection only through the main condenser and heat supply through the main reboiler, the total heat rejection is distributed along the rectifying section, while the stripping section absorbs this amount of heat with similar distribution along the column. A compressor and a throttling valve are used to manipulate the pressure difference between both column sections. The rectifying pressure must be sufficiently high to provide a positive temperature driving force between both sections for feasible heat transfer along the columns. This internal heat integration between column sections can be achieved using a heat transfer equipment such as heat pipes at any stage location. The design without any thermal utility (as in Figure 5a) is called the ideal HIDiC. This scheme requires only electricity or mechanical power for compressor. However, a trim-condenser and/or trim-reboiler may be installed at the top of the rectifying and/or the bottom of the stripping sections, respectively, to enhance the process operational flexibility. The general HIDiC scheme with any trim-condenser and/o r trim-reboiler is known as the internally heat-integrated distillation column (Figure 5b) [12]. Figure 5: The ideal HIDiC (a) and the internally heat-integrated distillation column (b). 2.6. Sustainability metrics 2.6.1. Potential environmental impact This study quantifies the sustainability metrics of potential environmental impacts, which is the emissions per unit mass of product and carbon tax, by using the Aspen Plus options of (1) Carbon Tracking (CT) and (2) Global Warming Potential (GWP). Carbon tracking: In each utility block, carbon tracking allows the calculation of CO2 emissions after specifying CO2 emission factor data source and ultimate fuel source from built-in data. The CO2 emission factor data source can be from European Commission decision of 2007/589/EC or United States Environmental Protection Agency Rule of E9-5711 [13] [14]. This source can also be directly specified by the user. In this example, CO2 emission factor data source is US-EPA-Rule-E9-5711 and the fuel source is natural gas as seen in (Figure 6). The utilities used in the column include cooling water and steam. The Results Summary / Operating Costs / Utility Cost Summary sheet displays the total heating and cooling duties as well as their costs. The rate and cost of CO2 emission results would be available within the Results Summary / CO2 Emissions. Figure 6: Utilities / U-2 / Input / Carbon Tracking / Calculate CO2 emissions. Global warming potential: Aspen Plus reports greenhouse gas emissions in terms of CO2 equivalents of Global Warming Potential (GWP). CO2 is one of the greenhouse gases that cause around 20% of GWP. To use this feature one can create a property set. Prop-Set properties report the carbon equivalents of streams based on data from three popular standards for reporting such emissions: 1) the IPCCs 2nd (SAR), 2) 4th (AR4) Assessment Reports, and 3) the U.S. EPAs (CO2E-US) proposed rules from 2009 (Table 2) [13] [14]. Prop-Set properties are reported in stream reports after selected: Report Options / Streams / Property sets. The Setup / Calculation Options / Calculations sheet activates the standards for Global Warming Potential as well as Carbon fee/tax which set as USEPA (2009) and 5 $/lb, respectively. The Results sheet of each Utility block displays the CO2 equivalents emitted by this utility in each unit operation block where it is used. Table 2: Standards for reporting CO2 emissions. Standards for reporting CO2 emissions Prop-Set properties corresponding to each standard IPCC SAR (1995) CO2E-SAR IPCC AR4 (2007) CO2E-AR4 USEPA (2009) CO2E-US 2.6.2. Energy intensity This study calculates the sustainability metrics Energy intensity as nonrenewable energy per unit mass of products by using the Aspen plus Column Targeting Tool abilities of Thermal Analysis and Hydraulic Analysis. 2.7. Methods for optimization 2.7.1. Modifying the feed stage location In Aspen Plus, the condenser is the first stage, while the reboiler is the last stage. The S-H plots of CGCC can identify distortions because of inappropriate feed placements. The distortions become apparent as significant projections at the feed location called the pinch point due to a need for extra local reflux to compensate for inappropriate feed placement. A correctly introduced feed removes the distortions and reduces the condenser and reboiler duties. If a feed is introduced too high up in the column, a sharp enthalpy change occurs on the condenser side on the S-H CGCC plot; the feed stage should be moved down the column. If a feed is introduced too low in the column, a sharp enthalpy change occurs on the reboiler side on the S-H CGCC; the feed stage should be moved up the column [10]. 2.7.2. Modifying the reflux ratio The horizontal gap between the T-H CGGC pinch point and the ordinate represents the excess heat, and therefore, the scope for a reduction in reflux ratio [7]. As the reflux ratio is reduced, the CGCC will move towards the ordinate and hence reduce both the reboiler and condenser duties. However, to preserve the separation, the number of stages must increase. 2.7.3. Feed conditioning The need for an adjustment of feed quality can be identified from sharp enthalpy changes on the S-H or T-H CGCC plots. If a feed is excessively sub-cooled, the T-H CGCC plot will show a sharp enthalpy changes on the reboiler side, and extent of this change determines the approximate feed heating duty required. If a feed is excessively over-heated, the T-H CGCC plot will show a sharp enthalpy changes on the condenser side, and extent of this change determines the approximate feed cooling duty required. Changes in the heat duty of pre-heaters or pre-coolers will lead to similar duty changes in the column reboiler or condenser loads, respectively. 2.7.4. Side condensing or side reboiling Feed conditioning is usually preferred to side condensing or side reboiling. Side condensing or side reboiling is external modification at a convenient temperature level. The scope for side condensing or side reboiling can be identified from the area below and/or above the CGCC pinch point (area between the ideal and actual enthalpy profiles). This area could be reduced by integrating side condensing and/or reboiling on an appropriate stage [15]. If a significant area exists above the pinch, a side reboiler can be placed at a convenient temperature level. This allows heat supply to the column using a low-cost hot utility, hence lowering the overall operating costs. If a significant area exists below the pinch, a side condenser can be placed at a convenient temperature level. This allows heat removal from the column more effectively and by a cheaper cold utility, hence lowering the overall operating costs. Use of side condensing or reboiling cause increasing of a condenser and reboiler duties, an increase of CO2 emission, and an increase of costs (due to installing heat exchanger). Therefore, should be careful of using this. By using maintained above methods, CGCC plots achieved. Referring to these plots, optimal condition is where ideal and actual plots are overlapping (for S-H and V-S plots) or minimum exergy loss is obtaining (for S-E plot). Therefore, modifying conditions (such as feed stage location, reflux ratio, feed conditioning, and side condensing/reboiling duty) continued until overlapping or minimizing achieved. In the following, schematic of simulations and input data along with their results are coming. Figure 7: Simulation of HIDiC configuration.

Prosopagnosia: Seeing the World through Fog-Colored Glasses :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Prosopagnosia: Seeing the World through Fog-Colored Glasses With impressive consistency, the visual system, along with each accompanying component that in sum total constitutes a person, develops without error. Patterns of input impinge on complex layers of cells, with the resulting neural interpretation allowing us to negotiate the spatial world around us such that we may avoid causing harm to ourselves or to others. Various devices and techniques have been devised to allow those who are not equipped with a similarly functioning visual system to escape natural selection's discerning grasp. However, various gradations of dysfunction exist between perfect and no vision, which complicate the life of the person suffering from these disorders no less. The disorder prosopagnosia, in particular, otherwise known as "face blindness," causes a crippling deficit in a person's ability to recognize faces (1, 2, 3, 6, 7). It is a somewhat ill understood and deceiving phenomenon. Those individuals suffering from prosopagnosia are able to see perfectly well , to the extent that their perception of visual stimuli is not impaired. However, when presented with a person's face, they are utterly unable to recall having seen that face or having interacted with the person attached to it. Some people would make the distinction between prosopagnosia and facial agnosia (4, 8), with the former applying only to familiar faces while the latter applies more generally to prevent the recognition of any faces. While this might suggest memory impairment as a possible cause, evidence for perceptual deficits has been consistent (4), thereby refuting the notion that these individuals are simply not able to remember people they have encountered. Specifically, the locus of damage that results in prosopagnosia appears to be the medial occipitotemporal cortex (4), though the disorder may be congenital or acquired (2). Lesions in this somewhat posterior and deeply embedded region of the brain, suggested by some researchers to be bilateral in the instance of this disorder, would be consistent with the presented deficits in perception. However there are certain elements of the research and the disorder which seem counterintuitive. For instance, that these "face blind" individuals only ci te difficulty in recognizing familiar faces suggests that the problem may be more than just perceptual. Furthermore, there is separate evidence suggesting that visual processing occurs on a unilateral level (4), and that stimuli are perceived contralaterally. This orientation does not preclude a bilateral lesioning being at the root of prosopagnosia, however it does offer some complicating factors.

The Most Important Event in My Life Essay -- essays research papers

The Most Important Event in my Life   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most important event in my life, didn’t even happen to myself, but happened to my older sister, Becky. The reason I am writing about her is because the things that have happened to her and the things she has done in the past have affected me tremendously as well as my family. Her life used to be filled with nothing else but drugs, stealing, and lying. My family has never been the same since then.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It all started out when my very shy, self-conscious sister didn’t really fit in well. She was 16, chubby and had very few friends. One day Becky’s best friend Debbie introduced her to 19 year old guy name John. Becky and John hit it off very well and started dating by the next week. They spent all their time together; he came to our family events but was very quiet and didn’t really talk to anyone besides my sister. Over the next couple of months, my family and I saw a change in Becky. She was losing lots of weight and we questioned her and she just claimed she was on a diet, so we thought nothing else of it. We also noticed another change in Becky, she not only lost about 30 pounds in a couple of months, but every time we talked to her she had this look on her face that she was about to fall asleep, or at least pass out. She then proceeded to claim that she was tired, so again there was nothing we could do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a couple of years went by she was gaining ...

A Journal of Woe Essay

The pain was excruciating as I struggled to fight for my life under the pillow that my beloved husband had forced upon me. I remember how much it hurts as I tried to gasp for air beneath Othello’s powerful arms. I can recall those murderous eyes driven mad by jealousy and hate. For an instant, I failed to recognize the man I have fought to love. I cannot recognize that man I secretly married despite my father’s objections. For a moment, I failed to see the man who promised to love me for the rest of our lives. It all started that fateful night when Othello fired Michael Cassio from his lieutenant position. He accused me of sleeping with Cassio. The jealousy was probably most triggered when he felt that I was being too concerned with Cassio’s situation. He must have thought that my acts in favor of Cassio’s defense were signs of affection for him. He accused me of giving Cassio the handkerchief which was a gift from him. There is no way I would have given such a valuable gift to someone else! My love and affection is undividedly offered for Othello. It does not seek other men aside from him. My fidelity to my marriage and to my husband is pure and untainted. How could he even dare think of me with such immorality! However, it was too late to defend myself further, for the fire in his eyes was already consumed with too much evil to pay any heed to my cries. Yet, before death consumed what was left of my body, the image of the man I love came before my eyes. I forgive him. He is a victim and not a murderer. I know in his heart that he loves me still, and once this madness brought about by his jealousy ends, he would repent and ask for forgiveness. Or, he might end his life as well to follow me, so he can make it up to me personally—and I will be waiting on the other side.