Capital Equipment Costs Research Articles

(Invited) Impact of Cell Performance and Degradation on the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen

For electrochemical production of hydrogen to be industrially relevant it must be economically viable. As such, it is important that a reasonable understanding of the entire breadth of cost components which make up the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) should be obtained. While a precise and detailed understanding may be impossible due to costing uncertainty and a constantly changing basis, a general idea is necessary to determine the most impactful research topics. This work seeks to elucidate the impacts of cell performance on the LCOH in comparison to other aspects such as feedstock costs, capital equipment cost, and fixed business costs. Based on initial analysis it appears a doubling of current density at thermal neutral conditions, a substantial materials achievement, may reduce the LCOH by less than 5%. This infers that while improving cell performance will reduce the LCOH, it may not provide the highest return on engineering and scientific investigation.

Electroplating Additively Manufactured Honeycomb Structures to Increase Energy Absorption Under Quasi-Static Crush

Honeycomb (HC) has been used in energy absorption applications due to its high stiffness and low density. Metallic HC are used for energy absorption applications, however, these metallic structures can be challenging to manufacture if complex geometric features designed to improve energy absorption are used, which motivates the use of additive manufacturing (AM). Metal AM methods include powder bed fusion (PBF) and direct energy deposition (DED). In addition to capital equipment cost, these processes possess challenges that include a required inert environment, powder handling, final part porosity, residual stresses, and nonuniform surface finish. These concerns can be alleviated through the use of polymer AM, however, polymeric parts exhibit brittle failure and have a lower stiffness than metallic HC structures. In this study, a low-cost 3D polymer printing method, stereolithography (SLA), is combined with a conventional electroplating process to fabricate a metal-plastic composite HC structure with energy absorption capability much greater than of a plastic HC structures of the same nominal volume. SLA parts have a smooth surface, so that the surface finish is at least as uniform after electroplating as the SLA part. The energy absorption characteristics of the electroplated HC is studied to determine how these energy absorbing materials can be manufactured at reduced cost. Our study confirms that the metal-plastic composite HC increases both the crush strain range and the mean crush stress of these samples, resulting in metal-plastic composite HC structures with substantially increased energy absorption. This study also examines how buckling initiators (BIs), or diamond shaped holes located at 50, 75, and 100% of the height of the hexagonal cell vertices, can influence energy absorption performance. This study shows that it is feasible to fabricate electroplated HCs, using an SLA preform, to achieve a substantial increase in energy absorption over using SLA alone.

Processing of metal-free end-of-life tyres (EOLTs) to fuels and products: an experimental study with process simulation and economic analysis from an Australian perspective

AbstractThe aim of this experimental study, process simulation and economic analysis is to assess the applicability of pyrolysis technology for processing end-of-life tyres and to evaluate the economic viability of a 60 ton/day EOLT processing facility: a case-specific study within Australia. The experimental work and characterization of feedstock and products were carried out in-house. Capital costs for major equipment were collected from suppliers. The running cost of the processing facility is calculated on the basis of the current labour and utility costs. An economic model is developed based on the information generated from the experimental program and those obtained from suppliers. From the analysis, it is evident that the pyrolysis process for processing EOLT promises a significant upside in economic terms. A conservative conclusion of 20% light oil, ~ 65% furnace oil and 7% carbon black, generated as pyrolysis products, depicts a cash-flow positivity for a 60 tonne per day (TPD) plant that can be run using the generated fuel gas for under 4 years. This is in addition to the benefit of the zero landfill requirement. Apart from the base calculations, the sensitivity of six different scenarios is analysed by mainly changing the land cost and bank investment. Depending on the scenario, the calculated internal rate of return varies between 15 and 35%. While Australia generates significant quantities of EOLT, the techno-economic results confirm that pyrolysis technology for processing EOLT is a viable solution in Australia. However, a dedicated supply chain needs to exist to make pyrolysis plants an attractive investment at defined locations. Graphical abstract

Outcomes and Costs of the Transition From a Paper-Based Immunization System to a Digital Immunization System in Vietnam: Mixed Methods Study.

The electronic National Immunization Information System (NIIS) was introduced nationwide in Vietnam in 2017. Health workers were expected to use the NIIS alongside the legacy paper-based system. Starting in 2018, Hanoi and Son La provinces transitioned to paperless reporting. Interventions to support this transition included data guidelines and training, internet-based data review meetings, and additional supportive supervision visits. This study aims to assess (1) changes in NIIS data quality and use, (2) changes in immunization program outcomes, and (3) the economic costs of using the NIIS versus the traditional paper system. This mixed methods study took place in Hanoi and Son La provinces. It aimed to analyses pre- and postintervention data from various sources including the NIIS; household and health facility surveys; and interviews to measure NIIS data quality, data use, and immunization program outcomes. Financial data were collected at the national, provincial, district, and health facility levels through record review and interviews. An activity-based costing approach was conducted from a health system perspective. NIIS data timeliness significantly improved from pre- to postintervention in both provinces. For example, the mean number of days from birth date to NIIS registration before and after intervention dropped from 18.6 (SD 65.5) to 5.7 (SD 31.4) days in Hanoi (P<.001) and from 36.1 (SD 94.2) to 11.7 (40.1) days in Son La (P<.001). Data from Son La showed that the completeness and accuracy improved, while Hanoi exhibited mixed results, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data use improved; at postintervention, 100% (667/667) of facilities in both provinces used NIIS data for activities beyond monthly reporting compared with 34.8% (202/580) in Hanoi and 29.4% (55/187) in Son La at preintervention. Across nearly all antigens, the percentage of children who received the vaccine on time was higher in the postintervention cohort compared with the preintervention cohort. Up-front costs associated with developing and deploying the NIIS were estimated at US $0.48 per child in the study provinces. The commune health center level showed cost savings from changing from the paper system to the NIIS, mainly driven by human resource time savings. At the administrative level, incremental costs resulted from changing from the paper system to the NIIS, as some costs increased, such as labor costs for supportive supervision and additional capital costs for equipment associated with the NIIS. The Hanoi and Son La provinces successfully transitioned to paperless reporting while maintaining or improving NIIS data quality and data use. However, improvements in data quality were not associated with improvements in the immunization program outcomes in both provinces. The COVID-19 pandemic likely had a negative influence on immunization program outcomes, particularly in Hanoi. These improvements entail up-front financial costs.

Підвищення енергоефективності та економічності когенераційної енергоустановки з повітряною турбіною

The use of renewable fuel and energy resources as fuel makes it possible to reduce the cost of a unit of electrical and thermal energy, reduce the load on the main energy system of the state, and improve the overall environmental impact on the environment. When using a pyrolysis pre-furnace, it is possible to use as a primary fuel: waste wood, pellets, sunflower husks, buckwheat, etc., and the use of an air turbine avoids contamination of its working surface. The aim of the work is to increase the efficiency and economy of a cogeneration power plant with an air turbine, which includes the following main elements: a fuel bunker, a pyrolysis pre-furnace, a combustion chamber-mixer, an air heater, a compressor, an air turbine, electric generator, water heater, smoke exhauster and chimney. To achieve this aim, three options for the scheme of a cogeneration plant with an air turbine with an electric power of 300 kW and with and without different connection variants of a water heater are considered and analyzed in terms of energy and economic indicators. A thermodynamic analysis of the circuit solutions of a cogeneration plant and their comparison in terms of capital costs for the creation of the plant showed that with almost the same cost for the main elements, compared with the circuit where the water is heated by air after the turbine and with the circuit where there is no water heater, the circuit of a cogeneration plant with water heating by flue gas has the highest overall efficiency. This scheme was chosen as rational. As a result of replacing the source fuel with the heat of the air turbine exhaust, the overall efficiency of the cogeneration plant according to this scheme is 73.9 %, and the electrical efficiency is 36.2 %, which corresponds to the level of a gas turbine plant according to the Brayton cycle with regeneration of the working fluid heat, at a moderate value of the degree of air compression in the compressor πk=3. The latter causes the low specific capital cost of the main equipment of the cogeneration plant – 134.6 USD/kW (excluding inflation). Keywords: pyrolysis pre-furnace, air turbine, thermodynamic analysis, capital costs, overall efficiency, electrical efficiency.

Optimal Sizing and Management of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for DC-Powered Commercial Building

DC power may be more efficient than AC power in certain applications, especially when it comes to local generation and storage. This is because AC power requires extra equipment to convert it to DC power, which can lead to energy losses. Using DC power, on the other hand, makes it easier for devices to use it directly, resulting in higher energy efficiency. Additionally, using DC power can reduce equipment capital costs as it eliminates the need for additional AC–DC conversion equipment. Finally, DC power systems can offer new communication capabilities, including plug-and-play for generation and storage devices, making it simpler to integrate these systems into existing infrastructure. This paper analyzes the optimal size of a photovoltaic/PEM fuel cell system to supply a certain DC commercial load in NEOM city. To identify the best size of the PV/PEMFC, minimizing the cost of energy (COE) and minimizing the net present cost (NPC) are considered. The paper studies three sizes of PEMFCs: 15 kW, 20 kW, and 25 kW. In addition, five different PV modules are selected: Axitec 450 Watt, Jinko 415 Watt, REC Solar 410 Watt, Seraphim 310 Watt, and Tongwei 415 Watt. The results of the study confirmed that the best size of the hybrid system comprises a 15 kW PEMFC, a 267 kW Tongwei PV array, a 60 kg electrolyzer, and a 20 kg hydrogen tank. Under these conditions, the COE and NPC are 0.293 USD/kWh and 498,984 USD, respectively.

A cost-effective transperineal prostate biopsy method utilizes the original transrectal setting.

Transperineal prostate biopsy (TPB) offers an alternative to transrectal prostate biopsy (TRB) for prostate cancer diagnosis. However, TPB may result in additional disposable and capital equipment costs, which can limit implementation within urology practice. Herein, we report the initial experience of a novel TPB technique within a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. A retrospective review of all men undergoing prostate biopsy January to October in 2021 was performed. Both biopsy techniques were performed with the same setting using the convex-convex array ultrasound probe under local anesthesia alone or with the addition of sedation using double free-hand technique. Complications within 30days and cancer detection rate (CDR) were compared between the groups. A total of 118 biopsies were included for final analysis. Eleven patients received systematic biopsy with additional MRI-targeted biopsy (TB) cores with all performed via a transperineal approach. The TPB group (n = 47) and TRB group (n = 58) had similar CDR after excluding TB cores (46.8% vs. 44.8%, p = 0.675). General complication rates for TPB were significantly lower than in the TRB group (27.7% vs. 46.6%, p = 0.047). No patients undergoing TPB had infectious complications, where five episodes were recorded in the TRB group (p = 0.114). TPB performed with convex-convex ultrasound probe and double free-hand technique is safe, feasible, cost-effective, and demonstrates equivalent CDR to TRB. Its use may eliminate infectious hospitalizations while minimizing the need for additional capital in the adoption of TPB.

EFFECTS OF EXTENDED VALUE CHAIN ACTIVITIES ON PROFIT EFFICIENCY IN MALAYSIAN PLANTATION COMPANIES

The palm oil industry in Malaysia is the main driver of Malaysia’s agricultural sector due to its significant contribution. High demandand attractive earnings of palm oil have attracted high participation from plantation companies in this industry. Therefore, this studyaimed to assess the level of profit efficiency of plantation companies involved in different value chain activities, as well as the factors that influence the profit efficiency of these plantation companies. A total of 40 Malaysian plantation companies listed in Bursa Malaysia from 2000 to 2018 with different value chain activities were examined using panel data. The evaluation of profit efficiency was based on data analysis, which included working capital costs, labour costs, and property, plant, and equipment (PP&amp;E) costs that affect the plantation companies’ profit function. The parametric approach, also known as Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), was used to assessthe profit efficiency of these plantation companies empirically. The results revealed that the average profit efficiency of 40 plantationcompanies was 60.3 percent, implying that an estimated 39.7 percent of profit was lost due to a combination of technical inefficiencies and allocative inefficiencies in plantation companies. Other findings were based on value chain activity categories (pure upstream plantation companies and downstream integrated plantation companies), whereby downstream integrated plantation companies had the highest profit efficiency (76.6%) when compared to the pure upstream plantation companies (54.2%). As a result, the study showed that plantation companies engaged in extended value chain activities were more profit efficient than plantation companies that did not extend their value chain activities (referring to pure upstream plantation companies).

Sizing, economic, and reliability analysis of photovoltaics and energy storage for an off‐grid power system in Jordan

AbstractRemote areas in Jordan often rely on expensive and polluting diesel generators to meet their electricity demand. This study investigates 100% renewable solutions to supply the electricity demand of off‐grid energy systems through optimal sizing of photovoltaics and energy storage systems. A linear programming approach is proposed to minimise the annualised cost of electricity supply including capital costs of equipment and their operation and maintenance costs. The optimisation determines the size of photovoltaics and energy storage required to satisfy electricity demand at every hour of a selected year. A Jordan campsite was used as a case study to assess and compare the performance of PV‐battery storage and PV‐hydrogen storage systems from economic and reliability perspectives. The results show that hydrogen storage was more economical for a 100% renewable energy system. However, introducing some diesel generation gave the battery system a significantly lower annualised cost of energy.

PERCEPTIONS, PROFITABILITY AND DETERMINANTS OF GRANULATED CASSAVA PACKAGING IN KUMASI METROPOLIS, GHANA

Packaging does not only protect a product but also provides directions for using the product, as well as relevant information about its content and nutritional value. This study was undertaken to assess Granulated Cassava (Gari) sellers’ perception, profitability and determinants of packaging in Ashanti Region. The study area was purposively selected because of the active participation and contribution of marketing activities. A structured questionnaire was administered in the form of interview to obtain primary data from the respondents. Data was generated using binary and multinomial logit regression model and Garret ranking technique. The results showed that there is 0.11% difference in the gross margin of both ventures which is also statistically significant at 1%. Years of education, legal requirement, and durability of the packaging material and cost of packaging material were the significant factors that influence sellers’ choice of packaging. Lack of technical know-how, cost of capital equipment and lack of knowledge on packaging equipment and/or material were the most limiting constraints affecting Gari packaging. The study recommends that investors should invest in the Gari packaging business since it has a relatively higher rate of returns as compared to the unpackaged one.

0507 A wireless patch-based polysomnography system for conducting in-lab sleep studies

Abstract Introduction Current attended in-lab polysomnographic sleep studies are time-consuming and costly, primarily due to the time required to “hook-up” a patient to multiple electrodes and sensors and meet the quality assurance and safety requirements of an in-lab study. We developed a wireless PSG system (Onera STS - Onera Health, NL) consisting of four disposable patches and reusable pods to record full polysomnography that may reduce hook-up time while preserving standards of an attended polysomnography in the lab. Methods We used the Onera STS system for monitoring EEG, EOG, EMG, forehead reflectance SaO2, ECG, bioimpedance derived respiratory airflow and effort, airflow via nasal cannula, snoring sounds, body position, actigraphy, and leg movements, and accessory online monitoring of finger SaO2, ECG, nasal cannula airflow and video via RemLogic 4.0 or REM logic MPR system for Q/A and safety monitoring. Seventeen subjects (8 male, 9 female, age 18-to-75 yrs, BMI 29.9±6.0 kg/m2) were monitored for the evaluation of sleep apnea. We measured hook-up times and observed oxygen saturation and cardiac rhythm throughout the night. Results Mean hook-up time for the Onera STS was 5:22±1:17 minutes and for the additional on-line sensors (Finger SaO2, ECG and nasal cannula) was 3:15±1:10 minutes, resulting in an average hook-up time of less than 10 minutes. Onera PSG data revealed a mean oxygen desaturation event rate of &amp;gt;3% (ODI3) of 8.8 (SD 18.6) and a mean fall of oxygen saturation (ΔSaO2/event) of 4.4 (SD 1.2). The accessory online SaO2, ECG and video monitoring showed that no subjects demonstrated sustained nocturnal hypoxia, severe cardiac arrhythmia or parasomnia events that would have required interventions. Conclusion The Onera STS system substantially lowers the burden to conduct attended polysomnographic sleep studies. In combination with standard monitoring of SaO2, ECG and video, it meets the safety requirements for attended sleep studies while reducing the overall operational and capital equipment costs. The ease of application together with the reduced hook-up time makes it now possible to implement polysomnographic sleep studies in the hospital setting, particularly in addition to conventional bedside monitoring units such as ICU-, step-down unit- or hospital beds. Support (if any)

Optimizing the Production rate of EV battery cell in an EPQ model with process-based cost method using Genetic Algorithm: A case study of NMC-622 cell

This research is motivated by a real-world industry problem. Environmental concerns caused by the increasing number of internal combustion engine vehicles are developing a growing interest in the study and development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The cost of EV batteries is critical for the market growth of electric vehicles. As cell is the most essential component in the EV battery, the cost-effective manufacturing of battery cells is a popular topic in industry and academics. Manufacturers invest billions of dollars in battery cell factories based on predicted EV growth rates. However, these manufacturers require information on total manufacturing costs, plant area, total capital equipment costs, and their cost drivers to achieve the goal of a profitable firm. Inspired by these concerns, an EPQ model with a process-based cost modeling technique is developed for the large-scale manufacturing of EV battery cells. The goal of this research is to provide the most precise framework for the manufacturer to maximize its profit in cell manufacturing. The data used in this model is collected from the BatPac model (version 4) developed by Argonne National Laboratory. This study considers two types of battery cells used in electric vehicles, and the firm produces 5 % of defective cells. A well-known cost estimation method (PBCM) and the EPQ model are combined to generate total profit function. The production rate and selling price for both cells are considered as decision variables. The profit function is maximized by using genetic algorithm and graphs are provided to show the relation between decision variables and profit function. According to the findings, the production rate of the cells has a significant impact on the overall profit, and in order to maximize the profit, the production rate and selling price of cell 1 must be lower than cell 2. A detailed cost analysis has been provided to identify which process steps and cost aspects significantly impact the total cost. Finally, managerial implications and conclusions are presented that support manufacturers in increasing the firm’s profit.

Energy Cost Assessment and Optimization of Post-COVID-19 Building Ventilation Strategies

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic puts stress on the requirements of indoor air quality. Significant improvements in the design of building ventilation systems have become necessary, as this allows for the supply of higher quantities of outdoor air in buildings. Additional capital investment is necessary for increases in the size of ventilation fans and ducts, as well as for the installation of efficient air-to-air recuperators, to recover the enthalpy of the rejected air. To address the increased operation costs, smart strategies are necessary to make rational use of the ventilation system. The required modifications are studied in the example of an 18-zone office building located in Volos, Greece. The building’s energy performance is studied by means of transient simulation. Operation of the ground-coupled heat pump, the upgraded ventilation system and the high-performance recuperators and filters’ interactions is presented in detail at various time scales. The results show the effect of increased ventilation requirements of new and renovated office and commercial buildings in the post-COVID era. The added capital equipment and operation costs must be met with a strong and sustained engineering effort. Especially in the case of nZEB buildings, the protection of public health must be attained, with reduction of the added electricity consumption penalties, in order to keep the nZEB character of the building.

A combination interferometric and morphological image processing approach to rapid quality assessment of additively manufactured cellular truss core components

Advanced manufacturing (AM) processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) are increasingly capable of fabricating components with useful and unprecedented mechanical properties by incorporating complex internal bracing structures. From the standpoint of quality control and assessment, however, internally complex assemblies present significant build-verification challenges. Here we propose a hybrid approach to the inspection involving the application of computer-aided speckle interferometry (CASI) and morphological image processing as a rapid, inexpensive, and facile method for AM quality control. The described methodology has low capital equipment costs, is full-field and non-contact, can be used in an industrial setting, and has very low requirements in terms of operator training and expertise. Consisting primarily of the combination of image processing software with a simple optical system of variable sensitivity, the method is shown to be effective for inspection of a titanium honeycomb component subjected to differential pressure. Results are compared to those achieved with computed tomography (CT), immersion ultrasound testing (UT), and optical holographic interferometry. Lastly, we propose several possible processing strategies for automated quality assessment based on this powerful hybrid approach.

ЭНЕРГОСБЕРЕГАЮЩИЕ РЕШЕНИЯ ПРИ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ ПРОЕКТНЫХ РЕШЕНИЙ ПО ВЕНТИЛЯЦИИ ГАЛЬВАНИЧЕСКОГО ПРОИЗВОДСТВА

Some of the most harmful industrial emissions are produced by the installations, reactors, galvanic baths, and loading machines used in electroplating. The objective of this research is to develop operational, efficient and cost-effective solutions to ensure the required microclimate in electroplating shops. Operational costs for two alternative design solutions for electroplating shop ventilation were calculated: two-sided on-board suction, and on-board suction with deflation. We found that local exhaust ventilation of the on-board blow-offs of electroplating baths (instead of standard double-side suction) is one of the most effective energy-saving solutions. By reducing the consumption of re-moved air, capital costs for equipment and materials and operating costs for thermal and electrical energy are reduced.

Wide area monitoring, protection, automation, and control systems for medium voltage networks

Distribution medium voltage networks have a branched structure, many power centers, longcable and overhead lines. This complicates the process of their automation, since significant capital costs for new equipment are required. New solutions based on modern technologies can help speed up this process and make it more efficient. The authors propose the use of synchronized phasor measurement technology for automating medium voltage networks. This paper considers approaches that describe the possibilities of implementing the WAMPAC principles in such networks, provides several examples where these principles apply.

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET-CT Imaging for the Staging of Prostate Cancer in Canada

&#x0D; Health Canada approved the first prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET radiopharmaceutical in October 2022 for the staging of PSMA-positive lesions in those with prostate cancer. Health Canada also approved a lutetium-177 PSMA-617 therapy for patients with advanced PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in September 2022, a therapy for which patient eligibility is identified with a gallium-68 PSMA-PET exam.&#x0D; With 57 PET-CT units in 9 provinces, access to PET-CT may be limited by the health care system’s capacity to conduct these exams due to wait lists, competing clinical priorities, and staff shortages.&#x0D; It is anticipated that the public funding of PSMA-PET across Canada will increase existing demand for PET-CT by a minimum of 23%.&#x0D; The provision of PSMA-PET would occur within the context of managing competing new demands for this service that could double existing exam volume.&#x0D; Sufficient staffing is needed to ensure sustainable operation and development of PET-CT services, supported by investment in the workforce through education and training opportunities.&#x0D; There is potential to increase the hours of operation of PET-CT units in many facilities, with consideration to the many dependencies, including staffing and the fact that the operating times of PET-CT units are closely tied to the operating times of the cyclotrons that supply the radiopharmaceuticals used in PET-CT exams.&#x0D; The upfront capital and ongoing operational costs of PET-CT, radiopharmaceutical products, and equipment may act as barriers to the further adoption of this technology.&#x0D; A combination of both generator-produced and cyclotron-produced PSMA-PET radiopharmaceuticals will likely be needed to meet the geography of Canadian jurisdictions and to secure a reliable and resilient supply chain.&#x0D;

Full repowering of existing fuel-oil fired power plant: Modeling and performance evaluation

Increasing electricity demand as a result of industrial development brings with it the need for larger installed power generation capacity. However, existing regulations, capital costs of new equipment, time-dependent constraints, and public opposition against building new power plants pose a strong challenge for greenfield power generation projects. These compelling factors have caused the repowering concept to gain importance again in recent years. Ambarli Repowering Project is a “Full Repowering by Conversion to Combined Cycle Power Plant” project that is the first of its kind in Turkey and is equaled in magnitude and complexity by only a handful of worldwide examples. In this context existing heavy fuel–oil fired steam power plant was repowered by conversion to natural gas fired combined cycle power plant. Here, in this paper, initial performance calculations of the existing steam turbine and achievable power output after rehabilitation are presented. Parameters such as inlet temperature, pressure, and steam mass flow are defined as boundary conditions for the model of the repowered Ambarli Power Plant that allows a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the combined cycle power plant. An in-depth real case study is conducted to validate the outputs of the developed model by comparing them with the official performance test results. Results show that the total capacity of a conventional steam power plant can be increased by 203%, while the increase in heat rejection from the condenser is only 25%. Moreover, it is found that repowering has significant positive environmental effects such as reduction of NOX, SOX, and CO2 emissions in addition to economic benefits. Therefore, it is expected that this unique study, which has been validated with official performance tests, will shed light on similar projects to be made in the future.

All-cause 30- and 90-day inpatient readmission costs associated with 4 minimally invasive colon surgery approaches: A propensity-matched analysis using Medicare and commercial claims data

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to assess which minimally invasive colon surgery approach may be associated with the least 30- and 90-day inpatient readmission costs from a payer perspective. MethodsThis retrospective claims analysis included adult Medicare and commercially insured beneficiaries who underwent minimally invasive sigmoid, left, or right colon surgery between January 2016 and December 2019. Two cohorts were created based on the use of near-infrared fluorescence (NIF) and were propensity-score matched 1 NIF:5 NoNIF. Four subgroups were then created based on the presence of robotics (R): NIF-NoR, NIF-R, NoNIF-R, and NoNIF-NoR. ResultsA total of 50,148 patients were identified, of which 165 (0.3%) indicated the use of NIF and 49,983 (99.7%) did not. After propensity score matching, 990 patients were included (NIF cohort: 165; NoNIF cohort: 825). Of the 165 NIF patients, 87 were robotic-assisted and 78 were conventional laparoscopy. Of the 825 NoNIF patients, 136 were robotic-assisted and 689 were conventional laparoscopy. Postindex inpatient readmission costs were significantly different between the NIF and NoNIF cohorts with the NIF cohort having the lowest 30- and 90-day postindex readmission costs. Postindex readmission costs were also significantly different across the 4 subgroups at 30 and 90 days, with the NIF-NoR group having the lowest postindex readmission costs (all P < .05). ConclusionUsing NIF without the robot during minimally invasive colon surgery is associated with the least 30- and 90-day inpatient readmission costs compared to the other 3 approaches. Hospitals may want to consider these potential cost savings when evaluating technologies for laparoscopic colon surgery. Key MessageNear-infrared fluorescence (NIF) imaging without the robot during minimally invasive colon surgery may significantly save hospitals 30- and 90-day inpatient readmission costs compared to NIF with the robot, NoNIF with the robot, and NoNIF without the robot. This is important as hospitals may want to consider these cost findings in addition to capital equipment and disposable costs when evaluating technologies for laparoscopic colon surgery.

High yield, low cost, environmentally friendly process to recycle silicon solar panels: Technical, economic and environmental feasibility assessment

The recycling of silicon photovoltaic modules is technically viable, but often not feasible economically due to reasons that vary from high processing cost to low waste volumes that do not justify investment cost. In this study, a novel, simple, cost-effective and environmentally friendly processing method is proposed. The process consists of module deframing, laminate shredding and material concentration using electrostatic separation. The latter outputs two fractions: a valuable mixture of silver, copper, aluminum and silicon, and a mixture of mostly glass, silicon and polymers. The valuable mixture accounts for only 2-3 wt% of the total module, which can be forwarded to the downstream industry for further refinement. This paper evaluates the technical aspects of the process (quantifies material separation, energy and time) while using life cycle assessment and life cycle costing to evaluate the environmental impacts and economic prospects, respectively. The results are compared to a full recovery alternative (FRELP) and to landfilling. Environmentally, a full recovery is preferred, followed by the proposed process, both of which have a net positive impact and are better than landfilling the whole module. Economic assessment shows the process has potential to be more profitable than FRELP i) at lower waste volumes (smaller than 4 kt/y), because of the smaller equipment capital cost, ii) if there is no market for the recovered glass, which is currently the case in many locations or iii) when the end-processing industry is located afar, since only the valuable mixture would require shipping.