Plants In Spain Research Articles

Musculoskeletal disorders assessment using sick-leaves registers in a manufacturing plant in Spain

The incidence rates of sick-leave caused by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were registered in 2013 in a Spanish manufacturing plant of electrical appliances applying a detailed analysis to the sick-leave data using Poisson regression considering the gender, age and working area.The adjusted incidence rates estimated using Poisson regression show a higher incidence for workers over age 50, and a higher incidence of neck-related MSDs sick-leave for working area of presses and veneers. As for back injuries, workers over age 50 and of assembly induction working area present the highest risk of sick-leave. Relevance for the industryThe results obtained in this study could be a reference to manufacturing plants of electrical appliances or similar to design MSDs' prevention policies, with the aim of reducing sick leaves and its associated costs. This information allows us to detect the working areas with higher incidence, more susceptible subjects as well as more sensitive areas of the body in order to target interventions towards those.

Activated carbon from flash pyrolysis of eucalyptus residue.

Forestry waste (eucalyptus sp) was converted into activated carbon by initial flash pyrolysis followed carbonization and CO2 activation. These residues were obtained from a pilot plant in Spain that produces biofuel, the biochar represented 10–15% in weight. It was observed that the highest activation was achieved at a temperature of 800 °C, the specific surface increased with time but, on the contrary, high loss of matter was observed. At 600 °C, although there was an important increase of the specific surface and the volume of micropores, at this temperature it was observed that the activation time was not an influential parameter. Finally, at 400 °C it was observed that the activation process was not very significant. Assessing the average pore diameter it was found that the lowest value corresponded to the activation temperature of 600 °C, which indicated the development of microporosity. When the activation temperature increases up to 800 °C the pore diameter increased developing mesoporosity.

Monitoring of the curing process in precast concrete slabs: An experimental study

In this paper a methodology for the quality control of the curing process in precast concrete plants is presented by non-destructive testing techniques. This methodology consists on a remote monitoring system and a method to estimate the strength gain of the precast elements during the curing process. The remote monitoring system is based on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) provided with temperature, humidity and ultrasonic sensors. The compressive strength is estimated using two different procedures, one based on temperature and the other one on ultrasonic velocity measurements. Comparing the compressive strength estimations obtained using temperature and ultrasonic velocity measurements, the concrete quality during early ages of curing can be controlled, and arising problems can immediately be detected. This methodology was tested in three different precast concrete plants in Spain.

Famar buys Roche plant in Spain

Famar, a Greek contract manufacturing services firm, is buying Roche’s site in Leganes, Spain, effective July 1. The site produces solid-dosage-form drugs with highly potent active ingredients. With the acquisition comes a long-term agreement to supply products to Roche. Because the Leganes site is FDA-certified, Famar says, it will now be able to access the U.S. market. The firm has 11 other sites from which it provides drug and personal care ingredients.

Cancer risk among workers of a secondary aluminium smelter.

Cancer risk in secondary aluminium production is not well described. Workers in this industry are exposed to potentially carcinogenic agents from secondary smelters that reprocess aluminium scrap. To evaluate cancer risk in workers in a secondary aluminium plant in Spain. Retrospective cohort study of male workers employed at an aluminium secondary smelter (1960-92). Exposure histories and vital status through 2011 were obtained through personal interviews and hospital records, respectively. Standardized mortality (SMRs) and incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated. The study group consisted of 98 workers. We found increased incidence and mortality from bladder cancer [SIR = 2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-5.62; SMR = 5.90, 95% CI 1.58-15.11]. Increased incidence was also observed for prostate cancer and all other cancers but neither were statistically significant. No increased risk was observed for lung cancer. Results of this study suggest that work at secondary aluminium smelters is associated with bladder cancer risk. Identification of occupational carcinogens in this industry is needed.

Characterization of staphylococci in urban wastewater treatment plants in Spain, with detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus in urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTP) of La Rioja (Spain), and to characterize de obtained isolates. 16 wastewater samples (8 influent, 8 effluent) of six UWTPs were seeded on mannitol-salt-agar and oxacillin-resistance-screening-agar-base for staphylococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus recovery. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile was determined for 16 antibiotics and the presence of 35 antimicrobial resistance genes and 14 virulence genes by PCR. S. aureus was typed by spa, agr, and multilocus-sequence-typing, and the presence of immune-evasion-genes cluster was analyzed. Staphylococcus spp. were detected in 13 of 16 tested wastewater samples (81%), although the number of CFU/mL decreased after treatment. 40 staphylococci were recovered (1–5/sample), and 8 of them were identified as S. aureus being typed as (number of strains): spa-t011/agr-II/ST398 (1), spa-t002/agr-II/ST5 (2), spa-t3262/agr-II/ST5 (1), spa-t605/agr-II/ST126 (3), and spa-t878/agr-III/ST2849 (1). S. aureus ST398 strain was methicillin-resistant and showed a multidrug resistance phenotype. Virulence genes tst, etd, sea, sec, seg, sei, sem, sen, seo, and seu, were detected among S. aureus and only ST5 strains showed genes of immune evasion cluster. Thirty-two coagulase-negative Staphylococcus of 12 different species were recovered (number of strains): Staphylococcus equorum (7), Staphylococcus vitulinus (4), Staphylococcus lentus (4), Staphylococcus sciuri (4), Staphylococcus fleurettii (2), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (2), Staphylococcus hominis (2), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (2), Staphylococcus succinus (2), Staphylococcus capitis (1), Staphylococcus cohnii (1), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (1). Five presented a multidrug resistance phenotype. The following resistance and virulence genes were found: mecA, lnu(A), vga(A), tet(K), erm(C), msr(A)/(B), mph(C), tst, and sem. We found that Staphylococcus spp. are normal contaminants of urban wastewater, including different lineages of S. aureus and a high diversity of coagulase-negative species. The presence of multiple resistance and virulence genes, including mecA, in staphylococci of wastewater can be a concern for the public health.

Modelling and dynamic simulation of a parabolic trough power plant

Investigational dynamic simulations of an existing 50MWel parabolic trough solar thermal power plant in Spain are carried out during clear days and slightly cloudy periods. This work is the first research, which presents a detail dynamic model of a parabolic trough power plant. Besides the thermal energy storage system and solar field, the developed model describes the heat transfer fluid and steam/water paths in detail. Advanced control circuits, including drum level, economiser water bypass, attemperator and steam bypass controllers are also included. The parabolic trough power plant is modelled using Advanced Process Simulation Software (APROS). The comparison between the simulation results and measured data is documented, showing a reliable prediction of the real behaviour of the investigated solar power plant. The validated model offers a possibility for accurate simulation of further operation processes of the real plant.

Organic pollutants profiling of wood ashes from biomass power plants linked to the ash characteristics

PurposeWood ash, characterized by high content of certain nutrients and charcoal, can be applied to soils as a means of managing this waste product improving the soil quality. The associated environmental risk must be assessed. The objective of this study was to characterize the bottom and fly ash collected from 15 biomass power plants in Spain by determining the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene (BTEX+S), PAHs and aliphatic hydrocarbon contents of both types of ash. Biochar was also used for comparison purposes. MethodsGas chromatography–mass spectrometric methods were used for the identification and determination of both BTEX+S and aliphatic hydrocarbon contents in bottom and fly ashes, as well as biochar. High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used for PAHs measurements. Multivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between sample characteristics and pollutants identified by partial least squares regression analysis. Results and discussionIn general, the degree to which organic matter in the sample is burned increases with T50 or the “50% burn off” temperature (possibly due to the addition of fuel), and the BTEX+S also tended to increase. However, as the Q/MO (the heat of combustion divided by organic matter mass) increased, the combustion decreased or proceeded with less oxygen, which appears to be related to an increased presence of PAHs. The results confirm that the amounts of organic pollutants (PAHs and BTEX+S, together with total aliphatic hydrocarbons) in the wood ash do not exceed limits established for different soil or industrial uses. ConclusionsBoth types of ash, together with biochar, may therefore be suitable for application to soil as a fertilizer and an organic amendment, taking into account the target organic pollutants.

Simulating the variability of dispersed large PV plants

AbstractA model to simulate the fluctuations generated by a fleet of dispersed photovoltaic (PV) plants solely based on irradiance data measured at one single location is proposed. This simple model has been satisfactorily tested to quantify the power variability of a generic PV fleet, simply by defining two parameters: mean PV plant size and the number of plants in the PV fleet. Specifically, the model provides series of simulated power outputs that may be used in the grid operator simulation programmes, reproducing critical parameters, such as daily maximum fluctuation or the reserves required to offset these fluctuations. The model is created and validated against experimental 1‐s data collected throughout 2013 at six PV plants in Spain dispersed over 1100 km2, totaling 17 MWp. Likewise, the model has been succesfully tested against another irradiance dataset, four sites across the state of Colorado, USA, and spread over 2400 km2. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Big Plant Closures and Agglomeration Economies

This paper analyses the effects of large manufacturing plant closures on local employment. Specifically, we estimate the net employment effects of the closure of 45 large manufacturing plants in Spain, which relocated abroad between 2001 and 2006. We run differences-in-differences specifications in which locations that experience a closure are matched to locations with similar pre-treatment employment levels and trends. The results show that when a plant closes, for each job directly lost in the plant closure, between 0.3 and 0.6 jobs are actually lost in the local economy. The adjustment is concentrated in incumbent firms in the industry that suffered the closure, providing indirect evidence of labor market pooling effects. We find no employment effects in the rest of manufacturing industries or in the services sectors. These findings suggest that traditional input-output analyses tend to overstate the net employment losses of large plant closures.

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat Products and Meat Processing Plants in Spain.

The aim of this work was to study the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in several types of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products and in the environment of meat processing plants. A total of 129 samples of RTE meat products and 110 samples from work surfaces and equipment were analyzed. L. monocytogenes was detected in 6 out of 35 cooked products (17.14%), 21 out of 57 raw-cured products (36.84%), and 9 out of 37 dry-cured, salted products (24.32%). The number of sample units that exceeded the food safety limit of 100 cfu/g decreased from the manufacture date to half shelf life, and then it was further reduced at the end of shelf life. L. monocytogenes was detected in 25 out of 110 (22.72%) food contact surfaces. The number of positive and negative results from both food and environmental samples were cross-tabulated and the calculated Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) was 0.3233, indicating a fair agreement in terms of Listeria contamination. L. monocytogenes was recovered after cleaning and disinfection procedures in four plants, highlighting the importance of thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Meteorological Forecasting for renewable energy plants. A case study of two energy plants in Spain

<p class="R-AbstractKeywords"><span lang="EN-US">Energy resources are the engines that drive every economy [1], [4], [14], Therefore, it is necessary to develop their exploitation in a friendlier, environmentally and sustainable way indeed it is a critically needed nowadays. Then, it is necessary to improve efficiency and optimize renewable energy in order that replace polluting energy sources. This work aims to relate the use of forecasting on meteorological variables such as wind speed, wind direction, solar radiation, among others, obtained by mathematical models implemented on computer to forecast energy production in renewable energies plants. It has been implemented and automated one of the most used models by the scientific community in this field, WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting Model). WRF is a next generation mesoscale model, designed to serve as a tool for meteorological research in addition to provide forecasts in operational regime. This research introduce the topic of energy forecast, mainly of renewable energy, focusing on wind and solar energy, basing the study on a better forecasting of meteorological variables in order to use as income in energy production forecast. A case study in two Spanish renewable energy plants is exposed</span><span lang="EN-US">. </span></p>

Environmental Loading Conditions for CSP Solar Fields

Abstract CSP Solar Fields are designed as lightweight structures. Nevertheless, due to their size and complexity, large amounts of materials are required. Environmental conditions like wind loads are a key driver for the design of solar fields, including required strength of materials and therefore mass. To give a solid example: Structural steel work for the solar field of a 500,000 m 2 aperture parabolic trough plant (typical 50 MW plant in Spain with 7 h thermal storage) amounts to approx. 12,500 tons of steel. Due to changes in European design codes and the respective loading conditions, the design wind speed increased from 34 m/s to 38 m/s, which increases solar field structural steel mass to 14,450 tons, i. e. by about 16%. Obviously, prescribed load conditions have a tremendous effect on steel mass and hence cost and environmental impact. Unfortunately, load description in many tender specifications is insufficiently accurate, what often results in confusion or even in significant errors in planning and construction, or higher risks. The paper describes various environmental loading effects, mainly wind, for parabolic trough and heliostat collector fields.

Variation in morphological traits among Thymus mastichina (L.) L. populations

Thymus mastichina (L.) L. is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most collected of wild plants in Spain. Despite the huge amount of possibilities for the use of T. mastichina subsp. mastichina as an industrial crop, cultivation is almost absent and no selection has been made. To identify the most useful and discriminating traits and to study the morphological variability of Spanish marjoram, a total of 16 populations were studied during 2011 and 2012 and 20 morphological traits (15 quantitative and 5 qualitative) were used for characterization. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis, correlations among traits and cluster analysis have been carried out for data processing. Intra and inter-population variability were highly statistically significant for all the quantitative traits, revealing the polymorphism of the species, although variability among populations was greater than variability within populations showing that populations are morphologically distinguished from each other. Number of flowers per flower head, number of flower heads per branch, length/width of the bract, and bract width were the most variable traits. The most valuable traits for characterization were related to the bract form and size, leaves and capitula. The ranges of morphological variation for the cultivated specimens compared with references to wild specimens in the bibliography, showed slightly larger sizes of leaves, bracts and inflorescences and smaller sizes of calyces and corollas. Cluster analysis classified the populations into four groups. Populations from group three (CLM4, TM23 and TM43) were highlighted by the biggest flower heads and they may be more productive for essential oil extraction.

Complete genome sequence of a novel genotype of squash mosaic virus infecting squash in Spain.

The complete genome sequence of a new isolate of squash mosaic virus (SqMV) infecting squash plants in Spain was obtained using deep sequencing of small RNAs. The low nucleotide sequence identities, with only 87 to 88% for RNA1 and 84 to 86% for RNA2 to known SqMV isolates, suggested that this isolate belongs to a novel genotype.

Profitability and sustainability of photovoltaic energy plants in Spain

This paper reports on capital budgeting analysis to assess investments in renewable energy photovoltaic systems in Spain. Standard profitability indicators such as net present value, payback time and internal rate of return are applied to such investments. Two main issues have been taken into account: the changes taking place in the recent history of energy policies in Spain as well as the evolution of related technologies. Despite variation in incentive policies, we show how both technology and market have been able to overcome the lack of long-term policies, and even nowadays, photovoltaic energy systems can still be regarded as a profitable investment from an economic viewpoint, even in absence of any kind of incentive.

Environmental sustainability assessment in the process industry: A case study of waste-to-energy plants in Spain

This study proposes a technical procedure based on a life cycle approach for implementation of the environmental sustainability assessment (ESA) of several waste-to-energy (WtE) plants located in Spain. This methodology uses two main variables: the natural resources sustainability (NRS) and the environmental burdens sustainability (EBS). NRS includes the consumption of energy, materials, and water, whereas EBS considers five burdens to air, five burdens to water, and two burdens to land. To reduce the complexity of ESA, all variables were normalised and weighted using the threshold values proposed in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register regulation. The results showed the plants studied had a greater consumption of natural resources than Spain, ranging from 1.1 to 2.0 times higher than the Spanish reference consumption. The comparison of Spain with the BREF reference on waste incineration showed that only in the variable related to materials, did Spain have a lower consumption (1.80 times lower). In terms of EBS, air and land impacts were the highest contributors to global burden. The WtE plants presented higher burdens to air and water than Spain, whereas only one plant exceeded the average burden to land of Spain. Finally, this paper demonstrated the usefulness of the ESA methodology to reduce the complexity of LCA and assist the decision-making process in choosing the best option from an environmental point of view. This procedure can be used to obtain an overview of the environmental performance of WtE plants, as well as to assess individual burdens and thereby determine the main environmental hotspots, thereby improving the critical points of the process.

How Nuclear Power Plants in Spain are Reacting to the Massive Introduction of Renewable Energy

This paper analyses the evolution of the bidding strategies of nuclear power plants on the Spanish day-ahead auction market, over the 11-year period from 2002 until December 2012. During that time the proportion of renewable energy especially wind and solar power increased dramatically. At the outset the nuclear plants offered almost all their production at zero cost; by the end, several were offering about 5% of their production at about 91 euro per MWh compared to the market ceiling price of 180.3 euro per MWh. This change in bidding strategy effectively increased the average wholesale price of electricity, leading to an overall increase in the revenues to power sellers of about $200 million euros per year in 2010 -2012, compared to what it would have been had they offered all their production at zero -cost. These results have important policy implications for regulatory authorities.

Extinctions of vascular plants in Spain

The catalogue of extinct plants in Spain, comprising 27 taxa is updated. Included are four species not previously classified as extinct in Spain: Cyclamen purpurascens, Grammitis quaerenda, Stratiotes aloides and Vallisneria spiralis. We analyze the causes of extinction and explore the possible influence of botanical collections in species loss. The obtained data suggest that habitat loss has been the main cause of extinction and the impact of collecting is demonstrated to be irrelevant. We list the 21 species that have been designated as extinct in previous catalogues but which no longer have that status, 14 of them having been recovered thanks to botanical exploration and collection works.

Analysis of refuse-derived fuel from the municipal solid waste reject fraction and its compliance with quality standards

The final disposal of the Municipal Solid Waste is still a problem in many countries. The lack of space, the generation of leachate, and the emission of greenhouse gases as well as the requirements of the new legislation on waste dissuade the administrations involved from using the landfill option as a possible means of final disposal of MSW. The terms of the European Legislation on waste management and energy encourage member states to develop waste recovery techniques before sending it to a landfill. Therefore, member states have introduced source separation and mechanical-biological treatment to separate biodegradable recovery fractions (organic, paper-cardboard, plastic packaging, and glass) from the reject fraction, which is afterwards disposed of in landfills. One of the main aims of this study is to analyse the energy recovery properties of the reject fraction from a biological-mechanical treatment plant in Spain. For this purpose, this work presents a physical and chemical characterization of waste reject fraction from a real mechanical-biological treatment plant as well as the metal and halogen content. Additionally, the quality standards of the refused derived fuel processed at the laboratory and the atmospheric emissions of this type of fuel have been determined.