Abstract: This combined cycle gas turbine plant has a gas turbine (104) and a steam turbine (106) mounted on the same shaft. A control system is configured for switching the plant from a rated mode of operation, in which the plant is operated on gas turbine output and steam turbine output, to a reduced load mode of operation, in which the plant is operated on gas turbine output alone. The switch from the rated mode of operation to the reduced load mode of operation occurs if plant demand decreases below a predetermined threshold. The steam turbine is run under full speed no load conditions in the reduced load mode of operation, and is heated using controlled steam admission, to maintain the steam turbine in a heated ‘stand-by’ state.

Abstract: The invention provides a lightning receptor arrangement (11, 12) for a wind turbine blade (10) comprising at least a self-threading screw (21) having a head (23) and a threaded shaft (25) as a the external metallic receptor element for receiving a lightning strike in one side of the wind turbine blade (10) and an internal element comprising an electrically conductive block (20) configured with at least an unthreaded hole (41) for cooperating with said threaded shaft (25) and connected to a down conductor (18) of a grounding arrangement. The internal element is joined to at least a shell (17) of the wind turbine blade (10) with an adhesive force capable of withstanding the torque applied to the self-threading screw (21) for threading it to the unthreaded hole (41).

Abstract: A foaming composition with wettability-modifying and corrosion inhibitory properties is used to control the channeling of fluids in naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs, favorably alter the rock wettability in crude oil enhanced recovery processes and control uniform corrosion problems occurring in production rigs under high temperature and ultra-high salinity conditions by the synergistic effect resulting from the supramolecular interaction of alkyl amido propyl hydroxysultaines or alkyl hydroxysultaines with sodium alkyl hydroxysulfonates and sodium alkenyl sulfonates having the formula (1). The foaming compositions with wettability-modifying and corrosion inhibitory properties are tolerant to high concentrations of divalent ions such as calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium and are suitable for use in the reservoir, seawater and/or congenital water characteristic of the reservoir for transporting the crude oil from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the obtaining and use of zwitterionic geminal liquids based on hydroxypropyl betaine, as wettability modifiers of rocks such as limestone, dolomite, sandstone, quartz or heterogeneous lithologies, in the presence of brines with high content of divalent ions as calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium, at high temperature and high pressure conditions during the application of enhanced oil recovery processes. The zwitterionic geminal liquids based hydroxypropyl betaine of the present invention have also the property of acting as inhibitors/dispersing of asphaltenes, both at extraction and production operations of petroleum industry, thus allowing to increase the level of crude oil production. An additional advantage presented by zwitterionic geminal liquid based on hydroxypropyl betaine which can be dissolved in distilled water, brine, aliphatic hydrocarbons or other polar and nonpolar solvents.

Abstract: A process for obtaining random copolymers from itaconic acid and/or isomers and sodium alkenyl sulfonates is by polymerization in an aqueous solution via free radicals at an acidic pH in the range from 1.0 to 3.5 and with a redox system as initiator. The copolymers can be used as calcium carbonate and calcium, strontium and barium sulfates mineral scale inhibitors and as dispersants of clays, iron oxides, calcium carbonate and strontium, barium and calcium sulfates. Random copolymers prevent and control damage in an oil reservoir, obstruction of water injection and crude oil production pipelines, and in production rigs due to mineral scale precipitation caused by high levels of salinity of the injection water and formation water. Random copolymers are tolerant to high concentrations of divalent ions, such as calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium, and can be added to the reservoir and to injection or production pipelines, treated water, sea water and water that is used as means of transportation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining and using foaming compositions with wettability-modifying and corrosion inhibitory properties that control the channeling of fluids in naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs, favorably alter the rock wettability in crude oil enhanced recovery processes and control uniform corrosion problems occurring in production rigs under high temperature and ultra-high salinity conditions by the synergistic effect resulting from the supramolecular interaction of alkyl amido propyl hydroxysultaines or alkyl hydroxysultaines with sodium alkyl hydroxysulfonates and sodium alkenyl sulfonates having the formula (1). The foaming compositions with wettability-modifying and corrosion inhibitory properties are tolerant to high concentrations of divalent ions such as calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium and are suitable for use in the reservoir, seawater and/or congenital water characteristic of the reservoir for transporting the crude oil from the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is based on the identification of the minimum region of the avian Orthoreovirus muNS protein which is capable of forming inclusions as well as on the identification of specific regions of the muNS protein showing capacity to associate with the inclusions formed by muNS. The identification of said regions allows developing methods for purifying recombinant polypeptides as well as methods for detecting the interaction between two polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: A bifurcated fan (1) which draws in atmospheric air through air/liquid contact blocks of plastic grids which are sprayed with the liquid to be treated. The blocks change position in order to be sprayed on both front surfaces alternatively and thus remain clean. The liquid evaporates in the contact blocks and the concentrate is dehydrated in a secondary laminar evaporation base. The arrangement into converging sectors provides a geometry with minimal aerodynamic losses in a liquid with organic matter. The device includes a central tank which facilitates an aerobic biopurification process aided by the oxygenation in the contact blocks. Thermal exchanges may be included at the air inlet, using residual energy, particularly from thermal engines to which it provides refrigeration and cleaning of exhaust gases.