Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Alkali bee'

Abstract Biomass, such as wood, binds CO2 as it grows, and is thus considered an environmentally friendly alternative fuel to replace coal. In Finland, biomass is typically co-combusted with peat, and also municipal waste is becoming more common as a fuel for power plants. Wood, peat and waste-based fuels are typically burned in fluidized bed combustion (FBC) boilers. Ash is the inorganic, incombustible residue resulting from combustion. The annual production of biomass and peat ash in Finland is 600 000 tonnes, and this amount is likely to increase in the future, since the use of coal for energy production will be discontinued during the 2020s. Unfortunately, FBC ash is still largely unutilized at the moment and is mainly dumped in landfills. The general aim of this thesis was to generate information which could potentially improve the utilization of FBC ash by alkali activation. The specific objective was to produce geopolymer aggregates by means of a simultaneous alkali activation-granulation process. It was shown that geopolymer aggregates with physical properties comparable to commercial lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECAs) can be produced from FBC fly ash containing heavy metals. Although the ashes were largely unreactive and no new crystalline phases were formed by alkali activation, a new amorphous phase was observed in the XRD patterns, possibly representing micron-sized calcium aluminate silicate hydrate-type gels. The heavy metal immobilization efficiency of alkali activation varied with the type of fly ash. Good stabilization was generally obtained for cationic metals such as Ba, Pb and Zn, but in common with the results obtained with alkali activation of coal fly ash, anionic metals became leachable after alkali activation. The efficiency of immobilization depended on the physical and chemical properties of the fly ash and was not related to the total content of the element. All the geopolymer aggregates met the criteria for a lightweight aggregate (LWA) as defined by EN standard 13055-1. Their strength depended on the reactivity and particle size distribution of the fly ash. Mortars and concretes prepared with such geopolymer aggregates had higher mechanical strength, higher dynamic modulus of elasticity and higher density than concrete produced with commercial LECA, while exhibiting similar rheology and workability
Tiivistelmä Biopolttoaineet, esimerkiksi puu, ovat ympäristöystävällinen vaihtoehto kivihiilelle, koska ne sitovat hiilidioksidia kasvaessaan. Suomessa biopolttoaineita poltetaan tyypillisesti turpeen kanssa, ja nykyään myös jätteen hyödyntäminen polttoaineena on yleistynyt. Puu, turve ja jätepolttoaineet poltetaan tyypillisesti leijupetipoltto-tekniikalla. Tuhka on polton epäorgaaninen, palamaton jäännös. Puun ja turpeen tuhkaa tuotetaan Suomessa 600 000 tonnia vuodessa ja määrän odotetaan kasvavan, sillä kivihiilen poltto lopetetaan 2020-luvulla. Leijupetipolton tuhkaa ei tällä hetkellä juurikaan hyödynnetä ja tuhka päätyykin pääasiassa kaatopaikoille. Tämän tutkielman päämääränä oli tuottaa tietoa, joka parantaisi leijupetipolton tuhkien hyödyntämistä alkali-aktivaatiolla. Erityisesti tavoitteena oli valmistaa geopolymeeriaggregaatteja yhtäaikaisella alkali-aktivaatiolla ja rakeistuksella. Tutkielmassa osoitettiin, että raskasmetalleja sisältävistä tuhkista valmistettujen geopolymeeriaggregaattien fysikaaliset ominaisuudet ovat vertailukelpoiset kaupallisten kevytsora-aggregaattien (LECA) kanssa. Vaikka tuhkien reaktiivisuus oli matala, ja uusia kidefaaseja ei muodostunut alkaliaktivaatiolla, uusi amorfinen faasi havaittiin XRD-mittauksissa. Uusi amorfinen faasi oli mahdollisesti mikrometrikokoluokan kalsium-aluminaatti-silikaatti-hydraatti-tyyppinen rakenne. Raskasmetallien stabiloinnin tehokkuus vaihteli tuhkien välillä. Kationiset metallit, kuten barium, lyijy ja sinkki, stabiloituivat pääasiassa hyvin, mutta anionisten metallin liukoisuus kasvoi alkali-aktivoinnin myötä. Stabiloinnin tehokkuus riippui tuhkien fysikaalisista ja kemiallisista ominaisuuksista, mutta raskasmetallin kokonaispitoisuudella ei ollu vaikutusta. Kaikki geopolymeeriaggregaatit olivat kevytsora-aggregaatteja standardin EN 13055-1 mukaisesti. Aggregaattien lujuus riippui tuhkan reaktiivisuudesta ja partikkelikokojakaumasta. Geopolymeeriaggregaateilla valmistettujen laastien ja betonien mekaaninen lujuus, Youngin moduuli ja tiheys olivat korkeampia kuin kaupallisella kevytsora-aggregaateilla valmistetut, vaikka niiden reologia ja työstettävyys olivat samanlaisia

Subject of the present Ing. thesis is problem of incineration of sewage sludge and influence of lime on production of editions. In work are described kinds of sewage sludge combustion and possibilities of edition cleaning. Work includes design and description of experimental combustion of sewage sludge mixtured with kalcite in fluidized bed reactor. The end of work delal with, evaluation of editions from combustion experiment. Evaluated components of bunt gases are: heavy metals, TZL, SO2, CO, CO2, HCl, HF, O2, NO, PAH, PCB, PCDD/F.

Alkali bees, Nomia melanderi, are native, solitary, soil–nesting bees commercially managed in southeastern Washington State. They nest in dense aggregations and are important pollinators of alfalfa produced for seed. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) proposed safety improvements to US Highway 12 through the Touchet– Lowden–Gardena alfalfa seed growing district, an area critical to alfalfa seed production. This includes northern realignment to accommodate a wider roadway and avoid impacting any towns. Relocation of the highway will bisect several N. melanderi nesting aggregations and alfalfa fields. The study has three objectives: 1) survey the population abundance of N. melanderi across the region by comparing two sampling techniques; 2) determine bee flight heights across roads; and 3) determine N. melanderi foraging range using transgenic pollen.

Regression was significant between the two population sampling methods. Mean emergence hole counts, mean prepupal counts, and the surface area of the nesting aggregations, were used to estimate the abundance of N. melanderi in each bee bed. We constructed a “vehicular bee sweeper” designed to capture insects at specific heights over the roadway. The majority of N. melanderi flew below 2.1 m when no other factors were considered, but environmental conditions like temperature and wind speed affected number and flight height of N. melanderi. To determine N. melanderi foraging distance, adults were collected from their nest sites, and pollen on their hind tibia was tested for the presence or absence of Roundup–^®Ready alfalfa (RRA). The minimum foraging distance was 0.04 km and the maximum was 4.62 km. These distances suggest that N. melanderi will cross the highway for floral resources, increasing potential mortality.

Studying N. melanderi population abundance and flight characteristics allows us to understand the potential impacts of the proposed highway on bee populations and on alfalfa seed producers. The non–destructive quadrat method of sampling N. melanderi populations is robust compared to the destructive, labor-intensive, soil core method. Due to the low-flying nature and foraging distance of N. melanderi, vehicle strikes can be expected to cause mortality in bisected populations. Ultimately, recommendations will be made to highway designers to minimize and mitigate these effects.  

The purpose of this project was to produce a “greener” cement from granulated ground blast furnace slag (GGBS) using non-Portland cement activation. By eventually developing “greener” cement, the ultimate goal of this research project would be to reduce the amount of Portland cement used in concrete, therefore reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere during cement production. This research studies the behavior of mineral binders that do not contain Portland cement but instead comprise GGBS activated by calcium compounds or fluidized bed combustion (FBC) bottom ash. The information described in this paper was collected from experiments including calorimetry, which is a measure of the release of heat from a particular reaction, the determination of activation energy of cement hydration, mechanical strength determination, and pH measurement and identification of crystalline phases using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that it is possible to produce alkali-activated binders with incorporated slag, and bottom ash, which have mechanical properties similar to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). It was determined that the binder systems can incorporate up to 40% bottom ash without any major influence on binder quality. These are positive results in the search for “greener cement”.

Tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] is an important forage crop in the United States and covers over 14 million ha. The presence of Neotyphodium coenophialum, an endophytic fungus in tall fescue, is associated with several disorders in grazing livestock, but also increased persistence of tall fescue. These disorders, commonly called fescue toxicosis, are responsible for large economic losses in the beef cattle industry each year. This research examined the effect of three fescue types [endophyte-infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue (E+), endophyte-free Kentucky 31 tall fescue (E-), non-ergot alkaloid-producing endophyte Q4508-AR542 tall fescue (Q)], and Lakota prairie grass (L; Bromus catharticus Vahl.) on animal response, alkaloid appearance, DMI, and copper status. Ergovaline (EV) is the most abundant ergot alkaloid in tall fescue and has previously been considered the causative toxin in fescue toxicosis. More recently it is simpler ergot alkaloids, such as lysergic acid amide (LSA) have been implicated. The objective of the first project was to evaluate animal performance and alkaloid (EV and LSA) appearance in forage and ruminal fluid of steers grazing E-, Q, E+, and L. Average daily gains were greater (P < 0.05) on E-, Q and L compared to E+, and there was a trend (P = 0.11) for gains on E- to be higher than with Q. The seasonal appearance of LSA in ruminal fluid was similar to the seasonal pattern of alkaloids in E+ forage. Ergovaline was not detectable in ruminal fluid of steers grazing E+. Alkaloids were not detectable in forage or ruminal fluid of steers grazing E-, Q, or L. The appearance of LSA in ruminal fluid of steers grazing E+ suggests that this alkaloid may contribute to fescue toxicosis. Low DMI of animals grazing E+ tall fescue is considered a key factor in decreased animal performance compared to other fescue types. The objective of the second project was to evaluate DMI of steers grazing E-, E+, Q, and L pastures using the alkane technique. Dry matter intake of steers grazing E- was greater (P < 0.001) than Q, E+, and L and DMI of steers grazing Q and E+ were similar (P > 0.10) in 2004. In 2005, DMI did not differ (P = 0.23) among fescue types. These results suggest that decreased DMI effects ADG of steers grazing E+ compared to those grazing E-, and lower DMI of Q suggests that the fescue variety Q4508 may not be the optimal variety for the incorporation on non-ergot alkaloid-producing endophytes. Reactive oxygen metabolites such as superoxide (O₂⁻) are produced by both endogenous and exogenous sources and an accumulation of these compounds can result in oxidative stress. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a Cu-based antioxidant metalloprotein that acts as a defense against oxidative stress by the scavenging of O₂⁻. Neotyphodium-infected tall fescue is typically lower in Cu which could potentially increase oxidative stress of animals grazing this forage. Therefore the objective of the third project was to investigate the Cu and SOD status of steers grazing E-, E+, Q, and L forages. Copper levels of all forages were below the dietary requirement (10μg Cu/g DM) of growing cattle. In 2004, steers grazing E+ exhibited lower (P <0.05) liver Cu compared to E- and Cu intake was lower (P < 0.001). Cu/Zn SOD enzymatic activity and mRNA relative expression did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. Copper intake of steers grazing E+ tall fescue was sufficient to maintain, but not replenish liver Cu, and SOD status did not appear compromised by grazing E+ at these Cu levels.
Ph. D.

Three mathematical models, two of primary alkaline battery cathode discharge, and one of primary alkaline battery discharge, are developed, presented, solved and investigated in this thesis. The primary aim of this work is to improve our understanding of the complex, interrelated and nonlinear processes that occur within primary alkaline batteries during discharge. We use perturbation techniques and Laplace transforms to analyse and simplify an existing model of primary alkaline battery cathode under galvanostatic discharge. The process highlights key phenomena, and removes those phenomena that have very little effect on discharge from the model. We find that electrolyte variation within Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide (EMD) particles is negligible, but proton diffusion within EMD crystals is important. The simplification process results in a significant reduction in the number of model equations, and greatly decreases the computational overhead of the numerical simulation software. In addition, the model results based on this simplified framework compare well with available experimental data. The second model of the primary alkaline battery cathode discharge simulates step potential electrochemical spectroscopy discharges, and is used to improve our understanding of the multi-reaction nature of the reduction of EMD. We find that a single-reaction framework is able to simulate multi-reaction behaviour through the use of a nonlinear ion-ion interaction term. The third model simulates the full primary alkaline battery system, and accounts for the precipitation of zinc oxide within the separator (and other regions), and subsequent internal short circuit through this phase. It was found that an internal short circuit is created at the beginning of discharge, and this self-discharge may be exacerbated by discharging the cell intermittently. We find that using a thicker separator paper is a very effective way of minimising self-discharge behaviour. The equations describing the three models are solved numerically in MATLABR, using three pieces of numerical simulation software. They provide a flexible and powerful set of primary alkaline battery discharge prediction tools, that leverage the simplified model framework, allowing them to be easily run on a desktop PC.

To release energy from chemically stored energy in the biomass was the new investigation in recent years. Utilizing of biomass for this purpose occur in two different ways, directly by burning (combustion) the biomass and indirectly by pyrolysis process which will convert the biomass to three main products, bio- tar, bio- char and synthetic gas. Biomass contains different amount of inorganic compound, especially alkali metals which causes some diverse impacts on combustion, pyrolysis and gasification process such as corrosion, agglomeration and fouling problems. This project aims to investigate the effect of K2CO3 on the pyrolysis and gasification processes of three different types of fuel; wood pellets, forest residue pellets and synthetic waste pellets at three different temperatures, 750 °C, 850 °C and 900 °C respectively. The purpose of this work to study and clarify the influence of K2CO3 on char yield, tar yield and tar compositions and the gasification rate and the reactivity of different fuels char. The pyrolysis process was carried out in a fluidized bed reactor during 2 minutes and the products were tar, char and synthetic gas. In this project interested in char and tar only. Char yield calculated and the results shows the char yield increase with increasing of [K2CO3]. While the tar analysis carried on GC- MS instrument at HB to study the tar yield and compositions. The results showed that potassium carbonate has not so much effect on tar yield and its composition. The last part was gasified the char in TGA with steam and CO2 as oxidizing media to study the influence of [K2CO3] on gasification rate and the reactivity of char samples at different temperatures. The result showed the [K2CO3] has inhibitory effect on gasification rate and the reactivity.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Power generation in South Africa depends majorly on the combustion of coal and the increasing demand for energy due to industrialisation and population growth signifies the continuous consumption of coal. During this process, a by-product known as coal fly ash (CFA) is generated which poses several environmental issues. The common management of the waste involves the disposal of CFA in landfills or the direct disposal to open uncultured lands, thus contaminating water bodies by the leaching of constituent CFA metals and salts that render arable land uncultivable.

The first goal of the current research was to determine whether gene expression profiles differed between whole pituitaries of growing beef steers grazing pastures containing high (HE) or low (LE) amounts of toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue. The global (microarray analysis) and selected targeted (RT-PCR) mRNA expression patterns of pituitaries collected from beef steers (BW = 266 ± 15.5 kg) that had been randomly assigned to undergo summer-long grazing (89 to 105 d) of either HE (0.52 ppm ergot alkaloids) or LE (< 0.03 ppm ergot alkaloids) pastures were compared. Gene expression data were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The pituitaries of HE steers had 542 differentially expressed genes, and the pattern of altered gene expression was dependent on treatment. Targeted RT-PCR analysis corroborated these findings, including decreased expression of DRD2, PRL, POU1F1, GAL, and VIP and that of POMC and PCSK1, respectively. Canonical pathway analysis (Integrated Pathway Analysis, IPA) identified HE-dependent alteration in signaling of additional pituitary-derived hormones, including growth hormone and GnRH. In conclusion, consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue alters the pituitary transcriptome profiles of steers in a manner consistent with their negatively affected physiological parameters. The second goal of this project was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (ISe), SEL-PLEX (OSe), vs. a 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral (VM) mix would differentially alter pituitary transcriptome profiles in growing beef steers (BW = 183 ± 34 kg) commonly grazing an endophyte-infected tall fescue (HE) pasture. Steers were randomly selected from herds of fall-calving cows grazing HE pasture and consuming VM mixes that contained 35 ppm Se as either ISe, OSe, or MIX forms. Steers were weaned, depleted of Se for 98 d, and subjected to summer-long common grazing of a 10.1 ha HE pasture containing 0.51 ppm ergot alkaloids. Steers were assigned (n = 8) to the same Se-form treatments on which they were raised. Selenium treatments were administered by daily top-dressing 85 g of VM mix onto 0.23 kg soyhulls, using in-pasture Calan gates. Pituitaries were collected at slaughter and changes in global (microarray) and selected (RT-PCR) mRNA expression patterns determined. The effects of Se treatment on relative gene expression were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The form of Se affected the expression of 542 annotated genes. Integrated Pathway Analysis found a canonical pathway network between prolactin and POMC/ACTH/ α-MSH synthesis-related proteins, and that mitochondrial dysfunction was a top-affected canonical pathway. Targeted RT-PCR analysis found that the relative abundance of mRNA encoding prolactin and POMC/ACTH/ α-MSH synthesis-related proteins was affected by the form of Se, as were mitochondrial dysfunction-related proteins OSe steers appeared to have a greater prolactin synthesis capacity vs. ISe steers through decreased dopamine receptor D2 signaling, whereas MIX steers had a greater prolactin synthesis capacity and release potential by increasing TRH concentrations than ISe steers. OSe steers also had a greater ACTH and α-MSH synthesis potential than ISe steers. We conclude that form of Se in VM mixes affected genes responsible for prolactin and POMC/ACTH/α-MSH synthesis, and mitochondrial function in pituitaries of growing beef steers commonly grazing an HE pasture. The third goal was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (ISe), SEL-PLEX (OSe), vs. a 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral (VM) mix would differentially alter selenoprotein profiles in pituitaries and livers of growing beef steers commonly grazing an endophyte-infected tall fescue (HE) pasture (i.e., the same steers used in Goal 2). The effects of Se treatment on relative gene expression were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The mRNA content of 6 selenoproteins in the pituitary was affected by Se treatments, along with two selenoprotein P receptors, whereas the expression of two selenoproteins was altered in the liver. We conclude that the change in selenoprotein gene expression in pituitaries indicates that OSe steers have a greater potential capacity to manage against oxidative damage, maintain cellular redox balance, and have a better quality control of protein-folding in their pituitaries than ISe steers. The change in selenoprotein gene expression by the liver indicates that MIX steers have a greater redox signaling capacity and capacity to manage oxidative damage than ISe steers.

The aim of this master thesis is study of possibilities of processing energy by-products, especially coal fly ash and fluidized bed ash, by hydrothermal treatment. Thanks to hydrothermal conditions and proper alkali activation of ashes we can obtain zeolites. Zeolites are microporous crystalline aluminosilicates which are use in many industrial sectors as catalysts, adsorbents and very good ion exchangers. The results of hydrothermal synthesis are influenced by many variable factors. This thesis mainly focused on influence of chosen alkali activator and the concentration of the activator together with a temperature of hydrothermal process. Other factor that is studied is choice of starting materials and solution/ash ratio. Phase composition of prepared samples was characterized by XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also cation exchange capacity of prepared samples was determined.

Consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue results in a syndrome of negatively altered physiological systems, collectively known as fescue toxicosis. Another challenge to endophyte-infected tall fescue -based beef cattle operations is that the soils often are selenium (Se) poor, necessitating the need to provide supplemental Se. To test the general hypothesis that different forms of supplemental Se would ameliorate the negative effects of fescue toxicosis, predominately-Angus steers (BW = 183 ± 34 kg) were randomly selected from herds of fall-calving cows grazing an endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture and consuming vitamin-mineral mixes that contained 35 ppm Se as sodium selenite (ISe), SELPLEX (OSe), or an 1:1 blend of ISe and OSe (MIX). Steers were commonly weaned and depleted of Se for 98 d. Steers were assigned (n = 8 per treatment) to the same Se-form treatments upon which they were raised and subjected to summer-long common grazing of an endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture (0.51 ppm ergot alkaloids: ergovaline plus ergovalinine; 10.1 ha). Selenium treatments were administered by daily top-dressing 85 g of vitamin-mineral mix onto 0.23 kg soyhulls, using in-pasture Calan gates. The first project objective was to determine the effect of forms of supplemental Se on whole blood Se, serum prolactin, liver glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, carcass parameters, and growth performance (Experiment 1). In Experiment 1, whole blood Se increased for all treatments from day 0 to 22 and then did not change. Across periods, MIX and OSe steers had greater whole blood Se than ISe steer. Compared to ISe steers, MIX and OSe steers had more serum prolactin. Liver GS mRNA, protein content, and activity were greater in MIX and OSe steers than ISe steers. However, the ADG and carcass parameters were not affected by Se treatments. The second project objective was to determine the effect of forms of supplemental Se on serum clinical parameters of Experiment 1 steers (Experiment 2). In Experiment 2, across periods, MIX steers had more serum albumin than OSe, and ISe steers, respectively. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was greater in MIX and OSe steers. In addition, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentration were affected by Se treatments. Partial correlation analysis revealed that serum albumin, BUN, and ALP activity were correlated with whole blood Se concentration. The third project objective was to evaluate the hepatic transcriptome profiles of Experiment 1 steers using microarray and targeted RT-PCR analyses (Experiment 3). In Experiment 3, bioinformatic analysis of microarray data indicated that hepatic glutamate/glutamine, proline, arginine, and citrulline metabolism was affected by different forms of supplemental Se. The mRNA expression of critical proteins involved in glutamate/glutamine (GLS2, GLUD1, GLUL), proline (PYCR1, ALDH18A1), and urea (ARG1, ARG2, OAT, NAGS, OTC, ORNT1) metabolism were differentially expressed by Se treatments. Collectively, we conclude that consumption of 3 mg Se/d as OSe or MIX forms of Se in vitamin-mineral mixes 1) increased whole blood Se content, an indicator of greater whole-body Se assimilation; 2) increased serum prolactin, albumin, and ALP, the reduction of which are hallmarks of fescue toxicosis; and 3) altered hepatic nitrogen metabolism, as indicated by changes in key enzymes of glutamate/glutamine, proline, and urea metabolism. However, 4) these positive effects on metabolic parameters were not accompanied by increased growth performance.

Thesis (M. S.)--Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010.
Committee Chair: Kennedy, Brian; Committee Member: Chapman, Michael; Committee Member: Zangwill, Andrew. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

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The tururi and buriti fibers, and the castor bean stalks are extremely efficient to sorption of metal ions from aqueous solutions. In this study, the adsorbents were activated with different concentrations of alkali solutions (5, 7, 10 and 15% w/v). The materials were characterized by analytical techniques as infrared, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetry analysis. The infrared spectra revealed that associated groups to macromolecules of hemicellulose and lignin after alkaline activation have less intensity compared to the initial samples. The XRD revealed, that after castor bean stalks alkaline activation, the presence of the cellulose type II peaks, which did not occur with tururi and buriti fibers. The fluorescence X-ray data showed that the cations present in the initial adsorbents, K+ and Ca2 + are exchanged by Cu (II), Ni (II), Cd (II) and Pb (II) in the sorption process. Studies of the influences of variables: mass of adsorbent; agitation rate; the initial pH and concentration using a fractional factorial design 24-1 demonstrated that all variables affect the response (adsorption capacity mg g-1). As a result for a larger value of qtotal, conditions were observed while maintaining the pH at 5.5; mass of the adsorbent 50 mg; agitation at 200 rpm and the initial concentration: 500 mg L-1. The adsorption kinetics revealed fast adsorption process, about 30 minutes, and good fitting to pseudo-second-order theoretical model to all adsorption process studied. Intraparticle diffusion models as Weber-Morris and Boyd were testes in order to study the limiting steps of the process.The results showed that for tururi and buriti fibers (with the exception of nickel ions) the rate-limiting step is not the intraparticle diffusion, while for the castor bean stalks, it was found that the rate-limiting step of the process is the intraparticle diffusion. The study of monoelement and multielement systems were performed at pH 5.5, initial concentrations from 20-500 mg L-1, which the experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips theoretical models. The tururi fibers adsorption capacities (mg g-1) in monoelementar and multielement system follows the order Pb (188.79)> Cd (92.20)> Cu (32.82)> Ni (22.23) and Cd (77.53)> Pb (43.93)> Cu (24.99)> Ni (19.51), respectively. Buriti fibers adsorption capacities (g-1 mg) in monoelementar and multielement systems follows the order of Cu (143.1)> Pb (112.1)> Ni (103.7)> Cd (86.33) and Pb (69.12)> Cu (49.28)> Ni (45.10)> Cd (24.95), respectively. Castor bean stalks adsorption capacities (g-1 mg) in in monoelementar and multielement systems follows the order of Pb (175.1)> Cd (124.8)> Ni (111.1)> Cu (89.23) and Cu (56.78)> Pb (55.82)> Cd (44.72)> Ni (43.48), respectively. The results showed a better fit for the Sips model, relating to a heterogeneous adsorption. Fixed bed studies using castor bean stalks checking the influence of variables adsorbent flow (1, 2 and 3 mL min-1), the height of the column (5, 7 and 10 cm) and initial concentration (100 , 200, 300 mg L-1) by the Box-Behnken planning revealed that there were no influence between the variables in the studied. The breakthrough curves were well fitted to the Thomas model. The study in real effluent with Cu (II) (galvanoplastic sector) was carried out using the optimized condition: flow (1 ml min-1); bed height (10 cm) initial concentration: (245.5 mg L-1) and it was found adsorption capacity of 32.42 mg g-1. The mamoneira stalks adsorbent was used for five cycles to verify their potential reuse, and it was found no significant efficiency losses.
As fibras tururi, buriti e talos da mamoneira sÃo resÃduos lignocelulÃsicos extremamente eficientes na sorÃÃo de metais de soluÃÃes aquosas. Neste trabalho, eles foram ativados com diferentes concentraÃÃes de soluÃÃes alcalinas (5, 7, 10 e 15% m/v). Os materiais foram caracterizados pelas tÃcnicas analÃticas de Infravermelho, DifraÃÃo de Raios-X (DRX) e Termogravimetria. Os espectros de infravermelho revelaram que os grupos associados Ãs macromolÃculas de hemicelulose e lignina diminuem em intensidade ou desaparecem apÃs a ativaÃÃo alcalina. Os DRX revelaram que apÃs a ativaÃÃo alcalina, os talos da mamoneira apresentaram picos de celulose tipo II, o que nÃo ocorreu com as fibras de tururi e buriti. O dados de FluorescÃncia de Raios-X revelaram que os cÃtions presentes nos adsorventes como Na(I) e Ca(II) sÃo trocados pelos Ãons Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) e Pb(II) no processo de sorÃÃo. Os estudos das influÃncias das variÃveis: massa do adsorvente; taxa de agitaÃÃo; pH e concentraÃÃo inicial utilizando planejamento experimental fracionÃrio 24-1 demostrou que todas as variÃveis afetaram a resposta (capacidade de adsorÃÃo mg g-1). Como resultado para um maior valor de qtotal, as condiÃÃes observadas foram mantendo o pH em 5,5; massa do adsorvente em 50 mg; taxa de agitaÃÃo em 200 rpm e concentraÃÃo inicial 500 mg L-1. A cinÃtica de adsorÃÃo revelou rÃpida adsorÃÃo, cerca de 30 minutos em geral, seguindo o modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem em todos os processos adsortivos. Modelos de difusÃo intrapartÃcula como de Webber-Morris e Boyd foram estudados a fim de determinar as etapas limitantes do processo. Os dados evidenciaram que para as fibras de tururi e buriti (com exceÃÃo dos Ãons nÃquel) a etapa limitante da velocidade nÃo à a difusÃo intraporo, enquanto para os talos de mamoneira foi verificado que a etapa limitante do processo à a difusÃo intrapartÃcula. O estudo com sistema monoelementar e multielementar foi realizado em pH 5,5, concentraÃÃes variando de 20-500 mg L-1, nos quais os dados foram aplicados aos modelos de Langmuir, Freundlich e Sips. As capacidades de adsorÃÃo (mg g-1) em sistema monoelementar e multielementar das fibras de tururi segue a ordem Pb(188,79)> Cd(92,20)> Cu(32,82)> Ni(22,23) e Cd(77,53)> Pb(43,93)> Cu(24,99)> Ni(19,51), respectivamente. As capacidades de adsorÃÃo (mg g-1) das fibras de buriti em sistema monoelementar e multielementar segue a ordem Cu(143,1)> Pb(112,1)> Ni(103,7) > Cd(86,33) e Pb(69,12)> Cu(49,28)> Ni(45,10)> Cd(24,95), respectivamente. As capacidades de adsorÃÃo (mg g-1) dos talos de mamoneira em sistema monoelementar e multielementar segue a ordem Pb(175,1)> Cd(124,8)> Ni(111,1)> Cu(89,23) e Cu(56,78)> Pb(55,82)> Cd(44,72)> Ni(43,48), respectivamente. Em geral, os resultados evidenciaram melhor aplicabilidade ao modelo de Sips, o qual prediz que os sÃtios disponÃveis para adsorÃÃo sÃo heterogÃneos. Em relaÃÃo ao estudo de adsorÃÃo em leito fixo utilizando talos de mamoneira, a verificaÃÃo da influÃncia das variÃveis: fluxo do adsorvente (1, 2 e 3mL min-1), altura da coluna (5, 7 e 10 cm) e concentraÃÃo inicial (100, 200, 300 mg L-1) pelo planejamento de Box-Behnken, revelou que nÃo hà influencia mutua entre as variÃveis no intervalo estudado. As curvas de ruptura experimentais foram bem aplicadas ao modelo teÃrico de Thomas. O estudo com efluente real de Ãons Cu (II) (setor galvanoplÃstico) utilizando a condiÃÃo otimizada: fluxo (1mL min-1); altura de leito (10 cm) e concentraÃÃo inicial: (245,5 mg L-1) obteve 32,42 mg g-1 de capacidade de adsorÃÃo O adsorvente talos de mamoneira foi utilizado por cinco ciclos para verificar seu potencial de uso, nÃo havendo perdas significativas de eficiÃncia.

Cette étude concerne les procédés d'adsorption de gaz pour lesquels la régénération de l'adsorbant est effectuée principalement par augmentation de la température. Les adsorbants sont des tamis moléculaires et les gaz utilisés expérimentalement sont essentiellement des alcanes et du dioxyde de carbone. En vue de modéliser de tels procédés, on effectue une description détaillée des différents phénomènes impliqués. Ainsi, on propose des modèles thermodynamiques pour décrire les équilibres multiconstituants gaz-solide à partir de mesures des isothermes des gaz purs ou de mesures de perturbations chromatographiques, ainsi que les méthodes expérimentales associées. On considère que le transfert de matière gaz-solide est représenté par une diffusion interne au grain uniquement. Le transfert de chaleur est étudié tant au niveau du grain d'adsorbant qu'au niveau de la colonne pour laquelle on envisage les trois cas : isotherme, adiabatique et intermédiaire. On étudie également le cas d'un mélange contenant un gaz condensable. La résolution numérique des équations conduit à un logiciel de simulation. Les simulations réalisées permettent d'explorer l'influence des paramètres opératoires sur l'histoire des concentrations en sortie de colonne, en saturation et en régénération, notamment l'influence du transfert de matière, du transfert de chaleur gaz-adsorbant, des pertes de chaleur a la paroi, de la température du gaz de régénération dans le cas d'une espèce condensable.

Ce travail de thèse concerne l’utilisation des électrotechnologies pour une valorisation optimisée de la betterave à sucre conformément au concept de bioraffinerie. Les électro-technologies appliquées sont les champs électriques pulsés (CEP) et les décharges électriques de haute tension (DEHT). L’étude s’attache d’une part à l’optimisation d’un procédé alternatif pour l’extraction du sucre par pressage alcalin à froid assisté par CEP. D’autre part, elle propose des nouvelles voies pour la valorisation de deux coproduits de l’industrie betteravière qui sont les radicelles et la pulpe de betterave. Dans la première partie, le traitement électrique par CEP couplé au chaulage permet une meilleure désintégration du tissu betteravier. Il permet d’accélérer les cinétiques du pressage, d’améliorer le rendement ainsi que la qualité du jus et d’alléger la procédure de purification en aval de l’extraction. Une étude paramétrique d’optimisation a permis d’identifier le meilleur itinéraire d’application de ce nouveau procédé d’extraction. Les cossettes fraîches de betterave sont prétraitées par CEP à 600 V/cm pour 10 ms (Q = 2,7 Wh/kg). Les cossettes électroporées sont ensuite pressées à froid pour extraire 75 % du jus. Les cossettes pressées subissent un pressage alcalin avec 10 % du lait de chaux. Afin d’extraire le sucre résiduel dans le gâteau de pressage obtenu, deux étapes de pressage supplémentaires avec une étape intermédiaire d’hydratation sont nécessaires. Ce procédé optimisé permet de bien épuiser les cossettes en sucre (perte en sucre de 0,23 % et matière sèche de pulpes de 39 %) pendant une courte durée d’extraction (30 min) avec un faible soutirage (108 %) par rapport au procédé de diffusion. Il permet ainsi des économies significatives de matière et d’énergie surtout pour les étapes d’extraction du jus et de séchage de pulpes. Par rapport au procédé conventionnel, le gain énergétique s’élève à 91,96 × 106 kWh pour une usine traitant 10 000 t/j de betteraves pendant une campagne de 110 jours. De plus, le procédé proposé permet de simplifier la procédure de purification et de réduire de 50 à 60 % la quantité de chaux utilisée. Dans la deuxième partie de cette étude, deux procédés de transformation ont été proposés et optimisés à l’échelle laboratoire pour la valorisation des radicelles et de la pulpe de betterave à sucre. Les radicelles ont été utilisées pour produire du bioéthanol. Le jus brut de radicelles a été extrait par pressage à froid assisté par CEP. La production du bioéthanol a été achevée par fermentation alcoolique. Le prétraitement par CEP (450 V/cm, 10 ms) a permis d’accélérer la cinétique de pressage, d’augmenter le rendement en solutés (79,85 % vs. 16,8 %) et d’obtenir un jus plus concentré (10 % vs. 5,2 %). Le procédé optimisé permet de produire environ 41,75 L de bioéthanol par tonne de radicelles lorsque l’on applique un prétraitement par CEP contre seulement 8,2 L de bioéthanol sans prétraitement électrique confirmant ainsi le potentiel de ce nouveau schéma de valorisation. La pulpe de betterave déshydratée ayant une matière sèche de 92,8 % a été utilisée pour l’extraction de pectines. L’étude réalisée a montré que l’application d’un prétraitement par DEHT permet d’intensifier l’extraction des pectines. Le gain relatif de rendement en pectines est de 25,3 % pour une énergie consommée de 76,2 kJ/kg. Le schéma de bioraffinage proposé pourra aider au maintien de la filière betteravière en France après la suppression de système de quotas sucriers dans l’Union européen qui entrera en vigueur le 1er octobre 2017
This work discusses the use of electrotechnologies for an optimized valorization of sugar beet according to the concept of biorefinery. The applied electrotechnologies are pulsed electric fields (PEF) and high-voltage electrical discharges (HVED). The study firstly aims at optimizing an alternative method for sugar extraction by PEF assisted cold alkaline pressing. On the other hand, it proposes new ways for valorizing two by-products of sugar beet industry, which are sugar beet tails and pulps. In the first part, PEF treatment combined with liming leads to a better disintegration of beet tissue. It permits accelerating of pressing kinetics, improvement of juice yield and quality, and reduction of subsequent purification procedure. A parametric optimization study identified the best application itinerary of the proposed extraction process. Fresh sugar beet cossettes are pretreated by PEF at 600 V/cm for 10 ms (Q = 2.7 Wh/kg). The electroporated cossettes are then pressed to extract 75% of intracellular juice. Compressed cossettes are subjected to an alkaline pressing with 10% lime milk. In order to extract the residual sucrose in the obtained press-cake, two additional steps of pressing with an intermediate hydration are required. This optimized process allows well exhausting the sugar cossettes (sugar loss of 0.23% and pulp dry matter of 39%) for a short extraction (30 min) and with low draft (108%) compared to diffusion method. Thus, it allows substantial saving in materials and energy especially for juice extraction and pulp drying. Compared to the conventional method, the energy saving amounted to 91.96 × 106 kWh for a sugar beet factory treating 10 000 tons per day for a campaign of 110 days. In addition, the proposed method simplifies the purification procedure of raw juice and reduces the used amount of lime from 50 to 60%. In the second part of this study, two processing methods were proposed and optimized at lab-scale for valorization of sugar beet tails and pulps. Sugar beet tails were used to produce bioethanol. Raw juice of beet tails was extracted by PEF assisted cold pressing. Bioethanol production was then done by alcoholic fermentation. Pretreatment of beet tails with PEF (450 V/cm, 10 ms) permits accelerating the pressing kinetics, increasing the yield of solutes (79.85% vs. 16.8%), and leads to a more concentrated juice (10% vs. 5.2%). The optimized process permits the production of about 41.75 L of bioethanol per ton of beet tails when PEF pretreatment is applied against only 8.2 L of bioethanol without PEF confirming the potential of this new valorization scheme. Dried beet pulp having a dry matter of 92.8% was used for pectin recovery. The present study showed that the application of HVED pretreatment leads to intensify pectin extraction. The relative gain of pectin yield is 25.3% with an energy consumption of 76.2 kJ/kg. The proposed biorefinery scheme could protect the sugar beet industry in France after the suppression of the sugar quota system in the European Union, which will take effect on 1st October 2017

Cette étude a porté sur le développement de procédés continus performants de production d’esters à partir de l’huile de tournesol hautement oléique vierge ou raffinée en réacteurs enzymatiques à lit fixe, très productifs et stables dans le temps. Un procédé de transestérification continue en réacteur à lit fixe utilisant Novozyme 435 (lipase B de candida antarctica immobilisée sur Lewatit VP OC 1600), biocatalyseur non régio-spécifique, a été optimisé pour transformer de l’huile vierge de tournesol hautement oléique en esters butyliques. Les phénomènes de partition des composés polaires (phospholipides présents initialement dans l’huile, du glycérol co-produits etc.) entre milieu réactionnel et support enzymatique ont été gérés grâce à l’utilisation de tert-butanol, un solvant polaire. Les conditions assurant le meilleur compromis entre stabilité, productivité et rendements de production d’esters ont été obtenues pour une concentration initiale en huile de 500mM et un rapport molaire entre substrats de 5. De telles conditions permettent une productivité de 13,8 tonnes.an-1.kg de Novozyme 435-1. Le réacteur ainsi dimensionné s’est avéré stable pendant 50 jours consécutifs sans aucune perte d’activité, permettant de minimiser le coût élevé de l’enzyme. L’originalité du procédé est l’utilisation d’huiles vierges contenant des antioxydants naturels (phospholipides, tocophérols etc.). Nous avons démontré que ces composés mineurs sont préservés au cours du procédé de transestérification. Cela confère aux esters formés de remarquables propriétés de résistances à l’oxydation.La pertinence économique du procédé a été améliorée grâce au développement d’un nouveau biocatalyseur sur support hydrophobe (l’Accurel MP) permettant d’éviter toute adsorption de composés polaires. Une analyse économique du procédé (maximisation de la valeur nette actualisée) a permis de rationaliser les conditions optimales d’immobilisation. Une économie de l’ordre de 50% sur les coûts générés tout au long du temps de vie du procédé a pu ainsi être obtenue. En conditions de transestérification continue, aucune différence dans le profil de produits par rapport à Novozyme 435 n’a été observée. Finalement, une alternative à la transestérification directe de l‘huile a été envisagée. Une première phase d’hydrolyse de l’huile est suivie d’un procédé de récupération des acides gras qui sont dans un second temps estérifiés enzymatiquement. Pour réaliser cette dernière étape, le meilleur système réactionnel s’est avéré être le milieu sans solvant. Un réacteur continu d’estérification de l’acide oléique avec l’isobutanol a été optimisé. Cela a permis un réacteur stable pendant 54 jours consécutifs et respectant les critères des biotechnologies blanches. Une productivité annuelle de 126 tonnes.kg de Novozyme 435-1 a été atteinte. Cela représente une amélioration de la productivité d’un facteur 9,2 par rapport au procédé de transestérification développée précédemment
This work focused on the development of efficient continuous processes for the production of esters from crude or refined high oleic sunflower oil with enzymatic packed bed reactor presenting high levels of productivity and stability. A process of continuous transesterification in packed bed reactor using Novozyme 435 (lipase B from Candida antarctica immobilized onto Lewatit VP OC 1600), a non-specific biocatalyst, was optimized to transformation of high-oleic sunflower oil into butylic esters. The phenomena of partition of polar compounds (phospholipids found in crude oils, produced glycerol etc.) between the reaction medium and the enzymatic support were managed using tert-butanol, a polar solvent. The conditions that enabled the best compromise between stability, productivity and production yields were obtained with an initial oil concentration of 500 mM and a molar ratio between co-substrates of 5. Such conditions enabled a productivity of 13.8 tons.kg-1.kg of Novozyme 435-1 to be reached. The reactor exhibited great stability for 50 consecutive days without any loss of activity. That enabled to minimize the high costs of the enzyme. The novelty of the process was the use of crude oils, containing high levels of natural antioxidants (phospholipids, tocopherols etc.). We demonstrated that these minor components of oils were preserved during the transesterification process. It conferred the synthesized esters some remarkable properties of oxidative resistance.The economic relevance of the process was improved thanks to the development of a new biocatalyst onto a very hydrophobic support (Accurel MP) in order to avoid any adsorptions of polar compounds. An economic analysis (maximisation of the net present value) enabled to rationalize the optimal immobilisation conditions. Over the whole process, it enabled a 50% saving on the global expenses.__ In continuous transesterification conditions, no difference in the product profile was noticed between the new biocatalyst and Novozyme 435.Finally, an alternative to direct transesterification of oil was considered. A first stage of oil hydrolysis is followed by a process of fatty acid recovery and a stage of enzymatic esterification into esters. In order to realize/complete this last stage, the best reaction system was a solvent-free medium. A continuous reactor for the esterification of oleic acid with isobutanol was optimized. It enabled a reactor stable/a stable reactor for 54 consecutive days, respecting the conditions of white biotechnologies. An annual productivity of 126 tons.year-1.kg of Novozyme 435-1 was reached. That represented a productivity improvement by a factor of 9.2 in comparison with the transesterification process

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Georgia, 2001.
Directed by Larry R. Beuchat. Includes an article published in Applied and environmental microbiology, and articles submitted to Journal of applied microbiology, and Journal of food protection. Includes bibliographical references.

碩士
國立高雄大學
土木與環境工程學系碩士班
99
The aim of this study determines the effects of agglomeration/defluidization in buble fluidized bed gasification process. The artificial biomass consisted alkai metals and alkaline earth metal to simulate the agglomeration/defluidization. The operating temperature, ER and S/B were considered in the gasification process. The defuilization time and the gas generation behavior (gas composition, gas yield, carbon conversion, heat value of gas and cold gas effiviency) were determined. The results indicate that increasing temperature and ER were promoted the gas yield and carbon conversin. And the high tempertuare also increased the rate of hydrogen in the syngas and the cold gas effiviency. So, the 1.5 S/B was the best parameter in this study. When the alkai metal was added into the artificial biomass, the gas composition, gas yield and carbon conversion were increased. The heat vale of gas and the cold gas effiviency were decreased with the 1.5 S/B. The potassium was better than sodium in the gas generation behavior. On other hand, increasing the concentration of the alkai metals could promote the rate of hydrogen in the syngas. However, it may increase the risk of agglomeration/defluidization. After the agglomeration/defluidization, the carbon coversion, the heat value of gas and cold gas effiviency were desreased. Addition of alkaline earth metal (Ca) not only could inhibit the agglomeration/defluidization, but also increase the rate of hydrogen in the syngas. This result shows that the gas generation behavior in buble fluidized bed gasification process is affected not only the alkai metals and alkaline earth metal but also the agglomeration/defluidization behavior.

Die Schlafkrankheit hat ihren Schrecken seit den Zeiten Robert Kochs und Paul Ehrlichs nicht verloren. Die zielgerichtete Entwicklung neuer Medikamente ist für die Menschen in den Endemiegebieten damals wie heute von elementarer Bedeutung. Die Naphtylisochinolin-Alkaloide stellen eine neue chemische Substanzklasse dar, die gute Kandidaten für die Entwicklung neuer Medikamente enthält. Mit GBAP 94 im speziellen liegt eine Substanz vor, die gute Startvorrausetzungen hierfür mitbringt. Diese sind eine sehr gute Wirksamkeit gegen Trypanosomen, gepaart mit einer hohen Selektivität durch einen sehr wahrscheinlich relativ spezifisch anti-trypanosomalen Wirkmechanismus. Die verwendeten Naphtylisochinolin-Alkaloide GBAP 94 und GBAP 146 wurden nach unterschiedlichen Gesichtspunkten ausgewählt. GBAP 94 wurde aufgrund seiner guten antitrypanosomalen Wirkung und seiner hohen Selektivität für Trypanosomen ausgewählt. Die IC50 liegt mit 0,383 µmol/l im Vergleich zu den aktuell verwendeten Medikamenten sehr niedrig. Die Selektivitätsindices (IC50 Trypanosoma brucei brucei / IC50 Makrophagen J774.1) mit 85,6 und (IC50 Try-panosoma brucei brucei / IC50 Leishmania major) mit 15,1 liegen in einem sehr günstigen Bereich. GBAP 146 wurde hauptsächlich wegen seiner guten Fluoreszenz-Eigenschaften ausgewählt. Die antitrypanosomale Aktivität ist mit einer IC50 von 0,289 µmol/l zwar sehr gut, eine große Selektivität ist aber nicht gegeben. Die beiden Alkaloide waren aufgrund ihrer Eigenfluoreszenz gut fluoreszenz-mikroskopisch in den Parasiten zu detektieren. Nach 10 min war in den ersten Trypanosomen die Anreicherung der Wirkstoffe erkennbar. Nach 30 min war bei fast allen Parasiten eine Färbung erkennbar. Die Wirkstoffe reicherten sich zunächst in mehreren kleinen Vakuolen an. Bei längeren Inkubationszeiten zeigte sich eine fast homogene Verteilung innerhalb des kompletten Parasiten. Durch-gängig ausgespart blieb eine vakuolische Struktur. Diese entwickelte oder vergrößerte sich im Verlauf der Inkubationszeit im vorderen Drittel des Parasiten, etwa im Bereich des Kinetoplasten. Diese Vakuole konnte auch lichtmikroskopisch in der Giemsa-Färbung nachgewiesen werden. Der Anteil der veränderten Trypanosomen lag bei diesen Untersuchungen nach 1 h bei 25,4%, stieg bis zum Zeitpunkt 2 h auf 46,6% und stabilisierte sich nach 4 h bei 44,8%. Die vakuolische Struktur führte durch ihre Vergrößerung zur zunehmenden Verplumpung der Trypanosomen bis zu einer kugelförmigen Zellform mit geisselartig-wirkender Flagelle. Aufgrund der veränderten Form wurden die Zellorganellen verdrängt. Dies konnte durch die Fluoreszenzmarkierung des Mitochondriums mit Rodamine B Hexylester und der sauren Kompartimente, besonders des Lysosoms, mit LysoTracker® gezeigt werden. Die Vakuolisierung von Trypanosomen im Zusammenhang mit Apoptose ist bekannt. Die neu entstehende Vakuole konnte weder mit LysoTracker® green, noch mit dem endosomalen Farbstoff FM 4-64 angefärbt werden. Damit können eine lysosomale und eine endosomale Herkunft der Vakuole ausgeschlossen werden. Eine genaue Klärung der Genese der Vakuole steht noch aus. In den Untersuchungen mit Annexin V und Propidium-Jodid im FACS® konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Wirkung der NIQs sehr wahrscheinlich Apoptose induziert. Annexin V ist auch bei Trypanosomen als Marker für Apoptose etabliert. Zudem zeigte sich ein Anstieg der Anzahl apoptotischer Trypanosomen mit Periode von 6 h – 8 h. Diese Dauer entspricht ungefähr der Dauer des trypanosomalen Zellzyklus. Ein Eingriff der NIQs in den Zellzyklus ist somit sehr wahrscheinlich. Eine Hemmung von Teilen des Zellzyklus ist als Auslöser für Apoptose bekannt. Über die genaue Zielstruktur der NIQs kann allerdings nur spekuliert werden. Die apotose-induzierende Wirkung anderer Alkaloide auf Trypanosomen ist inzwischen nachgewiesen. Ein weiteres Indiz ist, dass die Ergebnisse von Ponte-Sucre mit den NIQs bei Leishmanien ebenfalls in Richtung Apoptose weisen
The trypanosomiasis is still an emerging problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the limitations of the currently used drugs and emerging drug resistance, there is an urgent need for the target-oriented development of novel therapies. Naturally occurring naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids (NIQs), axially chiral acetogenic products derived from tropical plants, have been investigated for their activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei TC 221. The NIQ N-(3'-Methoxyphenyl)-6,8-dimethoxy-1,3-dimethylisochinoliniumtetrafluoroborate seems to be quite specific antitrypanosomal agent. This compound shows a low IC50-value of 0.383 µmol/l against Trypanosoma brucei brucei TC 221 in comparison to the current drugs. For controls another NIQ, N-(4'-N'-Dansylaminophenyl)-6,8-dimethoxy-1,3-dimethylisochinoliniumtrifluoro-acetate, eflornithine an amphotericin B, witch is described to induce apoptosis in trypanosomes, were used. Both NIQ could be detected directly because of their self-fluorescence in the fluorescence-microscopy. After 10 min an accumulation in the first parasites could be detected. After 30 min almost all parasites show the compounds. After an initial accumulation in small vesicles the NIQ spread homogeneous over nearly the whole parasite. Only a vacuole was spared. This structure developed or increased during incubation time. It was located in the front part of the parasite near the kinetoplast. This vacuole could also be detected in light-microscopy of Giemsa-stained parasites. The fraction of the affected trypanosomes was after 1 h 25.4% and increased up to 46.6% after 2 h and stayed almost in this level (44.8% after 4 h). The increase of the vacuole induced a dumpier up to spherical shape. The organelles were displaced. This could be shown by fluorescence-labelled mitochondria, stained with rodamine-B-hexylester, and the acidic compartments, especially the lysosome stained with LysoTracker®. The vacuolisation of trypanosoma brucei is described during apoptosis. The staining of the developing vacuole wasn’t possible neither with LysoTracker® nor with the endosomal staining FM 4-64®. A lysosomal or endosomal origin of this vacuole could be excluded. The genesis of this vacuole needs further investigation. In the FACS®-investigations with annexin V and propidium-iodide staining we got strong hints that the NIQs induce apoptosis. Annexin V is established as a marker for apoptosis in trypanosome. We found an increase of apoptotic parasites in a 6 h – 8 h period. This is also the time for the trypanosomal cell cycle. NIQs seem to interfere with the cell cycle. This is descried from various authors as a trigger for apoptosis. The target structure is however still unknown. Results of other groups indicate an apoptosis-inducing effect of alkaloids in trypanosoma or leishmania

Conventional electrochemical reactors generating alkaline hydrogen peroxide by electro-reduction of oxygen use three-dimensional electrodes in mono-polar cell stacks that operate near atmospheric pressure. The available commercial electrochemical process (eg. the Dow-Huron trickle-bed cathode) is limited to a current density of about 1 kA m-², while other systems under development (eg. the Kvaerner-Chemetics gas diffusion cathode) run at current density up to about 2 kA m-². This relatively low current density results in a high capital cost that limits the use of the electrochemical process as an alternative to the commercial thermochemical process that obtains hydrogen peroxide by the auto-oxidation of anthraquinols. The limitations to the current density in the electrochemical processes operating near atmospheric pressure are largely due to oxygen mass transfer constraints. To increase the oxygen mass transfer rate work has been done at UBC with a bipolar electrochemical reactor that runs at 800-1200 kPa. As opposed to other systems the UBC process uses a relatively simple cell configuration in which a single electrolyte flows with oxygen gas in a graphite felt cathode, sandwiched between a microporous diaphragm and a bipolar electrode plate. To compete with the commercial thermochemical process such an electrochemical reactor should operate with good current efficiency and low voltage (e.g. > 80 %, < 3 Volt) at current densities above 3 kA m-². The anodic generation of oxygen in the UBC system at current density above ca. 2 kA m-² is a problem as it inhibits the passage of current and compromises the performance of the reactor. To circumvent this problem of anode resistance experimental work was done on a perforated bipole electrochemical reactor that allows oxygen disengagement on the anodes through the perforations into the adjacent cathode bed. These perforations also allow current by-pass that translates in to a loss in current efficiency. As a guide to the development and scale-up of this system a two-cell bipolar electrochemical reactor was modelled with trickle-bed cathodes and the current by-pass through the perforated bipole accounted for. The predictions of this model were compared to the performance of a bench scale reactor operating at current density up to 5 kA m-² and used to optimize the bipole configuration. The reactor was eventually scaled-up from small scale (120 mm length by 25mm width and superficial electrode area 30e-4 m² ) to medium scale (630 mm length by 40 mm width and superficial electrode area 200e-4 m2) for two cells. The current efficiency for peroxide generation on the two-cell medium scale reactor was very encouraging (~ 80% at 5 kA m-²) and the voltages obtained were also in the desired range (~ 3.2 V per cell at 5 kA m-²).
Applied Science, Faculty of
Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of
Graduate

碩士
長庚大學
化工與材料工程學系
98
The content of CO2 in atmosphere is getting higher level year by year. Recently, a lot of literatures concerning about capture CO2 from the high emission source can be found. However, there are no existing literatures until now to examine how CO2 is captured from ambient air using a cross-flow rotating packed bed. The centrifugal force in a cross-flow rotating packed bed can result in thin film, providing larger effective gas-liquid contact area and higher mass transfer rate. In this study, CO2 in ambient air was absorbed by MEA, NaOH, K2CO3 using a cross-flow rotating packed bed with the effects of liquid flow rate, gas flow rate, and rotor speed. The results of this study demonstrated that CO2 absorption efficiency increased with liquid flow rate but decreased with gas flow rate. However, CO2 absorption efficiency was independent of rotor speed. Furthermore, CO2 absorption efficiency could be enhanced when H2O2 with an appropriate concentration was added to K2CO3 solution. CO2 absorption efficiency at room temperature was been found with the order: 1.0M MEA > 1.0M NaOH > 20wt% K2CO3/0.2M H2O2 > 0.2M MEA > 5wt% K2CO3 > 20wt% K2CO3.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
環境工程學研究所
105
This study focused on the development of high gravity technology applicable in carbon capture for the air emission reduction and also investigated reuse of the alkaline waste byproduct. High gravity technology using in carbon capture process have advantages of high mass transfer coefficient and can be operated in atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. In the on-site experiments, CO2, SO2, NOx and particle matters can be reduced simultaneously. Besides, the fly ash of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) used in carbon capture process can be reused to substitute Portland cement after stabilization. The research objectives including exploration of the effect of operating conditions on carbonation behavior in rotating packed bed (RPB): The effect of two operation parameters including rotating speed and liquid-to-solid ratio on the carbon capture capacity of fly ash were investigated for both direct and indirect carbonation processes. The results showed that rotating speed of RPB can increase reaction rate and the carbonation efficiency significantly. After leaching for four times or applying pH-swing method, the capture capacities of fly ash in direct and indirect carbonation process were not much changed; models are developed to describe the reaction kinetics and mass transfer, during the leaching and carbonation process. A shrinking core model and an entire reaction model were used to describe the leaching process of alkaline waste. The comparison results among models showed that the process was mainly controlled by the combination effect of product layer diffusion and reaction. In the carbonation process, a surface coverage model was used for the description of calcium conversion and a calcium concentration model was used for the prediction of calcium concentration in solution; the performance of high gravity technology was demonstrated on air emission control via on-site experiments: According to the on-site experimental results，high gravity technology can reduce air emissions in flue gas simultaneously. The reduction efficiencies of CO2, SO2 and NOx can reach 96.3±2.1%, 99.4±0.3% and 95.9±2.1% respectively. The reduction efficiency of particle matters (PM) reached 83.4±2.6%. Besides, experimental results show that, in a higher gas flow rate (11.16m3/min), high gravity technology still has potential to reduce sulfur dioxide in flue gas at a high efficiency (98.8±0.4%); The feasibility to use stabilized fly ash for substituting Portland cement in making concreate was investigated: Fresh fly ash and modified fly ash by different stabilization process are all feasible for Portland cement substitution according to their similar constitutions with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Besides, to ensure the safety of using such substitution materials, the process must proceed by the TCLP test. The performance test in workability, durability and compressive strength shows that carbonated fly ash has a better performance comparing with other materials. The recommended substitution ratio is 10 w.t.%; comprehensively evaluation of the process from the perspective of environmental, economic and engineering aspects The following optimized operation conditions were obtained by the 3E (environmental, economic and engineering) analysis for the on-site operation, gas flow rate: 4.23 m3/min; rotating speed: 600 rpm; liquid-to-solid ratio: 40ml-tap water/g-fly ash. Besides, the environmental and economic analyses show that the High Gravity Carbonation (HiGCarb) process can not only reduce environmental impaction by air emission reduction and alkaline wastes utilization, but also can gain economic profits by comprehensive valorization of wastes.