Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'CCU'

The thesis focuses on CCS and CCU technologies, which could find application in industry and other sectors in the future. These technologies are used to reduce CO2 emissions, mainly from point sources. This thesis provides a comprehensive overview and division of CCS and CCU technologies and points out negative effects of its installation. Part of the work is also a comparison of individual steps of technology, both from an energetic and financial point of view. The aim is to show a wide range of influences on the final price and a significant discrepancy in the results of some scientific works. At the same time, in some parts, you can find a detailed description of individual parts of the technology.

TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN FINANZAS
Mediante éste informe se realizará una valoración económica de la empresa Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. (CCU) a dic-16, en base al método de flujos de caja descontados. Para ello se utilizó como principal fuente de información la información financiera del Grupo Consolidado publicada por la compañía en la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS). Dado lo anterior, fue necesario estimar la estructura de capital objetivo de la compañía y el costo de capital para luego llevar a valor presente los flujos proyectados entre 2017 y 2021_00, y así obtener el precio de la acción a dic-16, el cual es comparado con el precio de mercado en esa fecha. Cabe mencionar que los flujos proyectados para los primeros 5 años fue conservador, en vista del desempeño obtenido por la empresa los últimos periodos derivado del escenario económico actual, sin embargo, para evitar proyectar sólo bajo escenarios negativos, se estimó un valor terminal con crecimiento de acuerdo al promedio histórico de la empresa. El Wacc obtenido fue de 9,8%, y el valor económico de la empresa de MUF 108.554 a dic-16, con ello, y luego de incluir el valor de los activos prescindibles y descontar el endeudamiento se obtuve un precio de acción de $8.062 a esa fecha. Si bien el valor encontrado es menor al de mercado a esa fecha ($6.929), es importante mencionar que el precio varía a diario y a abr-17 alcanzó los $8.540. EL bajo precio a dic-16 podría haber sido afectado por los menores resultados publicados por la compañía en la SVS los dos últimos trimestres del año. Éste documento se encuentra estructurado de la siguiente forma: (1) Descripción de las metodologías de valoración. (2) Descripción de la empresa e Industria, con el fin de contextualizar el medio donde opera la compañía, (3) Descripción del financiamiento de la empresa, (4) Estimación de la estructura de capital, (5) Estimación del costo patrimonial y de la deuda, para posteriormente realizar un (6) Análisis operacional y financiero histórico de la empresa, y luego la (7) Proyección del Estado de Resultados, (8) Flujo de caja, y (9) Patrimonio Económico del Grupo.

L’acier est produit aujourd’hui principalement en faisant appel à une technologie basée sur le procédé haut fourneau-convertisseur à l’oxygène, conduisant à trois types d’émissions principales: le gaz de haut fourneau (BFG), le gaz de cokerie (COG), et le gaz de convertisseur (BOFG). Dans le cadre du projet VALORCO, une analyse des possibilités de réduction des émissions carbonées, associée à une valorisation des émissions de la sidérurgie, a été réalisée. Une des voies étudiées est la production de composés d’intérêt industriel tel que méthanol, pouvant être produit par transformation chimique du CO et/ou CO2 contenus dans les émissions, associé à de l’hydrogène. L’objectif principal de ce travail de thèse consiste à évaluer les possibilités offertes par le procédé de perméation gazeuse, appliqué à la récupération sélective de ces composés dans les 3 types d’émissions. Dans un premier temps, un état de l’art des différents projets dédiés à la capture (CCS) et à la valorisation (CCU) des émissions dans l’industrie de l’acier est présenté, avec une attention particulière aux différentes technologies de séparation des gaz. Des mesures expérimentales de sélectivité et de perméance pour différentes conditions de température et de pression, réalisées sur banc dédié avec deux matériaux membranaires disponibles commercialement et sélectif à l’hydrogène (vitreux) et au CO2 (élastomère) ont permis une étude paramétrique systématique par simulation des performances de séparation du procédé appliqué au BFG, COG et BOFG. Une comparaison des procédés basés sur un seul ou plusieurs étages de perméation, y compris avec des boucles de recirculation, a ensuite été entreprise dans un environnement de type Process System Engineering (PSE, logiciel Aspen Plus). L’influence des paramètres opératoires (rapport de pression, température, taux de prélèvement) sur les performances de séparation a été réalisée, conduisant à une cartographie des compositions atteignables. La consommation énergétique et la surface membranaire nécessaires pour chaque configuration permettent au final une optimisation techno-économique du procédé, sur la base d’un modèle économique intégré aux conditions de simulation
Steel is produced today mainly in a blast furnace-oxygen converter process, leading to three main types of emissions: blast furnace gas (BFG), coke oven gas (COG), and converter gas (BOFG). In the framework of the VALORCO project, an analysis of the possibilities for reducing carbon emissions, combined with the valorization of emissions from the steel industry, was carried out. One of the routes studied is the production of compounds of industrial interest such as methanol, which can be produced by chemical transformation of the CO and / or CO2 contained in the emissions associated with hydrogen. The main objective of this thesis work is to evaluate the possibilities offered by the gas permeation process applied to the selective recovery of these compounds in the three types of emissions. Initially, a state of the art of the various projects dedicated to the capture (CCS) and the valorization (CCU) of the emissions in the steel industry is presented, with particular attention to the different gas separation technologies. Experimental measurements of selectivity and permeance for different temperature and pressure conditions, carried out on a dedicated bench with two commercially available membrane materials, one selective to hydrogen (glassy) and one to CO2 (rubbery), allowed a systematic parametric study by simulation of the separation performance of the process applied to the BFG, COG and BOFG. A comparison of the processes based on one or more permeation stages, including recirculation loops, was then undertaken in a Process System Engineering (PSE) environment (Aspen Plus software). The influence of the operating parameters (pressure ratio, temperature, stage cut) on the separation performance was evaluated, leading to a mapping of attainable compositions. The energy consumption and the membrane surface required for each configuration allow a techno-economic optimization of the process, on the basis of an economic model integrated to the simulation conditions

Background: Critical care is the term used to encompass ‘intensive care units’, ‘intensive treatment units’ and ‘high dependency units’. These units provide expert care for critically ill patients who require constant, close monitoring and specialist nursing to keep them alive. Previous research has shown that admission to critical care can be a frightening, upsetting and traumatic experience. Haematological cancer patients who receive a haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) frequently require admission to critical care as a result of this potentially curative but extremely aggressive treatment. No previous research has explored the unique experience of HSCT patients admitted to critical care. Aim: To gain an in-depth understanding of the experience of cancer patients’ admission to critical care. Methods: Five HSCT patients who had been admitted to critical care completed semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Six superordinate themes were identified: gaps in recollection, unreal experiences, being in the right place, unexpected and unprepared, role of family and life after critical care. It was clear that despite the patients recalling potentially distressing experiences from their stay in critical care, they had no regrets about having the transplant and viewed their admission as being worth it. Themes are discussed in relation to relevant literature. Conclusions: This study offered a unique insight into the experience of being admitted to critical care following stem cell transplant. Implications for the treatment and care of cancer patients admitted to critical care are discussed.

Carbon dioxide from biogas production is currently considered to be without value and isbecause of this released into the atmosphere in the biogas upgrading process. The residualgas is a potential carbon source and can create value in the biogas manufacturing process.By finding a suitable value-creating process that utilizes carbon dioxide, it can be possibleto provide both economic and environmental incentives for companies to develop theiroperations. This project explored the possibility to create value from this CO2. Through anevaluation of the technical maturity of CCU technologies, a recommendation could be givenat the end of the project. An analysis of technical barriers, such as pollutants in the gas, aswell as barriers in the form of competence and corporate culture were examined in orderto provide a reasoned recommendation. The project mapped which value-creating systemswould be suitable for biogas producers in a Swedish context. This included established methaneand carbon dioxide upgrading techniques currently in use and suitable CCU techniquesthat can interact with the selected upgrading processes and serve as value creators. Based onthis survey, it was then possible to identify common, critical variables for these systems. Thereafter,a recommendation of an appropriate CCU technology could be given depending onthe CO2 composition produced. One conclusion from the study was that carbon dioxide concentrationsfrom the residual gas was often high (approx. 97-98 %) and did not contain anycorrosive or toxic components, and that this largely depends on how the digestion reactor ishandled in the production process. Thus, questions were raised about what the actual limitationsof the CCU are, as they did not seem to be technical. CCU techniques that proved to beof particular interest were pH regulation of sewage plants, CO2 as a nutrient substrate for thecultivation of microalgae, and manufacturing of dry-ice for refrigerated transports. All of thesetechnologies currently have a sufficiently high degree of technical maturity to be installedalready today. Other CCU techniques, such as "’Power to gas”, require a high CO2 concentrationand were discarded as the literature review did not suggest the economic potential forthem as they require additional CO2 upgrading steps. Instead, CCU techniques were chosenthat could be implemented directly with the existing CO2 quality. Furthermore, it was concludedthat one reason why CCU technologies have not been widely implemented is internalbarriers between distributors and manufacturers (or users) of CCU technologies. Thus, theuse of carbon dioxide from biogas production and implementation of CCU technologies canbe promoted by eliminating barriers in companies, such as a lack of both knowledge andfinancial incentives.
Koldioxid från biogasproduktion betraktas i dagsläget som utan värde och släpps ut i atmosfärenvid uppgradering av biogas. Restgasen är en potentiell kolkälla och kan vara värdeskapandeför biogasprocessen. Genom att finna en lämplig värdeskapande process som utnyttjarkoldioxid går det att ge både ekonomiska och miljömässiga incitament till företag att utvecklasin verksamhet. I detta projekt undersöktes möjligheten att skapa värde av denna CO2.Genom en utvärdering av den tekniska mognadsgraden hos CCU-tekniker kunde en rekommendationges vid projektets slut. En analys av tekniska hinder, såsom föroreningar i gassammansättningen,såväl som hinder i form av kompetens och företagskultur undersöktes för attkunna ge en motiverad rekommendation. I projektet kartlades vilka värdeskapande systemsom skulle passa för biogasproducenter i en svensk kontext. Detta inkluderade etableradeuppgraderingstekniker för metan- och koldioxid som används i dagsläget. I projektet undersöktesäven lämpliga CCU-tekniker som kan samverka med de valda uppgraderingsprocessernaoch och agera värdeskapande. Utifrån denna kartläggning kunde det sedan anges vilkagemensamma, kritiska variabler som finns för dessa system. Därefter kunde en rekommendationav lämplig CCU-teknik ges beroende på den producerade CO2 sammansättningen. Enslutsats i projektet var att koldioxid från restgasen ofta var av hög koncentration (ca. 97-98 %)och ej innehöll några korrosiva eller toxiska komponenter, och att detta till stor del beror påhur rötkammaren är hanterad i produktionsprocessen. Således väcktes frågor kring vilka defaktiska begränsningarna för CCU är, då de inte torde vara tekniska. CCU-tekniker som visadesig vara av särskilt intresse var pH-reglering av avloppsverk, CO2 som näringssubstratför odling av mikroalger, samt tillverkning av kolsyreis för kyltransporter. Samtliga dessatekniker har tillräckligt hög teknisk mognadsgrad för att kunna installeras i dagsläget. AndraCCU-tekniker, såsom ”Power to gas”, kräver en hög CO2-koncentration och avfärdades dålitteraturstudien inte talade för den ekonomiska potentialen i dessa eftersom de kräver ytterligareuppgraderingssteg för CO2. Således valdes istället CCU-tekniker som skulle gå attimplementera direkt med den befintliga CO2 kvalitén. Vidare drogs slutsatsen att en anledningtill att CCU-tekniker inte har blivit vida implementerade till stor del är interna hindermellan distributörer och tillverkare (eller utnyttjare) av CCU-tekniker. Således kan användandetav koldioxid från biogasproduktion och implementering av CCU-tekniker främjasgenom att eliminera hinder hos företag. I projektet yttrade sig detta som bristande ekonomiskaincitament och okunskap. Ett ökat användande av CCU-tekniker kan också uppnås genomatt införa lagar och regler som begränsar användandet av föråldrade tekniker som drivs avfossila bränslen, och som kan ersättas av klimatvänliga CCU-tekniker.

This ontologically qualitative research study was conducted at Central China University (CCU, pseudonym). The purpose of this research was to (a) explore student narratives regarding their educational experiences in the CCU Business School's at-home internationalization programs; (b) provide an in-depth narrative analysis of student learning challenges and achievements; and (c) add valuable research-based knowledge of student-described experiences at CCU for use by program administrators. The findings focused on student-identified links between the challenges they encounter and their achievements. Additionally, student performance level and sex were closely associated with the challenges and achievements that students reported. In understanding the results, the concepts of student learning found in the approaches of learned optimism, growth mindset, and grit provide potentially fruitful insights. The findings of this research have powerful, instructive implications for administrators at CCU for determining how student challenges should be strategically chosen and shaped to generate specific, positive student achievements.

Mobile chest radiography remains the most appropriate test for critical care patients with cardiorespiratory changes and with patients who have chest tubes and lines as a monitoring tool, and to detect complications related to their use. However, one of the most frequent issues recognized radiographically with patients in critical care is chest tubes and lines malposition. This can be related to technical quality reasons which can affect their appearance in the chest radiography. This research considers how the technical quality of the ICU/CCU chest radiography can impact upon the appearance of chest tubes/lines and how that appearance can impact on the decision making. Results show that the methods used in the chest phantom experiment to estimate the degree of angulation have a large effect upon the appearance of anatomical structures, but it does not have a particularly large effect upon the apparent changes of tube/line position central venous catheter and endotracheal tube (CVC, ETT). The study also shows that there was a little difference between the two image processing algorithms, apart from the visualisation of sharp reproduction of the trachea and proximal bronchi, which was significantly better using the standard algorithm compared to the inverted algorithm. The two methods used to estimate the degree of angulation and the apparent position of the CVC/ETT on 17 mobile chest radiographs provide limited useful information to the image interpreter in estimating the degree of angulation and degree of malpositioning of the tube and line.

El continu increment en l'ús de les energies renovables i els objectius per a la reducció de les emissions de diòxid de carboni (CO2) requereixen canvis significatius tant a nivell tècnic com a nivell normatiu. La captura i utilització de diòxid de carboni (CCU, per les sigles en anglès) és un mètode eficaç per aconseguir la mitigació del CO2 i al mateix temps mantenir de forma segura els subministraments d'energia. Si bé la demanda a la reducció de les emissions de CO2 està augmentant, l'eficiència energètica i el cost dels processos de captura de CO2 segueixen sent un factor limitant per a les aplicacions industrials. En el present treball s'estudia l'ús del procés d'adsorció per oscil·lació de pressió i buit (VPSA, per les sigles en anglès) amb adsorbents d'alta selectivitat per separar el CO2 dels gasos de combustió, com un mètode alternatiu al procés d'absorció tradicional amb amines. Es realitza un estudi preliminar mitjançant Anàlisi Tèrmica per determinar la capacitat d’adsorció i el comportament cíclic de la captura de CO2 per deu adsorbents comercials, inclosos els tamisos moleculars de carboni (CMS) i les zeolites. L'anàlisi es va fer amb CO2 pur, N2 pur i mescles dels dos gasos en la proporció 15%/85% que correspon a la composició d’un gas de combustió normal; s’usen les zeolites comercials 13X, 5A, 4A sense i amb aglomerants i tres tamisos moleculars de carboni (CMS) en l’interval de pressió de 0 a 10 bar i a 283K, 298K, 232K i 323 K de temperatura. Els resultats s’han ajustat amb els models Toth, Sips i Dual Site Langmuir (DSL). Es va realitzar una selecció entre deu adsorbents comercials per a la captura de CO2, inclosos els tamisos moleculars de carbó (CMS, per les sigles en anglès) i les zeolites. Es van determinar les propietats texturals, la capacitat d'adsorció i el comportament cíclic dels adsorbents per comparar el seu comportament a la separació del diòxid de carboni del nitrogen. Posteriorment, es van mesurar les isotermes d'adsorció d'un sol component en la balança de suspensió magnètica a quatre temperatures diferents (283, 298, 232 i 323 K) i en un ampli marge de pressions (de 0 a 10 bara). Les dades sobre les isotermes de components purs es van correlacionar utilitzant els models Toth, Sips i Dual Site Langmuir (DSL). Es van dissenyar i construir tres unitats de laboratori per realitzar l'experimentació del procés VPSA. La primera unitat es va usar per a la producció i el control de mescles gasoses de CO2 i N2 a una pressió màxima de 9 bara. En la segona unitat es van dur a terme la determinació dels equilibris d'adsorció amb una barreja de composició semblant a la dels gasos de combustió (15/85% de CO2/N2 v/v). Amb el programa Aspen Adsorption® es va simular el sistema experimental, obtenint que les prediccions del model DSL reprodueixen suficientment bé els resultats experimentals de les corbes de ruptura i els perfils de temperatura en el llit fix. A més, es van fer estudis dinàmics per avaluar les zeolites 5ABL i 13XBL usant el procés VPSA discontinu per a la separació CO2 de N2. La unitat dos es va dotar d'un sistema de control amb una interfície PLC que facilita la seva operació i automatització, usant una estratègia de control desenvolupada en aquest treball. En base als resultats obtinguts amb la unitat dos, tant experimentals com simulats, es va trobar que la zeolita 13XBL era la més adequada per al procés VPSA proposat. Els resultats experimentals es van emprar per alimentar el disseny de la unitat dos a Aspen Adsorption® i validar el model usat que al seu torn es va utilitzar per realitzar un disseny complet d'experiències de dos factors (26) en configuració continua. La tercera unitat experimental consta de tres columnes d'adsorció on es va incloure l'estratègia de control desenvolupada per la unitat dos i es va incloure la recirculació dels corrents rics en N2 i CO2. Es van dur a terme tres experiments del procés VPSA cíclic de 8 passos canviant els paràmetres de control del procés automatitzat i usant la zeolita 13XBL com adsorbent. Es va aconseguir satisfer els objectius en termes puresa de CO2 (> 80%) i consum energètic (<2.5 kWh/kgCO2). Sobre la base dels resultats experimentals i simulats, es va realitzar una demostració a escala pilot de la captura de CO2 del gas de combustió d'una caldera de vapor en una planta industrial a situada a la província de Barcelona.La planta pilot de captura de CO2 consta d'un procés de pretractament dels gasos de combustió, una unitat VPSA acoblada amb una unitat de deshumidificació i una aplicació industrial per a l'ús del CO2. A la unitat de pretractament, els gasos de combustió es van refredar de 70ºC a 25ºC i es van desnitrificar. A la unitat de deshumidificació, es va eliminar el vapor d'aigua del gas desnitrificat mitjançant adsorció sobre alúmina. Posteriorment, es va emprar el procés VPSA de vuit passos amb tres columnes usant zeolita 13XBL, en la qual es va obtenir un corrent enriquit de CO2 de 85 a 95% de puresa de CO2, amb una recuperació del 48 a 56%, una productivitat de 0,20-0,25 gCO2/(gads·h) i un consum energètic de 1.48 kWh/kgCO2. El CO2 recuperat es va usar per reemplaçar l'ús d'àcids minerals en l'etapa de regulació del pH de la planta de tractament d'aigües residuals existent a la fàbrica. Per tant, el procés desenvolupat és una alternativa efectiva per separar el CO2 dels punts d'emissió de gasos de combustió industrial i utilitzar el CO2 recuperat com a matèria primera per a aplicacions industrials. L'ús de CO2 capturat en aquestes fonts d'emissió té dos avantatges clars. D'una banda, es van reduir les emissions de CO2 a la atmosfera. De l'altra, va permetre reutilitzar i transformar un contaminant ambiental en compostos neutres.
El continuo incremento en el uso de las energías renovables y los objetivos para la reducción de las emisiones de dióxido de carbono (CO2) requieren cambios significativos tanto a nivel técnico como a nivel normativo. La captura y utilización de dióxido de carbono (CCU, por sus siglas en inglés) es un método eficaz para lograr la mitigación del CO2 y al mismo tiempo mantener de forma segura los suministros de energía. Si bien la demanda en la reducción de las emisiones de CO2 está aumentando, la eficiencia energética y el costo de los procesos de captura de CO2 siguen siendo un factor limitante para las aplicaciones industriales. En el presente trabajo se estudia el uso del proceso de adsorción por oscilación de presión y vacío (VPSA, por sus siglas en inglés) con adsorbentes de alta selectividad para separar el CO2 de los gases de combustión, como un método alternativo al proceso de absorción tradicional con aminas. Se realizó una selección entre diez adsorbentes comerciales para la captura de CO2, incluidos los tamices moleculares de carbón (CMS, por sus siglas en inglés) y las zeolitas. Se determinaron las propiedades texturales, la capacidad de adsorción y el comportamiento cíclico de los adsorbentes para comparar su comportamiento en la separación del dióxido de carbono del nitrógeno. Posteriormente, se midieron las isotermas de adsorción de un solo componente en la balanza de suspensión magnética a cuatro temperaturas diferentes (283, 298, 232 y 323 K) y en un amplio margen de presiones (de 0 a 10 bara). Los datos sobre las isotermas de componentes puros se correlacionaron utilizando los modelos Toth, Sips y Dual Site Langmuir (DSL). Se diseñaron y construyeron tres unidades de laboratorio para realizar la experimentación del proceso VPSA. La primera unidad se usó para la producción y el control de mezclas gaseosas de CO2 y N2 a una presión máxima de 9 bara. En la segunda unidad se llevaron a cabo las mediciones de los equilibrios de adsorción con una mezcla de composición semejante a la de los gases de combustión (15/85% de CO2/N2 v/v). Con el programa Aspen Adsorption® se simuló el sistema experimental, obteniendo que las predicciones del modelo DSL reproducen suficientemente bien los resultados experimentales de las curvas de ruptura y los perfiles de temperatura en el lecho fijo. Además, se hicieron estudios dinámicos para evaluar las zeolitas 5ABL y 13XBL usando el proceso VPSA discontinuo para la separación CO2 de N2. La unidad dos se dotó de un sistema de control con una interfaz PLC que facilita su operación y automatización, usando una estrategia de control desarrollada en este trabajo. En base a los resultados obtenidos con la unidad dos y su simulación, se encontró que la zeolita 13XBL era la que la más adecuada para el proceso VPSA propuesto. Los resultados experimentales se usaron para alimentar el diseño de la unidad dos en Aspen Adsorption® y validar el modelo usado que a su vez se utilizó para realizar un diseño completo de experiencias de dos factores (26) en configuración discontinua. La tercera unidad experimental consta de tres columnas de adsorción donde se incluyó la estrategia de control desarrollada para la unidad dos y se incluyó la recirculación de las corrientes ricas en N2 y CO2. Se llevaron a cabo tres experimentos en el proceso VPSA cíclico de 8 pasos cambiando los parámetros de control del proceso automatizado y usando la zeolita 13XBL como adsorbente. Se logró satisfacer los objetivos en términos pureza de CO2 (>80%) y consumo energético (<2.5 kW·h/kgCO2). Sobre la base de los resultados experimentales y simulados, se realizó una demostración a escala piloto de la captura de CO2 del gas de combustión de una caldera de vapor en una planta industrial situada en la provincia de Barcelona. La planta piloto de captura de CO2 consta de un proceso de pretratamiento de los gases de combustión, una unidad VPSA acoplada con una unidad de deshumidificación y una aplicación industrial para el uso del CO2. En la unidad de pretratamiento, los gases de combustión se enfriaron de 70ºC a 25ºC y desnitrificaron. En la unidad de deshumidificación, se eliminó el vapor de agua del gas desnitrificado mediante adsorción con alúmina. Posteriormente, se empleó el proceso VPSA de ocho pasos con tres columnas usando zeolita 13XBL, en la que se obtuvo una corriente enriquecida de CO2 de 85 a 95% de pureza de CO2, con una recuperación del 48 a 56%, una productividad de 0.20 a 0.25 gCO2/(gads٠h-) y un consumo energético de 1.48 kWh/ kgCO2. El CO2 recuperado se usó para reemplazar el uso de ácidos minerales en la etapa de regulación del pH de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales existente en la fábrica. Por lo tanto, el proceso desarrollado es una alternativa efectiva para separar el CO2 de los puntos de emisión de gases de combustión industrial y utilizar el CO2 recuperado como materia prima para aplicaciones industriales. El uso de CO2 capturado en estas fuentes de emisión tiene dos ventajas claras. Por un lado, redujeron las emisiones de CO2 a la atmósfera. Por otro lado, permitió reutilizar y transformar un contaminante ambiental en compuestos neutros.
The continuously increasing share of renewable energy sources and European Union targets for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction need significant changes both on a technical and regulatory level. Carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) is an effective method for achieving CO2 mitigation while simultaneously keeping energy supplies secure. While the demand for reduction in CO2 emissions is increasing, the improvement of energy-efficiency and the cost of CO2 capture processes remains a limiting factor for industrial applications. The present work studies the Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption process (VPSA) using high selectivity adsorbents for separating CO2 from flue gas as an alternative method to the traditional absorption process with amines. A screening analysis for CO2 capture was conducted on ten commercial adsorbents, including carbon molecular sieves (CMS) and zeolites. The textural properties, the adsorption capacities and the adsorbent cyclic behaviors were determined to compare their performance in the context of CO2 separation from nitrogen (N2). Subsequently, the single component adsorption isotherms were measured in a magnetic suspension balance at four different temperatures (283, 298, 232 and 323 K) and over a large range of pressures (from 0 to 10 bara). Data on the pure component isotherms were correlated using the Toth, Sips and Dual Site Langmuir (DSL) models. Three laboratory units were designed and built to perform the VPSA experiments. The first was used for the production and control of CO2 and N2 gas mixtures at a maximum pressure of 9 bara. Adsorption equilibrium measurements with a mixture that resembles the composition of combustion gases (15/85% CO2/N2 v/v) were obtained using the second unit that was built. Afterwards, the Aspen Adsorption® program was used to simulate the experimental system, where the predictions of the DSL model agree with the breakthrough curves and the temperature profiles of the experimental fixed bed results. In addition, dynamic studies were performed to evaluate the zeolites 5ABL and 13XBL using a discontinuous VPSA process for the CO2 separation of N2. The process was automated and operated with a PLC interface, using a control strategy developed in this work. Based on the comparison results of the zeolites, it was found that the 13XBL zeolite was the one most suitable for the proposed VPSA process. The experimental results were verified by numerical simulations in the Aspen Adsorption® software and the validated model was used to perform a two-factor complete design of experiments (26) using 13XBL simulations in a discontinuous configuration. The third experimental unit was built with three adsorption columns which included the developed control strategy and the recirculation of N2 and CO2 rich streams. Three experiments were carried out using zeolite 13XBL as an adsorbent for the proposed 8-step VPSA cyclic process by changing the control parameters of the automated process. Through the experiments, the objectives were achieved in terms of CO2 purity (> 90%) and energy consumption (> 2.5 kWh/kgCO2). Based on the experimental and simulated results, a pilot-scale demonstration plant for CO2 capture from flue gas in an existing industrial boiler in a Spanish company was carried out. The pilot-scale CO2 capture plant consisted of a pre-treatment process for flue gases, a VPSA unit coupled with a dehumidification unit and an industrial application for the use of CO2. In the pretreatment unit the flue gases were cooled from 70°C to 25°C and then denitrified. In the dehumidification unit, the water vapor was removed from the denitrified gas by adsorption with alumina. Subsequently, the three columns’ eight-step VPSA process developed with zeolite 13XBL was used. The results were a product purity of 85 to 95% of CO2, a recovery of 48 to 56%, a productivity of 0.20 to 0.25 gCO2/(gads٠h) and an energy consumption of 1.48 kWh/kgCO2. The recovered CO2 was then used to replace the use of mineral acids in the pH regulation stage of the existing wastewater treatment plant. Therefore, it is concluded that the developed process is an effective alternative to separate the CO2 from the emission points of industrial combustion gases and to use the recovered CO2 as raw material for industrial applications. The use of CO2 captured in these emission sources has two clear advantages. On the one hand, it reduces the CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. On the other hand, it allows the reuse and transformation of an environmental pollutant into neutral compounds.

Le emissioni di CO2 provocate dallo sfruttamento dei combustibili fossili da parte dell'uomo ha portato ad una concentrazione di questo gas serra in atmosfera tale da dover essere monitorata, se non diminuita. E' d'obbligo sfruttare le fonti energetiche in modo più sostenibile: oltre a ridurre il più possibile le emissioni di CO2 è necessario sfruttare appieno le fonti rinnovabili. Soluzione comune a questi due aspetti è il concetto di Power to Gas, o Power to Methane, il cuore del quale è la reazione di metanazione: catturando la CO2 altrimenti dispersa in atmosfera e facendola reagire in appositi catalizzatori con idrogeno ottenuto tramite idrolisi dell'acqua, utilizzando elettricità derivante da fonti rinnovabili, si ottiene metano. In questo modo si può sopperire alla fornitura di energia senza dipendere dai combustibili fossili e con emissioni nulle. In questa tesi si approfondiranno gli aspetti generali della metanazione, soprattutto sulla termodinamica, e si mostrerà quanto sia importante che il concetto di PtM si possa applicare il più possibile su vasta scala.

In 2015, more than 80% of energy consumption was based on fossil resources. Growing population especially in developing countries fuel the trend in global energy consumption. This constant increase however leads to climate change caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG, especially CO2 mitigation is one of the top priority challenges in the EU. Amongst the solutions to mitigate future emissions, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is gaining interest. CO2 is a valuable, abundant and renewable carbon source that can be converted into fuels and chemicals. Methanol (MeOH) is one of the chemicals that can be produced from CO2. It is considered a basic compound in chemical industry as it can be utilised in a versatility of processes. These arguments make methanol and its production from CO2 a current, intriguing topic in climate change mitigation. In this master’s thesis first the applications, production, global demand and market price of methanol were investigated. In the second part of the thesis, a methanol plant producing chemical grade methanol was simulated in Aspen Plus. The studied plants have three different annual capacities: 10 kt/a, 50 kt/a and 250 kt/a. They were compared with the option of buying the CO2 or capturing it directly from flue gases through a carbon capture (CC) unit attached to the methanol plant. The kinetic model considering both CO and CO2 as sources of carbon for methanol formation was described thoroughly, and the main considerations and parameters were introduced for the simulation. The simulation successfully achieved chemical grade methanol production, with a high overall CO2 conversion rate and close to stoichiometric raw material utilization. Heat exchanger network was optimized in Aspen Energy Analyzer which achieved a total of 75% heat duty saving. The estimated levelised cost of methanol (LCOMeOH) ranges between 1130 and 630 €/t which is significantly higher than the current listed market price for fossil methanol at 419 €/t. This high LCOMeOH is mostly due to the high production cost of hydrogen, which corresponds to 72% of LCOMeOH. It was revealed that selling the oxygen by-product from water electrolysis had the most significant effect, reducing the LCOMeOH to 475 €/t. Cost of electricity also has a significant influence on the LCOMeOH, and for a 10 €/MWh change the LCOMeOH changed by 110 €/t. Finally, the estimated LCOMeOH was least sensitive for the change in cost of CO2. When comparing owning a CC plant with purchasing CO2, it was revealed that purchasing option is only beneficial for smaller plants.

Memoria para optar al título de Arquitecto
El proyecto de Título consiste en el desarrollo de una propuesta de carácter cívico cultural en el Centro Histórico de la ciudad de La Serena, para revertir su obsolescencia generada por la expansión desmedida hacia la periferia. El polígono escogido forma parte de un conjunto de Patrimonio Industrial, donde funcionó la Ex Cervecería Floto-CCU, que actualmente se encuentra en estado de abandono, por lo que su condición no va de acuerdo a las dinámicas del sector ni con las proyecciones de crecimiento para el casco histórico, que además pertenece a la Zona Típica más extensa del país. Al contar con una gran superficie subutilizada, el terreno ofrece la oportunidad de poner en valor el patrimonio existente y a su vez dar cabida para la incorporación de nuevos programas que consoliden el carácter del lugar. Si bien el eje central del proyecto es la proposición del edificio consistorial dada por la actual dispersión de las dependencias municipales y la ausencia de un espacio representativo para la ciudadanía, también busca poner en valor el patrimonio existente, que hasta la fecha no se encuentra categorizado con interés histórico o patrimonial, por lo que su estado de vulnerabilidad es mucho mayor. Por medio de la intervención del conjunto, se otorga un plan de uso a los inmuebles a reutilizar, donde de acuerdo al análisis del área, se inserta un programa enfocado en el desarrollo de actividades cívicas y culturales, considerando, además, la relación entre los bordes de la manzana y su entorno. Hacia el norte y el oriente deberá enfrentarse principalmente con la actividad residencial dada por el Barrio patrimonial Almagro y su cercanía con la ribera sur del Río Elqui, mientras que hacia el sur y el poniente se encuentra vinculado con usos comerciales y la Plaza de Armas junto a edificios institucionales circundantes, donde el proyecto podrá conectarse a través de la apertura de sus bordes. Se propone una estrategia de recuperación a partir de una redefinición de las escalas del lugar, sus límites y relación con el tejido urbano, estableciendo diferentes etapas de desarrollo que permitan vincular de manera armónica el contexto urbano presente con los vestigios industriales del pasado, logrando una propuesta coherente con las nuevas necesidades de la ciudad y la región.

Le captage et la réduction électrochimique du CO2 (CCU) est une solution pour décarboniser le secteur industriel. Cette technologie valorise la source de carbone peu chère en molécules carbonées à forte valeur ajoutée. Des nombreuses méthodes de valorisation du CO2 existent pour limiter la libération de ce gaz à effet de serre dans l’atmosphère. Pendant cette thèse, nous proposons le captage du CO2 complété par la conversion électrochimique en différentes molécules carbonées dans une cellule électrochimique. L’électroconversion de dioxyde de carbone est une méthode prometteuse grâce à des conditions réactionnelles douces en température et pression et la possibilité d’alimenter la cellule électrochimique avec de l’électricité produite par des énergies renouvelables. Ce procédé nécessite le développement de solvants de captage qui peuvent également jouer le rôle d’électrolyte pendant la réduction électrochimique du CO2. En même temps, le choix d’un matériau catalytique est indispensable pour la conversion sélective du CO2 en molécule(s) d’intérêt. Le choix du solvant de captage est souvent basé sur la capacité d’absorption du CO2, les stabilités chimique et électrochimique, les enjeux environnementaux et le coût. Les solvants eutectiques profonds (DESs) apparaissent comme des candidats très intéressants puisqu’ils répondent aux différents critères de sélection. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous focalisons sur le développement de ces nouveaux solvants émergents pour le captage et l’électroconversion du CO2 avec des catalyseurs à base de palladium. Le palladium est d’ailleurs connu pour être un électrocatalyseur effectif pour la transformation sélective du dioxyde de carbone en molécules type C1 tel que le monoxyde de carbone.Pendant cette thèse, nous avons synthétisé et testé électrochimiquement des nombreux DESs et des catalyseurs à base de palladium en vue de permettre la compréhension des mécanismes réactionnels de la réduction du CO2 en molécule de type C1. Les différentes techniques de caractérisation ont permis d’étudier les structures des matériaux catalytiques (morphologie et tailles des particules) et des solvants eutectiques profonds, d’analyser les produits et les intermédiaires réactionnels ainsi que de comprendre les verrous du système utilisé. Dans sa globalité, le projet a permis de faire un pas vers la séquestration et la valorisation du dioxyde de carbone par la méthode électrochimique pour décarboniser le secteur industriel et empêcher ainsi le dérèglement climatique
Carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) is a way to decarbonize industrial sector. This technology provides a valorization of cheap carbon feedstock by its transformation to carbonaceous value-added chemicals. Multiple CO2 capture and utilization techniques exist to prevent the release of the greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. Here, we propose an integrated process of CO2 capture sequenced by electroconversion to C-based products in electrochemical cell. Electrochemical CO2 conversion is a promising method due to mild reaction conditions and possibility to power the reaction with electricity produced by renewable energy sources. This process necessitates the development of solvents capable to capture CO2 and to play a role of electrolyte during electrochemical reduction reaction. At the same time, efficient catalytic materials are vital for selective CO2 conversion to targeted product(s). The choice of capture solvent is usually based on CO2 capture ability, chemical and electrochemical stabilities, environmental issue and cost. Economically affordable deep eutectic solvent (DES) electrolytes seem to be promising candidates for CO2 capture and electroreduction because of good thermal and electrochemical stabilities, competitive CO2 uptake and large electrochemical windows. In this work, we focused on the development of novel deep eutectic solvent electrolytes for CO2 electroreduction with Pd-based electrocatalysts. Palladium proved its efficiency for selective conversion of carbon dioxide to C1 molecules such as carbon monoxide.During the thesis, we synthesized and electrochemically tested multiple DESs and Pd-based electrocatalysts with different morphologies and particle sizes to get more insights into reaction mechanism of CO2 electroreduction to C1 molecules. The implementation of different characterization techniques helped to study catalytic materials and DESs structures, to analyze gaseous and liquid reaction intermediates and products, and to understand main challenges of the studied system. Overall, this study is a one step forward the application of CO2ER (carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction) for valorisation of carbon dioxide and climate change mitigation

The present work is related to the complete analysis of biogas-fed SOFC system. The first part of the work has been related to a review on the concept of polygeneration system and on the analysis of the current status of SOFC installations, especially when fed with biogas. The use of a renewable fuel, coupled with carbon capture, can lead to negative emissions plants, defined as key technologies for reaching the goals set in the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, biogas and SOFC show many affinities which have been discussed in the works: from the high efficiency at low sizes to the availability of already existing subsidy schemes for electricity production. An analysis of the potential biogas production in EU is proposed, with focus on wastewater treatment plants. In this particular area, the work tries to point out the numbers of potential installed power by using SOFCs. The experimental and modeling activities are then proposed. The PhD activity is linked to two European projects, SOFCOM and DEMOSOFC. The first project is related to the analysis of biogas fed SOFC system with carbon capture and re-use. In this context, a demonstration plant has been developed and tested in the SMAT Castiglione wastewater treatment plant. Results show an easy process for the CO2 capture from the SOFC exhaust, thus pointing SOFC as a key technology in the framework of negative carbon emissions plants. More criticalities have been found in the choice of CO2 utilization for production of algae in a photobioreactor: the unstable quality of the inlet wastewater coming from the plant, the fluctuating algae productivity as function of the weather conditions, and the algae attachment to the pipe, pointed out a need for improvements and research on this technology. The experimental activity has been coupled with a modeling activity on the same concept of biogas fed SOFC, with the possibility of a downstream carbon capture and use/ sequestration. Different plant layout and different system sizes have been analyzed from a technical and economical point of view. Finally, the analysis of a real industrial size SOFC system is proposed. This activity has been developed in the framework of the DEMOSOFC EU project, where the first industrial size biogas fed SOFC system will be installed. Being the first installation of its kind, many issued and improvements have been detected. The analysis is related to the system design and description, for what concerning plant integration (electrical and thermal), system operation, and biogas processing. Biogas processing has been especially pointed out as a key component in a biogas-fed SOFC system. Because of the low admissible contaminants levels for fuel cell, a new and dedicated cleaning unit is required, which is not currently available on the market. The processing unit design is proposed and ongoing experimental activity on the adsorption with activated carbons are proposed. The main harmful contaminants found in wastewater biogas are sulphur (in the form of H2S) and siloxanes (mainly D4 and D5).

Carbon dioxide is released by natural and anthropogenic processes, such as the production and combustion of fossil fuels. Production of biogas also generates carbon dioxide, but of biogenic origin. The global, yearly emissions of greenhouse gases are regularly increasing, although agreements such as the Paris Agreement is signed by parties globally. Sweden has the goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, and thereafter to only obtain negative emission levels. To reach these goals the biogenic version of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) called Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is considered to be an essential strategy. Using carbon dioxide, through Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), in for example products, can complement BECCS since the strategy can increase the value of carbon dioxide. These strategies make it possible to reduce the climate impact of biogas production.  This master thesis aimed to chart different techniques in CCS and CCU to examine how they can be used to utilize or store carbon dioxide from biogas plants. What technical demands different solutions create was explored. The different techniques were assessed through a multi criteria analysis by a technological, environmental, marketable and economical standpoint to investigate which ones were the most suitable for a specific, studied case – Tekniska verken’s biogas plant. One suitable technique within CCU was analyzed through a screening of actors in the region. An environmental assessment of one technique in CCS and one in CCU were compared with the reference case Business as usual, to explore how a simulated biogas plant’s climate impact can change through the implementation of CCS and CCU.  The charting of literature gave findings of 42 different techniques, which were sifted down to 7; algae farming for wastewater treatment, BECCS in saltwater aquifers, carbon dioxide curing of concrete, bulk solutions, production of methanol, production of methane through Power To Gas and crop yield boosting in greenhouses. The multi criteria analysis pointed out carbon dioxide curing of concrete and BECCS in saltwater aquifers as suitable solutions for the studied case. The implementation of these techniques requires a liquefaction plant, infrastructure for transportation as well as business partners.  A life cycle assessment of the studied cases climate impact was given through modelling and simulation of a model plant of the studied case, with the functional unit 1 Nm3 biomethane. The reference case Business as usual had a climate impact of 0,38 kg CO2 eq, which corresponds to approximately one eighth of the climate impact of fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. By storing the carbon dioxide through BECCS in saltwater aquifers the climate impact decreased to - 0,42 kg CO2 eq. By utilizing the carbon dioxide through curing of concrete the biomethane’s climate impact decreased to -0,72 kg CO2 eq. The results thereby evince that Swedish biogas producers can improve their climate performance through CCS and CCU.
Koldioxid släpps ut av såväl naturliga som antropogena processer, exempelvis vid produktion och förbränning av fossila bränslen. Även vid biogasproduktion uppkommer koldioxid, men av biogent ursprung. Årliga globala utsläpp av växthusgaser ökar regelbundet, trots överenskommelser som Parisavtalet som syftar till att begränsa klimatförändringarna. Sverige ska nå nettonollutsläpp senast 2045 och därefter ha negativa utsläppsnivåer. För att uppnå detta mål anses en biogen version av Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), det vill säga avskiljning och lagring av koldioxid, kallad Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) vara en essentiell strategi. Tillvaratagande av koldioxid, genom Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), kan ge ett bra komplement till BECCS eftersom det nyttiggör koldioxid i produkter och kan öka värdet av koldioxid. Tekniker inom CCS och CCU möjliggör minskad klimatpåverkan inom biogasproduktion.  Detta examensarbete syftade till att kartlägga olika alternativ inom teknikerna CCS och CCU för att undersöka hur dessa kan användas för att nyttiggöra eller lagra koldioxid från biogasanläggningar, samt att undersöka vilka tekniska krav som ges av lösningarna. Utifrån en multikriterieanalys bedömdes vilka lösningar som var tekniskt, miljömässigt, marknadsmässigt och ekonomiskt motiverade för tillvaratagande av koldioxid. Bedömningen genomfördes genom att studera specifikt fall som var Tekniska verken i Linköpings biogasanläggning. Den lösning som valdes ut som lämplig inom CCU analyserades ur ett marknadsmässigt perspektiv genom en översiktlig kartläggning av aktörer i regionen. Därefter studerades klimatpåverkan från en förenklad modell av Tekniska verkens biogasanläggning för att undersöka hur denna förändras vid implementering av en lämplig lösning inom CCS respektive CCU.  Genom en screening av lösningsförslag identifierades 42 lösningsförslag inom CCS och CCU som sållades ner till sju stycken; algodling vid vattenrening, BECCS i saltvattenakviferer, betong härdad av koldioxid, bulklösning, metanoltillverkning, tillverkning av metan genom Power To Gas samt växthusodling. Multikriterieanalysen visade att koldioxidhärdad betong inom CCU och BECCS i saltvattenakviferer inom CCS var lämpliga lösningar för det studerade fallet. För implementering av förslagen krävdes bland annat en förvätskningsanläggning, infrastruktur för transport och samarbetspartners.  De studerade scenariernas klimatmässiga livscykel erhölls genom modellering och simulering av en modellanläggning av det studerade fallets biogasanläggning i programvaran SimaPro med användning av den funktionella enheten 1 Nm3 fordonsgas. Resultatet visade att fordonsgasen i referensfallet har en klimatpåverkan på 0,38 kg koldioxidekvivalenter. Fordonsgasens klimatpåverkan var cirka en åttondel av fossila bränslen såsom bensin och diesels klimatpåverkan. Vid lagring av koldioxid genom BECCS i saltvattenakviferer förändrades klimatpåverkan till - 0,42 kg koldioxidekvivalenter. När koldioxid användes till härdning av betong förändrades fordonsgasens klimatpåverkan till -0,72 kg koldioxidekvivalenter. Detta innebär att svenska producenter av biogas kan förbättra sin klimatpåverkan genom såväl lösningar inom CCS som CCU.

This research study explored the meanings former patients attributed to being on long-term mechanical ventilation in a critical care unit (CCU). An interpretive phenomenological-ontological perspective informed by the philosophical tenets of Heidegger (1927/1962) was used to examine the lived experience of a group of people who had previously been hospitalised in one of three critical care units in southeast Queensland, Australia, during which time they were on a mechanical ventilator for a period of seven days or more. Data were collected using 14 unstructured audio-taped interviews from participants, who had indicated that they were willing and able to recall aspects of their critical care experience. The data were analysed using the method developed by van Manen (1990). A total of nine people participated in the study, of which six were male and three female. Their ages ranged from 21 to 69 years. Thematic analysis of the data revealed four themes: Being thrown into an uneveryday world; Existing in an uneveryday world; Reclaiming the everyday world; and Reframing the experience. Throughout the description of these themes, excerpts from the interviews with the participants are provided to demonstrate, and bring to light the meaning and interpretations constructed. From this thematic analysis, a phenomenological description drawing on Heidegger's tenets of Being was constructed. Titled Being at its most elusive, this description showed that participants experienced momentary lapses of: situation, engagement, concern and care, temporality, and the ability to self-interpret. These findings highlight and affirm the relevance of Heidegger's ontological tenets to reveal Being. The findings of this study served as a basis for a number of recommendations relating to nursing practice, education and research. Recommendations relating to practice include: constructing a more patient-friendly critical care environment, increased involvement of patients and their families in decision making and patient care activities; ensuring adequate critical care nursing staff levels; ensuring and maintaining appropriate skill level of critical care nurses; enhancing methods of communication with patients; planning for effective patient discharge and adoption of a designated nurse position for discharge planning; providing opportunities for follow up contact of patients once they are discharged from CCU; and promoting the establishment of follow up services for former CCU patients, and their families. Recommendations relating to critical care education include: incorporating more in-depth information of the psychological and social aspects of patient and family care into care planning; incorporating communication and counselling education and training to assist nurses caring for mechanically ventilated patients, and their families; further education regarding the role and responsibilities of patient discharge planning from CCU; incorporating more advanced research skills training and utilisation of research findings into practice; and the provision of appropriate and ongoing training and education in areas such as manual handling and communication skills for all health care staff involved in the direct care of CCU patients. This study also recommended that further research be undertaken to: examine and compare different sedative and analgesic protocols and their effects on the incidence of nightmares and hallucinations reported by CCU patients; replicate this study in a group of patients from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds; evaluate the efficacy of current methods for communicating with intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the CCU; develop, test and evaluate the efficacy of new methods for communicating with intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the CCU; examine CCU patients' perceived level of control and power; explore the extent and type of involvement patients would like to have in their care whilst in the CCU; investigate the extent and type of problems experienced by CCU patients after discharge; explore the usefulness and appropriateness of personal diaries for individual patients as an aid to assist in understanding and resolving their CCU experience; and examine the value of follow up contacts by CCU staff to former patients and their families. In summary, the findings from this study add substantial knowledge to critical care nurses' understanding and knowledge about what it means to be on long-term mechanical ventilation in a critical care unit. Findings will help inform future critical care nursing practice and education, and the provision of holistic and evidenced-based care.

This research study explored the meanings former patients attributed to being on long-term mechanical ventilation in a critical care unit (CCU). An interpretive phenomenological-ontological perspective informed by the philosophical tenets of Heidegger (1927/1962) was used to examine the lived experience of a group of people who had previously been hospitalised in one of three critical care units in southeast Queensland, Australia, during which time they were on a mechanical ventilator for a period of seven days or more. Data were collected using 14 unstructured audio-taped interviews from participants, who had indicated that they were willing and able to recall aspects of their critical care experience. The data were analysed using the method developed by van Manen (1990). A total of nine people participated in the study, of which six were male and three female. Their ages ranged from 21 to 69 years. Thematic analysis of the data revealed four themes: Being thrown into an uneveryday world; Existing in an uneveryday world; Reclaiming the everyday world; and Reframing the experience. Throughout the description of these themes, excerpts from the interviews with the participants are provided to demonstrate, and bring to light the meaning and interpretations constructed. From this thematic analysis, a phenomenological description drawing on Heidegger's tenets of Being was constructed. Titled Being at its most elusive, this description showed that participants experienced momentary lapses of: situation, engagement, concern and care, temporality, and the ability to self-interpret. These findings highlight and affirm the relevance of Heidegger's ontological tenets to reveal Being. The findings of this study served as a basis for a number of recommendations relating to nursing practice, education and research. Recommendations relating to practice include: constructing a more patient-friendly critical care environment, increased involvement of patients and their families in decision making and patient care activities; ensuring adequate critical care nursing staff levels; ensuring and maintaining appropriate skill level of critical care nurses; enhancing methods of communication with patients; planning for effective patient discharge and adoption of a designated nurse position for discharge planning; providing opportunities for follow up contact of patients once they are discharged from CCU; and promoting the establishment of follow up services for former CCU patients, and their families. Recommendations relating to critical care education include: incorporating more in-depth information of the psychological and social aspects of patient and family care into care planning; incorporating communication and counselling education and training to assist nurses caring for mechanically ventilated patients, and their families; further education regarding the role and responsibilities of patient discharge planning from CCU; incorporating more advanced research skills training and utilisation of research findings into practice; and the provision of appropriate and ongoing training and education in areas such as manual handling and communication skills for all health care staff involved in the direct care of CCU patients. This study also recommended that further research be undertaken to: examine and compare different sedative and analgesic protocols and their effects on the incidence of nightmares and hallucinations reported by CCU patients; replicate this study in a group of patients from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds; evaluate the efficacy of current methods for communicating with intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the CCU; develop, test and evaluate the efficacy of new methods for communicating with intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the CCU; examine CCU patients' perceived level of control and power; explore the extent and type of involvement patients would like to have in their care whilst in the CCU; investigate the extent and type of problems experienced by CCU patients after discharge; explore the usefulness and appropriateness of personal diaries for individual patients as an aid to assist in understanding and resolving their CCU experience; and examine the value of follow up contacts by CCU staff to former patients and their families. In summary, the findings from this study add substantial knowledge to critical care nurses' understanding and knowledge about what it means to be on long-term mechanical ventilation in a critical care unit. Findings will help inform future critical care nursing practice and education, and the provision of holistic and evidenced-based care.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Nursing
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Il principale responsabile del riscaldamento globale è l’anidride carbonica che costituisce circa 76% dei gas ad effetto serra rilasciati in atmosfera. Il problema ha sollevato sempre più preoccupazioni, finché nel 1997 in occasione della Conferenza delle parti COP3 venne sottoscritto il Protocollo di Kyoto. Allo scadere del 2012, a Parigi si tenne un'altra conferenza sul clima in cui venne sottoscritto l'Accordo di Parigi. Gli obiettivi dell’Accordo di Parigi impongono un mantenimento dell’aumento medio di temperatura entro 2°C rispetto al livello di temperatura relativo ai valori preindustriali. Raggiungere gli obiettivi fissati dall’Accordo di Parigi, allo stato attuale è difficile a meno di sequestrare l’anidride carbonica dall’atmosfera. Pertanto contestualmente si ricerca la possibilità di catturare l’anidride carbonica rilasciata nell’atmosfera da grandi impianti di combustione in modo da limitare almeno in parte il suo continuo incremento, a tal fine sono state pensate le diverse tecniche di cattura e stoccaggio dell’anidride carbonica nel sottosuolo, (carbon capture and storage, CCS). Il mancato successo della cattura e sequestro dell’anidride carbonica sembra essere legato non solo a fattori economici ma anche alla sicurezza di trasporto della sostanza una volta catturata e alle condizioni geologiche del sito di sequestro finale. Dato un notevole dispendio economico nell’applicazione delle tecniche di cattura dell’anidride carbonica la via preferenziale è quella di riutilizzarla nel recupero assistito del greggio (EOR). Inoltre per trovare delle alternative sostenibili si valutano le applicazioni delle tecniche CCS come il riutilizzo della CO2 e le bioenergie. Ma i costielevati e le mancanze di iniziative politiche a livello nazionale mettono l'applicazione delle CCS a dura prova.

L'expérience LHCb, au CERN, prépare une mise à niveau majeure de son détecteur et le passage d'un système de déclenchement matériel à un système de déclenchement entièrement logiciel. Elle est désormais confrontée au défi de pouvoir traiter les événements entrants à une cadence de 30 millions d'événements par seconde. Pour faire face à ce flux de données massif, le logiciel doit être optimisé pour utiliser plus efficacement la puissance de traitement de la ferme de filtrage. Cette thèse porte sur le premier algorithme du logiciel High Level Trigger de LHCb : l'algorithme de reconstruction du Vertex Locator (VELO). Le VELO est le premier détecteur rencontré par les particules, entourant directement la région d'interaction. Son objectif est de trouver les trajectoires candidates initiales qui seront ensuite suivies à travers les autres couches du détecteur LHCb. Ces trajectoires doivent être estimées avec une résolution suffisamment bonne pour qu'elles puisse également être utilisées pour localiser l'emplacement des collisions. La première étape de cet algorithme consiste à préparer les données en regroupant les pixels des capteurs en hits ; ce processus est appelé analyse en composantes connexes (ACC). Cette thèse présente plusieurs nouveaux algorithmes d'ACC pour les architectures CPU et GPU. Un nouvel algorithme de reconstruction pour le détecteur VELO utilisant le SIMD est présenté, qui permet à LHCb de traiter les événements en temps réel et d'améliorer la qualité de la reconstruction. La bibliothèque SIMDWrapper, développée pour ce nouvel algorithme, fait désormais partie du logiciel de LHCb et est utilisée dans d'autres algorithmes
The LHCb experiment, at CERN, is preparing a major upgrade of its detector and a change from an hardware-based to a fully software-based trigger system. It is now facing the challenge of being able to process incoming events at a rate of 30 million events per second. To cope with this massive data input, the software must be optimized to use the processing power of the filtering farm more efficiently. This thesis focus on the first algorithm of LHCb's High Level Trigger software: the Vertex Locator (VELO) reconstruction algorithm. The VELO is the first detector encountered by particles, directly surrounding the interaction region. Its goal is to find the initial track candidate that are then followed through the other layers of the LHCb detector with a good enough resolution that they could also be used to locate the origin of the collisions. The first step of this algorithm is to prepare the data by grouping pixels of the silicon sensors into hits; this process is called connected component analysis (CCA). This thesis presents multiple new CCA algorithms for both CPU and GPU architectures. A new VELO reconstruction algorithm using SIMD is presented, that enable LHCb to process events in real time and improve the quality of the reconstruction. The SIMDWrapper library, developed for the new VELO algorithm, is now part of LHCb's software and is used in other algorithms

This thesis work contains an overview of potential alternative options to couple formate produced from CO2 with other coupling partners than formate itself. Ultimately, the intent is to produce high value chemicals from CO2 at a high selectivity and conversion, whilst keeping the required utility of electrons in the electrochemical CO2 conversion at a minimum. To select and find new coupling partners, a framework was developed upon which a broad variety of candidates were assessed and ranked. A multi-stage process was used to select first potential classes of molecules. For each class, a variety of commercially available compounds was analysed in depth for its potential suitability in the reaction with the active carbonite intermediate. This analysis has shown that a wide variety of factors come into play and especially the reactivity of the hydride catalyst poses a mayor challenge. The three major potential classes of compounds suitable for the coupling are carbon oxides (CO2 & CO), and aldehydes. As a second step the remaining options were ranked to identify which compound to test first. In this ranking the reactants sustainability, ease of commercial operation and commercial attractiveness of the compound were considered. The highest-ranking compounds that proposed the highest potential are CO2, benzaldehyde and para-formaldehyde. In proof-of-principle experiments CO2 could successfully be incorporated in the form of carbonate, oxalate and potentially formate. The overall incorporation efficiency based on the hydride consumption was shown to be 50%. It is suggested to continue this work with mechanistic studies to understand the reaction in detail as, based on further gained knowledge, the reaction can then be optimized towards optimal CO2 incorporation in the form of oxalate.

Un des enjeux sociétal important concerne le vieillissement des personnes en situation de handicap mental. L’allongement de l’espérance de leur vie a pour conséquence que les établissements spécialisés pour l’accueil des personnes âgées (comme les EPHAD) se retrouvent à accueillir des personnes souffrant des maladies du vieillissement (démence par exemple) en plus d’un handicap mental. Se pose alors le problème de l’accès aux soins pour cette population à travers l’usage des dispositifs médicaux adaptés aux caractéristiques des personnes âgées. La présence d’un handicap mental a plusieurs conséquences : difficulté de compréhension des usages des dispositifs médicaux, personnels peu formés aux conséquences de cette handicap). En effet, les dispositifs médicaux sont spécifiques soit pour les situations de handicaps ou soit pour le contexte du vieillissement (avec des normes, des règles de remboursement différents). Que se passe t-il dans le cas d’un dispositif médical qui doit être adapté non seulement aux contraintes dues au vieillissement et à celles dues à un handicap mental ? Nous proposons donc de partir des questions de départ suivantes comme objectif pour ce sujet de thèse : Y a t-il des difficultés d'accès aux soins pour les personnes âgées en situation de handicap? Quels sont les manques exprimés par les usagers eux-mêmes et par les professionnels du sanitaire? Quel Dispositif Médical faudrait-il "améliorer" ou créer pour faciliter l'accès aux soins pour cette population spécifique ?
One og the biggest challenge for our societies is the aging of the population. One is getting particularly important : the ageing of people with mental disorder. The increase of their life expectancy has several consequences in their access to care. Establishment which are specialized in the welcolme of elderly people are now welcoming people with mental disorder. The access to care is one of the most problematic aspect in this phenomenum : what medical devices are adapted for this new population ? Indeed, medical devices are adapted either for people with mental disorder, either for elderly people. For people with mental disorder getting older, there is a need to adapt the tools for them, to adapt the way of communicating with them and the way to monitore them. We are trying to propose new solutions to answer all these questions

CO2 global emissions exceed 30 Giga tonnes (Gt) per year, and the high atmospheric concentrations are detrimental to the environment. In spite of efforts to decrease emissions by sequestration (carbon capture and storage) and repurposing (use in fine chemicals synthesis and oil extraction), more than 98% of CO2 generated is released to the atmosphere. With emissions expected to increase, transforming CO2 to chemicals of high demand could be an alternative to decrease its atmospheric concentration. Transportation fuels represent 26% of the global energy consumption, making it an ideal end product that could match the scale of CO2 generation. The long-term goal of the study is to transform CO2 to liquid fuels closing a synthetic carbon cycle. Synthetic fuels, such as diesel and gasoline, can be produced from syngas (a combination of CO and H2) by Fischer Tropsch synthesis or methanol synthesis, respectively. Methanol can be turned into gasoline by MTO technologies. Technologies to make renewable hydrogen are already in existence, but CO is almost exclusively generated from methane. Due to the high stability of the CO2 molecule, its transformation is very energy intensive. Therefore, the current challenge is developing technologies for the conversion of CO2 to CO with a low energy requirement. The work in this dissertation describes the development of a recyclable, isothermal, low-temperature process for the conversion of CO2 to CO with high selectivity, called Reverse Water Gas Shift Chemical Looping (RWGS-CL). In this process, H2 is used to generate oxygen vacancies in a metal oxide bed. These vacancies then can be re-filled by one O atom from CO2, producing CO. Perovskites (ABO3) were used as the oxide material due to their high oxygen mobility and stability. They were synthesized by the Pechini sol-gel synthesis, and characterized with X-ray diffraction and surface area measurements. Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the reducibility and re-oxidation abilities of the materials with temperature-programmed reduction and oxidation experiments. Cycles of RWGS-CL were performed in a packed bed reactor to study CO production rates. Different metal compositions on the A and B site of the oxide were tested. In all the studies, La and Sr were used on the A site because their combination is known to enhance oxygen vacancies formation and CO2 adsorption on the perovskites. The RWGS-CL was first demonstrated in a non-isothermal process at 500 °C for the H2-reduction and 850 °C for the CO2 conversion on a Co-based perovskite. This perovskite was too unstable for the H2 treatment. Addition of Fe to the perovskite enhanced its stability, and allowed for an isothermal and recyclable process at 550 °C with high selectivity towards CO. In an effort to decrease the operating temperature, Cu was incorporated to the structure. It was found that Cu addition inhibited CO formation and formed very unstable oxide materials. Preliminary studies show that application of this technology has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from captured flue gases (i.e. from power plants) or from concentrated CO2 (adsorbed from the atmosphere), while generating a high value chemical. This technology also has possible applications in space explorations, especially in environments like Mars atmosphere, which has high concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

A preservação química visa proteger a madeira contra quaisquer ações deterioradoras, sejam elas consequências de fenômenos físico-químicos, como a ação do intemperismo, ou de fenômenos biológicos, como os organismos xilófagos. No Brasil, os preservativos mais utilizados nas usinas de preservação são o Arseniato de Cobre Cromatado (CCA) e o Borato de Cobre Cromatado (CCB). Ambos são aplicados na madeira através do processo de vácuo-pressão, método que em tese poderia aumentar a quantidade de defeitos superficiais e diminuir os valores das propriedades físico-mecânicas das madeiras. Atualmente, em decorrência da disponibilização no mercado (devida à implantação de áreas certificadas no Brasil) de espécies de madeira de média a baixa densidade, a questão da necessidade da preservação contra a demanda biológica se constitui em aspecto de fundamental importância para que se garantam as alternativas de oferta desse material para a construção de estruturas, cuja durabilidade seja equivalente à da madeira de espécies de uso consagrado, como Jatobá, Sucupira, Garapa e Itaúba, por exemplo. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a influência dos tratamentos com os preservativos CCA e CCB nas propriedades físico-mecânicas das seguintes espécies de madeiras tropicais brasileiras: Simarouba amara (C20), Cedrelinga catenaeformis (C30) e Erisma uncinatum Warm (C40), escolhidas na tentativa de abranger as três classes de resistência mais baixas, de acordo com o que prescreve a ABNT NBR 7190:1997. Foi realizada a caracterização completa de cada espécie nos três tipos de tratamento (Sem tratamento – Ref; CCA; CCB) para posterior aplicação do teste de comparações múltiplas de Tukey, avaliado ao nível de 5% de significância. Para avaliar o comportamento dos preservativos a nível celular, foram geradas fotomicrografias por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) e seus respectivos espectros de EDS. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que ambos os tratamentos químicos não afetaram significativamente os valores das propriedades físico-mecânicas das espécies estudadas.
The chemical preservation aims to protect the wood against any deteriorating actions, be they consequences of physical-chemical phenomena, such as weathering, or biological phenomena, such as xylophagous organisms. In Brazil, the most used preservatives in the preservation plants are Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) and Chromated Copper Borate (CCB). Both are applied to the wood through the vacuum-pressure process, which in theory could increase the amount of surface defects and decrease the values of the physical-mechanical properties of the wood. Currently, due to the availability in the market (due to the implantation of certified areas in Brazil) of medium to low density wood species, the question of the need for preservation against biological demand is an aspect of fundamental importance to ensure the alternatives of supply of this material for the construction of structures, whose durability is equivalent to the wood of species of consecrated use, such as Jatobá, Sucupira, Garapa and Itaúba, for example In this context, the present work had as objective to investigate the influence of the treatments with the preservatives CCA and CCB on physical-mechanical properties of the following species of Brazilian tropical woods: Simarouba amara (C20), Cedrelinga catenaeformis (C30) e Erisma uncinatum Warm (C40), chosen in an attempt to cover the three lower resistance classes, according to what ABNT NBR 7190:1997 prescribes. The complete characterization of each species in the three types of treatments (No treatment - Ref: CCA; CCB) was performed for the subsequent application of the Tukey\'s multiple comparison test, evaluated at the 5% level of significance. To evaluate the behavior of the preservatives at the cellular level, photomicrographs were generated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and their respective EDS spectra. The results obtained showed that both chemical treatments did not affect significantly the values of the physical-mechanical properties of the studied species.

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Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation(CCU) technologies has been pointed out as possibilities to mitigate the effects caused by the massiverelease of CO2 into the atmosphere. The use of CO2 in cycloaddition reactions toepoxides obtaining cyclic carbonates is an interesting possibility to reduce CO2emission. Cyclic carbonates are products of great applicability as solvents in the chemical industry and are used as raw material for a wide range of products. Meanwhile, the use of CO2 for a cycloaddition reaction requires a large amount of energy being necessary the use of catalysts in order to optimize such reactions. Poly (ionic liquids) (PIL) are alternative catalysts due its selective, recyclability and conversion. In this work, cellulosic poly(ionic liquids) (CPIL) obtained from rice husk were testedas heterogeneous catalyst. Cellulose extraction was carried out by chemical method. A chemical modification of the cellulose fibers was carried out by the treatment with citric acid and functionalization with 3 mmol of the ionic liquids BMIM Cl, TBAB, TBPB and BMPYRR to form CPIL-BMIM, CPIL-TBA, CPIL-TBP and CPIL-BMPYRR), without addition of solvents. Cyclo addition reactions were carried out with propylene and styrene oxides with different CO2 pressures(25, 30 and 40 bar) and temperatures (90, 110 and 120 ?C) for 6 h. The obtained product was characterized by gas chromatography (GC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR)and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR). The results showed better yields for CPIL-TBP and CPIL-TBA, whose values were 53.2% and 39% respectively for propylene carbonate and 67.3% for styrene carbonate using CPIL-TBP. When the ZnBr2 cocatalyst was used, there was an increase in the catalytic activity of these catalysts. For CPIL-TBP the yields were 71.4% for propylene carbonate and 78.7% for styrene carbonate. For CPIL-TBA the increase in propylene carbonate yield was 67.7%.
O uso das tecnologias de captura e armazenamento de carbono (CCS) e de captura utiliza??o do carbono (CCU) v?m sendo apontadas como possibilidades para mitigar os efeitos causados pela libera??o deliberada de elevadas concentra??es de CO2 na atmosfera. A utiliza??o do CO2 em rea??es de cicloadi??o em ep?xidos para obter carbonatos c?clicos vem se mostrando uma possibilidade interessante para reduzir a emiss?o de CO2 na atmosfera. Os carbonatos c?clicos s?o produtos de grande aplicabilidade como solventes na ind?stria qu?mica e s?o utilizados como mat?ria prima para uma vasta gama de produtos. Entretanto, o CO2 apresenta baixa reatividade tornando-se necess?rio o uso de catalisadores para otimizar tais rea??es. Os poli(l?quidos i?nicos) (PILs) v?m se mostrando como poss?veis catalisadores alternativos, demonstrando-se seletivos, recicl?veis e gerando consider?vel convers?o. Neste trabalho foram testados poli(l?quidos i?nicos) celul?sicos (CPIL), obtidos a partir da casca do arroz, como catalisador heterog?neo. A extra??o da celulose foi realizada por um m?todo qu?mico. A modifica??o qu?mica das fibras de celulose foi realizada a partir do tratamento com ?cido c?trico e a funcionaliza??o desta com 3 mmol dos l?quidos i?nicos BMIM Cl, TBAB, TBPB e BMPYRR formando CPIL-BMIM, CPIL-TBA, CPIL-TBP e CPIL-BMPYRR. As rea??es de cicloadi??o foram realizadas com os ?xidos de propileno e estireno com diferentes press?es de CO2 (15, 25, 30 e 40 bar) e temperaturas (90, 110, 120 e 130?C) durante (3, 6 e 9h), todas as rea??es foram realizadas sem a utiliza??o de solventes. O produto obtido foi caracterizado por cromatografia gasosa (CG) , espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e Resson?ncia Magn?tica Nuclear (1H RMN). Os resultados demonstraram melhores rendimentos para CPIL-TBP e CPIL-TBA, cujos valores foram de 53,2% e 39% respectivamente para o carbonato de propileno e de 67,3% para o carbonato de estireno utilizando o CPIL-TBP. Quando o cocatalisador ZnBr2 foi utilizado, houve um aumento na a atividade catal?tica destes catalisadores, para o CPIL-TBP os rendimentos foram de 71,4 % para o carbonato de propileno e 78,7% para o carbonato de estireno. Para o CPIL-TBA o aumento no rendimento de carbonato de propileno foi de 67,7%.

This thesis examines the evolution of international humanitarian concern culminating in adoption of a Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) banning these weapons in May 2008. It is based on systematic analysis of official documents, extensive interviews, participant-observation, and several bodies of international relations (IR) theory. Part I explains the research methodology and discusses the theoretical context for the thesis. It is argued that several core assumptions of rationalist-materialist approaches to IR theory impede understanding of the CCM¿s emergence, and thus the thesis adopts an interpretivist framework. The four chapters of Part II analyse international efforts on cluster munitions including prior, failed attempts to restrict cluster munitions, the emergence of an international campaign from 2003, ensuing activity involving states, international organisations and civil society, and the CCM¿s eventual negotiation involving more than 100 states. Part III marries this empirical account to theoretical analysis of four thesis propositions. It is concluded that non-state actor-engendered processes of evidence collection and analysis, learning and frame alignment were central to the Oslo process¿s emergence. The Oslo Declaration¿s particular humanitarian framing (to ban cluster munitions causing unacceptable harm to civilians) and the structure of the subsequent ¿define-and-ban¿ discourse permitted convergence between states over prohibiting these weapons. Nevertheless, they contain implications for other international efforts aimed at controlling means of armed violence.

Les recherches sur l'assistance technique aux personnes handicapées se sont beaucoup développées ces dernières années. Le projet ARPH (Assistance Robotique aux Personnes Handicapées) du laboratoire IBISC, débuté en 1994, consiste en un bras manipulateur embarqué sur une base mobile pour l'assistance à la saisie et la manipulation d'objets à distance. Cette thèse aborde tout d'abord la commande du robot en s'appuyant sur un système multi-agents. Le robot étudié étant redondant (6 degrés de liberté pour le bras et 2 degrés de liberté pour la base mobile), le premier objectif est de proposer une commande valable même en cas de dysfonctionnement d'une ou plusieurs articulations. Le second objectif de cette commande est d'atteindre le but choisi par la personne en conservant, dans la mesure du possible, une posture du bras loin de ses singularités. Le système reste ainsi le plus manipulable possible à chaque instant. Les résultats ont été comparés avec une autre méthode multi-agent et une commande classique basée sur la notion de manipulabilité. La méthode proposée améliore notablement ceux obtenus par les deux autres. La conception d'un tel système, complexe et innovant, demande la mise en place d'une méthodologie. La norme ISO 13407 définit le processus de Conception Centrée sur l'Utilisateur (CCU) pour les systèmes interactifs. Elle est initialement destinée au développement d'interfaces logicielles. Le processus de conception mis en œuvre est itératif, ce qui le rend inutilisable pour des systèmes dits complexes car comprenant non seulement des composantes logicielles mais aussi des composantes matérielles (mécaniques, électroniques...). Les techniques de la réalité virtuelle ont été mises à contribution afin de rendre cette démarche de CCU opérante pour un système complexe (CCU-SC). Une modélisation virtuelle initiale du système permet une première série d'évaluations avec les utilisateurs finaux. Lorsqu'une partie du système est validée par les opérateurs, elle peut être développée réellement. On entre alors dans un cycle d'évaluation d'un système dit mixte car comprenant des parties réelles et des parties virtuelles. On utilise ici les techniques de la réalité mixée, de la virtualité augmentée à la réalité augmentée. Après plusieurs cycles de ce type, on aboutit à un système réel. Outre le processus de conception, la méthode fournit un simulateur du système réel. Ce dernier peut être exploité après la conception pour l'apprentissage par les futurs utilisateurs. Un simulateur du projet ARPH a été développé pendant cette thèse. Il a été évalué avec l'aide d'étudiants de psychologie expérimentale. Deux types d'évaluation ont permis à des utilisateurs handicapés et non handicapés de manipuler le système réel et le simulateur. La première série de tests a eu pour but d'évaluer le transfert d'habiletés entre simulateur et système réel. La deuxième série de tests avait pour objectif l'évaluation du robot d'assistance en situation écologique c'est-à-dire la plus proche possible d'une situation naturelle.

This thesis examines the evolution of international humanitarian concern culminating in adoption of a Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) banning these weapons in May 2008. It is based on systematic analysis of official documents, extensive interviews, participant-observation, and several bodies of international relations (IR) theory. Part I explains the research methodology and discusses the theoretical context for the thesis. It is argued that several core assumptions of rationalist-materialist approaches to IR theory impede understanding of the CCM's emergence, and thus the thesis adopts an interpretivist framework. The four chapters of Part II analyse international efforts on cluster munitions including prior, failed attempts to restrict cluster munitions, the emergence of an international campaign from 2003, ensuing activity involving states, international organisations and civil society, and the CCM's eventual negotiation involving more than 100 states. Part III marries this empirical account to theoretical analysis of four thesis propositions. It is concluded that non-state actor-engendered processes of evidence collection and analysis, learning and frame alignment were central to the Oslo process's emergence. The Oslo Declaration's particular humanitarian framing (to ban cluster munitions causing unacceptable harm to civilians) and the structure of the subsequent 'define-and-ban' discourse permitted convergence between states over prohibiting these weapons. Nevertheless, they contain implications for other international efforts aimed at controlling means of armed violence.

A mastite é uma doença complexa que pode ter diferentes causas, graus de intensidade e variações de duração e de conseqüências. Os processos inflamatórios na glândula mamária são especialmente freqüentes e importantes em bovinos leiteiros. A mastite infecciosa é a mais importante sob os pontos de vista econômico e de saúde pública. A forma subclínica é a mais onerosa e prevalente com um comprometimento mundial de 40% do rebanho leiteiro e perdas econômicas entre 5% e 25% da produção leiteira. No Brasil, a mastite subclínica caracteriza-se pela alta incidência, com índices variando de 44,88% a 97,0%, e a redução da produção leiteira situa-se entre 25,4% e 43,0%. Dentre os agentes etiológicos mais isolados em casos de mastite subclínica destacam-se os Staphylococcus spp., os Streptococcus spp. e o Corynebacterium bovis. A quantidade de UFC/mL no leite proveniente diretamente da glândula mamária bovina com infecção permitiria o conhecimento da quantidade de microrganismos associada a uma determinada intensidade de processo inflamatório na glândula. A comparação destas informações com a contagem de células somáticas na amostra avaliaria mais acuradamente a natureza do processo inflamatório e infeccioso na glândula. Importante seria o risco que representa a presença de microrganismos no leite, sobretudo se considerar o hábito do consumo de leite in natura, verificando em um estudo quantitativo desta natureza, a carga microbiana ingerida pelo homem. Foram examinadas 80 amostras de leite de vacas mestiças ou holandesas, primíparas e multíparas, em diferentes estágios de lactação de plantéis do Estado de São Paulo. Quatro grupos foram formados de 20 animais cada: grupos com crescimento negativo, de Staphylococcus spp. e Streptococcus spp. em cultura pura e grupo com a associação de ambos microrganismos. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliação comparativa da quantidade de UFC/mL de microrganismos e CCSs no leite proveniente de glândulas mamárias bovinas, associadas com a presença dos microrganismos Staphylococcus spp. e Streptococcus spp. e infecções mistas ocorridas com a presença de ambos. Tanto Staphylococcus spp. (mediana = 4,772), quanto Streptococcus spp. em cultura pura (mediana = 5,933), não apresentam diferenças significativas na contagem de UFC com seus respectivos agentes em associação (Staphylococcus spp. com mediana da associação foi de 5,048 e mediana de Streptococcus spp. da associação foi de 5,792). Nas amostras em que houve crescimento de Staphylococcus spp. e Streptococcus spp. associados, a quantidade de UFC de Streptococcus spp. foi estatisticamente maior. Comparados entre si (crescimento em cultura pura de Staphylococcus spp. com mediana = 5,765 e Streptococcus spp., mediana = 5,920), mesmo apresentando um maior número na CCSs no grupo de crescimento de Streptococcus spp., este aumento não foi significativo estatisticamente. Porém, quando associados (mediana = 5,673), comparados à cultura pura de Staphylococcus spp. (mediana = 5,765), este último teve aumento significativo. Tanto em cultura pura como em associação, a presença dos microrganismos quando comparados, não induziram a um aumento significativo na CCSs ou à contagem de UFCs em amostras de leite com sinais de mastite subclínica, porém Staphylococcus spp. induziu maior contagem de células somáticas
Mastitis is a complex disease that can occur due to different causes, intensity of degrees and variation of duration and consequences. The inflammatory processes in the mammary gland are specially frequent and important in dairy producing cattle. The infectious mastitis is the most important because of the economic aspects and public health. The subclinical manifestation is the most expensive and prevailing affecting 40% of the milk producing herd and causing an economic loss between 5% and 25% of all dairy production. In Brazil, the subclinical mastitis is characterized by high incidence, with indexes varying from 44,8% to 97,0 % with the reduction of milk production between 25,4% and 43%. Among the more isolated etiological agents in subclinical mastitis, is the Staphylococcus spp., the Streptococcus spp. and the Corynebacterium bovis. The amount of CFU/mL in the milk directly originated from the infected cow mammary gland would make possible to know the amount of microorganisms associated to a determined intensity of inflammatory process in the gland. The comparison between this information with the number of body cells in the sample would evaluate more precisely the nature of the inflammatory process in the gland. The risk represented by the presence of microorganisms in the milk is very important mainly because of the habit of milk consumption in natura, checked in a quantitative study of this nature, based on the amount of microbes intake by man. Eight milk samples of half-breed cows and Dutch cows were examined as well as those in first or after various calving, in different lactation stages in breeding stocks in São Paulo State. Four groups were organized, with 20 animals in each with negative Staphylococcus spp. growth and Streptococcus spp. in pure culture and group, with the association of both microorganisms. The purpose of this study is the comparative assessment of the amount of CFU/mL of microorganisms and CCSs in the milk from the mammary bovine glands, associated with the presence of microorganisms Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. and a mixed infection that occurred with the presence of both. The Staphylococcus spp. (median = 4,772) as well as the Streptococcus spp. in pure culture (median= 5,933) did not show significant differences in the CFU count, with their respective agents in association (Staphylococcus spp. with median of association was of 5,048 and median of Streptococcus spp. of the association was of 5,792). On the samples in which there was a growth of Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. associated, the amount of CFU of Streptococcus spp. was statistically larger. Compared between themselves (growth in pure culture of Staphylococcus spp., median = 5,920, this increase wasnt statistically significant. Although when associated (median=5,673), compared to the pure culture of Staphylococcus spp. (median=5,765), the latter had a significant increase. In pure culture as well as in association, the presence of microorganisms when compared to a significant increase in CCSs or to the CFUs count in milk samples with indication of subclinical mastitis, but the Staphylococcus spp. induced a larger count of somatic cells

This work tests the validity of using a commercial cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) counter (CCNc) on the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) research aircraft. The CCNc was suitable for aircraft work with sta- ble and repeatable supersaturation, temperature and pressure relationships. The sample architecture of the aircraft fitted CCNc was found to transmit particles with acceptable losses in the diameter range of interest as was a pressure control device designed for airborne work. Rosemount inlets, used to sample aerosol, were found to be sensitive to particle density resulting in disparate aerosol being sam- pled with different efficiencies. In dust dominated aerosol inlet efficiency peaks at 10.24 at an optical diameter of 2.91 μm, with a minimum inlet efficiency between 1.78 and 1.51 at 0.28μm. In less dense aerosol inlets sample representatively below 0.6 μm and comparably below 1.0 μm. The thorough testing of the CCNc, associated sampling architecture and mea- surement strategies, enabled vertical and horizontal CCN to be investigated along with other aerosol and cloud microphysical properties in the Southern Equato- rial Pacific (SEP). The primary source of particulates was the South American continent, with sulphate dominating composition. There were strong gradients in aerosol and gas phase chemistry concentration with distance from the coast and in the cloud microphysics measurements where highest droplet numbers and smallest diameters were close to the coast. These data represent an important validatory and parameterisation data set for models of all scales. CCN data were used to calculate the aerosol hygroscopicity parameter, the mean project value, κ, was 0.21 ± 0.18 . There was no evident variation in hygroscopicity with distance from the Chilean coastline suggesting a single dominant source and a well mixed boundary layer up to 907km to the west. CCN measurements were also com- pared to predictions from multiple models of different composition and mixing state assumptions. The best CCN closure used an external mixture of inorganic and organic aerosol components, with a modelled to observed ratio of 1.37 ± 0.32. It was hypothesised that this large ratio and the relatively low bulk hy- groscopicity was influenced by an external mixture. Incorporating this external mixture is imperative if CCN are to be accurately modelled and any subsequent cloud processes accurately captured.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Mecânica, Florianópolis, 2014.
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Nas indústrias de petróleo e gás e de construção naval, a união entre componentes metálicos, caracterizada por grandes espessuras e soldagem multipasse, é, em sua maioria, executada de forma manual por soldadores previamente qualificados. Desta forma, a qualidade da solda está intimamente ligada à habilidade do soldador em adequar as condições do arco voltaico e da transferência metálica à junta que está sendo soldada. A obtenção de soldas com mínima formação de defeitos é principalmente agravada na soldagem do passe de raiz. Nesta situação é necessário um meticuloso controle da poça de fusão a fim de obter a penetração desejada, sem promover o escorrimento da poça, fenômeno conhecido como burn-through. Outro agravante está na preparação da junta a ser soldada, que nem sempre oferece dimensões repetitivas, apresentando irregularidades como gaps e ângulos variáveis, high-low, entre outras variações nas dimensões da junta. A influência destes defeitos sobre o passe de raiz é minimizada ao se garantir um maior controle da energia aportada à peça, proposição das tecnologias de controle da transferência por curto-circuito. Contudo, atualmente, a maioria do suprimento desta tecnologia advém de empresas de fontes de soldagem situadas no exterior. Além da escassez de informações sobre as várias soluções disponibilizadas por diferentes fabricantes, ainda, se está restrito a soluções para aplicações pré-definidas de fábrica. Dentro deste cenário é que se insere o presente trabalho. Ele aprimora uma tecnologia nacional, denominada de CCC (Curto-Circuito Controlado), com início de desenvolvimento em 1999. O objetivo é a criação de uma base sólida para o desenvolvimento e consolidação deste tipo de tecnologia em território nacional. Isto assegura melhor feedback com efetiva adaptação contínua. Por intermédio de implementações de software e hardware na fonte de soldagem, foi atingido um controle de alta dinâmica na forma de onda de corrente, na faixa dos microssegundos, além de melhorias nas rotinas de realimentação e controle das variáveis elétricas do processo. Cada fase da transferência metálica por curto-circuito foi avaliada em ensaios práticos de soldagem, resultando em maior precisão no controle da transferência das gotas e na dinâmica da poça de fusão. Foram desenvolvidos programas sinérgicos para os arames ER70S-6 de 1,0 e 1,2 mm de diâmetro, utilizando como gás de proteção uma composição de 75% de argônio e 25% de CO2. Procurando aumentar a facilidade de utilização do processo por parte do soldador, definiram-se apenas duas variáveis de regulagem para o processo CCC, a velocidade de alimentação de arame, entre 2 e 6 m/min, e o parâmetro ?a?, responsável por regulagens finas na potência. Os testes foram monitorados com auxílio de câmera de alta velocidade e sistemas de aquisições de dados. Com a utilização destas ferramentas de avaliação foi possível obter explicações concisas sobre a influência de cada fase da forma de onda de corrente na dinâmica da transferência metálica e da poça de fusão. Como resultado dos desenvolvimentos realizados neste trabalho, atualmente o processo de soldagem CCC apresenta alta regularidade na transferência metálica, baixa formação de respingos e adequado controle da poça de fusão, além de oferecer programas sinérgicos.

Abstract : In the oil and gas and shipbuilding industries, the welds between metal components are characterized by large thicknesses and multipass welding. This job is mostly performed manually by previously trained welders. Thus, the weld quality is closely linked to the ability of the welder to adjust the conditions of the arc and the metal transfer mode to the joint. Achieving healthy welds is particularly aggravated in the root pass welding. In this situation is necessary a meticulous control of weld pool in order to obtain the desired penetration without causing burn-through. Another problem is in the joint preparation, it does not always provide exact dimensions, presenting irregularities such as inconstant gaps and angles, high-low and other dimensions variations. The technologies that propose the controlled short circuit technology minimize the influence of these defects on the root pass with greater control of heat input. However, currently, most of the supply of this technology is in the international power sources, and the high-tech products stay in these regions and local industry just uses this technology. To create a solid foundation and develop this technology in Brazil, providing greater feedback with effective continuous adaptation, evolution and a potential success in the application of the process to the local industry, was planned out the main objective of this work, that is the improvement of the welding process CCC (Controlled short circuit), seeking to optimize its current waveform and the formulation of a synergistic program. Through software and hardware implementations and improvements in routines and feedback control of electrical process variables, the welding source is working in a high dynamic control of the current waveform, at a microsecond range. In experimental welding tests each phase of short circuit transfer was evaluated, resulting in greater precision in controlling the transfer of droplets and weld pool dynamics. Based on these results, were developed synergistic programs to mild steel consumables 1.0 to 1.2 mm in diameter, using protective gas as a composition of 75% argon and 25% CO 2. Seeking facilitate the use of the process by the welder, were set up just two variables for adjusting the CCC process, the wire feed speed, between 2 and 6 m / min, and the  a parameter responsible for fine adjustments in output power. The tests were monitored with high-speed camera and data acquisition systems. The use of these assessment tools enabled to obtain concise explanations of the influence of each phase of the current waveform and of metal transfer and weld pool dynamics. As a result this work, currently, the CCC welding process has high regularity of metal transfer, low spatter and good weld pool control, and provides synergistic programs.

El trabajo de investigación materia de análisis tiene como finalidad analizar el pronunciamiento de Indecopi sobre el anuncio publicitario difundido por Saga Falabella para la promoción de colchones Drimer; así como desarrollar el principio de adecuación social y derecho a la igualdad y no discriminación y cómo la reproducción de estereotipos y prejuicios sociales son promueven o incitan a cometer actos de discriminación en la población.

Global energy demand is predicted to rise in the coming decades, necessitating a shift to renewable energy sources to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, due to the inability to supply renewable energy around the clock, it is estimated that only by adding an important technology, carbon capture and storage (CCS), it could be possible to reduce 80% of the 1990s greenhouse gas emissions. CCS aims to reduce anthropogenic carbon emissions by capturing CO2 from flue gases, transporting, and permanently storing or reutilizing industrially. The CCS approach includes three technologies: post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture, and oxyfuel combustion, with the latter being the emphasis of this thesis. Based on the case study of Mälarenergi’s Refused-derived waste-fired CHP plant, this thesis investigates the viability of converting existing non-fossil fueled CHP plants to oxyfuel combustion. A thorough technical investigation based on analyzing the impact of oxyfuel combustion on system performance was conducted through system modeling using a process simulator, Aspen plus. The model in this thesis considers the development of an air separation unit (ASU), a CHP plant, and a cryogenic CO2 purification unit (CPU). All of which are validated through calibration and comparison with real-world data and similar work. To investigate the influence of employing oxyfuel combustion on the generation of both heat and electricity, two different scenarios were comprised, including recirculating flue gas before and after flue gas condensation. In addition, an analysis of the oxygen purity was conducted to assess the most optimal parameters with the least impact on system performance. Moreover, a detailed eco- nomic assessment comprising the costs of integrating oxyfuel combustion was also conducted. The findings of this thesis show that integrating waste incineration CHP plants with oxyfuel combustion for CO2 capture entails promising features under the condition of 97% oxygen purity and a flue gas recirculation system taking place after flue gas condensation. This is owing to (i) modest imposed energy penalty of approximately 8.7%, (ii) high CO2 recovery ratio, around 92.4%, (iii) total investment cost of approximately 554 M$ during a 20-year lifetime, and (iv) cost of captured CO2 of around 76 $/ton. Aside from system modeling, this thesis pre- sents an overview of the current state-of-the-art technology on the different separation and capture mechanisms. It is important to highlight that the goal of this thesis is not to provide a comprehensive review but rather to present an overall picture of the maturity of the different mechanisms. The findings point to the cryogenic separation mechanism as the most mature technology for both oxygen production and capturing of CO2 during oxyfuel combustion.

CCS (Communicating and Concurrent Systems) is the process algebra to specify and verify concurrent and communicating systems. This work proposes a transformation guide of the CCS equations into to the UML-RT (Unified Modeling Language for Real-Time) model and a transformation guide of the UML-RT model into a set of CCS equations. The UML-RT model is a software design language, which supports code generation and the construction of executable systems. The UML-RT is an UML extension, and it does not have a formal semantics; therefore it is not possible to verify UMLRT models. The transformation guide of UML-RT models into CCS equations allows verifying the models. We argue that the transformation of CCS models into UML-RT models allows an alternative way of correctly building systems. This work details the transformation guides from CCS equations to UML-RT models and from UML-RT models to CSS equations and it discusses the limitations and benefits.

Jamais nos modes de vie et les produits qui nous entourent n'ont évolué aussi rapidement. Cette évolution est un facteur nouveau à prendre en compte dans le développement de produits pour s'assurer de leur appropriation par les utilisateurs. C'est ainsi que les approches de conception s'orientent petit à petit vers l'intégration des usages. L'approche Living Lab est axée autour de quatre principes : le réalisme de la situation d'usage étudiée ; la continuité de la collaboration avec les utilisateurs ; la collecte de données d'usage spontanées ; l'augmentation de la capacité des utilisateurs à influencer le développement du produit. Ces principes facilitent le passage de la conception centrée-utilisateurs vers la conception centrée-usages, mais sont difficiles à réaliser concrètement. Pour accompagner et inspirer les concepteurs, nous proposons une méthode de pilotage de projet Living Lab composée de dix-huit opérations visant chacune l'atteinte d'un de ces principes. La méthode proposée est représentée sous forme de diagrammes NIAM-ORM, facilement compréhensibles car proche du langage naturel binaire. Deux projets urbains et deux projets industriels ont permis de tester notre méthode. La pertinence des opérations sur l'atteinte des principes est évaluée par le biais des réseaux bayésiens : selon les résultats obtenus, les opérations sont validées, ajustées ou reformulées puis ré-implémentées dans le modèle NIAM-ORM
Our way of life and the products that surround us have never evolved so quickly. This evolution is a new factor to take into account in the product development to ensure the product appropriation by the users. For that reason the design approaches try to integrate usages. The Living Lab approach is organised around four principles: the realism of the studied situation; the continuity in the collaboration with the users; the collection of spontaneous usage data; the empowerment of users in the design process. These principles facilitate the path from "user-centred design" to "usage-centred design" but are difficult to realise practically. To guide and inspire the designers we propose a Living Lab project method made of eighteen operations; each operation is supposed to reach one of the four principles. The proposed method is represented with NIAM-ORM diagrams which are easily understandable because of its similarity with natural language. We tested our method on two urban projects and two industrial projects. The relevance of the tested operations on the principle realisation is evaluated according to bayesian networks: depending on the results the operations are validated, adjusted or rephrased and implemented again in the NIAM-ORM model

Valuation é o termo em inglês para o método utilizado para determinar o preço justo a ser pago por um ativo. Existem três métodos mais conhecidos para avaliação: a avaliação pelo método de fluxo de caixa descontado, avaliação relativa e avaliação por direitos contingentes (opções reais). Este trabalho é baseado na avaliação pelo método de fluxo de caixa descontado na análise da empresa CCR, uma das maiores empresas de concessão de infraestrutura do mundo. Após analisar os demonstrativos financeiros da companhia e, efetuar uma análise do panorama do setor de exploração de rodovias, serão realizadas projeções do fluxo de caixa e, com base nestas projeções iremos elaborar a avaliação da empresa CCR visando precificar valor justo para a empresa.
Valuation is the word in english for the method used to determine the fair price to be paid for an asset. There are three methods most popular assessment: the assessment by the method of discounted cash flow, evaluation and assessment by rights quotas (real options). This work is based on the assessment by the method of discounted cash flow analysis of the company CCR, one of the largest companies to grant infrastructure of the world. After reviewing the financial statements of the company and perform an analysis of the industry landscape exploitation of highways, shall be carried out projections of cash flow and, with basenestas projections we will draw up the valuation of the company CCR aiming at establishing the fair value for the company.
MBA Executivo (especialização em Finanças) - Ibmec Business School, Rio de Janeiro, 2014.
Bibliografia: p. 23.

This thesis discusses the development of Charge-Couple Device (CCD) and Electron Multiplying CCD (EM-CCD) technology for high resolution X-ray spectroscopy. Of particular interest is the spectral resolution performance of the devices alongside the optimisation of the quantum efficiency through the use of back-illuminated CCDs, thin filter technology and improved passivation techniques. The early chapters (1 through 5) focus on the background and theory that is required to understand the purpose of the work in this thesis and how semiconductors can be used as the detector of high resolution X-ray spectrometers. Chapter 6 focuses on the soft X-ray performance of three different types of conventional CCD using the PTB beamline at BESSY 11. The results show that there is degradation in spectral resolution in all three devices below 500 eV due to incomplete charge collection and X-ray peak asymmetry. The Hamamatsu device is shown to degrade faster than the CCD30-11 variants and this is attributed to the thickness of the active silicon (>50 urn] in the device and also its thicker dead-layer (~75 nm) which is found by evaluating the device's soft X-ray QE). The charge loss at the back-surface generation/recombination centres is also investigated and is found to be higher in the Hamamatsu device, again due to its thicker dead-layer. Chapter 7 is an investigation of the Modified Fano Factor which aims to describe the spectral resolution degradation that is expected when an EM-CCD is used to directly detect soft X-rays. The factor is predicted analytically, modelled and then verified experimentally allowing EM-CCD performance over the soft X-ray range to be predicted with high levels of confidence. Chapter 8 is a detailed look into work completed for the phase 0 study of the off plane X-ray grating spectrometer on the International X-ray Observatory. The work includes a detailed contamination study, effective area analysis, the pointing knowledge requirement and the use of filters to minimise optical background.

Mosquito borne-diseases are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Ross River, Barmah Forest, Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin viruses are presently endemic in the Northern Territory, while dengue virus and malaria are at risk of re-establishment. In this thesis, I describe the epidemiology of the major endemic mosquito-borne diseases of the Northern Territory, past and present, and evaluate control strategies adopted to reduce mosquito abundance and disease transmission. Some findings include; Aedes vigilax larval densities were almost 10 times greater in artificially incised drains compared with lower mangroves, despite the creation of drains for mosquito control purposes. I further analyse the effects of drainage channels, habitat modification, over time in three Darwin salt-marshes and one freshwater swamp near Alice Springs. In addition to significantly reducing vector-borne disease transmission and pest biting; habitat modification has restored all swamps to closer to their original ecosystems. To optimise the efficiency of environmentally-sensitive mosquito control programs, I examine current surveillance and control regimes. Findings indicate that most regimes are required to maintain tight mosquito control, although coastal surveillance could be reduced without a loss of information. I develop accurate predictive models for RRV infections in the Northern Territory, using weather and vector numbers. Such models assist public health campaigns, but rarely provide timely notification for vector control. I therefore created methodologies to produce rainfall thresholds —as early warning systems, which guide mosquito control before vector numbers peak, thereby reducing transmission potential. These findings can assist mosquito control programs in northern Australia and tropical regions worldwide.

Actualmente existe en la región una tendencia hacía la ocupación hacía de zonas antes no consideradas, y entre ellas, humedales, sectores del sistema estuario, áreas de alto grado ecológico, etc. De esta forma, la expansión urbana y la demanda inmobiliaria ha obligado a replantear la perspectiva de la ciudad, buscando en estas zonas la solución a sus necesidades e intereses, generando conflictos entre grupos sociales, ecologistas, autoridades de gobierno e inversionistas privados. Mientras unos apuntan a la conservación, otros plantean su ocupación. La incorrecta intervención de estas áreas ha derivado en la perdida de grandes ecosistemas, la destrucción de flora y fauna, la contaminación de acuíferos y la generación de problemas colaterales como inundaciones a causa del relleno de humedales. Esta problemática incluye el campo de la Planificación Urbana y de la arquitectura, considerando que en la Región de los Ríos y especialmente en la provincia de Valdivia, capital regional, existen numerosas y extensas zonas húmedas compuestas por sistemas de humedales y el sitio RAMSAR colindante con el fundo Cau Cau, grupos y sistemas de acuíferos de una complejidad y vulnerabilidad hidrogeológica alta que constituyen un valioso patrimonio ambiental y un complejo sistema hidrológico que no pueden ser ignorados a la hora de generar proyectos.

Alla drömmer om att komma bort från vardagen även om det bara är för några timmar. När en person betalar för en upplevelse vill denne ha tid att njuta av flera minnesvärda händelser som erbjuds av ett företag, och som berör personen på ett personligt sätt. Karlstad CCC är en tillflyktsplats där gäster kan få energi och drömma sig bort för en kväll, genom bland annat en minnesvärd föreställning. Syftet med denna studie är att beskriva gästens upplevelse under en föreställning på Karlstad CCC. Denna upplevelse ska analyseras genom observationer, intervjuer, enkätundersökningar och experiment. Vidare syftar uppsatsen till att baserat på dessa resultat kunna konstruera en förbättrad tjänsteprocess. Teorin som används behandlar områden som tjänst, tjänsteprocess, upplevelse och reciprocitet. Genom informationen som samlades in utformades ett experiment där en del av tjänsteprocessen ändrades. Under detta experiment delades även en gåva ut för att undersöka om reciprocitetsregeln påverkade gästerna till merköp. Resultaten av gästerna upplevelse visade på varierande åsikter. Majoriteten av gästerna var tillfredsställda med den totala upplevelsen. De ändringar som gjordes av tjänsteprocessen vid experimentet gav ingen större genomslagskraft. Reciprocitetsregels påverkan gav en svag inverkan på gästerna.

CCD observations of the halo globular cluster NGC 3201, acquired at the Dupont 2.5m telescope at Las Campanas, are reduced and analyzed. The data are from two separate observing runs. During the first run deep data were secured for a field at seven core radii from the centre, whilst during the second run, shallow data were secured for the central field of the cluster. Colour-magnitude diagrams are presented, and a two-colour diagram is constructed using data from the latter run. From the colour-magnitude diagram and colour-colour diagrams, estimates for reddening, metallicity, distance modulus and age are derived, and consistency with values in the literature is shown. Blue stragglers were observed in the central field, and are shown to be more centrally concentrated than subgiants in an equal magnitude interval. A UV bright star was observed in the central field, and magnitudes and colours are reported for it. The possible nature of this object is discussed. Mass functions were derived using deep V and I band data, by binning both on mass and on luminosity. Discrepancies between the two mass functions are discussed and resolved. The counts in a background field are compared to those expected from the Galactic model of Bahcall and Soneira (1980, 1984), and a discrepancy is found at fainter magnitudes. Mass-luminosity relationships (MLRs) in V and I were used to generate an isochrone which showed good agreement with the data, lending credence to the MLRs. Finally, the slope of the mass function is measured for stars with M < 0.4.M⊙, and values are obtained for the half-mass relaxation time and 'destruction time' of NGC 3201. These values show consistency with the results of Richer et al. (1991).
Science, Faculty of
Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
Graduate

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A presente pesquisa enfoca a utilização de formas paramorfogênicas de diferentes linhagens de Pleurotus ostreatus para remover o corante reativo Procion Blue MXG de soluções aquosas. O fungo induzido fisicamente em sua forma paramorfogênica (pellets) foi usado no estudo da biosorção do corante em diferentes valores de pH e em comparação entre as hifas autoclavadas e não autoclavadas, visando a remoção do mesmo em solução aquosa. O corante reativo Procion Blue MXG foi analisado em sua estabilidade espectral em diferentes valores de pH. Este corante se mostrou instável em termos de estabilidade espectral. O pH que melhor se enquadrou quanto à capacidade de remoção das biomassas pelletizadas foi o 2,50, tanto para amostras autoclavadas como não autoclavadas Em praticamente todos os experimentos de interação entre a biomassa e o corante, as autoclavadas apresentaram maior capacidade biosortiva do que as não autoclavadas. Foram também efetuados estudos comparativos a respeito das equações Isotermas de adsorção de Freundlich e Langmuir. A comparação entre os coeficientes de correlação de ambas, nas condições de 30º C e pH 2,50 indicam que a equação de Langmuir explica melhor a interação entre aa biomassa fúngica e o corante estudado em todas as linhagens, quando não autoclavadas, admitindo-se tratar de um processo biosortivo em monocamada. Para as amostras autoclavadas, a equação de Langmuir também é válida para a linhagem CCB 010, sendo que para as linhagens CCB 004 e CCB 650, a equação de Freundlich prevaleceu. Os testes de biosortividade em termos de varredura espectral indicam que as linhagens CCB 010 e CCB 650 apresentam tendência de ter potencial enzimático para degradar o corante, principalmente em pH 2,50. Pelos dados apresentados, podemos afirmar que, do ponto de vista de biosorção, o Pleurotus ostreatus e... , was used in the dye's biosorption study, in different values of pH and in comparasion between alive and dead fungi micelia, aiming at its removal in watery solution. The reactive dye Procion Blue MXG was analyzed in its spectral stability in different values of pH. This dye was showed as unstable in terms of spectral stability. The pH that has better fits in the capacity of removal of biomass was the 2,50, as much for dead samples as for alive samples. In practically all the experiments of interaction between the biomass and the dye, the deceased samples had presented greater biosorptive capacity than the alive ones. Also comparative studies regarding the isothermal equations of adsoption of Freundlich and Langmuir had been effected. The comparison between the coefficients of correlation of both, in the conditions of 30ºC and pH 2,50 indicates that the equation of Langmuir explains better the interaction between the fungic biomass and the dye in all the strains, when deceased, admitting itself to deal with a biosorptive process in monolayer. For the dead samples, the equation of Langmuir also is valid for strain CCB 010, being that for strains CCB 004 and CCB 650, the equation of Freundlich has prevailed. The tests of biosorptivity in terms of spectral sweepings indicate mainly that strains CCB 004, CCB 010 and CCB 650 present trend to have enzymatic potential to degrade the dye, in pH 2,50. For the presented data, we can affirm that, of the point of view of the biosorption., paramorphic Pleurotus ostreatus and its strains offers conditions to come to be used as biosorbent substratum in the treatment of industrial effluent who contains these azo compounds.

Orientador: Carlos Renato Corso
Banca: Adriana de Mello Gugliotta
Banca: Sandra Mara Martins Franchetti
A presente pesquisa enfoca a utilização de formas paramorfogênicas de diferentes linhagens de Pleurotus ostreatus para remover o corante reativo Procion Blue MXG de soluções aquosas. O fungo induzido fisicamente em sua forma paramorfogênica (pellets) foi usado no estudo da biosorção do corante em diferentes valores de pH e em comparação entre as hifas autoclavadas e não autoclavadas, visando a remoção do mesmo em solução aquosa. O corante reativo Procion Blue MXG foi analisado em sua estabilidade espectral em diferentes valores de pH. Este corante se mostrou instável em termos de estabilidade espectral. O pH que melhor se enquadrou quanto à capacidade de remoção das biomassas pelletizadas foi o 2,50, tanto para amostras autoclavadas como não autoclavadas Em praticamente todos os experimentos de interação entre a biomassa e o corante, as autoclavadas apresentaram maior capacidade biosortiva do que as não autoclavadas. Foram também efetuados estudos comparativos a respeito das equações Isotermas de adsorção de Freundlich e Langmuir. A comparação entre os coeficientes de correlação de ambas, nas condições de 30º C e pH 2,50 indicam que a equação de Langmuir explica melhor a interação entre aa biomassa fúngica e o corante estudado em todas as linhagens, quando não autoclavadas, admitindo-se tratar de um processo biosortivo em monocamada. Para as amostras autoclavadas, a equação de Langmuir também é válida para a linhagem CCB 010, sendo que para as linhagens CCB 004 e CCB 650, a equação de Freundlich prevaleceu. Os testes de biosortividade em termos de varredura espectral indicam que as linhagens CCB 010 e CCB 650 apresentam tendência de ter potencial enzimático para degradar o corante, principalmente em pH 2,50. Pelos dados apresentados, podemos afirmar que, do ponto de vista de biosorção, o Pleurotus ostreatus e... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo).
The present research focuses the use of paramorphic forms of different strains of Pleurotus ostreatus, to remove the reactive dye Procion Blue MXG from aqueous solutions. This fungi induced phisically in its paramorphic form (pellets), was used in the dye's biosorption study, in different values of pH and in comparasion between alive and dead fungi micelia, aiming at its removal in watery solution. The reactive dye Procion Blue MXG was analyzed in its spectral stability in different values of pH. This dye was showed as unstable in terms of spectral stability. The pH that has better fits in the capacity of removal of biomass was the 2,50, as much for dead samples as for alive samples. In practically all the experiments of interaction between the biomass and the dye, the deceased samples had presented greater biosorptive capacity than the alive ones. Also comparative studies regarding the isothermal equations of adsoption of Freundlich and Langmuir had been effected. The comparison between the coefficients of correlation of both, in the conditions of 30ºC and pH 2,50 indicates that the equation of Langmuir explains better the interaction between the fungic biomass and the dye in all the strains, when deceased, admitting itself to deal with a biosorptive process in monolayer. For the dead samples, the equation of Langmuir also is valid for strain CCB 010, being that for strains CCB 004 and CCB 650, the equation of Freundlich has prevailed. The tests of biosorptivity in terms of spectral sweepings indicate mainly that strains CCB 004, CCB 010 and CCB 650 present trend to have enzymatic potential to degrade the dye, in pH 2,50. For the presented data, we can affirm that, of the point of view of the biosorption., paramorphic Pleurotus ostreatus and its strains offers conditions to come to be used as biosorbent substratum in the treatment of industrial effluent who contains these azo compounds.
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