Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Yes / Several contributions in answering granulation challenges including the use of computer simulation and well thought out experimental analyses are being researched. Using a twin screw granulator (TSG) by design of experiments (DoE), comparisons on 1) equipment similarities i.e., continuous and 2) shear forces, are made to previous literature on continuous equipment and a Cyclomix. This study proposes that equipment specific DoE, better explains the contribution of parameters than investigating an identified parameter from the experimental findings from a specific equipment. Granule strength and structure are presented together with the contribution of process parameters, speed, temperature, and binder content. Seeded structures are present in all but the Extrudomix. Longer residence times within the Cyclomix facilitates seeded structures. Granule crushing strengths are higher in TSG than all other continuous equipment. Optimum condition for the formation of stronger granules with least variation is around 65.4 °C. / The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the CCIP grant (Collaboration, Capacity and IP Development) fund from the University of Bradford for ordering cunsumables and equipment.

Yes / Scale formation of carbonates and sulphates is one of the most well-known types of crystallization fouling in heat exchangers. Tackling crystallization fouling in Once-Through Multistage Flash Desalination (MSF-OT) is one of the most challenging tasks in the desalination industry. In this paper, a fouling model is developed and then incorporated into a MSF model to investigate the fouling behaviour under variable seawater temperature. The proposed dynamic model investigates the crystallization of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide at the inside tube surface areas by considering the attachment and removal mechanisms. The results show that the fouling rate is higher at high constant seawater temperature. Overall, the fouling rate is lower at the seasonal variation of the seawater temperature, resulting in a higher performance ratio (PR). The results also show that although the brine heater duty increases in winter due to low seawater temperature, the drop of fouling rate in cold months may save some energy.

The Proterozoic Espanola Formation (Huronian Sequence) was studied at Geneva Lake, Ontario, 45 miles north-west of Sudbury. A major lithological change exists in the Espanola Formation between this area and the type section on the north shore of Lake Huron, 75 miles to the south. Unusually pure (95 percent) microcrystalline limestones and dolostones occur in almost equal abundance to the calcareous siltstones which are the characteristic lithology of the formation in its type section. The existence and position of a fine grained deposit such as the Espanola in a stratigraphic sequence which consists mostly of glacial and periglacial deposits is unusual. It is suggested that this fine-grained deposit was an integral part of a cycle of deposition resulting from glacial advance and retreat and that its sedimentary basin was created by marine transgression in response to a glacial retreat. Spatial distribution of the Espanola Formation suggests that its sedimentary basin may have consisted of at least three environmental zones. At least one of these zones may represent a glacial melt-water lake. A microfossil search was carried out with negative results. This made speculation necessary in determining the origin of the calcareous fraction of the Espanola Formation. A mechanism is suggested whereby calcium carbonate is precipitated inorganically, as a result of photosynthesis by anaerobic bacteria. This mechanism can be observed in the present. If it is true, then the Espanola Formation may represent a time marker for the first presence of free oxygen in the atmosphere. / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

L’objectif de ce travail est de concevoir, développer, mettre en œuvre et optimiser une technologie continue permettant une bonne maîtrise des réactions de précipitation, processus chimique rapide donnant naissance à une phase solide. Ce précipiteur est un réacteur multifonctionnel à lit fluidisé qui n’a pas connu le même essor que les cristallisoirs à lit fluidisé. Deux approches expérimentales ont été adoptées : (1) l’étude des phénomènes de mélange des réactifs et (2) l’étude de l’influence des conditions opératoires sur la précipitation d’un produit modèle. Le produit modèle choisi pour cette étude est la calcite, le polymorphe le plus stable du carbonate de calcium qui possède trois polymorphes : la vaterite, l’aragonite et la calcite. Cette dernière est obtenue via la réaction de précipitation entre les solutions de chlorure de calcium et de carbonate de sodium à une température de 20° C et en présence d’un agent complexant (citrate de sodium) pour orienter la forme cristalline recherchée. Une étude cinétique a été menée pour la détermination des cinétiques de nucléation et de croissance cristalline de la calcite en milieu citrate. Le réacteur à lit fluidisé, de volume de 10 L, constitué de deux zones : cylindrique de fluidisation et de classification des particules et cylindro-conique de décantation, a été conçu au Laboratoire des Sciences du Génie Chimique. L’étude du mélange global, réalisée à l’aide de la réaction de décoloration acide-base et l’étude hydrodynamique, réalisée à l’aide de suspensions de microbilles, ont permis de développer et d’optimiser ce réacteur multifonctionnel. La faisabilité de la précipitation de la calcite en lit fluidisé a été ensuite vérifiée. Les expériences effectuées en présence d’une charge solide conséquente ont permis de diminuer la sursaturation et de favoriser la croissance cristalline. Le précipité obtenu présente une distribution de taille relativement étroite et la forme des particules obtenues est sensiblement sphérique. Enfin, des essais de modélisation du réacteur à lit fluidisé ont été entrepris pour réaliser des simulations à l’aide du code de calcul commercial FLUENT / The objective of this work is to conceive, develop, implement and to optimize a continuous technology allowing a good control of the precipitation reactions, fast chemical process, giving birth to a solid phase. This precipitor is a multipurpose engine with fluidized bed which did not make the same great strides like fluidized bed crystallizers. Two experimental approaches were adopted : (1) the study of the mixing phenomena of the reagents and (2) the study of the influence of the operating conditions on the precipitation of a model product. The model product selected for this study is the calcite, the polymorphic most stable phase of calcium carbonate which has three polymorphs: vaterite, aragonite and calcite. The latter is obtained by the precipitation reaction between the calcium chloride and sodium carbonate solutions at a temperature of 20° C and a complexing agent (sodium citrate) to have the required crystalline form. A kinetic study was undertaken for the determination of the nucleation and crystalline growth kinetics of calcite in citrate medium. The fluidized bed reactor, having a volume of 10 L, consisted of two zones: cylindrical for fluidization and classification of the particles and cylindro-conical for decantation, was conceived at the Chemical Engineering Science Laboratory (LSGC). The study of mixing phenomena, performed using the decoloration acid-base reaction and the hydrodynamic study, carried out using suspensions of glass microballs, made it possible to develop and optimize this multipurpose reactor. The feasibility of the precipitation of calcite in a fluidized bed was then checked. The experiments carried out in the presence of an important solid content made it possible to decrease supersaturation and to support the crystalline growth. The precipitate obtained presents a relatively narrow size distribution and the particle shape is appreciably spherical. Lastly, the modelling tests of the fluidized bed reactor were undertaken to carry out simulations using the FLUENT commercial computer code

Cette thèse s’est inscrite dans le cadre du projet ACACIA (Amélioration du CAptage du CO2 Industriel et Anthropique) soutenue par le pôle de compétitivité AXELERA et financé par « FUI » et « LE GRAND LYON ». Notre objectif était d’immobiliser l’anhydrase carbonique dans des gels inorganiques, en particulier la silice afin de préserver la structure de l’enzyme, sa fonctionnalité et de la protéger de l’environnement physico-chimique environnant. Pour cela, des essais préliminaires simples nous ont permis d’élaborer et de construire une cellule, comprenant membrane polymérique poreuse imprégnée de solution enzymatique aqueuse, ou de gel de silice lui-même imprégné de solution aqueuse d’enzyme. A partir de ce montage, nous avons étudié des paramètres importants de la membrane, comprenant un tampon, sa nature, molarité et son pH, ainsi que la taille des pores de la membrane et la concentration en enzyme. Il a été trouvé qu’un tampon à base de bicarbonate permet de déplacer l’équilibre de déprotonation du CO2(aq) vers un pH plus élevé, par l’apport des ions HCO3- équilibrés par des cations comme Na+, et favorise une contribution plus importante à la diffusion du CO2 à travers la membrane. Nous avons également observé que quelque soit le gaz de captage (100 % et / ou 10 % de CO2), le tampon et le type de membrane, une perméance maximum a été observée pour une concentration en enzyme de 0.2 mg mL-1. / This thesis was part of the ACACIA project on the Improvement of CO2 capture from industrial and anthropogenic fumes, supported by the AXELERA and funded by « FUI » et « THE GRAND LYON ». Our goal was to immobilize the carbonic anhydrase in inorganic gels, particularly silica, in order to preserve the structure of the enzyme, its functionality and protection of the physico-chemical environment. For this, simple preliminary tests have allowed us to develop a cell comprising a porous polymeric membrane impregnated with the aqueous enzyme solution or a silica gel itself impregnated with the enzyme solution. Important parameters were then studied on this cell, comprising the buffer: its nature, molarity and pH, the membrane pore size, and the enzyme concentration. It was found that a bicarbonate-based buffer displaced the deprotonation equilibrium of CO2(aq) to a higher pH, due the contribution of HCO3- balanced by cations such as Na+, and promotes a greater contribution to the CO2 diffusion across the membrane. We also observed that whatever the gas (100 % and / or 10 % CO2), the buffer and the type of membrane, a maximum permeance was observed for an enzyme concentration of 0.2 mg mL-1.

The aim of this work was to develop a solid knowledge on formulation effects controlling offset ink-paper coating adhesion and to identify key factors of the coating and printing process affecting it. Focus lay on comprehending the impact of pigment dispersant on ink-paper coating adhesion and ultimately on the print quality of offset prints. The work covers laboratory studies, a pilot coating trial designed to produce coated material with a span in surface chemistry and structure, and an industrial offset printing trial. The lab scale studies quantified ink-paper coating adhesion failure during ink setting with a developed laboratory procedure based on the Ink-Surface Interaction Tester (ISIT) and image analysis. Additional polyacrylate dispersant resulted in slower ink setting and reduced ink-paper coating adhesion, with a dependence on its state of salt neutralisation and cation exchange, mainly in the presence of moisture/liquid water. The industrial printing trial on pilot coated papers was designed to study how these laboratory findings affected full scale offset print quality. These trials confirmed the dispersant-sensitive effect on ink-paper coating adhesion, especially at high water feeds. Evaluation of prints from the printing trial resulted in two fundamentally different types of ink adhesion failure being identified. The first type being traditional ink refusal, and the second type being a novel mechanism referred to as ink-lift-off adhesion failure. Ink-lift-off adhesion failure occurs when ink is initially deposited on the paper but then lifted off in a subsequent print unit. In this work, ink adhesion failure by this ink-lift-off mechanism was observed to occur more often than failure due to ink refusal. Print quality evaluation of the industrial prints suggested that water induced mottle was caused by a combination of ink-surface adhesion failure, creating white spots on the print, together with variation in ink layer thickness due to emulsified ink. / <p>QC 20161019</p>

This research advances the current understanding of the carbonation reaction in porous materials by investigating pH changes during the hardening process of lime, the role of pore-water in the dissolution process of calcium hydroxide and the effects of pore size on precipitation of calcium carbonate solid phases. To achieve this, carbonation is studied within a thin film of an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide, that simulates the conditions existing in porous media once most of the liquid water has evaporated. The research introduces novel approaches such as the use of specially manufactured micro-electrodes used to measure pH variations during the carbonation process. The effect of pore size on the solid phases precipitated by carbonation is investigated using a novel lime based material called nano-lime. Influence of pore-water on the hardening process of lime is studied in formulated lime using impedance spectroscopy: an electrochemical technique which is new in the study of lime based materials. Overall, results demonstrate that the micro-electrodes can operate reliably in very alkaline environments such as those produced by the dissolution of lime. Their potentiometric response, in fact, was found to be Nernstian up to pH 14. Furthermore, the electrode response proved to be sufficiently sensitive and reproducible to differentiate, on the basis of pH, between the formation of calcite and vaterite. It is likely that these micro-electrodes are currently the only analytical tools capable of monitoring high pHs in confined places and, for this reason, they can be considered highly valuable for the study of chemical processes involving very alkaline waters. The study on the role of pore-water in the hardening process of formulated lime has, instead, demonstrated the potential of impedance spectroscopy as a non-destructive technique for real time in situ monitoring of the reaction between lime and hydraulic additives.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a remoção de cistos de Giardia spp. e oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. em água de abastecimento utilizando a tecnologia de tratamento de ciclo completo com flotação (coagulação, floculação, flotação e filtração) em escala de bancada e utilizando cloreto de polialumínio &#8211; PAC como coagulante. Para isso, o método de floculação em carbonato de cálcio &#8211; FCCa com e sem a separação imunomagnética &#8211; IMS foi utilizado para quantificação dos organismos. Os resultados mostraram que as etapas de coagulação, floculação e flotação (Fase1) removeram 1,55 log de cistos de Giardia spp. e 1,21 log de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. O tratamento apenas com filtração (Fase 2) removeu 1,2 log de cistos de Giardia spp. e 0,88 log de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. A combinação dos tratamentos (Fase 3) foi capaz de remover 2,64 log de cistos de Giardia spp. e 2,5 log de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. Na quantificação de protozoários, o método de FCCa sem IMS demonstrou ser mais econômico e com melhor recuperação do que com IMS. Também foi analisada a influência da terceira dissociação ácida no método com IMS e tal procedimento acarretou em diferenças significativas nos resultados. Mesmo atendendo aos padrões de potabilidade, o tratamento estudado não removeu completamente os protozoários, este fato demonstra a necessidade da preservação dos mananciais, do tratamento dos esgotos e da desinfecção final para maximizar as barreiras que permitam reduzir o risco microbiológico presente na água de consumo. / This research aimed to analyze the removal of Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in drinking water using the full cycle of treatment with flotation technology (coagulation, flocculation, flotation and filtration) at bench scale and using polyaluminum chloride - PAC as coagulant. For this, the flocculation in calcium carbonate - FCCa method with and without immunomagnetic separation - IMS was used for quantification of organisms. The results showed that the stages of coagulation, flocculation and flotation (Step 1) removed 1,55 log Giardia spp. and 1,21 log Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Only the treatment with filtration (Step 2) removed 1,2 log Giardia spp. and 0,88 log Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The combination of treatment (Step 3) was able to remove 2,64 log Giardia spp. and 2,5 log Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. In quantifying of protozoa, the FCCa method without IMS proved to be more economical and better recovery than with IMS. It also analyzed the influence of the third acid dissociation in the method with IMS and this procedure resulted in significant differences in the results. Even taking into account the potability standards, the treatment studied didnt completely remove protozoa, this fact demonstrates the need for preservation of water sources, treatment of sewage and final disinfection to maximize the barriers to reduce the microbiological risk present in drinking water.

L'implantation de matériaux pour reconstruction osseuse par des techniques chirurgicales peu invasives nécessite des substituts osseux synthétiques, résorbables, injectables et radioopaques. C'est pourquoi le contrôle des propriétés de ces matériaux est primordial. Dans ce contexte, ce travail s'intéresse à la formulation de deux ciments, l'un uniquement à base de carbonate de calcium, le second composé d'un mélange de carbonate de calcium et de phosphate de calcium en quantités égales. Le traitement des phases solides pulvérulentes de ces deux ciments par les procédés de broyage et de co-broyage a été étudié. Ces procédés permettent entre autres de diminuer la taille moyenne des particules. Un mélange intime et homogène entre les constituants de la phase solide est obtenu grâce au co-broyage et les propriétés des ciments sont très significativement améliorées. Le temps de prise est diminué et l'injectabilité de la pâte est fortement augmentée (facteur 100). Cette dernière propriété a pu être évaluée grâce à la mise au point d'un dispositif et d'un protocole de mesure adaptés à un analyseur de texture. Dans le but de visualiser par radiographie aux rayons X l'introduction du ciment injectable dans le site osseux à réparer, du strontium a été introduit en tant qu'agent de contraste radio-opacifiant. Deux voies d'ajout à la formulation du ciment ont été étudiées : la première sous forme de SrCO3 dans la phase solide, la seconde sous forme de SrCl2 dans la phase liquide. Les études réalisées montrent que le co-broyage de la phase solide contenant du SrCO3 est intéressant pour homogénéiser la dispersion de l'agent de contraste et ainsi optimiser la quantité de strontium à incorporer pour atteindre le niveau de radio-opacité requis par la norme en vigueur. De plus, il a été observé que l'ajout de SrCl2 dans la phase liquide rend la pâte plus visqueuse et diminue son injectabilité. Par ailleurs, l'étude de la dissolution de ces ciments à pH physiologique a révélé une libération lente et prolongée du strontium. Enfin, des tests cellulaires in-vitro ont été réalisés sur ces ciments ; ils mettent en évidence l'excellent comportement de cellules ostéoprogénitrices vis-à-vis de ces formulations de ciment ainsi que l'intérêt d'utiliser le sel de SrCO3 plutôt que de SrCl2. La dernière partie de ce travail concerne l'étude de la cristallisation de l'aragonite, variété polymorphe du carbonate de calcium, en présence d'ions phosphate, connus pour inhiber la cristallisation du CaCO3. Grâce à une modélisation à l'aide de la technique de croissance cristalline à composition constante permettant de se placer dans des conditions proches de celles de la prise du ciment uniquement à base de carbonate de calcium in-vivo, il a été montré que la présence d'ions phosphate, même en très faible quantité (concentration &lt; 0,5 µM) diminue à la fois la vitesse de germination et la vitesse de croissance cristalline de l'aragonite. L'ensemble de ces travaux contribue à l'optimisation des propriétés de ces ciments biomédicaux et à mieux appréhender leur comportement que ce soit au moment de leur implantation in-vivo ou de leur évolution et suivi post-opératoires. D'un point de vue fondamental, ces travaux pluridisciplinaires menés dans des conditions modèles in-vitro mais également dans le cadre d'une expérimentation in-vivo ont mis en évidence l'intérêt de confronter ces deux approches pour identifier et comprendre les phénomènes et les réactions impliqués lors de la prise des ciments à base de carbonate de calcium in-vitro et in-vivo. / Implantation of bone substitute materials using minimally invasive surgical techniques requires specific properties for the material including resorbability, injectability and adequate radio-opacity. The control of such properties of the material is of prime importance to meet a surgeon's requirements. In this context, this study deals with two different mineral cements: the first one is only composed of calcium carbonate phases and the second one is a mixture of equal amount of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate phases. An original methodology involving complementary analytical techniques was implemented to thoroughly investigate the grinding mechanism of separated or mixed reactive powders constituting the solid phase and its effects on cement reactivity and properties. We show that co-grinding the solid phase decreases the mean size of the particles and favours both a homogeneous mixing and good contact between the components, leading to a decrease in the setting time. We also set two original protocols designed to evaluate paste injectability and phase separation during paste extrusion. Co-grinding leads to synergistic positive effects on cement injectability and radio-opacity. It allows maintaining a low and constant load during the extrusion of paste, which composition remains constant. Moreover, the cement's mechanical properties can be enhanced by lowering the L/S ratio because of the lower plastic limit. To be able to follow in situ the injection of the bone cement using X-ray radiography, strontium has been introduced as a contrast agent in the cement composition. Two different routes have been investigated: SrCO3 has been added to the solid phase or SrCl2 has been dissolved in the liquid phase. We show that co-grinding process permits to homogenise strontium distribution in the cement allowing us to optimise the minimum amount of strontium to add into the cement paste to reach the radio-opacity required by ISO 9917-1 standard. Moreover, adding SrCl2 in the liquid phase makes the cement paste more viscous and diminishes its injectability. Release tests performed on Sr-loaded cements show a sustained release of strontium at 37°C and pH 7.4. Finally, in-vitro cell tests have shown the excellent behaviour of osteoprogenitor cells, especially on cements including SrCO3. The last part of this work deals with the study of the crystallization of aragonite CaCO3 in the presence of phosphate ions, naturally present in biological fluids, to better understand the setting ability of calcium carbonate cements in-vivo. Using the constant composition crystal growth technique, we show that the presence of phosphate ions, even in very low amount (concentration &lt; 0.5 µM) diminishes both the nucleation and the crystal growth rates of aragonite. This work contributes to the optimization of the properties of calcium carbonate-based cements and a better understanding and control of their behaviours during implantation and their evolution in-vivo. From a fundamental point of view, this multidisciplinary work performed in model conditions in-vitro and completed by preliminary in-vivo experiments have underlined the interest in combining these two approaches to identify and understand the phenomena and the chemical reactions involved during the setting of biomedical cements.