Atualmente, a poluição marinha por microplásticos é uma grande preocupação ambiental, considerando principalmente a capacidade de dispersão e resistência à degradação que estes materiais possuem. A matéria prima plástica é normalmente comercializada na forma de \"pellets\", grânulos com cerca de 5 mm de diâmetro, que são encontrados em ambientes marinhos e costeiros de todo mundo, inclusive do Brasil. Estes podem ser perdidos nas etapas pré-consumo da cadeia produtiva dos plásticos e chegar direta ou indiretamente ao mar. Embora possam causar impactos ambientais e, eventualmente à saúde humana, há poucos registros formais sobre suas fontes. Assim, o presente projeto configura-se como um estudo para o entendimento da origem e de possíveis soluções para esta questão, a medida em que objetiva mapear e entender os diferentes processos de perda destes microplásticos para o meio ambiente, visando o desenvolvimento de orientações capazes de levar à redução desta perda. As conclusões apontam que as soluções para o problema passam por uma articulação multissetorial e definição de diretrizes para reduzir a perda adequadas à realidade brasileira. Estas diretrizes devem ser implementadas por meio de políticas públicas e instrumentos de comando e controle, que preferencialmente devem estar associados a mecanismos de regulação de mercado. Para efetivação destas políticas torna-se necessário ainda um enquadramento dos pellets como poluentes. / Currently, the plastic and microplastic marine pollution is a major environmental concern considering the difficulty in dealing with the dispersal capacity and resistance to degradation of these materials. The plastic material is usually marketed as plastic pellets, granules of about 5 mm of diameter, which are found in marine and coastal environments worldwide, including in Brazil. Possibly due to losses on the pre-consumer stages of production - on pellets producers, transporters and/or processors - arriving directly to the sea or indirectly by rivers and urban run-off. Although they can cause impacts to environment and, eventually, to human health, there are few formal records of its occurrence and its sources, essential information for managing this issue. Thus, this project is configured as a strategic study for understanding the origin and possible solutions for this issue. The main objective is to map and understand the different processes of these microplastics loss to the environment, aiming the development of guidelines to reduce this loss. The results indicate that the solutions to the problem undergo a multi-sectoral articulation and definition of appropriate guidelines to reduce the loss in the Brazilian reality. These guidelines should be implemented through public policies and instruments of command and control, which should preferably be associated with mechanisms of market regulation. In order to these changes take effect it is needed a clear framing of lost plastic pellets as pollutants.

Atualmente, a poluição marinha por microplásticos é uma grande preocupação ambiental, considerando principalmente a capacidade de dispersão e resistência à degradação que estes materiais possuem. A matéria prima plástica é normalmente comercializada na forma de \"pellets\", grânulos com cerca de 5 mm de diâmetro, que são encontrados em ambientes marinhos e costeiros de todo mundo, inclusive do Brasil. Estes podem ser perdidos nas etapas pré-consumo da cadeia produtiva dos plásticos e chegar direta ou indiretamente ao mar. Embora possam causar impactos ambientais e, eventualmente à saúde humana, há poucos registros formais sobre suas fontes. Assim, o presente projeto configura-se como um estudo para o entendimento da origem e de possíveis soluções para esta questão, a medida em que objetiva mapear e entender os diferentes processos de perda destes microplásticos para o meio ambiente, visando o desenvolvimento de orientações capazes de levar à redução desta perda. As conclusões apontam que as soluções para o problema passam por uma articulação multissetorial e definição de diretrizes para reduzir a perda adequadas à realidade brasileira. Estas diretrizes devem ser implementadas por meio de políticas públicas e instrumentos de comando e controle, que preferencialmente devem estar associados a mecanismos de regulação de mercado. Para efetivação destas políticas torna-se necessário ainda um enquadramento dos pellets como poluentes. / Currently, the plastic and microplastic marine pollution is a major environmental concern considering the difficulty in dealing with the dispersal capacity and resistance to degradation of these materials. The plastic material is usually marketed as plastic pellets, granules of about 5 mm of diameter, which are found in marine and coastal environments worldwide, including in Brazil. Possibly due to losses on the pre-consumer stages of production - on pellets producers, transporters and/or processors - arriving directly to the sea or indirectly by rivers and urban run-off. Although they can cause impacts to environment and, eventually, to human health, there are few formal records of its occurrence and its sources, essential information for managing this issue. Thus, this project is configured as a strategic study for understanding the origin and possible solutions for this issue. The main objective is to map and understand the different processes of these microplastics loss to the environment, aiming the development of guidelines to reduce this loss. The results indicate that the solutions to the problem undergo a multi-sectoral articulation and definition of appropriate guidelines to reduce the loss in the Brazilian reality. These guidelines should be implemented through public policies and instruments of command and control, which should preferably be associated with mechanisms of market regulation. In order to these changes take effect it is needed a clear framing of lost plastic pellets as pollutants.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-03-24T14:47:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Raphael Caixeta Serpa - 2015.pdf: 1683705 bytes, checksum: 7ee9a89fe7a14cfa8fcc536da1ebc46c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-03-24T14:49:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Raphael Caixeta Serpa - 2015.pdf: 1683705 bytes, checksum: 7ee9a89fe7a14cfa8fcc536da1ebc46c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-24T14:49:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Raphael Caixeta Serpa - 2015.pdf: 1683705 bytes, checksum: 7ee9a89fe7a14cfa8fcc536da1ebc46c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-30 / Inflammatory bowel diseases (DII) are pathological conditions that affect the gastrointestinal mucosa. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most prevalent DII. The current therapy for these diseases aimed to control relapses and are based on the oral administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, antibiotics and biological agents. These agents have been used chronically and generally have low efficacy and significant systemic side effects. The use of herbal medicines has shown good results in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including DII. The Bidens pilosa L. is a species widely used in Brazilian popular medicine and some studies have proven its anti-inflammatory effect. Another strategy to improve DII treatment is to target the active compounds to the colon, thus ensuring the topical treatment of inflammatory diseases, with greater efficiency and safety. Objective: The objective of the present work was to develop multiparticulate systems (pellets) coated with pH-dependent and/or time-dependent polymers, to provide colonic release of the constituents of the Bidens pilosa extract. Materials and Methods: Two different commercial extracts of Bidens pilosa (glycolic and hydroethanolic) were purchased and characterized. These extracts were then concentrated on rotaevaporator under reduced pressure. The amount of total polyphenols was determined by Folin-Ciocauteau colorimetric reaction. Then, microcrystalline cellulose pellets were obtained by extrusion-spheronisation technique using concentrated extracts as binder. The pellets were coated in a fluidized bed with different polymers (ethylcellulose, Opadry® 94k and Eudragit® FS30D). Morphological, size and flow rate analysis were performed and polyphenols content in pellets was determined. Finally, in vitro release of the polyphenols was determined. Results and Discussion: The concentration step resulted in products with total polyphenol content 5 times higher compared to the original extracts. The concentrated extracts were successfully used as a binder in the pellet preparation by extrusion-spheronization. Pellets prepared with the glycolic extract and coated with ethylcellulose showed vacuoles in the coat layer and released almost 100% in 120 minutes. On the contrary, pellets containing the hydroethanolic extract coated with 28% ethylcellulose showed only 30% of polyphenol released after 6 h of experiment; however, these pellets showed incomplete drug release at the end of the experiment. In view of these results, the pellets containing hydroethanolic extract were also coated with Eudragit® FS 30D or Opadry® 94k. The in vitro drug release showed no colon-specific release of polyphenols, even in the absence of glycerin. Then, an internal layer of ethylcellulose (10% weight gain) and an external coat of Eudragit FS30D were applied on the pellets. This association resulted in an increase in the colon-specific release efficiency and this formulation should be further studied aiming its future use as a phytomedicine to the treatment of the inflammatory bowel diseases. / As doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII) são condições patológicas que acometem a mucosa do trato gastrointestinal, sendo suas principais representantes a doença de Crohn e a retocolite ulcerativa. A terapia atual para essas doenças objetiva o controle das recidivas e é baseada na administração oral de antiinflamatórios, imunossupressores, antibióticos e agentes biológicos. O tratamento dessas doenças é crônico e está relacionado a ocorrência de importantes efeitos adversos oriundos da absorção sistêmica dos fármacos. O uso de plantas medicinais tem apresentado bons resultados no tratamento das doenças inflamatórias, aumentando o interesse pelo desenvolvimento de formas farmacêuticas contendo esses produtos de origem vegetal. A espécie Bidens pilosa L. (picão-preto) é bastante utilizada na medicina popular brasileira e estudos tem comprovado o seu efeito antiinflamatório, inclusive em modelos de inflamação intestinal. O tratamento das DII pode ser melhorado não apenas pelo uso de materiais vegetais, mas também pelo desenvolvimento de sistemas capazes de liberar os compostos ativos especificamente no cólon, garantindo assim o tratamento local seguro e eficiente dessas doenças. Objetivo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento e avaliação de pellets revestidos com polímeros de liberação pH ou tempo-dependente capazes de proporcionar liberação cólon-específica dos constituintes do extrato da Bidens pilosa. Materiais e Métodos: Dois diferentes extratos de Bidens pilosa (extrato glicólico e hidroetanólico) foram adquiridos comercialmente e caracterizados quanto ao teor de polifenóis totais e teor de sólidos. Esses extratos foram então concentrados em rotaevaporador, sob pressão reduzida, e o teor de polifenóis totais nessas preparações foi determinado pelo emprego da reação colorimétrica de Folin-Ciocauteau. Em seguida, pellets de celulose microcristalina foram obtidos pela técnica de extrusão-esferonização, utilizando os extratos concentrados como líquido aglutinante. Os pellets foram então revestidos em leito fluidizado com diferentes polímeros (etilcelulose, Opadry 94k, Eudragit FS30D, ou ainda a associação de etilcelulose + Eudragit FS30D). As caracterizações morfológica, granulométrica, de fluxo e do teor de polifenóis nos pellets foram realizadas. Por fim, a liberação in vitro dos marcadores vegetais foi determinada em aparato III de dissolução da Farmacopéia Norte-Americana. Resultados e Discussão: Os extratos concentrados apresentaram teor de polifenóis totais cerca de cinco vezes maior em comparação com os extratos originais e foram utilizados, com sucesso, na obtenção de pellets. O revestimento dos pellets com os diferentes polímeros aumentou sua esfericidade, diâmetro médio e melhorou seu fluxo. O tipo de extrato (glicólico ou hidroetanólico) incorporado nos pellets afetou a funcionalidade e estrutura dos filmes de revestimento constituídos por etilcelulose, com formação de vacúolos e liberação rápida dos polifenóis (quase 100% em 120 minutos), observada a partir dos pellets contendo extrato glicólico. A liberação prematura dos polifenóis foi evitada pelo emprego do extrato hidroetanólico em pellets revestidos com 28% de ganho de massa de etilcelulose. Esses pellets liberaram cerca de 30% de polifenóis após 6 horas de ensaio, mas a liberação ao final do experimento (10 horas) foi de apenas 46%. Adicionalmente, os pellets contendo extrato hidroetanólico foram revestidos com dois diferentes polímeros acrílicos de solubilidade pH-dependente, o Opadry®94k e o Eudragit® FS 30D. No entanto, esses pellets também apresentaram liberação prematura dos polifenóis, apesar da ausência de glicerina na formulação. Dessa forma, foi proposta a associação da etilcelulose (10% de ganho de massa, como revestimento interno) com o Eudragit FS30D. Os pellets revestidos com essa associação mostraram aumento na eficiência de liberação cólon-específica dos polifenóis presentes nos extratos de Bidens pilosa, e devem ser adicionalmente estudados visando seu futuro emprego como medicamento fitoterápico para o tratamento das doenças inflamatórias intestinais.

This master’s thesis evaluates automatic data annotation and machine learning predictions of iron ore pellets using tools provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the cloud. The main tool in focus is Amazon SageMaker which is capable of automatic data annotation as well as building, training and deploying machine learning models quickly. Three different models was trained using SageMakers built in semantic segmentation algorithm, PSP, FCN and DeepLabV3. The dataset used for training and evaluation contains 180 images of iron ore pellets collected from LKAB’s experimental blast furnace in Luleå, Sweden. The Amazon Web Services solution for automatic annotation was shown to be of no use when annotating microscopic images of iron ore pellets. Ilastik which is an interactive learning and segmentation toolkit showed far superiority for the task at hand. Out of the three trained networks Fully-Convolutional Network (FCN) performed best looking at inference and training times, it was the quickest network to train and performed within 1% worse than the fastest in regard to inference time. The Fully-Convolutional Network had an average accuracy of 85.8% on the dataset, where both PSP & DeepLabV3 was showing similar performance. From the results in this thesis it was concluded that there are benefits of running deep neural networks as a cloud service for analysis and management ofiron ore pellets.

The aim of the diploma thesis was to design a tourist chalet in Beskydy mountain. The building is solved as a masonry building. Tourist chalet has gabled roof with dormer on south and north side. When designing the object the accent of its funcionality was emhasized and the proposition of the energetically economic object. I designed by heat pump, the boiler and storage on pellets,

Sala Silvergruva AB är ett av många företag som just nu kämpar med höga energi-kostnader. Denna rapport undersöker vilka möjligheter det finns att skapa ett hållbart energisystem i Sala Silvergruva med avseende på ekonomi, miljö samt sociala aspekter.   Rapporten undersöker nio tekniker; vindkraft, vattenkraft, solfångare, solceller, pelletspannor, värmepumpar, effektivisering samt lagring av värme från växthus respektive fjärrvärme. Dessa analyseras var för sig med utgångspunkt i tio krav som speglar hållbarhetsaspekterna. I samband med analysen ges rekommendationer angående investering i respektive energilösning. Rapporten mynnar ut i en resultatskarta där det tydligt framgår vilka krav de olika teknikerna uppfyller. Den följande diskussionen leder fram till en slutsats som presenterar vilka åtgärder som bör vidtas i syfte att skapa ett uthålligt energisystem för Sala Silvergruva AB.   Pelletspannor och värmepumpar visar sig i nuläget vara de mest uthålliga tekniklösningarna. På grund av husens ålder och egenskaper bör även energieffektiviserande investeringar göras. Eventuella investeringar beräknas vara återbetalda inom 1-5 år.   Det finns finansiella incitament för det lokala energiföretaget Sala-Heby Energi AB att bygga ett fjärrvärmelager i gruvan. En sådan lösning visar sig skapa nytta för såväl Sala Silvergruva AB som regionen i helhet. Återbetalningstiden för Sala-Heby Energi blir mellan 4 till 12 år vid en investering, beroende på lagerstorlek. / Sala Silvergruva AB is one of many companies currently struggling with high energy prices. This thesis examines what possibilities there are to create a sustainable energy system for Sala Silvergruva considering economics, environment and social aspects.   The report examines nine technologies; wind power, hydropower, solar capture, solar cells, pellet boilers, heat pumps, energy efficiency and storage of heat from greenhouses or district heating. These technologies are analyzed from ten different aspects representing the sustainability demands. In the analysis recommendations are given according investment to each technology. The thesis culminates in a result map which clearly indicates what requirements the various techniques fulfill. The following discussion will lead to a conclusion that present the steps to be taken in order to create a sustainable energy system for Sala Silvergruva AB.   Pellet boilers and heat pumps show to currently be the most resilient solutions. Due to the age and properties of the houses energy-efficiency investments should also be made. These investments are expected to be repaid in 1-5 years.   There are financial incentives for the local energy company Sala-Heby Energi AB to build storage for district heating water in the mine. Such a solution is found to create benefits for both the Sala Silvergruva AB region as a whole. Payback time for the investment is for Sala-Heby Energi AB between 4 to 12 years, depending on size of the storage.

This study explored the feasibility of integrating pellet production to the combined heat and power plant Bristaverket, owned by the energy company Stockholm Exergi, with the aim of achieving a more energy and resource efficient process. The study was divided into three parts: development of a technical process, evaluation of techno-economic performance, and examination of organizational learning opportunities. A limitation of the study was to only consider the process at Bristaverket. The technical process was developed following a general modeling design process, utilizing MATLAB as software. Economic performance was assessed through investment and sensitivity analysis. Organizational learning opportunities were identified through interviews and thematic analysis using the 4I-framework. The proposed technical process involved transferring heat from Bristaverket to a 4 MW water-heated belt dryer. The annual pellet production amounted to 50.4 kilotons with 85% plant operation, and the specific energy consumption was 717 kWh/tpellet. The pellets achieved the classification I3 for industrial use and the specific production cost was 2,218 SEK/tpellet. The investment analysis was executed for three scenarios: a future scenario, a 2020 scenario and a 2023 scenario. The future scenario yielded a net present value (NPV) of 270 MSEK, an investment return rate (IRR) of 74%, and a payback time (PBT) of 1.4 years. For the 2020 scenario and 2023 scenario, the NPV was -1 MSEK and 88 MSEK, the IRR was 8% and 32%, and the PBT was 9.5 years and 3.3 years respectively. The investment was sensitive to changes in operational costs, foremost changes in pellet and wood chip prices. The study's techno-economic findings could contribute to organizational learning at Stockholm Exergi during meetings, through questions, at the final presentation, and through conversations between colleagues. Suggestions for enhancing organizational learning included establishing routines for knowledge sharing and discussions during and after thesis projects. / Denna studie utforskade möjligheten att integrera pelletsproduktion vid kraftvärmeverket Bristaverket, som ägs av energiföretaget Stockholm Exergi, med syfte att uppnå en mer energi- och resurseffektiv process. Studien delades in i tre delar: utveckling av en teknisk process, utvärdering av teknoekonomiskt resultat och undersökning av möjligheter till organisatoriskt lärande. En avgränsning som gjordes i studien var att bara undersöka processen i Bristaverket. Den tekniska processen utvecklades genom att följa en allmän modelleringsdesignprocess med MATLAB som programvara. Det ekonomiska resultatet utvärderades genom investerings- och känslighetsanalys. Möjligheter till organisatoriskt lärande identifierades genom intervjuer och tematisk analys med hjälp av 4Iramverket. Den föreslagna tekniska processen innebar överföring av värme från Bristaverket till en 4 MW vattenuppvärmd bandtork. Den årliga pelletsproduktionen uppgick till 50,4 kiloton med 85% drifttid och den specifika energiförbrukning var 717 kWh/tpellet. Pelletsen klassificerades som I3 för industriellt bruk och den specifika produktionskostnaden var 2 218 SEK/tpellet. Investeringsanalysen gjordes för tre scenarios: ett framtidsscenario, ett 2020-scenario och ett 2023-scenario. Framtidsscenariot gav ett nettonuvärde på 270 MSEK, en internränta på 74 % och en återbetalningstid på 1,4 år. För 2020- och 2023-scenariot var nettonuvärdet -1 respektive 88 MSEK, internräntan 8 respektive 32 % och återbetalningstiden 9,5 respektive 3,3 år. Investeringen var känslig mot förändringar i driftkostnader, framför allt i form av pellets- och flispriser. Studiens teknoekonomiska resultat skulle kunna bidra till organisatoriskt lärande på Stockholm Exergi genom möten, frågor, vid slutpresentationen och genom samtal mellan kollegor. Förslag för att förbättra möjligheterna till organisatoriskt lärande inkluderade att etablera rutiner för kunskapsdelning och diskussioner under och efter examensprojekt.

The Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in South Africa holds approximately three quarters of the world’s viable chromite ore deposits. Most chromite is used for the production of ferrochromium (FeCr), which is a relatively crude alloy. Several chromite seams exist in the BIC. The most economically viable seams are the lower group 6 (LG6), the middle group 1 and 2 (MG1 and 2) and the upper group 2 (UG2) seams. The LG and MG seams are exploited specifically for their chromium content, whereas the UG2 seam is mainly exploited for platinum group minerals (PGM). However, the upgraded UG2 chromite in the PGM tailing is increasingly being used as a feedstock for FeCr production. Many different process variations exist for FeCr production. However, the process option applied in most green and brown field FeCr expansion projects during the last two decades in South Africa has been the oxidative sintered process (also referred to as the Outotec or Outokumpu process). Notwithstanding the common application of the oxidative sintered pelletised feed technology in the South African FeCr industry, and the increased utilisation of beneficiated UG2 ore, a direct comparison of the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from UG2 with the physical properties of that produced with conventional metallurgical grade chromite ore is currently lacking in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Therefore, the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from a typical beneficiated South African UG2 ore were compared with the physical properties of that produced with conventional South African metallurgical grade chromite ore in this study. The results indicated that the case study metallurgical grade chromite ore required 13 kWh/t more energy to mill than the case study UG2 ore prior to pelletisation, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The compressive strength of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores statistically showed that oxidative sintered pellets made from UG2 ore Abstract were the same or better than those prepared from metallurgical grade chromite ore. A comparison of the abrasion strengths of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores indicated that the pellets prepared from UG2 ore were superior compared to the metallurgical grade pellets. The reasons for the superior UG2 pellet strength were investigated with backscatter-, secondary electron- and elemental X-ray mapping scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated that differences in crystalline structures at least partially contributed to the differences observed. Results presented here can be utilised by FeCr producers to better quantify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of UG2 ore for FeCr production. / MSc (Chemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in South Africa holds approximately three quarters of the world’s viable chromite ore deposits. Most chromite is used for the production of ferrochromium (FeCr), which is a relatively crude alloy. Several chromite seams exist in the BIC. The most economically viable seams are the lower group 6 (LG6), the middle group 1 and 2 (MG1 and 2) and the upper group 2 (UG2) seams. The LG and MG seams are exploited specifically for their chromium content, whereas the UG2 seam is mainly exploited for platinum group minerals (PGM). However, the upgraded UG2 chromite in the PGM tailing is increasingly being used as a feedstock for FeCr production. Many different process variations exist for FeCr production. However, the process option applied in most green and brown field FeCr expansion projects during the last two decades in South Africa has been the oxidative sintered process (also referred to as the Outotec or Outokumpu process). Notwithstanding the common application of the oxidative sintered pelletised feed technology in the South African FeCr industry, and the increased utilisation of beneficiated UG2 ore, a direct comparison of the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from UG2 with the physical properties of that produced with conventional metallurgical grade chromite ore is currently lacking in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Therefore, the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from a typical beneficiated South African UG2 ore were compared with the physical properties of that produced with conventional South African metallurgical grade chromite ore in this study. The results indicated that the case study metallurgical grade chromite ore required 13 kWh/t more energy to mill than the case study UG2 ore prior to pelletisation, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The compressive strength of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores statistically showed that oxidative sintered pellets made from UG2 ore Abstract were the same or better than those prepared from metallurgical grade chromite ore. A comparison of the abrasion strengths of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores indicated that the pellets prepared from UG2 ore were superior compared to the metallurgical grade pellets. The reasons for the superior UG2 pellet strength were investigated with backscatter-, secondary electron- and elemental X-ray mapping scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated that differences in crystalline structures at least partially contributed to the differences observed. Results presented here can be utilised by FeCr producers to better quantify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of UG2 ore for FeCr production. / MSc (Chemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Bioenergy is one of many contributors to reducing the use of fossil fuels in order to mitigate climate change by decreasing CO2-emissions, and the potential for biofuels are large. The wood fuel pellets are a refined biofuel made of sawdust, which is dried and compressed to achieve improved fuel and transportation properties. In 2007 the amount of wood fuel pellets used for heating purposes in Sweden was 1715000 tons. The aims of this work was: to examine the moisture content and emission of monoterpenes during the drying and pelletising steps of the pellets production (Paper I); to investigate how the recirculation of drying gases affects the energy efficiency of rotary dryers and how the energy efficiency is related to the capacity of the dryer. (Paper II); to analyse the causes of the problems encountered by household end-users of pellets and investigate whether an improved pellet quality standard could reduce these problems (Paper III); to investigate how the energy consumption of the pelletising machine and chosen pellet quality parameters were affected using an increased amount of rapeseed cake in wood fuel pellets (Paper IV); and to identify gaps of knowledge about wood fuel pellet technology and needs for further research on quality, environmental and health aspects throughout the wood fuel pellet chain, from sawdust to heat. (Paper V).