The Neogene sediment from the Pattani Basin, Gulf of Thailand, were subjected to detailed organic geochemical study. The results suggest that the Neogene source rocks have potential for hydrocarbon generation (as shown by high TOC content). Sequences 2, 3 and part of Sequence 4 are mature and capable of producing hydrocarbons, while those from Sequence 5 are immature. The top of the oil window estimated from biomarker maturity parameters (i.e. CPI and homohopane ratios) is at approximately 6000 feet. SCI data also support this proposal. The biomarker composition and distributions of the bitumen extracts reflect the abundance of higher plant contributions with varying amount of bacterial input, in oxic to sub-oxic conditions during deposition of the sediments. A strong contribution of terrestrially derived organic matter (higher plants) is indicated by the bimodal distribution of <i>n</i>-alkanes, OEP distribution of the <i>n</i>-alkanes in the range C₂₃-C₃₃, high Pr/Ph ratios, low S%, the occurrence and abundance of several biological markers, including oleanenes, oleanane, bicadinanes, tricyclic terpanes, abnormally high C₃₁ homohopane R epimer, and high C₂₉ steranes. Abundant coals in Sequences 5 and 4 contain higher plant material, interpreted as deposited in deltaic swamp environments. Kerogen typing shows that vitrinite (Type III kerogen) is the dominant organic matter in the samples from the Pattani Basin, suggesting potential to generate gas and condensate. The other organic macerals found include cutinite and spore/pollen (Type II kerogen), amorphous (Type I/II/III kerogen) and inertinite (Type IV). In general, molecular and microscopic examination of the Neogene succession of the Pattani Basin suggests a fluvio-deltaic environment, with peat swamps in Sequence 5 and the upper part of Sequence 4. This interpretation is confirmed by pollen analysis data. The age diagnostic pollen found in a few samples from Sequence 5 suggest the time of deposition as Middle Miocene to Pliocene.

An investigation of shale pore structure and compositional/geochemical heterogeneities has been undertaken to elucidate the controls upon gas capacities of potential shale gas reservoirs in northeastern British Columbia, western Canada. Methane sorption isotherms, pore structure and surface area data indicate a complex interrelationship of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral matter and thermal maturity affect gas sorption characteristics of Devonian-€”Mississippian (D-€”M) and Jurassic strata. Methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacities of D-€”M shales increase with TOC content, due to the microporous nature of the organic matter. Clay mineral phases arealso capable of sorbing gas to their internal structure; hence D-€”M shales which are both TOC- and clay-rich have the largest micropore volumes and sorption capacities on a dry basis. Jurassic shales, which are invariably less thermally mature than D-€”M shales, do not have micropore volumes which correlate with TOC. The covariance of methane sorption capacity with TOC, independent of micropore volume, indicates a solute gas contribution (within matrix bituminite) to the total gas capacity. On a wt% TOC basis, D-M shales sorb more gas than Jurassic shales: a result of thermal-maturation induced, structural transformation of the D-€”M organic fraction. Organic-rich D-€”M strata are considered to be excellent candidates for gas shales in Western Canada. These strata have TOC contents ranging between 1-5.7 wt%, thermal maturities into the dry-gas region, and thicknesses in places of over 1000 m. Total gas capacity estimates range between 60 and 600 bcf/section where a substantial percentage of the gas capacity is free gas, due to high reservoir temperatures and pressures. Inorganic material influences modal pore size, total porosity and sorption characteristics of D-M shales. Carbonate-rich samples often have lower organic carbon contents (oxic deposition) and porosity, hence potentially lower sorbed and free-gas capacities. Highly mature Devonian shales are both silica and TOC-rich (up to 85% quartz and 5 wt% TOC) and as such, deemed excellent potential shale gas reservoirs because they are both brittle (fracable), and gas-charged. However, quartz-rich Devonian shales display tight-rock characteristics, with poorly developed fabric, small median pore diameters and low permeabilities. Hence potential `frac-zones' will require an increased density of hydraulic fracture networks for optimum gas production.

An investigation of shale pore structure and compositional/geochemical heterogeneities has been undertaken to elucidate the controls upon gas capacities of potential shale gas reservoirs in northeastern British Columbia, western Canada. Methane sorption isotherms, pore structure and surface area data indicate a complex interrelationship of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral matter and thermal maturity affect gas sorption characteristics of Devonian-€”Mississippian (D-€”M) and Jurassic strata. Methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacities of D-€”M shales increase with TOC content, due to the microporous nature of the organic matter. Clay mineral phases arealso capable of sorbing gas to their internal structure; hence D-€”M shales which are both TOC- and clay-rich have the largest micropore volumes and sorption capacities on a dry basis. Jurassic shales, which are invariably less thermally mature than D-€”M shales, do not have micropore volumes which correlate with TOC. The covariance of methane sorption capacity with TOC, independent of micropore volume, indicates a solute gas contribution (within matrix bituminite) to the total gas capacity. On a wt% TOC basis, D-M shales sorb more gas than Jurassic shales: a result of thermal-maturation induced, structural transformation of the D-€”M organic fraction. Organic-rich D-€”M strata are considered to be excellent candidates for gas shales in Western Canada. These strata have TOC contents ranging between 1-5.7 wt%, thermal maturities into the dry-gas region, and thicknesses in places of over 1000 m. Total gas capacity estimates range between 60 and 600 bcf/section where a substantial percentage of the gas capacity is free gas, due to high reservoir temperatures and pressures. Inorganic material influences modal pore size, total porosity and sorption characteristics of D-M shales. Carbonate-rich samples often have lower organic carbon contents (oxic deposition) and porosity, hence potentially lower sorbed and free-gas capacities. Highly mature Devonian shales are both silica and TOC-rich (up to 85% quartz and 5 wt% TOC) and as such, deemed excellent potential shale gas reservoirs because they are both brittle (fracable), and gas-charged. However, quartz-rich Devonian shales display tight-rock characteristics, with poorly developed fabric, small median pore diameters and low permeabilities. Hence potential `frac-zones' will require an increased density of hydraulic fracture networks for optimum gas production.

An investigation of shale pore structure and compositional/geochemical heterogeneities has been undertaken to elucidate the controls upon gas capacities of potential shale gas reservoirs in northeastern British Columbia, western Canada. Methane sorption isotherms, pore structure and surface area data indicate a complex interrelationship of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral matter and thermal maturity affect gas sorption characteristics of Devonian- Mississippian (D- M) and Jurassic strata. Methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacities of D- M shales increase with TOC content, due to the microporous nature of the organic matter. Clay mineral phases arealso capable of sorbing gas to their internal structure; hence D- M shales which are both TOC- and clay-rich have the largest micropore volumes and sorption capacities on a dry basis. Jurassic shales, which are invariably less thermally mature than D- M shales, do not have micropore volumes which correlate with TOC. The covariance of methane sorption capacity with TOC, independent of micropore volume, indicates a solute gas contribution (within matrix bituminite) to the total gas capacity. On a wt% TOC basis, D-M shales sorb more gas than Jurassic shales: a result of thermal-maturation induced, structural transformation of the D- M organic fraction. Organic-rich D- M strata are considered to be excellent candidates for gas shales in Western Canada. These strata have TOC contents ranging between 1-5.7 wt%, thermal maturities into the dry-gas region, and thicknesses in places of over 1000 m. Total gas capacity estimates range between 60 and 600 bcf/section where a substantial percentage of the gas capacity is free gas, due to high reservoir temperatures and pressures. Inorganic material influences modal pore size, total porosity and sorption characteristics of D-M shales. Carbonate-rich samples often have lower organic carbon contents (oxic deposition) and porosity, hence potentially lower sorbed and free-gas capacities. Highly mature Devonian shales are both silica and TOC-rich (up to 85% quartz and 5 wt% TOC) and as such, deemed excellent potential shale gas reservoirs because they are both brittle (fracable), and gas-charged. However, quartz-rich Devonian shales display tight-rock characteristics, with poorly developed fabric, small median pore diameters and low permeabilities. Hence potential `frac-zones' will require an increased density of hydraulic fracture networks for optimum gas production. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

In recent years, there has been increasing concern with respect to the large dependence across the globe on nonrenewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels. Ethanol has been explored, however, in alleviating this problem; cellulose, a polymer of glucose molecules, is a precursor to this potentially useful biofuel. However, the strength and rigidity of the cellulose structure has proven to be a difficult obstacle to overcome in this multistep synthesis. Harsh conditions are required, often including concentrated sulfuric acid and extremely high temperatures, to complete hydrolysis to a useful extent. In this work, the hydrolysis of cellulose was performed with acidic hydrogen molybdenum bronze in the form of XPell™ R by Xplosafe in place of sulfuric acid. By analyzing total organic carbon present in hydrolyzed samples (after 2 hours) using persulfate oxidation and colorimetric measurements, results were obtained showing that hydrogen molybdenum bronze is successful in catalyzing the hydrolysis of cellulose in comparison to hydrolysis completed in water alone. The values that were obtained in this analysis are as follows: 160 ± 20 ppt/mol at 40 °C, 180 ± 20 ppt/mol at 60 °C, 180 ± 30 ppt/mol at 80 °C, and 280 ± 40 ppt/mol at 100 °C. This determination shows that the catalytic ability of this acid increases with increasing temperature. Hydrogen molybdenum bronze is a useful candidate to explore in biofuel synthesis from cellulose. Comparison to sulfuric acid will be completed in future tests. This method is currently being used to pursue conversion of hydrolyzed cellulose to ethanol using yeast.

Because of high intense population is in Taiwan, households water use requires a considerable amount. It is substantially reduce daily water use to share primary water resources, if we can reclaim domestic wastewater properly and make it support. Currently, reclaiming water is an emerging requirement for management and application. If we can adequately monitor and treat reclaimed water, reducing environmental contaminants, costs, and environmental feedback is possible. The study treated domestic wastewater of Feng-Shan river using GAC trickling filter with two column in a series and the removal efficiency of organic carbon was observed. The experimental results indicated that removal efficiency of organic carbon concentration was decreased as the empty-bed contact time (EBCT) increased. The best average removal efficiency of TOC and DOC was about 72% and 78%. According to the TOC removal rates using GAC at different temperatures, the TOC removal rates at room temperature and 4¢Jwere respectively 95% and 90% in the first column of the experiment and 85% and 80% in the second column. The removal rates of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) using GAC folter system at room temperature and 4¢J were respectively 95% and 90% in the first column of the experiment and 90% and 87% in the second column. Obviously,the TOC removal rate treated using GAC filter system at room temperature was superior to that treated at 4¢J In comparing treated water and recycled water,most of the water quality parameters (temperature¡BSuspended solids¡BBOD¡BCOD¡BpH) were to meet recycled water quality standards.However, the system due to use GAC trickling filter system treatment that easily decrease dissolved oxygen in treated water but conductivity in treated water without changes. These two water parameters were failed to meet the recycled water standards. By the way, we found trained GAC through SEM irradiation the biofilm area of trained GAC surface at 25¢Jwas superior to that treated at 4¢J. It corresponds to the removal efficiency of organic carbon, the removal efficiency of 25¢J was higher than result of 4¢J. Therefore, a certain relationship between the biofilm area and removal efficiency of organic carbon is existed in this work.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 LíssiaLPO_DISSERT.pdf: 1518111 bytes, checksum: e44cfc47871a21a80b0501efe13b68d3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Inadequate management systems can promote the degradation of the physical and chemical soil quality, with environmental reflexes and productivity. In this sense, the objective of this work was to seek a direction regarding the water retention, the influence of organic matter, Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in soil aggregation and the physical and chemical attributes of the soil due to the different agricultural practices and soil management, to identify which of these are the most sensitive in the environments distinction, having the forest preserved as a reference. But also specifically evaluate the attributes of soil, indicating which of these have provided improvements or restrictions in the evaluated environments, in a Cambisol the Settlement Project Land of Hope, located in the city of Governador Dix-sept Rosado - RN, located in the middle region of the West Potiguar and the micro-region of Apodi Chapada. The areas analyzed were preserved forest area (AMP), cajaranas orchard area (AP) consortium area corn / beans (ACMF), watermelon consortium Area / jerimum (ACMJ) and agroecological area (AA). collection of disturbed and undisturbed samples were carried out in layers from 0.00 to 0.10; .10 To .20; 0.20 to 0.30 m, benefited the Soil Analysis Laboratory Water and Plant - LASAP / DADA / UFERSA. The analysis constituted the particle size, particle density, bulk density, porosity, macro and micro porosity, field capacity, permanent wilting point, available water, water retention curve in the soil, aggregate, EC, pH, TOC , P, K, Na, Ca, Mg and TOC PST, Ca and Mg added within each class. The greatest amount of TOC was observed in the AP, due probably to supply litter found in the location associated with the excrement of animals (goats, cattle, horses and donkeys) in the grazing area. Regarding the texture, the soils of ACMJ had higher clay content (0.55, 0.58 and 0.63 kg kg-1) in the three layers studied and can be justified because it is a colluvial area. It was observed that the soils under conventional tillage (ACMF and ACMJ), regardless of plant cultivation, possibly promoted a greater aeration of the soil and a lower DS, as evidenced by an increase of macropores in the superficial layer. AP provided the best water retention conditions compared to the other treatments, due to the maintenance of soil cover and increase soil organic carbon. In conventional management areas ACMF and ACMJ percent aggregation , aggregate stability and mean weight diameter were reduced compared to the preserved area ( AMP) in all layers. Agricultural uses ACMF (area of corn consortium / beans) and ACMJ ( watermelon consortium of area / pumpkin ) altered the degradation of the physical attributes ( bulk density and aggregation ) and chemical (total organic carbon and Mg 2+ ) soil compared to preserved forest area (AMP) / Os sistemas de manejo inadequados podem promover a degradação da qualidade físico-química do solo, com reflexos ambientais e na produtividade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi buscar um direcionamento a respeito da retenção de água, da influencia da matéria orgânica, Ca2+ e Mg2+ na agregação do solo e dos atributos físico-químicos do solo em função dos diferentes usos agrícolas e manejo do solo, visando identificar qual destes foram os mais sensíveis na distinção dos ambientes, tendo a mata preservada como referência. Como também avaliar especificamente os atributos do solo, apontando qual destes proporcionaram melhorias ou restrições nos ambientes avaliados, em um Cambissolo Háplico no Projeto de Assentamento Terra de Esperança, situado no município de Governador Dix-sept Rosado - RN, localizado na mesorregião do Oeste Potiguar e na microrregião da Chapada do Apodi. As áreas analisada foram: Área de mata preservada (AMP), Área de Pomar de cajaranas (AP), Área de consórcio milho/feijão (ACMF), Área de consórcio de melancia/jerimum (ACMJ) e Área agroecológica (AA). Foram realizadas coletas de amostras deformadas e indeformadas nas camadas de 0,00 – 0,10; 0,10 – 0,20; 0,20 – 0,30 m, beneficiadas no Laboratório de Análise de Solo Água e Planta – LASAP/DCAT/UFERSA. As análises constituíram as de granulometria, densidade de partículas, densidade do solo, porosidade total, macro e micro porosidade, capacidade de campo, ponto de murcha permanente, água disponível, curva de retenção de água no solo, agregação, CE, pH, COT, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, PST e COT, Ca e Mg dentro de cada classe de agregado. A maior quantidade de COT foi observada na AP, devido provavelmente, ao aporte de serapilheira encontrada no local, associada ao excremento de animais (caprinos, bovinos, equinos e muares) no pastejo na área. Com relação à textura, os solos da ACMJ tiveram maior teor de argila (0,55; 0,58 e 0,63 kg kg-1) nas três camadas estudadas, podendo ser justificado por se tratar de uma área de colúvio. Observou-se que os solos sob preparo convencional (ACMF e ACMJ), independente do cultivo das plantas, promoveram possivelmente uma maior aeração do solo e uma menor DS, fato evidenciado pelo aumento de macroporos, especialmente na camada superficial. A AP proporcionou as melhores condições de retenção de água quando comparadas com os demais tratamentos, devido à manutenção da cobertura do solo e incremento do carbono orgânico do solo. Nas áreas de manejo convencional ACMF e ACMJ a percentagem de agregação, estabilidade de agregados e diâmetro médio ponderado foram reduzidas quando comparadas com a área de mata preservada (AMP) em todas as camadas. Os usos agrícolas ACMF (área de consócio de milho/feijão) e ACMJ (área de consórcio de melancia/jerimum) alteraram na degradação dos atributos físicos (densidade do solo e agregação) e químicos (carbono orgânico total e Mg 2+) do solo em comparação a área de mata preservada (APM) / 2016-10-27

At the Castle Creek study area, levee deposits are well-exposed over an area of ~2.6 km wide and ~90 m thick. This provides an opportunity to describe their lateral and vertical lithological changes, and accordingly details about their reservoir geometry and stratal continuity. Here, levee deposits are divided vertically into packages, each consisting of a sand-rich lower part overlain sharply by a mud-rich upper part. Each lower part displays a consistent thickening then thinning trend laterally away from its genetically related channel. The characteristics of these packages suggest that they were controlled by recurring changes in the structure of channellized flows, which in turn was controlled by grain size and grain sorting. This ultimately was controlled by short-term changes in relative sea level. Moreover, some mud- and sand-rich strata are rich in residual carbon suggesting that mid-fan levees can serve as source rocks for hydrocarbon generation, and also reservoirs.

High total organic carbon (TOC) and low clay content are two criteria to identify the "sweet spots" in shale gas plays. Recently, machine learning has been proved to be effective to estimate TOC and clay from well loggings. The remaining questions are what algorithm we should choose in the first place and whether we can improve the already built models. Automatic machine learning (AutoML) appears as a promising tool to solve those realistic questions by training multiple models and compares them automatically. Two wells with conventional well loggings and elemental capture spectroscopy are selected from a shale gas play to test the AutoML's ability in TOC and clay estimation. TOC and clay content are extracted from the Schlumberger's ELAN interpretation and calibrated to cores. Generalizability is proved in the blind test well and the mean absolute test errors for TOC and clay estimation are 0.23% and 3.77%. 829 data points are used to generate the final models with the train-test ratio of 75:25. The mean absolute test errors are 0.26% and 2.68% for TOC and clay, respectively, which are very low for TOC ranging from 0-6% and clay from 35-65%. The results show the AutoML's success and efficiency in the estimation. The trained models are interpreted to understand the variables effects in predictions. 235 wells are selected through data quality checking and feed into the models to create TOC and clay distribution maps. The maps provide guidance on where to drill a new well for higher shale gas production. / Master of Science / Locating "sweet spots", where the shale gas production is much higher than the average areas, is critical for a shale reservoir's successful commercial exploitation. Among the properties of shale, total organic carbon (TOC) and clay content are often selected to evaluate the gas production potential. For TOC and clay estimation, multiple machine learning models have been tested in recent studies and are proved successful. The questions are what algorithm to choose for a specific task and whether the already built models can be improved. Automatic machine learning (AutoML) has the potential to solve the problems by automatically training multiple models and comparing them to achieve the best performance. In our study, AutoML is tested to estimate TOC and clay using data from two gas wells in a shale gas field. First, one well is treated as blind test well and the other is used as trained well to examine the generalizability. The mean absolute errors for TOC and clay content are 0.23% and 3.77%, indicating reliable generalization. Final models are built using 829 data points which are split into train-test sets with the ratio of 75:25. The mean absolute test errors are 0.26% and 2.68% for TOC and clay, respectively, which are very low for TOC ranging from 0-6% and clay from 35-65%. Moreover, AutoML requires very limited human efforts and liberate researchers or engineers from tedious parameter-tuning process that is the critical part of machine learning. Trained models are interpreted to understand the mechanism behind the models. Distribution maps of TOC and clay are created by selecting 235 gas wells that pass the data quality checking, feeding them into trained models, and interpolating. The maps provide guidance on where to drill a new well for higher shale gas production.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the leachate from a landfill in Pennsylvania that had been pretreated by activated sludge and propose the most efficient treatment for this effluent. These samples had been pretreated in a sequencing batch reactor that also was operated to remove nitrogen by nitrification/denitrification. The SBR samples were found to have low BOD, high COD, high TOC and a very low BOD/COD ratio. These SBR decant samples have poor UV transmittance and hence quench UV light. Five treatment methods were evaluated, coagulation, ultrafiltration, combined coagulation/ultrafiltration, combined ultrafiltration/oxidation and combined filtration/fentons. These processes were tested for their ability to remove BOD and TOC and also to evaluate the improvement in UV transmittance. It was found that coagulation; Ultrafiltration and Ultrafiltration combined with coagulation do not work in improving the transmittance properties though there is a significant BOD and TOC removal with these processes. Ultrafiltration combined with oxidation was found to work the best in terms of TOC removal. In this study, four oxidants, KMnO?, H?O?, NaOCl and Fenton's reagent were used. It was observed that Fenton's reagent was capable of removing 90% TOC at a dose of 1g/L each of iron salt and hydrogen peroxide at a pH of 4.5. Since Fentons reagent was found to be the most effective method, hence, efforts were made to optimize the oxidation process with Fenton's. The two parameters which were studied were the initial pH and the chemical dosage. The initial pH was varied from a value of 2.5 to 6.5. The range of iron salt and peroxide dose used was from 0.05 to 0.1 g/L. Additional studies were conducted using samples filtered through a 0.45 um filter and oxidized with Fenton's reagent. The Fenton's process for oxidation of filtrates from the 0.45?m filter was also optimized with respect to pH and chemical dosage to determine the most economical operating conditions. The maximum transmittance of 57% was obtained for an iron dose of 0.075 g/L and a peroxide dose of 0.075 g/L at a pH of 4.5. This is in comparison to the transmittance of unoxidized 1K ultrafiltrate which was found to be 21.5%. There was a significant difference in the performance of 1K and 0.45um filtrates in terms of TOC removal and percentage transmittance. The oxidation process for improving the UV transmittance of leachate can therefore be economically optimized depending upon the desired efficiency by varying the operational parameters. / Master of Science