Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Durban University, Durban, South Africa, 2018. / Thermochemical catalytic conversion of ethanol-waste cooking oil (eth-WCO) mixtures was studied over synthesised aluminosilicate catalysts HZSM-5, FeHZSM-5 and NiHZSM-5. The thermochemical reactions were carried out at temperatures of 400° and 450°C at a fixed weight hourly space velocity of 2.5 h-1 in a fixed bed reactor system. Successful conversion of the eth-WCO mixtures was carried out over the synthesised catalyst systems and in order to fully understand the influence of the catalysts, several techniques were used to characterise the synthesised materials which include XRD, SEM, EDS, BET techniques. Results of the catalyst characterisation showed that highly crystalline solid material had been formed as evidenced by the high relative crystallinity in comparison with the commercial HZSM-5 catalyst at 2θ peak values of 7°- 9° and 23°- 24°. The introduction of metals decreased the intensity of the peaks leading to lower values of relative crystallinity of 88% and 90% for FeHZSM-5 and NiHZSM-5, respectively. However this was even slightly higher than the commercial sample which had a value of 86% with respect to HZSM-5 synthesised catalyst taken as reference material. There was no significant change in XRD patterns due to the introduction of metal. Elemental analysis done with energy dispersive spectroscopy showed the presence of the metal promoters (Fe, Ni) and the Si/Al ratio obtained from this technique was 38 compared to the target ratio of 50 set out initially in the synthesis. From the SEM micrographs the morphology of the crystals could be described as regular agglomerated sheet like material. Surface area analysis showed that highly microporous crystals had been synthesised with lower external surface area values ranging from 57.23 m2/g - 100.82 m2/g compared to the microporous surface area values ranging from 195.96 m2/g to 212.51 m2/g. For all catalyst employed in this study high conversions were observed with values of over 93 %, almost total conversion was achieved for some samples with values as high as 99.6 % with FeHZSM-5 catalysts. Despite the high level of conversion the extent of deoxygenation varied with lower values recorded for FeHZSM-5 (25%WCO) at 400°C and NiHZSM-5 (75%WCO) at 450°C with oxygenated hydrocarbons of 19.5% and 19.33% respectively. The organic liquid product yield comprised mostly of aromatic hydrocarbon (toluene, p-xylene and naphthalene) decreased with the introduction of metal promoters with NiHZSM-5 producing higher yields than FeHZSM-5. For the pure waste cooking oil (WCO) feedstock the parent catalyst HZSM-5 had a liquid yield of 50% followed by NiHZSM-5 with 44% and lastly FeHZSM-5 had 40% at 400°C which may be seen to follow the pattern of loss of relative crystallinity. An increase in operating temperature to 450°C lowered the quantity of organic liquid product obtained in the same manner with the HZSM-5 parent catalyst still having the highest yield of 38% followed by Ni-HZSM-5 with 36% and Fe-HZSM-5 having a value of 30% for pure waste cooking oil feedstock which may be attributed to thermally induced secondary cracking reactions. For all catalyst systems with an increase in the content of waste cooking oil from 25% to 100% in the feed mixture there was a linearly increasing trend of the liquid product yield. HZSM-5 catalyst increased from 14% to 50% while FeHZSM-5 increased from 16% to 40% and NiHZSM-5 increased from 12% to 44% at a temperature setting of 400°C with lower values observed at 450°C.Results obtained in this study show the potential of producing aromatics for fuel and chemical use with highly microporous zeolite from waste material such as waste cooking oil forming part of the feedstock. / M

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:38:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_paulo_Lopes.pdf: 545120 bytes, checksum: 00e0a07af29ecb4fca28d703cd43415b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-10 / Three experiments were carried out at the Ictyology Laboratory (Departamento de Zootecnia UFPel) to evaluate: a) - aflatoxin effects and b) - adsorptive action of 2 adsorbents (sodium and calcium aluminum-silicate and glucomanane) on growth and hematologic paramaters of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) fingerlings, fed diets artificially contaminated. The first experiment consisted of 360 fingerlings (initial weight 4 g), raised during 90 days in thermo-regulated recirculation water system. Twelve treatments were compared, with 3 replications. Four levels of aflatoxin inclusion in diets (0, 150, 250 e 350 μgAFkg-1), with and without (0, 0.3 and 0,6%) adsorbent addition (sodium and calcium aluminum-silicate). Negative effect of aflatoxins significantly reduced (P<0.05) growth and weight gain of fingerlings, proportionately to increasing levels of aflatoxis in diet, without mortality occurrence. Adsorbent levels in diet did not diminish the effect of aflatoxins on fish performance. The second experiment evaluated the effect of aflatoxins and 2 adsorbents (sodium and calcium aluminum-silicate) on performance of 189 jundiá juveniles (initial weight 43.13 g),grown during 60 days. Nine treatments with 3 replications, 3 levels of aflatoxin inclusion in diet (0, 50, 100 μgAFkg-1) and 2 adsorbents (0.3%) were tested. Negative action of aflatoxins significantly reduced fish specific growth rate, proportionately to increasing levels of aflatoxins in diet, without mortality occurrence. Only the addition of glumanane to diet significantly (P<0.05) neutralized the negative effects of aflatoxins, in relation to the contaminated group. The third experiment evaluated aflatoxin effects on erythrocytic parameters of jundiá juveniles fed diets with different concentrations of aflatoxins (0, 150, 250 e 350 μgAFkg-1), during 90 days in a thermo-regulated recirculation water system. It was observed that increment of aflatoxin levels in diet significantly reduced hematocrit rate and hemoglobin. Jundiá juveniles fed diets with aflatoxin are susceptible to negative effects, presenting losses in growth, weight gain and reduction of erythrocytic parameters. Addition of 0.3% of glucomanane in diet diminishes the action of aflatoxins on jundiá juveniles. / Três experimentos foram conduzidos no laboratório de Ictiologia do Departamento de Zootecnia (UFPel) para avaliar: a)- efeito das aflatoxinas e b)- ação adsortiva de dois adsorventes (aluminosilicato de sódio e cálcio e glucomanano) no crescimento e sobre parâmetros hematológicos em alevinos e juvenis de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen), alimentados com dieta contaminada artificialmente. O primeiro experimento foi realizado com 360 alevinos (peso inicial 4 g), durante 90 dias, criados em sistema de recirculação da água- termo regulada. Foram testados doze tratamentos com três repetições, e quatro níveis de inclusão de aflatoxinas na dieta (0, 150, 250 e 350 μgAFkg-1), com e sem adição de adsorvente (aluminosilicato de sódio e cálcio) (0, 0,3 e 0,6%). O efeito negativo das aflatoxinas reduziu significativamente (P<0,05) o crescimento e ganho de peso dos alevinos de jundiá, proporcionalmente aos níveis crescentes de aflatoxinas na dieta, sem apresentar mortalidade. Os níveis do adsorvente na dieta, não diminuíram os efeitos das aflatoxinas sobre o desempenho dos peixes. No segundo experimento foi avaliado o efeito das aflatoxinas e de dois adsorventes: aluminosilicato de sódio e cálcio e o glucomanano, sobre o desempenho zootécnico de juvenis de jundiá. Foram utilizados 189 juvenis (peso inicial de 43,13 g), durante 60 dias. Foram testados nove tratamentos com três repetições, três níveis de inclusão de aflatoxinas na dieta (0, 50, 100 μgAFkg-1) e com dois adsorventes (0 e 3%). A ação negativa das aflatoxinas reduziu significativamente o ganho de peso, biomassa final, ganho de peso diário e taxa de crescimento especifico dos animais, proporcionalmente aos níveis crescentes de aflatoxinas na dieta, em relação ao tratamento controle, sem apresentar mortalidade. Apenas a adição de glucomanano na dieta neutralizou significativamente (P<0,05) os efeitos negativos das aflatoxinas em relação ao grupo contaminado. No terceiro experimento foi avaliado o efeito das aflatoxinas sobre os parâmetros eritrocitários de alevinos de jundiá, alimentados com diferentes concentrações de aflatoxinas na dieta (0, 150, 250 e 350 μgAFkg-1) durante 90 dias, num sistema de criação fechado e termo-regulado. Foi observado que o aumento dos níveis de aflatoxinas na dieta, reduziu significativamente a taxa de hematócrito e hemoglobina. Os alevinos de jundiá alimentados com aflatoxinas na dieta são susceptíveis aos efeitos negativos, ocorrendo perdas no crescimento, ganho de peso e redução dos parâmetros eritrocitários. A adição de 0,3% de glucomanano na dieta diminui a ação das aflatoxinas em juvenis de jundiá.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_juliana_simoes_nobre_gama.pdf: 1507852 bytes, checksum: 5e0a4c29059c50c485c1e2ea802a1945 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-11 / This research aimed to evaluate the effect of silicon on cotton, through variables agronomic, physiological, yield and fiber quality and seeds produced. The experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013. In the first year of cultivation, were evaluated five levels of Si: 0, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 kg Si ha-1, applied to soil, 0, 45, 60, 135 and 180 kg Si ha-1 foliar, and 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g kg seed-1, applied through seed coating. In the second year, were evaluated five levels: 0, 45, 60, 135 and 180 kg Si ha-1 and 0, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 kg Si ha-1, applied via foliar and soil, respectively. The silicon source used is aluminum silicate. Evaluations were performed at 25, 50, 75 and 100 days from emergence (DAE). The results of the experiments allow to conclude that aluminum silicate applied by seed coating does not interfere in the physiological characteristics of cotton. However, when applied by foliar and soil, increases the chlorophyll index and reduces the diameter of the stem of cotton plants. In relation to yield, the number of seeds per fruit and number of fruit and seeds per plant were negatively affected with the increase of Si foliar applied. The silicon improves some physical characteristics of the fiber such as reflectance, short fiber index, degree of yellowing and micronaire index. Regarding the quality of seeds produced, increases the length of roots and shoots of seedlings, positively influences the weight of a thousand seeds by seed coating and soil and can increase productivity. / Esta pesquisa teve a finalidade de avaliar o efeito do silício no algodoeiro, por meio das variáveis agronômicas, fisiológicas, rendimento e qualidade da fibra e sementes produzidas. Os experimentos foram realizados em 2012 e 2013. No primeiro ano de cultivo, avaliaram-se cinco doses de Si: 0, 1000, 2000, 3000 e 4000 Kg de Si ha-1, aplicadas via solo; 0, 45, 60, 135 e 180 Kg de Si ha-1, via foliar; e 0, 100, 200, 300 e 400 g Kg de sementes-1, aplicadas via recobrimento de sementes. No segundo ano, avaliaram-se cinco doses: 0, 45, 60, 135 e 180 Kg de Si ha-1 e 0, 2000, 4000, 6000 e 8000 Kg de Si ha-1, aplicadas via foliar e solo, respectivamente. A fonte de silício utilizada foi o silicato de alumínio. As avaliações foram realizadas aos 25, 50, 75 e 100 dias após a emergência (DAE). Os resultados obtidos dos experimentos permitem concluir que, o silicato de alumínio aplicado via recobrimento de sementes, não interfere nas características fisiológicas do algodoeiro. Porém, quando aplicado via foliar e no solo, aumenta o índice de clorofila e reduz o diâmetro do caule de plantas de algodão. Em relação ao rendimento, o número de sementes por capulho e o número de capulhos e sementes por planta, foram afetados, negativamente, com o aumento das doses de Si aplicadas via foliar. As doses de silício melhoram algumas características físicas da fibra como a reflectância, índice de fibras curtas, grau de amarelamento e índice micronaire. Em relação à qualidade das sementes produzidas, aumenta o comprimento da raiz e parte aérea de plântulas, influencia positivamente o peso de mil sementes, via recobrimento de sementes e solo, podendo incrementar a produtividade.