Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Lignocellulosic biomass use for obtaining biofuels has been showing itself with much more evidence during these past years through cellulosic ethanol and biooils, biogases and biochars. Aquatic plants of lignocellulosic basis, Eichhornia crassipes species, commonly known by water hyacinth, represent a major environmental problem due to their invasive nature and their high proliferation rate. In this work we evaluated the possibility of use this biomass source from pyrolysis in a rotary kilns reactor in three different temperatures. The results evidence that the major yield of the liquid fraction (bio-oil + acid extract) was obtained at 500 ºC (42.11%). For 400 ºC and 600 ºC, the biochar and biogas had major production, 37.78% and 42.36%, respectively. Bio-oils characterization by GC/MS produced in microscale allowed an investigation upon the scale-up phenomenon under the bio-oils composition. The results show that, in qualitative terms, the chemical composition of bio-oils was not changed, however, at semiquantitative aspect, show they are produced in distinguish relative percentages. The mainly chemical classes identified in biooils were: acids, alcohols, phenols and sugar derivatives. Bio-oils showed in average, 68% of calorific power of the fuels derived from petroleum, glimpsing enforcement on the energetic area. In the produced biochars, with yields between 37% and 26%, the increase on pyrolysis temperature has provided an increase upon carbon concentration, and a decreasing upon the hydrogen and oxygen concentrations, reflecting in high aromaticity of the materials. These materials ware tested in some aspects about the soils management, nutritional function and water retention. In view of this, the water hyacinth pyrolysis has associated sustainability concepts and green chemistry, putting concepts of renewable energetic sources together and glimpsing an environmental problems inhibition, to offer an alternative to the 2nd generation of bio-fuels production. / O uso de biomassas lignocelulósicas para a obtenção de biocombustíveis apresenta-se com muito mais evidência nos últimos anos através do etanol celulósico e de bio-óleos, biogás e biocarvão. As plantas aquáticas de base lignocelulósica da espécie Eichhornia crassipes, popularmente conhecida por aguapé, representam um grande problema ambiental devido ao seu caráter invasor e sua alta taxa de proliferação. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a possibilidade de aproveitamento dessa fonte de biomassa a partir do processo de pirólise em um reator cilindro rotativo em três diferentes temperaturas. Os resultados demonstraram que o maior rendimento da fração líquida (bio-óleo + extrato ácido) foi obtido a 500 ºC (42,11%). Para as temperaturas de 400 e 600 ºC, o biocarvão e o biogás tiveram maior produção, 37,78% e 42,36%, respectivamente. A caracterização por CG/EM dos bio-óleos produzidos em microescala permitiram investigar o efeito de scale-up sob a composição dos bio-óleos. Os resultados mostraram que em termos qualitativos, a composição química dos bio-óleos não foi alterada, no entanto, no aspecto semiquantitativo mostraram que são produzidos em percentuais relativos distintos. As principais classes químicas identificadas nos bio-óleos foram: ácidos, álcoois, fenóis e derivados de açúcares. Os bio-óleos apresentaram em média 68% do poder calorífico do combustível derivado de petróleo, vislumbrando uma aplicação na área energética. Nos biocarvões produzidos, com rendimento variando de 37% a 26%, o aumento da temperatura de pirólise proporcionou um aumento na concentração de C, e uma diminuição nas concentrações de H e O, refletindo em maior aromaticidade dos materiais. Estes materiais foram testados sob alguns aspectos quanto ao manejo de solos, função nutricional e retenção de água. À vista disto, a pirólise de aguapé relacionou conceitos de sustentabilidade e química verde, unindo o conceito de fontes de energias renováveis com a inibição de problemas de cunho ambientais, ao oferecer uma biomassa alternativa para a produção de biocombustíveis de 2ª geração.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The water pollution causes changes in physical, chemical and biological water, which interfere with their quality, preventing its use for human consumption. Most chemical contaminants in surface water are related to industrial and agricultural sources. Since, with farming the Brazil pollute existing water resources making use of pesticides and fertilizers. This study aims to develop a fast and efficient method based on extraction techniques in solid phase (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection in the ultraviolet and visible with diode array (HPLC UV-Vis / DAD) for the determination of pesticides, endocrine disruptors, epoxiconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, and vinclozolin in water using biocarvões produced from agro-industry waste as an alternative sorbent for SPE. Tests with the analytes allowed the adjustment of the chromatographic conditions for simultaneous analysis of five selected pesticides. The optimal condition for the extraction of analytes was performed using 0.5 g of adsorbent to 50 mL of ultrapure water and eluted with 5 mL of acetonitrile. The biochar produced from coconut waste was tested as an adsorbent for the extraction by SPE and showed good recovery results between 75% ± 9 - 119 ± 12% for the concentration levels of 0.5 to 1 ug mL-1. The parameters studied to validate the method were: linearity and sensitivity, obtaining a good sensitivity and linear response with 0.9998 coefficients in the range of 0.01 to 10 ug mL-1; precision based on the precision of measurements (Intra) and intermediate precision (interday), obtaining results of 0.1-1%, 0.6-1%, respectively; accuracy with recovery values of 60 ± 37% - 117 ± 3% to the concentration levels of from 0.025 to 0.1 mg L-1 and 75 ± 9% - 119 ± 12% for levels 0.5 to 1 ug mL- 1 related to the biochar and C18, respectively. The LD 0.01 to 0.025 in range and LQ from 0.025 to 0.5 ug mL-1. The method developed was adequate for the determination of pesticides in water samples. / A poluição aquática provoca mudanças nas características físicas, químicas e biológicas das águas, as quais interferem na sua qualidade, impossibilitando o seu uso para o consumo humano. A maioria dos contaminantes químicos presentes em águas superficiais estão relacionados às fontes industriais e agrícolas. Uma vez que, com a atividade agrícola o Brasil polui os recursos hídricos existentes fazendo uso de agrotóxicos e fertilizantes. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um método rápido e eficiente baseado nas técnicas de extração em fase sólida (SPE) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detector espectrofotométrico na região do ultravioleta e visível com arranjo de diodos (HPLC UV-Vis/DAD) para a determinação dos agrotóxicos, perturbadores endócrinos, epoxiconazol, fenarimol, fenbuconazol, flusilazol, flutriafol, e vinclozolina, em água, utilizando biocarvões produzidos a partir de rejeitos de agroindústria, como adsorvente alternativo para a SPE. Testes realizados com os analitos permitiram o ajuste das condições cromatográficas para análise simultânea de cinco agrotóxicos selecionados. A condição ótima de extração dos analítos consistiu em utilizar 0,5 g do adsorvente para 50 mL de água ultrapurificada e eluição com 5 mL de acetonitrila. O biocarvão produzido a partir de rejeitos de coco foi testado como adsorvente para a extração por SPE e apresentou resultados satisfatórios de recuperação entre 75 ± 9% – 119 ± 12% para os níveis de concentração 0,5 a 1 μg mL-1. Os parâmetros estudados para a validação do método foram: linearidade e sensibilidade, obtendo-se uma boa sensibilidade e resposta linear com coeficientes de 0,9998 no intervalo de 0,01 a 10 μg mL-1; precisão com base nos estudos de repetibilidade (intradia) e precisão intermediária (interdia), obtendo-se resultados de 0,1–1%, 0,6–1%, respectivamente; exatidão com valores de recuperação entre 60 ± 37% – 117 ± 3%, para os níveis de concentração 0,025 a 0,1 μg mL-1 e 75 ± 9% – 119 ± 12% para os níveis 0,5 a 1 μg mL-1, com relação ao C18 e o biocarvão, respectivamente. O LD no intervalo de 0,01–0,025 e LQ 0,025-0,5 μg mL-1. O método desenvolvido se mostrou adequado para determinação de agrotóxicos em amostras de água.

En ny komplex aspekt i frågan om vattenkvalité är ackumuleringen av organiska föroreningar.Den begränsade utbredningen av vattenrening i Brasilien såväl som i andra utvecklingsländervisar på ett tydligt behov av utveckling av billiga och effektiva metoder för provtagning ivatten. Bristen på den här typen av metoder försvårar idag möjligheterna att kontrolleravattenkvalitén och på så vis även arbetet med att säkerställa de sanitära förhållandena ivattentillgångar. Det här examensarbetet innehåller en sammanfattande genomgång avprinciperna för den passiva provtagningsmetoden med namnet ”Diffusive Gradients in Thin‐Films (DGT)”, som direktöversatt får det svenska namnet ”Diffusiva gradienter i tunnfilmer”.När metoden används för provtagning för att upptäcka olika organiska ämnen i vattnetbenämns den som o‐DGT.Målet med detta arbete är att ta fram en metod med målet att specifikt upptäcka olika typerav nya framväxande organiska föroreningar som i de flesta fall förekommer bara i väldigt lågakoncentrationer i vår miljö. Grundliga undersökningar genomfördes för att få svar på huruvidabiokol kan fungera som den bindande agenten i DGT apparatur och verka för att kunnaupptäcka och identifiera dessa ämnen på ett effektivt sätt.Resultaten från de undersökningar som genomförts hittills visar på att biokol har godpotential att tillämpas som bindande agent i filter för bruk i o‐DGT apparatur. De organiskaföreningarna av intresse i denna studie kunde alla detekteras, kvantifieras och identifieras.För optimering av provtagningsmetoden bör vidare studier vid varierande förhållanden medhänsyn till pH, temperatur och jonkoncentration genomföras, såväl som studier av detbindande lagrets egenskaper i förhållande till koncentration av biokol och lagrets tjocklek.Detta för att kunna optimera tekniken, och förhoppningsvis bidra till ett konventionelltanvändande av biokol på adsorberande agent i o‐DGT anordningar i framtiden. / A new complex aspect in the matter of water quality is the occurrence of emerging organicpollutants and contaminants in waste water. The currently low extent to which treatment ofwaste water is performed in Brazil, and in the world as a whole, there is a considerable needfor development of cheap and accurate in‐situ sampling methods for far‐reaching studies ofsurface water quality. The lack of such methods today makes the maintenance andestablishing of sanitary safety difficult. This diploma work gives a brief introduction to thebasic principles of the passive sampling method known as Diffusive Gradient in Thin‐films(DGT). A method that could be useful for such monitoring of quality in water bodies worldwide.The aim of this study is to develop a method, for the detection of organic emerging pollutantsand contaminants – i.e. compounds, which usually are present at very low concentrationswhen found in the environment as a result of human activity. More specifically, this workinvestigates the potential and usefulness of the application of DGT devices in detection oforganic compounds that can affect human health and ecosystems, even at lowconcentrations, however, their effects still are in need of further investigations.This study focuses on both purely technical as well as practical points of views. The efficiencyof organic DGT (o‐DGT) with biochar as the adsorbing agent is examined targeting thedetection of organic pollutants and contaminants in surface water. In this sense, the specificaim of the work is to evaluate the performance of biochar as adsorbing agent. This workshowed that the performance of biochar as the adsorbing agent in binding layers in o‐DGTsample devices can be considered as satisfactory since all compounds of interest in this studywas successfully detected, quantified an identified. Further investigations in the future areneeded to determine the effects of varying pH, temperature and ion concentration in thedeployment media, as well as the properties of the binding layer in relation to concentrationof biochar and the thickness of the layer. These in order to optimize the method for in‐situwater sampling, aiming conventional use of biochar as the adsorbing agent in the future.

No description available.

MSCAGR ( Soil Science) / Department of Soil Science / See the attached abstract below

MSCAGR (Soil Science) / Department of Soil Science / Poultry manure (PM) is an inexpensive source of fertilizer but it decomposes quickly and releases carbon and greenhouse gases. Biochar (BC) could be an alternative source of carbon to improve soil quality and reduce greenhouse gas emission. This study investigated the effect of co-application of BC and PM on selected soil physical and chemical properties and performance of maize. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Venda experimental farm during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons. The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement consisting of four rates of BC (0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha-1) and three rates of PM (0, 2, and 4 t ha-1) in a RCBD arrangement replicated three times. Maize was planted in both seasons. After harvest, soil bulk density was determined at four soil depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20 cm), while aggregate stability and selected soil chemical properties were determined at two soil depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). Data were subjected to ANOVA using Genstat 17th edition. The least significant difference was used to compare the treatment means at P < 0.05. Soil aggregate stability, organic carbon, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, maize dry matter and maize grain yield increased with increasing rates of BC and PM application at 0 - 15 cm depth in both seasons. The combination of BC at 20 t ha-1 and PM at 4 t ha-1 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased soil bulk density at 5 - 10 cm depth but increased soil available P and total N at the two depths in both seasons. The results of this study suggested that BC and PM improved soil ability to retain and supply nutrients through improved soil aggregate stability and reduced bulk density thereby improving maize dry matter and grain yield. Combining BC with PM proved to enhance the ability of soil to function by improving selected soil physical and chemical properties thereby improving maize dry matter and grain yield. / NRF

The ever-increasing concentration of human activity in urban areas induces environmental problems beyond their boundaries on scales ranging from local to regional to global, such as resource depletion, land degradation, air and water pollution and climate change. Human-induced climate change is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest sustainability challenges of the present century and it is inextricably linked to urbanization. As a response to climate change, urban areas around the world have committed to reach climate neutrality within the next decades. In this context, the deployment of new technologies can have a key role in achieving carbon neutrality in urban areas. As new technologies emerge, it is essential to assess their environmental performance considering the broader systems context in order to ensure that they can indeed contribute to achieving climate neutrality without compromising environmental sustainability. This thesis aims is to provide insight on the environmental performance of emerging technologies that can be deployed in urban areas in order to contribute to achieving climate neutrality. The two technologies in focus are grid-connected solar microgrids and biochar-based systems for treatment of biomass waste and remediation of contaminated soil. The methods applied to conduct the environmental assessments and fulfil the aim of the thesis are: case studies, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material and Energy Flow Analysis and Substance Flow Analysis. Moreover, as part of the research efforts, a spreadsheet model based on LCA data was developed. The assessment of the solar microgrid highlighted the importance of using explicit spatial and temporal boundaries when analyzing the environmental performance of energy systems, as it can increase the accuracy of the results. It also revealed that the choice of modeling approach can influence the results of the assessment, which motivates the application of different methodological approaches. Within this context, the assessment showed that in a short-term perspective the integration of a grid-connected urban solar microgrid into the Swedish electricity grid would not contribute to climate change mitigation, as solar electricity from the microgrid would displace grid electricity with lower carbon intensity. The assessment also indicated that operational and structural changes in the microgrid could reduce its climate change impact, albeit not to the extent to generate GHG emission abatements. The assessment of the biochar-based systems showed that these systems have many environmental benefits compared to incineration of waste and landfilling of contaminated soil. They have great potential to contribute to achieving climate neutrality, as they can provide net negative GHG emissions, owing mainly to carbon sequestration in the biochar. Between the two biochar-based systems, a system for on-site remediation can provide additional environmental benefits, as it can lead to more efficient use of resources. However, these systems also entail environmental trade-offs due to increased consumption of auxiliary electricity, while the extent of ecological and human health risks associated with the reuse of biochar-remediated soils is for the moment unknown. / Den ständigt ökande koncentrationen av mänsklig aktivitet i urbana områden orsakar miljöproblem utanför deras gränser på skalor som sträcker sig från lokal till regional till global, såsom utarmning av resurser, markförstöring, luft- och vattenföroreningar och klimatförändring. Mänskligt driven klimatförändring är allmänt erkänd som en av de största hållbarhetsutmaningarna under nuvarande seklet och den är nära kopplad till urbanisering. Som ett svar på klimatförändringen har urbana områden runt om i världen åtagit sig att nå klimatneutralitet inom de närmaste decennierna. I detta sammanhang kommer införandet av ny teknik ha en nyckelroll för att uppnå klimatneutralitet i stadsområden. När ny teknik dyker upp är det viktigt att bedöma dess miljöprestanda med hänsyn till den bredare systemkontexten för att säkerställa att tekniken verkligen kan bidra till att uppnå klimatneutralitet utan att kompromissa med miljömässig hållbarhet. Denna avhandling syftar till att ge insikt om miljöprestanda för framväxande teknik som kan användas i urbana områden för att bidra till att uppnå klimatneutralitet. De två teknikerna i fokus är nätanslutna solmikronät och biokolbaserade system för behandling av biomassavfall och sanering av förorenad mark. Metoderna för att genomföra miljöbedömningarna och uppfylla avhandlingens syfte är: fallstudier, livscykelanalys (LCA), material- och energiflödesanalys och substansflödesanalys. Som en del av forskningsinsatserna utvecklades dessutom en kalkylmodell baserad på LCA-data. Analysen av solmikronätet visade att det är viktigt att använda explicita rums- och tidsgränser vid analys av energisystemens miljöprestanda, eftersom det kan öka resultatens noggrannhet. Analysen visade också att valet av modelleringsmetod kan påverka resultatet, vilket motiverar en användning  av flera olika metoder. Inom detta sammanhang visade bedömningen att i ett kortsiktigt perspektiv skulle integrationen av ett nätanslutet urbant solmikronät i det svenska elnätet inte bidra till att begränsa klimatförändringen, eftersom solenergi från mikronätet skulle ersätta el med lägre klimatpåverkan. Bedömningen indikerade också att operativa och strukturella förändringar i mikronätet kunde minska mikronätets klimatförändrings påverkan, om än inte i sådan utsträckning att det skulle ge växthusgasutsläppsbesparingar. Bedömningen av de biokolbaserade systemen visade att dessa system har många miljöfördelar jämfört med förbränning av avfall och deponering av förorenad mark. De har stor potential att bidra till att uppnå klimatneutralitet, eftersom de kan ge nettonegativa utsläpp av växthusgaser, främst på grund av kolbindning i biokol. Vi jämförelse av de två biokolbaserade systemen så kan ett system för sanering på plats ge ytterligare miljöfördelar, eftersom det kan leda till en mer effektiv resursanvändning. Dessa system medför emellertid också miljöavvägningar på grund av ökad förbrukning av elektricitet, medan omfattningen av ekologiska och människors hälsorisker förknippade med återanvändning av biokolbehandlad jord ännu är okända. / <p>QC 20210419</p>

MSCAGR (Soil Sciece) / Department of Soil Science / In most parts of Limpopo Province of South Africa, crop yields are low and continue to decrease due to decline in soil fertility, which has been identified as a major constraint to crop production. Therefore, there is a pressing need for soil amendments such as the application of biochar, which has the potential to improve soil fertility due to its physical and chemical properties. Biochar is the product of incomplete combustion of biomass in the absence of oxygen. The overall objective of the study was to determine the effects of biochar and NPK fertilizer on maize performance and selected soil nutrient levels. A 3x2 factorial experiment was conducted at the School of Agriculture Experimental Farm for two consecutive seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons). Treatments consisted of biochar applied at three levels, viz. 0, 10 and 20 t/ha and NPK inorganic fertilizer applied at two rates viz. NPK0 (zero NPK fertilizer) and NPK1 {N (150 kg/ha) P (50 kg/ha) K (20 kg/ha)}. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Maize cultivar (DKC 2147) was used as the test crop. Maize growth and yield measurements assessed included: plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), number of leaves, leaf area, dry biomass (kg/ha), nutrient uptake, cob yield, grain yield and harvest index. Soil samples were collected from 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil depths at the end of each season to determine total N, P, K nutrient levels in the soil. Data collected was subjected to two-way analysis of variance using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of Genstat software version 17. Comparison of means was done using the Standard Error of Deviation (SED) method at 5% level of significance (p<0.05). Biochar and NPK fertilizer had no effect on total N and exchangeable K at all soil depths in 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons. Biochar had no effect on phosphorus at all soil depths in 2015/16 and at 0-10 cm soil depth in 2016/17 season. The effect of biochar and NPK fertilizer was highly significant (p<0,001) on available P at 10-20 cm soil depth in 2016/17 season. Significant interactive effect of biochar and NPK fertilizer on soil total N at 10-20 cm (in 2015/16 season), available P and exchangeable K at 10-20 cm soil depth in 2016/17 season was also observed. Plant growth parameters increased with biochar addition at 20 t/ha and NPK1 (150 kg N/ha, 50 kg P/ha, 20 kg K/ha) fertilizer. The results of this study showed that biochar application at the rate of 10 and 20 t/ha has the potential to influence selected soil nutrient levels, maize growth, yield and yield components with and without NPK fertilizer application. Since this study was conducted over two seasons and biochar properties changes over a long-term period, more research is needed to evaluate the effect of biochar on soil nutrient levels and maize growth, nutrient uptake and yield over a long period of time. / NRF

Nano-scaled carbons were produced by thermal treatment of pine wood chips and bio-char. The influence of temperature, heating rate, pyrolysis time, and type and flow rate of purge gas on the production of nano-carbons was investigated. Using TEM and SEM, different carbon-based nanomaterials were observed in the prepared samples. The effect of metal ion doping on the bio-char was also investigated. Highly functionalized nano carbonaceous materials were synthesized by low temperature hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) using glucose, sucrose, xylose, and cellulose. Carbon-encapsulated iron (Fe@C) core-shell particles were also synthesized by the HTC method and used as catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to produce liquid hydrocarbons from syngas; it showed excellent activity. Nano-structured Co-Mo carbides over several nano-sized carbon materials were prepared using the carbothermal reduction and carbothermal hydrogen reduction methods. Nano-structured Co-Mo carbides derived from Vulcan® XC-72 were used as the catalyst to produce higher alcohols.

No description available.