O desenvolvimento tecnológico tem aumentado o uso das fontes de radiação, fazendo com que sejam estudados novos métodos, técnicas e materiais para quantificá-la. A dosimetria termoluminescente é uma das técnicas mais versáteis para a avaliação quantitativa de doses de radiações ionizantes, com destaque para aplicações em medicina, indústria, arqueologia e proteção radiológica. O sulfato de cálcio dopado com disprósio (CaSO4:Dy), ou TLD-900, é a única pastilha termoluminescente produzida comercialmente para fins dosimétricos no Brasil, porém ainda com alto custo. O estudo de diferentes dopantes em pastilhas com base de CaSO4 pode conferir características dosimétricas adequadas para diferentes usos e aplicações. O objetivo desse trabalho foi a produção e o estudo de caraterísticas dosimétricas de pastilhas termoluminescentes a base de CaSO4 dopadas com disprósio, túlio, térbio e európio e suas combinações. Foram estudadas as curvas de emissão termoluminescente das pastilhas produzidas em comparação com pastilhas comerciais de TLD-900. Além disso, testes dosimétricos de resposta em função da dose, sensibilidade, dependência energética, reprodutibilidade, homogeneidade de grupo e desvanecimento de resposta foram estudados para feixes de fótons na faixa de 30 a 120 keV e 137Cs. Todas as pastilhas produzidas apresentaram dependência energética, sendo esta maior para o feixe ISO N40 (até 14 vezes maior). Dentre os materiais produzidos, as pastilhas de CaSO4:Tm foram as que produziram maiores intensidades de sinal para uma mesma dose de radiação, apresentando os melhores resultados de sensibilidade (154,8 nC/mGy para 137Cs), homogeneidade (36,4%) e reprodutibilidade (7,2%). A facilidade do método de produção utilizado e as respostas obtidas em baixas doses fazem dos dosímetros de CaSO4:Tm produzidos excelentes alternativas às pastilhas comerciais para o uso em aplicações diversas e em Radioproteção / Technological development has increased the use of radiation sources, leading to the study of new methods, techniques and materials to quantify these sources. Thermoluminescent dosimetry is one of the most versatile techniques for quantitative evaluation of ionizing radiation dose, with emphasis for medical and industrial applications, archeology and radiation protection. Calcium sulfate doped with dysprosium (CaSO4:Dy), or TLD-900, is the only thermoluminescent pellets commercially produced for dosimetric purposes in Brazil, however it is still expensive. The study of different dopants in CaSO4 based pellets can grant dosimetric characteristics suitable for different uses and applications. The goal of the present work was the production and study of the dosimetric characteristics of CaSO4 based thermoluminescent pellets doped with dysprosium, thulium, terbium and europium, and their combinations. The thermoluminescent emission curve of the produced pellets was studied and compared with commercial TLD-900. Furthermore, dosimetric tests of dose-response, sensitivity, energetic dependence, reproducibility, group homogeneity and fading were performed for photon beams ranging from 30 to 120 keV and for 137Cs. All of the produced pellets presented energetic dependence, the highest being for N40 ISO beam (up to 14 times higher). Among the produced materials, CaSO4:Tm pellets produced the higher signal intensity for a same radiation dose, presenting the best results of sensitivity (154,8 nC/mGy for 137Cs), homogeneity (36,4%) and reproducibility (7,2%). The easiness of the production method used and the response obtained in low doses make the produced CaSO4:Tm dosimeter an excellent alternative to commercial pellets for many applications and radiation protection

Submitted by Rafael Santana (rafael.silvasantana@ufpe.br) on 2018-02-01T17:57:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Isis Rosane Monteiro da Silva-Mestrado em Tecnologias Energérticas e Nucleares.pdf: 1530550 bytes, checksum: a7b35477ca5f9308880abf98379f35db (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-01T17:57:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Isis Rosane Monteiro da Silva-Mestrado em Tecnologias Energérticas e Nucleares.pdf: 1530550 bytes, checksum: a7b35477ca5f9308880abf98379f35db (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-31 / CAPES / O gesso (CaSO4) é um material utilizado em grande quantidade na construção civil brasileira como estrutura física (paredes, tetos e divisórias) para delimitar espaços entre ambientes. Placas de parede de gesso não são utilizadas como blindagem, embora a aplicação destas tem sido estudada para a área de radiodiagnóstico de baixas energias com base na NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement) relatório 147. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a utilização do gesso brasileiro como material de blindagem e estabelecer as curvas de atenuação e camadas semi-redutoras. Foram determinadas as características do gesso, tais como composição química e granulometria. Foram confeccionadas placas quadradas com dimensões de 10x10 cm² com espessuras entre 2,5mm, 5mm e 8 mm que, quando combinadas, resultaram em 10 medidas irradiadas num estudo quantitativo. No procedimento experimental, as placas foram irradiadas em um equipamento de raios X industrial PANTAK, modelo HF320, a uma distância de 50 cm do ponto focal. As medidas de atenuação do feixe de raios X foram determinadas utilizando câmara de ionização posicionada a uma distância de 1,0 m do ponto focal. As respostas da atenuação em função da espessura de gesso resultaram na obtenção de curvas de atenuação que foram utilizadas para determinar as CSR. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram a obtenção de curvas de atenuação e camadas semi-redutoras do gesso brasileiro que servirão como base para projetos de blindagem para a área radiológica. / The gypsum (CaSO4) is a material used in large quantities in the Brazilian civil construction as physical structure (walls, roofs and office partitions) to delimit spaces between environments. The gypsum wallboards are not used as shielding, although the application of these has been studied the area radiodiagnostic of low power according to the NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement) report 147. The aim of this work was to use the Brazilian gypsum as shielding material for establishes the attenuation curves and half values layers (HVL). Thus, gypsum characteristics were determined, such as chemical composition and grain measurement. Square plates were prepared with fixed dimensions 10x10 cm² and thickness varying between 2.5mm, 5mm and 8 mm which, when combined, result in the 10 irradiated measures for quantitative analysis. In the experimental procedure, the plates were irradiated in an equipment of industrial machine for X-ray Pantak, Model HF320, at a distance of 50 cm from the focal point. The potential applied to the X-ray tube was 60 kV because of N60 quality which resulted in an average of 45 keV electron energy, the current was sustained constant at 10 mA. The attenuation measurements of the Xray beam were determined using ionization chamber positioned at a distance of 1.0 m from the focal point. The responses of attenuation according to the gypsum thickness resulted in obtaining attenuation curves, used to determine the HVL. The obtained results the attenuation curves of the Brazilian gypsum will serve as a basis for shielding projects in the radiological area.

L'électronique intégrée connaît des développements importants pour des applications mettant en œuvre des capteurs en couches minces associés à une acquisition et un traitement des données appropriés. Le développement de couches minces qui peuvent être associées à des composants électroniques est un élément clé pour la mise en œuvre de nouveaux dispositifs. Un des objectifs de ma thèse est de montrer la faisabilité de couches minces de composés à base de soufre, par des techniques autres que celles mettant en jeu le vide. Ces techniques simples sont le spray et le dépôt chimique en solution aqueuse.Trois matériaux binaires et à base de soufre m'ont été proposés pour l'élaboration en couches minces par voie aqueuse, ce sont : SnS, à applications photovoltaïques, et MgS et CaS à applications dosimétriques.Le sulfure d'étain est un absorbeur utilisé dans les dispositifs photovoltaïques, connu pour ces propriétés physiques pertinentes pour cette application. Cependant, c'est un piètre conducteur et différents dopages tel que le fer, l'argent et le gallium ainsi qu'un recuit sous atmosphère contrôlé ont été réalisés dans le but d'augmenter la conductivité de ces couches minces. Il s'est avéré par la suite qu'un simple dopage des films minces de SnS n'aboutit pas à la diminution de la résistivité d'où la proposition d'un recuit sous atmosphère contrôlé dans cette étude. L'étude cristallographique révèle une amélioration cristalline avec la coexistence des deux phases pour des températures de recuit croissantes. A une certaine température, un changement de phase est noté. La transformation de phase se produit à des températures de recuit différentes pour les couches minces recuites et avec différents éléments dopants. La partie électrique étudiée par courants thermiquement stimulés montre que les pièges disparaissent pour des températures de recuit croissantes. Ce résultat a été consolidé par une augmentation progressive de l'intensité du courant d'obscurité en fonction de la température de recuit suivie d'un changement notable du processus de conduction. Ce changement observé est attribué à la transition de phase produite lors du recuit.Nous avons ensuite optimisé les paramètres de croissance des films minces de MgS et de CaSO4 à applications dans les mesures dosimétriques. Nous avons réussi par la technique de spray à élaborer des couches minces de MgS. Suivant l'analyse cristallographique et chimique, nous avons conclu à l'existence des deux matériaux : le MgSO4 en une forte proportion et le MgS en une faible proportion. La présence importante du taux d'oxygène dans les couches minces a été expliquée par le fait que la technique de croissance n'est pas sous vide d'une part et d'autre part par la présence de l'oxygène dans les réactifs. L'effet du recuit réalisé sous vide ou sous azote montre que ce matériau n'est pas stable à atmosphère ambiante et que l'élaboration de ce dernier en couches minces nécessite des techniques de fabrication plus performantes et qui mettent en jeu le vide.Par ailleurs, le CaSO4 a été élaboré par la technique de Spray. Du dopage intentionnel a été analysé afin de préciser le comportement de luminescence du matériau. Cependant, comme on a constaté que la luminescence du matériau après dopage est la même que celle du non dopé et ce quelque soit le dopage utilisé, nous pouvons conclure que la luminescence de ce composé est attribuée aux états de défauts intrinsèques.Une étude de la TL a été réalisée sur un échantillon irradié à différentes doses. Il a été noté que le signal de la TL augmente pour des doses d'irradiation croissantes.Ce travail constitue une première étape cruciale vers la maîtrise des propriétés de certaines couches minces incluses dans des dispositifs photovoltaïques et dosimétriques. Les perspectives s'ouvrent vers d'autres matériaux soufrés bien connus en dosimétrie, et pour lesquels le spray pourrait constituer une méthode de fabrication bien adaptée. / This thesis reports the growth of sulfur thin films using low cost techniques other than those involving vacuum. These simple techniques are spray pyrolysis and chemical bath deposition. In this context, it is necessary to control the development of thin films. Various analyzes were performed such as: XRD, SEM, EDS, AFM, spectrophotometry and TSC. All these analyzes allowed us to improve the physical properties of thin films of SnS in photovoltaic application in a first stage and a second stage to optimize the growth parameters of dosimetric thin films.In the first part, we have elaborated tin sulphide thin films using as an absorber material in photovoltaic devices. For this, different doping such as iron, silver, and gallium as well as annealing in a controlled atmosphere have been made in order to increase the conductivity of these thin films. The doping was carried out during the growth process by adding relative concentration of the aqueous solutions containing Fe2+; Ag2+ and Ga2+ ions. It was found later that the doping of SnS thin films does not result in the decrease of resistivity. So,other physical characterizations are in progress to optimize thin films properties and particularly the resistivity by means of an appropriate heat treatment under controlled atmosphere. The XRD patterns show an increase in crystallite size with annealing temperature, correlated with an improvement in surface topography. In addition, annealing at 600°C results in the structural transition from rocksalt to orthorhombic, leading to enhanced conductivity. From TSC measurement, a gradual increase in the current intensity with increasing annealing temperature was observed. A significant change in the electrical conduction regime occurred for the film annealed at 600°C. The TSC intensity increased by 5 decades compared with that of the SnS annealed at 500°C. The SnS thin film had semiconductor electrical behavior, which can be attributed to the structural transition.During the second part of my thesis, we have optimized the growth parameters of dosimetric thin films. For this, we started with the first material the MgS using spray pyrolysis technique. Different growth parameters were varied such as the substrate temperature, the pH of the solution, the nature of the solvent and that of the carrier gas and the concentration of EDTA. Along the crystallographic analysis (XRD) and chemical (EDS), we concluded the existence of two materials: a high proportion of MgSO4 and MgS in a small proportion. The significant presence of oxygen in in thin films was explained by the fact that the growth of such compound needs a vacuum technique. Another reason may be to the presence of oxygen in the reactants. In fact, the presence of the dominant phase magnesium sulfate may be due to the little amount of the rate of the dissociation MgSO4 to release Mg2+ cation through the EDTA complexing. The effect of annealing performed under vacuum and under nitrogen atmosphere show that this material is not stable at ambient atmosphere and the development of the latter requires thin film manufacturing techniques more efficient and which involve vacuum.We then chose to prepare a second dosimeter material is CaSO4 by spray technique. Intentional doping (Sm, Mn or doubly doped such as (Cu, F), (Cu, Mn)) was analyzed to clarify the behavior of luminescence of the material. However, as it was found that the luminescence of the material after doping is the same as that in the case of undoped and whatever the doping used, we can conclude that the luminescence there is given to the states of its own defects -even and which are present in the spray solution. Hence the luminescence of the material is intrinsic. A study of the TL was performed on a sample irradiated at different doses. It was noted that the signal of the TL increases for increasing irradiation doses.

This study develops and demonstrates a microfluidic module for investigating the mechanism of inorganic fouling caused by the precipitation of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) on nanofiltration membranes. The developed microfluidic module enables sensitive system responses, rapid detection and real time observation of inorganic fouling commonly encountered in water treatment industries. For this development, CaSO4 is selected as the model salt due to its unique fouling characteristics. The effect of the operating conditions, such as pressure and permeate flux, was on the fouling behavior is investigated. A plate-frame type microfluidic chip was fabricated and employed in a dead-end filtration mode for constant-flux fouling experiments. The nanofiltration chip module has a dimension of 50 mm ¡Ñ 25 mm ¡Ñ 12 mm. It is consisted of a polymeric nanofilter, a pressure acquisition unit, a C.C.D., and micro electrodes on the nanofilter for investigating the relationships among trans-membrane pressure, conductivity on membrane surface and permeate fluxes. With the microfluidic system, real-time concentration polarization, bulk nucleation of CaSO4 and surface crystal accumulation were observed in terms of the variations of pressure and conductivity on membrane surface, which were verified with scanning electron micrographs to confirm the corresponding fouling stage. It is found that membrane surface conductivity increases with trans-membrane pressure before bulk crystallization of CaSO4, then slightly decreases after the formation of bulk nuclei due to the removal of solute in the aqueous phase. The conductivity remains relatively constant during cake formation stage while trans-membrane pressure steadily increases. This study successfully integrates microfluidic technology with pressure and electrical measurements for detecting the dynamic transition during CaSO4 fouling, and reports for the first time the experimental measurement of the initiation of inorganic cake formation.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The widespread use of ionizing radiation in medicine and industry, associated with the known risks that this type of radiation can cause, has motivated the search for new radiation detectors, seeking improvements in the dosimetric characteristics and in the cost of production in comparison with commercial dosimeters disseminated. The motivation of this work is, therefore, to produce new thermoluminescent detectors through improved routes. Unusual elements in CaSO 4 matrix doping, such as terbium (Tb) and ytterbium (Yb), were used as dopants in this matrix, as well as the europium (Eu), the thulium (Tm) and the silver (Ag), resulting in samples of CaSO 4 :Eu,Tb, CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb, CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag and CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag that were prepared by means of an adaptation of the method developed by Yamashita (1971). The route of synthesis is based on the mixture of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and dopant oxide (except for silver, incorporated in the form of metalic nanoparticles) in a solution of sulfuric acid. The mixture is heated until all the acid evaporates and only the powder of the material remains. In this route, the sulfuric acid is collected and can be reused. The phosphors produced were characterized by X-ray diffraction and radioluminescence techniques. The silver particles, produced by the polyol method, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Composites were obtained from the addition of Teflon to the phosphors. The thermoluminescence (TL) and the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of the new materials produced were investigated. Thermoluminescent characteristics such as sensitivity, linearity, reproducibility, minimum detectable dose, kinetic order and fading were evaluated and discussed. The CaSO 4 :Tb,Eu composites showed TL glow curves with peaks at temperatures of 170 °C, 270 °C and 340 °C. The CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb composites presented TL glow curves with peaks at temperatures of 90 °C, 160 °C, 240 °C and 340 °C. CaSO 4 :Tm showed peaks at temperatures of 140 °C and 225 °C and the CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag presented peaks at temperatures of 140 °C, 280 °C and 380 °C. All composites showed a linear and reproducible dose response. The TL emission spectrum of the composites was also evaluated. The samples of calcium sulfate doped with europium and silver particles (CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag) showed great potential for applicability in the OSL dosimetry. / O amplo uso das radiações ionizantes na medicina e na indústria, associado aos riscos conhecidos que esse tipo de radiação pode provocar, tem motivado o desenvolvimento de novos detectores de radiação, buscando melhorias nas características dosimétricas e no custo de produção em comparação com os dosímetros comercialmente difundidos. A motivação deste trabalho foi, portanto, produzir novos detectores termoluminescentes a partir de rotas aprimoradas. Elementos não usuais na dopagem do CaSO 4 , como o térbio (Tb) e o itérbio (Yb), foram empregados como dopantes dessa matriz, assim como o európio (Eu), o túlio (Tm) e a prata (Ag), resultando em amostras de CaSO 4 :Eu,Tb, CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb, CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag e CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag, que foram preparadas por meio de uma adaptação do método desenvolvido por Yamashita et al. (1971). A rota de síntese baseia-se na mistura do carbonato de cálcio (CaCO 3 ) e do óxido dos dopantes (exceto para a prata, incorporada na forma de nanopartículas metálicas) numa solução de ácido sulfúrico. A mistura é aquecida até que todo o ácido evapore e reste somente o pó do material. Nessa rota, o ácido sulfúrico é recoletado e pode ser reutilizado. Os fósforos produzidos foram caracterizados por técnicas de difração de raios X e de radioluminescência. As partículas de prata, produzidas pelo método poliol, foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Compósitos foram obtidos a partir da adição de Teflon aos fósforos. A termoluminescência (TL) e a luminescência opticamente estimulada (LOE) dos novos materiais produzidos foram investigadas. Características termoluminescentes como sensibilidade, linearidade, reprodutibilidade, dose mínima detectável, ordem de cinética e desvanecimento foram avaliadas e discutidas. Os compósitos de CaSO 4 :Tb,Eu apresentaram curvas de emissão TL com picos às temperaturas de 170 °C, 270 °C e 340 °C. Os compósitos de CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb apresentaram curvas de emissão TL com picos às temperaturas de 90 °C, 160 °C, 240 °C e 340 °C. O CaSO 4 :Tm apresentou picos em temperaturas de 140 °C e 225 °C. Já o CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag apresentou picos em temperaturas de 140 ºC, 280 ºC e 380 ºC. Todos os compósitos apresentaram respostas lineares à dose e reprodutíveis. Também foi avaliado o espectro de emissão TL dos compósitos. As amostras de sulfato de cálcio dopado com európio e partículas de prata (CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag) demonstraram grande potencial para aplicabilidade na dosimetria LOE.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The widespread use of ionizing radiation in medicine and industry, associated with the known risks that this type of radiation can cause, has motivated the search for new radiation detectors, seeking improvements in the dosimetric characteristics and in the cost of production in comparison with commercial dosimeters disseminated. The motivation of this work is, therefore, to produce new thermoluminescent detectors through improved routes. Unusual elements in CaSO 4 matrix doping, such as terbium (Tb) and ytterbium (Yb), were used as dopants in this matrix, as well as the europium (Eu), the thulium (Tm) and the silver (Ag), resulting in samples of CaSO 4 :Eu,Tb, CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb, CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag and CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag that were prepared by means of an adaptation of the method developed by Yamashita (1971). The route of synthesis is based on the mixture of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and dopant oxide (except for silver, incorporated in the form of metalic nanoparticles) in a solution of sulfuric acid. The mixture is heated until all the acid evaporates and only the powder of the material remains. In this route, the sulfuric acid is collected and can be reused. The phosphors produced were characterized by X-ray diffraction and radioluminescence techniques. The silver particles, produced by the polyol method, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Composites were obtained from the addition of Teflon to the phosphors. The thermoluminescence (TL) and the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of the new materials produced were investigated. Thermoluminescent characteristics such as sensitivity, linearity, reproducibility, minimum detectable dose, kinetic order and fading were evaluated and discussed. The CaSO 4 :Tb,Eu composites showed TL glow curves with peaks at temperatures of 170 °C, 270 °C and 340 °C. The CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb composites presented TL glow curves with peaks at temperatures of 90 °C, 160 °C, 240 °C and 340 °C. CaSO 4 :Tm showed peaks at temperatures of 140 °C and 225 °C and the CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag presented peaks at temperatures of 140 °C, 280 °C and 380 °C. All composites showed a linear and reproducible dose response. The TL emission spectrum of the composites was also evaluated. The samples of calcium sulfate doped with europium and silver particles (CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag) showed great potential for applicability in the OSL dosimetry. / O amplo uso das radiações ionizantes na medicina e na indústria, associado aos riscos conhecidos que esse tipo de radiação pode provocar, tem motivado o desenvolvimento de novos detectores de radiação, buscando melhorias nas características dosimétricas e no custo de produção em comparação com os dosímetros comercialmente difundidos. A motivação deste trabalho foi, portanto, produzir novos detectores termoluminescentes a partir de rotas aprimoradas. Elementos não usuais na dopagem do CaSO 4 , como o térbio (Tb) e o itérbio (Yb), foram empregados como dopantes dessa matriz, assim como o európio (Eu), o túlio (Tm) e a prata (Ag), resultando em amostras de CaSO 4 :Eu,Tb, CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb, CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag e CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag, que foram preparadas por meio de uma adaptação do método desenvolvido por Yamashita et al. (1971). A rota de síntese baseia-se na mistura do carbonato de cálcio (CaCO 3 ) e do óxido dos dopantes (exceto para a prata, incorporada na forma de nanopartículas metálicas) numa solução de ácido sulfúrico. A mistura é aquecida até que todo o ácido evapore e reste somente o pó do material. Nessa rota, o ácido sulfúrico é recoletado e pode ser reutilizado. Os fósforos produzidos foram caracterizados por técnicas de difração de raios X e de radioluminescência. As partículas de prata, produzidas pelo método poliol, foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Compósitos foram obtidos a partir da adição de Teflon aos fósforos. A termoluminescência (TL) e a luminescência opticamente estimulada (LOE) dos novos materiais produzidos foram investigadas. Características termoluminescentes como sensibilidade, linearidade, reprodutibilidade, dose mínima detectável, ordem de cinética e desvanecimento foram avaliadas e discutidas. Os compósitos de CaSO 4 :Tb,Eu apresentaram curvas de emissão TL com picos às temperaturas de 170 °C, 270 °C e 340 °C. Os compósitos de CaSO 4 :Tb,Yb apresentaram curvas de emissão TL com picos às temperaturas de 90 °C, 160 °C, 240 °C e 340 °C. O CaSO 4 :Tm apresentou picos em temperaturas de 140 °C e 225 °C. Já o CaSO 4 :Tm,Ag apresentou picos em temperaturas de 140 ºC, 280 ºC e 380 ºC. Todos os compósitos apresentaram respostas lineares à dose e reprodutíveis. Também foi avaliado o espectro de emissão TL dos compósitos. As amostras de sulfato de cálcio dopado com európio e partículas de prata (CaSO 4 :Eu,Ag) demonstraram grande potencial para aplicabilidade na dosimetria LOE.

The environmental impact and sustainability of irrigation with coal-mine water was investigated from an agricultural point of view on different coal-mines in the Republic of South Africa. Field trials were carried out on a commercial and plot scale, on sites that could offer a range of soil, crop, weather conditions and water qualities such as gypsiferous, sodium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate waters. Crop production under irrigation with gypsiferous mine water is feasible on a field scale and sustainable if properly managed. No symptoms of foliar injury due to centre pivot sprinkler irrigation with gypsiferous water were observed. The presence of high Ca and Mg in the water suppressed plant uptake of K. This could be corrected by regular application of K containing fertilizers. The bigger problem experienced was waterlogging due to poor site selection, especially during the summer months. The problem is not related to the chemistry of the gypsiferous water used for irrigation. Pasture production with Na2SO4 rich mine effluent was also feasible, at least in the short term, but would need a well-drained profile and large leaching fraction to prevent salt build up. Forage quality was not affected by the Na2SO4 water used. NaHCO3 water was of very poor quality for irrigation and is not recommended for irrigation. Salt tolerant crops that are not susceptible to leaf scorching can be produced with this water, but only with very high leaching fractions and careful crop management. Regular gypsum application will be required to prevent structural collapse of the soil. Most of the salts applied will leach from the soil profile, and will probably need to be intercepted for treatment or reuse. The Soil Water Balance (SWB) model was validated successfully. The model predicted crop growth, soil water deficit to field capacity and soil chemistry reasonably well, with simulated results quite close to measured values. Soluble salts have to be leached from the soil profile, so that crop production can be sustainable, but will externalize the problem to the receiving water environment. To assess the environmental impact of irrigation with coal-mine water, it is valuable to develop a tool that can assist with prediction of offsite effects. SWB was validated for runoff quantity and quality estimations, and was found to give reasonable estimates of runoff quantity and quality. SWB also predicted the soil water and salt balance reasonably well. This gives one confidence in the ability of the model to simulate the soil water and salt balance for long-term scenarios and link the output of SWB to ground and surface water models to predict the wider impact of large scale irrigation. This will also link the findings of this work to other research oriented towards the management of mine water and salt balances on a catchment scale. It will also help authorities make informed decisions about the desirability and consequences of permitting mine water irrigation on a large scale. Irrigation with gypsiferous mine water can be part of finding the solution to surplus mine water problems. Appropriate irrigation management of mine water is essential for the long-term sustainability of irrigation. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Deposition of dispersed phase from flowing dispersions onto a substrate surface is of utmost relevance for various industrial processes like fouling of sparingly soluble salts, such as CaCO3 and CaSO4 in heat exchangers and desalination evaporators which tend to form deposits on flow surfaces of tubes or pipelines conveying hard water and in water filtration and purification processes since concentration of CaCO3 in many natural water resources is equal to or greater than the saturation level. The study of deposition is also of intrinsic interest for biophysics and colloid science where vascular calcification i.e. precipitation and deposition of calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatites) in the muscular layer of the blood reduces arterial compliance and promotes congestive heart failure. Experiments were conducted on straight, circular cross section silica tubing of inner di-ameter (ranging from 0.88 mm to3.40 mm) to study the effect of electrostatic interaction and hydrodynamics on the deposition behavior of CaCO3 on silica surface when streams of aqueous solutions of Ca(NO3)2 and Na2CO3 with a concentration of 40.0 g l−1 and 25.9gl−1 respectively flowing at a volumetric flow rate of 1 l h−1 each is mixed to form CaCO3 dispersion which was then transported through silica tubing at a steady volumetric flow rate of 2lh−1. The in situ phenomenology of CaCO3 particles transport, deposition, and evolution of spatial and temporal patterns of the CaCO3 deposition on the silica surface along with the dendritic growth of CaCO3 during the flow was visually documented with the aid of a 100X optical microscope. The study discussed the deposition behavior of dispersed phase of CaCO3 from its aqueous dispersion on the silica tubing during flow and attributed charge inversion from negative to positive of silica surface, due to the adsorption of Na+ formed during precipitation reaction of CaCO3, as a plausible reason for the reversal of electrostatic interaction from attraction between initially negatively charged silica surface and positively charged CaCO3 particles which promoted deposition and subsequent evolution of patterns of CaCO3 deposition on the silica surface during the early stage of experiments to repulsion between finally net positively charged silica surface and positively charged CaCO3 particles which resulted in retarded deposition and subsequent emergence of sparsely adhered CaCO3 agglomerates as localized, limited patches of CaCO3 deposits on the silica surface during the later stage of the experiments