The effect of activated charcoal, autoclaving and culture media on sucrose hydrolysis in tissue culture media was investigated. Activated charcoal acidified an aqueous sucrose (5%) solution and culture media by about 1 to 2 units after autoclaving . Sucrose hydrolysis in tissue culture media and/or aqueous sucrose (5%) solutions containing activated charcoal (buffered to pH 5.8) was dependent on both the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and autoclaving. After autoclaving, 70%, 56% and 53% sucrose hydrolysis were respectively recorded in a 5.0% sucrose solution, Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Gamborg B5 (B5) liquid media in the presence of 1.0% activated charcoal, added before autoclaving . In the absence of activated charcoal, autoclaving resulted in about 20% of the sucrose being hydrolysed The adsorption of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) by activated charcoal from methanol and aqueous solutions was determinated using HPLC. The amount of the added 2,4-D decreased in both methanol and aqueous solutions in the presence of activated charcoal, compared with those in the absence of activated charcoal. In methanol and aqueous solutions, activated charcoal used at the level of 0.1% significantly reduced 2,4-D. About 68.4% and 60.9% respectively of the added 2,4-D was adsorbed by activated charcoal (1.0%) from these solutions. The changes of inorganic elements in MS-salt solutions, in the presence of activated charcoal, were analysed by SEM-EDX. The concentrations of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deceased in the presence of activated charcoal, while the concentrations of potassium (K), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), and sulphur (S) increased in the MS salt solution in the presence of activated charcoal compared with no activated charcoal in the medium. This suggests that activated charcoal adsorbed calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc and released copper, manganese, phosphorus and sulphur. Rooting occurred when 7-day-old seedling hypocotyls of Daucus carota L. Cape Market were placed on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D, and IAN/NAA in the presence of activated charcoal. Hypocotyls did not produce roots on the 2,4-D containing media in the absence of activated charcoal. The roots were produced polarly on the NAA/IAA-containing media in the presence of activated charcoal. No-polarity of root formation was observed on media supplemented with NAA/IAA without activated charcoal. Different responses of hypocotyls to a series of 2,4-D concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 3.05.0, 8.0, and 10.0 mg l ¯¹) were observed on media supplemented with 0.02, 0.1 and 0.5% activated charcoal. In the NAA/IAA containing media in the presence of activated charcoal, root number per hypocotyl decreased. Root number perhypocotyl, on the media supplemented with NAA and IAA, increased when hypocotyls were pre-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (1.0 mg l ¯¹) for 2-3 days. When hypocotyls were pre-cultured on a 2,4-D containing MS medium for 5 days, embryos emerged from the hypocotyls directly on the medium supplemented with 2,4-D in the presence of activated charcoal. Addition of activated charcoal to MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D resulted in somatic embryogenesis of Daucus carota. Somatic embryos were not formed on the medium in the absence of activated charcoal. In suspension culture, the incorporation of 0.01 to 1.0% concentrations of activated charcoal to the MS medium, irrespective of 2,4-D, increased the number of somatic embryos produced. The maximum number of somatic embryos were produced with 1.0% activated charcoal. Further development of embryos of Daucus carota occurred on the media in the presence of activated charcoal, and the embryos subsequently regenerated normal plantlets. Abnormal somatic embryos followed the addition of 3.0% activated charcoal to the medium. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

The South African sugar industry generates excessive amounts of sugar cane bagasse (~ 25 wt% of feed) as a byproduct during the extraction of sugar juice from cane. Although bagasse is extensively consumed in various processes, a substantial amount remains unexploited. The industry's core business is the production of refined sugar which involves among others, a step of decolourising raw sugar liquor. Activated carbons are well known adsorbents and their excellent decolourisation capabilities have been established since 1800 in the sugar industry. The possibility of making suitable in-house activated carbons from sugar cane bagasse to aid the decolourisation process of raw sugar liquor is of interest to the growing South African sugar industry. The purposes of this research study were to develop an understanding on the manufacture of activated carbons from sugar cane bagasse, produce suitable activated carbons on a laboratory scale, characterize them and subsequently determine their sugar decolourisation capabilities under simulated conditions. The application of the two-step physical method of processing was found to be the most effective and feasible route to produce activated carbons from sugar cane bagasse for the purposes of decolorizing unrefined sugar. A semi-batch process was developed whereby compressed sugar cane bagasse was pyrolysed under a nitrogen atmosphere at a heating rate of 10 °C/min to the final pyrolysis temperature for a desired hold time resulting in bagasse chars with a rudimentary pore structure. These bagasse chars were subsequently subjected to partial and controlled gasification with a steam/nitrogen mixture at higher temperatures to produce the final activated carbon product. Both pyrolysis and activation were carried out in a pyrolysis furnace that was modified to represent a fixed bed reactor system. The process was designed such that it included a steam supply and a gas cleaning system. Feasible processing conditions were established by varymg the temperature, hold time and partial pressure of steam in the pyrolysis furnace. The bagasse chars and final activated carbons were characterized with respect to surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, methylene blue number, iodine number and molasses number. The optimum pyrolysis conditions were found to be at heating rate of 10°C/min to the final pyrolysis temperature of 680 °C for a hold time of 1 hour, which gave rise to microporous carbons. Increasing the steam partial pressure and activation temperature during activation of bagasse chars resulted in the gasification reaction proceeding at a much faster rate leading to well developed mesoporous activated carbons having high adsorption capacity for large colour bodies present in molasses and sugar liquor. This was achieved by activating bagasse chars at a temperature of 900°C for 2 hours with a steam / nitrogen mixture of 1:0.6 which resulted in 50% bum-off being reached. Excellent powder and granular activated carbons were produced from sugar cane bagasse fibres by the established process with the latter being mixed with refined sugar prior to pyrolysis and activating for half an hour extra. A typical final activated carbon produced in this research possessed a BET surface area of 995 m2/g, pore volume of 0.82 crrr'zg, iodine number of 994 mg/g, molasses number of 700 and methylene blue number of 256 mg/g. High ash content in the bagasse raw material tends to decrease the surface area and pore volume for adsorption of the final activated carbon. Both granular and low ash bagasse activated carbons possess high adsorption capacity to remove large colour bodies from molasses and brown liquor solutions and compare well with commercial Norit N2 carbon . Approximately 80% colour removal was achieved using 0.5 g carboni 100g brown liquor. The bagasse activated carbons were stable in acidic and basic brown liquor solution and maintained their high decolourisation potential. The ability of bagasse activated to replace commercial activated carbons has been proven in this study. The option of producing both granular and powder activated carbons provide flexibility of the sugar industry to choose between batch and continuous adsorption systems during sugar decolourisation. This research has established that the fact that excellent sugar decolourising activated carbons can be produced from South African sugar cane bagasse fibres. However, more research needs to be carried out in order for the sugar industry to take this project to the commercial stage and it is suggested that a pilot study and an economic study be carried out. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

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O arseniato de cobre cromatado (CCA) é um dos preservantes mais utilizados em postes de madeira de redes de distribuição de energia elétrica, devido a sua elevada eficiência na preservação da madeira. Os postes de madeira tratada com CCA devem ter uma destinação final adequada, para evitar impactos ao meio ambiente, devido à presença dos metais. A conversão termoquímica (pirólise) pode ser uma alternativa para a destinação final desse resíduo. Neste trabalho, postes de madeira utilizados por 20 anos na rede de distribuição de energia elétrica do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, fornecidos pela Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL), foram seccionados e medida sua concentração de metais. As 2 frações mais internas do poste (ao longo do seu raio) apresentaram menores concentrações de metal (4,00 mg.kg-1 de cobre, 4,19 mg.kg-1 de cromo e 4,72 mg.kg-1 de arsênio) e foram utilizadas para os ensaios de conversão termoquímica (pirólise). As frações sólida, líquida e gasosa foram quantificadas e caracterizadas. O elevado teor de matéria volátil (83,53%, m.m-1 para A23 e 83,23%, m.m-1 para A3) e baixo teor de cinzas (0,62%, m.m-1 para A23 e 0,61 %, m.m-1 para A3) tornam as amostras de madeira tratada com CCA, uma matéria-prima atrativa para o processo termoquímico. O processo de pirólise foi conduzido na ausência de oxigênio à temperatura de 700 ºC, minimizando a liberação de metais e apresentando os seguintes rendimentos: char (25,3 ±1,1%, m.m-1 ); óleo pirolítico (44,2±0,6%, m.m-1 ); gás combustível (30,6±1,7%, m.m-1 ). A concentração máxima de gases não condensáveis (77% vol) provenientes da pirólise de madeira tratada com CCA, bem como o máximo valor de poder calorífico superior do gás combustível (15,32 MJ.Nm-3 ), foram observados na temperatura de 500 ºC. Com o incremento de temperatura (700 ºC) houve uma redução da produção de gases não condensáveis (14% vol), bem como do poder calorífico superior do gás combustível (14,16 MJ.Nm-3 ). Entretanto, com o aumento da temperatura foi observado um aumento da concentração de H2 nos gases não condensáveis. Foi observado que mais de 68% (em massa) dos metais ficam retidos no char, os quais permanecem estáveis à lixiviação, permitindo a utilização segura do char para a obtenção de carvão ativado. O gás gerado apresentou razão molar H2/CO de 6 a 8, favorável à redução de óxidos de ferro em processos de redução da indústria siderúrgica. O char produzido no processo de pirólise foi impregnado com H3PO4 e ativado físicamente na presença de CO2, a temperaturas de 800 e 900 ºC, para a produção de carvão ativado. A temperatura de 900 ºC, isoterma de 240 min e razão de impregnação de H3PO4 de 1:1 foram responsáveis pela formação de um carvão ativado com elevada área superficial (1324 m2 .g-1 ). Com o aumento do tempo de isoterma de 60 a 240 min (900 ºC / Impregnação H3PO4 Razão 2:1) verificou-se o incremento do volume de microporos de diâmetro de 0,3 a 1 nm (0,159 a 0,209 cm3 .g-1 ). O carvão ativado produzido foi avaliado quanto a capacidade de adsorção de CO2 a pressão atmosférica e temperatura de 25 ºC. Os resultados indicaram que as amostras de carvão ativado obtidos da madeira tratada com CCA apresentaram elevada capacidade de adsorção de CO2 variando entre 69 a 83 mg.g-1 . A presença de metais (Cr/Cu) no carvão ativado pode ter contribuído para o aumento da adsorção de CO2. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2016-12-02T15:24:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Michele Leoratto Botome.pdf: 156188 bytes, checksum: 20932d9faa6bd847967de69e62e0e3df (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-02T15:24:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Michele Leoratto Botome.pdf: 156188 bytes, checksum: 20932d9faa6bd847967de69e62e0e3df (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-02 / Universidade de Caixas do Sul, UCS. / Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is the most used preservative in wooden poles of electricity distribution network, due to its high efficiency in the wood preservation. The CCAtreated wooden poles may be properly disposed to avoid damage to the environment due to the metals. The thermochemical process (pyrolysis) can be an alternative to the disposal of this waste. In this work, CCA-treated wooden poles, in service for 20 years in the electricity distribution network in Rio Grande do Sul, provided by Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL), were fractionated and the metal concentration was measured. The samples of the internal sapwood and heartwood presented low metal concentrations (4.00 mg.kg-1 of copper, 4.19 mg.kg-1 of chromium and 4.72 mg.kg-1 of arsenic) and were subject to the pyrolysis. The solid, liquid and gaseous fractions were measured and characterized. The high content of volatile matter (83.53 wt.% to A23 and 83.23 wt.% to A3) and low ash content (0.62 wt.% to A23 and 0.61 wt.% to A3) make the samples of CCA- treated wood an attractive raw material for thermochemical process. The pyrolysis process was conducted in the absence of oxygen at 700 ºC to minimize the metal release and presenting mass fractions with the following yields: char (25.3±1.1 wt.%), pyrolytic oil (44,2±0.6 wt.%) and gas fuel (30.6±1,7 wt.%). The maximum concentration of non-condensable gas (77 vol%) from the pyrolysis of CCA-treated wood and the maximum high heating value of the fuel gas (15.32 MJ.N-1m-3 ) were observed in temperature of 500 ºC. With temperature increasing (700 oC) the generation of non-condensable gases (14 vol%) and the high heating value of the fuel gas (14.16 MJ.N-1m-3 ) were reduced. However, with temperature increasing the concentration H2 increased. Most than 68 wt.% of metals are retained in the char. It is possible to use of the activated carbon from char due resistance to leaching. The gas generated presented a molar ratio H2/CO of 6 to 8 is favorable to the iron oxide reduction in reduction process in steel industry. The char produced from the pyrolysis process was impregnated with H3PO4 and physically activated in the presence of CO2 at temperatures of 800 to 900 ºC for activated carbon production. The temperature of 900 oC, isotherm of 240 min and 1:1 impregnation H3PO4 were responsible to formation of an activated carbon with a high surface area (1324 m2 .g -1 ). With the increased of time isotherm of 60 to 240 min (900 ºC / 2:1 impregnation H3PO4) there was obtained increased microporous volume with 0.3 a 1 nm diameter (0.159 to 0.209 cm3 .g-1 ). The activated carbon produced was evaluated in CO2 adsorption assays at atmospheric pressure and 25 oC. The results indicated that the activated carbons obtained from the CCA-treated wood showed high CO2 adsorption capacity ranging 69-83 mg.g -1 . The presence of metals (Cr/Cu) can be contributed to the high CO2 adsorption.

A borra é um resíduo do processamento de café solúvel e representa, em média, 48% da quantidade de café verde utilizado no processo. Os altos volumes deste resíduo refletem em problemas ambientais para as indústrias. Muitos estudos estão sendo realizados a fim de se obter um destino nobre para o mesmo, porém poucos são aplicados pelas indústrias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi produzir carvão ativado a partir da borra de café solúvel, testar diferentes agentes ativantes (KOH, K2CO3, mistura de FeCl3 e ZnCl2), avaliar a influência do tratamento térmico, realizar a caracterização dos carvões obtidos, além de realizar teste de adsorção utilizando azul de metileno e verificar o ajuste aos modelos de Langmuir e Freundlich. A borra de café foi submetida à análise termogravimétrica, determinação de umidade e cinzas. Para a caracterização dos carvões ativados realizou-se análise de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), adsorção de azul de metileno, índice de iodo, caracterização textural. Realizou-se ensaios de adsorção para o carvão de maior área superficial a fim de verificar o ajuste às isotermas de Langmuir e Freundlich. A borra apresentou umidade de 59,17% ± 0,20, 0,32% ± 0,05 de cinzas e estabilidade térmica após 550ºC (sob atmosfera inerte). A avaliação através de FTIR mostrou que após a ativação os carvões apresentaram sítios oxidados, pela observação dos sinais em 3400 cm-1 (estiramento OH) e 1050 a 1200 cm-1(estiramento C-O). Verificou-se que o carvão ativado com KOH apresentou também vibração em 1743 cm-1 propondo a formação de grupamentos éster. O carvão ativado com KOH apresentou melhor desempenho nos ensaios de adsorção de azul de metileno e índice de iodo, enquanto aquele ativado com mistura de FeCl3 e ZnCl2 teve menor desempenho. O carvão ativado com K2CO3 apresentou resultados similares ao carvão comercial. Após o tratamento térmico, observou-se aumento na adsorção de azul de metileno e índice de iodo; exceto para aquele ativado com K2CO3. O agente ativante influenciou mais a adsorção de azul de metileno e índice de iodo que o tratamento térmico. A ativação química promoveu alteração nas propriedades texturais dos carvões obtidos, sendo que a área superficial aumentou 3,16 a 30,23 vezes em função do agente ativante utilizado; observou-se também aumento no volume total de poros. O carvão ativado com KOH apesentou maior área superficial e volume total de poros, seguido por aquele ativado com K2CO3, enquanto aquele ativado com mistura de FeCl3 e ZnCl2 apresentou os menores valores. Todos os carvões, entretanto, apresentaram predominância de microproros, antes e após o tratamento térmico. O tratamento térmico gerou aumento no volume de mesoporos nos carvões ativados com KOH e K2CO3, 2,64 e 5,30 vezes, respectivamente. O carvão ativado com KOH e tratado termicamente apresentou melhor ajuste ao modelo de isoterma de Langmuir, sendo que a constante qm, que representa a capacidade máxima de adsorção foi de 833,33 mg g-1 . / Coffee ground waste is a residue from soluble coffee production, representing about 48% of raw material quantity used in the process. The high quantities cause environmental problems in the industries. A lot of studies have being conducted to aggregate value to this residue, but they are not applied from industries. The objective of this work was produce activated carbon using coffee ground waste, test different activating agents (KOH, K2CO3, mix of FeCl3 e ZnCl2), evaluate the influence of heat treatment, characterize of the activated carbons, realize adsorption test using methylene blue and verify which isotherm model best fits. The precursor material was submitted to thermogravimetric analysis, moisture and ash. Activated carbons were characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, methylene blue adsorption, iodine value, textural characterization. Perform adsorption test with higher surface area carbon and verify which isotherm model best fits. The coffee ground waste had 59,17% ± 0,20 moisture, 0,32% ± 0,05 ash and thermal stability after 550ºC (inert atmosphere). FTIR evaluation showed that after chemical activation, carbons had oxidized sites, vibrations could be observed in 3400 cm-1 (stretching OH) e 1050 a 1200 cm-1 (stretching C-O). A peak in 1743 cm-1 suggested ester groups formation in carbon activated with KOH. Carbon activated with KOH exhibit the best performance on tests of iodine value and methylene blue adsorption, while that activated with mix of FeCl3 e ZnCl2 exhibit the worst performance. Carbon activated with K2CO3 showed similar adsorption capacity (iodine value and methylene blue) than commercial one. Methylene blue and iodine value increased after heat treatment; except for that carbon activated with K2CO3. Activating agents had more influence than heat treatment evaluating iodine value and methylene blue adsorption. Chemical activation promoted changes in the textural properties of the obtained carbons, and increased surface area from 3,16 to 30,23 times depending on the activating agent used; it is also noted increase in total pore volume. The activated carbon with KOH showed a higher surface area and total pore volume, followed by that activated with K2CO3, while that activated with mix of FeCl3 and ZnCl2 had the lowest values. All carbons, however, showed a predominance of microproros before and after heat treatment. The thermal treatment caused an increase in the volume of mesopores in the activated carbon with KOH and K2CO3, 2,64 and 5,30 times, respectively. The carbon activated with KOH and heat-treated showed a better fit to the Langmuir isotherm model, and the constant qm, that is the maximum adsorption capacity, was 833,33 mg g-1.

No description available.

M.Ing. (Civil Engineering) / Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex mixture of organic compounds resulting from the decay of plants and animals. When not properly removed, NOM reacts with disinfectants to form disinfection by-products, of which some are known to be carcinogenic. Regulations have become more and more stringent about the maximum level of NOM in drinking water. Different water treatment processes can be applied to remove NOM. However, because each process targets specific fractions of NOM, this results in the existence of recalcitrant NOM fractions that are not removed, for each treatment process. The main objective of the study was thus to investigate NOM removal by using three advanced water treatment processes alone and in combination. The processes used were enhanced coagulation, granular activated carbon adsorption and ion exchange resin processes. Strong and weak base ion exchange resins were used. Although NOM removal methods have been investigated intensively, little attention is given to a so-called “multi-barrier” approach of NOM removal through enhanced coagulation, granular activated carbon adsorption and ion exchange resin that could be applied in practice. In order to take the seasonal and geographical variability of NOM into account, water samples were collected at eight geographical areas over five to seven seasons from 2010 to 2013. Results showed that different treatment processes remove different NOM fractions with different efficiency. Results also confirmed that EC performs better than the adsorptive treatment processes. But the literature shows that NOM removal by EC is difficult for water with high alkalinity and low SUVA values, which is common with SA waters. The adsorptive processes used for NOM removal revealed that they are not viable options, because even low percentage of NOM removal would require high adsorbent dosages, which removes this approach as a practical option.

O arseniato de cobre cromatado (CCA) é um dos preservantes mais utilizados em postes de madeira de redes de distribuição de energia elétrica, devido a sua elevada eficiência na preservação da madeira. Os postes de madeira tratada com CCA devem ter uma destinação final adequada, para evitar impactos ao meio ambiente, devido à presença dos metais. A conversão termoquímica (pirólise) pode ser uma alternativa para a destinação final desse resíduo. Neste trabalho, postes de madeira utilizados por 20 anos na rede de distribuição de energia elétrica do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, fornecidos pela Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL), foram seccionados e medida sua concentração de metais. As 2 frações mais internas do poste (ao longo do seu raio) apresentaram menores concentrações de metal (4,00 mg.kg-1 de cobre, 4,19 mg.kg-1 de cromo e 4,72 mg.kg-1 de arsênio) e foram utilizadas para os ensaios de conversão termoquímica (pirólise). As frações sólida, líquida e gasosa foram quantificadas e caracterizadas. O elevado teor de matéria volátil (83,53%, m.m-1 para A23 e 83,23%, m.m-1 para A3) e baixo teor de cinzas (0,62%, m.m-1 para A23 e 0,61 %, m.m-1 para A3) tornam as amostras de madeira tratada com CCA, uma matéria-prima atrativa para o processo termoquímico. O processo de pirólise foi conduzido na ausência de oxigênio à temperatura de 700 ºC, minimizando a liberação de metais e apresentando os seguintes rendimentos: char (25,3 ±1,1%, m.m-1 ); óleo pirolítico (44,2±0,6%, m.m-1 ); gás combustível (30,6±1,7%, m.m-1 ). A concentração máxima de gases não condensáveis (77% vol) provenientes da pirólise de madeira tratada com CCA, bem como o máximo valor de poder calorífico superior do gás combustível (15,32 MJ.Nm-3 ), foram observados na temperatura de 500 ºC. Com o incremento de temperatura (700 ºC) houve uma redução da produção de gases não condensáveis (14% vol), bem como do poder calorífico superior do gás combustível (14,16 MJ.Nm-3 ). Entretanto, com o aumento da temperatura foi observado um aumento da concentração de H2 nos gases não condensáveis. Foi observado que mais de 68% (em massa) dos metais ficam retidos no char, os quais permanecem estáveis à lixiviação, permitindo a utilização segura do char para a obtenção de carvão ativado. O gás gerado apresentou razão molar H2/CO de 6 a 8, favorável à redução de óxidos de ferro em processos de redução da indústria siderúrgica. O char produzido no processo de pirólise foi impregnado com H3PO4 e ativado físicamente na presença de CO2, a temperaturas de 800 e 900 ºC, para a produção de carvão ativado. A temperatura de 900 ºC, isoterma de 240 min e razão de impregnação de H3PO4 de 1:1 foram responsáveis pela formação de um carvão ativado com elevada área superficial (1324 m2 .g-1 ). Com o aumento do tempo de isoterma de 60 a 240 min (900 ºC / Impregnação H3PO4 Razão 2:1) verificou-se o incremento do volume de microporos de diâmetro de 0,3 a 1 nm (0,159 a 0,209 cm3 .g-1 ). O carvão ativado produzido foi avaliado quanto a capacidade de adsorção de CO2 a pressão atmosférica e temperatura de 25 ºC. Os resultados indicaram que as amostras de carvão ativado obtidos da madeira tratada com CCA apresentaram elevada capacidade de adsorção de CO2 variando entre 69 a 83 mg.g-1 . A presença de metais (Cr/Cu) no carvão ativado pode ter contribuído para o aumento da adsorção de CO2. / Universidade de Caixas do Sul, UCS. / Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is the most used preservative in wooden poles of electricity distribution network, due to its high efficiency in the wood preservation. The CCAtreated wooden poles may be properly disposed to avoid damage to the environment due to the metals. The thermochemical process (pyrolysis) can be an alternative to the disposal of this waste. In this work, CCA-treated wooden poles, in service for 20 years in the electricity distribution network in Rio Grande do Sul, provided by Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL), were fractionated and the metal concentration was measured. The samples of the internal sapwood and heartwood presented low metal concentrations (4.00 mg.kg-1 of copper, 4.19 mg.kg-1 of chromium and 4.72 mg.kg-1 of arsenic) and were subject to the pyrolysis. The solid, liquid and gaseous fractions were measured and characterized. The high content of volatile matter (83.53 wt.% to A23 and 83.23 wt.% to A3) and low ash content (0.62 wt.% to A23 and 0.61 wt.% to A3) make the samples of CCA- treated wood an attractive raw material for thermochemical process. The pyrolysis process was conducted in the absence of oxygen at 700 ºC to minimize the metal release and presenting mass fractions with the following yields: char (25.3±1.1 wt.%), pyrolytic oil (44,2±0.6 wt.%) and gas fuel (30.6±1,7 wt.%). The maximum concentration of non-condensable gas (77 vol%) from the pyrolysis of CCA-treated wood and the maximum high heating value of the fuel gas (15.32 MJ.N-1m-3 ) were observed in temperature of 500 ºC. With temperature increasing (700 oC) the generation of non-condensable gases (14 vol%) and the high heating value of the fuel gas (14.16 MJ.N-1m-3 ) were reduced. However, with temperature increasing the concentration H2 increased. Most than 68 wt.% of metals are retained in the char. It is possible to use of the activated carbon from char due resistance to leaching. The gas generated presented a molar ratio H2/CO of 6 to 8 is favorable to the iron oxide reduction in reduction process in steel industry. The char produced from the pyrolysis process was impregnated with H3PO4 and physically activated in the presence of CO2 at temperatures of 800 to 900 ºC for activated carbon production. The temperature of 900 oC, isotherm of 240 min and 1:1 impregnation H3PO4 were responsible to formation of an activated carbon with a high surface area (1324 m2 .g -1 ). With the increased of time isotherm of 60 to 240 min (900 ºC / 2:1 impregnation H3PO4) there was obtained increased microporous volume with 0.3 a 1 nm diameter (0.159 to 0.209 cm3 .g-1 ). The activated carbon produced was evaluated in CO2 adsorption assays at atmospheric pressure and 25 oC. The results indicated that the activated carbons obtained from the CCA-treated wood showed high CO2 adsorption capacity ranging 69-83 mg.g -1 . The presence of metals (Cr/Cu) can be contributed to the high CO2 adsorption.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / In this present study, the physicochemical properties, nature and morphology of prepared composite materials involving activated carbon, fly ash, nFe3O4, nSiO2 and nZnO in the 1:1 ratio for two components composite materials and 1:1:1 for three components composite materials were investigated. The nature, morphology and elemental characterizations of these materials were carried out by means of modern analytical methods such as scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Other physicochemical characterizations undertaken were CNH analysis, ash content, pH, point of zero charge and surface area and porosity determination by Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET). The precursors and composite materials were then applied to the sorption (remediation) of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) from artificial seawater and wastewater and the adsorption efficiencies for the precursors and the composites compared. The adsorption of TBT and TPT onto these materials as a function of adsorbent amount, contact time, pH, stirring speed, initial adsorbate concentration and temperature was investigated. Maximum organotin adsorption was recorded within the pH range of normal saline water (pH 8). Approximately 99.95 %, 95.75 %, 96.78 %, 99.88 %, 96.96 %, 99.98 %, 99.99 %, 99.99 % and 99.99 % TBT were removed from 25 mL of 100 mg/L TBT-contaminated artificial seawater using 0.5 g adsorbents at a contact time of 60 min, pH 8, stirring speed 200 rpm and temperature of 80 oC by activated carbon, fly ash, nFe3O4, nSiO2, nZnO, fly ash/activated carbon, nFe3O4/activated carbon, nSiO2/activated carbon and nZnO/activated carbon composite, respectively and the adsorption of TBT onto these adsorbents was endothermic. Approx. 99.99 %, 96.54 %, 95.50 %, 96.92 %, 97.14 %, 99.99 %, 98.44 %, 98.98 % and 99.66 % TPT were also removed from 25 mL of 100 mg/L TPT-contaminated artificial seawater using 0.5 g adsorbents at a contact time of 60 min, pH 8, stirring speed 200 rpm and a temperature of 20 oC by the activated carbon, fly ash, nFe3O4, nSiO2, nZnO, fly ash/activated carbon, nFe3O4/fly ash, nSiO2/fly ash and nZnO/fly ash composite, respectively. The adsorption of TPT onto activated carbon and fly ash/activated carbon composite from TPT – contaminated artificial seawater was endothermic while TPT adsorption onto fly ash, nFe3O4, nSiO2, nZnO, nFe3O4/fly ash, nSiO2/fly ash and nZnO/fly ash composites from TPT – contaminated artificial seawater was exothermic. The adsorption of TBT and TPT onto nFe3O4/fly ash/activated carbon and nSiO2/fly ash/activated carbon composites from TBT – and TPT – contaminated water, respectively were endothermic and approx. 99.98 % and 99.99 % of TBT and TPT, respectively were removed from the initial concentration of 100 mg/L OTC by the composites at a temperature of 80 oC, 60 min contact time, pH 8 and a stirring speed of 200 rpm. The adsorption kinetics of all the precursors and composite materials fitted well with the pseudo second-order kinetic model while the adsorption isotherm data could be well described by the Freundlich isotherm model except TBT adsorption onto nZnO/activated carbon and nFe3O4/activated carbon composite from TBT contaminated artificial seawater, TPT adsorption onto activated carbon and fly ash/activated carbon from TPT contaminated artificial seawater, and TPT sorption onto nSiO2/fly ash/activated carbon composite from TPT – contaminated water which could be described by both the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Optimal conditions for the adsorption of TBT and TPT from artificial seawater were further applied to TBT and TPT removal from TBT – and TPT – contaminated natural seawater obtained from Cape Town harbour and the results obtained show that 99.71 %, 79.23 %, 80.11 %, 82.86 %, 80.42 %, 99.75 %, 99.88 %, 99.83 % and 99.88 % TBT were removed from TBT – contaminated natural seawater by activated carbon, fly ash, nFe3O4, nSiO2, nZnO, fly ash/activated carbon, nFe3O4/activated carbon, nSiO2/activated carbon and nZnO/activated carbon composite, respectively while 99.90 %, 96.44 %, 95.37 %, 96.75 %, 97.03 %, 99.92 %, 98.42 %, 98.92 % and 99.58 % TPT were removed from TPT – contaminated natural seawater by activated carbon, fly ash, nFe3O4, nSiO2, nZnO, fly ash/activated carbon, nFe3O4/fly ash, nSiO2/fly ash and nZnO/fly ash composite, respectively. Experimental results therefore show that the composite materials present higher organotin adsorption efficiency than the precursors due to the nature and improved properties of the composite materials and can therefore be utilized for the remediation of organotin contamination from industrial and/or shipyards process wastewater to > 99 % reduction before discharge into the environment.

Equilibrium powdered activated carbon (PAC) concentrations of 20, 160, and 280 mg/L in activated sludge reactors treating cellulose acetate manufacturing wastewater were found to enhance substrate removal. The improved substrate removal as measured by COD averaged 20 percent. The apparent mechanism of improved removal was the stimulation of greater biomass growth. PAC addition increased the oxygen uptake rate (OUR), the observed cell yield coefficient (Ybbs) and the first order substrate removal coefficient (Kb) of the activated sludge system, which were operated at a temperature of 18°C and a biological solids retention times of fourteen days. The addition of PAC also improved the sludge settleability but this resulted in higher effluent suspended solids concentration because zone settling Velocity was the primary factor affecting effluent suspended solids. A type of activated sludge bulking, known as jelly formation, plagued the biological reactors but nitrogen addition appeared to solve the problem / Master of Science / incomplete_metadata