No description available.

This thesis presents the study of biodegradation factors of a candidate naphthenic acid compound, the trans isomer of 4-methyl-1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (trans-4MCHCA). Low molecular weight components of naphthenic acids such as trans-4MCHCA are known to be toxic in aquatic environments and there is a need to better understand the factors controlling the kinetics of their biodegradation. In this study, a relatively low molecular weight naphthenic acid compound and a microbial culture developed in our laboratory (primarily Alcaligenes paradoxus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were used to study the biodegradation of this candidate naphthenic acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the kinetic parameters and model the biodegradation of this compound in three bioreactor systems: batch reactors, a continuously stirred tank reactor and immobilized cell reactors. <p>In batch reactors, the maximum specific growth rate (0.52±0.04 d-1) of the consortium at 23oC and neutral pH was not highly variable over various initial substrate concentrations (50 to 750 mg/L). Batch experiments indicated that biodegradation can be achieved at low temperatures; however, the biodegradation rate at 4oC was only 22% of that at room temperature (23oC). Biodegradation at various pH values indicated a maximum specific growth rate of 1.69±0.40 d-1 and yield (0.41±0.06 mg/mg) at a pH of 10. <p>Study of the candidate substrate using a continuously stirred tank reactor and the microbial culture developed in the batch experimentations revealed that the kinetics of the candidate naphthenic acid are best described by the Monod expression with a maximum specific growth rate of 1.74±0.004 d-1 and a half saturation constant of 363±17 mg/L. The continuously stirred tank reactor achieved a maximum reaction rate of 230 mg/(L∙d) at a residence time of 1.6 d-1 (39 h).<p>Two high porosity immobilized cell reactors operating continuously over three months were found to consume trans-4MCHCA at a rate almost two orders of magnitude higher than a continuously stirred tank reactor. The immobilized cell systems attained a maximum reaction rate of 22,000 mg/(L∙d) at a residence time of 16 minutes. High porosity immobilized cell reactors were shown to effectively remove a single naphthenic acid substrate in continuously fed operation to dilution rates of 90 d-1. A plug flow model best represented the degradation in the immobilized cell systems and was demonstrated to be a useful tool for studying the effects of parameter variation and prediction of reactor performance. This work highlights the potential of augmented bioremediation systems for the degradation of naphthenic acids.

This thesis presents the study of biodegradation factors of a candidate naphthenic acid compound, the trans isomer of 4-methyl-1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (trans-4MCHCA). Low molecular weight components of naphthenic acids such as trans-4MCHCA are known to be toxic in aquatic environments and there is a need to better understand the factors controlling the kinetics of their biodegradation. In this study, a relatively low molecular weight naphthenic acid compound and a microbial culture developed in our laboratory (primarily Alcaligenes paradoxus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were used to study the biodegradation of this candidate naphthenic acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the kinetic parameters and model the biodegradation of this compound in three bioreactor systems: batch reactors, a continuously stirred tank reactor and immobilized cell reactors. <p>In batch reactors, the maximum specific growth rate (0.52±0.04 d-1) of the consortium at 23oC and neutral pH was not highly variable over various initial substrate concentrations (50 to 750 mg/L). Batch experiments indicated that biodegradation can be achieved at low temperatures; however, the biodegradation rate at 4oC was only 22% of that at room temperature (23oC). Biodegradation at various pH values indicated a maximum specific growth rate of 1.69±0.40 d-1 and yield (0.41±0.06 mg/mg) at a pH of 10. <p>Study of the candidate substrate using a continuously stirred tank reactor and the microbial culture developed in the batch experimentations revealed that the kinetics of the candidate naphthenic acid are best described by the Monod expression with a maximum specific growth rate of 1.74±0.004 d-1 and a half saturation constant of 363±17 mg/L. The continuously stirred tank reactor achieved a maximum reaction rate of 230 mg/(L∙d) at a residence time of 1.6 d-1 (39 h).<p>Two high porosity immobilized cell reactors operating continuously over three months were found to consume trans-4MCHCA at a rate almost two orders of magnitude higher than a continuously stirred tank reactor. The immobilized cell systems attained a maximum reaction rate of 22,000 mg/(L∙d) at a residence time of 16 minutes. High porosity immobilized cell reactors were shown to effectively remove a single naphthenic acid substrate in continuously fed operation to dilution rates of 90 d-1. A plug flow model best represented the degradation in the immobilized cell systems and was demonstrated to be a useful tool for studying the effects of parameter variation and prediction of reactor performance. This work highlights the potential of augmented bioremediation systems for the degradation of naphthenic acids.

The amide unit constitutes the backbone of proteins, and it is present in a large number of pharmaceutically active molecules, polymeric materials such as nylon and Kevlar, as well as in food additives like aspartame. Amides are produced in enormous amounts every year, thus, environmentally friendly and selective methods for their formation are of great importance. This thesis deals with the direct formation of amides from non-activated carboxylic acids and amines with the aid of group (IV) metal complexes. Water is the only by-product of this environmentally benign process. This fact stands in contrast to the most common methods for amide formation to date, which involve the use of waste-intensive, expensive and often toxic coupling reagents. The catalytic protocols presented herein use titanium, zirconium and hafnium complexes under mild reaction conditions to produce amides in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, carbamates are demonstrated to be suitable sources of gaseous amines for the formation of primary and tertiary amides under catalytic conditions. In addition, preliminary results from on-going mechanistic investigations of the zirconium- and hafnium-catalyzed processes are presented. / Amidbindningen är en kemisk enhet som utgör ryggraden i proteiner, och som även återfinns i en stor mängd läkemedelsmolekyler, polymera material som nylon och Kevlar, samt i tillsatser i livsmedelsindustrin, exempelvis aspartam. Amider produceras i enorma mängder varje år, och det är av stor vikt att utveckla miljövänliga och selektiva metoder för deras framställning. Denna avhandling behandlar direkt amidering av icke-aktiverade karboxylsyror och aminer med hjälp av katalytiska mängder metallkomplex, baserade på titan, zirkonium och hafnium. Den enda biprodukten från denna amideringsreaktion är vatten. Jämfört med de metoder som generellt används idag för amidsyntes, så är de presenterade metoderna avsevärt mer miljövänliga med avseende på toxicitet hos reagensen såväl som på mängden avfall som genereras. Dessutom redovisas här en katalytisk metod för syntes av primära och tertiära amider genom att använda olika karbamat som källa till gasformiga aminer, vilka annars kan vara praktiskt svåra att arbeta med. Preliminära resultat från en pågående mekanistisk studie av de zirkonium- och hafnium-katalyserade processerna är också inkluderade. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Accepted.</p>

The phytotoxicities of monensin, the 10:2 saturated fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (10:2 FTCA), and atrazine to freshwater macrophytes were investigated in three microcosm-based assessments. Both responses of plants grown as individuals in “cone-tainers” and those grown in mixed and monocultures were examined to permit comparison of the toxicological sensitivities of macrophytes under each planting design, and investigation of whether interactions between neighbours may modify plant response to an environmental contaminant. Exposures of monensin and the 10:2 FTCA at environmentally relevant concentrations were found to produce few significant effects in the higher aquatic plants across all growth conditions, thus direct comparisons of effective concentrations were not conducted. Significant differences between relative growth rates (RGR) of plant grown in assemblages versus individually indirectly indicate that over longer exposure durations toxicity may be underestimated using the individual “cone-tainer” method. RGRs and sensitivities of plants to atrazine were found to be in the same range across planting methods, demonstrating that responses of aquatic plants in the individual-test system reflected those observed in model populations and two-species communities. A lack of observed relations between plants in the mixed and monoculture tests, however, meant that the potential for modification of toxicity through plant interactions was not investigated.

The phytotoxicities of monensin, the 10:2 saturated fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (10:2 FTCA), and atrazine to freshwater macrophytes were investigated in three microcosm-based assessments. Both responses of plants grown as individuals in “cone-tainers” and those grown in mixed and monocultures were examined to permit comparison of the toxicological sensitivities of macrophytes under each planting design, and investigation of whether interactions between neighbours may modify plant response to an environmental contaminant. Exposures of monensin and the 10:2 FTCA at environmentally relevant concentrations were found to produce few significant effects in the higher aquatic plants across all growth conditions, thus direct comparisons of effective concentrations were not conducted. Significant differences between relative growth rates (RGR) of plant grown in assemblages versus individually indirectly indicate that over longer exposure durations toxicity may be underestimated using the individual “cone-tainer” method. RGRs and sensitivities of plants to atrazine were found to be in the same range across planting methods, demonstrating that responses of aquatic plants in the individual-test system reflected those observed in model populations and two-species communities. A lack of observed relations between plants in the mixed and monoculture tests, however, meant that the potential for modification of toxicity through plant interactions was not investigated.

No description available.

A series of hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) have been employed to extract acetic acid (AcOH) or formaldehyde (HCHO) from aqueous solutions at atmosphere pressure. The ILs, mainly trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium ([P6,6,6,14]+) carboxylate based ILs, were tested as a function of the anion chain length, which ranges from isobutyrate ([IB]-) to dodecanoate ([D]-). Most of these ILs show a large two-phase region and high extraction efficiency. Furthermore, tetraoctylphosphonium ([P8,8,8,8]+) and trihexyl(tetradecyl)ammonium ([N6,6,6,14]+) based ILs were also investigated to study the effect of the cation on extraction performance. Besides pure IL extraction, the mixture of IL and other chemicals, such as matched carboxylic acid, alkane and ester, were also investigated on extraction. The matched carboxylic acid could enhance the extraction performance and thus could be called ‘enhancer’. A balance point could be found for the ratio IL/enhancer to obtain a better extraction in each {H2O + AcOH + IL/enhancer} system, compared with the corresponding pure IL liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE). Several ILs, including [P6,6,6,14]+ based ILs and imidazolium based ILs, were investigated on extraction of HCHO. Among these ILs, the imidazolium based ILs performed better than the [P6,6,6,14]+ based ILs in terms of two-phase region, hydrophobicity of IL-rich phase and partition coefficient/relative selectivity. The UNIQUAC method was employed to correlate the LLE data for pure IL systems. Some physical property data, such as density and viscosity, of ILs were correlated. The Joback group contribution method was used to predict the heat capacities of some ILs in this work. These correlations with low deviations made it possible for ILs to be further studied in Aspen process modelling.

Stearate anions were successfully intercalated into the layered double hydroxide Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3.3H2O (LDH-CO3) by several methods to form LDH-SA. The intercalation method which involved the acid-base reaction between emulsified stearic acid (SA) and the carbonate anions in aqueous media was studied for the first time. This method led to the formation of more LDH-SA than well known methods such as melting the carboxylic acid in the presence of the LDH, allowing the interlayer region to swell in the presence of glycerol and reconstructing the calcined LDH in the presence of aqueous sodium stearate. Other literature methods involve ion-exchange of Cl- in LDH-Cl with stearate in aqueous sodium stearate, usually under N2 atmosphere. The methods developed in this study are more industrially viable because the more easily produced LDH-CO3 is used and no N2 atmosphere is necessary. The LDH-SA was successfully used to intercalate sodium polyvinyl sulphonate by an ion exchange with the intercalated stearate, without the need for a N2 atmosphere. This method of production could be useful for the production of nanocomposites in general, for example anionic polymer chains (such as DNA) and anionic clays. The same intercalation reaction was allowed to take place in situ during the formation of dextrin-alginate-glycerol film solutions in water-ethanol media. The stearate intercalated as a bilayer in the interlayer region of the LDH. The SA to LDH ratio was varied from 100% SA to 100% LDH. Around the middle of the series a minimum water vapour permeability (WVP) was obtained, which corresponded to an 80% reduction in WVP in comparison to the reference (blank) film. Around the middle of the series a maximum increase in Young’s modulus, corresponding to a 213% increase in comparison to the blank film, was obtained. Around the middle of the series a reduction in the intensity of the basal reflection and interlayer distance showed that some exfoliation (delamination) took place. / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Chemistry / unrestricted

Orientadores: Maria Regina Wolf Maciel, Maciel, Rubens Maciel Filho / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T12:46:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Komesu_Andrea_D.pdf: 4468386 bytes, checksum: 03e3f3102cf04589d03c416854b1c9b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O desenvolvimento de processos biotecnológicos industriais que utilizem recursos naturais renováveis é uma necessidade que se faz presente nos dias atuais, dada a preocupação com o abastecimento de petróleo e o desenvolvimento sustentável. Um grande interesse pelos processos fermentativos para produção de ácidos carboxílicos a partir de recursos renováveis tem sido despertado, sendo a produção de ácido láctico uma das mais importantes entre os ácidos orgânicos. A grande variedade de aplicações e o desenvolvimento de novos usos e produtos, como na produção de polímeros biodegradáveis (poli- ácido láctico), solventes verdes e químicos oxigenados, fizeram com que a produção de ácido láctico crescesse consideravelmente nas últimas décadas e estimulasse a pesquisa por tecnologias que tornem o processo mais viável economicamente. No caso do ácido láctico, o desenvolvimento de um método eficaz de separação e purificação do ácido a partir do caldo de cana-de-açúcar fermentado, sem a geração de efluentes, é de suma importância, pois o processo de separação e purificação corresponde a, aproximadamente, 50% do custo de produção. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar três estratégias para separação e concentração do ácido láctico produzido por via fermentativa, utilizando, a saber: um sistema híbrido de destilação molecular, um sistema de destilação reativa e acoplando as duas tecnologias sequencialmente. Foram aplicados planejamentos experimentais para a determinação das melhores condições operacionais de cada processo e, por fim, foram definidas as melhores condições e sequências operacionais para a concentração, separação e purificação do ácido láctico. Os resultados mostraram que utilizar tanto o sistema híbrido de destilação molecular quanto o sistema de destilação reativa são efetivos para a separação e concentração do ácido láctico. Após a otimização da etapa de destilação molecular híbrida, foi possível a obtenção de ácido láctico com 89,71% de pureza. Em relação à destilação reativa, foi possível obter 100% de rendimento de lactato de etila na etapa de esterificação e concentrar 2,4 vezes o ácido láctico, com 26,32% de pureza, após a etapa de hidrólise. Utilizando a destilação molecular híbrida e destilação reativa em sequência, obteve-se ácido láctico 4,7 vezes mais concentrado, com 21,97% de pureza. A destilação molecular híbrida apresentou o maior índice de desempenho de purificação, sendo a tecnologia de separação e purificação mais promissora para o ácido láctico. Para finalizar o trabalho, foi desenvolvida a simulação de uma planta virtual para realizar a purificação do ácido láctico proveniente da fermentação utilizando a destilação reativa / Abstract: The development of industrial biotechnology processes that use renewable resources is a necessity nowadays due to concerns about oil supply and sustainable development. Fermentation processes for the production of carboxylic acids from renewable resources have drawing a lot of interest, and the production of lactic acid is one of the most important among organic acids. The wide variety of applications and the development of new uses and products, such as the production of biodegradable polymers, green solvents and oxygenated chemicals, have made the production of lactic acid grow considerably in recent decades, stimulating research for technologies that make the process more economically viable. In the case of lactic acid produced from sugarcane molasses, the development of an effective method of separation and purification without wastewater generation is extremely important. The process of separation and purification corresponds to approximately 50% of the production cost. Therefore, this work is devoted to study three strategies of separation to concentrate lactic acid produced from fermentation: hybrid short path evaporation, reactive distillation, and both technologies attached. Experimental factorial designs were applied to determine the best operating conditions. Thus, the best conditions and operational sequences for lactic acid concentration, separation, and purification were defined. The results showed that hybrid short path evaporation and reactive distillation system are effective for the lactic acid separation and concentration. After optimization of the hybrid short path distillation, lactic acid purity around 89,71% was obtained. Regarding reactive distillation, it was possible to obtain 100% ethyl lactate yield in the esterification reaction and concentrate lactic acid by 2,4 times after hydrolysis with lactic acid purity around 26,32%. Using both technologies attached, lactic acid was concentrated by 4,7 times with lactic acid purity around 21,97%. Hybrid short path distillation showed high purification performance index, so it is the separation and purification technology most promising for lactic acid. Finally, a virtual plant for lactic acid purification from fermentation broth was developed using reactive distillation / Doutorado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Químicos / Doutora em Engenharia Quimica