Yes / In order to evaluate the feasibility of using CO2 as a gasifying agent in the conversion of carbonaceous materials to syngas, gasification characteristics of coal, a suite of waste carbonaceous materials, and their blends were studied by using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The results showed that CO2 gasification of polystyrene completed at 470 °C, which was lower than those of other carbonaceous materials. This behaviour was attributed to the high volatile content coupled with its unique thermal degradation properties. It was found that the initial decomposition temperature of blends decreased with the increasing amount of waste carbonaceous materials in the blends. In this study, results demonstrated that CO2 co-gasification process was enhanced as a direct consequence of interactions between coal and carbonaceous materials in the blends. The intensity and temperature of occurrence of these interactions were influenced by the chemical properties and composition of the carbonaceous materials in the blends. The strongest interactions were observed in coal/polystyrene blend at the devolatilisation stage as indicated by the highest value of Root Mean Square Interaction Index (RMSII), which was due to the highly reactive nature of polystyrene. On the other hand, coal/oat straw blend showed the highest interactions at char gasification stage. The catalytic effect of alkali metals and other minerals in oat straw, such as CaO, K2O, and Fe2O3, contributed to these strong interactions. The overall CO2 gasification of coal was enhanced via the addition of polystyrene and oat straw.

Nitrite decomposition in buffer solutions of pH 3, 4, and 5 was observed to be a first order reaction with rate constants (k) 6.39 x 10-3, 1.15 x 10-3, and 0. 17 x 10-3, respectively . When 10 grams of two different soils were introduced, the reaction was catalyzed in all three pH conditions studied . This effect, however, was more pronounced in pH 5. When 10 grams of soil were introduced, all the added nitrite was not recovered. The deficit ranged from 17 to 30 parts per million when 150 parts per million nitrite nitrogen was added and allowed to react for 6 hours. The deficits seemed to increase when the incubated soil samples were used. The major portion of the deficit was suspected to be due to the formation of N2 gas. The effect of three amino acids was studied on the nitrite decomposition. Tryptophan and tyrosine increased the deficit whereas cystine did not have any effect.

La reconnaissance moléculaire est un problème très intéressant et surtout un défi actuel pour la chimie biophysique. Avoir des prévisions fiables sur la reconnaissance spécifique entre les molécules est hautement prioritaire, car il fournira un aperçu des problèmes fondamentaux et suscitera des applications technologiques pertinentes. La thèse présentée ici est centrée sur une analyse quantitatif de la reconnaissance moléculaire en solution pour la liaison l'hôte-invité, la liaison protéine-ligand et la catalyse. Le cadre de la mécanique statistique utilisé pour décrire l'état de la technique de liaison récepteur-ligand est un point d'inflexion pour le développement de nouvelles méthodes améliorées. En fait, un modèle très performant et précis a été obtenu pour l'analyse de la liaison hôte-invité. Enfin, les modèles présentés ont été utilisés comme outils prédictifs fiables pour la découverte de nouvelles entités chimiques destinées à améliorer la catalyse en solution. / Molecular recognition is a very interesting problem, and foremost, a current challenge for biophysical chemistry. Having reliable predictions on the specific recognition between molecules is highly priority as it will provide an insight of fundamental problems and will raise relevant technological applications. The dissertation presented here is centered on a quantitative analysis of molecular recognition in solution for host-guest, protein-ligand binding and catalysis. The statistical mechanics framework used to describe the state-of-the-art for receptor-ligand binding is an inflection point for the developing of new improved and methods. In fact, a highly performanced and accurate model was obtained for the analysis of host-guest binding. Finally, the presented models were used as a reliable predictive tools for discovering new chemical entities for enhance catalysis in solution.

Thermal recovery methods are frequently used to enhance the production of heavy crude oils. Steam-based processes are the most economically popular and effective methods for heavy oil recovery for several decades. In general, there are various mechanisms over steam injection to enhance and have additional oil recovery. However, among these mechanisms, steam distillation plays pivotal role in the recovery of crude oil during thermal recovery process. In this study, an experimental investigation was carried out to investigate the role of various minerals present in both sandstone and carbonate formations as well as the effect of steam temperature on steam distillation process. Two different types of dead-heavy crude oils were tested in a batch autoclave reactor with 30 % water and the content of the reactor (crude oil, 10 % rock and mineral). The results were compared as the changes in the density, viscosity and chemical composition (SARA and TPH analyses) of heavy crude oil. Five different mineral types (bentonite, sepiolite, kaolinite, illite and zeolite) were added into the original crude oil and reservoir rocks to observe their effects on the rheological and compositional changes during steam distillation process. Analysis of the results of experiments with Camurlu and Bati Raman heavy crude oils in the presence of different minerals such as Bentonite, Zeolite, Illite, Sepiolite, and Kaolinite in both sandstone and limestone reservoir rocks indicate that steam distillation produces light end condensates which can be considered as solvent or condensate bank during steam flooding operation. It was also illustrated that minerals in reservoir formations perform the function of producing distilled light oil compounds, resulting in enhancement of heavy crude oils recovery in steam flooding. Measurements showed that the remaining oil after steam distillation has higher viscosity and density. On the other hand, the effect of steam distillation is more pronounced in limestone reservoirs compared to sandstone reservoirs for the given heavy crude oil and steam temperature. Among the five different minerals tested, kaolinite found to be the most effective mineral in terms of steam distillation.

Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais / Global economic growth and the deep concerns for human quality of life make it imperative to discover new technologies for generating renewable energy. Lignocellulosic biomass can be used as an alternative for energy production via thermochemical conversion processes such as pyrolysis. Sweet sorghum, fifth cereal in importance in the world, is a very attractive biomass source for biofuels. This work aimed to study the fast pyrolysis process of sweet sorghum bagasse through the characterization and study of the thermal decomposition of this biomass, evaluating the influence on the composition of the products of analytical pyrolysis through the addition of two inorganic chlorides (ZnCl2 and MgCl2.6H2O) and the use of two types of catalysts: ZSM-5 zeolite, commonly used in the fast pyrolysis of biomass and the niobic acid HY-340, still little explored in pyrolysis reactions. In addition, tests were performed in a fluidized bed unit where the results were compared with those obtained in the analytical pyrolysis. The thermogravimetric tests were performed at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C/min. The bagasse decomposition kinetics was studied using two isoconversional models, which showed activation energy values between 106.2 and 203.3 kJ/mol, and by the independent parallel reaction model, which indicated the occurrence of 3 distinct reactions with different kinetics, which correspond to degradation of its main components. The calculated activation energy values range between 65.3 and 212.0 kJ/mol and pre-exponential factors presented results were between 2,0 104mol-2l2s-1 and 5,0 1016s-1. The addition of inorganic salts affects the degradation profile of biomass. Then, the analytical pyrolysis of bagasse was carried out, either neat as added to salts or impregnated with catalysts. The increase in the reaction temperature tests with pure biomass indicated an increase in the olefin content, especially isoprene, and reduction of the oxygen content. The addition of both salts increased content of furfural, while the ZnCl2 showed the best results for the production of this compound when compered to MgCl2. With the presence of ZSM-5 there was a significant increase in aromatics formation and a decrease in production of oxygen with increasing catalyst ratio at all studied temperatures. Considering HY-340, there was an increase in furans formation with the addition of catalyst in (1: 1) and (1: 2) ratios and a decrease in oxygen formation with increasing biomass/catalyst ratio at all studied temperatures. Comparing the major compounds identified in tests in fluidized bed unit at 550°C with those obtained in tests of PY-GC/MS, acetic acid, isoprene and furfural were found in both analyzes. Limonene was identified in bio-oil, but not in the analytical pyrolysis. The 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were produced in the micropyrolysis, but its presence has not been identified in bio-oil. / Com o crescimento econômico mundial e a grande preocupação com a qualidade de vida da população, é necessária a busca por novas tecnologias para a geração de energias renováveis. A biomassa lignocelulósica pode ser utilizada como alternativa para a produção de energia através de processos de conversão termoquímica, como a pirólise. O sorgo sacarino, quinto cereal em importância no mundo, é uma fonte muito atraente de biomassa para produção de biocombustíveis. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o processo de pirólise rápida do bagaço de sorgo sacarino através da caracterização e do estudo da decomposição térmica desta biomassa, da avaliação da influência na composição dos produtos da pirólise analítica através da adição de dois cloretos inorgânicos (ZnCl2 e MgCl2.6H2O) e da utilização de dois tipos de catalisadores: a zeólita ZSM-5, comumente utilizada na pirólise rápida de biomassa e o ácido nióbico HY-340, ainda pouco explorado em reações de pirólise. Além disso, foram realizados ensaios em uma unidade de leito fluidizado, onde foram comparados os resultados com aqueles obtidos na pirólise analítica. Os testes termogravimétricos foram realizados nas taxas de aquecimento de 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25°C/min. A cinética de decomposição do bagaço foi estudada utilizando dois modelos isoconversionais, que apresentaram valores de energia de ativação entre 106,2 e 203,3 kJ/mol, e pelo modelo de reações paralelas e independentes, o qual indicou a ocorrência de 3 reações com cinéticas distintas, que correspondem a degradação dos seus principais componentes. Os valores de energia de ativação calculados variaram entre 65,3 e 212,0 kJ/mol e os fatores pré-exponenciais apresentaram resultados entre 2,0 104mol-2l2s-1 e 5,0 1016s-1. A adição de sais inorgânicos afeta o perfil de degradação da biomassa. Em seguida, foi realizada a pirólise analítica do bagaço, tanto puro quanto impregnado com sais ou adicionado de catalisadores. O aumento da temperatura de reação nos testes com a biomassa pura indicou um aumento do teor de olefinas, principalmente isopreno, e diminuição do teor de oxigenados. A adição de ambos os sais aumentou o conteúdo de furfural, tendo o ZnCl2 mostrado resultados melhores para a produção deste composto do que o MgCl2. Com a presença de ZSM-5 houve um aumento significativo na formação de aromáticos e uma diminuição na produção de oxigenados com o incremento da razão de catalisador utilizada em todas as temperaturas estudadas. Com HY-340, houve um aumento na formação de furanos com a adição de catalisador nas razões (1:1) e (1:2) e uma diminuição na formação de oxigenados com o aumento da razão biomassa/catalisador em todas as temperaturas estudadas. Comparando-se os principais compostos identificados nos testes na unidade em leito fluidizado a 550°C com aqueles obtidos nos testes de PY-GC/MS, ácido acético, isopreno e furfural foram encontrados em ambas as análises. O limoneno foi identificado no bio-óleo, mas não na pirólise analítica. Já o 2,3-dihidrobenzofurano e o 5-hidroximetilfurfural foram produzidos na micropirólise, mas sua presença não foi identificada no bio-óleo. / Doutor em Engenharia Química

The thesis relates to synthesis and investigation of nanostructured polymer composites based on oligomers of cyanate esters of bisphenol a (DCBA) or cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS). Catalytic effect of mwcnts in process of DCBA polycyclotrimerization as well as in cbt polymerization has been observed. Significant increase in crystallization temperature of nanocomposites based on polybutylene terephthalate (cPBT) with adding of MWCNTS is observed. The effect of processing method of cpbt/mwcnts nanocomposites on its electrical properties has been found. It has been established that the additional heating of the samples (annealing) at temperatures above melting of cPBT leads to reagglomeration of MWCNTS in the system. It is established that reagglomeration of MWCNTS results in increase of conductivity values of nanocomposites due to formation of percolation pathways of MWCNTS through polymer matrix. In the case of polycyanurate matrix (PCN), it is found that addition of small mwcnts contents (0.03-0.06 weight percents) provides increasing tensile strength by 62-94 percents. It has been found that addition of even 0.01 weight percents of MWCNTS provides significant increase in storage modulus of cPBT matrix. This is explained by effective dispersing of small amount of the nanofiller during in situ synthesis of pcn or cpbt matrix that is confirmed by microscopy techniques. It has been established that the properties of the nanocomposites based on heterocyclic esters and MWCNTS can be varied from isolator to conductor and has low percolation thresholds (0.22 and 0.38 weight percents for cPBT and PCN nanocomposites respectively). The conductivity of samples is particularly stable on a very large range of temperature from 300 to 10 degrees Kelvin that make these materials perspective for practical applications in microelectronics, as parts of aircraft and space constructions.

La thèse concerne les synthèse et caractérisation de composites polymères nanostructurés à base d’esters de cyanates de bisphénol a (DCBA) ou à base d’oligomères cycliques de butylène téréphtalate (CBT) et de nanotubes de carbone multi-parois (MWCNTS). L’effet catalytique des nanotubes de carbone sur la polycyclotrimerisation de DCBA et aussi sur la polymérisation du CBT est observé. L’augmentation de la température de cristallisation a été fixée pour tous les échantillons de nanocomposites à base de polybutylène téréphtalate (cPBT). L’effet de la méthode de mise en forme de cPBT/MWCNTS sur ses propriétés thermiques et électriques a été établi. Il est observé que le traitement thermique additionnel des échantillons (recuit) à des températures inférieures à celle de la fusion du cPBT cause la réagglomération des MWCNTS dans le système. Il est établi que l’ajout de très bas taux de MWCNTS (0.03-0.06 pour cent en masse) dans la matrice de polycyanurate (PCN) augmente les valeurs de résistance à la flexion (64-94 pour cent). De même l’ajout de 0.01 pourcent de MWCNTS en masse dans le CBT augmente considérablement le module d'élasticité des nanocomposites cPBT. Cet effet a été expliqué par la dispersion efficace de cette faible quantité de nanocharges pendant la synthèse in situ de la matrice de cPBT et est confirmée par les clichés en microscopie. Il est déterminé que les propriétés électriques des nanocomposites à base d’esters hétérocycliques et MWCNTS peuvent varier de matériaux isolants aux matériaux conducteurs. Les seuils de percolation des deux systèmes sont très bas (0.22 et 0.38 pourcent pour nanocomposites à base de cPBT et PCN respectivement). La conductivité des composites conducteurs est particulièrement stable sur un large domaine de température ce qui laisse présager des applications intéressantes dans le domaine de la microélectronique et pour des pièces d’avion et de navettes spatiales. / The thesis relates to synthesis and investigation of nanostructured polymer composites based on oligomers of cyanate esters of bisphenol a (DCBA) or cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS). Catalytic effect of mwcnts in process of DCBA polycyclotrimerization as well as in cbt polymerization has been observed. Significant increase in crystallization temperature of nanocomposites based on polybutylene terephthalate (cPBT) with adding of MWCNTS is observed. The effect of processing method of cpbt/mwcnts nanocomposites on its electrical properties has been found. It has been established that the additional heating of the samples (annealing) at temperatures above melting of cPBT leads to reagglomeration of MWCNTS in the system. It is established that reagglomeration of MWCNTS results in increase of conductivity values of nanocomposites due to formation of percolation pathways of MWCNTS through polymer matrix. In the case of polycyanurate matrix (PCN), it is found that addition of small mwcnts contents (0.03-0.06 weight percents) provides increasing tensile strength by 62-94 percents. It has been found that addition of even 0.01 weight percents of MWCNTS provides significant increase in storage modulus of cPBT matrix. This is explained by effective dispersing of small amount of the nanofiller during in situ synthesis of pcn or cpbt matrix that is confirmed by microscopy techniques. It has been established that the properties of the nanocomposites based on heterocyclic esters and MWCNTS can be varied from isolator to conductor and has low percolation thresholds (0.22 and 0.38 weight percents for cPBT and PCN nanocomposites respectively). The conductivity of samples is particularly stable on a very large range of temperature from 300 to 10 degrees Kelvin that make these materials perspective for practical applications in microelectronics, as parts of aircraft and space constructions.