Dissertation--Universität Bern, 1996. / Bref résumé en anglais. Bibliogr. p. 60-72.

Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations from Alberta river drainage systems were compared using molecular techniques. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP's) within the NDI and ND5/6 regions of the mitochondrial genome were observed. In addition, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA profiles (RAPD's) from total genomic DNA extracts were compared. Interdrainage comparisons using mtDNA revealed significant population heterogeneity among Alberta bull trout. Percent sequence divergence in mtDNA ranged from 0.14% to 0.92%. Most fish in each population were composed of a small number of common haplotypes, and the remaining fish displayed rare or locally unique haplotypes. RAPD profiles were used to calculate genetic distance values for Alberta, Canada and Montana, U.S.A. populations. Both Nei and Cavalli-Sforza distance values were used to generate neighbor-joining, FITCH and KITSCH distance trees. Two genetically distinct groups of bull trout were revealed by the RAPD analysis and the possiblity that post-glacial bull trout populations are derived from two separate refugia is suggested. / xvii, 161 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

Dissertation. / Includes bibliographical references.

Texte remanié: Th.--Hist. mil.--Montpellier 3. / Bibliogr. p. 345-352. Index.

Face à la demande énergétique de plus en plus croissante, et les problèmes environnementaux qui en découlent, la biomasse, en tant que vecteur énergétique et en association avec des techniques thermochimiques de conversion en gaz combustibles, pourrait être un vecteur énergétique intéressant s’il est produit de manière durable. En effet, accroitre le bouquet énergétique, en substituant d’avantage les énergies fossiles par des énergies renouvelables est devenu une réalité incontournable. De ce fait, les résidus agro-sylvo-pastoraux présentent un potentiel important au Sénégal en général et en particulier dans la région de Ziguinchor jadis appelée grenier du Sénégal, et des technologies de valorisation comme la pyrolyse et gazéification se trouvent parmi les voies les plus prometteuses pour la production d’énergie. Ainsi le modèle dynamique de Saeman basé sur la détermination des propriétés intrinsèques des résidus utilisés a été mis en œuvre afin de simuler l’écoulement de la charge de coques de cajou, de palme et d’arachide. Le modèle dynamique ainsi développé va permettre d'étudier l’influence des conditions opératoires et propriétés rhéologiques sur les profils de chargement, qui conduiront par la suite aux meilleurs transferts de chaleur et de masse dans les fours tournants en situation inerte comme réactive. Les meilleures conditions expérimentales retenues pour cette étude hydrodynamique sont : des vitesses de rotations comprises entre 2 - 4 tr/min, une inclinaison de 1°, et un rapport longueur sur diamètre supérieur ou égal à 0,05. La gazéification des trois résidus sous différents atmosphères (100 % -H2O, 75 % -H2O / 25 %- CO2, 50 % -H2O / 50 % -CO2, 25 % -H2O / 75 % -CO2, et 100 % -CO2) et à différentes températures comprises entre 950 - 1050 °C dans un réacteur à lit fixe ont permis de valider les résultats issus de la littérature qui mettent bien en évidence l’effet positif de la température sur la cinétique de gazéification des différents chars de résidus de biomasse. La pyrolyse de nos trois échantillons donne ainsi des rendements qui sont de 36,44 % pour la coque d’arachide, 37,28 % pour la coque de cajou et 39,97 % pour la coque de palme et quant à leur gazéification, elle conduit respectivement à des énergies d’activation comprises entre 110 - 126 kJ/mol, 104 - 125 kJ/mol et 116 - 150 kJ/mol. Les mesures expérimentales montrent aussi l’influence de la température sur la valeur du PCI des gaz obtenus (8 - 12 MJ/Nm3) et que ce PCI des gaz est inversement proportionnel à la taille des particules de biomasse. Par ailleurs la gazéification sous atmosphère mixte de vapeur d’eau et de gaz carbonique a montré que la réactivité des différents chars est fonction de l’augmentation de la concentration en vapeur d’eau. Le bilan global d’une telle étude expérimentale sur l’hydrodynamique et sur la dégradation thermique visant la maîtrise des phénomènes au sein des fours tournants permet ainsi une première analyse dans la mise en place de combustibles alternatifs pour la valorisation des potentialités locales de la région verte de la Casamance. / In view of the growing energy demand and the resulting environmental problems, biomass as an energy vector and at combination with thermochemical techniques for conversion into combustible gases, could be an interesting energy vector if it is produced in a sustainable manner. Indeed, increasing the energy mix, by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies, has become an undeniable reality. As a result, agro-sylvo-pastoral residues have significant potential in Senegal in general and in particular in Ziguinchor region, formerly known as Senegal's granary, and valorisation technologies such as pyrolysis and gasification are among the most promising way for energy production. The Seaman’s dynamic model based on the determination of the intrinsic properties of the residues used has been implemented in order to simulate the flow of cashew, palm and peanut shells. Thus, the dynamic model developed will make it possible to study the influence of the operating conditions and rheological properties on the loading profiles which will conduct later of the best heat and mass transfers in the rotating furnaces in inert and reactive conditions. The best experimental conditions for this hydrodynamic study are: rotational speeds between 2 - 4 rpm, inclination of 1 °, and length to diameter ratio greater than or equal to 0.05. The gasification of the three residues under different atmospheres (100 % -H2O, 75 % -H2O / 25 %-CO2, 50 % -H2O / 50 % -CO2, 25 % -H2O / 75 % -CO2, and 100 % -CO2) and at different temperatures between 950 - 1050 °C in a fixed bed reactor enable to validate the results from the literature which clearly show the positive effect of temperature on the gasification kinetics of the various chars. The pyrolysis of our three samples gives yields of 36.44 % for the peanut shell, 37.28 % for the cashew shell and 39.97 % for the palm shell; and when gasified, it leads respectively at activation energies between 110 - 126 kJ / mol, 104 - 125 kJ / mol and 116 - 150 kJ / mol. The experimental measurements also show the influence of temperature on the Lower heating gas values (LHV) obtained (8 - 12 MJ/Nm3) and that, this LHV of gas is inversely proportional to the size of the biomass particles. Moreover, the gasification under mixed atmosphere of steam and carbon dioxide showed that the reactivity of the different chars depend on the increase of the concentration of water vapor. The overall assessment of such an experimental study on the hydrodynamic and thermal degradation of our residues aimed at controlling the phenomena within rotating furnaces (kilns) allows an initial analysis in the setting up of alternative fuels for the valorization of the local potentialities of the green region of Casamance.

No description available.

Par le biais d'une analyse exhaustive de la presse et de la littérature ouverte produite durant les années charnières 1919-1935 en France, en Allemagne et en Grande-Bretagne, on étudie chronologiquement le fonctionnement des canaux de transmission dans l'élaboration des doctrines d'emploi des forces motorisées. Les impasses tactiques de la Grande Guerre ont suscité l'invention d'armes nouvelles telles le char et l'avion utilisant la dynamique du moteur. On s'efforce de comprendre l'incidence sur les organisations militaires du rattachement des chars à telle ou telle arme. Contrastant avec le paradigme des fronts statiques cultivé par les Français vainqueurs, les penseurs militaires britanniques inaugurent une rupture dont les Allemands, tétanisés par l'idée de la revanche, tirent tout le parti possible dans les limites particulièrement strictes posées par le Traité de Versailles. On verra comment s'établit une éventuelle articulation entre les combats au sol et la guerre aérienne. On se propose de mesurer les échanges en utilisant notamment la grille de la technique, en s'interrogeant sur la capacité de certains officiers à imposer leurs idées dans un contexte politique et social donné. Dans le cadre de la progression différenciée vers la professionnalisation des armées en Europe, on suivra l'évolution de la relation de l'homme à la machine induite par la remise en cause du rôle de la cavalerie / Through an exhaustive analysis of newspapers and the literature within the public domain produced during the pivotal years 1919-1935 in France, in Germany and in Great Britain, we will chronologically study how transmission channels function in the development of doctrines on the use of motorized forces. During the Great War, tactical deadlocks led to the invention of new weapons like aeroplane and tank, using the dynamic of the engine. We will try to understand the impact on military organizations of the annexation of tanks to a particular army corps. Contrasting with the paradigm of static front lines promoted by the victorious French, British military decide to change tactics. The Germans, longing for revenge, get the most out of this innovation within the limits of the particularly strict clauses in the Treaty of Versailles. We will study how a potentially functional interaction has developed between ground and air battlefields. We will examine the exchanges using particularly the scale of technique, questioning the ability of some officers to impose their ideas in a given social and political framework. As part of the differentiated advancement of professionalization of the army in Europe, we will monitor developments regarding the 'human-machine' relationship driven by questioning the role of the cavalry

The theme of this thesi’s deals with the detection and recognition of car license plate from pictures made of screening machine situated on a crassing or inside a car. The thesis si divided into two basic parts. First deals with searching for presence of licence plate in the picture. If the marque was found, we continue the second part of the program which identificates the found license plate. The first part of program aspires to find the licence plate by the edge detectors. The second part classifies characters by the method based on an analytical description.

La pyrogazéification est un procédé de conversion thermochimique prometteur pour la valorisation énergétique des biomasses et des déchets. Ce procédé conduit à la production d’un vecteur énergétique gazeux appelé « syngas » composé principalement de CO et d’H2 mais contenant également de nombreux polluants issus des déchets entrants et/ou générés au cours de la conversion. En fonction de sa pureté, le syngas peut être valorisé dans de nombreuses applications. Cependant, la formation simultanée de résidus solides (chars) sans voie de valorisation, ainsi que le coût élevé de l'étape de purification du syngas freinent le développement industriel de cette filière. Cette thèse s'intéresse à ces deux problématiques en étudiant la valorisation des chars de pyrolyse, avec ou sans adjonction de fonctions chimiques, comme adsorbants et catalyseurs pour la purification du syngas. Dans cette étude, les chars ont été produits par pyrolyse de déchets générés sur des navires de croisière et générés en quantités importantes par les sociétés modernes : Bois de Palettes Usagées, Boues de Coagulation-Floculation et Déchets Alimentaires. Une séquence de caractérisations multi-échelle a été mise en place afin de relier les caractéristiques physico-chimiques des chars aux conditions de production ainsi qu’à la nature des déchets entrants. Les chars résultants du mélange BF/DA montrent une composition chimique riche en espèces minérales tandis que les chars produits à partir de BPU sont des matériaux très majoritairement composés de carbone. L’activation à la vapeur ne modifie pas significativement la composition des chars, mais permet de développer efficacement leur porosité. L’étude s’est ensuite intéressée aux relations existant entre les propriétés physico-chimiques des chars et leur efficacité épuratoire. La capacité d’épuration d’H2S des matériaux s’est trouvée significativement améliorée par des surfaces spécifiques élevées, de hautes teneurs en espèces minérales et un pH de surface basique. Les propriétés les plus influentes pour l’activité catalytique des chars pour le craquage des goudrons (l’éthylbenzène et le benzène sont pris comme références) en gaz légers sont : la présence d’espèces minérales, la porosité et la présence de structures carbonées désordonnées dans la matrice du char. / The pyrogasification is a thermochemical process that consists in converting biomass and/or waste into a gaseous energy carrier named syngas. This syngas is mainly composed of H2 and CO but also contains many pollutants (such as tars, H2S, HCl, particles…) that must be removed before further utilization of the syngas (electricity and heat production, synthesis of biofuel or chemicals…). The production of solid residues (chars) and the cost of the syngas purification process jeopardize the industrial development of this process. This thesis aims at studying the in-situ valorisation of the pyrolysis chars, functionalized or not, as sorbent or catalyst for the syngas cleaning. In this study, pyrolysis chars have been produced by the pyrolysis of wastes generated on cruise-ships: Used Wood Pallets (UWP), Coagulation-Flocculation Sludge (CFS) and Food Waste (FW). A set of multi-scale characterizations has been performed in order to identify relationships between the physico-chemical properties of the chars, the production conditions and the nature of the initial biomass. Chars from the mixture of FW/CFS have high mineral contents while chars from UWP are mainly carbonaceous materials. The steam activation only slightly modifies the chemical composition of the chars but significantly increases their porosity. Then, the study focused on the relationships between the physico-chemical properties of the chars and their purification efficiency. The H2S sorption capacity was strongly improved by high surface areas, large mineral contents and alkaline pH surfaces. The most important properties for the catalytic activity of the chars for tar cracking reactions were: high mineral contents, large surface areas and the presence of disorganized carbon structures in the char.

Advances in the knowledge of chemical structure of coal and development of high performance computational techniques led to more than hundred and thirty four proposed molecular level representations (models) of coal between 1942 and 2010. These models were virtually on the carboniferous coals from the northern hemisphere. There are only two molecular models based on the inertinite- and vitrinite-rich coals from the southern hemisphere. The current investigation is based on the chars derived from the Permian-aged coals in two major South African coalfields, Witbank #4 seam and Waterberg Upper Ecca. The two coals were upgraded to 85 and 93% inertinite- and vitrinite-rich concentrates, on visible mineral matter free basis. The coals were slow heated in inert atmosphere at 20 ℃ min-1 to 450, 700 and 1000 ℃ and held at that temperature for an hour. After the HCl-HF treatment technique at ambient temperatures, the characteristics of the coals and chars were examined with proximate, ultimate, helium density, porosity, surface area, petrographic, solid-state 13C NMR, XRD and HRTEM analytical techniques. The results largely showed that substantial transitions occurred at 700-1000 ℃, where the chars became physically different but chemically similar. Consequently, the chars at the highest temperature (1000 ℃) drew attention to the detailed study of the atomistic properties that may give rise to different reactivity behaviours with CO2 gas. The H/C atomic ratios for the inertinite- and vitrinite-rich chars were respectively 0.31 and 0.49 at 450 ℃ and 0.10 and 0.12 at 1000 ℃. The true density was respectively 1.48 and 1.38 g.cm-3 at 450 ℃ and 1.87 and 1.81 g.cm-3 at 1000 ℃. The char form results from the petrographic analysis technique indicated that the 700-1000 ℃ inertinite-rich chars have lower proportions of thick-walled isotropic coke derived from pure vitrinites (5-8%) compared with the vitrinite-rich chars (91-95%). This property leads to the creation of pores and increases of volume and surface area as the softening walls expand. It was found that the average crystallite diameter, La, and the mean length of the aromatic carbon fringes from the XRD and HRTEM techniques, respectively, were in good agreement and made a definite distinction between the 1000 ℃ inertinite- and vitrinite-rich chars. The crystallite diameter on peak (10) approximations, La(10), of 37.6Å for the 1000 ℃ inertinite-rich chars fell within the HRTEM’s range of minimummaximum length boundary of 11x11 aromatic fringes (27-45Å). The La (10) of 30.7Å for the vitrinite-rich chars fell nearly on the minimum-maximum length range of 7x7 aromatic fringes (17-28Å.) The HRTEM results showed that the 1000 ℃ inertinite-rich chars comprised a higher distribution of larger aromatic fringes (11x11 parallelogram catenations) compared with a higher distribution of smaller aromatic fringes (7x7 parallelogram catenations). The mechanism for the similarity between the 700-1000 ℃ inertinite- and vitrinite-rich chars was the greater transition occurring in the vitrinite-rich coal to match the more resistant inertinite-rich coal. This emphasised that the transitions in the properties of vitrinite-rich coals were more thermally accelerated than those of the inertinite-rich coals. The similarity between the inertinite- and vitrinite-rich chars was shown by the total maceral reflectance, proximate, ultimate, skeletal density and aromaticity results. Evidence for this was the carbon content by mass for the inertinite- and vitrinite-rich chars of respectively 90.5 and 85.3% at 450 ℃ and 95.9 and 94.1% at 1000 ℃. The aromaticity from the XRD technique was respectively 87 and 77% at 450 ℃ and 98 and 96% at 1000 ℃. A similar pattern was found in the hydrogen and oxygen contents, the atomic O/C ratios and the aromaticity from the NMR technique. The subsequent construction of large-scale molecular structures for the 1000 ℃ inertinite-rich chars comprised 106 molecules constructed from a total of 42929 atoms, while the vitrinite-rich char model was made up of 185 molecules consisting of a total of 44315 atoms. The difference between the number of molecules was due to the inertinite-rich char model comprising a higher distribution of larger molecules compared with the vitrinite-rich char model, in agreement with the XRD and HRTEM results. These char structures were used to examine the behaviour on the basis of gasification reactivity with CO2. The density functional theory (DFT) was used to evaluate the interactions between CO2 and the atomistic representations of coal char derived from the inertinite- and vitrinite rich South African coals. The construction of char models used the modal aromatic fringes (fringes of highest frequencies in size distributions) from the HRTEM, for the inertinite- and vitrinite-rich chars, respectively (11x11 and 7x7 parallelogram-shaped aromatic carbon rings). The structures were DFT geometrically optimized and used to measure reactivity with the Fukui function, f+(r) and to depict a representative reactive carbon edge for the simulations of coal gasification reaction mechanism with CO2 gas. The f+(r) reactivity indices of the reactive edge follows the sequence: zigzag C remote from the tip C (Czi = 0.266) > first armchair C (Cr1 = 0.087) > tip C (Ct = 0.075) > second armchair C (Cr2 = 0.029) > zigzag C proximate to the tip C (Cz = 0.027). The DFT simulated mean activation energy, ΔEb, for the gasification reaction mechanism (formation of second CO gas molecule) was 233 kJ mol-1. The reaction for the formation of second CO molecule is defines gasification in essence. The experimental activation energy determined with the TGA and random pore model to account essentially for the pore variation in addition to the gasification chemical reaction were found to be very similar: 191 ± 25 kJ mol-1 and 210 ± 8 kJ mol-1; and in good agreement with the atomistic results. The investigation gave promise towards the utility of molecular representations of coal char within the context of fundamental coal gasification reaction mechanism with CO2. / PhD (Chemical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015