This Diploma thesis was focused on the degradation of dyes Saturn Red L4B (Direct Red 79) and Saturn Blue LB (Direct Blue 106) by DC diaphragm discharge (DC-DD). Supplied power was between 160 and 180 W. Conductivity and pH were changing at each electrode area during the DC diaphragm discharge, therefore the effect of pH and conductivity changes on the dye solution itself were examined. All samples were measured by UV-VIS spectrometer in the wavelength range of 300–800 nm. No significant dependence of dye absorption spectra on conductivity was observed, while pH significantly affected the absorption curves of dyes. Ageing of dye spectra showed significant changes of Saturn Red L4B. Next task was the comparison of dyes destruction efficiency by DC-DD, audiofrequency diaphragm discharge (AF-DD) and electrolysis. Dye decomposition by AF-DD was not observed at set conditions (voltage of 80–120 V, current of 2.2 A and frequency of 2 kHz). In the case of DC diaphragm discharge the electrolysis played an important role. Decomposition efficiency of the dyes by electrolysis was up to 15 %. The pumping effect in the DC diaphragm discharge was also investigated. Although the individual electrode areas were linked only by a small pinhole in a nonconductive barrier (the pinhole diameter of 0.3 mm), solutions of the anode and cathode compartment interacted with each other up to 10 %. Finally, the degradation products of Saturn Red L4B treated by DC-DD in two electrodes parts are also described. Decomposition products were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with the mass spectrometer.

<p>Constructive elastic microwave scattering, or, historically, coherent microwave scattering (CMS), refers to the inference of small plasma object characteristics via in-phase electromagnetic scattering – and has become a valuable technique in applications ranging from photoionization and electron-loss rate measurements to trace species detection, gaseous mixture and reaction characterization, molecular spectroscopy, and standoff measurement of local vector magnetic fields in gases through magnetically-induced depolarization. Notable advantages of the technique include a high sensitivity, good temporal resolution, low shot noise, non-intrusive probing, species-selectivity when coupled with resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), single-shot acquisition, and the capability of time gating due to continuous scanning.</p> <p>Originally, the diagnostic was used for the measurement of electron total populations and number densities in collisional, weakly-ionized, and unmagnetized small plasma objects – so called collisional scattering. However, despite increased interest in recent years, the technique’s applicability to collisionless plasmas has remained relatively unexplored. This dissertation intends to expand upon the theoretical, mathematical, and experimental basis for CMS and demonstrate the constructive Thomson & Rayleigh scattering regimes for the first time. Furthermore, this work seeks to explore other novel and relevant capabilities of CMS including electron momentum-transfer collision frequency measurements via scattered phase information and spatially-resolved electron number characterizations of elongated plasma filament structures.</p> <p>This dissertation additionally leverages the technique to diagnose microplasmas and situations of particular interest. Primarily, photoionization (PI) – including UV resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization, non-resonant visible PI, and mid-IR tunneling ionization in gaseous media. Such processes bear importance to studies on nonequilibrium plasmas, soft ionization in mass spectrometry, the development of compact particle accelerators, X-ray and deep UV radiation sources, laser-assisted combustion, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, species detection, mixture characterization and spectroscopy, studies on nonlinear beam propagation (filamentation, self-trapping and pulse splitting, dispersion, modulation instabilities), and so on. Finally, the application of CMS to ion thrusters is demonstrated.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In recent years, nanosecond repetitively pulsed (NRP) plasma discharges have garnered significant interest due to their rapid generation of reactive excited-state species, reactive radicals, and localized heat release within nanosecond (ns) timescale. To effectively harness these plasmas for altering system-level thermal and chemical behavior, a thorough understanding of their governing physics is crucial. This knowledge enables the development of predictive plasma kinetic models for tailoring NRP plasmas to specific applications. However, achieving this requires high-fidelity experimental data to validate models and deepen our understanding of fundamental plasma physics. Advancing experimental spectroscopy and laser diagnostics methods is essential for probing such temporally highly dynamic and optically complex nonequilibrium environments. This includes developing novel <i>test platforms</i>, conducting <i>fundamental research</i> to address existing knowledge gaps, and constructing custom <i>ultrafast laser architectures</i> for probing plasma properties. </p><p dir="ltr">The pioneering development of Streak-based <i>test platform</i> in the diagnostics field of nanosecond pulsed plasmas and its successful application towards inferring the underlying ultrafast spatio-temporal evolution of nanosecond pulsed plasma discharges with an unprecedented time-resolution as short as ~25 ps is presented for the first time. Spectrally filtered, 1D line-imaging of nanosecond pulsed plasma discharges in a single-shot, jitter-free, continuously sweeping manner is obtained, and differences in discharge dynamics of air and N2 plasma environments are studied. Successive <i>test platform</i> advancement includes spectrally resolved Streak-spectroscopy measurements of thermal regime-transition evolution from early-nonequilibrium to local-thermal-equilibrium (LTE) to attain time-resolved quantitative insights into N2(C) state rotational/vibrational nonequilibrium temperatures, electron temperature/density, and spectral lifetime dynamics. </p><p dir="ltr">Ultrafast laser-based progression includes detailed <i>fundamental</i> investigation of higher-order optical nonlinearity perturbations of fs-EFISH by considering of – self-phase modulation induced spectral characteristic of fs-EFISH signal, calibration mapping during-below-and-beyond optical breakdown regime, optical Kerr effect consequences, impact of femtosecond (fs) laser seeding on the noninvasiveness of fs-EFISH, and spectral emission characteristics of fs laser filaments. To infer N2(X) state nonequilibrium of NRP pulsed plasmas, two hybrid fs/ps ro-vibrational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) <i>ultrafast laser architectures</i> are developed. First architecture, single-laser-solution, reduces system’s energy budget by ~3 mJ/pulse for generating narrowband (~21 ps), high-energy (~420 μJ/pulse), 532 nm probe pulses through incorporation of custom built visible fs optical parametric amplifier (OPA) coupled with an Nd:YAG power amplifier module. The second architecture, two-laser-solution, improves system’s robustness through the development of a 1 kHz, 532 nm, high-energy (~600 μJ/pulse), low-jitter (<1 ps), narrowband (~27 ps), master-oscillator-power-amplification (MOPA) based picosecond probe pulse laser time-synchronized with fs master-oscillator. Single-shot, hybrid fs/ps narrowband ro-vibrational CARS demonstration in a combusting flame up to temperatures of ~2400 K is demonstrated. Experimental ro-vibrational CARS investigation includes polarization based nonresonant background suppression and demonstration of preferential Raman coherence excitation shift, a temperature sensitivity enhancing strategy for vibrationally hot mediums like nanosecond pulsed plasmas. Lastly, an ultrafast pulse-friendly optically accessible vacuum cell is designed and fabricated for controlled experiments of NRP fs/ps CARS. Special care is taken to prevent self-focusing and spectral-temporal chirp of fs CARS beams while maintaining Gaussian focusing beam caustic.</p>

Ce travail de doctorat traite l’optimisation des méthodes d’extraction des composés phénoliques à partir des sous-produits de la viticulture et de la viniculture, à savoir les sarments de vigne et les marcs de raisins. Plusieurs technologies innovantes sont appliquées et comparées : l’extraction accélérée par solvant (EAS), les décharges électriques de haute-tension (DEHT), les ultrasons (US) et les champs électriques pulsés (CEP). Les extractions solide-liquide faites sur les sarments ont montré que, parmi les solvants étudiés, l’eau est le moins efficace. L’ajout de la β-cyclodextrine dans l’eau améliore le procédé d’extraction mais est moins efficace que les mélanges hydroéthanoliques. L’extraction en milieu alcalin donne le meilleur rendement en composés phénoliques. L’intensification de l’extraction des composés phénoliques des sarments est possible grâce aux nouvelles technologies d’extraction. L’efficacité des méthodes testées est la moindre avec les US, moyenne avec les CEP pour atteindre le meilleur rendement phénolique avec les DEHT. La filtrabilité de ces extraits est d’autant plus lente que leur composition est complexe. L’ultrafiltration membranaire permet une très bonne purification et concentration des composés phénoliques. L’étude des mécanismes d’action des DEHT a permis d’identifier les phénomènes favorisant l’extraction des composés phénoliques à partir des sarments. Un effet mécanique des DEHT, capable de fragmenter les sarments, est en majorité responsable de cette amélioration. Le procédé énergivore du broyage pourra alors être omis. Un effet électrique contribuant également à l’intensification du procédé d’extraction est démontré. La formation de peroxyde d’hydrogène durant le traitement par DEHT est quantifiée mais ne semble pas altérer les composés phénoliques qui sont des molécules à capacité antiradicalaire élevée. Quant aux études portées sur les marcs de raisins, la variation simultanée de plusieurs paramètres opératoires a permis l’optimisation de l’extraction aqueuse et hydroéthanolique des composés phénoliques en ayant recours à la méthodologie de surface de réponse (MSR). Le passage d’un milieu aqueux à un milieu hydroéthanolique a permis d’améliorer nettement le procédé d’extraction solide-liquide des composés phénoliques et l’utilisation de l’EAS a permis l’augmentation du rendement en composés phénoliques jusqu’à trois fois par rapport à l’optimum obtenu en milieu hydroéthanolique. / This study deals with the optimization of the extraction methods of phenolic compounds from viticulture and viniculture by-products, namely vine shoots and grape pomace. Several innovative technologies were tested and compared: high voltage electrical discharges (HVED), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), ultrasounds (US) and pulsed electric fields (PEF). The solid-liquid extraction conducted on vine shoots showed that, amongst the studied solvents, water is the least effective. The addition of the β-cyclodextrin to water improves the extraction process but remains less effective than that with hydroethanolic mixtures. The extraction in alkaline medium gives the highest phenolic compound extraction yields. The intensification of phenolic compound extraction from vine shoots was possible thanks to new extraction technologies. The effectiveness of the tested methods was the least with US, followed by PEF to accomplish the highest phenolic yield with HVED. The filterability of the extracts was slower when their composition was complex, and the membrane technology allowed a good purification and concentration of phenolic compounds. The reason behind the high effectiveness of HVED was investigated. The action mechanisms of HVED were studied in details. A mechanical effect of HVED provoked vine shoots fragmentation and particle size reduction. This was the main phenomenon responsible for the intensification of the extraction process. It also suggested that a grinding pretreatment would not be necessary prior to HVED, which considerably diminishes the energy input of the overall process. The presence of a non-mechanical effect and its contribution in the efficiency of HVED were also shown. The formation of hydrogen peroxide during the treatment was observed. However it did not seem to alter vine shoot phenolic compounds since these demonstrated a high radical scavenging capacity. As for the studies conducted on grape pomace, the simultaneous variation of several operating parameters allowed the aqueous and hydroethanolic optimization of phenolic compound extraction from these byproducts by response surface methodology (RSM). The passage from an aqueous to a hydroethanolic medium clearly improved the solid-liquid extraction of phenolic compounds from grape pomace. The use of ASE further increased the phenolic compound yield up to three times as compared to the optimum obtained with a hydroethanolic solvent.

Ce travail de recherche porte sur l’intensification de l’extraction des polyphénols à partir des écorces de chêne pédonculé et d’épicéa commun par des technologies innovantes : les champs électriques pulsés (CEP), les ultrasons (US) et les micro-ondes (MO). Ces prétraitements permettent l’amélioration de l’extraction par endommagement des membranes et/ou parois cellulaires. L’effet de chacune de ces techniques (CEP, US et MO) sur l’extraction des polyphénols a été mis en évidence à travers une étude d’optimisation quantitative et qualitative : suivi du rendement des polyphénols, de l’activité antioxydante et caractérisation chimiques des composés extraits.Une étude comparative des prétraitements (CEP, US et MO) couplés à une diffusion en milieu hydro-alcoolique alcalin, a permis de mieux comprendre les mécanismes mis en jeu lors d’un traitement d’un tissu fibreux. L’étude a prouvé que l’efficacité du procédé est indépendante de la famille d’arbre à laquelle appartiennent les écorces (résineux ou feuillus). De plus, pour valoriser les écorces de bois, l’application d’un prétraitement par CEP (20 kV/cm, 200 impulsions, 3,2 kJ/g bois) suivi d’une diffusion semble être une alternative aux ultrasons, micro-ondes et à l’extraction avec des écorces préalablement broyées. En effet, grâce à l’action électrique et mécanique des CEP, ce prétraitement permet d’obtenir un extrait riche en polyphénols (10,5 g EAG/100g MS pour l’épicéa soit 83 % d’efficacité et 5 g EAG/100g MS pour le chêne soit 82 % d’efficacité). / This research work focuses on the intensification of polyphenols extraction from Quercus robur and Norway spruce barks using innovative technologies : pulsed electric field (PEF), ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE). These pre-treatments enhance the release of intracellular compounds by damaging the membrane and/or cell wall. The effect of each of these technologies (PEF, UAE and MAE) on polyphenols extraction has been highlighted in a quantitative and qualitative optimization analysis by evaluating the polyphenols concentration, antioxidant activity and by the chemical characterization of the extracted compounds.A comparative study of pre-treatments (PEF, UAE and MAE) coupled with an extraction step in an alkaline hydro-alcoholic medium allowed us to better understand the involved phenomena. The induced process efficiency is independent of the tree family to which the bark belongs (coniferous and hardwood). For bark valorization, the application of PEF treatment (20 kV/cm, 200 pulses, 3.2 kJ/g bark) followed by a diffusion step seems to be an alternative to ultrasound and microwave assisted extractions and to the extraction from grinded barks. In fact, the electrical and mechanical effect of PEF treatment allow to obtain an extract rich in polyphenols (10.5 g GAE/100g DM and an efficiency of 83 % for Norway spruce and 5 g GAE /100g DM and an efficiency of 82 % for Quercus robur bark).

This Diploma thesis is focused on physical and chemical effects which contribute to the decomposition of organic dyes by diaphragm discharge generated in water solutions. Due to the application of DC high voltage source in continuous regime, there is an effect of electrolysis contributing to the dye decomposition by diaphragm discharge. The aim of this work was to find out when the electrolysis is running (or when is the moment of discharge breakdown) and which factors influence the breakdown. The other goal was decomposition of selected textile and food organic dyes by electrolysis itself. In the theoretical part, theory about creation of electrical discharges in aqueous solutions is noted and various types of underwater discharges are described. Background researches about underwater electrical discharges used in the world are mentioned as well as the use of diaphragm discharges and various ways how to remove organic dyes from wastewater. Finally, theories of electrolysis, UV-VIS spectroscopy and basis of other analytical methods useful for detection of organic molecules are described. Experimental part is oriented to experiment procedure which was carried out in a reactor with separated electrode areas. Separation was made by dielectric diaphragm with a pinhole in the centre. Its initial diameter was 0.4 mm. Used chemicals and course of experiments are described in this part, too. First, the breakdown moment in the reactor was investigated (i. e. determination, when only electrolysis was operating) by formation of hydrogen peroxide and measurement of dynamic (time resolved) electrical characteristics. Next, decomposition of selected dyes by electrolysis was carried out. As the decomposition was related to decolorization of the solution, UV-VIS spectroscopy in the range of 350–700 nm was used for determination of dye concentration. Next part focused on results presents various factors which had an effect on breakdown of diaphragm discharge. These factors are kind of used electrolyte, initial conductivity of solution, kind of dye, temperature of solution and type of reactor (or solution volume). From the result, the most important factor is initial solution conductivity. After the determination of the breakdown moment, the electrolysis of organic dyes was performed. The applied current was 10 mA, initial conductivity was 500 µS/cm and used electrolyte was NaCl. Moreover comparison of dye decomposition in dependence on the different applied power was realized. From this comparison one can assume, there is no significant contribution of electrolysis (the efficiency is approximately 15 %) to the diaphragm discharge in aqueous solution.