A reação de Fenton é o nome dado à oxidação de ferro(II) a ferro(III) pela água oxigenada, uma reação que produz espécies com alto poder oxidante como o radical hidroxila. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia espectrofotométrica para o acompanhamento da formação de ferro(III) nos momentos iniciais da reação de Fenton. Esta metodologia foi aplicada a quatro conjuntos de reações: (A) o sistema Fenton simples, contendo apenas ferro(II) e H2O2; (B) o sistema A contendo isopropanol, um substrato orgânico simples que sofre principalmente oxidação a acetona; (C) o sistema A contendo o catalisador 3,5-di-terc-butil-catecol (H2DTBCat); (D) o sistema C mais isopropanol, que corresponde ao sistema catalítico completo. Em cada conjunto, variou-se as concentrações de ferro(II) e H2O2. Um modelo cinético, baseado num conjunto de reações explícitas e as respectivas constantes de velocidade, foi desenvolvido para simular a velocidade de formação de ferro(III) para estes quatro conjuntos de reações. Utilizando reações relatadas na literatura, o modelo forneceu simulações que reproduziram satisfatoriamente os dados experimentais dos conjuntos A e B. No caso dos conjuntos C e D, porém, foi necessário propor uma etapa envolvendo a formação de ferro(IV) ou ferril, estabilizado por complexação com o H2DTBCat. Entretanto, mesmo com a inclusão desta espécie, o modelo não captou a complexidade do sistema em altas concentrações de peróxido e ferro. Esta falha foi atribuída à rápida degradação competitiva do H2DTBCat nestas condições, com a subseqüente participação destes produtos de degradação na reação ou como co-catalisadores ou como inibidores. / The Fenton reaction is the name given to the oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III) by hydrogen peroxide, a reaction that produces highly oxidizing species like the hydroxyl radical. In this work, a spectrophotometric methodology is developed to accompany the formation of iron(III) during the initial moments of the Fenton reaction. This methodology was applied to four sets of reactions: (A) the simple Fenton system, containing only iron(II) and H2O2; (B) system A containing isopropanol, a simple substrate that undergoes principally oxidation to acetone; (C) system A containing the catalyst 3,5-di-tert-butyl-catechol (H2DTBCat); (D) system C plus isopropanol, corresponding to the complete catalytic system. For each set of reactions, the concentrations of iron(II) and H2O2 were varied. A kinetic model, based on explicit chemical reactions and their respective rate constants, was developed to simulate the the rate of formation of iron(III) for these four sets of reactions above. Using reactions described in the literature, the model produced simulations that satisfactorily reproduced the experimental data of sets A and B. In the case of sets C and D, however, it was necessary to propose an additional step involving the formation of iron(IV) or ferril, stabilized by complexation with H2DTBCat. Nonetheless, even with the inclusion of this species, the model failed to capture the complexity of the system at high concentrations of peroxide and iron. This failure was attributed to the rapid competitive degradation of H2DTBCat under these conditions, with the subsequent participation of the degradation products in the reaction as either co-catalysts or inhibitors.

Inúmeros trabalhos da literatura científica mostram que a remoção parcial de lignina é útil para facilitar o processo de sacarificação enzimática de materiais lignocelulósicos. No entanto, a maioria dos processos de deslignificação aplica condições severas de reação e apresenta custos elevados de processo. Uma alternativa aos processos mais severos de deslignificação envolve a aplicação de sistemas biomiméticos. Estes sistemas demandam condições amenas de reação, compatíveis com a etapa de hidrólise enzimática, porém geralmente são mais lentos e menos eficientes do que os pré-tratamentos químicos e quimiotermomecânicos convencionais. Ponderando estes fatos, o objetivo desta tese foi estudar a aplicação de sistemas oxidativos e biomiméticos na deslignificação de materiais lignocelulósicos prévios a uma etapa de hidrólise enzimática da fração polissacarídica. A estratégia de trabalho consistiu em pré-tratar bagaço de cana (foram empregados 3 cultivares diferentes de cana no presente estudo) com um processo quimiotermomecânico (CTM) em condições amenas de reação (5,0% de Na2SO3 e 2,5% de NaOH) seguido de um tratamento biomimético oxidativo. Esta abordagem visou gerar um material parcialmente deslignificado que pudesse ter a recalcitrância significativamente diminuída pela aplicação de um processo biomimético. Um segundo pré-tratamento foi aplicado em condições mais severas de reação (10% de Na2SO3 e 5,0% de NaOH) e visou gerar um material de referência, com baixa recalcitrância. Os sistemas biomiméticos empregados tiveram origem nos processos naturais de biodegradação de madeira por fungos de decomposição branca e parda e envolveram a ação de: a) Manganês peroxidase, Lacase, ferro e Oxigênio; b) reação de Fenton mediada por quelantes. Estes sistemas foram suplementados ou não com ácidos graxos insaturados, visando gerar radicais organoperoxila no caso dos sistemas suplementados. As reações de Fenton mediadas por quelantes apresentaram emissão de quimiluminescência, o que permitiu otimizar o sistema reacional com base na máxima quimiluminescência obtida. A remoção de lignina obtida com o pré-tratamento CTM variou de acordo com a carga de sulfito alcalino empregada, sendo que para as severidades baixa e alta, a remoção de lignina atingiu 26% e 54%, respectivamente. Os sistemas biomiméticos aplicados no bagaço de cana, após pré-tratamento com sulfito alcalino na condição branda, produziram graus de deslignificação variáveis, sendo que as principais remoções de lignina foram obtidas com o tratamento de Fenton mediado por quelantes e com Oxigênio, atingindo remoções acumuladas de lignina de 44% e 62%, respectivamente. Em todos os casos avaliados, a remoção adicional de lignina promoveu maiores eficiências de conversão enzimática das frações polissacarídicas residuais. A maior conversão de celulose e hemicelulose (acima de 80%) foi obtida com o tratamento Fenton mediado por quelantes aplicado sobre um cultivar de cana de açúcar que apresentava elevado teor de ácidos hidroxicinâmicos, sugerindo uma ação eficiente destes sistemas para a remoção destes ácidos hidroxicinâmicos. / The current scientific literature shows that lignin removal can facilitates subsequent processes of enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic materials. However, most of the delignification processes use severe reaction conditions and present high process costs. One alternative for the severe delignification processes includes the use of biomimetic systems. These systems can be applied under mild reaction conditions, which are compatible with the enzymatic hydrolysis step. Nevertheless, biomimetic systems usually present low reaction rates and are less efficient than the more severe chemical and chemithermomechancial processes. Weighing these facts, the main subject of the current PhD thesis was to study oxidative-biomimetic systems suitable for delignification of lignocellulosic materials as a previous step to the enzymatic hydrolysis of the polysaccharide fraction. The experimental approach involved the pretreatment of sugar cane bagasse (three different sugar cane cultivars were evaluated) by a chemithermomechanical (CTM) process under mild reaction conditions (5% of Na2SO3 and 2.5% NaOH), followed by an oxidative-biomimetic system. This approach aimed to prepare a partially delignified material suitable to be treated by the subsequent biomimetic systems, providing significant changes in the material recalcitrance. A second pretreatment under more severe reaction conditions (10% Na2SO3 and 5% NaOH) was performed to prepare a reference material with low recalcitrance. The biomimetic systems used in the current work were based on natural wood decay processes involving white- and brown-rot fungi, and include the actions of: a) Manganese peroxidase, Laccase, Iron íons and Oxygen; b) Chelator Mediated Fenton reactions (CMF). This reaction systems used (or not) the presence of unsaturated fatty acids to induce formation of organoperoxyl radicals. The CMF reactions presented chemiluminescence, which enabled the reaction optimization with basis on maximal chemiluminescence. The lignin removal during the CTM pretreatment varied according to the alkaline-sulfite load used in the reaction. The delignification increased with increased alkaline-sulfite loads reaching 26% and 54% for the less severe and more severe reaction conditions, respectively. Biomimetic systems applied over the mild-pretreated sugar cane bagasse produced varied delignification levels, reaching maximal values for cumulative lignin removal of 44% and 62% for the CMF and Oxigen, respectively. In all cases, the supplementary removal of lignin resulted in more efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of the polysaccharide fraction. The highest cellulose and hemicellulose conversions (over 80%) was obtained with the CMF system applied on a sugar cane cultivar that contained high hydroxycinnamic acids contents, suggesting an efficient action of CMF systems for hydroxycinnamic acids removal.

Emerging contaminants are defined as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals or microorganisms that are not currently regulated but have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and/or human health effects. With recent development in analytical techniques, emerging contaminants have been detected in wastewater, source water, and finished drinking water. These environmental occurrence data have raised public concern about the fate and ecological impacts of such compounds. Concerns regarding emerging contaminants and the many chemicals that are in use or production necessitate a task to assess their potential health effects and removal efficiency during water treatment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are attractive and promising technologies for emerging contaminant control due to its capability of mineralizing organic compound via reactions with highly active hydroxyl radicals. However, the nonselective reactivity of hydroxyl radicals and the radical chain reactions make AOPs mechanistically complex processes. In addition, the diversity and complexity of the structure of a large number of emerging contaminants make it difficult and expensive to study the degradation pathways of each contaminant and the fate of the intermediates and byproducts. The intermediates and byproducts that are produced may pose potential effects to human and aquatic ecosystems. Consequently, there is a need to develop first-principle based mechanistic models that can enumerate reaction pathway, calculate concentrations of the byproducts, and estimate their human effects for both water treatment and reuse practices. This dissertation develops methods to predict reaction rate constants for elementary reactions that are identified by a previously developed computer-based reaction pathway generator. Many intermediates and byproducts that are experimentally identified for HO* induced reactions with emerging contaminants include common lower molecular weight organic compounds on the basis of several carbons. These lower carbon intermediates and byproducts also react with HO* at relatively smaller reaction rate constants (i.e., k < 109 M-1s-1) and may significantly affect overall performance of AOPs. In addition, the structures of emerging contaminants with various functional groups are too complicated to model. As a consequence, the rate constant predictors are established based on the conventional organic compounds as an initial approch. A group contribution method (GCM) predicts the aqueous phase hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants for compounds with a wide range of functional groups. The GCM is a first comprehensive tool to predict aqueous phase hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants for reactions that include hydrogen-atom abstraction from a C-H bond and/or a O-H bond by hydroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical addition to a C=C unsaturated bond in alkenes and aromatic compounds, and hydroxyl radical interaction with sulfur-, nitrogen-, or phosphorus-atom-containing compounds. The GCM shows predictability; factor of difference of 2 from literature-reported experimental values. The GCM successfully predicts the hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants for a limited number of emerging contaminants. Linear free energy relationships (LFERs) bridge a kinetic property with a thermochemical property. The LFERs is a new proof-of-concept approach for Ab initio reaction rate constants predictors. The kinetic property represents literature-reported and our experimentally obtained hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants for neutral and ionized compounds. The thermochemical property represents quantum mechanically calculated aqueous phase free energy of activation. Various Ab initio quantum mechanical methods and solvation models are explored to calculate the aqueous phase free energy of activation of reactantas and transition states. The quantum mechanically calculcated aqueous phase free energies of activation are within the acceptable range when compared to those that are obtained from the experiments. These approaches may be applied to other reaction mechanisms to establish a library of rate constant predictions for the mechanistic modeling of AOPs. The predicted kinetic information enables one to identify important pathways of AOP mechanisms that are initiated by hydroxyl radical, and can be used to calculate concentration profiles of parent compounds, intermediates and byproducts. The mechanistic model guides the design of experiments that are used to examine the reaction mechanisms of important intermediates and byproducts and the application of AOPs to real fields.

This thesis describes work done to design and synthesize protease inhibitors, with the intention of developing therapeutic agents for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the chronic liver condition caused by infection of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). AD is the most common form of dementia, and HCV infection is the primary reason for liver transplantation in industrialized countries. Today, these two illnesses affect 24 and 170 million people, respectively. It has been shown that the human aspartic protease BACE-1 plays an important role in the development of AD, and thus inhibition of BACE-1 may offer a way to improve the quality of life of individuals afflicted with the disease. Furthermore, it is known that the serine protease NS3 is a vital component in the replication of HCV. Several novel potent BACE-1 inhibitors encompassing different transition state mimics were prepared. First, a hydroxyethylene moiety encompassing a secondary hydroxyl group was evaluated as a transition state analogue, producing inhibitors in the low nanomolar range. Various tertiary hydroxyl isosteres were also investigated as the central core, with the aim of shielding the pivotal hydroxyl group. These transition state isosteres consisted of tertiary hydroxyl analogues of previously used secondary hydroxyl containing norstatine, statine, and hydroxyethylamine isosteres. Several tertiary hydroxyl-containing inhibitors were found to be active in the low micromolar range. In addition, two inhibitors were co-crystallized with the BACE-1 enzyme to provide X-ray crystal structures, which furnished valuable binding information for further design of improved BACE-1 inhibitors. The goal in the HCV NS3 protease inhibitor project was to design, synthesize and evaluate a novel hydroxycyclopentene bioisostere to the previously used acyl-hydroxyproline moiety. The investigation revealed that it was possible to synthesize inhibitors containing this new bioisostere that were potent in the low nanomolar range. Further optimization by rigidification of the most active inhibitor resulted in equipotent macrocyclic compounds.

Dans ce travail de thèse, les radicaux hydroxyles et sulfates, générés par les procédés électro-Fenton et électro-persulfate utilisant une anode en fer, respectivement, ont été utilisés pour la dégradation des édulcorants synthétiques et un colorant azoïque. Les études réalisées sont essentiellement concentrées sur : efficacité de dégradation, mécanismes d'oxydation, schémas de minéralisation et évolution de la toxicité lors de traitement des polluants cibles.1. Le procédé électro-Fenton a montré une grande efficacité dans la dégradation oxydative de l'Aspartame (ASP). La dégradation et la minéralisation sont essentiellement affectées par la concentration du catalyseur (Fe2+) et l'intensité du courant. La constante de vitesse absolue de la réaction d'hydroxylation de l'ASP a été déterminée comme (5,23±0,02) x 109 M-1 s-1. Les acides oxalique, oxamique et maléique ont été identifiés comme sous-produits aliphatiques. La toxicité de la solution (méthode Microtox) augment dans un premier temps et ensuite diminue progressivement lors du traitement.(2) L'édulcorant artificiel Saccarine (SAC) a été efficacement dégradée par procédé électro-Fenton avec anodes DSA, Pt et BDD. Cependant, l'utilisation de l'anode BDD a accéléré significativement la minéralisation de la SAC. Les conditions optimales pour la minéralisation efficace de la SAC étaient: [SAC]: 0,2 mM, [Fe2+] (catalyseur): 0,2 mM, [Na2SO4] (électrolyte): 0,05 M, I (courant): 200 mA et pH: 3. Les acides oxalique, formique et maléique ont été identifiés comme sous-produits aliphatiques. La mesure de la toxicité indique une augmentation en début d'électrolyse (formation des intermédiaires toxiques) et puis une diminution progressive le long du traitement.(3) L'édulcorant artificiel Sucralose (SUC) a été complètement minéralisée en 360 min de traitement par procédé électro-Fenton avec l'anode Pt ou BDD. Le taux de minéralisation est affecté par la concentration de Fe2+ et le courant appliqué. L'efficacité du courant de minéralisation diminue avec l'augmentation du courant de 100 à 500 mA avec les deux anodes. Les acides oxalique, pyruvique, formique et glycolique ont été détectés au cours du processus de minéralisation.(4) Les solutions du colorant azoïque Orange II ont été effectivement décolorées par les radicaux sulfates générés par l'activation électrochimique du peroxydisulfate (PDS) utilisant un catalyseur solide, FeOOH (procédé CE/α-FeOOH/PDS). Le pH initial a peu d'effet sur la décoloration. La méthodologie RSM (Response Surface Methodology) basée sur le modèle Box-Behnken a été appliquée pour analyser les variables expérimentales. Les résultats indiquent que le courant a un effet positif sur la vitesse de décoloration. L'interaction du dosage de l'α-FeOOH et la concentration de PDS ont des effets significatifs. Les résultats d'analyse de variance (ANOVA) ont confirmé que les modèles proposés étaient exactes et fiables pour l'analyse des variables du procédé CE/α-FeOOH/PDS. Le catalyseur solide α-FeOOH a montré une bonne stabilité structurelle et pourrait être réutilisé.(5) Les solutions d'Orange II ont été dégradés par les radicaux sulfates obtenus par le même procédé mais avec catalyseur Fe3O4 : EC/Fe3O4/PDS. La vitesse de décoloration est affecté principalement par : pH initial de la solution, densité du courant, concentration de PDS et dosage de Fe3O4. La solution a été totalement décolorée en 60 min dans les conditions suivantes: [Orange II]0: 25 mg/L, [PDS]: 10 mM, [Fe3O4]: 0,8 g/L, densité du courant (j): 8,4 mA/cm2 et pH initial: 6,0. Les expériences de recyclage ont montré que les particules de Fe3O4 étaient stables et pourraient être réutilisées. Les spectres XPS ont montré la formation de Fe(II) sur la surface des particules de Fe3O4 lors de traitement. Les principaux intermédiaires ont été séparés et identifiés par la technique GC-MS et un schéma plausible de dégradation d'Orange II a été proposé / In this paper, electro-Fenton and sulfate radical-based electro-Fenton-like processes were used to degrade artificial sweeteners and azo dye. The results obtained during the research concern the removal efficiency, the oxidation mechanism, degradation pathway and toxicity evolution of target pollutants.(1) Electro-Fenton process was a effective method for the degradation of ASP in water. The removal and mineralization rate was affected by the Fe2+ concentration and applied current. The absolute rate constant of hydroxylation reaction of ASP was (5.23 ± 0.02) × 109 M–1 S–1. Short-chain aliphatic acids such as oxalic, oxamic and maleic acid were identified as aliphatic intermediates in the electro-Fenton process. The bacteria luminescence inhibition showed the toxicity of ASP solution decreased after it reached a maximum during the first period of the oxidation reaction.(2) Artificial sweetener SAC could be degraded effectively by electro-Fenton process with a DSA, Pt or BDD anode. However, the using of BDD anode could accelerate the mineralization of SAC. The optimal conditions for SAC removal were SAC concentration 0.2 mM, Fe2+ concentration 0.2 mM, Na2SO4 concentration 50 mM, applied current 200 mA and initial pH 3.0. Oxalic, formic, and maleic acid were observed as aliphatic byproducts of SAC during electro-Fenton process. The bacteria luminescence inhibition showed the toxicity of SAC solution increased at the beginning of electrolysis, and then it declined until the end of the reaction.(3) Artificial sweetener Sucralose could be completely mineralized in a 360 min reaction by electro-Fenton process with a Pt or BDD anode. The mineralization rate was affected by the Fe2+ concentration and applied current. The mineralization current efficiency (MCE) decreased with rising applied current from 100 to 500 mA with both Pt and BDD anode. Oxalic, pyruvic, formic and glycolic acids were detected during the oxidation of sucralose.(4) Orange II was effectively decolorized by EC/α-FeOOH/PDS process. The initial pH of Orange II solution had little effect on the decolorization of Orange II. RSM based on Box-Behnken statistical experiment design was applied to analyze the experimental variables. The response surface methodology models were derived based on the results of the pseudo-first-order decolorization rate constant and the response surface plots were developed accordingly. The results indicated the applied current showed a positive effect on the decolorization rate constant of Orange II. The interaction of α-FeOOH dosage and PDS concentration was significant. The ANOVA results confirmed that the proposed models were accurate and reiable for the analysis of the varibles of EC/α-FeOOH/PDS process. The catalystα-FeOOH showed good structural stability and could be reused.(5) Aqueous solutions of Orange II have been degraded effectively in the EC/Fe3O4/PDS process. The decolorization rate was affected by the initial pH of Orange II solution, current density, PDS concentration and Fe3O4 dosage. Orange II can be totally decolorizated in a 60 min reaction when initial Orange II concentration was 25 mg/L, PDS concentration was 10 mM, Fe3O4 dosage was 0.8 g/L, current density was 8.4 mA/cm2 and initial pH was 6.0. Recycle experiments showed Fe3O4 particles were stable and can be reused. XPS spectrum indicated Fe(II) was generated on the surface of Fe3O4 particles after reaction. The main intermediates were separated and identified by GC-MS technique and a plausible degradation pathway of Orange II was proposed

Dans un contexte de réchauffement climatique, une compréhension des mécanismes atmosphériques influençant le bilan radiatif terrestre est nécessaire. Les nuages peuvent participer à un refroidissement mais des incertitudes demeurent sur ces systèmes qui sont encore mal connus (notamment la composition de leur fraction organique). Depuis toujours, seules les réactions chimiques et surtout celles radicalaires sont considérées comme importantes pour jouer sur la composition des nuages. Cependant la découverte de microorganismes métaboliquement actifs pose la question de leur rôle en tant que biocatalyseurs. Ces microorganismes sont en effet à même d'utiliser des molécules carbonées comme nutriments, de dégrader des molécules précurseur des radicaux (H2O2) et de se prémunir contre le stress oxydant. L'objectif de ce travail est de mesurer l'impact des processus photochimiques et biologiques sur la composition chimique du nuage. Pour cela, la quantification de •OH, le radical responsable de la réactivité diurne, et l’évaluation de l’impact des microorganismes sur cette concentration à l’état stationnaire ont été entreprises. Après un développement en milieu modèle, la méthode a été appliquée à des eaux atmosphériques (eaux de pluies et eaux de nuages). Les concentrations obtenues sont de l'ordre de 10-17 à 10-15 M et ne sont pas modifiées en présence de microorganismes. Ces concentrations sont plus faibles que celles obtenues dans les modèles de chimie atmosphérique, ceci peut s’expliquer par un manque de connaissance sur la matière organique. Pour mieux caractériser cette dernière, des composés aromatiques simples présents dans des eaux de nuages ont été identifiés, le phénol a été retrouvé dans les 8 échantillons analysés. Une étude approfondie sur sa dégradation a donc été entreprise. Nous avons montré que des transcrits d’enzymes intervenant dans sa biotransformation sont synthétisés par les bactéries in situ dans l’eau de nuage. De plus, 93% des souches bactériennes testées, isolées de ce milieu, dégradent le phénol. Pour évaluer l'impact relatif des processus de dégradation biotique et abiotique du phénol, une expérience de photobiodégradation avec une souche modèle (Rhodococcus erythropolis PDD-23b-28) a été entreprise. Ces deux processus interviennent avec une importance de même ordre de grandeur. Ces résultats suggèrent que les microorganismes et les radicaux interviennent dans la remédiation naturelle de l'atmosphère. / In the context of global warming, more precise knowledge of atmospheric processes is needed to evaluate their impact on the Earth radiative budget. Clouds can limit the increase of temperature but this retroaction is not well understood due to a lack of knowledge of cloud media (like organic fraction composition). From the beginning of atmospheric studies, only chemical, especially radical, reactions was taken into account. However microorganisms metabolically active were found in cloud water arising questions about their role as biocatalyst. They are able to use carboxylic acids as nutriments, to degrade radical precursor (like H2O2) and to survive oxidative stress. The aim of this work is to quantify the impact of photochemical and biological processes on cloud chemistry composition. First, the concentrations of •OH, the most reactive radical, were evaluated and the influence of microorganisms on the concentrations were studied. A new method was developed in artificial medial before direct quantification of steady state •OH concentration in atmospheric waters (rain and cloud waters). Concentrations ranged from 10-17 to 10-15 M and did not change in presence of microorganisms. These measures were lower than concentrations estimated by chemical atmospheric models. A possible explanation was an underestimation of the main sink of this radical (organic matter). To better characterize this fraction, simple aromatic compounds were identified in cloud waters, phenol was found in the 8 samples analyzed. To go further, we studied phenol degradation in detail. Enzyme transcripts involved in phenol degradation were present in cloud water samples showing in situ activity of native bacteria. 93% of tested cultural strains, isolated from cloud waters, were able to degrade phenol. To quantify the relative contribution of radical versus microbial processes allowing phenol degradation, we performed photo-biodegradation experiment with a model strain (Rhodococcus erythropolis PDD-23b-28). Our results showed that these two processes participated equally to phenol degradation, suggesting that microorganisms and radicals can be involved in atmospheric natural remediation.

Le dioxyde de chlore est l’agent de blanchiment le plus utilisé pour le blanchiment des pâtes chimiques lignocellulosiques. Son utilisation s’accompagne malheureusement de la formation d’ions chlorates, composés inefficaces pour le blanchiment, ainsi que d’importants rejets de DCO et d’organo-chlorés (AOX), nuisibles pour l’environnement. Cette étude a consisté à concevoir un nouveau stade de blanchiment au dioxyde de chlore (stade D) à pH non-conventionnel, économe en réactifs, et visant à réduire l’impact environnemental d’une séquence classique. Le travail a été effectué sur des pâtes kraft de résineux, obtenues après cuisson ou à différents stades de la séquence de blanchiment. Les résultats ont montré que l’efficacité du nouveau stade D était meilleure lorsqu’il était placé en fin de séquence. Après optimisation et incorporation de peroxyde d’hydrogène comme réactif complémentaire, les pâtes obtenues présentent des caractéristiques équivalentes à celles d’un blanchiment conventionnel, en termes de blancheur et de degré de polymérisation moyen viscosimétrique ; et ce, avec une réduction drastique de la pollution (70% des AOX et 20 % de DCO), et un gain économique substantiel en productivité de séquence (diminution de la température et du temps de réaction). L’étude chimique de la réaction du dioxyde de chlore effectuée par différentes techniques (spectroscopie RPE, RMN, FTIR, chromatographie HPAEC-PAD), a révélé la présence de radicaux hydroxyles en milieu alcalin, et mis en évidence les principales étapes du mécanisme à différents pH. / Chlorine dioxide is the most widely used bleaching agent for the production of bleached chemical pulps. However, its main drawbacks are the formation of chlorate ions which decrease delignification efficiency and the reject of toxic chloro-organic molecules (AOX) in mill effluents. This study focused on the development of a new bleaching stage using chlorine dioxide (D stage) at non-conventional pH, to reduce environmental impact and production costs. The work was carried out on several softwood kraft pulps after cooking, and at different stages of the bleaching sequence. The best results of the novel D stage were obtained for pulps at low kappa number, i.e. at the end of the bleaching sequence. The D stage was optimized and coupled with hydrogen peroxide addition. The same brightness and viscosimetric average degree of polymerization as after conventional D bleaching were obtained. Interestingly, a very important decrease of pollution load (70% of AOX and 20% of COD) was obtained, accompanied by a significant gain of productivity and energy saving (lower temperature and reaction time).Chemical investigations on the reaction mechanisms, carried out by different techniques (ESR, NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, HPAEC-PAD chromatography), revealed the formation of hydroxyl radicals at alkaline pH. The structural modification of the pulp residual lignin was also studied; differences of the reaction mechanism as function of pH were highlighted.

A visualisation procedure was developed which predicts excited hydroxyl (OH*) radiation from the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions of cryogenic hydrogen-oxygen rocket flames. The model of backward ray tracing through inhomogeneous media with a continuously changing refractive index was implemented. It obtains the optical paths of light rays that originate in the rocket chamber, pass through the window and enter a simulated camera. Through the use of spectral modelling, the emission and absorption spectra eλ and κλ are simulated on the ray path from information about temperature, pressure and concentration of constituent species at relevant points. By solving a radiative transfer equation with the integration of emission and absorption spectra along the ray line-by-line, a spectral radiance is calculated, multiplied with the spectral filter transmittance and then integrated into total radiance. The values of total radiances at the window edge are visualised as a simulated 2D image. Such images are comparable with the OH* measurement images. The modelling of refraction effects results in up to 20 % of total radiance range absolute difference compared to line-of-sight integration. The implementation of accurate self-absorption corrects significant over-prediction, which occurs if the flame is assumed to be optically thin. Modelling of refraction results in images with recognisable areas where the effect of a liquid oxygen (LOx) jet core can be observed, as the light is significantly refracted. The algorithm is parallelised and thus ready for use on big computational clusters. It uses partial pre-computation of spectra to reduce computational effort.

A reação de Fenton é o nome dado à oxidação de ferro(II) a ferro(III) pela água oxigenada, uma reação que produz espécies com alto poder oxidante como o radical hidroxila. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia espectrofotométrica para o acompanhamento da formação de ferro(III) nos momentos iniciais da reação de Fenton. Esta metodologia foi aplicada a quatro conjuntos de reações: (A) o sistema Fenton simples, contendo apenas ferro(II) e H2O2; (B) o sistema A contendo isopropanol, um substrato orgânico simples que sofre principalmente oxidação a acetona; (C) o sistema A contendo o catalisador 3,5-di-terc-butil-catecol (H2DTBCat); (D) o sistema C mais isopropanol, que corresponde ao sistema catalítico completo. Em cada conjunto, variou-se as concentrações de ferro(II) e H2O2. Um modelo cinético, baseado num conjunto de reações explícitas e as respectivas constantes de velocidade, foi desenvolvido para simular a velocidade de formação de ferro(III) para estes quatro conjuntos de reações. Utilizando reações relatadas na literatura, o modelo forneceu simulações que reproduziram satisfatoriamente os dados experimentais dos conjuntos A e B. No caso dos conjuntos C e D, porém, foi necessário propor uma etapa envolvendo a formação de ferro(IV) ou ferril, estabilizado por complexação com o H2DTBCat. Entretanto, mesmo com a inclusão desta espécie, o modelo não captou a complexidade do sistema em altas concentrações de peróxido e ferro. Esta falha foi atribuída à rápida degradação competitiva do H2DTBCat nestas condições, com a subseqüente participação destes produtos de degradação na reação ou como co-catalisadores ou como inibidores. / The Fenton reaction is the name given to the oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III) by hydrogen peroxide, a reaction that produces highly oxidizing species like the hydroxyl radical. In this work, a spectrophotometric methodology is developed to accompany the formation of iron(III) during the initial moments of the Fenton reaction. This methodology was applied to four sets of reactions: (A) the simple Fenton system, containing only iron(II) and H2O2; (B) system A containing isopropanol, a simple substrate that undergoes principally oxidation to acetone; (C) system A containing the catalyst 3,5-di-tert-butyl-catechol (H2DTBCat); (D) system C plus isopropanol, corresponding to the complete catalytic system. For each set of reactions, the concentrations of iron(II) and H2O2 were varied. A kinetic model, based on explicit chemical reactions and their respective rate constants, was developed to simulate the the rate of formation of iron(III) for these four sets of reactions above. Using reactions described in the literature, the model produced simulations that satisfactorily reproduced the experimental data of sets A and B. In the case of sets C and D, however, it was necessary to propose an additional step involving the formation of iron(IV) or ferril, stabilized by complexation with H2DTBCat. Nonetheless, even with the inclusion of this species, the model failed to capture the complexity of the system at high concentrations of peroxide and iron. This failure was attributed to the rapid competitive degradation of H2DTBCat under these conditions, with the subsequent participation of the degradation products in the reaction as either co-catalysts or inhibitors.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:42:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:04:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP