<p>When cylinders for motor saws are manufactured there are high demands on the cylinders strength and wearing qualities. Aluminum is a material with low density and is used by Husqvarna AB for their motor saw cylinders. The aluminum is strengthening with nickel that is attached to the cylinders through electrolysis. When aluminum is in contact with oxygen a film of oxide is formed. To eliminate the oxide and to prevent formation of new oxide zinc is used. The cylinders are dipped into a bath of zinc before they pass on to a pre-nickel process, which purpose is to remove the excess of zinc so the “real” nickel process won’t be contaminated. In the process there is a selective bath where zinc is precipitated on sheet-metals through electrolysis. The problem is that while zinc is precipitated so is nickel and in a much greater extend, about 1 % zinc and 99 % nickel.</p><p>Husqvarna AB needs a technique to increase precipitation of zinc and reduce the precipitation of nickel. A small copy of the selective bath was constructed where adjustments of different parameters were possible. In the bath there was an anode of nickel, a cathode, process liquid, a pump for stirring and a plant installation from an aquarium for the temperature. In the bath different voltages, distance between anode – cathode and different sheets of metal were tested. Every test were in progress for about three days and then pieces of sheet-metals were cut and sent for analysis of zinc/nickel percentage.</p><p>A couple of the tested sheet-metals didn’t work and the ones that did work showed no special difference in zinc/nickel percentage. An increase in distance between the anode and cathode showed a small difference but not much. The alteration that showed to be most effective was to decrease the voltage. The normal voltage is 2, 8 V but when it was decreased to 2, 0 V it gave a much better result. The layer on the sheet-metal showed to contain 12 % zinc and 88 % nickel. A couple of other tests were performed with decreased voltage but no one gave as good result as 2, 0 V. If Husqvarna AB shall be able to use a lower voltage they need a greater cathode surface then they have today. That is because of the lower reaction rate. The lower reaction rate conducts an increasing amount of zinc in the bath and an electrolysis that doesn’t work completely.</p><p>Other methods for precipitation could have been tested e.g. change of anode, precipitation of zinc as a salt or a powder that could have been filtrated or a process that reduces the excess of zinc. To test any of these methods big changes in the process structure would be needed which costs both time and money. The authors therefore concluded that the best thing for Husqvarna AB to do is to increase the cathode surface by connecting another bath next to the existent.</p> / <p>Vid tillverkning av motorsågscylindrar ställs det höga krav på att de är tåliga och slitstarka. På Husqvarna AB tillverkas motorsågscylindrar av aluminium som är ett material med låg densitet. Aluminiumet förstärks med nickel som genom elektrolys fästs på cylindrarna. På aluminium bildas ett oxidskikt i kontakt med syre och för att eliminera skiktet samt undvika bildning av ny oxid så doppas cylindrarna i zink innan elektrolysen. Cylindrarna doppas hela i ett zinkatbad innan de går vidare till en förförnicklingsprocess som bland annat är till för att bli av med överflödigt zink så att det inte förorenar det ”riktiga” nickelbadet. I processen finns ett selektivt bad där zink fälls ut genom elektrolys på plåtar. Problemet är att samtidigt som zink fälls ut så fälls också nickel ut och i större mängd, ca 1 % zink respektive 99 % nickel.</p><p>Husqvarna AB behöver en teknik som ökar utfällning av zink samtidigt som nickelutfällning reduceras. En liten kopia konstruerades av det selektiva badet där justering av olika parametrar kunde utföras. I badet användes en plåtkatod och en nickelanod, vätska från processen, en pump för omrörning och ett akvarieaggregat för värme. I testbaljan provades ändringar av spänning, avstånd anod – katod och olika material som katod. Varje bad kördes ca tre dagar och sedan klipptes bitar av plåtarna bort och skickades iväg för analys av zink/nickelhalt.</p><p>Det visade sig att ett par av de testade plåtarna inte fungerade och de som fungerade visade ingen större skillnad i zink/nickelhalt. En ökning av avstånd mellan katod och anod gav en liten procentskillnad men inte tillräcklig. Den parameterändring som visade sig vara mest effektiv var att sänka spänningen. Normalt ligger spänningen på 2,8 V men när den sänktes till 2,0 V gav det bättre resultat. Skiktet på plåten visade sig nu innehålla ca 12 % zink och 88 % nickel. Ytterligare försök gjordes med lägre spänning men ingen gav lika bra resultat som 2,0 V. För att Husqvarna AB ska kunna använda lägre spänning kräver det en ökad katodyta än vad som finns i dagsläget, på grund av en lägre reaktionshastighet. Lägre reaktionshastighet leder till en för snabb ökning av zink i badet och en dåligt fungerande elektrolys.</p><p>Andra metoder för utfällning hade kunnat provats t ex byte av anod, fälla ut zink som ett salt eller pulver som sedan filtrerats bort eller en process för att minska överflödet av zink. Alla dessa metoder kräver att Husqvarna AB gör en omfattande omstrukturering av processen vilket kräver både tid och pengar. Därför kom författarna fram till att en ökad katodyta i form av ett nytt bad anslutet till det gamla vore den bästa lösningen för Husqvarna AB.</p>

When cylinders for motor saws are manufactured there are high demands on the cylinders strength and wearing qualities. Aluminum is a material with low density and is used by Husqvarna AB for their motor saw cylinders. The aluminum is strengthening with nickel that is attached to the cylinders through electrolysis. When aluminum is in contact with oxygen a film of oxide is formed. To eliminate the oxide and to prevent formation of new oxide zinc is used. The cylinders are dipped into a bath of zinc before they pass on to a pre-nickel process, which purpose is to remove the excess of zinc so the “real” nickel process won’t be contaminated. In the process there is a selective bath where zinc is precipitated on sheet-metals through electrolysis. The problem is that while zinc is precipitated so is nickel and in a much greater extend, about 1 % zinc and 99 % nickel. Husqvarna AB needs a technique to increase precipitation of zinc and reduce the precipitation of nickel. A small copy of the selective bath was constructed where adjustments of different parameters were possible. In the bath there was an anode of nickel, a cathode, process liquid, a pump for stirring and a plant installation from an aquarium for the temperature. In the bath different voltages, distance between anode – cathode and different sheets of metal were tested. Every test were in progress for about three days and then pieces of sheet-metals were cut and sent for analysis of zinc/nickel percentage. A couple of the tested sheet-metals didn’t work and the ones that did work showed no special difference in zinc/nickel percentage. An increase in distance between the anode and cathode showed a small difference but not much. The alteration that showed to be most effective was to decrease the voltage. The normal voltage is 2, 8 V but when it was decreased to 2, 0 V it gave a much better result. The layer on the sheet-metal showed to contain 12 % zinc and 88 % nickel. A couple of other tests were performed with decreased voltage but no one gave as good result as 2, 0 V. If Husqvarna AB shall be able to use a lower voltage they need a greater cathode surface then they have today. That is because of the lower reaction rate. The lower reaction rate conducts an increasing amount of zinc in the bath and an electrolysis that doesn’t work completely. Other methods for precipitation could have been tested e.g. change of anode, precipitation of zinc as a salt or a powder that could have been filtrated or a process that reduces the excess of zinc. To test any of these methods big changes in the process structure would be needed which costs both time and money. The authors therefore concluded that the best thing for Husqvarna AB to do is to increase the cathode surface by connecting another bath next to the existent. / Vid tillverkning av motorsågscylindrar ställs det höga krav på att de är tåliga och slitstarka. På Husqvarna AB tillverkas motorsågscylindrar av aluminium som är ett material med låg densitet. Aluminiumet förstärks med nickel som genom elektrolys fästs på cylindrarna. På aluminium bildas ett oxidskikt i kontakt med syre och för att eliminera skiktet samt undvika bildning av ny oxid så doppas cylindrarna i zink innan elektrolysen. Cylindrarna doppas hela i ett zinkatbad innan de går vidare till en förförnicklingsprocess som bland annat är till för att bli av med överflödigt zink så att det inte förorenar det ”riktiga” nickelbadet. I processen finns ett selektivt bad där zink fälls ut genom elektrolys på plåtar. Problemet är att samtidigt som zink fälls ut så fälls också nickel ut och i större mängd, ca 1 % zink respektive 99 % nickel. Husqvarna AB behöver en teknik som ökar utfällning av zink samtidigt som nickelutfällning reduceras. En liten kopia konstruerades av det selektiva badet där justering av olika parametrar kunde utföras. I badet användes en plåtkatod och en nickelanod, vätska från processen, en pump för omrörning och ett akvarieaggregat för värme. I testbaljan provades ändringar av spänning, avstånd anod – katod och olika material som katod. Varje bad kördes ca tre dagar och sedan klipptes bitar av plåtarna bort och skickades iväg för analys av zink/nickelhalt. Det visade sig att ett par av de testade plåtarna inte fungerade och de som fungerade visade ingen större skillnad i zink/nickelhalt. En ökning av avstånd mellan katod och anod gav en liten procentskillnad men inte tillräcklig. Den parameterändring som visade sig vara mest effektiv var att sänka spänningen. Normalt ligger spänningen på 2,8 V men när den sänktes till 2,0 V gav det bättre resultat. Skiktet på plåten visade sig nu innehålla ca 12 % zink och 88 % nickel. Ytterligare försök gjordes med lägre spänning men ingen gav lika bra resultat som 2,0 V. För att Husqvarna AB ska kunna använda lägre spänning kräver det en ökad katodyta än vad som finns i dagsläget, på grund av en lägre reaktionshastighet. Lägre reaktionshastighet leder till en för snabb ökning av zink i badet och en dåligt fungerande elektrolys. Andra metoder för utfällning hade kunnat provats t ex byte av anod, fälla ut zink som ett salt eller pulver som sedan filtrerats bort eller en process för att minska överflödet av zink. Alla dessa metoder kräver att Husqvarna AB gör en omfattande omstrukturering av processen vilket kräver både tid och pengar. Därför kom författarna fram till att en ökad katodyta i form av ett nytt bad anslutet till det gamla vore den bästa lösningen för Husqvarna AB.

Biomass combustion is an interesting alternative to fossil fuel. Modeling and simulation is used for design optimization of biomass boilers and furnace. It is difficult to develop a sufficiently accurate and computationally efficient model because the combustion system is highly complicated multi-scale, multi-phase and multi-physics problem. The study of biomass combustion in different scales allows engineers to understand the combustion process and tochoose necessary simplification to develop a computationally efficient model.The chemical and physical properties of fuels are altered during different fuel preparation methods (i.e. pretreatment and pelletization), and as a result the fuel conversion is also affected. The aim of this thesis is to understand thermal conversion of those chemically or physically altered fuels. Both experimental and modeling techniques were chosen to addressthe aim. Experiments were performed in thermogravimetric analysers, isothermal macro thermogravimeters (iTG), and a pot furnace to account fuel conversion in micro-, meso- and macro scale. In addition, three different types of mathematical model were developed. They are (i) a simplified particle pyrolysis model, (ii) two detailed numerical models that simulate particle pyrolysis and char oxidation and (iii) finally a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of combustion of biomass particles in a bed. The results indicate that both the intrinsic and the apparent conversion of the fuel wasinfluenced by the process conditions of fuel preparation methods. Intrinsic pyrolysis reactivitywas reduced due to mild pretreatment; however, it was increased with further increase in pretreatment severity. In contrary, severity of pelletization tends to reduce the apparent reactivity of pellets combustion. It was also investigated that how each physical and chemical parameter should be modelledfor a untreated biomass (i.e. wood logs) and a densified biomass (i.e. pellets) through parametric studies with a detailed particle simulation. The result shows that a model for wood logs should exclude convective heat transfer by volatiles if the fibers align to longitude direction while it is important part in the models for pellets. Devolatilization of wood logs was expressed as endothermic reactions while the model results showed best agreement withexperimental data of wood pellets when the heat of reaction was assumed to be zero, possibly due to the secondary reactions. Then, it was demonstrated that a constitutive equation, i.e. analytical solution of the shrinking core model, is sufficient to express devolatilization rate of thermally-thick particles at the temperature of 1173 K. While studying apparent oxidation of wood pellet char , it was found that change in intrinsic char oxidation reactivity due to different pyrolysis conditions does not influences the model prediction at high temperature. In addition, at high temperature, the reaction front became thin and reaction rate was hardly affected by temperature.It was also found by the simulation of pellet bed combustion that the apparent density of the particle significantly affected the flame velocity. / Godkänd; 2015; 20150925 (amibis); Nedanstående person kommer att disputera för avläggande av teknologie doktorsexamen. Namn: Amit Biswas Ämne: Energiteknik/Energy Technology Avhandling: Effect of Chemical and Physical Properties on Combustion of Biomass Particle. Opponent: Professor Fabrizio Scala, Dept of Chemical, Materials and Process Engineering, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy. Ordförande: Bitr professor Kentaro Umeki, Avd för energivetenskap, Institutionen för teknikvetenskap och matematik, Luleå tekniska universitet, Luleå. Tid: Torsdag 19 november, 2015 kl 10.00 Plats: E231, Luleå tekniska universitet

The topic of this thesis is carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS), which is a technology that is currently being promoted by industries, scientists and governments, among others, in order to mitigate climate change despite a continued use of fossil fuels. Because of the complex nature of CCS and the risks it entails, it is controversial. The aim of this thesis is to analyse how the technology may be further developed in a responsible manner. In the first part of the thesis different methods for capturing CO2 from industrial processes as well as power plants are analysed. The aim is to identify early opportunities for CO2 capture, which is considered important because of the urgency of the climate change problem. Three potential early opportunities are studied: i) capturing CO2 from calcining processes such as cement industries by using the oxyfuel process, ii) capturing CO2 from pressurised flue gas, and iii) capturing CO2 from hybrid combined cycles. Each opportunity has properties that may make them competitive in comparison to the more common alternatives if CCS is realised. However, there are also drawbacks. For example, while capturing CO2 from pressurised flue gas enables the use of more compact capture plant designs as well as less expensive and less toxic absorbents, the concept is neither suitable for retrofitting nor has it been promoted by the large and influential corporations. The second part of the thesis has a broader scope than the first and is multidisciplinary in its nature with inspiration from the research field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). The approach is to critically analyse stakeholder percep-tions regarding CCS, with a specific focus on the CCS experts. The thesis sheds new light on the complexity and scientific uncertainty of CCS as well as on the optimism among many of its proponents. Because of the uncertain development when it comes to climate change, fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, the conclusion is that CCS has to be further developed and demonstrated. A responsible strategy for a future development of CCS would benefit from: i) a search for win-win strategies, ii) increasing use of appropriate analytical tools such as life-cycle analysis, iii) a consideration of fossil fuel scarcity and increasing price volatility, iv) funding of unbiased research and v) increasing simultaneous investments in long-term solutions such as renewable energy alternatives and efficiency improvements. / QC 20100727

The purpose of this thesis was to develop an economical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly straw Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) process, capable of full-scale manufacturing and to produce MDF of requested quality. The investigated straw was based on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryzae sativa L.). In this thesis three different methods were taken for manufacture of straw MDF; (A) wheat-straw fibre was blowline blended with melamine-modified urea-formaldehyde (MUF), (B) rice-straw fibre was mixed with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) in a resin drum-blender, and (C) wheat-straw fibre was activated in the blowline by the addition of Fenton’s reagent (H2O2/Fe2+) for production of non-resin MDF panels.  The MUF/wheat straw MDF panels were approved according to the requirements of the EN standard for MDF (EN 622-5, 2006). The MDI/rice-straw MDF panels were approved according to requirements of the standard for MDF of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI A208.2-2002). The non-resin wheat-straw panels showed mediocre MDF panel properties and were not approved according to the requirements in the MDF standard. The dry process for wood-based MDF was modified for production of straw MDF. The straw MDF process was divided into seven main process steps. 1.       Size-reduction (hammer-milling) and screening of straw 2.       Wetting and heating of straw 3.       Defibration 4.       Resination of straw fibre 5.       Mat forming 6.       Pre-pressing 7.       Hot-pressing       The primary results were that the straw MDF process was capable of providing satisfactory straw MDF panels based on different types of straw species and adhesives. Moreover, the straw MDF process was performed in pilot-plant scale and demonstrated as a suitable method for producing straw MDF from straw bales to finished straw MDF panels. In the environmental perspective the agricultural straw-waste is a suitable source for producing MDF to avoid open field burning and to capture carbon dioxide (CO2), the biological sink for extended time into MDF panels, instead of converting straw directly into bio energy or applying straw fibre a few times as recycled paper. Additionally, the straw MDF panels can be recycled or converted to energy after utilization. A relationship between water retention value (WRV) of resinated straw fibres, the thickness swelling of corresponding straw MDF panels, and the amount of applied adhesive was determined. WRV of the straw fibre increased and the TS of straw MDF declined as a function of the resin content. The empirical models developed were of acceptable significance and the R2 values were 0.69 (WRV) and 0.75 (TS), respectively. Reduced thickness swelling of MDF as the resin content is increased is well-known. The increase of WRV as a function of added polymers is not completely established within the science of fibre swelling. Fortunately, more fundamental research can be initiated and likely a simple method for prediction of thickness swelling of MDF by analysis of the dried and resinated MDF fibres is possible. / Syftet med denna avhandling var att lägga grunden för en ekonomisk, hållbar och miljövänlig MDF process för halmråvara, kapabel för fullskalig produktion av MDF och goda skivegenskaper. Framställningen av MDF skivor utgick från halm av vete (Triticum aestivum L.) och ris (Oryzae sativa L.). Tre olika metoder användes för att producera MDF av halm; (A) fibrer av vetehalm belimmades i blåsledning med ett melaminmodifierat urea-formaldehydlim (MUF), (B) fibrer av rishalm belimmades i en limblandare med metylen difenyl diisocyanate (MDI), (C) Limfria MDF skivor av vetehalm framställdes med aktivering av fibrer genom tillsats av Fenton´s reagens (H2O2/Fe2+) i blåsledning utan någon tillsats av syntetiskt lim. Sammanfattningsvis kan det understrykas att framställda MDF-skivor av MUF/vetehalm var godkända enligt standard för MDF (EN 622-5, 2006). Dessutom var framställda MDF skivor av MDI/rishalm också godkända enligt krav i standard för MDF ”American National Standard Institute” (ANSI A2008.2-2002). Limfria vetehalmskivor visade på måttliga skivegenskaper och klarade inte kraven i MDF standard.   Fiberframställningsprocessen för MDF modifierades till en produktion utgående från halm. MDF processen för halm delades upp i sju primära processoperationer.   (1)            Storleksreducering och sållning av halm (2)            Vätning och uppvärmning av halm (3)            Defibrering (4)            Belimning av halmfiber (5)            Mattformning (6)            Förpressning (7)            Pressning   De viktigaste resultaten från denna studie är att MDF av halm kunde produceras utgående från olika typer av halmsorter och lim. Dessutom utfördes MDF-processen i pilotskala och visade på en lämplig metod för framställning av MDF-skivor från halmbalar till färdiga halmfiberskivor. Det miljömässiga perspektivet på att använda jordbruksavfall till framställning av halmskivor är att undvika förbränning av halm ute på fältet, men det är även möjligt att binda koldioxid (CO2) i halmskivor under längre tid än att omsätta halmråvaran omedelbart som bioenergi eller använda halmfiber som returpapper några få gånger. Dessutom kan MDF återanvändas eller bli omsatt till energi efter användning.   Ett förhållande mellan ”water retention value” (WRV), av belimmade halmfiber, tjocklekssvällning för motsvarande MDF av halmskivor och mängden av tillsatt lim vid olika nivåer har undersökts. Med ökande limhalt tilltog WRV fibersvällning, vidare minskade tjocklekssvällning för motsvarande MDF skivor. De framtagna empiriska modellerna var godtagbara och beräknade R2 värden var 0.69 (WRV) och 0.75 (TS). Minskad tjocklekssvällning med ökad limhalt är dokumenterad sen tidigare. Ökad fibersvällning WRV vid tillsats av polymerer (limmer) är inte fullständigt etablerad inom vetenskapen för fibersvällning. Lyckligtvis kan grundläggande forskning initieras och sannolikt föreligger en enkel metod för att prediktera tjocklekssvällning av MDF genom analyser av torkade och belimmad MDF fiber.