Os metais duros constituem um grupo de materiais conhecidos como compósitos sinterizados que associam fases duras (carbetos), com uma fase metálica, sendo amplamente utilizados em aplicações em que se deseja elevada dureza e resistência ao desgaste, aliada à alta tenacidade. Neste trabalho apresentam-se os resultados da adição de 1% em peso dos elementos Nb, Ti, Cr e Mo na microestrutura do metal duro a partir de um compósito comercial de WC-6Co. A este compósito foi adicionado 1,5% (em peso) de estearato de zinco como lubrificante e sinterizados na temperatura de 1450 °C numa atmosfera de Argônio. Com o objetivo de analisar a eficiência do produto, realizou-se a caracterização microestrutural por meio dos ensaios de densidade à verde, da contração volumétrica, da densidade da sinterização, da microestrutura e da microdureza. / Hard metals are a group of materials known as sintered composites, that join hard phases (carbides) and a tough metallic phase, being widely used in applications where high hardness and wear resistance combined with high toughness are necessary. This work presents the results of addition of 1% (wt %) of the elements Nb, Ti, Cr and Mo on the microstructure of the WC-6Co commercial composite. 1,5% (wt %) zinc stearate was added as a lubricant and the samples were sintered at 1450 ºC under an argon atmosphere. The samples obtained were characterized using green density, shrinkage, sintered density and microhardness tests as well as microstructural analysis.

Os metais duros constituem um grupo de materiais conhecidos como compósitos sinterizados que associam fases duras (carbetos), com uma fase metálica, sendo amplamente utilizados em aplicações em que se deseja elevada dureza e resistência ao desgaste, aliada à alta tenacidade. Neste trabalho apresentam-se os resultados da adição de 1% em peso dos elementos Nb, Ti, Cr e Mo na microestrutura do metal duro a partir de um compósito comercial de WC-6Co. A este compósito foi adicionado 1,5% (em peso) de estearato de zinco como lubrificante e sinterizados na temperatura de 1450 °C numa atmosfera de Argônio. Com o objetivo de analisar a eficiência do produto, realizou-se a caracterização microestrutural por meio dos ensaios de densidade à verde, da contração volumétrica, da densidade da sinterização, da microestrutura e da microdureza. / Hard metals are a group of materials known as sintered composites, that join hard phases (carbides) and a tough metallic phase, being widely used in applications where high hardness and wear resistance combined with high toughness are necessary. This work presents the results of addition of 1% (wt %) of the elements Nb, Ti, Cr and Mo on the microstructure of the WC-6Co commercial composite. 1,5% (wt %) zinc stearate was added as a lubricant and the samples were sintered at 1450 ºC under an argon atmosphere. The samples obtained were characterized using green density, shrinkage, sintered density and microhardness tests as well as microstructural analysis.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-05-20T12:43:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação - Tatiane.pdf: 2400927 bytes, checksum: e91e3e168b7881ff6ab88a037e3529ff (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-20T12:43:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação - Tatiane.pdf: 2400927 bytes, checksum: e91e3e168b7881ff6ab88a037e3529ff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-24 / CNPq / O lixiviado é definido como a mistura do líquido gerado na decomposição anaeróbia da matéria orgânica (MO) juntamente com a umidade natural e a água que constitui a MO presente dentro da massa de resíduos sólidos urbanos, além da água de infiltração proveniente das precipitações. No Brasil, um dos processos mais utilizados para o tratamento de lixiviados é os sistema de lagoas. Todavia, com o passar do tempo, irá se acumular em no fundo das lagoas, reduzindo seu volume útil e, consequentemente, o tempo de detenção hidráulica e a eficiência do sistema. Neste contexto, o lodo gerado do tratamento do lixiviado é um problema atual para o meio ambiente, dado a sua forma semi-sólido e elevada concentração de MO resultar em um fator complicador para o transporte e disposição final. Nesse caso é necessário reduzir o volume de água do lodo por meio de técnicas como a secagem natural ou térmica, filtro prensa, adensador, centrífugas e as geomembranas. Essas são confeccionadas em tecido de polipropileno de alta resistência e desempenha a função de reter as partículas sólidas, assim como permitir a drenagem do líquido. Neste estudo foi avaliado o desague do lodo gerado na Estação de Tratamento de Lixiviado do Aterro da Muribeca por geomembranas. O lodo foi coletado e acondicionado em 3 bags (sem coagulante, com coagulante e com coagulante na 1ª semana) durante um período de 3 meses. Foram realizadas análises para caracterização do lodo e do líquido drenado. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o uso do polímero foi eficaz para a remoção da cor e da turbidez. Porém o drenado apresentou elevada concentração de MO, havendo a necessidade de um tratamento. O balanço de massa realizado apresentou uma eficiência de 94,92%, 96% e 96,93% na remoção de sólidos totais (ST) para os bags sem polímero, com polímero e com polímero na 1ª alimentação, respectivamente. Para a análise do material interno contido no bag, foi realizado o teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade para os parâmetros ph, ST, sólidos totais voláteis e carbono orgânico total. Com isso observou que para nenhum dos três tratamentos houve diferença significativa estatisticamente. Para estas variáveis tanto faz fazer o uso do polímero ou não. / Leachate is defined as a mixture of the liquid generated from organic matter (OM) anaerobic decomposition along with natural moisture and water, which composes the OM present within the urban solid waste, apart from the infiltration of rainfall water. One of the most used process for leachate treatment in Brazil is the lagoon system. However, over time, the leachate will accumulate at the lagoon’s bottom, thus decreasing its useful volume and, consequently, the hydraulic detention time and system efficiency. Therefore, sludge generated from the leachate treatment is a current issue for the environment, given its semi-solid form and elevated OM concentration result in a complicating factor for transport and final disposal. In this case, it is necessary to reduce sludge’s water volume through techniques, such as natural or thermal drying, filter press, concentrator, centrifuge and geomembranes. The latter are made of high-resistance polypropylene fabric and performs the function of retaining solid particles, as well as allowing liquid drainage. In the present study, it was evaluated the drainage of the sludge derived from the leachate treatment plant of Aterro da Muribeca through geomembranes. Sludge samples were collect and stored in 3 bags (without coagulant, with coagulant and with coagulant in the first week) during 3 months. Analyses to characterize the sludge and the drained liquid were performed. The results indicated that the use of polymer was efficient to remove color and turbidity. On the other hand, the drained liquid presented high OM concentration, thus needing further treatment. The performed mass balance showed an efficiency of 94.92%, 96% and 96.93% on the removal of total solids (TS) for the bags without polymer, with polymer and with polymer in the first week, respectively. Regarding the material within the bag, Tukey’s test at the level of 5% of probability was performed for the following attributes: ph, TS, total volatile solids and total organic carbon. There was no significant difference among the three treatments, indicating that, for those variables, the use of the polymer is optional.

O aumento da demanda de água potável e por conseqüência dos resíduos gerados, tem levado a indústria da água no Brasil, composto por aproximadamente 7500 ETAs, a deparar-se com dispendiosos ônus técnicos e financeiros no gerenciamento destes resíduos. Os sólidos, e, inclusive metais são os principais constituintes dos resíduos gerados durante o tratamento de água, sejam nos decantadores ou filtros. A compreensão da produção dos metais e sólidos em um ETA, assume grande importância. Apresenta-se neste estudo, os aspectos que envolvem a presença de metais e sólidos no tratamento de água. Realizou-se a avaliação dos metais nas diferentes etapas do tratamento de água. Realizou-se a avaliação dos metais nas diferentes etapas do tratamento, assim como a estimativa de produção de sólidos suspensos totais e em metais em uma ETA convencional que utiliza como coagulante sulfato de alumínio. Para tanto foram coletadas amostras de água de diferentes etapas do tratamento (captação, coagulação, floculação/sedimentação, filtração e estabilização final) e dos resíduos de decantadores e água de lavagem dos filtros ETA/São Carlos-SAAE. Os metais foram determinados em espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica, com pré-concentração de metais em coluna de troca iônica (resina catiônica fortemente ácida). A liberação de material dissolvido foi observada, ao longo das unidades de tratamento; parcela dos sólidos dissolvidos liberados são constituídos de metais dissolvidos ressolubilizados e/ou não removidos. Entretanto, tais afirmações são passíveis de estudos complementares. Na água tratada foram verificadas concentrações de chumbo, acima do limite de 10 &#956/L estabelecido pelo Padrão de Potabilidade, Portaria nº 1469/2000. A partir do balanço de massa e de análises realizadas nos resíduos estimou-se a produção diária de sólidos e de metais, e verificou-se retenção, nos decantadores, principalmente da fração particulada dos metais. A adição de produtos químicos contribuiu com cerca de 37% dos sólidos produzidos na ETA/São Carlos. / The increase in the demand for drinking water and consequently in the generated residues, has taking the Brazilian industry of water, composed of approximately 7500 WTPs, to come across high technical and financial costs in the management of these residues. Metals and solids are the main constituents of the residues generated during the water treatment, either in the sedimentation tank or in filters. Thus the understanding of the production of metals and solids in a WTP is of assumes great importance. This study presents the aspects that involve the presence of metals and solids in the water treatment. The evaluation of the metals in different stages of the treatment, as well as the estimate of the production of solids and metals in a conventional ETA using aluminum sulfate as coagulant have been carried out. Samples of water were collected in different stages of the treatment (raw water, coagulation, flocculation/sedimentation, filtration and finished water) from sludge coagulant and filter backwash waters of WTP/São Carlos-SAAE. The metals were determined in spectrophotomic of atomic absorption, with pre-concentration of metals in column ofionic change (strongly acid resin cationic). The release of dissolved material was observed, along the units of treatment; part of the relesead dissolved solids is constituted by ressolubilized and/or removed dissolved metals. However, such statements are susceptible to complementary studies. In the treated water lead concentrations were verified, above the limit of 10 &#956g/L established by the Standard for Drinking Water, nº 1469/2000. From the mass balance and the analyses accomplished in the residues the daily production of solids and metals, was estimated and retention of mainly particulate fraction of metals was verified, in sedimentation tanks. The addition of chemical products contributed with approximately 37% of the solids produced at WTP/São Carlos.

Lofty Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayan (HKH) mountain ranges centered in the Northern Pakistan are host to some of the world’s largest glaciers outside the Polar Regions and are a source of water for drinking and irrigation to the millions of people living downstream. With the increase in the global temperatures, glaciers are reported as retreating globally. However, some of the glaciers in the Karakoram mountain ranges are reported as surging with positive mass balance, especially since the 1990s. This phenomenon is described as "The Karakoram Anomaly". Various efforts have been made to explain the state and fate of the HKH glaciers in the recent past. However, they are limited to quantification of the change in temperature, precipitation and river runoff, or through their impact on future climate projections. For the HKH region, temperature fluctuations have been out of the phase with hemispheric trends for past several centuries. Therefore, climate change in this region is not solely the temperature effect on melting as compared to other glaciated regions. To identify the reasons for the establishment of the Karakoram Anomaly, monthly mean climatic variables for last five decades, reported from meteorological observatories at the valley floors in HKH region, are analyzed. In addition to the climatic variables of temperature and precipitation, monthly mean synoptic observations reported by meteorological observatories in both morning and afternoon, along with monthly mean radiosonde data are used. From these data the role of different near-surface and upper atmospheric meteorological variables in maintaining the positive mass balance of the glaciers and the development of the Karakoram Anomaly can be explained. An overall warming in the region is observed. The trends in the summer temperatures, which were reported as decreasing a decade ago, are now found as increasing in updated time series. However, the overall gradient is still negative. The winter mean and maximum temperatures are increasing with accelerated trends. Both maximum and minimum temperatures in summer are not diverging anymore and the diurnal temperature range is decreasing in the most recent decade. The afternoon cloudiness is found as increasing throughout the year except for spring, which is indicative of an increase in convective uplifting. Moreover, humidity is increasing all over the region; due to evaporation in the spring, from monsoon moisture advection in summer, and due to the recycling of monsoon moisture in autumn. Furthermore, near-surface wind speed and net radiation in the region are decreasing, explaining the decrease in the summer minimum temperature and the presence of the cloudy skies. The decrease in near-surface wind speed, and net radiation, and increase in water vapor pressure put a limit on the evapotranspiration process. In addition, winter and summer precipitation is increasing. The aridity index, which is based on the ratio of precipitation and reference evaporation, indicates that region is turning moisture surplus and energy deficient. Surface atmospheric pressure and 700 hPa geopotential height is increasing due to warming in the bottom layers of the troposphere. Nighttime inversion in the lower tropospheric layers is decreasing due to warming. Analysis of gridded observed and reanalysis datasets indicates that they are not presenting a signal of change in accordance with the instrumental record. Furthermore, it is found that meteorological conditions during the summer season are still favorable for the sustenance of glaciers whereas more melting may occur in the spring season that may increase the early season river flows and may affect lower lying portions of the debris-free glaciers.

Naturvårdsverket rankar övergödningen som det allvarligaste hotet mot Östersjön. Strategin för att bekämpa övergödningen i Östersjön har varit att reducera antropogena utsläpp av fosfor och kväve från punktkällor och diffusa källor. Många forskare anser att primärproduktionen i egentliga Östersjön huvudsakligen är begränsad av kväve varför Sverige har infört ett ambitiöst och kostsamt program för avancerad kväverening på reningsverk. Andra experter hävdar istället att reducerade kväveutsläpp är meningslösa eller rent av skadliga. I ljuset av dessa fundamentalt olika åsikter och de helt motsatta strategier de innebär syftar denna studie till att försöka klargöra vilka åtgärder som borde vidtas för att minska övergödningen genom att undersöka området Himmerfjärden som ofta används som ett exempel på lyckad kväverening. Området har också studerats intensivt sedan 1970-talet. Detta arbete har använt en processbaserad dynamisk massbalansmodell för salt för att beräkna vattenutbytestider i Himmerfjärden. Flöden av vatten och näringsämnen till och från fjärden har beräknats och det har visats att bidraget av kväve och fosfor till Himmerfjärden från reningsverket är mycket marginellt jämfört med bidraget från Östersjön. Denna studie har också genom att granska litteratur och mätdata från Himmerfjärden visat att det finns goda skäl att ifrågasätta hypotesen om att primärproduktionen i Himmerfjärden skulle vara långsiktigt begränsad av kväve. Resultaten av denna studie kommer att användas i framtida massbalansmodelleringar av fosfor, kväve och cyanobakterier i Himmerfjärden. / The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has ranked eutrophication as the most severe threat to the Baltic Sea. The strategy to combat the eutrophication in the Baltic has been to reduce antrophogenous emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen from point and diffuse sources. Many scientists argue that the primary production in the Baltic proper is primarily limited by nitrogen which is why Sweden and other countries have implemented an ambitious and expensive program of advanced nitrogen removal in sewage treatment plants. Other experts argue that reduced nitrogen load to the Baltic Sea is either pointless or even harmful. In the light of these fundamentally different views and the very opposite management strategies they imply, this study aims to more bring clarity to which measures should be taken to reduce eutrophiction by investigating the area of Himmerfjärden. Himmerfjärden is often used as an example of successful removal of nitrogen and the area has been intensively monitored since the 1970’s. This work used a process-based dynamic mass balance model for salt to calculate water retention times in Himmerfjärden. Water and nutrient flows to and from the bay have been calculated. It was shown that the contribution of nutrients to Himmerfjärden from the treatment plant is small compared to the contribution from the Baltic Sea. This study showed by reviewing literature on Himmerfjärden that there are good reasons to question the hypothesis of Himmerfjärden being nitrogen limited in the long-run. The findings of this study will be used in future mass balance modelling of phosphorus, nitrogen and cyanobacteria in Himmerfjärden.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Previous studies have shown that the use of chloride mass balance (CMB) method is a suitable and practical approach to estimate groundwater recharge. This enables the prediction of groundwater availability to inform practical strategies for managing groundwater resources. However, such studies have largely applied the chloride mass balance method on national and catchment scales with limited focus on quaternary catchment level (QCL). Neglecting the chloride mass balance method at quaternary catchment level limits practical management and utilization of water resources at quaternary catchment level. The goal of the current study was to prove that 1) the chloride mass balance method should be applied at quaternary catchment level to ensure practical assessment of groundwater availability and that 2) chloride mass balance assessment should be accompanied with supplementary methods for its application in quaternary catchments of similar physiographic and hydrogeologic conditions. To achieve these goals, the present study assessed the application of chloride mass balance method on a pilot scale used alongside rainwater infiltration breakthrough (RIB) and water table fluctuation (WTF) methods to estimate the groundwater recharge as an indicator of groundwater availability. The pilot area (PA) was in the upper Berg River catchment in Western Cape in South Africa. Chloride concentrations were determined in groundwater samples collected from boreholes and rain water in rain gauges in the pilot area. Rainfall and borehole water levels in the pilot area were used in water table fluctuation and rainwater infiltration breakthrough analyses. As quality assurance, the specific yield data obtained from the pumping test were compared to those determined with the linear regression model. This established the reliability of the analysis i.e. the relationship between groundwater level and rainfall. Mean groundwater recharge values calculated using the chloride mass balance, rainwater infiltration breakthrough and water table fluctuation methods were 27.6 %, 23.67 %, and 22.7 % of the total precipitation received in the catchment, respectively. These results indicate that the use of these three methods have potential to estimate groundwater recharge at quaternary level which is the basic unit of water management in South Africa. These findings agree with previous studies conducted in the same catchment that indicate that mean groundwater recharge ranges between 18.6 % and 28 % of the total precipitation. In the future, these methods could be tested in catchments which have physiographic and hydrogeologic conditions similar to those of the current pilot area. / African Union (AU)

Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to determine soil ingestion rate for use in human health risk assessments (HHRAs). Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments and the results have been highly variable. Moreover, there is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. Thus, the primary objective of the research was to determine if populations following lifestyles typical of traditional land use practices in rural or wilderness areas ingest more soil than populations living in urban or suburban environments. Further, the research investigated the use of alternative mass balance tracers, specifically isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series, to reduce soil ingestion estimate variability. Mass balance tracer methods were developed and validated in a pilot canine study, and methods using isotope tracers were adapted to permit quantification of sediment ingestion in the benthic fish Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Shorthead Redhorse Sucker). A pilot human soil ingestion study of 7 subjects from an Aboriginal community in British Columbia was conducted over a 3-week period. The mean soil ingestion rate calculated using the daily means of the 4 elemental tracers with the lowest food-to-soil ratios (i.e., Al, Ce, La, Si) was observed to be approximately 74 mg d-1 (standard deviation 91 mg d-1), The median soil ingestion rate was 60 mg d-1, and the 90th percentile was 196 mg d-1. These soil ingestion rate estimates are higher than those currently recommended for HHRAs of adults, and higher than those obtained in most previous studies of adults. However, the estimates are much lower than the earlier qualitative assessments for subsistence lifestyles (i.e., 330-400 mg d-1). The study results also demonstrated that isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series radionuclide are not reliable mass balance tracers for estimating soil ingestion in humans; however, they may be useful for quantifying soil and sediment ingestion in wildlife.

Sulphate-rich wastewater is an increasing concern for industries as LKAB. The water chemistry of the LKAB Kiruna water system is characterized by high alkalinity, high pH (pH 7.5-9.0) and high concentrations of chemical species and soluble minerals. The sulphate content in the water system of Kiruna is associated with the dissolution of calcium sulphate as anhydrite (CaSO4) and gypsum (CaSO4 2H2O). However, the high concentrations of sulphate in the effluents from the LKAB Kiruna operation are unique for iron ore mining.    The aim of the thesis was to study and evaluate the behavior of sulphate in the process water system of the Kiruna concentrator plants. This was done by laboratory grinding (leaching tests), equilibrium calculations with the HSC software and mass balancing of the concentrator KA3 in Kiruna. The highest concentrations of sulphate have been detected in the process water of KA3, hence the focus has been on KA3 regarding sampling, evaluation and comparison. Water treatment technologies for sulphate and the effect of process water on ore processing have not been included in this project.   The laboratory grinding was done using process water and ore from the concentrator KA3. During the experimental work with laboratory grinding the parameters pH, temperature and operating times for primary- and secondary grinding, respectively, were varied. The observations from the experimental work were further confirmed by equilibrium calculations and mass balancing. The following conclusions were drawn.     Anhydrite/gypsum is not leached from the ore during ore processing with process water having concentrations of sulphate already close to the saturation point at approximately 1800 mg/L. If the process water is diluted with water with lower sulphate content, e.g. mine water or a diluted return water from the pond system (e.g. during spring flood), anhydrite/gypsum in ore will be dissolved until the sulphate concentration reaches the saturation point. The ionic strength of the process water controls the saturation point and thus the sulphate concentration. Leaching of anhydrite/gypsum in saturated process water, with respect to sulphate, is not affected by grinding time or adjusted conditions in the process water, such as temperature or pH value.    For further work, it is recommended to investigate the behavior of sulphate in the tailings pond system to increase knowledge of the overall behavior in the water system. In addition, a similar investigation of the behavior of uranium in the process water is recommended in order to face future environmental standards.

Fishpond ecosystems provide many other services besides fish production. One of them is the retention of nutrients and thus ability to change the quality of the through flowing water, thereby ability to influence the overall quality of surface waters. In the case of the fishpond Svět in Třeboň it is also recreation, as the pond is an integral part of the tourism of the town. Water quality in the fishpond and its retention capacity of phosphorus is connected with the fish management and the inflow of nutrients from the catchment basis, especially within a cascade of ponds and densely populated or agricultural regions. This thesis evaluates seasonal (2013, 2015) and long term (2007-2015) trend of water quality of pond Svět in Třeboň in relation to fish management. Furthermore, mass balance was calculated for 2015 and estimated for 2013. The years 2015 and 2013 (the first years of production cycle) varied considerably in amount of annual rainfall. The year 2015 was extremely dry and 2013 very aqueous. Different hydrological conditions caused different seasonal courses in hydrochemistry parameters and its concentrations. The water quality of fishpond Svět is in the most of parameters better in comparison with other production fishponds in the Třeboň region and also the intensity of fish management is...