Une option à l'étude pour le recyclage des actinides mineurs consiste à en incorporer environ 10% à une matrice d'UO2. La présence de pores ouverts interconnectés au sein de ce combustible devrait permettre d'évacuer l'hélium et les gaz de fission pour prévenir le gonflement de la pastille et in fine son interaction avec la gaine qui l'entoure. La mise en oeuvre des actinides mineurs oblige à travailler en cellule blindée, à minimiser leur rétention et à proscrire les ajouts de produits organiques. L'emploi de particules fragmentables de quelques centaines de micromètres paraît une solution intéressante pour contrôler la microstructure des comprimés crus et ainsi maîtriser la porosité ouverte après frittage. L'étude consiste à suivre par émission acoustique la compaction de particules fragiles d'UO2 et à relier leurs caractéristiques à la porosité ouverte obtenue après frittage des compacts. Le signal acquis lors d'essais de cisaillement sur des granulés individuels et sur des compacts montre que l'émission acoustique autorise la détection de la fragmentation et permet l'identification d'une forme d'onde caractéristique. Les influences de la contrainte de compaction, de la distribution granulométrique initiale et de la cohésion interne des granulés, sur la tenue mécanique des compacts et sur la microstructure des frittés, en particulier sur la porosité ouverte sont analysées. Moyennant quelques précautions, l'émission acoustique, par sa capacité à déterminer le domaine de fragmentation des granulés pendant la mise en forme, paraît une technique prometteuse pour suivre la compaction de particules fragiles en vue de la fabrication de combustibles à porosité maîtrisée. / One of the options considered for recycling minor actinides is to incorporate about 10% to UO2 matrix. The presence of open pores interconnected within this fuel should allow the evacuation of helium and fission gases to prevent swelling of the pellet and ultimately its interaction with the fuel clad surrounding it.Implementation of minor actinides requires working in shielded cell, reducing their retention and outlawing additions of organic products. The use of fragmentable particles of several hundred micrometers seems a good solution to control the microstructure of the green compacts and thus control the open porosity after sintering.The goal of this study is to monitor the compaction of brittle UO2 particles by acoustic emission and to link the particle characteristics to the open porosity obtained after the compact sintering.The signals acquired during tensile strength tests on individual granules and compacts show that the acoustic emission allows the detection of the mechanism of fragmentation and enables identification of a characteristic waveform of this fragmentation.The influences of compaction stress, of the initial particle size distribution and of the internal cohesion of the granules, on the mechanical strength of the compact and on the microstructure and open porosity of the sintered pellets, are analyzed.By its ability to identify the range of fragmentation of the granules during compaction, acoustic emission appears as a promising technique for monitoring the compaction of brittle particles in the manufacture of a controlled porosity fuel.

Bulk magnesium materials produced nowadays via powder metallurgy are based on a vastly extensive technological spectrum, which makes it possible to create a wide range of materials. This work focuses on the preparation of bulk materials from magnesium powder by cold pressing and hot pressing, sintering and field assisted sintering. The bulk materials were prepared in a series of compacting pressures from 100 MPa to 500 MPa and the sintering temperatures were selected in the range of 300 ° C to 600 ° C in order to characterize the influence of the manufacturing conditions and technology on the final properties of bulk materials. Prepared materials were evaluated in terms of microstructure, hardness, microhardness, three-point bend test, and fractography. From the hot pressed materials, the samples prepared at 400 and 500 MPa and 400 °C had the highest strength and hardness. The classic sintering of magnesium in the furnace with argon atmosphere proved to be ineffective due to the oxide layer on the surface and the presence of oxygen in technical argon. The SPS sintering (Spark Plasma Sintering) was the more effective with the lower applying pressure used to make the preforms and with the higher applied pressure during the SPS process itself. Highest strength and hardness were achieved in this case of materials sintered at 600 ° C prepared from free powder and the most porous preform (100 MPa). The bulk materials were prepared using all methods used, but the properties of these materials varied considerably depending on the technology used.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Kompaktier-Granulierung von Kalisalzen zur Herstellung von Düngemittelgranulat experimentell untersucht und ein Modellansatz zur Beschreibung von derartigen Kreisläufen abgeleitet. Bei der Kompaktier-Granulierung wird fein-disperses Kalisalz mit Hilfe von Walzenpressen zu sogenannten Schülpen verpresst. Diese werden durch nachfolgende Zerkleinerung und Klassierung zu Düngemittelgranulat (enge Partikelgrößenklasse, wie beispielsweise 2 – 4 mm) verarbeitet. Basierend auf halb-industriellen Kreisläufen werden im vorliegenden Beitrag wesentliche Prozesswechselwirkungen zwischen Kompaktierung, Zerkleinerung und Klassierung ausgearbeitet. Detailuntersuchungen zeigen, dass sich insbesondere die Schülpenfestigkeiten wie auch die schüttgutmechanischen Eigenschaften des Pressenaufgabegutes im Kreislaufbetrieb ändern. Darauf aufbauend wird ein Modellansatz abgeleitet der die Abschätzung des Kreislaufbetriebs erlaubt.

<p dir="ltr">We present a systematic approach for integrating reduced-order models of tableting with upstream pharmaceutical unit operations. This method identifies critical material attributes (CMAs) and process parameters (CPPs) from upstream operations, describing their coupling to both first and second orders, while selecting the appropriate mathematical forms and estimating parameters. The coupling is modeled using normalized bivariate rational functions.</p><p dir="ltr">The approach is demonstrated for dry granulation, a process that enhances powder flowability but compromises tabletability by reducing particle porosity and increasing plastic work. Using a formulation of 10\% w/w acetaminophen and 90\% w/w microcrystalline cellulose, granules with varying densities and size distributions are produced, and tablets of different relative densities are fabricated. This work provides essential insights for end-to-end process integration, control, and optimization of dry granulation and tableting. It also identifies granule properties that predominantly influence the four stages of powder compaction: die filling, compaction, unloading, and ejection.</p><p dir="ltr">Furthermore, we examine the effects of excipients such as lubricants (magnesium stearate) and glidants (silica) on tablet critical quality attributes (CQAs) in continuous manufacturing. Lubricants were found to affect all compaction stages, with sensitivity to mixing time, while glidants influenced bulk density and tensile strength without significantly impacting tablet density or compaction force. Reduced-order models are developed to predict tablet weight, density, and tensile strength based on excipient concentration and mixing time. These models are integral to implementing real-time control under the quality-by-control paradigm.</p>

Eukaryotic organisms contain their entire genome in the nucleus of their cells. In order to fit within the nucleus, genomic DNA wraps into nucleosomes, the basic, repeating unit of chromatin. Nucleosomes wrap around each other to form higher order chromatin structures. Here we study many factors that affect, or are effected by, chromatin structure including: (1) how low-dose inorganic arsenic (iAs) changes chromatin structures and their relation to global transcription and splicing patterns, and (2) how chromatin architectural proteins (CAPs) bind to and change nucleosome dynamics and DNA target site accessibility. Despite iAs’s non-mutagenic nature, chronic exposure to low doses of iAs is associated with a higher risk of skin, lung, and bladder cancers. We sought to identify the genome-wide changes to chromatin structure and splicing profiles behind the cell’s adaptive response to iAs and its removal. Furthermore, we extended our investigation into cells that had the iAs insult removed. Our results show that the iAs-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition and changes to the transcriptome are coupled with changes to the higher order chromatin structure and CAP binding patterns. We hypothesize that CAPs, which bind the entry/exit and linker DNA of nucleosomes, regulate DNA target site accessibility by altering of the rate of spontaneous dissociation of DNA from nucleosome. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the repressive CAP histone H1, the activating CAP high mobility group D1 (HMGD1), and the neural CAP methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) on the dynamics of short chromatin arrays and mononucleosomes and their effect on nucleosomal DNA accessibility. Using biochemical and biophysical analyses we show that all CAP-chromatin structures tested were susceptible to chromatin remodeling by ISWI and created more stable higher order structures than if CAPs were absent. Additionally, histone H1 and MeCP2 hinder model transcription factor Gal4 from binding its cognate DNA site within nucleosomal DNA. Overall, we show that chromatin structure is dynamic and changes in response to environmental signals and that CAPs change nucleosome dynamics that help to regulate chromatin structures and impact transcriptional profiles.

Cette étude de la compaction d’un empilement granulaire par vibrations horizontales a été réalisée dans le cadre d’un partenariat avec le groupe MERSEN pour une application au sable contenu dans ses fusibles. L’objectif scientifique est de développer la compréhension des mécanismes mis en jeu dans un milieu granulaire vibré horizontalement. Deux approches ont été utilisées en parallèle, l’une expérimentale, l’autre par simulation numérique. L’approche expérimentale a été réalisée sur des grains de silice de diamètre moyen 500 m. Un récipient de quelques centimètres est soumis à un mouvement sinusoïdal de fréquence comprise entre 20 et 200 Hz avec des accélérations allant jusqu’à 10 g. Le dispositif instrumenté permet la mesure instantanée de la force et de l’accélération, la vitesse des grains aux parois (PIV) ainsi que la densité globale du milieu. L’approche numérique est basée sur la méthode des éléments discrets (DEM). Des méthodes spécifiques d’analyse des résultats ont été développées pour assurer la comparaison avec l’expérience. Elles permettent d’obtenir des informations qui ne sont pas accessibles expérimentalement comme les densités, vitesses et contraintes locales dans l’ensemble de l’empilement. Dans le cas d’un récipient ouvert, la simulation permet de retrouver les résultats expérimentaux : rouleaux de convections, seuils de comportement, influence de l’accélération… Des résultats originaux ont été établis dans les expériences et les simulations comme une croissance de la vitesse des grains avec la longueur du récipient. La simulation a aussi permis d’obtenir des résultats spécifiques comme l’influence du coefficient de friction sur le sens des rouleaux et la caractérisation des contraintes au sein de l’empilement. L’écoulement des grains à travers des orifices circulaires de différentes dimensions a été également étudié. Le comportement du sable dans un récipient fermé (milieu confiné) a été étudié au cours d’un remplissage progressif. Des différences significatives ont été constatées lorsque le taux de remplissage devient élevé. Des mesures d’accélération et de force sur l’ensemble du dispositif ont permis de définir et de mesurer une masse apparente et l’énergie dissipée par le dispositif. Des modèles descriptifs ont permis de comprendre les comportements observés. Ces résultats sont à l’origine d’un brevet déposé par le groupe MERSEN sur le contrôle du remplissage. / This work on the densification of a granular medium under horizontal vibrations was realised in the context of an industrial study on sand in fuses, undertaken by the firm MERSEN. The scientific purpose is the understanding of the mechanisms involved in horizontally vibrated granular media. Both experiments and computer simulations were used. Experiments were conducted with 500 µm silica grains. Sinusoidal accelerations up to 10 g were applied to a container of a few centimetres using frequencies between 20 and 200 Hz. The experimental device enables instantaneous force, acceleration, grain velocity on the walls (PIV) and mean bulk density to be measured. Discrete element method (DEM) was used for the computer simulations. Specific techniques were developed to analyse the results and compare them with experiments. Computer simulations provided data which are not experimentally available such as local values of density, velocities and stress inside the particle packing. In the case of an open container, simulation results are in good agreement with experimental ones (convection rolls, thresholds, effect of acceleration...). Original results are obtained in both experiments and simulations, such as a grain velocity increase with the container length. Simulation provided specific results such as the effect of friction coefficients on the direction of rotation of convection rolls and the characterization of stress inside the particle packing. The flowability of grains across circular holes of various sizes was also studied. The behaviour of sand in a closed container (confined medium) was studied during a progressive filling. Significant differences were observed when the filling rate becomes high. The dissipated energy and the apparent mass of the vibrated device were defined and measured using acceleration and force measurements. Specific models were built to analyse and understand the observed behaviour. Some results on the filling control were patented by MERSEN.

[pt] Reservatórios carbonáticos respondem por mais de 50 por cento da produção mundial de hidrocarbonetos. No Brasil, ganharam mais importância com o descobrimento do Pré-Sal, em 2006. A principal ferramenta de previsão e gerenciamento de reservatórios é a simulação numérica que, tradicionalmente, tem na compressibilidade do poro o único parâmetro geomecânico. Normalmente é adotado apenas um valor, mantido constante, deste parâmetro para todo o reservatório. Porém, a rocha-reservatório sofre deformações durante a explotação do campo, as quais induzem redução da porosidade e permeabilidade. Enquanto o primeiro efeito não é bem representado pela compressibilidade, o segundo não sofre qualquer alteração. Além disso, cada fácies tem um comportamento tensão versus deformação diferente. Por isso a importância de se fazer modelagens acopladas de fluxo e geomecânica em que cada tipo de rocha é representado individualmente. Visando essas análises integradas, mas sem aumento do custo computacional, utiliza-se o pseudoacoplamento, o que permite que esses modelos sejam usados de forma rotineira pelos engenheiros de reservatórios. Esse tipo de acoplamento atualiza a porosidade e a permeabilidade com base em tabelas que relacionam poropressão com multiplicadores de porosidade e permeabilidade. Visando uma boa representação do comportamento da rocha-reservatório, as tabelas de pseudoacoplamento são elaboradas com base em ensaios mecânicos laboratoriais realizados com amostras do próprio campo, representativas de cada fácies. São realizadas análises comparativas utilizando modelos homogêneos e heterogêneos, variando o tipo de representação da geomecânica, que pode ser através da compressibilidade ou do pseudoacoplamento. Conhecidos os efeitos geomecânicos da compactação, a etapa final desta metodologia consiste no estudo de um modelo que visa atenuá-los. / [en] Carbonate reservoirs are responsible for over 50 per cent of world hydrocarbon production. In Brazil, they started to gain more importance after the Pre-Salt discovery, in 2006. The main method to predict and manage reservoirs is numerical simulation in which, traditionally, the only geomechanical parameter is the rock compressibility. Usually it is adopted one single value for the whole model, which is kept constant. During exploitation, though, the reservoir-rock deforms, causing porosity and permeability reduction. While the first effect is not well predicted by rock compressibility, the second is simply kept constant. Besides that, each facies has its own stress-strain behavior. That is why it is so important to model the reservoir flow coupled to geomechanics representing each rock type in a single layer. With the aim of obtaining these integrated analyses, but without additional computational cost, the pseudo-coupling is used, which lets such models to be ran on day-by-day basis by reservoir engineers. This kind of coupling updates both porosity and permeability based on tables that correlate porepressure and porosity and permeability multipliers. In order to have the mechanical behavior of the reservoir-rock well represented, the pseudo-coupling tables are elaborated based on laboratory mechanical tests with samples from the same field to be modeled. In this way, each facies represented on the model has its own table that takes to reservoir simulation the geomechanical effects through porosity and permeability variation. Comparative analyses are done using homogeneous and heterogeneous models, varying the type of geomechanical representation, through rock compressibility or pseudo-coupling. Once known the compaction geomechanical effects, it is simulated a model that tries to attenuate them.

Os procedimentos de dosagem Marshall e Superpave definem os teores de ligante de projeto baseados em parâmetros volumétricos. Nessa situação, sistemáticas de dosagem com tipos de compactação diferentes podem conduzir a teores de ligante de projeto distintos que definirão a vida útil dos revestimentos asfálticos. O objetivo principal desse trabalho é avaliar o comportamento mecânico de misturas asfálticas moldadas por diferentes métodos de compactação de laboratório e analisar a relação com os resultados de amostras obtidas a partir de misturas compactadas por rolagem pneumática na mesa compactadora francesa. A fase experimental consistiu na dosagem de misturas pelos métodos Marshall e Superpave (este último com dois tamanhos de moldes), além da compactação na Prensa de Cisalhamento Giratória (PCG) e da moldagem de placas na mesa compactadora. Avaliou-se o efeito do tipo de compactação, do tamanho do molde e do número de giros do Compactador Giratório Superpave (CGS) no teor de projeto, nos parâmetros volumétricos, no comportamento mecânico e no desempenho quanto à fadiga e à resistência ao afundamento em trilha de roda. Adicionalmente, foi avaliada a eficiência do método Bailey de composição granulométrica quanto à resistência à deformação permanente em função do tipo de agregado. Constatou-se que o método Bailey, por si só, não garante resistência à deformação permanente, sendo essa dependente do tipo de agregado incluindo seus parâmetros de forma. O principal produto da pesquisa, com efeitos práticos no projeto de misturas asfálticas, traduz-se na recomendação do método Superpave com molde de 100 mm (para TMN <= 12,5 mm) para volume de tráfego médio a alto em detrimento ao método Superpave com 150 mm, tendo em vista que o primeiro apresenta densificação mais semelhante às amostras preparadas na compactação por rolagem (similar ao que ocorre em pista) o que resulta em comportamento mecânico também mais próximo da realidade de campo. A utilização dos moldes de 150 mm de diâmetro no CGS pode ser viabilizada desde que se adote um número de giros menor do aquele proposto para projeto pelo Asphalt Institute (2001). Por fim, é fundamental que os ensaios e os cálculos para obtenção dos parâmetros volumétricos e escolha do teor de projeto sigam ao normatizado pela ASTM, pelo Asphalt Institute (2001) e pela ABNT. / The Marshall and Superpave mixture designs procedures are based mainly on volumetric parameters. Despite this similarity, the definition of the optimum asphalt content is highly influenced by the laboratory compaction method. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the compaction method on the volumetric and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. Furthermore, the results are compared with the performance of samples prepared on the LCPC roller compactor. The experimental procedure included Marshall and Superpave mixture design methods (the second one with two mold sizes), the French gyratory shear compactor (PCG), and also the LCPC roller compactor. The effect of compaction method, mold size and number of gyrations on the air voids content (and consequently, on the optimum asphalt binder content), mechanical properties and on the fatigue and rutting performance were evaluated. Moreover, the efficiency of the Bailey method for aggregate gradation selection on rutting was evaluated by the wheel tracking test of the LCPC. It was found that the Bailey method itself does not ensure resistance to rutting. It depends on the aggregate source, specially its shape. The main contribution of this study is the recommendation of the Superpave 100 mm (NMS <= 12,5 mm) for medium and high traffic, once its densification was similar to the roller compacted samples. The use of 150 mm molds in the SGC is recommended only if the number of gyrations is smaller than the one used in this study. It is essential that the laboratory standard procedures used for the tests and volumetric parameters calculations follow ASTM, Asphalt Institute (2001) and ABNT.

Este trabalho apresenta alguns parâmetros geotécnicos do solo arenoso na região litorânea de João Pessoa/PB, após a melhoria com estacas de compactação, instaladas pelo método denominado vibro-deslocamento. Esse procedimento é um método de melhoria de solos arenosos em que as estacas de areia e brita são introduzidas em solos de baixa resistência com o propósito de aumentar sua resistência e diminuir os recalques da fundação. Realizaram-se ensaios de cone, prova de carga em placa, sondagem SPT e anotação do diagrama de cravação das estacas, para se estudarem os efeitos da melhoria do solo arenoso por meio de estacas de compactação. São mostradas correlações entre o 'N IND.SPT', antes e após a compactação do solo, entre a resistência de ponta do cone e 'N IND.SPT', antes e após a compactação, bem como os resultados de provas de carga em placa, realizadas nos solos natural e compactado. Observou-se que a diminuição do espaçamento entre estacas aumenta a resistência do solo. Com base no 'N IND.SPT', é apresentada uma forma de previsão da capacidade de carga de fundações por sapata, instaladas em solo arenoso compactado com estacas de areia / This work presents some geotechnical parameters in sandy soil improved by compaction piles installed by vibro-displacement on the cost of the city of João Pessoa in Northeastern Brazil. Significant increases on bearing capacity can be achieved with this ground improvement technique allowing the use of shallow foundation, even in the case of high buildings. Forty eight sand piles with diameter of 0,30 m and 3,5 m long were installed on three different groups varying distance between the piles. Standard penetration tests, cone penetration tests and plate load tests were carried out before and after the installation of piles. The comparison between the tests allows quantify the benefit of soil improvement by compaction piles. Empirical relationships between 'N IND.SPT' before and after improvement, and relationships between qc and 'N IND.SPT' were established. These relations and results of plate load tests allowed an assessment of the influence of distance between the piles in the compacted soil. A prediction of bearing capacity of shallow foundations in sandy soil improved by sand piles, based on 'N IND.SPT' values is presented

A agricultura moderna sofre grande impacto da mecanização devido ao aumento do tráfego e do peso do maquinário. A cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.) é uma cultura altamente mecanizada e, devido ao tempo de sua permanência no campo, o solo fica muito suscetível à compactação, processo dependente de diversos fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos deste, podendo ser revertido através de técnicas, como subsolagem ou aração profunda. Porém, tais técnicas geram altos gastos de energia e capital, sendo que alguns manejos, como o controle do tráfego agrícola, contribuem para diminuição da carga exercida sobre o solo e dos custos de produção. Diversos aparelhos foram desenvolvidos para a apuração de atributos do solo diretamente no campo, visando averiguar áreas a serem manejadas por causa da compactação. A penetrometria é uma técnica muito utilizada na verificação de áreas com problemas de compactação, entretanto, existem diversos penetrômetros, que possuem modos de atuação diferenciados. Os objetivos deste estudo foram verificar a eficiência de dois penetrômetros com diferentes modos de introdução da haste metálica no solo (automático e manual) e a correlação dos índices obtidos (resistência à penetração) com outros atributos do solo (teor de água). Os resultados comprovaram que o teor de água no solo altera os resultados de resistência a penetração e a utilização de equações de regressão não linear expressam bem a relação entre estes dois atributos do solo, podendo ser utilizado para correção dos dados antes da comparação de diferentes sistemas de manejo. O ajuste das medições de resistência de acordo com o teor de água no solo diminuiu o intervalo de confiança da média na comparação de diferentes manejos, o que melhora a comparação de atributos que apresentam alta variabilidade, como a resistência do solo a penetração. Os dois métodos de utilização do penetrômetro (Manual e Automático) apresentaram diferenças significativas nas medições, de modo que houve uma tendência das medições manuais superestimarem os valores de resistência. / Modern agriculture has suffered a large impact of mechanization due to increased of traffic and the weight of the machinery. The sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) crop is highly mechanized and, since it is a semi perennial crop, the soil is very susceptible to compaction, a process dependent on a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can be reversed through techniques, such as deep tillage or subsoiling. However, these techniques are expensive, and some crop managements, such as traffic control, contribute to reduction of production costs and the load on the soil. Several devices have been developed for the determination of soil attributes in the field, aiming to determine areas to be managed because of compaction. The penetrometer is a widely used equipment in the verification of areas with compaction problems. However, there are several penetrometers, which have different action mode. The objective of this study was to verify the efficiency of two penetrometers with two modes of introduction of the metal rod into the soil (automatic and manual) and the correlation of obtained data (penetration resistance) with soil water content. Results showed that the soil moisture modify the penetration resistance data and the use of non-linear regression equations express well the relationship between these two soil properties and can be used for correction of the data before comparing different management systems. The modeling of soil resistance measurements with soil moisture decreased confidence interval of the mean in the comparison of different management systems, which improves the comparison of attributes that have high variability, as the soil resistance to penetration. The two penetrometers methods (manual and automatic) showed significant differences in data measurements, showing a tendency for manual measurements overestimate the values of soil resistance.