Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), two groups of struc-turally related chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, generally referred to as “dioxins” are of great concern due to their extreme toxicity and presence in all compartments of the environment. Since they occur at very low levels, their analysis is complex and challenging, and there is a need for cost-efficient, reliable and rapid analytical alternatives to the expensive methods in-volving use of gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). It is im-portant to routinely monitor food and feed items to detect contaminations at an early stage. For the regulation of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed according to current legis-lation, large numbers of samples have to be analysed. Furthermore, soils at many industrial sites are also contaminated with dioxins and need remediation. In order to optimize the cost-efficiency of reclamation activities it is important to acquire information about the levels and distribution of dioxins in the contaminated areas. The aim of the studies underlying this thesis was to investigate the potential of comprehen-sive two-dimensional gas chromatography with a micro-electron capture detector (GC × GC-µECD) as a cost-effective method for analysing dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food, feed, fly ash and contaminated soils. Quantification studies of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs were con-ducted and results were compared with GC-HRMS reference data. Generally, there was good agreement between both the congener-specific results and data expressed as total toxic equiva-lents (TEQs). The developed GC × GC-µECD method meets the European Community (EC) requirements for screening methods for control of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed. The presented results also indicate that GC × GC-µECD has potential to be used as a routine method for the congener-specific analysis of 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in matrices such as food and feed, fly ash and soil. However, to fully exploit the potential of the GC × GC-µECD technique, it should be combined with a fast and cost-efficient sample preparation procedure. Therefore, a number of certified reference materials (CRMs) were extracted using a new shape-selective pressurized liquid extraction technique with integrated carbon fractionation (PLE-C), and the purified extracts were analysed for PCDD/Fs using GC × GC-µECD. The results compared well with the certified values of a fly ash and a sandy soil CRM, but they were much too high for a com-plex clay soil CRM. It was concluded that this combination of techniques was very promising for screening ash and highly permeable soils. Further assessments and method revisions are still required before GC × GC-µECD can be used on a routine basis, and available software packages need to be refined in order to accelerate the data-handling procedures, which currently restrict the sample throughput.

Slurry walls have been widely used for more than 25 years to control the migration of contaminants in the subsurface. In the USA, vertical barriers are mostly constructed of soil-bentonite using the slurry trench method of construction. In this method, sodium bentonite is mixed with water to form a viscous slurry that is pumped into a trench during excavation to maintain the trench stability. The stable trench is then backfilled with a mixture of soil and slurry having a consistency of high slump concrete. These barriers have been designed primarily for low permeability, generally less than 10&minus / 9 m/s. Some investigations have pointed toward improved performance using admixtures that would provide low permeability. In this study, Soma thermal power plant fly ash, granulated blast furnace slag, lime, and steel slag are used as admixture to improve the performance of slurry walls. Permeability, compressive strength, slump, compressibility properties of the mixtures were found and checked for the minimum requirements. According to the findings of this study, granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash and steel slag can be used at certain percentages and curing periods as additive in cement-bentonite barrier wall construction. Permeability of specimens having fly ash decreases by increasing fly ash content. Mixtures having 50 % of GGBS type I with 5 % of lime and 9% bentonite content gave acceptable results in 28 days of curing time. Specimens including 50 % of GGBS type II with 5 % of lime and 9% bentonite content gave the higher permeability value in 28 days of curing time with respect to GGBS type I. In addition, most of the mixtures prepared by steel slag gave the acceptable permeability values in 28 days of curing period. Unconfined compressive strength of all mixtures increase by increasing curing time. Cc, Cr, Cv, kcon values were found from consolidation test results. Permeability values found from consolidation tests are 10 times to 100 times higher than flexible wall k results for the same effective stress of 150 kPa. Generally, mv values are decreasing with increasing curing time. As mv decreases, D increases.

This thesis presents the calibration processes of the pitot-static system, which is a part of the air data system of a military transport aircraft through flight tests. Tower fly-by method is used for air data system calibration. Altitude error caused by the position of the static port on the aircraft is determined by analyzing the data collected during four sorties with different weight, flap and landing gear configurations. The same data has been used to determine the airspeed measurement error. It has been shown that both the altitude and airspeed errors are within the allowable limits specified by FAR 25. Same method is also used for trailing cone calibration that is used for high altitude test flights for RVSM certification.

The thermal formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), biphenyls (PCBs), and naphthalenes (PCNs) is a major problem in waste incineration. Ideally, rather than relying on air cleaning systems and treatment techniques, their formation should be minimized or, if possible eliminated. The work presented in this thesis was conducted to obtain a deeper understanding of the thermal formation of PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, and PCNs during incineration using a 5 kW laboratory scale incinerator and two artificial wastes that were designed to reflect regional differences in waste composition. The first part of the thesis focuses on the validation of a recently-developed flue-gas sampling probe with enhanced cooling capabilities. Artifact formation of PCDDs and PCDFs can occur during the sampling of hot flue gases if the cooling is insufficient. The new probe was successfully used to collect samples at 700 °C without biasing the measured POP levels. The thermal formation of PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, and PCNs in the post-combustion zone of the incinerator was then studied by collecting flue gas samples at 400 °C, 300 °C, and 200 °C during the incineration of the two artificial wastes. Highly chlorinated POPs were formed in larger quantities when burning the waste with the higher content of metals and chlorine, which suggests that high metal levels in the waste favor the chlorination of less chlorinated POPs or otherwise facilitate the formation of highly chlorinated polyaromatics, possibly via the condensation of highly chlorinated phenols. The concentrations of these pollutants and the abundance of highly chlorinated homologues increased as the flue gas cooled. Fly ash particles play an important role in thermal POP formation by providing essential elements (carbon, chlorine, etc.) and catalytic sites. The chemical and mineralogical properties of fly ash samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine their impact on thermal POP formation. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares (OPLS) modeling was used to identify correlations between the observed POP distributions and the physicochemical data. This investigation provided new insights into the impact of fly ash chemistry on thermal POP formation. In addition, the POP isomer distribution patterns generated during waste combustion were examined. These patterns are used to “fingerprint” mechanisms of POP formation. It was found that wastes containing large quantities of metals and chlorine favored the formation of highly chlorinated homologues including the very toxic 2,3,7,8-congeners. The data suggest that reducing fly ash emissions might increase the SO2 content of the flue gas and thereby suppress the Deacon process and the formation of harmful highly chlorinated aromatic species.

Self consolidating concrete (SCC) is defined as an innovative concrete that does not require vibration for placing and compaction and it is able to flow under its own weight, completely filling formwork and achieving full compaction. Although significant amount of research has been carried out regarding the fresh properties, mix design, placing methods and strength of various SCC mixes, only a very limited amount of work has been done to assess the durability performance of SCC. Concretes in cold climates are subjected to freeze-thaw cycles which are one of the major durability problems, and if the concrete is in a saturated or nearly saturated condition, those cycles lead to expansion of the water in the capillary pores of concrete causing great internal stresses. For a durable concrete subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, an adequate air void system is obtained by using air-entraining admixtures. The performance of the air void system is characterized by air void parameters that are determined using microscopical examination of the concrete microstructure. In this thesis a software tool, based on image analysis of concrete surface, is developed to evaluate the air void parameters of concrete using both American and European standards. Later on, an experimental program is conducted to evaluate the effect of freezing-thawing on self consolidating concrete that contain different percentages of fly ash (FA) and air entraining agents. For this purpose, a total of ten self consolidating concrete mixtures that contain four different contents of fly ash, and three different levels of air entrainment were prepared. During the casting operation, the workability properties of SCCs were observed through slump flow time and diameter, air content, V-funnel flow time, L-box height ratio, and segregation ratio. Hardened properties were evaluated by compressive strength, permeability tests (water absorption, sorptivity and rapid chloride permeability test), freezing-thawing test, resonant frequency test, ultrasonic pulse velocity test. The developed tool was used to characterize and evaluate the effects of air void parameters of SCC on its resistance to freeze-thaw cycles. At the end of this experimental investigation, it was concluded that the addition of air entraining agent increased the flowability and an increase in the fly ash content decreased the effect of air entraining agent. On the other hand, during image processing, it was observed that the surface preparation procedures have a crucial effect on processing quality. Moreover, spacing factor -which is the most important air void characteristic that is utilized for determination of the resistance to freezing-thawing- should not be restricted to 0.2 mm for SCC, since SCCs with spacing factors smaller than 0.4 mm could still exhibit good freezethaw resistance.

Properly proportioned, placed and cured concrete can be durable under most conditions. However, deterioration of concrete does occur under certain environments. One of the problems that affect the durability of hardened concrete is delayed ettringite formation (DEF) which is an important problem encountered in precast concrete industry where high temperature curing is applied. Although there had been many researches on DEF, there are still many uncertainties about its chemistry and mechanism. In this study, the effects of partial cement replacement by different mineral admixtures (trass, blast furnace slag and fly ash), SO3/Al2O3 molar ratio and specific surface area of cement on DEF were investigated. For this purpose, 9 groups of control cements were prepared with 3 different specific surface areas and 3 different SO3/Al2O3 molar ratios. Different amounts of mineral admixtures were blended with the control cements. High temperature curing was applied to the cement pastes and the expansions of these pastes were measured periodically for 240 days. v The experimental results obtained were interpreted for a comparative analysis of the effects of the afore-mentioned parameters.

ABSTRACT IMPROVEMENT OF BEARING CAPACITY OF A SOFT SOIL BY THE ADDITION OF FLY ASH &Ouml / ZDEMIR, Murat Aziz M.Sc., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor : Prof. Dr. Erdal &Ccedil / OK&Ccedil / A Co-Supervisor : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat G&Uuml / LER May 2011, 119 pages Soft soils are not suitable for use in runway and highway construction due to their undesirable characteristics such as poor grading, low strength, excessive plasticity, tendency to shrink or swell. By stabilizing such soils with appropriate agents, their engineering properties can be improved. One of the stabilizing agents is Class C fly ash. This study aimed at investigation of bearing capacity improvement of a soft soil (from Elmadag area) by using Class C fly ash (from Soma Thermal Power Plant). In the experimental study, index properties of soft soil and fly ash stabilized samples are determined. Then modified Proctor compaction, soaked California Bearing Ratio, and Unconfined Compressive Strength characteristics of the samples are investigated. During the study, the stabilized soil samples are prepared at different fly ash contents, i.e., 0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10%. The samples are subjected to soaked California Bearing Ratio tests after 0, 7, and 28 days of curing. In addition to California Bearing Ratio tests, Unconfined Compressive Strength tests with 0, 7, and 28 days of curing are performed samples. For comparison purpose, hydrated lime is also used instead of fly ash in Unconfined Compressive Strength tests at predetermined contents, i.e., 3%, 5%, and 7%. In order to observe microstructures of samples, Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis are performed. The results of the study show that bearing capacity of Elmadag soft soil can be improved substantially and swell can be reduced significantly by using Class C fly ash.

The use of backfill in underground mining is increasing due to need for systematic backfilling of mine openings and workings to avoid surface damage, increase safety and contribution to sustainable mining. This study is to investigate backfill materials and new methods suited for systematic selection and application of backfill in underground mines. Laboratory tests were carried out on physical, chemical and mechanical properties of different backfill materials and mixtures thereof. Special attention was paid to materials generated as by-products and other cheaply available materials e.g. fly ash and FGD-gypsum from power plants, natural and synthetic anhydrite. The different material mixtures investigated can be used as a technically and economically viable backfill for underground mines. In summary, the systematic selection of backfill materials from by-products, mine waste and tailings from the mineral processing of mining industry and other industries were suited as a backfill material for test field in China coal fires and recommended for underground potash mines in Thailand.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Nähr- und Schadstoffdynamik flugaschebeeinflusster Waldböden der Dübener Heide bezüglich ihres aktuellen Zustandes und der zu erwartenden zukünftigen Entwicklung untersucht. In der Dübener Heide wurden jahrzehntelang große Mengen an Flugasche abgelagert, die die Eigenschaften des Bodens entscheidend und nachhaltig prägten. Selbst 15 Jahre nach dem abrupten Ende der Einträge kann eine Flugaschebeeinflussung noch immer deutlich nachgewiesen werden. Das Ökosystem hat sich an die durch die Flugasche veränderten Umweltbedingungen angepasst. Nach Wegfall der Einträge unterliegt das System nun allerdings wieder neuen Veränderungen, deren Auswirkungen auf die Bestände noch unklar sind. Als Grundlage für nachhaltige forstliche Planungen und ein angepasstes Naturparkmanagement wurden deshalb im Rahmen des ENFORCHANGE-Teilprojektes Bodenprozesse der aktuelle bodenchemische Zustand der Dübener Heide untersucht und Prognosen über die zukünftige Entwicklung abgeleitet. Für die Ermittlung des Ist-Zustandes wurden 12 Kernversuchsflächen ausgewählt, die entlang eines Entfernungsgradienten ausgehend vom angenommenen Hauptemittenten, Kraftwerk Zschornewitz, gelegen sind und die typischen Bodentypen und Bestände der Dübener Heide repräsentieren. 2 m tiefe Bodenprofile wurden angelegt und in Tiefenstufen beprobt. Die Bodenproben wurden mit Standardmethoden auf verschiedene bodenchemische Parameter untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden sowohl hinsichtlich der Überschreitung von Mittel-, Vorsorge- und Grenzwerten als auch bezüglich der Ausbildung von Tiefen- und Entfernungsabhängigkeiten beurteilt. Darüber wurden die eindeutig flugaschebeeinflussten Parameter und die am stärksten beeinflussten Tiefenstufen identifiziert. Diese Informationen wurden anschließend genutzt, um die Standorte statistisch in unterschiedlich stark flugaschebeeinflusste Gruppen einzuteilen. Weiterhin wurden aktuelle Potentiale und Risiken abgeschätzt und über den Vergleich mit Literaturdaten die vergangene Entwicklung beurteilt. Die Ergebnisse zum derzeitigen bodenchemischen Ist-Zustand der Dübener Heide können wie folgt zusammengefasst werden: Als eindeutig flugaschebeeinflusst sind der pH-Wert, die Basensättigung sowie die Gesamtgehalte der Metalle Aluminium, Eisen, Calcium, Magnesium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Nickel und Zink identifiziert worden. Für diese bodenchemischen Parameter liegen klare, abnehmende Gradienten mit zunehmender Entfernung vom Hauptemittenten vor. So sind die pH-Werte im Mittel in den emittentennahen Auflagen um 1,5 pH-Einheiten höher als bei den emittentenfernen Auflagen. Während die emittentenfernen Auflagen dabei bereits etwa über den standorttypischen pH-Wert verfügen, sind die der nahen Standorte noch deutlich durch die Flugasche angehoben. Ebenso liegen in den Auflagen der emittentennahen Standorte sehr hohe Basensättigungen um 90 % und gegenüber den fernen Standorten um etwa 20 - 400 % höhere Metall-Gesamtgehalte vor. Der pH-Gradient ist außerdem die Ursache dafür, dass Metalle mit pH-abhängigen Mobilitäten sehr deutlich ausgebildete Entfernungsgradienten in ihren verfügbaren Gehalten aufweisen, wobei die verfügbaren Gehalte im Gegensatz zu den Gesamtgehalten mit zunehmender Entfernung zum Emittenten ansteigen. Anhand der Gesamtgehalte lässt sich nachweisen, dass die Flugaschebeeinflussung vor allem die Auflagen betrifft. Der Transport ganzer Flugaschepartikel in den Mineralboden wird anhand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse als unbedeutend angesehen. Dagegen erfolgt aber eine Verlagerung gelöster Flugaschebestandteile mit dem Sickerwasser. Diese führt dazu, dass ein flugaschebedingter Einfluss auf die pH-Werte, die Basensättigungen und die verfügbaren Gehalte der Basenkationen teilweise noch in 30 cm Tiefe feststellbar ist. Im tieferen Mineralboden überwiegen dann aber andere Standortfaktoren. Für die Analyse des Flugascheeinflusses ist der Oh-Horizont am besten geeignet. Hier liegen die eindeutigsten und stärksten Gradienten von allen beeinflussten bodenchemischen Parametern vor. Der Of-Horizont ist dagegen bereits durch den Einfluss der Vegetation (Basenpumpe) teilweise überprägt. Entsprechend der aktuellen Werte der eindeutig flugaschebeeinflussten Parameter lassen sich die Standorte zu drei unterschiedlich stark beeinflussten Gruppen zusammenfassen. Diese Gruppen spiegeln den Entfernungsgradienten wider und wurden deshalb als nahe, mittlere und ferne Standorte bezeichnet. Die in der vorliegenden Arbeit gefundene Gruppierung weist aber Veränderungen gegenüber der anhand der Rauchschäden der Bestände vorgenommenen Einteilung der Dübener Heide in vier Rauchschadenszonen auf [LUX 1965b]. So wird heute der ehemals stark beeinflusste Standort Ochsenkopf-BDF (RSZ 1) nicht mehr den nahen, sondern den mittleren Standorten zugeordnet, während ein Teil ehemals mäßig beeinflusster Standorte (RSZ 3) mit früher gering geschädigten Standorten (RSZ 4) zu einer Gruppe zusammengefasst werden. Ein Vergleich mit vorhandenen Literaturdaten zur Dübener Heide zeigt, dass die Unterschiede zwischen den Zonen (z. B. im pH-Wert) mit der Zeit mehr und mehr abnehmen und Nährstoffe (wie Calcium) langsam ausgewaschen werden. Bezüglich der Potentiale und Risiken kann angegeben werden, dass abgesehen von Cadmium, welches in der gesamten Dübener Heide erhöhte Werte aufweist, der Großteil der untersuchten Standorte über standorttypische mittlere Werte und Gehalte verfügt. Nur an den nahen Standorten treten überdurchschnittlich hohe pH-Werte, Basensättigungen, Calcium-Gesamtgehalte und Vorsorgewertüberschreitungen bei den Gesamtgehalten von Cadmium und Zink auf. Die hohen pH-Werte dieser Standorte führen aber dazu, dass die mobilen Schwermetall-Gehalte derzeit noch niedrige Werte aufweisen und die positive Wirkung der verbesserten Nährstoffsituation überwiegt. Dabei nimmt der Standort Burgkemnitz eine Sonderrolle ein, da er selbst gegenüber dem ebenfalls nahen Standort Buchholz über extrem hohe Calcium-Gehalte und in Verbindung mit seiner sehr mächtigen Auflage auch über sehr hohe Elementvorräte verfügt. Aufgrund der bereits zu beobachtenden Wiederversauerung und Abnahme der Calcium-Gehalte sind besonders für die nahen Standorte eine Verschlechterung der Nährstoffsituation und eine zunehmende Mobilisierung der Schwermetalle zu erwarten. Als Grundlage für die Abschätzung der Wirkung zukünftiger Veränderungen auf das Waldökosystem und die Bestände wurden deshalb Prognosen über die Entwicklung der relevanten flugaschebeeinflussten Parameter in den Auflagen der Dübener Heide aufgestellt. Mit Hilfe dieser Prognosen sollten sowohl das zu erwartende Ausmaß der Veränderung als auch deren zeitlicher Rahmen besser einschätzbar werden. Für die Prognosen wurden Altdaten, aktuelle Messwerte und die Ergebnisse eines Freisetzungsexperimentes genutzt, um daraus Trends über die mittlere Entwicklung in den beim Ist-Zustand gefundenen Entfernungsgruppen ableiten zu können. Zusätzlich wurden die Einflüsse verschiedener, in der Prognose nicht berücksichtigter Faktoren diskutiert. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit steht damit aus bodenchemischer Sicht erstmals ein umfassendes Werkzeug für die Bewertung zukünftiger Entwicklungen in der Dübener Heide zur Verfügung. Die aufgestellten Prognosen lassen für die Auflagen der Dübener Heide die folgenden Aussagen zu: Die pH-Werte werden weiter fallen, so dass sich bereits in wenigen Jahrzehnten signifikante pH-Unterschiede zwischen den mittleren und fernen Standorten nicht mehr feststellen lassen werden. Die nahen Standorte werden sich zwar noch am längsten durch erhöhte pH-Werte auszeichnen, aber in etwa 150 Jahren wird in der gesamten Dübener Heide wieder der standorttypische pH-Wert von etwa 3,0 vorliegen. Verbunden mit der Abnahme der pH-Werte werden auch die Basensättigungen zurückgehen. Etwa 50 Jahre lang können die nahen Standorte noch als mindestens basenreich (> 50 % Basensättigung [AG-BODEN 2005]) angesehen werden. Gegen Ende des betrachteten Zeitraums von 150 Jahren ist dann mit einem einheitlichen Niveau der Basensättigung von ca. 20 % (Grenze zwischen mittelbasisch und basenarm [AG-BODEN 2005]) in den Auflagen der Dübener Heide zu rechnen. Die Vorräte von Calcium und Magnesium werden nach und nach ausgetragen, wobei die Hauptursache dafür bei Calcium die Auswaschung aufgrund der Wirkung saurer Niederschläge, bei Magnesium der Ernteentzug ist. Mindestens 50 Jahre kann aber an den nahen Standorten noch von einer überdurchschnittlich guten Calciumversorgung ausgegangen werden. Stellenweise kann aber trotz der hohen Vorräte bereits in 30 Jahren die Magnesiumversorgung zum wachstumsbegrenzenden Faktor werden, da nur ein relativ kleiner Teil des Magnesiums freisetzbar zu sein scheint. Bezüglich des Risikos nachteiliger Wirkungen aufgrund zu hoher verfügbarer Schwermetall-Gehalte sind nur Cadmium und Zink von Bedeutung. Die verfügbaren Gehalte dieser Schwermetalle werden im Zuge der Wiederversauerung ansteigen. Gleichzeitig erfolgt aber auch eine Auswaschung der Gehalte, die dem Anstieg der verfügbaren Gehalte und damit dem Überschreiten der Vorsorgewerte entgegenwirkt. Eine Gefährdung der Waldbestände ist demnach kaum zu erwarten. Die Toleranz der Bäume gegenüber Cadmium und Zink sollte aber trotzdem für langfristige waldbauliche Planungen berücksichtigt werden. / In this study the dynamics of nutrients and pollutants within fly ash-affected forest soils of the Dübener Heide, Germany, were examined concerning their current state and the future development to be expected. In the Dübener Heide large amounts of fly ash were deposited over decades, which had a crucial and lasting impact on the soil properties. Even 15 years after the abrupt end of the immissions this influence can still be proven. The ecosystem has adapted itself to the environmental conditions changed by the fly ash. However, after the loss of further immissions the system is subject to changes once again with yet unknown consequences for the forest. As a basis for sustainable forest planning and an adapted nature park management the current soil-chemical state of the Dübener Heide was examined and prognoses for the future development were derived within the ENFORCHANGE subproject of soil processes. For the determination of the current state 12 sites, that are representative for the typical soil types and stands of the Dübener Heide, were selected which have increasing distances to the coal-fired power plant Zschornewitz, regarded as the main emitter. Soil profiles, two meters in depth, were set up and sampled in depth stages. The soil samples were analyzed for different soil-chemical parameters by means of standard methods. The results were judged regarding the exceeding of mean, critical and limiting values as well as the occurrence of dependencies on depth or distance. By that means parameters which are definitely influenced by the fly ash as well as the most strongly affected depth stages were identified. These information were used afterwards in order to statistically divide the sites into groups of different grade of fly ash-affection. Furthermore current potentials and risks were estimated, and the previous development was judged by comparison with literature data. The results for the current soil-chemical state of the Dübener Heide can be summarized as follows: The pH value, the base saturation and the total contents of the metals aluminium, iron, calcium, magnesium, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and zinc were identified as definitely fly ash-affected. Decreasing values of these soil-chemical parameters are clearly observable with increasing distance from the main emitter. So on average, the pH values of the forest floor horizons close to the emitter are greater by about 1.5 pH units than that of sites far from the emitter. Thereby the forest floor horizons far from the emitter already have approximately the typical pH value while pH values are sill raised by the fly ash at the closed-by sites. Very high base saturations around 90 % and total metal contents, that are higher by approximately 20 400 % compared with more distant sites are present in the forest floor horizons of sites close to the emitter, too. In addition, the pH gradient is the cause for the fact that the available contents of metals with pH-dependent mobility exhibit very clearly formed distance gradients, with the available contents rising with the distance to the emitter contrary to the total contents of the metals. By means of the total contents it can be proven, that the influence of the fly ash mainly concerns the forest floor horizons. The transport of whole fly ash particles into the mineral soil is regarded as insignificant on the basis of the available results. However, a displacement of solved fly ash components with seepage water takes place. This leads to the fact, that a fly ash-induced influence on the pH value, the base saturation, and the available contents of the base cations is partly detectable as far as 30 cm in depth. However, in still deeper mineral horizons different location factors predominate. For the analysis of the fly ash influence the Oa-horizon is the most suitable. Here the clearest and strongest gradients of all affected soil-chemical parameters are present. The Oe-horizon is additionally marked in parts by the influence of the vegetation (base pump) According to the current values of the definitely fly ash-affected parameters the sites can be divided into three groups with different grade of fly ash-affection. The distance gradients are reflected in these groups, and that is why the groups were termed closed-by, intermediate and distant sites. However, the grouping found in the current study exhibits changes compared with the grouping of the Dübener Heide into the four smoke damage zones [LUX 1965b] according to the damage done to the stands by the smoke. Thus, today the formerly strongly affected site Ochsenkopf-BDF (RSZ 1) is no longer assigned to the closed-by but instead to the intermediate sites, while a part of the formerly moderately affected sites (RSZ 3) is now combined into one group together with formerly only slightly damaged site (RSZ 4). A comparison with existing literature data from the Dübener Heide shows, that the differences between the zones (e.g. in pH value) decrease more and more with time, and that nutrients (like calcium) are slowly washed out. Concerning the potentials and risks it can be indicated that apart from cadmium, which exhibits increased values over the entire Dübener Heide, the majority of the examined sites has averaged values and contents typical for the location. Only at the closed-by sites pH values, base saturations, total contents of calcium above the average and violations of limits of precaution of cadmium and zinc occur. But the high pH values at these sites lead to the fact, that the mobile heavy metal contents exhibit still low values at present, and that the positive effect of the improved nutrient situation predominates. The site Burgkemnitz takes a special position, since it has extremely high calcium contents and in connection with its very thick forest floor horizon also very high element stocks even in comparison with the likewise closed-by site Buchholz. Due to the already observable acidification and the decrease in calcium contents a degradation of the nutrient situation and an increasing mobilization of the heavy metals are to be expected particularly for the closed-by sites. Therefore, as a basis for the estimation of the effect of future changes on the forest ecosystem and the stands prognoses for the development of the relevant fly ash-affected parameters in the forest floor horizons of the Dübener Heide were derived. With the help of these prognoses both the extent of the change to be expected and its time frame should become better assessable. For the prognoses literature data, measured values of the current study and the results of a release experiment were used in order to be able to derive from it trends for the averaged development within the different groups of sites found for the current state. Additionally the influences of different factors not considered for the prognoses were discussed. So with this, for the first time there is available a comprehensive tool for the evaluation of future developments in the Dübener Heide from soil-chemical point of view. The set up prognoses allow the following statements for the forest floor horizons of the Dübener Heide: The pH values will continue to fall, so that already in a few decades significant pH differences between the intermediate and the distant sites will not be determinable any more. The longest time the closed-by sites will be characterised by increased pH values, but in approximately 150 years a location typical pH value of about 3.0 will be present over the entire Dübener Heide again. Connected with the reduction of the pH values the base saturation will decrease, too. About 50 more years the closed-by sites can still be regarded as at least base rich (> 50 % base saturation [AG-BODEN 2005]). But towards the end of the considered time of 150 years it has to be reckoned on a uniform level of the base saturation of approximately 20 % (threshold between medium-basic and base-poor [AG-BODEN 2005]) in the forest floor horizons of the Dübener Heide. The stocks of calcium and magnesium will be gradually decreased, for what the main cause is leaching due to the effect of acid precipitations for calcium and harvest removal for magnesium. At least for 50 more years it can be assumed that the closed-by sites will have a calcium supply good above average. In parts, however, despite the high stocks the magnesium supply can already become the growth-limiting factor in 30 years, since only a relative small part of magnesium seems to be available for leaching. Only cadmium and zinc are of importance concerning the risk of unfavourable effects caused by too high contents of mobile heavy metals. The available contents of these heavy metals will rise as the result of increasing acidification. But at the same time leaching of the metals takes place what counteracts the rise of the available contents and thus the violation of the limits of precaution. According to this an endangerment of the forest stands is hardly to be expected. However, for long-term forest-structural planning the tolerance of the trees with respect to cadmium and zinc should be considered nevertheless.

Μεγάλο τμήμα της παραγόμενης ενέργειας στην Ελλάδα προέρχεται από την καύση λιγνίτη στην Βόρεια (Δυτική Μακεδονία) και Νότια (Πελοπόννησος) Ελλάδα. Η καύση του λιγνίτη έχει ως αποτέλεσμα την παραγωγή μεγάλων ποσοτήτων στερεών παραπροϊόντων, όπως η ιπτάμενη τέφρα (ΙΤ) και η τέφρα πυθμένα (ΤΠ), των οποίων η συνολική παραγωγή ανέρχεται σήμερα σε 14Mt ετησίως. Η ποσότητα των παραπροϊόντων αυτών αναμένεται να αυξηθεί τα επόμενα χρόνια εξ’ αιτίας της συνεχώς χαμηλότερης ποιότητας λιγνίτη που χρησιμοποιείται (χαμηλότερη θερμογόνος δύναμη). Ένα τμήμα της παραγόμενης ΙΤ (10-12%) στην Ελλάδα αξιοποιείται ως πρώτη ύλη στη παραγωγή τσιμέντου, ενώ η ΤΠ δεν απορροφάται μέχρι σήμερα από καμία εφαρμογή, κυρίως λόγω του υψηλού ποσοστού άνθρακα που περιέχει. Το αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής είναι η αξιοποίηση, πρωτίστως, της ΤΠ και, μετέπειτα, της ΙΤ ως πρώτες ύλες στην παραγωγή τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών για χρήση τους στην παραγωγή ελαφροσκυροδέματος. Για την παραγωγή των τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών εφαρμόστηκε η διεργασία της πυροσυσσωμάτωσης σε σχάρα (grate sintering) έπειτα από σφαιροποίηση μιγμάτων των δύο τεφρών. Πραγματοποιήθηκε διερεύνηση των φυσικοχημικών χαρακτηριστικών των λιγνιτικών τεφρών (Κεφάλαιο 2) με σκοπό τον προσδιορισμό και την κατανόηση των χαρακτηριστικών τους, τα οποία αναμένεται να έχουν σημαντική επίδραση στην εφαρμογή της διεργασίας και στην ποιότητα του παραγόμενου προϊόντος. Επιπλέον, γίνεται αναλυτική αναφορά στα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά των διεργασιών σφαιροποίησης και πυροσυσσωμάτωσης (Κεφάλαιο 3). Για την εφαρμογή της επιλεγμένης διεργασίας παραγωγής τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών πραγματοποιήθηκε σχεδιασμός μιγμάτων με διαφορετικές αναλογίες ΤΠ και ΙΤ (Κεφάλαιο 4). Ο περιεχόμενος άνθρακας της ΤΠ αποτελεί το καύσιμο της διεργασίας πυροσυσσωμάτωσης, ενώ η υψηλή περιεχόμενη υγρασία της ΤΠ αξιοποιείται ως το κύριο συνδετικό υλικό κατά την διάρκεια σφαιροποίησης για τον σχηματισμό σφαιριδίων. Οι διαφορετικές αναλογίες ΤΠ και ΙΤ αντιστοιχούν σε διαφορετικό ποσοστό στερεού καυσίμου στο μίγμα (προκύπτει από τις διαφορετικές vi αναλογίες), μία παράμετρος η οποία έχει επίδραση στην ολοκλήρωση της πυροσυσσωμάτωσης και στην ποιότητα του παραγόμενου (ελαφροαδρανούς) προϊόντος. Η πυροσυσσωμάτωση ολοκληρώθηκε με επιτυχία με ελάχιστο ποσοστό στερεού καυσίμου (περιεχόμενο άνθρακα ΤΠ) 6.5%κβ (Κεφάλαιο 5). Πραγματοποιήθηκε φυσικοχημικός χαρακτηρισμός όλων των προϊόντων της πυροσυσσωμάτωσης των μιγμάτων λιγνιτικών τεφρών της Μεγαλόπολης, και διαπιστώθηκε ότι το ποσοστό περιεχόμενου άνθρακα της ΤΠ είναι μια πολύ σημαντική παράμετρος για την παραγωγή ελαφροαδρανών υλικών. Ο σχηματισμός πορώδους δομής στο εσωτερικό των πυροσυσσωματωμένων πελλετών, στην οποία οφείλεται και το χαμηλό βάρος των παραγόμενων αδρανών, προκαλείται από την ταυτόχρονη εξέλιξη δύο διεργασιών: α) την παραγωγή αερίων σε υψηλές θερμοκρασίες και β) τον σχηματισμό ρευστής φάσης στην εξωτερική επιφάνεια της πελλέτας στο ίδιο χρονικό διάστημα (Κεφάλαιο 6). Οι αντοχές των πυροσυσσωματωμένων πελλετών οφείλονται σε αντιδράσεις και στον σχηματισμό νέων φάσεων είτε στερεών μέσω διάχυσης είτε ρευστών που προέρχονται από επιτήξεις στα όρια των κόκκων. Στην συνέχεια τα παραγόμενα ελαφροαδρανή χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την παραγωγή δοκιμίων θερμομονωτικού και δομικού ελαφροσκυροδέματος και πραγματοποιήθηκε έλεγχος των θερμικών και μηχανικών τους ιδιοτήτων, αντίστοιχα (Κεφάλαιο 7). Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι τα τεχνητά ελαφροαδρανή μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για την παραγωγή θερμομονωτικού και δομικού ελαφροσκυροδέματος. Η επιτυχής παραγωγή τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών από μίγματα λιγνιτικών τεφρών Μεγαλόπολης αποτέλεσε και την βάση για δοκιμές πυροσυσσωμάτωσης των παραπροϊόντων αυτών με άλλα στερεά βιομηχανικά παραπροϊόντα όπως η ερυθρά ιλύς (ΕΙ), η οποία παράγεται από την επεξεργασία βωξίτη προς παραγωγή αλουμινίου (Κεφάλαιο 8). Για την διαπίστωση της συνεργασίας των δύο διαφορετικών παραπροϊόντων πραγματοποιήθηκε προσθήκη μέχρι και 30%κβ ΕΙ σε μίγματα λιγνιτικών τεφρών. Πραγματοποιήθηκε φυσικοχημική διερεύνηση των προϊόντων της πυροσυσσωμάτωσης και χρήση τους στην παραγωγή δοκιμίων σκυροδέματος. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι η αύξηση της προστιθέμενης ΕΙ στο μίγμα λιγνιτικών vii τεφρών της Μεγαλόπολης επιφέρει αύξηση στο βάρος των παραγόμενων αδρανών, ενώ μπορούν να χαρακτηριστούν ελαφροαδρανή τα προϊόντα πυροσυσσωμάτωσης μιγμάτων μέχρι και 20%κβ προσθήκης ΕΙ. Τα αποτελέσματα των μετρήσεων των μηχανικών αντοχών των δοκιμίων σκυροδέματος δείχνουν ότι η ΕΙ επιφέρει αύξηση στις αποκτώμενες αντοχές σε ποσοστό προσθήκης μέχρι και 15%κβ. Η εφαρμογή που προτείνεται σε αυτή την διατριβή για την παραγωγή τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών υλικών από τα στερεά λιγνιτικά παραπροϊόντα του ΑΗΣ Μεγαλόπολης αποτελεί την πρώτη πρόταση για αξιοποίηση της ΤΠ στην Ελλάδα. Η πυροσυσσωμάτωση μιγμάτων των λιγνιτικών τεφρών μπορεί να οδηγήσει στην παραγωγή τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών για χρήση τους στο δομικό και θερμομονωτικό ελαφροσκυρόδεμα ενώ ο περιεχόμενος άνθρακας της ΤΠ, ο οποίος αξιοποιείται ως το καύσιμο διεργασίας παραγωγής, αποτελεί σημαντική παράμετρο για την ποιότητα των τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών. Επιπλέον, οι λιγνιτικές τέφρες της Μεγαλόπολης μπορούν να συνεργαστούν με άλλα στερεά βιομηχανικά παραπροϊόντα όπως η ΕΙ για την παραγωγή τεχνητών ελαφροαδρανών διαφορετικής ποιότητας. Επίσης, η συγκεκριμένη πρόταση αφορά στην μαζική αξιοποίηση της ΤΠ και πιθανή εφαρμογή έχει την δυνατότητα να απορροφήσει το μεγαλύτερο τμήμα του παραγόμενου αυτού παραπροϊόντος. / Large part of energy demand in Greece is covered by lignite combustion in West Macedonia and Peloponnesus. Lignite combustion results in production of, approximately, 14Mt/year of solid byproducts, such as fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA). The quantity of these byproducts is going to be increased in future because of the low quality of available lignite (lower calorific value). Part of FA (10-12%) produced in Greece is utilized as raw material in cement production while there is no application of BA, mainly because of its high carbon content. This study investigates a new method for utilization of BA, primarily, and FA, afterwards, as raw materials in the production of lightweight aggregates and further utilization of produced aggregates in lightweight aggregate concrete. A two stage process, pelletization and sintering, is applied in BA and FA mixtures. Physical and chemical analyses of Megalopolis lignite ashes are performed (Chapter 2) in purpose of characterization of process raw materials. Furthermore, fundamental theory of pelletization and grate sintering is presented (Chapter 3) in purpose of better understanding of process details. Mixtures of different BA/FA ratio are prepared for sintering tests (Chapter 4). Carbon contained in BA is utilized as the fuel of the process, while high water content of BA is utilized as the primary binding material during pelletization in purpose of pellets formation. Different BA/FA ratios represent different solid fuel percentages in sintering mixtures. This is an important parameter, which strongly affects the completion of the process and the quality of product. Successful completion of sintering process is achieved with minimum solid fuel content (BA carbon) 6.5wt% in mixture (Chapter 5). Physical and chemical characterization is performed for products of all different sintering mixtures. The results show that BA carbon content is an important parameter for the production of lightweight aggregates. Porous structure formation inside the sintered pellets, which is responsible for aggregates low weight, is caused by simultaneous development of two different processes: a) production of gases in high temperatures and, b) liquid (glassy) phase formation in the outer part of pellets in the same time period (Chapter 6). ix Formation of either solid state bonds, through diffusion, and/or glassy phase bonds at the points of particles mutual contact are responsible for pellet strength. Lightweight aggregates produced are used in the production of insulating and structural lightweight aggregate concrete specimens and thermal and mechanical tests are performed, respectively. According to tests results artificial lightweight aggregates can be used for insulating and structural purposes. The successful experimental results from the utilization of lignite solid byproducts in the production of LWA offered new opportunities for collaboration of these byproducts with other industrial solid residues, such as red mud (RM) which is produced during bauxite treatment for aluminum production (Chapter 8). In purpose of investigation of collaboration of these different byproducts sintering mixtures are prepared with low RM addition, up to 30wt%, in lignite ashes mixtures. Physical and chemical characterization is performed for products of all sintering mixtures and they are used for production of concrete specimens. Results show that increase of RM addition brings increase in aggregates weight, while aggregates formed by RM addition up to 20wt% can be considered as lightweight ones. The results of mechanical strength tests in concrete specimens show that RM addition up to 15wt% brings increase in aggregates strength. This is the first proposed method for utilization of lignite BA in Greece in the production of lightweight aggregates. Sintering of mixtures of lignite ashes results to the production of lightweight aggregates and the produced aggregates can be used for insulating and structural lightweight aggregate concrete. BA carbon content, which is utilized as the fuel of the process, is an important parameter for lightweight aggregate production and porous structure formation. Furthermore, Megalopolis lignite ashes can be treated in collaboration with other industrial solid byproducts, such as RM for the production of lightweight aggregates of different quality. Finally, the proposed method targets to massive utilization of BA produced in Megalopolis power station.