Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-25T12:18:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marielle Ferreira de Oliveira.pdf: 1255416 bytes, checksum: 2938d36ef06506a40bbe2b05c9695f98 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The research aimed to treat sewage through combined anaerobic/aerobic system, using primary sludge and lysed excess sludge as an endogenous carbon source for removal of nutrients, aiming to produce effluent with low concentrations of organic material and nutrients and lower production excess sludge. The experiment was conducted in three phases. In the first, were performed respirometric tests as tool to assess the biodegradability of lysed biological sludge, through by techniques of cellular lysis induced: mechanical action, thermal and acid-base reaction. In the second phase, was monitored a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) together with Fermentation and Hydrolysis Reactor (FHR), which received excess sludge of SBR, tritured by mechanical action and primary sludge. SBR and FHR were operated with TRC of 3.36 and 10 days respectively. The third phase consisted of an anaerobic reactor followed by Immobilized Submerged with support Medium (polyurethane synthetic sponge) Aerated Reactor (ISMAR) operated in recirculation batch system. The results obtained from the respirometric tests found that the thermal sludge showed concentration biodegradable readily material greater than the tritured sludge and treated sludge by acid-base reaction. Values of the percentages of COD solubilized varied from 1.6% to 4.2%, with an average of 2.6%. The system presented promising results for the removal of nutrients, with removal efficiency of 85%, 93% and 98% for phosphorus soluble, nitrate and nitrite, respectively. However, the final effluent was maintained with concentration average of ammonia of 27 mgN-NH , considered out of the discharge standards. The combined system, anaerobic reactor and Immobilized Submerged with support Medium Aerobic Reactor (ISMAR), removed efficiently carbonaceous material (88%), TSS (86%), SSV (90%), TKN (94%) and N-NH4 - (96%). Producing effluent with average concentrations of nitrite and nitrate, respectively of 0.19 mgN-NO2-.L-1 and 2.52 mgN-NO3-.L. After addition of primary sludge the system, this presented a better performance with efficiency of COD removal gross and filtered 95%. However, the process of phosphorus removal was considered unsatisfactory since there was sludge disposal in the ISMAR reactor. Introducing an efficiency of removing just 20% for total phosphorus and 22% for the orthophosphate. / A pesquisa teve como objetivo principal tratar esgotos sanitários através de sistema combinado anaeróbio/aeróbio, utilizando lodo primário e lodo de excesso lisado como fonte endógena de carbono para remoção de nutrientes, buscando produzir efluente com baixas concentrações de material carbonáceo e de nutrientes e menor produção de lodo de excesso. O experimento foi realizado em três fases. Na primeira, foram realizados testes respirométricos como ferramenta para avaliar a biodegradabilidade de lodo biológico lisado, por meio de técnicas de lise celular induzida: ação mecânica, térmica e reação ácido-base. Na segunda fase, foi monitorado um Reator em Batelada Seqüencial (RBS) conjuntamente com Reator de Hidrólise e Fermentação (RHF), o qual recebia lodo de excesso do RBS, triturado por ação mecânica e lodo primário. O RBS e o RHF foram operados com TRC de 3,36 e 10 dias, respectivamente. A terceira fase foi constituída de reator anaeróbio seguido de reator aerado com meio suporte (esponja sintética de poliuretano) submerso imobilizado (RAMSI) operado em regime de bateladas com recirculação. Os resultados obtidos através dos testes respirométricos constataram que o lodo térmico apresentou concentração de material rapidamente biodegradável superior ao lodo triturado e ao lodo lisado por reação ácido-base. Os valores dos percentuais da DQO solubilizada variaram de 1,6% a 4,2%, com uma média de 2,6%. O sistema apresentou resultados promissores para a remoção de nutrientes, com eficiência de remoção de 85%, 93% e 98% para fósforo solúvel, nitrato e nitrito, respectivamente. Entretanto, o efluente final manteve-se com concentração média de nitrogênio amoniacal de 27 mgN-NH4.L-1, considerada fora dos padrões de lançamento. O sistema combinado, reator anaeróbio e reator aeróbio com meio suporte submerso imobilizado (RAMSI), removeram de forma eficiente material carbonáceo (88%), SST (86%), SSV (90%), NTK (94%) e N-NH4 -(96%). Produzindo efluente com concentrações médias de nitrito e nitrato, respectivamente de 0,19 mgN-NO e 2,52 mgN-NO3 -.L-1. Após a adição do lodo primário no sistema, este apresentou um melhor desempenho, com eficiência de remoção de DQO bruta e filtrada de 95%. No entanto, o processo de remoção de fósforo foi considerado insatisfatório, visto que não havia descarte de lodo no reator RAMSI. Apresentando uma eficiência de remoção de apenas 20% para o fósforo total e 22% para o ortofosfato.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Isabela Marega Rigolin.pdf: 2206134 bytes, checksum: a04daea692c9eb3116904c47f5416325 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-08 / One way to reduce the concentration of waste through composting is being considered as an alternative privileged treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the compostability of industrial waste through monitoring of chemical parameters. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Sciences College, School of Agronomy, located in Campus II, Universidade do Oeste Paulista UNOESTE in Presidente Prudente/SP. For treatments we used the residue of an industrial company in the oilochemical, properly characterized chemically before the mixtures. The treatments were arranged in compost piles and characterized as follow way: (T1) = Test, (T2) = 75% Proportion of Principal residue + 25% Sewage Sludges (ETE) (3:1), (T3) = Proportion of 50% of the residue Principal + 50% Sewage Sludges (ETE) (1:1), (T4) = 25% Proportion of Principal residue + 75% of Sewage Sludges (ETE) (1:3) , (T5) = 75% Proportion of Principal residue + 25% Mineral Fertilizer (3:1), (T6) = 50% Proportion of Principal residue + 50% Mineral Fertilizer (1:1), (T7) = 25% Proportion of Principal residue + 75% Mineral Fertilizer (1:3), (T8 = 75% Proportion of Principal residue + 25% Farmyard Manure natural; (T9) = 50% Proportion of Principal residue l + 50% Proportion of Principal residue; (T10) = 25% Proportion of Principal residue + 75% Farmyard Manure natural . The samples were dried at 65 ° C for 72 hours, after that it was grinded to determine the following parameters: electrical conductivity (EC) in relation to water, pH CaCl2 0.01 mol L-1, Moisture (%) of the samples removed 65ºC; Relation C/N; Content of Organic Matter (MOT) and total C. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and mean comparison test F at 5% probability, and where relevant treatment effects were evaluated by applying the polynomial regression models. The best model to fit the data was selected based on the significance degree of the coefficient of determination (R²). The data obtained showed that composting is a technique which may be effective in the treatment of waste from the oil industry, which requires the addition of inoculum and nutrients to provide the necessary conditions for microbial activity, the proportion of 25 RI% + 75% of LE. It was considered as a treatment which obtained an important result given the difficult to composting RI, that the period of 120 days was not enough to transform into compost humified and the addition of mineral fertilizer provided no significant effect. / Uma das formas de reduzir a concentração de resíduos é através da compostagem, sendo considerada como uma alternativa privilegiada de tratamento. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a compostabilidade de um resíduo industrial através do monitoramento de parâmetros químicos. O experimento foi conduzido na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, do Curso de Agronomia, localizada no Campus II, na Universidade do Oeste Paulista - UNOESTE, em Presidente Prudente/SP. Para os tratamentos, utilizou-se o resíduo industrial de uma empresa do setor de oleoquímica, devidamente caracterizado quimicamente antes da efetivação das misturas. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em pilhas de compostagem e caracterizados da seguinte forma: (T1) = Testemunha; (T2) = Proporção de 75% do Resíduo Principal + 25% de Lodo de Esgoto (ETE) (3:1); (T3) = Proporção de 50% do Resíduo Principal + 50% de Lodo de Esgoto (ETE) (1:1); (T4) = Proporção de 25% do Resíduo Principal + 75% de Lodo de Esgoto (ETE) (1:3); (T5) = Proporção de 75% do Resíduo Principal + 25% de Fertilizante Mineral (3:1); (T6) = Proporção de 50% do Resíduo Principal + 50% de Fertilizante Mineral (1:1); (T7) = Proporção de 25% do Resíduo Principal + 75% de Fertilizante Mineral (1:3); (T8) = Proporção de 75% do Resíduo Principal + 25% Esterco de Curral in natura; (T9) = Proporção de 50% do Resíduo Principal + 50% Esterco de Curral in natura; (T10) = Proporção de 25% do Resíduo Principal + 75% Esterco de Curral in natura. As amostras coletadas foram secas à 65 oC durante 72 horas e depois moídas para a determinação dos seguintes parâmetros: Condutividade elétrica (Ce) em água na relação; pH em CaCl2 0,01 mol L-1, Umidade (%) das amostras eliminada à 65oC; Relação C/N, Teor de Matéria Orgânica Total (MOT) e C total. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de comparação de médias F ao nível de 5% de probabilidade e, quando pertinente os efeitos dos tratamentos foram avaliados aplicando-se os modelos de regressão polinomial. O melhor modelo para o ajuste dos dados foi escolhido em função do grau de significância do coeficiente de determinação (R2). De acordo com os dados obtidos verificou-se que a compostagem é uma técnica que poderá ser eficiente no tratamento do resíduo proveniente da indústria oleoquímica, sendo necessária, a adição de inoculantes e nutrientes que forneçam condições necessárias para a atividade microbiana; a proporção de 25% do RI + 75% de LE, foi considerada como um tratamento que obteve um resultado relevante diante da dificuldade de compostagem do RI; que o período de 120 dias não foi suficiente para transformação em composto humificado e a adição de fertilizante mineral não proporcionou efeito significativo.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Isabela Marega Rigolin.pdf: 2206134 bytes, checksum: a04daea692c9eb3116904c47f5416325 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-08 / One way to reduce the concentration of waste through composting is being considered as an alternative privileged treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the compostability of industrial waste through monitoring of chemical parameters. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Sciences College, School of Agronomy, located in Campus II, Universidade do Oeste Paulista UNOESTE in Presidente Prudente/SP. For treatments we used the residue of an industrial company in the oilochemical, properly characterized chemically before the mixtures. The treatments were arranged in compost piles and characterized as follow way: (T1) = Test, (T2) = 75% Proportion of Principal residue + 25% Sewage Sludges (ETE) (3:1), (T3) = Proportion of 50% of the residue Principal + 50% Sewage Sludges (ETE) (1:1), (T4) = 25% Proportion of Principal residue + 75% of Sewage Sludges (ETE) (1:3) , (T5) = 75% Proportion of Principal residue + 25% Mineral Fertilizer (3:1), (T6) = 50% Proportion of Principal residue + 50% Mineral Fertilizer (1:1), (T7) = 25% Proportion of Principal residue + 75% Mineral Fertilizer (1:3), (T8 = 75% Proportion of Principal residue + 25% Farmyard Manure natural; (T9) = 50% Proportion of Principal residue l + 50% Proportion of Principal residue; (T10) = 25% Proportion of Principal residue + 75% Farmyard Manure natural . The samples were dried at 65 ° C for 72 hours, after that it was grinded to determine the following parameters: electrical conductivity (EC) in relation to water, pH CaCl2 0.01 mol L-1, Moisture (%) of the samples removed 65ºC; Relation C/N; Content of Organic Matter (MOT) and total C. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and mean comparison test F at 5% probability, and where relevant treatment effects were evaluated by applying the polynomial regression models. The best model to fit the data was selected based on the significance degree of the coefficient of determination (R²). The data obtained showed that composting is a technique which may be effective in the treatment of waste from the oil industry, which requires the addition of inoculum and nutrients to provide the necessary conditions for microbial activity, the proportion of 25 RI% + 75% of LE. It was considered as a treatment which obtained an important result given the difficult to composting RI, that the period of 120 days was not enough to transform into compost humified and the addition of mineral fertilizer provided no significant effect. / Uma das formas de reduzir a concentração de resíduos é através da compostagem, sendo considerada como uma alternativa privilegiada de tratamento. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a compostabilidade de um resíduo industrial através do monitoramento de parâmetros químicos. O experimento foi conduzido na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, do Curso de Agronomia, localizada no Campus II, na Universidade do Oeste Paulista - UNOESTE, em Presidente Prudente/SP. Para os tratamentos, utilizou-se o resíduo industrial de uma empresa do setor de oleoquímica, devidamente caracterizado quimicamente antes da efetivação das misturas. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em pilhas de compostagem e caracterizados da seguinte forma: (T1) = Testemunha; (T2) = Proporção de 75% do Resíduo Principal + 25% de Lodo de Esgoto (ETE) (3:1); (T3) = Proporção de 50% do Resíduo Principal + 50% de Lodo de Esgoto (ETE) (1:1); (T4) = Proporção de 25% do Resíduo Principal + 75% de Lodo de Esgoto (ETE) (1:3); (T5) = Proporção de 75% do Resíduo Principal + 25% de Fertilizante Mineral (3:1); (T6) = Proporção de 50% do Resíduo Principal + 50% de Fertilizante Mineral (1:1); (T7) = Proporção de 25% do Resíduo Principal + 75% de Fertilizante Mineral (1:3); (T8) = Proporção de 75% do Resíduo Principal + 25% Esterco de Curral in natura; (T9) = Proporção de 50% do Resíduo Principal + 50% Esterco de Curral in natura; (T10) = Proporção de 25% do Resíduo Principal + 75% Esterco de Curral in natura. As amostras coletadas foram secas à 65 oC durante 72 horas e depois moídas para a determinação dos seguintes parâmetros: Condutividade elétrica (Ce) em água na relação; pH em CaCl2 0,01 mol L-1, Umidade (%) das amostras eliminada à 65oC; Relação C/N, Teor de Matéria Orgânica Total (MOT) e C total. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de comparação de médias F ao nível de 5% de probabilidade e, quando pertinente os efeitos dos tratamentos foram avaliados aplicando-se os modelos de regressão polinomial. O melhor modelo para o ajuste dos dados foi escolhido em função do grau de significância do coeficiente de determinação (R2). De acordo com os dados obtidos verificou-se que a compostagem é uma técnica que poderá ser eficiente no tratamento do resíduo proveniente da indústria oleoquímica, sendo necessária, a adição de inoculantes e nutrientes que forneçam condições necessárias para a atividade microbiana; a proporção de 25% do RI + 75% de LE, foi considerada como um tratamento que obteve um resultado relevante diante da dificuldade de compostagem do RI; que o período de 120 dias não foi suficiente para transformação em composto humificado e a adição de fertilizante mineral não proporcionou efeito significativo.

Die Entwicklung eines Emissionsmoduls für primäres marines Aerosol (PMA; bestehend aus Meersalz und organischem Material) war Hauptgegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit. Dieses wurde in das Chemie-Transportmodell „COSMO-MUSCAT“ eingebaut und löste dort das vorherige einfach gehaltene Modul (nur Meersalz) ab, welches entsprechend früherer Studien zu hohe Meersalzkonzentrationen berechnete. Das neue Emissionsmodul wurde umfangreich getestet und gegen die Messdaten von verschiedenen Stationen in Europa, einem Bernerimpaktor auf São Vicente (Kap Verden) und einem Aerosolmassenspektrometer sowie einem Digitelfilter während der Fahrt ANT-XXVII/4 des Forschungsschiffes Polarstern validiert. Bei den Untersuchungen kristallisierte sich die Emissionsparametrisierung von Long et al. (2011) als die am Besten geeignete für COSMO-MUSCAT heraus. Weiterhin wurde der Einfluss der Wassertemperatur an der Meeresoberfläche auf die PMA-Emission untersucht. Dabei konnte gezeigt werden, dass dieser Effekt insbesondere für größere Aerosolpartikel (2,5 µm < Dp) relevant ist. Die Nichtbeachtung der Temperaturkorrektur würde in diesem Größenbereich zu einer Überschätzung der Emissionsflüsse und folgend der Konzentration von PMA über kalten Gewässern führen. Beim erstmaligen Vergleich verschiedener Funktionen zur Beachtung des Temperatureffektes erzielte die Funktion von Sofiev et al. (2011) die besten Ergebnisse. Als weitere Neuerung wurde das mit dem PMA emittierte organische Material in das Emissionsmodul eingebaut. Auch hierfür erfolgten Vergleichsstudien verschiedener Parametrisierungen und Ansätze. Allerdings standen nur unzureichende Messungen zur Verfügung, da sie keine Aufteilung in primäres (mit PMA emittiert) und sekundäres (in Gasphase gebildet) organisches Material lieferten. Daher war eine Aussage zur Güte der Funktionen kaum möglich. Die Simulationen zeigten jedoch die Bedeutung der verschiedenen Ansätze zur Berechnung der Emissionsflüsse von organischem Material. So kann bspw. der Einfluss der Emissionsfunktion den Einfluss der Parametrisierung zur Aufteilung in Meersalz und organisches Material deutlich übersteigen. Letztlich bleibt die Frage der richtigen Eingangsdaten für die Emission von primärem organischen Material offen. Es zeigte sich, dass die Abhängigkeit der Anreicherung von organischem Material im PMA von der Chlorophyll a-Konzentration im Oberflächenwasser nicht zwingend gegeben sein muss. Daher ist es notwendig sie in der Berechnung der Emissionsflüsse durch weitere/andere Parameter zu ergänzen/ersetzen. Dies ist Gegenstand eines neuen Forschungsprojektes, bei dem das neue Emissionsmodul angewendet und weiterentwickelt wird.

The project is about piezoelectric energy harvesters and piezoelectric bio-organic materials.Nowadays, various kinds of energy harvesters based on micro or nano materials are appliedinmanyelectronic applications, such as wearable devices and electricity generators. Amongthem, thepiezoelectric effect-based energy harvesters are more attractive in research and industryfields. Inrecent years, piezoelectric biomaterials become a popular option because they are availabletocouple electrical and mechanical energy in a biological, ecofriendly systemto generate electricityinreal time. Among them, γ- glycine crystals have been recently synthesized in wafer scale throughasimple polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-assisted evaporation process exhibiting good piezoelectricperformance. However, so far there are no metal-free energy-harvesting devices basedonPVA-glycine film to enable green manufacturing. In this project, we proposed the direct inkwritingorganic PEDOT:PSS electrodes and PVA-glycine-PVA piezoelectric crystals to fabricate metal-freeenergy harvesters. The output voltage reaches 1.5 V at a load resistance of 500 MΩandunderaforce of 10 N. The performance is comparable to other glycine-based devices in recent literature.Our scalable, sustainable and low-cost printing process is expected to greatly contribute tothefieldof biomaterials-based piezoelectric energy harvesting. / Projektet handlar om piezoelektriska energiskördare och piezoelektriska bioorganiska material. Nuförtiden används olika typer av energiskördare baserade på mikro- eller nanomaterial i mångaelektroniska applikationer, såsom bärbara enheter och elgeneratorer. Bland dem är de piezoelektriskaeffektbaserade energiskördarna mer attraktiva inom forsknings- och industriområden. På senare år harpiezoelektriska biomaterial blivit ett populärt alternativ eftersom de är tillgängliga för att koppla elektrisk och mekanisk energi i ett biologiskt, miljövänligt system för att generera elektricitet i realtid. Bland dem har γ-glycinkristaller nyligen syntetiserats i waferskala genom en enkel polyvinylalkohol (PVA)-assisterad förångningsprocess som uppvisar god piezoelektrisk prestanda. Än så länge finnsdet dock inga metallfria energiskördande enheter baserade på PVA-glycinfilm för att möjliggöra gröntillverkning. I detta projekt föreslog vi direkt bläckskrivande organiska PEDOT:PSS-elektroder ochPVA-glycin-PVA piezoelektriska kristaller för att tillverka metallfria energiskördare. Utspänningennår1,5 V vid en belastningsresistans på 500 MΩ och under en kraft på 10 N. Prestandan är jämförbar medandra glycinbaserade enheter i nyare litteratur. Vår skalbara, hållbara och billiga utskriftsprocess förväntas i hög grad bidra till området för biomaterialbaserad piezoelektrisk energiskörd.

Indiscutivelmente, higiene de mãos (HM)é uma das medidads mais importantes para prevenir as Infecções Hospitalares. Além da tradicional lavagem com água e sabão, o uso do álcool tem se destacado na HM, pois, possui boa atividade antimicrobiana, dispensa pia, reduz o tempo e previne ressecamento de mãos. Das evidências científicas sobre seu uso na HM, ainda há contradições quanto à sua efetividade na presença da matéria orgânica nas mãos. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida com intuito de elucidar esta questão avaliando a eficácia antimicrobiana de três formulações alcoólicas (duas em forma de gel e uma líquida) nas mãos com matéria orgânica. Os trabalhos laboratoriais foram realizados no Laboratório de Pesquisas do Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisas (coleta de amostras bacterianas) e no Laboratório de Microbiologia do Departamento de Patologia Clínica do Hospital Albert Einstein (contagem bacteriana), utilizando a metodologia oficial Européia - EN 1500 modificada. Quatorze voluntários - pessoas saudáveis, sem problemas de pele nas mãos e que asinaram o \"Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido\", foram aleatorizados em três grupos e cada grupo utilizou os proidutos-testes e referência em seqüências diferentes. Os produtos-teste foram: produto A - alcool etílico sob a forma de gel a 62% (p/p), produto B - álcool etílico sob a forma de gel a 70%(p/p) e produto C - álcool etílico a 70% (p/v) glicerinado sob a forma líquida e o produto D - alcool 2-propanolol 60%, produto referência padronizado pela metodologia EN 1500. Para cada produto-teste e referência, foi realizada a seguinte seqüência de procedimentos: lavagem de mãos por um minuto com água e sabão; aplicação de 1,2 ml de sangue estéril desfibrinado de carneiro; contaminação das mãos até metade dos matacarpos no caldo tríptico de soja (TSB) com o microrganismo-desafio S. macescens ATCC 14756; coleta de amostras pré HM, friccionando os dedos na placa de Petri contendo TSB (valor inicial); HM aplicando o(s) produto(s)-teste e referência; coleta de amostras para recuperação bacteriana (valor final), com a mesma técnica da fase pré HM e cálculo do fator de redução (FR) logarítmica (log10) de S. marcescens (valor inicial - valor final). Foram realizadas análises estatísticas (teste de Wilcoxon) para verificar a equivalência entre o(s) produto(s)-teste e referência, com o nível de significância estabelecido em P=0,10, unicaudal. Os FR (log10) foram: 3,29 para o rpoduto A; 3,36 para o produto B e 3,56 para o produto C. O produto-referência, produto, produto D, promoveu FR log10 de 3,66. Os testes de Wilcoxon indicaram que há equivalência dos produtos B (P=0,198) e C (P=0,826) com o produto referência D, e que existe diferença do produto A (P=0,074) quando comparado ao produto D. Como conclusão, este estudo revelou que os produtos-teste, utilizados em mãos artificialmente sujas com matéria orgânica reduziram significativamente a colonização transitória das mãos - mais de 3 log10, redução acima de 99,9% podendo ser utilizados para HM. Estes valores são superiores aos valores de FR log10 encontrados após a lavagem de mãos com sabão não-antimicrobiano(2,7) e sabão antimicrobiano tricosan (2,8) e semelhantes aos valores de PVP-I (3,5) e clorexidina degermante (3,1). O produto A, apesar de reprovado pela metodologia oficial EN 1500, obteve o menor FR log10 (3,26), é superior aos sabões não-antimicrobianos e com triclosan e clorexidina degermante a 4%, o que indica a possibilidade de sua utilização como segunda opção. / Hand hygiene is considered the most important measure to reduce the transmission of nosocomial pathogens in health care settings. Because alcohol has excellent antimicrobial activity, requires less time, results in less skin irritation and does not require proximity to a sink, is the preferred agent for hand hygiene. In the face of scientific evidence, there\'s still contradiction concerning the effectiveness of alcohol in the hands with proteinaceous material. This research was developed in order to compare the antimicrobial activity of three alcoholic products commonly used (two alcohol-based gel and one liquid formulation) in the hands with organic material. It was conducted in the Research Laboratory (bacterial samples) and in the Microbiology Laboratory of the Clinical Pathology Department (bacterial counting) of the Hospital Albert Einstein, using modified European Standard EN 1500. The test products were: A - ethanol alcohol-based gel 62% (p/p), product B - ethanol alcohol-based gel 70% (p/p) and product C - ethanol alcohol-based liquid 70% (p/v) with glycerol 2% compared to reference product: D - alcohol 2-propanolol 60% (v/v) on artificially contaminated hands with S. marcescens ATCC 14756, using a cross-over design. Fourteen healthy volunteers, with no skin hand problems and who signed written consent form were randomized in 3 groups. For each reference and test products, the following sequence was carried through: hands were washed with soft soap, 1,2 ml of sterile sheep blood defibrinated was dispensed by sterile syringe into the hands, air-dried and immersed in the contamination fluid up to the mid-metacarpals. Bacterial sample were recovered for the inicial count by rubbing the fingertips of each hand for 1 min in the petri dish containing tryptone soya broth (TSB) . The hands were rubbed thoroughly over their entire surface (30 to 60 seconds) with 2 -3 ml of the test products. The reference product was used twice (total of 6 ml) and rubbed for 60 seconds. Both hands were rinsed in running water and excess water was drained off. Final bacterial count was obtained rubbing the fingertips of each hand for 1 min in the petri dish containing TSB. For both reference and test products, the mean log10 reduction factors (RF) were calculated (difference between the pre-value and post-value) and for testing the RF of the test products against that of reference product the Wilcoxon teste was used (level of significance was set at P=0,1, one sided) The RF log10 calculated were: 3,29 for the product A; 3,36 for the product B; 3,56 for the product C and 3,66 for the product D. The Wilcoxon test indicated that product A did not meet standard criteria (P = 0,074) and the products B (P = 0,198) and C (P = 0,826) met the EN 1500 requirement. As conclusion, this study indicated that the test products, used in hands with organic material, significantly reduced the transient flora, more than 3 log10 (99,9% of reduction), may be used for hand hygiene. These values are greater than the values of RF log10 after washing hands with plain soap (2,70) and triclosan (2,8) or similar or even exceeding when comparing with antimicrobial detergents used for hand washing, as PVP-I (3,5) or chlorhexidine 4% (3,1). Although the product A did not meet the EN 1500 criteria and had the lowest RF log10, its RF is superior to soaps (plain soap, triclosan and chlorhexidine 4%). This indicates a possibility of its usage as a second option.

Ce travail de thèse a été consacré à la compréhension du plasma induit par laser sur des matériaux organiqueset à l’application de la technique de laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) à l’analyse quantitative deces matériaux. L’ensemble des travaux contribue donc à approfondir notre connaissance sur les mécanismesphysiques impliqués dans l’interaction laser-matière, dans la génération du plasma et dans l’évolution decelui-ci au cours de son expansion dans le gaz ambiant avec la spécificité de s’adresser à des plasmas induitssur des cibles organiques. Ces travaux visent également à améliorer la performance de la LIBS pour l’analysede matériaux organiques. La spécificité concernant la cible organique répond au besoin actuel de lacommunauté internationale travaillant sur le développement de la LIBS, de mieux maîtriser le plasma induitsur ce genre de matériau qui présente des propriétés optiques bien spécifiques par rapport à des matériauxmieux connus pour l’ablation laser tels que des métaux. Elle répond également au besoin grandissant d’utiliserla technique LIBS aux matériaux organiques pour des applications dans les domaines environnementaux,agroalimentaires, ou encore biomédicaux. Ce mémoire de thèse a été rédigé selon l’organisation suivante. Après l’Introduction Générale qui préciseles contextes scientifiques et technologiques, le Chapitre I rappelle les principes de base nécessaires à lacompréhension du phénomène de génération de plasma par ablation laser, et de l’évolution de celui-ci dans ungaz ambiant. L’accent a été mis sur l’ablation des matériaux organiques. Les procédures et les techniques dediagnostic du plasma induit par laser sont ensuite présentées en insistant sur la nature transitoire etinhomogène d’un plasma en expansion. Le chapitre II s’intéresse à la génération et l’évolution du plasmainduit sur la peau d’une pomme de terre, un échantillon typique de produit agroalimentaire. La caractéristiquedu plasma induit sur une cible organique molle et humide, comme une pomme de terre fraîche était quelquechose d’inconnu au démarrage de la thèse et constituait une base nécessaire à l’analyse quantitative deséléments métalliques en traces et ultra-traces contenus dans un tel échantillon. A l’issue de cettecaractérisation, les données analytiques semi-quantitatives ont été extraites des spectres LIBS correspondant àla peau d’une pomme de terre. Le Chapitre III se situe dans la continuité du Chapitre II pour l’application de laLIBS à des matériaux organiques. Une étude comparative d’analyse de la poudre de lait par la LIBS et parl’ICP-AES permet une évaluation de la performance d’analyse quantitative de la LIBS pour des échantillonsorganiques, et une validation de la procédure CF-LIBS. A la différence des Chapitres II et III où les élémentsde traces métalliques étaient au centre de notre attention, le Chapitre IV étudie le comportement des élémentsmajeurs qui composent la matrice d’un matériau organique, qui sont les 4 éléments organiques, H, C, O, N. Ala décomposition d’un matériau organique par ablation laser, ces éléments peuvent se présenter sous la formede fragments moléculaires, ou encore se recombiner en des espèces moléculaires. Nous étudions alors dans ceChapitre l’évolution de ces espèces en fonction des paramètres du laser utilisé, et notamment la longueurd’onde. Le mémoire se termine par une conclusion générale et des perspectives. / This PhD work was devoted to the understanding of the laser-induced plasma on organic materials and theapplication of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to quantitative analysis of these materials. Itcontributes to deepen our knowledge on the physical mechanisms involved in laser-matter interaction, plasmageneration, evolution and expansion of the plasma into the ambient gas, with emphasis on plasmas induced onorganic targets. It also intends to improve the performance of LIBS for the analysis of organic materials. Thespecificity for organic targets fits the current focus of the international community working on LIBS, toimprove the control of the plasma induced on this kind of material which has a distinguished optical prosperitywith respect to that of metals, better known for laser ablation. It addresses also the growing need to apply theLIBS technique to organic materials for different applications in the environmental, food, or biomedicaldomains. The works in this thesis were therefore presented in this thesis document according to the followingorganization.After the General Introduction which introduces the scientific and technological contexts, Chapter Irecalls the basic theoretical elements necessary to understand the phenomenon of plasma generation by laserablation, and its evolution in the background gas. Ablation of organic material is emphasized. Procedures andtechniques of diagnostics of laser-induced plasma were then presented with a focus on the transient andinhomogeneous nature of the expanding plasma. Chapter II focuses on the generation and the evolution of theplasma induced on the skin of a potato, a typical sample of agricultural product. The characteristics of plasmainduced on a soft and wet organic target, such as a fresh potato, was something unknown when the thesis workstarted. These characteristics provide the necessary basis for the quantitative analysis of the trace andultra-trace metallic elements in these samples. Following this characterization, semi-quantitative analyticalresults were extracted from LIBS spectra corresponding to potato skin. Chapter III is presented in thecontinuity of Chapter II for the application of LIBS to the quantitative analysis of organic materials. Acomparative study on the analytical results with LIBS and ICP-AES for milk powders allows an assessment ofthe performances of quantitative analysis by LIBS for organic materials, and a validation of the CF-LIBSprocedure that we have developed. Different from Chapters II and III where attention was paid to trace metalelements, Chapter IV studies the behavior of the major elements that make up the matrix of organic material,which are 4 known organic elements: H, C, O, N. During the decomposition of organic material by laserablation, these elements can be found in the form of molecular fragments, or recombined into molecularspecies. We then study in this Chapter the evolution of these species as a function of the laser ablationparameters, the laser wavelength in particular. The thesis document ends with a general conclusion andoutlooks.

<p>Högbytorp is Ragn-Sells’ largest waste facility and it is located north of Stockholm. There is an old landfill still in use, but at the end of this year it will be closed. The waste deposited on the landfill can, through decomposition, give rise to a large amount of methane gas, which is an energy rich gas that can be used for heat and electricity production. To receive a relatively large amount of gas, the decomposition requires a high moisture content in the waste. Therefore the landfill is dependent on precipitation input, although when the landfill is covered, rainfall can no longer infiltrate the landfill and hence irrigation might be necessary to sustain gas production. To know where to irrigate, knowledge about the material content in the landfill is necessary. Thus the purpose of this report is to identify and describe what kind and amount of waste that has been deposited on the landfill and also where the waste has been placed. The purpose is also to investigate the availability of methods and that are used in Sweden for establishing a water balance for a landfill. The identification work showed that the landfill consists mainly of household-, construction- and industrial waste, retted sludge from sewage treatment plants and soil, which all can produce large quantities of methane gas. The investigation about the different methods for conducting a water balance resulted in the presentation of two methods. One of the methods is called Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) and is a computer simulation. The other method is an equation established by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket). Both of the methods works well for obtaining a water balance, however modification is needed for each of them in order to be well suited for the studied landfill, so that realistic and site specific results can be obtained.</p>

Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Högbytorp is Ragn-Sells’ largest waste facility and it is located north of Stockholm. There is an old landfill still in use, but at the end of this year it will be closed. The waste deposited on the landfill can, through decomposition, give rise to a large amount of methane gas, which is an energy rich gas that can be used for heat and electricity production. To receive a relatively large amount of gas, the decomposition requires a high moisture content in the waste. Therefore the landfill is dependent on precipitation input, although when the landfill is covered, rainfall can no longer infiltrate the landfill and hence irrigation might be necessary to sustain gas production. To know where to irrigate, knowledge about the material content in the landfill is necessary. Thus the purpose of this report is to identify and describe what kind and amount of waste that has been deposited on the landfill and also where the waste has been placed. The purpose is also to investigate the availability of methods and that are used in Sweden for establishing a water balance for a landfill. The identification work showed that the landfill consists mainly of household-, construction- and industrial waste, retted sludge from sewage treatment plants and soil, which all can produce large quantities of methane gas. The investigation about the different methods for conducting a water balance resulted in the presentation of two methods. One of the methods is called Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) and is a computer simulation. The other method is an equation established by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket). Both of the methods works well for obtaining a water balance, however modification is needed for each of them in order to be well suited for the studied landfill, so that realistic and site specific results can be obtained.