An investigation was undertaken to compare the kinetics of combustion and gasification reactions of chars prepared from two South African coals in different reaction atmospheres: air, steam, and carbon dioxide. The two original coals were characterised as vitrinite-rich (Greenside) and inertinite-rich (Inyanda) coals with relatively low ash content (12.5-16.7 wt. %, adb). Chars were prepared from the parent coals under nitrogen atmosphere at 900 °C. Characterisation results show that the volatiles and moisture were almost completely driven off from the parent coals, indicating that the pyrolysis process was efficient. Physicalstructural properties such as porosity and surface area generally increased from the parent coals to the subsequent chars. The heterogeneous char-gas reactions were conducted isothermally in a TGA on ~1 mm size particles. To ensure that the reactions are under chemical reaction kinetic control regime, different temperatures zones were selected for the three different reaction atmospheres. Combustion reactivity experiments were carried out with air in the temperature range of 387 °C to 425 °C; gasification reactivity with pure steam were conducted at higher temperatures (775 °C - 850 °C) and within 825 °C to 900 °C with carbon dioxide. Experimental results show differences in the specific reaction rate with carbon conversion in different reaction atmospheres and char types. Reaction rates in all three reaction atmospheres were strongly dependent on temperature, and follow the Arrhenius type kinetics. All the investigated reactions (combustion with air and gasification with CO2 and steam) were found to be under chemical reaction control regime (Regime I) for both chars. The inertinite-rich coals exhibit longer burn-out time than chars produced from vitrinite-rich coals, as higher specific reaction rate were observed for the vitrinite-rich coals in the three different reaction atmospheres. The determined random pore model (RPM) structural parameters did not show any significant difference during steam gasification of Greenside and Inyanda chars, whereas higher structural parameter values were observed for Greenside chars during air combustion and CO2 gasification (ψ > 2). However a negative ψ value was determined during CO2 gasification and air combustion of Inyanda chars. The RPM predictions was validated with the experimental data and exhibited adequate fitting to the specific rate of reaction versus carbon conversion plots of the char samples at the different reaction conditions chosen for this study. The activation energy determined was minimal for air and maximum for CO2 for both coals; and ranged from 127-175 kJ·mol-1 for combustion, 214-228 kJ·mol-1 and 210-240 kJ·mol-1 for steam and CO2 gasification respectively. / MIng (Chemical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

To release energy from chemically stored energy in the biomass was the new investigation in recent years. Utilizing of biomass for this purpose occur in two different ways, directly by burning (combustion) the biomass and indirectly by pyrolysis process which will convert the biomass to three main products, bio- tar, bio- char and synthetic gas. Biomass contains different amount of inorganic compound, especially alkali metals which causes some diverse impacts on combustion, pyrolysis and gasification process such as corrosion, agglomeration and fouling problems. This project aims to investigate the effect of K2CO3 on the pyrolysis and gasification processes of three different types of fuel; wood pellets, forest residue pellets and synthetic waste pellets at three different temperatures, 750 °C, 850 °C and 900 °C respectively. The purpose of this work to study and clarify the influence of K2CO3 on char yield, tar yield and tar compositions and the gasification rate and the reactivity of different fuels char. The pyrolysis process was carried out in a fluidized bed reactor during 2 minutes and the products were tar, char and synthetic gas. In this project interested in char and tar only. Char yield calculated and the results shows the char yield increase with increasing of [K2CO3]. While the tar analysis carried on GC- MS instrument at HB to study the tar yield and compositions. The results showed that potassium carbonate has not so much effect on tar yield and its composition. The last part was gasified the char in TGA with steam and CO2 as oxidizing media to study the influence of [K2CO3] on gasification rate and the reactivity of char samples at different temperatures. The result showed the [K2CO3] has inhibitory effect on gasification rate and the reactivity.

As distribuições angulares para os espalhamentos elásticos 12C(8Li,8Li) e l2C(\'BY8B) estudados neste trabalho foram medidas em dois laboratórios. A medida da distribuição angular para o espalhamento elástico 12C(8Li,8Li) foi realizada no Laboratório Pelletron da Universidade de São Paulo, em duas energias, a 20,6 MeV e 23,9 MeV. O feixe secundário de \'Li utilizado nesse laboratório foi produzido pelo sistema RIBRAS. A medida da distribuição angular para o espalhamento elástico 12C(8B,8B) foi realizada no laboratório de Estrutura Nuclear da Universidade de Notre Dame, nos Estados Unidos. O feixe secundário radioativo de 8B foi pelo sistema Twinsol com uma energia de 25,8 MeV. Os resultados para a seção de choque total de reação, obtidos a partir da análise do espalhamento elástico, foram incluídos em uma sistemática envolvendo outros núcleos estáveis e exóticos fracamente ligados e também núcleos fortemente ligados, espalhados elasticamente em alvo de 12C. OS dados obtidos da literatura foram reanalisados nos mesmos padrões utilizados na análise dos dados deste trabalho. As seções de choque de reação foram obtidas ajustando aos dados as seções calculadas utilizando o potencial de São Paulo. A análise permitiu concluir que não foi observado um aumento da seção de choque total de reação para os sistemas estudados, indicando que efeitos como breakup, não devem sèr importantes para esse sistema. Isso também pode ser comprovado pelos resultados de cálculos de ClICC (Coatinuum Discretized Coupled Channel) para as distribuições angulares de espalhamento elástico. A reação de transferência 12C(8Li,9Be)11B também foi medida neste trabaIho, simultaneamente ao espalhamento elástico 12C(8Li,8Li), a 23.9 MeV. A finalidade desse estudo era obter o fator espectroscópico para o sistema ligado (9Be|8Li + P) e assim calcular o fator-S astrofísico e também a taxa de reação para a reação de captura 8Li(p,y)9Begs. O fator espectroscópico encontrado nesse trabalho 1,22(28), foi obtido a partir de cálculos de DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) com o programa Fresco e utilizado na normalização na seção de choque de captura 8Li(p,y)9Begs. O valor obtido para a profundidade do potencial de espalhamento 8Li+p foi de (40,1 +_ 1,6) MeV. A partir desses parâmetros foi possível calcular as curvas para o fator-S astrofísico e a taxa de reação de captura 8Li(p,y)9Be, cujo valor obtido para uma temperatura T9 = 1 foi de (ov) = 0,26+-0,07/0,06cm3mol-1s-1. / The measurements of the angular distributions for the elastic scatterings 12C(\'Li,\'Li) and 12C(8B,8B) reported in this work have been done in two laboratories. Those corresponding to the angular distributions for the elastic scattering 12C(8Li,8Li) were performed at two ene&ies, 20.6 MeV and 23.9 MeV, at the Pelletron Laboratory of the University of São Paulo. The *Li beam used in this laboratory had been produced in the RIBRASsystem. The measurements of angular distribution for the elastic scattering 12C(\'B,\'B) were performed at the Nuclear Structure Laboratory, at the University of Notre Dame, in the United States of America. The \'B beam was produced by the Twinsol system, at 25.8 MeV. The results obtained for total reaction cross section were included in a systematics\'together with other stable and exotic weakly bound nuclei and also with tightly bound ones, elastically scattered by 12C target. The data obtained from the literature were re-analised on the same framework of the data of this work. The reaction cross sections were obtained by fitting to the data, the cross secti\'ons calculated with the São Paulo potential. From the analysis one could conclude that no increase was observed in the total reaction cross section for the studied systems, indicating that effects, such as breakup, are not important for this system.

Esse trabalho consistiu na determinação do Fator-S astrofísico da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be através do estudo da reação de transferência elástica 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be, obtido à partir das medidas da distribuição angular da reação de transferência 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foi utilizado para normalizar a seção de choque da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be, e conseqüentemente obter seu Fator-S. As medidas da distribuição angular da reação 9Be(8Li,9Be) foram realizadas no Nuclear Structure Laboratory, que fica localizado na University of Notre Dame no estado de Indiana nos Estados Unidos da América. Para essas medidas utilizamos um feixe primário de 7Li acelerado a uma energia de 30, 0MeV pelo FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator para produzir o feixe de 8Li. O feixe de 8Li foi produzido pelo sistema TWINSOL a uma energia de 27, 7MeV através da reação de troca de nêutron 9Be(7Li,8Li). O sistema de detecção utilizado consistia de detectores de silício montados na forma de telescópios E-E. As seções de choque das distribuições angulares de espalhamento elástico, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, e transferência, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foram obtidas entre os Ângulos 15o e 50o (no referencial de laboratório). O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be foi obtido à partir de cálculos de DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) utilizando o código FRESCO. O fator espectroscópico obtido para o estado ligado 8Li+p=9Begs foi SF9Begs=1,63(29), e o valor da profundidade do poço do potencial do estado contínuo 8Li+p obtido foi V 8Li+p 0 =40, 13±1, 63MeV. Com esses parâmetros calculamos o Fator-S para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs. Também calculamos o valor da taxa de reação para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs e obtivemos o valor de hi = 0, 583+0,1570,135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 para uma temperatura T9=1. / This work consisted on determinating the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Be using the elastic-transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be, obtained by the study of the angular distribution measurements for the transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, was used to normalize the capture reaction cross section 8Li(p,)9Be, and than to obtain the S-Factor. The angular distribution measurements for the reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be) was performed at the Nuclear Structure Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame in the state of Indiana, United States of America. For the measurements we used a 7Li primary beam accelerated to an energy of 30.0MeV by the FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator to produce a 8Li. The 8Li beam was produced using the TWINSOL system at an energy of 27.7MeV using the neutron-transfer reaction 9Be(7Li,8Li). For the detection system we used silicon detectors assembled in E-E telescopes. The angular distributions of the cross sections for the elastic scattering reaction, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, and the transfer reaction, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, were measured from 15o to 50o (at laboratory referencial). The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be was obtained from DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) calculations using the FRESCO computer code. The spectroscopic factor obtained for the bound state 8Li+p=9Begs was SF9Begs=1.63(29), and the potential depth obtained for the continuum state 8Li+p was V 8Li+p 0 =40.13±1.63MeV. Using these two parameters we calculated the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs. We also calculated the reaction rate for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs and obtained its value as hi = 0.583+0.157 0.135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 for the T9=1 temperature.

The early steps of activation are crucial in deciding the fate of T-cells leading to the proliferation. These steps strongly depend on the initial conditions, especially the avidity of the T-cell receptor for the specific ligand and the concentration of this ligand. The recognition induces a rapid decrease of membrane TCR-CD3 complexes inside the T-cell, then the up-regulation of CD25 and then CD25-IL2 binding which down-regulates into the T-cell. This process can be monitored by flow cytometry technique. We propose several models based on the level of complexity by using population balance modeling technique to study the dynamics of T-cells population density during the activation process. These models provide us a relation between the population of T-cells with their intracellular and extracellular components. Moreover, the hypotheses are proposed for the activation process of daughter T-cells after proliferation. The corresponding population balance equations (PBEs) include reaction term (i.e. assimilated as growth term) and activation term (i.e. assimilated as nucleation term). Further the PBEs are solved by newly developed method that is validated against analytical method wherever possible and various approximate techniques available in the literature.

Naudojant spektrofotometrinį metodą tirtas ADH IIG reaktingumas su skirtingais mediatoriais ir įvairiais alkoholiais. Nustatytos tariamųjų kinetinių parametrų KM ir Vmax reikšmės, bei paskaičiuotos katalitinės ir bimolekulinės alkoholių oksidacijos bei mediatorių redukcijos reaktingumo konstantos. Tirta FERO ir ABTS oksidacija katalizuojama L95 lakaze. Gautos pradinių reakcijos greičių priklausomybės nuo substratų koncentracijų. Rezultatų analizei pritaikius Michaelio-Menten lygtį, gautos tariamųjų KM ir Vmax reikšmės, iš kurių buvo paskaičiuotos katalitinės ir oksidacinės konstantos. Pamatuotos pradinio reakcijos greičio priklausomybės nuo buferinių tirpalų pH ir jų komponentų, bei nustatytos optimalios substratų oksidacijos reakcijos pH reikšmės. Naudojant deguoninį elektrodą buvo registruotas deguonies sunaudojimas vykstant L95 lakazės katalizuojamai FERO ir ABTS oksidacijai ir paskaičiuotas pradinis reakcijos greitis bei sunaudoto deguonies priklausomybės nuo substratų koncentracijų. Registruotas ir deguonies sunaudojimas vykstant ADH IIG katalizuojamai alkoholio oksidacijai ir lakazes katalizuojamai mediatoriaus (antrojo qADH substrato) regeneracijai. Darbą sudaro 6 dalys: įvadas, literatūros apžvalga, eksperimentinė dalis, rezultatai ir jų aptarimas, išvados, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 85 p. teksto, 50 paveikslų, 8 lentelės, 109 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. / Reactivity of ADH IIG with different mediators and various alcohols were investigated by spectrophotometric method. Values of apparent kinetic parameters KM and Vmax were determined, catalytic and bimolecular alcohols oxidation and mediators reduction reactivity constants were calculated. The FERO and ABTS oxidation catalysed by L95 laccase were investigated. The initial reaction rate dependencies on the substrates concentrations were obtained. The analysis of the results was performed by applying Michael-Menten equation and the values of apparent KM and Vmax, as well as catalytic and oxidation constants were calculated. The dependencies of the initial reaction rate on the buffer solutions pH and their components were measured also the optimal pH of the substrates oxidation reactions were determined. The oxygen consumption was registered L95 laccase catalysed oxidation of FERO and ABTS by oxygen electrode and initial reaction rate was calculated, as so as oxygen consumption dependences on substrate concentrations. The oxygen consumption ADH IIG catalysed oxidation of alcohols and laccases catalysed regeneration of mediators (second qADH substrate) were registered. Structure: introduction, 3 chapters, conclusions, references. Thesis consist of: 85 p. of text, 50 pictures, 8 tables, 109 bibliographical entries.

Esse trabalho consistiu na determinação do Fator-S astrofísico da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be através do estudo da reação de transferência elástica 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be, obtido à partir das medidas da distribuição angular da reação de transferência 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foi utilizado para normalizar a seção de choque da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be, e conseqüentemente obter seu Fator-S. As medidas da distribuição angular da reação 9Be(8Li,9Be) foram realizadas no Nuclear Structure Laboratory, que fica localizado na University of Notre Dame no estado de Indiana nos Estados Unidos da América. Para essas medidas utilizamos um feixe primário de 7Li acelerado a uma energia de 30, 0MeV pelo FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator para produzir o feixe de 8Li. O feixe de 8Li foi produzido pelo sistema TWINSOL a uma energia de 27, 7MeV através da reação de troca de nêutron 9Be(7Li,8Li). O sistema de detecção utilizado consistia de detectores de silício montados na forma de telescópios E-E. As seções de choque das distribuições angulares de espalhamento elástico, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, e transferência, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foram obtidas entre os Ângulos 15o e 50o (no referencial de laboratório). O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be foi obtido à partir de cálculos de DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) utilizando o código FRESCO. O fator espectroscópico obtido para o estado ligado 8Li+p=9Begs foi SF9Begs=1,63(29), e o valor da profundidade do poço do potencial do estado contínuo 8Li+p obtido foi V 8Li+p 0 =40, 13±1, 63MeV. Com esses parâmetros calculamos o Fator-S para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs. Também calculamos o valor da taxa de reação para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs e obtivemos o valor de hi = 0, 583+0,1570,135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 para uma temperatura T9=1. / This work consisted on determinating the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Be using the elastic-transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be, obtained by the study of the angular distribution measurements for the transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, was used to normalize the capture reaction cross section 8Li(p,)9Be, and than to obtain the S-Factor. The angular distribution measurements for the reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be) was performed at the Nuclear Structure Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame in the state of Indiana, United States of America. For the measurements we used a 7Li primary beam accelerated to an energy of 30.0MeV by the FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator to produce a 8Li. The 8Li beam was produced using the TWINSOL system at an energy of 27.7MeV using the neutron-transfer reaction 9Be(7Li,8Li). For the detection system we used silicon detectors assembled in E-E telescopes. The angular distributions of the cross sections for the elastic scattering reaction, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, and the transfer reaction, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, were measured from 15o to 50o (at laboratory referencial). The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be was obtained from DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) calculations using the FRESCO computer code. The spectroscopic factor obtained for the bound state 8Li+p=9Begs was SF9Begs=1.63(29), and the potential depth obtained for the continuum state 8Li+p was V 8Li+p 0 =40.13±1.63MeV. Using these two parameters we calculated the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs. We also calculated the reaction rate for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs and obtained its value as hi = 0.583+0.157 0.135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 for the T9=1 temperature.

As distribuições angulares para os espalhamentos elásticos 12C(8Li,8Li) e l2C(\'BY8B) estudados neste trabalho foram medidas em dois laboratórios. A medida da distribuição angular para o espalhamento elástico 12C(8Li,8Li) foi realizada no Laboratório Pelletron da Universidade de São Paulo, em duas energias, a 20,6 MeV e 23,9 MeV. O feixe secundário de \'Li utilizado nesse laboratório foi produzido pelo sistema RIBRAS. A medida da distribuição angular para o espalhamento elástico 12C(8B,8B) foi realizada no laboratório de Estrutura Nuclear da Universidade de Notre Dame, nos Estados Unidos. O feixe secundário radioativo de 8B foi pelo sistema Twinsol com uma energia de 25,8 MeV. Os resultados para a seção de choque total de reação, obtidos a partir da análise do espalhamento elástico, foram incluídos em uma sistemática envolvendo outros núcleos estáveis e exóticos fracamente ligados e também núcleos fortemente ligados, espalhados elasticamente em alvo de 12C. OS dados obtidos da literatura foram reanalisados nos mesmos padrões utilizados na análise dos dados deste trabalho. As seções de choque de reação foram obtidas ajustando aos dados as seções calculadas utilizando o potencial de São Paulo. A análise permitiu concluir que não foi observado um aumento da seção de choque total de reação para os sistemas estudados, indicando que efeitos como breakup, não devem sèr importantes para esse sistema. Isso também pode ser comprovado pelos resultados de cálculos de ClICC (Coatinuum Discretized Coupled Channel) para as distribuições angulares de espalhamento elástico. A reação de transferência 12C(8Li,9Be)11B também foi medida neste trabaIho, simultaneamente ao espalhamento elástico 12C(8Li,8Li), a 23.9 MeV. A finalidade desse estudo era obter o fator espectroscópico para o sistema ligado (9Be|8Li + P) e assim calcular o fator-S astrofísico e também a taxa de reação para a reação de captura 8Li(p,y)9Begs. O fator espectroscópico encontrado nesse trabalho 1,22(28), foi obtido a partir de cálculos de DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) com o programa Fresco e utilizado na normalização na seção de choque de captura 8Li(p,y)9Begs. O valor obtido para a profundidade do potencial de espalhamento 8Li+p foi de (40,1 +_ 1,6) MeV. A partir desses parâmetros foi possível calcular as curvas para o fator-S astrofísico e a taxa de reação de captura 8Li(p,y)9Be, cujo valor obtido para uma temperatura T9 = 1 foi de (ov) = 0,26+-0,07/0,06cm3mol-1s-1. / The measurements of the angular distributions for the elastic scatterings 12C(\'Li,\'Li) and 12C(8B,8B) reported in this work have been done in two laboratories. Those corresponding to the angular distributions for the elastic scattering 12C(8Li,8Li) were performed at two ene&ies, 20.6 MeV and 23.9 MeV, at the Pelletron Laboratory of the University of São Paulo. The *Li beam used in this laboratory had been produced in the RIBRASsystem. The measurements of angular distribution for the elastic scattering 12C(\'B,\'B) were performed at the Nuclear Structure Laboratory, at the University of Notre Dame, in the United States of America. The \'B beam was produced by the Twinsol system, at 25.8 MeV. The results obtained for total reaction cross section were included in a systematics\'together with other stable and exotic weakly bound nuclei and also with tightly bound ones, elastically scattered by 12C target. The data obtained from the literature were re-analised on the same framework of the data of this work. The reaction cross sections were obtained by fitting to the data, the cross secti\'ons calculated with the São Paulo potential. From the analysis one could conclude that no increase was observed in the total reaction cross section for the studied systems, indicating that effects, such as breakup, are not important for this system.

The Master Thesis deals with the use of thorium nuclear fuel in accelerator driven systems. Basic principle of ADS, present situation and future possibilities are described in this work. The main goal of the work is determination of neutron flux in spallation target QUINTA. In December 2013, an experiment was performed at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna. Samples of cobalt, situated at different positions in QUINTA target, were irradiated in secondary neutron field generated by deuteron beam of energies 2 AGeV and 4 AGeV and beam of C-12 with energy 2 AGeV. The samples were measured with the use of germanium semiconductor detectors and analysed using gamma-ray spectrometry. Reaction rates of Co-59 products were determined. Neutron flux was determined in setup QUINTA on the base of experimental reaction rates. Experimental reaction rates were compared with calcula1tion of MCNPX code.

<p>The astrophysical ³⁰P(<em>p</em>,<em>γ</em>)³¹S reaction rate is a key quantity used in both classical nova and type I X-ray burst models that predict isotopic abundances produced during nucleosynthesis in the outburst. Currently, uncertainties in ³¹S structure parameters lead to a variation in the reaction rate by a factor of 20 at nova temperatures causing predicted isotopic abundance ratios in the Si-Ar mass region to vary by factors of up to 4. The ³⁰P(<em>p</em>,<em>γ</em>)³¹S reaction rate can be determined indirectly by measuring transfer reactions populating excited states in ³¹S. Nuclear structure information for ³¹S resonant states above the proton threshold of 6131 keV and within the Gamow window that contribute most significantly to the reaction rate can be used to re-evaluate the rate for nova and type I X-ray burst temperatures and reduce current uncertainties. We have performed an experiment in order to study the level structure of ³¹S via the ³²S(<em>d</em>,<em>t</em>)³¹S single-nucleon transfer reaction using the MP tandem accelerator and Q3D magnetic spectrograph at MLL in Munich, Germany. Excited states of ³¹S in the 6-7 MeV region were observed and spin-parity constraints have been suggested. In this work we describe the experimental setup, data analysis and results for both experiments and provide recommendations for further investigation of the ³⁰P(<em>p</em>,<em>γ</em>)³¹S astrophysical reaction rate.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)