CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Com o crescente aumento da demanda de Ãgua e a preocupaÃÃo de que a oferta estabelecida nÃo consiga suprir esse consumo, torna-se necessÃria a conservaÃÃo da quantidade e, principalmente, da qualidade da Ãgua disponÃvel, especialmente em regiÃes semiÃridas como o Nordeste brasileiro (NEB), onde esse recurso à escasso. As principais causas da poluiÃÃo da pequena aÃudagem no semiÃrido sÃo: a presenÃa de animais nas margens dos aÃudes, onde defecam e urinam; os efluentes domÃsticos (e.g. lavagem de roupas, Ãguas utilizadas nas atividades domÃsticas); o desmatamento da mata ciliar, que protegeria os aÃudes contra o assoreamento e a entrada de matÃria orgÃnica; a presenÃa de lixo ao ar livre; e o uso de insumos agrÃcolas que contribuem para o processo de eutrofizaÃÃo. Por sua vez, a principal caracterÃstica do processo de eutrofizaÃÃo à o excesso de nutrientes nos corpos dâÃgua, apresentando grandes oscilaÃÃes de crescimento e mortandade de algas e macrÃfitas. AtravÃs da continuidade do processo, hà o acÃmulo de matÃria morta na regiÃo mais profunda desses ambientes, causando o aumento do metabolismo de bactÃrias que ocasiona a mortandade de peixes e outros organismos pela falta ou diminuiÃÃo de oxigÃnio, acrescentando-se, ainda, o fato da produÃÃo de toxinas, por algas cianofÃceas, ser prejudicial à biota e à saÃde humana. Diante disso, estudos que estimem o aporte de nutrientes tornam-se impostergÃveis para que, a partir daÃ, medidas que auxiliem na recuperaÃÃo de reservatÃrios eutrofizados possam ser tomadas. Entre tais medidas hà a biomanipulaÃÃo. Esta à uma ferramenta biolÃgica e o seu preceito basilar consiste na utilizaÃÃo de organismos aquÃticos (e.g. peixes), no sentido de melhorar a qualidade do ecossistema aquÃtico. Pergunta de Partida: à possÃvel tratar um aÃude eutrofizado usando biomanipulaÃÃo No caso afirmativo, quais as particularidades para um aÃude no semiÃrido, principalmente no que tange a sua ictiofauna a qual apresenta maior riqueza de espÃcies, estoques com dominÃncia de peixes onÃvoros e onde a reproduÃÃo dos peixes ocorre durante todo o ano? Assim sendo, com o escopo de responder as aludidas questÃes a presente tese foi dividida em duas partes: a primeira compara o estado de eutrofizaÃÃo e suas provÃveis causas em dois reservatÃrios tropicais, um em clima Ãmido (La Juventud, Cuba) e o outro em clima semiÃrido (Marengo, Brasil). ApÃs estimar o estado trÃfico dos dois reservatÃrios nas estaÃÃes chuvosa e seca, avaliou-se a influÃncia hidrolÃgica e de uso do solo sobre o grau de trofia dos lagos. Concluiu-se que o lago tropical semiÃrido encontrava-se eutrÃfico, enquanto que o lago Ãmido encontrava-se mesotrÃfico. Considerando-se que hà similitude entre os usos do solo nas duas bacias e que, na estaÃÃo chuvosa, o aporte de nutrientes na bacia Ãmida à consideravelmente superior ao da bacia semiÃrida, o maior estado trÃfico da bacia seca sur-preende. A variÃvel que melhor explica esse fenÃmeno à o tempo de residÃncia da Ãgua, que influencia diretamente o tempo de residÃncia do fÃsforo no lago. O elevado tempo de residÃncia da Ãgua na bacia semiÃrida (trÃs vezes superior ao do lago Ãmido) deve-se tanto ao reduzido coeficiente de escoamento superficial (93 versus 595 mm anuais na bacia Ãmida) quanto à excessiva evaporaÃÃo da Ãgua armazenada no reservatÃrio seco (1,2 vezes superior à do reservatÃrio Ãmido). Esses resultados indicam que lagos semiÃridos sÃo mais vulnerÃveis à eutrofizaÃÃo que lagos Ãmidos nos perÃodos de estio e que, portanto, o manejo de suas bacias deve ser mais restritivo à produÃÃo de nutrientes; consoante a segunda parte, essa retrata em particular a questÃo da biomanipulaÃÃo. Nesse sentido, em mesocosmos experimentais de 2.000 L, foram delineados seis tratamentos para avaliar o efeito de duas espÃcies onÃvoras (tilÃpia do Nilo â Oreochromis niloticus e piaba â Astyanax bimaculatus) sobre Ãguas eutrÃficas. Observou-se, ainda, a influÃncia do sedimento como fonte de nutriente para o processo de eutrofizaÃÃo. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: 1. Oreochromis niloticus sem sedimento; 2. Oreochromis niloticus com sedimento; 3. Oreochromis niloticus + Astyanax bimaculatus sem sedimento; 4. Oreochromis niloticus + Astyanax bimaculatus com sedimento; 5. Astyanax bimaculatus sem sedimento e; 6. Astyanax bimaculatus com sedimento. Cada ensaio foi conduzidos por 45 dias. Coletas dâÃgua foram realizadas a cada 15 dias. Foram feitas anÃlises de fÃsforo total, ortofosfato, clorofila a e nitrogÃnio total, sendo este analisado somente no inÃcio e final de cada tratamento. As concentraÃÃes de oxigÃnio dissolvido, temperatura, pH e transparÃncia de Secchi foram feitas in situ. No sedimento realizou-se anÃlises de pH, concentraÃÃo de Ãons e nutrientes tais como Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, ferro, fÃsforo assimilÃvel e anÃlise granulomÃtrica. Para se estimar o grau de trofia da Ãgua dos tratamentos foi aplicado o Ãndice de estado trÃfico (IET) de Toledo Jr. et al. (1983). DiferenÃas entre os IETs foram calculadas conforme Carlson (1991). Fez-se, ainda, a anÃlise do teor de fÃsforo total nos peixes. Os resultados sugeriram que os sistemas que continham tilÃpias do Nilo apresentaram baixa eficiÃncia na recuperaÃÃo de Ãguas eutrofizadas. O IET mÃdio obtido nesses ensaios mostrou que a Ãgua manteve-se sempre eutrÃfica. Os tratamentos com piabas mostraram uma melhor eficiÃncia no controle da eutrofizaÃÃo. O IET mÃdio obtido nesses ensaios revelou que a Ãgua passou de eutrÃfica para mesotrÃfica, ao final dos mesmos. Contudo, os resultados encontrados pelas diferenÃas dos IETs nÃo confirmam que as piabas foram sozinhas as principais responsÃveis por esse fato. O mesmo pode ter sido influenciado, tambÃm, pela luz e pela temperatura. Quanto ao teor de fÃsforo total, para os espÃcimes advindos dos tratamentos, a tilÃpia apresentou bioacumulaÃÃo superior ao encontrado nas piabas. Todavia, os resultados foram antagÃnicos para os espÃcimes oriundos diretamente da natureza. Em suma, foram avaliados aspectos da biomanipulaÃÃo de duas espÃcies onÃvoras; o Oreochromis nilotucus que, em funÃÃo de seu comportamento, revelou-se um agente perturbador da qualidade da Ãgua e o Astyanax bimaculatus, a qual se apresentou potencialmente viÃvel para futuras pesquisas de biomanipulaÃÃo. / With the increasing water demand and the concern that the supply can not meet that consumption, it is increasingly necessary conserving the available water, in quantity and (especially) quality. This conservation is especially important in semi-arid regions such as the Brazilian Northeast (NEB), where water is scarce. The main causes of pollution (water waste) in smal reservoirs (in the semiarid) are: the animal presence on the reservoir margins, where they defecate and urinate; domestic wastewater (e.g. laundry water, water used in the household); removal of riparian vegetation, which protects reservoirs against silting and organic matter input; presence of outdoor trash; and use of agricultural inputs that contribute to the process of eutrophication. In turn, the main feature of eutrophication process is excess nutrients in water bodies, with considerable growth fluctuations and eventual death of algae and weeds. With the continuity of the process, there is the accumulation of dead matter in the deepest region of these environments, causing the increase in bacterial metabolism that causes the death of fish and other organisms by oxygen lack or reduction, plus the toxin production by blue-green algae, which are harmful to human health and to the biota at large. Therefore, studies that estimating the nutrient input become urgent. With such studies, strategies for the restoration of eutrophic reservoirs can be implemented. Among such strategies there is biomanipulation. Biomanipulation is a biological strategy based in the use of aquatic organisms (e.g. fish), to balance the aquatic ecosystem. Hypothesis: "Is it possible to treat an eutrophic reservoir using biomanipulation?â If so, what are the particularities of biomanipulating a reservoir the semiarid region, especially considering its rich ictiological diversity, with predominantly omnivorous fish population and where fish reproduction occurs throughout the year? Therefore, in order to answer these questions, this thesis was divided in two parts, the first comparing the state of eutrophication and its probable causes in two tropical reservoirs, one in wet climate (La Juventud, Cuba) and the other in semiarid climate (Marengo, Brazil). After estimating the trophic state of the two reservoirs in rainy and dry seasons, we evaluated the influence of hydrology and of land use on reservoir trophic level. It was found that the semi-arid tropical reservoir was eutrophic, while the reservoir on humid climate was mesotrophic. Considering that there is similar land use in the two basins and that, in the rainy season, the nutrient input in the wet basin is considerably higher than the nutrient input in the semiarid basin, the higher trophic state of the semi-arid basin is surprising. The variable that best explains this phenomenon is the water residence time, which directly influences the phosphorus residence time in the reservoir. The high water residence time in the semiarid basin reservoir (three times that of the reservoir in humid climate) is due as much to the low runoff coefficient (93 versus 595 mm per year in the reservoir in humid climate) as to the excessive water evaporation in the semiarid reservoir (1.2 times that of the reservoir in humid climate). These results indicate that semiarid reservoirs are more vulnerable to eutrophication than reservoirs in humid climate in summer periods and, therefore, the management of their basins should be more restrictive to nutrient production; as to the second part, it reflects the particularities of the biomanipulation issue. Thus, in experimental 2000L mesocosms, six treatments were outlined to evaluate the effects of two omnivorous species (Nile tilapia â Oreochromis niloticus and piaba â Astyanax bimaculatus) on eutrophic waters. It was also taken into account the sediment influence as a nutrient source for the eutrophication process. The treatments were: 1. Oreochromis niloticus without sediment; 2. Oreochromis niloticus with sediment; 3. Oreochromis niloticus plus Astyanax bimaculatus without sediment; 4. Oreochromis niloticus plus Astyanax bimaculatus with sediment; 5. Astyanax bimaculatus without sediment and; 6. Astyanax bimaculatus with sediment. Each test was conducted for 45 days. Water samples were taken every 15 days. Tests were performed for total phosphorus, orthophosphate, chlorophyll a and total nitrogen (TN being tested only at the beginning and at the end of each treatment). Testing for dissolved oxygen concentration, temperature, pH and Secchi transparency was done in situ. The sediment was tested for pH, ion content, nutrients (such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, iron and assimilable phosphorous) and particle size. In order to estimate the treatment water trophic level, the trophic state index (TSI) of Toledo Jr. et al. (1983) was applied. Differences between the TSI values were calculated acording to Carlson (1991). Also, the fish were tested for total phosphorus content. The results suggested that systems containing tilapia showed low efficiency in the recovery of eutrophic waters. The average TSI obtained in these tests showed that the water remained eutrophic. Treatments with piabas showed better efficiency in controlling eutrophication. The average TSI obtained in these tests showed that the water went from eutrophic to mesotrophic. However, the results found by TSI differences do not confirm if the piabas (Astyanax bimaculatus) were alone responsible for this. The same results could be also influenced by light and temperature. As to the total phosphorus content of specimens coming from treatments, tilapia showed higher bioaccumulation than that shown by piabas. However, the results were antagonic to those obtained from specimens taken directly from nature. In short, two omnivorous species were tested for their biomanipulation potential; the Oreochromis nilotucus, which, due to its behavior, proved to be an agent of water quality disruption and the Astyanax bimaculatus, which was shown as being potentially viable for future biomanipulation research.

Les études isotopiques couplées avec des informations géothermiques peuvent constituer des outils pertinents pour l’exploration des eaux souterraines en tant que ressources en eau potable ou géothermiques. Ce travail combine les deux approches, isotopes de l’environnement et radioactifs associés à des données de température sur des aquifères profonds, dans l’objectif d’enrichir et d’améliorer la connaissance des mécanismes de recharge (Bassin d’Aquitaine, France) ainsi que des mécanismes de recharge et du potentiel géothermique (Bassin Crétacé de Bohème, République Tchèque).Les isotopes stables (18O, 2H, 13C) utilisés conjointement avec des radioisotopes (14C, 3H) sont utilisés pour estimer l’époque de la recharge ainsi que les conditions climatiques qui prévalaient lors de l’infiltration depuis la fin de Pléistocène jusqu’à nos jours. Définir le type de recharge et les conditions d’écoulement est nécessaire pour parvenir à modéliser de façon satisfaisante et fiable les grands systèmes aquifères profonds. Trois types de recharge ont été définis en Europe - (i) continue, (ii) interrompue lors du dernier maximum glaciaire (LGM) – un troisième type (iii) correspond à des situations particulières de recharge.Les conditions géographiques et climatiques très différentes rencontrées en France et en République Tchèque ont engendrées une importante hétérogénéité des conditions et processus de recharge. Le sud de la France, avec un climat relativement doux depuis les derniers 40 ka BP, n’a pas enregistré d’interruption de la recharge. Le temps de séjour des eaux souterraines en Bohème est estimé à environ 11 ka BP au maximum. Cependant, l’appauvrissement des teneurs en isotopes stables enregistré suggère une recharge liée à la fonte de la calotte glaciaire Nord Européenne après le dernier maximum glaciaire (LGM), autour de 18-20 ka BP. Des investigations sur les isotopes du carbone minéral dissous des eaux souterraines du bassin de Bohème ont montrées d’importantes interactions avec différentes sources de carbone qui ont été identifiées.Pour le site d’étude tchèque, les informations apportées par la géochimie ont été complétées par des données géothermiques afin d’améliorer la connaissance des flux et de la dynamique des eaux souterraines. Plus d’une centaine d’enregistrements diagraphiques de température ont été utilisés pour estimer le gradient géothermique. Plusieurs phénomènes viennent perturber le gradient géothermique de la région. Les flux d’eau souterraine verticaux et les variations lithologiques et topographiques sont à l’origine d’une distribution complexe du flux de chaleur, étant majoritairement conditionné par les écoulements souterraines. Les discontinuités peu profondes et les nombreux pointements volcaniques exercent aussi une influence importante sur l’écoulement souterrain et donc aussi sur le potentiel géothermique du réservoir. Les investigations sur la géothermie ont ainsi fourni des informations fondamentales sur le potentiel géothermique mais aussi sur les conditions d’écoulement des eaux souterraines. La prise en compte de ces informations s’avère nécessaire afin de proposer des modèles mathématiques d’écoulement réalistes. / Isotopic investigations combined with geothermal applications represent powerful tools for the exploration of groundwater potential as a drinking or geothermal resource. This Ph.D. thesis combines both approaches, environmental and radioactive isotopes together with temperature data in deep aquifers, in order to enrich and update the knowledge concerning the aquifer recharge processes in the Aquitaine Basin (France) and the aquifer recharge processes and geothermal potential in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Czech Republic).Stable isotopes (18O, 2H, 13C) combined with radioisotope data (14C, 3H) are used to estimate the recharge timing and climatic conditions prevailing during the infiltration from the Late Pleistocene up to modern time. The character of groundwater recharge and regime are necessary to generate relevant source data for the accurate modelling of complex groundwater systems. Three groups of groundwater recharge types can be distinguished throughout Europe – (i) continuous recharge and (ii) interrupted recharge during Last Glacial Maximum and (iii) a group corresponding to particular recharge conditions.The contrasted geographic and climate conditions at both study sites in France and Czech Republic have entailed a great heterogeneity of the recharge conditions and processes. Southern France, with generally mild climatic conditions during the last 40 ka BP, did not experienced considerable hiatus in groundwater recharge. The residence time of groundwater in the Bohemian aquifers is estimated about 11 ka BP at the maximum but the depletion in the stable isotopes suggests that this groundwater originates in the melting of the north European ice sheets after the Last Glacial Maximum period, i.e. 18-20 ka BP. Further investigations on both stable and radioactive carbon isotopes indicated numerous groundwater interactions within the reservoir that were used to delineate the carbon origin within the Bohemian aquifers.Information on groundwater geochemistry was supplemented in the Czech case study by geothermal data in order to improve our knowledge of groundwater flow and dynamics. More than a hundred of temperature records from well-logging measurements were used to assess the geothermal gradient in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin which is the most promising heat accumulation within the country. Many phenomena can affect the thermal field in the region. Vertical groundwater flow and variations in the lithology and the topography lead to a complicated areal distribution of the geothermal gradient and the heat flux which is dominantly controlled by groundwater. Shallow tectonic structures and numerous volcanic rocks exercise an influence on groundwater flow and therefore exert a secondary effect on the thermal field. The geothermal investigation provided useful information on the geothermal resources within the region but also represents an important tool for understanding groundwater flow, and for constructing realistic hydrogeological models in such a complex geological, tectonic and geothermal context.

La torréfaction est un traitement thermique à basse température (250 à 300 °C) en atmosphère inerte qui permet de modifier les propriétés de la biomasse. La biomasse torréfiée est alors plus dense énergétiquement, plus hydrophobe et plus fragile. Dans cette étude, un modèle numérique de torréfaction en four tournant à une dimension a été développé. Le transport des plaquettes de bois, les transferts thermiques, le séchage ainsi que les cinétiques de torréfaction ont été modélisés séparément. Après confrontation aux résultats expérimentaux, ces différents sous-modèles ont été assemblés dans un modèle global. Le modèle prédit alors l’évolution de la température et de la perte de masse des plaquettes le long du four. Les résultats numériques montrent une adéquation satisfaisante avec les valeurs obtenues lors d’expériences de torréfaction sur un four tournant pilote. Les solides torréfiés ont été analysés et leurs propriétés ont été corrélées à la perte de masse. Il a en particulier été démontré que l'énergie de broyage de la biomasse torréfiée était fortement réduite. / Torrefaction is a thermal treatment at low temperature (250-300°C) used to improve biomass properties. Torrefied biomass has a higher energy density, it is more hydrophobic and more brittle. In this study, a one-dimensional numerical model of torrefaction in a rotary kiln has been developed. The wood chips flow, the thermal transfers, the drying step and the torrefaction kinetics have been modelled separately. These submodels have been experimentally validated before being implemented together. The model can thus predict the temperature and the mass loss of wood chips along the kiln. These results are in good agreement with values obtained during torrefaction experiments in the pilot-scale rotary kiln. In parallel, torrefied biomass has been analysed in terms of composition, heating value and structural properties with emphasis on the decrease of grinding energy consumption.

[ES] En los últimos años, las emisiones de hollín provenientes de los motores de combustión interna han recibido más atención debido al impacto negativo que éstas tienen no solo en el ambiente, sino también en la salud del ser humano. Como respuesta, leyes cada vez más estrictas han sido aplicadas impulsando así a la comunidad científica al desarrollo de motores más eficientes en el uso del combustible y por supuesto más limpios en términos de emisiones contaminantes. En este contexto, el modelado computacional ha sido la herramienta utilizada en numerosos esfuerzos que buscan contribuir a mejorar el entendimiento que se tiene sobre los altamente complejos fenómenos que componen el proceso de producción de hollín. El principal objetivo de esta tesis es simular la producción de hollín en chorros Diesel en condiciones de operación típicas de un motor de combustión interna utilizando CFD. La consecución del objetivo de la tesis comprende una evaluación preliminar de la configuración de los distintos modelos para el caso de chorros inertes. En segundo lugar, el estudio detallado de la hipótesis utilizada para caracterizar la estructura de la llama a nivel sub-grid (tomando como base los conceptos well-mixed o flamelet) y del enfoque para tener en cuenta la interacción entre turbulencia y química. Por último, se presentan resultados del modelado de la combustión y producción de hollín para diferentes condiciones de contorno de reactividad y mezcla del chorro utilizando un modelo de hollín de dos ecuaciones. En resumen, el lector encontrará a lo largo de este documento un estudio exhaustivo sobre la combustión y producción de hollín en chorros inyectados con toberas mono-orificio en ambientes quiescentes. De este tipo de chorros, el Spray A y Spray D de la Engine Combustion Network son utilizados como casos de referencia. / [CA] En els últims anys, les emissions de sutge provinents dels motors de combustió interna han rebut més atenció a causa de l'impacte negatiu que aquestes tenen no sols en l'ambient, sinó també en la salut de l'ésser humà. Com a resposta, lleis cada vegada més estrictes han sigut aplicades impulsant així a la comunitat científica al desenvolupament de motors més eficients en l'ús del combustible i per descomptat més nets en termes d'emissions contaminants. En aquest context, el modelatge computacional ha sigut l'eina utilitzada en nombrosos esforços que busquen contribuir a millorar l'enteniment que es té sobre els altament complexos fenòmens que componen el procés de producció de sutge. El principal objectiu d'aquesta tesi és simular la producció de sutge en rolls dièsel en condicions d'operació típiques d'un motor de combustió interna utilitzant CFD. La consecució de l'objectiu de la tesi comprèn una avaluació preliminar de la configuració dels diferents models per al cas de rolls inerts. En segon lloc, l'estudi detallat de la hipòtesi utilitzada per a caracteritzar l'estructura de la flama a nivell sub-grid (prenent com a base els conceptes well-mixed o flamelet) i de l'enfocament per a tindre en compte la interacció entre turbulència i química. Finalment, es presenten resultats del modelatge de la combustió i producció de sutge per a diferents condicions de contorn de reactivitat i mescla del doll utilitzant un model de sutge de dues equacions. En resum, el lector trobarà al llarg d'aquest document un estudi exhaustiu sobre la combustió i producció de sutge en dolls injectats amb toveres mono-orifici en ambients immòbils. D'aquesta mena de dolls, l'Spray A i Spray D de la Engine Combustion Network són utilitzats com a casos de referència. / [EN] Over the past few years, soot emissions from internal combustion engines have gained attention due to its impact on the environment and human health. In response, ever-stricter legislation has been enforced driving the research community toward more fuel-efficient and cleaner engines. Within this context, soot modeling has been the subject of many efforts seeking to contribute to the understanding of the highly complex phenomena that composes the soot production process. This thesis main objective aims at simulating soot production in Diesel sprays under engine-like conditions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The fulfillment of the thesis main objective entails a preliminary assessment of the inert spray computational setup for validation purposes. Then, a detailed study on the sub-grid flame structure and handling of turbulence-chemistry interaction is reported focusing on well-mixed and flamelet assumptions. Lastly, the study of reactivity and mixing boundary condition variations on combustion and soot production are assessed with a two-equation soot model. In summary, throughout this document the reader will find a comprehensive study of combustion and soot modeling in single-hole nozzle sprays in quiescent environments from which the Spray A and Spray D target conditions from the Engine Combustion Network are the main reference cases. / The respondent wishes to acknowledge the financial support received through Programa de Ayudas de Investigación y Desarrollo (PAID-01-16) and Ayudas para movilidad dentro del Programa para la Formación de Personal investigador 2017 of Universitat Politècnica de València and the Government of Spain through the CHEST Project (TRA2017-89139-C2-1-R). The respondent also wants to express his gratitude to Convergent Science for their kind support in the use of CONVERGE software for performing the CFD simulations. Parts of the work presented in this thesis have been supported in a collaborative framework with research partners at Argonne National Laboratory and their support is greatly acknowledged. / Pachano Prieto, LM. (2020). CFD modeling of combustion and soot production in Diesel sprays [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/142189 / TESIS

Dry powder inhalers (DPI), used as a means for pulmonary drug delivery, typically contain a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and significantly larger carrier particles. The microsized drug particles-which have a strong propensity to aggregate and poor aerosolization performance-are mixed with significantly large carrier particles that cannot penetrate the mouth-throat region to deagglomerate and entrain the smaller API particles in the inhaled airflow. Therefore, a DPI's performance depends on the carrier-API combination particles' entrainment and the time and thoroughness of the individual API particles' deagglomeration from the carrier particles. Since DPI particle transport is significantly affected by particle-particle interactions, particle sizes and shapes present significant challenges to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelers to model regional lung deposition from a DPI. We employed the Particle-In-Cell method for studying the transport/deposition and the agglomeration and deagglomeration for DPI carrier and API particles in the present work. The proposed development will leverage CFD-PIC and sensitivity analysis capabilities from the Department of Energy laboratories: Multiphase Flow Interface Flow Exchange and Dakota UQ software. A data-driven framework is used to obtain the reliable low order statics of the particle's residence time in the inhaler. The framework is further used to study the effect of drug particle density, carrier particle density and size, fluidizing agent density and velocity, and some numerical parameters on the particles' residence time in the inhaler.

Raceway ponds can be used to cultivate microalgae for purposes such as wastewater treatment and feedstock for animal feeds and biofuels. Besides nitrogen assimilation in biomass, nitrification can be a wastewater treatment mechanism but one that is hindered by the low nighttime dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO) common in wastewater treatment raceways. The large diel difference in pond conditions and changing influent wastewater quality also raises the question of the optimal frequency and timing of grab sample collection, to obtain representative water quality data. Three sets of triplicate pilot raceways (1,000-L, 0.30-m deep, fed primary clarifier effluent) were operated at an inland central California wastewater treatment plant. Two pilot pond experiments were conducted to determine the effect of (1) night aeration (1800 to 0600) on nitrification, biomass productivity, DO, and BOD5 treatment and (2) sampling frequency (diel, consecutive daily, and once-per-week; 1x/week) on the resulting mean biomass concentration (ash-free dry weight; AFDW) values. The two pond sets with night aeration both displayed a higher nitrification rate than control ponds. Night aeration in well-mixed, 3.7- to 5.4-day hydraulic residence time (HRT) pilot-ponds receiving influent from facultative pond-fed head tank (HT) effluent 16 to 20 hours per day lead to 8.8% more nitrification than night aeration in 2-day HRT ponds fed primary effluent wastewater (PEFF) eight hours per day during late-spring and summer. The cBOD5 concentration in HT was 61% less than PEFF, indicating that low cBOD5 concentrations in influent waters likely promote nitrification when night aeration is provided. Ponds increased in DO by 15% over a 24-hour period on average and by 57% at nighttime hours from 0600 to 1800, suggesting that night aeration significantly increased DO in ponds over a 24-hour period and at nighttime hours when DO may be limited for nitrifying bacteria. However, night aeration is likely to have a negative effect on productivity; the pond set with the highest nitrification experienced a 16% decline in productivity, and the pond set with the lowest nitrification displayed a 6% decline in productivity with night aeration installed. In the sampling frequency study, productivity from samples collected 1x/week at 0900 PST± 2 hour was compared to productivity determined from samples collected at the consecutive daily frequency for four to six consecutive days at 0900 PST± 2 hour and to samples collected at equal time intervals over 24 hours (diel) to determine the optimal sampling frequency. Based on AFDW concentrations, gross productivities were compared to evaluate the effect of sampling frequency. Average diel productivity from three diel experiments, conducted June 2015, December 2015, and July 2016, indicate 1x/week samples might overestimate productivity; however, at most, the difference was 11%. Average consecutive daily productivity from the five experiments, conducted February, March, June, and July of 2016, indicate 1x/week samples may underestimate productivity. The difference was also, at most, 11%. Because the 1x/week samples led to higher productivities than the diel samples and lower productivities than the consecutive daily samples, it seems likely that over many months, the 1x/week sampling frequency represents actual productivity with reasonable accuracy.

This thesis project investigates the granular flow of wood pellets inside a pilot-scale rotary kiln and its impact on the pyrolysis process. The study focuses on two key factors that must be determined to evaluate their effects on pyrolysis: the mass flow rate delivered by the feeding system at different motor frequencies and the mean residence time (MRT) of the wood pellets. The research is divided into two parts: the first characterizes granular flow without heat application, while the second examines the system behavior under high-temperature pyrolysis conditions. For the first part, the mass flow rate was assessed by measuring the emptying time of the feeding silo at different screw velocities. In contrast, the MRT was determinedwith two scenarios: (1) batches of different masses of wood pellets and (2) continuousfeed until a stable solid bed was formed that allowed tracer particle tracking. In the second part of the study, the drum’s rotational speed and fed mass flow rate were varied. Results indicated a direct proportionality between the mass flow rate delivered by the feeding systems and the screw motor frequency. Additionally, the MRT was found to follow an inverse relation with the drum’s rotational speed if the process was done in batches. In contrast, the MRT was 20 minutes at a feeding rate of 51 kg h-1 and a drum’s rotational speed of 0.36 rad s -1 with a continuous feeding process. Finally, the study concludes that the wood pellet feed rate and drum rotational speed significantly influence the pyrolysis process in the rotary kiln. The system remained stable for wood pellets inside the rotary drum, starting with a feeding rate of 8 kg h-1 and scaling up until a maximum of 21 kg h-1. This behavior is evidenced by the direct proportionality between the evolution of flue gas and pyrolysis gas temperatures over time and the necessity to adjust air supply to maintain system stability.

<p>The euthropthication of the Baltic Sea is a threat that is beginning to be taken seriously by the governments concerned. In Sweden, regulations concerning the allowed nitrogen (N) concentration in the effluent water from wastewater treatment plants are being tightened up. The Rimbo wastewater treatment plant has been imposed to reduce the annual mean concentration of total N in the effluent water to levels below 15 mg l-1. A more and more common way to reduce the nitrogen level in wastewater is to let the water pass through a wetland. This study investigates the possibility to build this kind of wetland at the outlet of the Rimbo wastewater treatment plant.</p><p>A prestudy of the topography, soil characteristics and groundwater flow indicates that the land area in question is well suited for the construction of a wetland. A proposal for the design has been made by using a physically based computer model developed in the PRIMROSE project (PRocess based Integrated Management of constructed and Riverine wetlands for Optimal control of wastewater at catchment ScalE), which is financed by the EU. Analysis of the residence time distribution (RTD) is a tool for understanding wetland design characteristics and can be used for wetland engineering such as optimizing design for best possibleefficiency in nitrogen removal. In order to characterize the performance of a wetland, it is useful to translate the RTD to a key figure representing the treatment efficiency. In this work, two types of such key figures have been used. Key figure 1 gives the hydraulic efficiency and Key figure 2 gives an estimation of the nitrogen retention by an integration of hydraulic characteristics and the chemical transformation of nitrogen.</p><p>The results of this study show that constructing a wetland in Rimbo probably would be an efficient way to reduce the nitrogen level at the effluent of the wastewater plant below the limits of the regulations. In addition, a wetland would form a nice place of recreation for the people in Rimbo and also make a good habitat for birds.</p> / <p>Övergödningen i Östersjön är ett problem som uppmärksammas alltmer. Ett led i att minska kvävebelastningen på Östersjön är ökade krav på rening i de svenska kommunala reningsverken. Rimbo avloppsreningsanläggning har blivit ålagd ett riktvärde för totalkväve på 15 mg l-1 i utgående vatten, vilket motsvarar en reningsgrad som inte uppnås idag. Ett alltmer vanligt sätt att minska föroreningshalterna är att anlägga våtmarker i anslutning till reningsverken för att efterpolera spillvattnet. Det här arbetet är en del av en förstudie till en sådan våtmark i Rimbo.</p><p>En förundersökning av topografi, jordart och grundvattenflöden indikerar att det område som föreslagits i anslutning till reningsverket i Rimbo lämpar sig väl för ett våtmarksbygge. Förslag till utformning har tagits fram med hjälp av en fysikaliskt baserad modell över vattenströmning, utvecklad inom det EU-finansierade projektet PRIMROSE (PRocess based Integrated Management of constructed and Riverine wetlands for Optimal control of wastewater at catchment ScalE). Analys av vattnets uppehållstidsfördelning ger förståelse för våtmarkens egenskaper och kan därför användas vid t ex optimering av våtmarksdesign med avseende på kväverening. För att på ett enkelt sätt kunna jämföra olika våtmarkers effektivitet är det praktiskt att översätta uppehållstidsfördelningen till ett nyckeltal för reningseffekten. I det här arbetet har två olika sådana nyckeltal beräknats. Det första ger den hydrauliska effektiviteten och det andra bygger på en metod där våtmarkens interna hydraulik integreras med den kemiska omvandlingen av kväve. Nyckeltal 1 ger ett mått på hur stor del av volymen i våtmarken som används för kväverening, medan Nyckeltal 2 ger ett mått på den procentuella kväveavskiljningen.</p><p>Den här förstudien visar att en våtmark sannolikt skulle vara ett utmärkt sätt att klara riktvärdet för kvävehalten vid reningsverket i Rimbo. Därutöver skulle en våtmark kunna utgöra ett positivt inslag i landskapet och öka den biologiska mångfalden, inte minst vad gäller fågelliv.</p>

タンデトロン加速器質量分析計業績報告

Le but de ce travail est de tester une approche multi-traceurs permettant de caractériser l'origine (éléments majeurs, Sr, Br, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ2H) et les temps de résidence (3H/3He, CFC, SF6) des eaux, pour identifier l'origine et évaluer le devenir des contaminants dans une nappe alluviale superficielle et peu profonde, la nappe de la Vistrenque. Les molécules étudiées sont les triazines, le métolachlore, le diuron, la carbamazépine, le sulfaméthoxazole, le diclofénac et l'ibuprofène. L'aquifère étudié est alimenté par une recharge directe, occasionnant le lessivage des pesticides des sols, et une recharge latérale provenant de l'aquifère karstique adjacent entraînant une dilution des eaux de la nappe en triazines. Localement, une contribution des eaux de surface (cours d'eau locaux, eau importée du Rhône) à la recharge de la nappe est mise en évidence entraînant également une dilution des eaux de la nappe en triazines mais au contraire une contamination en COE, quoique, en faibles concentrations. Les âges apparents des eaux alluviales échantillonnées, déterminés principalement par le couple 3H/3He, varient entre 1.4 et 22 ans. Le couplage de l'âge des eaux à leurs teneurs en triazines montre une persistance de ces molécules dans le milieu souterrain, et une atténuation de leur signal d'entrée soulignant l'efficacité de leur interdiction en 2003. Finalement, les eaux de la nappe alluviale montrent des rapports de dégradation des triazines variant entre 0,3 pour les eaux influencées par les eaux de surface et 4,8 pour celles montrant des âges apparents de 22 ans, suggérant une augmentation de ce rapport avec le temps de transfert des pesticides dans le système. / The aim of this work is to test a multi-tracer approach allowing the characterization of groundwater origin and residence time in a shallow alluvial aquifer, the Vistrenque aquifer, in order to identify the origin and the fate of contaminants therein. The selected compounds for the study are triazines, metolachlor, diuron, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, diclofenac, and ibuprofen. The studied aquifer is mainly fed by 1) a direct recharge inducing pesticides leaching from soil layers and unsaturated zone and 2) by a lateral recharge from the karst adjacent aquifer, which induces triazines dilution in the alluvial aquifer. A local contribution of surface water (local streams and imported Rhône River water) was evidenced in the alluvial groundwater inducing also triazines dilution but EOCs contamination nevertheless at low concentrations. The apparent age of the alluvial groundwater samples varies between 1.4 and 22 years. Linking groundwater age to triazines contents allowed to highlight, first, the persistence of these compounds in the alluvial groundwater and, second, the decreasing of their input signal in relatively recent groundwater samples in accordance with their forbidding in 2003. Finally, the Vistrenque alluvial groundwater showed triazines degradation ratios varying from 0.3 for groundwater influenced by surface water infiltration to 4.8 for groundwater characterized by relatively older apparent residence time on the order of 22 years. This suggests an increasing ratio with the transfer time of these compounds in the alluvial aquifer system.