Les procédés de fabrication de pièces mécaniques par enlèvement de matière (tournage, fraisage, perçage, ...) connaissent une utilisation massive dans l’industrie aéronautique et l’automobile. Les pièces obtenues par ces procédés doivent satisfaire à des propriétés géométriques, métallurgiques et à des caractéristiques de qualité. Pour répondre à ces exigences, plusieurs essais expérimentaux basés sur le choix des conditions de coupe sont souvent nécessaires avant d’aboutir à une pièce satisfaisante. Actuellement, ces méthodes empiriques basées sur l’expérience des fabricants et des utilisateurs des outils coupants sont souvent très longues et coûteuses, donnent une large plage de choix des paramètres en fonction de leurs besoins. Toutefois, le coût très élevé d’un essai limite fondamentalement le nombre d’expériences, avoir une pièce respectant les caractéristiques souhaitées avec un coût acceptable devient une tâche difficile. / Manufacturing processes of mechanical parts by removal of material (turning, milling, drilling ...) have extensive use in aeronautic and automobile industry. The components obtained using these methods must satisfy geometric properties, metallurgical and quality characteristics. To meet these requirements, several experimental tests based on the selection of cutting conditions are often necessary before manufacturing. Currently, these empirical methods based on the experience of manufacturers and users of cutting tools (charts, diagrams with experimental findings, ...) are often very lengthy and costly. However, the high cost of a trial limits the number of experiments, so to have a deserted component with an acceptable cost is a difficult task. The importance of cutting conditions monitored by limitations is related to the type of material to be machined, since it determines the behavior of the machining.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:02:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6412.pdf: 14036212 bytes, checksum: dc6e90045bca1050bc9fd76f94f1f30a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-30 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The increase in the production of antimicrobial metabolites by Paenibacillus polymyxa RNC-D was appraised through the study of cultivation variables. Two process variables, namely the glucose and inoculum concentrations, were evaluated in different levels (5 to 40 g/l, and 2.5% to 5.0% v/v, respectively), and their effects on biomass formation, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli and surface tension reduction (STR) were studied. The fermentation process was firstly carried out using non-optimized parameters, where the dependent variables biomass, MIC and STR reached the values of 0.6 g/l, 1.000,0 μg/ml and 18.4 mN/m, respectively. The optimum glucose (16 g/l) and inoculum concentrations (5.0% v/v) were defined in order to maximize the biomass formation, with low value of MIC and large STR of extract. Under these conditions, a biomass of 2.76 g/l, MIC of 15.8 μg/ml, and STR of 14.58 mN/m were predicted by the model. Data attained by experiments using optimized settings showed the following values: biomass 2.05 g/l; MIC 31.2 μg/ml; STR 10.7 mN/m. Thus, the percentage of improvement for each target response was: biomass 241.6%; MIC 96.88%; STR 41.85%. It was found that high concentrations of glucose substrate, although reflected in an increase in bacterial biomass, inhibited the microbial secondary metabolism, resulting in a low production of biomolecules associated with high values of MICs. Thus, initial concentrations of glucose and inoculum are shown as variables of strong influence in the production of antimicrobial metabolites by P. polymyxa RNC-D. Through the methods of experimental factorial design and surfaceresponse followed by graphical optimization it was possible to determine the optimum operating condition to achieve both maximum biomass and RTS as well as and lowest possible values of CIM. The validity of the proposed model was verified and confirmed. This is the first study on the optimization of culture conditions for the production of antimicrobial metabolites by P. polymyxa RNC-D, and constitutes an important step in the development of strategies to modulate the production of antimicrobial molecules by this microorganism in elevated levels. Novel antimicrobial compounds were isolated from the fermentation broth of P. polymyxa RNC-D, here named total extract (TE). It was possible to verify the presence of lipopeptide and peptide active compounds through enzymatic assays made with ET. Total extract was subjected to a two-phase system, resulting in lipopeptide extract (LPE) and aqueous fraction (AF). According to the results of bioassays, LPE has broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The mass spectrometry analysis of PLA revealed the existence of a novel compound that was named polycerradin. The purification of a novel antimicrobial peptide (AMP) from the AF was carried out by using chromatography. The compound was active against Gram-negative bacteria. Nterminal analysis determined the amino acid sequence, as well as MS / MS analysis confirmed the primary structure of this new compound. This research reports firstly the production of PAM PpRNCD that has an unusual amino acid in its constitution. It is an unprecedented fact considering the bacterial specie P. polymyxa. In terms of molecule size, PAM PpRNCD can be considered one of the smallest active natural peptide reported to date. It was also possible to isolate from FA the depsipeptides IL-F04a (m/z 883), LI-F04b (m/z 897), LI-F03a (m/z 947) and LI-F03b (m/z 961) previously described in the literature. The photoluminescence study of the LPE, TE, AF in both at room temperature (RT) and low temperature (T = 8K) was performed. In addition, this technique was applied to evaluate the action of the ELP on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 29212, Shigella sonnei ATCC 1578 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 in two different situations: (a) immediately after mixing LPE with the bacterial and fungus cell suspension, and (b) after thirty minutes. The photoluminescence emission was collected by a triple spectrometer (three diffraction gratings) T64000 model from Jobin Yvon, equipped with an optical microscope. For the detection of the radiation emitted by the sample we used a CCD camera (charge coupled device) cooled by liquid nitrogen. The slits of the spectrometer were adjusted to produce a spectral resolution of the order of 10-4 nm. The excitation source used was the line of 457 nm (violet) from an argon laser. The behaviors here observed indicate a strong potential for applications in biosensors as well as molecular markers. / Através do estudo de variáveis do cultivo pretendeu-se aumentar a produção de metabólitos antimicrobianos por Paenibacillus polymyxa RNC-D. Duas variáveis do processo - glicose e concentração de inóculo - foram avaliadas em diferentes níveis e seus efeitos na formação de biomassa, concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) contra Escherichia coli e redução na tensão superficial (RTS) foram estudados. Utilizando parâmetros não-otimizados as variáveis dependentes biomassa, CIM e RTS atingiram valores de 0,6 g/l, 1.000,0 μg/ml e 18,4 mN/m, respectivamente. As concentrações ótimas de glicose (16 g/l) e inóculo (5,0% v/v) foram definidas no sentido de maximizar a formação de biomassa e RTS do extrato, bem como diminuir o valor de CIM do extrato. Experimentalmente 2,05 g/l de biomassa; 31,2 μg/ml de CIM e 10,7 mN/m de RTS foram obtidos sob condições otimizadas. Foi constatado que altas concentrações do substrato glicose, embora refletissem em aumento de biomassa bacteriana, inibiram o metabolismo secundário microbiano, resultando em baixa produção de biomoléculas associada a altos valores de CIM. Através dos métodos de design fatorial experimental e superfície-resposta seguidos por otimização gráfica foi possível determinar a condição operacional ótima das concentrações iniciais de glicose e inóculo, as quais se demonstraram como variáveis de grande influência na produção de metabólitos antimicrobianos por P. polymyxa RNC-D. O extrato total (ET), proveniente do caldo de fermentação de P. polymyxa RNC-D, foi utilizado para pesquisa e isolamento de novos compostos antimicrobianos. Através de ensaios enzimáticos feitos com ET foi possível verificar a natureza lipopeptídica e peptídica dos compostos antimicrobianos. O ET foi submetido a um sistema de duas fases, separandose então em extrato lipopeptídico (ELP) e fração aquosa (FA). Resultados de bioensaios revelaram que o ELP apresenta amplo espectro de atividade contra bactérias Grampositivas, Gram-negativas e fungo. A análise por espectrometria de massas de ELP revelou a presença de um composto peptídico inédito o qual foi denominado polycerradin. A partir da fração aquosa (FA) foi possível a purificação de um novo peptídeo antimicrobiano (PAM) através de etapas cromatográficas. A bioatividade do composto foi avaliada e confirmada frente às bactérias Gram-negativas. A determinação da sequência de aminoácidos foi realizada por análise do N-terminal, e a confirmação da estrutura primária deste novo composto foi feita por MS/MS. O presente estudo relata pela primeira vez a produção do PAM PpRNCD que possui um aminoácido não usual em sua constituição, relato primeiramente aqui descrito considerando-se a espécie bacteriana P. polymyxa. Em termos de tamanho de molécula, pode-se considerar que o PAM PpRNCD é um dos menores peptídeos naturais ativos relatados até o momento. Utilizando-se a FA também foi possível o isolamento dos depsipeptídeos LI-F04a (m/z 883), LI-F04b (m/z 897), LI-F03a (m/z 947) e LI-F03b (m/z 961) previamente descritos na literatura. O estudo da fotoluminescência do ELP, do ET e da FA foi realizado tanto em temperatura ambiente (RT) quanto em baixa temperatura (T=8K). Também se estudou, através desta técnica, a ação do ELP sobre as bactérias Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 29212, Shigella sonnei ATCC 1578 e fungo Candida albicans ATCC 10231 em duas situações: (a) imediatamente após a mistura do ELP com a suspensão celular bacteriana, e (b) trinta minutos após a mistura. Detectou-se emissão fotoluminescente por ELP, ET e FA, e sinais de Raman a λ 699 nm (FA a baixa temperatura). Decorridos 30 min da mistura do ELP com as suspensões celulares microbianas houve alteração na emissão fotoluminescente, sendo que alguns sinais foram suprimidos (λ 470, 480 e 700 nm para S. sonnei, por exemplo). Isto evidencia a potencial aplicação destas frações (ELP, ET e FA) para a fabricação de sensores, detectores e marcadores moleculares.

Desde meados do século XX, métodos analíticos, numéricos e experimentais foram utilizados para quantificar a eficiência térmica na soldagem a arco, isto é, a razão entre a energia do arco elétrico e a energia que é entregue ao material durante a soldagem. Conhecendo-se a eficiência térmica, as dimensões da chapa e as propriedades térmicas do metal de base, torna-se possível prever as taxas e tempos de resfriamento a partir de modelo analíticos. Consequentemente, permitindo a previsão das transformações de fase, garantindo que os valores das propriedades da junta soldada se enquadrem dentro de um intervalo desejado. Os modelos de previsão de taxa de resfriamento derivados a partir dos modelos analíticos de Rosenthal são validos apenas no regime quase estacionário. Todavia, estes modelos costumam ser utilizados com pouco critério, mesmo em situações em que este regime não é alcançado. Portanto, para o desenvolvimento de modelos mais precisos e acurados para previsões das taxas de resfriamento, torna-se necessário entender como os termos do balanço de energia se desenvolvem durante a soldagem, até atingir o regime quase estacionário. Este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um entendimento mais abrangente dos fatores que impactam nos valores de taxas de resfriamento em juntas soldadas. Realizaram-se ensaios de calorimetria com nitrogênio líquido para diferentes tempos de soldagem, como também, foram coletados ciclos térmicos em diferentes posições ao longo do cordão, buscando entender como as variações no balanço de energia, ao longo da soldagem, impactam no material. A partir da Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta, foram obtidos os modelos empíricos da energia entregue ao material e da eficiência térmica do arco. Um novo entendimento acerca do balanço de energia na soldagem foi alcançado, servindo de base para o desenvolvimento e validação de um modelo preditivo de taxa de resfriamento, válido para diferentes condições de fluxo de energia no material. / Since the early 20th century, numerical and experimental methods have been used to quantify the thermal arc efficiency in welding, i.e., the ratio between the electric arc energy and the energy delivered to the material during welding. Knowing the thermal arc efficiency, the sample dimensions and the thermal properties of the base metal, it is possible to predict the cooling rates by analytical models. Consequently, allowing the prediction of phase transformations in the material, ensuring that values of welded joint properties are within a desired range. Cooling rate prediction models derived from Rosenthal\'s analytical models are valid only in quasi-stationary state. However, these models are used with little criterion, even in situations where this state is not achieved. Therefore, to development of more accurate and precise models for the prediction of cooling rate it become necessary to understand the evolution of the energy balance during the welding until the quasi-stationary state was reached. This work aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that affect the cooling rate in welded joints. Calorimetry tests with liquid nitrogen were carried out for different welding times, and thermal cycles were collected at different positions along the weld bead, to understand how the variations in the energy balance during the welding affect the material. From the Response Surface Methodology, the empirical models of delivered energy and the thermal arc efficiency were obtained. A new understanding about the energy balance in the welding was found, that was used for the development and validation of a predictive model of cooling rate, valid for different condition of energy flow in the material.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:08:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ariadine R C de Souza.pdf: 3448582 bytes, checksum: c9a134accab4a823b60c11ba4b8a1727 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research project aimed the evaluation of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP (HCl)) removal in solution, by applying an electrocoagulation (EC) process. The CIP (HCl) solution was prepared with an initial concentration of 25 mg L-1 CIP (HCl) in distilled water. The experiments were conducted in an EC reactor in laboratory scale, consisting of aluminum electrodes. In order to get the best reactor operating parameters, regarding its variables (initial pH, current intensity and time of electrolysis), a response surface methodology was applied based on a complete experimental design (CED) 3³. The CIP (HCl) concentration was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the mineralization was accompanied based on the reduction of total organic carbon (TOC). To obtain the operating conditions considered ideal for the operation of the EC reactor, a predicted second-order model was adjusted to the experimental responses and then validated by ANOVA. The influence of each reactor operating parameter was individually investigated, in a wider range than the one studied in the CED. Thus, the optimal values for each operating parameters were initial pH at 9.0 and current intensity of 0.8 A. From these responses, a kinetic analysis of the EC process was performed, reaching a rapid reduction of CIP (HCl) in the first minutes of electrolysis, stabilizing at 99% in times greater than 40 minutes. The toxicity of the treated solution was measured by applying ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity bioassays, taking as bioindicators Artemia salina and Lactuca sativa, respectively. The toxicity test using Artemia salina was susceptible to the type of remaining toxic compounds formed after the CIP (HCl) solution treatment of short duration. Furthermore, the remaining toxicity after 75 min of EC became nearly harmless to this bioindicator. On the other hand, the bioindicator Lactuca sativa was not susceptible to the action of these compounds at any treatment time. Due to the possible presence of the organic compound CIP (HCl) at a low concentration in the solutions treated by high electrolysis time, an antimicrobial activity analysis using the microorganisms S. aureus and E. coli was applied. The antimicrobial activity of the solution over 40 min electrolysis treatments was almost null or absent. In order to identify the CIP (HCl) in the sludge generated during the process, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was applied. CIP (HCl) was not identified in the residual sludge or the treated solution, indicating degradation of the compound during the treatment, possibly by electro-oxidation reactions. Therefore, the electrocoagulation provided the degradation of CIP (HCl) pollutant maintaining the treated solution free of toxicity and adverse biological effects to aquatic biota enabling their disposal in the environment, if the ideal operational conditions are maintained (initial pH 9.0, current density 0.8 A and electrolysis time of 75 min). / Este projeto de investigação visa avaliar a remoção do antibiótico cloridrato de ciprofloxacina (CIP(HCl)) em solução, por meio de um processo de eletrocoagulação (EC). A solução de CIP(HCl) foi preparada com concentração inicial de 25 mg L-1 de CIP(HCl) em água destilada. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator de EC, em escala laboratorial, constituído por eletrodos de alumínio. A fim de obter os melhores parâmetros de operação do reator em relação as suas variáveis (pH inicial, intensidade de corrente e tempo de eletrólise), uma metodologia de superfície de resposta foi aplicada baseada em um planejamento experimental completo (PEC) 3³. A concentração de CIP(HCl) foi monitorada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) e sua mineralização foi baseada na redução do carbono orgânico total (COT). Para obtenção das condições operacionais consideradas ideais para o funcionamento do reator de EC, um modelo previsto de segunda ordem foi ajustado às respostas experimentais e em seguida validado pela ANOVA. A influência de cada parâmetro de funcionamento do reator foi investigada individualmente em uma faixa de estudo mais ampla do que a avaliada PEC. Desta maneira, os valores considerados ideais para cada parâmetro operacional foram: pH inicial 9,0 e intensidade de corrente 0,8 A. A partir destas respostas, foi realizada uma análise cinética do processo de EC, onde se atingiu uma rápida redução de CIP(HCl) nos primeiros minutos de eletrólise, se estabilizando em 99% em tempos superiores a 40 min. A toxicidade da solução tratada foi avaliada aplicando bioensaios de ecotoxicidade e de fitotoxicidade, tomando como bioindicadores a Artemia salina e a Lactuca sativa, respectivamente. O teste de toxicidade utilizando a Artemia salina foi susceptível aos compostos tóxicos remanescentes formados após o tratamento da solução de CIP(HCl) de curta duração. Além disso, a toxicidade após 75 min de EC se tornou quase inócua a este bioindicador. Por outro lado, o bioindicador Lactuca sativa não foi susceptível à ação dos compostos tóxicos remanescentes a qualquer tempo de tratamento. Devido a possível presença do composto orgânico CIP(HCl) em baixas concentrações, nas soluções tratadas por elevados tempos de eletrólise, aplicou-se a análise de atividade antimicrobiana utilizando os micro-organismos S. aureus e E. coli. A atividade antimicrobiana da solução com tratamentos acima de 40 min de eletrólise foi ausente. Visando a identificação da CIP(HCl) no lodo gerado durante o processo, análises de difração de raio-X (DRX) foram realizadas. Não se identificou CIP(HCl) no lodo residual nem na solução tratada, indicando a degradação do composto durante o tratamento, possivelmente por reações de eletroxidação. Portanto, o processo de EC proporcionou a degradação do poluente CIP(HCl), mantendo a solução tratada isenta de toxicidade e de efeitos biológicos adversos à biota aquática possibilitando seu descarte no meio ambiente, se mantidas as condições operacionais ideais para o funcionamento do reator (pH inicial 9,0, intensidade de corrente 0,8 A e tempo de eletrólise de 75 min).

A metodologia de superfície de resposta foi utilizada para otimizar as condições e obter maiores produção de etanol e viabilidade para a linhagem de S. cerevisiae 63M em processo descontínuo, resultando nas condições: 200 g.L-1 de sacarose, 40 g.L-1 de inóculo a 30 °C. Diferentes tipos de processos foram comparados e o processo que apresentou maiores viabilidade, produtividade e rendimento foi o descontínuo alimentado por pulsos de volumes decrescentes de sacarose a 30 °C. A redução da concentração de sacarose foi uma estratégia que permitiu aumentar a temperatura até 37 °C sem perdas em viabilidades. Uma linhagem utilizada nas destilarias brasileiras foi comparada com a linhagem 63M em temperaturas elevadas e observou-se que a 63M produziu maior produtividade e rendimento. Oito ciclos sucessivos de fermentação com reutilização de células da linhagem 63M foram realizados em meio sintético em processo descontínuo alimentado por pulsos de sacarose a 37 °C e uma perda gradual de viabilidade foi observada, mas o etanol final permaneceu constante nos oitos ciclos. / Surface response methodology was used to optimize the conditions and to obtain higher ethanol production and viability to strain 63M of S. cerevisiae in batch culture, resulting in the conditions: 200 g.L-1 sucrose, 40 g.L-1 inoculum at 30 °C. Different types of processes were compared and the process that presented higher viability, productivity and yield was pulse fed-batch using five decreasing pulses of sucrose at 30 °C. The reduction of the sucrose concentration was a strategy that allowed increasing the temperature up to 37 °C without losses in viabilities. An industrial strain used in Brazilian distilleries was compared with strain 63M at high temperatures and it was observed that strain 63M produced higher productivity and yield. Eight successive cycles of fermentation with reuse of cells of strain 63M were carried out in synthetic medium in fed-batch process using sucrose pulses at 37 °C and a gradual loss of viability was observed, but the final ethanol was kept constant in the eight fermentation cycles.

The methodology of the design of experimnet has become an integral part of the optimisation of manufacturing processes in recent decades. Problems regarding designs of experiments are still up to date, especially because of a variety of approaches to collecting and evaluating data. Scientists in different research and development areas often do not take into account possible shortcommings or even essential assumptions of selected design and/or its evaluation methods. This disertation thesis summarizes theoretical bases of selected designs of experiments. Describes several applications of central composite design on responses regarding wire electrical discharge machining process. And compares different designs of experiment for response surfaces of five parameters with regards to algoritmic selection of statistically signifficant parameters.

MSCFST / Department of Food Science and Technology / Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice is rich in phytochemicals that possess antioxidant properties which are known to have a positive contribution to human health. Colour, pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity are quality properties that characterise watermelon juice. However, these quality properties undergo some chemical changes throughout the stages of maturity of the fruit as well as during thermal processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maturity and filtration on the physicochemical properties (colour, pH, total soluble solids) and the phytochemicals (lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity) of fresh watermelon juice. It further investigated thermosonication effects on these quality properties using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM considering temperature (25 – 52ºC), time (2 – 10 min) and amplitude level (24.1 – 60 μm) at a constant frequency of 20 kHz were the independent variables while colour variables (L*, a* and b*, C* and h*), pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity were the dependent variables. Results showed that colour, pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity of watermelon fruit juice are maturity dependent. All the physicochemical and phytochemical properties increased with maturity. The combination of the CIELAB parameters (L*, a*, b*) was clearly explained by the Chroma (C*) and hue (hº). The (C*) and hº values of the watermelon fruit juice were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the stages of maturity. The red colour was observed to be more saturated in the fully - ripe sample as indicated by the highest Chroma (7.35) values. The half - ripe sample which was observed to be pink - red had a C* of 5.88 while the lowest (4.32) value was observed from the unripe sample. The highest hº value was obtained from unripe sample (83.89), while lower value was observed from the fully - ripe (76.03) sample because of the saturation of the red colour in the fully - ripe sample. The total soluble solids also increased with stages of maturity 6.66 to 6.60 at half - ripe while at fully - ripe redness changed from 9.3 to 8.99 and TSS 8.37 to 8.02. Filtration has shown a significant (p < 0.05) on the C* and hº values. There was a higher retention of all dependent variables at lower thermosonication treatment (25ºC; 24.4 μm), especially the lycopene which increased by 127%. Model predictions for the colour properties and phytochemicals were closely correlated to the experimental results obtained. Prediction models were found to be significant (p < 0.05) with low standard errors and high coefficients of determination (R2). / NRF

No description available.

D. Tech. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / A novel low-cost ternary Mn-Fe-Cu (MFC) metal oxide nanocomposite adsorbent was fabricated using facile co-precipitation method and successfully applied for the sequestration of Cr(VI) and As(III) from simulated aqueous efflent. The central composite design (CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM) optimization technique determined the optimal working parameters for the preparation of the ternary MFC metal oxide nanocomposite. The spectroscopic microstructural analysis of the ternary MFC metal oxide nanocomposite was performed using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The spectroscopic analyses revealed a rough surface with hydroxyl groups and the presence of mixed metal oxides in different valence states. The BET surface area, pore volume and pore size of the nanostructured MFC ternary metal oxide composite were found to be 77.2427 m2/g, 0.2409 cm3/g and 14.7560 nm, respectively. The pH drift method determined that the pHpzc of the adsorbent was 6.75. The batch technique was employed to investigate the adsorption dynamics (effects of ionic strength, co-existing anions, adsorbent regeneration and reuse) and optimum parameters (solution pH, adsorbent dosage concentration, desorption) of Cr(VI) and As(III) adsorption onto the MFC nanocomposite. The fitting of non-linear kinetic (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and Elovich), diffusion (intraparticle and Boyd) and isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich) models to the Cr(VI) and As(III) experimental adsorption data gave an insight into the adsorption mechanisms. The Langmuir adsorption capacities, qm (mg/g), were 168.71 at solution pH 3 and 35.07 at solution pH 9 for Cr(VI) and As(III) adsorption, respectively. The adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the ternary MFC metal oxide nanocomposite was physical and formed outer-sphere surface complexes through electrostatic interactions, while the removal of As(III) was specific due to inner-sphere surface complexation and ligand/ion exchange reactions. The results from XPS and FTIR analysis after the adsorption of Cr(VI) and As(III) showed that the surface hydroxyl groups on the MFC nanocomposite interacted with the Cr(VI) and As(III) species during the formation of the surface complexes. To facilitate ease of adsorbent removal from the treated simulated aqueous effluent, the ternary MFC metal oxide system was co-precipitated onto biochar support.

La demande croissante en carburants, ainsi que les changements climatiques dus au réchauffement planétaire poussent le monde entier à chercher des sources d’énergie capables de produire des combustibles alternatifs aux combustibles fossiles. Durant les dernières années, plusieurs sources potentielles ont été identifiées, les premières à être considérées sont les plantes oléagineuses comme source de biocarburant, cependant l’utilisation de végétaux ou d’huiles végétales ayant un lien avec l’alimentation humaine peut engendrer une hausse des prix des denrées alimentaires, sans oublier les questions éthiques qui s’imposent. De plus, l'usage des huiles non comestibles comme sources de biocarburants, comme l’huile de jatropha, de graines de tabac ou de jojoba, révèle un problème de manque de terre arable ce qui oblige à réduire les terres cultivables de l'industrie agricole et alimentaire au profit des cultures non comestibles. Dans ce contexte, l'utilisation de microorganismes aquatiques, tels que les microalgues comme substrats pour la production de biocarburant semble être une meilleure solution. Les microalgues sont faciles à cultiver et peuvent croitre avec peu ou pas d'entretien. Elles peuvent ainsi se développer dans des eaux douces, saumâtres ou salées de même que dans les terres non cultivables. Le rendement en lipide peut être largement supérieur aux autres sources de biocarburant potentiel, sans oublier qu’elles ne sont pas comestibles et sans aucun impact sur l'industrie alimentaire. De plus, la culture intensive de microalgues pour la production de biodiesel pourrait également jouer un rôle important dans l'atténuation des émissions de CO2. Dans le cache de ce travail, nous avons isolé et identifié morphologiquement des espèces de microalgues natives du Québec, pour ensuite examiner et mesurer leur potentiel de production de lipides (biodiesel). L’échantillonnage fut réalisé dans trois régions différentes du Québec: la région de Montréal, la gaspésie et le nord du Québec, et dans des eaux douces, saumâtres ou salées. Cent souches ont été isolées à partir de la région de Montréal, caractérisées et sélectionnées selon la teneur en lipides et leur élimination des nutriments dans les eaux usées à des températures différentes (10 ± 2°C et 22 ± 2°C). Les espèces ayant une production potentiellement élevée en lipides ont été sélectionnées. L’utilisation des eaux usées, comme milieu de culture, diminue le coût de production du biocarburant et sert en même temps d'outil pour le traitement des eaux usées. Nous avons comparé la biomasse et le rendement en lipides des souches cultivées dans une eau usée par apport à ceux dans un milieu synthétique, pour finalement identifié un certain nombre d'isolats ayant montré une bonne croissance à 10°C, voir une teneur élevée en lipides (allant de 20% à 45% du poids sec) ou une grande capacité d'élimination de nutriment (>97% d'élimination). De plus, nous avons caractérisé l'une des souches intéressantes ayant montré une production en lipides et une biomasse élevée, soit la microalgue Chlorella sp. PCH90. Isolée au Québec, sa phylogénie moléculaire a été établie et les études sur la production de lipides en fonction de la concentration initiale de nitrate, phosphate et chlorure de sodium ont été réalisées en utilisant de la méthodologie des surfaces de réponse. Dans les conditions appropriées, cette microalgue pourrait produire jusqu'à 36% de lipides et croitre à la fois dans un milieu synthétique et un milieu issu d'un flux secondaire de traitement des eaux usées, et cela à 22°C ou 10°C. Ainsi, on peut conclure que cette souche est prometteuse pour poursuivre le développement en tant que productrice potentielle de biocarburants dans des conditions climatiques locales. / The continuing increase in fuel demands, the dramatic situation in climate changes and the global warming are bringing the worldwide attention to the identification of alternative energy source for the production of combustibles that can replace fossil fuel. In last years, a lot of potential sources have been identified: the first potential biofuel feedstock that have been evaluated were oleaginous plants, but the utilization of vegetable, or vegetable oils, that may also be used for human feeding, could lead to the increase of food-grade oils costs and also generate ethic questions. Nevertheless, also using as biofuel sources not-edible oils, like oils from jatropha, tobacco seed or jojoba, the common problem for both edible and not-edible crops is the need to subtract arable land from agriculture and food industry. In this context, the utilization of aquatic microorganisms like microalgae as substrate for the production of biofuel seems to be the better solution. Microalgae are easy to cultivate and can grow with little or no attention, they can grow in fresh, brackish or salt water and in non-arable lands, moreover they are not edible with no consequences on food industry, and the oil productivity, with respect to the other potential biofuel sources, can be much higher. In addition, the intensive cultivation of microalgae for biodiesel production could also play an important role in CO2 mitigation. In this study, we isolated and morphologically identified Québec native micro algal species, surveyed and screened their potential for lipid (biodiesel) production. The sampling efforts made in three different regions of Québec: Montreal area, Gaspesie and Northern of Quebec; on fresh, brackish or saline water. One hundred strains were isolated from the Montreal area, characterized and screened for their lipid content and wastewater nutrient removal under different temperatures (10±2 ºC and 22±2 ºC). The high potential lipid producing algal species were selected. The use of wastewater as a substrate media decreases the economic cost realted to the biofuel production from microalgae as well as an interesting tool for wastewater treatment. We compared the biomass and lipid productivity of these strains on wastewater to a synthetic medium and identified a number of isolates that showed good growth at 10 ºC, gave a high lipid content (ranging from 20% to 45% of dry weight) or a high capacity for nutrient removal (>97% removal). Furthermore, we characterized one of the interesting strains that revealed high lipid and biomass productivity, the novel microalga Chlorella sp. PCH90. Its molecular phylogeny was established and lipid production studies as a function of the initial concentrations of nitrate, phosphate, and sodium chloride were carried out using Response Surface Methodology. Under the appropriate conditions this microalga could produce up to 36% lipid and grew well in both synthetic medium and secondary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant at both 22°C and 10°C. Thus, this strain is promising for further development as a potential biofuels producer under local climatic conditions.