Les travaux de la présente thèse porteront sur le raffinement du modèle du potentiel source-puits (SSP) proposé par Ernzerhof en 2006. Cette méthode permet de calculer la conductance qualitative de dispositifs électroniques moléculaires (MEDs). Dans la première partie de ce travail, le modèle SSP sera amélioré en y intégrant la description de l’interaction d’un champ électromagnétique fort avec le MED. Des expériences récentes ont démontré que des molécules pouvaient interagir fortement avec des plasmons de polaritons de surface (SPP). Ces interactions créent des états liés électron-SPP qui seront exploités pour contrôler la conductance de MEDs. Des formules analytiques expliqueront l’impact des paramètres physiques de ces circuits optoélectroniques sur la conductance de ceux-ci. Dans le même esprit, la seconde partie de cette thèse inclura les interactions électron-noyau au modèle SSP afin de décrire entre autres le courant décohérent d’un MED. Dans ce modèle les interactions noyau-électron seront décrites à partir de l’approximation harmonique et intégrées à l’hamiltonien de façon non-pertubative. Des formules analytiques seront dérivées afin de décrire la conductance de tels MEDs. Finalement, les conséquences du bris de la symétrie de la parité et du temps de la matrice hamiltonienne de la méthode SSP seront découvertes dans la densité spectrale et les fonctions d’ondes des MEDs. / The purpose of this thesis is to expand the scope of the source-sink potential (SSP) method originally proposed by Ernzerhof in 2006. The SSP model allows the computation of the qualitative conductance of molecular electronics devices (MEDs). In the first part of this work, the SSP model will be improved by including the description of interaction between the strong electromagnetic field and the MED. Recent experiments have shown that molecules could strongly interact with surface plasmon of polaritons (SPPs). These interactions will create so-called dressed states that can be used to control the conductance of MEDs. In the second part of this work, the SSP model will be augmented by including electron-nucleus interactions to describe the inelastic current. In this model, the electron-nuclueus interaction will be account for with the help of the harmonic approximation and incorporated into the hamiltonian non-pertubatively. Analytical formulas will be derived that will allow one to understand the impact of physical parameters on the conductance of MEDs. Lastly, the impact of the parity and time symmetry breaking of the SSP matrix hamiltonian will be studied and related to change in the spectral density and in the eigenfunctions of the MEDs.

The study focussed on the research question namely: “How will the introduction of new ecological taxes impact the South African agricultural sector?” To answer the question, eight international eco-taxes were selected and further investigated. The nature and history of each eco-tax was examined. The effects or expected effects (where implementation have not yet taken place) of the eco-taxes on the agricultural sectors of the foreign countries, were then considered. The study continued by considering the possible impact on South African agriculture, should these taxes be implemented in South Africa. This was accomplished by extrapolating the foreign effects previously investigated. Mindful of findings, recommendations were then made of what eco-taxes could be implemented which will not impede South African agriculture. It was concluded that the British Climate Change Levy and Climate Change Agreement scheme, Australian Carbon Farming Initiative and Swedish meat consumption tax could be considered for implementation. / Financial Accounting / M. Phil (Accounting Science)

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:07:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gabriele Pizzatto.pdf: 2509942 bytes, checksum: 2ced823abdb0d261ba88e1b1559d76a3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-24 / The effluent from the kitchen sink, dishwasher, tank/washing machine, toilet bowl, shower, sink and tub when not covered are the source of many environmental problems and public health. The current management models based on conventional technologies still present technical and economic limitations. In this context, the study aimed to develop and propose a new model of management of domestic sewage and specifically the development of an alternative technology for the preliminary treatment of wastewater generated in the kitchen sink (due to its specific characteristics). The methodology included the qualitative and quantitative characterization of the generating source and domestic effluents, methods of collection, transportation and conventional treatment of domestic sewage and explanation of the advantages/disadvantages of the methods, processes and conventional technology. The results of the monitoring activities and habits of a family allowed determining the water consumption and the consequent generation of waste in each of the sources, which resulted in a correlation that will assist in the calculation of generation capacity/production of domestic sewage in homes and corresponding diagnosis. The tests performed with commercially available technologies for treating the effluent from the kitchen sink (grease trap) have identified the technical limitations of these technologies and the consequence was that the development of a new technology with innovative features called "ash for treatment of effluent from the sink kitchen with simultaneous separation of fat and settleable solids - Model UNIOESTE" innovative technology and in the process of patenting. It therefore contributes to mitigating the negative impacts that result from inadequate management of domestic wastewater using for such technological innovations resulting from intellectual activity with experimental validation. Key-words: domestic sewage, effluent from the kitchen sink, waste management, grease trap. / Os efluentes domésticos provenientes da pia da cozinha, máquina de lavar louça, tanque/máquina de lavar roupas, bacia sanitária, chuveiro, lavatório e banheira quando não tratados são fonte de muitos problemas ambientais e de saúde pública. Os atuais modelos de gestão com base de tecnologias convencionais ainda apresentam limitações técnicas e econômicas. Nesse contexto, o trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento e proposição de um novo modelo de gestão de efluentes domésticos e especificamente o desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia alternativa para o tratamento preliminar do efluente gerado na pia da cozinha (devido às suas características peculiares). A metodologia contemplou a caracterização qualitativa e quantitativa da fonte geradora e dos efluentes domésticos, dos métodos de coleta, transporte e tratamento convencional de efluentes domésticos e explicitação das vantagens/desvantagens dos métodos, processos e da tecnologia convencional. Os resultados do monitoramento das atividades e hábitos de uma família permitiram determinar o consumo de água e a conseqüente geração de efluentes em cada uma das fontes, cujo resultado foi uma correlação que deverá auxiliar no cálculo da capacidade de geração/produção de efluentes domésticos nas residências e o correspondente diagnóstico. Os testes realizados com tecnologias disponíveis no mercado para tratamento do efluente da pia da cozinha (caixa de gordura) permitiram identificar as limitações técnicas dessas tecnologias e a conseqüência disso foi o desenvolvimento de uma nova tecnologia com características inovadoras denominada Caixa para tratamento de efluente da pia da cozinha com separação simultânea de gordura e sólidos sedimentáveis Modelo UNIOESTE , de tecnologia inovadora e em fase de patenteamento. Desta forma, contribui-se com a mitigação dos impactos negativos que resultam da gestão inadequada dos efluentes domésticos utilizando-se para tal, inovações tecnológicas resultantes da atividade intelectual com validação experimental.

La fixation symbiotique d’N par les légumineuses est très sensible aux ravageurs, provoquant des dommages sur les racines nodulées, avec un impact sur la fixation d’N et la croissance qui demeure mal connu. Nous avons alors analysé la réponse adaptative de la fixation symbiotique et de la croissance du pois Frisson sauvage et 3 de ses mutants hypernodulants P64, P118 et P121, respectivement mutés sur les gènes SYM28, SYM29 et NOD3, à une ablation de la moitié du système racinaire, en fin de phase végétative. La réponse adaptative a été mesurée 8 jours après ablation, dans des conditions d'alimentation en carbone par la photosynthèse variées. A 380 ppm, le mutant P118 a montré la plus faible diminution de l’activité spécifique de fixation (-17%) suite à l’ablation comparé au sauvage et aux 2 autres mutants (-36% à -62%) associé à une accélération chez les mutants P118 et P121 et un maintien (sauvage et P64) de la croissance des nodosités. A 150 ppm, suite à l’ablation, l’activité spécifique de fixation symbiotique par les nodosités a été diminuée (sauvage), maintenue (P64 et P118) ou augmentée (P121), associée à une accélération (sauvage et P121) ou un maintien (P64 et P118) de la croissance des nodosités. A 750 ppm, l’activité spécifique de fixation a diminué suite à l’ablation pour tous les génotypes, associée à un ralentissement (P64), un maintien (P118, sauvage) ou une faible accélération (P121) de la croissance des nodosités. Les résultats montrent une plus grande capacité de la fixation symbiotique des mutants hypernodulants (P118 et P121 essentiellement) à résister au stress provoqué par l’ablation. / Symbiotic N fixation of legumes is very sensitive to environmental stresses, like pea pests damaging nodulated roots. However, the impact on their N uptake capacity and plant growth has not been studied so far.We analyzed the adaptive response symbiotic N2 fixation and plant growth of pea wild type Frisson and hypernodulating mutants P64, P118 and P121 mutated respectively on genes SYM28, SYM29 and NOD3 to root pruning of half the root system at the end of the vegetative stage. The adaptive responses of pea: cv. Frisson and 3 of its hypernodulating mutants were compared under varying carbon supplies from photosynthesis.At 380 ppm, mutant P118 showed the lowest decrease of the specific activity of N fixation (-17%) following root pruning compared to the wild type and the 2 others mutants (-36% to -62%), associated to an acceleration (P118 and P121) and a maintained (wild type and P64) nodule growth. At 150 ppm, following root pruning, specific activity of N fixation of nodules decreased in wild type, was maintained in P64 and P118 and increased in P121. At 750 ppm, specific activity of N fixation of nodules decreased for all genotypes following root pruning, associated to a maintained nodule growth in wild type and P118, a slower growth in P64 and acceleration in P121.Our results showed a greater capacity of hypernodulating mutants P118 and P121 to withstand the stress induced by root pruning of half the root system.

Questions that were answered in the dissertation: Which process is suitable to desulphurize biogas knowing that chemical absorption will be used to separate CO2? Which absorption solvent is suitable to separate CO2 from concentrated gases such as biogas at atmospheric pressure? What properties of the selected solvent, namely aqueous diglycolamine (DGA), are already known? How to determine solvent properties such as equilibrium CO2 solubility under absorption and desorption conditions using simple, but robust apparatuses? What values do solvent properties such as density, viscosity and surface tension take at various DGA contents and CO2 loadings? How do primary alkanolamine content and CO2 loading influence solvent properties? What is the optimal DGA content in the solvent? What is the optimal desorption temperature at atmospheric pressure? How can equilibrium CO2 solubility in aqueous DGA solvents be simulated? What is the uncertainty in the results? How to debottleneck an absorber and increase its gas-treating capacity? How to determine the optimal lean loading of the absorption solvent? What are the characteristics of the absorption process that uses aqueous DGA as the solvent to separate CO2 from biogas and is more energy efficient and safer than the state-of-the-art processes? How to quantitatively compare the hazards of absorption solvents? What is the disposition of the German population towards hazards from biogas plants? What are the favourable and adverse environmental impacts of biomethane? / Fragen, die in der Dissertation beantwortet wurden: Welches Verfahren ist zur Entschwefelung von Biogas geeignet, wenn die chemische Absorption zur CO2-Abtrennung genutzt wird? Welches Absorptionsmittel ist geeignet, um CO2 aus konzentrierten Gasen, wie Biogas, bei atmosphärischem Druck abzutrennen? Welche Eigenschaften des ausgewählten Absorptionsmittels, wässriges Diglykolamin (DGA), sind bereits bekannt? Wie wird die CO2-Gleichgewichtsbeladung unter Absorptions- und Desorptionsbedingungen mit einfachen und robusten Laborapparaten bestimmt? Welche Werte nehmen die Absorptionsmitteleigenschaften wie Dichte, Viskosität und Oberflächenspannung bei verschiedenen DGA-Gehalten und CO2-Beladungen? Wie werden die Absorptionsmitteleigenschaften durch den Primäramin-Gehalt und die CO2-Beladung beeinflusst? Was ist der optimale DGA-Gehalt im Absorptionsmittel? Was ist die optimale Desorptionstemperatur bei atmosphärischem Druck? Wie wird die CO2-Gleichgewichtsbeladung im wässrigen DGA simuliert? Welche Ungenauigkeit ist zu erwarten? Wie wird eine Absorptionskolonne umgerüstet, um die Kapazität zu erweitern? Wie wird die optimale CO2-Beladung des Absorptionsmittels am Absorbereintritt (im unbeladenen Absorptionsmittel) bestimmt? Was sind die Prozesseigenschaften eines Absorptionsverfahrens, das wässriges DGA als Absorptionsmittel nutzt sowie energieeffizienter und sicherer als Verfahren auf dem Stand der Technik ist? Wie kann das Gefahrenpotenzial von Absorptionsmittel quantitativ verglichen werden? Wie werden Gefahren aus einer Biogasanlage durch die deutsche Bevölkerung wahrgenommen? Welche positive und negative Umweltauswirkung hat Biomethan?

This master´s thesis is directed to an research of thermoelectric cells as power sources. It is discoursing about general properities of thermoelectric cells and their using at practical aplications in the first part. Then a heating and cooling system is designed and made for a selected type of thermoelectric cell which represents the emergency back-up power source. In the next part a DC/DC step-up converter is designed for a selected type of thermoelectric cell. This converter generates the DC load voltage 12V. The converter is controlled by PWM with a carrier frequency 50kHz.

Les lacs piègent des particules sédimentaires au fil du temps de manière à former des archives sédimentaires. Tracer l’origine des particules archivées avec une résolution stratigraphique particulièrement détaillée conduit à reconstituer une ou des informations paléoenvironnementales permettant d’identifier les changements environnementaux passés. Afin de décrypter ces informations, les techniques d’analyse des carottes sédimentaires nécessitent d’identifier des marqueurs de leur composition à haute résolution. L’imagerie l’hyperspectrale demeure une des rares techniques capables de représenter ces marqueurs en deux dimensions pour caractériser les variations de la composition du sédiment et les structures stratigraphiques les plus fines. Dans ce mémoire, le potentiel de l’imagerie est mis en valeur à travers l’étude de plusieurs cas. L’objectif est de reconstituer des changements environnementaux à partir de l’origine des matières organiques (MO) sédimentaires à hauterésolution rapidement et sans destruction des archives. Plusieurs marqueurs hyperspectraux permettant de comprendre l’origine des MO sont développés sur deux sites d’étude choisis pour leur potentielle signature organique sédimentaire. Dans un environnement méditerranéen, les apports en MO détritique dans les sédiments du lac Bresson tracent les épisodes d'incendie du couvert forestier alors que les variations de carbone organique total (COT) dans une série d’archives sédimentaires reconstruisent les fluctuations de l’érosion glaciaire dans un lac arctique. Dans ces deux cas, la MO d’origine détritique est tracée pour la première fois par une méthode non-destructive et le traçage de la MO issue de la productivitéprimaire aquatique (plus classique) est amélioré par un nouvel indice spectroscopique. Ces marqueurs sont validés par des méthodes utilisées en routine (HPLC, comptage des particules de charbon, pyrolyse Rock-Eval 6) puis calibrés par ces techniques pour reconstruire des concentrations en COT à haute résolution. L’imagerie hyperspectrale permet donc de tracer lacomposition sédimentaire, voire des variations géochimiques, pour quantifier l'origine des apports organiques. Ces résultats apparaissent comme prometteurs et fournissent les bases essentielles pour développer l'utilisation en routine de cette nouvelle technique afin de reconstituer finement les changements environnementaux passés. / Over time, lakes trap sedimentary particles that form sedimentary reserves. Tracing the origin of those particles with a precise stratigraphic resolution, involves reconstituting one or more paleo environmental information thus allowing the identification of past environmental changes. Decrypting that information requires a sedimentary carrot analysis technic to identify their high resolution composition indicators. Hyperspectral imagery remains one of the rare technics capable of showing those indicators in a two dimensional form so as to characterize the variations in the composition of the sediment as well as the finer stratigraphic structures. In comparison to the methods used routinely, hyperspectral imagery is a highresolution (nanometers resolution) technic that does not destroy the core of the sediment and is time efficient (1 hour per meter of sediment). In this thesis, the potential of the high resolution imagery is highlighted through the study of several case studies. The aim is to reconstitute environmental changes based on the origin of high resolution sedimentary organic matter (OM) quickly whilst preserving their history. Several hyperspectral indicators have been developed on two carefully chosen study sites to understand the origins of those OM. Those sites were chosen based on their potential sedimentary organic signature. In a Mediterranean environment, detrital OM inputs in the Bresson lake give a history of the various forest fires whereas the organic carbon variations in a series of reserve sediments, reconstruct the fluctuations of glacier erosion in an artic lake. In both cases, the OM of detrital origin is traced for the first time through a non-destructive method. Tracing OM issued from Primary aquatic production is improved with a new spectroscopic index. These indicators are validated by the methods routinely used (HPLC and RE6) then are calibrated by these technics in order to rebuilt high resolution COT concentrations. Hyperspectral imagery allows to trace the sedimentary composition and to see geo chemical variations in order to quantify the origin of organic inputs. Those results seem promising and bring essential foundations to develop the routine use of this new technic in order to reconstitute accurately past environmental changes.

Questions that were answered in the dissertation: Which process is suitable to desulphurize biogas knowing that chemical absorption will be used to separate CO2? Which absorption solvent is suitable to separate CO2 from concentrated gases such as biogas at atmospheric pressure? What properties of the selected solvent, namely aqueous diglycolamine (DGA), are already known? How to determine solvent properties such as equilibrium CO2 solubility under absorption and desorption conditions using simple, but robust apparatuses? What values do solvent properties such as density, viscosity and surface tension take at various DGA contents and CO2 loadings? How do primary alkanolamine content and CO2 loading influence solvent properties? What is the optimal DGA content in the solvent? What is the optimal desorption temperature at atmospheric pressure? How can equilibrium CO2 solubility in aqueous DGA solvents be simulated? What is the uncertainty in the results? How to debottleneck an absorber and increase its gas-treating capacity? How to determine the optimal lean loading of the absorption solvent? What are the characteristics of the absorption process that uses aqueous DGA as the solvent to separate CO2 from biogas and is more energy efficient and safer than the state-of-the-art processes? How to quantitatively compare the hazards of absorption solvents? What is the disposition of the German population towards hazards from biogas plants? What are the favourable and adverse environmental impacts of biomethane? / Fragen, die in der Dissertation beantwortet wurden: Welches Verfahren ist zur Entschwefelung von Biogas geeignet, wenn die chemische Absorption zur CO2-Abtrennung genutzt wird? Welches Absorptionsmittel ist geeignet, um CO2 aus konzentrierten Gasen, wie Biogas, bei atmosphärischem Druck abzutrennen? Welche Eigenschaften des ausgewählten Absorptionsmittels, wässriges Diglykolamin (DGA), sind bereits bekannt? Wie wird die CO2-Gleichgewichtsbeladung unter Absorptions- und Desorptionsbedingungen mit einfachen und robusten Laborapparaten bestimmt? Welche Werte nehmen die Absorptionsmitteleigenschaften wie Dichte, Viskosität und Oberflächenspannung bei verschiedenen DGA-Gehalten und CO2-Beladungen? Wie werden die Absorptionsmitteleigenschaften durch den Primäramin-Gehalt und die CO2-Beladung beeinflusst? Was ist der optimale DGA-Gehalt im Absorptionsmittel? Was ist die optimale Desorptionstemperatur bei atmosphärischem Druck? Wie wird die CO2-Gleichgewichtsbeladung im wässrigen DGA simuliert? Welche Ungenauigkeit ist zu erwarten? Wie wird eine Absorptionskolonne umgerüstet, um die Kapazität zu erweitern? Wie wird die optimale CO2-Beladung des Absorptionsmittels am Absorbereintritt (im unbeladenen Absorptionsmittel) bestimmt? Was sind die Prozesseigenschaften eines Absorptionsverfahrens, das wässriges DGA als Absorptionsmittel nutzt sowie energieeffizienter und sicherer als Verfahren auf dem Stand der Technik ist? Wie kann das Gefahrenpotenzial von Absorptionsmittel quantitativ verglichen werden? Wie werden Gefahren aus einer Biogasanlage durch die deutsche Bevölkerung wahrgenommen? Welche positive und negative Umweltauswirkung hat Biomethan?

[pt] Diante dos constantes avanços da tecnologia os dispositivos eletrônicos vêm passando por um processo de miniaturização, ao mesmo tempo em que sustentam um aumento de potência. Essa tendência se mostra um desafio para seu gerenciamento térmico, uma vez que os sistemas de resfriamento típicos para eletrônicos utilizam ar como fluido de trabalho, e o seu baixo coeficiente de transferência de calor limita sua capacidade de atender às necessidades térmicas da indústria atual. Nesse sentido, o resfriamento bifásico tem sido considerado uma solução promissora para fornecer resfriamento adequado para dispositivos eletrônicos. Circuitos de termossifão bifásico combinam a tecnologia de resfriamento bifásico com sua inerente natureza passiva, já que o sistema não requer uma bomba para fornecer circulação para seu fluido de trabalho, graças às forças da gravidade e de empuxo. Um dissipador de calor de microcanais, localizado bem em cima do dispositivo eletrônico, dissipa o calor gerado. Isto o torna uma solução de baixo custo e energia. Além disso, ter um circuito de termossifão operando com um refrigerante de baixo GWP, como o R-1234yf, resulta em baixo impacto para o meio ambiente, uma vez que é um refrigerante ecologicamente correto e o sistema tem baixo ou nenhum consumo de energia. Este trabalho fornece um modelo numérico detalhado para a simulação de um circuito de termossifão bifásico, operando em condições de regime permanente. O circuito compreende um evaporador (chip e dissipador de calor de micro-aletas), um riser, um condensador refrigerado a água de tubo duplo e um downcomer. Equações fundamentais e constitutivas foram estabelecidas para cada componente. Um método numérico de diferenças finitas, 1-D para o escoamento do fluido por todos os componentes do sistema, e 2-D para a condução de calor no chip e evaporador foi empregado. O modelo foi validado com dados experimentais para o refrigerante R134a, mostrando uma discrepância em relação ao fluxo de massa em torno de 6 por cento, para quando o sistema operava sob regime dominado pela gravidade. A pressão de entrada do evaporador prevista apresentou um erro relativo máximo de 4,8 por cento quando comparada aos resultados experimentais. Além disso, a maior discrepância da temperatura do chip foi inferior a 1 grau C. Simulações foram realizadas para apresentar uma comparação de desempenho entre o R134a e seu substituto ecologicamente correto, R1234yf. Os resultados mostraram que quando o sistema operava com R134a, ele trabalhava com uma pressão de entrada no evaporador mais alta, assim como, com um fluxo de massa mais alto. Por causa disso, o R134a foi capaz de manter a temperatura do chip mais baixa do que o R1234yf. No entanto, essa diferença na temperatura do chip foi levemente inferior a 1 grau C, mostrando o R1234yf como comparável em desempenho ao R134a. Além disso, o fator de segurança da operação do sistema foi avaliado para ambos os refrigerantes, e para um fluxo de calor máximo do chip de 33,1 W/cm2, R1234yf mostrou um fator de segurança acima de 3. Isso significa que o circuito de termossifão pode operar com segurança abaixo do ponto crítico de fluxo de calor. Dada a investigação sobre a comparação de desempenho dos refrigerantes R134a e R1234yf, os resultados apontaram o R1234yf como um excelente substituto ecologicamente correto para o R134a, para operação em um circuito de termossifão bifásico. / [en] Given the constant advances in technology, electronic devices have been going through a process of miniaturization while sustaining an increase in power. This trend proves to be a challenge for thermal management since commonly electronic cooling systems are air-based, so that the low heat transfer coefficient of air limits its capacity to keep up with the thermal needs of today s industry. In this respect, two-phase cooling has been regarded as a promising solution to provide adequate cooling for electronic devices. Two-phase thermosyphon loops combine the technology of two-phase cooling with its inherent passive nature, as the system does not require a pump to provide circulation for its working fluid, thanks to gravity and buoyancy forces. A micro-channel heat sink located right on top of the electronic device dissipates the heat generated. This makes for an energy and cost-efficient solution. Moreover, having a thermosyphon loop operating with a low GWP refrigerant such as R-1234yf results in low impact for the environment since it is an environmentally friendly refrigerant, and the system has low to none energy consumption. This work provides a detailed numerical model for the simulation of a two-phase thermosyphon loop operating under steady-state conditions. The loop comprises an evaporator (chip and micro-fin heat sink), a riser, a tube-in-tube water-cooled condenser and a downcomer. Fundamental and constitutive equations were established for each component. A finite-difference method, 1-D for the flow throughout the thermoysphon s components and 2-D for the heat conduction in the evaporator and chip, was employed. The model was validated against experimental data for refrigerant R134a, showing a mass flux discrepancy of around 6 percent for when the system operated under gravity dominant regime. The predicted evaporator inlet pressure showed a maximum relative error of 4.8 percent when compared to the experimental results. Also, the chip temperature s largest discrepancy was lower than 1 C degree. Simulations were performed to present a performance comparison between R134a and its environmentally friendly substitute, R1234yf. Results showed that when the system operated with R134a, it yielded a higher evaporator inlet pressure as well as a higher mass flux. Because of that, R134a was able to keep the chip temperature lower than R1234yf. Yet, that difference in chip temperature was slightly lower than 1 C degree, showing R1234yf as comparable in performance to R134a. In addition, the safety factor of the system s operation was evaluated for both refrigerants, and for a maximum chip heat flux of 33.1 W/cm2, R1234yf showed a safety factor above 3. This means the thermosyphon loop can operate safely under the critical heat flux. Given the investigation on the performance comparison of refrigerants R134a and R1234yf, results pointed to R1234yf being a great environmentally friendly substitute for R134a for the two-phase thermosyphon loop.

There is an urgent need to mitigate carbon emissions to the atmosphere to reduce the negative effects of climate change. Countries have pledged national strategies to reach their climate change mitigation goals in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). In the case of Colombia, the country envisions becoming carbon neutral by 2050.  A pathway to reach this goal is emission reduction through nature-based solutions (NBS). Biochar is an NBS with the potential to be used as a land-based emission mitigation technology. Records indicate that it was first used by indigenous communities in the Amazon about a thousand years ago. Biochar can be obtained through thermochemical conversion by slow pyrolysis of residual biomass. The original organic carbon present in the biomass is sequestered in the biochar as it is pyrolyzed and thus, CO2 emissions are prevented. Biochar is not yet considered in Colombia´s carbon neutrality strategy. The aim of this thesis project is to investigate the potential of biochar production in Colombia as a land-based mitigation technology (LMT). Therefore, a comprehensive assessment is performed with the purpose of identifying the status of biochar in the country. The motivation behind the assessment is to gain an understanding of the variables involved in biochar production. Factors such as the production sectors involved, feedstocks, production technologies, project costs and emission mitigation are of interest. The study explores these factors by following five methodological steps. First, the current research on the technology is mapped to understand biochar’s status at a national level. Second, experts are interviewed to collect their views regarding biochar and a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental & Legal) analysis is employed based on their point of view on the technology. Third, the potential sources of residual biomass which could be used to produce biochar in the agricultural sector are quantified. The approach to biochar’s potential is enriched with a focused in-person case study of biochar production from oil palm residues. Fourth, these residual biomass sources are subsequently employed to estimate the emissions sequestered in their biochar production. Lastly, project feasibility implementation is evaluated through a techno-economic to identify the project’s main cost drivers. The results are then discussed using a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, and Opportunities & Threats) analysis. The existing studies and the local experts’ opinion indicate that biochar potential is in the agricultural sector and that it can be thought of for soil adaptation. Biochar’s emission mitigation is considered an added value. In 2021, the agricultural sector produced near 73 million tonnes of agricultural products. The residues from agriculture could be used for biochar production. If the residues from the most produced agricultural products are transformed into biochar, about 1 to 2,2 tonne of CO2 per tonne of biochar could be avoided. The published literature and the in-person study visit confirmed that the largest advance in biochar production and use in Colombia is in the oil palm sector. Palm kernel shell, fibre and empty fruit bunches are the oil palm residues that could be used to produce biochar. From 1 tonne of these three oil palm residues, about 60 kg of biochar can be obtained. The results show that currently there is no market for trading with biochar in Colombia. High investments, transport and feedstock costs are identified obstacles. An Advanced Technology pyrolizer cost can cost around 330.000 USD while a Basic Technology one can be around 100 USD. Taxes associated with revenue from the biochar trade can negatively impact a biochar project’s feasibility. In this study, a price for biochar is estimated using break-even analysis. Under the assumptions used, the biochar price per tonne is around 200 to 1.000 USD. Price variability is explained in the technologies used for production, feedstock biomass availability and variable revenues from biochar sales. / Koldioxidutsläppen till atmosfären behöver minskas för att undvika de negativa effekterna av klimatförändringar. Olika länder har presenterat på sina nationellt fastställda bidrag (NDC) hur sina mål för begränsning av klimatförändringarna skulle kunna uppnås. I Colombia är planen att uppnå koldioxidneutralitet år 2050. Ett sätt att uppnå detta mål är att minska utsläpp genom naturbaserade lösningar (NBS). Biokol är en NBS som kan användas som landbaserade åtgärder för att minska växthusgasutsläpp eller öka koldioxidupptag. Forskning har bevisat att biokol användes i Amazonas för ungefär tusen år sedan. Biokol framställs genom långsam pyrolys av restprodukter av biomass. Kolet i biomassan binds i biokolet genom pyrolysis, vilket förhindrar koldioxidens utsläppning till atmosfären. Biokol inkluderas ännu inte i Colombias strategi för koldioxidneutralitet. Syftet med detta projekt är att undersöka biokolets produktionspotential i Colombia son ett landbaserade åtgärder (LMT). En analys gjordes för att identifiera statusen av biokol runt om i landet. Faktorer såsom berörda produktionssektorer, råvaror, produktionstekniker, projektkostnader och koldioxidutsläppen var av intresse. Studien undersöker faktorerna ovan genom att tillämpa en femstegsmetod. Först identifierades den aktuella forskningen om biokol i Colombia. Sedan intervjuades experter för att samla in deras åsikter om biokol och en PESTEL analys (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental & Legal) användes. Nästa steg i metoden var att kvantifiera potentialen av restprodukter inom jordbrukssektorn. Detta steg kompletterades med en fallstudie som fokuserade på biokolproduktion från rester från oljepalmer och sedan beräknades utsläppen som binds i biokol. Till sist utvärderades projektets genomförbarhet genom en teknoekonomisk analys som identifierade viktigaste drivkrafterna bakom kostnaderna. Resultaten diskuterades med hjälp av en SWOT analys (Strength, Weaknesses, and Opportunities & Threats). Experter och forskningsresultat om biokol i Colombia anger att det finns stor potential nom jordbrukssektor där biokol skulle kunna användas för jordförbättring, medan utsläppsminskningar endast anses vara en ytterligare fördel. År 2021 Colombias jordbrukssektor producerade nästan 73 millioner tonne av jordbruksprodukter och restprodukter från jordbruket kan användas för produktion av biokol. För varje ton biokol som produceras undviks ungefär 1 till 2,2 tonne koldioxid. Litteraturen och studiebesöket bekräftade att största framsteget inom produktion och användning av biokol i Colombia händer inom oljepalmssektorn. Palmkärnor, fibrer och tomma fruktknippar är restprodukterna som kan användas för att producera biokol. En ton av dessa tre typer av oljepalmsrester ger cirka 60 kg biokol. Resultaten visar att det inte finns en marknad för biokol i Colombia. Höga investeringskostnader, transport-och råvarukostnader är främsta hindarna som identifierades. En pyrolysanläggning med avancerad teknik kostar cirka 330 000 US-dollar, medan en pyrolysanläggning med grundläggande teknik kostar cirka 100 US -dollar. Skatter på inkomster från biokolsförsäljning kan ha en negativ effekt på genomförbarhet. Studien uppskattas ett pris för biokol med hjälp av en break-even-analys och visar att cirka 200 till 1.000 USD per tonne biokol vore ett möjligt prisintervall. Prisvariationerna förklaras av tekniken som används för produktion, tillgång på biomassa som råvara och varierande intäkter från biokolförsäljning.