La valorisation de la fraction organique des déchets ménagers par un procédé biologique à deux étapes permet la production d’un mélange H2/CH4 comprenant 5 à 20% d’hydrogène appelé plus communément biohythaneLa première étape consiste en un réacteur de fermentation sombre (hydolyse/acidogénèse) où une partie de la matière organique est dégradée en H2 et en molécules simples (acides gras volatils, sucres simples, éthanol...). Les déchets prédigérés provenant du réacteur de fermentation peuvent ensuite être utilisés dans un réacteur de méthanisation afin de finaliser la dégradation de la matière organique pour produire du méthane. Cependant, seule une efficacité optimale de l’étape de fermentation sombre permet au procédé d’être économiquement viable comparé à un méthaniseur simple. Cette thèse a donc pour objectif d’améliorer la compréhension du système de fermentation sombre afin d’optimiser le rendement de conversion en hydrogène et en autres métabolites produits. Les expériences menées en réacteurs batch ont permis de mettre en évidence les limites ainsi que les conditions opératoires optimales influençant le rendement en hydrogène. Il a également été montré que la fermentation sombre possède une grande stabilité et robustesse lors de la recirculation de l’effluent pour des batchs successifs. Enfin, différentes échelles de réacteurs ont été réalisées pour se rapprocher des conditions réalisables à l’échelle industrielle. Cette thèse apporte de nouvelles informations et une compréhension poussée du procédé de fermentation sombre pour à terme, envisager la création d’un procédé industriel à deux étapes pour la production de biohythane à partir de déchets ménagers. / Two-step process producing biologically a mixture of H2/CH4 (5-20 % of H2) so called biohythane can be used for organic fraction of municipal solid waste valorization (OFMSW). The first step consists of a dark fermentation reactor (hydolysis/acidogenesis) which allows a partial degradation of organic matter into H2 and simple molecules (volatile fatty acid, sugar, ethanol…). Then the outlet of the first reactor can be used in a second reactor for methane production ending organic matter degradation. However, only high efficiency of the dark fermentation step allows making this two-step process economically viable compared to a simple anaerobic digestion reactor. The aim of this thesis is to improve the knowledge of the dark fermentation process for optimizing hydrogen and metabolites productions. Experiments were achieved to better understanding the main factors limiting hydrogen production along with the operational conditions that could improve hydrogen yield. This thesis also shows the high stability and robustness of effluent recirculation for consecutive hydrogen batch reactor. Finally, several sizes of reactors were performed for a scale-up of the process in order to reach the real operational conditions in industrial scale. This thesis provides new knowledge of the dark fermentation process in mixed culture for creating an industrial two-step process for biohythane production using municipal solid waste.

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar as repercussões do FUNDEF/FUNDEB na valorização dos profissionais do magistério da rede estadual de ensino de educação básica do Pará no período de 1996 a 2009. Configura-se como uma análise de políticas públicas, tendo como foco o exame das implicações da política de fundos para a efetivação/materialização da valorização docente no Estado. Para a realização da pesquisa, foi desenvolvida uma revisão bibliográfica sobre financiamento, política de fundos e valorização docente, com base nos trabalhos e obras de autores renomados da área. A pesquisa também envolveu a análise documental da legislação federal e estadual referente ao financiamento e à valorização docente, de documentos elaborados pelos órgãos oficiais do Estado e por outras instituições tais como sindicatos da categoria. Foi organizada de modo a articular informações quanti-qualitativas, tal como proposto por Gamboa (1995) dos indicadores de remuneração docente, carreira e formação dos professores na rede estadual de ensino do Estado do Pará durante o período de vigência do FUNDEF (1996 a 2006) e os três primeiros anos de vigência do FUNDEB (2007 a 2009). A análise dos dados foi complementada com a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com ex-presidente do INEP (2003-2004) e ex-assessor de financiamento educacional da UNDIME Nacional (2004-2006); aos membros dirigentes do SINTEPP, membros do Conselho Estadual de Educação (CEE) e aos representantes da categoria docente no Conselho do FUNDEF/FUNDEB. A pesquisa permitiu concluir que, embora a implementação do FUNDEF e do FUNDEB no âmbito do Estado e, nacionalmente, tenha estimulado alguns avanços legais no sentido de garantir aos profissionais do magistério, direitos importantes relacionados à formação inicial e continuada, a um plano de carreira e a melhor remuneração como elementos de valorização docente, ainda está longe de proporcionar a sua real valorização. Na rede estadual de ensino do Pará, a partir da implementação da política de fundos, foi possível perceber que, com o estímulo financeiro, ainda que mínimo, proporcionado pelo FUNDEF/FUNDEB, houve uma tendência ao longo do período no sentido de reduzir o número de professores leigos. Embora se perceba aumento significativo no número de professores com o ensino superior completo, os mesmos não possuíam formação em cursos de licenciatura, o que se configura como um grave problema para a educação no Estado. Em termos de vencimento-base, constatou-se que os mesmos recebem valores abaixo do valor do piso salarial estabelecido pela Lei 11.738/2008. No período analisado tanto o professor AD-1 quanto o AD-2 registraram uma pequena elevação de sua remuneração com o pagamento dos abonos. No que diz respeito ao professor AD-4, este sofreu desvalorização de sua remuneração ao longo do período. Todavia, a análise dos dados da PNAD tornou evidente que a remuneração do professor no Estado é baixa, tanto em relação aos profissionais com ensino médio, quanto em relação às profissões de maior prestígio social com formação superior. No geral, estes professores, mesmo recebendo o abono FUNDEF/FUNDEB, não conseguiram equiparar sua remuneração com as destes profissionais. No que se refere à carreira, apesar da conquista da categoria ao aprovar o PCCR, nem este instrumento e tampouco o Estatuto conseguiram estabelecer regulamentações capazes de dar conta, efetivamente, da valorização do magistério no Pará. Faz-se necessário garantir em termos percentuais e financeiros aumentos reais à remuneração dos professores com a obtenção das progressões e titulações. / This study aimed to analyse the repercussion of FUNDEF/FUNDEB in the valorization of mastership professionals in the State Education Network of elementary Education in Pará, in the period from 1996 to 2009. It figures as an analysis of public policies, focusing the examination of the implies of the policy of funds to effect/materialize of teachers valorization in the State. To do the research, was developed a bibliographic review about financing, policy of funds and teachers` valorization, based on the work of renowed authors in the field. The research also developed a documental analysis of the state and federal law about the financing and the teachers valorization, the document elaborated by the State official agencies and by other institutions such as class syndicates. It was organized in a way to articulate quantitative and qualitative information, as proposed by GAMBOA (1995) the teachers` indicators of remuneration, career and formation in the State Education Network of Pará during the standing period of FUNDEF (1996 to 2006) and the three first years of the standing period of FUNDEB (2007 to 2009). The data analysis was complemented with semi structured interviews with the former president of INEP (2003 2004) and the former assessor of educational financing of national UNDIME (2004-2006); the leader members of SINTEPP, members of the State Council of Education/ CEE and representative of the teachers class in the Council of FUNDEB/ FUNDEF. The research allowed to conclude that though the implantation of FUNDEF and FUNDEB in the State and nationally had encouraged some law advancement in a way to guarantee some important rights to the mastership professionals, important rights related to the basic and continued formation, a career plan and a better remuneration as elements of teachers `valorization, is still far to proportion it`s real valorization. In the State Education Network of Pará, from the implementing of the policy of funds, was possible realize that, with the financial encouragement, even if it`s the minimum proportioned by FUNDEF/ FUNDEB there was a tendency along the period in a way to reduce the number of lay teachers. Though is realized a meaningful number of graduated teachers, the same didn`t have degree of licentiate, what means a serious problem for the education of the State. About the salary basis, was realized that those professionals earn values that are under the value of the salary basis established by the law 11. 738/2008. In the analyzed period, the teacher AD-1 as the AD-2 registered a low increase in their remuneration with the payment of a bonus. About the Teacher AD-4, this one suffered the devaluation of its remuneration along the period. Nevertheless, the analysis of the data of PNAD turned clear that the remuneration of the teacher in the State is low, related to the professionals that concluded high school education, as about the professions with higher social status with superior education. Generally, these teachers, even receiving FUNDEF/ FUNDEB bonus, didn`t get to fit out their remuneration to these professionals. About the career in spite of the conquest of the class in approving the PCCR, neither this instrument nor the statue got to set a regulation able to effectively get a valuation of the mastership in the State. It`s necessary guarantee in the percentage and financial term a real increase in the teachers `remuneration, with the attainment of progress and qualification.

<p>Основно што развој туризма треба да задовољи су принципи одрживог развоја, а то подразумева са једне стране такав развиј туризма којиће обезбедити планирано, умерено или ограничено коришћење свих ресурса, са друге стране формирање таквог производа и таквог планирања који ће бити атрактиван и одговарајући за задовољење потреба туриста, напомињући да је то једини начин кроз развој туризма можемо очекивати одговарајућу добит.</p> / <p>Osnovno što razvoj turizma treba da zadovolji su principi održivog razvoja, a to podrazumeva sa jedne strane takav razvij turizma kojiće obezbediti planirano, umereno ili ograničeno korišćenje svih resursa, sa druge strane formiranje takvog proizvoda i takvog planiranja koji će biti atraktivan i odgovarajući za zadovoljenje potreba turista, napominjući da je to jedini način kroz razvoj turizma možemo očekivati odgovarajuću dobit.</p> / <p>Base for touristic development are priciples of healthy growing which will provide planned, proper and restricted use of all resourses. On the other side there shoul be interesting products and planning which woul be attractive and appropriate for tourists needs. Development of tourism is only way to gain certain benefit.</p>

No description available.

This thesis focuses on the synthesis and applications of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) in the environmental remediation of contaminants. The polyvalent characteristics of this nanomaterial are evaluated in this work with the study of its application in a wide range of contaminants: heavy metals and pesticides in water medium, and malodorous sulfur compounds present in air streams. Moreover, a novel method of synthesis of encapsulated nZVI from a waste material is presented, which meets the principles of green chemistry and at the same time represents a low-cost method of obtaining nZVI with improved characteristics. Chapter 1 describes the current state of the topics that will be discussed in the rest of the thesis. Specifically, the different mechanisms of contaminant remediation by nZVI are discussed, a summary of the current synthesis methods is presented and the principal modifications of nZVI to improve its characteristics are described. Finally, the limitations of the current techniques are assessed, which will be the starting point of the thesis. In Chapter 2, the application of nZVI to heavy metal removal during long time periods is explored. The contaminants studied are Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu and Cr, which are the most common heavy metals found in ground and wastewater. A delivery-effect of the heavy metal ions that had already been attached to nZVI surface is observed after long reaction times, which is a consequence of the nZVI aging and oxidation. The conditions that influence the delivery-effect are assessed and possible solutions to this detected problem are presented. In Chapter 3, nZVI is applied to the removal of sulfur-based odorous compounds in air streams. The compounds studied are hydrogen sulfide and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), which are commonly found in wastewater treatment plants. Both nZVI loading and pH are varied to assess their influence on the process. Bimetallic nanoscale particles of Cu/Fe, Ni/Fe and Pd/Fe are synthesized in order to improve the DMDS abatement by the nZVI. The advantages of this new method for odor removal are discussed at the look of the experimental results. Lastly, a pilot scale test was performed in a wastewater treatment plant in order to test the effectiveness of the nZVI in a real application. The nZVI were applied in a scrubber to eliminate the sulfurous compounds from the pre-treatment area of the wastewater treatment plant. Chapter 4 deals with the application of nZVI to the oxidation of non-biodegradable pollutants by the Fenton reaction. Specifically, the effect of pH on the degradation of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is studied. The advantages of using nZVI as a Fenton reagent compared to homogeneous Fenton are described. Furthermore, the addition of UV-light to the process is investigated. Finally, the main degradation intermediates of the reaction are identified and a degradation mechanism is accordingly proposed. In Chapter 5, the presence of polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) in the nZVI surface is addressed. Studies have shown that nZVI enhances the formation of such chlorinated compounds during thermal processes, but it is unclear which the origin of the compounds is. It has been suggested that nZVI could possess impurities such as PCDD/Fs in its surface. Therefore, the concentration of PCDD/Fs in both commercial and laboratory-synthesized nanoparticles is analyzed. PCDD/Fs pattern and WHO-TEQ concentrations are also obtained. As an outcome of the results obtained in this chapter, a recommendation for preventing the PCDD/Fs presence in nZVI is given. Chapter 6 is dedicated to the synthesis of carbon-encapsulated nanoparticles using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of an agricultural waste, particularly, olive mill wastewater (OMW). This novel method, in addition to meet the green chemistry principles, makes profit of the high polyphenol content of OMW to maximize the fraction of incorporated iron into the nZVI. Moreover, the carbon layer surrounding the nZVI protects it against oxidation and avoids its aggregation. Several HTC conditions are explored to study their implications in the characteristics of the material obtained. A deep characterization of the encapsulated nZVI is also presented in this chapter. In Chapter 7, the applications of the encapsulated nZVI synthesized in Chapter 6 are explored and compared for the same contaminants that have been studied in the previous chapters. Then, the advantages of encapsulated nZVI in comparison with common nZVI are discussed at the end of the chapter, and an estimation of the synthesis costs with this method is addressed. Lastly, in Chapter 8, the main conclusions of the thesis are summarized and suggestions for future work are presented.

Collaboration is a pervasive element in an organization's departments, various suppliers, and business associates in an advanced manufacturing industry. Cloud Manufacturing (CMfg) is a new service-oriented business paradigm capable of generating this sought-after collaboration. Companies are expected to accomplish cost reductions, maintain quality, satisfy the market, and reduce environmental impacts while growing in sophistication and integration. Implementing the idea of sharing resources and capabilities will ultimately result in cost reduction, boost productivity,and more efficient consumption of natural resources globally. Sustainability, consumption of energy, and waste minimization would thus find an adequate representation within CMfg due to its collaborative aspect. Even though it has been more than a decade since the inception of cloud manufacturing, a broad consensus about the concept, essential characteristics, architecture is still lacking. This thesis addresses the presented definitions, features, and architectures associated with CMfg found in the literature; by conducting a systematic literature review. Thus, 105 papers have been selected to enable the identification of the core components of the CMfg idea, as well as illustrate how CMfg contributes to a more sustainable manufacturing future while its relationship with other relevant manufacturing paradigms, including Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, social manufacturing, E-manufacturing, and Industrial Internet, isinvestigated. Summaries of various definitions of the CMfg concept as well as different layers of its architecture have been presented. This paper investigates the potential contributions of CMfg to sustainability by analyzing solutions that lead to the improvement of collaboration, better automation, and utilizing the 6Rs concept, as well as considering the role of waste valorization and circular economy in today's manufacturing strategies.

L’utilisation de la biomasse végétale, que ce soit à des fins énergétiques, papetières ou valorisation dans le domaine des biomatériaux via des filières de biorafineries, nécessite la séparation des différents copolymères qui la composent par des méthodes physique et/ou chimique. Par exemple, les méthodes classiques utilisées pour extraire la cellulose mettent en jeu des réactions acido-basiques et provoquent des modifications de la structure des lignines à cause des réactions de recondensation, de déalkylation et de déshydratation. L’exploitation des lignines dans le domaine des matériaux est limitée par plusieurs facteurs notamment leur faible solubilité dans les solvants usuels, leur poids moléculaire élevé et leur faible nombre de phénols libres à l’origine de leur réactivité chimique. Ce projet s’inscrit dans un contexte de valorisation des lignines industrielles en tenant compte la structure chimique spécifique de chaque type de lignine Son objectif consiste à développer de nouvelles stratégies permettant la rupture des liaisons les plus labiles sur la chaine propyle des sous unités phénylpropanoïdes puis leur fonctionnalisation en optimisant la formation d’éthers d’énols ou en permettant leur rupture directe en évitant au maximum les réactions de recondensation en utilisant les liquides ioniques comme milieu réactionnel. Un focus particulier sera fait sur la fonctionnalisation possible des éthers d’énols conduisant à une dépolymérisation sélective des lignines papetières qui en contiennent un taux non négligeable. Selon les lignines industrielles, ces méthodes devraient permettre d’obtenir des oligomères de plus faible masse, d’augmenter également la fraction phénolique et d’améliorer la solubilité des lignines transformées ainsi que leurs propriétés antioxydantes. / The ability to use plant biomass in energy, paper industry or valorization in the field of biomaterials via biorefineries, requires the separation of the various copolymers by physical or chemical methods. For exemple, the classic methods used to extract the cellulose involve acido-basic reactions and cause modifications of the structure of lignins because of recondensation, dealkylation and dehydration reactions. The exploitation of lignins in the field of materials is limited by several factors as their low solubility in usual solvents, their high molecular weight and low number of free phenol fonctions. This project joins in a context of valuation of the industrial lignins by taking into account the specific chemical structure of every type of lignin. Its obvective consists in developing new strategies to cleave weak bonds on the propyl chain of phenylpropan units, then their fonctionnalization by optimizing the formation of enol ethers or their direct cleavage by avoiding the reactions of recondensation by using ionic liquids as reaction medium. A particular focus will be made on the possible fonctionnalization of enol ethers for a selective depolymerization of industrial lignins who contain a not insignificant rate. According to the structur of lignins, these methods should allow to obtain oligomers with low molecular weight, to increase also the phenolic fraction and improve the solubility of the transformed lignins as well as their antioxidant properties.

Agricultural production in Sweden account for a large contribution of the territorial GHG emissions. System optimization, fossil fuel removal and increased circularity is therefore of great importance in order to reach the national net zero emission target by 2045. Biochar production from biomass side flows is a cost-efficient method for carbon dioxide removal which could help to reduce the climate impact of agricultural systems. This study aimed to investigate the potential for climate change mitigation by implementing biochar production from wheat straw at farm level in Sweden. A life cycle perspective was used to assess the climate change impact for production of 1 Mg wheat, with three scenarios for straw management 1) biochar production and application on fields 2) straw incorporation into soil and 3) district heat production. A time distributed LCI was used to include the time dynamics of soil processes. Climate impact was assessed using two metrics: Total GWP100 impact(static) and global surface temperature change (time dynamic). Excess thermal energy from the pyrolysis process was assumed to be used for drying of grains and heating buildings at the farm. The results showed a total GWP100 impact of 214 kg CO2-eq/Mg wheat in the scenario with biochar production, which compare to the impact of 425-429 kg CO2-eq/Mg wheat for the scenarios with conventional straw management practices. The temperature response was ca 50 % lower all throughout the analysed time period, compared to the scenarios with straw incorporation or district heat production. The largest contribution to the impact reduction was achieved from carbon sequestration from biochar application to soil amounting to 223 kg CO2-eq/Mg. A sensitivity analysis of the biochar yield (kg biochar produced per kg of dry mass feedstock) for pyrolysis of straw confirmed that biochar production was preferable over other straw management practices for lower biochar yields as well. In conclusion, utilizing straw for biochar production could have a large potential for reducing the climate impact from wheat production in Sweden. However, a combination of measures for climate change mitigation is needed to reach net zero emissions of wheat production. / Jordbruksproduktionen står idag för en betydande del av Sveriges territoriella växthusgasutsläpp. För att minska jordbrukssektorns klimatpåverkan krävs åtgärder såsom material och energiåtervinning, utfasning av fossila bränslen och elektrifiering. För att nå det nationella klimatmålet om nollutsläpp år 2045 krävs även åtgärder för infångning och lagring av koldioxid. Biokolsproduktion av restprodukter och avfall i form av biomassa är en kostnadseffektiv och lättillgänglig metod för kolinlagring. Pyrolys är en termokemisk process som sker när biomassa upphettas till höga temperaturer utan tillgång till syre. Produkterna från processen är syngas, pyrolysolja och biokol. Processen optimeras utifrån vilka produkter som är önskade och syngas förbränns ofta för att tillföra energi och upprätthålla reaktionen. Biokol används därefter främst som jordförbättringsmedel i planteringar men kan även användas för vattenfiltrering, som fyllnadsmaterial i betong, applicering på åkermark och som tillsatts i djurfoder. Efterfrågan och produktionen av biokol är än så länge relativt liten i Sverige. Då det finns en stor tillgång på biomassa från restprodukter inom jordbruket så finns även en stor möjlighet att minska sektorns klimatpåverkan genom pyrolys och biokolsproduktion. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur implementering av biokolsproduktion från vetehalm skulle kunna bidra till minskad klimatpåverkan från veteproduktion. Studien utförs med ett gårdsperspektiv och har målen att: Identifiera och kvantifiera växthusgasutsläpp för relevanta materialflöden och processer inom veteproduktion. Beräkna klimatpåverkan utifrån ett livscykelperspektiv för produktion av 1 Mg vete under tre scenarion för halmhantering 1) biokolsproduktion och applicering på fält 2) halminblanding i jord 3) energiåtervinning genom produktion av fjärrvärme.  Klimatpåverkan, GWP100, beräknades med mätenheten (kg CO2-eq/Mg vete) och beskriver den totala påverkan från de ackumulerade utsläppen över en 100 års tidshorisont som förutsätter att alla utsläpp sker under det första året. För att kunna inkludera ett tidsperspektiv och ta hänsyn till icke-fossila utsläpp av CO2, markprocesser och koncentrationen av växthusgaser i atmosfären över tid, så beräknades även temperaturförändringen av den globala yttemperaturen (K/Mg vete och år), ΔT. Dessa beräkningar utfördes genom att använda tidsdistribuerade utsläpp för en 100 års period och klimatpåverkan, ΔT, beräknades för 150 år. Startåret för beräkningarna och veteproduktionen var satt till år 2019. Gården antogs producera höstvete årligen, utan växelbruk, under en tidsperiod på 20 år. Biokolsproduktion antogs ske på gården och värmeöverskottet antogs användas till torkning av vete och värme till byggnader på gården. En systemexpansion gjordes för att modellera utsläppsminskningen från ett lokalt fjärrvärmeverk där halmen antogs ersätta träpellets producerade av skogsrester.  Resultatet visade en klimatpåverkan av 214 kg CO2-eq/Mg vete. för scenariot med biokolsproduktion, 425 kg CO2-eq/Mg vete för scenariot med fjärrvärmeproduktion och 429 kg CO2-eq/Mg vete för scenariot med hamninblandning i jord. För den tidsdynamiska klimatpåverkan hade scenariot med biokolsproduktion en genomgående ca 50 % lägre temperaturpåverkan under hela tidsperioden. Resultatet visade även att kolinlagringen från biokol var den största bidragande faktorn till den minskade klimatpåverkan. Användning av överskottsvärme från pyrolysprocessen hade även ett betydande påverkan till minskade klimatutsläpp.  Biokolsproduktion av restprodukten vetehalm har därigenom en stor potential till att minska klimatpåverkan från veteproduktion. Effekten av biomassaomvandlingskvoten för pyrolys av halm (mängd producerad biokol per tillförd mängd biomassa) analyserades genom en känslighetsanalys som fann att biokolsproduktion från halm är fördelaktigt även vid lägre omvandlingskvoter, 20 %. En ökning av biomassaomvandlingskvoten med 5 % kan ge ytterligare en minskning på 16-20 % av de totala utsläppen. Även effekten av jordförbättrande egenskaper som skördeökning och minskade markutsläpp av N2O analyserades. Då biokolsmängden per hektar är relativt låg och antas ge effekt endast ett år, så var dessa effekter på den totala klimatpåverkan försumbara. De ackumulerade effekterna av biokol som jordförbättring undersöktes dock inte, men skulle eventuellt kunna ge en mer betydande effekt.  För att bättre kunna analysera klimateffekterna av jordförbättring krävs dock mer forskning om effekter av biokol under svenska odlingsförhållanden över en längre tid. För att dessutom få en mer övergripande bild av potentialen för implementering av biokolsproduktion inom jordbrukssektorn så rekommenderas framtida studier för analys av olika sorters grödor, växtföljder, restprodukter och regioner.  Utifrån resultatet dras slutsatsen att gårdsproduktion av biokol från vetehalm har en möjlighet att minska klimatpåverkan från vete med ca 50 % jämfört med annan halmhantering. Biokolsproduktion är även fördelaktigt när tidsdynamiska effekter av utsläppen inkluderas. För att nå en klimatneutral veteproduktion krävs dock även andra åtgärder.

Aerobic granular sludge has been regarded as a promising alternative to the conventional activated sludge which has been used for a century in that granular sludge offers advantages in high biomass retention, fast sludge-water separation, and small footprint requirement. However, this technology has been rarely applied in continuous flow reactors (CFRs) which are the most common type of bioreactors used in water resource recovery facilities across the world. Hence, the overarching goal of this study is to provide advanced understanding of biogranulation mechanism to enable industrial application of this technology. The lack of long-term stability study in CFRs has restricted its full-scale acceptability. The high settling velocity-based selection pressure has been regarded as the ultimate driving force towards biogranulation in sequential batch reactors (SBRs). In this study, this physical selection pressure was firstly weakened and then eliminated in CFRs to investigate its role in maintaining the long-term structural stability of aerobic granules. Given the fact that implementing settling velocity-based selection pressure only can cultivate biogranules in SBRs but not in completely stirred tank reactors (CSTRs), the essential role of feast/famine conditions was investigated. Seventeen sets of data collected from both literature and this study were analyzed to develop a general understanding of the granulation mechanisms. The outcome indicated that granulation is more sensitive to the feast/famine conditions than to the settling velocity-based selection pressure. The theory was tested in a CFR with 10-CSTR chambers connected in series to provide feast/famine conditions followed by a physical selector separating the slow-settling bioflocs and fast-settling biogranules into feast and famine zones, respectively. Along with successful biogranulation, the startup performance interruption problem inherent in SBRs was also resolved in this innovative design because the sludge loss due to physical washout selection was mitigated by returning bioflocs to the famine zone. Then, a cost-effective engineering strategy was put forward to promote the full-scale application of this advanced technology. With this generalized biogranulation theory, pure culture biogranules with desired functions for high value-added bioproducts were also investigated and achieved for the first time in this study, which paves a new avenue to harnessing granulation technology for intensifying waste valorization bioprocesses. / Doctor of Philosophy / Nowadays, the rapid population growth and unprecedented urbanization are overloading the capacity of many wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). Therefore, there is a need to develop a cost-effective strategy to upgrade the treatment capacity of existing WRRFs without incurring major capital investment. Because conventional activated sludge comes with loose structure and poor settleability, replacing them with dense aerobic granular sludge offers the opportunity to intensify the capacity of existing WRRF tankage and clarifiers through better retention of high bacterial mass that offers not only a fast pollutant removal rate but also a high water-solids separation rate. The aerobic granulation technology turns traditional activated sludge into granular sludge by inducing microbial cell-to-cell co-aggregation. Although this technology has been developed for more than 20 years, its application in full-scale WRRFs is still limited because majority of WRRFs are constructed with continuous flow reactors in which the aerobic granulation mechanism largely remains unknown. Besides, the long-term stability of aerobic granules in continuous flow reactors also remain unstudied, further constraining the full-scale application of the technology. The sensitivity of aerobic granulation to physical selection and biological selection was analyzed in this study. The results concluded that aerobic granulation is more sensitive to the latter but not to the former. Subsequently, this theory was tested in a novel bioreactor setup that creates feast/famine conditions for biological selection. A physical selector was installed at the end of the bioreactor to separate and return the fast- and slow- settling bioparticles to the feast and famine zones, respectively. This unique reactor design and operational strategy provided an economical approach to retrofitting current WRRFs for achieving treatment capacity upgrading without major infrastructure alternation. It also protected the bioreactor startup performance by enhancing the stability of WRRFs in the future application. Last but not least, this updated understanding of aerobic granulation theory was for the first time extrapolated to and verified with the formation of pure culture biogranules harnessed in this study for value-added bioproduct valorization from waste materials.

La recherche du premier chapitre de ce mémoire a été menée en collaboration avec les co-chercheurs suivants: Catherine Olivier et Michel Bergeron. / Ce mémoire examine plusieurs questions d'éthique auxquelles font face les chercheurs universitaires en ce qui concerne la valorisation (le partage, la réutilisation et la commercialisation) des bases de données et des banques de matériel. Dans un premier temps, nous présentons les résultats d'une étude qualitative du point de vue de vingt deux chercheurs à l'Université de Montréal, qui révèle les nombreuses limitations à la valorisation, y compris le manque de ressources, le consentement à la recherche, la confidentialité des participants ou patients et la compétition entre chercheurs. Malgré ces limitations, le partage de bases et de banques est la forme de valorisation la plus acceptée par les chercheurs à l’Université de Montréal. De plus, ce partage est préconisé dans la documentation scientifique comme un idéal de la science. Dans un deuxième temps, nous démontrons que si le partage de bases et de banques est primae facie une norme éthique généralement acceptée, les limitations à cette norme devraient être davantage comprises et justifiées. Pour ce faire, nous présentons une analyse des limitations principales du partage des bases et des banques qui révèle que la plupart de ces limitations sont causées par des manquements à l’intégrité de la recherche (manque de collégialité ou de confiance). Dans un troisième temps, nous terminons en proposant des recommandations et des pistes de réflexion afin de susciter un plus grand partage éthique des bases de données et des banques de matériel tout en respectant certaines contraintes justifiables. / This master’s thesis focuses principally on the ethical issues faced by university researchers in the valorization (sharing, reuse and commercialization) of databases and material banks. First, I present the results of a qualitative study on the perceptions of 22 researchers at the Université de Montréal regarding various limitations to valorization, including the lack of resources, consent processes, participant confidentiality and competition between researchers. Despite these shortcomings, the sharing of databases and material banks is the mode of valorization most accepted by researchers at the University of Montreal. This sharing is advocated in the scientific literature as an ideal or norm of science. Second, I argue that if such sharing is prima facie ethical and beneficial, then practices which would limit sharing should be better understood and justified. I present an analysis of the main limitations to sharing which reveals that instances of a lack of integrity in research (that undermine collegiality or trust) are at the root of many of these limitations. Third, I conclude with reflections and general recommendations to achieve greater ethical sharing while still acknowledging the existence of certain justifiable constraints.