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abstract: Nanoparticle suspensions, popularly termed “nanofluids,” have been extensively investigated for their thermal and radiative properties. Such work has generated great controversy, although it is arguably accepted today that the presence of nanoparticles rarely leads to useful enhancements in either thermal conductivity or convective heat transfer. On the other hand, there are still examples of unanticipated enhancements to some properties, such as the reported specific heat of molten salt-based nanofluids and the critical heat flux. Another largely overlooked example is the apparent effect of nanoparticles on the effective latent heat of vaporization (hfg) of aqueous nanofluids. A previous study focused on molecular dynamics (MD) modeling supplemented with limited experimental data to suggest that hfg increases with increasing nanoparticle concentration. Here, this research extends that exploratory work in an effort to determine if hfg of aqueous nanofluids can be manipulated, i.e., increased or decreased, by the addition of graphite or silver nanoparticles. Our results to date indicate that hfg can be substantially impacted, by up to ± 30% depending on the type of nanoparticle. Moreover, this dissertation reports further experiments with changing surface area based on volume fraction (0.005% to 2%) and various nanoparticle sizes to investigate the mechanisms for hfg modification in aqueous graphite and silver nanofluids. This research also investigates thermophysical properties, i.e., density and surface tension in aqueous nanofluids to support the experimental results of hfg based on the Clausius - Clapeyron equation. This theoretical investigation agrees well with the experimental results. Furthermore, this research investigates the hfg change of aqueous nanofluids with nanoscale studies in terms of melting of silver nanoparticles and hydrophobic interactions of graphite nanofluid. As a result, the entropy change due to those mechanisms could be a main cause of the changes of hfg in silver and graphite nanofluids. Finally, applying the latent heat results of graphite and silver nanofluids to an actual solar thermal system to identify enhanced performance with a Rankine cycle is suggested to show that the tunable latent heat of vaporization in nanofluilds could be beneficial for real-world solar thermal applications with improved efficiency. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2015

The aim of this master's thesis has been to develop and optimize the method of UV- photochemical vapor generation of cadmium volatile compounds for atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Two configurations with different materials wrapped around the low-pressure mercury vapor lamp were tested. I experimentally determined optimal conditions for both systems; the optimalized parametres included selection of photochemical reagent and its concentration, flow rate of liquids and gases, and the lenghth of the reaction coil. After finding the optimal parametres I determined the figures of merit of the method. I found from the measured data that UV-photoreactor with the quartz capillary provided lower limits of detection and thus was more suitable for generation of cadmium volatile compounds. With this arrangement and using the ferrous sulphate heptahydrate as the chemical modifier I obtained limit of detection 2,0 µg·l-1 , limit of determination 7,0 µg·l-1 , linear dynamic rate LOD-50 µg·l-1 and repeatibility 0,35 %. I also carried out the interference study in my thesis and determined the generation effeciency of cadmium volatile compounds. The interference study shows the influence of mineral acids (HCl, H2SO4, HNO3), their salts (NaNO2, NaNO3) and transition metals (Co, Ni, Cu). Based on literature review I also...

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de métodos visando às determinações de As, Cd, Cr(III), Cr(VI), Hg, Ni, Pb e Se em fertilizantes minerais por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização em forno de grafite (GF AAS) e espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES). Foi empregado Material de Referência Certificado de fertilizante inorgânico (SRM® 695, NIST) e amostra de candidato a Material de Referência Rastreado (MRR), mix-micro, cedida pelo LANAGRO de Goiânia. A análise da amostra MRR, obtida por fluorescência de Raios-X (XRF), mostrou a complexidade dessa matriz devido, principalmente à presença de elevados teores de Al, Si, Fe, Ti, Mn e Ca. Foram feitas otimizações do ICP OES visando condições robustas para determinações de As, Cd, Cr, Ni e Pb em soluções com nebulização direta e As, Hg e Se com nebulização combinada com geração de vapor. Foi verificado que os métodos de preparo de amostras, 3051 e 3052 recomendados pela USEPA (Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos Estados Unidos), podem ser aplicados apenas para determinação de As, Cd e Pb. Elementos fortemente ligados a matriz, como Cr e Ni, não foram quantitativamente extraídos. A digestão pelo método 3052 na presença de H3BO3 alterou o erro relativo de -36% para -15% para o Cr e a concentração de Ni também foi maior nesse caso. Para a determinação simultânea de As, Hg e Se no ICP OES por geração de vapor (VG-ICP OES), foi utilizado um procedimento de pré-redução para Se(VI), envolvendo aquecimento a 90°C das soluções em meio de HCl 6 mol L-1. A etapa adicional para redução de Se não prejudicou as determinações de As e Hg. A geração de vapor para a determinação simultânea dos elementos ocorreu com a separação gás-líquido dentro da câmara ciclônica. A extração usando banho e sonda ultrassônica, na presença de ácidos diluídos (HCl, HNO3, H3PO4), não influenciou consideravelmente as determinações de As, Cd, Cr, Ni e Pb por ICP OES e Se por GF AAS. O borbulhamento de ar atmosférico foi suficiente para uma eficiência de extração comparável aos dispositivos ultrassônicos. A utilização de pequenos volumes de ácidos concentrados mostrou ser adequada para melhorar a eficiência de extração, principalmente para o Ni. O HCl concentrado foi a condição mais adequada para a extração. Com relação à determinação de Cr(VI), foram estudadas diferentes soluções extratoras alcalinas e, além do uso do banho termostático, foi avaliada a extração utilizando ultrassom. Devido à complexidade das amostras de fertilizantes, estratégias foram adotadas para adequar o método da difenilcarbazida a essa matriz. Além da espectrofotometria de absorção molecular na região do visível, a determinação do teor de Cr(VI) nos extratos foi feita por GF AAS e as concentrações de Cr(VI) estavam abaixo do limite de detecção do método. / The aim of this work was the development of methods for the determination of As, Cd, Cr(III) Cr(VI), Hg, Ni, Pb and Se in mineral fertilizers by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). It was employed a Certified Reference Material (SRM® 695 - Trace elements in multi-nutrient fertilizer) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and an in-lab candidate of Reference Material (MR), mix-micro sample (raw material used in formulation of mineral fertilizers to improve micronutrient content) provided by LANAGRO (Laboratório Nacional Agropecuário, Goiania, Brazil). The analysis of MR sample by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) showed the matrix complexity, mainly due to the presence of high levels of Al, Si, Fe, Ti, Mn and Ca. The ICP OES optimization was carried out aiming rubust conditions for As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb determination by direct nebulization solutions, and As, Hg and Se with nebulization combined with vapor generation. It was found that the methods of sample preparation, USEPA 3051 and 3052 (US Environmental Protection Agency), can be applied only for the determination of As, Cd and Pb. Elements that are strongly bound to the matrix, such as Cr and Ni were not quantitatively extracted. Digestion by method USEPA 3052 in the presence of H3BO3 alter the relative error from -36% to -15% for Cr and Ni concentration was also higher in this case. For the simultaneous determination of As, Hg and Se by ICP OES vapor generation (VG-ICP OES), a pre-reduction procedure for Se (VI) was necessary, involving heating at 90 °C of the solutions in HCl 6 mol L-1. The additional step for Se reduction did not impair Hg and As determination. The vapor generation for simultaneous elements determination with the gas-liquid separation occurring within the cyclonic spray chamber. The extraction using bath and ultrasonic probe in the presence of dilute acids (HCl, HNO3, H3PO4) did not influence considerably the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb by ICP OES and Se by GF AAS. Only atmospheric air bubbling was enough for an efficient extraction providing results comparable to ultrasonic devices. The use of small volumes of concentrated acids proved to be suitable for improving extraction efficiency, particularly for Ni. Concentrated HCl was the most suitable condition for extraction. For Cr(VI) determination, various solutions and alkaline extractant was studied, and the use of the thermostatic bath and ultrasound bath was evaluated. Due to the complexity of fertilizer samples, strategies were adopted to adapt diphenylcarbazide method to this matrix. Besides Cr(VI) determination in extracts by molecular absorption spectrophotometry in the visible region, it was also performed by GF AAS and Cr(VI) concentration was below limit of detection of the method.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de métodos visando às determinações de As, Cd, Cr(III), Cr(VI), Hg, Ni, Pb e Se em fertilizantes minerais por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização em forno de grafite (GF AAS) e espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES). Foi empregado Material de Referência Certificado de fertilizante inorgânico (SRM® 695, NIST) e amostra de candidato a Material de Referência Rastreado (MRR), mix-micro, cedida pelo LANAGRO de Goiânia. A análise da amostra MRR, obtida por fluorescência de Raios-X (XRF), mostrou a complexidade dessa matriz devido, principalmente à presença de elevados teores de Al, Si, Fe, Ti, Mn e Ca. Foram feitas otimizações do ICP OES visando condições robustas para determinações de As, Cd, Cr, Ni e Pb em soluções com nebulização direta e As, Hg e Se com nebulização combinada com geração de vapor. Foi verificado que os métodos de preparo de amostras, 3051 e 3052 recomendados pela USEPA (Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos Estados Unidos), podem ser aplicados apenas para determinação de As, Cd e Pb. Elementos fortemente ligados a matriz, como Cr e Ni, não foram quantitativamente extraídos. A digestão pelo método 3052 na presença de H3BO3 alterou o erro relativo de -36% para -15% para o Cr e a concentração de Ni também foi maior nesse caso. Para a determinação simultânea de As, Hg e Se no ICP OES por geração de vapor (VG-ICP OES), foi utilizado um procedimento de pré-redução para Se(VI), envolvendo aquecimento a 90°C das soluções em meio de HCl 6 mol L-1. A etapa adicional para redução de Se não prejudicou as determinações de As e Hg. A geração de vapor para a determinação simultânea dos elementos ocorreu com a separação gás-líquido dentro da câmara ciclônica. A extração usando banho e sonda ultrassônica, na presença de ácidos diluídos (HCl, HNO3, H3PO4), não influenciou consideravelmente as determinações de As, Cd, Cr, Ni e Pb por ICP OES e Se por GF AAS. O borbulhamento de ar atmosférico foi suficiente para uma eficiência de extração comparável aos dispositivos ultrassônicos. A utilização de pequenos volumes de ácidos concentrados mostrou ser adequada para melhorar a eficiência de extração, principalmente para o Ni. O HCl concentrado foi a condição mais adequada para a extração. Com relação à determinação de Cr(VI), foram estudadas diferentes soluções extratoras alcalinas e, além do uso do banho termostático, foi avaliada a extração utilizando ultrassom. Devido à complexidade das amostras de fertilizantes, estratégias foram adotadas para adequar o método da difenilcarbazida a essa matriz. Além da espectrofotometria de absorção molecular na região do visível, a determinação do teor de Cr(VI) nos extratos foi feita por GF AAS e as concentrações de Cr(VI) estavam abaixo do limite de detecção do método. / The aim of this work was the development of methods for the determination of As, Cd, Cr(III) Cr(VI), Hg, Ni, Pb and Se in mineral fertilizers by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). It was employed a Certified Reference Material (SRM® 695 - Trace elements in multi-nutrient fertilizer) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and an in-lab candidate of Reference Material (MR), mix-micro sample (raw material used in formulation of mineral fertilizers to improve micronutrient content) provided by LANAGRO (Laboratório Nacional Agropecuário, Goiania, Brazil). The analysis of MR sample by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) showed the matrix complexity, mainly due to the presence of high levels of Al, Si, Fe, Ti, Mn and Ca. The ICP OES optimization was carried out aiming rubust conditions for As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb determination by direct nebulization solutions, and As, Hg and Se with nebulization combined with vapor generation. It was found that the methods of sample preparation, USEPA 3051 and 3052 (US Environmental Protection Agency), can be applied only for the determination of As, Cd and Pb. Elements that are strongly bound to the matrix, such as Cr and Ni were not quantitatively extracted. Digestion by method USEPA 3052 in the presence of H3BO3 alter the relative error from -36% to -15% for Cr and Ni concentration was also higher in this case. For the simultaneous determination of As, Hg and Se by ICP OES vapor generation (VG-ICP OES), a pre-reduction procedure for Se (VI) was necessary, involving heating at 90 °C of the solutions in HCl 6 mol L-1. The additional step for Se reduction did not impair Hg and As determination. The vapor generation for simultaneous elements determination with the gas-liquid separation occurring within the cyclonic spray chamber. The extraction using bath and ultrasonic probe in the presence of dilute acids (HCl, HNO3, H3PO4) did not influence considerably the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb by ICP OES and Se by GF AAS. Only atmospheric air bubbling was enough for an efficient extraction providing results comparable to ultrasonic devices. The use of small volumes of concentrated acids proved to be suitable for improving extraction efficiency, particularly for Ni. Concentrated HCl was the most suitable condition for extraction. For Cr(VI) determination, various solutions and alkaline extractant was studied, and the use of the thermostatic bath and ultrasound bath was evaluated. Due to the complexity of fertilizer samples, strategies were adopted to adapt diphenylcarbazide method to this matrix. Besides Cr(VI) determination in extracts by molecular absorption spectrophotometry in the visible region, it was also performed by GF AAS and Cr(VI) concentration was below limit of detection of the method.

Vapor generation in atomic spectrometry is a well established technique for the determination of elements that can be volatilized by chemical reactions. In-situ trapping in graphite furnaces is nowadays one of the most popular methods to increase the sensitivity. In this study, resistively heated W-coil was used as an online trap for preconcentration and revolatilization of volatile species of Bi, Cd and Pb. The collected analyte species were revolatilized rapidly and sent to a quartz Ttube atomizer for AAS measurement. Although the nature of revolatilized species of Bi and Pb are not clear, they are probably molecular since they can be transported at least 45 cm without any significant decrease in the peak height values. However, cadmium is revolatilized from the trap surface as atoms. The experimental parameters were optimized for the highest vapor generation, trapping and revolatilization efficiencies. The concentration limits of detection calculated by the 3 of blank solution were found to be 0.0027, 0.0040 and 0.015 ng/mL for Bi (18 mL), Cd (4.2 mL) and Pb (2 mL), respectively / enhancement factors in the sensitivity were 130, 31 and 20, respectively. These values are comparable with those obtained by in-situ trapping in graphite furnaces or even ICP-MS found in the literature or better. Sensitivity can be improved further for Bi and Cd using larger sample volumes, but purification of blank is required for Pb. Certified standard reference materials were analyzed for the assessment of accuracy of developed method.

Today, the information about total mercury content in a sample is not enough to know because of different toxicity of various species like inorganic forms such as Hg+ , Hg+II and organic bonded mercury in Methyl-mercury, Ethyl-mercury or Phenyl-mercury. Therefore a speciation analysis is needed to do. The aim of this diploma thesis was to develop and validate a new method for speciation determination of selected mercury compounds. This method comprises a connection of high performance liquid chromatography, electrochemical mercury cold vapor generation as a postcolumn derivatization technique and atomic absorption spectrometer. Using this on-line connection of mentioned techniques, an efficient separation of Hg+II and methylmercury was achieved. Reached limits of detection were 0.3 µgml-1 and 0.5 µgml-1 for Hg+II and methylmercury, respectively. At the end of experimental work, proposed hyphenated technique HPLC- EcMCVG-QFAAS was used for determination of these two mercury compounds in six real tap water samples (Bílý potok, Bílina, Labe, Vltava, Botič, pond Kovošrot). In Bílý potok, inorganic mercury (Hg+II ) was identified on the base of identical of retention time compared to standard. Standard addition method was used in both FIA and HPLC arrangements and determined content of Hg+II was (0.4...

The electromagnetic absorption properties of plasmonic nanostructures were utilized to develop mesoscopic sites for highly efficient photothermal generation steam, SERS biosensing, and light-triggered cellular delivery uptake. Plasmonic nanostructures embedded in common thermal solutions produces vapor without the requirement of heating the fluid volume. When particles are dispersed in water at ambient temperature, energy is directed primarily to vaporization of water into steam, with a much smaller fraction resulting in heating of the fluid. Solar illuminated aqueous nanoparticle solution can drive water-ethanol distillation, yielding fractions significantly richer in ethanol content than simple thermal distillation and also produced saturated steam destroying Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria in a compact solar powered autoclave. Subwavelength biosensing sites were developed using the plasmonic properties of gold nanoshells to investigate the properties of aptamer (DNA) target complexes. Nanoshells are tunable core-shell nanoparticles whose resonant absorption and scattering properties are dependent on core/shell thickness ratio. Nanoshells were used to develop a label free detection method using SERS to monitor conformational change induced by aptamer target binding. The conformational changes to the aptamers induced by target binding were probed by monitoring the aptamer SERS spectra reproducibility. Furthermore, nanoshells can serve as a nonviral light-controlled delivery vector for the precise temporal and spatial control of molecular delivery in vitro. The drug delivery concept using plasmonic vectors was shown using a monolayer of ds-DNA attached to the nanoshell surface and the small molecular “parcel” intercalated inside ds-DNA loops. DAPI, a fluorescent dye, was used as the molecular parcel to visualize the release process in living cells. Upon laser illumination at the absorption resonance the nanoshell converts photon energy into heat producing a local temperature gradient that induces DNA dehybridization, releasing the intercalated molecules.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:01:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MagnaASB.pdf: 1635517 bytes, checksum: df420c88397a6cd630a5381fcef348b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-09-02 / The production of petroleum is frequently accomplished with great volumes of water, that it is carried of the underground with the oil. It is a challenge of the present century the development of technologies that allow the use of waste water for purposes that consume great amounts of water and don't demand as rigid as the one of the drinking water requirements. The solar distillation has been configuring as an alternative of clean technology for desalination of brine and saline. Besides causing the minimum possible damage to the environment, it takes advantage of an abundant and free energy source: the solar energy. That study aims to develop a Solar Distillator for treatment of the produced water of the oil wells, to obtain an efluent to use in agriculture and vapor generation. The methodology for collection, conservation and analysis of the physical-chemical parameters obeyed the norms in APHA (1995). The sampling was of the composed type. Experiments were accomplished in the solar distillation pilot and simulation in thermostatic bathing. The operation was in batch system and for periods of 4, 6 and 12 h. The developed Distillator is of the type simple effect of two waters. It was still tested two inclination angles for covering; 20? and 45?. The Distillator presented minimum of 2,85 L/m2d revenues and maximum of 7,14 L/m2d. The removals of salts were great than 98%. The removal of TOC in the simulation was great than 90%. In agreement with the data of energy and mass balance, it was verified that the developed solar Distillator presented compatible revenues with those found in literature for similar types. It can be inferred that the obtained distilled water assists to the requirements CONAMA in almost all the points and could be used for irrigation of cultures such as cotton and mamona. As the distilled water has characteristics of fresh water it can be used in the generation of vapor / A produ??o de petr?leo ? realizada freq?entemente com grandes volumes de ?gua, que ? carreada do subsolo junto com o ?leo. ? desafio do presente s?culo o desenvolvimento de tecnologias que possibilitem ou uso ou reuso de efluentes para outros fins. A destila??o solar ? uma alternativa de tecnologia limpa para dessaliniza??o de ?guas salobras e salinas. Esse estudo visa desenvolver um Destilador Solar para tratamento da ?gua de produ??o de petr?leo, com vistas a se obter um efluente pass?vel de utiliza??o na agricultura e gera??o de vapor. A metodologia para conserva??o e an?lise dos par?metros f?sico-qu?micos obedeceu preconiza??o do APHA (1995). A amostragem foi do tipo composta. Foram realizados experimentos no destilador solar piloto e simula??o em banho termost?tico. A opera??o foi em sistema de batelada e por per?odos de 4, 6 e 12 h. O destilador desenvolvido ? do tipo simples efeito de duas ?guas. Testou-se ainda dois ?ngulos de inclina??o para cobertura; 20? e 45?. O destilador apresentou rendimentos m?nimo de 2,50 L/m2d e m?ximo de 7,5 L/m2d. As remo??es de sais foram superiores a 98%. A remo??o de TOC na simula??o foi superior a 90%. De acordo com os dados dos balan?os energ?tico e de massa, verificou-se que o destilador solar desenvolvido apresentou rendimentos compat?veis com os encontrados na literatura para seus similares. Enfatiza-se que o isolamento utilizado n?o estava nas condi??es de otimiza??o, logo, esse rendimento pode ser melhorado. Pode-se inferir que a ?gua destilada obtida atende aos requisitos CONAMA em quase todos os pontos, podendo ser utilizada, com ressalvas, na irriga??o de culturas n?o comest?veis como o algod?o e a mamona. Como a ?gua destilada tem caracter?sticas de ?gua doce pode ser utilizada na gera??o de vapor