CNPq / A indústria têxtil tem grande impacto ambiental devido ao seu amplo consumo de água e da utilização de diferentes produtos químicos orgânicos como os corantes. Existem diferentes métodos utilizados no tratamento de efluentes têxteis, sendo um deles, a adsorção. A utilização de resíduos agroindustriais como adsorventes é uma alternativa para a descontaminação de efluentes com corantes. Desta forma, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o resíduo agroindustrial de Bagaço de Maçã da variedade Fuji, proveniente da produção de sucos, como adsorvente alternativo na remoção de corantes têxteis C.I. Reactive Blue 203 e C.I. Reactive Red 195 em meio aquoso sintético. As características do adsorvente mostraram que o bagaço de maçã apresenta 89,36% de umidade, 35,64% de fibra bruta e a 52,72% de carbono. O pH(pcz) é de 3,5 e em sua superfície predomina sítios ácidos. Na espectroscopia do infravermelho observou-se a presença dos principais grupos funcionais (–OH), (–NH), (CH2), (–CO), (–C–O–), na microscopia eletrônica de varredura a morfologia da superfície do bagaço de maçã mostrou-se porosa e a determinação das características texturais indicaram uma área superficial de 2,088 (m2.g-1) para o tamanho de partícula de 0,125 mm. A partir dos resultados do planejamento experimental - 23, pode-se otimizar o processo de adsorção para os dois corantes pelo bagaço de maçã fixando as variáveis independentes com influência significativa (pH de 2,0 e granulometria do adsorvente em 0,125 mm). No estudo cinético o tempo de equilíbrio para o Reactive Blue 203 foi de 420 minutos e para Reactive Red 195 de 180 minutos e o ajuste matemático para ambos corantes foi para o modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem. As isotermas de equilíbrio foram testadas pelos modelos das isotermas de adsorção de Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Raduskevich e BET, sendo este último mais adequado para a descrição do processo. Os parâmetros termodinâmicos foram determinados em diferentes faixas de temperatura, em que valores negativos de ΔG° indicam a espontaneidade do processo de adsorção para os dois corantes e valores negativos para ΔH° no processo de adsorção do corante Reactive Blue 203 indicam natureza exotérmica no entanto para adsorção do corante Reactive Red 195 valores positivos de ΔH° sugerem a sua natureza endotérmica. Os valores de ΔH e Ea para a adsorção dos dois corantes em bagaço de maçã mostram que são da mesma ordem de grandeza que o calor e a energia de ativação da quimissorção. O bagaço de maçã mostrou-se altamente favorável para o processo de adsorção dos corantes Reactive Blue 203 e Reactive Red 195. / The textile industry has a big environmental impact because consume a lot of water, and use different chemical organic products like dyes. There are different methods for treatment of textile effluents one of those is adsorption. Using agroindustrial residues like adsorbents is an alternative for decontamination effluents by dyes. Therefore, this present work aimed to evaluate agroindustrial residue apple pomace of Fuji variety, that proceed of production of juices, like alternative adsorbent for the removal textile dyes C.I. Reactive Blue 203 and C.I. Reactive Red 195 in aqueous synthetic medium. The adsorbent characteristics showed that apple pomace present 89.36% of humidity and 35,64% of crude fiber. and 52,72% of C. The pH (pzc) is 3,5, and its surface prevails sites acids. In infrared spectroscopy it was observed the presence of the major functional groups (–OH), (–NH), (CH2), (–CO), (–C–O–). In scanning electron microscopy of the surface morphology of the apple pomace was found to be porous and determining the textural features indicated a surface area of 2,088 (m2.g-1) to 0,125 mm particle size. From the results of the experimental design 23 can optimize the process of adsorption of for both dyes by apple pomace, setting the independent variables with significant influence (pH of 2.0 and particle size of the adsorbent 0.125 mm). In the kinetic study the equilibrium time for Reactive Blue 203 was 420 minutes and for Reactive Red 195 was 180 minutes and for both dyes mathematical adjustment was to model the pseudo-second order. The equilibrium isotherms were tested by the models adsorption isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Raduskevich and BET, the last being more suitable for the description of the process. The thermodynamic parameters were determined at different ranges of temperature, in which negative values of ΔG° means the spontaneity in the adsorption process for both dyes and negative values for ΔH° for adsorption process of Reactive Blue 203 suggest the exothermic nature However the adsorption to the dye Reactive Red 195 ΔH° positive values suggest its endothermic nature. The values for ΔH° and the Ea for the adsorption of the two dyes in apple pomace show that they are of the same order of magnitude as the heat and the activation energy of chemisorption. The apple pomace was highly favorable for the adsorption of the dye Reactive Blue 203 and Reactive Red 195.

CNPq / A indústria têxtil tem grande impacto ambiental devido ao seu amplo consumo de água e da utilização de diferentes produtos químicos orgânicos como os corantes. Existem diferentes métodos utilizados no tratamento de efluentes têxteis, sendo um deles, a adsorção. A utilização de resíduos agroindustriais como adsorventes é uma alternativa para a descontaminação de efluentes com corantes. Desta forma, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o resíduo agroindustrial de Bagaço de Maçã da variedade Fuji, proveniente da produção de sucos, como adsorvente alternativo na remoção de corantes têxteis C.I. Reactive Blue 203 e C.I. Reactive Red 195 em meio aquoso sintético. As características do adsorvente mostraram que o bagaço de maçã apresenta 89,36% de umidade, 35,64% de fibra bruta e a 52,72% de carbono. O pH(pcz) é de 3,5 e em sua superfície predomina sítios ácidos. Na espectroscopia do infravermelho observou-se a presença dos principais grupos funcionais (–OH), (–NH), (CH2), (–CO), (–C–O–), na microscopia eletrônica de varredura a morfologia da superfície do bagaço de maçã mostrou-se porosa e a determinação das características texturais indicaram uma área superficial de 2,088 (m2.g-1) para o tamanho de partícula de 0,125 mm. A partir dos resultados do planejamento experimental - 23, pode-se otimizar o processo de adsorção para os dois corantes pelo bagaço de maçã fixando as variáveis independentes com influência significativa (pH de 2,0 e granulometria do adsorvente em 0,125 mm). No estudo cinético o tempo de equilíbrio para o Reactive Blue 203 foi de 420 minutos e para Reactive Red 195 de 180 minutos e o ajuste matemático para ambos corantes foi para o modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem. As isotermas de equilíbrio foram testadas pelos modelos das isotermas de adsorção de Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Raduskevich e BET, sendo este último mais adequado para a descrição do processo. Os parâmetros termodinâmicos foram determinados em diferentes faixas de temperatura, em que valores negativos de ΔG° indicam a espontaneidade do processo de adsorção para os dois corantes e valores negativos para ΔH° no processo de adsorção do corante Reactive Blue 203 indicam natureza exotérmica no entanto para adsorção do corante Reactive Red 195 valores positivos de ΔH° sugerem a sua natureza endotérmica. Os valores de ΔH e Ea para a adsorção dos dois corantes em bagaço de maçã mostram que são da mesma ordem de grandeza que o calor e a energia de ativação da quimissorção. O bagaço de maçã mostrou-se altamente favorável para o processo de adsorção dos corantes Reactive Blue 203 e Reactive Red 195. / The textile industry has a big environmental impact because consume a lot of water, and use different chemical organic products like dyes. There are different methods for treatment of textile effluents one of those is adsorption. Using agroindustrial residues like adsorbents is an alternative for decontamination effluents by dyes. Therefore, this present work aimed to evaluate agroindustrial residue apple pomace of Fuji variety, that proceed of production of juices, like alternative adsorbent for the removal textile dyes C.I. Reactive Blue 203 and C.I. Reactive Red 195 in aqueous synthetic medium. The adsorbent characteristics showed that apple pomace present 89.36% of humidity and 35,64% of crude fiber. and 52,72% of C. The pH (pzc) is 3,5, and its surface prevails sites acids. In infrared spectroscopy it was observed the presence of the major functional groups (–OH), (–NH), (CH2), (–CO), (–C–O–). In scanning electron microscopy of the surface morphology of the apple pomace was found to be porous and determining the textural features indicated a surface area of 2,088 (m2.g-1) to 0,125 mm particle size. From the results of the experimental design 23 can optimize the process of adsorption of for both dyes by apple pomace, setting the independent variables with significant influence (pH of 2.0 and particle size of the adsorbent 0.125 mm). In the kinetic study the equilibrium time for Reactive Blue 203 was 420 minutes and for Reactive Red 195 was 180 minutes and for both dyes mathematical adjustment was to model the pseudo-second order. The equilibrium isotherms were tested by the models adsorption isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Raduskevich and BET, the last being more suitable for the description of the process. The thermodynamic parameters were determined at different ranges of temperature, in which negative values of ΔG° means the spontaneity in the adsorption process for both dyes and negative values for ΔH° for adsorption process of Reactive Blue 203 suggest the exothermic nature However the adsorption to the dye Reactive Red 195 ΔH° positive values suggest its endothermic nature. The values for ΔH° and the Ea for the adsorption of the two dyes in apple pomace show that they are of the same order of magnitude as the heat and the activation energy of chemisorption. The apple pomace was highly favorable for the adsorption of the dye Reactive Blue 203 and Reactive Red 195.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:44:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 07151.pdf: 11938144 bytes, checksum: de903224eb01dd0d5107eead6b34468a (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

M.Sc. / Biofuels have the potential to reduce a country’s dependence on imported oil, to ensure diversity of energy sources, to increase the availability of renewable energy sources and to address global environmental issues. In recognition of the potential benefits of the production and use of biofuels, the Department of Minerals and Energy released the Draft Biofuels Industrial Strategy in December 2006 with the aim to increase the use of biofuels in South Africa to replace 4.5% of conventional transport fuels by 2013. However, there are several barriers that need to be overcome before South Africa can establish a large-scale biofuel industry to achieve the DME’s biofuel target. This includes environmental barriers, such as the availability of land for the cultivation of biofuel feedstocks and potential threats to food security. This study focuses on these environmental barriers and aims to determine the potential for bioethanol production from maize in South Africa to 2013. To this purpose, a bioethanol potential model is developed to simulate the potential for bioethanol production from maize in South Africa between 2008 and 2013. The model incorporates four key elements that all impact on the availability of maize for bioethanol production, namely: maize demand; maize supply; the demand for maize as biomaterial; and the available land area for the cultivation of maize. The study makes further use of the scenario planning method to determine the potential for bioethanol production from maize in South Africa. Four unique bioethanol potential scenarios are designed and simulated within the bioethanol potential model developed for this purpose. Each scenario plays out a differentstoryline for the future social, economic and natural environment that will impact on the availability of maize for bioethanol production. The results of the bioethanol potential scenario simulations show that South Africa will be able to produce enough maize to meet the DME’s biofuel target of 1.2 billion liters of bioethanol for all scenarios between 2009 and 2010. From 2011 onwards, the bioethanol potential decreases below the DME’s target value in both the worst case and rapid change scenarios. The study concludes that the production of bioethanol from maize in South Africa will have various social, economic and environmental consequences for the country’s agricultural sector. The depletion of domestic maize supplies will seriously threaten food security and consequently, increase the country’s dependence on maize imports. This will not only affect the country’s maize producing regions, but spread throughout South Africa as the demand for agriculturally productive land for maize production increases. Domestic food security is therefore at risk and South Africa will have to resort to other energy technologies to achieve a sustainable and renewable energy future for road transport.

No description available.

The launch of national and international initiatives to reduce pollution, reliance on fossil fuels and increase the beneficiation of agricultural wastes has prompted research into sugar monomer production from lignocellulosic wastes. These sugars can subsequently be used in the production of biofuels and environmentally degradable plastics. This study investigated the use of synergistic combinations of commercial and pure enzymes to lower enzyme costs and loadings, while increasing enzyme activity in the hydrolysis of agricultural waste. Pineapple pomace was selected due to its current underutilisation and the substantial quantities of it produced annually, as a by-product of pineapple canning. One of the primary costs in beneficiating agricultural wastes, such as pineapple pomace, is the high cost of enzyme solutions used to generate reducing sugars. This can be lowered through the use of synergistic combinations of enzymes. Studies related to the inclusion of hemicellulose degrading enzymes with commercial enzyme solutions have been limited and investigation of these solutions in select combinations, together with pineapple pomace substrate, allows for novel research. The use of synergistic combinations of purified cellulosomal enzymes has previously been shown to be effective at releasing reducing sugars from agricultural wastes. For the present study, MannanaseA and XylanaseA from Clostridium cellulovorans were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells and purified with immobilised metal affinity chromatography. These enzymes, in addition to two commercially available enzyme solutions (Celluclast 1.5L® and Pectinex® 3XL), were assayed on defined polysaccharides that are present in pineapple pomace to determine their substrate specificities. The degree(s) of synergy and specific activities of selected combinations of these enzymes were tested under both simultaneous and sequential conditions. It was observed that several synergistic combinations of enzyme solutions in select ratios, such as C20P60X20 (20% cellulose, 60% pectinase and 20% xylanse), C20P40X40 (20% cellulose, 40% pectinase and 40% xylanase) and C20P80 (20% cellulose, 80% pectinase) with pineapple pomace could both decrease the protein loading, while raising the level of activity compared to individual enzyme solutions. The highest quantity of reducing sugars to protein weight used on pineapple pomace was recorded at 3, 9 and 18 hours with combinations of Pectinex® 3XL and Celluclast 1.5L®, but for 27 h it was combinations of both these commercial solutions with XynA. The contribution of XynA was significant as C20P60X20 displayed the second highest reducing sugar production of 1.521 mg/mL, at 36 h from 12.875 μg/mL of protein, which was the second lowest protein loading. It was also shown that certain enzyme combinations, such as Pectinex® 3XL, Celluclast 1.5L® and XynA, did not generate synergy when combined in solution at the initial stages of hydrolysis, and instead generated a form of competition called anti-synergy. This was due to Pectinex® 3XL which had anti-synergy relationships in select combinations with the other enzyme solutions assayed. It was also observed that the degree of synergy and specific activity for a combination changed over time. Some solutions displayed the highest levels of synergy at the commencement of hydrolysis, namely Celluclast 1.5L®, ManA and XynA. Other combinations exhibited the highest levels of synergy at the end of the assay period, such as Pectinex® 3XL and Celluclast 1.5L®. Whether greater synergy was generated at the start or end of hydrolysis was a function of the stability of the enzymes in solution and whether enzyme activity increased substrate accessibility or generated competition between enzymes in solution. Sequential synergy studies demonstrated an anti-synergy relationship between Pectinex® 3XL and XynA or ManA, as well as Pectinex® 3 XL and Celluclast 1.5L®. It was found that under sequential synergy conditions with Pectinex® 3 XL, XynA and ManA, that anti-synergy could be negated and high degrees of synergy attained when the enzymes were added in specific loading orders and not inhibited by the presence of other active enzymes. The importance of loading order was demonstrated under sequential synergy conditions when XynA was added before ManA followed by Pectinex® 3 XL, which increased the activity and synergy of the solution by 50%. This equates to a 60% increase in reducing sugar release from the same concentrations of enzymes and emphasises the importance of removing anti-synergy relationships from combinations of enzymes. It can be concluded that a C20P60X20 combination (based on activity) can both synergistically increase the reducing sugar production and lower the protein loading required for pineapple pomace hydrolysis. This study also highlights the importance of reducing anti-synergy in customised enzyme cocktails and how sequential synergy can demonstrate the order in which a lignocellulosic waste is degraded.

Thesis (Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Lignocellulosic biomass (agro-waste) has been recommended as the most promising feedstock for the production of bioalcohols, in the biofuel industry. Furthermore, agro-waste is well-known as the most abundant organic matter in the agricultural and forestry product processing industry. However, the challenge with utilizing agro-waste as a feedstock is its highly recalcitrant structure, which limits hydrolysis to convert the holocelluloses into fermentable sugars. Conventional pre-treatment methods such as dilute acid, alkaline, thermal, hot water and enzymatic, have been used in previous studies. The challenge with these conventional methods is the generation of residual toxicants during the pretreatment process, which inhibits a high bioalcohol yield, by reducing the microbial populations’ (fermenter) ability to be metabolically proficient during fermentation. Numerous studies have been developed to improve the engineered strains, which have shown to have an ability to reduce the inhibition and toxicity of the bioalcohols produced or by-products produced during pre-treatment, while enhancing the bioalcohol production. In the present study (chapter 5), evaluation of common conventional methods for the pretreatment of the mixed agro-waste, i.e. (˃45µm to <100µm) constituted by Citrus sinensis, Malus domestica peels, corn cobs from Zea mays and Quercus robur (oak) yard waste without a pre-rinsing step at a ratio of 1:1 at 25% (w/w) for each waste material, was undertaken, focusing on hot water pre treatment followed by dilute acid (H2SO4) pre-treatment. To further pretreat the mixed agro-waste residue, cellulases were used to further hydrolyse the pre-treated agro-waste in a single pot (batch) multi-reaction process. The TRS concentration of 0.12, 1.43 and 3.22 g/L was achieved with hot water, dilute acid and cellulases hydrolysis as sequential pretreatment steps, respectively, in a single pot multi-reaction system. Furthermore, a commercial strain was used to ascertain low (C1 to C3) and high carbon content (C4+) bioalcohol production under aerobic conditions. Multiple bioproducts were obtained within 48 to 72 h, including bioethanol and 1-Butanol, 3-methyl, which were major products for this study. However, undesirable bio-compounds such as phenolics, were detected post fermentation. Since multiple process units characterised by chemical usage and high energy intensivity have been utilized to overcome delignification and cellulolysis, a sustainable, environmental benign pretreatment process was proposed using N. mirabilis “monkey cup” fluids (extracts) to also reduce fermenter inhibitors from the delignification of mixed agrowaste; a process with minimal thermo physical chemical inputs for which a single pot multi-reaction system strategy was used. Nepenthes mirabilis extracts shown to have ligninolytic, cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities, were used as an enzyme cocktail to pretreat mixed agro-waste, subsequent to the furtherance of TRS production from the agro-waste, by further using cellulase for further hydrolysis. N. mirabilis pod extracts were determined to contained carboxylesterases (529.41±30.50 U/L), β-glucosidases (251.94±11.48 U/L) and xylanases (36.09±18.04 U/L), constituting an enzymatic cocktail with a significant potential for the reduction in total residual phenolic compounds (TRPCs). Furthermore, the results indicated that maximum concentration of TRS obtainable was 310±5.19 mg/L within 168 h, while the TRPCs were reduced from 6.25±0.18 to 4.26 ±0.09 mg/L, which was lower than that observed when conventional methods were used. Overall N. mirabilis extracts were demonstrated to have an ability to support biocatalytic processes for the conversion of agro-waste to produce fermentable TRS in a single unit facilitating multiple reactions with minimised interference with cellulase hydrolysis. Therefore, the digestive enzymes in N. mirabilis pods can be used in an integrated system for a second generation biorefinery.

Thesis (M. App. Sc.)--Carleton University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-133). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

A total of 30 fungal fruiting bodies were collected from decaying plant materials (barks and litter) from the wild based on morphological variations. Nine of these fungi purified to monoaxenic cultures were included in the present study and also a type strain Ganoderma lucidum ATCC- 32471. These fungi were screened for lignocellulolytic activities, five of these organisms produced ligninolytic enzymes when exposed to two different concentrations of guaiacol (0.02% and 0.2%) on two different media (MEA and PDA). All ten fungal isolates screened for cellulolytic activity were positive for the production of the cellulase enzyme. The fungal isolates were characterised using morphological and molecular methods. Molecular characterization using ITS1 and ITS4 primers was able to identify these fungal isolates to degrees of accuracy ranging from 98% to 100%. The phylogenetic and lineage analysis showed that the species varied amongst phylum Basidiomycota, Ascomycota and early diverging fungal lineages Mucormycotina. Both monocultures and dual cultures of these 10 fungal species were cultivated for the purpose of spectrophotometrically quantifying and evaluating enzyme production on agricultural waste residues; corn cob, sugar cane bagasse and wheat straw. A pattern of antagonistic invasion interaction was identified to demonstrate increased enzyme production on dual cultures. Four of these fungal species, Trichoderma sp. KN10, Rhizopus microsporus KN2, Fomitopsis sp. KN1 and Coriolopsis sp. KN6 demonstrated tendencies of invasion and replacement in co-cultures. The fungi and their dual cultures showed varying levels of enzyme production. Analysis of mean showed dual culture interactions involving KN10 with values for MnP production approximately at 1.46U/ml compared to monoculture of 0.06U/ml. Further, dual laccase values approximately at 0.09U/ml compared to monocultures of 0.05U/ml. Overall the highest enzyme activity was observed using wheat straw. This study demonstrated and proved that agricultural waste residues can be used for lignocellulytic enzyme production and that antagonistic invasion by some fungi (in particular Trichoderma sp. KN10) in co-cultures can increase production of one or more of the three enzyme laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / An increase in the demand for poultry products coupled with the potable water shortages currently experienced in South Africa (SA), attributed to climate change among other factors, makes it crucial for SA to develop water conservation strategies to minimize potable water consumption by water-intensive industries, such as the poultry industry. The development of innovative wastewater treatment processes is therefore paramount in attempting to counteract the large quantity of wastewater generated as well as to manage the environmental health concerns arising from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) discharge into the environment. Moreover, increasing wastewater treatment costs and the implementation of increasingly stringent government legislation to mitigate environmental pollution whilst minimizing fresh water source contamination, requires that wastewater such as PSW, be adequately treated prior to discharge. This study, investigated the feasibility of treating PSW from a poultry slaughterhouse to: 1) a water quality standard compliant with industrial wastewater discharge standards and 2) for possible re-use purposes. The performance of a lab-scale PSW treatment system consisting of an anaerobic static granular bed reactor (SGBR) followed by single stage nitrificationdenitrification (SSND) bioreactor and sidestream ultrafiltration membrane module (ufMM) post-treatment systems, were evaluated, with the objective being to: assess the treatment efficiency of the individual treatment systems namely; the SGBR, SSND bioreactor, and ufMM, under varying operational conditions, as well as to determine the performance of the overall designed PSW treatment system. The down-flow SGBR (2 L) was used to reduce the organic matter (COD, BOD5, and FOG) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the PSW. Anaerobic granules from a full-scale mesophilic anaerobic reactor treating brewery wastewater were used to inoculate the SGBR, and the PSW used as feed was obtained from a local poultry slaughterhouse (Western Cape, South Africa). The SGBR was operated continuously at mesophilic temperature (35-37 °C) without pH modification and under varying HRTs (24, 36, 48, 55, and 96 h) and OLRs (0.73 to 12.49 g COD/Lday), for a period of 138 days. The optimization of the SGBR, with regard to a suitable HRT and OLR, was determined using response surface methodology (RSM) and Design Expert® 10.0.3 statistical software. Periodic backwashing of the SGBR system was performed using stored effluent, i.e. treated PSW.