No description available.

Electrospinning is a process by which polymer fibers can be produced using an electrostatically driven fluid jet. Electrospun fibers can be produced at the micro- or nano-scale and are, therefore, very promising for air filtration applications. However, because electrospun fibers are electrically charged, it is difficult to control the morphology of filtration media. Fiber size, alignment and uniformity are very important factors that affect filter performance. The focus of this project is to understand the relationship between filter morphology and performance and to develop new methods to create filtration media with optimum morphology. This study is divided into three focus areas: unimodal and bimodal microscale fibrous media with aligned, orthogonal and random fiber orientations; unimodal and bimodal nanoscale fibers in random orientations; bimodal micrometer and nanometer fiber media with orthogonally aligned orientations. The results indicate that the most efficient filters, which are those with the highest ratio of particle collection efficiency divided by pressure drop, can be obtained through fabricating filters in orthogonal layers of aligned fibers with two different fiber diameters. Moreover, our results show that increasing the number of layers increases the performance of orthogonally layered fibers. Also, controlling fiber spacing in orthogonally layered micrometer fiber media can be an alternative way to study the filtration performance. Finally, such coatings presented throughout this research study can be designed and placed up-stream, down-stream, and/or in between conventional filters.

Les performances de filtration des filtres de CTA vis-à-vis de particules et d’aérosols microbiens (AM) ont été étudiées ainsi quel’influence des conditions opératoires sur le comportement de microorganismes collectés sur les filtres. A l’échelle du laboratoire, une mini CTA ayant deux étages de filtration en série a été développée et validée pour l’étude de filtres prototypes ayant des géométries industrielles. Trois types de filtres de différentes efficacités ont été considérés : G4, F7 et F9 selon la norme EN 779. Deux configurations de filtres ont été étudiées : 1) G4 plan plissé/F7 à poches et 2) F7/F9 à poches. Les filtres ont été colmatés séquentiellement par des particules d’alumine, qui assurent une fraction minérale, puis du riz microniséqui apporte le champignon Penicillium chrysogenum et assure une fraction organique agissant comme substrat pour les microorganismes. Enfin, un AM composé d’endospores de Bacillus subtilis et de spores d’Aspergillus niger a été nébulisé pour la contamination des filtres. Après colmatage, des périodes de marche/arrêt de la ventilation de différentes durées (10 j ou 6 semaines) ont été simulées. Lors des reprises de la ventilation, des comptages de particules et d’AM en avaldes filtres ont été effectués. Les principaux résultats sont : (i) les filtres placés en 2ème étage présentent un colmatage plus faible que ceux du 1er étage de filtration, (ii) survie de B. subtilis, croissance de P. chrysogenum et décroissance d’A. niger sur les filtres quelle que soit la période d’arrêt de ventilation étudiée, et (iii) lors des reprises de ventilation, il n’a pas été observé de relargage d’AM pour la fraction échantillonnée.D’autre part, deux CTA à pleine échelle ont été étudiées pendant 6 mois. Une CTA ayant deux étages de filtration avec une configuration G4 plan plissé/F7 à poches, traite l’air extérieur et le souffle vers des locaux desservis. L’autre CTA correspond à l’extraction de l’air vicié d’un local pour le rejeter vers l’extérieur. La perte de charge des filtres, l’humidité relative, et la température de l’air ont été suivies en continu. L’efficacité des filtres vis-à-vis des particules et des aérosols microbiens a été mesurée une fois par mois. Une méthodologie originale de suivi mensuel de la concentration des microorganismescollectés sur les filtres a été mise en oeuvre. Les principaux résultats sont : (i) faible évolution de la perte de charge du filtre placé en 2ème étage, (ii) efficacité des filtres G4 comparable à celle des filtres G4 prototypes, (iii) efficacité du filtre F7 plus faible que celle des filtres prototypes, ce qui peut être expliqué par une différence de vitesse de filtration entre les deux échelles, (iv) le filtre G4 de la CTA-extraction contient une concentration de microorganismes 10 fois plus élevée que celle du filtre G4 de la CTA-soufflage après 6 mois de fonctionnement. / Filtration performances of Air Handling Units (AHU) filters regarding particles and microbial aerosols have been studied, as well as the influence of the AHU operational conditions on behavior of microorganisms collected on the filters. A lab-scale AHU with two successive filtration stages was developed and validated for the study of prototype filters with industrial geometries. Three types of filters of different efficiency have been considered : G4, F7 and F9 according to EN 779 Standard. Two configurations of filters were considered: 1) G4 pleated/F7 bag and 2) F7/F9 bag. Filters were sequentially clogged by alumina particles which assured a mineral fraction, and then by micronized rice particles which provides the fungi Penicillium chrysogenum and assures an organic fraction which acts as a substrate for microorganisms. Finally, a microbial aerosol composed by endospores of Bacillus subtilis and spores of Aspergillus niger was nebulized for filters contamination. After clogging, stops and restarts of ventilation were simulated for different durations (10 days or 6 weeks). During restarts of ventilation, particles and microbial aerosols samplings were performed downstream of the filters. Main results are: (i) level of clogging is significantly less important for the 2nd filtration stage than for the first one, (ii) survival of B. Subtilis, growth of P. Chrysogenum and decline of A.niger on the filters whatever the period of time studied, and (iii) during restarts of ventilation, microbial aerosols releasing was not detected for sampled fraction. Moreover, two full-scale AHU were studied during 6 months. One of the AHU studied is equipped with two filters in series: a G4 pleated filter in 1st stage and a F7 bag filter in 2nd stage. This AHU treats the outdoor air to blow it towards the indoor environments. The other one extracts the indoor air to reject it back outdoors. The filters pressure drop, relative humidity and temperature of the air were measured continuously. Filters efficiency regarding particles and microbial aerosols were measured once a month. An original methodology for the monthly estimation of the concentration of microorganisms on the filters was implemented. Main results are: (i) no significant evolution of the filter pressure drop in 2nd stage, (ii) efficiency of G4 filters are comparable to the prototype filtersone, (iii) efficiency of F7 filters are lower than prototype filters one, which can be explained by differences of filtration velocity between the two scales, (iv) after 6 months of operation, concentration of microorganisms on G4 filter of the AHU of extraction is 10 times higher than the G4 filter one of AHU who treats outdoor air.

<div>The control system of the Purdue Biowall (the botanical air filter) prototype has been targeted for replacement to improve the potential for commercialization. This thesis is focused on evaluating and improving the performance of a new control system based on a single board computer, which is slated to replace a much larger and more expensive Building Automation System that is currently being used. This analysis considers size, cost, accuracy of sensors, and data logging.</div><div>The research was conducted in three phases. Initially, an evaluation of an existing control prototype was conducted and several critical hardware failures were identified. Some of the most significant malfunctions were caused by broken wires, incorrect power supply voltage, and a short circuit due to poor soldering. The second phase of work involved improving the hardware and software for the control platform. All the problems found were fixed to make the control system completely operational. Moreover, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) was designed to replace the breadboard previously used. The third phase of work was evaluating the performance of the new control system. Evaluations at a component level (e.g. individual sensors) and the overall system (e.g. including Biowall control algorithm) were conducted.</div><div>After a complete assessment, it was determined that a cheaper and smaller single board computer control system is able to substitute for the current Building Automation System. The accuracy of the sensors and the data collection were within the values expected. The physical size and cost of the controller was reduced by a factor of 30. The results obtained have identified several areas where further improvement is still needed. An efficient data logging code, replacement of wires, and PCB enhancement are still needed before deploying the new control solution into a building.</div>

No description available.

<p>U radu se proučava kvalitet vazduha pod pritiskom iz aspekta održive proizvodnje. Zahtevani kvalitet vazduha postiže se primenom filtera<br />i sušača. Filteri vazduha izazivaju pad pritiska, koji ako se smanji,<br />smanjuje se i ukupna količina proizvedenog vazduha pod pritiskom, čime<br />se povećava energetska efikasnost. Utvrđuje se povezanost primene<br />različitih filtera i pada pritiska, uz poštovanje kvaliteta vazduha.<br />Osim toga, analiziran je kondenzat, koji se pri filtraciji javlja u<br />sistemu, i kreirane su odgovarajuće preporuke za njegovo odlaganje, jer<br />se on svrstava u opasan otpad zbog prisustva ulja.</p> / <p>This paper examines the quality of compressed air from the aspect of<br />sustainable production. The required air quality is achieved by using filters<br />and dryers. Air filters generate the pressure drop, which, if reduced, reduces<br />the total volume of produced compressed air, which lead to increase in<br />energy efficiency. Connections between the application of different filters and<br />pressure drops with respect to quality are explored. In addition, the<br />condensate from the compressed air system is analysed, and appropriate<br />recommendations for its disposal are created because it is classified as<br />hazardous waste due to the presence of oil.</p>

Published scientific work indicates that residential large diameter drinking water wells are at a higher risk of contamination from surface water impacts than drilled wells. The possibility of a higher incidence of contamination of large diameter wells is attributed to site selection and construction problems such as leaking joints in the well casing, ineffective annular sealant placed between the well casing and the formation, a poorly fitted cover with an access lid that promotes contaminant entry and air entry without adequate air filtration, well location down gradient of septic effluent sources, and depth limitations due to improper equipment used to advance the well which results in shallow wells often situated in topographical lows. In some situations, flaws in the well design were actually deliberate measures intended to capture surface water at sites with low groundwater yield. Historically, residential drinking water well performance studies have focussed on existing wells; however, uncertainty in the actual well construction methods and materials, well age and maintenance efforts have been problematic. A field and laboratory study was completed to assess the performance of several design changes that were thought to improve the integrity of large diameter drinking water wells, and to determine whether one design is more prone to atmospheric and/or surface water contamination than the other. Four large diameter residential wells were installed at a study site in Lindsay, Ontario. Three of these wells are constructed with enhanced construction methods (two using a cement tile casing and one using a galvanized steel casing) and annular sealants, while the fourth was constructed using conventional methods for cement cased wells. The enhanced test wells utilized a sealant between the casing sections, various annular sealants between the formation and the well casing, sanitary waterline connections, and ventilation with air filtration. The well constructed using outdated methods did not have any of these advanced features. An automated water extraction system removed about 875 L/day from each well to mimic residential usage. Routine monitoring, and laboratory and field testing were used to collect pertinent data required for this performance assessment. Routine monitoring involved the visual inspection of the wells, collection of well water elevation, collection of soil temperature profile data, collection and analysis of water samples, and collection of cumulative water volumes purged from the test wells. A biofilm cleaning study and analysis of cement-bentonite grout was conducted in the laboratory while smoke and aqueous tracer tests were conducted in the field. The biofilm cleaning study entailed growing a biofilm on different large diameter well casing materials and applying cleaning methods thought to be practical for cleaning the interior walls of large diameter wells. Different mixtures of cement-bentonite grout were subjected to volume measurements, vertical load bearing capacity analysis, and hydraulic conductivity analysis to determine their suitability as a potential annular sealant. The tracer tests were developed to determine whether pathways for either airborne contaminants or surface water to enter the test wells exist. The test wells were filled with smoke and monitored for potential atmospheric pathways. A tracer solution was infiltrated around the test wells and the interior of the tests wells were monitored for potential pathways for surface water to enter. Bacteriological indicators were detected in all test wells. The smoke tracer tests demonstrated that pathways for airborne contaminants to enter the test wells exist with more pathways observed in the winter than the summer. The aqueous tracer tests highlighted several areas where surface water could enter the test wells if ponding occurred around the well casing. As expected the enhanced test wells performed much better than the conventional test well for both of these tracer tests. The results of the biofilm cleaning study indicated that galvanized steel or fibreglass casing materials were the only materials able to be cleaned effectively. The best method in this study to remove biofilm from casing materials was pressure washing. The results from the cement-bentonite grout investigation indicated that cement-bentonite grout with 5% bentonite would make the most suitable annular sealant as its volume changed the least during curing, it was strong enough to support the load from maintenance efforts, and was the most impervious. The results of this study indicate that large diameter wells constructed with a proper annular sealant, sealant between casing sections and a sanitary waterline connection are less prone to contamination. Monitoring of the test wells should continue as they mature to determine whether this plays a significant role in their ability to prevent contamination of large diameter wells. Smoke tracer tests should be conducted again during the winter to determine if temperature was the cause of increased atmospheric pathways. A field-scale method to remove biofilm from the interior casing wall of large diameter wells should be developed and tested. A field-scale investigation of cement-bentonite grout for use as an annular sealant should be completed. Fibreglass casings can be fabricated as a continuous piece with no seams or joints and hence another well should be constructed and studied using corrugated fibreglass (NSF ANSI 61) casing.

Published scientific work indicates that residential large diameter drinking water wells are at a higher risk of contamination from surface water impacts than drilled wells. The possibility of a higher incidence of contamination of large diameter wells is attributed to site selection and construction problems such as leaking joints in the well casing, ineffective annular sealant placed between the well casing and the formation, a poorly fitted cover with an access lid that promotes contaminant entry and air entry without adequate air filtration, well location down gradient of septic effluent sources, and depth limitations due to improper equipment used to advance the well which results in shallow wells often situated in topographical lows. In some situations, flaws in the well design were actually deliberate measures intended to capture surface water at sites with low groundwater yield. Historically, residential drinking water well performance studies have focussed on existing wells; however, uncertainty in the actual well construction methods and materials, well age and maintenance efforts have been problematic. A field and laboratory study was completed to assess the performance of several design changes that were thought to improve the integrity of large diameter drinking water wells, and to determine whether one design is more prone to atmospheric and/or surface water contamination than the other. Four large diameter residential wells were installed at a study site in Lindsay, Ontario. Three of these wells are constructed with enhanced construction methods (two using a cement tile casing and one using a galvanized steel casing) and annular sealants, while the fourth was constructed using conventional methods for cement cased wells. The enhanced test wells utilized a sealant between the casing sections, various annular sealants between the formation and the well casing, sanitary waterline connections, and ventilation with air filtration. The well constructed using outdated methods did not have any of these advanced features. An automated water extraction system removed about 875 L/day from each well to mimic residential usage. Routine monitoring, and laboratory and field testing were used to collect pertinent data required for this performance assessment. Routine monitoring involved the visual inspection of the wells, collection of well water elevation, collection of soil temperature profile data, collection and analysis of water samples, and collection of cumulative water volumes purged from the test wells. A biofilm cleaning study and analysis of cement-bentonite grout was conducted in the laboratory while smoke and aqueous tracer tests were conducted in the field. The biofilm cleaning study entailed growing a biofilm on different large diameter well casing materials and applying cleaning methods thought to be practical for cleaning the interior walls of large diameter wells. Different mixtures of cement-bentonite grout were subjected to volume measurements, vertical load bearing capacity analysis, and hydraulic conductivity analysis to determine their suitability as a potential annular sealant. The tracer tests were developed to determine whether pathways for either airborne contaminants or surface water to enter the test wells exist. The test wells were filled with smoke and monitored for potential atmospheric pathways. A tracer solution was infiltrated around the test wells and the interior of the tests wells were monitored for potential pathways for surface water to enter. Bacteriological indicators were detected in all test wells. The smoke tracer tests demonstrated that pathways for airborne contaminants to enter the test wells exist with more pathways observed in the winter than the summer. The aqueous tracer tests highlighted several areas where surface water could enter the test wells if ponding occurred around the well casing. As expected the enhanced test wells performed much better than the conventional test well for both of these tracer tests. The results of the biofilm cleaning study indicated that galvanized steel or fibreglass casing materials were the only materials able to be cleaned effectively. The best method in this study to remove biofilm from casing materials was pressure washing. The results from the cement-bentonite grout investigation indicated that cement-bentonite grout with 5% bentonite would make the most suitable annular sealant as its volume changed the least during curing, it was strong enough to support the load from maintenance efforts, and was the most impervious. The results of this study indicate that large diameter wells constructed with a proper annular sealant, sealant between casing sections and a sanitary waterline connection are less prone to contamination. Monitoring of the test wells should continue as they mature to determine whether this plays a significant role in their ability to prevent contamination of large diameter wells. Smoke tracer tests should be conducted again during the winter to determine if temperature was the cause of increased atmospheric pathways. A field-scale method to remove biofilm from the interior casing wall of large diameter wells should be developed and tested. A field-scale investigation of cement-bentonite grout for use as an annular sealant should be completed. Fibreglass casings can be fabricated as a continuous piece with no seams or joints and hence another well should be constructed and studied using corrugated fibreglass (NSF ANSI 61) casing.

Tikslas. Ištirti alksnių, kaip atsinaujinančių energetinių augalų, džiovinimo procesą. Objektas. Du skirtingi džiovinimo būdai: konvekcinis ir aukštatemperatūrinis džiovinimas. Smulkinti ir nesmulkinti alksniai. Lietuvoje ką tik nupjautos medienos drėgnis gali svyruoti nuo 50 % iki 70 % drėgnio. Siekiant išvengti ir apsaugoti medieną nuo mikrobiologinių veiksnių ir savaiminio kaitimo, laikymo procesas turi būti kontroliuojamas ir medieną būtina išdžiovinti iki 8-15% drėgnio. Pateikto darbo literatūros apžvalgoje išanalizuota miško kirtimo atliekų naudojimo kurui galimybės, bei laikymo ir sandėliavimo parametrai. Ištirtas dvejopas alksnio kirtimo atliekų džiovinimas, panaudojant skirtingas džiovinimo temperatūras, bei tiekiamus oro filtracijos greičius. Nustatyta, kad džiovinant alksnius aktyviąja ventiliacija džiovinimas yra ekonomiškiausias ir labiausias atitinka natūralias gamtos sąlygas. / Purpose of the study. Investigate alder as a renewable energy crop, drying process. The object of the work. Two different drying methods: convection and high temperature drying. Alder chips and whole wood. Lithuania freshly cut wood moisture content can range from 50 % to 70 % moisture. In order to prevent and protect the wood from microbiological factors and self-heating, the storage process has to be controlled and the wood must be dried to a moisture content of 8 – 15 %. Literature of work review analyzed the logging waste for fuel options, and storage parameters. Investigated dual alder cutting waste drying, using different drying temperatures. It was found that drying Alder with active ventilation is the most economical and most natural drying method.

No description available.