This study utilizes major-, trace- and rare earth elements, as well as radiogenic isotopes (Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Pb), in bulk sediment, extracted glass shards, and discrete ash layers, at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1149 (Izu-Bonin Arc), Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 52 (Mariana Arc), and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Sites C0011 and C0012 (Nankai Trough) in order to characterize and quantify the abundance of dispersed ash, rather than discrete ash layers, in sediments from the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Combination of the geochemical methods with multivariate statistical techniques, such as Q-mode Factor Analysis and multiple linear regressions, allows for differentiation of unique chemistries of the dispersed ash, and the terrigenous components. Therefore, we can document sources that change through time and space. At Site 1149 the bulk sediment is a mixture of two dust and two dispersed ash sources. The two dust sources show contrasting accumulation patterns changing over at a tectonically and climactically active time in Earth's past (~22 Ma) and yield a more complete history of Asian aridity than has been previously considered. We interpret the source of the ashes as basalt from the Izu-Bonin Front Arc (IBFA) and rhyolite from the Honshu Arc (HR). Comparison of the dispersed ash component to the discrete ash layers suggests that eruption frequency, rather than eruption size, drives the dispersed ash record. In contrast, at Site 52 Chinese Loess, IBFA, dispersed boninite from the Izu-Bonin arc, and a dispersed felsic ash of unknown origin are the sources. Interestingly, there are no boninite layers, yet boninite is dispersed within the sediment. Changes in the volcanic and eolian inputs through time indicate strong arc- and climate-related controls. The bulk sediment at Site C0011 is characterized by eolian dust, HR, and a dacite of unknown origin. Site C0012 is comprised of eolian dust, a dacite of unknown origin, as well as dacite and andesite from the Izu-Bonin Arc. Analysis of the total ash record at these two sites provides insight into subduction zone mass balance and water budgets as well as information about the changes in physical properties that result from the alteration of volcanic ash.

Giardia duodenalis é um protozoário de distribuição mundial responsável por causar infecções entéricas em uma grande variedade de mamíferos, incluindo os humanos. Mesmo apresentando pouca variação em sua morfologia, os isolados podem ser diferenciados, de acordo com análises de proteína e polimorfismo de DNA, em pelo menos oito agrupamentos genéticos distintos, denominados assemblages (A-H). Apenas os assemblages A e B têm sido reportados em humanos e outros mamíferos. Isolados de assemblage A podem, ainda, ser divididos em quatro sub-assemblages (AI, AII, AIII e AIV). Sequencias heterogêneas têm sido frequentemente identificadas em estudos de caracterização molecular envolvendo amostras contendo múltiplos cistos do parasita. Buscando estudar a ocorrência dos eventos de heterozigose de sequencia alélica (ASH) e recombinação gênica, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo isolar cistos de G. duodenalis empregando-se a técnica de micromanipulação e caracterizá-los molecularmente através da análise multilócus envolvendo os genes gdh, tpi, orfC4 e bg. Dez cistos foram individualizados e utilizados na pesquisa. Todos foram igualmente identificados por todos os genes, nove cistos caracterizados como assemblage AII e um cisto caracterizado como assemblage B. Os cromatogramas oriundos do cisto identificado como assemblages B apresentaram diversos sítios heterogêneos nos genes gdh, bg e orfC4, sendo que, nesses dois últimos, observaram-se sobreposições dos alelos AII e B no produto sequenciado (heterozigose inter assemblage). Os produtos de PCR foram clonados e as sequencias obtidas revelaram a ocorrência dos dois alelos neste único cisto. Os sítios polimórficos encontrados nas sequencias do gene gdh indicaram heterozigose intra assemblage B. Embora ASH já tenha sido relatada em cistos individualizados de G. duodenalis, estes são os primeiros resultados indicando a presença dos dois alelos, simultaneamente, em um único indivíduo. Esses resultados demonstram fortes evidências que ocorre troca genética entre indivíduos geneticamente distintos de G. duodenalis / Giardia duodenalis is a worldwide distribution enteric protozoan responsible for causing infections in a wide variety of mammals, including humans. Even showing little change in their morphology, isolates can be distinguished, according to the analysis of proteins and DNA polymorphisms in at least eight distinct genetic groups, known assemblages (A - H). Only assemblages A and B have been reported in humans and other mammals. Isolates of assemblage A also can be divided into four sub-assemblages (AI, AII, AIII and AIV). Heterogeneous sequences have been frequently identified in studies involving molecular characterization of samples containing multiple cysts of the parasite. Seeking to study the occurrence of allelic sequence heterozygosity (ASH) and genetic recombination events, the present study aimed to isolate G. duodenalis cysts employing the micromanipulation technique and characterize them molecularly through multilocus analysis involving gdh, tpi, orfC4 and bg genes. Ten cysts were individualized and used in the research. All cysts were equally identified for all genes; nine cysts were characterized as assemblage AII and one characterized as assemblage B. The chromatograms derived from the cyst identified as assemblage B presented many heterogeneous sites in gdh, bg and orfC4 genes, and in these last two, there were overlaps of alleles AII and B in the sequenced product (heterozygous inter assemblage). PCR products were cloned and the sequences obtained revealed the occurrence of two alleles at this single cyst. The polymorphic sites found in the sequences of the gdh gene indicated intra heterozygosity assemblage B. Although ASH has already been reported in G. duodenalis individualized cysts, these are the first results indicating the presence of two alleles simultaneously in a single individual. These results demonstrate strong evidence that genetic exchange occurs between individuals genetically distinct of G. duodenalis

Thesis (Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Zeolites have found applications as heterogeneous or solid catalyst in the petrochemical and refining industries. Zeolite ZSM-5 in particular is a highly siliceous solid catalyst with a porous network that consists of medium pore structure (pore openings 5-5.5 A). The solid catalyst (ZSM-5) is well known for its high temperature stability and strong acidity, which makes it an established catalyst used for different petrochemical processes such as Methanol-To-Gasoline (MTG), isomerisation, disproportionation, and cracking. Unlike in the past, the synthesis of zeolite ZSM-5 from other sources that contains silica (Si) and alumina (Al) with the addition of a template (TPBr) as a structure-directing agent is eminent. Its synthesis can be achievable from coal fly ash that is a waste material and a cheap source of Si and Al. Coal fly ash is a waste material that is produced during the combustion of coal to generate electricity. The elemental composition of coal fly ash consists of mostly SiO2 and Al2O3 together with other significant and trace elements. Zeolite ZSM-5 catalyst synthesised from coal fly ash by previous authors required an excessive amount of additional source of silica even though the XRD spectra still show the presence of quartz and mullite phase in the final products. These phases prevented the use of fly ash (solid) as a precursor to synthesise zeolite ZSM-5 products. However, the synthesis of high purity zeolite ZSM-5 products by extracting silica and alumina from South African fly ash and then using it with small amounts of fumed silica was investigated This aim was achieved by fusing fly ash (FA) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) under hydrothermal condition set at 550 oC for 1 hour 30 minutes. The quartz and mullite phase observed by previous authors was digested by the fusion process. Thereafter, the treatment of fused fly ash filtrate (FFAF) with concentrated H2SO4 (98-99%), precipitated silica and removed Al that therefore increased the Si/Al ratio from 1.97 in fly ash (FA) to 9.5 in the silica extract (named fused fly ash extract). This route was designed to improve the quality of the final products and reduced the amount of fumed silica added to the synthesis mixture prior to hydrothermal synthesis. In this line of investigation, the process of adding fumed silica to the hydrothermal gel was optimised. H-FF1 with a Si/Al ratio of 9.5 was synthesised using the silica extract without the addition of fumed silica. Its XRD, SEM and relative crystallinity results proved that H-FF1 was inactive and hence was not further characterised and utilised in the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH). Purer phase zeolite ZSM-5 products (H-FF2 and H-FF3) that were synthesised from silica extract with the addition of small amounts of fumed silica were characterised and successfully used in the methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH) reaction. The synthesised ZSM-5 products had different Si/Al ratio, different morphology, crystal size, BET surface area, and relative crystallinity as well as different trends in the MTH reaction. It was also observed that H-FF2 and H-FF3 (pure phase) solid catalyst deactivated faster than the commercial H-ZSM-5 in the MTH reaction. However, the MTH conversion over H-FF2 competed with that of the commercial H-ZSM-5 within 3 hours of time on stream (TOS) but later deactivated at a faster rate. This was caused by the large crystal size and reduced BET surface area of H-FF2 when compared to the commercial H-ZSM-5. However, H-FF2 performed better than H-FF3 on stream (MTH reaction) due to its smaller crystal size and higher BET. This study has successfully utilised a route that synthesised high purity zeolite ZSM-5 products from the South African fused fly ash extract (FFAE) with the addition of small amounts of fumed silica. The properties of the synthesised zeolite ZSM-5 products (H-FF2 and H-FF3) were similar to that of the commercial H-ZSM-5 as well as active in the MTH reaction. This promoted the utilisation of a waste material (coal fly ash) to synthesise highly siliceous zeolite ZSM-5 products that avoided the presence of mineral phases from fly ash in the final products.

The co-firing technology of coal with biomass has been implemented to enhance the usage of biomass in power generation, thus reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions. This study deals with the fireside issues, namely ash-related issues that arise during co-combustion of coal and biomass takes place. Ash release from biomass can lead to ash deposition problems such as fouling and slagging on surfacesof power generation boilers. The scope of this work includes the development of a conceptual model that predicts the ash release behaviour and chemical composition of inorganics in coal and biomass when combusted. An advanced analytical method was developed and introduced in this work to determine the speciation of biomass.The method known as pH extraction analysis was used to determine the inorganic speciation in three biomass samples, namely wood chips, wood bark and straw. The speciation of biomass and coal was used as an input to the model to predict the behaviour and release of ash. It was found that the main gas phases during the combustion of biomass are KCl, NaCl, K2SO4 and Na2SO4. Gas-to-particle formation calculations were carried out to determine the chemical composition of coal andbiomass when cooling takes place in the boiler. The results obtained in this work can be used in future work to determine the ash deposition of coal and biomass in boilers.

<p>The disposal of combustible wastes by incineration is a controversial issue that is strongly debated by both scientists and environmental activists due to the resulting emissions of noxious compounds, including (<i>inter alia</i>) polychlorinated dibenzo-<i>p</i>-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), heavy metals and acid gases like sulfur dioxide. Currently available air pollution control devices are capable of effectively cleaning flue gases, and PCDD/F emissions to air from modern municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators are low. However, the PCDD and PCDF end up in ash fractions that, in Sweden, are usually deposited in landfills.</p><p>The European Union has recently set a maximum permitted total concentration of 15 µg TEQ/kg for PCDD/F species in waste. Fly ash from municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration containing PCDD/Fs at concentrations above this limit will have to be remediated to avoid disposing of them in landfills; an expensive and environmentally unfriendly option. Therefore, effective, reliable and cost-effective methods for degrading PCDD/F in fly ash are required, and a better understanding of the behavior of PCDDs and PCDFs during thermal treatment will be needed to develop them.</p><p>In the studies this thesis is based upon both the formation and degradation of PCDDs and PCDFs in ashes from MSW incineration were studied.</p><p>The main findings of the investigations regarding PCCD/F formation were:</p><p>- The concentrations of PCDD and PCDF in fly ash increased with reductions in the temperature in the post-combustion zone.</p><p>- The homologue profile in the ash changed when the temperature in the post-combustion zone changed.</p><p>- The final amounts of PCDD and PCDF present were affected by their rates of both formation and degradation, and the mechanisms involved differ between PCDDs and PCDFs.</p><p>The main findings from the degradation studies were:</p><p>- The chemical composition of ash has a major impact on the degradation potential of PCDD and PCDF.</p><p>- The presence of oxygen during thermal treatment can enhance the degradation of PCDD and PCDF.</p><p>- Thermal treatment is a viable option for degrading PCDD and PCDF in ashes from MSW.</p><p>- Shifts in chlorination degree occur during thermal treatment.</p><p>- Rapid heat transfer into the ash is a key factor for ensuring fast degradation of PCDD and PCDF.</p><p>- Degradation of other chlorinated organic compounds, e.g. PCB and HCB, also occurs during thermal treatment of ash.</p><p>- Reductions in levels of PCDD and PCDF were not solely due to their desorption to the gas phase.</p><p>- Differences between the behavior of 2378-substituted congeners of PCDD and PCDF and the other congeners during thermal treatment were observed.</p><p>- Differences in isomer patterns of both PCDD and PCDF were observed between the ash and gas phases after thermal treatment at both 300 and 500 oC.</p><p>Overall, the results show that the formation and degradation mechanisms of PCDDs differ substantially from those of PCDFs. Thus these groups of compounds should be separately considered in attempts to identify ways to reduce their concentrations.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-173). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Fly ash is a lightweight coal combustion by-product (CCB) separated from the exhaust gases of power generating plants using suspension-fired furnaces in which pulverized coal is used as the fuel. Its physical and chemical properties make it useful in construction and industrial materials, especially in cement manufacturing, concrete, liquid waste stabilization, and hydraulic mine backfill. The addition of fly ash into aluminum alloys has the potential to reduce the cost and density of aluminum castings while improving other physical and mechanical properties of the resulting metal matrix composites (MMCs). <p> This study investigated the effect of fly ash addition on the mechanical properties and microstructural behaviour of aluminum casting alloy A535. The unreinforced A535 alloy and its MMCs containing a mixture of 5 wt.% fly ash and 5 wt.% silicon carbide, 10 wt.% fly ash and 15 wt.% fly ash were investigated in the as-cast and solution heat treated conditions. Microhardness measurements, Charpy impact testing, tensile testing, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were used to evaluate these effects. <p> The results of this study show that increasing the fly ash content of the melt increased the porosity of the castings, which ultimately affected the density, tensile and impact properties of the MMCs. The density, microhardness, tensile strength and Charpy impact energy of the composites decreased with increasing fly ash content. The decline in density of the MMCs was due to extensive porosity developed with fly ash addition. Depletion of solid solution strengthening magnesium in the matrix was the reason observed for the decline in hardness. The loss in Charpy impact energy and tensile properties of the MMCs are also attributed partly to the depletion of solid solution strengthening magnesium atoms from the matrix and partly to porosity. <p> Microstructural studies revealed non-uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in the composites. The fly ash particles were found to congregate at the boundaries of a-aluminium dendrites in the castings. Mg content of A535 alloy decreased with increasing weight fraction of fly ash. Mg was found to be tied up in a complex network of Mg2Si thereby reducing its availability in the matrix for solid solution strengthening.

Fly ash is a lightweight coal combustion by-product (CCB) separated from the exhaust gases of power generating plants using suspension-fired furnaces in which pulverized coal is used as the fuel. Its physical and chemical properties make it useful in construction and industrial materials, especially in cement manufacturing, concrete, liquid waste stabilization, and hydraulic mine backfill. The addition of fly ash into aluminum alloys has the potential to reduce the cost and density of aluminum castings while improving other physical and mechanical properties of the resulting metal matrix composites (MMCs). <p> This study investigated the effect of fly ash addition on the mechanical properties and microstructural behaviour of aluminum casting alloy A535. The unreinforced A535 alloy and its MMCs containing a mixture of 5 wt.% fly ash and 5 wt.% silicon carbide, 10 wt.% fly ash and 15 wt.% fly ash were investigated in the as-cast and solution heat treated conditions. Microhardness measurements, Charpy impact testing, tensile testing, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were used to evaluate these effects. <p> The results of this study show that increasing the fly ash content of the melt increased the porosity of the castings, which ultimately affected the density, tensile and impact properties of the MMCs. The density, microhardness, tensile strength and Charpy impact energy of the composites decreased with increasing fly ash content. The decline in density of the MMCs was due to extensive porosity developed with fly ash addition. Depletion of solid solution strengthening magnesium in the matrix was the reason observed for the decline in hardness. The loss in Charpy impact energy and tensile properties of the MMCs are also attributed partly to the depletion of solid solution strengthening magnesium atoms from the matrix and partly to porosity. <p> Microstructural studies revealed non-uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in the composites. The fly ash particles were found to congregate at the boundaries of a-aluminium dendrites in the castings. Mg content of A535 alloy decreased with increasing weight fraction of fly ash. Mg was found to be tied up in a complex network of Mg2Si thereby reducing its availability in the matrix for solid solution strengthening.

Fly ashes generated from fluidized bed combustion of low calorific value, high ash content Turkish lignites are characterized by high content of acidic oxides, such as SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3, varying in the range 50-70%. However, there exists no study for the investigation of the possibility of using these ashes as concrete admixture. Therefore, in this study, characterization of fly ashes from fluidized bed combustion of a Turkish lignite and evaluation of these fly ashes as a substitute for Portland cement in production of pastes and mortars were carried out. The samples were subjected to chemical, physical, mineralogical and morphological analyses. Results of chemical and physical analyses of three fly ash samples show that they satisfy the requirements of EN 197-1, EN 450 and ASTM C 618, except for CaO and SO3, owing to high content of acidic oxides of these ashes contrary to majority of FBC fly ashes reported in the literature. In addition to characterization studies, water requirement, compressive strength, setting time and soundness tests were also performed for 10%, 20% and 30% fly ash-cement blends and the reference cement. Results of these tests reveal that the blends meet compressive strength, setting time and soundness requirements of ASTM C 595 without any pre-hydration treatment, and that fly ashes from fluidized bed combustion of Turkish lignites have significant potential for utilization as an admixture in manufacture of blended cements.

Cement production which is one of the most energy intensive industries plays a significant role in emitting the greenhouse gases. Blended cement production by supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag and natural pozzolan is one of the smart approaches to decrease energy and ecology related concerns about the production. Fly ash has been used as a substance to produce blended cements for years, but bottom ash, its coarser counterpart, has not been utilized due to its lower pozzolanic properties. This thesis study aims to evaluate the laboratory performance of blended cements, which are produced both by fly ash and bottom ash. Fly ash and bottom ash obtained from Seyit&ouml / mer Power Plant were used to produce blended cements in 10, 20, 30 and 40% by mass as clinker replacement materials. One ordinary portland cement and eight blended cements were produced in the laboratory. Portland cement was ground 120 min to have a Blaine value of 3500&plusmn / 100 cm2/g. This duration was kept constant in the production of bottom ash cements. Fly ash cements were produced by blending of laboratory produced portland cement and fly ash. Then, 2, 7, 28 and 90 day compressive strengths, normal consistencies, soundness and time of settings of cements were determined. It was found that blended fly ash and bottom ash cements gave comparable strength results at 28 day curing age for 10% and 20% replacement. Properties of blended cements were observed to meet the requirements specified by Turkish and American standards.