Submitted by JOSE IGNACIO ZARATE MONTERO null (adn_bluee@hotmail.com) on 2017-09-04T19:54:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO FINAL IGNACIO.pdf: 2846975 bytes, checksum: e2b1826a22a41932b205480241f28b9f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-09-06T14:38:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 zaratemontero_ji_me_soro.pdf: 2846975 bytes, checksum: e2b1826a22a41932b205480241f28b9f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-06T14:38:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 zaratemontero_ji_me_soro.pdf: 2846975 bytes, checksum: e2b1826a22a41932b205480241f28b9f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-27 / Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) / Biochar é produzido pela pirólise de resíduos de diferentes biomassas, podendo ser uma alternativa interessante para obtenção de um adsorvente para remoção de íons metálicos e metaloides em aguas naturais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de remoção de íons As(lll) por biochars normal (BN) e modificado quimicamente com íons Fe(III) (biochar magnético, BM), produzidos a partir da pirólise do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e de palha de milho em 4 diferentes temperaturas (300, 400, 500 e 600°C). O pH de carga zero (pHpcz) das amostras de biochar ficou na faixa de 6, evidenciando que abaixo dessa faixa de pH a superfície do biochar está carregada positivamente. Resultados de FT-IR demonstrou que o aumento da temperatura leva a diminuição dos grupos funcionais ácido e no caso do MEV demostrou que, conforme de aumenta a temperatura, se percebe aumento do tamanho e volume dos poros dos biochars. Para analisar a eficiência e o comportamento de adsorção foram feitos experimentos em batelada, para verificação da cinética e isotermas de adsorção. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que para o biochar normal em ambos casos (bagaço de cana de açúcar e palha de milho) a adsorção foi baixa. Já ótimo desempenho foi observado pelos biochars magnéticos em todas as condições de pH estudados (4, 5 e 6), atingindo equilíbrio de adsorção de 95% em cerca de 10 minutos. Em relação a isoterma de adsorção os dados foram analisados com os modelos de Langmuir e Freundlich, ajustando-se melhor a Langmuir com um R2≈1 para o BM de palha de milho e, R2≈0,8999 para o BM bagaço de cana de açúcar, indicando em ambos os casos adsorção química. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho, indicam que a utilização de resíduos de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e de palha de milho para produção de biochar a partir de pirólise na presença de íons Fe(III), podem levar a produção de um adsorvente de baixo custo e alta eficiência para a remoção de íons As(III) presentes em soluções aquosas ácidas.

Submitted by CAROLINA DE CASTRO BUENO null (carolcastrob@gmail.com) on 2017-10-25T14:00:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_final_vfc.pdf: 8972280 bytes, checksum: 5055ff52aeeb9ac9c279f4369aea6e72 (MD5) / Rejected by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br), reason: Solicitado pela Supervisora Técnica de Seção para que a aluna informe número de processo Fapesp nos agradecimentos. on 2017-10-30T15:11:21Z (GMT) / Submitted by CAROLINA DE CASTRO BUENO null (carolcastrob@gmail.com) on 2017-10-30T18:54:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_final_vfo.pdf: 8950227 bytes, checksum: ea7b69860b9836534db3e29482ba1418 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-11-06T18:24:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bueno_cc_dr_soro.pdf: 8950227 bytes, checksum: ea7b69860b9836534db3e29482ba1418 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-06T18:24:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bueno_cc_dr_soro.pdf: 8950227 bytes, checksum: ea7b69860b9836534db3e29482ba1418 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-04 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Todo produto agrícola interfere na situação termodinâmica de solos, afetando as interações entre solo-microorganismos-plantas. Biochar é definido como um material carbonáceo multifuncional que atua como condicionante/ fertilizante e eleva a qualidade de solos. Pode estar presente naturalmente em solos férteis ou produzido a partir da pirólise de resíduos agrícolas gerando produtos de maior valor agregado. A literatura destaca casos de sucesso de sua aplicação no solo e como material adsorvente de contaminantes orgânicos e inorgânicos. No entanto, poucas informações estão disponíveis sobre possíveis efeitos antagônicos do biochar aos microorganismos do solo e alterações diretas no desenvolvimento de plântulas. Visando entender interações do biochar no sistema solo-microorganismos-plantas, este trabalho objetivou identificar os efeitos de diferentes doses de biochar produzidos a partir de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e palha de sabugo de milho na interação com nutrientes, desenvolvimento de fungos ligninolíticos, bactérias promotoras do crescimento de plantas e de plântulas de milho. Para tanto, as amostras de biochar foram produzidas por meio de pirólise em nove regimes de temperatura para compreender quais mudanças morfológicas e físico-químicas ocorrem na formação do biochar. Com o objetivo de preservar as interações multitróficas do solo, foram explorados os efeitos de diferentes doses de biochar no crescimento radial de micélios três diferentes espécies de fungos ligninolíticos: Bjerkandera adusta, Pleurotos ostreaus e Trametes versicolor. Foi encontrado um efeito dependente da espécie, onde as mesmas amostras de biochar podem causar toxicidade aguda e efeito aditivo no crescimento desses fungos. A espécie T. versicolor mostrou ser a espécie mais adaptada. Da mesma forma, as bactérias das espécies Bacillus aryabhattai (CMAA-1363) e Leocobacter sp (CMAA-1422) foram incubadas em meios de cultivo contendo biochar em diferentes doses. Foram verificadas que ambas as espécies não sobreviveram à incubação direta, liberando no processo exsudados (biopolímero) higroscópicos no meio. Experimentos de germinação de sementes de milho mostraram que apenas as baixas doses de biochar produzidos a partir de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar nas temperaturas de 400 e 600 ºC apresentaram efeitos aditivos ao desenvolvimento das plântulas. Quando os exsudatos bacterianos foram testados como fertilizante líquido, apenas o biochar produzido de palha de milho a 300 ºC graus e em baixa dose apresentou efeitos aditivos no crescimento das plântulas. Assim, este trabalho aponta a necessidade de estudos específicos e multitróficos de materiais destinados ao sistema pedológico. / Any agricultural product that reaches the pedological system interferes in the thermodynamic situation of soil non-equilibrium, affecting the soil-microorganisms-plants set. In recent years, biochar has been identified as a conditioning / fertilizing material that helps raise the soil qualities. Biochar is a multifunctional carbonaceous material already existing naturally in fertile soils. However, the non-natural production of biochar has been considered as an alternative destination to agricultural waste that generates value-added products. The literature highlights successful cases of its application in the soil and as adsorbent material of organic and inorganic contaminants. However, little information is available on possible antagonistic effects of biochar on soil microorganisms and direct changes in seedling development. In order to understand possible points of bifurcations that biochar can generate in the soil-microorganisms-plants system, this work aimed to identify the effects of different doses of biochar produced from sugarcane bagasse and corn cob in the growth and development of ligninolytic fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria and maize seedlings. For this, the biochar samples were produced by means of pyrolysis in nine temperature regimes to understand which morphological and physicochemical changes occur in the formation of biochar. With the objective of preserving the soil multitrophic interactions, it was explored the effects of different doses of biochar on the radial growth of mycelium three different species of ligninolytic fungi: Bjerkandera adusta, Pleurotos ostreaus and Trametes versicolor. A species-dependent effect was found where the same biochar samples can cause acute toxicity and additive effect on the growth of these fungi. The species T. versicolor showed to be the most adapted species. Similarly, bacteria of the species Bacillus aryabhattai (CMAA-1363) and Leocobacter sp (CMAA-1422) were incubated in culture media containing biochar at different doses. It was verified that both species did not survive the direct incubation, releasing hygroscopic exudates (biopolymer) in the medium. Germination experiments of corn seeds showed that only the low doses of biochar produced from sugarcane bagasse at temperatures of 400 and 600ºC had additive effects to the development of the seedlings. When the bacterial exudates were tested as liquid fertilizer, only the biochar produced from corn straw at 300 degrees and at low dose had additive effects on the growth of the seedlings. Thus, this work points out the need for specific and multitrophic studies of materials destined to the pedological system. / FAPESP: 2013/08373-0

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2018-06-05T14:16:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2555901 bytes, checksum: 5a7d100455377fe2eeb62d6aded4b8e4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-05T14:16:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2555901 bytes, checksum: 5a7d100455377fe2eeb62d6aded4b8e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O intenso e indiscriminado uso de fertilizantes fosfatados na agricultura de maneira geral, as fontes finitas destes e a problemática acerca da dinâmica do fosfato nos solos intemperizados inspiraram a realização desta dissertação. Para estudar alternativas para otimizar a aplicação deste nutriente no solo, este trabalho foi realizado na forma de dois capítulos com os seguintes objetivos: avaliar modos de aplicação e doses de fósforo no cultivo da cenoura, e estudar a adsorção iônica em resíduos de batata pirolisados, o denominado biocarvão ou biochar, visando à aplicação deste material enriquecido com nutrientes no solo. Para o primeiro capítulo, conduziu-se um experimento em campo comparando-se modos de aplicação (área total ou localizado na faixa) e doses de P 2 O 5 . Observou-se que o aumento da dose de P aumentou atributos do solo e fitotécnicos da cultura da cenoura. Apesar de maior produtividade para a aplicação em área total, a eficiência agronômica para a aplicação localizada foi maior. Concluiu-se que a aplicação do fertilizante fosfatado é mais eficiente quando feita de modo localizado, mesmo apresentando menor produtividade que a aplicação em área total. Para o segundo capítulo, utilizou-se biochar de batatas descartadas, para avaliar seus atributos da adsorção e dessorção de H n PO 4(3-n)- , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ e Al 3+ , assim como caracterizar, física e quimicamente, os materiais produzidos, por meio das técnicas de difração de raios X (DXR), espectrofotometria de absorção molecular na região do infravermelho com transformada de fourier com acessório de reflectância total atenuada (FTIR/ATR) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Notou-se a preferência do biochar por adsorver cátions, sendo que a maior valência e menor raio iônico hidratado contribuíram para a maior adsorção dos elementos testados. Os cátions de menor valência e maior raio iônico também foram dessorvidos mais facilmente. O biochar mostrou afinidade para adsorver ânions (fosfato) após ser dopado por Al 3+ . As amostras de biochar não mostraram diferenças significativas nas análises de DXR e FTIR/ATR. Nas imagens de MEV foi possível observar que a adição de cátions no material aumentou sua porosidade. Concluiu-se que uso de biochar de batata é uma alternativa promissora e sua dinâmica de adsorção deve ser estudada de maneira mais detalhada para tornar-se uma alternativa viável economicamente, podendo substituir, quando enriquecidos, os fertilizantes convencionais. / The intense and indiscriminate use of phosphate fertilizers in agriculture in general, the finite sources of these and the problematic about the dynamics of phosphate in the weathered soils inspired the realization of this dissertation. To study alternatives to optimize the application of this nutrient in the soil, this work was carried out in the form of two chapters with the following objectives: to evaluate modes of application and phosphorus doses in carrot cultivation, and to study the ionic adsorption in potato residues, called biochar or biochar, for the application of this material enriched with nutrients in the soil. For the first chapter, a field experiment was conducted comparing modes of application (total or localized in the area) and P 2 O 5 doses. It was observed that the increase in the dose of P increased soil attributes and phytotechnics of the carrot crop. Despite higher productivity for the application in total area, the agronomic efficiency for the localized application was higher. It was concluded that the application of phosphate fertilizer is more efficient when done in a localized way, even though it presents lower productivity than the application in total area. For the second chapter, biochar of discarded potatoes was used to evaluate its adsorption and desorption attributes of H n PO 4(3-n)- , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and Al 3+ , as well as to characterize, physically and chemically, the materials produced, by means of (DXR), molecular absorption spectrophotometry in the infrared region with fourier transformed with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR/ATR) accessory and scanning electron microscopy (MEV). It was observed the preference of biochar for cationics adsorption, being the higher valence and lower ionic radius hydrated contributed to the greater adsorption of the elements tested. The cations of lower valence and higher ionic radius were also desorbed more easily. The biochar showed affinity to adsorb anions (phosphate) after being doped by Al 3+ . Biochar samples did not show significant differences in DXR and FTIR/ATR analyzes. In the MEV images it was possible to observe that the addition of cations in the material increased its porosity. It was concluded that the use of potato biochar is a promising alternative and its adsorption dynamics should be studied in a more detailed way to become an economically viable alternative, to substitute conventional fertilizers when enriched.

Artificial soils have been employed within the Biomes of the Eden Project since its construction in 2000. Produced from sand, bark, composted green waste and lignite clay, these soils were designed to have their nutrient concentrations controlled through careful fertiliser applications. However, following variable environmental conditions, management practices and planting, the soils across the site are performing variably with regard to nutrient retention and storage. Experiments were conducted to assess the performances of an artificial soil in terms of nutrient cycling. This was carried out in three phases: Firstly, soils from the Humid Tropics and Outdoor biomes were sampled and examined, using a range of analytical techniques, to determine the nutrient characteristics of the established artificial soils from across the Eden Project site. This demonstrated that many of the nutrient concentrations of the artificial soils were consistent with those reported for naturally formed soils within comparable environments. All soil samples were of sandy loam texture (ISO 14688-1), with the sand-sized fraction representing > 50 % of the particle size composition. Statistical analyses suggested that management practices had a greater impact on the nutrient characteristics of artificial soils than environmental conditions. Secondly, an artificial soil was produced, following the Eden Project protocol, to examine its performance under controlled environmental conditions. This was packed into 4 columns (1 m height by 110 mm diameter), maintained at 15 ˚C and subjected to an irrigation regime for 52 weeks. Following 26 weeks of irrigation, 2 of the 4 columns were fertilised. Leachate was analysed for dissolved constituents as were solid samples of the fresh soil and of soil samples collected from the columns following 52 weeks irrigation. Leachate concentrations for all nutrients, excepting phosphate, were observed to decline over the irrigation period. Leached phosphate concentrations increased from weeks 0 to 2, and then remained relatively constant. Low nitrogen concentrations within the leachate from weeks 2 to 38 were caused by nitrogen immobilisation within the soil, whilst subsequent mineralisation resulted in increased concentrations from Week 38. Analyses of solid phase constituents determined little variation with depth. Fertiliser application demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in leachate concentrations for some dissolved organic nitrogen and nitrate, phosphate, magnesium and calcium and a decrease in pH. Fertiliser application observations showed less prominent differences for the extracted and solid phase constituents. Thirdly, biochar was applied to the artificial soil at three concentrations (10 %, 5 % and 2 %) plus a control (0 %), to determine whether biochar application may improve nutrient characteristics of artificial soils. The biochar amended soils were packed into mesocosms and maintained at 15 ˚C for 6 weeks. In general, leachate analyses demonstrated a decrease in nutrient losses to leaching with increasing biochar concentration, highlighting the potential for improved nutrient retention within the soils.

Es esencial hoy en día y especialmente para un futuro próximo atender la demanda de energía y ofrecer una alternativa de fuentes renovables que no dañen el medio ambiente. Los residuos agroindustriales están ampliamente disponibles, por lo que su utilización en procesos de producción puede reducir significativamente los costes. El residuo de café y la semilla de algodón son residuos con alto contenido lignocelulósico, lo que los torna atractivos para aplicación en tecnologías de degradación termoquímicas como la pirólisis. La pirólisis consiste en la conversión de biomasa en energía y productos químicos de valor añadido. En esta tesis se realizó el estudio de la pirólisis del residuo de café y semilla de algodón. Estas biomasas fueron sometidas a la pirólisis en lecho fijo con flujo continuo de nitrógeno, generando bio-óleo, gases y biochar. Los principales productos (bio-óleo y biochar) también se han estudiado. En los bio-oleos, a través del análisis por cromatografía gaseosa bidimensional, se encontraron compuestos de gran importancia para la industria química, alimenticia, farmacéutica, para biocombustibles y alternativas de derivados del petróleo, por ejemplo, ácidos grasos e hidrocarburos identificados en el bio-oleo de la biomasa del residuo del café, y un gran contenido de compuestos fenólicos y nitrogenados, para el bio-oleo de la semilla de algodón. Las biomasas y los biochars se caracterizaron por diversas técnicas (análisis elemental, poder calorífico, contenido de cenizas, TGA SEM, FT-IR, etc.). Los biochars fueron modificados por dos distintos procesos de activación química y probados para su aplicación como adsorbente en la remoción del colorante catiónico azul de metileno en solución acuosa. La capacidad de retención del colorante para los biochars activados químicamente (de las dos biomasas), quedarán muy cerca de los resultados obtenidos para el carbón activado comercial. Los biochars también demostraron tener buenas características, como el alto poder calorífico, que sugieren su aplicación como sustituyentes de combustibles fósiles sólidos.Los productos de la pirólisis, bio-óleo y el biochar, de ambas biomasas, presentaron resultados que promueven la valorización de estos residuos tanto en aspectos energéticos, como también de innovación de materiales, contribuido a la reducción de residuos y aportando soluciones para el cuidado del medio ambiente. / It's essential nowadays and especially for the near future to meet the energy demand and offer an alternative of renewable sources that don't injury the environment. Agroindustrial waste is widely available and low cost, so its use in production processes can significantly reduce costs. The spent coffee grounds and cottonseed are residues with high lignocellulosic content, which makes them attractive for application in thermochemical technologies such as pyrolysis, which consists of the conversion of biomass into energy and value-added chemical products. In this work the pyrolysis of spent coffee grounds and cottonseed was carried out. These biomasses were submitted to pyrolysis in fixed bed with nitrogen flow, generating bio-oil, gases and biochar. The main products (bio-oil and biochar) were studied in detail. In both bio-oils, through the analysis by two-dimensional gas chromatography, compounds of great importance were found for the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, biofuels and petroleum products alternatives, for example, fatty acids and hydrocarbons identified in the bio-oil of spent coffee grounds, and a high content of phenolic and nitrogen compounds, for the cottonseed bio-oil. Biomasses and biochars were characterized by several techniques (elemental analysis, calorific value, ash content, MEV, FT-IR, etc.). The biochars were modified by two distinct chemical activation processes and tested for use as an adsorbent in the removal of the methylene blue cationic dye in aqueous solution. The results for the adsorption tests were very promising. The ability of the activated biochars in the adsorption of the dye was very close to the results obtained for commercial activated charcoal. Biochars have also demonstrated good characteristics, such as high calorific power, which suggest their application as substituents for solid fossil fuels. The products of the pyrolysis, bio-oil and biochar of both biomass presented results that promote the recovery of these residues both in energy aspects as well as in materials innovation, contributed to waste reduction and providing solutions for the care of the environment. / Avui dia en dia i, especialment de cara a un futur pròxim, és essencial atendre la demanda d'energia a través de noves alternatives basades en fonts renovables que no perjudiquen el medi ambient. En aquest sentit, els residus agroindustrials són materials àmpliament disponibles i la seua utilització en la producció d'energia podria reduir significativament els costos associats a aquest procés. El residu de cafè i la llavor de cotó són materials amb alt contingut lignocel·lulòsic, fet que els torna atractius per a la seua aplicació en tecnologies de degradació termoquímiques com la piròlisi. La piròlisi consisteix en la conversió de biomassa en energia i productes químics de valor afegit. En aquesta tesi es va realitzar l'estudi de la piròlisi del residu de cafè i de la llavor de cotó, els quals van ser sotmeses a la piròlisi en llit fix amb flux continu de nitrogen, generant bio-oli, gasos i biochar. Així mateix, s'han estudiat i caracteritzat els principals productes obtinguts (bio-oli i biochar). A través de l'anàlisi mitjançant cromatografia gasosa bidimensional dels bio-olis, es van trobar compostos de gran importància per a la indústria química, alimentària i farmacèutica, així com per a biocombustibles i alternatives de derivats del petroli. Concretament, es va identificar una gran quantitat d'àcids grassos i hidrocarburs en el bio-oli de la biomassa del residu del cafè, i un gran contingut de compostos fenòlics i nitrogenats al bio-oli de la llavor de cotó. Les biomasses i els biochars es van caracteritzar a través de diverses tècniques (anàlisi elemental, poder calorífic, contingut de cendres, TGA, SEM, FT-IR, etc.). Una vegada caracteritzats, els biochars van ser modificats a través de dos processos diferents d'activació química i provats per a la seua aplicació com adsorbents en l'eliminació del colorant catiònic blau de metilè en solució aquosa. La capacitat de retenció del colorant trobada per als biochars químicament activats (de les dues biomasses) foren comparables amb resultats obtinguts amb carbó activat comercial. Els biochars també mostraren altres característiques interessants, com un alt poder calorífic, fet que obri la possibilitat d'aplicació com a substituents de combustibles fòssils sòlids. En definitiva, els productes de la piròlisi d'ambdues biomasses, el bio-oli i el biochar, van presentar resultats prometedors pel que fa a la seua valorització energètica, com també d'innovació de materials, contribuint a la reducció de residus i aportant potencials solucions per a la reducció de la contaminació del medi ambient. / Primaz, CT. (2018). Valorização de resíduos agroindustriais de café e algodão para pordução de bio-óleo e biochar [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/110086 / TESIS

Biochar is a material whose properties, composition and impact on the environment are often discussed nowadays. The reason is its application as a soil conditioner. This leads to the need for qualitative as well as quantitative knowledge of its composition. This diploma thesis focuses on the qualitative analysis of biochar leachates processed by various extraction techniques. To approximate the real conditions, six aqueous mediums with different pH values is used, which a solid sample of biochar is exposed to. The prepared leachates are after that processed by extraction techniques, which are solid phase microextraction (SPME), single drop microextraction (HS-SDME), solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Analysis of the extracts was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The measurements showed that the HS-SDME technique did not show a response. SPE was a rapid technique, but compared to other techniques, it acquired a smaller range of substances. Liquid-liquid extraction, a time-consuming technique, did not obtain as much analytes as SPME. By comparing these applied techniques, the SPME technique is the best choice. The most common determined analytes were those from the group of ketones and carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

With 220 billion dry tons available, biomass is one of the world’s most abundant energy source; it also could be a reliable energy source. The human population annual rate of production is 275 million tons of plastic waste as of the year 2019, which has to be managed to facilitate circular carbon economy. Pyrolysis of biomass has emerged as an attractive option for converting waste into bioenergy. Because of its high oxygen content, acidity and viscosity, pyrolysis bio-oil is generally a low-quality product that requires upgrading before being used directly as a drop-in fuel and a fuel additive; this upgrade is achieved by co-pyrolysis of biomass with waste polymers. Since polymers are a rich source of hydrogen, pyrolysis vapors are upgrade; the advantage of co-pyrolysis is that a separate hydroprocessing unit becomes unnecessary after process optimization. Machine learning is emerging as a growing field to predict and optimize the energy related processes. The process can be finetuned using the models trained on the existing experimental data. In this research, machine learning models were developed to predict product yields from the co-pyrolysis of biomass and polymers. Data from the literature on co-pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and polymer co-pyrolysis provided a tool to predict these outcomes. Machine learning algorithms were examined and trained with datasets acquired for biochar and bio-oil yields, with cross-validation and hyperparameters to fit the ultimate and proximate analysis of the reactants and physical conditions of the reactions. XGBoost predicted a biochar yield with RMSE of 1.77 and R$^2$ of 0.96, and a dense neural network predicted a bio-oil yield with RMSE 2.6 and R$^2$ of 0.96. Proximate analysis features were a necessary addition to the bio-oil model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis for the DNN liquid model found biomass fixed carbon, biomass moisture and biomass volatile matter with 0.11, 0.09, and 0.06 mean absolute SHAP values, respectively. The machine learning models provided a convenient and predictive tool for co-pyrolysis reaction within the range of the model’s errors and training features. These models also offered insight into the development of municipal solid waste pyrolysis in a circular carbon economy.

Coastal areas around the world have been recognized as largely impacted by anthropogenic activities resulting in pollution of marine sediments. In Sweden, surveys conducted along the coastline of the Bothnian Bay have identified a total area of about 29 km2 as fiber rich sediments. In the Bureå sea area near Skellefteå vicinity, Västerbotten county, elevated levels of mercury (Hg), methyl-Hg, arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been classified and believed to be mainly affected by emissions from a pulp and paper industry formerly active on a nearby headland.  Contaminants in sediments are of concern as continuous dispersion can adversely affect the benthic community. To isolate contaminants and reduce their bioavailability, in-situ thin-layer capping using an active material is one suitable approach. This type of remediation method, using biochar mixed with bentonite clay will be implemented on a pilot scale in the sea area outside of Bureå in the spring of 2021. However, bentonite is a relatively expensive material yielding a need to further develop the selection of capping materials suitable to aid in the deposition of biochar in an active thin-layer cap. In this thesis, biochar-based thin layer caps mixed with bentonite clay, rock dust of two grain sizes and a concrete-based slurry was evaluated on their physicochemical properties and efficiency for preventing release of trace elements from sediment to the overlying water. This was conducted by a laboratory column experiment where four set ups were performed: (1) no capping for sediment control, (2) only capping material for material control, (3) sediment mixed with biochar and (4) sediment capped with each material mixed with biochar. Three times during an 8-week test period, 60 mL of the overlying water in the columns was extracted and sent for trace element analysis.  The experimental set up revealed that the capping layers effectively prevent release of trace elements trough the sediment to the overlying water. The concrete slurry showed suitable settling properties and negligible loss of biochar in the set-up of the columns. Also, the biochar+concrete slurry thin-layer cap displayed the highest efficiency for preventing and/or delaying release of As, P, Cu, Fe, Mn and SO4.

Reclaimed water (treated water discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)) is increasingly used in drier regions for irrigation purposes. This effectively increases the water supply and reduces the amount of WWTP discharge into surface waters but it creates the potential for contaminants in the reclaimed water, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), to accumulate in exposed crops. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) considers PPCPs contaminants of emerging concern due to their near universal presence in the environment and their potential for endocrine disruption. Biochar is gaining attention as a soil amendment and could potentially be used to sequester contaminants in the soil thereby reducing the contaminant uptake in crops. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of wood biochar on the corn uptake of PPCPs originating from reclaimed water. Biochars derived from regional trees were chosen because they are rapidly expanding and represent a source of forest fire fuel (pinyon and juniper trees) or because they are frequently attacked by insects (lodgepole pine). The impact of biochar on contaminant uptake was tested by growing corn in non-amended soil and soil amended with biochar while being watered with reclaimed water supplemented with PPCPs (1 mg/L). Sand was also used for comparison since it is a less sorptive growth media. After a 28- day growing period, the corn leaves were dried, extracted, and analyzed for PPCPs.

Polymer composites are used in a varying extent and are challenging the use of traditional materials due to the push towards sustainable development. They have replaced steels and aluminum alloys in applications. Polymer composites are used in load-bearing and semi-load bearing applications in automotive, transport and aerospace industry due to their good characteristics. Polymer poses beneficial characteristics such as chemical stability, corrosion resistance, attractive strength-to-weight ratio, and be processed with ease. However, many polymers are highly flammable, making them a fire hazard. The fact that polymer composite is highly flammable, they need to undergo fire safety treatment that are sustainable towards the environment and humans. In this study biochar and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were added in different combinations to epoxy resin. The purpose was to evaluate the synergistic effects that biochar and APP has on epoxy composite and how it will affect the fire- and mechanical properties. Additionally, developing a composite that retains a high compressive strength while increasing its thermal stability. Lastly, evaluate if the best performing composite could be recommended for load/semi-load‑bearing applications along with being sustainable towards the environment and humans. This thesis was conducted through literature study and laboratory work where three different tests were done such as cone calorimeter (CC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and compressive test. The CC and TGA test were done to analyze the synergistic effect APP and biochar had on epoxy composites fire properties, but also determine which composition obtained the best fire properties. The compressive test was done to analyze the synergistic effect APP and biochar had on the epoxy composites mechanical properties. From the CC- and TGA tests it was observed that biochar and APP individually improved the fire properties of the epoxy where a decrease in peak heat release rate per unit area (PHRRPUA) and a decrease in mass loss was obtained. Additionally, it was noticed that the addition of only APP had a greater impact in improving the fire properties compared to only biochar. However, a combination of 15 wt.% biochar and 20 wt.% APP improved the fire properties the most. The compression tests indicated that biochar reduced the compressive strength drastically compared to the neat epoxy, since the biochar-based samples exhibited a porous structure. The addition of only APP in the epoxy showed a minimal reduction in compressive strength compared to neat epoxy. In conclusion, biochar and APP were improving the fire properties of epoxy composite whereas the compressive strength decreased. Overall, by an addition of only APP to the epoxy, the fire properties were enhanced where the compressive strength was conserved compared to neat epoxy. Since the composition with only APP performed the best overall, this composition can thereby be recommended for development in load/semi-load-bearing applications.