La gazéification étagée de biomasse permet la production d'un gaz de synthèse propre, facilement valorisable en énergie électrique et/ou thermique. Néanmoins, l'optimisation de ces procédés en termes de rendement de conversion et de souplesse vis-à-vis de la nature de la biomasse constitue un enjeu industriel fort. Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié spécifiquement une étape clef du procédé : la gazéification du charbon en lit fixe continu. La granulation est la solution proposée pour valoriser des biomasses de faible granulométrie ou densité. Ainsi les comportements de deux charbons de bois - issus de plaquettes forestières et de granulés - ont été étudiés en parallèle à partir d'outils expérimentaux et numériques.Dans un premier temps des expérimentations ont été menées sur un réacteur pilote, très largement instrumenté, reproduisant cette zone du procédé. Les profils mesurés de température, de composition des gaz, de densité du lit et de vitesse des particules constituent une base de données unique, révélatrice du comportement du réacteur. Nous avons ainsi pu localiser en haut du lit une zone très réactive d’épaisseur inférieure à 5 cm, ou encore un tassement significatif du lit entrainant une chute de la vitesse des particules dans un rapport de 8. La gazéification de charbons de granulés conduit aux mêmes taux de conversion finale et compositions du gaz de synthèse que celle de charbons issus de plaquettes forestières. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons développé un modèle numérique de la zone d'étude, basé sur la résolution des équations de conservation couplées aux cinétiques des réactions, à l'aide du logiciel COMSOL. La prise en compte du tassement du lit, et de la cinétique apparente des réactions hétérogènes à l'échelle particule dans les termes sources réactionnels, sont les deux spécificités du modèle. Ce dernier permet de reproduire de manière satisfaisante les profils des grandeurs physiques mesurés pour diverses conditions opératoires et pour les deux charbons de l'étude. L'exploitation de ce modèle apporte des informations nouvelles et complémentaires de l’expérience ; il permettra à terme d'optimiser le procédé industriel / Multi-stage gasification of biomass leads to the production of a clean synthetic gas that can easily be used for electrical and/or thermal energy. However, optimization of these processes in terms of conversion yield and flexibility regarding the type of biomass is a major industrial challenge. To that end, a key stage of the process was specifically studied in this thesis: char gasification in a continuous fixed bed reactor. Granulation is the solution proposed for making use of low density or small particle-size biomasses. The performance of two wood chars – made from wood chips and pellets – was studied at the same time using experimental and numerical tools. Experiments were first conducted in a very highly instrumented pilot reactor, reproducing this zone of the process. The profiles measured, namely temperature, gas composition, bed density and particle velocity formed a unique database revealing reactor performance. A very reactive zone under 5 cm thick was thus located at the top of the bed, or even significant compaction leading to a drop in particle velocity, in a ratio of 8. Granular char gasification led to the same final conversion rates and synthetic gas compositions as for the chars derived from wood chips. A numerical model of the study zone was then developed, based on solving conversion equations combined with reaction kinetics, using COMSOL software. Taking into account bed compaction and the apparent kinetics of the heterogeneous reactions on a particle scale in the reaction source terms were two specificities of the model. It enabled satisfactory reproduction of the profiles of the physical magnitudes measured, for various operating conditions and for the two charsstudied. Use of this model is already providing new and complementary experimental information; it will eventually make it possible to optimize the industrial process

La grande majorité des résines époxy utilisées aujourd’hui sont issues ou dérivées du bisphénol-A (BPA). Cependant, le BPA est soumis à de très fortes régulations, notamment vis-à-vis de sa récente classification comme substance chimique extrêmement préoccupante par l’agence européenne des produits chimiques (ECHA). Dans un but d’anticiper les évolutions de régulation, ArianeGroup a décidé de remplacer cette substance chimique de ces formulations. Ces travaux de thèse portent donc sur l’élaboration de nouvelles résines époxy biosourcées ayant des propriétés similaires voire supérieures aux références dérivées du bisphénol-A. Pour cela, une bioplatforme de monomères polyépoxydés issus de la vanilline, du méthyl vanillate, du 2,6-diméthoxyphénol et de l’eugénol a été développée. Ces précurseurs biosourcés ont ensuite été utilisés comme précurseurs de réseaux époxyde par réticulation avec des amines. Les réseaux réticulés biosourcés ainsi obtenus ont démontré des propriétés thermomécaniques remarquables bien supérieures à la référence de type DGEBA, notamment en termes de température de transition vitreuse (>300 °C) et taux de coke (>50%). En parallèle de ces travaux, la synthèse de diamines biosourcées, dérivées de la divanilline, et pouvant être utilisées comme agents de réticulation de résines époxy, a été réalisée. Des réseaux époxyde entièrement biosourcés ont ainsi été synthétisés et présentent des propriétés thermomécaniques prometteuses. / Today, most of the epoxy resins produced are derived from bisphenol-A (BPA). However, BPA is subject to strong regulations, particularly because of its recent classification as chemical of very high concern by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). In order to anticipate new regulations, ArianeGroup has decided to replace this substance in its applications. The aim of this thesis is to develop new bio-based epoxy thermosets with comparable thermomechanical properties as the ones issued from bisphenol-A-based materials. For this purpose, a bio-platform of epoxy monomers from vanillin, methyl vanillate, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and eugenol was developed. These precursors were cross-linked with amines used as curing agent to obtain bio-based epoxy networks. The latter demonstrated thermomechanical properties well above the DGEBA-type reference, especially in terms of glass transition temperature (> 300 °C) and char content (> 50%). Finally, the synthesis of bio-based diamines derived from divanillin was developed and enabled the synthesis of fully bio-based epoxy networks with promising thermomechanical properties.

L’apparition du véhicule s’inscrit dans l’espace géographique du Proche-Orient ancien qui joue un rôle de premier plan dans la domestication, le dressage et le contrôle des grands mammifères. Dès les origines, à la fin du IVème millénaire, une iconographie se développe en lien étroit avec l’idéologie royale qui s’exprime sous la forme de rites collectifs. La fonction sociale du véhicule est donc privilégiée au dépend d’un rôle dans le transport dont l’importance reste incertaine. Une composante religieuse paraît souvent présente en arrière plan avec, en particulier, la présence de modèles réduits en terre cuite au rôle probablement votif. La production de ces représentations se poursuit au moins jusqu’au premier millénaire avant J.C. avec des thèmes constants : chasse, domination, ennemi piétiné. Un apogée, dans la variété des scènes et des supports, se situe aux DA IIIb. La production globale reste assez irrégulière et semble associée à des sites spécifiques, souvent dans des périodes d’apogée politique. / The appearance of the vehicule in the Ancient Near East occurs in a space who is a leader for the taming, the training and the control of the big mammals. From the origins, at the end of the 4th millennium, an iconography develops linked with royal ideology (with social rituals). The social function is more important than the transport function. There is always a link with religion. Probably terracotta models have a votive function. There are numerous vehicles in the iconography at least until the first millennium BC. The themes are : hunting, domination, trampled enemy. There is a peak of quality in the ED IIIb. Globally the production is irregular: in some powerful estates.

Afin de répondre aux besoins croissants en énergie primaire, le groupe Europlasma a développé le procédé CHO-Power permettant de valoriser énergétiquement un mélange de refus de tri d’ordures ménagères et de résidus de biomasse. L’une des particularités de ce procédé est l’utilisation d’un réacteur de dégradation thermique des goudrons et des particules solides fines par assistance plasma. L’objectif de cette étude de mieux appréhender les mécanismes réactionnels mis en jeu lors de l’épuration thermique du gaz. Dans cette optique, un réacteur pilote a été dimensionné puis construit sur la plate-forme de Recherche et Développement d’Europlasma. Il a été ensuite nécessaire de modifier le schéma réactionnel permettant la modélisation numérique de la dégradation des goudrons. Ce schéma réactionnel, couplé à l’utilisation d’un logiciel de mécanique des fluides numérique, permet de représenter les processus couplés (chimie, aéraulique, transferts thermiques) se déroulant au sein du réacteur. Deux modifications importantes ont été alors apportées au modèle cinétique simplifié jusque-là utilisé : la modélisation d’une phase discrète réactive permettant de prendre en compte la gazéification des particules de résidus carbonés et l’ajout de nouvelles voies réactionnelles afin de mieux modéliser la formation des particules de suie et de ses précurseurs. À terme, la comparaison des valeurs expérimentales à celle issues de la modélisation numérique permettra de valider ou non le schéma réactionnel dans sa globalité. / In order to contest to the high world demand for primary energy, the Europlasma group developed a new process, called CHO-Power, to enhance the thermochemical potential of a mixture of urban waste and biomass residues. One of the characteristics of this process is the use of a high temperature reactor assisted by a plasma torch for tar and soots thermal cracking. The aim of this study to improve the knowledge of the global reaction mechanism involved during the thermal treatment of gas. In this context, a pilot plant reactor was designed and built on the Europlasma Research and Development Center. During this work, the reaction pathway used to represent tars cracking at high temperature has been enhanced. Coupled to a computational fluid Dynamics Software, allow simulating the complex processes occurring within the reactor (aeraulics, reaction, and heat transfer). Two major changes were made to the simplified kinetic model previously used: the modeling of a discrete and reactive phase to take into account the possible particle gasification of carbonaceous residues and the addition of new reaction pathways to enhance the modeling of the formation of soot and its precursors. The comparison between the experimental and numerical values will validate or not the global reaction scheme and will give important information about the next evolution of the tar degradation scheme.

<p>In mammals sex chromosomes direct and initiate the development of male and female gonads and subsequently secondary sex characteristics. In most vertebrates each individual is pre-destined to either become male or female. The process by which this genetic decision is carried out takes place during the embryonic development and involves a wide range of genes. The <i>fushi tarazu</i> factor-1 (FTZ-F1) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor, which in mammals has proven to be essential for gonad development and directs the differentiation of testicular Sertoli cells. A mammalian FTZ-F1 homologue subtype, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), is a member of the nuclear receptor 5A1 (NR5A1) group and regulate several enzymes involved in steroid hormone synthesis. It also regulates the expression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor GnRHr and the β-subunit of the luteinizing hormone (LH), indicating that it functions at all levels of the reproductive axis. Another mammalian FTZ-F1 subtype, NR5A2, is in contrast to SF-1, not linked to steroidogenesis or sex determination. Rather, NR5A2 is involved in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis in liver. Hormones and environmental factors such as temperature and pH can influence teleost development and reproductive traits, rendering them vulnerable to pollutants and climate changes. Very little is known about teleost FTZ-F1 expression, regulation and function. In this thesis, expression patterns of four zebrafish FTZ-F1 genes (ff1a, b, c and d) and two Arctic char genes (acFF1α and β) were studied during development, displaying complex embryonic expression patterns. Ff1a expression was in part congruent with expression of both mammalian NR5A1 and NR5A2 genes but also displayed novel expression domains. The complexity of the expression pattern of ff1a led to the conclusion that the gene may be involved in several developmental processes, including gonad development, which also was indicated by its transcriptional regulation via Sox9a. Two ff1a homologues were also cloned in Arctic char and were shown to be involved in the reproductive cycle, as the expression displayed seasonal cyclicity and preceded that of the down stream steroidogenic genes StAR and CYP11A. High levels were correlated to elevated plasma levels of 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) in males and 17β-estradiol (E2) in females respectively. Treatment with 11KT did not affect FTZ-F1 expression directly but was indicated to alter expression of CYP11A and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. E2 treatment was indicated to down-regulate the expression of testicular FTZ-F1, which may contribute to the feminising effect previously observed in E2 treated salmonids. Ff1d is a novel FTZ-F1 gene, expressed in pituitary and interrenal cells during development, suggesting steroidogenic functions. In adult testis and ovary ff1d was co-expressed with anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a gene connected to sex determination in mammals and previously not characterised in teleost fish. The co-expression between ff1d and AMH was found in Sertoli and granulosa cells, which is congruent with the co-expression of mammalian SF-1 and AMH. This suggests that ff1d and AMH may have similar functions in teleost sex differentiation and reproduction, as their mammalian homologues. In conclusion, this study present data that connects members of the teleost FTZ-F1 family to reproduction, cholesterol metabolism and sex determination and differentiation.</p>

In mammals sex chromosomes direct and initiate the development of male and female gonads and subsequently secondary sex characteristics. In most vertebrates each individual is pre-destined to either become male or female. The process by which this genetic decision is carried out takes place during the embryonic development and involves a wide range of genes. The fushi tarazu factor-1 (FTZ-F1) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor, which in mammals has proven to be essential for gonad development and directs the differentiation of testicular Sertoli cells. A mammalian FTZ-F1 homologue subtype, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), is a member of the nuclear receptor 5A1 (NR5A1) group and regulate several enzymes involved in steroid hormone synthesis. It also regulates the expression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor GnRHr and the β-subunit of the luteinizing hormone (LH), indicating that it functions at all levels of the reproductive axis. Another mammalian FTZ-F1 subtype, NR5A2, is in contrast to SF-1, not linked to steroidogenesis or sex determination. Rather, NR5A2 is involved in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis in liver. Hormones and environmental factors such as temperature and pH can influence teleost development and reproductive traits, rendering them vulnerable to pollutants and climate changes. Very little is known about teleost FTZ-F1 expression, regulation and function. In this thesis, expression patterns of four zebrafish FTZ-F1 genes (ff1a, b, c and d) and two Arctic char genes (acFF1α and β) were studied during development, displaying complex embryonic expression patterns. Ff1a expression was in part congruent with expression of both mammalian NR5A1 and NR5A2 genes but also displayed novel expression domains. The complexity of the expression pattern of ff1a led to the conclusion that the gene may be involved in several developmental processes, including gonad development, which also was indicated by its transcriptional regulation via Sox9a. Two ff1a homologues were also cloned in Arctic char and were shown to be involved in the reproductive cycle, as the expression displayed seasonal cyclicity and preceded that of the down stream steroidogenic genes StAR and CYP11A. High levels were correlated to elevated plasma levels of 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) in males and 17β-estradiol (E2) in females respectively. Treatment with 11KT did not affect FTZ-F1 expression directly but was indicated to alter expression of CYP11A and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. E2 treatment was indicated to down-regulate the expression of testicular FTZ-F1, which may contribute to the feminising effect previously observed in E2 treated salmonids. Ff1d is a novel FTZ-F1 gene, expressed in pituitary and interrenal cells during development, suggesting steroidogenic functions. In adult testis and ovary ff1d was co-expressed with anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a gene connected to sex determination in mammals and previously not characterised in teleost fish. The co-expression between ff1d and AMH was found in Sertoli and granulosa cells, which is congruent with the co-expression of mammalian SF-1 and AMH. This suggests that ff1d and AMH may have similar functions in teleost sex differentiation and reproduction, as their mammalian homologues. In conclusion, this study present data that connects members of the teleost FTZ-F1 family to reproduction, cholesterol metabolism and sex determination and differentiation.

Gasification of black liquor is an alternative to the combustion of black liquor, which is currently the dominant form of chemical recovery in the paper industry. Gasification of black liquor offers the possibility of higher thermal efficiencies than combustion, reducing manufacturing costs and creating new revenue streams through a forest biorefinery. Pressurizing the gasification reactor further enhances the efficiency advantage of gasification over combustion. This study uses a pressurized entrained flow reactor (PEFR) to study black liquor gasification behavior under pressures, temperatures, and heating rates similar to those of next-generation high-temperature black liquor gasifiers. The effects of pressure on black liquor char morphology, gasification rates, pyrolysis carbon yields, and sulfur phase distribution were studied. These characteristics were investigated in three main groups of experiments at 900oC: pyrolysis (100% N2), gasification with constant partial pressure (0.25 bar H2O and 0.50 bar CO2), and gasification with constant mole fraction (10% CO2, 2% H2O, 1.7% CO, 0.3% H2), under five, ten, and fifteen bar total pressure. It was found that pressure had an impact on the char physical characteristics immediately after the char entered the reactor. Increasing pressure had the effect of decreasing the porosity of the chars. Pressure also affected particle destruction and reagglomeration mechanisms. Surface areas of gasification chars decreased with increasing pressures, but only at low carbon conversions. The rate of carbon conversion in gasification was shown to be a function of the gas composition near the particle, with higher levels of inhibiting gases slowing carbon conversion. The same phenomenon of product gas inhibition observed in gasification was used to explain carbon conversions in pyrolysis reactions. Sulfur distribution between condensed and gas phases was unaffected by increasing total pressure in the residence times investigated. Significant amounts of sulfur are lost during initial devolatilization. With water present this gas phase sulfur forms H2S and did not return to the condensed phase.

Recent developments in converting biomass to bio-chemicals and liquid fuels provide a promising sight to an emerging biofuels industry. Biomass can be converted to energy via thermochemical and biochemical pathways. Thermal degradation processes include liquefaction, gasification, and pyrolysis. Among these biomass technologies, pyrolysis (i.e. a thermochemical conversion process of any organic material in the absence of oxygen) has gained more attention because of its simplicity in design, construction and operation. This research study focuses on comparative assessment of two types of pyrolysis processes and catalytic upgrading of bio-oil for production of transportation fuel intermediates. Slow and fast pyrolysis processes were compared for their respective product yields and properties. Slow pyrolysis bio-oil displayed fossil fuel-like properties, although low yields limit the process making it uneconomically feasible. Fast pyrolysis, on the other hand, show high yields but produces relatively less quality bio-oil. Catalytic transformation of the high-boiling fraction (HBF) of the crude bio-oil from fast pyrolysis was therefore evaluated by performing liquid-phase reactions at moderate temperatures using Pt/HZSM-5 catalyst. High yields of upgraded bio-oils along with improved heating values and reduced oxygen contents were obtained at a reaction temperature of 200°C and ethanol/HBF ratio of 3:1. Better quality, however, was observed at 240 °C even though reaction temperature has no significant effect on coke deposition. The addition of ethanol in the feed has greatly attenuated coke deposition in the catalyst. Major reactions observed are esterification, catalytic cracking, and reforming. Overall mass and energy balances in the conversion of energy sorghum biomass to produce a liquid fuel intermediate obtained sixteen percent (16 wt.%) of the biomass ending up as liquid fuel intermediate, while containing 26% of its initial energy.

Parmi les technologies de gazéification de la biomasse, le gazéifieur à lit fluidisé double permet la production d’un gaz de synthèse contenant du méthane. L’étude des processus physicochimiques impliqués dans le gazéifieur est rendue difficile par le fait qu’ils se produisent simultanément. Dans cette thèse, les principales réactions chimiques sont étudiées de manière découplée, indépendamment les unes des autres à l’aide de dispositifs de laboratoire originaux et dans des conditions thermiques semblables à celles du gazéifieur. Les processus intraparticulaires contrôlant la pyrolyse de la biomasse ainsi que les réactions gaz/solide (vapogazéification du charbon et craquage thermique et catalytique des vapeurs sur olivine) sont étudiées au moyen d’un four à image. Les expériences de craquage thermique homogène des vapeurs sont réalisées dans un réacteur parfaitement auto-agité par jets gazeux. Tous les produits formés par les réactions sont recueillis et analysés. Les bilans de matière bouclent de façon très satisfaisante. Le régime de chaque réaction est discuté sur la base d’une analyse de temps caractéristiques. Les paramètres cinétiques des réactions sont déterminés par modélisation des processus et optimisation à partir des résultats expérimentaux. Les mécanismes possibles de formation et de consommation du méthane sont identifiés et discutés. Le gazéifieur est modélisé sur la base d’un modèle de grains (réactions primaires de pyrolyse), des réactions secondaires, de l’hydrodynamique des phases solides et gazeuse et des transferts. La méthodologie de découplage est enfin validée par comparaison des résultats du modèle avec des mesures réalisées sur le gazéifieur de 8 MW de Güssing (Autriche) / Among the biomass gasification technologies, the dual fluidized bed gasifier may be used to produce a methane-rich syngas. Analysis of all the physicochemical phenomena involved inside the gasifier is difficult because they all occur simultaneously. In this thesis, the main chemical reactions are decoupled and studied independently one of each other at the scale of original laboratory facilities in thermal conditions close to those encountered in the gasifier. Intraparticular reactions of biomass pyrolysis and gas/solid reactions (char-steam gasification and catalytic thermal cracking of vapors on olivine) are carried out with an image furnace. Experiments related to gas-phase vapors thermal cracking are performed inside a continuous self stirred tank reactor. All the products formed by the reactions are recovered and analyzed. Mass balance closures are achieved accurately. Controlling steps of each reaction are discussed on the basis of a characteristic times analysis. Kinetic parameters are determined according to both processes modelings and optimizations from the experimental results. Different ways of possible methane formation and consumption mechanisms are identified and discussed. The gasifier is modelled by considering a single-particle model (primary pyrolysis reactions), secondary reactions, solids and gas-phase hydrodynamics and transfers. Finally, the decoupling methodology is validated from the comparison of model results with measurements performed at the 8 MW Güssing gasifier (Austria)

Wildland fire, which includes both planned (prescribed fire) and unplanned (wildfire) fires, is an important component of many ecosystems. Prescribed burning (controlled burning) is used as an effective tool in managing a variety of ecosystems in the United States to reduce accumulation of hazardous fuels, manage wildlife habitats, mimic natural fire occurrence, manage traditional native foods, and provide other ecological and societal benefits. During wildland fires, both live and dead (biomass) plants undergo a two-step thermal degradation process (pyrolysis and combustion) when exposed to high temperatures. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic material, which does not require the presence of oxygen. Pyrolysis products may later react with oxygen at high temperatures, and form flames in the presence of an ignition source. In order to improve prescribed fire application, accomplish desired fire effects, and limit potential runaway fires, an improved understanding of the fundamental processes related to the pyrolysis and ignition of heterogeneous fuel beds of live and dead plants is needed.In this research, fast pyrolysis of 14 plant species native to the forests of the southern United States has been studied using a flat-flame burner (FFB) apparatus. The results of fast pyrolysis experiments were then compared to the results of slow pyrolysis experiments. The plant species were selected, which represent a range of common plants in the region where the prescribed burning has been performed. The fast pyrolysis experiments were performed on both live and dead (biomass) plants using three heating modes: (1) convection-only, where the FFB apparatus was operated at a high heating rate of 180 °C s-1 (convective heat flux of 100 kW m-2) and a maximum fuel surface temperature of 750 °C; (2) radiation-only, where the plants were pyrolyzed under a moderate heating rate of 4 °C s-1 (radiative heat flux of 50 kW m-2), and (3) a combination of radiation and convection, where the plants were exposed to both convective and radiative heat transfer mechanisms. During the experiments, pyrolysis products were collected and analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for the analysis of tars and a gas chromatograph equipped with a thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD) for the analysis of light gases.The results showed that pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, and fuel type, have significant impacts on the yields and the compositions of pyrolysis products. These experiments were part of a large project to determine heat release rates and model reactions that occur during slow and fast pyrolysis of live and dead vegetation. Understanding the reactions that occur during pyrolysis then can be used to develop more accurate models, improve the prediction of the conditions of prescribed burning, and improve the prediction of fire propagation.