O tratamento de águas residuárias industriais, submetido constantemente a cargas de choque, é pouco estudado no Brasil, sendo limitado o grau de conhecimento que se tem no mundo sobre os mecanismos de remoção de disruptores endócrinos nos sistemas de tratamento físico-químicos e biológicos. O presente trabalho traz um estudo de caso, envolvendo uma indústria com uma composição de produtos muito diversificada, com despejos líquidos de unidades isoladas de qualidades diversas e que tem como uma das principais matérias-primas, nonil fenóis, conhecidos disruptores endócrinos. Os mecanismos de remoção de carga orgânica e a avaliação da toxicidade da água residuária ao processo biológico de tratamento foram estudados em escala de laboratório, enquanto que a sua tratabilidade por coagulação, floculação, flotação com ar dissolvido seguido de sistema de lodos ativados, em escala piloto. Avaliou-se, também, a aplicabilidade do tratamento biológico com carvão ativado em pó. A grande variação qualitativa e quantitativa da água residuária bruta requer uma unidade de equalização com tempo de detenção de pelo menos 30 horas. O maior responsável por esta variação de qualidade é o processo da unidade química, cujo efluente é proveniente de lavagens de tanques e reatores. Apesar da reduzida eficiência de remoção de DQO obtida com a coagulação, floculação e flotação com ar dissolvido (20 a 30%), constatou-se que este tratamento é essencial para a redução da toxicidade ao processo biológico. A dosagem de coagulante e o pH ótimos variam conforme a característica do despejo e devem ser determinadas diariamente. No sistema biológico, observou-se uma remoção significativa da DQO do efluente bruto gerado na indústria, não apenas por biodegradação, mas também por volatilização e adsorção. Os testes de bancada evidenciaram remoções de DQO por arraste com ar de 47 a 77 % e por adsorção no lodo biológico, de 42%. Apesar dos constantes choques de carga orgânica e de poluentes tóxicos, conseguiu-se atingir o estado estacionário com variações máximas da concentração de sólidos em suspensão voláteis no tanque de aeração entre 20 e 30%. Neste período, a idade do lodo situou-se em torno de 25 a 30 dias e o tempo de detenção hidráulico foi de 3,8 dias. A eficiência média de remoção de DQO neste período foi de 86%. Os testes com a unidade piloto demonstraram que a utilização de carvão ativado em pó (CAP) produz resultados satisfatórios, comprovando a redução de poluentes tóxicos da água residuária e refletindo em uma significativa melhora na biodegradabilidade do efluente, com aumento da concentração de sólidos em suspensão voláteis no tanque de aeração (de 1380 mg/L para 3820 mg/L) e redução da amplitude de variação da DQO do efluente tratado que passou de 600 a 3200 mgO2/L para o sistema sem CAP para 300 a 600 mgO2/L para o sistema com CAP. Notou-se, também, com a adição de CAP, melhoria na sedimentação do lodo. Pode-se concluir também que o sistema de tratamento atendeu a legislação atual do Estado de São Paulo, com uma remoção média de 80% da DBO5. / Wastewater treatment systems continuously receiving shock loads and the behavior of contaminants under unsteady state conditions are not very well documented in our country, with limited degree of knowledge in the world on the removal of specific pollutants like endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) in physical chemical and biological wastewater treatment systems. The present work brings a case study regarding an industry which wastewaters were generated from plants with multiproducts and campaign production with variable composition, and with nonylphenols as one of their raw materials which is known as an endocrine disrupting chemical. The organic load and toxicity removal mechanisms of the wastewater to the biological treatment were studied in bench scale whilst their treatability was evaluated through coagulation, flocculation, dissolved air flotation followed by activated sludge, in pilot scale. The feasibility of the addition of powdered activated carbon to the biological system was also studied. The large qualitative and quantitative variability of the wastewater requires an equalization time of at least 30 hours. The main responsible for this variability in quality is the chemical unit process which wastewaters are originated from reactors and tanks cleanings. Although the low efficiency in COD removal obtained with coagulation, flocculation and dissolved air flotation (20 to 30%), it was found that this process is essential to the toxicity reduction for the biological process. Optimum pH and coagulant dose vary with the wastewater characteristics, and must be determined on a daily basis. On the biological system, it was observed important raw wastewater COD elimination not only through biodegradation, but also through volatilization and adsorption. Bench tests revealed COD elimination of 47 to 77% by air stripping and 42% by adsorption onto the biological sludge. Despite of constant organic and toxic shock loads, it had been possible to reach the steady state during which the maximum variation on the volatile suspended solids concentration was 20 to 30%. During this period, sludge age was around 25 to 30 days, and the hydraulic detention time was 3,8 days. Average efficiency on COD removal in this period was 86%. Tests results with PAC dosage on the pilot plant showed satisfactory, proving the reduction of toxic compounds from the wastewater and resulting in biodegradability improvement. The increase of volatile suspended solids in the aeration tank was from 1380 mg/L to 3820 mg/L, and reduction in the range of variation of remaining treated water COD from 600 to 3200 mgO2/L (system without CAP) down to 300 to 600 mgO2/L (system with CAP). The improvement on the sludge sedimentation with PAC addition was also remarkable. One can also conclude the treatment system attained the current legislation of the State of São Paulo, with 80% BOD5 removal.

This thesis presents results of the corrosion layers removal which could be found on the archaeological artefact surfaces. The low pressure low temperature plasma reduction was used for this purpose. Brass samples were chosen for this study. Two different ways have been used to form model corrosion layers. Several sets of corrosion layers were prepared in laboratory in two different corrosion atmospheres, namely ammonia atmosphere and atmosphere of hydrochloric acid. These samples were placed into desiccator. Small quantities of sand were added to some sets of samples so samples with sandy incrustation were prepared. The corrosion layers had been usually formed during four weeks. The second way, which was used to prepare model corrosion layer, was the natural corrosion in soil or compost. In this case, the corrosion layers had been formed approximately 2 years. The samples were treated in the low pressure (150 Pa) cylindrical Quartz reactor (90 cm long and 9.5 cm in diameter) with a pair of external copper electrodes connected via the matching network to a radiofrequency generator (13.56 MHz). The flows of working gases were set by independent mass flow controllers. Whole system was continuously pumped by the rotary oil pump which was separated from the discharge reactor by liquid nitrogen trap with aluminium chips eliminating dust and reactive species from the gas flow. Each sample was placed on a glass holder at the reactor center. Plasma was generated in pure hydrogen or in mixture of hydrogen and argon. Total flow of working gas was 50 sccm. Different ratios of gas mixture were tested, the ratio 30 sccm hydrogen and 20 sccm argon flows was the best. RF discharge was used in a continuous and pulsed regime. Pulsed mode was carried out with various duty cycle at the frequency of 1000 Hz. There were two ways of temperature monitoring. The sample temperature during the treatment was monitored by a K-type thermocouple installed inside the sample in the first case. Thermometer optical probe was connected to the sample surface by a small stainless plate and allowed continuous sample temperature monitoring in the second way. Safe object temperature for copper and copper alloys is 100–120 °C. To avoid exceeding this temperature, power control or the duty cycle in pulse mode were automatically controlled if thermometer optical probe was used. Plasma chemical treatment is based on generation of reactive atomic hydrogen in plasma discharge. The main reactions during reduction were reactions between oxygen and chloride contained in the corrosion layer and the hydrogen ions and neutral atoms generated in the plasma. These reactions create an unstable OH radical, which emits light in the region of 306–312 nm. This radiation was detected by the optical emission spectroscopy using Ocean Optics HR4000 spectrometer with 2400 gr/mm grating. Data obtained from this method were used to calculate rotational temperatures and integral intensity of OH radicals that were used for the process monitoring. Corrosion layer was not completely removed during the reduction, but due to the reactions which occur in the plasma corrosion layer became brittle and after plasma chemical treatment can be removed easily. The SEM-EDS material analyses were carried out before and after treatment of some samples. Some samples were analysed by XRD analysis. EDS analysis showed that amount of oxygen and chloride was decreased, mainly at 400 W pulse mode.

The Swedish water sector faces many challenges in terms of climate change, worn out facilities and distribution systems as many of them were built in the 50-, 60- and 70s, but also increased cyber security concerns. Collaborations between different actors are therefore required to address these challenges. This thesis work's purpose is to examine the opportunities a collaboration between water treatment plants could bring for the water sector to achieve a more sustainable drinking water production. The purpose is also to examine the most efficient way to establish a collaboration between them through digital means. A workshop and several interviews with representatives from different water treatment plants were conducted to gather information on possibilities of data/information sharing between them, but also to make a security classification of data/information generated at the water treatment plants. The representatives included process engineers, process technicians, security associates and an associate at Svenskt vatten, an interest organization for the water sector. The result showed that data/information sharing is already taking place in the sector under limited conditions. Smaller VA organizations have more challenges due to lack of skilled workers, partners and time. It is difficult for many in the sector to know where to turn to when in need of help, particularly for smaller VA organizations who usually are the ones with fewer contact networks. It is not to say that only smaller VA organizations are affected but they are more likely to lack contact with other water organizations. The majority of water treatment plants agree on that data/information on treatment processes would be allowed to share under limited conditions. The information classification is a matter for each plant due to different security realities which determines the information classification. This makes it difficult to decide on what parameters could be shared by every water treatment plant. This needs to be investigated further in order to determine what data/information could be shared by most water treatment plants on a platform. Most participants thought that a platform of some kind would be the best solution to simplify data/information sharing between water treatment plants. The suggested platform is a good start for making contacts between water treatment plants and has the potential to enable storage and sharing of data/information in the future. / Den svenska VA sektorn står inför många utmaningar så som klimatförändringar, slitna anläggningar och distributionsnät då många av dem byggdes under 50-, 60- och 70-talet. Även oron kring cybersäkerheten ökar. Samarbeten mellan olika aktörer krävs för att lösa dessa utmaningar. Syftet med examensarbetet är att undersöka de möjligheter som samarbeten mellan vattenverk skulle medföra för att nå en mer hållbar dricksvattenproduktion. Syftet är också att undersöka det mest effektiva sättet att få till ett samarbete mellan vattenverken med digitala medel. En workshop och flertalet intervjuer genomfördes med olika representanter från vattenverk för att samla information om möjligheten med att dela data/information mellan dem. Men också för att göra en säkerhetsklassning av data/information som genereras på vattenverken. Representanterna inkluderade processingenjörer, processtekniker, säkerhetsansvariga samt en medarbetare från Svenskt vatten, en intresseorganisation för vattensektorn. Resultatet visade att delning av data/information redan sker inom sektorn, dock under begränsade former. Mindre VA organisationer har fler utmaningar på grund av brist på anställda med rätt kompetens, samarbetspartners och tid. Många inom sektorn har utmaningar när det kommer till att söka och få hjälp, särskilt för de mindre VA organisationerna som vanligtvis har färre kontakter. Men de är inte bara de små som är påverkade av detta problem, men det är vanligare att de inte har kontakter med andra VA organisationer. De flesta vattenverken ansåg att data/information från reningssteg skulle vara möjligt att dela under begränsade former. Informationssäkerhetsklassning är en enskild fråga för varje vattenverk som baseras på de hot som varje vattenverk står inför. Detta medför att det är svårt att bestämma vilken data/information som kan delas av varje vattenverk. Detta område behöver vidare utredas innan ett beslut kan fattas om vilken data/information alla vattenverk ska dela på en plattform. De flesta deltagarna tyckte att en plattform av något slag skulle vara lösningen för att förenkla delning av data/information mellan vattenverken. Den föreslagna plattformen är en bra start för vattenverk att skapa kontakter och har potentialen att möjliggöra lagring och delning av data/information i framtiden.

No / Methods of recycling unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) window frame waste were investigated. The quality of untreated granular waste was compared to that of waste treated by a range of contaminant removal processes including melt filtration and dissolution. Processability of each recyclate was evaluated by using a highly instrumented single screw extruder that enabled melt viscosity and process variation to be monitored in real time. Product quality measurements such as mechanical properties and surface defects were made on extruded strip, and the nature of the stabilizers present was determined. The mechanical properties of recyclates were found to be comparable to or better than those of virgin material in all cases and conformed to industry standards for window profile. Contaminant removal stages significantly reduced the amount of large surface defects detected in extrudate. Processability was comparable to that of virgin compounds, but melt viscosity varied among different batches of recyclate, depending on the source and composition of the original PVC formulation.

Soy flour (SF), a by-product of the soybean oil extraction processing, was investigated for its application in soy-polypropylene composites for interior automotive applications. The emphasis of this work was the understanding of this new type of filler material and the contribution of its major constituents to its thermal stability and impact properties. For this reason, reference materials were selected to represent the protein (soy protein isolate (SPI)) and carbohydrate (soy hulls (SH)) constituents of the soy flour. Additional materials were also investigated: the residue obtained after the protein removal from the soy flour which was called insoluble soy (IS), and the remaining liquid solution after acid precipitation of the proteins, containing mostly sugars and minerals, which was called soluble sugar extract (SSE). Two treatments, potassium permanganate and autoclave, were analyzed for their potential to modify the properties of the soy composite materials. An acid treatment with sulfuric acid conducted on soy flour was also considered. The soy materials were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under isothermal (in air) and dynamic (in nitrogen) conditions. SPI had the highest thermal stability and SSE the lowest thermal stability for the early stage of the heating process. Those two materials had the highest amount of residual mass at the end of the dynamic TGA in nitrogen. The two treatments showed minimal effect on the isothermal thermal stability of the soy materials at 200 ??C. A minor improvement was observed for the autoclave treated soy materials. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that the chemical surface composition differed according to type of the soy materials but no difference could be observed for the treatments within one type of soy material. Contact angle analysis and surface energy estimation indicated differences of the surface hydrophobicity of the soy materials according to type of material and treatment. The initial water contact angle ranged from 57 ?? for SF to 85 ?? for SH. The rate of water absorption increased dramatically after the autoclave treatment for IS and SPI. Both materials showed the highest increase in the polar surface energy fraction. In general, the major change of the surface energy was associated with change of the polar fraction. After KMnO4 treatment, the polar surface energy of SF, IS and SPI decreased while SH showed a slight increase after KMnO4 treatment. A relationship between protein content and polar surface energy was observed and seen to be more pronounced when high protein containing soy materials were treated with KMnO4 and autoclave. Based on the polar surface energy results, the most suitable soy materials for polypropylene compounding are SPI (KMnO4), SH, and IS (KMnO4) because their polar surface energy are the lowest which should make them more compatible with non-polar polymers such as polypropylene. The soy materials were compounded as 30 wt-% material loading with an injection moulding grade polypropylene blend for different combinations of soy material treatment and coupling agents. Notched Izod impact and flexural strength as well as flexural modulus estimates indicated that the mechanical properties of the autoclaved SF decreased when compared to untreated soy flour while the potassium permanganate treated SF improved in impact and flexural properties. Combinations of the two treatments and two selected (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene) coupling agents showed improved impact and flexural properties for the autoclaved soy flour but decreased properties for the potassium permanganate treated soy flour. Scanning electron microscopy of the fractured section, obtained after impact testing of the composite material, revealed different crack propagation mechanisms for the treated SF. Autoclaved SF had a poor interface with large gaps between the material and the polypropylene matrix. After the addition of a maleic anhydride coupling agent to the autoclaved SF and polypropylene formulation, the SF was fully embedded in the polymer matrix. Potassium permanganate treated SF showed partial bonding between the material and the polymer matrix but some of the material showed poor bonding to the matrix. The acid treated SF showed cracks through the dispersed phase and completely broken components that did not bind to the polypropylene matrix. In conclusion, the two most promising soy materials in terms of impact and flexural properties improvement of soy polypropylene composites were potassium permanganate treated SF and the autoclaved SF combined with maleic anhydride coupling agent formulation.

This diploma thesis is focused on the properties of unsuitable and conditionally unsuitable fine-grained soils after a one-stage or two-stage treatment by using a binder. The theoretical part occupies with problematical properties of the fine grained soils in a subgrade and a possible technology of the change of these properties. The laboratory testing of treated soils is described and a practical technology of the one stage and two-stage stabilization. In the practical part the fine grained soils are treated by one-stage or two-stage stabilization. For the one stage stabilization the cement is used, for the two-stage stabilization the properties of the soil are improved by lime and then the soil is stabilized by cement. The treated soils are laboratory tested, the initial bearing index IBI, California bearing ratio CBR, unconfined compressive strength and frost susceptibility is tested. Based on the results of the laboratory tests the benefit of the two-stage stabilization is measured.