One of the most significant problems faced in the geothermal power industry is that of scaling due to amorphous silica. The silica can deposit out of super-saturated brine in monomeric form and as colloidal particles. Deposition can occur at problematic rates on pipe surfaces and in the rocks of the re-injection wells. Currently there are a number of methods for controlling deposition but the fundamental mechanisms that govern the transport and attachment of silica are not well understood. Many field experiments on silica scaling have been conducted but, due to differences in brine chemistry and operational conditions, the results are hard to compare. Many laboratory experiments have also been performed but these are difficult to correlate with the field experiments. Previous research has found that hydrodynamics are important for the deposition of colloidal particles and inertial impaction was proposed to be the dominant transport mechanism. These results were analysed and, in contradiction, the dominant transport mechanism of the particles was theoretically expected to be that of diffusion. A series of experiments were planned that could test the effect of hydrodynamics on colloidal silica deposition in cylindrical pipe flow. Three parameters were to be varied in the experiment: particle size (10nm and 100nm), Reynolds number (750 - 23,600) and viscous boundary layer thickness (0.06 - 0.38mm). To perform this experimentation, a Silica Scaling Test Rig was designed, built and commissioned. A method for producing synthetic brine was developed which can provide sols that are stable for at least one month and have a particle size of 10-20nm. Silica deposition has successfully been obtained in three preliminary experiments using the rig. Without the exclusion of air from the rig significant corrosion occurs in the mild steel test piece. Protrusions that were likely to be silica deposits were found to be co-located with the corrosion, suggesting that one process promotes the other. Neither deposition nor corrosion was found on the pipe’s weld seam and heat affected zone. Corrosion was prevented using an oxygen exclusion system and two amorphous silica deposition structures were observed: a flat plate-like structure and a globular structure that consisted of 1-5μm diameter globules that built up on each other. Other field and laboratory experiments have produced globular structures similar to those found in this research. To perform the planned experimentation, future work is required: the silica deposition rate must be increased, colloidal silica sol stability must be improved, and some modifications must be made to the rig.

The present research is focused on investigating particle interactions between valuable and gangue materials, and the effect of these interactions on selectivity in flotation. This is a very important issue to operations at several mines across the world (e.g., at Century Mine operated by Zinifex Ltd in Australia). Particle interactions between valuable and gangue minerals with subsequent aggregation have significant impact on flotation performance. Valuable minerals may be depressed if heavily covered with hydrophilic gangue minerals and/or gangue minerals may misreport to the concentrate.

Nous avons considéré autant les aspects thermodynamiques que cinétiques de la complexation d'ions métalliques (Cu2+ et Ni2+) par la 5-phénylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline (5Ph8HQ) et le cyclame greffés sur des nanoparticules de silice en dispersion colloïdale. Les silices pyrogénées, caractérisées par des surfaces spécifiques respectives d'environ 200 et 390 m2/g, ont été sélectionnées avec l'objectif d'obtenir des suspensions colloïdales stables. Nous avons démontré l'aptitude des colloïdes obtenus à extraire des cations divalents à l'état de traces (de l'ordre du micromolaire). Nous avons eu recours à l'ultrafiltration pour séparer la phase silicique dispersée de la phase aqueuse. Nous avons également montré l'intérêt de remplacer une pseudophase micellaire solubilisant l'extractant par nos phases solides. Nous avons décrit les cinétiques de complexation en utilisant la technique de la spectrophotométrie à écoulement bloqué pour les réactions les plus rapides. La dépendance de la constante de vitesse observée vis-à-vis de la concentration en cation métallique, du contre-ion considéré (acétate ou chlorure), de la force ionique et du pH a été évaluée. Pour décrire la cinétique de réaction du Ni2+ avec la 5Ph8HQ greffé, il nous a fallu prendre en compte les propriétés spectrophotométriques du complexe sur nanoparticules de silice. C'est un comportement original de la 5Ph8HQ sur silice puisque les densités optiques de solutions contenant la 5Ph8HQ en milieu micellaire ou le cyclame greffé sur silice suivent la loi de Beer-Lambert. L'étude du cyclame greffé qu'il s'agisse des cinétiques ou à l'équilibre est compliquée en raison du relargage de ce dernier en solution. / We considered both the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of metal ions (Cu2+ and Ni2+) complexation by 5-phenylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline (5Ph8HQ) and cyclam grafted onto silica nanoparticles in colloidal dispersion. Fumed silicas with specific areas of respectively 200 and 390 m2/g were selected to get stable colloidal suspensions. We demonstrated the ability of these colloids to extract trace elements (at micromolar level). We used the ultrafiltration process to separate the dispersed silica phase from the aqueous phase. We also showed interest of our solid dispersed phases instead of a pseudo micellar one. We described complexation kinetics by stopped flow technique for the fastest reactions. The influence of metal cation concentration, counter-ion nature (acetate or chloride), ionic strength and pH on observed rate constant has been investigated. To describe the Ni2+ kinetics with grafted 5Ph8HQ, we took into account the spectrophotometric properties of the complex on silica nanoparticles. This is an original behaviour of 5Ph8HQ on silica since the optical densities of solutions containing 5Ph8HQ solubilised in micelles or cyclam grafted onto silica follow the Beer-Lambert's law. The study of grafted cyclam whether the kinetics or equilibrium is complicated due to the release of the latter in solution.

External thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) is a widespread method appearance of the facades of existing and new civil and industrial buildings. With its frequent application becomes engaged his durability issues and possible rehabilitation and more topical. Influences affecting durability ETICS is still under investigation, as well as systematic and practical way to usable redevelopment. The main theme of this work is to summarize knowledge in ETICS issue, particularly from the viewpoint adhesive and leveling materials based on Portland cement and final finishes. The theoretical part is discussed ETICS composition, the composition of its components, technical requirements and factors affecting durability. The experimental part focuses on the redevelopment of ETICS and verification using colloidal silica for modification of construction materials, which are part of the ETICS.

No description available.

No description available.

Passive site remediation is a new concept proposed for non-disruptive mitigation of liquefaction risk at developed sites susceptible to liquefaction. It is based on the concept of slow injection of stabilizing materials at the edge of a site and delivery of the stabilizer to the target location using the natural groundwater flow. The purpose of this research was to establish the feasibility of passive site remediation through identification of stabilizing materials, a study of how to design or adapt groundwater flow patterns to deliver the stabilizers to the right place at the right time, and an evaluation of potential time requirements and costs. Stabilizer candidates need to have long, controllable gel times and low viscosities so they can flow into a liquefiable formation slowly over a long period of time. Colloidal silica is a potential stabilizer for passive site remediation because at low concentrations it has a low viscosity and a wide range of controllable gel times of up to about 100 days. Loose Monterey No. 0/30 sand samples (Dr = 22%) treated with colloidal silica grout were tested under cyclic triaxial loading to investigate the influence of colloidal silica grout on the deformation properties. Distinctly different deformation properties were observed between grouted and ungrouted samples. Untreated samples developed very little axial strain after only a few cycles and prior to the onset of liquefaction. Once liquefaction was triggered, large strains occurred rapidly and the samples collapsed within a few additional cycles. In contrast, grouted sand samples experienced very little strain during cyclic loading. What strain accumulated did so uniformly throughout loading and the samples remained intact after cyclic loading. In general, samples stabilized with 20 weight percent colloidal silica experienced very little (less than two percent) strain during cyclic loading. Sands stabilized with 10 weight percent colloidal silica tolerated cyclic loading well, but experienced slightly more (up to eight percent) strain. Treatment with colloidal silica grout significantly increased the deformation resistance of loose sand to cyclic loading. Groundwater and solute transport modeling were done using the codes MODFLOW, MODPATH, and MT3DMS. A "numerical experiment" was done to determine the ranges of hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic gradient where passive site remediation might be feasible. For a treatment are of 200 feet by 200 feet, a stabilizer travel time of 100 days, and a single line of low-head (less than three feet) injection wells, it was found that passive site remediation could be feasible in formations with hydraulic conductivity values of 0.05 cm/s or more and hydraulic gradients of 0.005 and above. Extraction wells will increase the speed of delivery and help control the down gradient extent of stabilizer movement. The results of solute transport modeling indicate that dispersion will play a large role in determining the concentration of stabilizer that will be required to deliver an adequate concentration at the down gradient edge. Consequently, thorough characterization of the hydraulic conductivity throughout the formation will be necessary for successful design and implementation of passive site remediation. The cost of passive site remediation is expected to be competitive with other methods of chemical grouting, i.e. in the range of $60 to $180 per cubic meter of treated soil, depending on the concentration of colloidal silica used. / Ph. D.

No description available.

Liquefiable soils are common at ports due to the use of hydraulic fills for construction of waterfront facilities. Liquefaction-induced ground failure can result in permanent ground deformations that can cause loss of foundation support and structural damage. This can lead to substantial repair and/or replacement costs and business interruption losses that can have an adverse effect on the port and the surrounding community. Although numerous soil improvement methods exist for remediating a liquefaction-prone site, many of these methods are poorly suited for developed sites because they could damage existing infrastructure and disrupt port operations. An alternative is to use a passive remediation technique. Treating liquefiable soils with colloidal silica gel via permeation grouting has been shown to resist cyclic deformations and is a candidate to be used as a soil stabilizer in passive mitigation. The small-strain dynamic properties are essential to determine the response to seismic loading. The small-to-intermediate strain shear modulus and damping ratio of loose sand treated with colloidal silica gel was investigated and the influence of colloidal silica concentration was determined. The effect of introducing colloidal silica gel into the pore space in the initial phase of treatment results in a 10% to 12% increase in the small-strain shear modulus, depending on colloidal silica concentration. The modulus reduction curve indicates that treatment does not affect the linear threshold shear strain, however the treated samples reduce at a greater rate than the untreated samples in the intermediate-strain range above 0.01% cyclic shear strain. It was observed that the treated sand has slightly higher damping ratio in the small-strain range; however, at cyclic shear strains around 0.003% the trend reverses and the untreated sand begins to have higher damping ratio. Due to the nature of the colloidal silica gelation process, chemical bonds continue to form with time, thus the effect of aging on the dynamic properties is important. A parametric study was performed to investigate the influence of gel time on the increase in small-strain shear modulus. The effect of aging increases the small-strain shear modulus after gelling by 200 to 300% for the 40-minute-gel time samples with a distance from gelation (time after gelation normalized by gel time) of 1000 to 2000; 700% for the 2-hour-gel time sample with a distance from gelation of 1000; and 200 to 400% for the 20-hour-gel time samples with a distance from gelation of 40 to 100. The treatment of all potentially liquefiable soil at port facilities with colloidal silica would be cost prohibitive. Identifying treatment zones that would reduce the lateral pressure and resulting pile bending moments and displacements caused by liquefaction-induced lateral spreading to prevent foundation damage is an economic alternative. Colloidal silica gel treatment zones of varying size and location were evaluated by subjecting a 3-by-3 pile group in gently sloping liquefiable ground to 1-g shaking table tests. The results are compared to an untreated sample. The use of a colloidal silica treatment zone upslope of the pile group results in reduced maximum bending moments and pile displacements in the downslope row of piles when compared to an untreated sample; the presence of the treatment zone had minimal effect on the other rows of piles within the group.

La synthèse et l’assemblage de particules colloïdales de morphologie et de fonctionnalité originale permet d’envisager la fabrication de matériaux aux propriétés électromagnétiques innovantes. Au cours de ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à la synthèse de colloïdes hybrides silice/polystyrène par un processus de polymérisation en émulsion du styrène ensemencé par des germes de silice préalablement fonctionnalisés en surface par des groupements méthacrylate. Ces particules hybrides, composées d’une particule centrale de silice entourée d’un nombre contrôlé de nodules de polystyrène, ont été utilisées comme moules afin de synthétiser des nanocages d’or de morphologie contrôlée. Ces nanocages d’or ont été caractérisées structuralement et optiquement. Nous nous sommes également intéressés à l’assemblage des particules hybrides silice/polystyrène via la génération d’interactions entre les nodules de polystyrène grâce au contrôle de qualité du solvant pour le polystyrène. Les particules présentant un nodule de polystyrène s’assemblent en petits clusters alors que celles présentant deux nodules de polystyrène forment des chaînes. / The synthesis and the assembly of colloidal particles with original morphology and functionality should allow the fabrication of next-generation materials. This study deals with the synthesis of hybrid silica/polystyrene particles by an emulsion polymerization of styrenes eeded by surface functionalized silica particles. These particles, made by a silica coredecorated by a controlled number of polystyrene nodules, has been used as templates for thesynthesis of goldnanocages morphologically controlled. Theses gold nanocages has been characterized structurally and optically. We have also investigated the self-assembly of hybrid silica/polystyrene particles by generating interaction between polystyrene nodules due to the control of the solvent quality for polystyrene. Particles with one polystyrene nodule self assemble in little clusters and particle with two nodules in chains.