One of the most important prerequisites in the drug development is to attain a reproducible and robust product in terms of its nature, and its chemical and physical properties. This can be challenging, since the crystalline form of drugs and excipients can be directly transformed into the amorphous one during normal pharmaceutical processing, referred to as process-induced amorphisation or process-induced disorder. The intention of this thesis was to address the mechanisms causing disorder during powder flow and milling and, in association with this, to evaluate, the ability of Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to quantify and characterize process-induced disorder. The amorphisation mechanisms were controlled by stress energy distribution during processing, which in turn was regulated by a series of process parameters. Compression and shearing stress caused by sliding were stress types that acted on the particles during powder flow and ball milling process. However, sliding was the most important inter-particulate contact process giving rise to amorphisation and the transformation was proposed to be caused by vitrification. The plastic stiffness and elastic stiffness of the milling-induced particles were similar to a two-state particle model, however the moisture sorption characteristics of these particles were different. Thus the milled particles could not be described solely by a two-state particle model with amorphous and crystalline domains.  Raman spectroscopy proved to be an appropriate and effective technique in the quantification of the apparent amorphous content of milled lactose powder. The disordered content below 1% could be quantified with Raman spectroscopy. AFM was a useful approach to characterize disorder on the particle surfaces. In summary, this thesis has provided insight into the mechanisms involved in process-induced amorphisation of pharmaceutical powders and presented new approaches for quantification and characterization of disordered content by Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.

D. Tech. (Engineering, Department Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technolog / Ore, from a mining operation, goes through a process that separates the valuable minerals from the gangue (waste material). This process usually involves crushing, milling, separation and extraction where the gangue is usually discarded in tailings piles. Current physical methods used for crushing of rocks in the mineral processing industry result in erratic breakages that do not efficiently liberate the economically valuable minerals. Research studies have found that the rock comminution and mineral liberation can be enhanced through various electrical treatment techniques, including pulsed power, ultrasound and microwave. These electrical treatment techniques each have their own advantages and disadvantages which are discussed in this dissertation. However, this research proposes a new technique in an attempt to improve the rock comminution process. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect that RF power exerts on rock samples, with particular focus on textural changes. Four valuable scientific contributions to the fields of metallurgical and electrical engineering were made in this regard. Firstly, a new technique for the treatment of rock samples using RF heating is substantiated. The effect of RF power on textural changes of the rocks is evident in their surface temperature rise, where the RF heating of dole-rite (JSA) and marble (JSB, JS 1 and JS2) resulted in surface temperatures of approximately 100 °C within two minutes of treatment. A particle screening analysis of particles obtained form a swing-pot mill of both the untreated (not exposed to RF power) and treated (exposed to RF power) rock samples were performed to ascertain if the treated samples' size had changed. Two samples (JSA and JSD) revealed a notable change in their particle size distribution. The fact that the percentage of larger sized particles increased (from 38 J..Lm to 90 J..Lffi as seen in Chapter 6) suggests that the rock was strengthened rather than weakened. Secondly, an innovative coupling technique (using a parallel-plate capacitor with dimensions of 28 x 47 mm) to connect rock samples to high powered RF electronic equipment is described. The feasibility of this technique is confirmed by repeated correlated measurements taken on a vector voltmeter and network analyser. Low SWR readings obtained from an inline RF Wattmeter in a practical setup also proves the viability of the matching network used in the coupling technique. Thirdly, anoriginal coupling coefficient (81.58 x 10-3) for the parallel-plate capacitor is presented. This value may be used in similar sized capacitors to determine the specific heat capacity of dielectric materials. However, the value of the coupling coefficient was only verified for seven (relatively dark in surface colour) out of the ten rock samples. Therefore, this coupling coefficient may hold true for all dark coloured rock samples, as it represents the coupling of energy between the parallel-plate capacitor and the rock sample. Finally,this research defines the mathematical models for 10 rock samples for the VHF range of frequencies (30 - 300 MHz), providing unique phase angle to resonance equations for each sample. These equations can be used with each specific rock to determine the resonating frequency where the maximum current flows and the minimum resistance is present. Evaluating the effects of RF power treatment on rocks has brought to light that mineral grain boundaries within specified rock samples are not significantly weakened by RF treatment. This was firstly confirmed by the similar electrical properties of the untreated and treated samples, where consistent values for the resonating frequency were obtained from the network analyser. Secondly, the SEM analysis of the untreated and treated rock samples revealed no significant changes in the form of fractures or breakages along the mineral grain boundaries. Photomicrographs of the thin sections of all ten rock samples were used in this analysis. The particle size distribution of both samples further revealed no weakening or softening of the rock, as the percentage of smaller sized particles did not increase in the treated samples. It may therefore be stated that treating rock samples with RF power within the VHF range will not significantly improve rock comminution and mineral liberation.

This paper aims to derive qualitative model for energy requirements for wood chipping process. There is relationship shown between energy requirements and properties of biomass, which is quite variable material. Relationship between comminution machinery and energy necessary for the process is highlighted. Derivation of the model is focused on chipping but in general it’s possible, to make it available both for different types of biomass (f. ex. agricultural residues) or for different type of comminution machinery (f. ex. hammermills) just by using different material properties adjusted to machinery mechanics. Properties used in derivation are mend to be easy to measure. Model is mend to be used as a base for quantitative model that, thanks to measurements performed on real comminution machinery and using wood with known properties, could give answers for two important questions: Would hypothetical changes in desired size of output material increase total system efficiency, taking into consideration lowest efficiency of combustion process (i. ex. higher amounts of unburned fuel)? How to optimise comminution as an operation in biofuel supply chain, with respect to energy used for the process?

Spot core from the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) borehole provides the opportunity to characterize and quantify damage and mineral alteration of siliciclastics within an active, large-displacement plate-boundary fault zone. Deformed arkosic, coarse-grained, pebbly sandstone, and fine-grained sandstone and siltstone retrieved from 2.55 km depth represent the western damaged zone of the San Andreas Fault, approximately 130 m west of the Southwest Deforming Zone (SDZ). The sandstone is cut by numerous subsidiary faults that display extensive evidence of repeating episodes of compaction, shear, dilation, and cementation. The subsidiary faults are grouped into three size classes: 1) small faults, 1 to 2 mm thick, that record an early stage of fault development, 2) intermediate-size faults, 2 to 3 mm thick, that show cataclastic grain size reduction and flow, extensive cementation, and alteration of host particles, and 3) large subsidiary faults that have cemented cataclastic zones up to 10 mm thick. The cataclasites contain fractured host-rock particles of quartz, oligoclase, and orthoclase, in addition to albite and laumontite produced by syn-deformation alteration reactions. Five structural units are distinguished in the subsidiary fault zones: fractured sandstones, brecciated sandstones, microbreccias, microbreccias within distinct shear zones, and principal slip surfaces. We have quantified the particle size distributions and the particle shape of the host rock mineral phases and the volume fraction of the alteration products for these representative structural units. Shape characteristics vary as a function of shear strain and grain size, with smooth, more circular particles evolving as a result of increasing shear strain. Overall, the particle sizes are consistent with a power law distribution over the particle size range investigated (0.3 µm < d < 400 µm). The exponent (fractal dimension, D) is found to increase with shear strain and volume fraction of laumontite. This overall increase in D and evolution of shape with increasing shear strain reflects a general transition from constrained comminution, active at low shear strains to abrasion processes that dominate at high shear strains.

In comminution machines, the product properties (particle size distribution, mineral liberation characteristics) and process consumables (energy for size reduction, wear) are affected by various parameters. On the one hand, understanding and optimizing these parameters can provide an energy efficient process and a specified product. On the other hand, a fundamental understanding of the breakage process can even be used for designing new or improved comminution machines. In this thesis, breakage fundamentals are analyzed and set against the principles of various comminution machines. The study of the breakage fundamentals is crucial for a better understanding of the effect of different comminution environments on ore types and their textures in order to achieve a desired product size and liberation. This work defines three main areas of breakage processes with breakage fundamentals, namely “loading mechanism”, “breakage mechanism” and “breakage mode”. The “loading mechanism” is defined as the physical action that is applied to a particle or several particles in order to introduce mechanical stress. The resulting pattern of the particle failure is named “breakage mechanism”. Finally, the “breakage mode” defines the particle breakage in terms of being random or non‐random. Non‐random breakage depends on the ore texture, which can be categorized as preferential breakage and phase boundary breakage. Promoting the breakage mode to the phase boundary breakage could help to increase the liberation degree. Various studies have assessed the effect of ore texture and operational parameters on mineral liberation. While ore texture is related to the particle inherent characteristics, operational conditions such as loading mechanism are related to the comminution environment. In all these investigations, little attempt has been made to explore the combined effects of loading mechanism and quantitative ore texture features on breakage mode and mineral liberation. In addition, a lack of fundamental understanding of the breakage process and mineral liberation can be seen. Accordingly, a more fundamental study of the causes behind the effects of loading mechanism and texture is required in order to optimize the comminution process in terms of mineral liberation. The objective of this work is, therefore, to investigate the effects of different loading mechanisms on particle breakage and breakage mode. In order to achieve this goal, work has started with using two methods including three‐dimensional deformation and two‐dimensional crack quantification. The former method involved X‐ray computed micro‐tomography (XCT) imaging and Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) measurements which determiners the breakage mode in terms of being random or non-random. Whereas the latter was done using an image processing code in MATLAB to quantify cracks in terms of random and non-random breakage (preferential or phase boundary) from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. In addition, XCT 3D imaging was used in order to track the propagated cracks in the third dimension. Moreover, phase boundary breakage in magnetite grains was studied qualitatively based on optical microscopy images in order to identify and characterize the propagated cracks.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O combustível nuclear metálico tipo placa em dispersão é um combustível versátil que pode ser projetado para ser utilizado tanto em reatores de testes quanto em reatores de potência. A elevada densidade das ligas metálicas de urânio com elementos de transição, como, Zr, Nb, Mo, etc, propicia o emprego deste combustível utilizando urânio com baixo teor de enriquecimento, o que o torna mais seguro no sentido de conter a proliferação nuclear. Além disso, as excelentes propriedades mecânicas e a grande resistência à corrosão das ligas metálicas de U-Zr-Nb, tornam a escolha desta liga na forma de combustível tipo placa em um desenvolvimento de grande atratividade devido às possibilidades de se alcançar um combustível de alto desempenho. Neste trabalho foram investigadas as transformações de fases das ligas U-2,5Zr-7,5Nb e U- 3Zr-9Nb em diferentes condições de tratamentos térmicos, bem como foi desenvolvido o processo de cominuição destas ligas pelo processo de hidretação-desidretação. As transformações de fases foram obtidas realizando-se a homogeneização das ligas de U- 2,5Zr-7,5Nb e U-3Zr-9Nb em elevadas temperaturas (1000 oC, durante 1 e 16 h), seguido de têmpera em água, bem como de envelhecimento a 600 oC em diferentes tempos (0,5, 3 e 24h), também, seguido de têmpera em água. As fases obtidas foram caracterizadas por intermédio das técnicas de difração de raios X, microdureza, microscopia ótica, microscopia eletrônica e EDS. Nestas condições experimentais, foram obtidas duas microestruturas distintas. Uma microestrutura monofásica constituída da fase gama (&#61543;) martensítica de cristalinidade cúbica de corpo centrado. A outra com estrutura do tipo lamelar perlítica, constituída da mistura das fases alfa e gama (&#945; e &#61543;). A fase &#945; tem cristalinidade ortorrômbica. Diferentemente da fase gama martensítica de alta estabilidade mecânica e elevada resistência à corrosão, a estrutura do tipo perlita não possui boas propriedades mecânicas e é pouco resistente à corrosão. Os resultados da microdureza revelaram uma boa correlação entre dureza e a estrutura cristalina da amostra. Observou-se que as ligas tratadas isotermicamente até 3 horas, as quais são constituídas predominantemente pela fase &#61543; cúbica, apresentaram baixos valores de dureza. Por outro lado, essas ligas tratadas isotermicamente por 24 horas transformaram-se majoritariamente em fase &#945; com estrutura ortorrômbica e elevados valores de dureza. Isso mostra que a estrutura do tipo perlita é mais dura do que a fase &#61543;. Os pós das ligas dúcteis de U-2,5Zr-7,5Nb e U-3Zr-9Nb foram obtidos pela cominuição das mesmas com uso do hidrogênio. A cominuição realizada pelo processo de hidretaçãodesidretação foi feita na temperatura de cerca de 200 oC, em diferentes tempos variando entre 20 minutos a 4 horas. Os pós assim obtidos foram caracterizados por intermédio de microscopia ótica, difração de raios X e determinação da distribuição do tamanho de partículas por meio do equipamento a laser CILAS. O processamento utilizado permitiu a obtenção de pós com duas classes de tamanhos dependendo do tipo de tratamento. Os pós de ambas as ligas envelhecidos a 600 oC durante 0,5 e 3 horas apresentaram pós com granulometria de 180 a 200 &#61549;m e, por outro lado, os pós de ambas as ligas envelhecidas a 600 oC durante 24 horas apresentaram pós com granulometria superior a 220 &#61549;m. Os pós de ambas as ligas homogeneizados a 1000 oC e envelhecidos até 3 horas a 600 oC com granulometria na faixa de 180 a 200 &#956;m são adequados para serem utilizados na dispersão do cerne para a obtenção de combustível tipo placa para uso em reatores de teste e de potência de pequeno e médio portes. / Plate-type dispersion metallic nuclear fuel is a versatile fuel that can be designed to be used in both test and power reactors. The high density of uranium alloys with transition elements, such as Zr, Nb, Mo, etc, allows the use of this fuel with low uranium enrichment, which makes it safer in order to prevent nuclear proliferation. Furthermore, the excellent mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance of U-Zr-Nb metallic alloys makes the choice of this alloy as plate type fuel in a development of great attractiveness due to the possibilities of achieving a high performance fuel. In this study, it was investigated the phase transformations of the U-2.5Zr-7.5Nb and U-3Zr- 9Nb in distinct heat treatments, as well as it was developed the process of comminution of these alloys by the hydriding-dehydriging process. The phase transitions were obtained by performing the homogenization of the U-2.5Zr-7.5Nb and U-3Zr-9Nb alloys at high temperatures (1000 oC for 1 and 16 h) followed by water quenching, as well as by aging at 600 oC at different times (0.5, 3 and 24 h). The obtained phase transitions were characterized through the X-ray diffraction, micro hardness, optical microscopy, electron microscopy and EDS techniques. Under these experimental conditions, it was obtained two different microstructures. A single phase microstructure consisting of the martensitic &#61543; phase of body centered cubic crystallinity. The other one with the lamellar pearlite type structure, consisting on a mixture of &#945; and &#61543; phases. The &#945; phase has orthorhombic structure. Unlike of the high stability and good corrosion resistance martensitic structure, the two phases pearlite type structure has poor mechanical properties and low corrosion resistance. The results of microhardness have revealed a good correlation between hardness and crystal structure of the sample. It was observed that alloys isothermally treated up to three hours, which are predominantly the &#61543; cubic phase showed lower hardness values. Moreover, these alloys isothermally treated for 24 hours were processed mostly in &#945;-phase with orthorhombic structure and high hardness values. This shows that the pearlite type structure is harder than the &#61543; phase. The powders from ductile U-2.5Zr-7.5Nb and U-3Zr-9Nb alloys were obtained by hydrogen comminution. The comminution process carried out by hydriding-dehydriding was performed at a temperature of about 200 oC, at different times ranging from 20 minutes to 4 hours according to the composition and phase of each alloy. The obtained powders were characterized by optical and electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction and determination of particle size distribution by means of laser CILAS equipment. The utilized process allowed the production of powders with two particle size classes depending on the type of treatment. The powders of both alloys aged at 600 oC for 0.5 and 3 hours presented powders with particle sizes of about 180-200 &#956;m, on the other hand, powders of both alloys aged at 600 oC for 24 hours presented powders with particle sizes greater than about 220 &#956;m. The powders of both alloys homogenized at 1000 oC and aged up to 3 hours at 600 oC with particle size in the range from 180 to 200 &#956;m are suitable for use in the dispersion of the fuel core to be utilized in test and power of small and medium sizes reactors.

Für die Weich- und Mittelhartzerkleinerung von Primär- und Sekundärrohstoffen werden zunehmend Profilwalzenbrecher eingesetzt. Trotz relativ geringer Zerkleinerungsgrade zeichnen sie sich durch einen geringen spezifischen Leistungsbedarf, hohe Durchsätze, eine einfache Konstruktion und Instandhaltung sowie eine störungsfreie Betriebsweise aus und sind auch bei adhäsivem Aufgabematerial anwendbar. Trotz der Bedeutung dieser Maschinen gibt es bisher nur unzureichende Auslegungsmethoden. Die theoretisch begründete Modellierung der Zerkleinerung in markant profilierten Walzenbrechern ist deshalb Gegenstand dieser Arbeit, um dadurch die Dimensionierungsgrundlagen zu verbessern und Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Hartzerkleinerung abzuschätzen. Dazu werden im Rahmen einer Systembetrachtung zunächst die wesentlichen Prozessparameter der Zerkleinerung ermittelt und die Bauarten von Profilwalzenbrechern klassifiziert (Kapitel 2). Die Darstellung der bekannten Berechnungsmodelle für die Hauptzielgrößen „Grenzdurchsatz“, „Produktgranulometrie“ und „Leistungsbedarf“ ist Gegenstand von Kapitel 3. Darauf aufbauend wird in Kapitel 4 ein neues, physikalisch begründetes Auslegungsmodell vorgestellt und das Untersuchungsfeld hinsichtlich der zu analysierenden Aufgabestoffart und Maschinengeometrie eingegrenzt. Die für dieses Modell erforderlichen Zerkleinerungstest- und Simulationsergebnisse werden in Kapitel 5 und 6 dargestellt, bevor die Arbeit in Kapitel 7 mit einer Zusammenfassung und einem Ausblick abschließt.

In mineral processing the grinding comminution process is an integral part since it is often the bottleneck of the concentrating process, thus small improvements may lead to large savings. By implementing a Reinforcement Learning controller this thesis aims to investigate if it is possible to control the grinding process more efficiently compared to traditional control strategies. Based on a calibrated plant simulation we compare existing control strategies with Proximal Policy Optimization and show possible increase in profitability under certain conditions.

Submitted by Rosângela Cristina Alves (rosangela.alves@etec.sp.gov.br) on 2018-09-26T02:51:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao-FINAL Rosangela C. Alves - repositorio.pdf: 1876874 bytes, checksum: 2f37062ec0152ad7c5ccde681207d93b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Santulo Custódio de Medeiros null (asantulo@rc.unesp.br) on 2018-09-26T11:31:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 alves_rc_me_rcla.pdf: 1836538 bytes, checksum: 3798050a36146a32df2e62013e4e7c2a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-26T11:31:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 alves_rc_me_rcla.pdf: 1836538 bytes, checksum: 3798050a36146a32df2e62013e4e7c2a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-27 / A grande capacidade da agricultura sucroalcooleira, aliada às suas dimensões continentais, faz do Brasil o maior produtor de cana-de-açúcar do mundo. O bagaço desta matéria-prima é um material lignocelulósico, remanescente da moagem dos seus colmos, é composto principalmente por celulose, hemicelulose e lignina, numa estrutura vegetal organizada que deve ser desestruturada mediante pré-tratamentos para disponibilizar a fração polissacarídica (celulose e hemicelulose). Objetivou-se com a presente pesquisa determinar a influência da granulometria do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar na extração/solubilização de hemicelulose na forma de polissacarídeo (macromolécula) e monossacarídeo (xilose). A extração da hemicelulose macromolecular foi realizada em condições otimizadas para bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, 6 % H2O2 m/v a 25 °C durante 4 h, utilizando bagaço selecionado em peneiras de 16, 30, 40, 50 mesh e base (material que passou pela peneira de 50 mesh). Para extração de hemicelulose na forma monomérica foi utilizado um pré-tratamento com ácido sulfúrico diluído 20 % (m/m), sendo que as amostras foram autoclavadas a 121 ºC por 1 h; a xilose no filtrado foi quantificado por HPLC. Foi realizada também a condutividade, determinação do teor de cinzas totais, solubilidade da hemicelulose. Os resíduos sólidos dos pré-tratamentos foram submetidos a hidrólise enzimática (12 FPU/g – Cellic Ctec) para determinação do rendimento em glicose. O bagaço in natura apresentou conteúdo de glucana de 42,25 %, arabinana de 2,62 %, xilana de 25,39 %, ácido acético de 3,38 % e lignina de 13,83 %. A xilana solubilizada em meio alcalino apresentou variação de 36,18 % (bagaço retido na peneira de 16 mesh) a 71,43 % (bagaço retido na base, inferior a 50 mesh), quanto menor o tamanho da partícula, maior a quantidade de xilana solubilizada. Houve uma tendência nos valores obtidos de glucana, conforme diminuiu o tamanho de partícula, aumentou o teor desse polissacarídeo no bagaço pré-tratado em meio ácido. Os valores variaram de 44,28 % (bagaço retido em peneira de 16 mesh) a 66,70 % (bagaço retido na peneira de 50 mesh). Para os materiais pré-tratados em meio alcalino retidos em peneiras de 40, 50 mesh e base ficaram acima do valor encontrado para o bagaço in natura. Considerando como uma característica importante da hemicelulose, todas as amostras apresentaram solubilidade acima de 96 %. A hidrólise enzimática do material pré-tratado em meio alcalino resultou em maior rendimento em glicose (65,37 % de glicose) para todas as frações/granulometrias estudadas, em comparação com meio ácido (32,12 % de glicose), mostrando tendência em aumento com diminuição da granulometria. Os resultados evidenciaram que a granulometria do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar tem influência na extração/solubilização de hemicelulose na forma de polissacarídeo (polimérica) e monossacarídeo (xilose). Conclui-se que, um melhor aproveitamento em conjunto da hemicelulose e celulose ocorreu com as condições experimentais de estudo do pré-tratamento alcalino. / The great capacity of sugar-alcohol agriculture, combined with its continental dimensions, makes Brazil the largest producer of sugar cane in the world. The bagasse of this raw material is a lignocellulosic material, reminiscent of the milling of its stems, is composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, in an organized vegetable structure that must be destructured by means of pre-treatments to provide the polysaccharide fraction (cellulose and hemicellulose). The objective of this research was to determine the influence of sugarcane bagasse granulometry on the extraction/solubilization of hemicellulose in the form of polysaccharide (macromolecule) and monosaccharide (xylose). Macromolecular hemicellulose extraction was performed under optimized conditions for sugarcane bagasse, 6 % H2O2 m / v at 25 °C for 4 h, using bagasse selected in 16, 30, 40, 50 mesh sieves and base (material which passed through the 50 mesh screen). For the extraction of hemicellulose in the monomeric form, a pretreatment with sulfuric acid diluted 20 % (m/m) was used, and the samples were autoclaved at 121 ºC for 1 h; the xylose in the filtrate was quantified by HPLC. Conductivity, determination of total ash content and solubility of hemicellulose were also performed. The solid residues of the pre-treatments were submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis (12 FPU/g - Cellic Ctec) to determine the glucose yield. The bagasse in natura had glucan content of 42.25 %, arabinana of 2.62 %, xylan of 25.39 %, acetic acid of 3.38 % and lignin of 13.83 %. The solubilized xylan in alkaline medium showed a variation of 36.18 % (bagasse retained in the 16 mesh sieve) at 71.43 % (bagasse retained at the base, less than 50 mesh), the smaller the particle size, the greater the amount of solubilized xylan. There was a tendency in the values obtained of glucana, as the particle size decreased, the content of this polysaccharide increased in the acid treated bagasse. The values varied from 44.28 % (bagasse retained in 16 mesh sieve) to 66.70 % (bagasse retained in the 50 mesh sieve). For materials pretreated in alkaline medium retained in 40, 50 mesh and base sieves were above the value found for the in natura bagasse. Considering as an important characteristic of hemicellulose, all samples had solubility above 96 %. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material in alkaline medium resulted in a higher glucose yield (65.37 % of glucose) for all fractions/granulometry studied, compared to acid medium (32.12 % glucose), showing a trend in increase with decreasing granulometry. The results showed that the sugarcane bagasse granulometry influences the extraction/solubilization of hemicellulose in the form of polysaccharide (polymeric) and monosaccharide (xylose). It was concluded that a better use of hemicellulose and cellulose occurred with experimental conditions of the alkaline pretreatment.

Background: Complex proximal humerus fractures with metaphyseal comminution remain challenging regarding reduction and stability. In most fracture patterns the hard bone of the bicipital groove remains intact. In this case series, we describe a novel technique of hybrid double plate osteosynthesis of complex proximal humerus fractures with metaphyseal comminution. Methods: In randomly chosen shoulder specimens and synthetic bones, pilot studies for evaluation of the feasibility of the technique were performed. Between 4/2010 and 1/2012 10 patients underwent hybrid double plate osteosynthesis. Seven patients (4 male, 3 female, mean age was 50 years (range 27–73)) were available for retrospective analysis. Based on plain radiographs (anterior-posterior and axial view), the fractures were classified according to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification (OTA) and by descriptive means (head-split variant (HS), diaphyseal extension or comminution (DE)). Results: Follow-up radiographs demonstrated complete fracture healing in six patients and one incomplete avascular necrosis. None of the patients sustained loss of reduction. Three patients where reoperated. The medium, not adapted, Constant score was 80 Points (58–94). Patients subjective satisfaction was graded mean 3 (range: 0–6) in the visual analog scoring system (VAS). Conclusion: The technique of hybrid double plate osteosynthesis using the bicipital groove as anatomic landmark may re-establish shoulder function after complex proximal humerus fractures in two dimensions. Firstly the anatomy is restored due to a proper reduction based on intraoperative landmarks. Secondly additional support by the second plate may provide a higher stability in complex fractures with metaphyseal comminution.