[pt] O setor de refrigeração tem um papel fundamental e crescente na vida moderna. Seus usos vão desde processos industriais até conservação de alimentos passando por aplicações de conforto térmico. Tamanho peso econômico também se reflete nas emissões de poluentes do segmento. Acordos internacionais têm sido implementados com o objetivo de substituir fluidos refrigerantes que são danosos à camada de ozônio ou com alto potencial de aquecimento global. Outras abordagens visam reduzir o nível de emissões por meio da diminuição do consumo energético da operação de sistemas de refrigeração. Nesse sentido, este trabalho investiga a implementação de uma estratégia baseada em controle preditivo para sistemas de expansão direta. O objetivo foi verificar se o controlador baseado nessa abordagem seria capaz de controlar a temperatura interna de um ambiente. Os resultados mostram que o controlador proposto foi eficaz nessa tarefa para o caso de temperaturas externas constantes, porém ineficaz em contexto dinâmico. Quando o desempenho dessa abordagem foi comparado àquele de um mesmo sistema operando com controlador de duas velocidades, os resultados foram inferiores. A estratégia de controle preditivo foi capaz de manter a temperatura do ambiente refrigerado dentro da faixa desejada em 53 por cento do tempo contra 96 por cento do esquema de duas velocidades. Em paralelo, estudou-se também a aplicação do método de estimação estados em horizonte móvel. O objetivo foi discutir se era possível inferir parâmetros do ciclo de refrigeração sem efetivamente mensurá-los. Os resultados mostram que o modelo de refrigeração proposto é observável em condições externas constantes. Além disso, uma comparação de desempenho entre o sistema operando com fluidos diferentes foi realizada. O intuito foi mostrar as possibilidades do método de estimação no que tange o cálculo de indicadores de desempenho. / [en] The refrigeration sector has a fundamental and growing role in modern life. Its uses range from industrial processes and food preservation to applications of thermal comfort. Its economic weight size is reflected in the level of pollutant emissions of the segment. International agreements have been implemented with the objective of replacing refrigerant fluids that are harmful to the ozone layer or with a high global warming potential. These initiatives seek to mitigate the direct impact of the release of gases into the atmosphere. Other approaches aim to reduce the level of emissions by reducing the energy consumption of the operation of these systems.In this sense, this work investigates the implementation of a strategy based on predictive control for direct expansion systems. The objective was to verify if the control strategy based on this approach would be able to keep the internal temperature of an room within a defined range. The results show that the proposed control scheme was effective for the case of constant external temperatures, but ineffective in a dynamic context. Comparing the performance of this approach to the same system operating with a two velocities control scheme, the results were inferior. The predictive control strategy was able to keep the temperature within the desired range in 53 per cent of the simulation time versus 96 per cent of the two velocity aproach. In parallel, the application of the estimation method states in moving horizon was also studied. The objective was to discuss whether it was possible to infer parameters of the refrigeration cycle without actually measuring them. The results show that the refrigeration model proposed is observable under constant external conditions. In addition, a performance comparison between the system operating with different fluids was performed. The goal was to show the possibilities of this estimation method with respect to the calculation of performance metrics.

The mobile cooling and climate control industry provides a range of diverse solutions concerning the maintenance of temperature for comfortable living and safe transportation of goods over long distances. One of the major focuses of the industry is the transport sector for which products like cooling boxes and mobile air conditioners are exclusively designed for commercial and leisure purposes. However, the associated emissions released due to their use and the impact they have in the wake of the global climate crisis has led the industry to initiate activities and set targets to address this issue. This study aims to draw sustainable strategy recommendations to the mobile cooling and climate control industry by conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four products and a materiality assessment for a company manufacturing cooling boxes and mobile air conditioners, therefore accelerating the industry’s transition towards sustainability. The objectives are to identify potential material and process-related environmental hotspots over the life cycle of the products and carry out a materiality assessment that identifies topics of materiality for the company, this to outline strategies based on the results of both the LCA and the materiality assessment to improve the company’s sustainability in its operations. The results of the LCA highlighted the role of the use phase as one of the main contributors to the environmental impact from the use of cooling boxes and mobile air conditioners, while the manufacturing of the products and the end-of-life phase are shown to contribute also to the overall impact. Furthermore, different sensitivity scenarios revealed the potential that different materials, the use of batteries and the implementation of a take-back system have to decrease the environmental impacts of the products. From the materiality assessment fourteen material topics were identified to have significance and priority to the company. Based on these results, a total of nine strategies addressing the sustainability of the company and its products were outlined. Across the assessment, three key focus aspects were observed which can facilitate the sustainability transition of the company and industry: energy both in products and operations, collaboration with stakeholders, and circular economy principles and product innovation. Efforts within these areas can potentially improve the industry’s ability to tackle pressures from climate change and the increasing future demand. This study also exemplifies the potential benefits of a synergy between LCA and materiality assessment. It was observed that aiding the materiality assessment with the LCA results provides more tangibility to the results and decreases the subjectivity from the assessment in order to set future sustainability targets. / Mobilkylnings- och klimatkontrollsindustrin erbjuder många lösningar till temperaturhållning för bekvämt boende och säker transport av gods. Ett viktigt fokus för industrin är transportsektorn där produkter som kylboxar och mobil luftkonditionering specialkonstruerad för kommersiell och rekreationell användning. Växthusgasutsläppen från produkterna under användning har mot bakgrund av den globala klimatkrisen fått industrin att sätta mål och starta ett arbete för att minska utsläppen. Den här studien avser att ge hållbara strategier och rekommendationer till mobilkylnings- och klimatkontrollsindustrin genom att genomföra livscykelanalys (LCA) av fyra produkter och en materialanalys till ett företag som tillverkar kylboxar och mobila luftkonditioneringar för att driva industrins övergång till hållbarhet. Målen är att identifiera material- och processrelaterade miljöbelastningar över hela livscykeln av produkterna och genomföra en materialitetstsanalys för att identifiera materialitetsämnen. Utifrån LCA och materialitetsanalysen går att göra strategier att förbättra företagets hållbarhetsarbete. Resultat från LCAn visade vikten av användningsfasen som stod för den största miljöpåverkan från kylboxar or mobil luftkonditionering. Tillverkning och end-of-life hade också påverkan. Känslighetsanalyser visade också den potential materialval, batterianvändning och retursystem har att minska miljöpåverkan från produkter. Fjorton materialitetsämnen utpekades från materialitetsanalysen som viktiga för företaget. Dessa hanteras genom nio strategier som togs fram. Genom analys var tre övergripande fokusområden identifierade som kan underlätta företagets och industris hållbarhetsövergång. De är: energianvändning i både produkterna och företagets arbete, samarbeten med stakeholders samt cirkulär ekonomi och produktinnovation. Ansträngningar inom dessa områden kam förbättra industris förmåga att tackla trycket från klimatkrisen och ökad framtida efterfrågan. Studien visar också på synergin mellan LCA och materialitetsanalys. Att använda resultat från LCA i materialitetsanalysen gav tydligare resultat och minskar subjektiviteten vilket ger bättre förutsättningar när hållbarhetsmål ska sättas.

Devido à persistência de metais pesados em solos, a contaminação por estes elementos é considerada permanente resultando no impacto agravante da degradação das propriedades químicas e biológicas do solo. As técnicas de estabilização para remediação de solos contaminados com metais pesados têm se destacado como uma opção eficaz, além de resultar num custo/benefício mais acessível quando comparado aos métodos de descontaminação tradicionais. Quando associada à fitoestabilização, constitui uma das técnicas mais promissoras, pois além de promover a reabilitação da área impactada, diminui os riscos ambientais, na medida em que protege o solo da erosão hídrica e reduz a lixiviação dos contaminantes. O conhecimento da distribuição dos metais nas frações do solo é essencial à predição do comportamento geoquímico destes no ambiente e, permite ainda avaliar a eficiência dos procedimentos remediadores e sua longevidade. Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni e Zn são de grande interesse na regulamentação por agências governamentais, visto que em concentrações elevadas em águas, solos e ar representam riscos à saúde humana. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho avaliou o potencial de imobilização de superfosfato triplo, lama vermelha e zeólitas para um solo contaminado com resíduo industrial rico em Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni e Zn, por meio de ensaio de incubação em vasos. Posteriormente, a capacidade de promover o crescimento vegetal em cada tratamento foi avaliada através de ensaios com milho (Zea mays), em vasos, e pelo método de Neubauer, em placas de Petri, utilizando o arroz (Oryza sativa). O comportamento e distribuição dos metais foram avaliados pelo método de extração seqüencial de Tessier. De maneira geral, todos os remediadores reduziram os teores disponíveis dos metais no solo, com variações sobre as doses e os elementos. O superfosfato triplo reduziu, principalmente, a disponibilidade de Pb, Cu e Zn. Zeólitas e lama vermelha apresentaram maior redução sobre os teores disponíveis de Cd e Ni. O superfosfato triplo promoveu redução de pH e, no sentido oposto, a lama vermelha elevou o pH do solo. Os dados de extração seqüencial apontaram o deslocamento dos metais para a fração oxi-hidróxidos de ferro e manganês, após os tratamentos. O superfosfato triplo foi o tratamento que mais promoveu o crescimento vegetal e produção de matéria seca. / Due to the heavy metal persistence in soils, the contamination by these elements is considered permanent and might result in great impact causing a degradation of the chemical and biological properties of the soil. Stabilization techniques have been used as an efficient tool for the remediation of soils that are contaminated by heavy metals, and they show also a cost/benefice relationship more accessible when compared with the traditional methods of decontamination. The association of stabilization and phytostabilization constitute a prominent technique because decrease the environmental risk besides recovering and rehabilitating the impacted area, protecting the soil from water erosion and leaching of the contaminants. The knowledge of the heavy metal distribution in the soil fractions is essential to the prediction of the geochemical behavior these metals in the environmental and allows also evaluate the efficacy of the remediation procedures and their longevity. Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn are of great interest to the regulamentation by the governmental agencies because if they are found in high concentration in water, soils and air they represent risk to the human health. In this context, this work evaluated the potential of the immobilization for triple superphosphate, red mud and zeolites in a contaminated soil with industrial residues rich in Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn, by using vase soil incubation experiment. Later, it was evaluated the capacity to promote the vegetal growth in each treatment through corn (Zea mays) experiment in vases and also by Neubauer method in Petri plates, using rice (Oryza sativa). The behavior and distribution of heavy metals were evaluated by the sequential extraction of Tessier. In general, all remediates reduced the available concentration of the heavy metals in the soil, varying with doses and the elements. The triple superphosphate reduced mainly the availability of Pb, Cu and Zn. Zeolites and red mud presented higher reduction in the available concentration of Cd and Ni. The triple superphosphate promoted pH reduction and in an opposite way the red mud increased the soil pH. The sequential data extraction showed the heavy metals moving to the iron and manganese oxi-hydroxide fractions after the treatments. The triple superphosphate was the treatment that has promoted higher vegetal growth.

Devido à persistência de metais pesados em solos, a contaminação por estes elementos é considerada permanente resultando no impacto agravante da degradação das propriedades químicas e biológicas do solo. As técnicas de estabilização para remediação de solos contaminados com metais pesados têm se destacado como uma opção eficaz, além de resultar num custo/benefício mais acessível quando comparado aos métodos de descontaminação tradicionais. Quando associada à fitoestabilização, constitui uma das técnicas mais promissoras, pois além de promover a reabilitação da área impactada, diminui os riscos ambientais, na medida em que protege o solo da erosão hídrica e reduz a lixiviação dos contaminantes. O conhecimento da distribuição dos metais nas frações do solo é essencial à predição do comportamento geoquímico destes no ambiente e, permite ainda avaliar a eficiência dos procedimentos remediadores e sua longevidade. Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni e Zn são de grande interesse na regulamentação por agências governamentais, visto que em concentrações elevadas em águas, solos e ar representam riscos à saúde humana. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho avaliou o potencial de imobilização de superfosfato triplo, lama vermelha e zeólitas para um solo contaminado com resíduo industrial rico em Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni e Zn, por meio de ensaio de incubação em vasos. Posteriormente, a capacidade de promover o crescimento vegetal em cada tratamento foi avaliada através de ensaios com milho (Zea mays), em vasos, e pelo método de Neubauer, em placas de Petri, utilizando o arroz (Oryza sativa). O comportamento e distribuição dos metais foram avaliados pelo método de extração seqüencial de Tessier. De maneira geral, todos os remediadores reduziram os teores disponíveis dos metais no solo, com variações sobre as doses e os elementos. O superfosfato triplo reduziu, principalmente, a disponibilidade de Pb, Cu e Zn. Zeólitas e lama vermelha apresentaram maior redução sobre os teores disponíveis de Cd e Ni. O superfosfato triplo promoveu redução de pH e, no sentido oposto, a lama vermelha elevou o pH do solo. Os dados de extração seqüencial apontaram o deslocamento dos metais para a fração oxi-hidróxidos de ferro e manganês, após os tratamentos. O superfosfato triplo foi o tratamento que mais promoveu o crescimento vegetal e produção de matéria seca. / Due to the heavy metal persistence in soils, the contamination by these elements is considered permanent and might result in great impact causing a degradation of the chemical and biological properties of the soil. Stabilization techniques have been used as an efficient tool for the remediation of soils that are contaminated by heavy metals, and they show also a cost/benefice relationship more accessible when compared with the traditional methods of decontamination. The association of stabilization and phytostabilization constitute a prominent technique because decrease the environmental risk besides recovering and rehabilitating the impacted area, protecting the soil from water erosion and leaching of the contaminants. The knowledge of the heavy metal distribution in the soil fractions is essential to the prediction of the geochemical behavior these metals in the environmental and allows also evaluate the efficacy of the remediation procedures and their longevity. Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn are of great interest to the regulamentation by the governmental agencies because if they are found in high concentration in water, soils and air they represent risk to the human health. In this context, this work evaluated the potential of the immobilization for triple superphosphate, red mud and zeolites in a contaminated soil with industrial residues rich in Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn, by using vase soil incubation experiment. Later, it was evaluated the capacity to promote the vegetal growth in each treatment through corn (Zea mays) experiment in vases and also by Neubauer method in Petri plates, using rice (Oryza sativa). The behavior and distribution of heavy metals were evaluated by the sequential extraction of Tessier. In general, all remediates reduced the available concentration of the heavy metals in the soil, varying with doses and the elements. The triple superphosphate reduced mainly the availability of Pb, Cu and Zn. Zeolites and red mud presented higher reduction in the available concentration of Cd and Ni. The triple superphosphate promoted pH reduction and in an opposite way the red mud increased the soil pH. The sequential data extraction showed the heavy metals moving to the iron and manganese oxi-hydroxide fractions after the treatments. The triple superphosphate was the treatment that has promoted higher vegetal growth.

Enhanced Finned-Tube Condenser Design and Optimization Susan W. Stewart 173 pages Directed by Dr. Sam V. Shelton Finned-tube heat exchangers are widely used in space conditioning systems, as well as any other application requiring heat exchange between liquids and gases. Their most widespread use is in residential air conditioning systems. Residential systems dictate peak demand on the U.S. national grid, which occurs on the hot summer afternoons, and thereby sets the expensive infrastructure requirement of the nations power plant and electrical distribution system. In addition to peak demand, residential air conditioners are major energy users that dominate residential electrical costs and environmental impact. The only significant opportunity for electrical power use reduction of residential air conditioners is in technology improvement of the finned-tube heat exchangers, i.e., condenser and evaporator coils. With the oncoming redesign of these systems in the next five years to comply with the regulatory elimination of R-22 used in residential air conditioners today, improvement in the design technology of these systems is timely. An air conditioner condenser finned-tube coil design optimization methodology is derived and shown to lead to improved residential air conditioner efficiency at fixed equipment cost. This nonlinear optimization of the 14 required design parameters is impractical by systematic experimental testing and iteration of tens of thousands condenser coils in an air conditioning system. The developed methodology and results can be used in the redesign of residential systems for the new mandated environmentally friendly refrigerants and to meet increasing regulatory minimum system efficiencies. Additionally, plain fins and augmented fins, (louvered), are compared using the developed model and optimization scheme to show the effect of the augmentation on system performance. Furthermore, an isolated condenser model was developed using condenser entropy generation minimization as the figure of merit to minimize the model complexity and computation time. Isolated model optimizations are compared with the system model optimum designs.

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.

Submitted by Felipe Augusto Ferreira de Almeida null (felipeafalmeida@gmail.com) on 2016-12-20T16:56:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO_FELIPE_FINAL.pdf: 3666708 bytes, checksum: 18899b06cbe9a7091fd3f037b0656174 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-12-22T10:53:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 almeira_faf_me_bauru.pdf: 3666708 bytes, checksum: 18899b06cbe9a7091fd3f037b0656174 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-22T10:53:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 almeira_faf_me_bauru.pdf: 3666708 bytes, checksum: 18899b06cbe9a7091fd3f037b0656174 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-03 / Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP) / Este trabalho aborda o emprego do Compensador Estático de Reativos (SVC) em redes de baixa tensão com geração distribuída de energia, tendo como objetivo a compensação de tensão e de fator de potência. Os principais distúrbios de qualidade de energia elétrica em baixa tensão, bem como as normas e os limites operacionais para os principais indicadores foram revisados, visando confrontação com as situações resultantes da integração do SVC no sistema elétrico. O SVC possui operação estabelecida como carga reativa controlável em sistemas de transmissão de energia, fazendo parte dos condicionadores da tecnologia FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems). A exploração desta tecnologia em outro nível de tensão é o objetivo deste trabalho. As análises foram realizadas através de simulações computacionais, desenvolvidas no ambiente MATLAB, contemplando o desenvolvimento de modelos relacionados com aplicações de RCT (Reator Controlado a Tiristor), FC (Capacitor Fixo), do CCT (Capacitor Chaveado a Tiristor) e de um sistema de geração distribuída de energia elétrica trifásico em uma rede de baixa tensão a quatro fios. A metodologia para o dimensionamento dos elementos passivos dos condicionadores é apresentada, bem como a análise dos valores de potência reativa, fator de potência, distorções harmônicas e a avaliação da necessidade de utilização ou não de filtros passivos. A teoria da potência conservativa (TPC) é a metodologia utilizada para definição das grandezas elétricas e fatores de conformidade. Por fim, as características operacionais de um SVC aplicado a uma rede de baixa tensão a quatro fios são exploradas através dos resultados de simulação, com o objetivo de demonstrar a manutenção de suas características operacionais estabelecidas, no nível de baixa tensão, e apontar aspectos diferenciados quanto à regulação de fator de potência e da forma de tensão providos pelo SVC, para servir como informação de confronto frente a outras tecnologias comumente utilizadas neste nível de tensão. / This paper discusses the use of Static Var Compensator (SVC) on low voltage grids with distributed generation with the aim of voltage and power factor compensation. The main electrical power quality disturbances at low voltage as well as the rules and operational limits for the main indicators were reviewed aiming to confront the situations resulting from SVC integration in the electrical system. SVC has established operation as controllable reactive load in power transmission systems, being part of FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) technology conditioners. The application of this technology in another level of tension is the objective of this work. The analyzes were carried out through computer simulations developed in the MATLAB environment, including the development of models related to RCT (Thyristor Controlled Reactor), FC (Fixed Capacitor), CCT (Thyristor Switching Capacitor) and a threephase electric power distributed generation system in a four-wire low voltage grid. The methodology for the dimensioning of the passive elements of the conditioners is presented, as well as the analysis of the values of reactive power, power factor, harmonic distortions and the evaluation of the need to use passive filters. The conservative power theory (CPT) is the methodology used to define the electrical magnitudes and compliance factors. Finally, the operational characteristics of a SVC applied to a low-voltage four-wire network are exploited through the simulation results, in order to demonstrate the maintenance of its established operational characteristics at the low voltage level and to point out different aspects as well as the power factor regulation and voltage form provided by the SVC, to serve as confronting information.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-10-19T14:44:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Valerio Ferreira Marcelo.pdf: 1719967 bytes, checksum: 92c5571022fd389d06cae5f46fa03f1a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-19T14:44:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Valerio Ferreira Marcelo.pdf: 1719967 bytes, checksum: 92c5571022fd389d06cae5f46fa03f1a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-20 / The Coastal Plains cover of Rio de Janeiro to Amapá, this landscape unit has cohesive layers of impediment located near the soil surface that promote changes in the state of water in the soil, which reduces the availability of water to plants and interfere with the development of its root system. The cohesive character is the term applied to describe subsurface horizons that have a significant increase in the cohesion of its particles. Soils with the cohesive character have serious physical limitations, especially by the presence of horizons that have, when dry, a strong cohesion, restricting plant growth, but when wet, its structure becomes very unstable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of chemical conditioners in improving the physical quality of cohesive soils in the environment of the coastal Pernambuco, from physical and physical-hydric attributes trials. Opened a profile on acreage of cane sugar on the North Coast Plains Forest Zone and collected samples structured and unstructured the cohesive horizon. The samples were divided into three treatments T0 (control), T1 (polyacrylamide - PAM / 100 mg kg-1) and T2 (PAM + Gypsum-CaSO42H2O / 1,523 g L-1). The evaluated attributes were: Total porosity (macro, meso, micro and criptoporosidade); bulk density (Ds); water retention curve characteristic of the soil (CCRAS); soil resistance to root penetration (RP), limiting water range (LLWR). The mean physical parameters analyzed were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the parameters that differ significantly was the Tukey test, using the SAS application. The embodiment of the toilet in soil contained in the soil core before or after application of conditioners do not affect the results of the bulk density (BD); The form of distribution of pores, showed changes in porosity in the soil under the action of conditioners; The penetration resistance was efficient attribute to evaluate the reduction of cohesion; The structural stability index was not conclusive for choosing the best treatment; The values of the IHO demonstrated the efficacy of this attribute, regarding the availability of water for the plants; Treatment with WFP increased the availability of water to plants. / Os Tabuleiros Costeiros abrangem do Rio de Janeiro ao Amapá, esta unidade de paisagem possui camadas coesas de impedimento localizadas próximas à superfície do solo que promovem alterações no estado da água no solo, que reduz a disponibilidade de água às plantas, além de interferir no desenvolvimento de seu sistema radicular. O caráter coeso é o termo aplicado para descrever horizontes subsuperficiais que apresentam aumento significativo na coesão das suas partículas. Solos que apresentam o caráter coeso têm sérias limitações físicas, sobretudo pela presença de horizontes que apresentam, quando secos, uma forte coesão, restringindo o crescimento das plantas, mas, quando úmidos, a sua estrutura torna-se muito instável. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de condicionadores químicos na melhoria da qualidade física de solos coesos no ambiente dos Tabuleiros Costeiros de Pernambuco, a partir de ensaios de atributos físicos e físico-hídricos. Foi aberto um perfil em área de plantio de cana-de-açúcar sobre Tabuleiro Costeiro na Zona da Mata Norte e coletado amostras estruturadas e não estruturadas do horizonte coeso. As amostras foram subdivididas em três tratamentos T0 (Controle), T1 (Poliacrilamida - PAM /100 mg kg-1) e T2 (PAM + Gesso-CaSO42H2O/1,523 g L-1). Os atributos físicos avaliados foram: Porosidade Total (macro, meso, micro e criptoporosidade); densidade do solo (Ds); curva característica de retenção de água no solo (CCRAS); resistência do solo a penetração de raízes (RP), intervalo hídrico ótimo (IHO). As médias dos parâmetros físicos analisados foram submetidas à análise de variância (ANOVA) e para os parâmetros que apresentarem diferenças significativas foi aplicado o teste de Tukey, por meio do aplicativo SAS. A realização da toalete no solo contido nos anéis volumétricos, antes ou após a aplicação dos condicionadores, não interfere nos resultados da densidade (Ds); A forma de distribuição de poros, evidenciou as modificações na porosidade no solo sob ação dos condicionadores; A resistência à penetração foi um atributo eficiente para avaliar a redução da coesão; O índice de estabilidade estrutural não foi conclusivo para a escolha do melhor tratamento; Os valores do IHO comprovam a eficiência deste atributo, com relação à disponibilidade de água para às plantas; O tratamento com PAM aumentou a disponibilidade de água às plantas.

Demand Side Management (DSM) is a term coined to describe the control of demand to optimize energy usage in a way beneficial to both users and utilities. There are different technologies and policies designed for DSM, and one of them is Direct Load Control (DLC) which refers to a utility directly controlling demand. In this thesis, an analysis of DLC for air conditioning units during summer in the Indian state of Karnataka is carried out. A new control mechanism is proposed, based on the local generation capacity, which seems to reduce until the monsoon season arrives, as the lack of rain reduces water levels in hydro power plants. The direct load control of ACs using this mechanism allows for 0.88% energy savings in a state where only around 5% of all households seem to have AC units and electricity is available for only 37% of the population. The mentioned savings could have significant economic impacts for both users and utilities, reduce the fossil-based energy consumption and/or improve issues such as blackouts and the lack of capacity to cover peak loads. Continuous improvements in both energy access and the economic conditions of the state will lead to a larger number of AC’s installed, meaning that a mechanism that reduces AC consumption could be of great utility for all stakeholders of the electricity sector. / Styrning av Efterfrågan (från Demand Side Management, DSM) är ett begrepp som myntats för att beskriva konsumtionskontroll för att optimera energianvändning på ett sätt som är fördelaktigt för både användare och samhällsservice. Det finns olika tekniker och taktiker utformade för DSM, och en av dem är Direkt Belastningskontroll (från Direct Load Control, DLC), vilket är ett verktyg för att direkt kontrollera efterfrågan. I denna avhandling genomförs en analys av DLC för luftkonditioneringsenheter under sommaren i den indiska delstaten Karnataka. En ny kontrollmekanism föreslås baserat på den lokala produktionskapaciteten, som verkar minska fram tills monsunsäsongen, eftersom bristen på regn minskar vattennivån i vattenkraftverk. Den direkta belastningskontrollen hos luftkonditioneringsenheter med denna mekanism möjliggör en energibesparing på 0,88% i ett stadium där endast cirka 5% av alla hushåll tycks ha luftkonditionering och elektricitet är tillgängligt för endast 37% av befolkningen. De nämnda besparingarna kan ha betydande ekonomiska effekter för både användare och samhällsservice, minska den fossilbaserade energiförbrukningen och/eller förbättra problem som strömavbrott och brist på kapacitet för att täcka toppbelastningar. Ständiga förbättringar av både energitillgång och de ekonomiska förhållandena i staten kommer att leda till att ett större antal luftkonditioneringsenheter installeras, vilket innebär att en mekanism som minskar konsumtionen hos luftkonditioneringsenheterna kan vara till stor nytta för alla intressenter i elsektorn.

The fact that when lime is added to clayey soils same very beneficial results are produced dates back into the remote past. It is not a new development, In the United States lime has been in use since l923. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing soaking time of soil-lime mixtures on the strength, swell potential, and degree of saturation. In order to ascertain the exact composition of clay minerals, X-ray diffraction analysis was run on the soil sample. The analysis showed that the clayey soil contained a large amount of water with a greater percentage of halloysite minerals. The soil, it was concluded, was poorly crystalline and was found to be midway between montmorillonite and kaolinite group. / Master of Science