Cinzas oriundas da combustão de carvão são resíduos produzidos no processo de geração de energia em termoelétricas. Esses resíduos industriais podem ser aproveitados como matéria prima para síntese de zeólitas, as quais são materiais aluminossilicatos porosos com importantes aplicações, como adsorventes no tratamento de efluentes líquidos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar zeólitas a partir de três diferentes cinzas de carvão e utilizá-las na remoção de corante violeta cristal em soluções aquosas via processo de adsorção. Para isso, foram sintetizadas zeólitas denominadas ZP, ZF e ZFD a partir de três diferentes cinzas de carvão, sendo elas, respectivamente: cinzas de carvão de combustão em leito pulverizado, de combustão em planta piloto de leito fluidizado e de combustão em planta piloto de leito fluidizado utilizando processo de dessulfuração interna. A síntese foi feita pelo método hidrotérmico, utilizando NaOH 3 mol L-1 como agente mineralizante, relação líquido/sólido (L/S) igual a 6 e tempo de reação de 24 h a 100 °C. Os materiais obtidos foram submetidos à caracterização física, química e morfológica, nas quais foi observada a formação de três diferentes fases zeolíticas (zeólitas P, X e sodalita) nas amostras ZF e ZFD, e uma única fase (zeólita P) na amostra ZP. Os valores de área superficial BET encontrados foram de 17, 35 e 40 m2 g-1 para as zeólitas ZP, ZFD e ZF, respectivamente, com tamanho de poros na faixa de 3 a 4 nm para os três materiais. Os valores de capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC) ficaram entre 2,07 e 2,85 meq NH4 + g-1. Posteriormente foram realizados ensaios de adsorção do corante em que foi avaliada a influência do pH, tempo de contato e concentração de sólido adsorvente. Ainda, foram construídas isotermas de adsorção para esses sistemas e os modelos de isotermas de Langmuir, Freundlich e BET modificado foram ajustados aos dados experimentais. Os resultados mostraram que a maior eficiência foi obtida pela zeólita ZF, alcançando máxima remoção de corante de 85 % nos estudos do efeito do tempo de contato, e as melhores condições experimentais obtidas foram de 60 min e 15 g L-1 de concentração de sólido adsorvente. O modelo de isotermas que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais foi BET modificado, com R2 = 0,9894. A síntese de zeólita a partir de cinzas de carvão mostrou potencial na produção de um adsorvente alternativo para remoção do corante violeta cristal de águas contaminadas, contribuindo também para a diminuição do impacto ambiental das atividades de combustão de carvão. / Ashes from coal combustion are waste produced in the process of power generation in thermoelectric. These industrial wastes can be used as raw material for zeolite synthesis, which are porous aluminosilicate with important applications, such as adsorbents in the treatment of liquid effluents. The objective of this study was to synthesize zeolites from three different coal ash and apply it in crystal violet dye adsorption processes in aqueous solution. Thereunto, zeolites called ZP, ZF e ZFD were synthesized from the three different coal ashes, as so, respectively: coal ashes from powdered bed combustion, from combustion in a fluidized bed pilot plant and from combustion in a fluidized bed pilot plant with internal desulphurization. The synthesis was carried by hydrothermal method, using NaOH 3 mol L-1 as the mineralizing agent, the liquid/solid ratio (L/S) equal to 6 and 24 hours reaction time at 100 ° C. The materials were subjected to physical, chemical and morphological characterization and it was observed the formation of three different zeolite phases (zeolites P, X and sodalite) in the sample ZF and ZFD, and a single phase (zeolite P) in ZP sample. The BET surface area values were 17, 35 and 40 m2 g-1 to ZP, ZFD and ZF zeolites, respectively, with pore size in the range of 3 to 4 nm for all three materials. The values of cation exchange capacity (CEC) were between 2.07 and 2.85 meq NH4 + g-1. Subsequently, adsorption tests were carried out in which it was evaluated the influence of pH, contact time and adsorbent solid concentration. Still, adsorption isotherms were built for these systems and isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich and modified BET were fitted to experimental data. The results showed that the highest efficiency was obtained by zeolite ZF, achieving maximum dye removal of 85 % in the studies of contact time effects, and the best experimental conditions were 60 min and adsorbent solid concentration of 15 g L-1. The BET isotherm model was found to be the best fit to experimental data, with R2 = 0.9894. The zeolite synthesis from coal ash has shown potential in the production of an alternative adsorbent to remove the crystal violet dye from contaminated water, also contributing to reducing the environmental impact of coal combustion activities.

This research investigate the matrix effect, operation time, cost and solvent comsumption for triarylmethanes and corresponding metabolites in different aquaculture products by different extraction methods. Triarylmethane was determined by LC-ESI-MS/MS in positive mode. The analytical method validation were followed the regulation of 2002/657/EC. HPLC separation was conducted with the RP-18 column. The mobile phases consisted of 0.5 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 3.8, adjusted with acetic acid) ¡V acetonitrile (contained 0.1% formic acid) solution. The ratios of standard deviation to average residual time for all compounds are less than 0.05. The ion ratio is stable and allowed by the regulation of 2002/657/EC. The regression constant of calibration curve is in the range from 0.998 to 0.999. The CC£\ for MG, LMG, CV, LCV are 0.09 ¡Ó 0.05, 0.19 ¡Ó 0.14, 0.15 ¡Ó 0.13, 0.15 ¡Ó 0.10 £ggkg-1, respectively. The CC£] for MG, LMG, CV, LCV are 0.09 ¡Ó 0.05, 0.19 ¡Ó 0.14, 0.15 ¡Ó 0.13, 0.15 ¡Ó0.10 £ggkg-1, respectively. The results for SPE and liquid-liquid extraction are not significantly different; the liquid-liquid extraction have shorter operation time, cheaper cost and less solvent consumption in comparison with SPE.

In this research, two major experiments, including the self-assembly of silica spheres, were performed by using a physical confinement method with an attractive capillary force. The silica spheres were dragged and aggregated as results of the evaporation of the solvent. In the first experiment, silica spheres were assembled into the two-dimensional pattered substrate, constructed by the photo-resist film formed under a lithography process. Several patterned substrates could work as a physical trap during the flow of the silica spheres. The ordered arrangement of the silica spheres was controlled by the concentration and the size of the silica spheres, the thickness of the photo-resist film, and the titled angle of the substrate. In our conditions, the silica spheres could orderly arrange in larger area of the substrate. In the second experiment, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement was observed from a chain of silica spheres with silver nanoparticles, which worked as a excitation source to provid a strong local electromagnetic fields exciting the crystal violet (CV) dye coated on the silica spheres. We found that the CV molecules has a strong SERS intensity due to the refraction and reflection of the incident light within the silica spheres. When the silica spheres were linearly arranged, longer length of the chained silica spheres would lead to a maximum value of the SERS intensity.

Abstract: The role of bacterial biofilms in patients with persistent CRS is of growing concern. The limited efficacy of some medical and surgical treatments for CRS illustrates the need for further progress in this area. The current treatments of chronic rhinosinusitis are concentrated on medical +/- surgical therapy. In this thesis, we consider two methods performed in chronic rhinosinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery and long term low-dose macrolide therapy, and consider how they can affect bacterial biofilms. The effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on bacterial biofilms and the clinical impact of this condition on CRS patients may be far more profound than we can currently understand. To understand the impact of ESS on bacterial biofilms, we have performed the first prospective study to evaluate the effect of ESS on bacterial biofilms in patients with CRS and patients’ clinical outcomes after 3 months follow-up. We have shown that ESS results in a statistically significant improvement in QoL, subjective and objective outcome measures. In terms of bacterial biofilms, the mean OD630nm of isolates was significantly reduced after 3 months follow-up (p=0.043). No correlations between the reduction of bacterial biofilms with any of the objective, subjective and QoL outcomes were seen in our study. Macrolides have demonstrated their anti-inflamatory effects in the treatment of diffuse panbronchiolitis, asthma, cystis fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis. In recent years, there are a number of in vitro studies supporting the anti-biofilm effects of macrolide antibiotics, especially at sub-MICs level. These have shown that macrolides alter the outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide of biomass and inhibit the expression of other bacterial virulence factors which may disrupt the adherence of bacteria to form biofilms. Long term low dose macrolide therapy, therefore, may transform bacterial biofilms from the protected organized form into the plantonic form. In this thesis, we also report the first in vivo efficacy of long term low dose macrolides on bacterial biofilms in patients with CRS. Patients receiving oral macrolide showed significant improvements in subjective, objective and QoL scores following a 12 week course. Nasal swabs were taken from CRS patients at the first visit and 3 months after macrolide therapy. Using the microtiter biofilm assay, these swabs showed a reduction in the mean OD630nm of isolates in 8/12 patients. While it is well-known that bacterial biofilms are established in CRS patients, the relationship between the improvement of clinical symptoms and the severity of bacterial biofilm is less clear.

Cinzas oriundas da combustão de carvão são resíduos produzidos no processo de geração de energia em termoelétricas. Esses resíduos industriais podem ser aproveitados como matéria prima para síntese de zeólitas, as quais são materiais aluminossilicatos porosos com importantes aplicações, como adsorventes no tratamento de efluentes líquidos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar zeólitas a partir de três diferentes cinzas de carvão e utilizá-las na remoção de corante violeta cristal em soluções aquosas via processo de adsorção. Para isso, foram sintetizadas zeólitas denominadas ZP, ZF e ZFD a partir de três diferentes cinzas de carvão, sendo elas, respectivamente: cinzas de carvão de combustão em leito pulverizado, de combustão em planta piloto de leito fluidizado e de combustão em planta piloto de leito fluidizado utilizando processo de dessulfuração interna. A síntese foi feita pelo método hidrotérmico, utilizando NaOH 3 mol L-1 como agente mineralizante, relação líquido/sólido (L/S) igual a 6 e tempo de reação de 24 h a 100 °C. Os materiais obtidos foram submetidos à caracterização física, química e morfológica, nas quais foi observada a formação de três diferentes fases zeolíticas (zeólitas P, X e sodalita) nas amostras ZF e ZFD, e uma única fase (zeólita P) na amostra ZP. Os valores de área superficial BET encontrados foram de 17, 35 e 40 m2 g-1 para as zeólitas ZP, ZFD e ZF, respectivamente, com tamanho de poros na faixa de 3 a 4 nm para os três materiais. Os valores de capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC) ficaram entre 2,07 e 2,85 meq NH4 + g-1. Posteriormente foram realizados ensaios de adsorção do corante em que foi avaliada a influência do pH, tempo de contato e concentração de sólido adsorvente. Ainda, foram construídas isotermas de adsorção para esses sistemas e os modelos de isotermas de Langmuir, Freundlich e BET modificado foram ajustados aos dados experimentais. Os resultados mostraram que a maior eficiência foi obtida pela zeólita ZF, alcançando máxima remoção de corante de 85 % nos estudos do efeito do tempo de contato, e as melhores condições experimentais obtidas foram de 60 min e 15 g L-1 de concentração de sólido adsorvente. O modelo de isotermas que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais foi BET modificado, com R2 = 0,9894. A síntese de zeólita a partir de cinzas de carvão mostrou potencial na produção de um adsorvente alternativo para remoção do corante violeta cristal de águas contaminadas, contribuindo também para a diminuição do impacto ambiental das atividades de combustão de carvão. / Ashes from coal combustion are waste produced in the process of power generation in thermoelectric. These industrial wastes can be used as raw material for zeolite synthesis, which are porous aluminosilicate with important applications, such as adsorbents in the treatment of liquid effluents. The objective of this study was to synthesize zeolites from three different coal ash and apply it in crystal violet dye adsorption processes in aqueous solution. Thereunto, zeolites called ZP, ZF e ZFD were synthesized from the three different coal ashes, as so, respectively: coal ashes from powdered bed combustion, from combustion in a fluidized bed pilot plant and from combustion in a fluidized bed pilot plant with internal desulphurization. The synthesis was carried by hydrothermal method, using NaOH 3 mol L-1 as the mineralizing agent, the liquid/solid ratio (L/S) equal to 6 and 24 hours reaction time at 100 ° C. The materials were subjected to physical, chemical and morphological characterization and it was observed the formation of three different zeolite phases (zeolites P, X and sodalite) in the sample ZF and ZFD, and a single phase (zeolite P) in ZP sample. The BET surface area values were 17, 35 and 40 m2 g-1 to ZP, ZFD and ZF zeolites, respectively, with pore size in the range of 3 to 4 nm for all three materials. The values of cation exchange capacity (CEC) were between 2.07 and 2.85 meq NH4 + g-1. Subsequently, adsorption tests were carried out in which it was evaluated the influence of pH, contact time and adsorbent solid concentration. Still, adsorption isotherms were built for these systems and isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich and modified BET were fitted to experimental data. The results showed that the highest efficiency was obtained by zeolite ZF, achieving maximum dye removal of 85 % in the studies of contact time effects, and the best experimental conditions were 60 min and adsorbent solid concentration of 15 g L-1. The BET isotherm model was found to be the best fit to experimental data, with R2 = 0.9894. The zeolite synthesis from coal ash has shown potential in the production of an alternative adsorbent to remove the crystal violet dye from contaminated water, also contributing to reducing the environmental impact of coal combustion activities.

Cinzas oriundas da combustão de carvão são resíduos produzidos no processo de geração de energia em termoelétricas. Esses resíduos industriais podem ser aproveitados como matéria prima para síntese de zeólitas, as quais são materiais aluminossilicatos porosos com importantes aplicações, como adsorventes no tratamento de efluentes líquidos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar zeólitas a partir de três diferentes cinzas de carvão e utilizá-las na remoção de corante violeta cristal em soluções aquosas via processo de adsorção. Para isso, foram sintetizadas zeólitas denominadas ZP, ZF e ZFD a partir de três diferentes cinzas de carvão, sendo elas, respectivamente: cinzas de carvão de combustão em leito pulverizado, de combustão em planta piloto de leito fluidizado e de combustão em planta piloto de leito fluidizado utilizando processo de dessulfuração interna. A síntese foi feita pelo método hidrotérmico, utilizando NaOH 3 mol L-1 como agente mineralizante, relação líquido/sólido (L/S) igual a 6 e tempo de reação de 24 h a 100 °C. Os materiais obtidos foram submetidos à caracterização física, química e morfológica, nas quais foi observada a formação de três diferentes fases zeolíticas (zeólitas P, X e sodalita) nas amostras ZF e ZFD, e uma única fase (zeólita P) na amostra ZP. Os valores de área superficial BET encontrados foram de 17, 35 e 40 m2 g-1 para as zeólitas ZP, ZFD e ZF, respectivamente, com tamanho de poros na faixa de 3 a 4 nm para os três materiais. Os valores de capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC) ficaram entre 2,07 e 2,85 meq NH4 + g-1. Posteriormente foram realizados ensaios de adsorção do corante em que foi avaliada a influência do pH, tempo de contato e concentração de sólido adsorvente. Ainda, foram construídas isotermas de adsorção para esses sistemas e os modelos de isotermas de Langmuir, Freundlich e BET modificado foram ajustados aos dados experimentais. Os resultados mostraram que a maior eficiência foi obtida pela zeólita ZF, alcançando máxima remoção de corante de 85 % nos estudos do efeito do tempo de contato, e as melhores condições experimentais obtidas foram de 60 min e 15 g L-1 de concentração de sólido adsorvente. O modelo de isotermas que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais foi BET modificado, com R2 = 0,9894. A síntese de zeólita a partir de cinzas de carvão mostrou potencial na produção de um adsorvente alternativo para remoção do corante violeta cristal de águas contaminadas, contribuindo também para a diminuição do impacto ambiental das atividades de combustão de carvão. / Ashes from coal combustion are waste produced in the process of power generation in thermoelectric. These industrial wastes can be used as raw material for zeolite synthesis, which are porous aluminosilicate with important applications, such as adsorbents in the treatment of liquid effluents. The objective of this study was to synthesize zeolites from three different coal ash and apply it in crystal violet dye adsorption processes in aqueous solution. Thereunto, zeolites called ZP, ZF e ZFD were synthesized from the three different coal ashes, as so, respectively: coal ashes from powdered bed combustion, from combustion in a fluidized bed pilot plant and from combustion in a fluidized bed pilot plant with internal desulphurization. The synthesis was carried by hydrothermal method, using NaOH 3 mol L-1 as the mineralizing agent, the liquid/solid ratio (L/S) equal to 6 and 24 hours reaction time at 100 ° C. The materials were subjected to physical, chemical and morphological characterization and it was observed the formation of three different zeolite phases (zeolites P, X and sodalite) in the sample ZF and ZFD, and a single phase (zeolite P) in ZP sample. The BET surface area values were 17, 35 and 40 m2 g-1 to ZP, ZFD and ZF zeolites, respectively, with pore size in the range of 3 to 4 nm for all three materials. The values of cation exchange capacity (CEC) were between 2.07 and 2.85 meq NH4 + g-1. Subsequently, adsorption tests were carried out in which it was evaluated the influence of pH, contact time and adsorbent solid concentration. Still, adsorption isotherms were built for these systems and isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich and modified BET were fitted to experimental data. The results showed that the highest efficiency was obtained by zeolite ZF, achieving maximum dye removal of 85 % in the studies of contact time effects, and the best experimental conditions were 60 min and adsorbent solid concentration of 15 g L-1. The BET isotherm model was found to be the best fit to experimental data, with R2 = 0.9894. The zeolite synthesis from coal ash has shown potential in the production of an alternative adsorbent to remove the crystal violet dye from contaminated water, also contributing to reducing the environmental impact of coal combustion activities.

Fouling in general and biofouling in specific is a problem concerning many industries. Biofouling occur in environments favorable for biological growth. As an example, industries using cooling water have problems with biofouling. The problem is apparent on heat exchangers as biofilm reduces the heat transfer and thus the performance. There are several different methods to reduce fouling on tube and shell heat exchanger on the market. However, for plate heat exchanger the alternatives are fewer. Generally, cleaning is performed by opening the heat exchanger and cleaning the plates one by one. This thesis aimed to present some of the biofouling reducing methods available on the market, and principally methods that could be applied on plate heat exchangers. Two of the methods were selected to be evaluated in experimentally; Advanced Oxidizing Technology (AOT) and ultrasound. The performances were evaluated by semi quantifying the amount of produced biofilm on plates of stainless steel, polystyrene and titanium. The plates were either reference plates, i.e. under no influence of some reducing method, or they were submerged in the tank when ultrasound or AOT were under operation. The test with ultrasound was performed once, whereas the test with AOT was performed twice. Ultrasound showed the best result; by reducing the amounts of produced biofilm from 68-100 % on all the plates, independent of the material used. AOT showed ambiguous results. From the first test it seemed to affect the production of biofilm, whereas in the second test it did not proof to have the same affect. / Påväxt i allmänhet och biologisk påväxt i synnerhet är ett problem som finns i många industrier/områden inom industrin. Biofilmstillväxt förekommer i miljöer gynnsam för biologisk tillväxt. Till exempel har industrier som använder kylvatten problem med biofilmstillväxt. På värmeväxlare visar sig problemet i form av sämre effektivitet genom försämrad värmeledningsförmåga. Det finns flera olika metoder för tillväxt att förhindra eller motverka tillväxt i tubvärmeväxlare. För plattvärmeväxlare är alternativen däremot färre. Generellt rengörs värmeväxlaren genom att denna öppnas och att plattorna rengörs en efter en. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att presentera några av de metoder som finns på marknaden för att minska och ta bort biologisktillväxt, och då främst metoder som går att använda på plattvärmeväxlare. Två av metoderna valdes ut och testades; Advanced Oxidizing Technology (AOT) och ultraljud. Metoderna utvärderades genom en semi- kvantitativ analys av mängd producerad biofilm på plattor gjorda av rostfritt stål, polystyren och titan. Dessa plattor var antingen referensplattor, det vill säga utan inverkan av någon reduceringsmetod, eller så var de nedsänkta i tankar fyllda med vatten där respektive metod hade verkat. Testet med ultraljud utfördes en gång, medan testet med AOT utfördes två gånger. Ultraljud visade sig vara bäst på att reducera biofilmstillväxt; med en reducering på 68 till 100 %. Oberoende av material minskade ultraljud tillväxten på samtliga plattor. AOT visade tvetydiga resultat; från det första testet tycktes det påverka produktionen av biofilm, medan den inte visade lika tydliga resultat i det andra testet.

No description available.

O material SiO2/Nb2O5 (SiNb) foi preparado pelo método sol-gel e empregado como adsorvente para remoção do corante Violeta Cristal. O material foi caracterizado utilizando isotermas de adsorção/dessorção de nitrogênio, espectroscopia FTIR, pHpzc, e SEM-EDS. A análise isotérmica de N2 revelou a presença de micro e mesoporos na amostra de SiNb com área superficial específica de 747 m2g−1. No processo de adsorção do corante foram avaliados parâmetros como pH, temperatura, tempo de contato, e concentração do corante no processo. O valor de pH inicial da solução do corante que levou a uma máxima adsorção foi 7. A cinética de adsorção e equilíbrio para a adsorção do corante foram representadas por ordem-geral e Liu, respectivamente. A capacidade máxima de adsorção do corante com o adsorvente SiNb, na temperatura de 303K, foi de 116mg g-1. Dois efluentes de corantes foram simulados e usados para verificar a aplicabilidade do material SiNb para tratamento de efluentes, sendo que o adsorvente se mostrou muito eficiente na descoloração desses efluentes. / In this dissertation, SiO2/Nb2O5 (SiNb) material was prepared using sol–gel method and employed as adsorbent for removal of crystal violet dye (CV). The material was characterized using nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, FTIR spectroscopy, pHpzc, and SEM-EDS. The analysis of N2 isotherms revealed the presence of micro- and mesopores in the SiNb sample with specific surface area 747 m2 g−1. For the dye adsorption process, variations of parameters such as of pH, temperature, contact time, and concentration of dye of the process were evaluated. The optimum initial pH of the CV dye solution was 7.0. The adsorption kinetic and equilibrium data for CV adsorption were suitably represented by the general-order and Liu models, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of the CV dye by SiNb was achieved at 303 K, which attained 116 mg g−1at this temperaure. Dye effluents were simulated and used to check the applicability of the SiNb material for treatment of effluents – the material showed very good efficiency for decolorization of dye effluents.

Escapin is an L-amino acid oxidase that produces antimicrobial metabolites collectively called “Escapin Intermediate Products” (EIP-K). EIP-K and H2O2 together were previously shown to be bactericidal towards diverse planktonic bacteria. The present work investigates the ability of EIP-K and H2O2 to antagonize bacterial biofilms, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model. The project had three aims: 1) determine the most effective concentrations of EIP-K and H2O2 necessary to break down existing P. aeruginosa biofilms, using a crystal violet assay; 2) examine the ability of EIP-K + H2O2 to inhibit biofilm formation, using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride dye; and 3) determine the effect of EIP-K + H2O2 on the viability, biomass and structure of biofilms cultivated in flow cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results showed that EIP-K + H2O2 significantly reduced biofilm biomass relative to controls and that the compounds are effective at nanomolar concentrations.