The present status of the environment, including environmental problems such as heavy metal accumulation in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, is in part the consequence of long-term changes. Cores from peatlands and other natural archives provide us with the potential to study aspects of the atmospheric cycling of elements, such as metal pollutants, on timescales much longer than the decade or two available to us with atmospheric deposition monitoring programs. The past decade especially has seen a rapid increase in interest in the biogeochemical record preserved in peat, particularly as it relates to environmental changes (e.g. climate and pollution). Importantly, recent studies have shown that carbon dynamics, i.e., organic matter decomposition, may influence the record of atmospherically derived elements such as halogens and mercury. Other studies have shown that under certain conditions some downward movement of atmospherically deposited elements may also occur, which adds complexity to establishing reliable chronologies as well as inherent problems of estimating accurate accumulation rates of peat and past metal deposition. Thus, we still lack a complete understanding of the basic biogeochemical processes and their effects on trace element distributions. While many studies have validated the general temporal patterns of peat records, there has been a limited critical examination of accumulation records in quantitative terms. To be certain that we extract not only a qualitative record from peat, it is important that we establish a quantitative link between the archive and the few to several decades of data that are available from contemporary monitoring and research. The main objective of this doctoral thesis was to focus on improving the link between the long-term paleorecord and the contemporary monitoring data available from biomonitoring and direct deposition observations. The main research questions have therefore been: Are peat archives an absolute or relative record? And how are geochemical signals, including dating, incorporated in the peat archive? What temporal resolution is realistic to interpret by using peat cores?

<p>The results of the multivariate analyses suggest that most of the variation in the composition of the samples was of an intra-sample nature, illustrating large scale patchiness in foraminiferal distribution. There were, however, definite differences between communities around Robben Island and in St Helena Bay, and least variation was found between the control and pipeline sites, and between the stations of each site. When the trace metal concentrations and the percentage nitrogen increased, the richness, diversity and abundance of foraminifera tended to decrease. Sediment grain size positively affected abundance but negatively affected diversity and richness. In both areas mean grain size did not, however, appear to play a very large role in influencing diversity. Cadmium, copper, chromium, the percentage nitrogen and the mean grain size were identified as the most important variables influencing the community structure by the BIOENV BEST routine in PRIMER. The trace metals and percentage nitrogen only had negative effects on the diversity and abundance as well as on the abundance of the dominant genera, whereas the mean grain size had variable effects.</p>

Die außerordentlichen Steigerungen der Funktionalität und Produktivität in der Halbleiterindustrie sind zum wesentlichen Teil auf eine Verkleinerung der Strukturdetails auf einer logarithmischen Skala über die letzten Jahrzehnte zurückzuführen. Sowohl zur Kontrolle des Fertigungsergebnisses als auch zur Klärung von Fehlerursachen ist die Nutzung transmissionselektronenmikroskopischer Methoden unabdingbar. Für die Zielpräparation von Halbleiterstrukturen sind Techniken unter Nutzung der Focused Ion Beam Geräte etabliert, die je nach der konkreten Aufgabenstellung variiert werden. Die Abbildung von Strukturdetails mit Abmessungen von wenigen Nanometern erfordert die Anwendung unterschiedlicher Kontrastmechanismen. Die Ergänzung der Abbildung durch die analytischen Techniken der energiedispersiven Röntgenmikroanalyse und der Elektronenenergieverlustanalyse ist ein wertvolles Werkzeug bei der Klärung von Fehlerursachen oder bei prozesstechnischen Fragestellungen. Die Nutzung der Rastertransmissionselektronenmikroskopie erlaubt die unmittelbare Kombination von Abbildung und Elementanalyse. Die lokale Verteilung von Dotierstoffen als wesentliche Grundlage für die Funktion von Bauelementen in der Halbleiterindustrie ist nur über ihre Auswirkung auf die Phase der transmittierten Elektronenwelle nachweisbar. Mittels Elektronenholographie kann dieser Einfluss gemessen werden und das Prozessergebnis von Implantationen dargestellt werden. Für die Charakterisierung von Details, die kleiner als die Probendicken sind, die im TEM genutzt werden, ist die Anwendung der Elektronentomographie ein geeignetes Werkzeug. Dazu sind spezielle Präparations- und Abbildungsstrategien erforderlich. / The strong improvements in functionality and productivity in the semiconductor industry are mostly a result of the decrease of structural details on a logarithmic scale during the last decades. The monitoring of the production process, as well as failure analyses, utilize methods of transmission electron microscopy. For targeted preparations of semiconductor structures, techniques based on focused ion beams are established, with adaptions to the current task. The imaging of structural details with dimensions of a few nanometers requires the application of different contrast techniques, depending on the detailed request. Different opportunities of elemental analysis, such as energy dispersive X-ray analysis or electron energy loss analysis, deliver additional information about the chemical composition and binding states on a nanoscale. The use of scanning transmission electron microscopy enables a direct combination of imaging and elemental analysis. The local distribution of dopants, as one of the major basics for the function of semiconductor devices, can be observed via the phase shift of the transmitted electron wave only. This influence requires the application of electron holography, a technique which enables the visualization of the process result of implantations or diffusion processes. The characterization of details which are smaller than the thickness of a TEM-sample is enabled through the use of electron tomography. This technique requires special strategies for preparation and imaging and delivers a 3D-dataset, describing the structure.

[Truncated abstract] The analysis and subsequent interpretation of trace evidence is of paramount importance to the forensic scientist. While a variety of methods are available to facilitate comparison between recovered and control samples, the use of a specific analytical method depends upon both the physical and chemical nature of the material itself and the material to which it is to be compared. Elemental analysis of evidentiary material is one such method of sample comparison and has been extensively applied to this purpose following the introduction of neutron activation analysis in the early 1960s. However, over the last 15 years, another instrumental technique has taken centre stage in the analytical armoury of the forensic scientist: laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The modification and adaptation of this technique, to a point where it is possible to distinguish between glass materials produced only hours apart on the same production line, is detailed in this thesis. Additional protocols have also been developed for the analysis of fibreglass and plastic crime scene debris. Finally, a method for quantification of elemental concentrations in headlamp plastics has also been developed to facilitate inter-comparison of data between both different analytical techniques and different laboratories. Glass material is one of the most common varieties of trace evidence and the forensic examination of glass traditionally involves the determination of its refractive index (RI). ... The analytical protocol involves the analysis of 46 analytes on material comprising the exterior surface of the lens. Using this data, it was found that although minor variations in elemental composition exist within a single headlamp lens, discrimination between lenses produced from a single manufacturing plant over a short period of time could still be achieved. Discrimination between all headlamp lenses, with the exception of some lenses produced on the same day, could be facilitated using the analytical protocol developed. Furthermore, an interpretational protocol has been developed that has successfully classified all unknown headlamp lens samples investigated in this study, within the discrimination limits of the analytical method. The semi-quantitative analysis of glass and plastic samples has also been examined using LA-ICP-MS. The concentrations of 16 analytes in container and float glass samples were determined. However, the levels of discrimination afforded by the semi-quantitative data were inferior to those achieved using qualitative data. Finally, a series of plastic-based standards, containing 25 analytes of known concentrations, was produced. Using these standards, relative concentrations of the study analytes were determined in polycarbonate headlamp lenses. Interpretation of the data produced made it possible to discriminate between all study samples. Consequently, the total analytical and interpretational protocol developed in this study has established the foundation for LA-ICP-MS to be adopted internationally as a recognised method for the analysis of plastic crime scene debris.

The oxidative dissolution of chalcopyrite in ferric media often produces incomplete copper recoveries. The incomplete recoveries have been attributed to inhibition caused by the formation of a metal deficient sulphide and the deposition of elemental sulphur and jarosite. Although these phases have been qualitatively identified on the surface of chalcopyrite, none have been quantitatively identified. The aim of the project was to quantitatively analyse the surface before and after oxidative dissolution, with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and to use the phases identified as the basis for mechanisms of dissolution and inhibition. / XPS analysis was performed on chalcopyrite massive fractured under anaerobic atmosphere and chalcopyrite massive and concentrate oxidised in 0.1 M ferric sulphate (pH 1.9) and 0.2 M ferric chloride (pH 1.6) at 50, 65 and 80ºC. Quantitative XPS analysis of the chalcopyrite surfaces required the development of programs that accounted for the observed XPS spectra. The output of these programs was used to construct profiles of the chalcopyrite surfaces and the deposited phases. These surface profiles were correlated with copper recoveries determined for chalcopyrite concentrate dissolution under the same conditions. / The surface of chalcopyrite before oxidative dissolution reconstructs to form a `pyritic' disulphide phase. This phase is oxidised in ferric media to form thiosulphate via the incorporation of oxygen atoms from the hydration sphere. The thiosulphate reacts in the oxidising conditions of low pH to form elemental sulphur, sulphite and sulphate. The sulphate complexes with ferric to produce hydronium jarosite. This reaction occurs at the surface during the initial stages of dissolution and in the bulk solution during the latter stages. This precipitation of hydronium jarosite during the latter stages of dissolution corresponds to inhibition of the dissolution reaction. It is therefore concluded hydronium jarosite is responsible for inhibiting the oxidative dissolution of chalcopyrite in ferric media. / The identification of hydronium jarosite as the inhibiting phase is consistent with the industrial practice of removing `excess' iron from the ferric solution before oxidative dissolution. However, additional iron and sulphate are generated at the chalcopyrite surface during oxidative dissolution. These high iron and sulphate concentrations combine with the low pH and high temperatures favoured for the oxidative dissolution of chalcopyrite to produce ideal conditions for jarosite precipitation. Therefore, pH must be lowered further to prevent jarosite precipitation and enhance copper recoveries from chalcopyrite in ferric media.

68 f. / Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-04-05T17:50:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao - Wdson Costa Santos.PDF: 1066509 bytes, checksum: 0409b0432c52d5bd01e90ebcf214766a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Hilda Fonseca(anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-06-06T14:53:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao - Wdson Costa Santos.PDF: 1066509 bytes, checksum: 0409b0432c52d5bd01e90ebcf214766a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-06T14:53:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao - Wdson Costa Santos.PDF: 1066509 bytes, checksum: 0409b0432c52d5bd01e90ebcf214766a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / CAPES / No presente trabalho foram investigados os efeitos sobre a recuperação de elementos causados por modificações em processos prévios a amostragem laboratorial e lixiviação dos analitos das polpas de abóbora e batata. Inicialmente, foi avaliado o efeito da inversão na ordem de operações do procedimento de tratamento preliminar das amostras brutas das polpas sobre as recuperações dos elementos. As amostras das polpas foram secas para posterior trituração (PA) ou as amostras foram trituradas antes de serem submetidas à secagem (PB). Os resultados obtidos empregando ambos os procedimentos foram comparados para 95% de confiança e eles mostraram diferenças significativas para alguns elementos determinados na amostra de batata. As concentrações de K, P e Mn, na polpa de batata, determinadas aplicando o primeiro procedimento de pré-tratamento (PA) foram 13,6±0,4 mg K g-1, 1,95±0,04 mg P g-1 e 5,7±0,2 μg Mn g-1, enquanto 12,2±0,3 mg K g-1, 1,62±0,03 mg P g-1 e 2,6±0,2 μg Mn g-1 foram determinadas quando a mesma amostra bruta foi submetida ao pré-tratamento PB para a obtenção da amostra teste. Em contraposição, no caso da amostra bruta de polpa de abóbora, os resultados para os elementos (K, P, Mn, Mg) foram maiores quando a polpa foi previamente esmagada antes da secagem. Em um estudo independente, a eficiência da extração de metais de amostras de polpas trituradas de abóbora ou batata para soluções diluídas de HNO3 foi avaliada variando o modo (agitação mecânica ou irradiação ultrassônica) e o período (de 10 a 30 min) de agitação, bem como a concentração da solução de HNO3 na solução de lixiviação (de 0,7 a 2,1 mol L-1). Os resultados foram também comparados com aqueles obtidos nas digestões assistidas por micro-ondas das amostras teste v em meio nítrico-peróxido. Foi observado que para ambas as amostras teste (abóbora e batata) e independentemente do modo ou período de agitação que a eficiência de extração de Ca, K, Mg e Mn foi diminuída para solução para 2,1 mol L-1 HNO3. Uma melhora no nível de recuperação de P foi obtida quando a lixiviação foi realizada com soluções diluídas de HNO3 (0,7 e 1,4 mol L-1) e sob irradiação ultrassônica. Esse efeito foi relacionado à presença de átomos de fósforo em moléculas estruturais de células de abóbora e batata, bem como à cominuição (ou fragmentação) das partículas submetidas a um campo ultrassônico intenso. Contudo, efeitos indesejados foram também observados para alguns elementos quando submetidos às lixiviações assistidas com ultrassom, como exemplificado pelo teor de cálcio determinado após a lixiviação da amostra teste de batata ter atingido valor 2,3 vezes maior que o valor obtido após a mineralização da amostra em micro-ondas. Muitos desses efeitos foram relacionados à erosão da superfície interna frascos irradiados. / Salvador

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:46:16Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_fs_dr_araiq.pdf: 2849421 bytes, checksum: 9c4094e5d741a2f65f25f770fedc84be (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / No Brasil, a queima da cana de açúcar é utilizada para facilitar a colheita, mas este procedimento causa grande poluição ambiental devido a quantidade de fuligem lançada na atmosfera. O material particulado (MP) emitido contém inúmeros contaminantes, tais como: hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) e elementos. A cidade de Araraquara/SP possui cerca de 200.000 habitantes e é cercada por plantações de cana de açúcar, sendo que a prática de queimada é constante no período da safra (abril-novembro, todos os anos). Neste trabalho, determinou-se a concentração elementar e de HPAs em MP na cidade de Araraquara durante o período da safra (S) e da entre safra (E) da cana de açúcar. Foram coletadas 60 amostras (E) e 220 amostras (S) para a análise de HPAs, e 10 amostras (E) e 10 amostras (S) para a análise elementar. As amostras foram coletadas utilizando um amostrador dicotômico (vazão: 10 L min-1, 24 h) com filtros de PTFE (37 mm, 2 μm de tamanho de poro). Para a análise de HPAs, dez filtros de PTFE contendo o MP foram extraídos em banho de ultrassom com acetona/n-hexano (1:1 v/v), sendo que as análises foram efetuadas por HPLC/FLD. A análise elementar foi efetuada por fluorescência de raios X por energia dispersiva (EDXRF), sem tratamento prévio das amostras. A concentração mediana de HPAs totais foi de 1,9 ng m-3 (E) e 6,2 ng m-3 (S). A concentração mediana de benzo[a]pireno, HPA considerado carcinogênico, foi de 0,026 ng m-3 e 0,15 ng m-3 para os períodos de E e S, respectivamente. O risco potencial de câncer associado à exposição a HPAs por inalação, foi estimado com base na concentração de benzo[a]pireno equivalente (BaPeq), onde a toxicidade de uma mistura de HPAs é definida pela concentração de cada substância multiplicada pelo seu fator de equivalência de toxicidade relativa (FET). Os valores medianos encontrados para... / In Brazil, the sugar cane crops are burned to facilitate the harvesting, this procedure causes environmental pollution from the large amounts of soot that are released into the atmosphere. This particulate matter (MP) contains numerous contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals. The city of Araraquara, located at central area from São Paulo State, has around 200,000 inhabitants and is surrounded by sugarcane plantations (46,994 ha of total cultivated area, in the harvest 2008/2009). In this study, PAHs concentrations and elemental composition in the MP were determined in Araraquara city during the sugarcane harvesting (HV) and non-harvesting (NHV) seasons. 60 samples were collected during the NHV and 220 samples during the HV seasons for the analysis of PAHs. 10 samples were collected during the NHV and 10 samples during the HV season for the analysis of Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Fe, Sr, Cr, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Al, S and Cl. The samples were collected using a dichotomous sampler (10 L min-1, 24 h) with PTFE filters. Ten filters sets were extracted (ultrasonic bath with hexane/acetone (1:1 v/v)) and analyzed by HPLC/FLD for the analysis of PAHs. Information concerning the bulk elemental concentration was provided by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The median concentration for total PAHs was 1.9 ng m-3 (NHV) and 6.2 ng m-3 (HV). Benzo[a]pyrene median concentration was 0.026 ng m-3 and 0.15 ng m-3 for the NHV and HV seasons, respectively. The potential cancer risk associated to inhalation exposure was estimated based on the benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalence (BaPeq), where the overall toxicity of a PAH mixture is defined by the concentration of each compound multiplied... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

The objective this study is verify the efficiency and occurrence of collateral effects with the use of carbonyl iron powder, in the form of chewable tablets, in order to enable the use of an alternative to the conventional treatment of iron deficiency anemia with ferrous sulfate, for children under 6 years of age. The intervention proposed for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children almost always consists of ferrous sulfate drops that do not have the desired effectiveness. Several studies have proven the low adherence to the treatment due to collateral effects of the medication (gastrointestinal intolerance, alterations in color and consistency of stools, impregnation of iron in diapers and teeth), to the prolonged daily administration in the form of drops, to the metallic taste, as well as to socio-cultural aspects. In choosing the preparation, the content of the iron ion, tolerance, absorption, effectiveness and cost must all be considered. Carbonyl iron powder is obtained by decomposition of Fe pentacarbonyl at high temperatures, resulting in extremely pure elemental Fe (Fe0), in the form of non-toxic micro-spheres of 4-7/μm, with bioavailability in relation to 58-70% ferrous sulfate and it does not confer a metallic taste to the preparation. An open randomized clinical assay was carried out. The group studied (CA) received Carbonyl Iron and the control group (SF) received a solution of Ferrous Sulfate, both at a dose of 5mg/Kg/day, for 90 days. Seventy-three children from Family Health Units (FHU) of Santa Maria, Brazil, participated in the study. Blood was collected at 0, 30 and 90 days of treatment. The hemograms were carried out in STKS (Coulter, USA), serum iron and TIBC, by colorimetric assay and ferritin by immunometric assay. The data was analyzed with the EpiInfo program, version 3.3.2, from CDC/USA. The increase in Hb after 30 days of treatment was of 1.3g/dl (SD 0.92) for group CA and of 1.2g/dl (SD 1.13) for group SF (p>0.05). After 90 days of treatment, CA had favorable results for Ht, MCV, MCH, TIBC and ferritin (p<0.05). None of the children from group CA presented side effects, in group SF, 62% of the children presented diarrhea and/or experienced vomiting. The number of children from the control group who continued to present a level of Hb lower than 11g/dl was two-fold that of the group that received carbonyl iron. Based on the results demonstrating the same effectiveness at 30 days as for the standard ferrous sulfate and the superior results at 90 days of treatment, together with the safety (low toxicity) and excellent acceptance, carbonyl iron should be considered an important option for the therapeutic treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children under the age of six. / O objetivo deste estudo é verificar a eficácia, ocorrência de efeitos colaterais e aceitação de ferro carbonila em pó, na forma de comprimidos mastigáveis, para possibilitar uma alternativa ao tratamento convencional da anemia ferropriva com sulfato ferroso, para crianças menores de seis anos. A intervenção proposta para tratamento da anemia ferropriva de crianças, quase na totalidade das vezes, consiste em gotas de sulfato ferroso que não tem tido efetividade desejada. Vários estudos comprovam a baixa adesão ao tratamento em virtude dos efeitos colaterais do medicamento (intolerância gastrintestinal, alterações na cor e consistência das fezes, impregnação de ferro nas fraldas e dentes), do esquema de administração em dose diária por tempo prolongado, do sabor metálico do medicamento, além de aspectos socioculturais. Na escolha do preparado, deve ser considerado o conteúdo do íon ferro, tolerância, absorção intestinal, eficácia e custo. O ferro carbonila em pó é obtido pela decomposição a altas temperaturas do ferro pentacarbonil, resultando em ferro elementar (Fe0) extremamente puro, em forma de micro-esferas de 4-7/μm, com boa biodisponibilidade, não tóxico e sem conferir sabor metálico às preparações. O desenho do estudo foi um ensaio clínico, randomizado, aberto. O grupo estudo (CA) recebeu comprimidos mastigáveis de Ferro Carbonila; o grupo controle (SF) recebeu solução de Sulfato Ferroso, na dose de 5mg/Kg/dia, por 90 dias. Participaram do estudo 73 crianças com diagnóstico comprovado de anemia ferropriva, atendidas em USFs de Santa Maria, RS. Foram realizadas coletas de sangue nos tempos 0, 30 e 90 dias de tratamento. Os hemogramas foram realizados em STKS Coulter, Ferro sérico e Capacidade Total de Ligação do Ferro, por química úmida (colorimetria) e Ferritina por quimioluminescência, todos por automação. Os dados analisados com programa EpiInfo, versão 3.3.2, do CDC/USA. O incremento de Hb após 30 dias de tratamento foi de 1,3g/dl (dp 0,92) no grupo CA e 1,2g/dl (dp 1,13) no grupo SF (p>0,05). Após 90 dias de tratamento, as médias do Ht, VCM, HCM, CTLF e ferritina são significativamente melhores no grupo CA (p<0,005). Nenhuma criança do grupo CA apresentou efeitos colaterais. No grupo SF, 62% tiveram diarréia e/ou vômito. O número de crianças que permanecia com Hb < 11g/dl, no grupo controle, era o dobro do que no grupo recebendo ferro carbonila. Pelos resultados de eficácia em 30 dias similares ao padrão sulfato ferroso e a superioridade em 90 dias de tratamento, aliados a segurança (baixa toxicidade) e ótima aceitação, o ferro carbonila deve ser considerado como uma importante opção terapêutica para tratamento da anemia ferropriva, de crianças menores de seis anos de idade.

Submitted by Rafael dos Santos (rafasantos01@hotmail.com) on 2017-07-11T13:22:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_AVALIAÇÃO TÉCNICO-ECONÔMICA DO BRANQUEAMENTO SEGUNDO A SEQUÊNCIA ADP_VERSÃO FINAL.pdf: 2700905 bytes, checksum: 60e71eaa2391df1196b6055786ca2bd3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-07-14T13:32:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_r_dr_guara.pdf: 2700905 bytes, checksum: 60e71eaa2391df1196b6055786ca2bd3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-14T13:32:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_r_dr_guara.pdf: 2700905 bytes, checksum: 60e71eaa2391df1196b6055786ca2bd3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Diferentes sequências e condições de branqueamento têm sido exploradas ao longo dos últimos anos, nos quais o processo em múltiplos estágios tornou-se prática comum nas indústrias. A produção de celulose como um todo é uma atividade industrial que requer alto investimento e produz grande impacto ambiental. Sendo assim, alternativas que auxiliem na sua realização de forma socialmente responsável, economicamente viável e ambientalmente correta são de grande interesse. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade técnicoeconômica de uma nova sequência de branqueamento sob condições diferenciadas, em relação às comumente empregadas nas empresas do setor de celulose e papel. Para tanto, uma sequência de branqueamento utilizada em uma indústria do setor foi tomada como referência, sendo os estudos a priori conduzidos em laboratório com finalidade de ser possivelmente implementados em escala industrial. Os estágios que compõem a sequência proposta neste estudo são uma hidrólise ácida a quente (AHT), uma dioxidação (D) e uma peroxidação (P), ao passo que os estágios que compõem a sequência referência são uma hidrólise ácida a quente seguida de dioxidação (AHT/D), uma extração alcalina oxidativa com peróxido de hidrogênio (E+P) e uma dioxidação (D). Os branqueamentos foram conduzidos baseados nas condições industriais praticadas pela empresa parceira, bem como pelas condições descritas pela sequência proposta. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de valor presente líquido e payback como ferramentas de auxílio à tomada de decisão para a análise de viabilidade econômica. Os resultados obtidos mostraram a potencialidade do uso da tecnologia de branqueamento ADP, uma vez que a sequência descrita por esta tecnologia produziu polpa branqueada de qualidade similar à obtida pela sequência referência. A sequência proposta mostrou-se ainda mais econômica, principalmente no que tange a demanda por dióxido de cloro, principal reagente utilizado em fábricas que trabalham sob a premissa de branqueamento livre de cloro elementar (ECF). A polpa branqueada pela sequência ADP apresentou melhores resultados quanto à estabilidade da alvura do que a polpa branqueada pela sequência AHT/D(E+P)D. Do ponto de vista econômico, a implementação desta nova tecnologia de branqueamento em três estágios a nível industrial é completamente viável, sendo os seus resultados de viabilidade econômica destacadamente favoráveis à sua utilização. / Different bleaching sequences and conditions have been explored along the last years, in which the process in multiple stages has become common practice at the mills. The pulp production is an industrial activity that requires high investments and promotes a great environmental impact. Hence, alternatives which help its accomplishment in a responsible social way, economically feasible and environmentally correct are quite desirable. This study aimed to evaluate the technical-economic feasibility of a novel bleaching sequence under differential conditions, in relation to those commonly applied in pulp and paper mills. Therefore, a bleaching sequence used in a mill has been taken as reference, being the studies a priori carried out in laboratory with the intention of being possibly implemented in industrial scale. The stages that make part of the sequence proposed in this study are hot acidic hydrolysis (AHT), dioxide stage (D) and peroxide stage (P), while the stages that make part of the reference sequence are hot acidic hydrolysis followed by a dioxide stage (AHT/D), oxidative alkaline extraction with hydrogen peroxide (E+P) and a dioxide stage (D). The bleaching processes were carried out based on industrial conditions practiced by the partner company, as well as by the conditions described by the proposed sequence. Net present value and payback techniques were used as making-decision supporting tools in the economic feasibility analysis. The obtained results show the potentiality of the ADP bleaching technology usage, once the sequence described by this technology produced bleached pulp of similar quality to the reference sequence. The proposed sequence is also more economic, mainly regarding the chlorine dioxide demand, the main reagent used in mills that work under the premise of elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching. Pulp bleached by ADP sequence presented better results regarding brightness stability than pulp bleached by A/D(E+P)D sequence. Over economic point of view, the implementation of this novel bleaching technology in three stages at industrial level is completely feasible, being its results of economic feasibility quite favorable to its utilization.

For 2010 the European Union has a goal to increase the share of renewable energyware to 12%. For 2020 the goal is 20%. One of visions to reach this is to raise the share of solid biofuels. Politicans all over ideologycal spectrum collectively propagate, that farming and waste management sector industry has developed ways to produce solid recovered fuels with reliable qualities, which are used successfully regarding economic and environmental aspects. One of prerequisites to reach this will be to achieve the standardization of solid biofuels. This leads to a need for flexible market, which is attainable only by common understanding concerning terminology, sampling and test methods. European energetically non-intensive industries and settlements are looking for ecologically friendly alternative fuels in order to save fossil fuels. And by doing so, enforce the development of fitting technical norms to facilitate the meeting of offer and demand for the product. Pressed biofuels like pellets are today playing the key role for the small house market as well as for large scale coal substitution in local power plants. The thesis is a part of scientific contemplation MSM 06/2/4a solved by professors S.Kužel and L.Kolář and is trying to answer the question: ``Is combustion of solid biofuels ecologically friendly?{\crqq}