Uncaria tomentosa (Willd) DC. é uma liana tropical nativa da Amazônia brasileira e peruana. A espécie é reconhecida pelas suas propriedades antiinflamatória imunoestimulante, antiviral e antitumoral, geralmente atribuídas aos polifenóis e, principalmente, à fração de alcaloides oxindólicos pentacíclicos. No âmbito tecnológico, visando o desenvolvimento de produtos derivados com maior valor agregado, são poucos os subsídios encontrados na literatura científica, afora alguns relatos atrelados a patentes e registros de produtos. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou a obtenção e caracterização de frações enriquecidas de alcaloides, saponinas e polifenóis a partir das cascas de U. tomentosa, mediante o emprego de técnicas de separação em fase sólida e de métodos analíticos validados. A matéria prima foi extraída por maceração em EtOH a 40%, por quatro dias. Depois de filtrado e concentrado, o extrato bruto foi liofilizado (EBL). Para fins analíticos, o EBL foi reconstituído em EtOH a 40% e caracterizado quanto a presença de alcaloides oxindólicos, saponinas triterpênicas e polifenóis. Os quatro principais picos relativos aos alcaloides oxindólicos presentes no EBL foram quantificados por CLAE-UV e o teor total, expresso em mitrafilina, foi de 1,48 g%. Os principais picos atribuídos às saponinas foram analisados por CLAE-DAD e o teor total, expresso em α-hederina, foi de 18,37 g%. O teor de polifenóis totais, determinado pelo método colorimétrico de Folin-Ciocalteu, foi estimado em 31,93 g%. Para a separação da fração polifenólica, o emprego de PVPP mostrou ser mais eficiente do que bentonita, carvão ativado ou caseína. A fração enriquecida de alcaloides oxindólicos foi obtida por separação em resina fortemente aniônica. O teor de alcaloides totais corresponde por cerca de 90% (m/m) desta fração. A fração de saponinas triterpênicas foi obtida mediante separação em resina fortemente catiônica, com teor aproximado de 78% (m/m), considerando o somatório das áreas dos picos de interesse. A proposta de uma técnica comparativa, fazendo uso de resina hidrofóbica, resultou em uma fração saponosídica enriquecida com um rendimento superior, porém com um menor teor de saponinas totais, em torno de 75% (m/m). / Uncaria tomentosa is a tropical liana native form Brazilian and Peruvian rain forests. The specie is recognized by its immune stimulant, anti-viral, anti- inflammatory and anti-cancer properties often attributed to the polyphenolic fraction and manly to the peculiar pentaciclic oxindole alkaloidal fraction. On the technological field, aiming the transformation of the raw material into standardized and high aggregate value products a few efforts can be encountered in the literature, excepting a couple of patents and product registration related information. In this context the present work aimed to the obtainment and characterization of enriched fractions of alkaloids, saponins and polyphenols from the stem barks of U. tomentosa, through solid phase separations techniques and validated analytical methods. The raw material extraction was extracted by a four days maceration in a 40% hydroethanolic solution. After the filtration and concentration, the crude extract was lyophilized (EBL). For analytical purposes the EBL was resuspended in a 40% hydroethanolic solution and characterized for the presence of oxindole alkaloids, triterpenic saponins and polyphenols. The four main peaks attributed to the oxindole alkaloids in EBL were quantified by UV-HPLC and the total content, expressed as mitraphiline, was about 1.48 g%. The main peaks attributed to the saponins were analysed by DAD-HPLC and the total content, expressed as α-hederin, was about 18.37 g%. The total polyphenolic content, determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, was estimated at 31.93 g%. For the polyphenols separation the use of PVPP showed to be more efficient than bentonite, active carbon or casein treatment. The enriched fractions of the oxindole alkaloids was obtained through a strongly anionic resin separation. The total alkaloid content of this fraction was about 90% (w/w). The saponin enriched fraction was obtained through a strongly cationic resin separation and the total saponin content was about 78% (w/w). The suggestion of a comparative technique employing a hydrophobic resin resulted on a saponosidic enriched fraction with higher yield but a lower saponin content of about 75% (w/w).

Les résines échangeuses d’ions (REI) sont largement utilisées dans l’industrie nucléaire pour décontaminer certains effluents radioactifs. Après utilisation, elles sont généralement enrobées dans des matériaux cimentaires. Cependant, leur cimentation est compliquée par la forte expansion de certains enrobés de résines. L’origine de cette expansion reste mal connue, de même que les conditions qui la favorisent. Au cours de ce travail, les interactions entre des résines échangeuses d’ions cationiques sous forme Na+ ou Ca2+ et du silicate tricalcique (C3S), du ciment Portland (CEM I) ou du ciment au laitier (CEM III/C) ont été étudiées au jeune âge afin d’améliorer la compréhension de cette instabilité dimensionnelle.Les résultats montrent que lors de l’hydratation d’une pâte de C3S ou de CEM I incorporant des REI sous forme Na+, celles-ci subissent transitoirement une phase d’expansion par suite de la diminution de la pression osmotique de la solution interstitielle. Cette expansion de faible amplitude qui se produit juste après la prise est suffisante pour dégrader l’enrobé par ailleurs fragilisé par un ensemble de processus : faible degré d’avancement de l’hydratation, précipitation de C-S-H moins cohésifs car fortement enrichis en sodium, microstructure hétérogène avec des zones de forte porosité et la précipitation de gros cristaux de portlandite facilement clivables à l’interface REI/matrice.Cette expansion peut être empêchée en réalisant un prétraitement calcique des résines ou en les enrobant avec un ciment au laitier dont la cinétique d’hydratation est plus lente que celle du ciment Portland. / Ion exchange resins (IERs) are widely used by the nuclear industry to decontaminate radioactive effluents. After use they are usually encapsulated in cementitious materials. However, the solidified waste forms can exhibit a strong expansion, possibly leading to cracking. Its origin is not well understood as well as the conditions when it occurs.In this work, the interactions between cationic resins in the Na+ or Ca2+ form and tricalcium silicate (C3S), Portland cement (CEM I) or Blastfurnace slag cement (CEM III/C) are investigated at an early age in order to gain a better understanding of the expansion process.The results show that during the hydration of a paste of C3S or CEM I containing IERs in the Na+ form, the resins exhibit a transient expansion of small magnitude due to the decrease in the osmotic pressure of the interstitial solution. This expansion, which occurs just after cement setting, is sufficient to damage the material which is poorly consolidated for several reasons: small hydration degree, precipitation of less cohesive sodium bearing C-S-H, heterogeneous microstructure with highly porous zones and lastly clivable crystals of portlandite at the interface between resins and paste.This expansion can be prevented by performing a calcium pretreatment of the resins or by using a CEM III/C cement with a slower rate of hydration than that of Portland cement.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso combinado de processos de separação, visando a adequação do substrato rico em xilose (hidrolisado de bagaço de cana) para a obtenção de produtos por via fermentativa. Foram estudados processos como coagulação e precipitação seletiva de impurezas coloidais, separação com membranas de microfiltração e ultrafiltração e resinas de troca iônica, tendo como ponto de partida o hidrolisado concentrado 5,56 vezes (hidrolisado H1). Na avaliação dos ensaios de coagulação e precipitação foi utilizado planejamento fatorial fracionado, o qual auxiliou o estudo da performance de agentes coagulantes (policloreto de alumínio e polieletrólito aniônico), em diferentes concentrações, pHs e temperaturas. Como variável resposta foi determinado a redução de compostos fenólicos, resultando numa diminuição final de 32,67% e num modelo matemático que representa os parâmetros envolvidos no processo:[C. Fenólicos] = 13,82 + 4,54xpH + 0,03xPAC - 0,58xpH2 + 0,19xPAC2 - 0,25xpHxPAC. Após a determinação das melhores condições experimentais desta etapa, aplicou-se este modelo numa escala 36 vezes maior, resultando em uma diminuição de 10,49% destes contaminantes, produzindo o hidrolisado H2. Este hidrolisado foi percolado por resinas, e assim, determinou-se a série de resinas de troca iônica mais eficiente (série I: Amberlyst 15Wet, Amberlite FPA98, Amberlite 252Na e Amberlite IRA96). Esta etapa proporcionou uma redução de 96,29% no índice de cor, 98,72% dos compostos fenólicos, 74,19% do hidroximetilfurfural, 55,56% de furfural e 52,03% de ácido acético, utilizando um volume de leito de 20 mL, por coluna de resina. O hidrolisado H2, também, foi utilizado para a determinação do melhor modo de permeação por membranas de separação. Neste caso, optou-se em utilizar somente a membrana de ultrafiltração. A permeação do hidrolisado H2 por esta membrana resultou no hidrolisado H3, e em reduções de 12,50% de ácido acético, 33,00% de compostos fenólicos e 54,29% no índice de cor. Assim, o hidrolisado H3 foi percolado pela série de resinas mais eficiente, obtendo ao final uma diminuição de 63,29% do ácido acético, 75,86% de furfural, 77,78% de hidroximetilfurfural e 88,09% dos compostos fenólicos, promovendo uma redução de 90,90% no índice de cor. A seguir, o hidrolisado purificado foi submetido a fermentações para a produção de xilitol e etanol. Essas bioconversões foram aptas a produzir 0,250g/L.h de xilitol e 0,265g/L.h de etanol além de apresentarem rendimentos de 0,68g/g de xilitol por xilose consumida e 0,30g/g de etanol por xilose consumida. Estes resultados indicam a boa fermentabilidade do hidrolisado tratado pelo processo combinado proposto. / This study evaluated the combined use of separation processes, seeking the adequacy of the substrate rich in xylose (hydrolysate of sugar cane bagasse) in the attainment of products from fermentative processes. During this research processes as coagulation and precipitation of selective colloidal impurities, microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes separations and ion exchange resins were studied, taking as its starting point a hydrolysate concentrate 5.56 times (hydrolysate H1). During the tests of coagulation and precipitation a fraction factorial design was applied, which helped the study of coagulating agents performance (aluminum polychloride and anionic polyelectrolyte) in different concentrations, pH and temperatures. The response variable utilized was phenolic compounds reduction resulting in a drop of 32.67% and the mathematical model that represents the parameters involved in the process was: [C. Fenólicos] = 13.82 + 4.54 xpH + 0.03 xPAC - 0.58 xpH2 + 0.19 xPAC2 - 0.25 xpHxPAC. After determining the best experimental conditions of this step, this model was applied on a scale 36 times greater resulting in a decrease of 10.49% on contaminants, producing the hydrolysate H2. This hydrolysate was percolated through resins and determined the sequence of ion exchange resins more efficient; Serie I (Amberlyst 15Wet, Amberlite FPA98, Amberlite 252Na and Amberlite IRA96). This step reduced 96.29% in the index of color, 98.72% of phenolic compounds, 74.19% of hydroxymethylfurfural, 55.56% of furfural and 52.03% acetic acid, using a bed volume of 20 mL for each resin column. The hydrolysate H2 also was used to determine the best way of membranes permeation. In this case, opted to use only the ultrafiltration membrane. The permeation of the hydrolysate H2 through membrane resulted the hydrolysate H3, and showed reductions of 12.50%, 33.00% and 54.29% in acetic acid, phenolic compounds and index of color, respectively. Thus, the hydrolysate H3 was percolated through the resins series more efficient, obtaining a decrease of 63.29% of acetic acid, 75.86% of furfural, 77.78% of hydroxymethylfurfural and 88.09% of phenolic compounds, promoting a reduction of 90.90% in the index of color on the finish treatment. So this hydrolysate purified was subjected to fermentations for the production of xylitol and ethanol. These bioconversions were able to produce 0.250 g/L.h of xylitol and 0.265g/L.h of ethanol and showed xylitol yield from xylose of 0.68g/g and ethanol yield from xilose of 0.30g/g in ethanol. Theses results indicate the good fermentability of the hydrolysate treated by proposed combined process.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso combinado de processos de separação, visando a adequação do substrato rico em xilose (hidrolisado de bagaço de cana) para a obtenção de produtos por via fermentativa. Foram estudados processos como coagulação e precipitação seletiva de impurezas coloidais, separação com membranas de microfiltração e ultrafiltração e resinas de troca iônica, tendo como ponto de partida o hidrolisado concentrado 5,56 vezes (hidrolisado H1). Na avaliação dos ensaios de coagulação e precipitação foi utilizado planejamento fatorial fracionado, o qual auxiliou o estudo da performance de agentes coagulantes (policloreto de alumínio e polieletrólito aniônico), em diferentes concentrações, pHs e temperaturas. Como variável resposta foi determinado a redução de compostos fenólicos, resultando numa diminuição final de 32,67% e num modelo matemático que representa os parâmetros envolvidos no processo:[C. Fenólicos] = 13,82 + 4,54xpH + 0,03xPAC - 0,58xpH2 + 0,19xPAC2 - 0,25xpHxPAC. Após a determinação das melhores condições experimentais desta etapa, aplicou-se este modelo numa escala 36 vezes maior, resultando em uma diminuição de 10,49% destes contaminantes, produzindo o hidrolisado H2. Este hidrolisado foi percolado por resinas, e assim, determinou-se a série de resinas de troca iônica mais eficiente (série I: Amberlyst 15Wet, Amberlite FPA98, Amberlite 252Na e Amberlite IRA96). Esta etapa proporcionou uma redução de 96,29% no índice de cor, 98,72% dos compostos fenólicos, 74,19% do hidroximetilfurfural, 55,56% de furfural e 52,03% de ácido acético, utilizando um volume de leito de 20 mL, por coluna de resina. O hidrolisado H2, também, foi utilizado para a determinação do melhor modo de permeação por membranas de separação. Neste caso, optou-se em utilizar somente a membrana de ultrafiltração. A permeação do hidrolisado H2 por esta membrana resultou no hidrolisado H3, e em reduções de 12,50% de ácido acético, 33,00% de compostos fenólicos e 54,29% no índice de cor. Assim, o hidrolisado H3 foi percolado pela série de resinas mais eficiente, obtendo ao final uma diminuição de 63,29% do ácido acético, 75,86% de furfural, 77,78% de hidroximetilfurfural e 88,09% dos compostos fenólicos, promovendo uma redução de 90,90% no índice de cor. A seguir, o hidrolisado purificado foi submetido a fermentações para a produção de xilitol e etanol. Essas bioconversões foram aptas a produzir 0,250g/L.h de xilitol e 0,265g/L.h de etanol além de apresentarem rendimentos de 0,68g/g de xilitol por xilose consumida e 0,30g/g de etanol por xilose consumida. Estes resultados indicam a boa fermentabilidade do hidrolisado tratado pelo processo combinado proposto. / This study evaluated the combined use of separation processes, seeking the adequacy of the substrate rich in xylose (hydrolysate of sugar cane bagasse) in the attainment of products from fermentative processes. During this research processes as coagulation and precipitation of selective colloidal impurities, microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes separations and ion exchange resins were studied, taking as its starting point a hydrolysate concentrate 5.56 times (hydrolysate H1). During the tests of coagulation and precipitation a fraction factorial design was applied, which helped the study of coagulating agents performance (aluminum polychloride and anionic polyelectrolyte) in different concentrations, pH and temperatures. The response variable utilized was phenolic compounds reduction resulting in a drop of 32.67% and the mathematical model that represents the parameters involved in the process was: [C. Fenólicos] = 13.82 + 4.54 xpH + 0.03 xPAC - 0.58 xpH2 + 0.19 xPAC2 - 0.25 xpHxPAC. After determining the best experimental conditions of this step, this model was applied on a scale 36 times greater resulting in a decrease of 10.49% on contaminants, producing the hydrolysate H2. This hydrolysate was percolated through resins and determined the sequence of ion exchange resins more efficient; Serie I (Amberlyst 15Wet, Amberlite FPA98, Amberlite 252Na and Amberlite IRA96). This step reduced 96.29% in the index of color, 98.72% of phenolic compounds, 74.19% of hydroxymethylfurfural, 55.56% of furfural and 52.03% acetic acid, using a bed volume of 20 mL for each resin column. The hydrolysate H2 also was used to determine the best way of membranes permeation. In this case, opted to use only the ultrafiltration membrane. The permeation of the hydrolysate H2 through membrane resulted the hydrolysate H3, and showed reductions of 12.50%, 33.00% and 54.29% in acetic acid, phenolic compounds and index of color, respectively. Thus, the hydrolysate H3 was percolated through the resins series more efficient, obtaining a decrease of 63.29% of acetic acid, 75.86% of furfural, 77.78% of hydroxymethylfurfural and 88.09% of phenolic compounds, promoting a reduction of 90.90% in the index of color on the finish treatment. So this hydrolysate purified was subjected to fermentations for the production of xylitol and ethanol. These bioconversions were able to produce 0.250 g/L.h of xylitol and 0.265g/L.h of ethanol and showed xylitol yield from xylose of 0.68g/g and ethanol yield from xilose of 0.30g/g in ethanol. Theses results indicate the good fermentability of the hydrolysate treated by proposed combined process.

I värme- och kraftvärmeverk förbränns olika typer av bränslen för produktion av el och fjärrvärme. Vid förbränningen bildas rökgaser som innehåller föroreningar, till exempel tungmetaller, från bränslet. Anläggningarna har ofta krav på utsläpp både via rökgaserna och avloppsvatten. Rökgaserna renas därmed genom olika tekniker var av en vanlig teknik är rökgaskondensering. Vid rökgaskondenseringen bildas en vätska, kallad rökgaskondensat, som delvis innehåller tungmetaller från bränslet. Rökgaskondensatet måste renas innan det kan lämna anläggningen och det görs bland annat med tungmetalljonbytare. Jonbytarmassan i tungmetalljonbytarkolonnerna behöver bytas ungefär två gånger per driftsäsong då den inte längre kan binda mer tungmetaller. Detta är en kostnad för värme- och kraftvärmeverken som de vill minimera. I denna studie undersöktes om lokal provtagning och analys på ett kraftvärmeverk av ett antal utvalda tungmetaller i rökgaskondensat är en bra metod för att optimering av reningssteget med tungmetalljonbytare. Samt om detta kan säkerställa att miljökraven för tungmetaller i det renade rökgaskondensatet uppfylls. Med optimering avses att jonbytarmassornas fulla kapacitet utnyttjas, d.v.s. att byten av jonbytarmassor kan reduceras utan att riskera otillåtna halter av tungmetaller i de renade rökgaskondensatet till följd av att jonbytarmassorna använts för länge. Även tiden som behöver avsättas för lokal provtagning och analys dokumenterades. I dagsläget sker analyser hos ackrediterade laboratorium där det tar drygt två veckor att få resultatet och under väntetiden kan mycket på anläggningen förändras. En verifiering av resultaten från studien gjordes mot resultat från ett sådant. I denna studie undersöktes lokal provtagning och analys med mätinstrumentet FREEDD som bygger på tekniken kvartskristall mikrobalans (QCM-teknik). Andra alternativ för lokal analys har inte undersökts här.  Resultatet visade att det i dagsläget är svårt att med lokal provtagning optimera reningssteget med jonbytarmassor samt kontrollera utsläppen av tungmetaller via det renade rökgaskondensatet. Korrigeringar hos mätinstrumentet och provpunkterna behöver göras för att få pålitligt resultat. Tiden som behöver avsättas för provtagning och analys beror på vilken metall som ska analyseras då tiden för preparering av prov varierar. Men om det kan möjliggöra att anläggningarna kan använda jonbytarmassorna längre samt får kontroll på utsläppen via det renade rökgaskondensatet kan det vara lönsamt att avvara den tiden. / In heating and combined heat and power plants, different types of fuels are burned to produce electricity and district heating. During the combustion flue gases containing pollutants, such as heavy metals, are formed from the flue. The plants have requirements for low emissions, both from the flue gases and the wastewater. The flue gases are purified by various techniques and a common technique is flue gas condensation. During the flue gas condensation, a liquid called flue gas condensate, is formed, which partly contains heavy metals from the flue. The flue gas condensate must be cleaned before it can leave the plant. A step in the purification of the flue gas condensate is usually heavy metal ion-exchanger. The ion-exchange mass in the heavy metal ion-exchange columns needs to be changed approximately twice per operating season as it no longer has room to bind more heavy metals. This is an expensive cost for the heating and combined heat and power plants that they want to minimize. This study investigated whether local sampling and analysis at a cogeneration plant of a number selected heavy metals in flue gas condensate is a good method for optimizing the purifications step with heavy metal ion-exchangers. And if this can ensure that the environmental requirements for the heavy metals in the purified flue gas condensate are met. Optimization means that the full capacity of the ion-exchange masses is utilized, i.e. that the exchange of ion-exchange masses can be reduced without risking unauthorized levels of heavy metals in the purified flue gas condensate as a result of the ion exchange masses being used for too long.  The time needed for local sampling and analysis was also documented. At present, analyzes are done at accredited laboratories where it takes over two weeks to get the result and during that time much can be changes at the plant. A verification of the result of the study was also made against the result of an accredited laboratory. In this study, local analysis was made with the measuring instrument FREEDD which is based on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-technology). Other options for local sampling and analysis have not been investigated. The result showed that, in the present, it is difficult to optimize the purification step with ion-exchange masses and check emissions of heavy metals with the purified flue gas condensate. To obtain reliable result, corrections to the measuring instrument and test points need to be made. The time that needs to be set aside for sampling and analysis depends on the metal, as the time for sample preparation varies.  But if it can enable the plants to use the ion-exchange masses longer and gain control of the emissions of heavy metals with the purified flue gas condensate, it can be profitable to save that time.

La matière organique naturelle (MON) est omniprésente dans les eaux de surface. Bien que l’exposition à la MON via l’eau potable soit commune et ne soit pas associée à des effets directs sur la santé humaine, la MON peut avoir des impacts négatifs sur la production d’eau potable, tels que la contribution aux goûts et odeurs, le développement du biofilm dans les systèmes de distribution et la formation de sous-produits de désinfection. La résine échangeuse d’ions en mode biologique (en anglais : Biological ion exchange, BIEX) est un processus prometteur pour l’enlèvement de la MON des eaux de surface. Il s’agit d’opérer la résine échangeuse d’ions dans un réacteur à lit fixe avec une régénération peu fréquente de sorte qu’une communauté microbienne peut se développer sur la surface de résine et ainsi contribuer à l’enlèvement de la MON par biodégradation. Néanmoins, les mécanismes de l’enlèvement de la MON dans le BIEX et la faisabilité de son application dans l’usine de production d’eau potable demeurent inconnus. Ainsi, l’objectif de cette thèse est 1) de comprendre et favoriser l’application du BIEX pour l’enlèvement de la MON des eaux de surface et 2) de résumer les stratégies qui peuvent alléger la gestion de la saumure engendrée par la régénération de résines. Les résines en forme chlorure et bicarbonate ont été d’abord évaluées pour l’application du BIEX où le pilote de BIEX a été alimenté par l’eau de surface pendant 9 mois sans régénération. Les résultats ont démontré que l’échange d’ions est le mécanisme dominant pour le BIEX, i.e., la MON échange avec les ions préchargés (i.e., chlorure et bicarbonate) et les ions préretenus (i.e., sulfate). En plus, les résines colonisées ont été prélevées du pilote et testées en laboratoire où les résines colonisées ont été mises en contact avec les composés de modèles (i.e., micropolluants organiques). Les résultats ont démontré que la biodégradation contribuait à l’enlèvement de micropolluants organiques sur les résines colonisées, mais le degré de biodégradation dépend des caractères de micropolluants organiques et la communauté microbienne sur les résines. Ensuite, le BIEX a été évalué en parallèle du charbon actif biologique (CAB) en filtration secondaire dans l’usine de production d’eau potable de Sainte-Rose. Les résultats ont démontré que bien que le BIEX ait réalisé un enlèvement du carbone organique dissous (COD) plus élevé par rapport à celui du CAB, il a une perte de charge plus significative et le rétrolavage de BIEX s’avère être plus complexe par rapport à celui de CAB. Finalement, une revue de littérature a été menée afin d’identifier les stratégies sur l’opération de résine et la gestion de saumure, et ainsi d’alléger la gestion de la saumure engendrée par la régénération de résines échangeuses d’ions. En somme, cette thèse permet de comprendre les mécanismes de l’enlèvement de la MON dans le BIEX, évaluer la faisabilité de son application dans l’usine de production d’eau potable ainsi qu’identifier les stratégies qui peuvent alléger la gestion de la saumure engendrée par la régénération de résines échangeuses d’ions. / Natural organic matter (NOM) is ubiquitous in surface water. Although the exposure to NOM via drinking water is common and is not associated with direct effects on human health, NOM can cause negative impacts on drinking water treatment, such as contribution to taste and odors, development of biofilms in distribution systems and formation of disinfection by-products. Biological ion exchange (BIEX) is a promising process for the removal of NOM from surface waters. It involves operating the ion exchange resin in a fixed bed reactor with infrequent regeneration so that a microbial community can develop on the resin surface and thus contribute to the removal of NOM by biodegradation. However, the mechanisms for the removal of NOM in BIEX and the feasibility of its application in the drinking water plant remain unknown. Therefore, the general objective of this thesis is 1) to understand and promote the application of BIEX for the removal of NOM from surface water and 2) to summarize the strategies that can alleviate the management of the brine generated by the regeneration of resins. Chloride and bicarbonate-form resins were first evaluated for the BIEX application where the BIEX pilot was fed with surface water for 9 months without regeneration. The results demonstrated that ion exchange is the dominant mechanism in BIEX, i.e., NOM exchanges with preloaded ions (i.e., chloride and bicarbonate) and pre-retained ions (i.e., sulfate). In addition, the colonized resins were harvested from the pilot and tested in the laboratory where the colonized resins were in contact with the model compounds (i.e., organic micropollutants). The results demonstrated that biodegradation contributes to the removal of organic micropollutants on colonized resins, but the extent of biodegradation depends on the characteristics of the organic micropollutants and the microbial community on the resins. Then, BIEX was evaluated in parallel with biological activated carbon (BAC) at the second-stage filtration of the Sainte-Rose drinking water treatment plant. The results demonstrated that although BIEX achieved higher dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal compared to BAC, it had a more significant pressure drop and the backwash of BIEX filters was proved to be more complex compared to that of BAC. Finally, a literature review was carried out to identify strategies on resin operation and brine management, and thus alleviate the management of the brine generated by the regeneration of ion exchange resins. Overall, this thesis allows understanding the mechanisms for the removal of NOM in BIEX, evaluating the feasibility of its application in drinking water production plants as well as identifying the strategies that can alleviate the management of the brine generated by the regeneration of ion exchange resins.