Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T17:19:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Adilson - capa - p 20.pdf: 346950 bytes, checksum: a3100709576cd968b71593cb9c01e214 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aims to evaluate the effect of incorporation of particles of fired clay brick waste (CBW) in the physical and mechanical properties and their relation to the microstructure of concrete with Portland cement. The mixtures were obtained using the technique of fractional factorial design 33-1 for the design and analysis of experiments. For each factor, three levels were selected: CBW content (10, 20 and 30 wt. % of cement), water-to-cement ratio of 0.37, 0.45 and 0.55, and aggregate-to-cement ratio of 2.36, 3.64 and 4.70. The waste was characterized to evaluate their potential as a pozzolana. Fresh properties (consistency) and hardened (compressive strength at various ages, voids index, water absorption and density) were measured. Characterizations of microstructure and thermal using SEM / EDS and DTA / TG were performed to correlate the effect of waste content on the microstructure and properties of the hardened concrete. The waste presents properties adequate to be used as a pozzolan material. Consistency index decreases with the incorporation of the CBW, but is still possible to obtain concrete with adequate workability. For properties in the hardened concrete, the results show that the compressive strength increases with the increase of CBW content as an addition for concretes of Portland cement. Microstructural characterization reveals that the waste contributes to develop a more homogeneous microstructure with fewer pores and cracks when compared to concretes without waste. There is evidences that metakaolin contained in the waste contributes with the hydration reactions, consuming calcium hydroxide and producing more calcium silicate gel and hydrated phases, which keeps the aggregates more cohesive in the concrete microstructure. These microstructural characteristics improve the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. / Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito da incorporação de rejeitos particulados de tijolos (RPT) nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas e sua relação com a microestrutura de concretos de cimento Portland. Os traços foram formulados utilizando a técnica de planejamento fatorial fracionado 33-1 para o projeto e análise de experimentos. Para cada fator, três níveis foram selecionados: teor de RTP incorporado (10, 20 e 30 % em relação ao cimento), relações água-cimento de 0,37, 0,45 e 0,55, e relações agregado-cimento de 2,36, 3,64 e 4,70. O rejeito foi caracterizado para avaliar seu potencial quanto à pozolanicidade. Propriedades no estado fresco (consistência) e endurecido (resistênca à compressão em várias idades, índice de vazios, absorção de água e densidade) foram medidas. Caracterizações de microestrutura e térmica usando MEV/EDS e ADT/TG foram realizadas para correlacionar o efeito do teor de rejeito na microestrutura e propriedades no concreto endurecido. O rejeito apresenta características que possibilitam seu uso como material pozolânico. Para o índice de consistência observa-se que o mesmo diminue com a incorporação do RPT, porém ainda é possíviel obter concretos com adequada trabalhabilidade. Para as propriedades no concreto endurecido, os resultados mostram que a resistência à compressão aumenta com o aumento da porcentagem de RPT em adição ao concreto de cimento Portland. A caracterização microestrutural revela que o rejeito contribui para desenvolver uma microestrutura mais homogênea, com menos trincas e poros, quando comparadas às misturas sem o rejeito. Há indícios de que a metacaulinita contida no rejeito participa das reações de hidratação, consumindo hidróxido de cálcio e produzindo mais silicato de cálcio gel e fases hidratadas, as quais contribuem para manter os agregados mais coesos no corpo cerâmico. Estas características microestruturais melhoram as propriedades mecânicas e durabilidade dos concretos.

Abstract In the first part of the thesis, novel glass-ceramic compositions based on Al2O3 and BaTiO3 and bismuth-zinc borosilicate (BBSZ) glass, sintered at ultra-low temperatures, were researched. With adequate glass concentration, dense microstructures and useful dielectric properties were achieved. The composite of BaTiO3 with 70 wt % BBSZ sintered at 450 °C exhibited the highest relative permittivity, εr, of 132 and 207 at 100 kHz and 100 MHz, respectively. Thus, the dielectric properties of the composites were dominated by the characteristics of glass, BaTiO3, and Bi24Si2O40 phase, especially the contribution of Bi24Si2O40 for the samples with 70-90 wt % glass. Actually, the existence of the secondary phase Bi24Si2O40 may not hinder but enhance the dielectric properties. The Al2O3-BBSZ composition samples showed a similar situation, not only for densification but also for their microstructures and phases (Al2O3, BBSZ, Bi24Si2O40), explaining the achieved dielectric properties. The second part of the thesis mainly discusses the composite of BaTiO3 with 50 wt % BBSZ with different thermal treatments. After sintering at 720 °C, dense microstructures and the existence of Bi4BaTi4O15, BaTiO3, Bi24Si2O40 phases were observed. The results also showed that the size of glass powder particles did not influence the dielectric properties (εr = 263-267, tan δ = 0.013 at 100 kHz) of sintered samples, but the addition of LiF degraded the dielectric properties due to the features and amount of Bi4BaTi4O15. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the BBSZ based composites for higher sintering temperature technologies as well. At the end, a novel binder system, which enables low sintering temperatures close to 300 °C, was developed. A dielectric multilayer module containing BaTiO3-BBSZ and Al2O3-BBSZ composites with silver electrodes was co-fired at 450 °C without observable cracks and diffusions. These results indicate that these glass-ceramic composites provide a new horizon to fabricate environmentally friendly ULTCC materials, as well as multilayers for multimaterial 3D electronics packages and high frequency devices. / Tiivistelmä Väitöstyön ensimmäisessä osassa tutkittiin ja kehitettiin uudentyyppisiä, ultramatalissa sintrauslämpötiloissa (ULTCC) valmistettuja lasi-keraami komposiitteja käyttäen vismuttisinkkiborosilikaatti -pohjaista lasia (BBSZ). Täyteaineina olivat alumiinioksidi (Al2O3) ja bariumtitanaatti (BaTiO3). Materiaaleille saatiin riittävän suuren lasipitoisuuden avulla tiheät mikrorakenteet ja sovelluskelpoiset dielektriset ominaisuudet. BaTiO3:n komposiitti, joka sisälsi 70 p-% BBSZ lasia, saavutti 450 °C lämpötilassa sintrattuna korkeimman suhteellisen permittiivisyyden: εr=132 (@100 kHz) ja εr=207 (@100 MHz). Komposiittien dielektrisiä ominaisuuksia määrittivät tällöin lasi-, BaTiO3- ja Bi24Si2O40- faasien ominaisuudet ja erityisesti Bi24Si2O40 -faasi näytteissä, joissa on 70-90 p-% lasia. Sekundäärinen faasi Bi24Si2O40 ei välttämättä heikentänyt, vaan jopa paransi dielektrisiä ominaisuuksia. Vastaavilla Al2O3-BBSZ –komposiiteilla saavutettiin samanlaisia tuloksia tihentymisen, mikrorakenteiden ja faasien (Al2O3, BBSZ, Bi24Si2O40) suhteen. Lisäksi tässä tapauksessa saavutetut dielektriset ominaisuudet voidaan selittää näiden kolmen faasin yhdistelmän olemassaololla. Väitöstyön toinen osa käsitteli pääasiassa eritavoin lämpökäsiteltyjä BaTiO3:n komposiitteja, joissa on 50 p-% BBSZ-lasia. Näillä saavutettiin tiheä mikrorakenne sintrattaessa 720 °C lämpötilassa ja havaitiin Bi4BaTi4O15-, Bi24Si2O40-faasien muodostuminen BaTiO3 lähtöfaasin rinnalle. Tulokset osoittivat myös, että lasijauheen partikkelikoko ei vaikuttanut sintrattujen näytteiden dielektrisiin ominaisuuksiin (εr = 263-267, tan δ = 0.013 (@100 kHz)). LiF -lisäys sen sijaan heikensi dielektrisiä ominaisuuksia ja vähensi Bi4BaTi4O15 faasin muodostumista. Tämä aiheutui Bi4BaTi4O15-faasin ominaisuuksista ja oli riippuvainen kyseisen faasin määrästä. Nämä tulokset osoittivat BBSZ -pohjaisten komposiittien käytettävyyden myös korkeampien sintrauslämpötilojen teknologioihin. Viimeisenä kehitettiin uudentyyppinen sideainesysteemi, joka mahdollistaa ultramatalien keraamien yhteissintraamisen jopa noin 300 °C lämpötilassa. Hyödyntäen kehitettyä sideainesysteemiä monikerrosrakenne, jossa käytettiin dielektrisiä BaTiO3-BBSZ- ja Al2O3-BBSZ-komposiitteja ja hopeaelektrodeja, yhteissintrattiin 450 °C lämpötilassa. Valmistetuissa rakenteissa ei havaittu murtumia eikä diffuusioita. Tulokset osoittavat, että kehitetyt lasi-keraami komposiitit mahdollistavat ympäristöystävällisten ULTCC -materiaalien valmistuksen. Lisäksi osoitettiin kehitettyjen materiaalien soveltuvuus monikerroksisten rakenteiden käyttöön monimateriaali-3D-elektroniikan pakkauksissa ja suurtaajuuskomponteissa.

M.Sc. / The increased demand for electricity in South Africa is expected to exceed supply between 2004 and 2007. Electricity supply options in the country would be further complicated by the fact that older power stations would reach the end of their design life beyond the year 2025. In light of this and considering the long lead times required for the commissioning of new plants, new power supply options need to be proactively investigated. The environmental impacts associated with coal-fired generation of electricity have resulted in increased global concern over the past decade. To reduce these impacts, new technologies have been identified to help provide electricity from fossil fuels. The alternatives considered are gas-fired generation technologies and the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC). This study attempts to document and understand the environmental aspects related to gas-fired and IGCC electricity generation and evaluate their advantages in comparison to conventional pulverised coal fired power generation. The options that could be utilised to make fossil fuel electricity generation more environmentally friendly, whilst remaining economically feasible, were also evaluated. Gas-fired electricity generation is extremely successful as electricity generation systems in the world due to inherently low levels of emissions, high efficiencies, fuel flexibility and reduced demand on finite resources. Associated benefits of a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) are lower operating costs due to the reduced water consumption, smaller equipment size and a reduction in the wastewater that has to be treated before being returned to the environment. A CCGT plant requires less cooling water and can be located on a smaller area than a conventional Pulverised Fuel (PF) power station of the same capacity. All these factors reduce the burden on the environment. A CCGT also employs processes that utilises the energy of the fuel more efficiently, with the current efficiencies approaching 60%. Instead of simply being discharged into the atmosphere, the gas turbines’ exhaust gas heat is used to produce additional output in combination with a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) and a steam turbine. Furthermore, as finite resources become increasingly scarce and energy has to be used as wisely as possible, generating electricity economically and in an ecologically sound manner is of the utmost importance. The clean, reliable operation of gas-fired generation systems with significantly reduced noise levels and their compact design makes their operation feasible in heavily populated areas, where electricity is needed most. At the same time, energy can be consumed in whatever form needed, i.e. as electricity, heat or steam. The dependence of the South African economy on cheap coal ensures that it will remain a vital component of future electricity generation options in the country. This dominance of coal-fired generation in the country is responsible for South Africa’s title as the largest generator of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on the continent and the country could possibly be requested to reduce its CO2 emissions at the next international meeting of signatories to the Kyoto Protocol. Carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by utilising gas-fired generation technologies. However, the uncertainty and costs associated with natural gas in South Africa hampers the implementation of this technology. There are currently a number of initiatives surrounding the development of natural gas in the country, viz. the Pande and Temane projects in Mozambique and the Kudu project in Namibia, and this is likely to positively influence the choice of fuel utilised for electricity generation in the future. The economic viability of these projects would be further enhanced through the obtaining of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits for greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions reduction. Alternatively, more efficient methods of generating electricity from coal must be developed and implemented. IGCC is capable of achieving this because of the high efficiencies associated with the combined cycle component of the technology. These higher efficiencies result in reduced emissions to the atmosphere for an equivalent unit of electricity generated from a PF station. An IGCC system can be successful in South Africa in that it combines the benefits of utilising gas-fired electricity generation systems whilst utilising economically feasible fuel, i.e. coal. IGCC systems can economically meet strict air pollution emission standards, produce water effluent within environmental limits, produce an environmentally benign slag, with good potential as a saleable by-product, and recover a valuable sulphur commodity by-product. Life-cycle analyses performed on IGCC power plants have identified CO2 release and natural resource depletion as their most significant positive lifecycle impacts, which testifies to the IGCC’s low pollutant releases and benign by-products. Recent studies have also shown that these plants can be built to efficiently accommodate future CO2 capture technology that could further reduce environmental impacts. The outstanding environmental performance of IGCC makes it an excellent technology for the clean production of electricity. IGCC systems also provide flexibility in the production of a wide range of products including electricity, fuels, chemicals, hydrogen, and steam, while utilizing low-cost, widely available feedstocks. Coal-based gasification systems provide an energy production alternative that is more efficient and environmentally friendly than competing coalfuelled technologies. The obstacle to the large-scale implementation of this technology in the country is the high costs associated with the technology. CDM credits and by-products sales could possible enhance the viability of implementing these technologies in South Africa.

This master's thesis deals with the design of stoker-fired boiler for combustion of biomass. The main points of work are stoichiometry calculation of combustion, determining the dew point of flue gas, calculation of losses, which ones serves for determination of boiler efficiency, dimension design and detail calculation of thermosetting surfaces. In the last chapter is numbered total balance and real thermal efficiency of boiler.

The strength of materials such as glass and ceramics can be influenced by the environment (stress corrosion). Under applied stress defects (cracks) can grow sub-critically below fracture toughness K_Ic. The aim of this work was to develop a three-dimensional finite-element model to analyze the subcritical crack growth behavior of ceramic-based particulate composites. The maximum tangential stress criterion (MTS) was used to predict the direction of the crack propagation in the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics. The modeled material was a Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC), containing alumina particles embedded in a glass matrix. The main aim of this work was to develop a 3D model describing the crack growth. Conclusions from this work can contribute to a better understanding of subcritical crack propagation in particle composites.

Subcritical crack growth in composite materials plays quite an important role in determination of the service life and leads to the defects growth below the fracture toughness. The thesis presents search of the several scientific works dealing with the determination of the crack growth direction in composite materials. The aim of this diploma thesis was to create 2D and 3D finite element models to analyse crack growth in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC). These models were compared based on the time calculation of the crack propagation under the subcritical growth conditions.

This master‘s thesis deals with denitrification of brown coal-fired boiler of electric power plant. First chapters describe technical characteristics of the boiler and possible measurements which would lead to lowering NOx emissions. In order for boiler to meet emission standards valid from 1.1.2016 flue gas treatment by selective catalytic reduction is proposed. Main part of the thesis is thermal calculation of the boiler with modifications necessary in order to apply SCR. The aim of calculation is to determine flue gas exit temperature and temperature at catalyst area in order to assess the suitability of proposed modifications.

This thesis solves a design of a grate boiler burning wood chips or brown coal with a heat output of 160 MW. Stoichiometry flue gas is calculated according to the specified composition of each fuel. The dimensions of the individual heating surfaces are primarily calculated for burning wood chips and subsequently checked for the combustion of brown coal. Design of the boiler is completed by checking the overall heat output. Boiler design is accompanied by drawing documentation.

Coal-fired power plants’ typically large capacity and relatively low electricity generation costs in the Chinese power market can be compared with their typically low specific thermal efficiency and older age on average. At the same time, the environment pollution caused by local coal-fired power plants has started to receive due attention. Sustainable renewable energy sources and the application of effective conversion technologies for those has become a top priority of China's current energy strategy. Biomass in general and anaerobic biogas in particular can be regarded as clean, locally available renewable energy resources. Replacing coal with biomass-derived energy is especially relevant for certain locations in China. For the case of Henan province, work has already been undertaken by the local authorities for the proper estimation of the biomass potential and the selection of most applicable energy conversion technologies with the lowest environmental footprint to replace aging coal-fired plants with various biomass-based power generation facilities. / Kolkraftverkens typiska stora kapacitet och relativt låga elproduktionskostnader på den kinesiska elmarknaden kan jämföras med deras typiskt låga specifika verkningsgrader och äldre ålder i genomsnitt. Samtidigt har miljöföroreningarna som orsakas av lokala kolkraftverk börjat uppmärksammas på riktigt i Kina. Hållbara förnybara energikällor och tillämpningen av effektiv konverteringsteknik för dessa har blivit en topprioritet för Kinas nuvarande energistrategi. Biomassa i allmänhet och anaerobisk biogas (rötgas) i synnerhet kan betraktas som rena och lokalt tillgängliga förnybara energiresurser. Byte av kol mot biobränslen blir särskilt relevant för vissa platser i Kina. När det gäller Henanprovinsen har en del arbete redan gjorts av de lokala myndigheterna för en korrekt uppskattning av biomasspotentialen och en analys av de mest tillämpliga teknologier för omvandling av bioenergi med lägsta miljöpåverkan som ersätter åldrande koleldade anläggningar med olika biobränslen.

This degree project studies the integration of carbon capture system into biomass fired combined heat and power (bio-CHP) plants. The key disturbances from bio-CHP plants include flue gas flow rate, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and available heat for the reboiler because the use of versatile biomass and the dynamic operation of CHP plants results in large fluctuations in the properties of flue gas and the heat input for CO2 capture. To clearly understand the impacts of these disturbances on the performance of CO2 capture, a dynamic CO2 capture model is developed in Aspen Plus Dynamics by using monoethanolamine (MEA) based chemical absorption. Proportional-Integral (PI) feedback controllers are then implemented to further study and compare the performance of the CO2 capture process under different control strategies, the performance with general control settings and fine-tuned controllers are obtained and compared, including both the control performance and system performance. The control performance includes the maximum deviation and settling time, which could reflect only the performance of the controllers.  The system performance includes Captured CO2, reboiler duty and Energy penalty per unit CO2 captured, which could reflect CO2 capture system performance. An equilibrium stage steady state model is first developed for the key components in the CO2 capture plant in Aspen Plus, consisting of the absorber, the stripper, and lean-rich heat exchanger. By sizing the components and employing the pressure driven mode, the steady state model is enabled to be a dynamic model. The disturbances about flue gas and reboiler heat are taken from a real bio-CHP plant in Sweden. Considering the higher flue gas flowrate, the model has been scaled up to meet the requirement of this bio-CHP plant. The addition of controllers are done for the flexible operation of the CO2 capture system and the controlled variables considered in this study are the percentage of CO2 absorbed in the absorber column, reboiler temperature and rich solvent flow in the stripper column. The results show the effects of fluctuations in the key influencing factors on the control performance and the system performance . The fine-tuned controller implemented system showcases better performance when the quantity of CO2 captured is compared with that of the system in the absence of controllers, where a 1.1% increase in the amount of captured CO2 is observed when the flue gas flow rate is increased by 30%. The system also maintains a 1.8% higher capture rate when controllers are implemented. This showcases better system performance when controllers are implemented in the system. To further analyse the effects of control strategies two different control strategies are compared where controllers with general settings are compared to the controllers which are fine-tuning achieved by implementing tuning parameters which were obtained through Internal Model control (IMC) based on the system requirements. The fine tuning of the controllers results in improved system performance where the amount of captured CO2 increases by 1.4% when the reboiler duty is increased by 30% and a 1.7% decrease in the energy penalty per unit CO2 captured. Additionally, the results show that the settling time and maximum deviation are different for the two controllers where the controller which underwent fine tuning maintained the steady set point whereas the controller with general controller tuning showcases deviation before it attained stability. Therefore, the fine-tuned controller is more efficient to enable the flexible operation of CO2 capture when facing disturbance. It is studied that the tuning parameters implemented in the controllers affect the transient operation of the plant and improved the dynamic performance of the capture system. The tuned controllers offered more stability to the capture system while attaining their respective set points in a shorter time frame. It is also found that there exists a big difference between the system’s performance without controllers and that with finely tuned controllers. The difference in captured CO2 amount is approximately 26 ton/h when flue gas flow rate increases by 30%. The percentage difference is 1.1%, 7.7% and  5.9% for Captured CO2, reboiler duty and Energy penalty per unit CO2 captured respectively. In conclusion the control of the transient operation of the CO2 capture system needs the control system implemented and requires fine tuning parameters to achieve the desirable performance.