H2S is a biologically relevant signaling gas that is endogenously produced throughout the body. The (patho)physiological roles of H2S have led researchers to develop various compounds that decompose to release H2S (H2S donors) for exogenous H2S administration. However, many small molecule H2S donors suffer from poor solubility, low stability, and lack of control over H2S release rates. As a result, there has been an increasing interest in utilizing supramolecular materials for exogenous H2S delivery. With growing potential applications of supramolecular H2S-releasing materials, it is important to explore their properties, e.g., solubility and stability under physiological conditions. We investigated the hydrolytic stability over a range of pH conditions of a series of peptides containing H2S-releasing S-aroylthiooximes (SATOs). The SATO-peptides showed structure–reactivity relationships with SATO ring substituents playing a crucial role in hydrolysis rates. Electron-donating substituents accelerate the rate of hydrolysis while electron-withdrawing substituents slows it down. We also explored their hydrolysis mechanisms at different pH values. SATO-peptides were then used to form hydrogels at 1 wt.% triggered by Ca2+. Hydrogels can be applied directly at a site of interest, potentially improving the efficacy of H2S compared with small molecule donors that diffuse away. We developed a H2S-releasing hydrogel capable of slowly releasing H2S locally to test its efficacy on intimal hyperplasia. The hydrogel delivered H2S over the period of several hours and inhibited the proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) significantly better than fast-releasing NaSH salts. This study shows a promising application of supramolecular H2S-releasing materials over widely used sulfide salts. The macroscopic properties of peptide hydrogels could be further modulated to achieve additional control over the H2S release properties. We synthesized a series of peptide hydrogels incorporating different linker segments to study their effects on hydrogelation properties. Most peptides formed hydrogels but with significantly different rheological behavior. We found that peptides with flexible linkers such as ethyl, substituted O-methylene, and others, formed stronger hydrogels compared to those with more rigid linkers. Interestingly, we found that stiffer hydrogels released H2S over longer periods than softer ones by retarding the diffusion of a thiol trigger, likely due to bulk degradation of the soft gels but surface erosion of the stiff gels as they release H2S. / Doctor of Philosophy / H2S has long been known as a foul smelling gas until it was discovered that it is endogenously produced throughout the body and plays many (patho)physiological roles. Therapeutic benefits of H2S have led researchers to develop various compounds that release H2S (H2S donors) for exogenous H2S administration. However, many small molecule H2S donors suffer from poor solubility, low stability, and unregulated H2S release. As a result, there has been an increasing interest in utilizing materials for exogenous H2S delivery. With growing potential applications of H2S-releasing materials, it is important to explore their properties, e.g., solubility and stability under physiological conditions. We investigated the stability of a series of peptides containing H2S-releasing S-aroylthiooximes (SATOs) over a range of pH conditions. The stability of SATO-peptides was dependent on chemical makeup of the SATO part of the peptides. We also explored their hydrolysis mechanisms at different pH values. SATO-peptides were then used to form hydrogels triggered by Ca2+. Hydrogels can be applied directly at a site of interest, potentially improving the efficacy of H2S compared with small molecule donors that diffuse away. We developed a H2S-releasing hydrogel capable of slowly releasing H2S locally to test its efficacy on intimal hyperplasia. The hydrogel delivered H2S over the period of several hours and inhibited the proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) significantly better than fast-releasing NaSH salts. This study shows a promising application of supramolecular H2S-releasing materials over widely used sulfide salts. The macroscopic properties of peptide hydrogels could be further modulated to achieve additional control over the H2S release properties. We synthesized a series of peptide hydrogels incorporating different linker segments to study their effects on hydrogelation properties. Most peptides formed weak to strong hydrogels with calcium chloride.We found that peptides with flexible linkers formed stronger hydrogels compared to those with more rigid linkers. Interestingly, we found that stiffer hydrogels released H2S over longer periods than softer ones.

Organosilicon compounds, which are heavily utilized in personal care products, are typically present, sometimes in high concentrations in the influent of wastewater treatment facilities. During anaerobic sludge digestion, these compounds volatilize and enter the methane gas recovery stream. As the methane is combusted for energy cogeneration, these compounds become oxidized to microcrystalline silicon dioxide and cause damage and potential failure of expensive infrastructure. Adsorption and other catchment methods are typically utilized for removal of these volatilized compounds in order to mitigate their entrance into methane combustion systems. This research investigated the effect of phased anaerobic digestion, specifically acid-gas digestion, on the behavior of the volatilization of these organosilicon compounds, particularly octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) as these are the most abundant volatile silicone compounds present in sludge. A bench scale acid reactor anaerobic digester was operated at varying solids retention times and temperatures in order to quantify biogas effects generated in the downstream gas reactor, which was operated at a constant mesophilic conditions. Results of the research indicated that the addition of an acid reactor did not cause a change in behavior of the D4 and D5 siloxane volatilization in the downstream gas reactor. However, it was observed that hydrogen sulfide gas was decreased in the gas reactor when an acid reactor was utilized, which could permit decreased corrosivity of biogas recovery. Cumulative volatile solids reduction and gas reactor methane yield data did not indicate an enhancement due to utilization of acid-gas digestion. / Master of Science

La nécessité de rénover les réseaux d'assainissement des grandes villes et les besoins de construire de nouvelles structures conduisent les gestionnaires de réseaux d'assainissement et les fabricants de canalisation à rechercher des solutions pour obtenir des installations d'assainissement durables. Parmi les détériorations rencontrées dans ces structures, 9% peuvent être attribués à la biodétérioration des matériaux cimentaires. Cette étude a deux objectifs principaux. Le premier est de développer un essai accéléré reproductible en laboratoire et qui donne des résultats proches de ceux obtenus sur site. Le second est d'étudier la biodétérioration des matériaux cimentaires pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes et plus spécifiquement la différence de comportement entre les matériaux à base de ciment d'aluminate de calcium (CAC) et de ciment Portland ordinaire (OPC). Dans ce cadre, différentes formulations cimentaires ont été exposées in situ afin de déterminer les paramètres influant sur la biodétérioration. En parallèle, des expériences en laboratoire ont été réalisées pour mieux comprendre chaque étape du mécanisme de biodétérioration. Les résultats des expositions sur site montrent que les matériaux à base de CAC ont une durabilité plus importante que les autres formulations cimentaires. Les études réalisées en laboratoire permettent d'attribuer ces meilleures performances à la teneur en aluminium qui inhibe la croissance des microorganismes tout en protégeant la matrice grâce à la précipitation d'une couche d'alumine hydratée dans la porosité et à la surface de ces matériaux et qui maintient le pH à 3,5-4. La chimie de surface a également un rôle important en favorisant ou non l'oxydation abiotique de l'H2S. Les résultats des expositions sur site et des différents essais de laboratoire ont été utilisés pour développer un essai accéléré donnant des résultats prometteurs / The need for renovation of sewer networks in major cities and the necessity to build new structures lead managers of sewer pipe and manufacturers to seek for solutions for sustainable sanitation. 9% of damages encountered in these structures can be attributed to the biodeterioration of cementitious materials. This study has two main objectives. The first one is to develop an accelerated reproducible laboratory test that gives results similar to those obtained on site. The second is to study the biodeterioration of cementitious materials in order to better understand mechanisms and more especially the difference in behavior between materials based on calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Within this framework, different cement formulations were exposed in situ to identify the parameters influencing biodeterioration. Meanwhile, laboratory experiments were conducted to better understand each step of the mechanism of biodeterioration. Results of on site exposition show that materials based on CAC have a greater durability than other cement formulations. Laboratory studies assign these best performances to the aluminum content which inhibits the growth of microorganisms while protecting the matrix by precipitation of a hydrated alumina layer in the porosity and on the surface of these materials. This layer maintains the pH at 3.5-4. Surface chemistry was shown to play an important role in catalizing abiotic oxidation of H2S. The results of on-site exhibitions and various laboratory tests were used to develop an accelerated test giving promising results

Transport of wastewater in sewer networks causes potential problems associated with gases which include ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane, in regard to odor nuisance, irritation, toxicity, and microbially induced corrosion. The extent of these problems depends on the emission rates of gases in the sewer atmosphere. To limit these kinds of problems an estimate of the gases emitted from the sewer network is to be known. In consideration to the above mentioned problems, a research has been taken up to estimate the two gases, namely, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from sewer wet wells. In this method, using Landtec GEM-2000 plus a multi-gas analyzer, the sample gases were collected from the wet well of pump stations for five days. Using the collected samples the emission rates of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are estimated.

As respostas termorregulatórias ao lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) são influenciadas por moduladores que aumentam (febrigênicos) ou diminuem (criogênicos) a temperatura corporal (Tb). Entre eles, o neurotransmissor gasoso sulfeto de hidrogênio (H2S) modula a inflamação sistêmica induzida por endotoxina em ratos, agindo como uma molécula anti-inflamatória e criogênica, embora os mecanismos subjacentes ainda sejam pouco compreendidos. Considerando que a endotoxina é um ligando para o Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) e que evidências recentes revelam um cross-talk entre a via de sinalização TLR e fosfo-Akt (p-Akt), o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar se o H2S atua como um mediador antiinflamatório e antipirético durante as fases termorregulatórias que ocorrem no choque endotoxêmico (hipotermia e febre) induzido por lipopolissacarídeo bacteriano (LPS, 2,5 mg / kg intraperitoneal (ip)) através da modulação sobre a produção de prostaglandina D2 (PGD2) e a ativação de Akt na área pré-óptica ântero-ventral do hipotálamo (AVPO). A Tb profunda de ratos mantidos a uma temperatura ambiente de 25 °C foi registrada antes e depois da inibição farmacológica da enzima cistationina ?-sintase (CBS - responsável pela produção endógena de H2S no cérebro) usando aminooxiacetato (AOA, 100 pmol, intracerebroventricular (icv)), combinado ou não com administração de LPS. Para esclarecer os mecanismos responsáveis por esses ajustes da resposta imune, foram determinados na AVPO os níveis de H2S, a produção de PGD2 e o perfil de expressão das proteínas CBS, p-Akt e p-CREB. Além disso, foi analisada a concentração de citocinas plasmáticas (IL-1?, IL-6, IL-10, TNF?, IFN-? , E IL-4). A injeção ip de LPS causou hipotermia típica seguida de febre. Os níveis de AVPO H2S aumentaram significativamente durante a hipotermia quando comparado com ratos eutérmicos e febris. A microinjeção icv de AOA não causou nenhuma alteração na Tb nem na produção basal de PGD2 durante a eutermia. Em ratos tratados com LPS, o AOA causou uma atenuação na queda da Tb durante a fase de hipotermia e uma febre exacerbada, simultaneamente com o aumento na produção de PGD2 e abolição do aumento induzido pela endotoxina na atividade de Akt. Durante a fase de febre, a expressão relativa de CBS esteve significativamente diminuída enquanto a expressão relativa de p-Akt esteve aumentada, quando comparado com ratos eutérmicos e hipotérmicos. As citocinas plasmáticas aumentaram durante a inflamação sistêmica, mas apenas a IL-4 mostrou um padrão semelhante em relação à Akt. Estes dados são consistentes com a noção de que o neurotransmissor gasoso H2S modula as fases de hipotermia e febre durante o choque endotoxêmico, atuando como uma molécula criogênica. Este papel anti-inflamatório durante a inflamação sistémica envolve uma regulação positiva da PGD2, de Akt e da IL-4 plasmática. / Thermoregulatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are affected by modulators that increase (pro-pyretic) or decrease (cryogenic) body temperature (Tb). Among them, the gaseous messenger hydrogen sulfide (H2S) modulates endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation being an anti-inflammatory and cryogenic molecule, although the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Since endotoxin is a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand and recent evidence indicates that there is a possible a cross-talk between the TLR and phospho-Akt (p-Akt) signaling pathway, the current study aimed to investigate whether H2S acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic mediator during thermoregulatory phases of endotoxic shock (hypothermia and fever) induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip)) through the modulation of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) production and activation of Akt in the anteroventral preoptic region of the hypothalamus (AVPO). Deep Tb in rats kept at an ambient temperature of 25 °C, was recorded before and after pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme cystathionine ?-synthase (CBS - responsible for H 2S endogenous production in the brain) using aminooxyacetate (AOA; 100 pmol/1 ?l intracerebroventricular (icv)) combined or not with endotoxin administration. To clarify the mechanisms responsible for these adjustments on immune response were verified in the AVPO H 2S levels, PGD2 production and expression profiles of CBS, p-Akt and p-CREB. In addition, plasma cytokines concentration (IL-1?, IL-6, IL-10, TNF?, IFN-?, and IL-4) was analyzed. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS caused typical hypothermia followed by fever. Intracerebroventricular microinjection of AOA neither affected Tb nor basal PGD2 production during euthermia. Levels of AVPO H2S were significantly increased during hypothermia when compared to both euthermic and febrile rats. In LPS-treated rats, AOA increased Tb values during hypothermia and fever, along with enhanced PGD2 production and abolition of endotoxin-induced increase in Akt activity. During fever, CBS relative expression was significantly decreased whereas p-Akt was significantly increased when compared to both euthermic and hypothermic rats. Plasma cytokines were increased during systemic inflammation, but only IL-4 showed a similar pattern in relation to Akt. These data are consistent with the notion that the gaseous messenger H2S modulates hypothermia and fever during endotoxic shock, acting as a cryogenic molecule. This anti-inflammatory role during systemic inflammation involves a H2S-induced up-modulation of PGD2, Akt and plasma IL-4.

Com a descoberta de novas fontes de petróleo e gás, em regiões remotas e de difícil acesso, tem-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias para garantir a eficácia da exploração destes recursos. Essa exploração e extração muitas vezes se dão em ambientes altamente corrosivos e os equipamentos devem apresentar propriedades que garantam um fator de segurança em serviço. Os aços de alta resistência e baixa liga (ARBL) são utilizados em tubulações para o transporte de gás natural e petróleo. Estes estão constantemente expostos a ambientes ácidos os quais são compostos de umidade e sulfeto de hidrogênio (H2S), podendo causar falha induzida pela presença de hidrogênio (Hydrogen Induced Cracking HIC). Este tipo de falha é normalmente abordado na literatura através de ensaios em solução contendo ácido acético e/ou sais (cloreto de sódio, entre outros), sempre com a injeção de H2S. Há vários mecanismos propostos, no entanto, o assunto não está totalmente resolvido. As alterações de composição química dos aços, processos de refino do aço e processos de conformação mecânica são responsáveis pela microestrutura final e determinantes da resistência à fragilização por hidrogênio. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar e comparar o comportamento quanto à resistência à corrosão e resistência à HIC de quatro materiais: tubo X65 sour, sua região de solda, tubo X65 não-sour e uma chapa destinada a confecção de tubo X65. Os eletrólitos empregados foram: solução A (ácido acético contendo cloreto de sódio) e a solução B (água do mar sintética), os quais correspondem às soluções recomendadas pela norma NACE TM0284-2003. Os materiais foram submetidos a: ensaios de polarização (Polarização Linear para determinação da Resistência de Polarização - Rp) e ensaios de resistência a HIC segundo a norma NACE TM0284-2003; exames em microscópio óptico e eletrônico de varredura para caracterização da morfologia da corrosão e do trincamento. Os ensaios de Rp revelaram que a solução A é mais agressiva do que a solução B, sendo isso explicado pela diferença de pH entre estas duas soluções. Os resultados mostraram ainda que a máxima resistência à corrosão sempre é obtida para o tubo sour, enquanto a mínima ocorreu para o tubo não-sour. Após o ensaio de resistência a HIC os exames em microscópio óptico revelaram que, em ambas as soluções, o tubo de X65 sour, e a sua solda não apresentaram trincas, bem como a chapa destinada a tubo X65; já o tubo de X65 não-sour apresentou trincamento principalmente na região central. Os exames das trincas revelaram que a presença de cementita intergranular e a estrutura bandeada foram as causas do trincamento. No caso do tubo sour, o bom desempenho foi discutido em termos da microestrutura de ferrita poligonal, acicular e microconstituinte M/A. Já o comportamento distinto encontrado para a chapa (para tubo X65), foi discutido levando-se em conta que esta chapa apresentou menor quantidade de cementita intergranular, uma vez que, sua microestrutura é bandeada e não foi encontrado trincamento. Os resultados também revelaram que a solução B, como no caso da resistência à corrosão, é uma solução menos agressiva, pois o trincamento obtido foi muito menor. / The discovery of new oil and gas reserves, at remote and hard to reach locations, makes imperative the development of new technologies to ensure effective exploitation of these resources. This exploitation is often performed at highly corrosive environments and equipment such as pipelines should have special mechanical and corrosion properties to guarantee safety levels in service. High-Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steels are used in pipelines for transporting gas and oil. These steels are in constant exposure to acid environments containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and water, that can cause pipeline failures due to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking - HIC. The literature reports that Hydrogen-Induced Cracking in steels is normally tested in solutions containing acetic acid and/or, salts (sodium chloride and others) with addition of H2S. Chemical composition, steel refining processes and metal forming processes are responsible for the final microstructure of the steel and have effect on the hydrogen embrittlement resistance. The purpose of this work is to analyze and compare the corrosion resistance and HIC resistance, and compare of four materials: pipeline steel API 5L X65 for sour service, its welded junctions, pipeline steel API 5L X65 for non-sour service and pipeline steel plate API 5L X65. The materials were submitted to linear polarization test (Rp) and HIC resistance test according to NACE TM0284-2003 standard. Both tests were carried out with two different electrolytes: the solution A (acetic acid and sodium chloride) and solution B (synthetic seawater). Subsequently; the surface of the steels were evaluated by optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy in order to characterize the cracking modes and corrosion morphology. The Rp tests showed that the solution A is more aggressive than solution B, behavior attributed to the pH difference between solutions. Steel API 5L X65 for sour service had the highest corrosion resistance and pipeline steel API 5L X65 for non-sour service had the lowest. The HIC test and the surface examination revealed that in both solutions, pipeline steel API 5L X65 for sour service, the welded junctions and the pipeline steel plate API 5L X65 showed no cracks. On the other hand, pipeline steel API 5L X65 for non-sour service presented cracking mainly in the central region. The tests revealed that the cracks nucleated at the intergranular cementite in the banded structure. The good performance of the pipeline steel API 5L X65 for sour service was discussed in terms of the microstructure, formed by polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite and M/A microconstituent. The performance of steel plate (for pipeline API 5L X65) was different. This material did not exhibit cracks in the matrix in spite of its banded microstructure. This result was discussed taking into account that the plate studied had a small amount of intergranular cementite. The results also showed that the solution B, as in the case of corrosion resistance tests, was less aggressive than solution A, because the cracks produced were smaller.

Os componentes do conjunto membrana/eletrodos (MEA) das células a combustível de membrana de eletrólito polimérico/Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) são sensíveis a impurezas, as quais podem vir do ar, do gás combustível e/ou da degradação dos componentes do módulo. Amônia, sulfeto de hidrogênio e monóxido de carbono são juntos os três principais subprodutos cotaminadores nos processos de geração de hidrogênio por reforma de combustíveis. Estes contaminadores afetam negativamente o desempenho das PEMFCs, assim é importante o entendimento destes efeitos para mitigá-los e introduzir a tecnologia das PEMFCs no mercado consumidor. Desta forma experimentos foram realizados visando diagnosticar os efeitos da amônia e do sulfeto de hidrogênio sobre os componentes do MEA das PEMFCs. Para a contaminação por sulfeto de hidrogênio foi provado, utilizando-se da técnica de cromatografia gasosa e de stripping, que a contaminação ocorre através da interação química e eletroquímica do contaminador com a superfície do catalisador de platina, e que estas interações ocorrem via um processo dissociativo e um processo oxidativos respectivamente. Estes processos de interação geram enxofre adsorvido sobre a superfície da platina, a qual é bloqueada para posterior oxidação de hidrogênio, gerando sobrepotenciais que reduzem a diferença de potencial da célula. Utilizando-se da técnica de cromatografia gasosa e agora de voltametria cíclica foi mostrado na PEMFC, que durante o processo de remoção do enxofre adsorvido a platina dióxido de enxofre é gerado. Ainda na PEMFC, foi mostrado utilizando-se da técnica de \"air bleed\" que maiores tolerâncias ao sulfeto de hidrogênio podem ser alcançadas, apesar de ser insignificante. Para o caso da contaminação da PEMFC por amônia, indiretamente foi mostrado, utilizando-se técnicas eletroquímicas solução de ácido perclórico, que amônia pode afetar a reação de redução de oxigênio pela sua adsorção sobre a superfície do catalisador, ou pelo bloqueio da mesma para posterior adsorção/redução de oxigênio. Em estudos de absorção de água e condutividade de membranas de NafionTM, sob diferentes frações catiônicas (prótons/amônio), em contato com água na fase vapor sob diferentes atividades, foi mostrado que quanto maior a concentração de íons contaminadores no eletrólito menor a quantidade de água absorvida e menor a condutividade da membrana. Também foi mostrado que se tais membranas fossem usadas como eletrólito em PEMFCs, o desempenho da célula seria afetado drasticamente por perdas ôhmicas. Também foi mostrado que sob contaminação por amônia, PEMFCs sofrem aumentos em resistências ôhmicas devido a reduções na condutividade do eletrólito, contudo foi provado que esta representa menos de dez por cento do total de perdas observadas no desempenho da célula. Desde estudo foi concluído que amônia afeta o desempenho das PEMFCs principalmente pela redução na atividade dos prótons na camada catalítica catódica, que causa reduções no potencial misto de equilíbrio da reação de redução de oxigênio, e portanto na diferença de potencial da célula. Finalmente foi provado indiretamente que amônia deixa a célula através do equilíbrio de amônio com água, o qual deslocado gera amônia, a qual deixa a célula junto com o fluxo de gás cotódico. / The Membrane Electrode Assembly components of a PEMFC are sensitive to impurities, which can came with the air or hydrogen stream, or from the degradation of the stack components. Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide are together the main sub-products of fuel reforming processes for generating hydrogen. These contaminants negatively affect the PEMFC performance, so it is important to understand what those effects are in order to mitigate them and introduce PEMFC technology in the mass market. Therefore, experiments were carried out to diagnose the effects hydrogen sulfide and ammonia have on the MEA components of PEMFCs. For contamination by hydrogen sulfide it was proved utilizing EMS and stripping techniques that the poisoning process happens by chemical and electrochemical interactions of the contaminant with the Platinum catalyst surface, and that these interactions happen by a dissociative and oxidative process, respectively. Those processes generate sulfur adsorbed on the Platinum surface, which blocks it for further hydrogen oxidation, generating overpotentials, which reduce the cell potential. Utilizing the EMS and now the cyclic voltammetry technique it was shown that during the process of removing sulfur from the Platinum surface one generates sulfur dioxide. Using the Air Bleed technique it was shown that higher tolerances of the PEMFC against hydrogen sulfide can be reached, despite being insignificant. For contamination of the cell by ammonia it was indirectly proved utilizing electrochemical techniques in perchloric acid solutions that ammonia can affect the oxygen reduction reaction by adsorbing on the catalyst surface, or by blocking the surface for further oxygen adsorption/reduction. Studying water uptake and ionic conductivity of Nafion membranes under many different cation fractions (proton/ammonium) in contact with water vapor at different temperatures and water activities, it was proved that the more ammonium one has in the membrane the less will be the water uptake and ionic conductivity of it. It was also shown that if those membranes were used as electrolyte in PEMFC the cell performance would be severely affected by ohmic losses. It was also shown that under ammonia exposure PEMFCs suffer by ohmic resistance increases due to the lowering in the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, however it was proved that it represent less than ten percent of the observed losses in the cell performance. From this study it was concluded that ammonia mainly affect the PEMFC performance by lowering the cathode catalyst layer proton activity, which lowers the oxygen reduction reaction equilibrium potential, and then the cell potential. Finally it was indirectly proved that ammonia leaves the cell by the equilibrium of ammonium and water, which dislocated generates ammonia that leaves the cell together with the cathode gas stream.

Com o decorrer dos anos o consumo de petróleo e seus derivados aumentou significativamente e com isso houve a necessidade de se investir em pesquisas para descobertas de novas jazidas de petróleo como o pré-sal. Porém, não apenas a localização dessas jazidas deve ser estudada, mas, também, sua forma de exploração. Essa exploração e extração, na maioria das vezes, se dão em ambientes altamente corrosivos e o transporte do produto extraído é realizado através de tubulações de aço de alta resistência e baixa liga (ARBL). Aços ARBL expostos a ambientes contendo H2S e CO2 (sour gas) sofrem corrosão generalizada que promovem a entrada de hidrogênio atômico no metal, podendo diminuir sua tenacidade e causar falha induzida pela presença de hidrogênio (Hydrogen Induced Cracking HIC), gerando falhas graves no material. Tais falhas podem ser desastrosas para o meio ambiente e para a sociedade. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a tenacidade, utilizando ensaio Charpy, de um tubo API 5L X65 sour após diferentes tempos de imersão em uma solução saturada com H2S. O eletrólito empregado foi a solução A (ácido acético contendo cloreto de sódio) da norma NACE TM0284 (2011), fazendo-se desaeração com injeção de N2, seguida de injeções de H2S. Os materiais foram submetidos a: ensaios de resistência a HIC segundo a norma NACE TM0284 (2011) e exames em microscópio óptico e eletrônico de varredura para caracterização microestrutural, de inclusões e trincas. As amostras foram submetidas a imersão em solução A durante 96h e 360h, sendo que, após doze dias do término da imersão, foram realizados os ensaios Charpy e exames fractográficos. Foram aplicados dois métodos: o de energia absorvida e o da expansão lateral, conforme recomendações da norma ASTM E23 (2012). As curvas obtidas, em função da temperatura de impacto, foram ajustadas pelo método da tangente hiperbólica. Esses procedimentos foram realizados nas duas seções do tubo (transversal e longitudinal) e permitiram a obtenção dos seguintes parâmetros: energias absorvidas e expansão lateral nos patamares superior e inferior e temperaturas de transição dúctil-frágil (TTDF) em suas diferentes definições, ou seja, TTDFEA, TTDFEA-DN, TTDFEA-FN, TTDFEL, TTDFEL-DN e TTDFEL-FN (identificação no item Lista de Abreviaturas e Siglas). No exame fractográfico observou-se que o material comportou-se conforme o previsto, ou seja, em temperaturas mais altas ocorreu fratura dúctil, em temperaturas próximas a TTDF obteve-se fratura mista e nas temperaturas mais baixas observou-se o aparecimento de fratura frágil. Os resultados mostraram que quanto maior o tempo de imersão na solução A, menor é a energia absorvida e a expansão lateral no patamar superior, o que pode ser explicado pelo (esperado) aumento do teor de hidrogênio em solução sólida com o tempo de imersão. Por sua vez, os resultados mostraram que há tendência à diminuição da temperatura de transição dúctil-frágil com o aumento do tempo de imersão, particularmente, as TTDFEA-DN e TTDFEL-DN das duas seções do tubo (longitudinal e transversal). Esse comportamento controverso, que pode ser denominado de tenacificação com o decorrer do tempo de imersão na solução A, foi explicado pelo aparecimento de trincas secundárias durante o impacto (Charpy). Isso indica uma limitação do ensaio Charpy para a avaliação precisa de materiais hidrogenados. / Over the years the consumption of crude oil and its derivatives increased significantly, creating the necessity to invest in research to discover new sources of pre-salt crude oil. However, not only the location of these deposits should be studied, but also its extraction. This exploration and extraction, in most cases, occur in highly corrosive environments and the transport of the extracted product is performed by high strength low alloy steel pipes (HSLA). HSLA steels exposed to environments containing CO2 and H2S (sour gas) suffer general corrosion that promotes the diffusion of atomic hydrogen into the metal structure, which may decrease its toughness and induce cracks by the presence of hydrogen (Hydrogen Induced Cracking - HIC), leading the material to severe failures. Such events can be disastrous for the environment and the society. The objective of this work is to study the toughness using Charpy Impact Tests on an API 5L X65 sour service steel pipe, submitted to different immersion times in a H2S saturated solution. The used electrolyte was the NACE TM0284 (2011) solution A (acetic acid containing sodium chloride), with deaeration by N2 injection followed by H2S injection. The materials were submitted to HIC resistance tests according to NACE TM0284 (2011) standard and examination by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for microstructural inclusions and cracks characterization. The samples were immersed in the solution for 96h and 360h and after twelve days of immersion, Charpy tests and fracture analysis were performed. Two analytical methods were applied to Charpy tests results: the energy absorbed and lateral expansion, as recommended by the ASTM E23 (2012). The obtained curves, that are a function of impact temperature, were adjusted by the hyperbolic tangent method. This procedure was performed in two different orientations in the pipe (transverse and longitudinal) and allowed the determination of the following parameters: energy absorbed and lateral expansion in the upper and lower levels and ductile-to-brittle transition temperatures (DBTT) in its different definitions: DBTTAE, DBTTAE-DN, DBTTAE-FN, DBTTLE, DBTTLE-DN e DBTTLE-FN. Fracture analysis revealed that the material behaved as expected, meaning that at higher temperatures ductile fracture occurred, at temperatures near DBTT it was obtained a mixed fracture and at lower temperatures it was observed the presence of brittle fracture. Results showed that when the immersion time in the solution was higher, the energy absorbed in upper shelf decreases, and also lateral expansion in upper shelf decreases, which may be explained by the (expected) increase of hydrogen level in solid solution, induced by the immersion time. It was found that there is a tendency of the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature to be lower with the increase of immersion time, particularly the DBTTAE-DN and DBTTLE-DN of the two pipe sections (longitudinal and transversal). This controversial behavior, which may be defined as the toughening by the increase of immersion time in the solution A, was explained by the appearance of secondary cracks during impact test (Charpy). This indicates a limitation of the Charpy test for the accurate characterization of hydrogenated materials, concerning toughness.

Neste trabalho investigamos o efeito de doadores de H2S no prurido agudo mediado por PAR-2 em camundongos. A injeção i.d. do agonista PAR-2 SLIGRL-NH2, induziu prurido que não foi afetado pelo pré-tratamento com o antagonista H1 pirilamina. A coinjeção dos doadores de H2S GYY4137 (lento) ou NaHS (espontâneo) com SLIGRL-NH2 reduziu significativamente o prurido (P<0,05). A glibenclamida (bloqueador de canais KATP) e o SNP (doador de NO), mas não o ODQ (inibidor da sGC), evitaram estes efeitos. O antagonista TRPA1 HC-030031 reduziu significativamente o prurido induzido pelo SLIGRL-NH2 (P<0,05), mas o prurido induzido pelo agonista TPRA1 AITC não foi afetado por NaHS. Ensaios de Western blot mostraram que ambos PAR-2 e TRPA1 são expressos constitutivamente na pele de camundongos. Nossos dados mostram que o prurido secundário à ativação do PAR-2 pode ser reduzido por H2S, atuando via a abertura dos canais KATP e ativação da via NO-GMPc. Ademais, o receptor TRPA1 pode mediar o prurido induzido por SLIGRL-NH2, mas o H2S não interfere nesta via. / In this study we investigated the effect of H2S donors in PAR-2-mediated acute pruritus in mice. The i.d. injection of the PAR-2 agonist SLIGRL-NH2 induced itching that was unaffected by pre-treatment with the H1 antagonist pyrilamine. Co-injection of the H2S donors GYY4137 (slow) or NaHS (spontaneous) with SLIGRL-NH2 significantly reduced pruritis (P <0.05). Glibenclamide (a KATP channel blocker) and SNP (a NO donor), but not ODQ (a sGC inhibitor) prevented these effects. The TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 significantly reduced SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus (P<0.05), but the pruritus induced by the TPRA1 agonist AITC was unaffected by NaHS. Western blot assays showed that both TRPA1 and PAR-2 are constitutively expressed in the mouse skin. Our data show that itching secondary to PAR-2 activation can be reduced by H2S which acts via the opening of KATP channels and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway. Furthermore, TRPA1 receptors may mediate SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus, however, H2S does not interfere with this pathway.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:42:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoseCVM_TESE_capa_ate_pag128.pdf: 3265790 bytes, checksum: 756c257ab1c64e4914df34565709a45f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-31 / In this work were synthesized the materials called vanadyl phosphate, hydrogen vanadyl phosphate and vanadyl phosphate doped by transition metals with the aim in adsorption the following compounds: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxide. To characterize the starting compounds was used DRX, FTIR, FRX and TG analysis. After the characterization of substrates, proceeded de adsorption of NH3 and H2S gases in reactor, passing the gases with continuous flow for 30 min and room temperature. Gravimetric data indicate that the matrices of higher performance in adsorption of ammonia was those doped by aluminum and manganese, obtaining results of 216,77 mgNH3/g and 200,40 mgNH3/g of matrix, respectively. The matrice of higher performance in adsorption of hydrogen sulfide was that doped by manganese, obtaining results of 86,94 mgH2S/g of matrix. The synthesis of substrates VOPO4.2H2O and MnVOPO4.2H2O with nitrogen oxide was made in solution, aiming the final products VOPO4.G.nH2O and MnVOPO4.G.nH2O (G = NO and n = number of water molecules). The thermo analytical behavior and the infrared spectroscopy are indicative of formation of VOPO4.2,5NO.3H2O compound. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of materials vanadyl phosphate and vanadyl phosphate modified after reaction in solid state or in solution with the gases show morphology changes in substrates, beyond the formation of orthorhombic sulfur crystals over their respective hosts when these adsorb hydrogen sulfide / Neste trabalho foram sintetizados os materiais denominados fosfato de vanadila, hidrogeno fosfato de vanadila e fosfatos de vanadila dopados por metais de transi??o com fins na adsor??o de am?nia, sulfeto de hidrog?nio e ?xido de nitrog?nio. Para a caracteriza??o dos compostos de partida, recorre-se ?s t?cnicas de DRX, FTIR, FRX e TG. Ap?s a caracteriza??o dos substratos, procedeu-se a adsor??o dos gases NH3 e H2S em reator, passando os gases a vaz?o cont?nua durante 30 min e temperatura ambiente. Dados gravim?tricos indicam que as matrizes de maior desempenho na adsor??o de am?nia foram ?quelas dopadas por alum?nio e mangan?s, obtendo resultado de 216,77 mgNH3/g e 200,40 mgNH3/g de matriz, respectivamente. A matriz de maior desempenho para a adsor??o de sulfeto de hidrog?nio foi ?quela dopada por mangan?s, obtendo resultado de 86,94 mgH2S/g de matriz. As s?nteses dos substratos VOPO4.2H2O e MnVOPO4.2H2O com o g?s ?xido de nitrog?nio foram realizadas em solu??o, objetivando-se os produtos finais VOPO4.G.nH2O e MnVOPO4.G.nH2O (G = NO e n = n?mero de mol?culas de ?gua). O comportamento termoanal?tico e a espectroscopia na regi?o do infravermelho s?o indicativos da forma??o do composto VOPO4.2,5NO.3H2O. Resultados de microscopia eletr?nica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) dos materiais fosfatos de vanadila e fosfatos de vanadila dopados ap?s rea??o no estado s?lido ou em solu??o com os gases indicam mudan?a na morfologia dos substratos, al?m da forma??o de cristais de enxofre ortorr?mbico sobre seus respectivos hospedeiros quando estes adsorvem sulfeto de hidrog?nio