Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-74). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-56).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 193 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Jorge de Lucas Junior / Banca: Odivaldo José Seraphim / Banca: Adélia Pereira Miranda / Resumo: A avicultura brasileira alcançou nos últimos anos níveis de produtividade e ajuste na organização e coordenação que a colocam como uma das mais competitivas do mundo. A cama de frango gerada no processo produtivo das aves demonstra ter grande potencial para a obtenção de energia com o uso de biodigestores. Objetivou-se com a execução deste trabalho avaliar a inclusão de 5 e 7% do caldo de cana de açúcar, no processo de biodigestão anaeróbia da cama de frango com separação de sólidos em sistemas contínuos de abastecimento. O experimento foi dividido em duas fases, sendo que na primeira foi realizado o preparo do inóculo com dejeto de bovino leiteiro e na segunda fase foram abastecidos oito biodigestores contínuos com o inóculo obtido + cama de frango com separação de sólidos (CFCSS), associada ao caldo de cana em diferentes proporções composto por dois tratamentos com quatro repetições. O tratamento T1 - CFCSS (Controle) e tratamento T2 - CFCSS + caldo de cana (5% por um período de 30 dias e 7 % por mais 30 dias). Foram analisados os teores de sólidos totais (ST) e sólidos voláteis (SV), potencial de hidrogênio (pH) e concentrações de micro e macronutrientes. Para os tratamentos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Brazilian aviculture productionin in recent years achieved levels of productivity and adjustthe organization and coordination that pose as one of the most competitive in the world.The poultry litter generated in the production process of the birds shows a high potential to produce energy using biodigesters. Objective was to evaluate the inclusion of 5 and 7% of the juice of sugar cane in the process of anaerobic digestion of poultry litter with separation of solids in a continuous system of supply. The experiment was divided into two phases with the first was conducted in the preparation of the inoculums with dairy cattle manure and the second phase were supplied with eight digesters continuous inoculums obtained + poutry litter with separation of solids (PLSS) associated cane juice in different proportions composed of 4 two treatments with four replications. The T1 - PLSS (Control) and T2 PLSS + cane juice (5% for a period of 30 days and 7% for 30 days). We analyzed the levels of total solids (TS) and volatile solids (VS), potential hydrogen (pH) and concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients. For those treatments evaluated showed that there was a reduction of TS and VS, 66,05 and 74,33% respectively for a control 1. Treatment with 5% sugar cane juice showed a value of 0,5500 m3 of biogas and received sugar cane juice to 7% showed a value of 0,6919 m3 of biogas within 30 days of operation. These results demonstrate that the juice was effective for the methanogenic bacteriadegrade organic mattere expressing great potential for biogas production / Mestre

The poultry industry in Europe is vast and proper waste management is required in order to comply with environmental regulations. As a result, poultry litter represents a potential fuel candidate for thermal conversion technologies since it is an available source. Therefore, a process for the gasification of poultry litter is examined in this study. This process integrates a fluidised bed gasifier with a gas turbine with the aim of generating combustibles gases for energy production. This resulted in a viable solution for a small scale system to be installed on-site the biomass source. The system allows the treatment of waste with the additional benefit of generation of energy, and is suitable for a poultry farm to avoid the transportation of litter to centralised plants. Among the by-products generated during gasification, such as NOx, SO2, and fly ash, tar is a major issue when implementing this technology because tar can cause operational problems as a result of the possible formation of aerosols and soot formation due to repolymerization. A process simulation using Aspen Plus was used to evaluate four levels of integration. The equilibrium model was applied to evaluate integration schemes involving recuperation of energy from the gas turbine exhaust gases. The recuperation of residual heat to preheat air and product gases was performed with the aim of achieving the highest electrical efficiency. For the conventional "atmospheric layout", the fuel gases have to be cooled down before being compressed to the desire pressure, which causes to waste energy from the hot fuel gases. The benefit of the "pressurised layout" is that all process stages can be maintained hot. Process efficiency analyses showed that even when the "atmospheric layout" was set with energy recuperation, the "pressurised layout" delivered higher efficiencies with or without the energy recuperation into the gasifier. After a bibliographic review, the lignin content of biomass was concluded responsible for tar formation because of its aromatic nature. As lignin components, guaiacol, vanillin and catechol were chosen as tar precursors due to its presence in lignin structure. A reaction mechanism and its corresponding kinetics were derived. This mechanism was based on the three-lignin unit decomposition into lighter molecules and greater aromatic rings. Some of the tar products were involved in combustion and/or steam gasification reactions. The tar reaction mechanism was introduced into the kinetic model for the gasification of poultry litter. The results showed agreement with experimental work from previous reports for the evolution of primary tars. However, the model overestimated the total tar concentration. When the model was compared with the equilibrium model, the trends of the main product gases agreed as the air:fuel ratio was varied.

Large stands of Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Muhl., called canebrakes, were vital to wildlife and lowland ecosystem functions and historically covered millions of acres in the southeastern United States. Since European settlement, human disturbance (i.e, clearing for agriculture and fire suppression) has caused giant canebrakes to become critically endangered ecosystems. Increasing evidence suggests the loss of canebrakes has directly impacted riparian ecosystems, resulting in increased soil erosion, poorer water quality, and reduced flood control. Cane's ecological importance has led to an increased interest in canebrake restoration in riparian zones. To examine the role that cane plays in nutrient cycling and to attempt to determine targeted restoration sites, a four phase research strategy was designed to determine physical and chemical properties of existing riparian stands of native giant cane and their associated soils. Phase one was a GIS analysis to determine what geographical features may be used in selecting sites within a landscape suitable for canebrake restoration. First, common physical site characteristics for 140 existing southern Illinois canebrakes were determined. Soil taxonomy and pH were used to represent soil characteristics and percent slope was used as a topographic metric. These factors, combined with digital elevation models and land cover in GIS were used to identify the potential suitability of sites within the watershed for canebrake plantings and general riparian restoration. The following soil characteristics were determined to be associated with giant cane success: percentage of area containing slopes of 3 percent or less, fine to coarse-silty textures, pH of 5.3 - 6.7, effective cation exchange capacity of less than 30 units, available water holding capacity greater than 0.12, bulk density of 1.37 - 1.65 g cm-3, and percent clay of 11 - 55. Eighty-percent of existing giant cane sites were found within these slope and soil characteristics. The total area of potential riparian canebrake landscapes based on these parameters is 13,970 hectares (35,600 acres) within the Cache River watershed. The remaining three phases examined the role that cane plays in nutrient cycling. Phase two determined the pools and cycling of nitrogen and carbon in canebrakes and compared those to nearby agricultural and forested riparian areas. Phase three quantified the N2O and CO2 fluxes from canebrakes and adjacent forested areas. Phase four included methods to quantify nutrient content of leaf litter and live leaves from existing canebrakes to estimate the nutrient use efficiency of cane. Further, a decomposition study was conducted to calculate the decomposition rate of cane leaves and to explore the litter quality attributes of giant cane. The primary purpose of phase two was to compare the effects of perennial riparian vegetation (giant cane and forest) and annual crops on soil quality, nitrogen cycling, and physical properties. This was to determine if any of them have a significant influence on giant cane distribution, while focusing on nitrogen dynamics to help determine why giant cane is a successful riparian buffer species. Five study sites in the Cache River watershed that had cane, agricultural fields (corn-soybean rotation), and forested areas adjacent to one another were selected. Data were collected on soil texture, carbon/nitrogen ratios, bulk density, nitrogen content (as ammonia and nitrate), and net nitrogen mineralization rates. The crop sites had significantly lower soil C:N ratios than both forest and cane (9.8:1 vs. 10.9:1 and 10.7:1, respectively), though all sites had ratios less than 25:1, indicating a tendency toward nitrogen mineralization. Forest soils had significantly higher rates of net mineralization than cane (19.0 μg m-2 day-1 and 6.6 μg m-2 day-1, respectively), with crop not significantly different from either cane or forest (8.0 μg m-2 day-1). Cane had higher levels of soil carbon and nitrogen when compared to forest and crop soils. Cane can be successful in wetter areas than previously thought, implying that the range of conditions that will support cane is broader than previously thought. Overall, there were few identifiable soil controls on giant cane distribution, or those that differentiate long-standing canebrakes from the nearby crop and forest land. For Phase three, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions were measured monthly for one year in riparian canebrakes and forests in southern Illinois to determine the rates of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in bottomland riparian areas. Carbon dioxide emissions had a strong correlation with soil temperature (p < 0.001, r2= 0.54), but not with soil water content (p > 0.05), and were greater during the warmer months. Nitrous oxide emissions had a correlation with soil water content (p=0.470, r2 = 0.11), but no relation with soil temperature (p > 0.05), nor a difference across time. Vegetation type did not appear to influence GHG fluxes. Riparian CO2 and N2O emission rates were higher than documented cropland emissions, indicating riparian restoration projects to reduce NO3 delivery to streams may affect N2O and CO2 emissions resulting in an ecosystem tradeoff between water quality and air quality. Leaf deposition, N resorption efficiency and proficiency, and decomposition rates were analyzed in riparian stands of Arundinaria gigantea in southern Illinois for the first time in Phase four. Leaf litter was collected from five established canebrakes monthly over one year and a decomposition study was conducted over 72 weeks. Live leaves, freshly senesced leaves, and decomposed leaves were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen content. Leaf litterfall biomass peaked in November at twice the monthly average for all but one site, indicating a resemblance to deciduous leaf fall patterns. Nitrogen and carbon levels decreased 48% and 30%, respectively, between live leaves and 72 weeks decomposed. High soil moisture appeared to slow decomposition rates, perhaps due to the creation of anaerobic conditions. Cane leaves have low resorption proficiency and nutrient use proficiency, suggesting that these riparian canebrakes are not nitrogen limited. These results will help improve our understanding of the role that giant cane plays in a riparian ecosystem and help focus cane restoration efforts in southern Illinois.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:11:15Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 sagula_al_me_botfca.pdf: 646676 bytes, checksum: e48774cd7be5625bb9dfa8d87ec630dd (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / A avicultura brasileira alcançou nos últimos anos níveis de produtividade e ajuste na organização e coordenação que a colocam como uma das mais competitivas do mundo. A cama de frango gerada no processo produtivo das aves demonstra ter grande potencial para a obtenção de energia com o uso de biodigestores. Objetivou-se com a execução deste trabalho avaliar a inclusão de 5 e 7% do caldo de cana de açúcar, no processo de biodigestão anaeróbia da cama de frango com separação de sólidos em sistemas contínuos de abastecimento. O experimento foi dividido em duas fases, sendo que na primeira foi realizado o preparo do inóculo com dejeto de bovino leiteiro e na segunda fase foram abastecidos oito biodigestores contínuos com o inóculo obtido + cama de frango com separação de sólidos (CFCSS), associada ao caldo de cana em diferentes proporções composto por dois tratamentos com quatro repetições. O tratamento T1 – CFCSS (Controle) e tratamento T2 – CFCSS + caldo de cana (5% por um período de 30 dias e 7 % por mais 30 dias). Foram analisados os teores de sólidos totais (ST) e sólidos voláteis (SV), potencial de hidrogênio (pH) e concentrações de micro e macronutrientes. Para os tratamentos... / The Brazilian aviculture productionin in recent years achieved levels of productivity and adjustthe organization and coordination that pose as one of the most competitive in the world.The poultry litter generated in the production process of the birds shows a high potential to produce energy using biodigesters. Objective was to evaluate the inclusion of 5 and 7% of the juice of sugar cane in the process of anaerobic digestion of poultry litter with separation of solids in a continuous system of supply. The experiment was divided into two phases with the first was conducted in the preparation of the inoculums with dairy cattle manure and the second phase were supplied with eight digesters continuous inoculums obtained + poutry litter with separation of solids (PLSS) associated cane juice in different proportions composed of 4 two treatments with four replications. The T1 – PLSS (Control) and T2 PLSS + cane juice (5% for a period of 30 days and 7% for 30 days). We analyzed the levels of total solids (TS) and volatile solids (VS), potential hydrogen (pH) and concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients. For those treatments evaluated showed that there was a reduction of TS and VS, 66,05 and 74,33% respectively for a control 1. Treatment with 5% sugar cane juice showed a value of 0,5500 m3 of biogas and received sugar cane juice to 7% showed a value of 0,6919 m3 of biogas within 30 days of operation. These results demonstrate that the juice was effective for the methanogenic bacteriadegrade organic mattere expressing great potential for biogas production

Orientador: Valdemir Antônio Rodrigues / Coorientador: Silvio Fronsini de Barros Ferraz / Banca: Alexandre Vicente Ferraz / Banca: Deivid Lopes Machado / Resumo: A presença de espécies exóticas em ambientes ripários pode influenciar na quantidade e qualidade de folhas que são realocadas no sistema ecológico. Desse modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a influência do Eucalyptus saligna Sm. na dinâmica de produção e decomposição de folhas em três zonas ripárias, cujas hipóteses visam verificar se o estresse hídrico, a densidade e área basal do eucalipto afetam a produção de folhedo, e também constatar se a decomposição de folhas senescentes de eucalipto, em meio aquático e terrestre, ocorre mais lentamente do que das folhas nativas. A pesquisa foi realizada em três microbacias denominadas Forquilha, Monjolinho e Tinga, situadas na Estação Experimental de Itatinga, SP. Apresentam respectivamente 0,4%, 1,2% e 11,9% do total de indivíduos de eucalipto. A avaliação transcorreu durante um ano, e as folhas coletadas foram triadas em eucaliptos e nativas. Avaliou-se a entrada de folhedo por meio de coletores terrestres e verticais, distribuídos sistematicamente por ambas as margens dos rios e também sobre o curso d'água. Para maior caracterização do local, o levantamento dos parâmetros da vegetação foi realizado por meio de parcelas 5x10m e mensuradas as espécies com altura > 1,30 m e DAP ≥ 3,5 cm. Para o estudo de decomposição aquática e terrestre, avaliaram-se um mix de folhas de eucalipto, nativas e eucalipto/nativas (1:1) introduzidas em litter bags. A decomposição em meio aquático foi avaliada ao longo de 112 dias, enquanto que... / Abstract: The presence of exotic species in riparian environments can influence in the quantity and quality of leaves that are relocated in the ecological system. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine the influence of the eucalyptus in the dynamics of production and decomposition of leaves in three riparian zones. The research was done in three micro watersheds named Forquilha, Monjolinho and Tinga located in Estação Experimental de Itatinga in São Paulo. They present respectively 0.4%, 1.2% and 11.9% of the total of eucalyptus individuals. The data collection occurred in a year, and the collected leaves were sorted in eucalyptus and native. The leaf-litter were collected through terrestrial and vertical collectors, systematically distributed on both banks and on the watercourse. For greater characterization of the site, the vegetation parameters were surveyed through 5x10m parcels. For decomposition study, it was evaluated the decomposition of eucalyptus, native and eucalyptus/native (1:1) introduced in litter bags. The decomposition in aquatic environment was evaluated for 112 days, and terrestrial decomposition in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The vegetal reminiscent of Tinga watershed showed a higher density (individuals number/ha) and basal area (m²/ha) of eucalyptus. The Forquilha vegetation showed the highest H (Shannon) and J (Pielou) values. In general, leaf-litter decomposition was higher in the end of the dry period. Except for the Monjolinho watershed in the aquatic environment, the eucalyptus leaves had a lower decomposition rate. The eucalyptus leaves, mainly in Tinga and Forquilha watersheds, showed higher quantities of lignin, cellulose, high ratio C/N, low concentration of N and Ca. The forestry fragment of the three watersheds showed significant differences in eucalyptus and native leaves production, where Tinga micro watershed outstanded with the higher eucalyptus deposition. It can ... / Mestre