In the design of rail track structures where the subgrade cannot achieve the desired capacity, enabling the required standard of track geometry to be maintained for the speed, axle load and tonnage to be hauled, a capping layer of granular material is placed between the natural ground or the embankment fill material and the ballast to protect the underlying weaker layers. In spite of the important role played by the capping layer, very little research has been carried out on its performance. The current practice of design of the capping layer, therefore, is based on working stress philosophy where reduced levels of stresses are assumed not to degrade the subgrade. Even on tracks containing a thick ballast layer that ensures allowable levels of working stress the subgrade has been found to have permanently deformed. Design of capping layers based on plastic deformation, therefore, appears appropriate. This thesis aims at determining the load levels that cause detrimental plastic deformation in the capping layer. The suite of material properties that characterise plastic deformations of capping layer is neither readily available nor easily determined. This thesis proposes a cheaper method of evaluating a range of capping layer material properties using penetration tests on specimens contained in California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test moulds coupled with a finite element modelling based back calculation technique. The suite of material properties thus determined are used for the simulation of the behaviour of capping layers under the boundary and loading conditions similar to those in practice. The predicted results are validated using laboratory experiments on large size capping layer specimens.

The aim of this master thesis study was improvement of the required operational conditions for aerobic granulation in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). In the first part of the study, membrane bioreactor sludge (MBS) and conventional activated sludge (CAS), were used to investigate the effect of suspended seed sludge type on granulation in SBRs. The MBS granules were found to be advantageous in terms of size, resistance to toxic effects, stability and recovery compared to CAS granules. During non-inhibitory conditions, sCOD removal efficiencies were 70&plusmn / 13% and 67&plusmn / 11% for MBS and CAS, and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies were 38&plusmn / 8% and 26&plusmn / 8%, respectively. In the second part of the study, the effects of period sequence (anoxic-aerobic and aerobic-anoxic) on aerobic granulation from MBS, and sCOD, N removal efficiencies were investigated. Granules developed in anoxic-aerobic period sequence were more stable and larger (1.8-3.5 mm) than granules developed in aerobic-anoxic sequence. Under steady conditions, almost 95% sCOD, 90% Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) and around 39-47 % of TN removal was achieved. Almost 100% denitrification in anoxic period was achieved in anoxic-aerobic period sequence and it was observed around 40% in aerobic-anoxic period sequence. The effects of influent sulfate (from 35.1 mg/L to 70.2 mg/L) on treatment efficiencies of aerobic granules were also investigated. The influent SO42- concentrations of 52.6 mg/L to 70.2 mg/L promoted sulfate reduction. The produced sulfide (0.24 mg/L to 0.62 mg/L) inhibited the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) performance by 10 to 50%.

The objective of this study is to illustrate that phase separation improves the efficiency of an anaerobic system which digests semi-solid organic wastes. Organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was the semi-solid organic waste investigated. In the first part of the study, the optimum operational conditions for acidified reactor were determined by considering the volatile solid (VS) reductions and average acidification percentages at the end of two experimental sets conducted. Organic loading rate (OLR) of 15 g VS/L.day, pH value of 5.5 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 days were determined to be the optimum operational conditions for the acidification step. Maximum total volatile fatty acid and average acidification percentage were determined as 12405 mg as HAc/L and 28%, respectively in the reactor operated at optimum conditions. In the second part, an acidification reactor was operated at the optimum conditions determined in the first part. The effluents taken from this reactor as well as the waste stock used to feed this reactor were used as substrate in the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test. The results of BMP test revealed that the reactors fed by acidified samples indicated higher total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) removals (39%), VS reductions (67%) and cumulative gas productions (265 mL). The result of this study indicated that the separation of the reactors could lead efficiency enhancement in the systems providing that effective control was achieved on acidified reactors.

The paper presents results of a research project founded by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Inspectorate concerning the application of the Master Curve approach in nuclear reactor pressure vessels integrity assessment. The main focus is put on the applicability of pre-cracked 0.4T-SE(B) specimens with short cracks, the verification of transferability of MC reference temperatures T0 from 0.4T thick specimens to larger specimens, ascertaining the influence of the specimen type and the test temperature on T0, investigation of the applicability of specimens with electroerosive notches for the fracture toughness testing, and the quantification of the loading rate and specimen type on T0. The test material is a forged ring of steel 22 NiMoCr 3 7 of the uncommissioned German pressurized water reactor Biblis C. SE(B) specimens with different overall sizes (specimen thickness B=0.4T, 0.8T, 1.6T, 3T, fatigue pre-cracked to a/W=0.5 and 20% side-grooved) have comparable T0. T0 varies within the 1σ scatter band. The testing of C(T) specimens results in higher T0 compared to SE(B) specimens. It can be stated that except for the lowest test temperature allowed by ASTM E1921-09a, the T0 values evaluated with specimens tested at different test temperatures are consistent. The testing in the temperature range of T0 ± 20 K is recommended because it gave the highest accuracy. Specimens with a/W=0.3 and a/W=0.5 crack length ratios yield comparable T0. The T0 of EDM notched specimens lie 41 K up to 54 K below the T0 of fatigue pre-cracked specimens. A significant influence of the loading rate on the MC T0 was observed. The HSK AN 425 test procedure is a suitable method to evaluate dynamic MC tests. The reference temperature T0 is eligible to define a reference temperature RTTo for the ASME-KIC reference curve as recommended in the ASME Code Case N-629. An additional margin has to be defined for the specific type of transient to be considered in the RPV integrity assessment. This margin also takes into account the level of available information of the RPV to be assessed.

In dieser Arbeit wurden das feldaktivierte Sinterverhalten sowie das geschwindigkeitsabhängige Druckfestigkeitsverhalten von WC-Co-Hartstoffen mit variierenden Bindergehalten untersucht. Dazu wurde eine Herstellungsroute für kornwachstumshemmerfreie near-nanokristalline WC-Co-Hartstoffe mit der Field Assisted Sintering Technique (FAST) entwickelt und genutzt, um Materialien mit Co-Gehalten von 2 bis 12 Ma.-% zu erzeugen. Gezielte Werkstoffzustände und Probengeometrien sind durch Anpassung des Sinterprozesses herstellbar. Ausgewählte WC-Co-Materialien mit Co-Anteilen von 6 bis 12 Ma.-% wurden unter Einfluss von Beanspruchungsgeschwindigkeit, Spannungszustand und Beanspruchungshäufigkeit hinsichtlich der Druckfestigkeit und des Versagensverhaltens charakterisiert.

Hydrogen has been studying as an alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels. This is justified because, in its combustion is generating primarily water vapor and by its energy content is approximately 2.5 times greater than any fossil fuel. Besides these advantages, hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources, such as various types of industrial and domestic waste rich in carbohydrates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the production of hydrogen from a substrate real, the manipueira (wastewater processing cassava), as carbon source in anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR) operated under a progressive increase in the organic loading rate (OLR). The support material for the adhesion of biomass has been expanded clay (2.8 to 3.35 mm) and the reactor was inoculated with anaerobic sludge thermal pretreatment. The reactor was operated for 164 days and gradually increasing the organic loading rate was obtained by maintaining a constant influent COD (4000 mg. L-1) throughout the operation of the reactor and varying the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 to 1 hour. The production of hydrogen ranged from 0.20 to 2.04 L.h-1.L-1, when the HRT reduced from 8 h to 1 h. The yield had an increase from 0.31 to 1.91 mol H2.mol glucose-1 by reducing the HRT from 8 to 2 h. By lowering the HRT for 1 h, the yield was reduced, reaching a value of 1.20 mol H2.mol glucose-1. The soluble metabolites present during the operation of the reactor were acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid and ethanol. The microscopic analysis indicated the presence of bacilli, which are morphologies similar to species of the genus Clostridium sp. and Enterobacter sp., which are known as potential production of hydrogen in fermentation processes. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O hidrogênio vem sendo estudado como fonte alternativa de energia em substituição aos combustíveis fósseis. Isso porque, na sua combustão há geração principalmente de vapor de água e por seu conteúdo energético ser aproximadamente 2,5 vezes maior do que qualquer combustível fóssil. Além dessas vantagens, o hidrogênio pode ser produzido a partir de fontes renováveis, tais como os diversos tipos de resíduos industriais e domésticos ricos em carboidratos. Dessa forma, o objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a produção de hidrogênio a partir de um substrato real, a manipueira (água residuária do processamento da mandioca), como fonte de carbono em reator anaeróbio de leito fluidificado (RALF) operado sob aumento progressivo da taxa de carregamento orgânico (TCO). O material suporte para a aderência da biomassa foi argila expandida com diâmetro entre 2,8 3,35 mm e o reator foi inoculado com lodo anaeróbio pré-tratado termicamente. O reator foi operado por 164 dias e o aumento progressivo da taxa de carregamento orgânico foi realizado mantendo a DQO afluente constante (4000 mg. L-1) durante toda a operação do reator e variando o tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 8 horas até 1 hora. Foi constatado que a produção volumétrica de hidrogênio aumentou de 0,20 até 2,04 L.h-1.L-1, quando foi reduzido o TDH de 8 h para 1 h. E o rendimento sofreu um incremento de 0,31 até 1,91 mol H2.mol glicose-1, com a redução do TDH de 8 para 2 h. Ao reduzir o TDH para 1 h, o rendimento sofreu uma redução, atingindo o valor de 1,20 mol H2.mol glicose-1. Os metabólitos solúveis presentes durante a operação do reator foram o ácido acético, ácido butírico, ácido propiônico e etanol. As análises microscópicas indicaram a presença de bacilos, os quais são morfologias semelhantes às espécies dos gêneros Clostridium sp. e Enterobacter sp., que são conhecidas como potenciais produtoras de hidrogênio em processos fermentativos.

Submitted by Rosangela Silva (rosangela.silva3@unioeste.br) on 2018-05-30T14:15:49Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Thiago Morais de Castro.pdf: 2981699 bytes, checksum: 66cbb29086744ea891ed186377e4ec48 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-30T14:15:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Thiago Morais de Castro.pdf: 2981699 bytes, checksum: 66cbb29086744ea891ed186377e4ec48 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-01-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the anaerobic co-digestion of different concentrations of industrial landfill leachate associated with crude residual glycerin, in a continuous anaerobic bioreactor with a fixed-structure bed (ABFSB) in the same process of anaerobic co-digestion. In this way, co-digestion tests were carried out in laboratory scale (400 mL of useful volume), batch operated in mesophilic conditions (30 ± 1 °C), with a 30-day incubation time in which five levels of (0, 1.5, 5, 8.5, and 10%) and five food/microorganism (F/M) levels (0.3, 0.5, 1, 0, 1.5, and 1.7), adopting experimental design of the Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD). The results indicated a significant effect on the responses: methanogenic potential, removal of organic matter in terms of COD, accumulated production of CH4, and estimation of maximum production of CH4 using the modified Gompertz model, considering a confidence interval of 95% (p <0.05). From the results and with the desirability test it was verified that the ideal mixture was 95.13% of the industrial landfill leachate with 4.87% of the crude residual (v/v) residual glycerin with F/M ratio of 1.61 to optimize the process as a function of the response variables. From this recommended combination, with approximately 5% glycerin added to the leachate (v/v), the performance of ABFSB was evaluated in the co-digestion cited. The performance of the process was evaluated in three stages: biomass adaptation, gradual increase of organic loading rate (OLR) and reduction of alkaline supplementation. After the first 48-day period, the results were favorable to the application of the bioreactor in the evaluated anaerobic co-digestion, since the system presented stable conditions regarding the operational parameters with the addition of alkalinity with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and biomass adaptation. Thus, the second stage was started with application of increasing OLR (2, 3.5, 7.1 and 11.6 gCOD L-1 d-1). In the OLR of 7.1 gCOD L-1 d-1, the process reached the maximum methane flow rate (MFR) of 7.61 LNCH4 d-1, methane (MY) yield of 0.302 LNCH4 gCODrem-1 and volumetric methane production rate (VMPR) of 2.79 LNCH4 L-1 d-1, with total COD (ERCOD) and soluble COD removal efficiencies (ERsCOD) above 90%. Thus, the condition adopted in the third was OLR of 7.1 gCOD L-1 d-1, CODaffluent of 10.68 gO2 L-1 and hydraulic holding time of 35.2 h, aiming to optimize the quantity effectively required of NaHCO3. The minimum required concentration of alkalinity supplementation was of 0.28 gNaHCO3 gDQOaffluent-1. It is concluded that alkalinity supplementation was an important factor in the stability of the bioreactor. Finally, it is evidenced that the system is promising and that the results can serve as subsidy for industrial landfills to adopt this form of co-digestion, with biogas energy use. / O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar a codigestão anaeróbia de diferentes concentrações de lixiviado de aterro industrial e glicerina inicialmente em reatores em batelada e posteriormente o desempenho do processo em biorreator anaeróbio de leito fixo ordenado (Continuous Anaerobic Bioreactor with a Fixed-Structure Bed – ABFSB) em fluxo ascedente contínuo. Foram realizados ensaios de codigestão em reatores, em escala de laboratório, operados em batelada em condições mesofílicas (30 ±1 °C), com tempo de incubação de 30 dias, quando foram testados cinco níveis de adição de glicerina ao lixiviado (v/v) (0; 1,5; 5; 8,5 e 10%) e cinco níveis de relação alimento/microrganismo (A/M) (0,3; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 1,7), adotando-se planejamento experimental do tipo Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR). Os resultados obtidos indicaram efeito significativo para as variáveis respostas: potencial metanogênico, remoção de matéria orgânica, em termos de DQO, produção acumulada de CH4 e a estimativa da produção máxima de CH4 utilizando o modelo de Gompertz modificado, considerando intervalo de confiança de 95% (p<0,05). A partir dos resultados e com o ensaio da desejabilidade foi verificado que a mistura ideal foi de 95,13% do lixiviado de aterro industrial com 4,87% da glicerina residual bruta (v/v) com relação A/M de 1,61 para otimização do processo em função das variáveis respostas. A partir desta combinação recomendada, com aproximadamente 5% de glicerina adicionada ao lixiviado (v/v), avaliou-se o desempenho do ABFSB na codigestão citada. O desempenho do processo foi avaliado em três etapas: adaptação da biomassa, aumento gradual da carga orgânica volumétrica (COV) e redução da suplementação alcalina. Na primeira etapa o sistema apresentou condições estáveis quanto aos parâmetros operacionais com a suplementação da alcalinidade com bicarbonato de sódio (NaHCO3) e adaptação da biomassa. Na segunda etapa com aplicação de COV crescentes (2; 3,5; 7,1 e 11,6 gDQO L-1 d-1). Na COV de 7,1 gDQO L-1 d-1, o processo atingiu os máximos valores de vazão de metano (MFR) de 7,61 LNCH4 d-1, rendimento de metano (MY) de 0,302 LNCH4 gDQOrem-1 e a produção volumétrica de metano (VMPR) de 2,79 LNCH4 L-1 d-1, com eficiências de remoção de DQO total (ERDQO) e DQO solúvel (ERDQOs) superiores a 90%. Na terceira etapa com o COV de 7,1 gDQO L-1 d-1, DQOafluente de 10,68 gO2 L-1 e TDH de 35,2 h, visando otimizar a quantidade efetivamente necessária de NaHCO3. A concentração mínima necessária da suplementação de alcalinidade foi de 0,28 gNaHCO3 gDQOafluente-1. Concluiu-se que a suplementação da alcalinidade foi um fator de importância na estabilidade do biorreator, ficando evidenciado que o sistema é promissor e que os resultados podem servir de subsídio para que aterros industriais adotem esta forma de codigestão, com aproveitamento energético do biogás.

Este estudo investigou a aplicação de um reator anaeróbio operado em bateladas sequenciais com biomassa imobilizada (AnSBBR) com agitação na produção de biohidrogênio tratando água residuária sintética a base de sacarose, sendo o desempenho do biorreator avaliado de acordo com a influência conjunta do tempo de alimentação, do tempo de ciclo, da concentração afluente e da carga orgânica volumétrica aplicada (COVAS). O biorreator, com capacidade útil de 5,6 L, foi dividido em 3 partes: volume de meio tratado por ciclo de 1,5 L, volume residual de meio de 2,0 L e volume de suporte inerte com biomassa de 2,1 L. Foram aplicadas 6 condições experimentais de COVAS de 9,0 a 27,0 gDQO.L-1.d-1, combinado diferentes concentrações afluentes (3500 e 5400 mgDQO.L-1), tempos de ciclo (4, 3 e 2h), sendo tempo de enchimento do reator (tC) correspondente a 50% ao tempo de ciclo. Os resultados mostraram que o aumento COVAS contribuiu para a queda no consumo de sacarose de 99% para 86% e para o aumento do rendimento molar por carga removida (RMCRC,n) de 1,02 molH2.molSAC-1 na COVAS de 9,0 gDQO.L-1.d-1 até atingir o valor máximo de 1,48 molH2.molSAC-1 na COVAS de 18,0 gDQO.L-1.d-1 com queda a partir desse ponto. O aumento da COVAS resultou no aumento da produtividade molar volumétrica (PrM) de 24,5 para 81,2 molH2.m-3.d-1. A maior produtividade molar específica (PrME) obtida foi de 8,71 molH2.kgSVT-1.d-1 para a COVAS de 18,0 gDQO.L-1.d-1. A diminuição do tempo de ciclo resultou na diminuição do consumo de sacarose e no aumento da PrM. Foi verificado também que a diminuição do tC de 4h para 3h contribuiu para o aumento da PrME. O aumento da concentração afluente resultou na diminuição do consumo de sacarose apenas na faixa de 2h, no aumento do RMCRC,n e da PrM em todas as faixas de tC, e no aumento da PrME nas faixas de 4h e 3h. A estratégia de alimentação mostrou ser um parâmetro operacional de grande importância, sendo o aumento do tempo de enchimento responsável pelo aumento do consumo de sacarose, da PrM, da PrME e do RMCRC,n para todas as COAVS investigadas. Em todas as condições, houve o predomínio do ácido acético seguido pelo etanol, ácido butírico e propiônico. / This study investigated the feasibility of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (AnSBBR) with agitation on biohydrogen production treating synthetic wastewater from sucrose, the performance of the bioreactor was evaluated according the combined influence of fill time, cycle period, influent concentration and applied organic loading rate (COAVS) . The bioreactor, with working volume of 5,6L, was divided in 3 parts: 1,5L of fed volume per cycle, 2,0L of residual medium and 2,1L of inert support and biomass. The reactor was operated under six operating conditions with different COAVS ranging from 9,0 to 27,0 gCOD.L-1.d-1, obtained by the combination of different influent concentrations (3500 e 5400 mgCOD.L-1), cycle periods (4, 3 e 2h) and fill time corresponding to 50% of cycle period. The results showed that increasing COAVS resulted in lesser sucrose removal from 99% to 86% and improved yield per removed loading rate (RMCRC,n) of 1,02 molH2.molSUC-1 in COAVS of 9,0 gCOD.L-1.d-1 to maximum value of 1,48 molH2.molSUC-1 in COAVS of 18,0 gCOD.L-1.d-1 decreasing after that. Increasing COAVS improved molar productivity (PrM) from 24,5 to 81,2 molH2.m-3.d-1. The higher specific molar productivity (PrME) obtained was 8,71 molH2.kgTVS-1.d-1 in COAVS of 18,0 gCOD.L-1.d-1. Decreasing cycle period resulted in less sucrose consumption and increased PrM. It was observed that decreasing cycle period of 4h to 3h improved PrME. Increasing influent concentration resulted in less sucrose degradation only on range of 2h, in an increase of RMCRC,n and in an increase of PrM in all ranges of tC, and increased PrME on ranges of 4h and 3h. In all operational conditions, the main intermediate metabolic was acetic acid followed by ethanol, butyric and propionic acids. The feeding strategy had a great effective on hydrogen production, longer fill times resulted in better sucrose removal, PrM, PrME and RMCRC,n for all COAVS investigated.

Neste trabalho avaliou-se o desempenho de um reator anaeróbio operado em batelada seqüencial e contendo biomassa imobilizada (ASBBR) em espuma de poliuretano quando submetido a diferentes tempos de alimentação e cargas orgânicas volumétricas, além da aplicação de cargas de choque orgânicas. O reator, com mistura por recirculação da fase líquida e mantido à 30 ± 1 ºC, tratou soro de queijo reconstituído e possuiu 2,5 L de volume reacional. Os resultados mostraram que o tempo de alimentação utilizado exerceu maior influência sobre o desempenho do reator para maiores valores de carga orgânica volumétrica. Durante a operação com carga orgânica volumétrica de 3 gDQO/L.d, a alteração do tempo de alimentação não influenciou na eficiência de remoção de matéria orgânica filtrada, que foi de 98%. Sob carregamento orgânico volumétrico de 6 gDQO/L.d, verificou-se tendência de queda daquela variável para maiores tempos de enchimento: 99, 98 e 97%, para tempos de alimentação de 2, 4 e 6 horas, respectivamente. Na operação com carga orgânica volumétrica de 12 gDQO/L.d, o aumento do tempo de alimentação resultou em queda mais significativa da eficiência de remoção de matéria orgânica filtrada: 97, 95 e 93%, para tempos de alimentação de 2, 4 e 6 horas, respectivamente. Em todas as condições, a aplicação de cargas de choque de 24 gDQO/L.d causaram o aumento da concentração de ácidos no efluente. No entanto, apesar desse aumento, o reator retomou rapidamente sua estabilidade, sendo a alcalinidade otimizada ao afluente suficiente para manter o pH próximo do neutro durante toda a operação. Independente da carga orgânica volumétrica aplicada, a operação com tempo de alimentação de 2 horas foi aquela que proporcionou maior estabilidade e menor suscetibilidade do processo às cargas de choque orgânicas. / This work assessed the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass (ASBBR) on polyurethane foam when submitted to different feeding times, volumetric loading rate and organic shock loads. The reactor, in which mixing occurred by recirculating the liquid phase, contained 2,5 L reaction medium and was maintained at 30 ± 1 ºC for treating reconstituted cheese whey. Results showed that the effect of feeding time on reactor performance was more pronounced at higher volumetric loading rates. During operation at volumetric loading rate of 3 gDQO/L.d, changing feeding time did not affect filtered organic matter removal efficiency, which amounted to 98%. At volumetric loading rate of 6 gDQO/L.d, removal efficiency showed a tendency to drop at higher feeding times: 99, 98 and 97%, for feeding times of 2, 4 and 6 hours, respectively. At volumetric loading rate of 12 gDQO/L.d, increase in feeding time resulted in a more significant drop in filtered organic matter removal efficiency: 97, 95 and 93%, for feeding times of 2, 4 and 6 hours, respectively. Application of shock loads of 24 gDQO/L.d caused increase in acids concentration in the effluent, at all conditions. However, despite this increase, the reactor readily regained stability and optimized alkalinity supplementation to the influent was sufficient to maintain near neutral pH during the entire operation. Regardless of applied volumetric loading, operation with feeding time of 2 hours was which yielded maximum stability and reduced susceptibility of the process to organic shock loads.

The paper presents results of a research project founded by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Inspectorate concerning the application of the Master Curve approach in nuclear reactor pressure vessels integrity assessment. The main focus is put on the applicability of pre-cracked 0.4T-SE(B) specimens with short cracks, the verification of transferability of MC reference temperatures T0 from 0.4T thick specimens to larger specimens, ascertaining the influence of the specimen type and the test temperature on T0, investigation of the applicability of specimens with electroerosive notches for the fracture toughness testing, and the quantification of the loading rate and specimen type on T0. The test material is a forged ring of steel 22 NiMoCr 3 7 of the uncommissioned German pressurized water reactor Biblis C. SE(B) specimens with different overall sizes (specimen thickness B=0.4T, 0.8T, 1.6T, 3T, fatigue pre-cracked to a/W=0.5 and 20% side-grooved) have comparable T0. T0 varies within the 1σ scatter band. The testing of C(T) specimens results in higher T0 compared to SE(B) specimens. It can be stated that except for the lowest test temperature allowed by ASTM E1921-09a, the T0 values evaluated with specimens tested at different test temperatures are consistent. The testing in the temperature range of T0 ± 20 K is recommended because it gave the highest accuracy. Specimens with a/W=0.3 and a/W=0.5 crack length ratios yield comparable T0. The T0 of EDM notched specimens lie 41 K up to 54 K below the T0 of fatigue pre-cracked specimens. A significant influence of the loading rate on the MC T0 was observed. The HSK AN 425 test procedure is a suitable method to evaluate dynamic MC tests. The reference temperature T0 is eligible to define a reference temperature RTTo for the ASME-KIC reference curve as recommended in the ASME Code Case N-629. An additional margin has to be defined for the specific type of transient to be considered in the RPV integrity assessment. This margin also takes into account the level of available information of the RPV to be assessed.