The aim of this thesis has been to reconstruct paleoenvironment, paleohydrology and paleoclimate in coastal southern Mozambique, with emphasis on tracing past flooding events on the lower Limpopo River floodplain. In order to extend flood chronologies beyond periods covered by instrumental data, sediments from lakes on the floodplain were studied (Lake Lungué, Coassane Oxbow, Lake Magandane and Lake Soane). Past sea-level variations and climate changes were deduced by analyzing sediments from coastal sites north of the floodplain area (Lake Chilau, Lake Nhauhache and Macassa Bay). To achieve the established objectives, a multi-proxy approach was applied on most of the retrieved sediment cores, involving analysis of mineral magnetic parameters, grain-size and organic carbon in combination with analysis of microfossils such as diatoms and/or phytoliths. Chronologies for the constructed time-series analysis were obtained by radiocarbon dating and age-depth modelling. The synthesized data from the sampled sites on the Limpopo River floodplain suggest that the area was affected by at least 16 flooding events of variable magnitudes during the studied period. These are dated to c. AD 940, 980, 1040, 1100, 1250, 1300, 1370, 1580, 1665, 1730, 1755, 1855, 1920, 1945, 1970 and 2000. In calibrated years BP these ages correspond to 1010, 970, 910, 850, 700, 650, 580, 370, 285, 220, 195, 95, 30, and 5 cal yrs BP. The two youngest are dated to 20 and 50 years AP (After Present being 1950). Proxy data further suggest that southern Africa was subject to two periods of sea-level highstands, at c. 5000–4200 BC (6950–6150 cal yrs BP) and AD 300–950 (1650–1000 cal yrs BP). The former represents the middle part of the postglacial climatic optimum. The wettest period in the Limpopo River floodplain was reported between AD 1360 and 1560 (590 and 390 cal yrs BP) in the Lake Lungué record, while Lake Chilau experienced wet conditions between AD 1200 and 1400 (750 and 550 cal yrs BP), then returning to drier conditions that prevailed until c. AD 1600. In Lake Nhauhache, however, drier conditions prevailed from c. AD 1200–1700 (750–250 cal yrs BP), shifting towards wetter at c. AD 1900 (50 cal yrs BP). The deviating signals between records can partly be explained by Lake Lungué basin being located on the Limpopo River floodplain, responding to flooding events associated with precipitation upstream the drainage area. Therefore, wet and dry periods in floodplain lakes (e.g. Lake Lungué) are not expected to correlate with precipitation changes on a local scale, as indicated by e.g. Lake Nhauhache. This is supported by a relatively weak agreement between Lake Lungué record and other nearby records (outside the floodplain), but a better correlation with records from the upper catchment, where a more regional climate signal is provided of the southern African summer rainfall region. / Denna avhandling behandlar studier av paleomiljöer i södra Mozambique med fokus på översvämningshistorik i Limpopo-flodens nedre lopp. Tidsspannet är mitt- och sen-holocen och inkluderar även klimat och havsnivåvariationer. Följande analysmetoder har applicerats på ett flertal sedimentkärnor för att belysa ovanstående frågeställningar: mineralmagnetiska parameterar, kornstorlek, organiskt kol samt kiselmikrofossil (diatoméeter och fytoliter). Åldrar har bestämts med 14C-metoden.  Analyserna visar att mineralmagnetiska parametrar är lämpliga för att identifiera översvämningar, speciellt magnetisk susceptibilitet och SIRM. Dessa parametrar visar på ett sediments magnetiska kornstorlerkar och koncentrationen av finkorniga magnetiska mineral. Även kornstorleksanalyser fungerade som ett bra komplement till dessa metoder. Sammantaget har ett minimum av 16 översvämningar registrerats i Limpopo/flodens nedre lopp under de senaste 1100 åren. Särskilt stora översvämningar har daterats till AD 1250 (700 kal år BP), AD 1370 (580 kal år BP), AD 1580 (370 kal år BP), AD 1855 (95 kal år BP), AD 1920 (30 kal år BP), AD 1970 (20 kal år AP) och AD 2000 (50 kal år AP), där AP betyder ”after present”, vilket är 1950. Mindre kraftiga översvämningar har daterats till AD 940 (1010 kal år BP), AD 980 (970 kal år BP), AD 1040 (910 kal år BP), AD 1100 (850 kal år BP), AD 1300 (650 kal år BP), AD 1665 (285 kal år BP), AD 1730 (220 kal år BP), AD 1755 (195 kal år BP) och AD 1945 (5 kal år BP). Skriftliga källor visar på att åtminstone åtta översvämningar har ägt rum under de senaste 62 åren. Under samma period har denna undersökning registrerat två händelser, vilket indikerar att endast ett fåtal har registrerats med ovan nämnda metoder. Det är sannolikt att sedimentationsmönstret under en översvämning är komplicerat och inte heller likartad från gång till gång. Detta innebär att ett flertal sedimentkärnor behöver analyseras och dateras väl. Ytterligare en försvårande faktor är flodens mycket aktiva meandringsaktivitet. Analys av diatoméer har visats vara värdefulla när det gäller översvämningshistorik, klimatförändringar och havsytevariationer. Sedimenten i den något till flodslättens nedre lopp perifert belägna sjön Lungué indikerar fuktiga förhållanden mellan AD 1360 och 1560 (590 till 390 kal år BP). Kombinerade fytolit- och diatoméanalyser av sedimenten i sjön Chilau indikerar fuktiga förhållanden från AD 1200 till 1400 (750 till 550 kal år BP), varefter torrare förhållanden rådde till ca AD 1600 (350 kal år BP). Diatoméanalys av sedimenten i sjön Nhauhache indikerar generellt sett torrare förhållanden mellan AD 1200 och AD 1700 (750 till 250 kal år BP) då klimatet blev fuktigare. De fuktiga och torra förhållanden som dokumenterats i sjön Lungué och översvämningshistoriken korrelerar inte helt med lokala nederbördsförhållanden. Däremot stämmer erhållna data bättre med förhållanden i den övre delen av Limpopoflodens dräneringsområde. Även sjöar och fyllda meanderbågar på själva flodslätten verkar reagera tydligare på översvämningar orsakade av nederbörd i den övre delen av flodloppet. Undersökningen indikerar två faser av en förhöjd havsyta längs kusten i södra Mozambique. En äldre fas är daterad till ca 5000–4200 f.Kr. (6950–6150 kal år BP), vilken representerar den mellersta delen av det postglaciala värmeoptimet. Denna tolkning stöds även av andra undersökningar. En yngre fas har daterats till AD 300–950 (1650–1000 kal år BP), vilken korresponderar till en period med något förhöjda temperaturer i ett globalt perspektiv. / O presente projecto teve como objectivo a reconstrução do paleoambiente, paleohidrologia e paleoclima da costa Sul de Moçambique, com ênfase na identificação de vestígios de eventos de cheias que tenham, no passado, afectado a planície de inundação do Rio Limpopo, com vista a fazer a extensão das datações de cheias para o período anterior aos instrumentos de medição. Deste modo, foram estudados sedimentos recuperados através de testemunhos de sondagem em lagos dentro da planície de inundação (Lago Magandane, Lago Lungué, Lago Soane e o canal abandonado Coassane). As variações do nível do mar e mudanças climáticas do passado foram deduzidas a partir da análise de sedimentos de áreas costeiras a norte da planície de inundação (Lago Chilau, Lago Nhauhache e a Baía de Macassa). Para o alcance destes objectivos, os sedimentos dos testemunhos de sondagem recuperados foram submetidos a várias análises laboratoriais que incluem propriedades de minerais magnéticos, granulometria, teor de matéria orgânica e de microfósseis (diatomáceas e fitólitos). Para o estabelecimento do modelo cronológico foram usadas datações pelo método 14C feitas em matéria orgânica, assim como conchas de gastrópodes e bivalves. A combinação dos resultados obtidos para os pontos de amostragem localizados dentro da planície de inundação do Rio Limpopo, sugerem que esta área foi afectada por um mínimo de 16 eventos de cheias de variada magnitude nos últimos 1100 anos. As cheias de alta magnitude tiveram lugar nos anos 1250, 1370, 1580, 1855, 1920, 1970 e 2000. Por seu turno, as cheias de magnitude moderada ocorrerram nos anos 940, 980, 1040, 1100, 1300, 1665, 1730, 1755 e 1945.. Os anos a negrito são indicativos de eventos de cheias de alta magnitude. O número total de eventos identificados no presente estudo é um mínimo que poderá ter afectado a planície de inundação, tendo em consideração que fontes escritas reportam a ocorrência de pelo menos oito eventos nos últimos 62 anos, tendo o presente estudo revelado somente dois. Isto indica que apenas eventos de cheias intensos podem ser revelados pelos métodos aplicados nesta investigação. Adicionalmente, este estudo mostra a necessidade de aumentar o número de pontos de amostragem para permitir a identificação de mais eventos de cheias ocorridos no passado, devido à diferenciada resposta sedimentológica e geomagnética às cheias, a qual se encontra directamente relacionada à distância do rio meandrante. As análises de microfósseis de diatomáceas permitiram reconstruir o paleoclima e as influências do nível do mar nas áreas de estudo deste projecto. Os registros de diatomáceas do Lago Lungué indicam um período húmido entre AD 1360 e 1560. No Lago Chilau, dados de diatomáceas e fitólitos sugerem condições de humidade entre AD 1200 e 1400. Por seu turno, no Lago Nhauhache, condições de seca dominam entre AD 1200 e 1700. As condições de seca e humidade documentadas no Lago Lungué e os eventos de cheias revelados pelos sedimentos analisados da planície de inundação do Rio Limpopo não mostram total correlação com períodos de baixa e alta precipitação a nível local, mas apresentam boa correlação com evidências a montante na área de drenagem do Rio Limpopo. Em geral, lagos activos ou preenchidos por sedimentos mostrarão ser mais susceptíveis a cheias com origem a montante do que a nível local. As investigações conduzidas permitiram identificar dois períodos de alto nível do mar na região sul de Moçambique. A fase mais antiga teve lugar há cerca de 5000–4200 BC (6950–6150 anos do calendário BP), representando a fase mais recente do pós-glaciar climático óptimo (postglacial climatic optimum, PCA). A fase recente é datada de AD 300–950 (1650–1000 anos do calendário BP), correspondendo a um período de temperaturas relativamente altas a nível global. / Climate and Environmental Research

In the present day, owing to the increasing number of electronic loads such as computer power supplies, Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and the increasing number of sources such as solar photovoltaics, fuel cells (DC sources), DC Micro-grids provide a more efficient solution compared to the AC counterpart in terms of the number of stages involved in conversion. Also, the ability to be readily buffered to storage elements is an advantage in a DC system. Apart from this, there are no issues of frequency stability, reactive power transfer and ac power losses. A DC micro-grid is effectively a multi-port dc-dc converter. The ports refer to the various sources and loads that are part of the micro-grid. Sources could be unidirectional (as in the case of PV, load) or bidirectional (as in the case of batteries). Interfacing a variety of ports and controlling power flow between these ports presents an interesting challenge. Commonly used topologies interface the various ports at the DC bus capacitor thereby making the DC bus capacitor bulky. Apart from this, the DC bus coupled topologies route power from one port to another via the central capacitor. This increases the number of stages in transferring power from one port to another. An alternative topology is to use the active bridge type converters where dynamic power flow equations are required to control inter-port power flow. But, as the number of stages increase, the computations get tedious.In this thesis, a novel topology is proposed that uses a UU type transformer core to interface all the power ports. This alleviates the problems faced in the DC bus coupled topologies. A PWM scheme to control simultaneous power flow from each of the ports is also proposed in this thesis. The PWM scheme enables the usage of simple constant frequency average current mode control to dynamically control power sharing ratio between the various ports delivering to loads. By means of the proposed PWM scheme and the control scheme, the drawbacks of the active bridge topologies are alleviated. Using the proposed topology and the PWM scheme, a prototype micro-grid system is developed for a system comprising of the utility grid, batteries, solar PVs and resistive loads. Yet another aspect of the thesis explores the concept of connecting multiple micro-grids in order to create a 'local power network'. A potential application for this could be in interconnecting residential buildings and routing power from one house to another in order to balance demand and supply among these houses. This is against the growing trend of using the utility grid to also sink power and subsequently route it to other houses connected to the grid. Unfortunately not all areas have access to the utility grid. Additionally, turning the grid bidirectional requires that a number of standards be met and policies be created. But, the standard for using a local network that only involves a unidirectional grid is fixed by the community that owns such a network. In a crude sense, this scenario can be compared to the existence of a local area network to transfer information among users of the network. In this thesis, a prototype local power network interconnecting two micro-grids has been implemented.

<p>Hydrocephalus is a neurological disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in ventricle of brain. 1 in 1000 newborns are affected each year and it is life-threatening if left untreated. The golden standard of treatment is to surgically implant a shunt that divert excessive CSF away from ventricle to alleviate intraventricular pressure (ICP) in patient. Unfortunately, shunt failure rate is notoriously high because of obstruction of catheter intake pore. The obstruction is primary caused by normal and inflammatory tissue (biofilm) buildup over time. Shunt replacement surgery is typically required after only 1 year of implantation for 40% of patients. To prolong the lifespan of hydrocephalus shunt, we previously proposed and designed magnetic micro-actuators platform to remove biofilm mechanically. Removal of muscle cells and microbeads were demonstrated from wafer level devices on bench-top.</p><p> </p><p>To examine device efficacy in ventricular catheter, I developed magnetic actuator on polymer substrate. First, polyimide based flexible thin-film devices were microfabricated and integrated into a single-pore silicone catheter. A proof-of-concept self-clearing smart catheter was presented. Removal of microscopic biofilm was evaluated against bovine serum protein (BSA). Detachment of BSA up to 95% was achieved by shear stress from magnetic actuation. Next, I developed resistive deflection sensing using a metallic strain gauge, allowing device alignment with magnetic field for maximum energy delivery. In addition, auxiliary functionalities such as occlusion detection and flow rate measurement were demonstrated on catheter. Moreover, a new serpentine cantilever geometry with increased magnetic volume was proposed for improved delivery of torque and deflection. In a benchtop evaluation, we showed prolonged catheter drainage (7x) in a dynamic fluid environment containing macroscopic blood clots. Finally, using an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) porcine model, we observed that self-clearing catheter had longer survival than control catheter (80% vs. 0%) over the course of 6 weeks. Animals treated with magnetic actuation had significantly smaller ventricle size after 1 week of implantation.</p>

For predicting the performance characteristics of highly utilized induction machines, commonly finite element analysis (FEA) is applied. If only the stationary behavior is of interest, both time-harmonic and transient calculations are feasible. Both procedures offer benefits and drawbacks regarding precision and computing time. In this paper the stationary torque-slip-characteristic of a squirrel cage induction machine for electric vehicle application is calculated by means of time-harmonic and transient FEA. The simulation results are compared to measurements taken on the test bench. For low saturation levels the time-harmonic and transient simulation produce nearly equivalent stationary torque results. For high saturation levels, the commonly used approach for nonlinear time-harmonic calculation is to use a corrected magnetization curve. It is shown that the assumption of sinusoidal time variation of the magnetic field strength usually made in this case results in a torque error increasing with the saturation level for the time-harmonic calculation.

Growing concerns about climate change have led to the world experiencing an unprecedented push towards renewable energy. Economic drivers and government policies mean that small, distributed forms of generation, like solar photovoltaics, will play a large role in our transition to a clean energy future. In this thesis, a novel DC-DC converter known as the Coupled Inductors Combined Cuk-SEPIC' (CI-CCS) converter is explored, which is particularly attractive for these photovoltaic applications. A topological modification is investigated which provides several benefits, including increased power density, efficiency, and operational advantages for solar energy conversion. The converter, which is based on the combination of the Cuk and SEPIC converters, provides a bipolar output (i.e. both positive and negative voltages). This converter also offers both step-up and step-down capabilities with a continuous input current, and uses only a single, ground-referenced switching device. A significant enhancement to this converter is proposed: magnetic coupling of the converter's three inductors. This can substantially reduce the CI-CCS converter's input current ripple - an important benefit for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in photovoltaic applications. The effect of this coupling is examined theoretically, and optimisations are performed - both analytically and in simulations - to inform the design of a 4 kW prototype CI-CCS converter, switched at a high frequency (100 kHz) with a silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET. Simulation and experimental results are then presented to demonstrate the CI-CCS converter's operation and highlight the benefits of coupling its inductors. An efficiency analysis is also undertaken and its sources of losses are quantified. The converter is subsequently integrated into a domestic photovoltaic system to provide a practical demonstration of its suitability for such applications. MPPT is integrated into the CI-CCS DC-DC converter, and a combined half bridge/T-type converter is developed and paired with the CI-CCS converter to form an entirely transformerless single-phase solar energy conversion system. The combination of the CI-CCS converter's bipolar DC output with the combined half bridge/T-type converter's bipolar DC input allows grounding at both the photovoltaic panels and the AC grid's neutral point. This eliminates high frequency common mode voltages from the PV array, which in turn prevents leakage currents. The entire system can be operated in grid-connected mode - where the objective is to maximise power extracted from the photovoltaic system, and is demonstrated in stand-alone mode - where the objective is to match solar generation with the load's power demands.

Depuis des années, les avionneurs sont engagés pour la réduction de l’empreinte environnementale à travers le développement de nouveaux concepts. Ainsi, le remplacement des systèmes hydrauliques (hydraulicless) et pneumatiques (bleedless) de l’avion par des systèmes électriques sont envisagés d’où l’apparition du concept d’avion « plus électrique ». Toutefois, les gains espérés (diminution du coût, de la consommation de carburant ou de la masse) suite à cette substitution ne sont pas si faciles à obtenir, car les technologies précédentes ont bénéficié de plusieurs dizaines d’années de développement et d’optimisation. Les solutions électriques nouvellement proposées doivent donc elles aussi être très abouties pour être véritablement concurrentielles ; tous les degrés de liberté doivent être envisagés, qu’il s’agisse des technologies ou des architectures. En particulier, l’usage d’un nouveau réseau HVDC (540 V) semble être une solution prometteuse. A partir de ce réseau HVDC, les différentes charges AC triphasées sont alimentées par une série d’onduleurs génériques. Compte tenu de la disparité des consommations pendant les différentes phases de vol, le même onduleur peut servir à alimenter plusieurs charges. La connexion entre les onduleurs et les charges est gérée par une matrice de contacteurs. Cette solution innovante considère également des cas de redondance pour augmenter la robustesse de la solution. La conception de ce nouveau système est présentée dans ce rapport de thèse. Le compromis optimal entre le nombre d’onduleurs et la puissance nominale de chaque onduleur doit être obtenu. Ce choix déterminera fortement la taille de la matrice de contacteurs. Cependant, pour adresser cette problématique, il est nécessaire de connaître la masse des différents composants en fonction de la puissance requise. Un environnement de conception est ainsi créé dans le but de réaliser le dimensionnement optimal de convertisseurs de puissance. Les différents composants sont décrits utilisant une approche « directe » et sont codés sous le formalisme « orienté-objet ». Ces modèles sont ensuite validés expérimentalement ou par simulation numérique. Les différents modèles sont couplés à un environnement d’optimisation et à un solveur fréquentiel qui permet une résolution rapide des formes d’ondes du régime permanent. L’environnement d’optimisation réalise le dimensionnement précis des différentes parties de l’onduleur : dissipateur, module de puissance, filtre côté continu et inductance de couplage. Un onduleur est proposé pour différentes puissances nominales et fréquences de découpage. L’optimisation adresse également le choix des différentes technologies. Finalement, les résultats sont utilisés pour déterminer le meilleur compromis entre nombre d’onduleurs et puissance de l’onduleur à partir d’un algorithme heuristique. / In recent years, aircraft manufacturers have been making progress in the design of more efficient aircrafts to reduce the environmental footprint. To attain this target, aircrafts manufactures work on the replacement of the hydraulic and bleed systems for electrical systems leading to a “More Electrical Aircraft”. However, the expected mass gain is a challenge, as previous technologies have been developed and optimized for decades. The new electrical solutions need to be look into detail to be competitive with previous technologies. All degrees of freedom must be considered, that is, new technologies and architectures. In particular, an HVDC network that reduces the number of rectifier stages seems a promising solution. From the HVDC network, the different three phase AC loads will be supplied by a series of power generic inverters. As the power consumption of the different loads change during the flight mission, the same inverter is used to supply different loads. The connection between the inverters and the loads is managed by a matrix of contactors. The proposed solution also considers redundant configurations, thus increasing system robustness. The design of the innovative system is presented in this document. That is, determining the optimal trade-off between the number of power inverters and the nominal power of each generic inverter that will also impact the size of the matrix of contactors. However, to assess the combinatory problem, the mass of the different components as a function of the nominal power needs to be calculated. A design environment is therefore created to perform automatic and optimized design of power converters. The different components are described using a “direct modelling” approach and coded using “object-oriented” programming. The components are validated experimentally or by numerical simulations. The different models are coupled to an optimization environment and to a frequency solver allowing a fast calculation of the steady-state waveforms. The optimization environment performs the precise design of the different parts of the power inverter: heatsink, power module, DC filter and coupling inductor. The power inverter is designed for different values of nominal power and switching frequency. The optimization assesses as well the usage of different technologies. Finally, the results are used to determine the optimal trade-off between the number of inverters and the nominal power of each inverter using a heuristic algorithm.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:14:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 5046450 bytes, checksum: bd56c31f5c1b1739dfc96f350ac77b34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this work we discuss the importance of the quantum phases using the Aharonov-Bohm Effect for charged particles and neutral particles with magnetic dipole moment(Aharonov- Casher Effect) and electric dipole moment(He-McKellar-Wilkens Effect) and atoms with electric quadrupole moment. It takes advantage of the initial study of such systems to show the emergence of Landau levels in the dynamics of a particle in two situations: when the particle is charged and when it is neutral. In the case of a neutral particle is considered that it possesses electric dipole moment. In addition it is the first time which is approached a neutral atom with electric quadrupole moment. / Neste trabalho discutimos a importância das fases quânticas usando o Efeito Aharonov-Bohm para partículas carregadas e partículas neutras com momento de dipolo magnético (Efeito Aharonov-Casher) e momento de dipolo elétrico (Efeito He-McKellar-Wilkens), e átomos com momento de quadrupolo elétrico. Tira-se vantagem do estudo inicial de tais sistemas para mostrar a emersão de níveis de Landau na dinâmica de uma partícula em duas situações: quando a partícula está carregada e quando ela é neutra. No caso de uma partícula neutra é considerado que esta possui momento de dipolo elétrico. Além disso é a primeira vez que é abordado um átomo neutro com momento de quadrupolo elétrico.

Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe - FAPITEC/SE / The presence of high concentrations of toxic metals in water bodies requires a constant search for new and more effective methods to treat industrial waste. The present work proposes a technique for the removal of chromium present in leather tannery effluent, using a hybrid magnetic adsorbent, CoFe2O4/NOM, synthesized using an environmentally friendly procedure. Salts of the metals (Co and Fe) were used as precursors and natural organic matter (NOM) was used as the gelification agent, replacing the traditional reagents that are toxic and expensive. Comparisons were made of CoFe2O4/NOM produced at ambient temperature (FeAMB) and the materials produced after calcination at 200 (Fe200), 400 (Fe400), and 800 °C (Fe800). The materials were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of NOM in the structure of the material, together with the formation of cobalt ferrite, hence confirming the suitability of the new synthesis route. Adsorption tests, performed as a function of pH and time, showed the effectiveness of FeAMB at the natural pH of the effluent (pH 4.2), while at pH 6.0 the removal percentages were approximately 94, 100, 98, and 89% for FeAMB, Fe200, Fe400, and Fe800, respectively, with corresponding equilibration times of 60, 120, 120, and 60 minutes, respectively. Kinetics assays showed that high adsorption of 70-87% was achieved after only 20 minutes. The adsorption kinetics could be fitted using a pseudo-second order model, and the likely removal mechanism was electrostatic attraction between carboxylate groups and the cationic chromium species CrOH2+ and Cr(OH)2 +. Amongst the adsorbents studied, the FeAMB/NOM hybrid material was especially attractive because it did not require heat treatment and showed high removal capacities during five reuse cycles, ranging from 96% in the first cycle to 82% in the fifth cycle. The residues remaining after the reuse cycles, comprising the FeAMB hybrid saturated with chromium (FeAMB_Sat) and the desorbed chromium solution (dried and calcined at 500 °C, denoted CrD), showed excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, the latter being an important compound used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and corrosion inhibitors. The conversion rates and times were 99.9% and 55 seconds for vi FeAMB_Sat, and 99.9% and 3 seconds for CrD. A magnetic hybrid material (denoted FeSF) was also synthesized replacing the analytical grade iron salt precursor by a ferric sulfate solution derived from the treatment of iron ore mining waste. This hybrid was highly efficient as an adsorbent, with 98% removal of chromium present in an industrial effluent in only 20 minutes. The technique described here contributes to the development of industrial symbiosis since it uses materials prepared using natural substances and enables the reuse of waste in the production cycle. The procedure is a technologically viable alternative for the remediation of metal-contaminated effluents. / O aumento da concentração de metais tóxicos nos corpos hídricos impulsiona uma busca constante por tratamentos eficientes para remediar resíduos industriais. Portanto, neste trabalho é proposto a remediação do cromo existente em efluente industrial de curtimento de couro utilizando um adsorvente híbrido magnético, CoFe2O4/MON, sintetizado por uma rota modificada, eco-amigável. Utiliza-se como precursores sais dos metais de interesse e a matéria orgânica natural (MON) como substância gelificante, em substituição aos reagentes tradicionais que são tóxicos e de alto custo. Para fins comparativos, a CoFe2O4/MON obtida à temperatura ambiente (FeAMB) foi calcinada a 200 (Fe200), 400 (Fe400) e 800°C (Fe800) e a formação do material foi confirmada por difratometria de raios x, que indicou também, simultaneamente, com o infravermelho, a presença da MON na estrutura do material, a formação da ferrita de cobalto e assim, a eficácia da rota de síntese proposta. Os ensaios de adsorção em função do pH e do tempo, evidenciaram a eficiência da FeAMB, no pH natural do efluente (4,2), enquanto que para os demais, no pH 6,0; com percentuais de remoção de aproximadamente 94, 100, 98 e 89% para FeAMB, Fe200, Fe400, Fe800, respectivamente, e tempos de equilíbrio de 60, 120, 120 e 60 minutos. Entretanto, com apenas 20 minutos de ensaios cinéticos houve uma alta resposta de adsorção, entre 70-87%. A cinética de adsorção ajustou-se melhor ao modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem e o possível mecanismo de remoção ocorre por atração eletrostática entre os grupos carboxilatos e as espécies catiônicas do cromo, CrOH2+, Cr(OH)2 +. O material híbrido FeAMB/MON destaca-se entre os demais adsorventes em estudo por não ter sido submetido a tratamento térmico e porque apresentou uma elevada capacidade de remoção após ser submetido a cinco ciclos de reutilização, variando de 96% no primeiro ciclo para 82% no quinto ciclo. Os resíduos decorrentes dos ciclos de reutilização, o híbrido FeAMB saturado com cromo (FeAMB_Sat) e a solução de cromo dessorvido, seca e calcinada a 500°C (CrD), apresentaram excelentes potenciais catalíticos na redução do 4- nitrofenol a 4-aminofenol, o qual é um importante insumo para a síntese de produtos farmacêuticos e inibidores de corrosão. A taxa e o tempo de conversão da redução, foram de 99,9% e 55 segundos para FeAMB_Sat e 99,9% e 3 segundos para CrD. De modo eminente, também foi sintetizado um material híbrido magnético substituindo o precursor sal de ferro em grau analítico por solução de sulfato férrico oriunda de um resíduo tratado da mineração de ferro, denominado FeSF. Este híbrido revelou uma eficiência notável como adsorvente, pois o percentual de remoção de cromo presente em efluente industrial foi de 98% em apenas 20 minutos. Diante disso, o presente estudo contribuiu para a prática da simbiose industrial ao propor o emprego de substâncias naturais na elaboração de materiais, bem como a reutilização dos resíduos, e sua reinserção no ciclo produtivo desenvolvendo uma alternativa tecnologicamente viável para remediação de metais.

The extensive use of nonlinear loads in today’s world has inspired considerable research interest in the area of power quality improvement. This thesis proposes an integrated magnetics based compact solution which provides regulated, balanced and sinusoidal load voltage drawing sinusoidal and balanced currents from the grid. Thus, it supplies clean power to the load without polluting the grid. It consists of an EI shaped magnetic core and two compensators known as the series and shunt compensators. The series compensator ensures the quality of output voltage, where as the shunt one takes care of quality of the current drawn from the grid. The magnetic circuit acts as a common domain for interaction between the energy ports. It also provides galvanic isolation between the inverters, load and the grid. The magnetic circuit incorporates a virtual arm switching mechanism to have an option of connecting the inverters either in series or in parallel with each other depending on the requirements. During normal mode when the switch remains inactive, the series inverter is effectively in series with the load and the shunt inverter is effectively connected across the load. Therefore, the voltage source inverters can be independently controlled to serve the purpose of series and shunt compensation. The shunt inverter is always connected in shunt with the grid. The magnetic arm switch is activated during grid power failure. Then the switch ensures parallel connection of the inverters and the load. The inverters are controlled to share the load power according to the respective ratings. Thus the magnetic arm switching mechanism helps in improving the system reliability. The series inverter also can be connected in parallel with the shunt one in presence of the grid to supplement the shunt inverter by supplying harmonic and reactive currents. The design, modelling and implementation issues for single phase applications are considered first. A simple controller structure for this application is also discussed in the thesis. The individual compensation actions are then verified by simulation and experimental results. The three phase power quality compensator is in principle an extension of the single phase quality power supply. It is realized by combining three single phase units with minor modification in terms of windings. A more compact structure is also proposed wherein a single integrated magnetic circuit for the three phase application can be used. The composite magnetic circuit is modelled and designed considering a laboratory prototype. A synchronously rotating reference frame based controller structure for the series and shunt compensators are discussed. The control of the inverters in power sharing mode (with parallel connected inverters) are also proposed and discussed. Experimental and simulated results are presented to verify and validate the operation of this compensator in different operating modes. An effective improvement in the control dynamics is achieved for handling unbalanced and nonlinear loading without increasing inverter switching frequency and controller parameters. In other words, the modified control scheme can handle nonlinear and unbalanced loading with relatively slow proportional integral (PI) controllers. Suitable feed forward compensation terms corresponding to each harmonic component are added to the output of the PI controllers in order to achieve this effective improvement. Experimental results show good improvement in this regard (for both series and shunt compensations).

В магистерской диссертации представлены результаты моделирования магнитных гистерезисных свойств ансамбля обменносвязанных частиц. Для выполнения компьютерного моделирования разработан пакет компьютерных программ в среде MATLAB, позволяющий моделировать и анализировать предельные и частные петли магнитного гистерезиса для однофазных и многофазных ансамблей с различными типами магнитной анизотропии, упорядочением фаз, а также при параметрической зависимости микроскопических констант от температуры. Все это реализовано в рамках модели однодоменных нанокристаллитов, имеющих однородную намагниченность, процесс изменения которой осуществляются за счет когерентного вращения. Разработан алгоритм параллельного расчета, позволяющий основные арифметические и логически операции выполнять на графических ускорителях. Полученные с его помощью численные результаты качественно соответствуют экспериментальным данным для системы Nd-Fe-B. / The results of magnetic properties modelling of the ensemble of exchange coupled particles are represented in this master's thesis. The computer modelling is realized in the MATLAB programming environment and allows performing calculations and analysis of major and minor magnetic hysteresis loops of single-phase or multiphase ensembles with different types of magnetic anisotropy, phase arrangement and with the parametric dependency of microscopic constants on temperature. The latter is based on the model of single domain nanocrystallites. Each of them has a uniform magnetization and any changes of one are happened by coherent rotation. The algorithm of parallel calculations using a graphic processing unit is also shown in the work. The obtained numeric results qualitatively are in compliance with the Nd-Fe-B experimental data.