Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 46 p. : ill. (some col.), col. map. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-43).

The cleat permeability of coal, a key to the success of any coalbed methane (CBM) recovery operation, is a dynamic parameter impacted by changes in effective stress and desorption-induced "matrix shrinkage". Most commonly-used theoretical models developed to predict CBM production as a result of permeability changes are based on the assumption that the deformation of a depleting coalbed is limited to the vertical direction; that is, the coal is under uniaxial strain conditions. However, most laboratory studies completed to estimate the changes in coal permeability have used triaxial state of stress, thus violating the underlying principles of the models. An experimental study was, therefore, undertaken to estimate the permeability variation of coal with a decrease in pore pressure under replicated in situ conditions where flow through coal, held under uniaxial strain conditions, was measured. Three samples were tested, one from the San Juan basin and the other two from the Illinois basin. The experimental results showed that, under uniaxial strain conditions, decreasing pore pressure resulted in a significant decrease in horizontal stress and increased permeability. The permeability increased non-linearly with decreasing pore pressure, with a small increase in the high pressure range, which increased progressively as the pressure dropped below a certain value. The experimental results were used to validate two theoretical models, namely the Palmer and Mansoori and Shi and Durucan, commonly used to project permeability variation with continued production. The models failed to provide good agreement with the experimental results below 300 psi, suggesting a shortcoming in the modeling philosophy. Although the measured permeability and stress changes were in qualitative agreement with the modeling results, both models predicted negative horizontal stresses at low pore pressures for one coal type, which was not supported by experimental results. The sorption-induced strain was also found to be significantly higher in the low pore pressure range, clearly suggesting a direct relationship between the sorption-induced strain and permeability. Moreover, the increase in permeability was different for the three coal types tested, with the largest increase for the core taken from maximum depth. Finally, a gradual increase in the logarithm of permeability was measured with reduction in horizontal stress. These results suggest a distinct advantage for deeper coals, which have generated limited interest to date, primarily due to the low initial permeability. Extending the deformation of a cylindrical rock sample loaded axially, a hypothesis was developed where coal undergoes maximum deformation at the middle of its length. Using this hypothesis, permeability variation with decreasing pore pressure was estimated and the established trend was used to modify one of the existing models. The agreement between laboratory results and the modified model showed definite promise for improving permeability projection capability.

Microbial actions on coal have long been identified as a source of methane in coalbeds. Andrew Scott (1995) was the first to propose imitating the natural process of biogenic gasification, possibly leading to recharging coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs, or setting up natural gas reservoirs in non-producing coalbeds. This study was aimed at identifying the changes in coal properties that affect gas deliverability in coal-gas reservoirs, when treated with microbial consortia to generate/enhance gas production. The experimental work tested the sorption and diffusion properties for the coal treated and, more importantly, the variation in the relevant parameters with continued bio-conversion since these are the first two phenomena in CBM production. During the first phase, single component sorption-diffusion experiments were carried out using pure methane and CO2 on virgin/baseline coals, retrieved from the Illinois basin. Coals were then treated with nutrient amended microbial consortia for different periods. Gas production was monitored at the end of thirty and sixty days of treatment, after which, sorption-diffusion experiments were repeated on treated coals, thus establishing a trend over the sixty-day period. The sorption data was characterized using Langmuir pressure and volume constants, obtained by fitting it over the Langmuir isotherm. The diffusion coefficient, D, was estimated by establishing the variation trend as a function of pore pressure. The pressure parameter was considered critical since, with continued production of methane, the produced gas diffuses into the coal matrix, where it gets adsorbed with increasing pressure. During production, the pressure decreases and the process is reversed, gas diffusing out of the coal matrix and arriving at the cleat system. The results indicated an increase in the sorption capacity of coal as a result of bioconversion. This was attributed to increased pore surface areas as a result of microbial actions. However, significant hysteresis was observed during desorption of methane and was attributed to preferential desorption from sorption sites in the pathways leading to pore cavities. This is corroborated by the increased rates of diffusion, especially for methane, which exhibited rates higher than that for CO2. This contradicted the results for untreated/baseline coal, which were in agreement with previous studies. Effort was made to explain this anomaly by the non-monotonic dependence of effective diffusion coefficient on the size of the diffusing particles, where in coalbed environments, CO2 has smaller kinetic diameter than methane.

The objectives of this work were to investigate the effects of unconventional oils rich in phenolic compounds and rumen adaption on methane (CH4) gas production and rumen fermentation characteristics under in vitro rumen conditions. For this purpose, two sets of trials were conducted. In the first trial, the effects of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate, black seed and hemp oils on CH4 production and fermentation were examined in three 24 h batch culture experiments. Treatments in each experiment consisted of control (no oil supplement), control plus corn oil, or control plus two of the unconventional oils. Oils were added to rumen cultures at 500 mg/L (equivalent to 3.3 g oil/kg of diet dry matter (DM)). After 24 h of incubation, CH4 production was not different between the control and the corn oil treatments. Of the six unconventional oils tested, only hemp and blueberry oils reduced (P<0.05) CH4 production by 9-16% relative to the control and corn oil treatments. No significant differences were observed between treatments in dry matter digestibility (DMD) or total volatile fatty acids (tVFA). Except for a reduction (P<0.05) in acetate concentration with the raspberry oil, and an increase (P<0.05) in valerate concentration with the pomegranate oil, all other treatments had similar VFA concentrations. In the second trial, the effects of adding oregano essential oil (OEO) to adapted and unadapted rumen cultures on CH4 production and rumen fermentation were evaluated under in vitro condition. Rumen cultures were obtained from continues culture fermenters fed a control diet or control diet plus OEO at 250 mg/day for 10 days. The addition of OEO decreased (P<0.05) ii CH4 production only in adapted cultures. Total VFA and acetate concentrations were greater (P<0.05) in the unadapted than adapted cultures and their concentrations decreased (P<0.05) with the addition of OEO particularly when added to the adapted cultures. Propionate concentrations were also greater (P<0.05) in the unadapted than the adapted cultures and concentrations decreased (P<0.05) with the addition of OEO. Dry matter degradability and total gas production decreased (P<0.03) with the addition of OEO in both cultures and total gas production tended (P<0.13) to be lower when added to the adapted cultures. In conclusion, our results showed that hemp and blueberry oils were moderately effective in reducing rumen CH4 formation without compromising rumen fermentation and digestibility. Oregano Essential oil addition negatively affected rumen fermentation in both adapted and unadapted cultures and the effect was greater in the adapted cultures. The greater effects of OEO on CH4 production in the adapted cultures most likely due to the lower fermentation efficiency in these cultures.

Cleat permeability of coal is the most critical parameter affecting the amount of production from a coalbed methane (CBM) reservoir. As a result, there have been many studies about how cleat permeability changes over the life of a reservoir, leading to the development over time of several different permeability models. Most permeability models used today consider volumetric strain as an input parameter; however, permeability is impacted primarily by the increase in cleat aperture, resulting from matrix shrinkage in the horizontal direction. Recent work has shown that coal exhibits transverse isotropy, with total strain in the vertical direction being significantly higher than either horizontal direction. Hence, the inclusion of vertical strain through use of the volumetric strain parameter could be predicting inaccurate permeability variation results. The objective of this study was to determine the difference in permeability modeling with volumetric strain compared to permeability modeling with only horizontal strain, and assess the degree to which different parameters affect results from modeling using only horizontal strain. Experimental results showed that matrix strain remained consistent with transversely isotropic results of previous works. When included into the Palmer and Mansoori (P&M) permeability model, modeling results showed that permeability with horizontal strain is significantly lower than that with volumetric strain. The three unmeasured parameters in the Palmer and Mansoori permeability model have a major effect on the final results and need to be history matched in order to improve the level of accuracy in their estimation.

Pacific Northwest coastal wetland extent has been significantly reduced due to development. To understand the effects of land use change on carbon cycling in coastal wetlands, we compared soil carbon dynamics in restored, disturbed (by diking or draining), and reference wetlands in both freshwater and saline conditions in Coos Bay, Oregon. We quantified soil carbon pools, measured in situ fluxes of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and estimated sediment deposition and carbon sequestration rates. We found that land use change influences carbon cycling and storage in coastal wetlands. The disturbed marshes have likely lost all their organic material after draining or diking, except for a shallow A horizon. The restored marsh in situ CH4 and CO2 fluxes were intermediate between the disturbed and reference marshes. Generally, restored marshes showed a partial return of carbon storage functions, or an indication that reference level functions may be achieved over time.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-17T19:34:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-01-20. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-06-18T12:49:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000832663.pdf: 538584 bytes, checksum: 81fee38f3cfc289b846abd1af73e7813 (MD5) / Objetivou-se com a execução deste trabalho o estudo a respeito dos níveis recomendados de inclusão de óleo de descarte aos dejetos de suínos bem como a influencia da inclusão de níveis de lipase ou Biol®, com o intuito de avaliar o efeito do acréscimo de produção de biogás, metano e redução dos teores de sólidos. Foram realizadas duas etapas, sendo a primeira a respeito dos níveis recomendados de adição de óleo e a segunda utilizando os níveis de óleo que apresentaram efeito negativo adicionados à lipase ou Biol®. Para desenvolvimento do ensaio de co-digestão da primeira etapa foram preparados substratos contendo 4% de sólidos totais (ST), compostos por dejetos de suínos, óleo de descarte (nas proporções de 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 e 12%) além de água para diluição destes resíduos e inóculo, para abastecimento de biodigestores batelada. Para desenvolvimento da segunda etapa foi realizado abastecimento de biodigestores batelada com substratos contendo 4% de ST, compostos por dejetos de suínos, óleo de descarte (nas proporções de 8, 10 e 12%), lipase (nas proporções de 0,05; 0,10; 0,15; 0,20 e 0,25%) ou Biol® (10 g/m3 ou 15 g/m3) além de água para diluição destes resíduos e inoculo. Com relação a influencia da adição de níveis de óleo verificou-se que as máximas reduções de ST e SV foram de 36,8 e 41,1% e ocorreram nos níveis de 5,2 e 5,8% de óleo aos substratos, as inclusões de 5,4 e 6,1% de óleo permitiram o alcance de potenciais de 222,9 e 263,6 litros de biogás por kg de ST e SV adicionados. Referindo-se a influencia da adição de níveis de óleo e lipase verificou-se que as reduções máximas de ST e SV foram de 56,13 e 64,49% e ocorreram nos níveis de inclusão 0,15 e 0,13% de lipase e 12% de óleo adicionado aos substratos e ainda que os maiores potenciais de produção de metano por g de ST e sólidos voláteis (SV) adicionados (0,23 e 0,29 litros) foram alcançados pela ... / The objective of the implementation of this work the study on the recommended levels of disposal of oil addition to swine manure as well as the influence of the inclusion of lipase levels or Biol®, in order to evaluate the effect of increased production of biogas, methane and reduction of solids. Two steps were conducted, the first with respect to recommended levels of oil addition and using the second oil levels that were negative effect on lipase or Biol® added. For assay development co-digestion of the first stage substrates were prepared containing 4% total solids (TS), composed of swine manure disposal of oil (in the ratios of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 %) addition of water for dilution of this waste and inoculum to supply batch digesters. For development of the second stage was performed supply of batch digesters with substrates containing 4% TS, composed of swine manure disposal of oil (in the ratios of 8, 10 and 12%), lipase (in the proportions of 0.05; 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25%) or Biol® (10 g/m3 to 15 g/m3) than water for dilution of these residues and inoculum. Regarding the influence of the oil addition levels found that the maximum TS and VS reductions were 36.8 and 41.1% and occurred at levels of 5.2% oil and 5.8 to substrates, the additions of 5.4 and 6.1% enabled the oil potential range of 222.9 and 263.6 liters of biogas per kg TS and VS added. Referring to influence of adding oil and lipase was found that reductions of TS and VS were 56.13 and 64.49% and were in inclusion levels of 0.15 and 0.13% lipase and 12% of oil added to the substrates and that the greatest potential of methane production per g of TS and volatile solids (VS) added (0.23 and 0.29 liters) were achieved by greater inclusion of oil (12%) was added when the levels of 0.12 and 0.11% lipase. Regarding the inclusion of Biol®, it was found that the higher potential production of methane per g TS and VS added (0.22 and 0.27 liters, respectively) were ...

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-13T14:50:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-12-17Bitstream added on 2014-08-13T18:00:20Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000761771.pdf: 941550 bytes, checksum: 5fa87d0b2448e2f86d3f64561da5d73a (MD5) / Avaliou-se inicialmente a adaptação de inóculo mesofílico para a conversão anaeróbia termofílica da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar, em dois reatores UASB instalados em série R1 e R2. Na entre-safra da colheita da cana-de-açúcar avaliou-se o uso do melaço de cana-de-açúcar e depois, novamente a vinhaça para a produção de metano. Os reatores foram mantidos na temperatura controlada de 55°C e operados por 387 dias. As cargas orgânicas volumétricas (COV) aplicadas no R1 foram crescentes de 0,15 a 12,50 g DQOtotal (L d)-1. As melhores eficiências de remoção de DQOtotal e DQOdiss foram observadas com a aplicação de (COV) de 0,15 a 3,50 e 3,50 a 7,0 g DQOtotal (L d)-1, com a utilização da vinhaça como afluente, e foram de 55 e 51%, respectivamente, para o sistema (R1 + R2). Os maiores valores de produção volumétrica de metano foram de 0,205 e 0,365 L CH4 (L d)-1 e ocorreram com a aplicação de (COV) de 7,5 a 12,5 e de 6,5 a 11,3 g DQOtotal (L d)-1 utilizando como afluente a vinhaça, no R1 e R2, respectivamente. Os resultados demonstraram a possibilidade de tratamento anaeróbio termofílico de vinhaça em reatores UASB, com boa remoção de DQO e após a adaptação, aumento na produção volumétrica de metano e na porcentagem de metano presente neste biogás. As eficiências de remoção foram de 37 e 70% para o nitrogênio kjeldahl (NK) e fósforo total, respectivamente, não evidenciando reduções elevadas das concentrações desses nutrientes. Portanto, mantendo a qualidade de fertilizante do efluente tratado e nesse caso ate melhorando, em virtude de suplementação com N e P / An adaptation of mesophilic inoculum for thermophilic anaerobic conversion of vinasse sugarcane, in two UASB reactors installed in series R1 and R2 was initially assessed. In the sugarcane off-season we evaluate the use of sugarcane molasses and again vinasse to produce methane. The reactors were maintained at the controlled temperature of 55 ° C and operated for 387 days. The organic loading rate (OLR) applied in R1 were increased from 0.15 to 12.50 g CODtotal (L d)-1 .The best removal efficiencies of CODtotal and CODdiss were observed with and applying (OLRs) from 0.15 to 3.50 and 3.50 7.0 g CODtotal (L d)-1, using a vinasse as influent and were 55 and 51%, respectively, for the system (R1 + R2). The higher values of volumetric methane production, were 0.205 and 0.350 L CH4 (L d)-1 and occurred with application of (OLRs) from 7.5 to 12.5 and 6.5 to 11.3 g CODtotal (L d)-1 using vinasse as influent on R1 and R2, respectively. The results demonstrated the possibility of thermophilic anaerobic treatment of vinasse in UASB reactors, with good removal of COD and after start up, increased volumetric methane production and methane percentage present in this biogas. Fertilizer quality of this effluent was obtained due of low concentration reduction of nutrients, were 37 and 70% removal efficiencies for Kjeldahl nitrogen (NK) and total phosphorus, respectively, possibly because N and P supplementation

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-12-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:58:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000750692.pdf: 1115732 bytes, checksum: 494abb31035d3f5ade1557ddc0818d9a (MD5) / O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Estudos em Caprinocultura, UNESP / FCAV, Jaboticabal, SP. Foram utilizadas 15 cabras não lactantes e não gestantes, adultas, da raça Anglo Nubiana. Foram realizados dois estudos. O primeiro foi dividido em duas fases. Na primeira fase os animais foram submetidos à 3 niveis de restrição alimentar, a vontade - SR, restrição moderada - RM (~15% do consumo à vontade), e restrição severa - RS (~40% do consumo à vontade). Na segunda fase, os mesmos animais foram realimentados passando a ser alimentados todos à vontade. No segundo estudo, os animais foram submetidos a dietas com diferentes níveis de volumoso: concentrado (V:C) nas proporções de 25:75, 50:50, e 75:25. No primeiro estudo, durante a Fase 1 (restrição), os animais submetidos ao tratamento RS apresentaram menor consumo de matéria seca (CMS, g/dia) em relação aos animais do tratamento SR e RM. Ao contrário do esperado o CMS dos animais submetidos RM não diferiu daqueles que se alimentavam a vontade. Não houve diferença na digestibilidade da MS, dos nutrientes e da energia na Fase 1 (restrição) e na Fase 2 (realimentação) deste estudo. Já em relação ao balanço energético, a produção de metano (g/dia), na Fase 1 foi maior nos animais que se alimentavam a vontade.Na Fase 1 (restrição), a perda de metano foi 18% e 42% menor para os animais submetidos a RM e RS, respectivamente, em relação aos SR. A EM, EM/ED, qm foram maiores durante a Fase 2 (realimentação), em comparação à Fase 1 (restrição). No segundo estudo, o CMS, consumo de matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta e extrato etéreo aumentaram linearmente à medida que a relação V:C diminui. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro apresentou um comportamento quadrático, aumentando até a proporção de V:C de 50:50 e decrescendo em seguida... / The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory for Research on Goat , UNESP / FCAV , Jaboticabal , SP . 15 non-lactating and non-pregnant, adult , Anglo Nubian goats were used . Two experiments was conducted . The first was divided into two phases. In the first phase the animals were subjected to 3 levels of feed restriction , ad libitum , moderate restriction ( 15 % of ad libitum intake ) , and severe restriction ( 40 % of ad libitum intake ) . In the second phase , the animals were fed back through to be fed all the will . In the second experiment , animals were fed diets with different levels of roughage : concentrate ratios of 25:75 , 50:50 , and 75:25 . For the 1st and 2nd phase due to the treatment , the animals undergoing treatment RS had lower dry matter intake (DMI , g / day ) compared to animals receiving SR and MR . Contrary to expectations CMS animals undergoing moderate restriction does not differ from those fed the will. There was no difference in DM digestibility , nutrients and energy in Phase 1 ( restriction) and Phase 2 ( feedback) of this study . In relation to energy balance , methane production ( g / day) in Phase 1 was higher in animals fed the will . In Phase 1 ( restriction) the energy lost in feces ( kJ / kg BW 0.75 ) of animals undergoing RS was lower compared to animals receiving MR and SR . In Phase 1 ( restriction) , the loss was 18 % methane and 42 % lower for animals undergoing MR and RS . Variables EM, EM / ED , qm were higher during Phase 2 (feedback ) compared to Phase 1 ( restriction) . For the 2nd experiment was no influence of treatments on CMS , CMO , CP and EE which showed a linear behavior increased as the forage: concentrate ratio decreases . The NDF had a quadratic behavior, increasing until the ratio of V : C 50:50 and decreasing thereafter...

Orientador: Roberto Alves de Oliveira / Coorientador: Rose Maria Duda / Banca: Wanderley José de Melo / Banca: José Tavares de Sousa / Resumo: Avaliou-se inicialmente a adaptação de inóculo mesofílico para a conversão anaeróbia termofílica da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar, em dois reatores UASB instalados em série R1 e R2. Na entre-safra da colheita da cana-de-açúcar avaliou-se o uso do melaço de cana-de-açúcar e depois, novamente a vinhaça para a produção de metano. Os reatores foram mantidos na temperatura controlada de 55°C e operados por 387 dias. As cargas orgânicas volumétricas (COV) aplicadas no R1 foram crescentes de 0,15 a 12,50 g DQOtotal (L d)-1. As melhores eficiências de remoção de DQOtotal e DQOdiss foram observadas com a aplicação de (COV) de 0,15 a 3,50 e 3,50 a 7,0 g DQOtotal (L d)-1, com a utilização da vinhaça como afluente, e foram de 55 e 51%, respectivamente, para o sistema (R1 + R2). Os maiores valores de produção volumétrica de metano foram de 0,205 e 0,365 L CH4 (L d)-1 e ocorreram com a aplicação de (COV) de 7,5 a 12,5 e de 6,5 a 11,3 g DQOtotal (L d)-1 utilizando como afluente a vinhaça, no R1 e R2, respectivamente. Os resultados demonstraram a possibilidade de tratamento anaeróbio termofílico de vinhaça em reatores UASB, com boa remoção de DQO e após a adaptação, aumento na produção volumétrica de metano e na porcentagem de metano presente neste biogás. As eficiências de remoção foram de 37 e 70% para o nitrogênio kjeldahl (NK) e fósforo total, respectivamente, não evidenciando reduções elevadas das concentrações desses nutrientes. Portanto, mantendo a qualidade de fertilizante do efluente tratado e nesse caso ate melhorando, em virtude de suplementação com N e P / Abstract: An adaptation of mesophilic inoculum for thermophilic anaerobic conversion of vinasse sugarcane, in two UASB reactors installed in series R1 and R2 was initially assessed. In the sugarcane off-season we evaluate the use of sugarcane molasses and again vinasse to produce methane. The reactors were maintained at the controlled temperature of 55 ° C and operated for 387 days. The organic loading rate (OLR) applied in R1 were increased from 0.15 to 12.50 g CODtotal (L d)-1 .The best removal efficiencies of CODtotal and CODdiss were observed with and applying (OLRs) from 0.15 to 3.50 and 3.50 7.0 g CODtotal (L d)-1, using a vinasse as influent and were 55 and 51%, respectively, for the system (R1 + R2). The higher values of volumetric methane production, were 0.205 and 0.350 L CH4 (L d)-1 and occurred with application of (OLRs) from 7.5 to 12.5 and 6.5 to 11.3 g CODtotal (L d)-1 using vinasse as influent on R1 and R2, respectively. The results demonstrated the possibility of thermophilic anaerobic treatment of vinasse in UASB reactors, with good removal of COD and after start up, increased volumetric methane production and methane percentage present in this biogas. Fertilizer quality of this effluent was obtained due of low concentration reduction of nutrients, were 37 and 70% removal efficiencies for Kjeldahl nitrogen (NK) and total phosphorus, respectively, possibly because N and P supplementation / Mestre