Thesis (Msc Food Sc (Food Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The food and beverage industry generates large volumes of wastewater annually. The disposal of factory effluent from the fruit processing industry has always been a cause of concern to both the fruit processors and controlling bodies responsible for effluent management. Traditional disposal of wastewater into sewerage works has become undesirable due to its economical and environmental impacts. Therefore, on-site anaerobic treatment of wastewater has received considerable interest due to lower capital outlays and energy recovery possibilities. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish an operational treatment profile for an anaerobic pond system treating fruit-processing wastewater. The specific activity of the microbial populations was also monitored to determine the effect of the fruit processing seasons (peak and off-peak season). The biogas production potential at various temperatures was also assessed to determine the viability of methane recovery. The influence of the processing and environmental conditions on the ponds’ performance was established by monitoring various process parameters. The results showed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels decreased during the off-peak season but the pond pH remained relatively stable between 6.0 and 6.4 during the entire year. Pond alkalinity was found to be dependent on the regular lime dosing to maintain the necessary alkalinity. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations indicated that the microbial populations of the pond were functioning well. However, a decrease in microbial activity and VFA concentrations were observed at the lower temperatures during the winter months. The temperature profile of the pond showed that the pond temperature was impacted by the fluctuations in the ambient air temperature. The general trend established by the operational treatment profile clearly showed the impact of the peak and off-peak season. The sludge activity of the anaerobic pond was evaluated to determine the effect of the apple-processing peak and off-peak season on the specific activity of the acidogenic and methanogenic populations within the sludge. An activity test using four different test media was used during the activity assays. Sludge samples were taken at four different sampling positions across the pond’s sludge bed. The sludge was also subjected to a biogas formation study, which was designed to simulate pond conditions on laboratory scale in order to evaluate the biogas production potential of the anaerobic pond. The cumulative biogas volume and total CH4 composition showed little or no difference between the four sludge sampling sites. A major difference was found between the activity of the microbial populations during the peak and off-peak seasons. The overall trend regarding the biogas production rate (SB) and the methane production rate (SM) values showed an increased activity during peak-season and a decreased activity during off-peak season. For the biogas formation test the highest incubation temperature (25°C) resulted in the most biogas being produced, followed by 18°C, and with 10°C resulting in the lowest biogas volume. The biogas formation tests indicated that microbial activity and therefore biogas production was dependent on especially favourable temperature conditions. The pond and activity of the microbial populations are therefore influenced by factors like environmental changes such as decreased air temperatures and substrate changes such as decreased COD concentrations during the off-peak season. This in turn influences the rate of biogas production as well as the methane production rate. The theoretical CH4 calculations and estimates based on the results obtained during the biogas formation tests indicated that CH4 recovery from the anaerobic pond would definitely be a worthwhile consideration. If it were assumed that the estimated CH4 volumes (based on only 15% of the pond volume for practical reasons) obtained could be applied as an energy source, the minimum yearly savings in coal usage would amount to about R 665 000. This study was valuable in evaluating the factors such as pond conditions, pond activity and air temperatures and the effect on the biogas production potential as well as more importantly, CH4 production for the purpose of energy recovery.

In a competitive market, organizations should guide their actions in order to ensure sustainability for all involved. This study aims to understand the practice of environmental management in a tannery of Rio Grande do Sul, designed to prepare for the implementation of an environmental management system. The research methodology is characterized as applied, descriptive, quantitative and qualitative survey using a sample of 50 employees in a universe of 623 employees who were surveyed between January and March 2015. To guide the construction of the instrument it was used environmental management, legislation and environmental indicators and waste management, wastewater and atmospheric emissions plan, totalling sixteen questions. The proposed implementation took place through cleaner production methodology. The results demonstrated that the company practice small acts of environmental management as outsourcing of leather waste, treats the water used in the waste baths and lands the sludge generated by the treatment plant, but the water that is treated is not reused, and internal communication actions and investments as the implementation of the environmental management system would be important for the management of the organization, as the company operates in the international market. The company has a potential for implementation, since it already has ISO 9001:2008 certification, which facilitates the understanding and involvement of all in the process. / Em um mercado competitivo, as organizações devem orientar suas ações a fim de garantir sustentabilidade para todos os envolvidos. O estudo visa compreender a prática de gestão ambiental em um curtume do Rio Grande do Sul, visando à preparação para implementação de um sistema de gestão ambiental. A metodologia da pesquisa caracteriza-se como aplicada, descritiva, quanti-qualitativa, de levantamento, utilizando de amostra de 50 funcionários dentro de um universo de 623 funcionários que foram pesquisados entre os meses de janeiro a março de 2015. Para nortear a construção do instrumento utilizou-se de indicadores de gestão ambiental, legislação e licenciamento ambiental e plano de gerenciamento de resíduos, efluentes e emissões atmosféricas, totalizando dezesseis perguntas. A proposta de implementação foi embasada na metodologia de produção mais limpa.Os resultados constataram que a empresa pratica pequenas ações de gestão ambiental como terceirização dos resíduos do couro, trata a água que é utilizada nos banhos residuais e aterra os lodos gerados pela estação de tratamento, porém a água que é tratada não é reutilizada, assim como ações de comunicação interna e investimentos quanto à implantação de um sistema de gestão ambiental seria importante para a gestão da organização, visto que a empresa atua no mercado internacional. A empresa possui um potencial para implementação, uma vez que já possui certificação da ISO 9001:2008, o qual facilita o entendimento e envolvimento de todos no processo.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-22T13:02:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Flávia Thuane Duarte do Monte (PDF).pdf: 1029138 bytes, checksum: ded4d1bd5809aa8f26493c20c0169546 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-22T13:02:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Flávia Thuane Duarte do Monte (PDF).pdf: 1029138 bytes, checksum: ded4d1bd5809aa8f26493c20c0169546 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-22 / FACEPE / O colágeno é a proteína fibrosa de origem animal mais abundante, que representa 30% de proteína total e 6% em peso no corpo humano. A pele e os ossos de bovinos e suínos geralmente são as principais fontes de colágeno e gelatina. No entanto, devido ao risco de transferência de zoonoses, existe uma necessidade de obtenção desta proteína por meio de outras fontes. A pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa) é um importante representante da pesca nacional e possui grande valor comercial. O objetivo deste estudo foi utilizar resíduos do processamento de pescada amarela para obter colágeno e sugerir sua utilização como fonte alternativa para o colágeno mamífero. Colágeno pepsino solúvel (PSC) foi isolado a partir de escamas de pescada amarela e caracterizado com sucesso. O rendimento da extração de PSC foi de 8,3% (baseado no peso seco). A SDS-PAGE (7,5%) mostrou que o padrão de bandas do PSC consistiu de uma cadeia α1 e α2 na proporção de 2:1, bem como cadeias β e γ, sendo caracterizado como colágeno do tipo I. O espectro de absorção ultravioleta (UV) mostrou uma máxima absorção em 222 nm. PSC foi solúvel na faixa de pH de 1 à 4, com a máxima solubilidade em pH 1. O colágeno também demonstrou maior solubilidade na faixa de concentração de 0 à 2% (w/v) de NaCl. A temperatura máxima de transição (Tmax) para PSC foi de 30,4°C, tal como determinado por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo indicam a possibilidade do uso de escamas de pescada amarela como uma fonte de colágeno do tipo I, com grande potencial para aplicações biotecnológicas. / Collagen is the most abundant fibrous protein of animal origin, representing 30% of the total protein and 6% in weight of the human body. The skin and bones of bovines and pigs usually are the main sources of collagen. However, due to the risk of transfer of diseases, there is a need for obtaining this protein form other sources. The acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa) is an important representative of the national fishing and has great commercial value. The aim of this study was to use acoupa weakfish waste processing for obtain collagen and suggest its use as an alternative source mammal collagen. Pepsin soluble collagen (PSC) from scales of acoupa weakfish was isolated and characterized. The yield of PSC was 8.3% (based on dry weight). SDS-PAGE (7.5%) pattern showed that both PSC consisted of one α1 and one α2 chains in proportion 2:1, as well as β and  chains, and were characterized to be type I collagen. The PSC ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum showed a maximum absorption at 222 nm. The PSC was soluble at pH between 1 and 4, with maximum solubility at pH 1. He have also shown solubility majority at NaCl concentration from 0 to 2% (w/v). The maximum transition temperature (Tmax) for PSC was 30.4°C, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results obtained in this study indicate the possibility of using acoupa weakfish scales as a source of type I collagen with great potential for biotechnological application.

The doctoral thesis is focused on the microbial production of lactic acid and ethanol using food processing waste as substrate. Coffee processing waste (spent coffee grounds), wine production waste (grape pomace) and orange processing waste (orange peel) were chosen as substrates for experiments. The theoretical part is dedicated to summarizing current knowledge about waste from food production and possibilities of its processing. It also deals with selected metabolites (lactic acid, ethanol) to which these wastes can be used. Part of the experiments was focused on the characterization and optimization of hydrolysis to maximize the amount of fermentable saccharides. Different combinations of chemical, physical and enzymatic hydrolysis of selected substrates have been tested. Subsequently, a suitable strain for lactic acid and ethanol production was searched for. In the case of lactic acid production, 7 bacterial strains were selected (Lactobacillus casei CCM 4798, Bacillus coagulans CCM 2013, Bacillus coagulans CCM 2658, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825T, Lactobacillus delbruckii subsp. bulgaricus CCM 7190, Lactobacillus plantarum CCM 7039T, Streptococcus thermophilus CCM 4757). These strains were first cultivated on the synthetic media containing different kind of saccharides. Afterward, the cultivation on the waste biomass hydrolysates were tested. In the case of ethanol production, 2 yeast strains kmeny (S. cerevisiae CNCTC 6646 a S. cerevisiae CNCTC 6651) were cultivated on hydrolysates of individual waste substrates. Subsequently, the experiments focused on the production of lactic acid and ethanol on hydrolysates of waste biomass in bioreactor were done. The last part of this doctoral thesis deals with the microaerobic pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass to increase the production of organic acids during the acetogenic phase of anaerobic digestion.

As the United States expands its quantity of nuclear reactors in the near future, the amount of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) will also increase. Closing the nuclear fuel cycle has become the next major technical challenge for the nuclear energy industry. By separating the transuranics (TRU) from the SNF discharged by Light Water Reactors, it is possible to fuel Advanced Burner Reactors to minimize the amount of SNF that must be stored in High Level Waste Repositories. One such ABR concept is the Subcritical Advanced Burner Reactor (SABR) being developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology. SABR is a subcritical, sodium-cooled fast reactor with a fusion neutron source capable of burning up to 25% of the TRU fuel over an 8.2 year residence time. In the SABR concept an annular core with a thickness of 0.6 m and an active height of 3.2 m surrounds the toroidal fusion neutron source. Neutron multiplication varies during the lifetime of the reactor from keff = 0.95 at the beginning of reactor life to 0.83 at the end of an equilibrium fuel cycle. Sixteen control rods worth 9$ are symmetrically positioned around the reactor. This thesis describes the dynamic safety analysis of the coupled neutron source, reactor core and reactor heat removal systems. A special purpose simulation model was written to predict steady-state conditions and accident scenarios in SABR by calculating the coupled evolution of the power output from the fusion and fission cores and the axial and radial temperature distributions of a fuel pin in the reactor. Reactivity Feedback was modeled for Doppler and sodium coolant voiding. SABR has a positive temperature reactivity feedback coefficient. A series of accident scenarios were simulated to determine how much time exists to implement corrective measures during an accident before damage to the reactor occurs.

Orientador: Ljubica Tasic / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T23:34:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Awan_AlmasTaj_D.pdf: 4796874 bytes, checksum: 185a66c389aae68c266f385689030ef0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Os biocombustíveis de segunda geração surgiram como fontes energéticas promissoras, podendo ser obtidos a partir de vários tipos de biomassa que não seja utilizada para alimentos. Um tipo de biomassa que apresenta baixo custo além de apresentar níveis elevados de carboidratos, é a biomassa obtida após o processamento da laranja (Citrus processing waste from oranges, CPWO). Há um grande interesse na exploração desta biomassa em termos da produção do bioetanol (etanol da 2G). Nosso trabalho visa melhorar os processos de hidrólise do CPWO comparando o rendimento do processo clássico de hidrólise ácida com aplicação de enzimas comerciais ou provenientes do microrganismo Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, cepa 306 (um fitopatógeno). Os resultados obtidos com a presente investigação evidenciam que ocorreu a conversão bem-sucedida do CPWO em uma mistura de açúcares. A posteriori, os açúcares redutores que foram obtidos foram convertidos em bioetanol por meio da fermentação em mono- e co-cultura. Para tanto, foi empregada a espécie Saccharomyces cerevisiae e duas cepas de Candida parapsilosis IFM 48375 e NRRL Y-12969, sendo que as duas últimas foram isoladas a partir do bagaço da laranja. Os rendimentos em termos de bioetanol obtido nas fermentações aplicando co-culturas estavam ao redor de 50 a 62%, constituindo valores muito maiores comparados com os obtidos por cepas usadas individualmente. Além disso, os açúcares foram consumidos mais rapidamente (6 h), tornando tais processos atraentes em termos de custo e aplicações comerciais / Abstract: Second generation biofuels from renewable resources have come forth as a result of energy security coupled with diminishing fossil fuel resources. Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable resource, which can be converted in to liquid transportation fuels. Utilization of agro-industrial waste for the generation of biofuels makes it a cleaner production (Green Chemistry). Brazil is the world¿s largest producer of oranges. The current project deals with Citrus Processing Waste from Oranges (CPWO), and obtaining valuable products such as bioethanol, hesperidin, and essential oil. The process of hydrolyzing CPWO was improved and the classical way of biomass saccharification, i.e. acid hydrolysis, was compared with the enzyme hydrolysis. In enzyme hydrolysis, apart from applying commercial enzymes, saccharification was also investigated with protein extracts of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri strain 306 (Xac 306), a potent pathogen that causes Citrus canker disease. Later, the obtained reducing sugars were converted into bioethanol by submerged mono- and co-culture fermentations that involved three yeast strains: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida parapsilosis IFM 48375 and NRRL Y-12969, the last two being isolated from bagasse. Results demonstrated successful hydrolyses by Xac enzymes that released high levels of fermentable sugars. Also during co-culture fermentation processes, it was noticed that ethanol yield was improved from 50% to 62% w/w (calculated on the basis of total dry matter contents) and sugars were consumed faster. Thus by employing co-culture fermentation strategy, apart from getting better bioethanol yields, fermentation time is also reduced that makes it a cost effective technique / Doutorado / Quimica Organica / Doutora em Ciências