In this work, a size optimization approach for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is proposed. The purpose of the method is to determine the optimal solar energy generation capacity and optimal location by the minimizing total system cost subject to the constraint that the system reliability requirements. Due to the stochastic characteristic of the solar irradiation, the reliability performance of a power system with PV generation is quite different from the one with only conventional generation. Basically, generation adequacy level of power systems containing solar energy is evaluated by reliability assessment and the most widely used reliability index is the loss of load probability (LOLP). The value of LOLP depends on various factors such as power output of the PV system, outage rate of generating facilities and the system load profile. To obtain the LOLP, the Monte Carlo method is applied to simulate the reliability performance of the solar penetrated power system. The total system cost model consists of the system installation cost, mitigation cost, and saving fuel and operation cost. Mitigation cost is accomplished with N-1 contingency analysis. The cost function minimization process is implemented in Genetic Algorithm toolbox, which has the ability to search the global optimum with relative computational simplicity. / Master of Science

abstract: Tall buildings are spreading across the globe at an ever-increasing rate (www.ctbuh.org). The global number of buildings 200m or more in height has risen from 286 to 602 in the last decade alone. The increasing complexity of building architecture poses unique challenges in the structural design of modern tall buildings. Hence, innovative structural systems need to be evaluated to create an economical design that satisfies multiple design criteria. Design using traditional trial-and-error approach can be extremely time-consuming and the resultant design uneconomical. Thus, there is a need for an efficient numerical optimization tool that can explore and generate several design alternatives in the preliminary design phase which can lead to a more desirable final design. In this study, we present the details of a tool that can be very useful in preliminary design optimization - finite element modeling, design optimization, translating design code requirements into components of the FE and design optimization models, and pre-and post-processing to verify the veracity of the model. Emphasis is placed on development and deployment of various FE models (static, modal and dynamic analyses; linear, beam and plate/shell finite elements), design optimization problem formulation (sizing, shape, topology and material selection optimization) and numerical optimization tools (gradient-based and evolutionary optimization methods) [Rajan, 2001]. The design optimization results of full scale three dimensional buildings subject to multiple design criteria including stress, serviceability and dynamic response are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Civil Engineering 2014

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:40:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Roberto Capparelli Marcal.pdf: 1385634 bytes, checksum: 037e447d80e3c2c33c23560ac2c75dca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-05 / This study aimed to construct a model for the simultaneous optimization of the topology and design of compressed air pipeline networks. The proposed model consists of two parts; the objective functions and a set of constraints. This model is a nonlinear mixed multiobjective programming. The function of this model is to optimize the diameters of the tubes and the topology of an air system under study, presenting a set of effective solutions while minimizing costs and pressure drop, given the constraints that enable each point of air consumption is treated in their minimum requirements of flow and pressure. For the verification of the proposed model behavior, data from a small network and obtained were applied efficient solutions for decision making. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo a construção de um modelo para a otimização simultânea da topologia e do dimensionamento de redes de ar comprimido. O modelo proposto é composto de duas partes: as funções objetivos e um conjunto de restrições. Este modelo é um modelo de programação não linear misto multiobjetivo. A função deste modelo é otimizar os diâmetros e a topologia dos tubos de uma rede de ar em estudo, apresentando um conjunto de soluções eficientes minimizando os custos e a perda de carga e atendendo as restrições que possibilitem que cada ponto de consumo de ar comprimido seja atendido em seus requerimentos mínimos de vazão e pressão. Para a verificação do comportamento do modelo proposto, foram aplicados dados de uma rede de pequeno porte e obtidos as soluções eficientes para a tomada de decisão.

Ces travaux s'inscrivent dans la problématique de l'alimentation autonome de systèmes électroniques communicants fondée sur la récupération de l'énergie disponible dans l'environnement humain. Cette thèse traite du dimensionnement d'un générateur multisource (thermique, photovoltaïque et cinétique) avec stockage d'énergie. Afin d'optimiser le dimensionnement d'un tel système dans un contexte de ressources paramétrables, des modèles génériques, adaptés à une large plage de dimensions, ont été établis, à partir de technologies déjà existantes, et validés expérimentalement. L'approche système a permis d'étudier les nombreux couplages multiphysiques existants et de mieux dimensionner le système. Ainsi, il a été montré qu'optimiser le rendement global de toute la chaîne de conversion d'énergie conduit à des solutions différentes de celles résultant d'une optimisation du dimensionnement de chaque organe pris séparément. Enfin, dans la dernière partie de cette thèse, une étude a été menée sur l'impact du profil de consommation sur le dimensionnement du système. Cette étude a permis, sur le cas particulier d'une application réelle, de mettre en évidence le potentiel d'une gestion d'énergie en cas de ressources faibles notamment par l'adaptation des profils de consommation. / This work deals with the problematic of self-powered communicating electronic systems based onenergy harvesting in the human environment. This thesis addresses the sizing of a multisource generator(thermal, photovoltaic and kinetic) with energy storage. To optimize the sizing of such a systemin the context of configurable resources, generic models, adapted to a wide range of dimensions, wereestablished from existing technology, and validated experimentally. The system-level approach wasused to study the many existing multiphysics couplings to better size the system. Thus, it was shownthat optimizing the global efficiency of the whole energy conversion chain leads to solutions differentfrom those resulting from sizing optimization of each component separately. Finally, in the latter partof this thesis, a study was conducted on the impact of load profil on the sizing of the system. Thisstudy, on the particular case of a real application, highlight the potential for energy management inthe case of poor ressources, notably by adapting the load profils.

Le travail présenté dans cette thèse porte sur l'étude du dimensionnement d'une chaine de conversion électrique en entrainement direct d'un système direct de récupération de l'énergie des vagues (searev). Cette chaine de conversion est composée d'une génératrice synchrone à aimants permanents solidaire d'un volant pendulaire, d'un convertisseur électronique composé de deux ponts triphasés à modulation de largeur d'impulsion, l'un contrôlant la génératrice, l'autre permettant d'injecter l'énergie électrique au réseau. En complément, un système de stockage de l'énergie (batterie de supercondensateurs) est destiné au lissage de la puissance produite. Le dimensionnement de tous ces éléments constitutifs nécessite une approche d'optimisation sur cycle, dans un contexte de fort couplage multi-physique notamment entre les parties hydrodynamique et électromécanique. Dans un premier temps, l'ensemble génératrice-convertisseur, dont le rôle est d'amortir le mouvement d'un volant pendulaire interne, est optimisé en vue de minimiser le coût de production de l'énergie (coût du kWh sur la durée d'usage). Cette optimisation sur cycle est réalisée en couplage fort avec le système houlogénérateur grâce à la prise en compte conjointe de variables d'optimisation relatives à l'ensemble convertisseur-machine mais aussi à la loi d'amortissement du volant pendulaire. L'intégration d'une stratégie de défluxage, intéressante pour assurer un fonctionnement en écrêtage de la puissance, permet, dès l'étape de dimensionnement, de traiter l'interaction convertisseur-machine. Dans un second temps, la capacité énergétique du système de stockage de l'énergie fait l'objet d'une optimisation en vue de la minimisation de son coût économique sur cycle de vie. Pour ce faire, nous définissons des critères de qualité de l'énergie injectée au réseau, dont un lié au flicker, et nous comparons des stratégies de gestion de l'état de charge tout en tenant compte du vieillissement en cyclage des supercondensateurs dû à la tension et à leur température. Dans un troisième temps, à partir de données d'états de mer sur une année entière, nous proposons des dimensionnements de chaines de conversion électrique qui présentent les meilleurs compromis en termes d'énergie totale récupérée et de coût d'investissement. / The work presented in this thesis sets forth the study of the sizing of a direct-drive electrical conversion chain for a direct wave energy converter (SEAREV). This electrical chain is made up of a permanent magnet synchronous generator attached to a pendular wheel and a power-electronic converter made up of two three-phase pulse width modulation bridge, one controlling the generator, the other allowing injecting electrical energy into the grid. In addition, an energy storage system (bank of supercapacitors) is intended to smooth the power output. The sizing of all these components needs an operating cycle optimization approach, in a system context with strong multi-physics coupling, more particularly between hydrodynamical and electromechanical parts. At first, the generator-converter set, whose role is to damp the pendular movement of an internal wheel, is optimized with a view to minimize the cost of energy (kWh production cost). This optimization, based on torque-speed operating profiles, is carried out considering a strong coupling with the wave energy converter thanks to the consideration as design variables, some relatives to the generator-converter sizing but also some relatives to the damping law of the pendular wheel. In addition, the consideration of a flux-weakening strategy, interesting to ensure a constant power operation (levelling), allows, as soon as the sizing step, to deal with the generator-converter interaction. In a second step, the rated energy capacity of the energy storage system is being optimized with a view of the minimization of its economical life-cycle cost. To do this, we define quality criteria of the power output, including one related to the flicker, and we compare three energy managment rules while taking into account the power cycling aging of the supercapacitors due to the voltage and their temperature. In a third step, from yearly sea-states data, we provide sizings of the direct-drive electrical conversion chain that are the best trades-offs in terms of total electrical produced energy and economical investment cost.

Wind turbines have been utilized for centuries to harness energy from the wind. Commercial wind turbine blades are typically made from composite materials, which are difficult to recycle, leading to blades ending up in landfills at the end of their lifecycle. Additionally, these materials contribute to microplastic pollution. In response to growing environmental concerns, there has been an increased focus on addressing such issues. The Swedish company SeaTwirl AB develops offshore vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT), and this study focuses on optimizing the weight of a blade from a new 10-15 MW VAWT concept using steel as the material. Steel has long been recyclable, making it an interesting material for wind turbine blades. The specific steel used in this study is the ultra-high-strength steel "Strenx 1300" from SSAB, which is not only extremely durable but is also expected to be fossil-free by 2026, by implementation of the manufacturing technology HYBRIT. The study found that a single blade made from Strenx 1300, when designed and optimized for 35 years of operational use, would weigh approximately 193.4 tonnes and would require 6016.8 meters of welds with a fatigue class of FAT 125. A rough estimation of the weight of a fiberglass VAWT of the same size resulted in approximately 300 tonnes. Therefore, this study concludes that it may be feasible to construct a commercially competitive VAWT blade using environmentally friendly, fossil-free steel. This approach would make wind energy a more sustainable energy source without the problems of recyclability and microplastic pollution. / Vindkraftverk har använts i århundraden för att utvinna energi från vinden. Kommersiella vindkraftverksblad tillverkas vanligtvis av kompositmaterial, vilket är svårt att återvinna och leder till att bladen hamnar på soptippar vid slutet av deras livscykel. Dessutom bidrar dessa material till mikroplastföroreningar. Som svar påväxande miljöproblem har det därför blivit ett ökat fokus på denna typ av frågor. Det svenska företaget SeaTwirl AB utvecklar vertikalaxliga vindkraftverk (VAWT) för offshore-användning, och denna studie fokuserar på att optimera vikten av ett blad från ett nytt 10-15 MW VAWT-koncept med stål som material. Stål har länge varit återvinningsbart, vilket gör det till ett intressant material för vindkraftverksblad. Det specifika stål som används i denna studie är det höghållfasta stålet "Strenx1300" från SSAB, som inte bara är extremt hållbart, men också förväntas bli fossilfritttill 2026, tack vare implementeringen av tillverkningsteknologin HYBRIT. Studien visade att ett enskilt blad tillverkat av Strenx 1300, när det är utformat och optimerat för 35 års driftstid, skulle väga cirka 193,4 ton och kräva 6016,8 meter svets med en utmattningsklass FAT 125. En grov uppskattning av vikten av en VAWT av samma storlek i glasfiber resulterade i cirka 300 ton. Därför drar denna studie slutsatsen att det kan vara möjligt att konstruera ett kommersiellt konkurrenskraftigt VAWT-blad med miljövänligt, fossilfritt stål. Detta tillvägagångssätt skulle göra vindenergi till en mer hållbar energikälla utan problemen associerade med återvinning och mikroplaster.

Sizing (hydrophobization) is one of the most important process steps within the added-value chain of about 1/3rd of the worldwide produced paper & board products. Even though sizing with so-called reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) was implemented in the paper industry decades ago, there is no total clarity yet about the detailed chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to their performance. Previous research was carried out on the role of different factors influencing the sizing performance, such as bonding between ASA and cellulose, ASA hydrolysis, size revision as well as the most important interactions with stock components, process parameters and additives during the paper making process. However, it was not yet possible to develop a holistic model for the explanation of the sizing performance given in real life application. This thesis describes a novel physico-chemical approach to this problem by including results from previous research and combining these with a wide field of own basic research and a newly developed method that allows tracing back the actual localization of ASA within the sheet structure. The carried out measurements and trial sets for the basic field of research served to evaluate the stock and process parameters that most dominantly influence the sizing performance of ASA. Interactions with additives other than retention aids were not taken into account. The results show that parameters, such as the content of secondary fibers, the degree of refining, the water hardness as well as the suspension conductivity, are of highest significance. The sample sets of the trials with the major impacting parameters were additionally analyzed by a newly developed localization method in order to better understand the main influencing factors. This method is based on optical localization of ASA within the sheet structure by confocal white light microscopy. In order to fulfill the requirements at magnification rates of factor 100 optical zoom, it was necessary to improve the contrast between ASA and cellulose. Therefore, ASA was pretreated with an inert red diazo dye, which does not have any impact on neither the sizing nor the handling properties of ASA. Laboratory hand sheets that were sized with dyed ASA, were analyzed by means of their sizing performance in correlation to measurable ASA agglomerations in the sheet structure. The sizing performance was measured by ultrasonic penetration analysis. The agglomeration behavior of ASA was analyzed automatically by multiple random imaging of a sample area of approx. 8650 µm² with a minimum resolution for particles of 500 nm in size. The gained results were interpreted by full factorial design of experiments (DOE). The trials were carried out with ASA dosages between 0% and 0.8% on laboratory hand sheets, made of 80% bleached eucalyptus short fiber kraft pulp and 20% northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, beaten to SR° 30, produced with a RDA sheet former at a base weight of 100 g/m² oven dry. The results show that there is a defined correlation between the ASA dosage, the sizing performance and the number and area of ASA agglomerates to be found in the sheet structure. It was also possible to show that the agglomeration behavior is highly influenced by external factors like furnish composition and process parameters. This enables a new approach to the explanation of sizing performance, by making it possible to not only examine the performance of the sizing agent, but to closely look at the predominant position where it is located in the sheet structure. These results lead to the explanation that the phenomenon of sizing is by far not a pure chemical process but rather a more physical one. Based on the gained findings it was possible so far to optimize the ASA sizing process in industrial-scale by means of ~ 50% less ASA consumption at a steady degree of sizing and improved physical sheet properties.

Sizing (hydrophobization) is one of the most important process steps within the added-value chain of about 1/3rd of the worldwide produced paper & board products. Even though sizing with so-called reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) was implemented in the paper industry decades ago, there is no total clarity yet about the detailed chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to their performance. Previous research was carried out on the role of different factors influencing the sizing performance, such as bonding between ASA and cellulose, ASA hydrolysis, size revision as well as the most important interactions with stock components, process parameters and additives during the paper making process. However, it was not yet possible to develop a holistic model for the explanation of the sizing performance given in real life application. This thesis describes a novel physico-chemical approach to this problem by including results from previous research and combining these with a wide field of own basic research and a newly developed method that allows tracing back the actual localization of ASA within the sheet structure. The carried out measurements and trial sets for the basic field of research served to evaluate the stock and process parameters that most dominantly influence the sizing performance of ASA. Interactions with additives other than retention aids were not taken into account. The results show that parameters, such as the content of secondary fibers, the degree of refining, the water hardness as well as the suspension conductivity, are of highest significance. The sample sets of the trials with the major impacting parameters were additionally analyzed by a newly developed localization method in order to better understand the main influencing factors. This method is based on optical localization of ASA within the sheet structure by confocal white light microscopy. In order to fulfill the requirements at magnification rates of factor 100 optical zoom, it was necessary to improve the contrast between ASA and cellulose. Therefore, ASA was pretreated with an inert red diazo dye, which does not have any impact on neither the sizing nor the handling properties of ASA. Laboratory hand sheets that were sized with dyed ASA, were analyzed by means of their sizing performance in correlation to measurable ASA agglomerations in the sheet structure. The sizing performance was measured by ultrasonic penetration analysis. The agglomeration behavior of ASA was analyzed automatically by multiple random imaging of a sample area of approx. 8650 µm² with a minimum resolution for particles of 500 nm in size. The gained results were interpreted by full factorial design of experiments (DOE). The trials were carried out with ASA dosages between 0% and 0.8% on laboratory hand sheets, made of 80% bleached eucalyptus short fiber kraft pulp and 20% northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, beaten to SR° 30, produced with a RDA sheet former at a base weight of 100 g/m² oven dry. The results show that there is a defined correlation between the ASA dosage, the sizing performance and the number and area of ASA agglomerates to be found in the sheet structure. It was also possible to show that the agglomeration behavior is highly influenced by external factors like furnish composition and process parameters. This enables a new approach to the explanation of sizing performance, by making it possible to not only examine the performance of the sizing agent, but to closely look at the predominant position where it is located in the sheet structure. These results lead to the explanation that the phenomenon of sizing is by far not a pure chemical process but rather a more physical one. Based on the gained findings it was possible so far to optimize the ASA sizing process in industrial-scale by means of ~ 50% less ASA consumption at a steady degree of sizing and improved physical sheet properties.:Acknowledgment I Abstract III Table of Content V List of Illustrations XI List of Tables XVI List of Formulas XVII List of Abbreviations XVIII 1 Introduction and Problem Description 1 1.1 Initial Situation 1 1.2 Objective 2 2 Theoretical Approach 3 2.1 The Modern Paper & Board Industry on the Example of Germany 3 2.1.1 Raw Materials for the Production of Paper & Board 5 2.2 The Sizing of Paper & Board 8 2.2.1 Introduction to Paper & Board Sizing 8 2.2.2 The Definition of Paper & Board Sizing 10 2.2.3 The Global Markets for Sized Paper & Board Products and Sizing Agents 11 2.2.4 Physical and Chemical Background to the Mechanisms of Surface-Wetting and Penetration 13 2.2.4.1 Surface Wetting 14 2.2.4.2 Liquid Penetration 15 2.2.5 Surface and Internal Sizing 17 2.2.6 Sizing Agents 18 2.2.6.1 Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) 19 2.2.6.2 Rosin Sizes 19 2.2.6.3 Alkylketen Dimer (AKD) 23 2.2.6.4 Polymeric Sizing Agents (PSA) 26 2.2.7 Determination of the Sizing Degree (Performance Analysis) 28 2.2.7.1 Cobb Water Absorption 29 2.2.7.2 Contact Angle Measurement 30 2.2.7.3 Penetration Dynamics Analysis 31 2.2.7.4 Further Qualitative Analysis Methods 33 2.2.7.4.1 Ink Stroke 33 2.2.7.4.2 Immersion Test 33 2.2.7.4.3 Floating Test 34 2.2.7.4.4 Hercules Sizing Tester (HST) 34 2.2.8 Sizing Agent Detection (Qualitative Analysis) and Determination of the Sizing Agent Content (Quantitative Analysis) 35 2.2.8.1 Destructive Methods 35 2.2.8.2 Non Destructive Methods 36 2.3 Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) 36 2.3.1.1 Chemical Composition and Production of ASA 37 2.3.1.2 Mechanistic Reaction Models 39 2.3.1.3 ASA Application 42 2.3.1.3.1 Emulsification 42 2.3.1.3.2 Dosing 44 2.3.1.4 Mechanistic Steps of ASA Sizing 46 2.3.2 Physico-Chemical Aspects during ASA Sizing 48 2.3.2.1 Reaction Plausibility 48 2.3.2.1.1 Educt-Product Balance / Kinetics 48 2.3.2.1.2 Energetics 51 2.3.2.1.3 Sterics 52 2.3.2.2 Phenomena based on Sizing Agent Mobility 53 2.3.2.2.1 Sizing Agent Orientation 54 2.3.2.2.2 Intra-Molecular Orientation 55 2.3.2.2.3 Sizing Agent Agglomeration 55 2.3.2.2.4 Fugitive Sizing / Sizing Loss / Size Reversion 56 2.3.2.2.5 Sizing Agent Migration 58 2.3.2.2.6 Sizing Reactivation / Sizing Agent Reorientation 59 2.3.3 Causes for Interactions during ASA Sizing 60 2.3.3.1 Process Parameters 61 2.3.3.1.1 Temperature 61 2.3.3.1.2 pH-Value 62 2.3.3.1.3 Water Hardness 63 2.3.3.2 Fiber Types 64 2.3.3.3 Filler Types 65 2.3.3.4 Cationic Additives 66 2.3.3.5 Anionic Additives 67 2.3.3.6 Surface-Active Additives 68 2.4 Limitations of State-of-the-Art ASA-Sizing Analysis 69 2.5 Optical ASA Localization 71 2.5.1 General Background 71 2.5.2 Confocal Microscopy 72 2.5.2.1 Principle 72 2.5.2.2 Features, Advantage and Applicability for Paper-Component Analysis 74 2.5.3 Dying / Staining 75 3 Discussion of Results 77 3.1 Localization of ASA within the Sheet Structure 77 3.1.1 Choice of Dyes 77 3.1.1.1 Dye Type 78 3.1.1.2 Evaluation of Dye/ASA Mixtures 80 3.1.1.2.1 Maximum Soluble Dye Concentration 80 3.1.1.2.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 81 3.1.1.2.3 FTIR-Spectroscopy 82 3.1.1.3 Evaluation of the D-ASA Emulsion 84 3.1.1.4 Paper Chromatography with D-ASA & F-ASA Emulsions 85 3.1.1.5 Evaluation of the D-ASA Emulsion’s Sizing Efficiency 86 3.1.2 The Localization Method 87 3.1.2.1 The Correlation between ASA Distribution and Agglomeration 88 3.1.2.2 Measurement Settings 89 3.1.2.3 Manual Analysis 90 3.1.2.4 Automated Analysis 92 3.1.2.4.1 Automated Localization / Microscopy Measurement 92 3.1.2.4.2 Automated Analysis / Image-Processing 93 3.1.2.5 Result Interpretation and Example Results 96 3.1.2.6 Reproducibility 97 3.1.2.7 Sample Mapping 98 3.1.3 Approaches to Localization-Method Validation 102 3.1.3.1 Raman Spectroscopy 102 3.1.3.2 Confocal Laser Scanning Fluorescent Microscopy 102 3.1.3.3 Decolorization 103 3.2 Factors Impacting the Sizing Behavior of ASA 104 3.2.1 ASA Type 105 3.2.2 Emulsion Parameters 107 3.2.2.1 Hydrolyzed ASA Content 107 3.2.2.2 ASA/Starch Ratio 109 3.2.2.3 Emulsion Age 110 3.2.3 Stock Parameters 111 3.2.3.1 Long Fiber/Short Fiber Ratio 111 3.2.3.2 Furnish Type 112 3.2.3.3 Degree of Refining 114 3.2.3.4 Filler Type/Content 116 3.2.4 Process Parameters 119 3.2.4.1 Temperature 119 3.2.4.2 pH-Value 120 3.2.4.3 Conductivity 122 3.2.4.4 Water Hardness 123 3.2.4.5 Shear Rate 125 3.2.4.6 Dwell Time 127 3.2.4.7 Dosing Position & Dosing Order 128 3.2.4.8 Drying 130 3.2.4.9 Aging 131 3.3 Factors Impacting the Localization Behavior of ASA 132 3.3.1 Degree of Refining 132 3.3.2 Sheet Forming Conductivity 135 3.3.3 Water Hardness 136 3.3.4 Retention Aid (PAM) 137 3.3.5 Contact Curing 138 3.3.6 Accelerated Aging 139 3.4 Main Optimization Approach 141 3.4.1 Optimization of ASA Sizing Performance Characteristics 142 3.4.2 Emulsion Modification 144 3.4.2.1 Lab Trials / RDA Sheet Forming 146 3.4.2.2 TPM Trials 147 3.4.2.3 Industrial-Scale Trials 149 3.4.2.4 Correlation between Sizing Performance Optimization and Agglomeration Behavior on the Example of PAAE 152 3.5 Holistic Approach to Sizing Performance Explanation 154 4 Experimental Approach 157 4.1 Characterization of Methods, Measurements and Chemicals used for the Optical Localization-Analysis of ASA 157 4.1.1 Characterization of used Chemicals 157 4.1.1.1 Preparation of Dyed-ASA Solutions 157 4.1.1.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 157 4.1.1.3 Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy 157 4.1.1.4 Emulsification of ASA 158 4.1.1.5 Paper Chromatography 159 4.1.1.6 Particle Size Measurement 159 4.1.2 Optical Analysis of ASA Agglomerates 160 4.1.2.1 Microscopy 160 4.1.2.2 Automated Analysis 163 4.1.2.2.1 Adobe Photoshop 163 4.1.2.2.2 Adobe Illustrator 164 4.1.2.3 Confocal Laser Scanning Fluorescent Microscopy 166 4.2 Characterization of Used Standard Methods and Measurements 166 4.2.1 Stock and Paper Properties 166 4.2.1.1 Stock pH, Conductivity and Temperature Measurement 166 4.2.1.2 Dry Content / Consistency Measurement 167 4.2.1.3 Drainability (Schopper-Riegler) Measurement 167 4.2.1.4 Base Weight Measurement 168 4.2.1.5 Ultrasonic Penetration Measurement 168 4.2.1.6 Contact Angle Measurement 169 4.2.1.1 Cobb Measurement 169 4.2.1.2 Air Permeability Measurements 170 4.2.1.3 Tensile Strength Measurements 170 4.2.2 Preparation of Sample Sheets 171 4.2.2.1 Stock Preparation 171 4.2.2.2 Laboratory Refining (Valley Beater) 171 4.2.2.3 RDA Sheet Forming 171 4.2.2.4 Additive Dosing 173 4.2.2.5 Contact Curing 174 4.2.2.6 Hot Air Curing 174 4.2.2.7 Sample Aging 174 4.2.2.8 Preparation of Hydrolyzed ASA 175 4.2.2.9 Trial Paper Machine 175 4.2.2.10 Industrial-Scale Board Machine 177 4.3 Characterization of used Materials 178 4.3.1 Fibers 178 4.3.1.1 Reference Stock System 178 4.3.1.2 OCC Fibers 179 4.3.1.3 DIP Fibers 179 4.3.2 Fillers 180 4.3.3 Chemical Additives 180 4.3.3.1 ASA 180 4.3.3.2 Starches 181 4.3.3.3 Retention Aids 181 4.3.3.4 Poly Aluminum Compounds 181 4.3.3.5 Wet Strength Resin 181 4.3.4 Characterization of used Additives 182 4.3.4.1 Solids Content 182 4.4 Description of Implemented Advanced Data Analysis- and Visualization Methods 183 4.4.1 Design of Experiments (DOE183 4.4.2 Contour Plots 184 4.4.3 Box-Whisker Graphs 185 5 Conclusion 186 6 Outlook for Further Work 191 7 Bibliography 192 Appendix 207 7.1 Localization Method Reproducibility 207 7.2 DOE - Coefficient Lists 208 7.2.1 Trial 3.3.4 – Impact of Retention Aid (PAM) on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 208 7.2.2 Trial 3.3.5 – Impact of Contact Curing on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 208 7.2.3 Trial 3.3.6 – Impact of Accelerated Aging on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 209