Depuis ces dernières années, le monde doit faire face à une problématique énergétique importante due à la demande croissante en énergie primaire, sans mentionner les émissions de polluants nocives pour notre environnement. Pour cela les chercheurs étudient des voies alternatives à l’utilisation massive de carburants fossiles, telles que l’incorporation de biocarburants dans les essences conventionnelles, ou le développement de technologies modernes. De nouveaux types de moteur utilisant une combustion à plus basse température sont actuellement à l’étude. Ces derniers auraient l’avantage d’allier à la fois un bon rendement ainsi qu’une diminution des émissions de polluants (NOx et particules de suies). De fortes incertitudes existent pourtant encore, tant sur la caractérisation de la réactivité et des émissions des biocarburants, que sur la chimie d’oxydation en phase gazeuse à basse température. Les principaux objectifs de cette thèse sont donc : - d’établir une base de données expérimentales en identifiant les produits et intermédiaires réactionnels, et plus particulièrement à basse température d’oxydation (de 500 à 1100K), - de développer et valider de nouveaux modèles cinétiques détaillés afin de reproduire les résultats expérimentaux ainsi que la combustion du carburant étudié sur une large gamme de conditions. Les expériences d’oxydation ont été réalisées à partir d’un réacteur auto-agité par jets gazeux. Grâce à son homogénéité à la fois en température et en concentration, il est considéré comme un réacteur idéal, parfaitement adapté aux études cinétiques. Les produits formés en sortie du réacteur, sont analysés via trois méthodes complémentaires : la chromatographie en phase gazeuse (GC), la cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) et la spectrométrie de masse (SM). La GC est une technique efficace dans la séparation des composés (incluant les isomères) et nous permet d’identifier une large gamme de composés. La CRDS est une technique d’absorption spectroscopique qui a l’avantage d’analyser des espèces plus spécifiques telles que HCHO, H2O et H2O2. Enfin la spectrométrie de masse couplée à une source d’ionisation douce permet l’analyse de composés de type hydroperoxyde et de formule R-OOH. Que ce soit H2O2 ou les hydroperoxydes, ces derniers constituent d’importants intermédiaires réactionnels en combustion et il existe malheureusement très peu de données expérimentales les concernant. Due à la fragilité de la liaison O-O, ces espèces sont thermolabiles et difficiles à analyser de manière quantitative (indétectables via la GC). Cette thèse a permis l'étude de l'oxydation de différents carburants, en passant par les hydrocarbures (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-hexènes, n-heptane, iso-octane, n-décane), jusqu'aux molécules oxygénées (diméthyl-éther, 1-hexanol, hexanal, méthyl-esters lourds) / In recent years, the world is facing a major energetic issue due to the growing primary energy demand and not to mention the emissions of harmful pollutants for the environment. Researchers have been studying alternative pathways to the massive use of fossil fuels, such as the incorporation of biofuels into conventional gasoline or the development of modern technology. New types of engines using a low-temperature combustion are currently under study. They have the advantage of combining both a good performance and a reduction in pollutant emissions (like NOx and soot particles). Significant gaps of knowledge are still remaining, both on the characterization of the reactivity, the emissions and on the low-temperature gas phase oxidation chemistry of biofuels. Main objectives of this thesis are to: ? - Establish an experimental database by identifying reaction products and intermediates and more particularly during the low-temperature oxidation (from 500 to 1100K), ? - Develop and validate detailed kinetic models in order to reproduce the combustion of the fuel. Oxidation experiments were performed using a jet-stirred reactor. Thanks to its homogeneity in both temperature and concentration, it can be considered as an ideal reactor for kinetic studies. The products obtained at the outlet of the reactor have been analyzed using three complementary methods: gas chromatography (GC) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) and mass spectrometry (MS). The GC method is efficient in separating compounds (including isomers) and allows us to analyze a wide range of products. The CRDS method is an absorption spectroscopic technique which allows us to analyze specific species such as HCHO, H2O and H2O2. Finally MS coupled with a soft ionization technique allows us to analyze hydroperoxides products of formula R-OOH. Both H2O2 and hydroperoxides are important reaction intermediates in combustion, but there is very little experimental data available on those species. Due to their weak O-O bond, those compounds are thermolabile and difficult to analyze (undectable using GC). This thesis allowed the study of different fuels oxidation, from hydrocarbons (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-hexenes, n-heptane, iso-octane, n?decane) to oxygenated compounds (dimethyl-ether, 1-hexanol, hexanal, large methyl-esters)

Les mélanges GtL/EMHC/éthanol ont un potentiel important comme carburant alternatif pour moteur Diesel.Néanmoins, l’utilisation de ce type de biocarburant en moteur Diesel nécessite une connaissance précise de la cinétiqued’oxydation de ses différents constituants.Une étude bibliographique approfondie a permis de sélectionner quatre espèces modèles représentatives des mélangesGtL/EMHC/éthanol : le n-décane, l’iso-octane, l’octanoate de méthyle et l’éthanol. L’oxydation de mélanges de cesespèces modèles a ensuite été étudiée en réacteur auto-agité à haute pression (10 atm), pour trois richesses (0,5 ; 1 et 2) etsur un large domaine de température (550-1150 K). L’analyse des échantillons par chromatographie en phase gazeuse apermis de quantifier les principaux produits issus de l’oxydation des mélanges étudiés. Un mécanisme cinétique détaillécapable de reproduire l’oxydation des mélanges n-décane/iso-octane/octanoate de méthyle/éthanol a ensuite été mis aupoint. Les prédictions du modèle reproduisent de manière satisfaisante les résultats expérimentaux sur toute la gamme derichesse et de température testée en réacteur auto-agité. L’analyse du modèle a également permis de déterminer les voiesréactionnelles prépondérantes en fonction de la composition des mélanges.Enfin, la combustion de mélanges GtL/EMAG/éthanol a été étudiée en moteur monocylindre Diesel. Cette phased’essais, incluant une analyse approfondie des émissions non réglementées, a permis d’observer l’influence de laformulation des carburants sur l’initiation de la combustion et sur la composition des gaz d’échappements. / As concern about global warming and dependences on fossil fuel grows, there is an increasing interest to shift fromtraditional fuel to renewable energy sources. Blends of Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) fuels, biodiesel and ethanol seem to be apromising fuel for compression ignition (CI) engine application. The aim of this work is to study and model the impact ofthese fuels on combustion and pollutant emissions.In the present study, mixtures of 4 species are proposed to represent the oxidation of F-T/biodiesel/ethanol blends: ndecane,iso-octane, methyl octanoate and ethanol. The kinetic of oxidation of n-decane/iso-octane/methyloctanoate/ethanol blends was studied experimentally in a jet stirred reactor at 10 atm and a constant residence time of 1 s,over the temperature range of 560-1160 K and for three equivalence ratio (0.5, 1 and 2). A kinetic reaction mechanismwas developed and used to simulate the oxidation of n-decane/iso-octane/methyl octanoate/ethanol mixtures. Theproposed kinetic reaction mechanism yields a good representation of the kinetic of oxidation of the tested biofuel blends.The kinetic analyses allowed identifying the most influencing reactions for the oxidation rate of the fuels.Finally, four F-T/biodiesel/ethanol blends have been tested on a single cylinder, direct injection, four-stroke Dieselengine. This study, including an analysis of unregulated emissions allowed observing the influence of fuel formulationon combustion and on pollutant emissions. These main engine results tendencies have been compared to the results of thekinetic model.

A preocupação com o meio ambiente deve fazer parte da rotina de uma indústria de petróleo e derivados. A presença de compostos heterocíclicos em correntes de diesel motiva a sua remoção, pois além do aspecto ambiental, esses compostos podem interferir no desempenho de processos de hidrotratamento (HDT). A adsorção é uma das opções para minimizar esse problema. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o adsorvente comercial mais adequado através de um estudo cinético realizado em tanque agitado e suportado por alguns ensaios de equilíbrio. Foi dada ênfase preferencial à remoção de compostos nitrogenados, sendo avaliada a remoção de compostos sulfurados nos adsorventes mais promissores. Foram selecionados, como adsorventes comerciais, as argilas bentoníticas TCO 626G (Süd-Chemie) e F-24 (Engelhard), a -alumina CCI (Süd-Chemie), a sílica-alumina SIRAL 40 (Sasol) e a zeólita Y ultraestável USY (cedida pelo CENPES-Petrobras). Na composição do óleo diesel modelo encontra-se quinolina, carbazol e benzotiofeno, com n-hexadecano como diluente. A caracterização destes adsorventes incluiu análise química por fluorescência de raios X, análise estrutural por difração de raios X, análise textural por fisissorção de N2, análises de acidez por termodessorção de amônia (TPD de NH3) e por espectroscopia no infravermelho de piridina adsorvida. Os estudos cinéticos mostraram que a quinolina é adsorvida rapidamente, principalmente na zeolita USY, que apresentou a maior capacidade adsortiva. Observou-se que a ordem decrescente de melhor adsorvente seguiu a mesma ordem da quantidade de sítios ácidos encontrada por TPD-NH3. Nos estudos cinéticos com carbazol, a zeólita USY também foi o melhor adsorvente. Não houve acordo com relação a acidez, o que se esperava uma vez que se trata de um composto nitrogenado não básico. A presença de carbazol e quinolina na mesma solução, não alterou o desempenho da cinética de remoção de ambos, indicando que provavelmente não estão competindo pelos mesmos sítios de adsorção. Quando foi introduzido um composto sulfurado no sistema, a zeólita se manteve como o melhor adsorvente, a quinolina continuou sendo eficazmente removida, mas a remoção de carbazol sofreu alguma interferência que pode indicar a competição das moléculas pelo mesmo sítio. Nos estudos com carga real de óleo diesel, ao contrário do observado para as cargas modelo, a TCO 626G mostrou-se mais efetiva na remoção de compostos heterocíclicos que a USY. O modelo cinético proposto ajustou adequadamente as curvas e as isotermas de adsorção para quinolina e carbazol, relativas a USY e a TCO 626G, foram melhor ajustadas pelo modelo de Freundlich

The chemical complexity of the interstellar medium and combustion environments pose a challenge to the scientific community seeking to provide a molecular understanding of their combustion. More refined spectroscopic tools and methodologies must be developed to selectively detect and characterize the widening array of fuel and interstellar species. The direct relationship between molecular structure and rotational frequencies makes rotational spectroscopy highly structural specific; therefore, it offers a powerful means of characterizing polar molecules. However, rotational spectra usually contain transitions from multiple components with multiple conformations as well as other dynamical properties interleaved with one another, making the assignment of the spectra very challenging. This thesis describes experimental work using broadband microwave spectroscopy and vacuum ultraviolet time-of-flight mass spectrometry to address a number of challenging problems in the spectroscopy of gas complex mixtures.<div><br></div><div>In the first part of my work, we report details of the design and operation of a single apparatus that combines Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave spectroscopy (CP-FTMW) with VUV photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (VUV TOFMS). The supersonic expansion used for cooling samples is interrogated first by passing through the region between two microwave horns capable of broadband excitation and detection in the 2-18 GHz frequency region of the microwave. After passing through this region, the expansion is skimmed to form a molecular beam, before being probed with 118 nm (10.5 eV) single-photon VUV photoionization in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The two detection schemes are powerfully complementary to one another. CP-FTMW detects all components with significant permanent dipole moments. Rotational transitions provide high-resolution structural data. VUV TOFMS provides a gentle and general method for ionizing all components of a gas phase mixture with ionization thresholds below 10.5 eV, providing their molecular formulae. The advantages, complementarity, and limitations of the combined methods are illustrated through results on two gas-phase mixtures made up of (i) three furanic compounds, two of which are structural isomers of one another, and (ii) the effluent from a flash pyrolysis source with <i>o-</i>guaiacol as precursor. <br></div><div><br></div><div>The broadband spectrum of 3-phenylpropionitrile was recorded under jet-cooled conditions over the 8-18 GHz region. A novel multi-resonance technique called strong field coherence breaking (SFCB) was implemented to record conformer-specific microwave spectra. This technique involves sweeping the broadband chirp followed by selectively choosing a set of single frequencies pulses to yield a set of rotational transitions that belong to a single entity in the gas-phase mixture, aiding assignment greatly. Transitions belonging to anti and gauche conformers were identified and assigned and accurate experimental rotational constants were determined to provide insight on the molecular structure. Experimental rotational transitions provided relative abundances in the supersonic expansion. A modified line picking scheme was developed in the process to modulate more transitions and improve the overall efficiency of the SFCB multiple selective excitation technique.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The rotational spectrum of 2-hexanone was recorded over the 8-18 GHz region using a CPFTMW spectrometer. SFCB was utilized to selectively modulate the intensities of rotational transitions belonging to the two lowest energy conformers of 2-hexanone, aiding the assignment. In addition, the SFCB method was applied for the first time to selectively identify rotational transitions built off the two lowest energy hindered methyl rotor states of each conformer, 0a₁ and 1e. Since these two states have rotational energy levels with different nuclear spin symmetries, their intensities could be selectively modulated by the resonant monochromatic pulses used in the SFCB method. The difference spectra, final fit and structural parameters are discussed for the three assigned conformers of 2-hexanone.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Developing new experimental techniques that allow for species identification and quantification in the high-temperature environment of reacting flows is a continuing challenge in combustion research. Here, we combine broadband chirped-pulse microwave (rotational) spectroscopy with an atmospheric-pressure jet-stirred reactor as a novel method to identify key reactive intermediates in low-temperature and ozone-assisted oxidation processes. In these experiments, the gas sample, after being withdrawn from reactive dimethyl ether/O₂/Ar, dimethoxy methane/O₂/Ar, and ethylene/O₂/O₃/Ar mixtures, expands via a supersonic expansion into the high vacuum of a microwave spectrometer, where the rotationally cold ensemble of polar molecules is excited with short MW radiation frequency ramps (chirps). The response of the molecular ensemble is detected in the time domain and after a Fourier transformation, the spectral composition of the transient emission is obtained in the frequency domain. The observed rotational frequencies are uniquely correlated to molecular structures and allow for an unambiguous identification of the sampled species. Detection and identification of intermediates such as formaldehyde, methyl formate, formic acid, formic acid anhydride, and the primary ethylene ozonide via literature-known rotational frequencies are evidence for the superb identification capabilities of broadband chirped-pulse microwave spectroscopy. Strong-field coherence breaking is employed to identify and assign transitions due to a specific component. The observation of van der Waals complexes provides an opportunity to detect combustion intermediates and products that are impossible to detect by rotational spectroscopy as isolated molecules. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Lastly, preliminary data on important combustion precursors is studied including pentanal, <i>trans-</i>2-pentenal and <i>o-,m- </i>and <i>p</i>-vinylanisole. The rotational spectrum of these five molecules is recorded from the 8-18 GHz region under jet-cooled conditions. For pentanal and <i>trans-</i>2-pentenal, SFCB was utilized to dissect the broadband spectrum, identifying the four and two lowest energy structures, respectively. The structural parameters and finals fits are provided. <br></div>

Micro-scale processing (MSP) techniques are miniaturized version of upstream and downstream conventional unit operations that are designed to accelerate the pace of bioprocess design and development. Previous ‘dead end’ filtration studies have demonstrated the usefulness of this concept for membrane filtration processes. However, these experiments were performed without stirring which is the most common strategy to control the effects of concentration polarization and fouling on filtration performance. In this work, the pressure-driven stirred conditions of a conventional stirred-cell module were integrated with a 96-well filter plate to develop a high throughput technique called ‘stirred-well filtration’ (SWF). The design allowed for up to eight constant flux filtration experiments to be conducted at once using a multi-rack programmable syringe pump and a magnetic lateral tumble stirrer. An array of pressure transducers was used to monitor the transmembrane pressure (TMP) in each well. The protein sieving behavior and fouling propensity of Omega™ ultrafiltration membranes were assessed via a combination of hydraulic permeability measurements and protein sieving tests in constant filtrate flux mode. The TMP profile during filtration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution was strongly dependent on the stirring conditions – for example the maximum TMP in the stirred wells were an average of 7.5, 3.8, and 2.6 times lower than those in the unstirred wells at filtrate fluxes of 12, 36, and 60 LMH (5, 15, and 25 μL/min) respectively. The consistency of the data across different wells for the same stirring condition was very good. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the SWF technique, the eight tests for a simple 2^2 factorial design-of-experiments (DOE) test with duplicates was run to evaluate the effect of solution pH and salt concentration on protein filtration. The combination of SWF with statistical methods such as DOE is shown to be an effective strategy for high-throughput optimization of membrane filtration processes. / Dissertation / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Cette étude porte sur le broyage en voie humide (nanobroyage) de produits organiques à usage pharmaceutique dans un broyeur à billes agité. L'objectif des travaux réalisés était d'analyser la faisabilité de l'opération de nanobroyage et d'améliorer la compréhension des processus de réduction de taille dans le cas de produits organiques cristallins. Dans un premier temps, des expériences préliminaires ont été menées pour le choix d'agents mouillants et dispersants adéquats pour les matériaux choisis (ciclopirox, ibuprofène) et pour la mise au point du mode de fonctionnement du procédé de broyage. Nous avons également testé différentes techniques comme la spectroscopie acoustique et la diffusion dynamique de la lumière pour caractériser la distribution de taille des particules broyées, en se basant sur une étude expérimentale conduite sur la calcite, utilisée dans cette étude comme matériau de référence. La seconde partie a été consacrée au broyage par microbilles appliqué aux différents matériaux choisis. Nous avons étudié l'influence des paramètres opératoires tels que le débit de suspension, la vitesse de rotation de l'agitateur, la taille des billes de broyage et la concentration en solide sur l'efficacité énergétique du procédé et la qualité des produits broyés. Les critères de qualité pris en compte dans cette étude sont la distribution de taille des particules, la stabilité et le comportement rhéologique des suspensions broyées ainsi que les propriétés structurales du produit. L'effet du broyage sur les changements microstructuraux des différents produits a enfin été analysé. Une attention particulière a également été portée sur l'effet de la température sur le procédé de réduction de taille et les propriétés de l'ibuprofène broyé. / This work focuses on wet grinding (nanogrinding) of organic materials for pharmaceuticals using a stirred media mill. The aim of the work was to examine the feasibility of nanogrinding process and to improve the understanding of size reduction processes applied on crystalline organic products. Firstly, preliminary investigations were conducted to make a choice of appropriate wetting agents and dispersants for the selected materials (ciclopirox, ibuprofen), and for the development of the operation mode of the grinding process. We also tested different techniques such as acoustic attenuation spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering to characterize the ground particle size distribution, based on an experimental study conducted on calcite, used in this study as reference material. The second part was devoted to the milling process by grinding beads applied to the selected materials. The influence of operating parameters such as suspension flow rate, stirrer tip speed, grinding media diameter and solid mass concentration on grinding process efficiency and ground products quality were investigated. The quality criteria considered in this study are particle size distribution, stability and rheological behaviour of the products, as well as their structural properties. The effect of grinding process on the microstructural change of different materials was finally analysed. Particular attention was also focused on the effect of temperature on size reduction process and ground ibuprofen properties.

L’énantiomère R (énantiomère cible) d’un mélange racémique d’une molécule organique est isolé par cristallisation du sel diastéréoisomère qu’il forme préférentiellement en s’associant à l’acide énantiomériquement pur R-acétyl(L)valine. Cependant l’énantiomère S (contre-énantiomère) peut aussi cristalliser sous forme d’un sel de R-acétyl(L)valine. Les solubilités des deux sels sont déterminées par des cristallisations par refroidissement en réacteur fermé. La modélisation de ces données expérimentales permet de maximiser la quantité d’énantiomère R cristallisé en sel pur en réacteur fermé à une température choisie. Cette température est ensuite augmentée : la durée de filtration des cristaux, systématiquement obtenus sous forme d’aiguilles, est avantageusement réduite. Une réduction est encore obtenue en appliquant un profil de refroidissement favorisant la croissance des cristaux : au final, l’amélioration de la filtrabilité des cristaux est corrélée aux augmentations conjointes du facteur d’élongation et de la longueur des cristaux. La cristallisation est ensuite transposée à un mode de fonctionnement continu en injectant les réactifs séparément dans un réacteur ouvert. Afin d’atteindre des performances égales à celles du réacteur fermé, le temps de passage et la concentration de la solution de R-acétyl(L)valine sont ajustés : il en résulte une productivité accrue de la cristallisation. La filtrabilité des cristaux obtenus en réacteur continu reste cependant médiocre. Bien que toujours inférieur à celui atteint en réacteur fermé optimal, le facteur d’élongation des cristaux est tout de même augmenté en optant pour une configuration de cascade de deux réacteurs continus / The R enantiomer (target enantiomer) of the racemic mixture of an organic molecule is isolated by a preferential crystallization of the salt it forms by association with the enantiomerically pur acid R-acetyl(L)valine. The S enantiomer (counter enantiomer) may somehow also crystallize under the form a R-acetyl(L)valinate salt. Solubilities of the two salts are measured by cooling crystallizations in a batch reactor, carried out for various stoechiometric conditions. The interpretation and the modelisation of the experimental data gathered lead to the maximisation of the quantity of R enantiomer crystallized as a pur salt in a batch reactor by cooling crystallization to a given temperature. This temperature is then increased : the filtration duration of the crystals, always exhibiting the shape of needles, is thus advantageously decreased. A further decrease is made possible by applying a temperature cooling profile that promotes the growth of crystals. Finally, the enhancement of the filterability of crystals is correlated to an increase of the elongation factor of crystals. The crystallization is then transposed to a continuous operating mode : reactants are injected separately in a continuous stirred tank reactor. With a view to match the results of the optimized batch reactor, the residence time and the R-acetyl(L)valine concentration are adjusted : a better productivity is then obtained, though filterability remains lower. The elongation factor is slightly increased by implementing two continous stirred tank in serie. The complete range of possible enhancements of crystals morphology by such cascades could be further studied for such needle-like crystals

La réduction des apports phosphorés des eaux usées régie par la Directive Européenne de 1991 (91/271/EEC) est considérée comme le facteur clé de la lutte contre la pollution des rivières et des lacs. Ces travaux concernent exclusivement l'étude de la formation maîtrisée de struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) par précipitation comme alternative originale de récupération du phosphore et, par voie de conséquence, de l'ammonium à partir d'eaux usées. Un atout de ce procédé concerne la valorisation du précipité en tant que fertilisant. Dans ce contexte général, l'objectif consiste à développer une démarche combinant des aspects expérimentaux et de modélisation de la précipitation de la struvite. Un effluent synthétique contenant du phosphore, du magnésium et de l'ammonium a servi de solution modèle pour étudier le rôle de la température, de la concentration en réactifs, et du pH sur l'efficacité de la précipitation de la struvite ainsi que sur la distribution de la taille des cristaux obtenus. Les essais expérimentaux ont été réalisés par précipitation en cuve agitée. Diverses méthodes d'analyse des phases solide et liquide (spectrophotométrie, absorption atomique, granulométrie laser, MEB et Morphométrie) ont été utilisées. Le dosage du magnésium, ainsi que celui d'ammonium et du phosphore permet de déterminer le taux de conversion de ces composés et d'étudier une éventuelle formation d'un sous-produit. L'approche développée dans ce mémoire permet de déterminer les conditions de pH et de température favorisant l'efficacité maximale pour la récupération de la struvite. Deux voies complémentaires ont été proposées. La première étape concerne la modélisation des équilibres chimiques, d'une part, pour calculer le taux de conversion du phosphate final en fonction du pH à l'équilibre pour plusieurs températures et, d'autre part, pour évaluer l'impact de la température sur la constante de solubilité de la struvite. La stratégie numérique implique un algorithme génétique (NSGA II) pour initialiser efficacement un algorithme de résolution classique (Newton Raphson) et garantir la robustesse de la procédure. Dans la seconde étape, un modèle numérique basé sur un bilan de population couplé avec le modèle thermodynamique prédit la distribution de taille des particules,. Cette approche s'est avérée particulièrement stable d'un point de vue numérique lors du calcul des paramètres des vitesses de nucléation et de croissance, utilisés ensuite pour prédire la distribution de taille à l'aide d'une méthode de reconstruction. La forme de la distribution de taille des cristaux obtenue est typique d'un modèle nucléation – croissance. La méthodologie proposée trouve tout son intérêt pour traiter des effluents de qualité variable et prédire l'efficacité du procédé dans lequel le contrôle du pH et de la sursaturation constituent des paramètres clés. / The reduction of phosphorus contribution in wastewater, governed by the European directive of 1991 (91/271/EEC) is regarded as the key factor of the fight against pollution of rivers and lakes. This work concerns exclusively the study of the controlled struvite formation (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) by precipitation as an alternative removal of phosphorus and, consequently, of ammonium from waste-water discharges. The valorization of the precipitate as a fertilizer constitutes an asset of the process. In this general context, the objective consists in developing a methodology combining an experimental approach with struvite precipitation modelling. A synthetic effluent containing phosphorus, magnesium and ammonium was used as a model solution to study the role of temperature, concentration in reagents and pH on struvite precipitation efficiency as well as on particle size distribution in a stirred tank reactor. Various analysis methods of both solid and liquid phases (spectrophotometry, atomic absorption, laser granulometry, MEB and Morphology) were used. The residual concentration of magnesium, ammonium and phosphorus allows to determine the conversion rate of these compounds and to study a likely formation of a co-product. The proposed framework is based on a two-level modelling approach. The former level, based on an equilibrium prediction of the study system Mg-PO4-NH4, involves, on the one hand, the computation of the final conversion rate of phosphate as a function of equilibrium pH at different temperatures and, on the other hand, the temperature impact assessment on struvite solubility product. The numerical strategy implies a genetic algorithm (NSGA II) to initialize a traditional algorithm of resolution (Raphson Newton) and to guarantee the robustness of the process. In the second stage, a population balance-based model coupled with the thermodynamic one predicts the particle size distribution. This approach turns out to be particularly numerically stable for the identification of nucleation and particle growth kinetics parameters that are then used to predict the size distribution, typical of a nucleation - growth model, using a method of reconstruction. The proposed methodology is particularly interesting for the treatment of industrial waste-water discharges that may be of variable quality as well as for the prediction of the process efficiency for which pH control and supersaturation constitute key parameters.

[pt] O presente trabalho tem como finalidade avaliar os diferentes modelos de mistura para o cálculo da combustão de reagentes pré- misturados utilizando a abordagem de Reator Parcialmente Misturado (PaSR). Os modelos de mistura considerados neste trabalho foram os modelos IEM estendido, Langevin e Langevin estendido. Investiga-se aqui o grau de mistura previsto por tais modelos e sua influência sobre as propriedades termoquímicas em um processo de combustão. A primeira parte deste trabalho consiste na apresentação e avaliação destes modelos de mistura, considerando-se um campo escalar inerte em presença de um campo turbulento homogêneo e isotrópico. Uma vez que estes modelos de mistura envolvem formulações do tipo estocástico, sua implementação foi realizada utilizando o método de Monte Carlo, mediante a utilização de esquemas numéricos adequados à resolução de equações diferenciais estocásticas. Assim, estuda-se a evolução da Função Densidade de Probabilidade (PDF) e das principais propriedades do campo escalar para cada modelo implementado. Os resultados obtidos também são comparados com simulação numérica direta e com resultados analáticos disponsáveis. Um ótimo acordo em termos qualitativos e quantitativos é obtido. A segunda parte deste trabalho utiliza estes modelos para o estudo numérico de um PaSR no qual são modelados os processos difusivos e reativos presentes durante a combustão. O PaSR é usado para avaliar a influência dos modelos de mistura nas propriedades termoquímicas da mistura em uma situação de combustão de tipo pré-misturada, que é modelada utilizando-se uma variável de progresso de uma reação. Os resultados obtidos com os diferentes modelos de mistura são comparados para diferentes regimes de funcionamento do PaSR, mostrando que, em situações de mistura rápida e reação intensa, os diferentes modelos apresentam resultados similares. Porém, nos casos de mistura lenta e reação moderada, discrepancias importantes são observadas entre os resultados dos modelos; as quais atingem até 65% para o valor médio da variável de progresso da reação. / [en] The present work evaluates several mixing models for the prediction of premixed combustion in a Partially Stirred Reactor (PaSR). The models considered in this work were the extended IEM, Langevin and extended Langevin models. The degree of mixing and its influence on the termochemical properties in a combustion process are investigated here. The first part of this work consists on the presentation and the assesment of these mixing models in which a single scalar field was considered in presence of a homogeneous and isotropic turbulent field. Since these mixing models involve stochastic terms, their implementation is performed by the Monte Carlo method using numerical schemes which solve the corresponding Stochastic Differential Equations (SDE). The evolution of the Probability Density Function (PDF) and the main properties for a single scalar field are studied for each mixing model. The numerical results are compared with Direct Numerical Simulation and available analytical results. Excellent qualitative and quantitative agreements are obtained. In the second part of this work, mixing models are used for numerical simulation of a PaSR where the diffusive and reactive processes occur. The PaSR is used to assess the mixing model influence on the termochemical properties of the mixture in a premixed combustion process, which is modeled using a reaction progress variable. The results obtained with the different mixing models are compared in several operating regimes of the PaSR, showing that when mixing is fast and reaction is intense, the different models lead to similar results. However, when mixing is slow and reaction is weak, important discrepancies are observed between the model results, which reach 65%, as far as the averaged reaction progress variable is concerned

O reator anaeróbio em batelada seqüencial é constituído por um frasco de vidro cilíndrico de volume total de cinco litros, envolvido por uma camisa de vidro, por onde escoa a água aquecida, permitindo a operação em temperatura controlada. A biomassa encontra-se imobilizada em partículas cúbicas de espuma de poliuretano (densidade aparente de 23 kg/\'M POT.3\', as quais estão colocadas em um cesto adaptado dentro do frasco cilíndrico. A mistura é promovida por três impelidores de 3,0 cm de diâmetro, distanciados 4,0 cm um do outro, situados ao longo do eixo vertical no centro do reator. O desempenho dessa nova configuração de reator anaeróbio foi avaliado sob diferentes condições os efeitos de transferência de massa nas fases sólida e líquida. Todos os ensaios foram efetuados à temperatura de 30 ± 1 grau Celsius. Cada batelada compreende três etapas: alimentação, reação e descarga. Para avaliar os efeitos da transferência de massa na fase sólida foram feitos quatro ensaios utilizando-se partículas cúbicas de espumas de poliuretano com tamanhos de 0,5 cm; 1,0 cm; 2,0 cm e 3,0 cm de lado, com impelidor tipo hélice e intensidade de agitação de 500 rpm, determinada através de um ensaio preliminar. Para avaliar os efeitos da transferência de massa nas fases sólida e líquida foram feitos experimentos com quatro tipos de impelidores: hélice, turbina plana, turbina inclinada e turbina curva, com intensidades de agitação na faixa de 100 rpm a 1100 rpm. Também foram realizados ensaios hidrodinâmicos para verificar o tempo de mistura e ensaio para verificar a condição de anaerobiose no sistema. A água residuária utilizada em todos os ensaios foi sintética com concentração de 530 ± 37 mg DQO/L. Em todas as condições estudadas o reator apresentou boa eficiência de remoção da matéria orgânica, em torno de 87%. A concentração efluente de ácidos voláteis totais manteve-se em 13 ± 9 mg HAc/L, alcalinidade a bicarbonato de 223 ± 14 mg Ca\'CO IND.3\'/L e pH entre 6,7 e 7,2. A transferência de massa na fase sólida não foi a etapa limitante na conversão da matéria orgânica, quando partículas de 0,5 cm a 2,0 cm de aresta foram usadas no reator anaeróbio em batelada seqüencial. A resistência à transferência de massa na fase sólida somente influenciou a taxa global de reação, quando foram usados tamanhos de partículas cúbicas de 3,0 cm de aresta. A resistência à transferência de massa na fase líquida não foi somente afetada pela intensidade de agitação, mas também pela eficiência da mistura obtida por cada tipo de impelidor. A mistura do líquido dentro do reator obtida pelo impelidor turbina plana foi a mais eficiente. O uso deste tipo de impelidor resultou em menores consumos de energia e ótimo desempenho do reator com baixas taxas de agitação. Os resultados deste estudo permitiram concluir que esta nova configuração não permite a manutenção de condição de anaerobiose estrita no meio, principalmente quando altas intensidades de agitação foram aplicadas e as limitações da eficiência do processo, neste sistema, estão relacionadas principalmente as resistências à transferência de massa do que restrições cinéticas bioquímicas. / The bench-scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactor consisted of a cylindrical glass flask with a total capacity of 5 liters. The reactor was surrounded by a water jacket that allowed the operation to proceed at a constant temperature throughout the experiment. The biomass was immobilized in 5-mm cubic particles of polyurethane foam (apparent density of 23 kg/\'M POT.3\') placed in a basket inside the cylindrical flask. The mixing was provided by three mechanical impellers with diameters of 3 cm, placed 4 cm apart along a vertical axis, at the center of the reactor. All experiments were conducted at the temperature of 30 Celsius degrees. Each batch consisted of three steps: feed, react and liquid withdrawal. The performance of this new reactor configuration was evaluated under different conditions of solid and liquid-phase mass transfer. In order to evaluate the effects of the solid-phase mass transfer, four experiments were carried out with cubical polyurethane foam particles of 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 2.0, cm and 3.0 cm side, and with propeller impellers rotating at 500 rpm, achieved by preliminary experiment. The effects of the liquid-phase mass transfer were evaluated through four experiments with four types of impellers: propeller, flat-blade, pitched-blade and curved-blade turbines, at agitation rates from 100 rpm and 1100 rpm. A hydrodynamic test was also carried out in order to verify the mixing time, energy consumption and occurrence of strict anaerobic activity in system. A low-strength synthetic substrate was used in all the experiments with a mean chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 530 ± 37 mg DQO/L. The influence of the solid and liquid-phase mass transfer on the reactor\'s performance was assessed by measuring COD temporal profiles along batch cycles. In all conditions studied the reactor achieved good efficiency, with mean removal of organic matter (COD) of 87%. The effluent mean TVA concentration was 13 ± 9 mg HAc/L, bicarbonate alkalinity was 223 ± 14 mg Ca\'CO IND.3\'/L and the pH values ranged from 6,7 e 7,2. The solid-phase mass transfer was not the limiting step in the organic matter conversion when 0.5 to 2.0-cm side bioparticles were used in the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor. Solid-phase mass transfer resistance only influenced the overall reaction rate when 3.0-cm cubic bioparticles were used. The liquid-phase mass transfer resistance was affected both by agitation and by efficiency of mixture provided by each type of impeller. Among the impellers assayed, the flat-blade one was the most efficient in providing the required mixing conditions. The use of this type impeller resulted in small energy consumption and excellent performance of the reactor with low agitation rate (N = 300 rpm). The results of this study also indicated that this new configuration did not provide conditions for the establishment of strict anaerobic conditions, mainly when high agitation rates were used. Anaerobic process efficiency limitations in this system were mainly related to mass transfer resistances rather than biochemical kinetic restrictions.