In this dissertation, two high-frequency (HF) transformer isolated single-stage integrated ac-dc converters are proposed for a small scale permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based wind energy conversion system (WECS). These two types of single-stage integrated ac-dc converters include expected functions of HF isolation, power factor correction (PFC), and output regulation in one single-stage. Fixed-frequency phase-shift control and soft-switching operation are employed in both proposed ac-dc converters. After reviewing the literature and discussing pros and cons of the existing topologies, it is preferred that three identical single-phase single-stage integrated converters with interleaved connection configuration are suitable for the PMSG. For the single-phase converter, two new HF isolated single-stage integrated resonant ac-dc converters with fixed-frequency phase-shift control are proposed. The first proposed circuit is HF isolated single-stage integrated secondary-side controlled ac-dc converter. The other proposed circuit is HF isolated single-stage dual-tank LCL-type series resonant ac-dc converter, which brings better solutions compared to the first converter, such as high power factor and low total harmonic distortion (THD) at the ac input side. Approximate analysis approach and Fourier series methods are used to analyze these two proposed converters. Design examples for each one are given and designed converters are simulated using PSIM simulation package. Two experimental circuits are also built to verify the analysis and simulation. The simulated and experimental results reasonably match the theoretical analysis. Then the proposed HF isolated dual-tank LCL-type series resonant ac-dc converter is used for three-phase interleaved connection in order to satisfy requirements of PMSG based WECS. A design example for this three-phase interleaved configuration is given and simulated for validation under several operating conditions. / Graduate / 0544 / duyimian@uvic.ca

The terminations and the joints are the basic accessories of the power cables. Power cables require electrical stress control when terminated. Since there are different types of terminations, the analysis should be done to choose the proper method for electric field control problem at the terminations. Throughout this study two different types of termination methods are investigated by using the finite element analysis program (ANSYS): Stress Controlled Termination Model with Deflector and Stress Control Tube (SCT). The results are compared with those obtained for a cable without stress control model termination. The numerical calculations are also compared with the measurements obtained by an experimental model: the electrolytic tank model.

Soil moisture can be a determining factor in hydrological processes. However, the monitoring of soil water content is difficult to perform because of its spatio-temporal variability and because field measurements are expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the use of the Tank Model and also a moisture index derived from this model can be very useful in hydrological studies and in the management of natural disasters. In addition, the evaluation of this index in a distributed form in the river basin allows a more detailed analysis of the water content of the soil, considering its spatial variability. The objective of this study was to develop a distributed version of the Tank Model (D-Tank Model) to determine a soil moisture content (IUS), dividing the basin into cells with a resolution of 2 meters. The study area was the Araponga River basin (5.26 ha), located in the north of Santa Catarina, and with hydro-meteorological and tensiometric data available. In the study, data were used every 5 minutes of rainfall, evapotranspiration and flow, and soil water tension every 10 minutes, measured from March 2011 to December 2015. Initially the Tank Model was used, Aiming only at the rain-flow process of the basin for five short-duration events aiming at the calibration of the parameters, which were also used in the D-Tank Model cells. The validation of this transfer of parameters was done using the average of the parameters found in the calibration, applying it in two other short duration events. After validation, the water storage in the soil of each of the basin cells generated for the D-Tank Model was calculated. With the D-Tank Model, the IUS values were obtained, which were compared with the soil water tension values measured by the tensiometers. The individual storage values of the two reservoirs S1, and S2, were also compared with the water tension values. The comparison was made through the linear correlation coefficient, seeking negative correlations between the variables, which occurred in a satisfactory way, both between the IUS and the tension values, as well as the storage values of the reservoirs and the water tension values. The present work showed that IUS may be an applicable measure for soil moisture representation. / A umidade do solo pode ser um fator determinante nos processos hidrológicos. No entanto, o monitoramento do conteúdo de água no solo é difícil de ser realizado, devido à sua variabilidade espaço-temporal e porque as medições de campo são dispendiosas e demoradas. Assim, a utilização do Tank Model e também de um índice de umidade, derivado deste modelo, podem ser muito úteis nos estudos hidrológicos. Além disso, a avaliação desse índice de forma distribuída na bacia hidrográfica permite uma análise mais detalhada do conteúdo de água do solo, uma vez que considera a sua variabilidade espacial. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver uma versão distribuída do Tank Model (D-Tank Model), para determinar um índice de umidade do solo (IUS), dividindo a bacia em células com resolução de 2 metros. A área de estudo foi a bacia hidrográfica do Rio Araponga (5,26 ha), localizada no norte de Santa Catarina, e com disponibilidade de dados hidro-meteorológicos e tensiométricos. No estudo foram utilizados dados a cada 5 minutos de precipitação, evapotranspiração e vazão, e de tensão de água no solo a cada 10 minutos, medidos no período de março de 2011 a dezembro de 2015. Inicialmente foi utilizado o Tank Model (concentrado), visando somente o processo chuva-vazão da bacia para cinco eventos de curta-duração visando a calibração dos parâmetros, que foram também utilizados nas células do D-Tank Model. A validação desta transferência de parâmetros se deu utilizando a média dos parâmetros encontrados na calibração, aplicando-a em outros dois eventos de curta duração. Após a validação, foi calculado o armazenamento de água no solo, de cada uma das células da bacia, geradas para o D-Tank Model. Com o D-Tank Model obteve-se os valores de IUS, que foram comparados com os valores de tensão da água no solo, medidos pelos tensiômetros. Os valores de armazenamento individuais dos dois reservatórios S1, e S2, também foram comparados com os valores de tensão. A comparação foi feita através do coeficiente de correlação linear, buscando correlações negativas entre as variáveis, o que ocorreu de forma satisfatória, tanto entre o IUS e os valores de tensão, como para os valores de armazenamento dos reservatórios e os valores de tensão da água no solo. O presente trabalho mostrou que o IUS pode ser uma medida aplicável para representação da umidade do solo.

Currently at the Savannah River Site (SRS), there are fifteen single-shell, 3.6-million liter tanks containing High Level Waste. To close the tanks, the sludge must be removed. Mechanical methods have had limited success. Oxalic acid cleaning is now being considered as a new technology. This research uses sample results and chemical equilibrium software to develop a preferred flowsheet and evaluate the acceptability of the system impacts. Based on modeling and testing, between 246,000 to 511,000 l of 8 wt% oxalic acid were required to dissolve a 9,000 liter Purex sludge heel. For SRS H-Area modified sludge, 322,000 to 511,000 l were required. To restore the pH of the treatment tank slurries, approximately 140,000 to 190,000 l of 50 wt% NaOH or 260,000 to 340,000 l of supernate were required. When developing the flowsheet, there were two primary goals to minimize downstream impacts. The first was to ensure that the Resultant oxalate solids were transferred to DWPF, without being washed. The second was to transfer the remaining soluble sodium oxalates to the evaporator drop tank, so they do not transfer through or precipitate in the evaporator pot. Adiabatic modeling determined the maximum possible temperature to be 73.5°C and the maximum expected temperature to be 64.6°C. At one atmosphere and at 73.5°C, a maximum of 770 l of water vapor was generated, while at 64.6°C a maximum 254 l of carbon dioxide were generated. Although tank wall corrosion was not a concern, because of the large cooling coil surface area, the corrosion induced hydrogen generation rate was calculated to be as high as 10,250 l/hr. Since the minimum tank purge exhaust was assumed to be 5,600 l/hr, the corrosion induced hydrogen generation rate was identified as a potential concern. Excluding corrosion induced hydrogen, trending the behavior of the spiked constituents of concern, and considering conditions necessary for ignition, energetic compounds were shown not to represent an increased risk Based on modeling, about 56,800 l of Resultant oxalates could be added to a washed sludge batch with minimal impact on the number of additional glass canisters produced. For each sludge batch, with 1 to 3 heel dissolutions, about 60,000 kg of sodium oxalate entered the evaporator system, with most collecting in the drop tank, where they will remain until eventual salt heel removal. For each 6,000 kg of sodium oxalate in the drop tank, about 189,000 l of Saltstone feed would eventually be produced. Overall, except for corrosion-induced hydrogen, there were no significant process impacts that would forbid the use of oxalic acid in cleaning High Level Waste tanks. / MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES / M. Tech. (Chemical Engineering)

[pt] Esta dissertação analisa aspectos da utilização da energia solar para aquecimento de água. Dois são os aspectos abordados: O primeiro é quanto à utilização de valores médios mensais ou diários de temperatura e insolação utilizados por diversos métodos de dimensionamento ou simulação de sistemas de aquecimento solar, e o segundo é a utilização de múltiplos tanques de armazenamento de água quente ao invés de um único reservatório de maior volume. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo formular, simular e analisar diferentes cenários de configurações de sistemas de aquecimento solar de água, variando-se o número de reservatórios térmicos para um mesmo volume total do sistema. Tem-se por finalidade atender um mesmo padrão de consumo de água quente, condicionado a um mesmo perfil climático, visando otimizar a contribuição da energia solar ao sistema e consequentemente minimizar o consumo de energia auxiliar elétrica. / [en] This dissertation examines aspects of the use of solar energy for water heating. Two aspects are handled: The first is regarding the use of average monthly or daily values of temperature and insolation used by different scaling methods or simulation of solar water heating systems, and the second is the use of multiple hot water storage tanks instead of a single larger volume reservoir of water. Thus, this study aims to formulate, simulate and analyze different configurations of solar water heating systems scenarios, varying the number of thermal reservoirs for the same total volume of the system. It intends to satisfy the same standard of hot water consumption, under same climatic conditions to optimize the contribution of solar energy to the system and consequently minimize the consumption of electric auxiliary energy.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 IsauraRDF_DISSERT.pdf: 2736615 bytes, checksum: 4c91782fa2003c6205977c66818dc672 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The lack of treatment of domestic effluents as well as their inadequate disposal characterizes as an environmental and public health problem, this problem was identified at the headquarters of the Associação Comunitária Reciclando para a Vida – ACREVI, located in the periurban area of the municipality of Mossoró-RN, where about 20 associates live daily producing a considerable volume of gray water and throwing it in the open without any treatment. In view of the problems presented, a low cost system for the treatment of gray water was installed in ACREVI, aiming at the use of this effluent in the ornamental sunflower fertirrigation (Sol Noturno variety), which is a species differentiated by presenting reddish petals. This research had as main objective to evaluate the efficiency of the primary treatment in domestic effluents produced in ACREVI and to investigate its effects on ornamental sunflower fertirrigation. The treatment system consists of a masonry passage pa box, a two-chamber septic tank with a capacity of 1000 L, an anaerobic filter with a capacity of 500 L and a reservoir of 500 L. The physical, chemical, biochemical and microbiological analyzes of gray water were carried out monthly for 6 months before and after treatment. The experiment with ornamental sunflower was developed in protected environment, in randomized blocks with 5 treatments and 3 replicates. The treatment fertigation nutritive solutions consisted of the dilution of gray water in municipal supply water (75, 50 and 25%) and two controls (irrigation with 100% water supply and gray water irrigation - 100%). The development of the plant was monitored every 15 days after germination by means of the evaluation of the plant height, stem diameter, leaf number and leaf area parameters. In order to evaluate the production of flowers, the following variables were verified: external diameter of the chapter, number of petals in the chapter, beginning of flowering and duration after flowering. The leaf tissue of the sunflower was also analyzed to determine the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents of the plant. According to the analyzes performed in raw gray water and treated gray water, the treatment system proved to be efficient in removing the main pollutants. The use of gray water in ornamental sunflower fertirrigation did not interfere in the growth variables, as well as the indicators of flower production quality. The decreasing order of nutrient uptake by the sunflower leaf was Ca> N> K> Mg> P. Finally, it can be concluded that the treated gray water can be used in the crude form in the ornamental sunflower fertirrigation without causing production losses and without compromising the quality of the flowers / A falta de tratamento dos efluentes domésticos bem como sua destinação inadequada caracteriza-se como um problema ambiental e de saúde púbica, este problema foi identificado na sede da Associação Comunitária Reciclando para a Vida – ACREVI, localizada na área periurbana do município de Mossoró-RN, onde cerca de 20 associados convivem diariamente produzindo um volume considerável de água cinza e lançando-a a céu aberto sem nenhum tratamento. Diante da problemática apresentada, foi instalado um sistema de baixo custo para o tratamento da água cinza na ACREVI visando a utilização deste efluente na fertirrigação do girassol ornamental (variedade Sol Noturno), que é uma espécie diferenciada por apresentar pétalas em tons avermelhados. Esta pesquisa teve como principal objetivo avaliar a eficiência do tratamento primário em efluentes domésticos produzidos na ACREVI e investigar seus efeitos na ferirrigação de girassol ornamental. O sistema de tratamento é composto por uma caixa de passagem de alvenaria, um tanque séptico de duas câmaras com capacidade para 1000 L, um filtro anaeróbio com capacidade de 500 L e um reservatório de 500 L. Foram realizadas análises físicas, químicas, bioquímicas e microbiológicas da água cinza mensalmente, durante 6 meses antes e após o tratamento. O experimento com girassol ornamental foi desenvolvido em ambiente protegido, em blocos casualizados com 5 tratamentos e três repetições. Os tratamentos soluções nutritiva de fertirrigação consistiram da diluição de água cinza em água de abastecimento municipal (75, 50 e 25%) e duas testemunhas (irrigação com água de abastecimento – 100% e irrigação com água cinza – 100%). O desenvolvimento da planta foi monitorado a cada 15 dias após a germinação por meio da avaliação dos parâmetros altura de planta, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas e área foliar. Para avaliar a produção de flores foram verificadas as variáveis: diâmetro externo do capítulo, número de pétalas no capítulo, início do florescimento e a duração pós o florescimento. Realizou-se ainda a análise do tecido foliar do girassol para determinar os teores de N, P, K, Ca e Mg absorvidos ela planta. De acordo com as análises realizadas na água cinza bruta e na água cinza tratada, o sistema de tratamento mostrou-se eficiente na remoção dos principais poluentes. A utilização de água cinza na fertirrigação do girassol ornamental não interferiu nas variáveis de crescimento, bem como nos indicadores de qualidade de produção de flores. A ordem decrescente da absorção dos nutrientes pela folha do girassol foi Ca>N>K>Mg>P. Por fim, pode-se concluir que a água cinza tratada pode ser utilizada na forma bruta na fertirrigação do girassol ornamental sem causar perdas de produção e sem comprometer qualidade das flores / 2017-09-06

Le micromélange, ou mélange à l'échelle moléculaire, a une influence déterminante sur la qualité des produits, la sélectivité, et le rendement de réactions d'importance industrielle comme les réactions de polymérisation. A l'heure actuelle, les systèmes chimiques existants sont bien adaptés à l'étude du micromélange de produits faiblement visqueux, mais il n'existe pas de méthode simple et opérationnelle pour les fluides plus visqueux. Inscrite dans le cadre du projet ANR PROCIP, l'étude a consisté à mettre en place une nouvelle méthode de quantification de l'efficacité du micromélange en milieu visqueux dans des réacteurs agités. La méthode utilisée s'inspire d'un système chimique basé sur deux réactions concurrentes, le système de réaction test iodure-iodate, dont la sélectivité d'un des produits est une mesure de l'efficacité du micromélange. L'approche propose un nouveau protocole basé sur le choix d'un tampon phosphate et l'utilisation de l'HydroxyEthylCellulose (HEC, 720 000 g/mol) comme agent viscosifiant inerte, qui possède un fort pouvoir viscosifiant permettant d'augmenter significativement la viscosité sans en ajouter plus de 1 % en masse dans le milieu. Des essais de caractérisation du micromélange en réacteur agité ont mis en évidence le ralentissement du micromélange au fur et à mesure que la viscosité augmente pour des pourcentages en HEC inférieurs à 0,5 %. Par contre, au-delà de 0,5 %, une « amélioration » du micromélange a été observée dans une large gamme de conditions expérimentales (différentes concentrations de réactifs, positions de l'injection, vitesses d'agitation et mobiles d'agitation). Plusieurs causes potentielles ont été formulées en vue d'expliquer ce phénomène et les cinétiques des réactions mises en jeu ont également été étudiées en présence de l'agent viscosifiant HEC et s'avèrent être inchangées. Enfin, une étude des interactions possibles entre les espèces iodées et l'HEC a été réalisée pour étudier l'existence d'une réaction parasite qui pourrait expliquer les résultats obtenus / Micromixing, or mixing at the molecular scale, has a decisive influence on product quality, selectivity and yield of industrially important reactions such as polymerization reactions. Currently, the existing chemical systems are well suited to the study of micromixing of low viscosity products, but no reliable characterization method exists for highly viscous media. As a part of the ANR project PROCIP, the study consisted in developing a new method to quantify the efficiency of micromixing in viscous media in stirred reactors. The method used is inspired by a chemical system based on two competitive reactions, the iodide-iodate test reaction system whose selectivity of a product is a measure of the micromixing efficiency. The approach proposes a new protocol based on a phosphate buffer and the use of HydroxyEthylCellulose (HEC, 720,000 g / mol) as an inert viscosifying agent, enabling to significantly increase the viscosity without adding more than 1 % by mass in the medium. Characterization of micromixing in a stirred reactor showed the slowing down of micromixing as viscosity increases for percentages of HEC below 0.5 %. By contrast, above 0.5 %, an "improvement" of micromixing has been observed in a wide range of experimental conditions (different concentrations of reactants, injection positions, stirring speeds and impellers). Several possible causes have been made to explain this phenomenon unexpected and the kinetics of the reactions involved were also studied in the presence of the viscosifying agent HEC and appeared to be unchanged. Finally, a study of possible interactions between iodine species and HEC was performed to study the existence of a secondary reaction which could explain the results

A bovinocultura de leite é importante para o abastecimento do mercado interno brasileiro, tendo o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul como o segundo maior produtor. Doenças virais ocasionam diversos prejuízos na cadeia de produção bovina. Com o objetivo de manter e aprimorar o nível de produção, torna-se importante estabelecer programas sanitários que permitam o controle de doenças que possam resultar em grandes perdas econômicas. Para o sucesso de tais programas, é importante levar em consideração o conhecimento da epidemiologia da doença em conjunto com técnicas laboratoriais adequadas, além de buscar fatores associados à permanência do vírus no rebanho Os objetivos desse estudo foram o de avaliar a prevalência e fatores de risco do vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) e herpervirus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) em rebanhos leiteiros não vacinados de uma cooperativa de produtores de leite no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Amostras de tanques de leite de 281 rebanhos leiteiros selecionados de forma aleatória simples foram testados para anticorpos contra o BVDV utilizando um kit comercial de ELISA e contra glicoproteína B do BoHV-1 através de um kit comercial de ELISA de bloqueio. Em cada propriedade avaliada, aplicou-se um questionário epidemiológico para investigar os fatores de risco para estas doenças. Uma prevalência de rebanho de 42,70% (120/281; IC 95%: 36% - 48%) para infecção pelo BVDV e de 27,88% (75/269; IC 95%: 22% - 33%) para infecção pelo BoHV-1 foram encontradas na população estudada. Dentre os fatores de risco avaliados, a utilização de inseminação artificial foi considerado como fator de risco para infecção pelo vírus da diarreia viral bovina e possuir suínos na propriedade foi considerado como fator de proteção para infecção pelo herpesvirus bovino tipo 1. O presente estudo identificou 10,3% de rebanhos com infecção ativa de BVDV e uma prevalência moderada para ambas as doenças em uma população de pequenos rebanhos leiteiros criados em sistemas semi-intensivos de produção que não utilizam medidas específicas de controle de infecção. / The dairy cattle is important to supply the Brazilian market, with the state of Rio Grande do Sul as the second largest producer. Viral diseases cause several damages in the bovine production. In order to maintain and improve the level of production, it becomes important to establish health programs that allow the control of diseases that can result in large economic losses. For the success of such programs, it is important to take into account the knowledge of the epidemiology of the disease in conjunction with appropriate laboratory techniques, and risk factors associated with persistence of the virus in the herd. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and risk factors for the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) in unvaccinated dairy herds of a cooperative of milk producers in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Bulk tank milk samples from 281 dairy herds selected by simple random sampling were tested for BVDV antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit and against the glycoprotein B of BoHV-1 using a commercial ELISA kit of blocking. In each assessed property, we applied an epidemiological questionnaire to investigate risk factors for these diseases. A herd prevalence of 42.70% (120/281, 95% CI: 36% - 48%) for BVDV infection and 27.88% (75/269, 95% CI: 22% - 33%) for BoHV-1 were observed in the studied population. Among the risk factors evaluated, the use of artificial insemination was considered as a risk factor for infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus and pigs on the property have been considered as a protective factor for infection by bovine herpesvirus type 1. The present study identified 10.3% of herds with active BVDV infection and a moderate prevalence for both diseases in a population of small dairy herds reared in semi-intensive systems of production which do not use specific measures to control infection.

O vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) causa uma das doenças mais importantes de bovinos em termos de custos econômicos e sociais, uma vez que é largamente disseminado na população de gado leiteiro. Os objetivos do trabalho foram estimar a prevalência em nível de rebanho e investigar fatores associados aos níveis de anticorpos em leite de tanque através de um estudo de caso-controle pareado, bem como discutir estratégias de construção de modelos. Para estimar a prevalência de rebanho, amostras de tanque de leite foram selecionadas aleatoriamente (n = 314) de uma população (N = 1604). A prevalência real de BVDV foi de 24,3% (IC95% = 20,1-29,3%). Para o estudo de caso-controle, rebanhos positivos para BVDV (altos níveis de anticorpos) foram classificados como casos (n = 21) e pareados (n = 63) por produção de leite com rebanhos que apresentaram baixos títulos de anticorpos (razão 1:3). Para análise, três modelos multivariáveis foram construídos: 1) modelo completo, onde todas as 21 variáveis independentes foram oferecidas, e dois modelos foram criados de acordo com conhecimento empírico e similaridades entre as variáveis independentes, 2) modelo de fatores animais e 3) modelo de biossegurança. Um questionário foi aplicado (n = 84) para obtenção de informações a respeito de possíveis fatores de risco para BVDV. O modelo completo (Modelo 1) identificou as seguintes variáveis: idade com critério de eliminação (OR = 0,10; IC95% = 0,02 – 0,39; P < 0,01); propriedades que forneceram leite a outras cooperativas anteriormente (OR = 4,13; IC95% = 1,17 - 14,49; P = 0,02) e a presença de piquete de isolamento para animais doentes (OR = 0,14; IC95% = 0,01 – 0,26; P = 0,02). O modelo de biossegurança (Modelo 3) revelou uma associação significativa com o uso de monta natural (OR = 9,03; IC95% = 2,14 – 38,03; P < 0,01); presença de piquete de isolamento para animais doentes (OR = 0,06; IC95% = 0,05 – 0,83; P = 0,03); anos fornecendo leite para a mesma cooperativa (OR = 0,94; IC95% = 0,91 – 0,97; P < 0,01) e contato direto pela cerca entre bovinos de propriedades vizinhas (OR = 5,78; IC95% = 1,41 – 23,67; P = 0,04). O modelo de biossegurança pode ser considerado o “melhor”, pois obteve AIC = 43,880 e BIC = 48,058 menores quando comparado com o modelo completo que obteve AIC = 50,445 e BIC = 53,779. Esta dissertação tem a intenção de promover a discussão sobre as estratégias de construção de modelos especialmente quando se trata de saúde animal. Recomenda-se a aplicação de agrupamento de variáveis independentes como uma boa alternativa na construção de modelos, uma vez que este processo pode levar a uma melhor compreensão a respeito da associação entre cause e efeito de doenças. / Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes one of the most important diseases of cattle in terms of economic costs and welfare, since it is widespread in the dairy cattle population. The aims were to estimate herd prevalence and investigate factors associated with antibodies in bulk tank milk (BTM) in dairy herds through a matched case-control design as well as discuss model-building strategies. To estimate herd prevalence, BTM samples were randomly selected (n = 314) from a population (N = 1604). The true prevalence of BVDV was 24.3% (CI95% = 20.1 - 29.3%). For the case-control study, BVDV antibody-positive herds (high antibody titers) were classified as cases (n = 21) and matched (n = 63) by milk production with herds presenting low antibody titers (ratio of 1:3). For analysis, three multivariable models were built: 1) full model, holding all 21 independent variables; and two models divided according to empirical knowledge and similarity among independent variables, i.e., 2) animal factor model and 3) biosecurity model. A questionnaire was applied (n = 84) to get information about possible BVDV risk factors. The full model (model 1) identified the following variables: age as a culling criteria (OR = 0.10; IC95% = 0.02 – 0.39; P < 0.01); farms that provided milk to other industries previously (OR = 4.13; IC95% = 1.17 – 14.49; P = 0.02); and isolation paddocks for ill animals (OR = 0.14; IC95% = 0.01 – 0.26; P = 0.02). The biosecurity model (model 3) revealed a significant association with the use of natural mating (OR = 9.03; IC95% = 2.14 – 38.03; P < 0.01); isolation paddocks for ill animals (OR = 0.06; IC95% = 0.05 – 0.83; P = 0.03); years providing milk for the same industry (OR = 0.94; CI95% = 0.89 - 0.99; P = 0.02); and direct contact over fences among cattle of neighboring farms (OR = 5.78; IC95% = 1.41 – 23.67; P = 0.04). The biosecurity model could be considered the “best” since AIC = 43,880 and BIC = 48,058 when compared with the full model where AIC = 50,445 and BIC = 53,579. This paper intends to promote discussion about the model-building strategy when animal-health-modeling is on the line. We recommend the application of grouping predictors as a good choice for model building since it could lead to a better understanding of disease-exposure associations.

Un grand nombre d’industries (chimiques, pharmaceutiques et agroalimentaires) utilisent, produisent ou transforment des fluides complexes. Ce sont des fluides à viscosité élevée, souvent de comportement non-Newtonien. Leur préparation nécessite souvent une étape de chauffe suivie d’une étape de refroidissement. La chauffe est indispensable afin de faciliter la fabrication (réaction chimique et/ou transformation physico-chimique). Le refroidissement, ou encore l’étape de finition, consiste à amener les fluides jusqu’à une température proche de la température ambiante pour aborder l'étape de conditionnement. Le refroidissement est le plus souvent réalisé « in situ » dans la même cuve agitée, équipée d’une double enveloppe (utilisée pour la fabrication), mais des technologies en continu peuvent également être envisagées. Ces travaux de thèse portent sur la mise en place d’une méthodologie de pilotage de la vitesse d’agitation lors du refroidissement de fluides complexes dans des cuves agitées, ainsi que sur la comparaison des performances de la cuve agitée avec celles du mélangeur statique. Deux fluides de travail sont testés : Newtonien et viscoplastique, en régime d’écoulement laminaire et transitoire. Nous déterminons les limites de l’influence de l’agitation sur le transfert thermique, la durée de l’opération et la quantité d’énergie consommée. En premier lieu, le refroidissement est étudié à l’échelle laboratoire (réacteur de 0,6L). Il a été constaté que le changement de la vitesse d’agitation au cours du refroidissement affecte le profil de température. Cela a un impact avantageux sur le coût énergétique et/ ou la durée de refroidissement. Les tendances observées à l’échelle laboratoire sont transposées et validées à l’échelle pilote (réacteur de 60L). Puis deux types de mélangeurs statiques sont étudiés comme technologie en continu. Nous établissons des modèles de perte de charge que nous utilisons dans la détermination de l’énergie dépensée pour le refroidissement. Ensuite nous réalisons une comparaison de leurs performances en fonction des facteurs d’efficacité de transfert thermique et de consommation énergétique. Enfin, une brève analyse comparée est exposée, présentant les divers critères de choix entre la cuve agitée et la technologie en continu. / Highly viscous Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids are frequently encountered in the process industries (like pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics). The preparing of such products involves heating and cooling steps. The heating stage is essential in order to facilitate the production (chemical reaction and/or physico-chemical transformation). The cooling step, named also final stage, leads the fluids to ambient temperature and prepares them for the conditioning. The cooling is mostly realized "in situ" in the same double jacketed stirred vessel, (used for the manufacturing), but continuous technologies may also be employed. This study aims to investigate the cooling of highly viscous fluids, and intends to define the best conditions for controlling the impeller speed (constant or variable) in a stirred vessel, as well as to compare the performances of the stirred vessel with those of the static mixer. Two fluids are tested: a Newtonian and a Non-Newtonian yield-stress fluid, in laminar and transitional conditions. The limits of the influence of the impeller speed on the heat transfer, the duration and the energy consumption are determined. In a first approach, the cooling is studied at small scale (0,6L vessel). The variation of the impeller speed during the cooling, affects the profile of temperature. This type of procedure has an advantageous impact on the energy cost and / or the duration of the cooling. The observed tendencies at a small scale are transposed and validated at a pilot scale (60L vessel). Two types of static mixers are studied as continuous technology. Models of pressure drop are established, which are used further in the determination of the energy consumption for the cooling. The performances of these two static mixers are compared, according to the factors of heat transfer efficiency and energy consumption. Finally, a brief comparative analysis is exposed, presenting diverse criteria of choice between the stirred tank and the continuous technology.