Sensors for Cryogenic Isotope-Separation Column

Cryogenic isotope-separation equipment is special, encountered in relative few research centers in the world. In addition to the main equipment used in the operation column, a broad range of measuring devices and actuators are involved in the technological process. The proper sensors and transducers exhibit special features; therefore, common, industrial versions cannot be used. Three types of original sensors with electronic adapters are presented in the present study: a sensor for the liquid carbon monoxide level in the boiler, a sensor for the liquid nitrogen level in the condenser and a sensor for the electrical power dissipated in the boiler. The integration of these sensors in the pilot equipment is needed for comprehensive system monitoring and control. The sensors were tested on the experimental equipment from the National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies from Cluj-Napoca

Optimal Control of the Carbon Isotopes Cryogenic Separation Process

The most important demand in an efficient carbon isotope separation is to keep the cryogenic distillation column parameters at their required set points, despite disturbances or uncertainties. One of the key parameters is the column temperature that has a direct influence on the carbon separation coefficient. The nonlinear model of the separation process considers the top and bottom column temperature evolution and their influence on the isotope separation rate. The optimal controller designed in this paper effectively maintains the column temperature at constant levels, rejecting disturbances, for a significant range of model uncertainties

Modelling and Calculation of Raw Material Industry

The raw materials industry is widely considered to be too environmentally costly, and causing more losses than benefits. The responsible solving of the problems caused by this industry is not “exporting” its operations to less developed countries, but addressing all recognized hazards with dedicated technological developments. Such an approach is presented by the authors of this book. The contributions deal with the optimization of processes in the raw materials industry, obtaining energy from alternative fuels, researching the environmental aspects of industrial activities. This book determines some guidelines for the sustainable raw materials industry, describing methods of the optimized use of mined deposits and the recovery of materials, reductions in energy consumption and the recuperation of energy, minimizations in the emissions of pollutants, the perfection of quieter and safer processes, and the facilitation of modern materials-, water-, and energy-related techniques and technologies

Biogeochemical characterisation of extreme environments

There is currently a considerable interest in characterising extreme environments, since they offer the opportunity to envision practical applications and to understand microbial diversity as an adaptive response that reflects environmental diversity. It is now well recognized that microorganisms thrive in extreme conditions such as contaminated soils/sediments and the pressurised depth of the Earth. Morphological, physiological, biochemical and genetic adaptations to extreme environments by these microorganisms have generated immense interest amongst scientists who continuously discover new occurrences and modes of microbial life on Earth. In this thesis, biogeochemical processes are investigated in two different extreme environments. (i) The deep biosphere, with a focus on shale gas basin and coal-bed methane (CBM). These environments are currently gaining momentum across the scientific community for the production of gaseous fuel. (i) [sic] Coal tar-contaminated soil and concentrated organic-phase coal tar, which was studied for bioremediation purposes. The core of this thesis consists of three articles dedicated to combination of different molecular and chromatographic methods of experimentation, analysis and interpretation. These include molecular tools such as DNA extraction techniques, PCR, 454-pyrosequencing and culturing-based approaches. The chemical experiments were metabolomic and isotopic chromatographic analyses. This study presented an extensive review of the biogeochemistry of unconventional gas systems, which provide an improved level of information of such environments. A robust culture-independent methodology was developed for the characterisation of microbial life in extreme environments, which was applied to describe, for the first time, the presence of bacteria in concentrated organic-phase coal tar. The deep sequencing methods were then used in combination with multidimensional compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to investigate community structure. The combined approach of deep sequencing methods with multidimensional CSIA was confirmed by statistics. Thus, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multidimentional CSIA, can be applied to investigate microbial community structure in extreme environments.There is currently a considerable interest in characterising extreme environments, since they offer the opportunity to envision practical applications and to understand microbial diversity as an adaptive response that reflects environmental diversity. It is now well recognized that microorganisms thrive in extreme conditions such as contaminated soils/sediments and the pressurised depth of the Earth. Morphological, physiological, biochemical and genetic adaptations to extreme environments by these microorganisms have generated immense interest amongst scientists who continuously discover new occurrences and modes of microbial life on Earth. In this thesis, biogeochemical processes are investigated in two different extreme environments. (i) The deep biosphere, with a focus on shale gas basin and coal-bed methane (CBM). These environments are currently gaining momentum across the scientific community for the production of gaseous fuel. (i) [sic] Coal tar-contaminated soil and concentrated organic-phase coal tar, which was studied for bioremediation purposes. The core of this thesis consists of three articles dedicated to combination of different molecular and chromatographic methods of experimentation, analysis and interpretation. These include molecular tools such as DNA extraction techniques, PCR, 454-pyrosequencing and culturing-based approaches. The chemical experiments were metabolomic and isotopic chromatographic analyses. This study presented an extensive review of the biogeochemistry of unconventional gas systems, which provide an improved level of information of such environments. A robust culture-independent methodology was developed for the characterisation of microbial life in extreme environments, which was applied to describe, for the first time, the presence of bacteria in concentrated organic-phase coal tar. The deep sequencing methods were then used in combination with multidimensional compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to investigate community structure. The combined approach of deep sequencing methods with multidimensional CSIA was confirmed by statistics. Thus, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multidimentional CSIA, can be applied to investigate microbial community structure in extreme environments

In-Situ Mass Spectrometry Analysis Under Ambient Conditions

Mass Spectrometry (MS) is an important analytical tool in the identification and quantification of a wide range of samples, primarily because of its speed, sensitivity, selectivity and versatility in analysing, gases, solids and liquids. MS is an interdisciplinary analytical tool, impacting many areas of science from physics, through chemistry, to biology. However MS is mainly limited to laboratory settings due to the high vacuum requirement needed for ion generation and processing. The main theme of this work is the development of ionisation methods that enable ion generation and processing under ambient conditions in the open air outside of the laboratory for in-situ applications. To that end, it is also important that ions are generated and processed with little or no extensive sample preparation steps required. In this work the development of two ambient ionisation methods: desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (DAPCI) and paper spray (PS) ionisation and their application for in-situ MS analysis is demonstrated. A DAPCI handheld ion source version based on DAPCI was developed to ignite a corona discharge in air and operates for up to 12 h continuously using only 12 V battery. Both DAPCI and PS ambient ionisation methods were implemented for in-situ MS analysis and were used to detect trace amounts (< ng) of different classes of chemical compounds (i.e hydrocarbons, explosives corrosion inhibitors and metaldehyde in waters samples); this was achieved rapidly (i.e. less than 1 minute) with little or no sample preparation in the open air. Both ambient ionisation methods (i.e., DAPCI and PS) were used with either a commercial instrument or with a custom miniature mass spectrometer to identify and characterize traces amounts of petroleum oil hydrocarbons and additives (e.g. quaternary ammonium corrosion inhibitors), and water pollutants (e.g. metaldehyde) with high sensitivity and selectivity. The handheld DAPCI and PS methods were also applied to the in-situ direct analysis of explosives. Good performance was achieved with the miniaturised instrument giving detection limits within an order of magnitude to those achieved using a benchtop commercial instrument. The results reported in this thesis should be of importance to those interested in ambient ionisation mass spectrometry, miniature mass spectrometry, in-situ MS analysis, oilfield chemical analysis, homeland and border security agencies and environmental monitoring

Production of renewable chemicals and energy from waste biomass

With the rapid growth of world population and developing industries, the production of wastes has dramatically increased in the past decades. Due to environmental concerns and limited landfill space, the disposal of wastes has been subjected to strict regulations. Beneficial uses of wastes such as recycling/reuse, land applications, energy production, and resource recovery have been advocated greatly. This thesis presents the utilization of two types of solid waste: lignin and waste paper/plastic. Through thermochemical conversion, wastes can be converted to chemicals and energy. This aims at reducing the energy dependence on fossil fuels while achieving effective waste management. Lignin is the main byproduct from pulping and paper industry and is usually combusted to provide the heat for the pulping process. However, its poly-methoxylated phenylpropane structure makes lignin a potential natural source for phenolic and aromatic chemicals. Obtaining high yield of chemicals from lignin is a challenge due to its complex structure and unreactive nature. In this thesis, the pyrolysis of lignin extracted from maple wood and a β-O-4 oligomeric lignin model compound is presented. Advanced analytical techniques were utilized to obtain a comprehensive characterization of pyrolysis products. The results show that carbon concentrated solid char is the major pyrolysis product for both extracted lignin and β-O-4 oligomeric lignin model compound. Reaction chemistry is proposed based on a free radical reaction mechanism. Additionally, a new coal combustion technology utilizing Re-Engineered FeedstockTM (ReEF), was evaluated for pulverized coal combustion emission control. The ReEF consists of non-recyclable fibers/plastics and commercialized flue gas desulfurization (FGD) sorbent. This novel feedstock is combusted to produce energy while capturing the sulfur dioxide generated during coal combustion. It is demonstrated that up to 85% of sulfur dioxide reduction was achieved when co-firing coal with ReEF in a lab scale fluidized bed combustor. Through the kinetics study, combustion of waste fibers/plastics accelerates the sorbent sintering in ReEF which leads to a lower total sulfur uptake compared with pure FGD sorbent. However, the time of maximum reaction rate of sorbent sulfation is delayed in ReEF which indicates the ReEF can prevent the sorbent from early time sulfation. The application of ReEF will have positive impacts on the environment and society by supplementing coal combustion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing wastes that will go to landfill