Slow pyrolysis as a method for the destruction of Japanese wireweed, Sargassum muticum

Japanese wireweed, Sargassum muticum is an invasive species to Great Britain, which might be controlled by harvesting it for energy and chemicals. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of the organic components of dry biomass by heating in the absence of air. The distribution of matter between solid, liquid and syngas depends on the biomass and the pyrolysis temperature and time. Slow pyrolysis with lower temperatures (~ 400 oC) tends to produce more solid char. Pyrolysis char can be an effective soil ameliorant, a sequestration agent due to its stability or burned as a fuel. The research attempts to answer the question: Could slow pyrolysis be an energy efficient means for the destruction of Japanese wireweed and produce a potential product, biochar? A simple test rig was developed to establish the yield of biochar, biocrude and syngas from the slow pyrolysis of Sargassum muticum. An energy balance was calculated using compositional data from the analysis of the seaweed feedstock, higher heating values (HHV) from bomb-calorimetry and literature values. The energy required to heat 1 kg of dry seaweed by 400 oC for slow pyrolysis was estimated at 0.5 MJ. The HHV of syngas and biocrude produced from the pyrolysis totalled 2.9 MJ. There is, therefore, sufficient energy in the biocrude and syngas fractions produced by the pyrolysis of seaweed to power the process and produce useful biochar, but insufficient energy for drying

Some novel aspects of DC and AC powder electroluminescence (DCEL)

A comparison of phosphor preparation methods was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence measurements were used to evaluate the methods. The most suitable for DC electroluminescence (DCEL) was found to be a thioacetamide synthesis. The DCEL forming process was investigated using Laser-Raman spectroscopy. This showed no changes in copper concentration in the formed layer of a DCEL device following the forming process, suggesting that the forming process may be due to oxidation. Indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive-coated plastic was used successfully as a replacement for ITO-coated glass in DCEL devices and methods were developed for the use of cross-linked linseed oil as a binder in DCEL panels, producing a very flexible phosphor/binder layer. The feasibility of producing infra-red emitting electroluminescent devices for particular applications was investigated. ZnCdS: Cu layers were incorporated into DCEL, and ACEL devices. The DCEL devices showed a strong photoelectric effect. The ACEL devices produced infra-red emission. Further investigation of the photoelectric effect in DCEL and ACEL devices was carried out and work functions were determined for a variety of systems

Some novel aspects of DC and AC powder electroluminescence (DCEL)

A comparison of phosphor preparation methods was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence measurements were used to evaluate the methods. The most suitable for DC electroluminescence (DCEL) was found to be a thioacetamide synthesis. The DCEL forming process was investigated using Laser-Raman spectroscopy. This showed no changes in copper concentration in the formed layer of a DCEL device following the forming process, suggesting that the forming process may be due to oxidation. Indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive-coated plastic was used successfully as a replacement for ITO-coated glass in DCEL devices and methods were developed for the use of cross-linked linseed oil as a binder in DCEL panels, producing a very flexible phosphor/binder layer. The feasibility of producing infra-red emitting electroluminescent devices for particular applications was investigated. ZnCdS: Cu layers were incorporated into DCEL, and ACEL devices. The DCEL devices showed a strong photoelectric effect. The ACEL devices produced infra-red emission. Further investigation of the photoelectric effect in DCEL and ACEL devices was carried out and work functions were determined for a variety of systems.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo