Investigation of alternative supplementary cementitious materials and a new method to produce them

Zementklinker ist der Hauptbestandteil von Zement und verbraucht zu dessen Herstellung signifikante Mengen von natürlichen Ressourcen und trägt gleichzeitig zu seiner sehr ungünstigen Treibhausgasbilanz bei. In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt, dass Zementersatzstoffe mit spezifischen Eigenschaften aus Abfallstoffen wie Kieswaschschlämmen, Strassenwaschschlämmen und Gipskartonplatten ohne Leistungseinbußen auf Produktseite, bei geringeren Temperaturen und geringerer CO2 Emission hergestellt werden können. Entsprechend den angestrebten Eigenschaften solcher zum Teil anthropogener Zementbestandteile wurden lokal verfügbare geeignete Abfallstoffe ausgewählt und thermisch aktiviert. Eine industriell anwendbare Methode zur Aktivierung solcher Stoffe bei Temperaturen von 700 °C – 850 °C wurde entwickelt und patentiert. Es basiert auf einem neu entwickelten Trocknungsverfahren und der Kombination von zwei Produktionslinien, um durch die Verknüpfung der Gasströme beider Systeme eine energieeffiziente thermische Behandlung von Abfallstoffen zu ermöglichen sowie auf umweltfreundliche Weise einen Zementersatzstoff herzustellen.:Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Abbreviations Glossary Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Motivation 1.2 Research hypotheses and objectives 1.3 Research methodology 1.4 Thesis outline Chapter 2: State of the art in SCM production 2.1 Supplementary cementitious materials 2.2 Classification of SCMs 2.2.1 Classification according to origin 2.2.2 Classification according to reaction behaviour 2.3 Chemical composition of SCMs 2.4 Formation of hydraulic or pozzolanic minerals in thermal processes 2.4.1 Cement clinker 2.4.2 Burnt oil shale 2.4.3 Fly ash 2.4.4 Calcined clay 2.5 Performance of composite cements 2.6 Calcining technologies 2.6.1 Flash calciner 2.6.2 Rotary calciner 2.7 Comparison of process technologies 2.8 Summary of Chapter 2 Chapter 3: Alternative SCMs and a new method for activation 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Target of alternative SCM 3.3 Waste materials 3.3.1 Aggregate washing sludge 3.3.2 Road cleaning sludge 3.3.3 Deconstruction gypsum 3.4 Producing alternative SCMs 3.5 Thermal activation of alternative SCMs 3.6 Limitations in current calcining technology 3.6.1 Difficult emission control 3.6.1.1 Particulate emission 3.6.1.2 Gaseous emission 3.6.2 Challenging material preparation 3.6.3 Demand for noble fuels 3.6.4 Difficult colour control 3.6.5 Strict temperature control 3.6.6 CO2 footprint of calciners 3.7 Proposed new method of calcination 3.7.1 Feed material handling 3.7.2 Thermal heat-exchange system 3.7.3 Clay calciner design 3.7.4 Grinding 3.8 Summary Chapter 3 Chapter 4: Theoretical Considerations 4.1 Material considerations 4.1.1 Composition of alternative SCM 4.1.2 Anticipated products and characteristics 4.2 Process considerations 4.2.1 System capacity 4.2.2 Material characteristics 4.2.3 Material receiving, crushing and handling 4.2.4 Thermodynamic modelling 4.2.4.1 Mass balance 4.2.4.2 Drying and cooling heat balance 4.2.4.3 Calcination heat balance 4.2.4.4 Gas balance 4.2.4.5 Impact on clinker kiln line 4.2.4.6 Impact of calcite on the gas balance 4.2.5 Calciner design 4.2.6 Colour control 4.2.7 Emission prediction 4.2.7.1 Emission during drying 4.2.7.2 Emission during calcination 4.2.8 CO2 footprint of produced material 4.2.9 Grinding requirements 4.3 Summary of Chapter 4 Chapter 5: Experimental tests and proof of concept 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Sampling and characterization 5.2.1 Kaolinitic AWS from France 5.2.2 Non-kaolinitic AWS from Switzerland 5.2.3 Road cleaning sludges from Switzerland 5.2.4 Deconstruction gypsum from Switzerland 5.2.5 Sample preparation and shipping 5.3 Drying screw conveyor testing 5.4 Calcination testing 5.4.1 Mineralogy of activated products 5.4.1.1 Non-kaolinitic SCM 5.4.1.2 Kaolinitic AWS from France 5.4.2 Colour 5.5 Crushing tests 5.6 Grinding tests 5.7 Mortar compressive strength testing 5.8 Water demand testing 5.9 Summary of Chapter 5 Chapter 6: Experimental results 6.1 Characteristics of activated materials 6.2 Concrete performance and colour 6.2.1 Thermally activated kaolinitic AWS from France 6.2.2 Thermally activated non-kaolinitic alternative SCM from Switzerland 6.3 Equipment dimensioning 6.3.1 Process mass flow 6.3.2 Heat-exchanging screws and thermal oil system 6.3.3 Rotary calciner dimensioning 6.3.4 Ball mill dimensioning 6.4 CO2 reduction 6.5 Summary of Chapter 6 Chapter 7: Conclusion and outlook 7.1 Conclusions 7.2 Outlook. Literatur

A Convenient Category of Domains

We motivate and define a category of "topological domains", whose objects are certain topological spaces, generalising the usual $omega$-continuous dcppos of domain theory. Our category supports all the standard constructions of domain theory, including the solution of recursive domain equations. It also supports the construction of free algebras for (in)equational theories, provides a model of parametric polymorphism, and can be used as the basis for a theory of computability. This answers a question of Gordon Plotkin, who asked whether it was possible to construct a category of domains combining such properties

Physiological concentrations of bile acids down-regulate agonist induced secretion in colonic epithelial cells

In patients with bile acid malabsorption, high concentrations of bile acids enter the colon and stimulate Cl− and fluid secretion, thereby causing diarrhoea. However, deoxycholic acid (DCA), the predominant colonic bile acid, is normally present at lower concentrations where its role in regulating transport is unclear. Thus, the current study set out to investigate the effects of physiologically relevant DCA concentrations on colonic epithelial secretory function. Cl− secretion was measured as changes in short-circuit current across voltage-clamped T84 cell monolayers. At high concentrations (0.5–1 mM), DCA acutely stimulated Cl− secretion but this effect was associated with cell injury, as evidenced by decreased transepithelial resistance (TER) and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In contrast, chronic (24 hrs) exposure to lower DCA concentrations (10–200 μM) inhibited responses to Ca2+ and cAMP-dependent secretagogues without altering TER, LDH release, or secretagogue-induced increases in intracellular second messengers. Other bile acids – taurodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid – had similar antisecretory effects. DCA (50 μM) rapidly stimulated phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and both ERK and p38 MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases). The EGFr inhibitor, AG1478, and the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, reversed the antisecretory effects of DCA, while the MAPK inhibitors, PD98059 and SB203580, did not. In summary, our studies suggest that, in contrast to its acute prosecretory effects at pathophysiological concentrations, lower, physiologically relevant, levels of DCA chronically down-regulate colonic epithelial secretory function. On the basis of these data, we propose a novel role for bile acids as physiological regulators of colonic secretory capacity

Limited Alpine Climatic Warming and Modeled Phenology Advancement for Three Alpine Species in the Northeast United States

Premise of the study: Most alpine plants in the Northeast United States are perennial and flower early in the growing season, extending their limitedgrowing season. Concurrently, they risk the loss of reproductive efforts to late frosts. Quantifying long-term trends in northeastern alpine flower phenology and late-spring/early-summer frost risk is limited by a dearth of phenology and climate data, except for Mount Washington, New Hampshire (1916 m a.s.l.). Methods: Logistic phenology models for three northeastern US alpinespecies (Diapensia lapponica, Carex bigelowii and Vaccinium vitis-idaea) were developed from 4 yr (2008–2011) of phenology and air temperature measurements from 12 plots proximate to Mount Washington’s long-term summit meteorological station. Plot-level air temperature, the logistic phenology models, and Mount Washington’s climate data were used to hindcast model yearly (1935–2011) floral phenology and frost damage risk for the focal species. Key results: Day of year and air growing degree-days with threshold temperatures of −4°C (D. lapponica and C. bigelowii) and −2°C (V. vitis-idaea) best predicted flowering. Modeled historic flowering dates trended significantly earlier but the 77-yr change was small (1.2–2.1 d) and did not significantly increase early-flowering risk from late-spring/early-summer frost damage. Conclusions: Modeled trends in phenological advancement and sensitivity for three northeastern alpine species are less pronounced compared with lower elevations in the region, and this small shift in flower timing did not increase risk of frost damage. Potential reasons for limited earlier phenological advancement at higher elevations include a slower warming trend and increased cloud exposure with elevation and/or inadequate chilling requirements

K-ras mutations in sinonasal cancers in relation to wood dust exposure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cancer in the sinonasal tract is rare, but persons who have been occupationally exposed to wood dust have a substantially increased risk. It has been estimated that approximately 3.6 million workers are exposed to inhalable wood dust in EU. In previous small studies of this cancer, <it>ras </it>mutations were suggested to be related to wood dust exposure, but these studies were too limited to detect statistically significant associations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined 174 cases of sinonasal cancer diagnosed in Denmark in the period from 1991 to 2001. To ensure uniformity, all histological diagnoses were carefully reviewed pathologically before inclusion. Paraffin embedded tumour samples from 58 adenocarcinomas, 109 squamous cell carcinomas and 7 other carcinomas were analysed for K-<it>ras </it>codon 12, 13 and 61 point mutations by restriction fragment length polymorphisms and direct sequencing. Information on occupational exposure to wood dust and to potential confounders was obtained from telephone interviews and from registry data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the patients in this study, exposure to wood dust was associated with a 21-fold increased risk of having an adenocarcinoma than a squamous cell carcinoma compared to unexposed [OR = 21.0, CI = 8.0–55.0]. K-<it>ras </it>was mutated in 13% of the adenocarcinomas (seven patients) and in 1% of squamous cell carcinomas (one patient). Of these eight mutations, five mutations were located in the codon 12. The exact sequence change of remaining three could not be identified unambiguously. Among the five identified mutations, the G→A transition was the most common, and it was present in tumour tissue from two wood dust exposed adenocarcinoma patients and one patient with unknown exposure. Previously published studies of sinonasal cancer also identify the GGT → GAT transition as the most common and often related to wood dust exposure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients exposed to wood dust seemed more likely to develop adenocarcinoma compared to squamous cell carcinomas. K-<it>ras </it>mutations were detected in 13% of adenocarcinomas. In this study and previously published studies of sinonasal cancer the found K-<it>ras </it>mutations, were almost exclusively G → A transitions. In conclusion, our study, based on a large representative collection of human SNC tumours, indicates that K-<it>ras </it>mutations are relatively infrequent, and most commonly occur in adenocarcinomas. Wood dust exposure alone was not found to be explanatory for the G→A mutations, but combination of exposure to tobacco, wood dust, and possibly other occupational agents may be a more likely explanation. Overall, the study suggests a limited role for K-<it>ras </it>mutations in development of sinonasal cancer.</p

Investigation of alternative supplementary cementitious materials and a new method to produce them

Zementklinker ist der Hauptbestandteil von Zement und verbraucht zu dessen Herstellung signifikante Mengen von natürlichen Ressourcen und trägt gleichzeitig zu seiner sehr ungünstigen Treibhausgasbilanz bei. In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt, dass Zementersatzstoffe mit spezifischen Eigenschaften aus Abfallstoffen wie Kieswaschschlämmen, Strassenwaschschlämmen und Gipskartonplatten ohne Leistungseinbußen auf Produktseite, bei geringeren Temperaturen und geringerer CO2 Emission hergestellt werden können. Entsprechend den angestrebten Eigenschaften solcher zum Teil anthropogener Zementbestandteile wurden lokal verfügbare geeignete Abfallstoffe ausgewählt und thermisch aktiviert. Eine industriell anwendbare Methode zur Aktivierung solcher Stoffe bei Temperaturen von 700 °C – 850 °C wurde entwickelt und patentiert. Es basiert auf einem neu entwickelten Trocknungsverfahren und der Kombination von zwei Produktionslinien, um durch die Verknüpfung der Gasströme beider Systeme eine energieeffiziente thermische Behandlung von Abfallstoffen zu ermöglichen sowie auf umweltfreundliche Weise einen Zementersatzstoff herzustellen.:Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Abbreviations Glossary Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Motivation 1.2 Research hypotheses and objectives 1.3 Research methodology 1.4 Thesis outline Chapter 2: State of the art in SCM production 2.1 Supplementary cementitious materials 2.2 Classification of SCMs 2.2.1 Classification according to origin 2.2.2 Classification according to reaction behaviour 2.3 Chemical composition of SCMs 2.4 Formation of hydraulic or pozzolanic minerals in thermal processes 2.4.1 Cement clinker 2.4.2 Burnt oil shale 2.4.3 Fly ash 2.4.4 Calcined clay 2.5 Performance of composite cements 2.6 Calcining technologies 2.6.1 Flash calciner 2.6.2 Rotary calciner 2.7 Comparison of process technologies 2.8 Summary of Chapter 2 Chapter 3: Alternative SCMs and a new method for activation 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Target of alternative SCM 3.3 Waste materials 3.3.1 Aggregate washing sludge 3.3.2 Road cleaning sludge 3.3.3 Deconstruction gypsum 3.4 Producing alternative SCMs 3.5 Thermal activation of alternative SCMs 3.6 Limitations in current calcining technology 3.6.1 Difficult emission control 3.6.1.1 Particulate emission 3.6.1.2 Gaseous emission 3.6.2 Challenging material preparation 3.6.3 Demand for noble fuels 3.6.4 Difficult colour control 3.6.5 Strict temperature control 3.6.6 CO2 footprint of calciners 3.7 Proposed new method of calcination 3.7.1 Feed material handling 3.7.2 Thermal heat-exchange system 3.7.3 Clay calciner design 3.7.4 Grinding 3.8 Summary Chapter 3 Chapter 4: Theoretical Considerations 4.1 Material considerations 4.1.1 Composition of alternative SCM 4.1.2 Anticipated products and characteristics 4.2 Process considerations 4.2.1 System capacity 4.2.2 Material characteristics 4.2.3 Material receiving, crushing and handling 4.2.4 Thermodynamic modelling 4.2.4.1 Mass balance 4.2.4.2 Drying and cooling heat balance 4.2.4.3 Calcination heat balance 4.2.4.4 Gas balance 4.2.4.5 Impact on clinker kiln line 4.2.4.6 Impact of calcite on the gas balance 4.2.5 Calciner design 4.2.6 Colour control 4.2.7 Emission prediction 4.2.7.1 Emission during drying 4.2.7.2 Emission during calcination 4.2.8 CO2 footprint of produced material 4.2.9 Grinding requirements 4.3 Summary of Chapter 4 Chapter 5: Experimental tests and proof of concept 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Sampling and characterization 5.2.1 Kaolinitic AWS from France 5.2.2 Non-kaolinitic AWS from Switzerland 5.2.3 Road cleaning sludges from Switzerland 5.2.4 Deconstruction gypsum from Switzerland 5.2.5 Sample preparation and shipping 5.3 Drying screw conveyor testing 5.4 Calcination testing 5.4.1 Mineralogy of activated products 5.4.1.1 Non-kaolinitic SCM 5.4.1.2 Kaolinitic AWS from France 5.4.2 Colour 5.5 Crushing tests 5.6 Grinding tests 5.7 Mortar compressive strength testing 5.8 Water demand testing 5.9 Summary of Chapter 5 Chapter 6: Experimental results 6.1 Characteristics of activated materials 6.2 Concrete performance and colour 6.2.1 Thermally activated kaolinitic AWS from France 6.2.2 Thermally activated non-kaolinitic alternative SCM from Switzerland 6.3 Equipment dimensioning 6.3.1 Process mass flow 6.3.2 Heat-exchanging screws and thermal oil system 6.3.3 Rotary calciner dimensioning 6.3.4 Ball mill dimensioning 6.4 CO2 reduction 6.5 Summary of Chapter 6 Chapter 7: Conclusion and outlook 7.1 Conclusions 7.2 Outlook. Literatur

Investigation of alternative supplementary cementitious materials and a new method to produce them

Zementklinker ist der Hauptbestandteil von Zement und verbraucht zu dessen Herstellung signifikante Mengen von natürlichen Ressourcen und trägt gleichzeitig zu seiner sehr ungünstigen Treibhausgasbilanz bei. In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt, dass Zementersatzstoffe mit spezifischen Eigenschaften aus Abfallstoffen wie Kieswaschschlämmen, Strassenwaschschlämmen und Gipskartonplatten ohne Leistungseinbußen auf Produktseite, bei geringeren Temperaturen und geringerer CO2 Emission hergestellt werden können. Entsprechend den angestrebten Eigenschaften solcher zum Teil anthropogener Zementbestandteile wurden lokal verfügbare geeignete Abfallstoffe ausgewählt und thermisch aktiviert. Eine industriell anwendbare Methode zur Aktivierung solcher Stoffe bei Temperaturen von 700 °C – 850 °C wurde entwickelt und patentiert. Es basiert auf einem neu entwickelten Trocknungsverfahren und der Kombination von zwei Produktionslinien, um durch die Verknüpfung der Gasströme beider Systeme eine energieeffiziente thermische Behandlung von Abfallstoffen zu ermöglichen sowie auf umweltfreundliche Weise einen Zementersatzstoff herzustellen.:Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Abbreviations Glossary Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Motivation 1.2 Research hypotheses and objectives 1.3 Research methodology 1.4 Thesis outline Chapter 2: State of the art in SCM production 2.1 Supplementary cementitious materials 2.2 Classification of SCMs 2.2.1 Classification according to origin 2.2.2 Classification according to reaction behaviour 2.3 Chemical composition of SCMs 2.4 Formation of hydraulic or pozzolanic minerals in thermal processes 2.4.1 Cement clinker 2.4.2 Burnt oil shale 2.4.3 Fly ash 2.4.4 Calcined clay 2.5 Performance of composite cements 2.6 Calcining technologies 2.6.1 Flash calciner 2.6.2 Rotary calciner 2.7 Comparison of process technologies 2.8 Summary of Chapter 2 Chapter 3: Alternative SCMs and a new method for activation 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Target of alternative SCM 3.3 Waste materials 3.3.1 Aggregate washing sludge 3.3.2 Road cleaning sludge 3.3.3 Deconstruction gypsum 3.4 Producing alternative SCMs 3.5 Thermal activation of alternative SCMs 3.6 Limitations in current calcining technology 3.6.1 Difficult emission control 3.6.1.1 Particulate emission 3.6.1.2 Gaseous emission 3.6.2 Challenging material preparation 3.6.3 Demand for noble fuels 3.6.4 Difficult colour control 3.6.5 Strict temperature control 3.6.6 CO2 footprint of calciners 3.7 Proposed new method of calcination 3.7.1 Feed material handling 3.7.2 Thermal heat-exchange system 3.7.3 Clay calciner design 3.7.4 Grinding 3.8 Summary Chapter 3 Chapter 4: Theoretical Considerations 4.1 Material considerations 4.1.1 Composition of alternative SCM 4.1.2 Anticipated products and characteristics 4.2 Process considerations 4.2.1 System capacity 4.2.2 Material characteristics 4.2.3 Material receiving, crushing and handling 4.2.4 Thermodynamic modelling 4.2.4.1 Mass balance 4.2.4.2 Drying and cooling heat balance 4.2.4.3 Calcination heat balance 4.2.4.4 Gas balance 4.2.4.5 Impact on clinker kiln line 4.2.4.6 Impact of calcite on the gas balance 4.2.5 Calciner design 4.2.6 Colour control 4.2.7 Emission prediction 4.2.7.1 Emission during drying 4.2.7.2 Emission during calcination 4.2.8 CO2 footprint of produced material 4.2.9 Grinding requirements 4.3 Summary of Chapter 4 Chapter 5: Experimental tests and proof of concept 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Sampling and characterization 5.2.1 Kaolinitic AWS from France 5.2.2 Non-kaolinitic AWS from Switzerland 5.2.3 Road cleaning sludges from Switzerland 5.2.4 Deconstruction gypsum from Switzerland 5.2.5 Sample preparation and shipping 5.3 Drying screw conveyor testing 5.4 Calcination testing 5.4.1 Mineralogy of activated products 5.4.1.1 Non-kaolinitic SCM 5.4.1.2 Kaolinitic AWS from France 5.4.2 Colour 5.5 Crushing tests 5.6 Grinding tests 5.7 Mortar compressive strength testing 5.8 Water demand testing 5.9 Summary of Chapter 5 Chapter 6: Experimental results 6.1 Characteristics of activated materials 6.2 Concrete performance and colour 6.2.1 Thermally activated kaolinitic AWS from France 6.2.2 Thermally activated non-kaolinitic alternative SCM from Switzerland 6.3 Equipment dimensioning 6.3.1 Process mass flow 6.3.2 Heat-exchanging screws and thermal oil system 6.3.3 Rotary calciner dimensioning 6.3.4 Ball mill dimensioning 6.4 CO2 reduction 6.5 Summary of Chapter 6 Chapter 7: Conclusion and outlook 7.1 Conclusions 7.2 Outlook. Literatur