Science.gov (United States)

A colony PCR technique was applied for both genomic and chloroplast DNA in the green microalgae Chlorella. Of five different lysis buffers, Chelex-100 was superior for DNA extraction, PCR and DNA storage. It also was insensitive to variations in cell density. The conditions established for an improved PCR formulation are applicable for screening of genetically-engineered transformants as well as bioprospecting of natural microalgal isolates. Besides multiple Chlorella species, we also demonstrate the efficacy of Chelex-100 for colony PCR with a number of other microalgal strains, including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Dunaliella salina, Nannochloropsis sp., Coccomyxa sp., and Thalassiosira pseudonana. PMID:21431847

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The methods introduced for the field of cleaning waste water can be classified under various processes. Chemical oxidation is done with ozone, hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet irradiation with subsequent biological decomposition. Another method is ultra-filtration with recovery of valuable materials or waste water ponds with algae biomass to decompose ammonium compounds, nitrates and phosphates. (EF) [Deutsch] Die auf dem Gebiet der Abwasserreinigung vorgestellten Methoden kann man in verschiedene Verfahren einordnen. Die chemische Oxidation erfolgt mit Ozon, Wasserstoff-Peroxid, UV Bestrahlung und anschliessenden biologischen Abbau. Eine andere Methode ist die Ultrafiltration mit Rueckgewinnung von Wertstoffen oder Abwasserteiche mit Algenbiomasse zum Abbau von Ammoniumverbindungen, Nitraten und Phosphaten. (EF)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This volume provides the subject index for the annual input to the Biomass Information Service of the IEA. (DT)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesaurus contains the vocabulary used to index the Biomass Database maintained by the IEA Biomass Conversion Technical Information Service. The database, which is used to produce Biomass Abstracts, contains indexed and abstracted references to the published literature relating to biomass energy including cultivations, harvesting, materials handling, conversion techniques, environmental aspects and economics.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biomass Abstracts - Cumulative Indexes is an annual publication prepared by the Information Technology Group of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. This book indexes compiled biomass publications by corporate author, author and subject. (DT)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is a collection of spreadsheets detailing on a county by county basis the agricultural crop, agricultural wastes, municipal wastes, and industrial wastes of Virginia that are potential biomass energy sources.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is a collection of spreadsheets detailing on a county by county basis the agricultural crop, agricultural wastes, municipal wastes and industrial wastes of Alabama that are potential biomass energy sources.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This volume contains the corporate author index, author index, and subject index for publications entered into the IEA Biomass Conversion Technical Information System during the year 1986. (DT)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biomass is a potential source of energy that can reduce our dependency on oil as the main source of energy. In addition to municipal solid waste, animal and olive wastes are the main sources of organic waste in Jordan. In 2005, there were more than 2.4 million heads of sheep, about 72 thousand cows, and 40 million hens being raised in farms distributed in all governorates of Jordan. These animals produce 5.3 million tons (as exerted) of solid waste per year. If these quantities can be effectively collected they may constitute a valuable source of energy. This paper is aiming to estimate the amounts of animal and solid wastes generated in Jordan and their energy potential. The total amount of BOD from animal waste is estimated at 200,000 tons per year. Significant quantities of organic waste can also be collected from olive mills distributed in the country. This waste known locally as ''Jift'' is currently ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Short communication.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

When thorium was biosorbed by biomass of Rhizopus arrhizus or Aspergillus niger it could be removed by treatment using carbonate solutions, but not by phosphates or distilled water. Desorption was rapid, reaching completion in 15 and 30 min respectively. Desorption efficiency was independent of the desorbent concentration above 0.05 mol dm[sup -3] but was strongly dependent on the biomass concentration, decreasing as the biomass concentration increased for both species. Biomass from both species could be regenerated by desorption using sodium carbonate solutions and reused for biosorption. In both species, the efficiency of biosorption and desorption fell as the number of exposures increased although there was an initial rise in desorption efficiency for R. arrhizus. Biosorption and desorption efficiencies of A. niger biomass showed the steeper decline but both were severely reduced ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Three samples of dusts generated by the non ferrous metallurgical industries are treated between 200 and 800 degree centigree in controlled oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The objective of this study is to recover the valuable metals from these wastes. The treatments of these solids under oxidizing conditions at 700 degree centigree are well adapted for two samples. The totality of valuable elements are concentrated in the treatments residues. The use of hydrogen at 600 degree centigree, permits the removal of up to 100 % of valuable metals contained in the treated industrial wastes. The recovery rate of valuable metals (Pb, Zn, Cu) as well as the Global Decontamination Factor are reported. (Author) 9 refs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Biomass fuel burning leads to high levels of suspended particulate matter and hazardous chemicals in the indoor environment in countries where it is in common use, contributing significantly to indoor...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is a collection of spreadsheets detailing in a county by county manner the agricultural crop, agricultural wastes, municipal wastes and industrial wastes of North Carolina that are potential biomass energy sources.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The beneficial effect of improving yeast redox response by increasing thioredoxin levels has been shown. Decreased lipid and protein oxidation is reflected in an increased biomass yield. In addition,...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reports the estimates concerning the atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption and storage by living plants all over the world. It is necessary to decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations for avoiding global warming. As living plants absorb carbon dioxide by photosynthesis and accumulate carbon in their bodies, they can play an important role to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide. Literatures describing distribution areas, biomass values and net primary productivity (NPP) of forests, marine plants and microorganisms were collected. Examining those data, the biomass and NPP of forests, marine plants and microorganisms can be summarized as follows: (1) Forest biomass and their NPP of the world. The world's forest area is recently estimated as 4 billion hectares, and their biomass is about 400 billion tons of carbon which is equal to 2/3 of the total atmospheric carbon. The NPP of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study evaluated woody biomass from logging residues, small-diameter trees, mill residues, and urban waste as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol conversion in Mississippi. The focus on Mississippi was to assess in-state regional variations and provide specific information of biomass estimates for those facilities interested in locating in Mississippi. Supply and cost of four woody biomass sources were derived from Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) information, a recent forest inventory conducted by the Mississippi Institute for Forest Inventory, and primary production costs. According to our analysis, about 4.0 million dry tons of woody biomass are available for production of up to 1.2 billion liters of ethanol each year in Mississippi. The feedstock consists of 69% logging residues, 21%...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Empty palm fruit bunch fiber (EPFBF), a readily available cellulosic biomass from palm processing facilities, is investigated as a potential carbohydrate source for cellulosic ethanol production. This feedstock was pretreated using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and enzymatically hydrolyzed. The best tested AFEX conditions were at 135??C, 45?min retention time, water to dry biomass loading of 1:1 (weight ratio), and ammonia to dry biomass loading of 1:1 (weight ratio). The particle size of the pretreated biomass was reduced post-AFEX. The optimized enzyme formulation consists of Accellerase (84??L/g biomass), Multifect Xylanase (31??L/g biomass), and Multifect Pectinase (24??L/g biomass). This mixture achieved close to 90% of the total maximum yield within 72?h of enzymatic hydrolysis. Fer...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the Netherlands, the interest in biomass for electricity generation has increased, mainly due to environmental reasons. Currently, the Dutch energy sector is investigating technologies which can reduce CO{sub 2} emissions. The growth of biomass and its subsequent utilization for energy purposes circulates recycled atmospheric carbon and has no net discharge of CO{sub 2}. To reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants biomass co-firing options are investigated. After exhaustion of internal supplies of wood wastes and other residues an extra amount of 1.02 Mt{sub 20} would be needed. Two supply options exist: the use of internal energy crops and the import of biomass. Because production of energy crops in the Netherlands is a rather expensive option, biomass procurement and production outside the Netherlands is studied. Two countries were investigated for the possible import of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This RD&D project is a three year team effort to develop a hybrid solar lighting (HSL) system that transports daylight from a paraboloidal dish concentrator to a luminaire via a bundle of small core or a large core polymer fiber optics. The luminaire can be a device to distribute sunlight into a space for the production of algae or it can be a device that is a combination of daylighting and electric lighting for space/task lighting. In this project, the sunlight is collected using a one-meter paraboloidal concentrator dish with two-axis tracking. For the second generation (alpha) system, the secondary mirror is an ellipsoidal mirror that directs the visible light into a bundle of small-core fibers. The IR spectrum is filtered out to minimize unnecessary heating at the fiber entrance region. This report describes the following investigations of various aspects of the system. Taken as a whole, they confirm significant progress towards the technical feasibility and commercial ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This dissertation concerns a study of the utilization of sorghum biomass as the fuel for a methane production system. The objective of this research is to determine an optimal sorghum-methane production system based on anaerobic batch digestion technology. The system is described as the interaction of three components: estimation of available biomass, storage of biomass, and the gas production. Levelized costs are obtained for each component. The biomass supply is assumed to decay exponentially in quality with storage time. The gas production process is a batch type of digestion with an exponential production rate. Gas production is formulated for a fixed planning horizon (one year) as a function of the number of batches and the batch residence times. The cost equation is then described as a function of these gas production equations and their levelized costs. The structure of this resulting equation is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possible contribution of short rotation cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations was investigated using the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) technique. Three poplar species were grown in an SRC plantation for three growing seasons. Above-ground and below-ground biomass increased by 15 to 27 per cent and by 22 to 38 per cent, respectively; light-efficiency also increased as a result. Depletion of inorganic nitrogen from the soil increased after three growing seasons at elevated carbon dioxide levels, but carbon dioxide showed no effect on stem wood density. Stem wood density also differed significantly from species to species. These results confirmed inter-specific differences in biomass production in poplar, and demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide enhanced biomass productivity and light-use efficiency of a poplar short rotation cultivation ecosystem ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The biomass research program of the USDA, Southern Agricultural Energy Center is conducted at several locations throughout the United States. A portion of the research is directed toward improved systems to harvest, process and store biomass so that the energy density will be enhanced. Other research projects deal with: conversion and utilization of animal wastes in integrated energy-food production systems, including the production of liquid fuel and feed byproducts; producing low BTU gas to be utilized in internal combustion engines, including the system for continuous feeding of the gasifier; direct combustion of biomass for thermal energy; gasifying biomass so that the products of combustion can pass through a crop being dried without leaving deleterious residues; small scale systems for on-farm expelling of vegetable oil; and studies on the use of vegetable oils for diesel fuel substitutes. In ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tightening environmental regulations and the signing of the Kyoto protocol have prompted electric utilities to consider co-firing biomass with coal to reduce the levels of CO{sub 2}, SO{sub 2} and NOx in stack emissions. This analysis examines the cost competitiveness of plantation produced woody biomass and waste wood with coal in electricity production. A case study of woody biomass production and co-firing in northern Indiana is presented. A linear programming model was developed to examine the optimal co-firing blend of coal and biomass while minimizing variable, cost, including the cost of ash disposal and material procurement costs. This model was used to examine situations where coal is the primary fuel and waste wood, willow trees, or both are available for fuel blending. The results indicate that co-firing woody biomass is cost-effective for the power plant. Sensitivity ...

Science.gov (United States)

Sep 1, 2011 ... Recent wildfires in interior Alaska have left substantial volumes of burned timber, potentially usable for biomass energy. Motivated,in part, by ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This literature survey covers the period 1969 to date including sugar crops, hydrocarbon bearing arid plants, aquaculture/aquatic biomass systems, and alcohol fuels.

Science.gov (United States)

Sep 1, 2011 ... Description: What amount of extra energy can be generated after subtracting the total energy consumed to produce the biomass energy? ...

Science.gov (United States)

... power from wood and bagasse as well as convert non-traditional fuel sources such as rice bulls, animal manure, cotton gin trash, straws, and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents results about the characterisation of the biomass fly ashes sourced from a thermal power plant and from a co-generation power plant located in Portugal, and the study of new cement formulations incorporated with the biomass fly ashes. The study includes a comparative analysis of the phase formation, setting and mechanical behaviour of the new cement-fly ash formulations based on these biomass fly ashes. Techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and environmental scanning electron spectroscopy (ESEM) were used to determine the structure and composition of the formulations. Fly ash F1 from the t...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Potential of spent biomass of a cyanobacterium, Nostoc linckia HA 46, from a hydrogen bioreactor was studied for biosorption of a textile dye, reactive red 198. The waste biomass was immobilized in calcium alginate and used for biosorption of the dye from aqueous solution using response surface methodology (RSM). Kinetics of the dye in aqueous solution was studied in batch mode. Interactive effects of initial dye concentration (100-500mg/L), pH (2-6) and temperature (25-45^oC) on dye removal were examined using Box-Behnken design. Maximum adsorption capacity of the immobilized biomass was 93.5mg/g at pH 2.0, initial concentration of 100mg/L and 35^oC temperature, when 94% of the dye was removed. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) studies revealed that biosorption was mainly mediated by fun...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As part of Pilot Project of KIP of CAS, a feasibility study of hydrogen production system using biomass residues is conducted. This study is based on a process of oxygen-rich air gasification of biomass in a downdraft gasifier plus CO-shift. The capacity of this system is 6.4 t biomass/d. Applying this system, it is expected that an annual production of 480 billion N m{sup 3} H{sub 2} will be generated for domestic supply in China. The capital cost of the plant used in this study is 1328/(N m{sup 3}/h) H{sub 2} out, and product supply cost is 0.15/N m{sup 3} H{sub 2}. The cost sensitivity analysis on this system tells that electricity and catalyst cost are the two most important factors to influence hydrogen production cost. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Florida imports about 85% of its energy needs. Among the renewable energy sources available, biomass appears promising in Florida because of a favourable environment for production and the available methods to convert biomass to energy. Optimal production of biomass requires the identification and management of high yielding persistent perennial cultivars. Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and energycane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) are two tall grasses that meet these requirements. To optimize the supply of convertible biomass, suitable methods of harvesting the crop must be available. The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility and energetics of harvesting, drying and baling tall grasses with conventional farm machinery. A Mathews rotary scythe and a New Holland 849 Auto Wrap large round baler were determined to provide a practical harvesting system for baled ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Spark ignition internal combustion engines perform satisfactorily when the fueled with biomass producer gas from a fluidized bed gasifier. Although power output is reduced compared to natural gas levels, full power recovery can be achieved with a relatively low level of supercharging. Important considerations are an adequate fuel delivery system and adquate gas cleaning. ref.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A number of preparations of residual non-living brewery yeast were examined for their ability to remove lead from solution. Those preparations included washed and un-washed intact yeast and washed and un-washed homogenates of the yeast cells. Using biosorption isotherm analysis it was found that the washed and un-washed preparations of intact, non-living yeast exhibited maximum biosorption capacities for lead of 127 and 99 mg/g dry weight biomass, respectively. The washed and un-washed cell homogenates exhibited maximum biosorption capacities of 38 and 139 mg lead/g dry weight biomass, respectively. Since it had previously been shown that these preparations of biomass were capable of removing uranium from solution by combined biosorption and precipitation processes, it was decided to examine removal of lead from solution using a form of equilibrium dialysis in which the biomass was retained within a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this article was to investigate the interactions of metal cations in aqueous solutions with the biomass of the freshwater macroalga Vaucheria sp. This problem is important when elaborating new applications of biosorption, e.g. the production of mineral feed additives for livestock from the biomass of algae enriched with microelement ions. Potentiometric titration was applied as a quick and cheap screening test to search for new efficient biosorbents. It revealed a variety of functional groups capable of cation exchange on the macroalgal surface, including carboxyl, phosphate, hydroxyl or amino groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on natural and chromium-loaded Vaucheria sp. confirmed that carboxyl groups played a dominant role in the biosorption. The study also showed that Ca(II), Na(I), K(I), and Mg(II) ions were released from the biomass after biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The growth kinetics constants and concentration of active attached biomass in an anaerobic fluidized bed which decomposes acetic, propionic and butyric acid were estimated. The mixture of above mentioned fatty acids was supplied to the fluidized bed in the range of hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 0.25 to 2 days. After the effluent reached in a steady state in quality, batch experiments were conducted separately with each fatty acid as a substrate in order to investigate the decomposition characteristics of each substrate by attached biomass. In order to estimate the parameter values of the growth kinetics of the bacteria, batch experiments were also conducted under the completely mixed condition using detached biomass from a support material. The changes of fatty acid concentrations with time were clearly expressed with the Monod growth model. Maximum specific substrate decomposition rates and saturation constants, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pretreatment of biosorbents have been suggested to modify the surface characteristics which could improve biosorption process. Stable cesium biosorption was studied in continuous fixed-bed column by chemically modified biosorbents. Two kinds of brown algae (Sargassum glaucescens and Cystoseira indica) were treated with chemical agents including formaldehyde (FA), glutaraldehyde (GA), potassium hexacyanoferrate (HCF), FA and HCF, and GA and HCF. The highest biosorption capacity (BC) was obtained from C. indica treated with FA (63.5 mg Cs/g biomass) and S. glaucescens treated with FA and HCF (62 mg Cs/g biomass). To study the effect of the best treatments on the BC, the concentration of each treatment agent was decreased. With decreasing FA agent for C. indica treatment, the BC dropped. Treatment of 1 g S. glaucescens biomass with 2.2 g FA and then 0.18 g HCF resulted in the highest BC (73.08 mg Cs/g dry ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

[3,5-"3H] 4-Azidoclonidine 6 was prepared from [3,5-"3H] 4-aminoclonidine 4 and has emerged as a valuable tool to study the alpha-2-adrenergic receptor. (author)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundGeographic Information Systems (GIS) can provide valuable insight into patterns of human activity. Online spatial display applications, such as Google Earth, can democratise...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Military working dogs are rapidly becoming integral to military operations. While they bring many valuable capabilities to the battlefield, it is important that Special Operations leaders consider canine team capabilities and requirements when planning mi...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of volume-rendered helical computerized tomography (CT) angiography focusing tracheostomy tube and innominate artery for...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundRegistered data can provide valuable information regarding blindness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the main causes and 3-year incidence of registered blindness...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The mammalian reoviruses have provided a valuable model for studying the pathogenesis of viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS). We have used this model to study the effect of antibody...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biosorption of uranium by residual biomass from The Old Bushmill`s Distillery Co. Ltd., Bushmills, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, following exposure to short and intense electric pulses has been examined. The biomass was prepared from the distillery spent wash and consisted of non-viable yeast and bacterial cells. As shown previously, untreated biomass had a maximum biosorption capacity of 170 mg uranium/g dry weight biomass. When biosorption reactions were placed between two electrodes and exposed to electric pulses with field strengths ranging from 1.25-3.25 kV/cm at a capacitance of 25 {mu}F, biosorption increased from 170 mg of uranium to 275 mg uranium/g dry weight biomass. The data were obtained from biosorption isotherm analyses and taken as the degree of biosorption at residual uranium concentrations of 3 mM. In addition, when the capacitance of the electric pulses increased ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Growth dynamics and biomass production in short-rotation poplar plantations were evaluated at Hanyuan Forestry Farm, Baoying County, P.R.C. Experimental treatments applied in a split-plot design included: four planting densities (1111, 833, 625 and 500 stems ha{sup -1}); three poplar clones (NL-80351, I-69 and I-72) and three rotation lengths. Survival of all three clones was excellent at the experimental site under the imposed management regime. Differences in DBH, height, LAI and above-ground biomass production, however, were manifested among the treatments. Overall the clonal ranking was in the order NL-80351 {>=}I-69 > I-72 by age 6. LAI values ranged from 0.6 to 4.4 m{sup 2} m{sup -2} and differences among four planting densities and three clones were significant throughout the first six years. Above-ground biomass productivity was affected considerably by planting density, clone and rotation length. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The fossil fuel consumption and pollutant emissions in a coal fired fluidized bed boiler could be reduced by biomass pyrolysis gas reburning. The influence of three kinds of biomass pyrolysis gases on the emission of N2O in a laboratory scale fluidized bed was investigated using the mechanism of GRI3.0 in this paper. The results showed that: the effect of sawdust pyrolysis gas reburning on N2O was more significant than that of rice husk and orange peel under the same conditions; the increase of initial oxygen content from 1% to 8% in flue gas would restrain the decomposition of N2O; the N2O decomposition was enhanced by increasing reaction temperature from 1073.15 K to 1323.15 K, and the decomposition rate may reach 99% at 1223.15 K.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The global interest in renewable energy is attributed to the decline in fossil fuel sources and the need for technical, economic, social and environmental sustainability. This study focused on the new techniques that have been developed for the use of biomass for energy from wood wastes from the forest-based industry. As an energy source, wood waste contributes positively to the environment by reducing environmental problems related to contamination of soil, air and water through improper disposal of waste. Biomass gasification has the advantage of converting biomass into a combustible gas that can be used for heat generation, electricity and synthesis of chemicals. Syngas produced from gasification of eucalyptus residues has significant potential, with an average High Heating Value of 6.60 MJ/m{sup 3}, and regular composition during the process, with predominance of carbon monoxide, followed by hydrogen, carbon dioxide and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This conference of Deutsche Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft fuer Erdoel, Erdgas und Kohle focused on energetic utilisation and recycling of waste materials and biomass, i.e. combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. Aspects of process control were gone into as well. [German] Die Fachbereichstagung der Deutschen Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft fuer Erdoel, Erdgas und Kohle beschaeftigte sich mit der energetischen und stofflichen Nutzung von Abfall und Biomasse. Verbrennung, Vergasung und Pyrolyse verschiedener Abfallstoffe sowie die Prozesssteuerung wurden eroertert.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biomass gasification provides the potential to efficiently and economically produce a renewable source of a clean gaseous fuel suitable for power generation or synthesis gas (syngas) applications. An important side benefit of the use of biomass is the effective minimization of the primary greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}), by providing a means to close-loop the CO{sub 2} cycle. However, high molecular weight hydrocarbon constituents (tar) in the product gas from gasification can complicate the downstream uses of the gas. This paper discusses both the development of a low cost, disposable catalyst system that can eliminate these heavy hydrocarbons from the gas and the use of the catalyst in conjunction with the Battelle high-throughput gasification process for power generation and synthesis applications. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Conversion of biomass into producer gas by thermal gasification broadens the scope of biomass applications. Usually, tar has to be removed from the producer gas. Tar recycling within the gasification process may solve the associated waste problem and increase the system efficiency, provided tar is broken down under gasification conditions. We present results of tar recycling experiments at a Circulating Fluidised Bed gasifier. At 830{sup o}C, from each of 15 main tar compounds 70-80% are broken down. Continuous recycling of tar would increase the tar content in raw producer gas by 50% at most and save about 3% fuel input. 10 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

All energy scenarios show a shift toward an increased percentage of renewable energy sources, including biomass. This study gives an overview of water footprints (WFs) of bioenergy from 12 crops that...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Last year a team of US and French scientists using the Odeillo (France) 1MW/sub th/ solar furnace showed concentrated solar radiation to be an effective means for rapidly volatilizing biomass materials. The results of continuing research in the U.S. on radiant flash pyrolysis of biomass as a source of fluid fuels, industrial feedstocks and chemicals are described. Bench scale sources of intense, visible radiant energy have been used to simulate the concentrated solar flux available at the focus of solar towers. Windowed transport reactors are being developed, which act as cavity receivers for the focused radiant energy and provide a means for direct use of the radiation to rapidly pyrolyze the entering biomass. One of these reactors will be operated at the focus of the Georgia Tech 400kW/sub th/ solar furnace next August. Preliminary results from the bench scale reactor experiments, and plans for the Georgia Tech ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A controlled fire burner was constructed where various natural vegetation species could be used as fuel. The burner was equipped with thermocouples to measure fuel surface temperature and used as a...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been genetically engineered to ferment the pentose sugar xylose present in lignocellulose biomass. One of the reactions controlling the...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The pilot project of the conversion of the green forage drying plant Lengenfeld to biomass firing could not be realized without problems. But the experience until now shows that it is in principle possible. The farmers involved are devoted to the project. For them the cultivation of biomass is an alternative to the abandonment of fields. The present low oil price sets limits to the positive income effect. The aim is an increase of the biomass share in heating energy supply to about 80%. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Umstellung der Gruenfuttertrocknung Lengenfeld auf Biomassefeuerung ist als Pilotprojekt nicht ohne Probleme moeglich gewesen. Die bisherigen Erfahrungen zeigen jedoch die grundsaetzliche Praktikabilitaet. Die beteiligten Landwirte sind engagiert bei der Sache und schaetzen die Produktionsmoeglichkeit als Alternative zur Flaechenstillegung. Der derzeit niedrige Oelpreis setzt der positiven Einkommenswirkung jedoch enge ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Growth of the malolactic bacterium Leuconostoc oenos was improved with respect to both the specific growth rate and the biomass yield during the fermentation of glucose-malate mixtures as compared with...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

to end statewide burn ban 09/28/2011 - Commissioner's statement on $80 million biomass to jet fuel award to UW and WSU Media Center | View All News Meetings & Events Saturday Oct...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biosorption of the heavy metal ion Cd{sup 2+} by protonated nonliving brown alga Sargassum fluitans biomass was accompanied by the release of hydrogen protons from the biomass. The uptake of cadmium and the release of proton matched each other throughout the biosorption process. The end-point titration methodology was used to maintain the constant pH 4.0 for developing the dynamic sorption rate. The sorption isotherm could be well represented by the Langmuir sorption model. A mass transfer model assuming the intraparticle diffusion in a one-dimensional thin plate as a controlling step was developed to describe the overall biosorption rate of cadmium ions in flat seaweed biomass particles. The overall biosorption mathematical model equations were solved numerically yielding the effective diffusion coefficient D{sub e} about 3.5 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} cm{sup 2}/s. This value matches that obtained for the desorption process ...

Science.gov (United States)

Sep 28, 2011 ... Description: Four Populus clones were grown in central Missouri for 2 years at 1 x 1 m spacing to study total biomass production on floodplain ...

Wastenet

by American scientists, ecosystems containing a greater number of plant species, produce more biomass.This result ...to meet the increasing demand for land for farmland planted with monocultures, buildings and roads.For ...have hypothesized that greater ecological diversity (diversity of plant and animal species) leads to a greater

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this study was to determine if nitrogen loss from prescribed fire can be mitigated by reducing the amount of large fuel on a clearcut prior to burning. We examine the relations between nitrogen loss and duff consumption by prescribed fire with respect to the amount of woody biomass on the unit and the moisture content of that biomass before burn. Equations are presented to predict duff consumption from preburn conditions. Sources of variability of nitrogen concentration and content of duff within and between units are also evaluated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article outlines the use of gasifiers during World War II and how, with soaring fuel prices, producer gas may provide an alternate energy path for agribusiness and farms today. In the last few years, the University of California has become a focus of producer gas research in the US. Biomass fuels used include crushed walnut shells, fruit pits, cereal straw and corn cobs. Particle size, moisture content and slagging create problems and the right kind of gas producer must be used to obtain reliable conversion to producer gas.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Selected samples of waste microbial biomass originating from various industrial fermentation processes and biological treatment plants have been screened for biosorbent properties in conjunction with uranium and thorium in aqueous solutions. Biosorption isotherms have been used for the evaluation of biosorptive uptake capacity of the biomass which was also compared to an activated carbon and the ion exchange resin currently used in uranium production processes. Determined uranium and thorium biosorption isotherms were independent of the initial U or Th solution concentration. Solution pH affected the exhibited uptake. 24 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report the performance of a commercial recuperated micro gas turbine on biomass producer gas and mixtures of biomass producer gas with natural gas. The biomass producer gas, obtained by gasification at 850{sup o}C with air at atmospheric pressure, contains about 7% H2, 17% CO, 15% CO2, 4% CH4, 2% other hydrocarbons, 2% H2O, and a balance of N2 and Ar from air. It has a net heating value of about 6 MJ/(Nm{sup 3}). The micro gas turbine delivers full power (30 kW{sub e}) on gas mixtures with a net heating value of at least 15 MJ/(Nm{sup 3}). For gas of lower heating value, the maximum fuel gas flow allowed by the fuel control unit limits the attainable power. At reduced power, the lower limit for stable operation is a net heating value of about 8 MJ/(Nm{sup 3}). The gross efficiency of the micro gas turbine depends on the output power but not on the gas heating value, within our estimated measurement accuracy of about 2%. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A complete analysis is performed to simulate biomass production incorporated into a realistic whole farm situation, including or replacing a typical crop mix. Representative farms are constructed to accommodate such simulation. Four management systems are simulated for each firm, with each simulation depicting a different crop mix and/or use of different farming technologies and production methods. The first simulation was a base farm plan in which the operator would maintain the historical crop mix for the area, participate in all price support programs, and not participate in either a conservative reserve or a biomass production program. In the second simulation, the operator would again maintain the historical crop mix, would not participate in a conservation reserve or biomass production program, and would be ineligible to participate in any price support system. The third simulation introduced the Conservation Reserve ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Only within the past decade has the potential of metal biosorption by biomass materials been well established. For economic reasons, of particular interest are abundant biomass types generated as a waste byproduct of large-scale industrial fermentations or certain metal-binding algae found in large quantities in the sea. These biomass types serve as a basis for newly developed metal biosorption processes foreseen particularly as a very competitive means for the detoxification of metal-bearing industrial effluents. The assessment of the metal-building capacity of some new biosorbents is discussed. Lead and cadmium, for instance, have been effectively removed from very dilute solutions by the dried biomass of some ubiquitous species of brown marine algae such as Ascophyllum and Sargassum, which accumulate more than 30% of biomass dry weight in the metal. Mycelia of the industrial ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Many higher plants produce economically important organic compounds such as oils, resins, tannins, natural rubber, gums, waxes, dyes, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. However, most species of higher plants have never been described, much less surveyed for chemical or biologically active constituents, and new sources of commercially valuable materials remain to be discovered. Advances in biotechnology, particularly methods for culturing plants cells and tissues, should provide new means for the commercial processing of even rare plants and the chemicals they produce. These new technologies will extend and enhance the usefulness of plants as renewable resources of valuable chemicals. In the future, biologically active plant-derived chemicals can be expected to play an increasingly significant role in the commercial development of new products for regulating plant growth and for insect and weed control. 65 references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We studied the interaction of Pu(VI) with Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17588 and Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577, representatives of the main aerobic groups of soil bacteria present in the upper soil layers. The accumulation studies have shown that these soil bacteria accumulate high amounts of Pu(VI). The sorption efficiency toward Pu(VI) decreased with increasing biomass concentration due to increased agglomeration of the bacteria resulting in a decreased total surface area and number of available complexing groups. Spores of Bacillus sphaericus showed a higher biosorption than the vegetative cells at low biomass concentration which decreased significantly with increasing biomass concentration. At higher biomass concentrations (> 0.7 g/L), the vegetative cells of both strains and the spores of B. sphaericus showed comparable sorption efficiencies. Investigations on the pH dependency of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), biosorption by raw and acid-treated Oedogonium hatei were studied from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the biosorption properties of the biomass. The optimum conditions of biosorption were found to be: a biomass dose of 0.8 g/L, contact time of 110 min, pH and temperature 2.0 and 318 K respectively. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations could fit the equilibrium data. Under the optimal conditions, the biosorption capacities of the raw and acid-treated algae were 31 and 35.2 mg Cr(VI) per g of dry adsorbent, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto algal biomass was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic under studied conditions. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model adequately describe the kinetic data in comparison to second-order model and the process involving rate-controlling step is much complex involving ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In 15 children (in age 2 weeks - 15 years) the computer tomography beside radiological examination was done because of mediastinal diseases. In all cases the computer tomography was valuable. In 4 cases obtained results have changed diagnostic conclusions. The examples are described showing the usefulness of the computer tomography as supplementary diagnostic method in mediastinal diseases in children.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A reliable inventory control system was developed at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) to keep track of the occupancy of 900 refueling facility locations, to compile historical data on the movement of each reactor assembly, and to simulate assembly moves. The simulate capability is valuable because it allows verification of documents before they are issued for use in the plant, and eliminates the possibility of planning illegal or impossible moves. The system is installed on a UNIVAC 1100 computer and is maintained using a data base management system by Sperry Univac called MAPPER.

Science.gov (United States)

Military working dogs are rapidly becoming integral to military operations. While they bring many valuable capabilities to the battlefield, it is important that Special Operations leaders consider canine team capabilities and requirements when planning missions. Careful logistical and operational planning can optimize the health, performance, and readiness of the working dog while protecting the safety and well-being of the team members working with them. We also offer recommendations for medical treatment of dog bites. PMID:19813342

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A numerical calculation procedure applicable to cavity-type receiver configurations and flow conditions was developed. Flow visualization experiments were performed, and experimental measurements of quantities valuable for the development of the numerical calculation procedure were made. The investigation is focussed on a configuration which is strongly two-dimensional in the mean flow structure (but turbulent in a truly three-dimensional sense). (LEW)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This proceedings CD ROM contains 127 papers on developing and evaluating engineering approaches to wetlands and river restoration. The latest engineering developments are discussed, providing valuable insights to successful approaches for river restoration, wetlands restoration, watershed management, and constructed wetlands for stormwater and wastewater treatment. Potential solutions to a wide variety of ecosystem concerns in urban, suburban, and coastal environments are presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The report examines common ventilation and air conditioning systems and strategies for both domestic and commercial buildings; and covers issues such as energy conservation, indoor air quality and occupant comfort. Drawing data from many countries in Europe and the United States of America, various natural, mechanical and air conditioning systems were compared using criteria such as climate, level of occupant interaction, and level of system comfort. This classification system is evaluated and seen as a valuable framework for further research. (U.K.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research is described in the development of organometallic reagents in which the boron was attached to a nonreactive organic or inorganic matrix such as polystyrene, silica, or alumina. We developed the synthesis of oxygen-15 labelled butanol, which has been found to be a valuable blood flow agent in humans. We have also developed a series of polymeric borane derivatives which were used to prepare nitrogen-13 labelled amines.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bio gasification, i. e. anaerobic digestion, is a well known sustainable option for the management of organic solid wastes and sludges. the produced biogas is a valuable bio fuel to replace fossil fuels in different technical applications (like heating, electricity, transport fuel generation) which in turn determine its quality requirements. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study uses a multi-part, split-sample contingent valuation method (CVM) and fair share (FS) survey to better understand the public's valuation of mitigating global climate change through its willingness to pay for biomass or 'cellulosic' ethanol. In addition to a basic CVM question, a related scenario was developed that asked half of the survey respondents to state their fair share cost to lessen a potential food shortage in the next decade, also through the expanded use of cellulosic ethanol. Three alternative biomass feedstocks were assessed: farming residues, forestry residues and paper mill wastes, and municipal solid wastes. Overall a slightly larger proportion of respondents were WTP extra for cellulosic ethanol in the basic CVM scenario than in the FS scenario, though no significant differences were found in the WTP for the different feedstocks. Bid curve lognormal regression results for the two models ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report the performance of a micro gas turbine on biomass producer gas and mixtures of biomass producer gas with natural gas. The micro gas turbine delivers full power on gas mixtures with a heating value of at least 15 MJ/Nm{sup 3}. For gas of lower heating value, the maximum fuel gas flow limits the attainable power. The lower limit for stable operation is about 8 MJ/Nm{sup 3}. The gross efficiency of the micro gas turbine depends on output power but not on the gas heating value, within our measurement accuracy. Above 70% of full power, emissions of CO and NO are 40 and 10 times lower than those of a gas engine of similar size. At part load below 70% of full power, the micro gas turbine burner switches to a different operating mode which produces higher CO and NO levels, but still significantly below those of a gas engine.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study is part of a greater project from IPT (Sao Paulo's Institute of Technology), which foresaw an energetic use for elephant-grass (Pennisetum purpureum). Biomass gasification is an sustainable option for energy supply, which presents low pollutants emission rate and allows - through the global cycle of growing and consumption of feedstock (vegetables), a balance between consumption and production of carbonic gas, preventing an increase of the carbonic gas levels in the atmosphere. A gasifier was built with internal diameter of 400 mm and total height of 4600 mm . The equipment was tested for gasification of elephant-grass (Pennisetum purpureum) at a 100 kg/h rate. The equipment was tested and some constructive faults were detected. In the countryside, this biomass is commonly used for cattle feeding It was evaluated an adequate diesel-electric-generator. to work at hybrid regime, using 70% biomass gas and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In our previous work, we demonstrated that biomass-generated producer gas can be converted to ethanol and acetic acid using a microbial catalyst Clostridium carboxidivorans P7{sup T}. Results showed that the producer gas (1) induced cell dormancy, (2) inhibited H{sub 2} consumption, and (3) affected the acetic acid/ethanol product distribution. Results of this work showed that tars were the likely cause of cell dormancy and product redistribution and that the addition of a 0.025{mu}m filter in the gas cleanup negated the effects of tars. C. carboxidivorans P7{sup T} can adapt to the tars (i.e. grow) only after prolonged exposure. Nitric oxide, present in the producer gas at 150ppm, is an inhibitor of the hydrogenase enzyme involved in H{sub 2} consumption. We conclude that significant conditioning of the producer gas will be required for the successful coupling of biomass-generated producer gas with fermentation to produce ethanol and acetic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Investigation of co-gasification of biomass-coal blends in oxygen-containing atmosphere was carried out in a pressurized fluidized bed gasifier. Different biomass materials including wood and energy crop were used in the study, whereas the coal used was in bituminous rank from UK, The gasifier used was a Laboratory Development Unit (LDU) with an inner diameter of 144 mm. The operation temperature and pressure were varied in the investigation. The research was part of the European Union's Joule Ill clean coal technology programme. The study was focused on possible synergies in the thermochemical treatment of the fuel blends. The char formed was examined. The tar produced in the process was analyzed. The environmentally concerned nitrogen compounds emitted from the process were detected. Interesting synergies were observed in the experimental study. The blends of the fuels and their char formed in situ demonstrated unexpected high ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Natural, formaldehyde-treated and copolymer-grafted orange peels were evaluated as adsorbents to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions. The optimum pH for lead adsorption was found to be pH 5. The adsorption process was fast, reaching 99% of sorbent capacity in 10 min for the natural and treated biomasses and 20 min for the grafted material. The treated biomass showed the highest sorption rate and capacity in the batch experiments, with the results fitting well to a pseudo-first order rate equation. In the continuous test with the treated biomass, the capacity at complete exhaustion was 46.61 mg g{sup -1} for an initial concentration of 150 mg L{sup -1}. Scanning electronic microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the materials had a rough surface, and that the adsorption of the metal took place on the surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the functional groups ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biomass is one of the main natural resources in Sweden. The present low-CO{sub 2} emission characteristics of the Swedish electricity production system (hydro and nuclear) can be retained only by expansion of biofuel applications for energy purposes. Domestic Swedish biomass resources are vast and renewable, but not infinite. They must be utilized as efficiently as possible, in order to make sure that they meet the conditions for sustainability in the future. Application of efficient power generation cycles at low costs is essential for meeting this challenge. This applies also to municipal solid waste incineration with energy extraction, which should be preferred to its dumping in landfills. Hybrid dual-fuel combined cycle units are a simple and affordable way to increase the electric efficiency of biofuel energy utilization, without big investments, uncertainties or loss of reliability arising from complicated technologies. Configurations of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bioethanol (fuel alcohol) has been produced by industrial alcoholic fermentation processes in Brazil since the beginning of the twentieth century. Currently, 432 mills and distilleries crush about 625 million tons of sugarcane per crop, producing about 27 billion liters of ethanol and 38.7 million tons of sugar. The production of bioethanol from sugarcane represents a major large-scale technology capable of producing biofuel efficiently and economically, providing viable substitutes to gasoline. The combination of immobilization of CO2 by sugarcane crops by photosynthesis into biomass together with alcoholic fermentation of this biomass has allowed production of a clean and high-quality liquid fuel that contains 93% of the original energy found in sugar. Over the last 30?years, several inn...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Recovery of soil organic matter, organic matter turnover and mineral nutrient cycling is critical to the success of rehabilitation schemes following major ecosystem disturbance. We investigated successional changes in soil nutrient contents, microbial biomass and activity, C utilisation efficiency and N cycling dynamics in a chronosequence of seven ages (between 0 and 26 years old) of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest rehabilitation that had been previously mined for bauxite. Recovery was assessed by comparison of rehabilitation soils to non-mined jarrah forest references sites. Mining operations resulted in significant losses of soil total C and N, microbial biomass C and microbial quotients. Organic matter quantity recovered within the rehabilitation chronosequence soils to a level co...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study examined the feasibility of using triticale straw for production of electricity in Canada. Triticale is a manmade hybrid of wheat and rye and it has a high potential of growth in Canada. The cost ($/MWh) of producing electricity from triticale straw was estimated using a data intensive techno-economic model. The study also determined the optimum size of a biomass power plant (MW) which is a trade-off between capital cost of the plant and transportation cost of biomass. Cost curves were also developed in order to evaluate the impact of scale on power production costs. The location of the power plant and the future expansion of triticale were among the factors considered in the techno-economic mode. The scope of the work included all the processes beginning with the collection of straw to the conversion to electricity through direct combustion at the power plant. According to the preliminary results, the cost of producing power from ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The adoption of a cogenerator integrated system is described. The dry kernel, a woody residue of olive pressing, is produced in very large quantities and could therefore be used in high pressure condensing-extraction team turbines to supply on-site electricity and steam needs. This system is becoming more and more interesting since it produces an excess of electricity which could be sold, e.g. to the electric utility. Such a cogeneration system is discussed in terms of efficiency, capital cost, near-time commercial viability and power-to-fuel costs. The economical analysis is presented for olive press-cake processing plants and can be extrapolated to biomass-based industries having the same characteristics. An energy audit has been carried out on 16 plants. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Understanding the dynamic of soil C is a key to managing soil organic matter to enhance soil fertility and ecosystem functioning and reduce trace gas emission from soils. Our objective was to determine the influence of thermically-dry sewage sludge (TSL) and municipal waste compost and the application management on soil (mixed or on soil surface) applied at sludge (TSL) and municipal waste compost and the application management on soil (mixed or on soil surface) applied at two rates of 30 t ha"-1 and 60 t ha"-1, on CO_2 fluxes, microbial biomass C (MBC) and dehydrogenase activity (DH), during an incubation study. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The entire Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) cofiring program has been in existence of some 9 years. This report presents a summary of the major elements of that program, focusing upon the following questions: (1) In pursuit of increased use of renewable energy in the US economy, why was electricity generation considered the most promising target, and why was cofiring pursued as the most effective near-term technology to use in broadening the use of biomass within the electricity generating arena? (2) What were the unique accomplishments of EPRI before the development of the Cooperative Agreement, which made developing the partnership with EPRI a highly cost-effective approach for USDOE? (3) What were the key accomplishments of the Cooperative Agreement in the development and execution of test and demonstration programs-accomplishments which significantly furthered the process of commercializing cofiring?

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rye straw was completely hydroliquefied, using red mud or CoO-MoO{sub 3} as the catalyst. Red mud catalyst exhibited a satisfactory activity only in the presence of sulphur at {approx} 673 K. Depending on reaction conditions, different amounts of gaseous and liquid products were formed. Their product distributions were comparable to those obtained in hydroliquefaction of cellulose and lignin. All results could be described by a model which assumed that: pyrolysis precedes hydrogenation of pyrolysis products; CO and CO{sub 2} are products of pyrolysis reaction; and hydrogen is consumed mainly in hydrodeoxygenation reactions. Therefore, from a practical point of view, red mud, which is known as a coal liquefaction catalyst, can also be recommended as a cheap and powerful catalyst in the hydroliquefaction of biomass. 29 refs., 6 figs., 11 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There have been a number of studies considering the possibility of removing and recovering heavy metals from diluted solutions. These are due, principally, because of the commercial value of some metals as well as in the environmental impact caused by them. The traditional methods for removing have several disadvantages when metals are present in concentrations lower than 100 mg/l. Biosorption, which uses biological materials as adsorbents, has been considered as an alternative method. In this work, variables like pH and biomass chemical pretreatment have been studied for its effect on the capacity for zinc biosorption by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Also, studies to determinate the time for zinc adsorption were carried out. Results indicate that a capacity as high as 82.61 mg of Zn(II)/g of dry biomass can be obtained at a temperature of 25 C and that the biosorption process occurs in a time of 30 min. (orig.)

Science.gov (United States)

A multivariate bioprocess control approach, capable of tracking a pre-set process trajectory correlated to the biomass or product concentration in the bioprocess is described. The trajectory was either a latent variable derived from multivariate statistical process monitoring (MSPC) based on partial least squares (PLS) modeling, or the absolute value of the process variable. In the control algorithm the substrate feed pump rate was calculated from on-line analyzer data. The only parameters needed were the substrate feed concentration and the substrate yield of the growth-limiting substrate. On-line near-infrared spectroscopy data were used to demonstrate the performance of the control algorithm on an Escherichia coli fed-batch cultivation for tryptophan production. The controller showed good ability to track a defined biomass trajectory during varying process dynamics. The robustness of the control was high, despite significant external ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The potential of the yeast Candida tropicalis and Candida guillermondii was evaluated and an isolated partnership of microorganisms of waters of the Medellin River, conformed by two bacteria and one leavening, to degrade the content of organic matter present in wine produced by the factory of Licores and Alcoholes de Antioquia (FLA) in aerobic process with biomass production. For each one of the microorganisms in study this capacity of removal in units of chemical demand of oxygen was quantified (CDO); in addition, parameters were analyzed such as yield of the biomass in relation to the removed CDO and to total reducing sugars (TRS) consumed, time of fermentation and speed of growth different dilutions from wine. Also the possible inhibition was analyzed that the present phenolic compounds in this wine can cause in the biological process of degradation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Canadian-based Anderson Group Company has developed an innovative round baler for harvesting a large variety of woody biomass. The baler was initially developed in 2005 in collaboration with the University Laval and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The third generation BIOBALER{sup TM} is currently built, engineered and commercialized by Anderson. It can produce up to 40 bales/hr in short rotations woody crops such as willow and hybrid poplar. The unit can harvest brushes up to 125 mm in diameter. A standard tractor can pull the BIOBALER in fallow or abandoned land, under power transmission lines, and between planted trees. The patented BIOBALER includes a mulcher head attachment, a choice of long or short swivel tongue, a fixed chamber and an undercarriage frame.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is described a process of production of celulignin from biomass through acid pre-hydrolysis in continuous reactor made of advanced materials such as niobium, titanium and monel. The celulignin is a fuel of 28.50 MJ/kg of heating power. The utilization of this technology together with eucalyptus reforestation by vegetative propagation and high efficiency thermoelectric plant (triple cycle of steam turbine, gas turbine and MHD electrical generation) allow electric power production with competitive cost when compared to hydroelectric power. (author). 1 ref. 5 figs., 2 tabs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biomass tensile and shear ultimate failure stresses were measured with the aim of identifying biomass 'weakest mode of failure' or 'natural fracture point' as a basis for future grinder designs. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) ultimate stresses were determined for Alamo and Kanlow varieties over ranges in maturity and moisture content. Alamo had greater ultimate tensile stress than Kanlow (P=0.0091), with mean values of 97.8 and 89.7MPa, respectively. Alamo had greater ultimate shear stress than Kanlow (P=0.0091), with mean values of 20.5 and 17.9MPa, respectively. Shear was the 'weakest mode of failure'. Grinders that use knives, shear bars, and mechanical pinch points that apply opposed-sliding actions are expected to be more energy efficient. Mean ultimate tensile stress and shear stress were significantly different between switchgrass varieties. A survey of failure stresses for a range ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biomass and nutrient dynamics of black spruce seedlings during the hardening phase of the greenhouse rotation were examined after four pre-hardening fertilization regimes - conventional, constant-rate loading, exponential loading, and high exponential loading (delivering respectively 15, 40, 40 and 60 mg N seedling{sup -1}) - in order to assess nutrient dilution and steady-state nutrition. Although height growth of seedlings had virtually ceased during hardening, shoot biomass increased 99-142% and root biomass increased five- to tenfold depending on treatment. The biomass increase compromised steady-state nutrient status by diluting internal nutrient pools as nutrient supply was unable to keep up with growth. Soil nutrient levels were rapidly depleted during this period because of plant uptake and lack of fertilizer supplementation. Pre-hardening nutrient loading partly countered and delayed dilution ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work the production of sustainable syngas has been investigated for use in a co-production plant for electricity and Fischer Tropsch diesel at the Willem-Alexander Centrale in Buggenum, the Netherlands, and has also been compared to the co-production of SNG. From the analysis for this specific situation it is determined that the co-production of Fischer Tropsch liquids is economically more beneficial than co-production of SNG.

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Denmark has been one of the first countries in the world to commit itself to a sustainable energy development. This has been substantiated by two official action plans from 1990 and 1996 with emphasis on energy efficiency and supply systems based on renewable energy. In year 2005, renewable energy sources are planned to cover 12-14% and in year 2030 about 35% of total Danish energy demand. This paper reviews the experiences with implementation of renewable energy in Denmark with a focus on wind power and biomass.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research programs from the following sections and programs are summarized: aquatic ecology, environmental resources, earth sciences, terrestrial ecology, advanced fossil energy program, toxic substances program, environmental impacts program, biomass, low-level waste research and development program, US DOE low-level waste management program, and waste isolation program.

Science.gov (United States)

Global environment problems have become more and more serious in recent years, and reduction of greenhouse gas emission based on Kyoto Protocol adopted at the 3rd conference of the parties of the United nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3); securement of primary energy source and development of clean and renewable energy sources have been pressingly needed in consideration of the predicted depletion of fossil fuel in the future. In this study, we explore the use of a solidified biomass-derived fuel, having the maximum compressive strength of 100MPa and calorific value of 21MJ/kg, in iron-casting or iron-making processes as an alternative fuel to be mixed with coal coke. This study, carried out for internal observation using a quick-freeze technique, observed an actual working cupola furnace under the 20% alternative coal coke operation condition. After quick freeze of the cupola furnace, the solidified biomass fuel was found ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A comprehensive study of biomass production conversion and utilisation systems has been carried out to examine complete bio-energy systems from biomass in the forest to electricity delivered to the grid. Models have been derived for all of the key steps in an integrated process which have been compiled into an overall system model. Biomass production from short rotation forestry and from conventional forestry is modelled on an individual operation basis in terms of the performance and cost of each step. This includes planting, maintenance, harvesting, chipping, storage and transport. Biomass conversion includes pretreatment (reception, storage, handling, comminution, screening and drying); atmospheric gasification (generic gasifier, water scrubbing, gas engine); pressure gasification (generic gasifier, hot gas clean-up, gas turbine, HRSG, steam turbine); fast pyrolysis for liquid bio-fuel-oil ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A robust fusion of the agricultural, industrial biotechnology, and energy industries can create a new strategic national capability for energy independence and climate protection. In his State of the Union Address (Bush 2006), President George W. Bush outlined the Advanced Energy Initiative, which seeks to reduce our national dependence on imported oil by accelerating the development of domestic, renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels. The president has set a national goal of developing cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources to substantially replace oil imports in the coming years. Fuels derived from cellulosic biomass - the fibrous, woody, and generally inedible portions of plant matter - offer one such alternative to conventional energy sources that can dramatically impact national economic growth, national energy security, and environmental goals. Cellulosic biomass is an attractive energy feedstock ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the future even more than in the past, nuclear power will be indispensable in the present industrialized countries and in those still under development. The safe, nonpolluting, and economic supply of energy to mankind in the future includes so many different problems that the technology of the high-temperature reactor at its present level of development, and with the possibilities is offers above and beyond those provided by other, established, technologies, does not have to mark the end of some old line of development, but rather should be seen as the starting point of a development offering promise for the future. It is for this very reason that the extensive, valuable knowledge and experience accumulated in the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the AVR and THTR plants, the development of the HTR module and other variants and, last, but not least, the valuable results of projects such as PNP, NFE, and HHT, must be preserved ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Wind2H2 system is fully functional and continues to gather performance data. In this report, specifications of the Wind2H2 equipment (electrolyzers, compressor, hydrogen storage tanks, and the hydrogen fueled generator) are summarized. System operational experience and lessons learned are discussed. Valuable operational experience is shared through running, testing, daily operations, and troubleshooting the Wind2H2 system and equipment errors are being logged to help evaluate the reliability of the system.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Six kinds of diamino-dithiol compounds are labelled with "9"9Tc"m by ligands exchange reaction. Their ligands exchange percentage is over 95%. The biodistribution of one of these compounds in mice shows 0.88% brain uptake after two minutes and 0.28% after 15 minutes respectively. Although the brain uptake is lower for this compound, it has longer retention in brain. So, the experiment results are valuable to the design of new brain imaging agent in the future.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a decision approach, and associated computer software tools, for prioritizing and selecting among technology development activities. The approach elicits and then summarizes technology development preferences from stakeholders, and then integrates preferences into a set of funding recommendations. By formalizing the technology review process, the decision approach builds consensus and clarifies the basis for final budget decisions. The software development was conducted jointly by Pacific Northwest Laboratory and Decisions Science Associates, Incorporated. The Underground Storage Tank Integrated Demonstration funded the task; however, the approach should also be valuable to the US Department of Energy Office of Technology Development, the Office of Waste Management, and the Office of Environmental Restoration.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Monte Carlo ray-tracing method is applied and coupled with optical properties to predict the radiation performance of solar concentrator/cavity receiver systems. Several different cavity geometries are compared on the radiation performance. A flux density distribution measurement system for dish parabolic concentrators is developed. The contours of the flux distribution for target placements at different distances from the dish vertex of a solar concentrator are taken by using an indirect method with a Lambert and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. Further, the measured flux distributions are compared with a Monte Carlo-predicted distribution. The results can be a valuable reference for the design and assemblage of the solar collector system.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract This article summarizes the results of a Nutrient Biomarker Study in the Women's Health Initiative, and its application to studies of the association between energy and protein consumption and the risk of major cancers and cardiovascular diseases. The presentation emphasizes measurement error modeling and related data analysis methods, since addressing measurement issues appears to be central to these topics and to progress in nutritional epidemiology more generally. The manner in which body mass index is modeled in disease association analysis is particularly challenging, since it could serve as a mediator or as a confounder of the association, and at the same time contributes valuably to energy and protein consumption assessment. A hazard ratio parameter estimation procedure tha...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A reliable source of specific criteria for recognizing a wetland, as defined for regulatory purposes would be valuable. In 1987 the Army Corps of Engineers developed a technical manual for identifying wetlands (1987 Wetlands Manual). An interagency manual (1989 Wetlands Manual) was later developed. This manual has been used to identify wetlands according to three evidentiary factors: vegetation, hydrology, and soil. This paper addresses the development of criteria to delineate wetlands, and describes some of the logic used by federal courts to uphold the limited constitutional use of the 1989 Wetlands Manual.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A synthesis of papers based on the United Nations Environment Programme meeting on the ozone layer, Washington DC, this book contains valuable information on ongoing and planned activities concerned with stratospheric ozone problems, and presents the recommendations for further action resulting from the meeting. Possible changes in the characteristics of the ozone layer are discussed, together with the environmental, ecological, climatic, economic, and health implications of stratospheric ozone depletion. A comprehensive survey of current research in five European countries, the USA, Canada, and Australia is included and the volume is concluded by the UNEP report of the meeting and a world plan of action.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is possible to create nomographs similar to Fig. 2.10 to characterise damage potential of candidate time histories, provided there exists extensive records of earlier time-histories and the damage that they have caused. Thus in order to create such nomographs, one needs the correlated documentation between the input to the structure and the resulting damage. In order to use the Response-Spectra approach, one needs good statistical description of the input to the system. Extensive literature exists on both these methods. The MAC method that has being developed for the present research has yet to be validated. However, if it is successful, it would provide a valuable link between the SEA method and the rational method.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The proposed short wavelength coherent light source driven by the SLAC 3 km linac might be used to induce transitions between nuclear isomeric states. If an isotope were found with energetically adjacent isomeric states, one short-lived and one long-lived, and it were possible to separate and concentrate the long-lived species, and other nuclear and solid-state parameters were favorable, it might be possible to convert sufficient population to the short-lived state to realize [gamma]-ray lasing. Even if the x-ray intensity were insufficient, study of such driven transitions would be quite valuable.

CERN Document Server

In this paper we dealt with the comparison and linking between lexical resources with domain knowledge provided by ontologies. It is one of the issues for the combination of the Semantic Web Ontologies and Text Mining. We investigated the relations between the linguistics oriented and domain-specific semantics, by associating the GO biological process concepts to the FrameNet semantic frames. The result shows the gaps between the linguistics-oriented and domain-specific semantics on the classification of events and the grouping of target words. The result provides valuable information for the improvement of domain ontologies supporting for text mining systems. And also, it will result in benefits to language understanding technology.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The University of Groningen (RUG) has developed an expert system on cleaning of biomass producer gas. This work was carried out in close co-operation with the Biomass Technology Group B.V. (BTG) in Enschede, The Netherlands within the framework of the EC supported JOR3-CT95-0084 project. The expert system was developed as a tool for the designer-engineer of downstream gas cleaning equipment and consists of an information package and a flowsheet package. The packages are integrated in a client/server system. The flowsheeting package of the expert system has been designed for the evaluation of different gas cleaning methods. The system contains a number of possible gas cleaning devices such as: cyclone, fabric filter, ceramic filter, venturi scrubber and catalytic cracker. The user can select up to five cleaning steps in an arbitrary order for his specific gas cleaning problem. After specification of the required design parameters, the system ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is necessary to establish scenarios for reducing CO2 emissions and for developing CO2 emission control technologies to obtain a global consensus, using appropriate analytical models. For modification of the DNE-21 (Dynamic New Earth 21) model, it has a category designated as innovative technologies not involving CO2 emission and an optional consideration for the absorption of atmospheric CO2 by biomass. A global carbon circulation model, including vegetation in its scope, is also incorporated. Major results of the simulation are shown. When 20% reduction in CO2 emissions is required for only OECD countries after the year 2020, it has been demonstrated that CO2 concentration in the atmosphere will reach as high as about 900 ppm in 2100 due to CO2 emission by developing countries, and will not be a tolerable level. Under the condition that CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is controlled at 450 ppm in 2100, the amount of renewable source of energy from ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A study in northeast Germany has shown that the establishment of short rotation coppices (SRC) of Robinia pseudoacacia L. may be a viable option for improving farmers income on marginal soils. The plantations produce woody biomass at a fast rate for energy use. Carbon is accumulated in the harvestable biomass, as well as in the stump and the roots. These plant compartments form a long-term carbon storage pool because they can survive a harvest, stay vital at the site and continue to grow as the plant ages. As organic litter decomposes, additional carbon is sequestered under SRC as soil organic carbon. The carbon sequestration in SRC of R. pseudoacacia on mining sites within the Lower Lusatian region in northeast Germany was studied and the results were complemented with findings of current field studies conducted on reclaimed mine sites. The average above ground dry matter productivity of R. pseudoacacia was found to be 3 to 10 Mg per hectare ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The increase in world oil prices since 2003 has prompted renewed interest in producing and using liquid fuels from unconventional resources, such as biomass, oil shale, and coal. This book focuses on issues and options associated with establishing a commercial coal-to-liquids (CTL) industry within the United States. It describes the technical status, costs, and performance of methods that are available for producing liquids from coal; the key energy and environmental policy issues associated with CTL development; the impediments to early commercial experience; and the efficacy of alternative federal incentives in promoting early commercial experience. Because coal is not the only near-term option for meeting liquid-fuel needs, this book also briefly reviews the benefits and limitations of other approaches, including the development of oil shale resources, the further development of biomass resources, and increasing dependence on imported ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Topics related to aerospace power are discussed, taking into account trends and issues of military space power systems technology, space station power system advanced development, the application and use of nuclear power for future spacecraft, the current status of advanced solar array technology development, the application of a parabolic trough concentrator to space station power needs, life test results of the Intelsat-V nickel-cadmium battery, and metal hydride hydrogen storage in nickel hydrogen batteries. Other subjects explored are concerned with alternative fuels, biomass energy, biomedical power, coal gasification, electric power cycles, and electric propulsion. Attention is given to an advanced terrestrial vehicle electric propulsion systems assessment, fuel cells as electric propulsion power plants, a sinewave synthesis for high efficiency dc-ac conversion, steam desulfurization of coal, leadless transfer of energy into the body to power implanted blood ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A review of energy use in Haiti, aimed at identifying possible projects to complement current A.I.D. support for institution building and energy planning within the Ministry of Mines and Energy Resources (MMRE), is presented. Key findings are that: (1) the sugar and manufacturing industries rely heavily on biomass fuels - wood, charcoal, and bagasse (sugar cane residue); and (2) demand for commercial energy and for electricity is growing rapidly despite supply constraints. The report calls for A.I.D. to: initiate a program to reduce biomass consumption (which is causing severe soil erosion and deforestation), especially in the small distilleries called guildives; collaborate with MMRE and the World Bank to develop a detailed workplan to promote energy efficiency in the guildives, focusing on technology development; help MMRE and the private sector to project Haiti's industrial energy and electricity needs through the year 2000; and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Conventional methods for removing metals from aqueous solutions include chemical precipitation, chemical oxidation or reduction, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, electrochemical treatment and evaporation. The removal of radionuclides from aqueous waste streams has largely relied on ion exchange methods which can be prohibitively costly given increasingly stringent regulatory effluent limits. The use of microbial cells as biosorbants for heavy metals offers a potential alternative to existing methods for decontamination or recovery of heavy metals from a variety of industrial waste streams and contaminated ground waters. The toxicity and the extreme and variable conditions present in many radionuclide containing waste streams may preclude the use of living microorganisms and favor the use of non-living biomass for the removal of actinides from these waste streams. In the work presented here, we have examined the biosorption of uranium by non-living, non-metabolizing ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A series of lab and greenhouse studies were undertaken to understand how Cu and Zn toxicity influences Bromus carinatus (Hook and Arn.) growth, to what degree an organic amendment (yard waste compost) may reduce Cu and Zn bioavailability in Cu-Zn minespoil and promote plant growth in combination with fertilizer, and how the vertical distribution of compost in the minespoil influences rooting depth. Root Cu and Zn toxicity thresholds were determined to be 1 mg L"-"1 and 10 mg L"-"1 in solution, respectively. The compost amendment had exceptionally high Cu and Zn binding capacities (0.17 and 0.08 g metal g C"-"1, for Cu and Zn, respectively) that were attributed to high compost humic and fulvic acid concentrations. Maximum plant biomass was achieved when minespoil was amended with compost and fertilizer in combination. Fertilizer alone had no effect on plant growth. Mixing compost into the minespoil was essential to promote adequate rooting depth. - Organic amendment ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes the estimated the rate of carbon accumulation in the woody biomass and total carbon storage in the forests including trees, soil and litter in Korea. The relevant data come from the Statistical Yearbook of Forestry and major results of the studies on forest biomass in Korea. Most of the forests, which has been denuded or degraded during the 2nd World War and the Korean War, were recovered through ``Reforestation Project(1973-1987)`` and natural regeneration. So, now they are mostly young secondary forests and grow rapidly. Total carbon removal by forests is estimated at 8.1 million tonnes of carbon(MtC) and the carbon emission by commercial harvesting at 0.9 MtC. therefore, the forests in Korea play an essential role as a net carbon sink. The annul net carbon removal is 7.2 MtC and accounts for about 11.0% of total carbon emissions in energy sector of Korea. The carbon storage in the forests is 589.9 MtC, 22.4% of that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pyrolysis of Greek fir wood samples in a fluidized bed reactor was studied. The experimental conditions selected control the yield of gaseous, liquid and solid products. The factors examined were: pyrolysis temperature, mean particle size, pressure, residence time of volatiles, lignin content of biomass and moisture content. The experiments were performed on the basis of a 12-run Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the pyrolysis temperature is the main factor affecting the distribution of the yields of liquids, their phenolic fraction and gases in the range of experimental conditions tested. Empirical expressions were obtained from linear regression giving the yields of liquids, phenols and gases in terms of temperature. The maximum predicted yields were 56 and 12 wt.% on a moisture-free basis at 520 C and 545 C for liquids and phenols, respectively. The yield of gases increased proportionally with temperature. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The article describes the energy in Lebanon. In 1995, 97% of the imported energy was based on hydrocarbons. Fuel and gas oil present 66% of the final energy. Air pollution is mainly caused by the transportation sector (vehicles and buses...) which presents 70% of the global atmospheric pollution. Renewable energy such as biomass, fossil energy, hydro-energy, solar energy... are also described. The solar energy was defined as a best solution that preserve health in Lebanon. The different applications of the solar for energy production is discussed: photovoltaic , thermal heating, sanitary hot water, electrical heaters, solar water heaters...In conclusion, solar heaters economize 80% of the annual energy expenses

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Deregulation of the electric power industry in Alberta holds the prospect of providing greater choice for customers. One such option will be `green power` which is provided by renewable energy technologies. The energy produced would be without environmental impacts such as air emissions, water pollution, flooding, thermal emissions or waste by-products. Wind power, small scale hydro power, photovoltaics and biomass technologies have been termed as `green power`. The choices that customers make will not be focused on price alone. Market forces are emerging to demand reduction in emissions which will result in a market for `green energy` products and facilitate achieving goals for a sustainable future.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One of the greatest opportunities for using of biomass as a precursor in the production of polymeric materials is the lignocellulose composites that can combine high performance with low costs. This work is a initial study on the production of a lignocellulose reinforced polyethylene composite. A compatibilization made by a induced gamma radiation grafting reaction was used to increase the adhesion between the matrix and the reinforced or filled fibers. The lignocellulose materials were exposed to gamma radiation in order to promote a molecular degradation and increase its reactivity. The polymer, the lignocellulose material and the compatibilization were processed by extrusion and the composite produced by this process were characterized by mechanical tests. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This conference provided a forum to discuss advances in the application of bioengineering principles and practices dealing with biological systems for the production of food, bioproducts and energy. The topics of discussion ranged from engineering practices in agriculture, forestry, bioresources, biochemistry and biosystems. The sessions of the conference were entitled: renewable energy; waste management; soil and water; machinery systems; building and storage systems; and bioproducts and food. The conference also featured a workshop on integrated biomass supply and logistics. In addition to 20 posters, the conference featured 67 presentations, of which 3 have been catalogued separately for inclusion in this database. refs., tabs., figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We consider energy investment, when a choice has to be made between fossil fuel and biomass fired production technologies. A dynamic model is presented to illustrate the effect of the different degrees of input price uncertainty on the choice of technology and the timing of the investment. It is shown that when the choice of technology is irreversible, it may be optimal to postpone the investment even if it would otherwise be optimal to invest in one or both of the plant types. We provide a numerical example based on cost, estimates of two different power plant types. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the framework of the carbon storage two forestry methods are analyzed by the author: the standing capitalization (slowing of the crops) and the spices substitution (slow growing species by fast growing species). The construction of a model taking into account the all stage of the carbon implication (biomass, soil, forest products) offers simulation and quantitative results on these methods. (A.L.B.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The combination of wood gasification and high temperature fuel cells like solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) is an interesting approach to achieve high electrical efficiencies (40%) in small scale combined heat and power plants. This combination is called 'Biomass - Integrated Gasification Fuel Cell System' (B-IGFC). The main challenge is the adjustment of the three main components gasification, gas cleaning and fuel cell. In this technology, the first proof of principle by combining a gasifier with a SOFC in a laboratory scale for more than 100 hours was achieved. During this period, no deactivation of the system was found. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A collection of 14 papers from a June 1981 seminar assess the costs of damage caused by water pollution. The seminar focused on the economic rather than the legal standpoint by evaluating the cost of the clean-up operations themselves and other costs, such as direct or indirect economic losses, and converting into money terms the damage to the environment, the loss of recreational facilities, and biomass losses. The papers are grouped into four sections which look at the scale of risk, the clean-up costs for specific oil spills, other costs inflicted on coastal zones, and legal aspects of compensation. Separate abstracts were prepared for each of the 16 papers selected for the Energy Data Base.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study attempts have been made to utilize biomass residues in a proper and efficient way. As a part of these attempts activated charcoal has been produced from coconut shell. The effects of temperature, time and impregnation ratio on activation and yield have also been studied. Experimental results show that higher temperature produces better activation but lower yield. The optimum values for activation time and impregnation ratio in producing activated charcoal were 50 min and 40%, respectively, at 600{sup o}C. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biosorption of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) by six fractions of particle sizes, ranging from 0.063 to 1.4 mm of dry marine algal biomass of Sargassum fluitans and Ascophyllum nodosum, is examined. Equilibrium metal uptake by larger particles was higher than that by smaller particles in the order of Pb > Cd > Cu > Co > Zn > Ni for both biomass types, with S. fluitans sorbing slightly more than A. nodosum. Uptakes of metals ranged from the highest, q{sub max} = 369 mg Pb/g (particle size 0.84-1.00 mm), to the low Zn and Ni uptakes, q{sub max} = 77 mg/g (size 0.84-1.00 mm) for S. fluitans. A. nodosum adsorbed metals in the range from q{sub max} = 287 mg Pg/g (particle size 0.84-1.00 mm) to q{sub max} = 73 mg Zn/g (particle size 0.84-1.00mm). Harder stipe fractions of S. fluitans demonstrated generally higher metal uptakes than the softer fractions derived from its blades (leaves). The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biosorption equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of chromium(VI) ions onto cone biomass were studied in a batch system with respect to temperature and initial metal ion concentration. The biosorption efficiency of chromium ions to the cone biomass decreased as the initial concentration of metal ions was increased. But cone biomass of Pinus sylvestris Linn. exhibited the highest Cr(VI) uptake capacity at 45 {sup o}C. The biosorption efficiency increased from 67% to 84% with an increase in temperature from 25 to 45 deg. C at an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 300 mg/L. The Langmuir isotherm model was applied to experimental equilibrium data of Cr(VI) biosorption depending on temperature. According to Langmuir isotherm, the monolayer saturation capacity (Q{sub max}) is 238.10 mg/g. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were applied to test the experimental data for initial Cr(VI). The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This Guideline provides a set of procedures for the measurement of organic contaminants and particles in producer gases from biomass gasifiers. The procedures are designed to cover different gasifier types (updraft or downdraft fixed bed or fluidised bed gasifiers), operating conditions (0 - 900C and 0.6-60 bars) and concentration ranges (1 mg/m{sub n}{sup 3} to 300 g/m{sub n}{sup 3}). The Guideline describes a modular sampling train, and a set of procedures, which include: planning and preparation of the sampling, sampling and post-sampling, analysis, calculations, error analysis and reporting. The modular sampling train consists of 4 modules. Module 1 is a preconditioning module for isokinetic sampling and gas cooling. Module 2 is a particle collection module including a heated filter. Module 3 is a tar collection module with a gas quench (optionally by circulating a liquid), impinger bottles and a backup adsorber. Module 4 is a volume-sampling module consisting ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In Uganda, biomass comprises more than 95 per cent of the total energy supply. Agricultural residues are a major source of energy that can be converted into producer gas in biomass gasifiers. The high poverty levels in Uganda can be attributed in part to the fact that more than 90 per cent of the population does not have access to electricity due to limited and unreliable electricity produced in the country. A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasification system was designed in this study in order to generate a system for the effective use of agricultural wastes for energy production. Rice husks were used as the feedstock for a power output of 60 MW. The gasification system was designed using ERGUN CFB software with available theoretical and experimental data. The design comprises a reactor subsystem, air distribution plate, cyclone, air inlet and fuel feeding systems. The reactor is 10 m high and has a fuel flow rate of 8.1 kg/s. The inlet air ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arsenic was predominantly present as inorganic arsenite in the fronds of the hyperaccumulator Chinese brake. - Arsenic speciation is important not only for understanding the mechanisms of arsenic accumulation and detoxification by hyperaccumulators, but also for designing disposal options of arsenic-rich biomass. The primary objective of this research was to understand the speciation and leachability of arsenic in the fronds of Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.), an arsenic hyperaccumulator, with an emphasis on the implications for arsenic-rich biomass disposal. Chinese brake was grown for 18 weeks in a soil spiked with 50 mg As kg"-"1 as arsenate (AsO_4"3"-), arsenite (AsO_3"3"-), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), or methylarsonic acid (MMA). Plant samples were extracted with methanol/water (1:1) and arsenic speciation was performed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The impacts of air-drying ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis (RXRFA), as a non-destructive method, relatively simple and allowing measurements to be carried out in situ, is an excellent tool in research on various objects of art. A range of artefacts have been investigated by our laboratory, in part for the purposes of history of art and in part as a basis for restoration works - medieval frescoes in some Czech castles and churches, metal sculptures and objects of applied art, paints and inks of old manuscripts, paintings. Some of these are among the most valuable monuments in the Czech cultural heritage. The contribution of the results of the tests to the investigation of their 'life story' and, in some cases, to their conservation, is not negligible. Later additions and repairs can be recognised, and materials and technologies that are close to their historic counterparts can be used in restoration work.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The NIS-6 group at Los Alamos National Laboratory pioneered the development of Tomographic Gamma Scanning and continue to improve its utility in real measurement situations. Building on this experience we report the development of a state of the art TGS system suitable for industrial applications. The image reconstruction and visualization software has been integrated into the familiar Canberra NDA2000 software suite which also handles all other aspects of the data acquisition and management. In this paper we describe the salient design and performance parameters of the system. The application of gamma-ray tomography to safeguards for improved assay accuracy and knowledge confirmation is discussed. In particular we compare and contrast the relative merits of this TGS and a traditional Segmented Gamma Scanner and illustrate how the 3-D visualization of the TGS image can provide valuable additional information.

Science.gov (United States)

The Education for All-Fast Track Initiative (FTI) grew out of the "New Focus on Education for All" communique of the G-8 when Canada hosted the summit in 2002 at Kananaskis. As Canada prepares again to host the G-8, and Korea assumes leadership of the newly-empowered G-20, it is a valuable moment to revisit and re-think the current global education architecture. By adopting some of the recommendations from the recent independent evaluation of the FTI and borrowing some lessons from global partnerships in other sectors, the FTI could set a new course toward the achievement of universal basic education. The FTI should broaden and strengthen the role of diverse stakeholders from developing countries and civil society in its governance structure in order to fully harness the energies of these stakeholders in resource mobilization and effective implementation. (Contains 9 endnotes.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this report was to assess the usefulness of cerebral blood flow (CBF) scanning utilising the SPECT technique in forensic medicine cases in the area of civil law cases. CBF SPECT scanning was performed in four patients utilising "9"9"mTc-ECD and a triple-head gammacamera. In the analysis both the asymmetry index and cerebellar normalisation were applied. Reference values were obtained by studying 30 healthy volunteers. In those cases CBF SPECT scanning played an important role in forensic argument. It influenced the sentence and the amount of financial compensation. CBF SPECT scanning may provide valuable information in forensic medicine argument in civil law cases, but only when taken together with psychometric tests and other neuroimaging methods (CT, MRI). The value of CBF SPECT scanning alone may be limited in judicial proceedings. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The environmental behavior of antibiotics has attracted great research attention. However, their sorption mechanisms in soils/sediments are still unknown. Comparison of the sorption properties between the widely-studied hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and antibiotics may provide valuable insight to antibiotic sorption mechanisms. Thus, in this study batch experiments for pyrene (PYR), bisphenol A (BPA), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) sorption were conducted on a sediment sample and its separated fractions. Our results showed the high sorption of PYR on black carbon and organic matter. Although high sorption of SMX was observed for both separated organic fractions (humic acids) and inorganic mineral particles, the original sediment particles showed relatively low sorption. Competitive s...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Plasmid pRK404-a smaller derivative of RK2-is a tetracycline-resistant broad-host-range vector that carries a multiple cloning site and the lacZ(alpha) peptide that enables blue/white selection for cloned inserts in Escherichia coli. We present herein the complete and annotated sequence of pRK404 and three related vectors-pRK437, pRK442, and pRK442(H). These derivatives have proven to be valuable tools for genetic manipulation in Gram-negative bacteria. The knowledge of their complete sequences will facilitate efficient future engineering of them and will enhance their general applicability to the design of genetic systems for use in organisms for which new genomic sequence data are becoming available.

CERN Document Server

The seesaw-extended MSSM provides a framework in which the observed light neutrino masses and mixing angles can be generated in the context of a natural theory for the TeV-scale. Sneutrino-mixing phenomena provides valuable tools for connecting the physics of neutrinos and supersymmetry. We examine the theoretical structure of the seesaw-extended MSSM, retaining the full complexity of three generations of neutrinos and sneutrinos. In this general framework, new flavor-changing and CP-violating sneutrino processes are allowed, and are parameterized in terms of two $3\\times 3$ matrices that respectively preserve and violate lepton number. The elements of these matrices can be bounded by analyzing the rate for rare flavor-changing decays of charged leptons and the one-loop contribution to neutrino masses. In the former case, new contributions arise in the seesaw extended model which are not present in the ordinary MSSM. In the latter case, sneutrino--antisneutrino ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Real-time neutron radiography (RTNR) is now proving to be a valuable research tool in the study of hydrogenous fluid flow. One of the most significant advantages of neutron radiography is the ability to image hydrogenous substances (such as lubricants, coolants, and fuels) inside metallic materials such as aluminum and titanium engines. By using RTNR, one can then study dynamic events such as the movement of liquids inside these solids. The Phoenix Memorial Laboratory (PML) at the University of Michigan has recently developed and installed a facility dedicated to RTNR. The work at PML has shown that RTNR of dynamic events can provide information enabling the researcher to follow dynamic events that were previously impossible or impractical. This paper will show the variety of uses of RTNR presently being pursued at PML.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The current status of rare B decays is reviewed based on recent observation of the penguin-diagram decay B {yields} K{sup *}{gamma} at CLEO. Rare B decays provide valuable information on the Standard Model parameters, and also could be a source of direct CP violation. It is emphasized that new physics beyond the Standard Model can appear in rare B decays, in some cases more drastically than in the CP Asymmetry of the B system. Inclusive measurement of the radiative transition b {yields} s{gamma} is promising. Hadronic penguin modes are very close to being observed at CLEO, and a discovery might be just around the corner. (author). 48 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Computed tomography (CT) of the neck and mediastinum was performed in 16 patients with renal osteodystrophy. Thirty out of 34 excised parathyroid glands weighing more than 500mg were diagnosed preoperatively (88.2%). Scintigraphy of the neck with _2_0_1TlCl and sup(99m)TcOsub(4-) was also performed in 15 patients. The introduction of subtraction method with a mini-computor in the scintigraphy has remarkably improved the visualization rate of parathyroid glands. Ultrasonic echography (US) of the neck which is able to obtain not only transverse butalso longitudinal imaging was done in 7 patients. It has about same detection rate of the glands with CT. The visualization of enlarged parathyroid glands is valuable not only for localization but also for undeniable evidence of hyperparathyroidism. Also, repeated follow-up examination can determine the effectiveness of conservative treatment. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Many coastal areas have served as repositories of different anthropogenic and naturally induced organic material and nutrients. The major sources thereof are riverine inputs which strongly influence the spatial and temporal distribution of benthic communities. In this study, the benthic foraminiferal, meiofaunal, and macrofaunal colonies in front of three rivers in a poorly known, but environmentally valuable, area of the Central Adriatic Sea have been examined concurrently. The physico-chemical parameters of bottom water and sediment characteristics were determined in order to characterize both the sediment?water interface and the benthic environments. Although changes in the biota are neither univocal nor unidirectional, a moderate influence of riverine input on the different communities...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper is a review concerning the application of Nuclear Analytical Techniques in the Cuban sugar industry. The most complete elemental composition of final molasses (34 elements) and natural zeolites (38) this last one employed as an auxiliary agent in sugar technological processe4s has been performed by means of instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRFA). The trace elemental sugar cane soill-plant relationship and elemental composition of different types of Cuban sugar (raw, blanco-directo and refine) were also studied. As a result, valuable information referred to the possibilities of using these products in animal and human foodstuff so as in the other applications are given. (author). 34 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

CERN Document Server

Community ecologists are principally occupied with the proposition that natural assemblages of species exhibit orderliness and with identifying its causes. Plant-pollinator networks exhibit a variety of orderly properties, one of which is 'nestedness'. Nestedness has been attributed to various causes, but we propose a further influence arising from the phylogenetic structure of the biochemical constraints on the pollen diets of bees. We use an artificial assemblage as an opportunity to isolate the action of this mechanism. The properties of the network that we studied are consistent with the proposition that nestedness is caused by the phylogeny of diet range in bees, but the claim is preliminary and we propose that valuable progress in understanding plant-pollinator systems may be made through applying the techniques of chemical ecology at the community scale.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lie group methods provide a valuable tool for examininginvariance and non-uniqueness associated with geophysical inverseproblems. The techniques are particularly well suited for the study ofnon-linear inverse problems. Using the infinitesimal generators of thegroup it is possible to move within the null space in an iterativefashion. The key computational step in determining the symmetry groupsassociated with an inverse problem is the singular value decomposition(SVD) of a sparse matrix. I apply the methodology to the eikonal equationand examine the possible solutions associated with a crosswelltomographic experiment. Results from a synthetic test indicate that it ispossible to vary the velocity model significantly and still fit thereference arrival times. the approach is also applied to data fromcorosswell surveys conducted before and after a CO2 injection at the LostHills field in California. The results highlight the fact that a faultcross-cutting the region ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Comparative analyses of neuroanatomical characters can make valuable contributions to the inference of phylogenetic relationships. Whereas investigations in this field are numerous for arthropods, in-depth studies on other protostomes are sparse. Here, we provide a survey of the internal neuroarchitecture of the brain of the aciculate ragworm Nereis diversicolor (Polychaeta, Annelida). Descriptions are based on confocal laser scanning microscope analyses of brain sections labeled with the nuclear marker DAPI and antibodies raised against FMRF-amide, serotonin, and histamine. Autofluorescence of the nervous tissue has been utilized to further elucidate the anatomical structures of the brain. The architecture of two major brain compartments, i.e., the paired mushroom bodies and the central o...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Twenty-two out of 31 patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy before operation underwent non-invasive image diagnosis of parathyroid glands by computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy with /sup 201/TlCl and /sup 99m/TcO/sup 4 +/, and/or ultrasonography. CT visualized 39 of 45 parathyroid glands (86.7%), weighing more than 500 mg. Scintigraphy with a subtraction method using a computer performed the diagnosis in 19 of 27 glands (70.4%). Ultrasonography detected 21 of 27 glands (77.8%). Image diagnosis was also useful in the postoperative follow-up study. The non-invasive image diagnosis of parathyroid glands in patients with chronic renal failure is thus valuable for 1) definite diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism, 2) localization, and 3) diagnosis for effectiveness of conservative treatment.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Long-term fishery datasets can provide valuable insights into fishing histories, and represent a baseline against which to examine current status and plan for future management. For coral reef-associated fisheries, however, such datasets are extremely rare. We analyse a unique 45-year set of landings data on six reef fishes of commercial importance in Cubas coastal fisheries, together with information on management interventions, and examine the likely implications of over-fishing and management on the long-term condition of one grouper (Serranidae) and five snapper (Lutjanidae) species. The data clearly demonstrate differential responses to fishing and management according to the biology of the different species examined. In particular, those species that aggregate most predictably, and a...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

339 CT und 95 MRT examinations in 210 partients were evaluated retrospectively to determine the value of CT and MRT for follow-up of head and neck tumors and for diagnosing recurrences. Semi-quantitative evaluation of tumor extent during and after radiotherapy showed advantages for MRT since changes induced by treatment, particularly oedema, produced less contrast loss in the images. CT had a sensitivity of 81% for the recognition of recurrences; this was 92% for MRT. Specificity for CT was 76% and for MRT 86%. Concerning the reliability of individual diagnostic criteria, space occupying lesions were the most valuable in CT diagnosis. For MRT, space occupying lesions and infiltration into neighbouring structures were of equal value. Because of differences in the nature of the signals, MRT proved better than CT in characterising recurrent masses and this improved the differentiation between scarring and local tumour recurrence. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The authors have evaluated bone mineral content in the vertebral spongiosa by means of Computed Tomography. The method proposed by Genant and Cann [17, 18] has been applied to examine 164 healthy volunteers and 108 patients. Both healthy males and females showed a progressive bone mineral loss increasing with age; the bone mineral loss was most severe in females during the 4th and 5th decade of life. Pathology included patients with osteoporotic fractures (vertebral and femural neck), patients with partial gastrectomy, renal failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, Cushing syndrome, corticosteroid therapy. Bone mineral values were significantly lower in most pathologic groups. Computed Tomography proves thus to be a valuable method to assess bone mineral content and to identify patients at risk for fractures.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose ? The purpose of this article is to expand the base of supply chain knowledge by applying chaos theory principles to selected supply chain functions. Design/methodology/approach ? Researchers borrow chaos theory from the natural sciences, provide a basic explanation, and then examine how it may be applied to enhance supply chain management techniques. Findings ? Chaos theory principles are used to assist in the examination of forecasting, product design, and inventory management challenges currently facing supply chain practitioners. Research limitations/implications ? Application of chaos theory to various supply chain issues and key functional areas may produce an increase in the level of understanding of supply chain ambiguity and how chaos theory may provide valuable insight in...

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Often ecologists and natural resource managers can easily access data on invasive species occurrence across a region. Yet, collecting species abundance data over a large area is arguably more important for decision making, but inherently costly, so methods which can provide robust information at low-cost are particularly valuable. Studies of species distribution often use occurrence data to build models of the environmental niche. Environmental suitability derived from such models may be used to predict the potential distributions of species. The ability of such models to predict spatial patterns in abundance have recently been demonstrated. Here we tested the relationship of environmental suitability with local abundance of an aquatic invasive species, olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexi...

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Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Family, Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha is one of the most valuable medicinal plants synthesizing large number of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites known as withanolides. Though the plant has been well characterized in terms of phytochemical profiles as well as pharmaceutical activities, not much is known about the genes responsible for biosynthesis of these compounds. In this study, we have characterized a gene encoding farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS; EC 2.5.1.10), a key enzyme in the pathway of biosynthesis of isoprenoids, from W. somnifera. The full-length cDNA of Withania somnifera FPPS (WsFPPS) of 1,253?bps encodes a polypeptide of 343 amino acids. The amino acid sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis suggest that WsFPPS...

CERN Document Server

Gravitational lensing distorts the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization fields and encodes valuable information on distances and growth rates at intermediate redshifts into the lensed power spectra. The non-Gaussian bandpower covariance induced by the lenses is negligible to l=2000 for all but the B polarization field where it increases the net variance by up to a factor of 10 and favors an observing strategy with 3 times more area than if it were Gaussian. To quantify the cosmological information, we introduce two lensing observables, characterizing nearly all of the information, which simplify the study of non-Gaussian impact, parameter degeneracies, dark energy models, and complementarity with other cosmological probes. Information on the intermediate redshift parameters rapidly becomes limited by constraints on the cold dark matter density and initial amplitude of fluctuations as observations improve. Extraction of this information ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A three-component seismic line acquired over the Zamora gas field, northern Sacramento Valley, California, displays conventional (P-P) and converted-wave (P-SV) seismic anomalies. Well log and seismic modeling results indicate that bright-spot reflection strengths are related to variations in fluid saturation and lithology. The converted-wave reflection strengths and interval velocities provide valuable information that compliments more conventional strategies such as amplitude with offset and polarity analysis. This integrated strategy can improve risk evaluation and well site selection in areas where rapid changes in reservoir quality impact resource evaluation.

CERN Document Server

Cyclotomic fast Fourier transforms (CFFTs) are efficient implementations of discrete Fourier transforms over finite fields, which have widespread applications in cryptography and error control codes. They are of great interest because of their low multiplicative and overall complexities. However, their advantages are shown by inspection in the literature, and there is no asymptotic computational complexity analysis for CFFTs. Their high additive complexity also incurs difficulties in hardware implementations. In this paper, we derive the bounds for the multiplicative and additive complexities of CFFTs, respectively. Our results confirm that CFFTs have the smallest multiplicative complexities among all known algorithms while their additive complexities render them asymptotically suboptimal. However, CFFTs remain valuable as they have the smallest overall complexities for most practical lengths. Our additive complexity analysis also leads to a structured addition ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Intra-arterial subtraction angiography(IADSA) using Fuji computed radiography(FCR) was performed on 130 patients with cervical, pelvic, peripheral and abdominal diseases. It was compared with conventional angiography(radiographs produced by combining photographic film with an intensifying screen) performed on same patients. Radiographs produced by FCR were better than conventional radiographs in cervical, pelvic and peripheral angiography. In the abdominal angiography using FCR, there was misregistration artifact in some cases, but in hepatic angiography, the new radiographs under the injection of small amount of contrast medium(about 10ml) and the short exposure duration(about 10 seconds) were excellent. It was as valuable as conventional angiography (infusion hepatic angiography) for diagnosing hepatic neoplasms. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Composite materials of synthetics (based on monomers, oligomers and thermoplastics) and of natural polymers (wood and other fibrous cellulosics) prepared by radiation processing, offer valuable structural materials with enhanced coupling forces between the components. The applied polymer chemistry of such composites shows several common features with that of radiation grafting, e.g. the polymerization rate of oligomer-monomer mixtures in wood remains in most cases proportional to the square-root of the initiating dose-rate, just as in the simultaneous grafting, demonstrating that the chain termination kinetics remain regularly bimolecular in the corresponding dose-rate ranges. In the processing experiences of such composites, low dose requirement, easy process-control, and good technical feasibility have been found for composites of wood with oligomer-monomer mixtures, for coconut fibres with unsaturated polyesters and for pretreated wood fibre with polypropylene. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Outward FDI strategies are driven by firms' resource endowments, which in turn are conditioned by their home environment. In emerging economies, thus, the pattern of outward FDI is shaped by local firms' idiosyncratic contexts and the resources that these firms developed to fit the contexts. This includes business groups, a dominant organizational form in many emerging economies, competing with context-bound resources. When they wish to transcend their home context, they need internationally valuable resources, especially managerial resources, which may be quite different than the resources that enable domestic growth. This paper thus explores what resources drive this international growth in the case of Taiwanese business groups. Starting from Penrosian Theory, we focus on managerial reso...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Categorization is complete. Samples 11-3-1 (NSR-F-270409-01) and 11-3-2 (NSR-F-270409-02) are depleted uranium powders of moderate purity (#approx#65-80 % U). The uranium feed stocks for 11-3-1 and 11-3-2 have both experienced a neutron flux (as demonstrated by the presence of "2"3"2U). Sample 11-3-3 is indistinguishable from a natural uranium ore concentrate of moderate purity (#approx#70-80% U). Two anomalous objects (11-3-1-4 and 11-3-2-5) were found in the material during aliquoting. These objects might be valuable for route attribution.

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In the Mediterranean arc, vines for wine production are mainly grown without the support of irrigation. Under such conditions, site variables affecting the extent and seasonal timing of water deficits are the dominant environmental constraints for grape production. Moreover, water availability and vine water status are the factors most comprehensively determining fruit composition and, thus, wine quality. Therefore, monitoring the extent of water stress in vines might be a valuable tool for the optimisation of grape yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the reflectance based Water Index (WI) to estimate vine water status at the leaf and canopy levels. The study was conducted on Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay potted plants submitted to contra...

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Raniganj and Jharia regions together have been for long the single largest coal supplier in India, now contributing about a quarter of the total output in the country. Numerous reasons such as improper mining techniques and policy, as well as unauthorized mining caused surface and subsurface coalfires in these areas. These coalfires burn millions of tonnes of valuable coal resources, creating severe environmental problems and posing enormous operational difficulties of mining. After first use of remote sensing as a tool to identify coalfires in 1960s, with the time, the efficiency of remote sensing to identify and monitoring coalfires has been well established by several researchers. With the knowledge of local geological setting and density sliced surface temperature image the spatial dis...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nuclear rocket research and development was initiated in the United States in 1955 and is still being pursued to a limited extent. The major technology emphasis occurred in the decade of the 1960s and was primarily associated with the Rover/NERVA Program where the technology for a nuclear rocket engine system for space application was developed and demonstrated. The NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) technology developed twenty years ago provides a comprehensive and viable propulsion technology base that can be applied and will prove to be valuable for application to the NASA Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). This paper, which is historical in scope, provides an overview of the conduct of the NERVA Engine Program, its organization and management, development philosophy, the engine configuration, and significant accomplishments.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the last months several ballon and satellite experiments improved significantly our knowledge of cosmic ray (CR) spectra at high energy. In particular CREAM allowed to measure B/C, C/O and N/O ratios up to 1 TeV/n and PAMELA the anti p/p ratio up to 100 GeV with unprecedented accuracy. These measurements offer a valuable probe of CR propagation properties. We performed a statistical analysis to test the compatibility of these results, as well as other most significant experimental data, with the predictions of a new numerical CR diffusion package (DRAGON). We found that above 1 GeV/n all data are consistent with a plain diffusion scenario and point to well defined ranges for the normalization and energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1. Cyanide degradation: Of the cyanide- and thiocyanate-degrading bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas spec. were the most effective. 2. Biosorption: Of the isolates suited for biosorption of heavy metals, 597-A (non-identifiable) and 597-A2 (Aspergillus fumigatis) had the biggest potential. The sorption capacity of the fungi for metals varied with the C source used for their growth: apple juice > molasses > glucose. The fungi are not cyanide-sensitive and can even degrade cyanide. Living biomass had better metal sorption efficiencies than dead mycelium. The biosorption rates in waste water were usually higher than in broth. Depending on the metal composition and concentrations and on the exposure time and volume of the mycelia, up to 85 % of the initial concentration was removed from the liquid phase. The capacity of different biomasses for the sorption of metal mixtures was between 65 and 80 mg/g of dry matter ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Production costs for commercial-sized Populus plantations were developed from a series of research programs sponsored by the US Department of Energy's Short Rotation Woody Crops Program. Populus hybrid planted on good quality agricultural sites at a density of 2100 cuttings ha{sup {minus}1} was projected to yield an average of 16 Mg (OD) ha{sup {minus}1}yr{sup {minus}1}. Discounted cash flow analysis of multiple rotations showed pre-harvest production costs of $17 (US) Mg{sup {minus}1}(OD). 19 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

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This study investigates the turnover of polysaccharides by heterotrophic bacterioplankton in the northern Bay of Biscay, a productive marine system on the continental margin of the temperate Atlantic Ocean. Bacterial biomass production (BBP) near the surface ranged from 0.5 to 25.7 nmol C L?1 h?1 during small phytoplankton blooms in May and June that occurred after the main spring bloom. A direct relationship between BBP and total polysaccharides strongly suggests the dependence of bacterial growth on the availability of semi-labile organic matter. Concentrations of combined glucose as well as rate constants of extracellular glucosidase activity and glucose uptake were determined to estimate the actual carbon fluxes from bacterial polysaccharide turnover. Results reveal that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Inactive cells of Rhizopus arrhizus have been documented to exhibit a high thorium biosorptive uptake (170 mg/g) from aqueous solutions. The mechanism of thorium sequestering by this biomass type was investigated following the same method as for the uranium biosorption emchanism. The thorium sequestering mechanism appeared somewhat different from that of uranium. Experimental evidence is presented which indicates that, at optimum biosorption pH (4), thorium coordinates with the nitroge of the chitin cell wall network and, in addition, more thorium is adsorbed by the external section of the fungal cell wall. At pH 2 the overall thorium uptake is reduced. The kinetic study of thorium biosorption revealed a very rapid rate of uptake. Unlike uranium at optimum solution pH, Fe/sup 2 +/ and Zn/sup 2 +/ did not interfere significantly with the thorium biosorptive uptake capacity of R. arrhizus.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP) removes dust and tar droplets very efficiently from biomass product gas. Dust was removed for more than 99%. The tar dewpoint was reduced from 130C to 21C, which is sufficient for the application of the product gas in a gas engine. Tar removal is not sensitive to the voltage or fluctuations in the gas residence time . The voltage was varied between 28 to 37 kV{sub arith} and the gas residence time between 4 and 11s. Fouling of the ESP collector plates was negligible, which was concluded from visual inspection after 200 hours of operation. A reduction in the residence time reduces the size of the ESP and has a significant impact on the investment costs of the ESP. Keywords: electrostatic filter, tar removal, circulating fluidised bed (CFB)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A process is described for converting organic waste into a combustible gas for use in a heavy duty thermal engine. The engines best suited for this operation are of the dual-fuel type whose output power results from the simultaneous work of 2 combustibles. The gas flow rate is controlled by the desired power output, while diesel fuel injection remains constant regardless of engine load. The low BTU gas produced by the gasification of dry wastes is a mixture of CO, H/sub 2/ CH/sub 4/, CO/sub 2/ and N/sub 2/. Diesel fuel savings under usual operating conditions is no less than 80% of the consumption of conventional diesel engines of identical power. Characteristics of the low Btu gas engines are described as are the characteristics of the gasifying equipment. Applications for this process are suggested. (DMC)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Microbial cells are routinely dried and ground before they are used in metal biosorption studies. In this work, a metal biosorbent was prepared by drying biomass of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis in an oven at 70C for 24-h followed by grinding. Two forms of the prepared biosorbent particles, washed and unwashed, were examined for their ability to remove lead from solution. It was found that the unwashed biosorbent exhibited higher lead uptake than the washed biosorbent. Analysis of the supernatant of washed cells incubated in water and that of unwashed cells incubated in lead solution revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrates, organic acids and inorganic phosphate. Overall, the washed and unwashed cells leached, respectively, 14.5 and 13.4% of their initial dry weight (100-m...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of water shortage on growth and gas exchange of maize grown on sandy soil (SS) and clay soil was studied. The lower soil water content in the SS during vegetative growth stages did not affect plant height, above-ground biomass, and leaf area index (LAI). LAI reduction was observed on the SS during the reproductive stage due to early leaf senescence. Canopy and leaf gas exchanges, measured by eddy correlation technique and by a portable photosynthetic system, respectively, were affected by water stress and a greater reduction in net photosynthetic rate (A N) and stomatal conductance (g s) was observed on SS. Chlorophyll and carotenoids content was not affected by water shortage in either condition. Results support two main conclusions: (1) leaf photosynthetic capacity was unaffec...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose Two main pathways of phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils are phytostabilization and phytoextraction. Some soil amendments can strengthen phytostabilization or phytoextraction through either reducing heavy metal bioavailability in soil or increasing the heavy metal accumulation capacity of the hyperaccumulator (enhancing heavy metal concentration or shoot biomass of the hyperaccumulator). Urea and chicken manure are often used as fertilizers. This research will explore their effects on a newly found hyperaccumulator, Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell., phytoremediating cadmium (Cd). Materials and methods Pot culture experiment was conducted to study the accumulation characteristics of R. globosa at different Cd contamination concentrations under one fertilizer level (1?g...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation's REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129ha of research and inventory p...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The enzymatic activity characterization of the cellulolytic complex obtained from Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 and the influence of the enzymatic hydrolysis conditions on the hydrolysis yield are studied. Pure cellulose and native or alkali pretreated biomass Onopordum nervosum have been used as substrates. The values of pH, temperature, substrate concentration and enzyme-substrate ratio for the optimum activity of that complex, evaluated as glucose and reducing sugars production, have been selected. Previous studies on enzymatic hydrolysis of 0. nervosum have shown a remarkable effect of the alkaline pretreatments on the final hydrolysis yield. (Author) 10 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The analysis of bagasse use indicates that the production of exportable electricity from sugar cane factories in Mauritius can be increased from the current level of between 10 and 20 kWh to around 60 kWh per tonne cane crushed. If the bagasse is dried and pelletized, and cane tops and leaves (CT and L) also used, electricity production can be further increased to around 100-110 kWh per tonne of cane crushed. An economic analysis of the process shows that the cost of electricity generated within the sugar industry in Mauritius is competitive with that of electricity produced from fossil fuels. In addition, it is shown that almost twice the current annual electricity consumption, or the postulated annual electricity consumption for the year 2000, of the island can be provided by the Mauritian Sugar Industry. 10 references.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Some newly created wetland areas in the Scheldt estuary are heavily contaminated by metals. They are expected to be colonised by reed (Phragmites australis) and, on a longer term, willow (Salix ssp.). Supplying litter or stimulating plant biomass production on the short term could be possible management options to restrict metal mobility or availability in the upper soil layer. The influence of litter application on the mobility and availability of metals in the top layer of a soil of a recently created floodplain along the river Scheldt (Schelde) was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Reed stem, reed leaf and willow leaf litter were dried, ground and added to the soil. The treated soil was subsequently subjected to permanently flooded and alternately flooded/drained conditions. Metal con...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Continuing high rates of acidic deposition in the eastern United States may lead to long-term effects on stream communities, because sensitive catchments are continuing to lose anions and cations. A two-year study of the effects of pH and associated water chemistry variables on detrital processing in three streams with different bedrock geology in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia were investigated. Leaf pack processing rates and macroinvertebrate colonization and microbial biomass (ATP concentration) on the packs in the three stream were compared. It was found that macroinvertebrate and microbial communities differed both among streams that differed in their capacity to buffer the effects of acidic precipitation and among years in the same stream; these differences in biotic communities were not large enough to affect rates of leaf processing between the two years of the study, but they did significantly affect processing rates between acidic and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A compilation of all universities, industrial and governmental agencies in Quebec which are actively involved in research and development of chemical products and industrial materials derived from biomass products, was presented. Each entry presented in a standard format that included a description of the major research activities of the university or agency, the principal technologies used in the research, available research and analytical equipment, a description of the research personnel, names, and addresses of contact persons for the agency or university. Thirty entries were presented. These covered a wide diversity of activities including biotechnological research such as genetic manipulations, bioconversion, fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis and physico-chemical applications such as bleaching, de-inking, purification and synthesis. tabs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Environmental factors, phytoplankton biomass (Chl a) and primary production of two water areas in Daya Bay (Dapeng'ao Bay and Aotou Bay) were investigated during the transition period from spring to summer. Chl a ranged from 3.20 to 13.62 and 13.43 to 26.49 mg m"-"3 in Dapeng'ao Bay and Aotou Bay respectively, if data obtained during red tides are excluded. Primary production varied between 239.7 and 1001.4 mgC m"-"2 d"-"1 in Dapeng'ao Bay. The regional distribution of Chl a and primary production were mostly consistent from spring to summer in both bays. Seasonal transition characters have been found in Daya Bay from spring to summer, including high values of DO, nitrate and silicate. Size structures of phytoplankton and its primary production do not change very much from spring to summer, with micro-phytoplankton dominating and contributing about 50% of the whole. In Daya Bay, phytoplankton is limited by nitrogen in spring, and by phosphate in summer. Artificial ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As wastewater travels through a sewer system it undergoes changes in composition. The changes in composition may be caused by chemical, physical and/or biological processes. At present engineers do not take into consideration the impacts of these processes on the wastewater quality when designing wastewater treatment systems. However, the impact of these processes on the chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and phosphorus content of the wastewater can be significant. In the case of the biological processes, microorganisms present in the water as it travels through the sewer system are similar to those found in an activated sludge process. Given that the microorganism population and the hydraulic retention time often resembles that of an activated sludge process, it would seem only reasonable to look further into the possibility of using sewers as wastewater treatment systems. Furthermore, the plug flow regime of a sanitary sewer is inherently beneficial in terms ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Safety-technical factors related to spontaneous ignition and dust explosions of biomasses were investigated. Parametres of dust explosions and effect of inertisation on the maximum pressure (pmax) and the maximum rate of pressure rise (Kstmax) were studied at elevated initial pressure (1-9 bar). The level of inertisation required to prevent dust explosions totally was determined at different initial pressures. The sensitivity of fuels to spontaneous ignition and the effect of pressure on the sensitivity to and temperature of spontaneous ignition were studied on a pressurised dynamic self-ignition equipment. The effect of inertisation on the self-ignition temperature and alternatives of preventing spontaneous ignition by effective inertisation in the pressure ranges of 1 and 25 bar were investigated. As an example of application, results obtained with the laboratory test equipment were extrapolated to bin sizes used in practice. As a factor contributing to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the present work, the introduction of alternative energy of biogas in agricultural communities for the sustainable development was studied through exploitation of residual biomass and also getting as by-product the biological fertilizer. A fast composting of the domestic residue with the organic was made possible where part of this residue after processing was taken together with effluent to the biodigester. The bibliographical research on the processes of generation of biogas, about composting and the equipment for processing had been carried through. The projects engineering with the use of computational tools had been developed with the software Super Pro 4,9 Design and ORC GPEC 2004 by our research group. Five case studies had been elaborated, where different scenes related with our innovation, that uses of the residue for the composting together with domestic effluent for digestion. Several economic parameters were obtained and our work proved the viability ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Willow harvested in 2-to-3-year rotations has been touted as a reliable source of biomass. A newly designed harvester based on a round baler was developed in 2006. The third generation biobaler was evaluated in 2009 at 2 willow plantations in Quebec. The first site at Godmanchester was a three-year old regrowth with an estimated 52,000 stems/ha of large diameter willow. The biobaler with a flail cutter harvested three plots totalling 4,136 m{sup 2}. Total harvested biomass was 10.36 t DM in 42 bales. The harvest rate averaged 29 bale/h with an average bale size of 1.22 m wide by 1.30 m in diameter. Diesel fuel consumption averaged 0.81 L/bale. Measured losses averaged 11 per cent of the yield. The second site at Saint-Roch-del'Achigan was a two-year old growth with an estimated 49,000 stems/ha of large stem willow. The biobaler harvested seven plots totalling 15,740 m{sup 2}. Total harvest was 30.70 t DM in 148 bales. The first 14 ...