Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Oil and Hazardous Materials'

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 132 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-63).

This study was conducted to provide a quantitative risk assessment for road transportation, railway transportation, and storage of hazardous materials in Washington County, Tennessee. A roadside survey, railroad hazardous materials survey, and a chemical inventory were conducted. It revealed an estimated 267,858 HAZMAT shipments per year on primary and secondary roadways and an estimated total of 9.4 x 109 tons of HAZMAT shipped by rail per year. There are 49 facilities that store a daily average of 33,722,700 lbs of HAZMAT. The risk of a hazardous materials incident occurring in Washington County is highest for Interstate transportation. The risk for a HAZMAT incident within the county is lower or equal to similar locations in the United States for other roadways surveyed, rail transportation, and fixed storage. Low risk does not mean there is no risk. In order to be prepared for a future incident planning, training, and research should continue.

COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
O transporte de materiais perigosos tem recebido atenção considerável nos últimos anos, despertando assim o interesse de pesquisadores em se aprofundar e desenvolver modelos matemáticos de roteirização que minimizem o risco associado a esta operação. O presente trabalho baseia-se em estudos focados em encontrar rotas que minimizam a distância total, a probabilidade de acidentes, a população potencialmente exposta, as conseqüências associadas aos acidentes ou uma combinação desses fatores. No entanto, ainda que uma rota possa ter uma probabilidade muito baixa de acidente, ou estar associada a uma baixa conseqüência esperada (custo), pode não ser correto escolher essa rota se a conseqüência potencial ao ocorrer um acidente seja alta. Percebe-se então, que os diferentes interesses ligados à otimização do transporte de Materiais Perigosos (MP) podem ser conflitantes entre si, obtendo assim um problema com múltiplos objetivos, no qual nem sempre é possível identificar a melhor solução, ou seja, uma alternativa que se desempenha melhor que outras, em todos os critérios. Nesse contexto, o estudo que segue apresenta um modelo multiobjetivo para a roteirização de MP, além de uma metodologia específica de resolução que permita determinar rotas que minimizam o risco de acidentes com baixas probabilidades de ocorrência, mas com altas conseqüências, que podem dar lugar a altos custos, tanto ao meio ambiente como à população exposta. Ao final do trabalho são feitas indicações de questões e extensões para futuras pesquisas.
Hazardous materials transportation has received considerable attention in the last years. Many researchers have been developing mathematical models that minimize the risk associated to this operation. The present work is based on studies that focus routing techniques that minimize either the total distance, the expected number of accidents (fatal or not fatal), the accident probability, the residential population within a given distance from a route, or a mixture of these parameters. They work with the assumption that a route should not be chosen if the potential consequence incurred given that an accident occurs is high, even if the route has a very low probability of an accident, or a low associated expected consequence. For this reason, it is possible to observe that an important characteristic of the hazardous materials routing problem is the existence of multiple conflicting objectives. This means that a route that minimizes risk may not coincide with a route that minimizes the truck operating cost, or with a route that minimizes the risk imposed to special population categories. In this context, this research presents a multiobjective model to the Hazardous Materials Routing and also a specific solution methodology that determines routes that minimize the accident risk with low probabilities, but with high consequences, including the high cost affecting the environment and the population exposed. A number of extensions and open issues are indicated for future research.

The chemical industry has to face safety problems linked to the hazards of chemicals and the risks posed by the plants where they are handled. However, their transport may cause significant risk values too: it’s not totally possible to avoid the occurrence of accidents. This work is focused on the emergency response to railway accidents involving hazardous materials, that is what has to be done once they happen to limit their consequences. A first effort has been devoted to understand the role given to this theme within legislations: it has been found out that often it’s not even taken into account. Exceptionally a few countries adopt guidelines suggesting how to plan the response, who is appointed to intervene and which actions should be taken first. An investigation has been made to define the tools available for the responders, with attention on the availability of chemical-specific safety distances. It has emerged that the ERG book adopted by some American countries has suggestions and the Belgian legislation too establishes criteria to evaluate these distances. An analysis has been conducted then on the most recent accidents occurred worldwide, to understand how the response was performed and which safety distances were adopted. These values were compared with the numbers reported by the ERG book and the results of two devoted software tools for consequence analysis of accidental spills scenarios. This comparison has shown that there are differences between them and that a more standardized approach is necessary. This is why further developments of the topic should focus on promoting uniform procedures for emergency response planning and on a worldwide adoption of a guidebook with suggestions about actions to reduce consequences and about safety distances, determined following finer researches. For this aim, the development of a detailed database of hazardous materials transportation accidents could be useful.

Source terms models for superheated releases of hazardous liquefied chemicals such as LPG have been developed, governing both upstream and downstream conditions. Water was utilised as the model fluid, not least for reasons of safety, but also for its ability to be stored at conditions that ensure it is superheated on release to atmosphere. Several studies have found that at low superheat jet break-up is analogous to mechanical break-up under sub-cooled conditions. Hence, a non-dimensionalised SMD correlation for sub-cooled liquid jets in the atomisation regime has been developed, based on data measured using a Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) system, for a broad range of initial conditions. Droplet SMD has been found to correlate with the nozzle aspect ratio and two non-dimensionalised groups i.e. the liquid Reynolds number and Weber number. An adaptation of the Rossm-Rammler distribution has been proposed for jets undergoing mechanical break-up. Through a high-speed photographic study (1000fps), three distinctive break-up regimes of superheated jets have been identified. Mechanical break-up has been confirmed to dominate jet disintegration at low superheat. Criteria for transition between regimes have been established based on the liquid Jakob number and Weber number. Using a PDA system, droplet SMD data has been produced for fully flashing jets at two sets of initial conditions and three axial downstream locations, with radial measurements performed at each position. Droplet SMD has been found to increase with nozzle diameter. An adaptation of the Rossm-Rammler distribution has been proposed for fully flashing jets. The proposed correlation for sub-cooled break-up, the PDA data for superheated releases and the established transition criteria have been compiled to produce a complete SMD model governing transition from mechanical break-up to full flashing. The model has been validated against three previous studies of flashing jets. An additional high speed photographic study (up to 50,000fps) of the upstream flow structure of superheated jets has been performed using Perspex nozzles. The downstream break-up regime has been found to depend on both the upstream bubble growth rate and concentration.

Hazardous materials can be generally deemed as any material which, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may cause, or pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health or the environment. In the context of "sustainable development", most 'materials' could be deemed to be 'hazardous' at some stage of their lifecycle, i.e. from extraction to final disposal. This PhD study develops a decision support system for engineers and policy makers to help limit environmental burden, by reducing the environmental risk and the associated carbon footprint, from the perspective of 'hazardous' materials in product design, through the application of 'game theory' and 'grey theory' etc, as well as various computational approaches, by helping the designer identify novel solutions or mitigation strategies. The thesis starts by introducing the problem situation of the study and identify the research objectives, as well as previous studies have been reviewed in order to set this study in context. Since it is evident that consumers drive the open market, and their preference may be influenced by the carbon footprint label of products, the decision support system proposes an improved carbon labelling scheme to demonstrate the significance of a product‘s carbon footprint in a more visual way. The prototype of the scheme is derived from the concept of 'tolerability of risk', providing a framework by which judgments can be made as to whether society will accept the risk from hazardous materials. Application of game theory for decision support is a novel approach in this study, which aids decision-making by selecting appropriate strategies for both organisations and policy makers to reduce environmental impact. In this context, a game between manufacturers and government in the field of clean production is generated with various game scenarios to reflect the variation trend of strategic actions, and then developed to discuss the reduction of the inherent risk posed by 'hazardous' materials and carbon emissions on the supply chain network. The 'hierarchy of waste' suggests that the most preferable state for sustainability is prevention or the elimination of waste. Although this is not wholly practicable in real terms, the framework gives the importance to waste minimisation and prevention, especially promotes the cleaner production. In addition to strategy selection for mitigating environmental impact, the decision support system also develops an evaluation methodology for application by engineers to aid decision-making on materials selection, thus to improve the materials performances, promote cleaner production and provide better and sustainable products for public consumption.

Solidification technology can be an effective process for treating a variety of difficult to manage waste materials containing heavy metals prior to reuse or disposal. There are numerous commercial solidification techniques spanning a spectrum of technical complexity and cost. The most common methods include those based on cement or cement/pozzolanic materials. These materials, which are used in many solidification processes, make the technology appear simple and inexpensive. However, there are significant challenges to the successful application of this technique. The morphology and chemistry of the solidified waste forms are complex, specially when the waste streams used contain components other than the metals that are likely to be effectively immobilised. Also, the selection of the binder, depends upon an understanding of the chemistry of both the contaminants and the binder itself, to ensure efficient and reliable results. Nevertheless,a number of complex interactions are known to cause significant retardation on normal hydraulic reactions of cement-based materials, causing numerous and controversial problems. In recent years there has been renewed interest in elucidating the binding mechanisms responsible for the fixation of waste species. Carbonation, which is known to affect a wide range of cementitious materials, is a phenomenon observed by many scientists and has received very little attention. The aim of this work has been to investigate the effects of natural and accelerated carbonation on the development of mechanical and microstructural properties of solidified products as well as on the binding of metallic waste components. Particular emphasis was paid to examine the influence of different binders on the properties of carbonated solidified waste forms. The kinetics of the carbonation reaction was thoroughly examined, particularly when mix parameters such as binder/waste type and water content were varied. An examination of the resulting products showed that carbonated solidified waste materials had improved mechanical properties and increased metal binding capacity, when compared to specimens cured in nitrogen or normal atmospheric conditions. Microstructural analysis showed that large amounts of calcite where characteristics of carbonated samples. The increased formation of calcite as a result of carbonation appeared to be directly linked with the development of strength and enhanced metals fixation. NMR and FTIR spectroscopy indicated that carbonation has a significant influence on the hydration of waste forms by increasing the degree of polymerisation of the silicate hydration phases, with a consequent acceleration of the hydration of the cement paste. Examination by SEM analysis confirmed an acceleration of C3S hydration, typified by a de-calcified hydration rims and a matrix of dense calcite intergrowth infilling porosity. Some metals appeared to be incorporated in the silica-rich rims and others in the calcite rich matrix, suggesting precipitation of metal as both carbonates, silicates and complex double-salts. An examination of the kinetic of the carbonation reaction revealed that the reactivity of the different cements was different in the presence of carbon dioxide, and that when metal wastes were added the susceptibility of the paste to react with carbon dioxide increased. In general the results of this work indicate the potential of carbon dioxide for incorporation into the treatment of wastes during solidification. However, further work is necessary to establish the long-term performance of these carbonated waste forms as well as the behaviour of carbon dioxide upon different waste streams.

Thesis (M.S. in Management) Naval Postgraduate School, December 1996.
Thesis advisor(s): David V. Lamm, William Gates. "December 1996." Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-89). Also available online.

Hazardous Materials are potentially harmful to people and environment due to their toxic ingredients. Although a significant portion of dangerous goods transportation is via railroads, prevailing studies on dangerous goods transport focus on highway shipments. We present an analytical framework that incorporates the differentiating features of trains in the assessment of risk. Each railcar is a potential source of release, and hence risk assessment of trains requires representation of multiple release sources in the model. We report on the use of the proposed approach for the risk assessment of the Ultra-train that passes through the city of Montreal everyday. The risk assessment methodology is then used to model the operations of freight trains in a network, wherein freight involves both hazardous and regular cargo. We present an optimization model distinct from the conventional ones, a Memetic Algorithm based solution technique, and a number of scenarios intended to gain numerical and managerial insights into the problem. In an effort to combine the economies of trains and efficiencies of trucks, we deal with rail-truck intermodalism for hazardous and non-hazardous cargo. Two special cases and a general case of rail-truck intermodal transportation models, driven by the element of ' time', are presented.

Safety is a major concern for tunnel operators. Local authorities responsible for tunnel facilities are concerned with developing restrictions for hazardous materials passing through the facility that will reduce the risk of death and injury, to an extent that these restrictions do not burden commerce unnecessarily. Hazardous material regulatory controls for tunnels are extensive, detailed, and subject to constant changes. The general lack of expertise in tunnel personnel and the lack of a scientific basis leading to the development of these regulations have created problems to local tunnel authorities when updating the restrictions, or when faced with new materials introduced by the industry. Traditionally, most regulatory restrictions enforced both at the federal and the local level are based exclusively on subjective estimation by a panel of experts and on political influence. Experts, however, are not readily available and are expensive to maintain. The need for immediate decisions has constrained tunnel operators to rely on their own intuition in addressing real time transport safety problems in tunnel facility. To address some of these problems, this research investigates the application of knowledge engineering tools to develop a consultative regulatory control system. Specifically, this study presents a structural framework for developing a knowledge-based expert system as an aid to decision-making in tunnel transport safety. The regulatory problem is modeled as a classification type of problem, which lends itself neatly to an expert system application. Heuristic problem solver which is commonly used in solving classification problem involves the systematic matching of the attributes of an unknown entity to a set of pre-defined solutions. For this study's application, the regulatory groupings inherent in existing tunnel regulations are the basis for developing the solution space. The computer program developed uses knowledge which specifies the appropriate regulation applicable to a new commodity based on the material's physical and chemical properties.
M.S.

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Tese (Doutoramento)
IPEN/T
Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Aromatic hydrocarbons are a prevalent constituent of crude oil. The refined products of crude oil such as petroleum and diesel can find their way into groundwater though oil-spillages and are also present in the oil and gas industry’s produced water. These aromatics are biorecalcitrant, however upon ingestion with water, may be metabolised to toxic intermediates that are carcinogenic or mutagenic in nature. Although some treatment technologies are available most of these are under development and are yet to be proven in the field. This illustrates the need for novel, economical and environmentally friendly technologies to be developed with a view to remediating aqueous systems that have been polluted with aromatics hydrocarbons. The supramolecular cyclodextrin molecule, with its hydrophobic interior and hydrophobic exterior seems to be an excellent molecule for the trapping of the pollutant molecules, however the inclusion complexes with this cyclic sugar are water-soluble therefore there is a need for the cyclodextrin to be rendered waterinsoluble. A study of the aqueous solubilities of some aromatic hydrocarbons that may be present in crude oil has been carried out and shows that the majority of these molecules have a degree of water solubility that may increase upon environmental weathering. The successful reaction between a solid-phase resin and the β-cyclodextrin molecule has been achieved, with the total dryness of the system being required including Soxhlet extraction of the resin with anhydrous acetone before the reaction. The reaction between β-cyclodextrin and a range of isocyanates proved unsuccessful, but a range of symmetrical aryl ureas were synthesised from their isocyanates with the influence that different activating or deactivating groups on the ring have on the propensity to form the ureas being shown. The successful alkylation between β-cyclodextrin and a series of haloalkanes has shown the effect of increasing chain length on the degree of alkylation. This reaction involved the deprotonation of the cyclodextrin by sodium hydride in anhydrous dimethyl sulphoxide followed by reaction with the alkyl iodide. Increasing the equivalents of hydride or iodide, or the reaction time did not have a noticeable effect on the degree of reaction indicating that steric constraints were limiting the degree of reaction. Testing several of these alkyl iodides gave an indication as to their tendency to uptake and remove several model pollutants that had been dissolved in water with the propylated β-cyclodextrin displaying potential for the remediation of aqueous systems that had been polluted. Several of these results were very promising leading to the conclusion that further derivatives of these alkylated sugars may be even more suitable for future research into the remediation of organically polluted aqueous systems.

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2013.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 29).
MIT policies set forth by the Department of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) require that all laboratories maintain a chemical inventory to properly document the use of hazardous chemicals. While EHS has provided a chemical inventory management tool called ChemTracker to help labs to do so, it is estimated that less than 20% of laboratories utilize the software. As a result, an EHS committee has been formed to re-evaluate ChemTracker and explore other options for inventory management. RFPs have been sent to potential vendors to determine if alternatives can better satisfy the goals of EHS and attain the benefits of effective chemical management. To analyze the problem of low usage rates of ChemTracker, interviews were conducted with research groups within the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (DMSE). These revealed that the largest variables were the number of chemicals used by the lab and the user-friendliness of the software. The initial time investment to switch from current, simpler methods to ChemTracker discouraged many smaller labs from pursuing that option. Current users of ChemTracker also expressed frustration with auto-fill features that weren't comprehensive and thus hindered the process of entering and updating inventory. Future work should expand into other departments to observe usage behavior and concerns and compare to those within DMSE. Any chemical inventory management software should be user-tested prior to full Institute implementation to ensure adoption by a larger proportion of groups around campus. While compulsory software would also ensure adoption, a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for chemical tracking due to the hassle it could create and the potential impact on productivity of research itself. Thus, further analysis of user concerns and better marketing of the tools to address those concerns are required for a successful solution to the problem.
by Valerie Jing-chi Chia.
S.B.

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Tese (Doutoramento)
IPEN/T
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Hazardous Materials (HazMat) are transported throughout Canada in a great number of road shipments. The transportation of HazMat poses special risks for neighboring population and environment. While HazMat accidents are rare events, they could be catastrophic in nature and could result in substantial damage to nearby communities. Effective emergency response plays an important role in the safe transportation of HazMat. Transportation of HazMat involves different parties, including shippers, regulators, and surrounding communities. While the shipping party is responsible for safe delivery of HazMat shipments, it is the responsibility of local emergency service agencies to respond to accidents occurring within their jurisdictions. In this research, the emergency response to HazMat transport accidents is assumed to be delegated exclusively to specially trained and equipped HazMat teams. This research proposes a new comprehensive systematic approach to determine the best location of HazMat teams on regional bases utilizing HazMat transport risk as a location criterion. The proposed model is the first to consider emergency response roles in HazMat transport risk analysis, and was intended as an optimization tool to be used by practitioners for HazMat emergency response planning. Additionally, the proposed model can be used to assess risk implications in regards to current locations of HazMat teams in a region, and to develop effective strategies for locating HazMat teams, such as closing and/or relocating teams in the region. The model investigates how HazMat team locations can be tailored to recognize the risk of transporting HazMat and would provide a more objective set of input alternatives into the multi-criteria decision making process of regionally locating HazMat teams. The proposed model was applied to the region of southwestern Ontario in effort to illustrate its features and capabilities in the HazMat emergency response planning and decision making process. Accordingly, the model provided very useful insights while reviewing several HazMat team location strategies for the southwestern Ontario region and investigating tradeoff among different factors. This research contributes to a better understanding of emergency response roles by reducing HazMat transport risks, and will greatly benefit both researchers and practitioners in the field of HazMat transport and emergency response.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited
This thesis analyzes, designs and implements an expert system for the management of hazardous material at a Naval Supply Center (NSC). This system is part of a series of expert systems built by the Naval Postgraduate School to assist the Naval Supply Systems Command in automating its inventory management systems at NSCs. Selecting the proper storage conditions and location for newly received hazardous material requires the NSC's expert in such matters, the safety and health manager, to research the primary data base, the Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS), and any other relevant information sources, and extract the pertinent information. He determines the best storage conditions for the material and passes this information to the warehouse worker. The Hazardous Material Expert System (HAZMAT ES) will facilitate making the storage decision and will allow a warehouse worker to safely store hazardous material without the assistance of the safety and health manager.

Safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) is a challenging issue in terms of optimizing risk to society and simultaneously making the shipment delivery economical. The most important safety concern of hazardous material transportation is accidents causing multiple causalities. The potential risk to society from hazmat transportation has led to the evolution of a new threat from terrorism. Malicious entities can turn hazmat vehicles into weapons causing explosions in high profile locations. The present research is divided into two parts. First, a neural network model is developed to identify when a hazmat truck deviates from its pre-specified path based on its location in the road network. The model identifies abnormal diversions in hazmat carriersâ paths considering normal diversions arising due to incidents. The second part of this thesis develops a methodology for predicting different paths that could be taken by malicious entities heading towards a target after successfully hijacking a hazmat vehicle. The path prediction methodology and the neural network methodology are implemented on the network between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC. The trained neural network model classified nodes in the network with a satisfactory performance .The path prediction algorithm was used to calculate the paths to two targets located at the International Dulles Airport and the National Mall in Washington, DC. Based on this research, the neural network methodology is a promising technology for detecting a hijacked vehicle in its initial stages of diversion from its pre-specified path. Possible paths to potential targets are plotted and points of overlap among paths are identified. Overlaps are critical locations where extra security measures can be taken for preventing destruction. Thus, integrating both models gives a comprehensive methodology for detecting the initial diversion and then predicting the possible paths of malicious entities towards targets and could provide an important tool for law enforcement agencies minimizing catastrophic events.
Master of Science

The purpose of the investigation presented in chapter 1 was to determine which of the following artificial stream designs would be most logistically simple yet effective in maintaining riffle insects during a 30-d bioassay: 1) static and no current (S-NC); 2) flow-through and no current (FT-NC); 3) static with current (S-C); or 4) flow-through with current (FT-C). Flow-through and current, when provided, were 12 ml min⁻¹ and 30 cm sec⁻¹, respectively. Streams were covered by emergence traps, and daylight equivalent lights provided a natural photoperiod. The four stream designs were evaluated in triplicate based on changes in insect species-abundances after 30 d. Test organisms were transferred to the artificial streams in rock-filled containers previously colonized for 30 d in a third-order mountain stream riffle. Relative to benthic samples taken directly from the source riffle, the artificial substrates selected for collector-filterers and against collector-gatherers. The FT-C and S-C stream designs maintained most taxa at or above initial densities. Emergent adults comprised a large proportion of mayfly and chironomid densities and must be monitored during bioassays with aquatic insects. The Investigation reported in chapter 2 was conducted to determine if contaminant-induced changes in macroinvertebrate and periphyton communities in laboratory stream microcosms could be used to predict macroinvertebrate and periphyton responses In a natural stream receiving the same contaminant. The microcosms were dosed in quadruplicate with four (0.0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0%) concentrations of a complex effluent; these concentrations reflected those in the field. Mayfly densities in the microcosms were significantly (P≤0.05) reduced at 1.0 or 10.0% effluent depending on species. Hydropsychlds were not affected by the effluent, and chironomids and periphyton were stimulated. Overall, the stream microcosms accurately predicted the macroinvertebrate and periphyton response observed in the field. Chapter 3 compared responses to a complex effluent from microcosms of indigenous macroinvertebrates and protozoans to responses observed in acute tests with Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas and chronic survival and reproductive tests with C. dubia The predictive utility of these various tests was then evaluated against observed effects in the receiving stream. The LC₅₀_s (% effluent) from the acute tests were 63.09 for Pimephales promelas, 18.8 to 31.3 for Daphnia magna and 54.7 for Ceriodaphnia dubia. Results from 7-day chronic tests indicated that C. dubia survival was significantly (P≤0.05) affected at 30% effluent and reproduction was affected at concentrations ≥3.0% effluent. In the protozoan microcosms, community composition was significantly (P≤0.05) changed at 1.0%; while protozoan species richness was significantly reduced at 3.0% effluent. The microcosms not only were the most sensitive indicators of effluent toxicity, they also correctly predicted which indigenous organisms would be lost and which would be stimulated at various ambient concentrations of the effluent. In the fourth chapter canonical discriminant analysis, 2 diversity indices, and 7 community comparison indices were evaluated to determine their utility in quantifying macroinvertebrate response to a complex effluent in laboratory microcosms. A permutation and randomization procedure was used to test the hypothesis of no treatment effect based on the community comparison indices. The Bray-Curtis index provided the most meaningful condensation of the data.
Ph. D.
incomplete_metadata

The majority of work presented covers an investigation in to vegetable oil based monomers for use in low ‘volatile organic compounds’ (VOC) or VOC free paints. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to recent EU legislation into the reduction of VOCs in a wide variety of paints and coatings. This is followed by an overview of vegetable oil based chemistry and subsequently the use of vegetable oils within materials, specifically coatings. Chapter 2 discusses the synthesis of a selection of vegetable oil derived monomers using a number of different diamines and aminoalcohols to produce fatty amides with methacrylate, styrene and maleate functionalisation. A selection of 3 vegetable oils with varying degrees of unsaturation (soybean oil, rapeseed oil and cocoa butter) were trialled to see the effect the starting oil had on the subsequent monomers. Removal of some or all of the unsaturation within the fatty chains of the triglycerides and monomers was carried out, primarily as a way to potentially reduce yellowing often found in paints derived from a vegetable oil source. Chapter 3 introduces the technique of emulsion polymerisation, followed by the incorporation of a selection of the methacrylate monomers synthesised in the previous chapter into polymer latexes. Comparisons of the latex properties are made and the results of a variety of tests (DSC, MFFT, hardness, yellowing ability) described. Comparisons between unsaturated and epoxidised derivatives are made and conclusions drawn. Chapter 4 focuses on the preparation of polyurethanes (PU) from a small library of renewable diols. These were synthesised using both cocoa butter and rapeseed oil with diethanolamine, followed by epoxidation of the residual unsaturation in some cases. These were reacted with MDI and a variety of commercial diols (PEGs and 1,4-butanediol) and their physical properties (tensile strength, Young’s modulus, swelling and cross-linking density) and thermal properties analysed by a variety of methods (TGA, DSC). Chapter 5 describes the BF3.Et2O catalysed ring-opening of a small range of epoxidised oils derived from rapeseed and cocoa butter to give higher molecular weight pre-polymers/oligomers suitable as polyols for PU synthesis. Two approaches to the monomers are described. Chapter 6 describes the experimental conditions and chemical analysis of the all the key reactions and processes described in the thesis.

Doutoramento em Química
A crescente procura de recursos fosseis a que se tem assistido nos ultimos anos, tem resultado num crescimento sem precedentes dos precos, com consequencias imprevisiveis e que levara, no espaco de decadas, ao seu inevitavel esgotamento. A procura de um modelo de desenvolvimento sustentavel, baseado em recursos renovaveis e o grande desafio que se coloca a civilizacao no seculo XXI. A biomassa vegetal, atraves das designadas gBio-refinarias h, e uma alternativa logica para a producao de produtos quimicos e de materiais mas tambem de combustiveis e energia. Os oleos vegetais constituem uma das fracoes da biomassa vegetal, cuja exploracao tem merecido redobrada atencao nos ultimos anos, como fonte de materiais e de combustiveis. Assim, a presente dissertacao tem por objetivo o desenvolvimento de novos materiais polimericos derivados de oleos vegetais, seguindo duas abordagens distintas, nomeadamente a preparacao de polimeros atraves de polimerizacao por etapas e polimerizacao em cadeia (Parte B e C, respetivamente). Em primeiro lugar, foram sintetizados poliesteres alifaticos de cadeia longa a partir de monomeros provenientes do oleo de colza (Capitulo III). A auto-metatese do acido erucico com catalisadores de rutenio, seguida de hidrogenacao da ligacao dupla, originou o acido 1,26-hexacosanodioico, que por sua vez foi convertido em hexacosano-1,26-diol. Subsequentemente, a policondensacao do acido ƒ¿,ƒÖ-dicarboxilico de cadeia longa com o hexacosano-1,26-diol originou o poliester 26,26. O diacido C26 foi tambem polimerizado com outros alcano-diois de cadeia curta, nomeadamente o dodecano-1,12-diol e o butano-1,2-diol, produzindo, respetivamente, os poliesteres 12,26 e 4,26. Estes poliesteres de fontes 100% renovaveis possuem valores de Mn na ordem dos 8-14 kDa e valores de PDI entre 2.1 e 2.7. As propriedades destes poliesteres alifaticos foram avaliadas atraves de varias tecnicas, revelando elevada cristalinidade (com uma estrutura cristalina como a do polietileno) e elevadas temperaturas de fusao (74-104 ‹C), cristalizacao (68-92 ‹C) e degradacao (323-386 ‹C). Em segundo lugar, foram sintetizados polimeros lineares termo-reversiveis a partir de derivados do oleo de ricinio (Capitulo IV). Para tal foram preparados monomeros que incorporam aneis furanicos inseridos atraves do acoplamento tiol-eno, e que posteriormente foram polimerizados pela reacao de Diels-Alder (DA) entre os grupos furano (dieno A) e estruturas complementares do tipo maleimida (dienofilo B). Para as polimerizacoes DA foram consideradas duas abordagens diferentes, nomeadamente (i) o uso de monomeros com dois aneis furanicos terminais em conjunto com uma bismaleimida (sistemas AA+BB) e (ii) a utilizacao de um monomero que incorpora ambos os grupos reativos, furano e maleimida, na sua estrutura (sistema AB). Este estudo demonstrou claramente que ambas as estratégias foram bem sucedidas embora com diferentes resultados em termos da natureza dos produtos obtidos. Estes polímeros lineares apresentam valores relativamente baixos de Tg (-40 to -2 °C) devido à natureza flexível dos grupos separadores das funções reativas, e de Mn (4.5-9.0 kDa) dada a observada tendência de ciclização associada a concentrações baixas de monómero. A aplicação da reação de retro-DA aos polímeros em causa confirmou o seu caráter reversível, ou seja, a possibilidade de promover, em condições controladas, a despolimerização com recuperação dos monómeros de partida. Esta particularidade abre caminhos para materiais macromoleculares originais com aplicações promissoras tais como auto-reparação e reciclabilidade. Em terceiro lugar, sintetizaram-se polímeros não-lineares termo-reversíveis a partir de derivados do óleo de ricínio (Capítulo V). Para tal foram preparados monómeros trifuncionais e posteriormente polimerizados através da reação de DA entre os grupos reativos complementares furano/maleimida. Foram consideradas três abordagens distintas para preparar estes polímeros não-lineares, nomeadamente através da utilização de (i) um monómero bisfurânico em combinação com uma trismaleimida (sistema A2+B3) e (ii) um monómero trisfurânico em conjunto com uma bismaleimida (sistema A3+B2) que originaram materiais ramificados ou reticulados, e ainda (iii) a utilização de monómeros assimetricamente substituídos do tipo A2B ou AB2 capazes de originar estruturas macromoleculares hiper-ramificadas. Todos os sistemas apresentaram valores de Tg perto de 0 °C, o que era de esperar para estes materiais não-lineares. A aplicação da reação de retro-DA comprovou mais uma vez o caráter termo-reversível das polimerizações em causa. Em quarto lugar e último lugar, foram preparados copolímeros de acetato de vinilo (VAc) com monómeros derivados de óleo de girassol (Capítulo VI). Ésteres vinílicos de ácidos gordos (FAVE) foram sintetizados por transvinilação dos ácidos oleico e linoleico com VAc catalisada por um complexo de irídio. Os monómeros vinílicos preparados foram caracterizados e posteriormente homopolimerizados e copolimerizados com VAc através do uso dos grupos vinílicos terminais como função inicial de polimerização. A variação do tipo e quantidade de monómero FAVE e da quantidade de iniciador radicalar originou copolímeros de VAc com valores de Mn na gama de 1.2-3.0 kDa e valores de Tg de -5 a 16 °C. Os copolímeros foram avaliados em testes de cura oxidativa através das insaturações nas suas cadeias alifáticas para formar materiais reticulados, e os resultados sugerem que eles podem ser sistemas efetivos de cura para aplicações como tintas, vernizes e outros tipos de revestimento. Todos os materiais poliméricos preparados ao longo deste trabalho constituem contribuições atrativas para a área dos polímeros oriundos de recursos renováveis e representam uma prova indiscutível de que os óleos vegetais são percursores promissores de materiais macromoleculares com potenciais aplicações.
The growing demand for fossil resources in the last several years is leading to an unprecedented augment of their price with unpredictable consequences and, in medium/long term, to their inevitable depletion. The search for a model of sustainable development based on renewable resources is the keen challenge of the civilization of the XXI century. The vegetable biomass through the gBiorefinery h concept is the logical detour for the production of chemicals and materials, as well as fuels and energy. Vegetable oils are one of the fractions of vegetable biomass whose exploitation has gained much attention in the last several years as a source of materials and fuels. Therefore, the present dissertation aims at developing novel vegetable oil based polymeric materials. Two main pathways were tackled in this study, namely the preparation of step-growth and chain-growth polymers (Part B and C, respectively). Firstly, aliphatic polyesters from rapeseed oil based monomers were prepared (Chapter III). The self-metathesis of erucic acid with ruthenium-based catalysts, followed by hydrogenation of the double bond, yielded 1,26-hexacosanedioic acid, which was also converted into the corresponding hexacosane-1,26-diol. Subsequently, the polymerization of the biobased long-chain ƒ¿,ƒÖ-dicarboxylic acid with hexacosane-1,26-diol yielded polyester 26,26. The C26 diacid was also polymerized with short-chain alkanediols, namely dodecane-1,12-diol and butane-1,4-diol, generating polyesters 12,26 and 4,26, respectively. These 100% renewable polyesters have Mn values in the range of 8-14 kDa and PDI values between 2.1 and 2.7. The properties of these aliphatic polyesters were investigated by means of various techniques, revealing high crystallinity (with a polyethylene like crystal structure), melting (74-104 oC), crystallization (68-92 oC) and degradation (323-386 oC for 5 wt% weight loss) temperatures. Secondly, linear thermoreversible polymers from castor oil derivatives were investigated (Chapter IV). Monomers bearing furan heterocycles appended through thiol-ene click coupling were prepared and, subsequently, polymerized via a second type of click reaction, i.e. the Diels-Alder (DA) reaction between furan (diene A) and maleimide (dienophile B) complementary moieties. Two basic approaches were considered for these DA polymerizations, namely (i) the use of monomers with two terminal furan rings in conjunction with a bismaleimide (AA+BB systems) and (ii) the use of a protected AB monomer incorporating both furan and maleimide end-groups (AB system). This study clearly showed that both strategies were successful, albeit with different outcomes, in terms of the nature of the ensuing products. These linear polymers possess relatively low Tg values (-40 to -2 ºC) due to the flexible nature of the spacing moieties separating the reactive functions, together with somewhat small Mn values (4.5-9.0 kDa) given the observed tendency to cyclization associated with the relatively low monomer concentrations. The application of the retro-DA reaction to these polymers confirmed their thermoreversible character, i.e. the clean-cut return to their respective starting monomers. This original feature opens the way to original macromolecular materials with interesting applications, like mendability and recyclability. Thirdly, non-linear thermally labile polymers from castor oil derivatives were studied (Chapter V). Trifunctional monomers were prepared and subsequently polymerized via the DA reaction between furan and maleimide complementary moieties. Three basic approaches were considered for the non-linear DA polymerizations, i.e., the use of (i) a bisfuran monomer in combination with a trismaleimide (A2+B3 system) and (ii) a trisfuran monomer in conjunction with a bismaleimide (A3+B2 system) leading to branched or cross-linked materials, and (iii) the use of asymmetric monomers incorporating both furan and maleimide end groups (A2B or AB2 systems), which lead to hyperbranched structures. All systems displayed Tg values close to 0 ºC, as one would expect for these non-linear materials. The application of the retro-DA to the ensuing polymers confirmed the thermally-reversible character of these polymerizations. Fourthly, copolymers of vinyl acetate (VAc) and sunflower oil based monomers (Chapter VI) were prepared. Fatty acid vinyl esters (FAVE) were synthesized via a transition-metal catalyzed transvinylation reaction between oleic or linoleic acids and VAc in good yields. The ensuing vinyl monomers were fully characterized and submitted to both free radical homopolymerization and copolymerization with VAc by making use of the terminal vinyl moiety as the initial polymerization function. The variation of the type/amount of FAVE monomers and the quantity of radical initiator yielded VAc copolymers with Mn in the range of 1.2-3.0 kDa and Tg values of −5 to 16ºC. The copolymers were tested in oxidative drying through the unsaturations borne by their fatty acid chains for the formation of a cross-linked final material and the results suggested that they can constitute effective curing systems for such applications as paints, varnishes and other coating processes. All of these polymeric materials are attractive contributions to the growing realm of polymers from renewable resources and represent an indisputable evidence that vegetable oils are promising precursors of innovative macromolecular materials with potential applications.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1989.
Title as it appeared in M.I.T. Graduate List, June 1989: Public policy, land-use planning, and development controls; zoning mandate of pipeline safety.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-107).
by Willard Nelson Hagan.
M.C.P.

Le transport de matières dangereuses (TMD) représente une source de danger pour les zones traversées. Ce danger peut produire des conséquences graves pour l’environnement, les biens ou les humains surtout si un accident aura lieu lors du transport. Due à l’importance de ces produits (essence, matières premières, médicaments) dans la vie quotidienne et à l’augmentation de la demande sur ces matières, il est utile d’analyser et d’évaluer le niveau de risque lié au TMD pour le minimiser. Ce risque dépend de la route suivie, de la quantité transportée, du moment de la journée, du trafic, des conditions météorologiques ainsi que de la densité de population des zones traversées. Il est caractérisé par les cibles qui sont exposées pour un temps donné et son niveau qui varie selon le temps et l'espace. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’évaluer et d’estimer le niveau de risque lié à un accident, et plus précisément le risque lié à l’expédition de marchandises dangereuses. Diverses méthodes sont élaborées pour proposer des modèles permettant de résoudre ce problème tout en tenant compte de différents paramètres tels que, le trafic, les conditions météorologiques, le coût et le temps du transport, ainsi que de leurs changements au cours du temps afin de détecter la meilleure route à suivre. La première partie de cette thèse représente l’état de l’art sur les différentes techniques d’analyse de risque pour le transport de matières dangereuses. Ensuite, deux approches sont proposées et étudiées en détail : une approche basée sur la simulation de Monte Carlo qui sert à évaluer le niveau de risque lié à un accident, et une autre qui estime le niveau de risque lié à une expédition de MD. La deuxième partie traite le problème de l’aspect temporel dans l’analyse de risque. En effet, l’importance du trafic, le taux d’occupation des bâtiments et les conditions météorologiques changent fortement selon le moment de la journée. À cause de la complexité de notre système (plusieurs entités, systèmes distribués, entités avec plusieurs niveaux d'abstraction, etc.), nous sommes tournés vers une approche de simulation multi-agents et nous proposons et implémentons un méta modèle d’agents avec une facette « risque ». Cette facette nous permet de représenter l’analyse de risque et la propagation de défaillance dans un modèle multi-agents. La troisième partie de cette thèse porte sur l’évaluation du niveau de risque lié au TMD. Dans un premier temps, nous proposons une approche d’évaluation basée sur l’évaluation de la fréquence d’un accident et de sa gravité. Ensuite, nous implémentons un simulateur en proposant le couplage de chacune de deux approches présentées dans la première partie avec le méta modèle d’agents présenté dans la seconde partie. Dans un second temps, comme la prise de décision est affectée par l’aspect économique et temporel (coût d’une expédition et durée du trajet), nous sommes face à un problème de décision multicritère (MCDM). Pour prendre en compte le fait que plusieurs paramètres utilisés dans l’analyse de risque sont incertains, nous avons utilisé une approche à base de nombres flous avec une extension de méthodes MCDM pour traiter ces incertitudes. Toutes ces méthodes sont implémentées sous Eclipse. Ensuite, un outil de simulation est développé. Il permet d’analyser le niveau de risque et de réaliser des cartographies qui illustrent la position instantanée du camion avec les zones impactées au cas d’accident. Ce travail est inscrit dans le cadre du projet GEOTRANS-MD
Dangerous Goods Transport (DGT) represents a source of danger to the crossed areas. This danger can produce serious consequences for the environment, property or human beings. Due to the importance of these products (gasoline, first material, medicines) in everyday life and the increasing demand on these products, it is important to analyze and assess the level of risk related to DGT in order to minimize it. This risk depends on the followed route, the quantity of transported products, the time of day, the weather conditions and the population density of crossed areas. It is characterized by the targets that are exposed for a given time, and by the risk level that varies with time and space.The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate and assess the risk level related to an accident and especially risk related to DGT. Several methods to calculate the risk level, related to DGT, have been proposed in the literature. In most of these methods, the temporal aspect has not been taken explicitly into account in spite of its importance. Indeed, the volume of traffic, the building occupancy rates or weather conditions could greatly change depending on the time of day.The first part of this thesis summarizes the state of the art on risk analysis. Next, we present two approaches for assessing risk related to DGT systems: the former serves to evaluate the risk level of an accident and it is based on Monte Carlo Simulation, while the latter aims at assessing the risk level along a trajectory.The second part focuses on the temporal aspect and due to the complexity of our system (several entities, distributed systems, entities with multiple levels of abstraction, etc.), we are turned to a multi-agent simulation approach and we define a meta-model agent with a risk facet, a generic facet. This facet allows us to represent the risk analysis and failure propagation in an agent model.The third part of this thesis illustrates a proposed approach to assess the risk level related to DGT. Firstly, we propose formulas to assess the accident frequency and severity. Then, we present the implementation of both simulation approaches proposed in the first part using the agent based model proposed in the second part. Secondly, as decision-making is affected by the economic and temporal aspects (cost of shipping and travel time), we are facing a multi-criteria decision making problem (MCDM). In addition, to take into account the fact that several parameters used in risk analysis are uncertain, we have used fuzzy numbers. Next, we have proposed an approach, which integrates MCDM methods with fuzzy numbers, to identify the best route for DGT among a set of alternatives. The purpose of this approach is to provide decision support for decision makers such as, public authorities and emergency services in case of emergency.A simulation tool is developed in Eclipse, which allows us to analyze the level of risk and realizes maps that show the instantaneous position of the truck with the impacted areas in the case of accident. This work is a part of the GEOTRANS-MD project

The purpose of this research is design considerations for environmental monitoring platforms for the detection of hazardous materials using System-on-a-Chip (SoC) design. Design considerations focus on improving key areas such as: (1) sampling methodology; (2) context awareness; and (3) sensor placement. These design considerations for environmental monitoring platforms using wireless sensor networks (WSN) is applied to the detection of methylmercury (MeHg) and environmental parameters affecting its formation (methylation) and deformation (demethylation). The sampling methodology investigates a proof-of-concept for the monitoring of MeHg using three primary components: (1) chemical derivatization; (2) preconcentration using the purge-and-trap (P&T) method; and (3) sensing using Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensors. This study focuses on the measurement of inorganic mercury (Hg) (e.g., Hg2+) and applies lessons learned to organic Hg (e.g., MeHg) detection. Context awareness of a WSN and sampling strategies is enhanced by using spatial analysis techniques, namely geostatistical analysis (i.e., classical variography and ordinary point kriging), to help predict the phenomena of interest in unmonitored locations (i.e., locations without sensors). This aids in making more informed decisions on control of the WSN (e.g., communications strategy, power management, resource allocation, sampling rate and strategy, etc.) This methodology improves the precision of controllability by adding potentially significant information of unmonitored locations. There are two types of sensors that are investigated in this study for near-optimal placement in a WSN: (1) environmental (e.g., humidity, moisture, temperature, etc.) and (2) visual (e.g., camera) sensors. The near-optimal placement of environmental sensors is found utilizing a strategy which minimizes the variance of spatial analysis based on randomly chosen points representing the sensor locations. Spatial analysis is employed using geostatistical analysis and optimization occurs with Monte Carlo analysis. Visual sensor placement is accomplished for omnidirectional cameras operating in a WSN using an optimal placement metric (OPM) which is calculated for each grid point based on line-of-site (LOS) in a defined number of directions where known obstacles are taken into consideration. Optimal areas of camera placement are determined based on areas generating the largest OPMs. Statistical analysis is examined by using Monte Carlo analysis with varying number of obstacles and cameras in a defined space.

Historical evidence has shown that incidents due to hazardous materials (HazMat) releases during transportation can lead to severe consequences. The public and some agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) show an increasing concern with the hazard associated with HazMat transportation. Many hazards may be identified and controlled or eliminated through use of risk analysis. Transportation Risk Analysis (TRA) is a powerful tool in HazMat transportation decision support system. It is helpful in choosing among alternate routes by providing information on risks associated with each route, and in selecting appropriate risk reduction alternatives by demonstrating the effectiveness of various alternatives. Some methodologies have been developed to assess the transportation risk; however, most of those proposed methodologies are hard to employ directly by decision or policy makers. One major barrier is the lack of the match between available data/database analysis and the numerical methodologies for TRA. In this work methodologies to assess the transportation risk are developed based on the availability of data or databases. The match between the availability of data/databases and numerical TRA methodologies is pursued. Each risk component, including frequency, release scenario, and consequence, is assessed based on the available data/databases. The risk is measured by numerical algorithms step by step in the transportation network. Based on the TRA results, decisions on HazMat transportation could be made appropriately and reasonably. The combination of recent interest in expanding or building new facilities to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, along with increased awareness and concern about potential terrorist action, has raised questions about the potential consequences of incidents involving LNG transportation. One of those consequences, rapid phase transition (RPT), is studied in this dissertation. The incidents and experiments of LNG-water RPT and theoretical analysis about RPT mechanism are reviewed. Some other consequences, like pool spread and vapor cloud dispersion, are analyzed by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) model.

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on February 12, 2010). Thesis advisor: Dr. Galen J. Suppes. Includes bibliographical references.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene and graphene oxide (GO), are a subject of interest for many researchers due to their exceptional properties (strength, conductivity, etc.). These materials, comprised of atomically-thin sheets, may naturally occur stacked together like sheets of paper, but their most interesting properties emerge when separated into individual layers. However, scaling up the processes used to isolate single sheets of some of these materials, particularly graphene, has proven problematic. They can be fiercely resistant to exfoliation, difficult to disperse, and have a worrying propensity to restack. All these problems contribute to the great difficulty these fascinating materials have encountered leaving the lab and entering commercial use. Existing production methods either produce minute quantities, require huge amounts of energy, or involve chemical treatments that transform their properties, typically for the worse. Here, we investigate a method that instead harnesses these difficulties. We force the material to exfoliate itself at the interface between two immiscible solvents, stabilizing the interface and acting as a surfactant with a two-dimensional morphology. In this work we investigate this method and its results in two ways. First, we describe a method we developed using optical microscopy and free software (ImageJ and Gwyddion) that rapidly and inexpensively provides full, simultaneous characterization of thousands of sheets of these materials, yielding both flake area and thickness. We then use this technique to examine the changes induced in 2D material that was exfoliated at the oil–water interface, improving our understanding of the process at the population/production level. Second, we characterize this interaction using force spectroscopy with graphene-functionalized colloidal probes at the surface of pinned droplets of heptane in water. This provides valuable insight into the not-well-understood mechanisms underlying the exfoliation process at the interfacial level. By combining the results seen across these two length scales, our results significantly enhance the understanding of this novel exfoliation process. Additionally, we examine the interactions between another 2D material, mica, and an oil-coated probe in a salt brine using force spectroscopy at high temperature (100 °C) and high pressure (100 atm). These tests are the first demonstration of force spectroscopy in this parameter space and reveal the significant impact of both temperature and pressure on interfacial forces between oil and mineral in this regime. Taken together, our results impact a wide variety of systems including the large-scale production of nanomaterials, nanocomposites, solar cells, sensors, flexible electronics, oil recovery, and catalysis.

The interactive wireless sensor detects many hazardous gases such as Hexane, Propane, Carbon monoxide and Hydrogen. These gases are highly toxic and used in different kinds of manufacturing industries, domestic purpose and so on. So, building a sensor that can detect this kind of gases can save the environment; prevent the potential for explosion, and endangering human life. In long term, interactive wireless sensor can also prevent the financial losses that might occur due to the hazardous incident that might occur due to these toxic gases. Hexane is a colorless, strong gas which inhaled in significant amounts by a person then he may suffer with hexane poisoning and suffocation. It also causes skin burns when exposed in high concentrations. Propane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen can easily freeze in room temperature, if in contact with eye, it could permanently damage eye or cause blindness. The advantage of this wireless sensor is the use of artificial olfactory system (electronic nose) that can be taught to detect these hazardous gases. This sensor has a unique molecular combination of analysts, impurities and background that corresponds to a gas leak. It consists of a chemiresistor, such as an array of conductometric sensors, and a mechanism analyzing the data in real time. A smell-print is composed of many molecules which reaches receptor in the human nose. When a specific receptor receives a molecule, it sends a signal to the brain where the smell is identified and associated with that particular molecule. Similar manner, albeit substituting sensors for the receptors, and transmitting the signal to a machine learning algorithm for processing, rather than to the brain. This wireless gas leak sensing consists of microchip Pic 32, integrated electronic nose, automated data analysis unit, power supply, and communications. The communication channel will use the ZigBee link, or the cellular links, or other specific frequency wireless link. The time-stamped and position-stamped sensor measurement data are transmitted to the central computer in predetermined periods of time. The data will be stored in the computer database for possible future analysis of the gas leak development process.

The purpose of this research was to identify the composition of soils on firefighter turnout gear from the Philadelphia Fire Department and to determine which soils contain hazardous materials. The objective of the research was to identify the composition of soils remaining on the firefighter turnout gear to enable the industry to design an effective cleaning procedure for removal of soils. A pilot study was conducted on hoods from the Philadelphia fire department to evaluate the test methods that would be used to identify the composition of soils. Soils that had been identified from previous studies were targeted in the analysis of the extraction of the samples removed from the hoods. Samples were removed from areas of the coats and pants where dermal absorption is reported as high areas of skin absorption, including areas in the neck, armpit, crotch and wrist locations.