Potencial da espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo para distinção de carvão de madeira de Eucalyptus e nativa

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) associated with multivariate statistics to distinguish coal produced from wood of planted and native forests. Timber forest species from the C errado (Cedrela sp., Aspidosperma sp., Jacaranda sp. and unknown species) and Eucalyptus clones from forestry companies (Vallourec and Cenibra) were carbonized in the final temperatures of 300, 500 and 700°C. In each heat treatment were carbonized 15 specimens of each vegetal material totaling 270 samples (3 treatments x 15 reps x 6 materials) produced in 18 carbonization (3 treatments x 6 materials). The acquisition of the spectra of coals in the near infrared using a spectrometer was performed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS-R) were carried out in the spectra. NIR Spectroscopy associated with PCA was not able to differentiate charcoals produced from native and planted woods when utilizing all carbonized samples at different temperatures in the same analysis; The PCA of all charcoals was able to distinguish the samples depending on temperature in which they were carbonized. However, the separation of native and planted charcoal was possible when the samples were analyzed separately by final temperature. The prediction of native or planted classes by PLS-R presented better performance for samples carbonized at 300°C followed by those at 500°C, 700°C and for all together.

Caracterização mineralógica, química e solubilização do potássio de glauconita modificada

Demand for potassium in Brazil is large and is constantly increasing, but only about 5% of all consumed potassium is produced in the country. This low domestic production implies high rate of potassium imports, leaving the country vulnerable in the event of any difficulty to import this product and currency fluctuations. The modified glauconite is a rock that has a high potential for potassium exploration, found in Minas Gerais state, its extraction is relatively cheap and the prospected rock volume is high. The difficulty for its use as a direct source of potassium is in its low solubility. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform a chemical and mineralogical characterization of the modified glauconite and evaluate the effectiveness of techniques and treatments in the potassium solubilization contained in the rock. For this study, it was used characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, diffraction by Synchrotron Light and chemical analysis of high and low power of potassium extraction. Also granulometric testing and thermal treatments with different forms of calcination were carried out. Overall, it was found that the modified glauconite is a compound of minerals, of the mica groups K-feldspar and quartz and calcination substantially alter the crystal structure of these minerals, increasing the potassium availability. While the natural solubility of glauconite modified be very low, rock calcination added with high fluxes of calcium and low magnesium content at 1200 °C led to potassium solubility increase in order of 100 times compared to that observed in the glauconite natural modified.

Análise energética da madeira e do carvão de híbridos entre Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson e Corymbia torelliana (F. Muell.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson

This research aimed to evaluate the wood and charcoal quality of hybrids clone of the crossing C. citriodora with C. torelliana in two different locations for charcoal production. Seven with 3,75 years old clones, planted at country of Itamarandiba – MG, and six 6,42 years old clones, planted in Dionísio – MG, were studied. For wood and charcoal quality analysis, samples were collected along the stem of the trees until the commercial height. Properties study of the wood was done by chemical analysis, basic density, superior heat power, and thermogravimetric analysis. The wood samples were carbonized in laboratory conditions with heating rate of 1.67 0 C.min -1 , starting at 100 0 C until 450 0 C and keeping on this temperature for 30 minutes. It were determined the carbonizations gravimetric yield, all in dry basis. The wood quality was evaluated based on the chemical immediate analysis, relative apparent density, and gross heating value. The experiment was installed according to the completely randomized design, with five repetitions. The collected data were submitted to analysis of variance and, when the evaluated effects were significant by “F” test, was applied the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability for multiple comparisons. For correlation analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, tested by the "t" test at 5% probability was used. Results showed variability of wood between the genetic materials evaluated in relation to place and plant crossing. The thermal analysis of the wood showed significant variation between clones and it was possible to differentiate two stages of degradation (hemicelluloses and cellulose). The majority of the clones presented satisfactory properties for the charcoal production, while, clone 3, planted in Itamarandiba, obtained the best performance due it have the higher yield and energetic efficiency, thus, achieving the best potential for charcoal production. However, clone 9, planted in Dionísio, was the less indicated for charcoal production since it presented the lowest energetic efficiency, gravimetric yield, and densities.