Novas formulações de fluidos de corte: otimização, propriedades e recuperação do óleo usado

Cutting fluids are lubricants used in metal-mechanical industries. Their complex composition varies according to the type of operation carried out, also depending on the metals under treatment or investigation. Due to the high amount of mineral oil produced in Northeastern Brazil, we have detected the need to better use this class of material. In this work, two novel formulations have been tested, both based on naphthenic mineral oil and additives, such as: an emulsifying agent (A), an anticorrosion agent (B), a biocide (C) and an antifoam agent (D). Each formulation was prepared by mixing the additives in the mineral oil at a 700-rpm stirring velocity for 10 min, at 25°C, employing a 24 factorial planning. The formulations were characterized by means of density, total acid number (TAN), viscosity, flash point and anticorrosion activity. In a subsequent study, oil-in-water emulsions were prepared from these novel formulations. The emulsions were analyzed in terms of stability, corrosion degree, percentage of foam formation, conductivity, accelerated stability and particle size. The samples were appropriately labeled, and, in special, two of them were selected for featuring emulsion properties which were closer to those of the standards chosen as references (commercial cutting oils). Investigations were undertaken on the ability of NaCl and CaCl2 to destabilize the emulsions, at concentrations of 2%, 5% and 10%, at an 800-rpm stirring velocity for 5 min and temperatures of 25º, 40º, 50º and 60ºC. The recovered oils were chemically altered by reincorporating the same additives used in the original formulations, followed by preparation of emulsions with the same concentrations as those of the initial ones. The purpose was to assess the possibility of reusing the recovered oil. The effluents generated during the emulsion destabilization step were characterized via turbidity index, contents of oil and grease, pH, and contents of anions and cations, observing compliance with the parameters established by the current environmental legislation (Brazil s CONAMA 357/05 resolution). It could be concluded that the formulations presented excellent physicochemical properties as compared to commercial cutting fluids, showing that the quality of the newly-prepared fluids is superior to that of the formulations available in the market, enabling technically and environmentally-safe applications

Culicídeos vetores em uma unidade de conservação da caatinga na região do seridó no Rio Grande do Norte aspectos da transmissão de doenças

The scarcity of occurrence records of culicid species, transmitting insects of etiologic agents for arboviruses, protozoan diseases and philarioses, and lack of information about their interactions with the forest environment make the Caatinga one of the most unknown biomes in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify culicid species in a conservation unit located in a preserved area of the Caatinga and the possible associations with local abiotic factors, as well as characterize the natural and artificial ecotopes present in the Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte state. The Ecological Station of Serido (ESEC-Seridó) is a Caatinga Conservation Unit located in a rural area of Rio Grande do Norte. The hot and dry climate of the Caatinga, along with a short rainy season, favor the adaptation and resistance of plants, resulting in completely distinct landscapes over the course of the year. The study took place over the course of one year, with monthly collections between 10h-12h, 14h-16h and 18h-20h. Adult mosquitoes were collected in a forest area using a manual suction trap with human bait as attractant at the three times and a Shannon trap for night collections. During the rainy season ovitraps were randomly distributed at different sites. The different capture sites were observed and photographed. Immature and adult insects captured were taken to the laboratory for identification. Of the 5081 insects collected in human-bait and Shannon traps, 75% were Mansonia wilsoni. In addition, Aedeomyia, Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Haemagogus, Mansonia and Psorophora were identified. Of the 92 Haemagogus eggs found, 71 were collected on the banks of a reservoir. Mosquito larvae were found and photographed in an artificial breeding site of a neighboring rural area. Humidity had the greatest influence on culicid density in the Caatinga. Rain was important in the appearance of Haemagogus, Anopheles, Aedes and Psorophora. Temperature had a negative influence on Anopheles triannulatus. The occurence of important vector species of diseases in a little known preserved area of the Caatinga as well as environmental and sociocultural questions are factors that favor the emergence of transmitting insects, making these areas potential subject to the resurgence of diseases