Análise paramétrica da simulação composicional do processo de Drenagem Gravitacional Assistida por Gás (GAGD)

In Brazil and around the world, oil companies are looking for, and expected development of new technologies and processes that can increase the oil recovery factor in mature reservoirs, in a simple and inexpensive way. So, the latest research has developed a new process called Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage (GAGD) which was classified as a gas injection IOR. The process, which is undergoing pilot testing in the field, is being extensively studied through physical scale models and core-floods laboratory, due to high oil recoveries in relation to other gas injection IOR. This process consists of injecting gas at the top of a reservoir through horizontal or vertical injector wells and displacing the oil, taking advantage of natural gravity segregation of fluids, to a horizontal producer well placed at the bottom of the reservoir. To study this process it was modeled a homogeneous reservoir and a model of multi-component fluid with characteristics similar to light oil Brazilian fields through a compositional simulator, to optimize the operational parameters. The model of the process was simulated in GEM (CMG, 2009.10). The operational parameters studied were the gas injection rate, the type of gas injection, the location of the injector and production well. We also studied the presence of water drive in the process. The results showed that the maximum vertical spacing between the two wells, caused the maximum recovery of oil in GAGD. Also, it was found that the largest flow injection, it obtained the largest recovery factors. This parameter controls the speed of the front of the gas injected and determined if the gravitational force dominates or not the process in the recovery of oil. Natural gas had better performance than CO2 and that the presence of aquifer in the reservoir was less influential in the process. In economic analysis found that by injecting natural gas is obtained more economically beneficial than CO2

Controle preditivo neural aplicado à processos petroquímicos

A pesquisa tem como objetivo desenvolver uma estrutura de controle preditivo neural, com o intuito de controlar um processo de pH, caracterizado por ser um sistema SISO (Single Input - Single Output). O controle de pH é um processo de grande importância na indústria petroquímica, onde se deseja manter constante o nível de acidez de um produto ou neutralizar o afluente de uma planta de tratamento de fluidos. O processo de controle de pH exige robustez do sistema de controle, pois este processo pode ter ganho estático e dinâmica nãolineares. O controlador preditivo neural envolve duas outras teorias para o seu desenvolvimento, a primeira referente ao controle preditivo e a outra a redes neurais artificiais (RNA s). Este controlador pode ser dividido em dois blocos, um responsável pela identificação e outro pelo o cálculo do sinal de controle. Para realizar a identificação neural é utilizada uma RNA com arquitetura feedforward multicamadas com aprendizagem baseada na metodologia da Propagação Retroativa do Erro (Error Back Propagation). A partir de dados de entrada e saída da planta é iniciado o treinamento offline da rede. Dessa forma, os pesos sinápticos são ajustados e a rede está apta para representar o sistema com a máxima precisão possível. O modelo neural gerado é usado para predizer as saídas futuras do sistema, com isso o otimizador calcula uma série de ações de controle, através da minimização de uma função objetivo quadrática, fazendo com que a saída do processo siga um sinal de referência desejado. Foram desenvolvidos dois aplicativos, ambos na plataforma Builder C++, o primeiro realiza a identificação, via redes neurais e o segundo é responsável pelo controle do processo. As ferramentas aqui implementadas e aplicadas são genéricas, ambas permitem a aplicação da estrutura de controle a qualquer novo processo

Avaliação da biodegradabilidade de petróleo utilizando microrganismos isolados do estuário do Rio Potengi (RN)

The oil activity in the Rio Grande do Norte State (RN) is a permanent threat to coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, with the possibility of oil spills. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential resistance of the mangrove environment of a possible spill. Were selected and isolated microorganisms degrading oil by the technique of enrichment cultures and formation of a bacterial consortium. The kinetic study of the consortium was held in rotary incubator shaken at 150 rpm and 30° C. Samples were taken at intervals of 4 hours for analysis of cell concentration and surface tension. The biodegradation was monitored using two methods of respirometry: manometric (OxiTop-C ®) and conductivimetry, where the biodegradation of oil was estimated indirectly by oxygen consumption and CO2 production, respectively. Furthermore, it was used a full 2² factorial design with triplicate at central point to the runs that used the conductivimetric methodology.. The technique of enrichment cultures allowed to obtain thirteen bacterial strains. Kinetic study of the consortium, we can showed the absence of the lag phase, reaching a maximum cell concentration of 2.55 g / L at 16 h of cultivation and a reduction on surface tension. When we adopted the methodology of OxiTop-C was detected a band indicating biodegradability (1% oil v/v), however when we used the conductivimetry methodology did not observe any band that would indicate effective biodegradation. By monitoring a process of biodegradation is necessary to observe the methodology will be adopted to evaluate the biodegradation process, since for the same conditions adopted different methodologies can produce different results. The oil-degrading isolates from soils of the mangrove estuary Potengi / RN are largely to be used in bioremediation strategies of these places, in the case of a possible oil spill, or it can be used in the treatment of waste oil generated in saline environments, since they are optimized the conditions of the tests so that the efficiency of biodegradation reach the minimum level suggested by the standarts

Compressão de Imagens Usando a Função de Peano e a Transformada Wavelet 1D

In this work, spoke about the importance of image compression for the industry, it is known that processing and image storage is always a challenge in petrobrás to optimize the storage time and store a maximum number of images and data. We present an interactive system for processing and storing images in the wavelet domain and an interface for digital image processing. The proposal is based on the Peano function and wavelet transform in 1D. The storage system aims to optimize the computational space, both for storage and for transmission of images. Being necessary to the application of the Peano function to linearize the images and the 1D wavelet transform to decompose it. These applications allow you to extract relevant information for the storage of an image with a lower computational cost and with a very small margin of error when comparing the images, original and processed, ie, there is little loss of quality when applying the processing system presented . The results obtained from the information extracted from the images are displayed in a graphical interface. It is through the graphical user interface that the user uses the files to view and analyze the results of the programs directly on the computer screen without the worry of dealing with the source code. The graphical user interface, programs for image processing via Peano Function and Wavelet Transform 1D, were developed in Java language, allowing a direct exchange of information between them and the user

Avaliação da espécie vegetal Croton cajucara Benth como inibidor de biocorrosão em aço carbono Aisi 1020

Actually in the oil industry biotechnological approaches represent a challenge. In that, attention to metal structures affected by electrochemical corrosive processes, as well as by the interference of microorganisms (biocorrosion) which affect the kinetics of the environment / metal interface. Regarding to economical and environmental impacts reduction let to the use of natural products as an alternative to toxic synthetic inhibitors. This study aims the employment of green chemistry by evaluating the stem bark extracts (EHC, hydroalcoholic extract) and leaves (ECF, chloroform extract) of plant species Croton cajucara Benth as a corrosion inhibitor. In addition the effectiveness of corrosion inhibition of bioactive trans-clerodane dehydrocrotonin (DCTN) isolated from the stem bark of this Croton was also evaluated. For this purpose, carbon steel AISI 1020 was immersed in saline media (3,5 % NaCl) in the presence and absence of a microorganism recovered from a pipeline oil sample. Corrosion inhibition efficiency and its mechanisms were investigated by linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance. Culture-dependent and molecular biology techniques were used to characterize and identify bacterial species present in oil samples. The tested natural products EHC, ECF and DCTN (DMSO as solvent) in abiotic environment presented respectively, corrosion inhibition efficiencies of 57.6% (500 ppm), 86.1% (500 ppm) and 54.5% (62.5 ppm). Adsorption phenomena showed that EHC best fit Frumkin isotherm and ECF to Temkin isotherm. EHC extract (250 ppm) dissolved in a polar microemulsion system (MES-EHC) showed significant maximum inhibition efficiency (93.8%) fitting Langmuir isotherm. In the presence of the isolated Pseudomonas sp, EHC and ECF were able to form eco-compatible organic films with anti-corrosive properties

Modelagem do desempenho ambiental dos projetos de exploração e produção aplicando equações estruturais

A legislação ambiental e os principais agentes que se relacionam com a empresa se constituem em fatores exógenos que não podem ser negligenciados ao formular-se e avaliar-se a política ambiental corporativa. As influências exógenas e seus efeitos sobre a gestão ambiental e o gerenciamento de projetos de exploração e produção (E&P) e, por essa via, sobre o desempenho ambiental, foram objetos de estudo desta tese. Embora o desempenho ambiental seja um assunto relevante, a pesquisa sobre esse tema ainda é escassa. Tal carência desponta ainda mais acentuada quando se aborda o desempenho ambiental de projetos na indústria de petróleo e gás. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre a legislação ambiental vigente, as ações de órgãos reguladores, fornecedores, empresas terceirizadas e comunidades locais e o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P na indústria de petróleo e gás e, também, analisar os efeitos do sistema de gestão ambiental e o gerenciamento dos projetos sobre tal desempenho. Na fase abdutiva, foi conduzido um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa em uma grande empresa brasileira do setor de petróleo e gás, na fase dedutiva, foi realizada uma pesquisa survey explanatória de corte transversal com abordagem quantitativa, incluindo 113 projetos de E&P de cinco unidades executoras da empresa. Foi formulado um modelo conceitual, com cinco construtos e sete hipóteses de pesquisa, representativo dos efeitos de fatores externos sobre o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P. Os dados foram tratados aplicando a Análise Fatorial Exploratória e a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais com aplicação dos softwares IBM® SPSS® Statistics 20.0 e IBM® SPSS® Amos 18.0. O modelo de equações estruturais foi reespecificado e estimado utilizando o método de Máxima Verossimilhança e o procedimento bootstrap com 2000 reamostragens, até alcançar adequados valores dos índices de ajustamento. O modelo mostrou boa aderência às evidências empíricas, representando uma teoria explicativa dos fatores que influenciam o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P na empresa estudada. As estatísticas descritivas apontaram adequado desempenho dos projetos de E&P com relação aos efluentes descartados, volume de água reutilizada, redução de resíduos e práticas de reciclagem. Identificou-se que projetos de maior porte alcançam melhor desempenho ambiental em relação aos de menor tamanho. Não foram achadas diferenças significativas entre os desempenhos de projetos executados por unidades operacionais distintas. Os resultados da modelagem indicaram que nem a legislação ambiental, nem os agentes externos exercem influência significativa sobre a sistemática da gestão dos projetos de E&P. Os agentes externos atuam sobre a gestão ambiental da empresa exercitando capacidades colaborativas, obstrutivas e propositivas. A legislação ambiental é percebida como entrave ao desenvolvimento dos projetos ao longo de seu ciclo de vida, principalmente, pelas deficiências dos órgãos ambientais. Identificou-se que o sistema de gestão ambiental influencia diretamente o Programa de Desenvolvimento e Execução de Projetos de E&P, que, por sua vez, provoca efeitos diretos e indiretos sobre o desempenho ambiental. Finalmente, comprovou-se que o Sistema de Gestão Ambiental da empresa é determinante para o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P, tanto pelos seus efeitos diretos, como pelos indiretos, estes últimos mediados pela sistemática de gestão dos projetos de E&P

Ecologia do fitoplâncton impactado por cultivo de tilápia do Nilo, oreochromis niloticus, em tanques-rede no açude Ministro João Alves, Parelhas, Rio Grande do Norte

The dams are limnic ecosystems of great importance for its multiple uses, among them, water supply for the public and to culture of artisanal fish are most relevant. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the physical-chemical characteristics and the phytoplankton community in two chosen sites (Point 1 littoral zone of point source; Point 2 pelagic zone of non-point source) of the Minister João Alves dam, which is also known as Boqueirão de Parelhas/RN. This represents the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton species in order to understand any possible alterations of the water quality and the phytoplankton composition in relation to the water quality originating from the impact of the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, culture. The study period also encompasses temporal variations exhibited in two seasons of an annual cycle, one during the dry season (Oct, Nov and Dec of 2008 and Jan of 2009), and the other rainy season (Mar, Apr, May and June of 2008) to extend the observation. The physicalchemical parameters, such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, concentration of dissolved oxygen were measured in situ and the values of the inorganic nutrients (nitrate, ammonium and orto-phosfato) and chlorophyll in the laboratory. The quali-quantitative analyses of the phytoplankton had been carried through sedimentation technique and the enumeration of the random of 400 cells, colonies and filaments counted using Sedgwick-Rafter counting chamber. The results of pH varied widely from the acidic to alkaline range with the minimum of 5.8 (± 0.8) and the maximum of 9.2 (± 0.7-0.8), at point 1 and 2. The dissolved oxygen content was higher in the rainy period than that in the dry period. The maximum electrical conductivity was of 1409 μScm-1 in point 1 and 431 minim of μScm-1, in point 2. There was a considerable alteration in the levels of inorganic nutrients such as nitrate-nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen and orthophosphate during the two cycles of study period. Phytoplankton assemblages presented a picture of alternate dominance among species Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae. The trophic state index diagnosed to the category of mesotrophic, which is based on the values of chlorophyll, total phosphorus and Secchi-disc measurements. The wind driven turbulence of the water column and the fresh inflow of water (flushing and dilution) during rainy season acted as constraint and did-not allow an exaggerated growth of the species of cyanobacteria. On the basis of the present we conclude that the culture of tilapias in cage-culture fails to produce pollution load that could compromise the quality of the water of the dam, probably be due to small dimension of the culture in relation to the size, volume of the water and the reservoir capacity support its own environment

Avaliação das pressões respiratórias máximas em crianças e adolescentes da grande Natal: elaboração de uma equação preditiva

The human respiratory system was so designed that would allow efficient ventilation, regardless of variations in the external environment that may hinder the act of breathing, such an act involves dozens of variables, among them we find the respiratory depression, which is nothing more than respiratory muscle strength. The pressures are widely used in several cases: Neuro-muscular; evolution of pulmonary dysfunction and a predictor for discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. Therefore it was proposed to carry out evaluations of these respiratory pressures for children and adolescents aged 10 to 16 years and propose a predictive equation that involves the anthropometric variables age (A, years), body mass (BM, kilograms) and height (H, meters) with maximal respiratory pressures (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure). Evaluations were performed in this age group of students in public and private schools of the Grande Natal , measurements were performed using the analogue manometer, were children and adolescents and their parents gave informed consent. 517 samples were taken, and 250 for males (M), 255 for females (F) and 12 were excluded according to our exclusion criteria. The sample was subdivided into three age groups (10-11, 12-13 and 14 to 16 years old). It was found through the student s t test (p ≤ 0.05) for all variables studied, children and male adolescents had higher means than females, except for the MC. For the correlation between the variables found significant correlation (p <0.05) among all the variables when analyzed as pairs except between MIP and height for females. The development of predictive equations (for p ≤ 0.05) based on three types of strategies adopted were restricted to two association between anthropometric variables isolated, resulting in: for males: MIP = -32.29 + (-2.11*A) + (-0.52*BM), MIP = 9.99 + (-0.36*BM) + (-49.40*H); MEP = 18.54 + 3.53*A + 0, 42*BM, MEP = -33.37 + 2.78*A + 52.18* H, MEP = -17.39 + 0.33*BM + 55.04*H; and, for females we find: MEP = 24.32 + 2.59 * A + 0.24*BM

Filogenia molecular de fungos gasteroides das ordens Phallales e Geastrales (Phallomycetidae)

Gasteroids fungi are characterized by the basidiospores maturation inside the basidioma, from which spores liberation occurs in a passive manner. These fungi were once seen as a well definite class of Basidiomycota, but nowadays they are considered an artificial assemblage, because the organisms have independent evolutionary histories forming a polyphyletic group with a vast morphological variety. Despite their diversity, studies with this group in the tropics are incipient, and the phylogenetic relationships of the species from temperate climate remain unknown. Thus, this work aimed to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of gasteroids fungi from the Geastrales and Phallales orders, with the inclusion of tropical and temperate species, and with these analyses suggest a systematic position of species like Aseroë floriformis and Phallus roseus, as well as to verify if the lignicolous habit can indicate parental relationship in the Geastrum genus. For this, basidiomata were collected at Atlantic rain forest areas, during the rainy season, and the specimen identification followed specific literature for gasteroid fungi. The phylogenetic analyses were performed with Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Analysis, making use of RPB2 and 28S nuclear genes and atp6 mitochondrial gene. It could be observed on the Phallales dendogram, that Aseroë floriformis did not cluster with A. rubra, and that it has an anterior divergence from all others species of the family Clathraceae used in this analysis, assuming a basal position in the clade. Phallus roseus, which once was recognized as Itajahya, has previous divergence from the group formed by Phallus species. At the Geastrales dendogram, in the group corresponding to Geastrum genus, it could be observed that species with lignicolous habitat clustered in a clade with high support values. So, the results suggest the creation of a new genus to accommodate A. floriformis, and the revalidation of Itajahya, as well as it can be affirmed that the lignicolous habitat on the Geastrum genus in fact indicates parental relationships, and that it has arised only once at the evolutionary history of the genus

Avaliação da efetividade de estratégias não farmacológicas para o alívio da dor de parturientes na fase ativa do período de dilatação no trabalho de parto

This study was aim to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies non pharmacological for the relief of the intensity of the parturient pain in the phase activates of the dilation period in the labor. Is a clinic rehearse of the type therapeutic intervention before and after" with a quantitative approach, accomplished in the Humanized Unit of Childbirth of the Maternity Januário Cicco School of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, in Natal/RN, whit 130 parturient, being 30 in the pre-test of the strategies and 100 in the application of the strategies non pharmacological combined (breathing exercises, muscular relaxation and lombossacral massage) and isolated (shower bath in a normal temperature). We used the visual analogical scale to evaluate the intensity of the pain of the study parturient before and after" to the application of the strategies in the phases of acceleration, maximum inclination and desaceleration in the phase activates of dilation period in the labor. The principal results showed that the majority of the study parturient was between 20 to 30 years old (60%); with incomplete fundamental teaching (85%); family income until 2 minimum wages (74%); 78% had a companion and these, 44% were the own husband. The oxytocin was administered in the parturient during the phase activates of the labor in 81% of the cases and only 15% these women didn´t reciev anything medication. We verified significant relief (ρ=0.000) of intensity of the pain of the study parturient after application of the strategies non pharmacological combined and isolated. We concluded that the strategies non pharmacological combined and isolated were effective in the relief of the pain of the study parturient in the phase activates de labor

Relação entre estresse oxidativo e oesteopenia diabética em ratas pré-menopausadas

The relationship between lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense and diabetic osteopenia remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between lipid peroxidation index, antioxidant defense parameter and bone metabolism in a premenopausal diabetic model by measurements such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in brain homogenates, histomorphometric analysis, biomechanical testing and bone mineral density (BMD). Female Wistar rats with regular estrous cycle were divided into two groups: Group 1: control rats (n = 15) and Group 2: diabetic rats (n = 15). Diabetes mellitus was induced by alloxan and confirmed by glycemia 250 mg/dL. The experimental period understood 1 and 5 after days induction and 45, 75 and 120 days after the installation of diabetes mellitus.The lipid peroxidation index, measured by TBARS concentration, showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in diabetic animals in comparison to animals control. However, the antioxidant parameter, measured by GSH content, was significantly decrease (p<0.05) in diabetic animals. Histomorphometric analysis showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in femoral trabecular separation together with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in trabecular thickness and reduced trabecular bone volume in diabetic rats. Moreover, biomechanical testing and BMD values were significant decrease (p<0.05) in diabetic group. Thus, our results demonstrated that increased lipid peroxidation and altered antioxidant defense could be related to the development of oxidative stress and diabetic osteopenia in premenopausal rats