Tratamento de materiais contaminados com bifenilas policloradas (PCBS) via extração convencional e fluído supercrítico

The decontamination of the materials has been subject of some studies. One of the factors that it increases the pollution is the lack of responsibility in the discarding of toxic trash, as for example the presence of PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) in the environment. In the Brazilian regulations, the material contaminated with PCB in concentrations higher than 50 ppm must be stored in special places or destroyed, usually by incineration in plasma furnace with dual steps. Due to high cost of the procedure, new methodologies of PCBs removal has been studied. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental methodology and analytical methodology for quantification of removal of PCBs through out the processes of extractions using supercritical fluid and Soxhlet method, also technical efficiency of the two processes of extraction, in the treatment of contaminated materials with PCBs. The materials studied were soils and wood, both were simulated contamination with concentration of 6.000, 33.000 and 60.000 mg of PCB/ kg of materials. Soxhlet extractions were performed using 100 ml of hexane, and temperature of 180 ºC. Extractions by fluid supercritical were performed at conditions of 200 bar, 70°C, and supercritical CO2 flow-rate of 3 g/min for 1-3 hours. The extracts obtained were quantified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The conventional extractions were made according to factorial experimental planning technique 22, with aim of study the influence of two variables of process extraction for the Soxhlet method: contaminant concentration and extraction time for obtain a maximum removal of PCB in the materials. The extractions for Soxhlet method were efficient for extraction of PCBs in soil and wood in both solvent studied (hexane and ethanol). In the experimental extraction in soils, the better efficient of removal of PCBs using ethanol as solvent was 81.3% than 95% for the extraction using hexane as solvent, for equal time of extraction. The results of the extraction with wood showed statistically it that there is not difference between the extractions in both solvent studied. The supercritical fluid extraction in the conditions studied showed better efficiency in the extraction of PCBs in the wood matrix than in soil, for two hours extractions the obtain percentual of 43.9 ± 0.5 % for the total of PCBs extracted in the soils against 95.1 ± 0,5% for the total of PCBs extracted in the wood. The results demonstrated that the extractions were satisfactory for both technical studied

Degradação foto-fenton de carbono orgânico total em efluentes da indústria de beneficiamento de castanha de caju

At the cashew nut processing industry it is often the generation of wastewaters containing high content of toxic organic compounds. The presence of these compounds is due mainly to the so called liquid of the cashew nut (CNSL). CNSL, as it is commercially known in Brazil, is the liquid of the cashew nut. It looks like an oil with dark brown color, viscous and presents a high toxicity index due to the chemical composition, i.e. phenol compounds, such as anacardic acid, cardol, 2-methyl cardol and monophenol (cardanol). These compounds are bio resistant to the conventional treatments. Furthermore, the corresponding wastewaters present high content of TOC (total organic carbon). Therefore due to the high degree of toxicity it is very important to study and develop treatments of these wastewaters before discharge to the environmental. This research aims to decompose these compounds using advanced oxidative processes (AOP) based on the photo-Fenton system. The advantage of this system is the fast and non-selective oxidation promoted by the hydroxyl radicals (●OH), that is under determined conditions can totally convert the organic pollutants to CO2 and H2O. In order to evaluate the decomposition of the organic charge system samples of the real wastewater od a processing cashew nut industry were taken. This industry was located at the country of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The experiments were carried out with a photochemical annular reactor equipped with UV (ultra violet) lamp. Based on preliminary experiments, a Doehlert experimental design was defined to optimize the concentrations of H2O2 and Fe(II) with a total of 13 runs. The experimental conditions were set to pH equal to 3 and temperature of 30°C. The power of the lamps applied was 80W, 125W and 250W. To evaluate the decomposition rate measures of the TOC were accomplished during 4 hours of experiment. According to the results, the organic removal obtained in terms of TOC was 80% minimum and 95% maximum. Furthermore, it was gotten a minimum time of 49 minutes for the removal of 30% of the initial TOC. Based on the obtained experimental results, the photo-Fenton system presents a very satisfactory performance as a complementary treatment of the wastewater studied

Avaliação da eficiência de catalisadores comerciais na obtenção de biodiesel de algodão (Gossipium hisutum L.)

The increasing demand for energy and the environment consequences derived from the use of fossil energy, beyond the future scarcity of the oil that currently is the main power plant of the world, it stimulated the research around the production of biodiesel. In this work the synthesis of biodiesel of cotton in the methyl route was carried through, for had been in such a way used catalyst commercial homogeneous, Na-Methylat and the K-Methylat, aiming to the evaluation of the efficiency of them. An experimental planning 23 was elaborated aiming to evaluate the influence of the variable (molar reason oil/alcohol, % of catalyst and temperature) in the process as well as indicating the excellent point of operation in each case. The biodiesel was analyzed by gaseous chromatography, indicating a conversion of 96,79% when used Na-Methylat® as catalytic, and 95,65% when the K-Methylat® was used. Optimum result found with regard to the conversion was obtained at the following conditions: molar reason oil/alcohol (1:8), temperature of 40°C and 1% of catalyst Na-Methylat, reaching a 96,79% conversion, being, therefore, above of the established for the European norm (96.5%). The analysis of regression showed that the only significant effect for a confidence level of 95%, was of the changeable temperature. The variance analysis evidenced that the considered model is fitted quite to the experimental response, being statistically significant; however it does not serve inside for make forecasts of the intervals established for each variable. The best samples were analyzed by infra-red (IR) that identified the strong bands of axial deformation C=O of methylic ester, characterized through analyses physicochemical that had indicated conformity with the norms of the ANP, that with the thermal and rheological analyses had together evidenced that biodiesel can be used as combustible alternative in substitution to diesel

Estudo da remoção de compostos orgânicos, benzeno e tolueno, em solução aquosa por processo oxidativo avançado do tipo Fenton

The oil and petrochemical industry is responsable to generate a large amount of waste and wastewater. Among some efluents, is possible find the benzene, toluene, ethilbenze and isomers of xilenes compounds, known as BTEX. These compounds are very volatily, toxic for environment and potencially cancerigenous in man. Oxidative advanced processes, OAP, are unconventional waste treatment, wich may be apply on treatment and remotion this compounds. Fenton is a type of OAPs, wich uses the Fenton s reactant, hydrogen peroxide and ferrous salt, to promove the organic degradation. While the Photo-Fenton type uses the Fenton s reactant plus UV radiation (ultraviolet). These two types of OAP, according to literature, may be apply on BTEX complex system. This project consists on the consideration of the utilization of technologies Fenton and Photo-Fenton in aqueous solution in concentration of 100 ppm of BTEX, each, on simulation of condition near of petrochemical effluents. Different reactors were used for each type of OAP. For the analyticals results of amount of remotion were used the SPME technique (solid phase microextraction) for extraction in gaseous phase of these analytes and the gas chromatography/mass espectrometry The arrangement mechanical of Photo-Fenton system has been shown big loss by volatilization of these compounds. The Fenton system has been shown capable of degradate benzene and toluene compounds, with massic percentage of remotion near the 99%.

Remediação de solos contaminados com óleo diesel utilizando um sistema de lavagem com microemulsão

The underground reservoirs of fuel retailing system represent an environmental threat, because once in bad conservation, these tanks allow fuel leakage and infiltration. For soil contaminated with fuel, such as diesel oil, the present study introduces the microemulsion systems used by the method of washing. In tests carried out in column with a sample of sandy soil artificially contaminated and previously characterized as to its void level to porosity, to permeability which is an important parameter concerning the study of the method of washing. While microemulsions were characterized for their viscosity and wettability, a variation of active matter was also done departing from the original formulation. The hydraulic diffusivity of the microemulsion was studied so as the injection of such fluid in a soil with sandy characteristics. The results of the extractions revealed the excellent performance of these systems which get to remove around 95% of diesel fuel. This proves the efficiency of the microemulsion in the process of removal of diesel fuel from the soil with the advantage of being a system easily obtainable and less aggressive to the environment when compared to organic solvents.

Flotação por ar dissolvido para os minerais quartzo e feldspato utilizando coletores catiônicos

The pegmatite rocks in Rio Grande do Norte are responsible for much of the production of industrial minerals like quartz and feldspar. Quartz and feldspar are minerals from pegmatite which may occur in pockets with metric to centimetric dimensions or as millimetric to sub millimetric intergrowths. The correct physical liberation of the mineral of interest, in case of intergrowths, requires an appropriate particle size, acquired by size reduction operations. The method for treating mineral which has a high efficiency fines particles recovery is flotation. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the recovery of quartz and potassium feldspar using cationic diamine and quaternary ammonium salt as collectors by means of dissolved air flotation DAF. The tests were performed based on a central composite design 24, by which the influence of process variables was statistically verified: concentration of the quaternary ammonium salt and diamine collectors, pH and conditioning time. The efficiency of flotation was calculated from the removal of turbidity of the solution. Results of maximum flotation efficiency (60%) were found in the level curves, plotted in conditions of low concentrations of collectors (1,0 x 10-5 mol.L-1). These high flotation efficiencies were obtained when operating at pH 4 to 8 with conditioning time ranging from 3 to 5 minutes. Thus, the results showed that the process variables have played important roles in the dissolved air flotation process concerning the flotability of the minerals.

Estudo dos parâmetros de extração de fenol de efluentes aquosos por um tensoativo não iônico

Environmental sustainability has become one of the topics of greatest interest in industry, mainly due to effluent generation. Phenols are found in many industries effluents, these industries might be refineries, coal processing, pharmaceutical, plastics, paints and paper and pulp industries. Because phenolic compounds are toxic to humans and aquatic organisms, Federal Resolution CONAMA No. 430 of 13.05.2011 limits the maximum content of phenols, in 0.5 mg.L-1, for release in freshwater bodies. In the effluents treatment, the liquid-liquid extraction process is the most economical for the phenol recovery, because consumes little energy, but in most cases implements an organic solvent, and the use of it can cause some environmental problems due to the high toxicity of this compound. Because of this, exists a need for new methodologies, which aims to replace these solvents for biodegradable ones. Some literature studies demonstrate the feasibility of phenolic compounds removing from aqueous effluents, by biodegradable solvents. In this extraction kind called "Cloud Point Extraction" is used a nonionic surfactant as extracting agent of phenolic compounds. In order to optimize the phenol extraction process, this paper studies the mathematical modeling and optimization of extraction parameters and investigates the effect of the independent variables in the process. A 32 full factorial design has been done with operating temperature and surfactant concentration as independent variables and, parameters extraction: Volumetric fraction of coacervate phase, surfactant and residual concentration of phenol in dilute phase after separation phase and phenol extraction efficiency, as dependent variables. To achieve the objectives presented before, the work was carried out in five steps: (i) selection of some literature data, (ii) use of Box-Behnken model to find out mathematical models that describes the process of phenol extraction, (iii) Data analysis were performed using STATISTICA 7.0 and the analysis of variance was used to assess the model significance and prediction (iv) models optimization using the response surface method (v) Mathematical models validation using additional measures, from samples different from the ones used to construct the model. The results showed that the mathematical models found are able to calculate the effect of the surfactant concentration and the operating temperature in each extraction parameter studied, respecting the boundaries used. The models optimization allowed the achievement of consistent and applicable results in a simple and quick way leading to high efficiency in process operation.

Estudo de um sistema híbrido de destilação solar para polimento de águas produzidas

The oil industry, experiencing a great economic and environmental impact, has increasingly invested in researches aiming a more satisfactory treatment of its largest effluent, i.e., produced water. These are mostly discarded at sea, without reuse and after a basic treatment. Such effluent contains a range of organic compounds with high toxicity and are difficult to remove, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, salts, heavy metals, etc.. The main objective of this work was to study the solar distillation of produced water pre-treated to remove salts and other contaminants trough of a hybrid system with a pre-heater. This developed apparatus was called solar system, which consists of a solar heater and a conventional distillation solar still. The first device consisted of a water tank, a solar flat plate collector and a thermal reservoir. The solar distillator is of simple effect, with 1m2 of flat area and 20° of inclination. This dissertation was divided in five steps: measurements in the solar system, i.e. temperatures and distillate flow rate and weather data; modeling and simulation of the system; study of vapor-liquid equilibrium of the synthetic wastewater by the aqueous solution of p-xylene; physical and chemical analyses of samples of the feed, distillate and residue, as well as climatology pertinent variables of Natal-RN. The solar system was tested separately, with the supply water, aqueous NaCl and synthetic oil produced water. Temperature measurements were taken every minute of the thermal reservoir, water tank and distillator (liquid and vapor phases). Data of solar radiation and rainfall were obtained from INPE (National Institute for Space Research). The solar pre-heater demonstrated to be effective for the liquid systems tested. The reservoir fluid had an average temperature of 58°C, which enabled the feed to be pre-heated in the distillator. The temperature profile in the solar distillator showed a similar behavior to daily solar radiation, with temperatures near 70°C. The distillation had an average yield of 2.4 L /day, i.e., an efficiency of 27.2%. Mathematical modeling aided the identification of the most important variables and parameters in the solar system. The study of the vapor-liquid equilibrium from Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis indicated heteroazeotropia and the vapor phase resulted more concentrated in p-xylene. The physical-chemical analysis of pH, conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chlorides, cations (including heavy metals) and anions, the effluent distillate showed satisfactory results, which presents a potential for reuse. The climatological study indicates the region of Natal-RN as favorable to the operation of solar systems, but the use of auxiliary heating during periods of higher rainfall and cloud cover is also recommended

Utilização De Polímeros à Base De Acrilamida Na Remoção De Cobre De Meio Aquoso

Environmental Laws and Regulations to dump wastewater are increasingly relevant and, together with pressure from environmentalists, provide awareness of academics in search of solutions. In Brazil, federal law, through Resolution No. 357 of 17/03/05 of the National Environmental Council - CONAMA, in Article 24 deals with the disposal of these effluents. Water pollution with heavy metals is concern because of the difficulty of the treatment and removal from the environment. Copper, for example, is a metallic element and in the form of salt is very soluble in water which dificults its removal. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the extraction of copper with acrylamide polymers through the process of assisted flocculation followed by filtration. Therefore, we used acrylamide polymers, produced by SNF Floerger, with varying degrees of ionicity which is the parameter examined on the extraction of copper. We used the FA polymers FA 920 SH, AH 912 SH, AN 905 SH, AN 910 SH, AN 923 SH, AN 945 SH, AN 956 SH and AN 977 SH, which have anionicities different from each other and growing in that order. The parameters temperature, pH, concentration of the copper solution and stirring speed are fixed. The polymer solution was added to a solution of 200 ppm copper, varying the concentration of polymer. After stirring, an assisted flocculation occurred followed by filtration of the effluent. The filtrate was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the percentage removal of copper ranged from 63 % to 97 %, noting that polymers with higher ionic charge were responsible for the highest percentage of copper extraction. The results of this study showed that these polymers can be applied in the treatment of wastewaters containing metals such as copper

Otimização do processo de flotação de emulsão óleo/água através do planejamento fatorial completo

In recent decades, the generation of solid and liquid waste has increased substantially due to increased industrial activity that is directly linked to economic growth. For that is the most efficient process, it is inevitable generation of such wastes. In the oil industry, a major waste generated in oil exploration is produced water, which due to its complex composition and the large amount generated, has become a challenge, given the restrictions imposed by environmental laws regarding their disposal, making if necessary create alternatives for reuse or treatment in order to reduce the content of contaminants and reduce the harmful effects to the environment. This water can be present in free form or emulsified with the oil, when in the form of an emulsion of oil-water type, it is necessary to use chemicals to promote the separation and flotation is the treatment method which has proved to be more efficient, for it can remove much of the emulsified oil when compared to other methods. In this context, the object of this work was to study the individual effects and interactions of some physicochemical parameters of operations, based on previous work to a flotation cell used in the separation of synthetic emulsion oil / water in order to optimize the efficiency of the separation process through of the 24 full factorial design with center point. The response variables to evaluate the separation efficiency was the percentage of color and turbidity removal. The independent variables were: concentration of de-emulsifying, oil content in water, salinity and pH, these being fixed, minimum and maximum limits. The analysis of variance for the equation of the empirical model, was statistically significant and useful for predictive purposes the separation efficiency of the floater with R2 > 90%. The results showed that the oil content in water and the interaction between the oil content in water and salinity, showed the highest values of the estimated effects among all the factors investigated, having great and positive influence on the separation efficiency. By analyzing the response surface was determined maximum removal efficiency above 90% for both measured for turbidity as a measure of color when in a saline medium (30 g/L), the high oil concentrations (306 ppm) using low concentrations of de-emulsifying (1,1 ppm) and at pH close to neutral

Dinâmica de Sedimentação de Lodo em Lagoas de Estabilização

Stabilization ponds are an effective sewage treatment alternative for the climatic conditions prevailing in Brazil. In the present work, a primary facultative pond was studied, in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sedimentation dynamics in the facultative pond. The pond was divided in three section or zones along its length starting from the inlet end namely A1, A2 and A3. The research was accomplished in three phases. In the first the mapping of the sludge layer was done, sludge core samples were also collected for analysis for total, fixed and volatile solids and the depth of the sludge layer was determined using a portable echo sounder. In the second solids sedimentation rates were measured using traps placed in the inlet and outlet zones and in the third phase resuspension sludge was evaluate using a tracer. The amount accumulated sludge since the start operation was 13.583 m3. The sedimentation constant averages changed between 0.93 to 2.94 and 3.90 to 5.80 for the depths of 0.5 and 1.0 m respectively. The relationship between volatile and fixed solids (SV/SF) increased along the pond. The removal efficiencies were 52.12%, 36.09%, and 37.50% for BOD, COD and SS, respectively. The sludge accumulation model proposed had a good adjustment with 0.17 m3/hab.year rate. The results presented here demonstrated that the wind had a direct influence on the sedimentation of solids in this pond affecting the efficiency and sludge accumulation

Estudo de uma coluna de absorção recheada para desidratação do gás natural utilizando microemulsão como absorvente

During natural gas processing, water removal is considered as a fundamental step in that combination of hydrocarbons and water favors the formation of hydrates. The gas produced in the Potiguar Basin (Brazil) presents high water content (approximately 15000 ppm) and its dehydration is achieved via absorption and adsorption operations. This process is carried out at the Gas Treatment Unit (GTU) in Guamaré (GMR), in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. However, it is a costly process, which does not provide satisfactory results when water contents as low as 0.5 ppm are required as the exit of the GTU. In view of this, microemulsions research is regarded as an alternative to natural gas dehydration activities. Microemulsions can be used as desiccant fluids because of their unique proprieties, namely solubilization enhancement, reduction in interfacial tensions and large interfacial area between continuous and dispersed phases. These are actually important parameters to ensure the efficiency of an absorption column. In this work, the formulation of the desiccant fluid was determined via phases diagram construction, employing there nonionic surfactants (RDG 60, UNTL L60 and AMD 60) and a nonpolar fluid provided by Petrobras GMR (Brazil) typically comprising low-molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons ( a solvent commonly know as aguarrás ). From the array of phases diagrams built, four representative formulations have been selected for providing better results: 30% RDG 60-70% aguarrás; 15% RDG 60-15% AMD 60-70% aguarrás, 30% UNTL L60-70% aguarrás, 15% UNTL L60-15% AMD 60-70% aguarrás. Since commercial natural gas is already processed, and therefore dehydrated, it was necessary to moister some sample prior to all assays. It was then allowed to cool down to 13ºC and interacted with wet 8-12 mesh 4A molecular sieve, thus enabling the generation of gas samples with water content (approximately 15000 ppm). The determination of the equilibrium curves was performed based on the dynamic method, which stagnated liquid phase and gas phase at a flow rate of 200 mL min-1. The hydrodynamic study was done with the aim of established the pressure drop and dynamic liquid hold-up. This investigation allowed are to set the working flow rates at 840 mL min-1 for the gas phase and 600 mLmin-1 for the liquid phase. The mass transfer study indicated that the system formed by UNTL L60- turpentine-natural gas the highest value of NUT

Uso da tecnologia de troca iônica no tratamento de águas contaminadas com Nitrato do Aqüífero Dunas-Barreiras, Natal/RN-Brasil

The city of Natal comprises an area of about 170 km² (65,63 squares miles). The Dunas-Barreiras Aquifer is the most important reservoir of the coastal basin of RN. It is being responsible for the water supplying of about 70% of the population, however, due to the sewage disposal system by cesspools and drains, it is presently affected in a great extent by nitrates contamination. Thus, the present work proposes to research the utilization of contaminated water by nitrates of this fountainhead and find cost of the potable water through the ionic exchange technology. This technology consists in the removal of mineral salts by the exchange of cations for one ion of hydrogen (H+), through the passage of water by cationic resin bed and, secondly, by the exchange of the anions for hydroxyl ions (OH-) through a anionic resin bed. The obtained results have showed the waters derived from fountains, big water holes and shallow wells were microbiologically contaminated, while the waters derived from deep wells (above 70 m 76,58 yards) were free of contamination. Thus, only these ones are suitable to the use of ionic technology. The experiments were conducted with the resin IMAC-HP-555 such as kinetic, thermodynamic, and adsorption by fixed bed studies, being obtained several project variables for the experimental column, as follow: work temperature of 25oC; resin maximum capacity maximum e mean of adsorption ==0,01692 g NO3-1/g R e 0,0110 g NO3-1/g R, respectively. On the experimental column were performed breakthrough tests which pointed for an average ideal average speed of work of 13.2 m / h, with an average efficiency of 45% of adsorption, an optimal concentration of NaCl desorption of 8%, and an ideal desorption time of 80 minutes for the equilibrium conditions of water from the Dunas-Barreiras aquifer. Scale projection for ion-exchange column for denitrification, for these variables, using a computer modeling programme, to project the column of ion exchange ROREX-420/2000, obtained a cost for the drinking water denitrified by this system of R$ 0,16 / m3

Estudo da influência de compostos recalcitrantes na remoção de matéria orgânica biodegradável no tratamento de efluente de refinarias de petróleo

Petroleum Refinery wastewaters (PRW) have hart-to-degrade compounds, such as: phenols, ammonia, cyanides, sulfides, oils and greases and the mono and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX), acenaphthene, nitrobenzene and naphtalene. It is known that the microrganisms activity can be reduced in the presence of certain substances, adversely affecting the biological process of wastewater treatment. This research was instigated due the small number of studies regarding to this specific topic in the avaiable literature. This body of work ims to evaluate the effect of toxic substances on the biodegradability of the organic material found in PRW. Glucose was chosen as the model substrate due to its biodegradable nature. This study was divided into three parts: i) a survey of recalcitants compounds and the removal of phenol by using both biological and photochemical-biological processes; ii) biomass aclimation and iii) evaluation of the inhibitory effect certain compounds have on glucose biodegradation. The phenol degradation experiments were carried out in an activity sludge system and in a photochemical reactor. The results showed the photochemical-biological process to be more effective on phenol degradation, suggesting the superioruty of a combined photochemical-biological treatment when compared with a simple biological process for phenol removal from industry wastewaters. For the acclimation step, was used an activated sludge from industrial wastewaters. A rapid biomass aclimation to a synthetic solution composed of the main inhibitory compouns fpund in a PRW was obtained using the following operation condition: (pH = 7,0; DO ≥ 2,0 mg/L; RS = 20 days e qH = 31,2 and 20,4 hours), The last part was consisted of using respirometry evaluation toxicity effects of selected compounds over oxygen uptake rate to adaptated and non adaptated biomass in the presence of inhibitory compounds. The adaptated sludge showed greater degration capacity, with lower sensibility to toxic effects. The respirometry has proved to be very practical, as the techiniques used were simple and rapid, such as: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS). Using the latter it is possible to perform sludge selection to beggingthe process; thus allowing its use for aerobic treatment system`s behacior prediction

Avaliação do potencial fitorremediador da mamona (Ricinus communis L.) e girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) quanto à remoção de chumbo e tolueno em efluentes sintéticos.

The development of research that aim to reduce or even eliminate the environmental impacts provided by anthropogenic actions. One of these main action is the discard of industrial waste in the biotic compartments such as soil, water and air, gained more space in academic settings and in private. A technique of phytoremediation involving the use of plants (trees, shrubs, creepers and aquatic) and their associated microorganisms in order to remove, degrade or isolate toxic substances to the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for phytoremediation of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), wild crops suitable region of Rio Grande do Norte, to reduce concentrations of lead and toluene present in synthetic wastewater that simulate the characteristics of treated water production originated in the petrochemical Guamaré. The experiment was accomplished in randomized blocks in four replicates. Seeds of BRS Energy for the development of seedlings of castor beans and sunflower for Catissol 01, both provided by EMPARN (Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte) were used. Lead concentrations tested were 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L called T2, T3 and T4, respectively, for toluene the concentrations used were 125, 256 and 501 μg/L, called T5, T6 and T7, respectively. The data for removal of lead in relation to sewage systems applied in castor bean and sunflower were 43.89 and 51.85% (T2), 73.60 and 73.74% (T3) and 85.66 and 87.80 % (T4), respectively, and toluene were approximately 52.12 and 25.54% (T5), 55.10 and 58.05% (T6) and 79.77 and 74.76% (T7) for castor and sunflower seeds, respectively. From the data obtained, it can be deduce that mechanisms involved in reducing the contaminants were of phytoextraction, in relation to lead and phytodegradation for toluene. However, it can be concluded that the castor bean and sunflower crops can be used in exhaust after-treatment of industrial effluents that have this type of contaminant