Desenvolvimento de substrato cerâmico BiNbO4 para antenas de microfita de sistemas de comunicações sem fio

The main purpose of this work was the development of ceramic dielectric substrates of bismuth niobate (BiNbO4) doped with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), with high permittivity, used in the construction of microstrip patch antennas with applications in wireless communications systems. The high electrical permittivity of the ceramic substrate provided a reduction of the antenna dimensions. The numerical results obtained in the simulations and the measurements performed with the microstrip patch antennas showed good agreement. These antennas can be used in wireless communication systems in various frequency bands. Results were satisfactory for antennas operating at frequencies in the S band, in the range between 2.5 GHz and 3.0 GHz.

Conversão do metano via oxicloração em reator de leito fixo utilizando catalisador do tipo CuCl2/SiO2

Supported catalysts of CuCl2 on sílica were used in the methane oxychlorination reaction. The materials were synthesized by the ion exchange technique in a basic solution, using a copper-ammonia complex with 3 and 6 % of nominal copper loading. The materials where characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDS), BET specific area and pore distribution. The characterization confirms the presence of copper on the support surface, concluding that the ion exchange technique was adequate in the catalyst synthesis. For the reaction test, an oxychlorination bench scale unit was employed. The tests were carried at 673 and 773 K. The results showed the influence of temperature and catalyst copper content on the oxychlorination of methane reaction

Influência do estresse nutricional programado na composição da microalga isochrysis galbana

Global warming due to Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions, especially CO2, has been identified as one of the major problems of the twenty-first century, considering the consequences that could represent to planet. Currently, biological processes have been mentioned as a possible solution, especially CO2 biofixation due to association microalgae growth. This strategy has been emphasized as in addition to CO2 mitigation, occurs the production of biomass rich in compounds of high added value. The Microalgae show high photosynthetic capacity and growth rate higher than the superior plants, doubling its biomass in one day. Its culture does not show seasons, they grow in salt water and do not require irrigation, herbicides or pesticides. The lipid content of these microorganisms, depending on the species, may range from 10 to 70% of its dry weight, reaching 90% under certain culture conditions. Studies indicate that the most effective method to promote increased production of lipids in microalgae is to induce stress by limiting nitrogen content in the culture medium. These evidences justify research continuing the production of biofuels from microalgae. In this paper, it was studied the strategy of increasing the production of lipids in microalgae I. galbana with programmed nutritional stress, due to nitrogen limitation. The physiological responses of microalgae, grown in f / 2 with different concentrations of nitrogen (N: P 15,0-control, N: 5,0 P and N: P 2,5) were monitored. During exponential phase, results showed invariability in the studied conditions. However the cultures subjected to stress in stationary phase, showed lower biomass yields. There was an increase of 32,5% in carbohydrate content and 87.68% in lipids content at N: P ratio of 5,0 and an average decrease of 65% in protein content at N: P ratios of 5, 0 and 2.5. There were no significant variations in ash content, independently of cultivation and growth phase. Despite the limitation of biomass production in cultures with N: P smaller ratios, the increase of lipid accumulation highest lipids yields were observed as compared to the control culture. Given the increased concentration of lipids associated to stress, this study suggests the use of microalgae Isochrysis galbana as an alternative raw material for biofuel production

Influência da intensidade de aeração na formação do floco de lodo ativado e na eficiência de remoção de matéria orgânica

In wastewater treatment, activated sludge systems have been a technology widely applied as secondary treatment. During this step, which has a strong biological aspect, it is necessary to introduce oxygen supply for the maintenance of metabolic activity of the bacteria through the aerators. Aeration devices are responsible for most of the energy consumption in this stage. In this background, the influence of three aeration intensities (atmospheric air flow 3.5, 7.0 and 10.5 L.min-1) and the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) on the dimension of activated sludge flocs as well as on the efficiency of organic matter removal were assessed using a traditional activated sludge system which was fed with synthetic domestic wastewater. Samples were taken weekly from the three units that make up the system feed, aeration and storage tank in order to verify the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). It was established the process efficiency through a comparison between the initial and final COD. Besides the parameters already mentioned, this monitoring work on activated sludge batch system was also observed by Mixed Liquor Suspend Solids (MLSS), Volatile Suspend Solids (VSS), pH and temperature measures. The results have showed a maximum removal efficiency around 75% in the first aeration sequence and approximately 85% for the second and third one. For the first aeration, the DO concentration remained higher than 3.0 mg.L-1 and a diameter range from 10 to 60 μm was observed. In the second e third sequence, the DO concentration remained higher than 4.0 mg.L-1 with a diameter range of 10 until 200 μm. Although the sequence 1 and 2 have presented similar performances for organic matter removal, the sequence 2 promoted a regular floc size distribution and with lower values of Sludge Volumetric Index (SVI) meaning a better flocculating ability. In addition, the results reaffirmed what the literature has reported: higher DO concentrations produce flocs with greater dimensions

Influência de tensoativos não iônicos na destilação molecular de petróleo

The molecular distillation is show as an alternative for separation and purification of various kinds of materials. The process is a special case of evaporation at high vacuum, in the order from 0.001 to 0.0001 mmHg and therefore occurs at relatively lower temperatures, preserves the material to be purified. In Brazil, molecular distillation is very applied in the separation of petroleum fractions. However, most studies evaluated the temperature of the evaporator, condenser temperature and flow such variables of the molecular distillation oil. Then, to increase the degree of recovery of the fraction of the distillate obtained in the process of the molecular distillation was evaluated the use nonionic surfactants of the class of nonylphenol ethoxylate, molecules able to interact in the liquid-liquid and liquid-vapor interface various systems. In this context, the aim of this work was to verify the influence of commercial surfactant (Ultranex-18 an Ultranex-18-50) in the molecular distillation of a crude oil. The physicochemical characterization of the oil was realized and the petroleum shown an API gravity of 42°, a light oil. Initially, studied the molecular distillation without surfactant using star design experimental (2H ± ) evaluated two variables (evaporator temperature and condenser temperature) and answer variable was the percentage in distillate obtained in the process (D%). The best experimental condition to molecular distillation oil (38% distillate) was obtained at evaporator and condenser temperatures of 120 °C and 10 ° C, respectively. Subsequently, to determine the range of surfactant concentration to be applied in the process, was determined the critical micellar concentration by the technique of scattering X-ray small angle (SAXS). The surfactants Ultranex-18 an Ultranex-18-50 shown the critical micelle concentration in the range of 10-2 mol/L in the hydrocarbons studied. Then, was applied in the study of distillation a concentration range from 0.01 to 0.15 mol/L of the surfactants (Ultranex- 18 and 50). The use of the nonionic surfactant increased the percentage of hydrocarbons in the range from 5 to 9 carbons in comparison to the process carried out without surfactant, and in some experimental conditions the fraction of light compounds in the distilled was over 700% compared to the conventional process. The study showed that increasing the degree of ethoxylation of Ultranex18 to Ultranex-50, the compounds in the range of C5 to C9 reduced the percentage in the distilled, since the increase of the hydrophilic part of the surfactant reduces its solubility in the oil. Finally, was obtained an increase in the degree of recovery of light hydrocarbons, comparing processes with and without surfactant, obtained an increase of 10% and 4% with Ultranex-18 and Ultranex-50, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that the Ultranex- 18 surfactant showed a higher capacity to distillation compared with Ultranex-50 and the application of surfactant on the molecular distillation from petroleum allowed for a greater recovery of light compounds in distillate