Desenvolvimento de um destilador solar para tratamento de águas de produção de petróleo com vistas a sua utilização na agricultura e geração de vapor

The production of petroleum is frequently accomplished with great volumes of water, that it is carried of the underground with the oil. It is a challenge of the present century the development of technologies that allow the use of waste water for purposes that consume great amounts of water and don't demand as rigid as the one of the drinking water requirements. The solar distillation has been configuring as an alternative of clean technology for desalination of brine and saline. Besides causing the minimum possible damage to the environment, it takes advantage of an abundant and free energy source: the solar energy. That study aims to develop a Solar Distillator for treatment of the produced water of the oil wells, to obtain an efluent to use in agriculture and vapor generation. The methodology for collection, conservation and analysis of the physical-chemical parameters obeyed the norms in APHA (1995). The sampling was of the composed type. Experiments were accomplished in the solar distillation pilot and simulation in thermostatic bathing. The operation was in batch system and for periods of 4, 6 and 12 h. The developed Distillator is of the type simple effect of two waters. It was still tested two inclination angles for covering; 20º and 45º. The Distillator presented minimum of 2,85 L/m2d revenues and maximum of 7,14 L/m2d. The removals of salts were great than 98%. The removal of TOC in the simulation was great than 90%. In agreement with the data of energy and mass balance, it was verified that the developed solar Distillator presented compatible revenues with those found in literature for similar types. It can be inferred that the obtained distilled water assists to the requirements CONAMA in almost all the points and could be used for irrigation of cultures such as cotton and mamona. As the distilled water has characteristics of fresh water it can be used in the generation of vapor

Sistema automatizado para o aproveitamento de água cinza e azul, com controle de PH utilizando lógica fuzzy

Every day, water scarcity becomes a more serious problem and, directly affects global society. Studies are directed in order to raise awareness of the rational use of this natural asset that is essential to our survival. Only 0.007% of the water available in the world have easy access and can be consumed by humans, it can be found in rivers, lakes, etc... To better take advantage of the water used in homes and small businesses, reuse projects are often implemented, resulting in savings for customers of water utilities. The reuse projects involve several areas of engineering, like Environmental, Chemical, Electrical and Computer Engineering. The last two are responsible for the control of the process, which aims to make gray water (soapy water), and clear blue water (rain water), ideal for consumption, or for use in watering gardens, flushing, among others applications. Water has several features that should be taken into consideration when it comes to working its reuse. Some of the features are, turbidity, temperature, electrical conductivity and, pH. In this document there is a proposal to control the pH (potential Hydrogen) through a microcontroller, using the fuzzy logic as strategy of control. The controller was developed in the fuzzy toolbox of Matlab®

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

Estudo da viabilidade da destilação solar para polimento de águas produzidas de petróleo

This work study of solar distillation feasibility in effluent of petroleum industry: produced water, making possible your reuse for irrigation of oleaginous cultures or fodder crops or in steam generation, as well the transport phenomena involved. The methodology for development of this project was to characterize the effluent to be treated and to accomplish physical and chemical analysis in the distilled, to build distillation equipment, concomitant operation of both equipments and implementation of data processing and economical evaluation. The methodology used for all parameters is outlined in APHA (1998) and sampling of the type compound. The feeding of distillation equipment was performed with treated effluent from UTPF of Guamaré. The temperature was monitored throughout the distillers and during the time of operation. The distillers feed occur, as a rule, for sifon. The distillers were operated by a period of 17 months between July 2007 and February 2009, in which 40 experiments were performed. The radiation and temperature datas were acquired in the INPE s site and the temperature inside of the distillers was registered by DATALOGGER Novus. The rates of condensation (mL / min) were determined by measuring of the flow in a graduate test tube of 10 mL and a chronometer. We used two simple solar effect distillers of passive type with different angles in coverage: 20 ° and 45 °. The results obtained in this study and the relevant discussions are divided into six topics: sample characterization and quality of distilled; construction of distillers; operation (data, temperature profile), climatic aspects, treatment of data and economical analysis. Results obtained can be inferred that: the energy loss by the adoption of vessel glass was not significant, however, complicates the logistics of maintenance the equipment on a large scale. In the other hand, the surface of the tub with a glass shield on the equipment deterioration, both devices showed similar performance, so there is not justified for use of equipment 450. With regard to the climatological study it was verified that the Natal city presents monthly medium radiation varying in a range between 350 and 600 W/m2, and medium of wind speed of 5 m / s. The medium humidity is around 70% and rainfall is very small. The regime of the system is transient and although it has been treated as a stationary system shows that the model accurately represents the distillers system's 20 degrees. The quality of the distilled with regard to the parameters evaluated in this study is consistent with the Class 3 waters of CONAMA (Resolution 357). Therefore we can conclude that solar distillation has viability for treat oilfield produced water when considered the technical and environmental aspects, although it is not economically viable

Habitabilidade na cidade sobre as águas: desafios da implantação de infra-estrutura de saneamento nas palafitas do Igarapé do Quarenta bairro Japiim Manaus/AM

The present research if inserts in the subject of the habitation of social interest and its relation with the sanitation infra-structure questions (sewer, water, draining and garbage). Having as study universe the narrow river of the Forty , situated one in the city of Manaus, capital of Amazon, approaches questions that if present between the necessities of housing and the especificidades of the natural environment, whose characteristics evidence limits for the implantation of adequate habitations. The objective is to analyze the possibilities and the limits of the urbanística regularization in the palafitas of the narrow rivers of Manaus, in view of the factors of habitability and ambient protection, expresses for the sanitation system - sanitary exhaustion, water supply, urban draining and garbage collection. The work approaches initially relative the conceptual aspects to the subject of social habitation in the country and its relation with the habitability factors, also focusing the question of the housing and the processes of urban informality in the city of Manaus. It deals with the process of constitution of the palafitas in the space of the city and its relation with the habitacionais politics, presenting the analysis of the implantation of the palafitas in relation to the sanitation infra-structure conditions (sewer, water, draining and garbage). As conclusion, it identifies to the possibilities and limits of urbanística regularization of the palafitas implanted to the long one of the narrow river of the Forty , taking in consideration the systems of the sanitation infrastructure

Uso de argilominerais e diatomita como adsorvente de fenóis em águas produzidas na indústria de petróleo

The oil production in Brazil has been increasing each year. Consequently, increasing volumes of water produced are generated with large quantities of contaminants, which brings many problems in disposing of these waters. The concern that the concentrations of contaminants in water produced meet existing laws for disposal of effluents, has been extremely important for the development of different techniques for treatment of water produced. The study of clay minerals as adsorbents of organic contaminants has grown considerably so in order to combine the low cost with the efficiency of environmental preservation and health issues. Thus, this study aims to understand the characteristics of vermiculite clay, sodium bentonite, calcium bentonite and diatomite and evaluate their performance as adsorbents for phenol in the water produced. Through adsorption isotherms it was possible to observe the behavior of these adsorptive clay and diatomite for adsorption of phenol, the main phenolic compound found in water produced. Different concentrations of synthetic solutions of phenol were put in touch with these adsorbents under same conditions of agitation and temperature. The adsorbents were composted adsorptive favorable, but the vermiculite and diatomite showed little capacity for absorption, being suggested for absorbs small concentrations of phenol in the balance isothermal

Rejeito de xisto como adsorvente para remoção de fenol em águas produzidas na indústria de petróleo

Produced water is the main effluent linked to the activity of extraction of oil and their caring management is necessary due to the large volume involved, to ensure to minimize the negative impacts of discharges of these waters in the environment. This study aimed to analyze the use of retorted shale, which is a reject from the pyrolysis of pirobituminous shale, as adsorbent for the removal of phenols in produced water. The material was characterized by different techniques (grain sized analysis, thermal analysis, BET, FRX, FT-IR, XRD and SEM), showing the heterogeneity in their composition, showing its potential for the removal of varied compounds, as well as the phenols and their derivatives. For the analysis of the efficiency of the oil shale for the adsorption process, assays of adsorption balance were carried through, and also kinetic studies and dynamics adsorption, in the ETE of the UTPF of Petrobras, in Guamaré-RN. The balance assays shown a bigger conformity with the model of Langmuir and the kinetic model more adjusted to describe the adsorption of phenols in retorted shale was of pseudo-second order. The retorted shale presented a low capacity of adsorption of phenols (1,3mg/g), when related to others conventional adsorbents, however it is enough to the removal of these composites in concentrations presented in the produced water of the UTPF of Guamaré. The assays of dynamics adsorption in field had shown that the concentration of phenol in the effluent was null until reaching its rupture (58 hours). The results showed the possibility of use of the reject for removal of phenols in the final operations of the treatment process, removing as well, satisfactorily, the color and turbidity of the produced water, with more than 90% of removal

Estudo de adsorvente obtido de terras diatomáceas para remoção de metais pesados em águas produzidas: processamento, caracterização e dinâmica em leito fixo

The acceleration of industrial growth in recent decades on all continents aroused the interest of the companies to counter the impacts produced on the environment, spurred primarily by major disasters in the petroleum industry. In this context, the water produced is responsible for the largest volume of effluent from the production and extraction of oil and natural gas. This effluent has in its composition some critical components such as inorganic salts, heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, ), presence of oil and chemicals added in the various production processes. In response to impact, have been triggered by research alternative adsorbent materials for water treatment and water produced, in order to removing oils and acids and heavy metals. Many surveys of diatomaceous earth (diatomite) in Brazil involve studies on the physico-chemical, mineral deposits, extraction, processing and applications. The official estimated Jazi are around 2.5 million tonnes, the main located in the states of Bahia (44%) and Rio Grande do Norte (37,4%). Moreover, these two states appear as large offshore producers, earning a prominent role in research of adsorbents such as diatomite for treatment of water produced. Its main applications are as an agent of filtration, adsorption of oils and greases, industrial load and thermal insulator. The objective of this work was the processing and characterization of diatomite diatomaceous earth obtained from the municipality of Macaíba-RN (known locally as tabatinga) as a low cost regenerative adsorbent for removal of heavy metals in the application of water produced treatment. In this work we adopted a methodology for batch processing, practiced by small businesses located in producing regions of Brazil. The characterization was made by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area (BET). Research conducted showed that the improvement process used was effective for small volume production of diatomite concentrated. The diatomite obtained was treated by calcination at temperature of 900 oC for 2 hours, with and without fluxing Na2CO3 (4%), according to optimal results in the literature. Column adsorption experiments were conducted to percolation of the in nature, calcined and calcined fluxing diatomites. Effluent was used as a saline solution containing ions of Cu, Zn, Na, Ca and Mg simulating the composition of produced waters in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The breakthrough curves for simultaneous removal of copper ions and zinc as a result, 84.3% for calcined diatomite and diatomite with 97.3 % for fluxing. The calcined fluxing diatomite was more efficient permeability through the bed and removal of copper and zinc ions. The fresh diatomite had trouble with the permeability through the bed under the conditions tested, compared with the other obtained diatomite. The results are presented as promising for application in the petroleum industry

Ecologia parasitária de isópodos e biologia reprodutiva em tibiro, Oligoplites spp (OSTEICHTHYES: CARANGIDAE) das águas costeiras de Natal, Rio Grande do norte

Oligoplites palometa (Cuvier) and Oligoplites saurus (Bloch & Schneider) (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) are coastal pelagic fish species. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of parasitism by isopods and the reproductive biology of the leather jack, Oligoplites spp. A total of 113 individuals of Oligoplites spp (35 of O. saurus and 78 of O. palometa) were captured during the period between January, 2005 and July, 2007 from the coastal waters of Natal, RN. The morphometric and meristic characters were registered; macroscopic analyses were done to collect the isopod parasites and the gonads were observed to verify the reproductive aspects. The crustacean isopod parasite, Cymothoa spinipalpa (Isopoda: Cymothidae) was encountered on the tongue in the oral cavity in both fish hosts. The parasitic indices of C. spinipalpa showed high values of prevalance of 51,4% for O. saurus and 64,1% for O. palometa. The host presented significant correlations between body mass and body length of O. palometa and the number of parasites. Body lengths of female C. spinipalpa were small due to the limited space available in the oral cavity of the host. There was a significant difference in the sex ratio of O. palometa, males outnumbered the females. The isopod parasites showed specificity to the oral cavity of hosts. Macroscopic analyses of gonads showed four stages of gonadal development for both sex of O. palometa: immature, maturing, mature and spent

Biologia reprodutiva da |Tainha, Mugil curema valencientes, 1836 (osteichthyes: mugilidade) nas águas costeiras do Rio Grande do Norte

The marine fish white mullet, Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) exhibits a wide geographical distribution, being common in the Brazilian coast and is an important component of the artisanal fisheries. The objective of this study was to investigate the reproductive biology of M. curema in the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte. Fish samples were captured on a monthly basis during August, 2008 to July, 2009. The fish specimens were numbered, weighed, measured, dissected and their gonads were removed, weighed, their sex and gonadal development were identified. The length-weight relationship was determined for males and females. The sex ratio, the size at first gonadal maturation and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were calculated and ovarian development was investigated using macroscopic and histological techniques. The fecundity, spawning type and the reproductive period of the species were determined. A total of 366 specimens (186 males and 180 females) were captured. The sex ratio was 1:1 and the females were heavier than males. The estimated values of the angular coefficient for both sexes suggest that the species has isometric growth. The size at which 50% of the population began the process of maturation was 25.9 cm of total length for grouped sex. The macroscopic characteristics of the ovaries showed four stages of development: immature, maturing, mature and spent. However, the microscopic characteristics of the ovaries showed five stages of development: immature, early maturing, late maturing, mature and spent. The development of oocytes indicated five phases: Chromatin-nucleolus (phase I), initial perinucleolar (phase II), final perinuclear (phase II), formation of vitelline vesicle or yolk (phase III), vitellogenic (phase IV) and complete vitellogenesis (phase V). The species has a prolonged spawning period, with two peaks coinciding with the rainy season.

Avaliação da genotoxicidade e da qualidade das águas do açude de Lucrécia/RN

The occurrence of human cancer in the municipality of Lucrécia (RN, Brazil) has shown high frequencies (INCA, 2007). Tests of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were performed to assess the genotoxic potential of water from the Lucrécia dam, which is located in a semi-arid region under the influence of crop irrigation and irregular rainfall. Water samples were collected in this source for analyzing the concentration of cyanobacteria, metals and radioactivity. Erythrocytes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected in dam and cells of human oral mucosa in the urban area of this municipality for the bioassays of MN and NA. In fish were also analyzed concentrations of metals in samples of liver and gills. The genotoxicity tests with biological samples of fish and humans have shown significant increases in the frequencies of MN and NA (p ≤ 0.05) and are indicative of increased DNA damage in relation to the control groups. In conclusion, the results obtained from water samples and biological municipality of Lucrécia indicates that the presence of chemical and microbiological pollutants, and increase of genotoxic in human of this municipality. We suggest the implementation of advanced water treatment, to prevent further degradation of the aquatic environment and decrease in the life quality. This research of environmental quality assessment was performed in order to contemplate a multi and interdisciplinary character of this water resource and that can induce genotoxic damage in the organisms in this study region

Análise da presença de agentes mutagênicos nas águas do Rio Pitimbú/RN

The Pitimbu River is located at the oriental portion of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, including three importants cities named Macaíba, Parnamirim e Natal. Although its high importance as a water source, which supplys great part of the South Zone of the Natal city, this river receives a large quantity of domestic and industrial waste water without treatment. The Pitimbu River headhas its river-head located in the city of Macaiba, goes through Parnamirim, then it flowing into at the Jiqui Lake in Natal. The aim of this study was to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the environmental quality of the Pitimbu River by genotoxicity bio-assays, which are important tools for genetics toxicological evaluation. In this work, five samples sites, distributed along the river, were used to collect water samples. Another point site, located near Jiqui lake, was used to collect drinkable water, which was treated by CAERN, the water treatment entreprise of Rio Grande do Norte. The following assays where used to evaluate the quality of these samples: Allium cepa assay; Comet assay; Micronuclei (MN) assay; and Ames test. For the Allium cepa assay, sixteen specimes where used for each water sample from the sample sites. In this assay both microscopic, like cytogenetic damage, and macroscopic aspects, as morphological variation were evaluated. Red blood cells from periferical blood of the Crenicichla menezesi native specie were used not only for the MN assay, but also for the Comet assay. These fishes were collected at different points on the Pitimbu River and the negative control was developed using fishes of the same species that were bring to the laboratory and maintained for 100 days in the optimal experimental conditions. For the Ames test, TA100, YG1042, TA98 and YG1041 strains were used in the directed method without metabolic activation. The results found by the Allium cepa assay showed that two water sample sites induced increase of mitotic index (IM). Additionally, compared to the control, all the water samples increased the chromossomal aberrations frequency and/or micronucleus. Among the sample sites, two also showed an abnormal growth rate in its root and two samples induced morphological alteration. With the MN test in red blood cells, a high frequence of MN was observed in tree sample. By comparing all the results obtained on the water sample points and with the negative control, a significant variation on the MN frequency was observed. Positive results were also observed for the same sample to water test by the Comet assay. These results allow concluding that the proposed specie Crenicichla menezesi has a good profile as a bio-indicator for the evaluation of environmental water quality and the MN and comet test can be usuful for in situ evaluation. By the Ames test, it was possible to detect the mutagenic activity on the waters from the Pitimbu River in different levels of mutagenicity. This result suggests that this river has several substances that induced changes directly to the DNA. The mechanisms involved to this phenomenon could be by both processes, by changing of the reading frame and by nucleotide substitution. These data set indicate the presence of mutagenic agents, which can represent in risk to biot and human beens

A tutela constitucional da exploração de petróleo em águas internacionais em face do princípio do desenvolvimento sustentável: a possibilidade de responsabilização civil do dano futuro

The demands brought by a society doomed to the constant production of global risks, which whose effects are not immediately noticed effects are not perceived immediately, claim from the Law a new Theory about the Risk, that would offer a broad environmental protection, at the same time it would still be compatible with the idea of economic efficiency, required by the Modern Industry. The expansion of the methods and technologies regarding the exploitation and production of oil causes the constant expansion of the exploitable boundaries, especially in ultra-deep waters with the Pre-salt layer, in Brazil, or the still incipient research about the polymetallic nodules and other mineral sources in international waters, like the Atlântico Sudoeste, by the Programme on Ocean Science in Relation do Non Living Resources (OSNLR), a global study performed in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, from UNESCO (IOC UNESCO) and also with the Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS). Thus, we aim to analyze the correlation, and possible collisions between the right to a balanced environment and the free exercise of economic activity and the occurrence of environmental damages from the perspective of the exploitation activities of oil and other natural resources in international waters, specifically in the Area, from the constitutional principle of sustainable development and its legitimacy by the environmental international protection. Therefore, this study also aims to evaluate the legal framework for exploration and production of oil in international waters, particularly in the Area, and appraise how the constitutional instruments and mechanisms for environmental protection can impact on the international environmental protection system in order to ensure the present and future generations an ecologically balanced environment, laid down in Article 225 of the Brazilian Constitution, even with so many risks posed by the activities of exploitation and production of oil in international waters. In the meantime, we intend to also intend to investigate the possibility of future liability for environmental damage in order to ensure that constitutional principle and, consequently, and try to define the concept of environmental damage and its implications on the constitutional principle of environmental protection. Given all that was in summary, this work aims to contribute to the evolution of the new Theory of Environmental Risk, turning the law into something more than a punitive or corrective element in this society, but into a legal risk management, that may be triggered even before the consolidation of the damage

Sistema de gestão ambiental na produção de água mineral

It s more and more evident the subject of the shortage of water, worsened by the accelerated urbanization, growth of the population, increase of the demand and of the costs of its treatment, factors that are also tied up to the increase of the consumption of mineral waters, whose chemical composition or physical-chemistries characteristics do with that are considered beneficial to the health. The growth accelerated all over the world in its consumption aims the concern with the waters quality, the health and the incentive to the consumption of natural products. However, in spite of quite valuable, that resource is explored, most of the time, without optimization of production or actions that avoid wastefulness. This research is justified for the need of minimizing the negative environmental impacts caused by the mineral water s production, mainly in what it say about the generation of effluents and wastes in the productive process, through the study, development and application of cleaner production tools for the environmental management, pertinent for that section. The applicability of Environmental Management System was determined by means of the characterization of the environmental aspects of productive process in a company of the section, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte and of the discussion of the panoramas that demonstrate the tendency for a sustainable development. Actions as a reforestation, optimization of energy and water uses, recycle of solid residues and water reuse were applied during the research, resulting in the considerable reduction of wastes of raw materials and inputs and consequent environmental and economic won. A specific methodology was proposed with concepts of Environmental Management, integrating with Quality Management. As foundations for the elaboration of the methodology, it was realized a similarity analysis among the systems and, mainly, an analysis of the experiences observed in the case study, including specificities, needs and difficulties of the company. With these results, the implantation of a EMS as a company strategy has environmental, economic and social benefits, and this research can be applied and adequate to others companies and sectors

Extração do óleo e caracterização dos resíduos da borra de petróleo para fins de reuso

The petroleum industry, in consequence of an intense activity of exploration and production, is responsible by great part of the generation of residues, which are considered toxic and pollutants to the environment. Among these, the oil sludge is found produced during the production, transportation and refine phases. This work had the purpose to develop a process to recovery the oil present in oil sludge, in order to use the recovered oil as fuel or return it to the refining plant. From the preliminary tests, were identified the most important independent variables, like: temperature, contact time, solvents and acid volumes. Initially, a series of parameters to characterize the oil sludge was determined to characterize its. A special extractor was projected to work with oily waste. Two experimental designs were applied: fractional factorial and Doehlert. The tests were carried out in batch process to the conditions of the experimental designs applied. The efficiency obtained in the oil extraction process was 70%, in average. Oil sludge is composed of 36,2% of oil, 16,8% of ash, 40% of water and 7% of volatile constituents. However, the statistical analysis showed that the quadratic model was not well fitted to the process with a relative low determination coefficient (60,6%). This occurred due to the complexity of the oil sludge. To obtain a model able to represent the experiments, the mathematical model was used, the so called artificial neural networks (RNA), which was generated, initially, with 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 neurons in the hidden layer, 64 experimental results and 10000 presentations (interactions). Lesser dispersions were verified between the experimental and calculated values using 4 neurons, regarding the proportion of experimental points and estimated parameters. The analysis of the average deviations of the test divided by the respective training showed up that 2150 presentations resulted in the best value parameters. For the new model, the determination coefficient was 87,5%, which is quite satisfactory for the studied system