Dois testes de imageamento com GPR em problemas de controle ambiental em regiões tropicais: migração de dunas e localização de dutos de óleo enterrados

Because the penetration depth of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) signals is very limited in high conductive soils, the usefullness of this method in tropical regions is not yet completly known. The main objective of this researh is to test the usefullness of the method in Brazil. Two typical problems where GPR has been used in Europe and North American were choosed for this test: the first one is to characterize the internal structures of a sand body and the second problem is the localization of old buried pipes lines. The first test was done near the city of São Bento do Norte, in the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte state, NE Brazil. In this region, there is a sand dune that is migrating very fast in the direction of adjacent settling areas. To characterize the internal structure of the dune and its relationship to the prevailing wind direction, as a preliminary step to understand the dune migration, GPR profiles using the 400 MHz frequency were performed in E-W, N-S, NE-SW, and SE-NW directions over the sand dune intersecting at the top of the dune. The practical resolution of the GPR data is around 30 cm; this was sufficient to distinguish individual foresets inside the dune. After applying the elevation correction to the data, we identified that dips of bedding structures are smallest for the N-S profile, which is perpendicular to the dominant wind direction, largest for the E-W profile, and intermediate for the SW-NE and SE-NW profiles. Foresets in the E-W profile dip with angles varying from 2 to 6 degrees. In the E-W profile, the water table and a horizontal truncation interface separating two generations of dunes were identified, as well as an abrupt directional change in the foreset patterns associated to a lateral contact between two dune generations, the older one extending to the west. The used high frequency of 400 Mhz does not allow a penetration deep enough to map completely these internal contacts. The second test was done near Estreito, a small town near Carnaúbais city, also in Rio Grande do Norte state. In this locality, there are several old pipe lines buried in area covered by plantations where digging should be minimized. Several GPR profiles using the 400 and 200 MHz frequency were performed trying to intercept perpendicularly the possible pipe lines. Because of the high conductivity of the soil, the raw original data can hardly be use to identify the pipe lines. However, after an adequate processing over the 200 MHz profiles, six pipe lines were identified. As a global result of the tests, GPR can be very usefull if the conductivity of the ground is low or, in the case of medium conductivities of the soils, if adequate processing is performed

Análise numérica de dutos enterrados sujeitos a elevação e recalque localizado

Problems associated to longitudinal interactions in buried pipelines are characterized as three-dimensional and can lead to different soil-pipe issues. Despite the progress achieved in research on buried pipelines, little attention has been given to the three-dimensional nature of the problem throughout the last decades. Most of researches simplify the problem by considering it in plane strain condition. This dissertation aims to present a study on the behavior of buried pipelines under local settlement or elevation, using three-dimensional simulations. Finite element code Plaxis 3D was used for the simulations. Particular aspects of the numerical modeling were evaluated and parametric analyzes were performed, was investigated the effects of soil arching in three-dimensional form. The main variables investigated were as follows: relative density, displacement of the elevation or settlement zone, elevated zone size, height of soil cover and pipe diameter/thickness ratio. The simulations were performed in two stages. The first stage was involved the validation of the numerical analysis using the physical models put forward by Costa (2005). In the second stage, numerical analyzes of a full-scale pipeline subjected to a localized elevation were performed. The obtained results allowed a detailed evaluation of the redistribution of stresses in the soil mass and the deflections along the pipe. It was observed the reduction of stresses in the soil mass and pipe deflections when the height of soil cover was decreased on regions of the pipe subjected to elevation. It was also shown for the analyzed situation that longitudinal thrusts were higher than vi circumferential trusts and exceeded the allowable stresses and deflections. Furthermore, the benefits of minimizing stress with technical as the false trench, compressible cradle and a combination of both applied to the simulated pipeline were verified

Análise do comportamento e crescimento do camarão branco Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) em diferentes substratos inconsolidados

The aim of this study was to test the sediment preference of L. vannamei shrimp. It was observed shrimp visit frequency, swimming and burying behaviour at different sediment compositions for 24h. Juvenile (0.93 ± 0.29g) and sub-adult shrimps (10.0 ± 1.18g) were obtained from the aquaculture station at Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido UFERSA, and held in a plastic tank (water volume 500 L) supplied with aerated water and kept at constant temperature, pH, and salinity. Shrimp was fed by commercial shrimp dry food. The experimental substrates were composed by A: medium sand + thick sand + very thick sand + gravel; B: very fine sand + fine sand; and C: silt + clay. Thus, six different substrate combinations were tested: A, B, C, A+B, A+C, B+C. To test preference, it was used a cylindrical tank (40 l) divided into six differently substrate compartments. A single shrimp was introduced each tank and the frequency at which this shrimp visited each compartment was recorded over a 24h study period. It was tested 54 shrimp (18 sub-adult males, 18 subadult females and 18 juveniles). For each trial, sediment and water were changed to avoid pheromones and residues influence. Shrimp were weighted and sub-adults were divided by sex: males present petasma and females present thelycum. Data were collected on the experimental day at 19:30; 20:30; 00:30; 1:30; 05:30; 06:30; 13:30 and 14:30 h. At each time point, shrimp were observed for 20-min periods, in which we noted down which compartment the shrimp was occupying at 2-min intervals. Thus, for each period we had eleven observations (88 observations per day). For observations at night, it was used dim red light that did not affect shrimp behaviour. At each 20-min period, it was observed visit frequency in each substrate, if shrimp was burred or not or if it was swimming. There was not significant difference between light and dark burry activity for females. Swimming activity was significantly higher at night, mainly at 00:30 and 01:30 h. All L. vannamei shrimp showed preference for sediment B. This animal presents cyclic activity, spends the day light period buried and swims at night

Avaliação do desempenho do aço AISI D2 tratado termicamente e nitretado em plasma com gaiola catódica visando aplicação industrial

In the research, steel samples tool AISI D2, treated thermally, in the conditions: relief of tension, when maximum, seasoned and seasoned was treated thermally in the temperature of revenimento and revenida had been nitrited in plasma with cathodic cage, in atmosphere of 80%N2:20%H2. One used pressure of 2,5 mbar, 400 and 480°C temperatures with treatment time of 3 and 4 hours, with the objective to evaluate its performance in pipes cut tool. It was compared that the performance of the same steel when only thermally treated, both with tension relief. It was evaluated its hardness. Microstructural aspects (the layer thickness, interface, graisn size, etc) and crystalline phases on the surface. Besides, it was verified accomplishment possibility of nitriding simultaneous to annealing treatment. The tempering samples had presented hardness levels of 600 HV, while in nitrited samples these values had been 1100 HV

Desenvolvimento de tubulação em compósito polimérico revestida externamente com poliuretano de alta densidade

Pipelines for the transport of crude oil from the production wells to the collecting stations are named production lines . These pipes are subjected to chemical and electrochemical corrosion according to the environment and the type of petroleum transported. Some of these lines, depending upon the composition of the fluid produced, may leak within less than one year of operation due to internal corrosion. This work aims at the development of composite pipes with an external protecting layer of high density polyurethane for use in production lines of onshore oil wells, meeting operational requirements. The pipes were manufactured using glass fibers, epoxy resin, polyester resin, quartz sand and high density polyurethane. The pipes were produced by filament winding with the deposition of high density polyurethane on the external surface and threaded ends (API 15 HR/PM-VII). Three types of pipes were manufactured: glass/epoxy, glass/epoxy with an external polyurethane layer and glass/epoxy with an intermediate layer of glass fiber, polyester, sand and with an external polyurethane layer. The three samples were characterized by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) and for the determination of constituent content. In addition, the following tests were conducted: hydrostatic test, instant rupture, shorttime failure pressure, Gardner impact, transverse stiffness and axial tension. Field tests were conducted in Mossoró RN (BRAZIL), where 1,677 meters of piping were used. The tests results of the three types of pipes were compared in two events: after two months from manufacturing of the samples and after nine months of field application. The results indicate that the glass/epoxy pipes with an intermediate layer of fiber glass composite, polyester e sand and with an external layer of high density polyurethane showed superior properties as compared to the other two and met the requirements of pressure class, axial tensile strength, transverse stiffness, impact and environmental conditions, for onshore applications as production lines

Cinemática de partículas em fluidos de viscosidade variável com o tempo e sua aplicação na construção de poços de petróleo: avaliação durante paradas operacionais

The new oil reservoirs discoveries in onshore and ultra deep water offshore fields and complex trajectories require the optimization of procedures to reduce the stops operation during the well drilling, especially because the platforms and equipment high cost, and risks which are inherent to the operation. Among the most important aspects stands out the drilling fluids project and their behavior against different situations that may occur during the process. By means of sedimentation experiments, a correlation has been validated to determe the sedimentation particles velocity in variable viscosity fluids over time, applying the correction due to effective viscosity that is a shear rate and time function. The viscosity evolution over time was obtained by carrying out rheologic tests using a fixed shear rate, small enough to not interfere in the fluid gelling process. With the sedimentation particles velocity and the fluid viscosity over time equations an iterative procedure was proposed to determine the particles displacement over time. These equations were implemented in a case study to simulate the cuttings sedimentation generated in the oil well drilling during stops operation, especially in the connections and tripping, allowing the drilling fluid project in order to maintain the cuttings in suspension, avoiding risks, such as stuck pipe and in more drastic conditions, the loss of the well

Automação da drenagem no teste de produção convencional em tanque cilíndrico

This document aims to improve the quality of the production test in vertical tanks with free water drain pipes, through a device to control the draining system. This proposal consists of an interface detector close to the tank bottle and a control valve on the pipe-drain; they are attached to a remote supervisor system, which will be minimizing the human influence in the conclusion of the test result. And for more consciousness the work shows the importance of the wells production test in the attendance and diagnosis of the productive process, informing the large number of tests executed and problems of the procedure adopted in the field today. There are many possible sources of uncertainty in this kind of test as shown in the experiments realized in the field; the object prototype of this dissertation will be made in the field, based upon the definition of parameters and characteristics of the devices proposal. For a better definition of the draining process the action results of the assessment test are shown, especially changed some for the understand ing of the real process. It shows the proposal details and the configuration that will be used in the tank of Monte Alegre s field Production Station, explaining the interface detector kind and the control system. It is the base to a pilot project now in development, named as the new project classified in the status of the new technology and production improvement of PETROBRAS in Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará. This dissertation concludes that the automation of the conventional test with the draining system will bring benefits both economically as metrologically, because it reduces the uncertainty of the test procedures with free water draining, and also decreases the number of tests with problems

Implementação de um Módulo de Supervisão para um Sistema de Detecção de Vazamentos em Dutos de Petróleo

The transport of fluids through pipes is used in the oil industry, being the pipelines an important link in the logistics flow of fluids. However, the pipelines suffer deterioration in their walls caused by several factors which may cause loss of fluids to the environment, justifying the investment in techniques and methods of leak detection to minimize fluid loss and environmental damage. This work presents the development of a supervisory module in order to inform to the operator the leakage in the pipeline monitored in the shortest time possible, in order that the operator log procedure that entails the end of the leak. This module is a component of a system designed to detect leaks in oil pipelines using sonic technology, wavelets and neural networks. The plant used in the development and testing of the module presented here was the system of tanks of LAMP, and its LAN, as monitoring network. The proposal consists of, basically, two stages. Initially, assess the performance of the communication infrastructure of the supervisory module. Later, simulate leaks so that the DSP sends information to the supervisory performs the calculation of the location of leaks and indicate to which sensor the leak is closer, and using the system of tanks of LAMP, capture the pressure in the pipeline monitored by piezoresistive sensors, this information being processed by the DSP and sent to the supervisory to be presented to the user in real time

Atuação dos profissionais de enfermagem durante o processo transfusional na UTI de um hostital universitário

Prospective descriptive study with quantitative approach, which aimed to analyze the relationship of the knowledge of Nurses and conduct assistance during the process of transfusion, to patients in the ICU of a university hospital in Natal-RN. The sample consisted of 27 professionals from the nursing staff (5 nurses and 22 nursing technicians), climbing in the ICU during the period of data collection. Data collection was through a questionnaire and structured form of observation, in addition to consulting the diary. The results were organized in SPSS 15.0, tabulated, cathegorized and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show a young population, aged between 21 and 32 years (63.0%), female (85.2%). Among those surveyed were the main type of stock, mostly technical, nursing (ρ= 0006), which have little time to experience - up to 2 years (ρ= 0008), did not know the DRC in 153 (ρ= 0019), held greater number of pipelines care in blood (ρ= 0018), the non-participation in training and feel informed about the process of transfusion, showed no significant differences. As for officials, highlighted only the time to experience more than 2 years, carrying out fewer procedures and feel informed about the blood. As for the pipes during the transfusion process, I found that the majority of pipes observed in both the stock and the staff were inadequate, with predominance in the first, both in the pursuit of conduct regarding the shortfall. The averages of inappropriate conduct, predominantly developed by stock, were higher in all stages for appropriate conduct. Analyzing the knowledge about the disease process, the stock market were those who had lower scores of knowledge in three stages. As the relationship between the pipes care and knowledge, we see that at all stages of the process of transfusion inadequate knowledge of the averages were higher, taking a significant difference in the stages pre-transfusion (ρ= 0012). When analyzing the average of pipes behind, we see that in inappropriate conduct were significantly higher (ρ= 0031), who had searched in inadequate knowledge. As for the frequency of total procedures performed, we found a significant predominance (ρ= 0049) of inappropriate conduct (88.9%) of which 81.5% were developed by professionals who had inadequate knowledge, showing moderate correlation (r = 0,516) and odds ratio of 2,750 times the development of inappropriate conduct in trade with inadequate knowledge. We conclude that the professionals surveyed, especially the technicians of nursing stock, showed serious deficiencies with regard to the development of pipelines and knowledge of the transfusion process, showing the inadequacy to develop this therapy. Facing the foregoing, we accept the alternative hypothesis proposed in the study, because we show that the inadequacy of knowledge about the process of transfusion influence in inappropriate conduct implemented by the nursing staff in ICU.

Sistema inteligente para detecção de vazamentos em dutos de petróleo usando transformada Wavelet e redes neurais

This work consists in the use of techniques of signals processing and artificial neural networks to identify leaks in pipes with multiphase flow. In the traditional methods of leak detection exists a great difficulty to mount a profile, that is adjusted to the found in real conditions of the oil transport. These difficult conditions go since the unevenly soil that cause columns or vacuum throughout pipelines until the presence of multiphases like water, gas and oil; plus other components as sand, which use to produce discontinuous flow off and diverse variations. To attenuate these difficulties, the transform wavelet was used to map the signal pressure in different resolution plan allowing the extraction of descriptors that identify leaks patterns and with then to provide training for the neural network to learning of how to classify this pattern and report whenever this characterize leaks. During the tests were used transient and regime signals and pipelines with punctures with size variations from ½' to 1' of diameter to simulate leaks and between Upanema and Estreito B, of the UN-RNCE of the Petrobras, where it was possible to detect leaks. The results show that the proposed descriptors considered, based in statistical methods applied in domain transform, are sufficient to identify leaks patterns and make it possible to train the neural classifier to indicate the occurrence of pipeline leaks

Compósitos híbridos: desenvolvimento de configuração e efeitos de umidificação

The advantage in using vegetable fibres in place of synthetic fibres such as glass fibre, for reinforcements in composites are: biodegradability, low cost, low density, good tenacity, good thermal properties, low energy content and reduced use of instruments for its treatment or processing. Even though, problems related to low mechanical performance of some of the natural fibres, has caused difficulty in their direct application in structural elements. The use of alternative materials like hybrid composites has been encouraged, thus trying to better the structural performance of the composites with natural fibres. This work presents a comparative study of the strength and stiffness of hybrid composites with orthopthalic polyester matrix reinforced with E-fibre glass, jute and curauá. The experimental part includes uniaxial tension and three point bending tests to determine the mechanical properties of the final product. The hybrid composite was manufactured in a local industry and was in the form of laminates. All the samples were projected to withstand the possible structural applications as reservoirs and pipes. CH (laminated hybrid composite with glass and curauá fibres). The results obtained show clearly the influence of the hybridization in all the types tested and indicate a good mechanical performance of the composite with glass/curauá fibres in relation to the composite with glass fibres. Aspects in relation to the interfaces glass/curauá composites besides the fracture characteristics for all loading types were also analysed

Efeitos do envelhecimento ambiental acelerado em compósitos poliméricos

The advantages of the use of vegetable fibers on the synthetic fibers, such as glass fibers, in the reinforcements in composites are: low cost, low density, good tenacity, good thermal properties and reduced use of instruments for their treatment or processing. However, problems related to poor performance of some mechanical natural fibers, have hindered its direct use in structural elements. In this sense, the emergence of alternative materials such as hybrids composites, involving natural and synthetic fibers, has been encouraged by seeking to improve the performance of structural composites based only on natural fibers. The differences between the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of these fibers, especially facing the adverse environmental conditions such as the presence of moisture and ultraviolet radiation, is also becoming a concern in the final response of these composites. This piece of research presents a comparative study of the strength and stiffness between two composite, both of ortoftalic polyester matrix, one reinforced with fibers of glass-E (CV) and other hybrid reinforced with natural fibers of curauá and fiberglass-E (CH). All the comparative study is based on the influence of exposure to UV rays and steam heated water in composites, simulating the aging environment. The conditions for the tests are accelerated through the use of the aging chamber. The composites will be evaluated through tests of uniaxial static mechanical traction and bending on three points. The composite of glass fiber and hybrid manufacturing industry are using the rolling manual (hand lay-up) and have been developed in the form of composites. All were designed to meet possible structural applications such as tanks and pipes. The reinforcements used in composites were in the forms of short fiber glass-E quilts (450g/m2 - 5cm) of continuous wires and fuses (whose title was of 0.9 dtex) for the curauá fibers. The results clearly show the influence of aging on the environmental mechanical performance of the composite CV and CH. The issues concerning the final characteristics of the fracture for all types of cargoes studied were also analyzed

Desenvolvimento e caracterização de nanocompósito de resina epóxi com nanopartículas de sílica para revestimento de dutos para transporte de petróleo

The use of polymer based coatings is a promising approach to reduce the corrosion problem in carbon steel pipes used for the transport of oil and gas in the oil industry. However, conventional polymer coatings offer limited properties, which often cannot meet design requirements for this type of application, particularly in regard to use temperature and wear resistance. Polymer nanocomposites are known to exhibit superior properties and, therefore, offer great potential for this type of application. Nevertheless, the degree of enhancement of a particular property is greatly dependent upon the matrix/nanoparticle material system used, the matrix/nanoparticle interfacial bonding and also the state of dispersion of the nanoparticle in the polymer matrix. The objective of the present research is to develop and characterize polymer based nanocomposites to be used as coatings in metallic pipelines for the transportation of oil and natural gas. Epoxy/SiO2 nanocomposites with nanoparticle contents of 2, 4, and 8 wt % were processed using a high-energy mill. Modifications of the SiO2 nanoparticles‟ surfaces with two different silane agents were carried out and their effect on the material properties were investigated. The state of dispersion of the materials processed was studied using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM) micrographs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were also conducted to determine the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. In addition, the processed nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to investigate the effect of nanoparticles content and silane treatment on the viscoelastic properties and on the glass transition temperature. Finally, wear tests of the pin-on-disc type were carried out to determine the effects of the nanoparticles and the silane treatments studied. According to the results, the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles treated with silane increased the thermal stability, the storage modulus and Tg of the epoxy resin and decreased wear rate. This confirms that the interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer chains plays a critical role on the properties of the nanocomposites

Avaliação por pig de perfilagem de danos superfciais nos materiais das paredes de dutos de petróleo

The modern technology of materials and structural integrity of pipelines requests the use of inspection tools named inspection pigs to detect, localize and measure the length, width and depth dimensions of the thickness losses of walls of buried and underwater pipelines in service. These tools run them internally, performing and recording measurements, with performance that varies according to the pig s technology. It has been developed recently an instrumented pig technology, called feller pig. This work aims to indicate factors that influence the feller pig technology performance in the detection and in the accuracy of measurement of the length, width and depth dimensions of the thickness losses on the internal surface of an oil pipeline wall under normal conditions of oil pipe inspection with pig. In this work, is made a collection of factors and an analyses of the technology based on the available literature, as well as an experiment to observe the technology and the factors operating. In the experiment, a feeler pig is used in a pipeline built in carbon steel and in operation that flows petroleum, in witch are observed areas with internal thickness losses occurred naturally. Some of these areas and their dimensions taken by automated ultra-sound scanner are compared with the ones indicated by the feller pig. Based on the data collection, on the analysis and on the experiment, the influence of factors object of this research is discussed. It is concluded that, among these, there are factors related to pipe fabrication tolerances, to wear of pig components, to internal adhesive wear of pipeline, to other pipeline damages and to technology characteristics. Finally, actions are suggested to know better, improve and define the applicability of this technology

Estudo térmico de um sistema solar de aquecimento de água residencial para duas configurações de superfície absorvedora

It presents a solar collector to be used in a system for heating water for bathing, whose main characteristics are its low cost and easy manufacturing and assembly. The absorbing surface of the collector is formed by an aluminum plate with eight flaps where they lodge PVC pipes. The catchment area of solar radiation corresponds to 1.3 meters. The collector box was made of wood, is covered by transparent glass and thermal insulation of tire chips and expanded polystyrene (EPS). Absorber tubes were connected in parallel through the use of PVC fittings and fixed to the plate by the use of metal poles and rivets. The entire absorber received paint flat black for better absorption of sunlight. The system worked on a thermosiphon assembly and absorber of the collector has been tested in two configurations: with the tubes facing up, directly exposed to the impact of sunlight and facing down, exchanging heat with the plate by conduction. It was determined the most efficient configuration for the correct purpose. The solar collector was connected to a thermal reservoir, also alternative, low-cost forming the system of solar water heating. We evaluated thermal parameters that proved the viability of the heating system studied