Development of a thermoeconomic methodology for the optimization of biodiesel production - Part I: Biodiesel plant and thermoeconomic functional diagram

This work developed a methodology that uses the thermoeconomic functional diagram applied for allocating the cost of products produced by a biodiesel plant. The first part of this work discusses some definitions of exergy and thermoeconomy, with a detailed description of the biodiesel plant studied, identification of the system functions through Physical Diagram, calculation of the irreversibilities of the plant, construction of the Thermoeconomic Functional Diagram and determination of the expressions for the plant's exergetic functions. In order to calculate the exergetic increments and the physical exergy of certain flows in each step, the Chemical Engineering Simulation Software HYSYS 3.2 was used. The equipments that have the highest irreversibilities in the plant were identified after the exergy calculation. It was also found that the lowest irreversibility in the system refers to the process with a molar ratio of 6:1 and a reaction temperature of 60 °C in the transesterification process. In the second part of this work (Part II), it was calculated the thermoeconomic cost of producing biodiesel and related products, including the costs of carbon credits for the CO2 that is not released into the atmosphere, when a percentage of biodiesel is added to the petroleum diesel used by Brazil's internal diesel fleet (case study). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of a propolis water extract using a reliable RP-HPLC methodology and in vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety characterisation

Since the beginning of propolis research, several groups have studied its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. However, most of these studies have only employed propolis ethanolic extract (PEE) leading to little knowledge about the biological activities of propolis water extract (PWE). Based on this, in a previous study, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of PWE. In order to better understand the equilibrium between effectiveness and toxicity, which is essential for a new medicine, the characteristics of PWE were analyzed. We developed and validated an RP-HPLC method to chemically characterize PWE and PEE and evaluated the in vitro antioxidant/antimicrobial activity for both extracts and the safety of PWE via determining genotoxic potential using in vitro and in vivo mammalian micronucleus assays. We have concluded that the proposed analytical methodology was reliable, and both extracts showed similar chemical composition. The extracts presented antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, while PWE demonstrated higher antioxidant activity and more efficacious for the most of the microorganisms tested than PEE. Finally, PWE was shown to be safe using micronucleus assays. © 2013 Bruno Alves Rocha et al.

Optimization of the surimi production from Mechanically Recovered Fish Meat (MRFM) using response surface methodology

The by-products generated from industrial filleting of tilapia surimi can be used for the manufacture of surimi. The surimi production uses large amounts of water, which generates a wastewater rich in organic compounds (lipids, soluble proteins and blood). Optimizing the number of washing cycles will contribute to a more sustainable production. A mathematical model of mechanically recovered tilapia meat (Oreochromis niloticus) for the processing of surimi (minced fish washing cycles and tapioca starch addition) based on two quality parameters (texture and moisture) was constructed by applying the response surface methodology (RSM). Each factor had an important effect on the moisture and texture of surimi. This study found that the optimal formulation for producing the best surimi using the by-products of tilapia filleting in manufacturing fish burger were the addition of 10% tapioca starch and three minced fish washing cycles. A microstructural evaluation supported the findings of the mathematical model. Practical Applications: The use of mechanically recovered fish meat (MRFM) for the production of surimi enables the utilization of the by-products of filleting fish. However, the inferior quality of the surimi produced from MRFM in relation to that produced with fillets necessitates the addition of starch; secondly, surimi production consumes a large volume of water. RSM provides a valuable means for optimizing the number of washing cycles and starch amounts utilized in fish burger production. Tapioca starch, widely produced in Brazil, has desirable characteristics (surface sheen, smooth texture, neutral taste and clarity in solution) for use in MRFM-produced surimi. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Response surface methodology applied to the evaluation of the SO 2 sorption process in two Brazilian limestones

This paper proposes a response surface methodology to evaluate the influence of the particle size and temperature as variables and their interaction on the sulfation process using two Brazilian limestones, a calcite (ICB) and a dolomite (DP). Experiments were performed according to an experimental design [central composite rotatable design (CCRD)] carried out on a thermogravimetric balance and a nitrogen adsorption porosimeter. In the SO 2 sorption process, DP was shown to be more efficient than ICB. The best results for both limestones in relation to conversion and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area were obtained under central point conditions (545 μm and 850 C for DP and 274 μm and 815 C for ICB). The optimal values for conversion were 52% for DP and 37% for ICB. For BET surface area, the optimal values were 35 m2 g-1 for DP and 45 m2 g-1 for ICB. A relationship between conversion and pore size distribution has been established. The experiments that showed higher conversions also exhibited more pores in the region between 20 and 150 Å and larger BET surface area, indicating that the amount of smaller pores may be an important factor in the reactivity of limestones. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

A PCR/RFLP methodology to identify non-Amazonian Brazilian deer species

Due to the necessity of using noninvasive samples to study animals as elusive as the deer that occur in Brazil, we realized it was important to develop a PCR/RFLP protocol to assist in identifying such samples. Thus we developed a protocol in which a fragment of the cytochrome b gene is digested with two enzymes: SspI, which distinguishes species of the genus Mazama from Blastocerus dichotomus and Ozotoceros bezoarticus, and TAQα1 which permits differentiation between the species B. dichotomus and O. bezoarticus. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

The application of a surface response methodology in the solar/UV-induced degradation of dairy wastewater using immobilized ZnO as a semiconductor

An Advanced Oxidation Process (AOPs) was carried out in this study with the use of immobilized ZnO and solar/UV as an energy source to degrade dairy wastewater. The semibatch reactor system consisted of metal plate of 800 × 250 mm and a glass tank. The reaction time was of 3 h for 3 L of dairy wastewater. Experiments were performed based on a surface response methodology in order to optimize the photocatalytic process. Degradation was measured in percentage terms by total organic carbon (TOC). The entry variables were ZnO coating thickness and pH, using three levels of each variable. The optimized results showed a TOC degradation of 31.7%. Optimal parameters were metal-plate coating of 100 m of ZnO and pH of 8.0. Since solar/UV is a constant and free energy source in most tropical countries, this process tends to suggest an interesting contribution in dairy wastewater treatment, especially as a pretreatment and the optimal conditions to guarantee a better efficiency of the process. © 2013 Gisella R. Lamas Samanamud et al.

Development of a thermoeconomic methodology for optimizing biodiesel production. Part II: Manufacture exergetic cost and biodiesel production cost incorporating carbon credits, a Brazilian case study

The purpose of this study is to carry on a thermoeconomic analysis at a biodiesel production plant considering the irreversibilities in each step (part I: biodiesel plant under study and functional thermoeconomic diagram [1]), making it possible to calculate the thermoeconomic cost in US$/kWh and US$/l of the biodiesel production, and the main byproduct generated, glycerin, incorporating the credits for the CO2 that is not emitted into the atmosphere (carbon credits). Assuming a sale price for both the biodiesel and the byproduct (glycerin), the annual revenue of the total investment in a plant with a capacity of 8000 t/year of biodiesel operating at 8000 h/year was calculated. The variables that directly or indirectly influence the final thermoeconomic cost include total annual biodiesel production, hours of operation, manufacturing exergy cost, molar ratio in the transesterification reaction, reaction temperature and pressure in the process. Depending on the increase or decrease in sale prices for both biodiesel and glycerin, the payback is going to significantly increase or decrease. It is evident that, in exergy terms, the sale of glycerin is of vital importance in order to reduce the biodiesel price, getting a shorter payback period for the plant under study. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A methodology to investigate the wear of blast furnace hearth carbon refractory lining

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Development of a Methodology and Evaluation of Pesticides Against Aceria litchii and Its Predator Phytoseius intermedius (Acari: Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae)

The litchi erineum mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer), is the major pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat (Sapindaceae). This study evaluated the effect of 11 pesticides on the survival of A. litchii as well as on the survival and reproduction of Phytoseius intermedius Evans& McFarlane, the predator most found in association with it in Brazil. The containment of A. litchii in small petri dishes whose bottoms were covered with a solidified paste made of a mixture of gypsum and activated charcoal (9: 1 in volume), kept humid, was shown to be adequate for this type of study. For the evaluation of the effect of pesticides on A. litchii, mites leaving the erinia from the pieces of litchi leaves (removed from the plants approximate to 24 h earlier) were sprayed under a Potter tower and immediately transferred to the 2.5-cm-diameter petri dishes. After 2, 12, 24, and 48 h of the application, the dishes were examined to evaluate the mite survival. The four pesticides causing the highest levels A. litchii mortality, as well as azadirachtin, were tested for the effect on P. intermedius. For this test, experimental units consisted of discs of uninfested litchi leaves also sprayed under a Potter tower before introducing the predators. Survival and oviposition of the predator were evaluated every 24 h for 5 consecutive days; viability of the eggs laid was also evaluated. Highest mortality of A. litchii occurred with the application of fenpyroximate, sulfur, abamectin, and hexythiazox. Azadirachtin was considered moderately harmful to the predator P. intermedius, whereas other pesticides were classified as harmful. Despite the low efficiency of azadirachtin in the control of the pest, its relative selectivity to P. intermedius would encourage the evaluation on field condition, especially for use in organic production systems.

Validation of analytical methodology for quantification of cefazolin sodium pharmaceutical dosage form by high performance liquid chromatography to be applied for quality control in pharmaceutical industry

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mixed methodology to analyze the relationship between maturity of environmental management and the adoption of green supply chain management in Brazil

The aim of this research is to verify the relationship between the maturity levels of environmental management and the adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices by electro-electronic companies in Brazil. In this work a two-phase research was conducted, with one quantitative and the other qualitative. The quantitative phase aimed to test whether a relationship between the maturity levels of environmental management and GSCM exists, while the qualitative phase tried to detail the characteristics of this relationship. The quantitative phase was conducted through a survey with 100 Brazilian electro-electronic companies and the collected data were processed using Structural Equation Modeling. For the qualitative phase, a multiple case study was conducted with three companies located in Brazil. The results indicate that: (1) The main hypothesis was confirmed and considered statistically valid, indicating that, indeed, the maturity level of environmental management influences the adoption of GSCM practices; (2) a coevolution tends to occur between the environmental maturity and the GSCM practices; that is, the more developed is the company's environmental management, more complex GSCM practices are adopted; and (3) the GSCM internal practices tend to present a greater relative adoption than the external practices; these external practices of GSCM tend to be adopted when the company is inserted in a higher environmental stage and/or operates under a scenario of stronger normative environmental pressure. By the way, this is the first research mixing survey and case studies on GSCM in Brazil. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical oxidation of landfill leachate in a flow reactor: optimization using response surface methodology

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of a new clean methodology with ultrasound-assisted extraction for analysis of sodium in pet foods

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)