Argamassas para dessalinização de alvenaria mista de edifício histórico de Belém

Nos monumentos históricos de Belém as alvenarias estruturais, juntamente com os alicerces e pilares, são responsáveis pelo sustento da edificação (VASCONCELLOS, 1979). Estas alvenarias são constituídas de pedras e tijolos maciços assentados com argamassa de cal e podem apresentar diversas patologias dentre as quais se destacam a eflorescência salina e a ação da umidade. Estes dois agentes ocasionam destacamento de camadas, pulverização de argamassa, surgimento de fendas e aparência esbranquiçada nas alvenarias (HENRIQUES, 1994; CHAROLA, 2000). A pesquisa tem como principal objetivo a identificação, caracterização e amenização da eflorescência salina, por meio do estudo de caso da alvenaria do transepto direito da Igreja de Santo Alexandre, situada no centro histórico de Belém-PA. Para isto foram utilizadas técnicas laboratoriais com o intuito de entender as condicionantes favoráveis ao processo de eflorescência salina, os danos provocados aos materiais, os tipos de sais mais atuantes e quais materiais são eficientes para dessalinização. Primeiramente foi realizado o mapeamento da alvenaria e o mapeamento de danos para verificar a situação atual e as áreas mais degradadas. Posteriormente foi realizada a caracterização física, química e mineralógica: 1) caracterização física por meio de análise granulométrica por difração a laser, análise de traço e análise do teor de umidade da alvenaria, 2) caracterização química por meio de teste qualitativo e quantitativo de sais e 3) caracterização mineralógica por Difração de Raios-X. A Difração de Raios-X também foi utilizada para avaliar a eficácia de quatro tipos de argamassas de dessalinização que continham argilas (Bentonita e Caulim) e areia em diferentes relações. Ao final do trabalho verificou-se que as técnicas sugeridas para caracterização e mapeamento da alvenaria se mostraram eficientes e auxiliaram no diagnóstico correto da problemática existente. Além disso, chegou-se a conclusão de quais argamassas são mais recomendadas para dessalinização de alvenarias degradadas por eflorescência salina.

A statistical evaluation of the effects of process variables during catalytic hydrogenation of passion fruit (passiflora edulis) seed oil

ABSTRACT: Hydrogenation of passion fruit (passiflora edulis) seed oil was carried out with a commercial nickel/silica catalyst under different experimental conditions. The influence of reaction parameters (reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure, amount of catalyst, agitation rate and reaction time) on the response variable (iodine value) was studied using a central composite rotatable design and six center points for replication. Under the experimental conditions used, the model response equations for the iodine value showed good agreement with the experimental results.

Separation of satured and unsaturated fatty acids from palm fatty acids distillates in continuous multistage countercurrent columns with supercritical carbon dioxide as solvent: a process design methodology

In this work the separation of multicomponent mixtures in counter-current columns with supercritical carbon dioxide has been investigated using a process design methodology. First the separation task must be defined, then phase equilibria experiments are carried out, and the data obtained are correlated with thermodynamic models or empirical functions. Mutual solubilities, Ki-values, and separation factors aij are determined. Based on this data possible operating conditions for further extraction experiments can be determined. Separation analysis using graphical methods are performed to optimize the process parameters. Hydrodynamic experiments are carried out to determine the flow capacity diagram. Extraction experiments in laboratory scale are planned and carried out in order to determine HETP values, to validate the simulation results, and to provide new materials for additional phase equilibria experiments, needed to determine the dependence of separation factors on concetration. Numerical simulation of the separation process and auxiliary systems is carried out to optimize the number of stages, solvent-to-feed ratio, product purity, yield, and energy consumption. Scale-up and cost analysis close the process design. The separation of palmitic acid and (oleic+linoleic) acids from PFAD-Palm Fatty Acids Distillates was used as a case study.

Preparation of refractory calcium aluminate cement using the sonochemical process

Calcium aluminate cements (CAC) were prepared using the sonochemical process, followed by heat treatment. A study was made of the action of ultrasonic waves and the influence of thermal treatment conditions on two initial molar compositions of 1:1 and 1:2 of calcia:alumina. The aqueous suspension containing the raw materials (A-50 alumina and CaO) was subjected to an ultrasonic bath, followed by drying and burning at 1000, 1200 and 1300 ºC. These cements were characterized by SEM, XRD and the mechanical strength was evaluated by splitting tensile tests, using commercial cement as a reference. Furthermore, the phases were semi-quantified using the Rietveld method. The results show that hydration and sonochemical action increased the reactivity of the raw materials during firing and that phase formation is dependent on the thermal treatment conditions. The CAC cements were obtained at temperatures at least 200 ºC lower than those used in conventional methods, indicating the potential of this route of synthesis.