A nova lei de patentes, a indústria química e a universidade

This paper aims to present some features of the Industrial Property Law now in force in Brazil, as far as they could be regarded to the activities of research and development in the field of Chemistry and related areas, not only in the chemical industry but also in the university. By means of analysis of the main articles and paragraphs, which could deal with the mentioned activities, the author points out the scope and limitations of that law and explains the meaning of common technical terms usually found in patent concerns. Ultimately, a brief discussion on the actual and the potential role of the Brazilian university in the sphere of the Industrial Property is made.

Utilização do resíduo líquido de indústria de processamento de suco de laranja como meio de cultura de Penicillium citrinum: depuração biológica do resíduo e produção de enzima

Penicillium citrinum grown in orange juice processing wastes medium under continuous agitation was studied in order to establish optimal conditions (incubation period, incubation temperature, initial pH and nitrogen addition) for biomass and ribonuclease production, as well as, biological depuration of the wastes. Nitrogen addition to wastes medium increased the biomass and ribonuclease production and provides COD reduction. The soy meal shows to be the best nitrogen source. The conditions for a more favorable enzyme and biomass production and COD reduction were initial pH 6.0 and temperature of 27°C. The maximum value obtained for these parameters on optimal conditions of cultivation was 11 U/mL of enzyme, 4 mg/mL of biomass (dry matter) and 55% of COD reduction, in 96 hours of incubation.

Uso do violeta de alizarina N (AVN) como reagente espectrofotométrico na determinação de alumínio

The present work proposes the application of the 4-Hidroxy-3-(2-hydroxynaphtylazo)-benzenesulphonic acid (C.I. 15670), Alizarine Violet N (AVN), as a reagent for direct aluminium determination using molecular absorption spectrophotometry in the presence of tensoatives. Al(III) cation reacts with AVN in pH 9.4, forming a red complex, stable for at least 24 hours, with absorption minimum at 607nm and, against a reagent blank, (epsiloncomplex - epsilonreagent) = -2.71x10(4) L.mol-1.cm-1. The reaction occurs in the presence of a Triton-X100 and CTAB tensoatives mixture, in the presence of EDTA. Al(III) determination is possible in the linear range of 50 up to 400ng.mL-1, with a detection limit of 41 ng.mL-1.

Fármacos e fitoterápicos: a necessidade do desenvolvimento da indústria de fitoterápicos e fitofármacos no Brasil

We discuss briefly the development and the present status of medicinal chemistry. In this context, we consider the therapeutic possibilities of the phytotherapy. On the basis of this analysis, the development of the phytopharmaceutical industry in Brazil is shown to be of essential importance for both the university and the Country due to the human and technological resources involved.

A indústria petroquímica no próximo século: como substituir o petróleo como matéria-prima?

The world reserves of petroleum will finish in about 100 years. For a tropical country like Brazil, biomass will be the natural substitute for petroleum. For the best utilization of biomass, it first needs to be separated into its principal components: cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignins, vegetable and essential oils, non-structural carbohydrates, bark and foliage. All feedstocks for the chemical industry can be obtained from these biomass components, as shown in the first part of this paper. In the second part we discuss how the major products from petrochemicals can be obtained from the different biomass components. We show that Brazil can use different strategies, compared to other countries, to obtain petrochemical products, which could result in innovations. However, it is necessary that the government starts to invest immediately in order to keep the petrochemical industries competitive with foreign industries, so that they continue to be one of Brazil's major employers.

Efeito da temperatura no desempenho catalítico de óxidos de ferro contendo cobre e alumínio

Aluminum and copper doped hematite was evaluated in the high temperature shift (HTS) reaction at several temperatures in order to find catalysts that can work in different operational conditions. It was found that the catalysts work in kinetic regime in the range of 300-400 ºC. Both copper and aluminum increases the activity and selectivity. Aluminum acts as textural promoter whereas copper acts as structural one. The most promising catalyst is that with both copper and aluminum which showed higher activity and selectivity than a commercial sample. This catalyst has the advantages of being non toxic and can work at low temperatures.

Exposição ocupacional a compostos orgânicos voláteis na indústria naval

The scope of this study involved the evaluation of the concentration of some volatile organic compounds in the internal environmental air of a naval shipyard in the State of Rio de Janeiro, during painting activities in enclosed, semi-enclosed and open areas. Xylene was the volatile compound found in greatest abundance (25.20 to 191.66 ppm) in the locations researched. Benzene in the air, which is a carcinogenic substance, attained levels of 3.34 ppm in semi-enclosed environments and the highest levels of toluene, xylene and n-butanol were found in the enclosed space of the ship. Results obtained highlight the need to establish air quality control programs in these internal areas, in order to safeguard the health of the workers.

Preparação de compostos de alumínio a partir da bauxita: considerações sobre alguns aspectos envolvidos em um experimento didático

Aluminum metal and aluminum compounds have many applications in several branches of the industry and in our daily lives. The most important raw material for aluminum and its manufactured compounds is bauxite, a rock constituted mainly by aluminum hydroxides minerals. In this work, a didactic experiment aiming the preparation of alumina and potassium alum starting from bauxite is proposed for undergraduate students. Both compounds are of great commercial, scientific and historical interest. The experiment involves applications of important chemical principles such as acid-base and precipitation. Some chemical properties and uses of aluminum compounds are also illustrated.

Determinação de cobre, alumínio e ferro em solos derivados do basalto através de extrações seqüenciais

Copper, aluminum and iron concentrations were determined in four geochemical fractions of three different basaltic soils from the northwest region of the Parana State, Brazil. The fractions examined were the reducible manganese dioxide and amorphous iron oxide, crystaline iron oxide, organic and residual. Metal concentrations were determined in the extracts by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. High Fe concentrations were extracted from the crystalline iron oxide (>20%), as well as the amorphous iron oxide (>12%). Copper was extracted from the amorphous and crystalline iron oxides in the range 5 to 12%, but low concentrations were bound to organic matter. Low concentrations of aluminum were extracted (<8%) from the amorphous and crystaline iron oxides, and organic matter. High concentrations of aluminum were found in the residual fraction.

Determinação espectrofotométrica de alumínio em concentrados salinos utilizados em hemodiálise empregando pré-concentração em fluxo

An automatic flow injection procedure for spectrophotometric aluminium determination in purified water and solutions containing high salts concentrations used for hemodyalisis treatment was developed. The method was base on reaction of Al3+ with cianine eriochrome R (ECR) after preconcentration using the AG50W-X8 cationic-exchange resin. Elution was carried out using a 1 % (m/v) calcium chloride solution. The manifold comprised an automatic proporcional injector controlled by a computer equipped with an eletronic interface and software written in QuicBASIC 4.5 with facilities to control the injector and perform data acquisition. Samples with concentration ranging from 4.96 to 19.90 µg L-1 Al were analyzed and recoveries between 88 and 113% were obtained by using the standard addition method. Other profitable analytical characteristics such as a relative standard deviation 1.3 % (n = 10) for a typical sample 14.5 µg L-1 Al, a linear response ranging up to 60.0 µg L-1Al, and a sampling throughput of 10 determinations per hour were achieved. A detection limit of 4.2 µg L-1 Al was estimated as suggested by IUPAC.

Caracterização e classificação do resíduo sólido "pó do balão", gerado na indústria siderúrgica não integrada a carvão vegetal: estudo de um caso na região de Sete Lagoas/MG

This research was developed by considering that the solid waste produced in the process of pig iron production represents the loss of raw materials and the increase in environmental problem. The charcoal based mini blast-furnace off gases dust named CHARCOK was collected from SIDERPA ¾ Siderúrgica Paulino Ltda, located in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The Charcok was characterized and classified according to ABNT (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas) standard. The results showed that the Charcok should be classified as Class I Wastes ¾ "Hazard Wastes" because of its high concentration of phenols (54.5mg C6H5OH/kg). The Charcok had high concentration of iron and charcoal which can be used as energy source.

Desidrogenação do etilbenzeno sobre compostos de ferro e alumínio

Chromium and potassium-doped iron oxides are widely used as industrial catalysts in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene. They have several advantages but deactivate with time, because of the loss of potassium. Also, they are toxic due to chromium compounds. Therefore there is a need for developing alternative non toxic catalysts without potassium. Then, iron and aluminum compounds were prepared by different methods in this work. Different phases were produced depending on the preparation method. Aluminum-doped hematite was more active and selective to styrene than the aluminum ferrite. Aluminum acts both as textural and structural promoter in the catalysts.

Tratamento de efluente da indústria de processamento de coco utilizando eletroflotação

Electroflotation (EF) with aluminum electrodes was applied in the treatment of Brazilian industrial coconut wastewater. The results show that EF with polarity inversion is a very good treatment when compared to others. The removal of pollutants in the wastewater after EF with polarity inversion was 96.3% of oils and grease, 99% of color and 66% of total organic carbon. Also, metal concentrations, turbidity and total solids were reduced.

Transformações químicas da matéria orgânica durante a compostagem de resíduos da indústria madeireira

Composting of sawdust and paper mill sludge, using a "Kneer" process reactor, was studied in an attempt to elaborate upon organic matter (OM) transformation during the process and to define parameters to measure the compost maturity level. Temperature, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data, ash and C, H, N and S contents, and a spectroscopic method using ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) for alkaline (pH = 8.5) and solid samples was used to study the maturity of the compost samples. These parameters were measured in 6 humic acids (HA) extracted from the compost samples during 29 days. The results of this work show that the "Kneer" process is efficient in transforming ligno-celulitic residues in a short time (29 days), into an organic fertilizer material with application perspectives.

Coagulação/floculação de suspensões ricas em óxidos de ferro por sulfato de alumínio

The destabilization mechanism of suspensions of positively charged iron oxide particles by aluminum sulphate was investigated, aiming to evaluate the efficiency of the latter as a coagulant for natural surface waters from iron ore mining plants. Synthetic waters that simulate natural suspensions were used. The best coagulant dosage was found to be 100 mg/L at pH 4. The specific adsorption of hydrolysis products of aluminum salts on iron oxide particles and heterocoagulation processes involving differently charged substrates are proposed to explain the turbidity reduction of the suspensions.