Confecção de um perfurador de lamínulas de vidro por corrosão ácida

A simple device for glass plate drilling, which is an important step in microfabrication procedures, is described. A reservoir of concentrated hydrofluoric acid with a hole in its bottom is affixed against the glass plate. Leakage is prevented by using a neoprene O-ring. A plastic pipet tip inserted in the reservoir, close to the corrosion region, provides forced convection by pressure variations inside it. A device to make 5 simultaneous holes in a plate is also presented. For a 140 µm thickness alkaline glass lamina and 1/8" O-ring, 5 holes are drilled in 20 min.

Síntese eletroquímica do ion ferrato(VI)

The optimization of ferrate(VI) ion generation has been studied due to its favorable characteristics for application in several fields, including environmental quality control. The paper presents the best conditions for electrolytic generation of ferrate(VI) in alkaline media. An appropriate electrolyte was NaOH, 10 mol/L. Circulation of the electrolyte solution was important to avoid acidification close to the anode surface. An anode pre-cleaning with 10% HCl was more efficient than a cathodic pre-polarization. Among the distinct anode materials tested, pig iron showed the best performance, allowing up to 20 g/L of Na2FeO4, in 10 mol/L NaOH solution to be obtained, after 7 h of reactor operation, which is a concentration higher than those found in literature for alternative processes.

Avaliação do nível da vulnerabilidade do solo devido à presença de termelétrica a carvão (Figueira, PR- Brasil)

Rainwater samples were analyzed during a one-year period (June 1999 - June 2000) and presented concentration of pH = 4.9 (volume weight mean). The ions concentrations results showed a high sulfate concentration (35 µmol L-1), followed by the cations concentration of sodium, calcium and ammonium (35, 16 and 30 µmol L-1, respectively). Due to the great contribution of these cations in the sulfate neutralization action, the rainwater of this region had only a light acid characteristic. The soil characteristic was acid and the bioavailable concentration of the alkaline cations (Ca, Mg and K) presented high calcium concentrations (1001 ± 357 mg kg-1) compared with the other cations. The determination of soil sensitivity to acid rain was calculated by the ratio BC/Al3+ (BC = Ca2+ + Mg2+ + K+) and presented the average value of 5.1 ± 3.3. This preliminary evaluation of soil susceptibility by the ratio BC/Al3+ showed that the local soil and vegetation type (tropical Savannah) were sensitive to acid deposition. The long term of this impacting condition (acid rain, high sulfate deposition) could be harmful to the soil and vegetation quality.

Processamento da pasta eletrolítica de pilhas usadas

This work presents a basic study on the processing of spent Zn/MnO2 and alkaline batteries in acid or basic media. Promising results were obtained after fusion with NaOH or KHSO4, which allowed a good separation between Mn from Zn and these metals from other metal components. Processing of spent batteries is a complex procedure, which includes disassembly of these materials, the use of corrosive and high-energy consuming media and the management of final residues.

Decomposição térmica do bicarbonato de sódio: do processo Solvay ao diagrama tipo Ellingham

A didactic experiment based on the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate using a reagent found in the marketplace is proposed. The reaction products are identified by qualitative tests and stoichiometric calculations. The thermal stability of carbonates and the influence of lattice energies are discussed, emphasizing periodic trends in the alkali and alkaline earth families. The industrial importance of the reaction is also explored.

Amônia (NH3) atmosférica: fontes, transformação, sorvedouros e métodos de análise

Ammonia is the most common alkaline gas of the atmosphere, being important in the neutralization of various processes that occur in the atmosphere. Its main sources of emission are the decomposition of organic matter and dejections of animals. Ammonia is used by man in diverse activities of production, therefore it is a gas that can contaminate work environments. Measurements of ammonia concentration in some parts of the world have shown great spatial and weather variation. This large variability makes it difficult to estimate the input of reduced nitrogen to different ecosystems from measurements.

Reciclagem química de zeólitas comerciais desativadas

Pyro and hydrometallurgical processes were applied to the treatment of spent commercial zeolites (a molecular sieve and a ZSM-5 sample). Both catalysts were employed in pilot plant units. They were kept in their original shape, they were not regenerated and were not subjected neither to mechanical stress nor to overheating zones during their time on-stream. Two recycling processes were tested: (i) direct solubilization of samples in mixtures of HF + H2O2 (60 ºC, 1 h). Although silicon was solubilized, insoluble matter was found in both samples, particularly in the molecular sieve, due to its high amounts of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals; (ii) fusion with KHSO4 (5 h, 600 ºC) with KHSO4/zeolite mass ratio 6:1. After fusion the solid was solubilized in water (100 ºC), leaving silicon as SiO2 residue. In both processes, solubilized metals were isolated by conventional selective precipitation techniques. Analysis of final products by common analytical methods shows that metals present in the original catalysts were recovered with very high yields except when the molecular sieve was treated with HF + H2O2. This reactant mixture proved to be suitable for processing zeolites with a low alkaline and alkaline-earth metal content whereas fusion with KHSO4 appeared to be adequate for all types of zeolites.

Recuperação de bromo em soluções aquosas residuais

A laboratory procedure was devised to recover bromine from waste alkaline aqueous solutions used in the isotopic determination of N-15. The laboratory apparatus comprises two round bottom flasks (1 and 2 L), a dropping funnel, a gas bubbler, a gas regulator and glass fittings. The waste solution is acidified with sulfuric acid forming molecular bromine that is stripped out by a flow of nitrogen gas bubbled through the solution. This gas is then bubbled through a solution of lithium hydroxide generating lithium bromide and lithium hypobromite. The efficiency of bromine recovery was estimated to be 82±2%. This resulting solution was successfully reused in the isotopic determination of N-15. The procedure can recycle most of the bromine used in the laboratory saving resources and preserving the environment. The procedure can be adapted to recover bromine of other laboratory waste streams.

Um experimento de análise em fluxo envolvendo reações enzimáticas e quimiluminescência

An experiment is proposed to introduce some fundamentals of flow analysis, chemiluminescence and kinetic monitoring of enzymatic reactions in undergraduate courses. Chemiluminescence detection is performed with a simple spectrophotometer equipped with a lab-made spiral flow cell constructed from a polyethylene tube. The hydrogen peroxide produced by the glucose oxidation in the presence of glucose oxidase is continuously monitored by the reaction with luminol in alkaline media in a flow injection system. The exercise allows also the discussion of important analytical features and the comparison with different optical methods of analysis.

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.

Estabilização de solo contaminado com zinco usando zeólitas sintetizadas a partir de cinzas de carvão

The effect of synthetic zeolites on stabilizing Zn-contaminated soil using 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 leaching solution in batch experiments was investigated. The zeolites were synthesized from coal ash by hydrothermal treatment with alkaline solution. The additive enhanced the sorption capacity of the soil and reduced leaching. Zinc leaching was reduced by more than 80% using a minimum of 10% additive. The higher cation exchange capacity of the zeolite/soil mixtures and higher pH were responsible for stabilizing Zn in soil. The poly(2-aminobenzenesulfonic acid)-coated mercury thin-film electrode was used for the determination of zinc.

Análise sistemática de reagentes e resíduos sem identificação

This work presents a detailed routine applied to the identification of unknown chemicals and wastes. 786 specimens were analyzed during 20 months. Unknown materials fell into three basic classes: (i) commercial chemicals without labels or illegible ones; (ii) laboratory synthesis products; (iii) used solvents (including mixtures). Uranium and thorium were recovered form their wastes. Unknown chemicals were mainly inorganic compounds, many of which had never been opened. Alkaline salts were dominant, but also precious metal compounds were identified. Laboratory synthesis products were organic compounds. The final destination depended on the nature of the chemical. Most organic compounds were sent to incineration; inorganic salts were distributed among several public organizations, including secondary and technical schools. The work described in this paper greatly reduced the amount of wastes that had to be sent to disposal.

Caracterização hidrogeoquímica de água subterrânea em área de influência de futuras instalações de usinas hidrelétricas: bacia hidrográfica do rio Taquari-Antas/RS, Brasil

The identification and characterization of the hydrochemistry of the groundwaters has been done for seven wells. The sampling occurred during three bimonthly campaigns. The results classified the waters as of the calcium bicarbonated type for the majority of the samples, except for one well, whose composition is of the sodium bicarbonated type. The major ions found and how they determine the quality parameters are consistent with the reactions of mineral dissolution of the majority of volcanic rocks and the reactions with intrusion of alkaline rock in only one well. Anomalous values of nitrate in some wells alert to the impact of especially polluting sources at the time the reservoirs of the hydroeletric plant were formed.

Complexos metálicos com o herbicida glifosato: revisão

We present studies involving metallic ions and the herbicide glyphosate. The metallic complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(III), ammonium, sodium, Ag(I), alkaline earth metals and of some lanthanides ions are described. The complexes are discussed in terms of their synthesis, identification, stability and structural properties, based on data from the current literature.

Estudo eletroquímico de um novo banho galvânico de zinco alcalino livre de cianetos

A systematic electrochemical study of a novel cyanide free galvanic plating solution of alkaline zinc is presented. Cell Hull tests and potentiodynamic linear polarization measurements were carried out to evaluate the influence of operational parameters, such as concentration, current efficiency and degradation of additives. The stability of the bath was assessed by a long term test during 40 h at 200 A m-2. The morphology of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed good performance of the plating solution. The cost is similar to that of the commercial cyanide bath and lower than that of the commercial cyanide free bath.