Emiss��o de merc��rio para a atmosfera pela queima de g��s natural no Brasil

Increasing natural gas use in Brazil triggered a discussion of its role as a Hg source. We show that Hg emissions to the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion for power generation in Brazil contribute with 6.2% (4.2 t yr-1) to the total anthropogenic Hg atmospheric emissions, with coal combustion and biomass burning as major sources. Natural gas contributes with 0.04 t yr-1, mostly from electricity generation (88%) and industrial uses (7.6%). Preliminary results on Hg concentrations in natural gas suggest that a large fraction of it is trapped during refining and transport, which may create Hg point sources between extraction and consumption.

Compara����o de diferentes abordagens para avalia����o da incerteza na cromatografia gasosa do g��s natural

The evaluation of uncertainty associated with an analytic result is an essential part of the measurement process. Recently, several approaches to evaluate the uncertainty in measurement have been developed. Here, the gas chromatography assay uncertainty for natural gas is compared by some of these approaches: the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM) approach, top-down approach (reproducibility estimate from an inter-laboratory study), Barwick & Ellison (data from validation), study of variability and fuzzy approach. The comparison shows that GUM, Barwick & Ellison and fuzzy approaches lead to comparable uncertainty evaluations, which does not happen with the top-down approach and study of variability by the absence of data normality.

Power to Gas - s��hk��energiasta luonnonkaasua, liiketoimintamahdollisuudet Suomessa

Uusiutuvan s��hk��ntuotannon osuuden kasvaessa kasvaa tarve tasata s��hk��ntuotannon ja kulutuksen vaihteluita varastoimalla s��hk����. Power to Gas (PtG) - s��hk��energiasta luonnonkaasua tarjoaa yhden mahdollisuuden varastoida s��hk����. S��hk���� k��ytet����n veden elektrolyysiin, jossa syntynyt vety k��ytet����n metanoinissa yhdess�� hiilidioksidin kanssa muodostamaan korvaavaa luonnonkaasua. N��in syntynytt�� korvaava luonnonkaasua s��hk��st�� kutsutaan e-SNG-kaasuksi. T��ss�� ty��ss�� tutkitaan PtG-laitoksen investointi, k��ytt��- ja kunnossapitokuluja. Ty��ss�� luodaan laskentamalli, jolla lasketaan PtG-laitoksen nelj��lle k��ytt��tapaukselle kannattavuuslaskelma. K��ytt��tapauksille lasketaan my��s herkkyystarkasteluja. Kannattavuuslaskelmien perusteella p����tell����n PtG-laitoksen liiketoimintamahdollisuudet Suomessa. Ty��ss�� laskettujen kannattavuuslaskelmien perusteella PtG-laitoksen perustapausten liiketoimintamahdollisuudet ovat huonot. Laskettujen herkkyystarkastelujen perusteella havaittiin, ett�� investointikulut, laitoksen ajoaika ja lis��tulot hapesta ja l��mm��st�� ovat kannattavuuden kannalta kriittisimm��t menestystekij��t.

Potential for synthetic gas in Finnish industry

Finland, other Nordic countries and European Union aim to decarbonize their energy production by 2050. Decarbonization requires large scale implementation of non-emission energy sources, i.e. renewable energy and nuclear power. Stochastic renewable energy sources present a challenge to balance the supply and demand for energy. Energy storages, non-emissions fuels in mobility and industrial processes are required whenever electrification is not possible. Neo-Carbon project studies the decarbonizing the energy production and the role of synthetic gas in it. This thesis studies the industrial processes in steel production, oil refining, cement manufacturing and glass manufacturing, where natural gas is already used or fuel switch to SNG is possible. The technical potential for fuel switching is assessed, and economic potential is necessary after this. All studied processes have potential for fuel switching, but total decarbonization of steel production, oil refining requires implementation of other zero-emission technologies.

Integrated energy storage tank for large scale power-to-gas applications

The global interest towards renewable energy production such as wind and solar energy is increasing, which in turn calls for new energy storage concepts due to the larger share of intermittent energy production. Power-to-gas solutions can be utilized to convert surplus electricity to chemical energy which can be stored for extended periods of time. The energy storage concept explored in this thesis is an integrated energy storage tank connected to an oxy-fuel combustion plant. Using this approach, flue gases from the plant could be fed directly into the storage tank and later converted into synthetic natural gas by utilizing electrolysis-methanation route. This work utilizes computational fluid dynamics to model the desublimation of carbon dioxide inside a storage tank containing cryogenic liquid, such as liquefied natural gas. Numerical modelling enables the evaluation of the transient flow patterns caused by the desublimation, as well as general fluid behaviour inside the tank. Based on simulations the stability of the cryogenic storage and the magnitude of the key parameters can be evaluated.

Benefits of gas driven ground source heat pump systems

This thesis studies energy efficiencies and technical properties of gas driven ground source heat pumps and pump systems. The research focuses on two technologies: gas engine driven compressor heat pump and thermally driven gas absorption heat pump. System consist of a gas driven compressor or absorption ground source heat pump and a gas condensing boiler, which covers peak load. The reference system is a standard electrically powered compressor heat pump with electric heating elements for peak load. The systems are compared through primary energy ratios. Coefficient of performances of different heat pump technologies are also compared. At heat pump level, gas driven heat pumps are having lower coefficient of performances as compared with corresponding electric driven heat pump. However, gas heat pumps are competitive when primary energy ratios, where electricity production losses are counted in, are compared. Technically, gas heat pumps can potentially achieve a slightly higher temperatures with greater total energy efficiency as compared to the electric driven heat pump. The primary energy ratios of gas heat pump systems in relation to EHP-system improves when the share of peak load increases. Electric heat pump system's overall energy efficiency is heavily dependent on the electricity production efficiency. Economy as well as CO2-emissions were not examined in this thesis, which however, would be good topics for further study.

Economics of Power-to-Gas integration to wastewater treatment plant

Solar and wind power produce electricity irregularly. This irregular power production is problematic and therefore production can exceed the need. Thus sufficient energy storage solutions are needed. Currently there are some storages, such as flywheel, but they are quite short-term. Power-to-Gas (P2G) offers a solution to store energy as a synthetic natural gas. It also improves nation���s energy self-sufficiency. Power-to-Gas can be integrated to an industrial or a municipal facility to reduce production costs. In this master���s thesis the integration of Power-to-Gas technologies to wastewater treatment as a part of the VTT���s Neo-Carbon Energy project is studied. Power-to-Gas produces synthetic methane (SNG) from water and carbon dioxide with electricity. This SNG can be considered as stored energy. Basic wastewater treatment technologies and the production of biogas in the treatment plant are studied. The utilisation of biogas and SNG in heat and power production and in transportation is also studied. The integration of the P2G to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is examined mainly from economic view. First the mass flows of flowing materials are calculated and after that the economic impact based on the mass flows. The economic efficiency is evaluated with Net Present Value method. In this thesis it is also studied the overall profitability of the integration and the key economic factors.

Uso del gas como recurso estrat��gico en la pol��tica exterior rusa. An��lisis de caso Ucrania periodo 2000-2010

Estudio de caso que busca evaluar el uso del gas natural dentro de la pol��tica exterior rusa como recurso estrat��gico en las relaciones con Ucrania. Se describe y analiza c��mo la importancia geoestrat��gica de Ucrania genera una percepci��n de seguridad y relevancia econ��mica en Rusia, por esta raz��n la Federaci��n utiliza el gas natural como mecanismo de presi��n frente al Estado ucraniano para satisfacer sus intereses nacionales en funci��n de los elementos mencionados anteriormente.Todo lo anterior a trav��s de la Teor��a del Heartland desarrollada por Halford Mackinder y El Concepto de ��rea Pivote de Zbigniew Brzezinski para determinar c��mo se genera la importancia del Estado ucraniano frente a Rusia

La(2-x)Ce(x)Cu(1-y)Zn(y)O(4) perovskites for high temperature water-gas shift reaction

The performance of La(2-x)Ce(x)Cu(1-y)Zn(y)O(4) perovskites as catalysts for the high temperature water-gas shift reaction (H T-W G S R) was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by EDS, XRD, BET surface area, TPR, and XANES. The results showed that all the perovskites exhibited the La(2)CuO(4) orthorhombic structure, so the Pechini method is suitable for the preparation of pure perovskite. However, the La(1.90)Ce(0.10)CuO(4) perovskite alone, when calcined at 350/700 degrees C, also showed a (La(0.935)Ce(0.065))(2)CuO(4) perovskite with tetragonal structure, which produced a surface area higher than the other perovskites. The perovskites that exhibited the best catalytic performance were those calcined at 350/700 degrees C and, among these, La(1.90)Ce(0.10)CuO(4) was outstanding, probably because of the high surface area associated with the presence of the (La(0.935)Ce(0.065))(2)CuO(4) perovskite with tetragonal structure and orthorhombic La(2)CuO(4) phase.

Effects of the partial replacement of La by M (M=Ce, Ca and Sr) in La(2-x)M(x)CuO(4) perovskites on catalysis of the water-gas shift reaction

The performance of La(2-x)M(x)CuO(4) perovskites (where M = Ce, Ca or Sr) as catalysts for the water-gas shift reaction was investigated at 290 degrees C and 360 degrees C. The catalysts were characterized by EDS, XRD, N(2) adsorption-desorption, XPS and XANES. The XRD results showed that all the perovskites exhibited a single phase (the presence of perovskite structure), suggesting the incorporation of metals in the perovskite structure. The XPS and XANES results showed the presence of Cu(2+) on the surface. The perovskites that exhibited the best catalytic performance were La(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4) perovslcites, with CO conversions of 85%-90%. Moreover, these perovskites have higher surface areas and larger amounts of Cu on the surface. And Ce has a higher filled energy level than the other metals, increasing the energy of the valence band of Ce and providing more electrons for the reaction. Besides, the La(1.80)Ca(0.20)CuO(4) perovskite showed a good catalytic performance.

Impacto da Lei de Acesso �� Informa����o: os casos da Ag��ncia Nacional de Petr��leo, G��s Natural e Biocombust��veis e das ag��ncias reguladoras federais

A publica����o da Lei 12.527 em 2011, a Lei de Acesso �� Informa����o, cuja vig��ncia se deu a partir de maio de 2012, uma vez que o texto previa 180 dias para implementa����o, veio ratificar a institui����o da transpar��ncia como regra e do sigilo como exce����o para todos os n��veis e esferas da administra����o p��blica brasileira. A entrada em vigor da lei colocou o desafio de transform��-la em instrumento efetivo de apoio a um governo mais aberto e responsivo. Assim, a Lei teve repercuss��es importantes nas reparti����es p��blicas, quanto a novos procedimentos e desenhos institucionais para dar conta de sua amplitude e ambi����o. Este trabalho realiza uma an��lise explorativa desses desdobramentos para o primeiro ano e meio de aplica����o, tanto do ponto de vista quantitativo quanto qualitativo, para a pr��xis cotidiana nas Ag��ncias Reguladoras Federais e na Ag��ncia Nacional do Petr��leo, G��s Natural e Biocombust��veis, em particular.

Op����es reais em projetos de investimentos: o caso de uma planta de liquefa����o de g��s natural com flexibilidade de troca de mercado e de troca de produto

O objetivo deste trabalho �� revisar os principais aspectos te��ricos para a aplica����o de Op����es Reais em avalia����o de projetos de investimento e analisar, sob esta metodologia, um caso real de projeto para investir na constru����o de uma Planta de Liquefa����o de g��s natural. O estudo do caso real considerou a Op����o de Troca de Mercado, ao avaliar a possibilidade de coloca����o de cargas spot de GNL em diferentes mercados internacionais e a Op����o de Troca de Produto, devido �� flexibilidade gerencial de n��o liquefazer o g��s natural, deixando de comercializar GNL no mercado internacional e passando a vender g��s natural seco no mercado dom��stico. Para a valora����o das Op����es Reais foi verificado, atrav��s da s��rie hist��rica dos pre��os de g��s natural, que o Movimento Geom��trico Browniano n��o �� rejeitado e foram utilizadas simula����es de Monte Carlo do processo estoc��stico neutro ao risco dos pre��os. O valor da Op����o de Troca de Mercado fez o projeto estudado mais que dobrar de valor, sendo reduzido com o aumento da correla����o dos pre��os. Por outro lado, o valor da Op����o de Troca de Produto �� menos relevante, mas tamb��m pode atingir valores significativos com o incremento de sua volatilidade. Ao combinar as duas op����es simultaneamente, foi verificado que as mesmas n��o s��o diretamente aditivas e que o efeito do incremento da correla����o dos pre��os, ao contr��rio do que ocorre na Op����o de Troca de Mercado, �� inverso na Op����o de Troca de Produto, ou seja, o derivativo aumenta de valor com uma maior correla����o, apesar do valor total das op����es integradas diminuir.

Uma an��lise comparativa da regula����o de g��s natural entre os mercados do Brasil e dos Estados Unidos

O trabalho tem o objetivo de comparar os principais elementos dos regimes regulat��rios do setor do g��s natural no Brasil e dos Estados Unidos. Ap��s conduzir a caracteriza����o dos dois regimes, o estudo passa a compar��-los e identificar potenciais sinergias e distin����es. Para tanto, em uma primeira etapa, s��o descritos os principais componentes dos mecanismos legais de regula����o de cada pa��s. Em seguida, alguns dos componentes identificados s��o comparados. Finalmente, a ��ltima se����o se dedica a elencar breves conclus��es sobre a compara����o entre os mecanismos de regula����o do setor de g��s dos dois pa��ses.

Atra����o e reten����o de talentos em empresas de engenharia consultiva no setor de petr��leo e g��s natural da cidade de Natal

This study addresses the question of attraction and retention of talent in companies that produce engineering projects in the area of oil and natural gas in the city of Natal. The objectives were to identify the mechanisms that these companies use to attract and retain talented professionals and what the relationship between these practices and performance of these organizations in the market. This is a case study of a qualitative nature which were included in the fullness of companies that work in that class in the capital Potiguar. Have been applied to the managers of these companies structured questionnaires with eleven issues orientativas based on theoretical reference adopted. The research finds that managers understand the word "talent", recognize the importance of the appreciation of its employees and the development of their innate abilities to better organizational performance, much due to the fact they are acting in a market of fierce competition. His companies - though not submit the formal procedures related to the subject in question - have mechanisms that can be characterized as the attraction and retention of talent. The relationships identified in this study are consistent with the results found in other studies and put the information here can serve as the basis for that other managers, including other areas, to reach excellence in their respective industries

Avalia����o da dolomita funcionalizada para remo����o de H2S em g��s natural

The natural gas is an alternative source of energy which is found underground in porous and permeable rocks and being associated or not to the oil. Its basic composition includes methane, other hydrocarbon and compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulphidric gas, mercaptans, water and solid particles. In this work, the dolomite mineral, a double carbonate of calcium and magnesium whose the chemical formula is CaMg(CO3)2, was evaluated as adsorbent material. The material was characterized by granulometric analysis, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, specific surface area, porosity, scanning electronic microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Then the material was functionalized with diethanolamine (dolomite+diethanolamine) and diisopropylamine (dolomite+diisopropylamine). The results indicated that the adsorbents presented appropriate physiochemical characteristics for H2S adsorption. The adsorption tests were accomplished in a system coupled to a gas chromatograph and the H2S monitoring in the output of the system was accomplished by a pulsed flame photometric detector (PFPD). The adsorbents presented a significant adsorption capacity. Among the analyzed adsorbents, the dolomite+diethanolamine presented the best capacity of adsorption. The breakthrough curves obtained proved the efficiency of this process