Comparação entre planejamento estatístico experimental e análise dimensional em operações de mistura e separação para sistema óleo-água

This work aims to determine a better methodology to help predicting some operational parameters to a new design of mixer-settler on treating wastewater produced by petroleum industry, called MDIF (Misturador-Decantador à Inversão de Fases/ Mixer-Settler based on Phase Inversion MSPI). The data from this research were obtained from the wastewater treatment unit, called MSPI-TU, installed on a wastewater treatment plant (WTP) of PETROBRAS/UO-RNCE. The importance in determining the better methodology to predict the results of separation and extraction efficiency of the equipment, contributes significantly to determine the optimum operating variables for the control of the unit. The study was based on a comparison among the experimental efficiency (E) obtained by operating MSPI-TU, the efficiency obtained by experimental design equation (Eplan) from the software Statistica Experimental Design® (version 7.0), and the other obtained from a modeling equation based on a dimensional analysis (Ecalc). The results shows that the experimental design equation gives a good prediction of the unit efficiencies with better data reliability, regarding to the condition before a run operation. The average deviation between the proposed by statistic planning model equation and experimental data was 0.13%. On the other hand, the efficiency calculated by the equation which represents the dimensional analysis, may result on important relative deviations (up 70%). Thus, the experimental design is confirmed as a reliable tool, with regard the experimental data processing of the MSPI-TU

Synthesis, optical and ferroelectric properties of PZT thin films: experimental and theoretical investigation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Experimental damage detection grammian matrix

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has diverse potential applications, and many groups work in the development of tools and techniques for monitoring structural performance. These systems use arrays of sensors and can be integrated with remote or local computers. There are several different approaches that can be used to obtain information about the existence, location and extension of faults by non destructive tests. In this paper an experimental technique is proposed for damage location based on an observability grammian matrix. The dynamic properties of the structure are identified through experimental data using the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA). Experimental tests were carried out in a structure through varying the mass of some elements. Output signals were obtained using accelerometers.

Modeling and Experimental Aspects of Self-healing Bolted Joint through Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

Bolted joints are a form of mechanical coupling largely used in machinery due to their reliability and low cost. Failure of bolted joints can lead to catastrophic events, such as leaking, train derailments, aircraft crashes, etc. Most of these failures occur due to the reduction of the pre-load, induced by mechanical vibration or human errors in the assembly or maintenance process. This article investigates the application of shape memory alloy (SMA) washers as an actuator to increase the pre-load on loosened bolted joints. The application of SMA washer follows a structural health monitoring procedure to identify a damage (reduction in pre-load) occurrence. In this article, a thermo-mechanical model is presented to predict the final pre-load achieved using this kind of actuator, based on the heat input and SMA washer dimension. This model extends and improves on the previous model of Ghorashi and Inman [2004, "Shape Memory Alloy in Tension and Compression and its Application as Clamping Force Actuator in a Bolted Joint: Part 2 - Modeling," J. Intell. Mater. Syst. Struct., 15:589-600], by eliminating the pre-load term related to nut turning making the system more practical. This complete model is a powerful but complex tool to be used by designers. A novel modeling approach for self-healing bolted joints based on curve fitting of experimental data is presented. The article concludes with an experimental application that leads to a change in joint assembly to increase the system reliability, by removing the ceramic washer component. Further research topics are also suggested.

Experimental Active Vibration Control in Truss Structures Considering Uncertainties in System Parameters

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

Interfacial concentrations of chloride and bromide in zwitterionic micelles with opposite dipoles: Experimental determination by chemical trapping and a theoretical description

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

Global analysis of the post-SNO solar neutrino data for standard and nonstandard oscillation mechanisms

What can we learn from solar neutrino observations? Is there any solution to the solar neutrino anomaly which is favored by the present experimental panorama? After SNO results, is it possible to affirm that neutrinos have mass? In order to answer such questions we analyze the current available data from the solar neutrino experiments, including the recent SNO result, in view of many acceptable solutions to the solar neutrino problem based on different conversion mechanisms, for the first time using the same statistical procedure. This allows us to do a direct comparison of the goodness of the fit among different solutions, from which we can discuss and conclude on the current status of each proposed dynamical mechanism. These solutions are based on different assumptions: (a) neutrino mass and mixing, (b) a nonvanishing neutrino magnetic moment, (c) the existence of nonstandard flavor-changing and nonuniversal neutrino interactions, and (d) a tiny violation of the equivalence principle. We investigate the quality of the fit provided by each one of these solutions not only to the total rate measured by all the solar neutrino experiments but also to the recoil electron energy spectrum measured at different zenith angles by the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration. We conclude that several nonstandard neutrino flavor conversion mechanisms provide a very good fit to the experimental data which is comparable with (or even slightly better than) the most famous solution to the solar neutrino anomaly based on the neutrino oscillation induced by mass.

Intense violet-blue photoluminescence in BaZrO3 powders: A theoretical and experimental investigation of structural order-disorder

Intense violet-blue photoluminescence (PL) emission at room temperature was verified in BaZrO3 (BZO) powders with structural order-disorder. Ab-initio calculations, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and PL were performed. Theoretical results showed that the local disorder in the network-formed Zr clusters present an important role in the formation of hole-electron pair. The experimental data and theoretical results are in agreement, indicating that the PL emission in BZO powders can be related to the structural order-disorder degree in the lattice. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Combined experimental and theoretical investigations of the photoluminescent behavior of Ba(Ti,Zr)O-3 thin films

The correlation between experimental data and theoretical calculations have been investigated to explain the photoluminescence at room temperature of Ba(Ti0.75Zr0.25)O-3 (BTZ) thin films prepared by the polymeric precursor method. The degree of structural order-disorder was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. First-principles quantum mechanical calculations based on density functional theory (B3LYP level) were employed to study the electronic structure of ordered and deformed asymmetric models. The electronic properties are analyzed and the relevance of the present theoretical and experimental results on the PL behavior is discussed. The presence of localized electronic levels and a charge gradient in the band gap due to a break in symmetry, are responsible for the PL in disordered BTZ lattice. (c) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental and theoretical study of the ferroelectric and piezoelectric behavior of strontium-doped PZT

Theoretical data using ab initio perturbed ion calculation were compared with ferroelectric and piezoelectric experimental data of strontium doped PZT. Various concentrations of SrO in PZT at constant temperature and sintering time were carried out. Experimental results, such as the remanent polarization, P-R of 6.9-8.9 muC/Cm-2, the coercive field, E-C of 6.6-7.8 kVcm, and the planar coupling factor, Kp of 0.45-0.53, were compared with the energy of Zr4+ and Ti4+ ion dislocation and the lattice interaction energy which show that strontium increment in PZT alter the energies and increase the values of piezoelectric and ferroelectric variables. Calculations of lattice energy of the rhombohedral phase show that a phase non-stability is coincident with increasing experimental values of the P-R, E-C and Kp. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theoretical and experimental study of the relation between photoluminescence and structural disorder in barium and strontium titanate thin films

Thin films of barium and strontium titanate (BST), synthesized by the polymeric precursor solution and spin coated on [Pt (140nm)/Ti (10 nM)/SiO2(1000 nm)/Si] substrates were found to be photoluminescent at room temperature when heat treated below 973 K, i.e. before their crystallization. First principles quantum mechanical techniques, based on density functional theory (DFT) were employed to study the electronic structure of two periodic models: one is standing for the crystalline BST thin film and the other one for the structurally disordered thin film. The aim is to compare the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the crystalline and disordered thin films with their UV-vis spectra and with their computed electronic structures. The calculations show that new localized states are created inside the band gap of the crystalline model, as predicted by the UV-vis spectra. The study of the charge repartition in the structure before and after deformation of the periodic model shows that a charge gradient appears among the titanate clusters. This charge gradient, together with the new localized levels, gives favorable conditions for the trapping of holes and electrons in the structure, and thus to a radiative recombination process. Our models are not only consistent with the experimental data, they also allow to explain the relations between structural disorder and photoluminescence at room temperature. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the room-temperature photoluminescence of amorphized Pb(ZrTi)O-3

Ultrafine PbZr0.20Ti0.80O3 was omorphized through high-energy mechanical milling. The structural evolution through the omorphization process was accompanied by various characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transformed IR spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. A strong photoluminescence was measured at room temperature for amorphized PbZr0.20Ti0.80O3, and interpreted by means of high-level quantum mechanical calculations in the density functional theory frame-work. Three periodic models were used to represent the crystalline and amorphized PbZr0.20Ti0.80O3, and they allowed the calculation of electronic properties that are consistent with the experimental data and that explain the appearance of photoluminescence.

Photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue via Fenton mechanisms by silicon wafer doped with Au and Cu: a theoretical and experimental study

In this work, we studied the photocatalytic and the structural aspects of silicon wafers doped with Au and Cu submitted to thermal treatment. The materials were obtained by deposition of metals on Si using the sputtering method followed by fast heating method. The photocatalyst materials were characterized by synchrotron-grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and assays of H(2)O(2) degradation. The doping process decreases the optical band gap of materials and the doping with Au causes structural changes. The best photocatalytic activity was found for thermally treated material doped with Au. Theoretical calculations at density functional theory level are in agreement with the experimental data.

Structural conditions that leads to photoluminescence emission in SrTiO3: An experimental and theoretical approach

Complex cluster [TiO5 center dot V-O(z)] and [SrO11 center dot V-O(z)] (where V-O(z)=V-O(X), V-O(center dot), V-O(center dot center dot)) vacancies were identified in disordered SrTiO3 powders prepared by the polymeric precursor method, based on experimental measurements by x-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy. The paramagnetic complex states of [TiO5 center dot V-O(center dot)] and [SrO11 center dot V-O(center dot)] with unpaired electrons were confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The disordered powders showed strong photoluminescence at room temperature. Structural defects of disordered powders, in terms of band diagram, density of states, and electronic charges, were interpreted using high-level quantum mechanical calculations in the density functional framework. The four periodic models used here were consistent with the experimental data and explained the presence of photoluminescence. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

Experimental damage detection using system norms

Nowadays there is great interest in structural damage detection in systems using nondestructive tests. Once the failure is detected, as for instance a crack, it is possible to take providences. There are several different approaches that can be used to obtain information about the existence, location and extension of the fault in the system by non-destructive tests. Among these methodologies, one can mention different optimization techniques, as for instance classical methods, genetic algorithms, neural networks, etc. Most of these techniques, which are based on element-byelement adjustments of a finite element (FE) model, take advantage of the dynamic behavior of the model. However, in practical situations, usually, is almost impossible to obtain an accuracy model. In this paper, it is proposed an experimental technique for damage location. This technique is based on H: norm to obtain the damage location. The dynamic properties of the structure were identified using experimental data by eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA). The experimental test was carried out in a beam structure through varying the mass of an element. For the output signal was used a piezoelectric sensor. The signal of input of sine form was generated through SignalCalc® software.