Sorption characteristics of a nonionic surfactant during remediation of contaminated soil with different organic content

Surfactant enhanced subsurface remediation has gained importance in soil remediation. Since surfactants can be sorbed on soils, the concentration of free surfactant could drop below the critical micelle concentration, CMC, which may reduce the ability of the surfactant to solubilize the contaminants in soils. ^ The main goal of this research was to study the factors affecting the surfactant sorption on soil such as surfactant concentration, soil organic content, and organic contaminants in soil and to determine the organic contaminants removed from soils by surfactant. The results would be served as the basis for the implementation of a future study in the pilot scale and field scale for surfactant enhanced subsurface remediation. ^ This research study investigated the relationship between the organic content of soils and the sorption characteristics of a nonionic surfactant, Triton X-100. The experiments were performed using uncontaminated soils and soil contaminated with naphthalene and decane. The first part of the experiments were conducted in batch mode utilizing surface tension technique to determine the CMC of surfactant Triton X-100 and the effective CMC in the soil/aqueous system. The sorption of Triton X-100 was calculated from the surface tension measurements. The second part of the experiments utilized the SPME/GC/FID technique to determine the concentration of the contaminants solubilized from the soils by the surfactant Triton X-100 at different concentrations. ^ The results indicated that when the concentration of surfactant was lower than the CMC, the amount of surfactant sorbed on soil increased with the increasing surfactant concentration and the surfactant sorption characteristics of the uncontaminated soils could be modeled by the Freundlich isotherm. For the contaminated soils, the amount of surfactant sorbed was higher than those for the uncontaminated soils. The amount of surfactant sorbed on soils also depends on the organic content in the soils. The higher the organic content in the soil, higher is the amount of surfactant sorbed onto the soil. When the concentration of surfactant was higher than the CMC, the amount of surfactant added into the soil/aqueous system will increase the number of micelle and it increase the solubilization of organic contaminant from the soils. The ratio of the moles of organic contaminant solubilized to the moles of surfactant present as micelles is called the molar solubilization ratio (MSR). MSR value for naphthalene was about 0.16 for the soil-water systems. The organic content of soil did not appear to affect MSR for naphthalene. On the other hand, the MSR values for decane were 0.52, 0.39 and 0.38 for soils with 25%, 50% and 75% organic content, respectively. ^

Trichloroethylene fate and transport studies and biodegradation kinetics in the saturated zone

Permeable reactive barriers (PRB) are constructed from soil solid amendments to support the growth of bacteria that are capable of degrading organic contaminants. The objective of this study was to identify low-cost soil solid amendments that could retard the movement of trichloroethylene (TCE) while serving as long-lived carbon sources to foster its biodegradation in shallow groundwater through the use of a PRB. The natural amendments high in organic carbon content such as eucalyptus mulch, compost, wetland peat, organic humus were compared based on their geophysical characteristics, such as pHw, porosity and total organic carbon (TOC), and as well as TCE sorption potentials. The pHw values were within neutral range except for pine bark mulch and wetland peat. All other geophysical characteristics of the amendments showed suitability for use in a PRB. While the Freundlich model showed better fit for compost and pine bark mulch, the linear sorption model was adequate for eucalyptus mulch, wetland peat and Everglades muck within the concentration range studied (0.2-0.8 mg/L TCE). According to these results, two composts and eucalyptus mulch were selected for laboratory column experiments to evaluate their effectiveness at creating and maintaining conditions suitable for TCE anaerobic dechlorination. The columns were monitored for pH, ORP, TCE degradation, longevity of nutrients and soluble TOC to support TCE dechlorination. Native bacteria in the columns had the ability to convert TCE to DCEs; however, the inoculation with the TCE-degrading culture greatly increased the rate of biodegradation. This caused a significant increase in by-product concentration, mostly in the form of DCEs and VC followed by a slow degradation to ethylene. Of the tested amendments eucalyptus mulch was the most effective at supporting the TCE dechlorination. The experimental results of TCE sequential dechlorination took place in eucalyptus mulch and commercial compost from Savannah River Site columns were then simulated using the Hydrus-1D model. The simulations showed good fit with the experimental data. The results suggested that sorption and degradation were the dominant fate and transport mechanisms for TCE and DCEs in the column, supporting the use of these amendments in a permeable reactive barrier to remediate the TCE.

Data compilation on the biological response to ocean acidification: environmental and experimental context of data sets and related literature

The exponential growth of studies on the biological response to ocean acidification over the last few decades has generated a large amount of data. To facilitate data comparison, a data compilation hosted at the data publisher PANGAEA was initiated in 2008 and is updated on a regular basis (doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.149999). By January 2015, a total of 581 data sets (over 4 000 000 data points) from 539 papers had been archived. Here we present the developments of this data compilation five years since its first description by Nisumaa et al. (2010). Most of study sites from which data archived are still in the Northern Hemisphere and the number of archived data from studies from the Southern Hemisphere and polar oceans are still relatively low. Data from 60 studies that investigated the response of a mix of organisms or natural communities were all added after 2010, indicating a welcomed shift from the study of individual organisms to communities and ecosystems. The initial imbalance of considerably more data archived on calcification and primary production than on other processes has improved. There is also a clear tendency towards more data archived from multifactorial studies after 2010. For easier and more effective access to ocean acidification data, the ocean acidification community is strongly encouraged to contribute to the data archiving effort, and help develop standard vocabularies describing the variables and define best practices for archiving ocean acidification data.

Síntese e caracterização de materiais mesoporosos para a captura de CO2: influência do óxido de níquel

Several materials are currently under study for the CO2 capture process, like the metal oxides and mixed metal oxides, zeolites, carbonaceous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOF's) organosilica and modified silica surfaces. In this work, evaluated the adsorption capacity of CO2 in mesoporous materials of different structures, such as MCM-48 and SBA- 15 without impregnating and impregnated with nickel in the proportions 5 %, 10 % and 20 % (m/m), known as 5Ni-MCM-48, 10Ni-MCM-48, 20Ni-MCM-48 and 5Ni-SBA-15, 10NiSBA-15, 20Ni-SBA-15. The materials were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG and DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N2 adsorption and desorption (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS. The adsorption process was performed varying the pressure of 100 - 4000 kPa and keeping the temperature constant and equal to 298 K. At a pressure of 100 kPa, higher concentrations of adsorption occurred for the materials 5Ni-MCM-48 (0.795 mmol g-1 ) and SBA-15 (0.914 mmol g-1 ) is not impregnated, and at a pressure of 4000 kPa for MCM-48 materials (14.89 mmol g-1) and SBA-15 (9.97 mmol g-1) not impregnated. The results showed that the adsorption capacity varies positively with the specific area, however, has a direct dependency on the type and geometry of the porous structure of channels. The data were fitted using the Langmuir and Freundlich models and were evaluated thermodynamic parameters Gibbs free energy and entropy of the adsorption system

Remoção de corantes têxteis em solução aquosa utilizando bentonita natural e organofílica

Searches using organoclays have been the subject of great interest due to its wide application in industry and removal of environmental pollutants. The organoclays were obtained using bentonite (BEN) and cationic surfactants: hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) and trimethyloctadecyl ammonium bromide (TMOA-Br) in ratios of 50 and 100 % of its ion exchange capacity. The materials were characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (DRX), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray fluorescence (FRX), thermal analysis (TA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bentonite and organobentonite were used on the adsorption of dyes, Remazol Blue RR (AZ) and Remazol Red RR (VM) in aqueous solution. The adsorption models of Langmuir and Freundlich were used for mathematical description of sorption equilibrium data and obtain the constants of the isotherms. The Freundlich model fit to the data for adsorption equilibrium of bentonite, on the other hand both the model fit to the Langmuir adsorption test of organoclays. The adsorption processes using adsorbents with both dyes interspersed with HDTMA-Br show endothermic and exothermic nature, respectively.

Usos de membranas de quitosana na remoção de cobre em águas residuais

In this work a chitosan (CS) ionically crosslinked were manufactured by treatment with sulfuric acid solution for application in the treatment of wastewater from oil industry. Two crosslinking process were developed: homogeneous and heterogeneous. In the homogeneous process the ratio molar of SO42-/ NH3+ (1:6 and 1:4) were the variable analyzed, denominated CS16 and CS14 respectively. In the heterogeneous process the soaking time of the membranes in sulfuric acid solution were the variable studied, being used times of 5 (CS5) and 30 (CS30) minutes. FTIR-ATR results indicated no changes in the characteristics of chitosan after homogeneous crosslinking process, while heterogeneous crosslinking showed formation of ionic bonds between protonated groups from chitosan and the crosslinking agent sulfate ions. TG/DTG and XRD analysis confirmed the formation of these interactions, as also shown the new structure on the surface region of CS5 and CS30 membranes compared to CS, CS16 e CS14. Swelling test in aqueous medium have shown that crosslinking process reduced the membrane sorption capacity. Swelling test in acid medium demonstrated that CS16 and CS14 membranes increasing the adsorption capacity up to a maximum percentage of 140% approximately, whereas the CS5 e CS30 reached a maximum of 60%. The mechanical properties indicated the stiff and ductile behavior of crosslinked membrane. Adsorption experiments of CuCl2 results that CS16 membranes reached the efficiency maximum with 73% of copper removal at pH 5.0 and 87% at pH 4.0. The experiments with CuSO4 also obtained efficiency maximum to the CS16 membrane and 80% to the removal of Cu2+ ions. Also was verified that the increase of concentration and temperature cause a decrease in the adsorption capacity for all membranes. Kinetics study indicated that pseudo-second-order obtained characterized better the membranes. Equilibrium studies demonstrated that the CS, CS16 and CS14 follow the Langmuir model, whereas CS5 and CS30 follows Freundlich model. Filtration experiments results with rejection maximum to the CS16 and CS5 membranes, reaching 92 and 98% respectively.

Usos de membranas de quitosana na remoção de cobre em águas residuais

In this work a chitosan (CS) ionically crosslinked were manufactured by treatment with sulfuric acid solution for application in the treatment of wastewater from oil industry. Two crosslinking process were developed: homogeneous and heterogeneous. In the homogeneous process the ratio molar of SO42-/ NH3+ (1:6 and 1:4) were the variable analyzed, denominated CS16 and CS14 respectively. In the heterogeneous process the soaking time of the membranes in sulfuric acid solution were the variable studied, being used times of 5 (CS5) and 30 (CS30) minutes. FTIR-ATR results indicated no changes in the characteristics of chitosan after homogeneous crosslinking process, while heterogeneous crosslinking showed formation of ionic bonds between protonated groups from chitosan and the crosslinking agent sulfate ions. TG/DTG and XRD analysis confirmed the formation of these interactions, as also shown the new structure on the surface region of CS5 and CS30 membranes compared to CS, CS16 e CS14. Swelling test in aqueous medium have shown that crosslinking process reduced the membrane sorption capacity. Swelling test in acid medium demonstrated that CS16 and CS14 membranes increasing the adsorption capacity up to a maximum percentage of 140% approximately, whereas the CS5 e CS30 reached a maximum of 60%. The mechanical properties indicated the stiff and ductile behavior of crosslinked membrane. Adsorption experiments of CuCl2 results that CS16 membranes reached the efficiency maximum with 73% of copper removal at pH 5.0 and 87% at pH 4.0. The experiments with CuSO4 also obtained efficiency maximum to the CS16 membrane and 80% to the removal of Cu2+ ions. Also was verified that the increase of concentration and temperature cause a decrease in the adsorption capacity for all membranes. Kinetics study indicated that pseudo-second-order obtained characterized better the membranes. Equilibrium studies demonstrated that the CS, CS16 and CS14 follow the Langmuir model, whereas CS5 and CS30 follows Freundlich model. Filtration experiments results with rejection maximum to the CS16 and CS5 membranes, reaching 92 and 98% respectively.

Characterization of wood biochar and evaluation of its adsorption potential for removal of sulphate from produced water in offshore oil and gas industry

This thesis analyses the potential of wood biochar as an adsorbent in removal of sulphate from produced water. In worldwide offshore oil and gas industry, a large volume of waste water is generated as produced water. Sulphur compounds present in these produced water streams can cause environmental problems, regulatory problems and operational issues. Among the various sulphur removal technologies, the adsorption technique is considered as a suitable method since the design is simple, compact, economical and robust. Biochar has been studied as an adsorbent for removal of contaminants from water in a number of studies due to its low cost, potential availability, and adsorptive characteristics. In this study, biochar produced through fast pyrolysis of bark, hardwood sawdust, and softwood sawdust were characterized through a series of tests and were analysed for adsorbent properties. Treating produced water using biochar sourced from wood waste is a two-fold solution to environmental problems as it reduces the volume of these wastes. Batch adsorption tests were carried out to obtain adsorption capacities of each biochar sample using sodium sulphate solutions. The highest sulphur adsorption capacities obtained for hardwood char, softwood char and bark char were 11.81 mg/g, 9.44 mg/g, and 7.94 mg/g respectively at 10 °C and pH=4. The adsorption process followed the second order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm model. Adsorption reaction was thermodynamically favourable and exothermic. The overall analysis concludes that the wood biochar is a feasible, economical, and environmental adsorbent for removal of sulphate from produced water.

Avoiding Overfitting in Inverse Modeling of Chloride Migration in Concrete

Inverse analysis for reactive transport of chlorides through concrete in the presence of electric field is presented. The model is solved using MATLAB’s built-in solvers “pdepe.m” and “ode15s.m”. The results from the model are compared with experimental measurements from accelerated migration test and a function representing the lack of fit is formed. This function is optimised with respect to varying amount of key parameters defining the model. Levenberg-Marquardt trust-region optimisation approach is employed. The paper presents a method by which the degree of inter-dependency between parameters and sensitivity (significance) of each parameter towards model predictions can be studied on models with or without clearly defined governing equations. Eigen value analysis of the Hessian matrix was employed to investigate and avoid over-parametrisation in inverse analysis. We investigated simultaneous fitting of parameters for diffusivity, chloride binding as defined by Freundlich isotherm (thermodynamic) and binding rate (kinetic parameter). Fitting of more than 2 parameters, simultaneously, demonstrates a high degree of parameter inter-dependency. This finding is significant as mathematical models for representing chloride transport rely on several parameters for each mode of transport (i.e., diffusivity, binding, etc.), which combined may lead to unreliable simultaneous estimation of parameters.

Investigation of adsorption of dyes onto modified titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with different sizes and crystalloid structures produced by the thermal method and doped with silver iodide (AgI), nitrogen (N), sulphur (S) and carbon (C) were applied as adsorbents. The adsorption of Methyl Violet (MV), Methylene Blue (MB), Methyl Orange (MO) and Orange II on the surface of these particles was studied. The photocatalytic activity of some particles for the destruction of MV and Orange II was evaluated under sunlight and visible light. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir-Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The equilibrium data show that TiO2 particles with larger sizes and doped with AgI, N, S and C have the highest adsorption capacity for the dyes. The kinetic data followed the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models, while desorption data fitted the zero order, first order and second order models. The highest adsorption rate constant was observed for the TiO2 with the highest anatase phase percentage. Factors such as anatase crystalloid structure, particle size and doping with AgI affect the photocatalytic activity significantly. Increasing the rutile phase percentage also decreases the tendency to desorption for N-TiO2 and S-TiO2. Adsorption was not found to be important in the photocatalytic decomposition of MV in an investigation with differently sized AgI-TiO2 nanoparticles. Nevertheless C-TiO2 was found to have higher adsorption activity onto Orange II, as the adsorption role of carbon approached synchronicity with the oxidation role.

Banana peel: an effective biosorbent for aflatoxins

This work reports the application of banana peel as a novel bioadsorbent for in vitro removal of five mycotoxins (aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) and ochratoxin A). The effect of operational parameters including initial pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and temperature were studied in batch adsorption experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and point of zero charge (pHpzc) analysis were used to characterise the adsorbent material. Aflatoxins’ adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 15 min, with highest adsorption at alkaline pH (6–8), while ochratoxin has not shown any significant adsorption due to surface charge repulsion. The experimental equilibrium data were tested by Langmuir, Freundlich and Hill isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm was found to be the best fitted model for aflatoxins, and the maximum monolayer coverage (Q0) was determined to be 8.4, 9.5, 0.4 and 1.1 ng mg−1 for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 respectively. Thermodynamic parameters including changes in free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) were determined for the four aflatoxins. Free energy change and enthalpy change demonstrated that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Adsorption and desorption study at different pH further demonstrated that the sorption of toxins was strong enough to sustain pH changes that would be experienced in the gastrointestinal tract. This study suggests that biosorption of aflatoxins by dried banana peel may be an effective low-cost decontamination method for incorporation in animal feed diets. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Purificação de C-ficocianina e sua incorporação em nanofibras

C-ficocianina (C-FC) é uma ficobiliproteína, de cor natural azul, com diversas aplicações na indústria alimentícia, farmacêutica e biomédica, dependendo do seu grau específico de pureza, que pode variar de 0,7 a 4,0, com respectivo aumento de seu valor comercial. Essa pureza é alcançada através de diversas técnicas de purificação, que podem ser aplicadas em diferentes sequências. Um destes processos de purificação de proteínas baseia-se na cromatografia de troca iônica, que utiliza trocadores que adsorvem as proteínas como resultado de interações iônicas entre a superfície da proteína e o trocador. Resinas e colunas de leito expandido podem ser utilizadas para aumentar a produtividade dessa técnica. É fundamental conhecer o perfil do processo de adsorção, para melhor aplicá-lo como ferramenta para o design e otimização de parâmetros operacionais. Outra tecnologia para o tratamento de biomoléculas é a ultrafiltração. Esta técnica é aplicável em larga escala, apresenta baixa complexidade de aplicação e pode ser realizada em condições brandas, minimizando o dano para o produto. Para aumentar a estabilidade da C-FC, e facilitar a sua aplicação, podem ser avaliadas técnicas recentes, não exploradas para este fim, como as nanofibras obtidas através do processo de electrospinning. Estas fibras possuem uma área superficial específica extremamente elevada devido a seu pequeno diâmetro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar parâmetros de adsorção e diferentes técnicas para purificação de C-ficocianina de Spirulina platensis e obter nanofibras poliméricas incorporadas de C-ficocianina. O trabalho foi dividido em quatro artigos. No primeiro artigo, foram avaliados os parâmetros e as isotermas de adsorção de C-ficocianina em resina de troca iônica para leito expandido Streamline® DEAE. Verificou-se que o maior coeficiente de partição foi obtido em pH 7,5, nas temperaturas de 15 e 25 °C. As isotermas de adsorção da Cficocianina foram bem representadas pelos modelos de Langmuir, de Freundlich e de Langmuir-Freundlich, sendo os valores estimados para Qm e Kd obtidos pela isoterma de Langmuir foram, respectivamente, 33,92 mg.mL-1 e 0,123 mg.mL-1, respectivamente. No segundo artigo foi avaliada a purificação de C-FC até grau alimentar, utilizando ultrafiltração (UF). Com a membrana de 50 kDa, identificou-se que somente a temperatura e a aplicação de diferentes ciclos de diafiltração (DF) causaram influência significativa sobre a purificação e recuperação da C-ficocianina. Foram então aplicados o aumento gradativo da quantidade de ciclos, e a diafiltração previamente à ultrafiltração (DF/UF), onde obteve-se um extrato de Cficocianina com pureza de 0,95. No terceiro artigo foram propostos processos de purificação, envolvendo a utilização das diferentes técnicas para obtenção de C-FC com diferentes purezas. Determinou-se que a partir de cromatografia de troca iônica em leito fixo seguido de DF/UF, obtém-se C-FC para uso em cosméticos e a partir de precipitação com sulfato de amônio, e DF/UF obtém-se C-FC para uso em biomarcadores. Com uma sequência de precipitação com sulfato de amônio, DF/UF e cromatografia de troca iônica em leito fixo chega-se a C-FC de grau analítico. No último artigo, C-FC foi incorporada a nanofibras de óxido de polietileno (PEO) através de processo de electrospinning. Foram determinadas a condutividade da solução de C-FC/PEO, a estrutura e comportamento termogravimétrico das nanofibras formadas. Soluções de polímeros com concentração de 6 e 8% proporcionaram a formação de nanofibras com diâmetro médio inferior a 800 nm, homogêneas, sem a presença de gotas. A análise termogravimétrica identificou aumento na resistência térmica da C-FC incorporada nas fibras.

Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental, Valorização do Efluente e dos Resíduos Sólidos da Indústria Corticeira

A preocupação com o meio ambiente, nomeadamente na descarga de águas residuais, consumo de água excessivo e produção de resíduos industriais, está cada vez mais presente no quotidiano. Devido a estas problemáticas, efetuou-se a avaliação de impacte ambiental (AIA) do processo produtivo das rolhas de cortiça naturais, tratamento das águas de cozedura da cortiça (estudo da possível reutilização do efluente tratado) e valorização de subprodutos – resíduo sólido (raspa de cortiça), sendo estes os objetivos propostos para a realização da presente dissertação. Na AIA, efetuada no decorrer das fases da Análise do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), foram selecionadas 8 categorias de impacte – aquecimento global, acidificação, dessecação, toxicidade e ecotoxicidade, eutrofização, consumo de recursos não renováveis e oxidação foto-química. A água de cozedura caracterizou-se por uma elevada carga poluente, apresentando elevada concentração de cor, Carência Química de Oxigénio (CQO), taninos e lenhina e Sólidos Suspensos Totais (SST). O processo de tratamento proposto consistiu num pré-tratamento por ultrafiltração (UF), com membranas de 30.000 e 20.000 MWCO, seguido de adsorção por carvão ativado (comercial e produzido a partir de raspa de cortiça). No tratamento por UF, utilizando uma membrana de 30.000 MWCO, foram obtidas percentagens de remoção para a primeira amostra de água de cozedura de 74,8 % para a cor, 33,1 % para a CQO e para a segunda amostra de 85,2 % para a cor e 41,8 % para a CQO. Posteriormente, apenas para a segunda amostra de água de cozedura e com uma membrana de 20.000 MWCO, as percentagens de remoção obtidas foram superiores, de 93% para a cor, 68,9 % para a CQO, 88,4 % para taninos e lenhina e 43,0 % para azoto total. No tratamento por adsorção com carvão ativado estudou-se o tempo de equilíbrio do carvão ativado comercial e do carvão ativado produzido a partir de aparas de cortiça, seguindo-se o estudo das isotérmicas de adsorção, no qual foram analisados os parâmetros da cor e CQO para cada solução. Os ajustes dos modelos teóricos aos pontos experimentais demonstraram que ambos os modelos (Langmuir e Freundlich) poderiam ser considerados, uma vez que apresentaram ajustes idênticos. Relativamente ao tratamento de adsorção em contínuo do permeado, obtido por UF com membrana de 20.000 MWCO, constatou-se que ambos os carvões ativados (comercial e produzido) não ficaram saturados, tendo em consideração os tempos de saturação estimados pela capacidade máxima de adsorção (determinada para a isotérmica de Langmuir) e as representações gráficas dos valores experimentais obtidos para cada ensaio. No ensaio de adsorção com carvão ativado comercial verificou-se que o efluente tratado poderia ser descarregado no meio hídrico ou reutilizado no processo industrial (considerando os parâmetros analisados), uma vez que até aos 11 minutos de ensaio a concentração da solução à saída foi de 111,50 mg/L O2, para a CQO, e incolor, numa diluição de 1:20. Em relação à adsorção em contínuo com carvão ativado produzido verificou-se no ensaio 4 que o efluente resultante apresentou uma concentração de CQO de 134,5 mg/L O2 e cor não visível, numa diluição de 1:20, ao fim de 1h22 min de ensaio. Assim, concluiu-se que os valores obtidos são inferiores aos valores limite de emissão (VLE) presentes no Decreto-Lei n.º 236/98 de 1 de Agosto. O carvão ativado produzido apresentou elevada área superficial específica, com 870 m2/g, comparativamente ao carvão comercial que foi de 661 m2/g. O processo de extração da suberina a partir de raspa de cortiça isenta de extraíveis, efetuado através da metanólise alcalina, apresentou percentagens de extração superiores aos restantes métodos. No processo efetuado em scale-up, por hidrólise alcalina, obteve-se uma extração de 3,76 % de suberina. A aplicação da suberina no couro demonstrou que esta cera apresenta enormes potencialidades, uma vez que a sua aplicação confere ao couro um aspeto sedoso, com mais brilho e um efeito de “pull-up”.

Biossorção do corante têxtil preto reafix super 2R com bagaço de malte

Na indústria têxtil grandes volumes de efluentes são gerados, os quais são caracterizados por serem coloridos e poluentes , devido à presença de corantes em sua composição. Com a necessidade de descontaminação, diferentes métodos são utilizados no tratamento, sendo um deles, a biossorção. Este consiste na remoção das substâncias tóxicas recorrendo a biossorventes obtidos a partir de resíduos agrícolas e sub-produtos de processos industriais. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi estudar a remoção do corante Preto Reafix Super 2R em soluções aquosas por meio de biossorção com bagaço de malte. Baseando-se sobretudo no estudo da cinética e equilíbrio entre o biossorvente e o corante. Numa primeira fase foi estudada a influência dos parâmetros operacionais, como a influência do diâmetro médio das partículas do biossorvente, o pH da solução e a velocidade de agitação da solução. Sendo as condições ótimas de biossorção definidas a pH 2, velocidade de agitação de 150 rpm e biomassa sem peneiramento. Posteriormente, ajustaram-se os modelos cinéticos de Pseudo-primeira ordem, Pseudo-segunda ordem e de Difusão intrapartícula aos resultados experimentais obtidos pela cinética de adsorção avaliando também a influência da temperatura no tempo de contato para se alcançar o equilibrio. O modelo de Pseudo-segunda ordem conduziu ao melhor ajuste, com um coeficiente de correlação (R2) de apróximadamente 1. A partir dos testes de equilíbrio realizados com diferentes concentrações de corante, foram ajustadas as isotermas de Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin aos resultados experimentais tendo-se obtido parâmetros bastante significativos para o modelo Langmuir, cuja capacidade máxima de remoção (qmax) obtida foi de 40,16 mg.g-1. A análise dos parâmetros termodinâmicos permitiram avaliar que o processo de adsorção ocorre espontaneamente, sendo endotérmico e que ao longo do processo aumenta a aleatoriedade na interface sólido/solução, devido à desorganização do processo em virtude das interações que ocorrem.

Sequestering of Fe and Pb ions from Wastewater by Canarium schweinfurthii after carbonization and chemical treatment: Isothermal and Kinetic Modeling

In this paper agricultural waste; Canarium schweinfurthii was explored for the sequestering of Fe and Pb ions from wastewater solution after carbonization and chemical treatment at 400oC. Optimum time of 30 and 150 min with percentage removal of 95 and 98% at optimum pH of 2 and 6 was obtained for Fe and Pb ions. Kinetics model followed pseudofirst order as sum of absolute error (EABS) between Qe and Qc greater than that of pseudo second order. Parameters evaluated from isothermal equation (Freundlich and Langmuir) showed that KL and QO for Fe > Pb and R2 for Langmuir> Freundlich. The study reveals the suitability of the adsorbent for sequestering of Fe and Pb ions from industrial wastewater.