Recuperação de enxofre elementar a partir de águas residuárias em reatores anaeróbio/microaerado

O objetivo desse projeto de pesquisa foi avaliar a redução do sulfato e promover a remoção do sulfeto, por via de conversão a enxofre elementar, em reatores combinados anaeróbio/microaerado. Para tanto foram utilizados três sistemas com objetivos específicos. A primeira configuração foi um reator anaeróbio de leito fixo e ordenado integrado a um reator microaerado com membrana externa (ABFSB-RME) com o qual se avaliou a influência do tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) e da presença de biomassa aderida na remoção do sulfeto. A segunda configuração avaliada foi um reator UASB com um reator microaerado de membrana helicoidal externa (UASB-RMHE), com o qual se avaliou a formação de biofilme no interior da membrana e a alteração do pH para a remoção do sulfeto em sua fase gasosa. A terceira configuração foi um reator anaeróbio de leito fixo e ordenado combinado a um reator microaerado com membrana helicoidal e submersa ao meio liquido (ABFSB-RMHS) com a finalidade de avaliar a remoção do sulfeto com aplicação de fluxo de ar no interior da membrana e avaliar a influência do TDH na eficiência de conversão do sulfeto. Os resultados indicam que a troca periódica das membranas tem influência na eficiência da conversão do sulfeto para o sistema ABFSB-RME. O sistema UASB-RMHE apresentou dados de remoção de sulfeto estáveis durante 35 dias, com remoção de até 90%, porém a retro lavagem da membrana é essencial para o aumento da vida útil do sistema A alteração do pH provocou a deslocamento de equilíbrio do sulfeto, e apresentou remoção do sulfeto no biogás de 98% para pH 7,5 e 50% para pH 7,0. O sistema ABFSB-RMHS propiciou remoção estável de sulfeto e a formação em camadas de enxofre elementar ao redor da membrana que se rompiam permitindo, assim, a sedimentação e recuperação do material sólido. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa mostraram que os sistemas apresentam viabilidade e potencial no tratamento de águas ricas em compostos de enxofre e para a recuperação de enxofre elementar, além de apresentar versatilidade por meio de variáveis operacionais, com as quais se podem obter o controle e aperfeiçoamento do sistema.

Estudo do processo de absorção e dessorção de CO2 na solução aquosa de metildietanolamina e piperazina.

Estudou-se o processo de absorção e dessorção de CO2 em solução aquosa da mistura de metildietanolamina (MDEA) e piperazina (PZ). Os ensaios de absorção foram realizados numa coluna de parede molhada com promotor de película, e, os ensaios de dessorção num sistema de semibatelada, ambos em escala de laboratório. Os testes experimentais de absorção foram realizados a 298 K e pressão atmosférica, com vazão de gás (CO2 e ar atmosférico) de 2,2.10-4 m3 s-1 e as seguintes vazões de líquido: 1,0.10-6; 1,3.10-6 e 1,7.10-6 m3 s-1. O sistema de absorção foi caracterizado através da determinação da área interfacial, a, o coeficiente volumétrico de transferência de massa, kGa, e o coeficiente volumétrico global médio de transferência de massa, KGa. No caso dos ensaios de dessorção, estes foram realizados nas temperaturas de 353, 363 e 368 K, onde empregou-se uma solução carbonatada de 10% PZ-20% MDEA e uma corrente de ar atmosférico nas vazões de 1,1.10-5 m3 s-1 e 2,7.10-5 m3 s-1. Este sistema foi caracterizado através da determinação do coeficiente volumétrico global de transferência de massa, KLa. Os resultados experimentais da área interfacial mostram que este é função da vazão do líquido, sugerindo uma maior área de irrigação como o aumento desta, onde teve-se uma maior área de transferência de massa. O resultado do parâmetro, KGa, indica uma dependência da vazão de líquido, a qual está associada à variação da área interfacial e à dependência do parâmetro KG com o perfil das concentrações da MDEA e PZ ao longo da coluna. A partir da teoria do duplo filme e pelo conhecimento dos parâmetros KGa, a e kGa, estimou-se um parâmetro cinético-difusivo associado à fase líquida, (( ) ) . Os resultados experimentais mostram que esse parâmetro varia pouco com a vazão de líquido, indicando tratar-se de um processo independente da hidrodinâmica do líquido, característico de sistemas com reação rápida. A concentração das aminas e carbamatos, nos ensaios de absorção e dessorção, foi determinada através dos modelos de calibração obtidas pela técnica de espectroscopia no infravermelho. Nos ensaios de absorção, foram observados que a concentração de PZ teve uma variação considerável (4 a 5% massa massa-1), entanto que a de MDEA variou pouco (0,3 a 0,5% massa massa-1), sugerindo que o processo de absorção de CO2 na mistura MDEA-PZ é controlado principalmente pela PZ, e supõe-se que a MDEA tem um papel de receptor de prótons procedentes da reação entre a PZ e o CO2. Nos ensaios de dessorção, observou-se que esse processo é afetado pela temperatura, sendo que, em temperaturas perto da ebulição (372 K), a taxa de dessorção de CO2 é maior do que em temperaturas menores, em certa forma é devido à dependência da velocidade de reação química com a temperatura. Os resultados do parâmetro KLa indicam que este diminui em função da concentração de carbamato de PZ (por exemplo, na temperatura de 368 K, de 7,5.10-4 a 1,0.10-4 s-1), devido a que este componente é decomposto em altas temperaturas gerando o CO2 e as aminas, sugerindo uma diminuição na velocidade de dessorção de CO2. Assim também, os resultados experimentais do parâmetro KLa indicam que este aumenta ligeiramente com a vazão do gás.

Modelagem e análise de desempenho de sistema para geração de energia elétrica através de ondas marítimas.

Mediante a crescente necessidade de aumento na oferta de energia elétrica devido à constante elevação na demanda mundial, esta dissertação avalia o desempenho de um sistema conversor de energia de ondas marítimas em energia elétrica. O sistema em análise é o de coluna de água oscilante com turbina de dupla ação instalado na costa. Utiliza-se um modelo regular de ondas como perturbação à dinâmica de uma câmara semi-submersa gerando fluxo de ar através de uma turbina à ar de dupla ação. O sistema final é não linear e com parâmetros variantes no tempo. A dissertação investiga possibilidades para o aumento do rendimento da turbina em diferentes condições de mar através do método de simulação numérica. Após a modelagem física e matemática do sistema escolhido, inicia-se a síntese de um controlador proporcional derivativo para controle da pressão de ar na turbina em torno da pressão ideal de trabalho da mesma. A análise inclui o comparativo entre os resultados do sistema com e sem controlador e a avaliação de robustez utilizando ondas com amplitude variável. O trabalho apresenta ainda propostas de otimização do sistema para trabalhar em condições similares a região de Pecém no Brasil. Pelos resultados obtidos nas simulações, conclui-se que o rendimento e a robustez do sistema podem melhorar utilizando um sistema controlado. O rendimento do sistema poderá ainda ser otimizado para a região de instalação.

A model for acoustic absorbent materials derived from coconut fiber

In the present paper, a methodology is proposed for obtaining empirical equations describing the sound absorption characteristics of an absorbing material obtained from natural fibers, specifically from coconut. The method, which was previously applied to other materials, requires performing measurements of air-flow resistivity and of acoustic impedance for samples of the material under study. The equations that govern the acoustic behavior of the material are then derived by means of a least-squares fit of the acoustic impedance and of the propagation constant. These results can be useful since they allow the empirically obtained analytical equations to be easily incorporated in prediction and simulation models of acoustic systems for noise control that incorporate the studied materials.

Caracterização experimental de uma bomba ejetora

A opção de futuro incide sobre os processos de combustão em regime pobre e com baixos índices de formação de poluentes. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho estuda um ejetor de um queimador de gás propano, que equipa uma marmita utilizada para confeção de alimentos no Exército Português, para compreender o mecanismo de arrastamento de ar, com vista a identificar as causas que possam contribuir para uma diminuição da razão de equivalência da mistura ar/combustível. Estes queimadores são dispositivos de funcionamento estritamente mecânico e de conceção simples que permitem uma gama de potências caloríficas compreendidas entre 8 e 22 kW. Permitem uma boa estabilidade de chama que é um requisito fundamental de segurança. A regulação de potência é executada através de uma válvula de ajuste, contendo três posições, uma em que a alimentação se encontra cortada e as outras duas permitindo funcionar na potência mínima e máxima. De modo a efetuar o estudo do ejetor, numa primeira fase, submeteu-se o sistema a uma caracterização experimental do campo de escoamentos à entrada de ar do ejetor, a partir da técnica de diagnóstico Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Assim avalia-se de que forma o escoamento de ar exterior influencia o comportamento do escoamento da mistura de ar/combustível à saída do queimador. Numa segunda fase, recorre-se à técnica de diagnóstico Quimiluminescência para medição de espécies químicas, para avaliar o comportamento do ejetor a alterações de vários parâmetros, tais como caudal de combustível, área de entrada de ar e área de saída da mistura do difusor. Conclui-se que o ejetor mostrase "insensível" a alterações da área de saída e de entrada de ar, em relação ao valor médio da razão de equivalência. Porém observa-se que as misturas de ar/combustível são mais homogéneas quando as áreas de entrada, da saída e da garganta têm valores próximos.

A correspondence between normal-shock and blunt-body flows,

"Contract no. DA-30-069-ORD-3443. ARPA order no. 253-62."

Evaluation by respirometry of the degradability of retort water using a shale ash and overburden packed column

Oil shale processing produces an aqueous wastewater stream known as retort water. The fate of the organic content of retort water from the Stuart oil shale project (Gladstone, Queensland) is examined in a proposed packed bed treatment system consisting of a 1:1 mixture of residual shale from the retorting process and mining overburden. The retort water had a neutral pH and an average unfiltered TOC of 2,900 mg l(-1). The inorganic composition of the retort water was dominated by NH4+. Only 40% of the total organic carbon (TOC) in the retort water was identifiable, and this was dominated by carboxylic acids. In addition to monitoring influent and effluent TOC concentrations, CO2 evolution was monitored on line by continuous measurements of headspace concentrations and air flow rates. The column was run for 64 days before it blocked and was dismantled for analysis. Over 98% of the TOC was removed from the retort water. Respirometry measurements were confounded by CO2 production from inorganic sources. Based on predictions with the chemical equilibrium package PHREEQE, approximately 15% of the total CO2 production arose from the reaction of NH4+ with carbonates. The balance of the CO2 production accounted for at least 80% of the carbon removed from the retort water. Direct measurements of solid organic carbon showed that approximately 20% of the influent carbon was held-up in the top 20cm of the column. Less than 20% of this held-up carbon was present as either biomass or as adsorbed species. Therefore, the column was ultimately blocked by either extracellular polymeric substances or by a sludge that had precipitated out of the retort water.

Gas dispersion measurements in industrial flotation cells

For nearly 100 years, the flotation plant metallurgist has often wondered what is happening 'beneath the froth'. To assist in unravelling this mystery, new technology has been developed as part of the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMIRA) P9 project, to measure gas dispersion characteristics (such as gas hold-up, superficial gas velocity and bubble size) in industrial flotation cells. These measurements have been conducted in a large number of cells of different types and sizes by researchers from the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and JKTech. A large database has been developed and the contents of this database are described in this paper. Typical cell characterization measurements show a wide spread in values, even in the same cell types and sizes performing similar duties. In conventional flotation cells, the typical gas hold-up values range from 3% to 20%, bubble sizes range between I and 2 mm, and superficial gas velocity ranges from 1 to 2.5 cm/s. The ranges of cell characterization measurements given in this paper will enable plant personnel to compare their operation to other similar types of operations from around Australia and the rest of the world, giving opportunities for further improvement to flotation plant operations. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Double-heater-wire circuits and heat-and-moisture exchangers and the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Objective: To compare the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients ventilated in intensive care by means of circuits humidified with a hygroscopic heat-and-moisture exchanger with a bacterial viral filter (HME) or hot-water humidification with a heater wire in both inspiratory and expiratory circuit limbs (DHW) or the inspiratory limb only (SHW). Design: A prospective, randomized trial. Setting: A metropolitan teaching hospital's general intensive care unit. Patients: Three hundred eighty-one patients requiring a minimum period of mechanical ventilation of 48 hrs. Interventions: Patients were randomized to humidification with use of an HME (n = 190), SHW (n = 94), or DHW (n = 97). Measurements and Main Results. Study end points were VAP diagnosed on the basis of Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) (1), HME resistance after 24 hrs of use, endotracheal tube resistance, and HME use per patient. VAP occurred with similar frequency in all groups (13%, HME; 14%, DHW; 10%, SHW; p = 0.61) and was predicted only by current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.9; p =.03) and ventilation days (AOR, 1.05; 95% Cl, 1.0-1.2; p =.001); VAP was less likely for patients with an admission diagnosis of pneumonia (AOR, 0.40; 95% Cl, 0.4-0.2; p =.04). HME resistance after 24 hrs of use measured at a gas flow of 50 L/min was 0.9 cm H2O (0.4-2.9). Endotracheal tube resistance was similar for all three groups (16-19 cm H2O min/L; p =.2), as were suction frequency, secretion thickness, and blood on suctioning (p =.32, p =.06, and p =.34, respectively). The HME use per patient per day was 1.13. Conclusions: Humidification technique does not influence either VAP incidence or secretion characteristics, but HMEs may have air-flow resistance higher than manufacturer specifications after 24 hrs of use.

A study of the aerodynamic characteristics of captor hoods in local exhaust ventilation systems

The research objectives were:- 1.To review the literature to establish the factors which have traditionally been regarded as most crucial to the design of effectlve exhaust ventilation systems. 2. To design, construct, install and calibrate a wind tunnel. 3. To develop procedures for air velocity measurement followed by a comprehensive programme of aerodvnamic data collection and data analysis for a variety of conditions. The major research findings were:- a) The literature in the subject is inadequate. There is a particular need for a much greater understanding of the aerodynamics of the suction flow field. b) The discrepancies between the experimentally observed centre-line velocities and those predicted by conventional formulae are unacceptably large. c) There was little agreement between theoretically calculated and observed velocities in the suction zone of captor hoods. d) Improved empirical formulae for the prediction of centre-line velocity applicable to the classical geometrically shaped suction openings and the flanged condition could be (and were) derived. Further analysis of data revealed that: - i) Point velocity is directly proportional to the suction. flow rate and the ratio of the point velocity to the average face velocity is constant. ii) Both shape, and size of the suction opening are significant factors as the coordinates of their points govern the extent of the effect of the suction flow field. iii) The hypothetical ellipsoidal potential function and hyperbolic streamlines were found experimentally to be correct. iv) The effect of guide plates depends on the size, shape and the angle of fitting. The effect was to very approximately double the suction velocity but the exact effect is difficult to predict. v) The axially symmetric openings produce practically symmetric flow fields. Similarity of connection pieces between the suction opening and the main duct in each case is essential in order to induce a similar suction flow field. Additionally a pilot study was made in which an artificial extraneous air flow was created, measured and its interaction with the suction flow field measured and represented graphically.

Non-invasive respiratory monitoring using long-period fiber grating sensors

In non-invasive ventilation, continuous monitoring of respiratory volumes is essential. Here, we present a method for the measurement of respiratory volumes by a single fiber-grating sensor of bending and provide the proof-of-principle by applying a calibration-test measurement procedure on a set of 18 healthy volunteers. Results establish a linear correlation between a change in lung volume and the corresponding change in a local thorax curvature. They also show good sensor accuracy in measurements of tidal and minute respiratory volumes for different types of breathing. The proposed technique does not rely on the air flow through an oronasal mask or the observation of chest movement by a clinician, which distinguishes it from the current clinical practice. © 2014 Optical Society of America.

A new method for respiratory-volume monitoring based on long-period fibre gratings

Respiratory-volume monitoring is an indispensable part of mechanical ventilation. Here we present a new method of the respiratory-volume measurement based on a single fibre-optical long-period sensor of bending and the correlation between torso curvature and lung volume. Unlike the commonly used air-flow based measurement methods the proposed sensor is drift-free and immune to air-leaks. In the paper, we explain the working principle of sensors, a two-step calibration-test measurement procedure and present results that establish a linear correlation between the change in the local thorax curvature and the change of the lung volume. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of these sensors with respect to the current standards. © 2013 IEEE.

Development of a dynamic headspace concentration technique for the non-contact sampling of human odor samples and the creation of canine training aids

Human scent and human remains detection canines are used to locate living or deceased humans under many circumstances. Human scent canines locate individual humans on the basis of their unique scent profile, while human remains detection canines locate the general scent of decomposing human remains. Scent evidence is often collected by law enforcement agencies using a Scent Transfer Unit, a dynamic headspace concentration device. The goals of this research were to evaluate the STU-100 for the collection of human scent samples, and to apply this method to the collection of living and deceased human samples, and to the creation of canine training aids. The airflow rate and collection material used with the STU-100 were evaluated using a novel scent delivery method. Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation Systems were created containing representative standard compounds delivered at known rates, improving the reproducibility of optimization experiments. Flow rates and collection materials were compared. Higher air flow rates usually yielded significantly less total volatile compounds due to compound breakthrough through the collection material. Collection from polymer and cellulose-based materials demonstrated that the molecular backbone of the material is a factor in the trapping and releasing of compounds. The weave of the material also affects compound collection, as those materials with a tighter weave demonstrated enhanced collection efficiencies. Using the optimized method, volatiles were efficiently collected from living and deceased humans. Replicates of the living human samples showed good reproducibility; however, the odor profiles from individuals were not always distinguishable from one another. Analysis of the human remains samples revealed similarity in the type and ratio of compounds. Two types of prototype training aids were developed utilizing combinations of pure compounds as well as volatiles from actual human samples concentrated onto sorbents, which were subsequently used in field tests. The pseudo scent aids had moderate success in field tests, and the Odor pad aids had significant success. This research demonstrates that the STU-100 is a valuable tool for dog handlers and as a field instrument; however, modifications are warranted in order to improve its performance as a method for instrumental detection.

Secagem de resíduo de goiaba em secador convectivo de bandejas: modelagem matemática e análise do processo

Actually, Brazil is one of the larger fruit producer worldwide, with most of its production being consumed in nature way or either as juice or pulp. It is important to highlig ht in the fruit productive chain there are a lot lose due mainly to climate reasons, as well as storage, transportation, season, market, etc. It is known that in the pulp and fruit processing industy a yield of 50% (in mass) is usually obtained, with the other part discarded as waste. However, since most this waste has a high nutrient content it can be used to generate added - value products. In this case, drying plays an important role as an alternative process in order to improve these wastes generated by the fruit industry. However, despite the advantage of using this technique in order to improve such wastes, issues as a higher power demand as well as the thermal efficiency limitation should be addressed. Therefore, the control of the main variables in t his drying process is quite important in order to obtain operational conditions to produce a final product with the target specification as well as with a lower power cost. M athematical models can be applied to this process as a tool in order to optimize t he best conditions. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the drying behaviour of a guava industrial pulp waste using a batch system with a convective - tray dryer both experimentally and using mathematical modeling. In the experimental study , the dryin g carried out using a group of trays as well as the power consume were assayed as response to the effects of operational conditions (temperature, drying air flow rate and solid mass). Obtained results allowed observing the most significant variables in the process. On the other hand, the phenomenological mathematical model was validated and allowed to follow the moisture profile as well as the temperature in the solid and gas phases in every tray. Simulation results showed the most favorable procedure to o btain the minimum processing time as well as the lower power demand.

Análise comparativa de diferentes configurações de poços no processo de combustão in-situ

With an increasing number of mature fields, heavy oil recovery has performed one of the great challenges of the oil industry. The Brazilian Northeast, for example, has numerous heavy oil reservoirs are explored with the use of thermal methods. Among the types of methods used for heavy oil, there is the method of in-situ combustion, a technique in which heat is produced within the container, unlike the injection of heated fluid when the heat is generated at the surface and transported to the reservoir. In this type of process, it is common to use vertical wells as injectors and producers. However, methods which use horizontal wells like oil producers are increasingly studied because of greater contact area between the formation and combustion front. Thus, the main objective of this work was to study the different configurations of wells (CIS THAITM and CAGD) in the process of in-situ combustion in oil recovery using a semi-synthetic tank with Brazilian Northeast features. The method "toe-to-heel air injection" (THAITM) is a process of enhanced oil recovery, which is the integration of in-situ combustion with technological advances in drilling horizontal wells. This method uses horizontal wells such as oil producers, keeping vertical injection wells for injecting air. The oil drain process by differential gravitational assisted with combustion (CAGD) is an integrated, in this configuration the horizontal injector well is drilled at the top formation with a horizontal production well in the lower section. The simulations were performed in a commercial program of thermal processes, called "STARS" (Steam, Thermal, and Advanced Processes Reservoir Simulator), the company CMG (Computer Modelling Group). An analysis of the air flow injection was performed and it was found that each method had a maximum injection to the base model, a show that through this air injection limit was reduced cumulative production of oil. Analyses of operating parameters were used: injection flow, configuration and completion of wells. In the sensitivity analysis we found that the air injection flow showed greater influence on THAI method, since the CIS method the completion of the wells was the most influential parameter and CAGD configuration wells showed the greatest influence in the recovered fraction. The economic results have shown that the best case obtained in CAGD method because, despite having higher initial cost showed the best financial return compared to the best cases the CIS and THAI.