Desenvolvimento de tecnologia de pré-polímeros na síntese de poliuretanos empregados em combustíveis sólidos

The aim of this work was to synthesize a polyurethane polymer matrix using polyols as a raw material to obtain a binder such as the hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) pre-polymer in energetic material formulation. The soybean-based polyol was the best starting raw material for producing a binder for solid fuel formulation in rocket motor applications. Characterization of the obtained soybean-based polyurethane binder was carried out by employing FT-IR analysis and thermo analytical techniques that showed similar HTPB binder thermo decomposition behaviors, confirming their potential for use as polymer matrix composites.

Alusöljyvahingon seurauksena rantautuvan öljyn lajitteluohjeiston muodostaminen

Työn tärkeimpänä päämääränä oli muodostaa öljyvahinkojätejakeille yksityiskohtaiset ja käytännön olosuhteissa mahdollisimman hyvin toimivat lajitteluohjeet. Lähtökohtana oli se, että edeltävien lajitteluohjeiden soveltuvuutta haluttiin tarkastella useista eri näkökulmista, kuten muodostuvien kustannusten kannalta. Työn muut tavoitteet olivat: jäteastioiden määrän ja laadun selvitys sekä lainsäädännön asettamien rajoitteiden selvittäminen. Riskijäte rajattiin työn ulkopuolelle. Tutkimus toteutettiin pääasiassa kirjallisiin lähteisiin, sähköpostikyselyihin ja puhelinhaastatteluihin perustuvien tietojen avulla. Tärkeimmäksi selvitettäväksi seikaksi osoittautui lajittelusta aiheutuvien kustannusten määrittäminen. Etenkin käsittelykustannuksista saatiin viitteitä optimaalisesta lajitteluvaihtoehdosta. Taloudellisessa tarkastelussa käytiin läpi öljyvahinkojätteiden kulkeutuminen rannalta käsittelyyn saakka, jolloin eri vaihtoehtojen eroavaisuudet saatiin selville. Taloudellisen tarkastelun perusteella paras vaihtoehto oli lajitellun jätteen käsittely siirrettävällä termodesorptiolaitoksella yhdistettynä Kotkan hyötyvoimalaitokseen. Tämän perusteella voidaan päätellä, että öljyinen maa-aines ja öljyinen sekajäte kannattaa käsitellä erillisinä jakeina. Tällöin öljyinen maa-aines ja öljyinen sekajäte kannattaa myös lajitella omiin jakeisiinsa. Keräysastioista on vaikeaa antaa suosituksia ilman riittävän kattavia kenttäkokeita. Taloudellisessa tarkastelussa muoviastiat osoittautuivat edullisimmaksi vaihtoehdoksi. Monissa selvityksissä on öljyvahinkojätteiden käsittelyvaihtoehdoksi valittu Riihimäen Ekokem Oy Ab. Se tuli kuitenkin huomattavasti kalliimmaksi kuin siirrettävän termodesorptiolaitoksen sisältävät laskuesimerkit, joten myös muita vaihtoehtoja kannattaisi harkita. Muita kuin muovisia keräysastioita tulisi vielä testata käytännön öljyntorjuntaharjoituksissa, jotta niiden lopullinen käyttökelpoisuus varmistuu. Harjoitukset tulisi suorittaa mahdollisimman vaihtelevissa sää- ja maasto-olosuhteissa, jotta saadaan tarpeeksi kattavaa tutkimustietoa astioiden soveltuvuudesta.

Alusöljyvahingossa kuolleiden eläinten turvallinen käsittely

Diplomityö on osa Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulun SÖKÖ II-hanketta, missä tehdään toimintamalli suuren öljyntorjuntaoperaation koordinointiin rannikon öljytorjunnasta vastaaville viranomaisille. Työn tavoitteena oli selvittää alusöljyvahingossa kuolleiden eläinten sekä eläinten keräilystä ja hoidosta syntyvien jätteiden käsittelymenetelmät ja soveltuvat käsittelylaitokset. Lisäksi tavoitteena oli selvittää kuolleiden eläinten välivarastointialueen tekniset vaatimukset ja öljyiselle eläinjätteelle soveltuva kuljetuskalusto. Työn teoriaosuudet toteutettiin kirjallisten lähteiden ja asiantuntijahaastatteluiden avulla. Tärkeäksi osaksi työtä muodostui kustannuslaskelma, missä laskettiin kuolleiden eläinten keräilystä aina loppukäsittelyyn asti muodostuvat kustannukset. Työn teoriaosuudet loivat pohjan kustannuslaskelmalle. Kuolleiden eläinten loppukäsittelyyn valittiin kolme eri laitosta ja kolme eri käsittelytekniikkaa, mitkä ovat: rumpu-uuni, siirrettävä termodesorptio ja renderöinti. Kuolleet eläimet kannattaa keskitetysti kerätä ja kuljettaa yhdelle alueelle, missä suoritetaan kuolleiden eläinten välivarastointi kylmäkonteissa ja tilastointi sekä elävien eläinten pesu ja hoito. Kustannuslaskelman perusteella siirrettävä termodesorptiolaitos on halvin käsittelyvaihtoehto, mutta kustannuserot muihin laitoksiin ovat pienet. Koko kuolleiden eläinten turvallisen käsittelyn kustannukset ovat alle promillen koko suuren öljyvahingon kustannuksista. Loppukäsittelylaitosta valittaessa on käsittelykustannuksia tärkeämpää selvittää laitoksen sen hetkinen jätteenkäsittelytilanne ja vapaa käsittelykapasiteetti kuolleille eläimille.

Thermoanalytical study and characterization of native starches of Paraná pine seeds (Araucaria angustiofolia, Bert O. Ktze) and European chestnut seeds (Castanea sativa, Mill)

Starch is the most important carbohydrate storage in plants. It is a raw material with diverse botanical origins, and is used by the food, paper, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and other industries. In this work, native starches of Paraná pine seeds (pinhão) (Araucária angustiofolia, Bert O. Ktze) and european chestnut seeds (Castanea sativa, Mill) were studied by thermoanalytical techniques: thermo-gravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as X-ray powder patterns diffractometry. Apparent and total amylose content was also determined.

Lanthanum based high surface area perovskite-type oxide and application in CO and propane combustion

The perovskite-type oxides using transition metals present a promising potential as catalysts in total oxidation reaction. The present work investigates the effect of synthesis by oxidant co-precipitation on the catalytic activity of perovskite-type oxides LaBO3 (B= Co, Ni, Mn) in total oxidation of propane and CO. The perovskite-type oxides were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption (BET method), thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (ATG-DTA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Through a method involving the oxidant co-precipitation it's possible to obtain catalysts with different BET surface areas, of 33-44 m²/g, according the salts of metal used. The characterization results proved that catalysts have a perovskite phase as well as lanthanum oxide, except LaMnO3, that presents a cationic vacancies and generation for known oxygen excess. The results of catalytic test showed that all oxides have a specific catalytic activity for total oxidation of CO and propane even though the temperatures for total conversion change for each transition metal and substance to be oxidized.

Influence of Heat Treatment on Strength Properties of Finger-jointed Components

The purpose for the thesis was to study the thermo treatment of finger-jointed wood. The thesis concentrated on examining the tensile and bending strength of finger-jointed and thermo treated wood. The aim was to find out how different treatment temperature levels and adhesives influence the strength of wood that has been finger-jointed before heat treatment. Secondary objectives were to examine the influence of the treatment time at one temperature, determine differences in the strength between the joints in heartwood and sapwood, examine the visual appearance of the finger joints after the treatment and establish possibilities to reach a characteristic strength level corresponding to C14. Only minor differences in strength properties were measured between the finger-jointed wood treatments II and III. A greater difference was shown between these two treatment temperatures I, which lead to reduced strength. The average strength of joints glued with adhesive 2 was higher after treatments II and III compared to those glued with the adhesive 1. At the treatment temperature I, the adhesive 1 strength properties were at the same level compared to the adhesive 2 or better. There were not any significant differences.

Uuteaineet BCTMP-prosessissa

Diplomityö tehtiin M-real Joutsenon BCTMP-tehtaalle. Työn aiheena oli tehdä uuteaine- ja metallikartoitus eri prosessivaiheiden massoista ja suodoksista BCTMP-tehtaassa. BCTMPmassaa käytetään muun muassa elintarvikekartongin keskikerroksessa. Pakattaviin kartonkeihin suoraan kosketuksissa olevat elintarvikkeet ovat alttiita haju- ja makuvivahteille. Hajut ja maut voivat saada alkunsa kartongin komponenteista, kuten BCTMP-massasta, kartongin päällystysaineista ja kartongin jatkojalostuksessa käytetyistä painoväreistä. Diplomityön teoriaosuudessa keskityttiin puun lipofiilisiin uuteaineisiin ja erityisesti komponentteihin, jotka aiheuttavat haju- ja makuongelmia. Teoriaosuudessa käsiteltiin myös haju- ja makuominaisuuksien muodostumiseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä sekä kerrottiin mahdollisista uuteaineiden poistomenetelmistä. Teoriaosuudessa esiteltiin analysointimenetelmiä, joita käytettiin kokeellisessa osassa. Kokeellisessa osassa esiteltiin valmistettavan massan laatuspesifikaatiot ja toteutuneet laatutrendit. Samassa tutkittiin massan analysointimenetelmien tuloksien korrelaatioita kokonaisuuteaineiden toteamiseksi. Seuraavaksi käsiteltiin syksyllä 2010 ja talvella 2011 tehtyjä prosessin uuteainekartoituksia, jossa muun muassa tutkittiin eri prosessivaiheiden massojen ja suodoksien uuteainemääriä ja –komponentteja. Kartoituksien yhteydessä laskettiin prosessin uuteainetaseita ja prosessin pesutehokkuuksia. Samalla tutkittiin siirtymämetallimääriä, jotka osaltaan vaikuttavat haju- ja makuominaisuuksiin. Kokeellisen osan korrelaatiovertailuissa huomattiin, että merkittävin korrelaatio kokonaisuuteaineisiin on viimeisen massan pesuvaiheen suodoksen sameudella, liki 80 %. Heksanaalipotentiaalin ja uuteaineen korrelaatio oli myös noin 80 %. Valmiista massasta tehdyn kemiallisen hapen kulutuksen eli COD:n korrelaatio uuteaineisiin oli vain 38 %. Prosessikartoituksen tuloksista laskettujen pesuvaiheiden erotustehokkuudet olivat hyvät.

Substrate with Organosuper® for cucumber seedlings formation in protected environments and polystyrene trays

Culture environments, trays and doses of organic compost were evaluated in the formation of cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.). Five environmental conditions were tested: (A1) a greenhouse with height of 2.5 m, covered with polyethylene film, (A2) nursery with height of 2.5 m, monofilament fabric, 50% shading, (A3) nursery with height of 2.5 m, heat-reflective screen, 50% shading, (A4) nursery with a height of 1.8 m, covered with coconut tree straw and (A5) greenhouse with height of 4.0 m, covered with polyethylene film, with zenith opening and thermo-reflective cloth under the plastic. Trays of 72 (R1) and 128 (R2) cells were filled with 93% soil and 7% organic compound (S1), 86% soil and 14% organic compound (S2) and 79% soil and 21% organic compound (S3). It was used a randomized design in split-split-plot scheme, with five replicates (environments x trays x substrates). The greenhouses provide the best environments for the formation of cucumber seedlings. A tray of 72 cells is the best container, promoting more vigorous seedlings in substrate with soil and 7 or 14% organic compound.

Production of baruzeiro seedling in different protected environments and substrates

The high seedlings quality is essential for deployment of homogeneous orchards. This study evaluated the baruzeiro (Dipteryx alata Vog) seedlings formation on different substrates within protected environments. It was used substrates with100% of cattle manure; 100% of cassava stems; 100% of vermiculite; 50% of cattle manure + 50% of cassava stems; 50% of cattle manure + 50% of vermiculite; 50% of cassava stems + 50% of vermiculite; and + ⅓ of cattle manure + ⅓ of cassava stems + ⅓ of vermiculite. These substrates were tested in protected areas: greenhouse; black shade net of 50% shading; and aluminized thermo-reflective screen of 50% shading. A completely randomized experimental design with five replicates of four plants was adopted. Initially, data were submitted to analysis of individual variance of the substrates, in each environment of cultivation, then performing the evaluation of the residual mean square and the analysis of these environments together for comparison. The best substrate for baruzeiro seedlings was pure vermiculite. The substrates with 100% of manure and the substrate with 33.33% of the mixed studied materials can be used for seedlings formation. The environment with screen can be indicated for the production of baruzeiro seedlings, since it gave vigor to the seedlings.

Seedlings of Acrocomia aculeata in diferent substrates and protected environments

The seedling production stage is the key to achieve uniformity in tree breeding stage. This study evaluated "bocaiúva" (Acrocomia aculeata) seedling formation, with pre-germinated seeds in different substrates and protected environments, in the University of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Aquidauana, MS. As substrates, we used 100% cattle manure (M), 100% cassava branches (CB), 100% vermiculite (V), 50% cattle manure + 50% cassava branches, 50 % cattle manure + 50% vermiculite, 50% cassava branches + 50% vermiculite and ⅓ cattle manure + ⅓ cassava branches + ⅓ vermiculite. These substrates were tested in a greenhouse covered with 150 µm low density polyethylene (LDPE) film under thermo-reflective screen with 50% shading under film; black screen with 50% shading on the sides; black monofilament screen with 50% shading set on roof and sides; and aluminized thermo- reflective screen with 50% shading set on roof and sides. The completely randomized experimental design with 5 replications of 5 plants each was adopted. Initially, data were submitted to analysis of substrate individual variance in each growing environment, then performing the waste mean square evaluation and their environment joint analysis for comparison. The best growing environment is the thermo-reflective screen compared to LDPE greenhouse and black screen set. All substrates containing manure are recommended for bocaiúva seedlings formation. The pure cassava branch is not indicated for seedling, even using chemical fertilizer.

Soursop seedlings: emergence and development under different cultivation environments and substrates – Part I

ABSTRACT Seedling quality is crucial to obtain vigorous plants in the field. This study aims to evaluate the emergence and development of soursop seedlings in different substrates in protected environments. The experiment was conducted at the Mato Grosso do Sul State University and carried out using five protected environments: greenhouse, greenhouse with thermo-reflective screen, nursery with monofilament screen, nursery with thermo-reflective screen, and nursery with palm thatch. The substrates (S) consisted of cattle manure (M), humus (H), cassava branches (C), and vermiculite (V) as in the following ratios: S1 = H + V (1:3), S2 = H + V (1:1), S3 = H + V (3:1), S4 = H + C (1:3), S5 = H + C (1:1), S6 = H + C (3:1), S7 = M + V (1:3), S8 = M + V (1:1), S9 = M + V (3:1), S10 = M + C (1:3), S11 = M + C (1:1), S12 = M + C (3:1), S13 = H + M + V (1:1:1), S14 = H + M + C (1:1:1), and S15 = H + M + V + C (1:1:1:1). For the statistical analysis, each of those environments was considered as an experiment in which was used the completely randomized design; subsequently, it was performed a combined analysis of them. In summary, the greenhouse with thermo-reflective screen and combined substrates with “M + V” promote greater development of the seedlings. High concentrations of “V” or “C” cause no beneficial effect on soursop seedlings.

Soursop seedlings: biomasses and biometric relations in different farming environments and substrates – Part II

ABSTRACT The quality of seedling is critical to obtain vigorous plants in the field. The present study aimed to assess biomasses and biometric relations of soursop seedlings. We used different substrates in protected environments. The experiment was performed at the Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) (State University of Mato Grosso do Sul). Five farming environments were developed in greenhouses: one covered with low-density polyethylene film (LDPE), another with with polyethylene and heat-reflective cloth under film under 50% shading in aluminized color, monofilament cloth under 50% shading in black, thermo-reflective cloth under 50% shading in aluminized color, and an environment covered with bacuri coconut straw. Substrates were made of manure, humus, cassava branches and vermiculite at different proportions. Each of them varying from 25%, 33.3%, 50% and 75% in mixture combination. Each environment was considered an experiment. A completely randomized design was adopted and later a joint analysis of them. Agricultural greenhouse covered with LDPE and thermo-reflective cloths under 50% of shading, proportionated seedlings with greater biomass. Substrates containing manure are the most suitable for soursop seedlings. High percentages of earthworm humus produce low quality soursop seedlings. Soursop seedlings had a Dickson’s quality index around 0.335. The greenhouse covered only with LDPE film did not produce high quality seedlings.

Feasibility studies of the weldability of structural steels used in the offshore environment

The rising demand for oil and gas has made it very necessary for the oil and gas industries to explore the offshore. There is a huge resources which is available in the offshore. The search for oil and gas is faced with greater challenges because of the nature of the marine environment as it poses difficult and harsh conditions for the construction of offshore structures. The major problem of the construction of offshore structure is the ability to produce a sound weld that gives the whole structure the structural integrity needed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions. This research work presents the performance of typical offshore steels with improved weldability. The ability of reducing the carbon content of thermo-mechanically rolled steels down to 0.08% makes it possible to achieve good weldability, toughness and strength for high strength steels used in offshore applications. Importantly, the ideal welding procedure should be strictly followed as recommended. The fabrication process is as important as the welding procedure in achieving a sound weld which is free of weld defects such as hydrogen induced cracking, lamellar tearing and solidification cracking. This research work also considers the corrosion as it affects offshore structure and necessary measures to mitigate the problem caused by corrosion.

On the numerical simulation of machining processes

Numerical simulation of machining processes can be traced back to the early seventies when finite element models for continuous chip formation were proposed. The advent of fast computers and development of new techniques to model large plastic deformations have favoured machining simulation. Relevant aspects of finite element simulation of machining processes are discussed in this paper, such as solution methods, material models, thermo-mechanical coupling, friction models, chip separation and breakage strategies and meshing/re-meshing strategies.

Searching for the role of protein phosphatases in eukaryotic microorganisms

Preference for specific protein substrates together with differential sensitivity to activators and inhibitors has allowed classification of serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PPs) into four major types designated types 1, 2A, 2B and 2C (PP1, PP2A, PP2B and PP2C, respectively). Comparison of sequences within their catalytic domains has indicated that PP1, PP2A and PP2B are members of the same gene family named PPP. On the other hand, the type 2C enzyme does not share sequence homology with the PPP members and thus represents another gene family, known as PPM. In this report we briefly summarize some of our studies about the role of serine/threonine phosphatases in growth and differentiation of three different eukaryotic models: Blastocladiella emersonii, Neurospora crassa and Dictyostelium discoideum. Our observations suggest that PP2C is the major phosphatase responsible for dephosphorylation of amidotransferase, an enzyme that controls cell wall synthesis during Blastocladiella emersonii zoospore germination. We also report the existence of a novel acid- and thermo-stable protein purified from Neurospora crassa mycelia, which specifically inhibits the PP1 activity of this fungus and mammals. Finally, we comment on our recent results demonstrating that Dictyostelium discoideum expresses a gene that codes for PP1, although this activity has never been demonstrated biochemically in this organism.