Catalysts in production of biodiesel:a review

Biodiesel is a renewable substitute fuel for petroleum diesel fuel which is made from nontoxic, biodegradable, renewable sources such as refined and used vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel is produced by transesterification in which oil or fat is reacted with a monohydric alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The process of transesterification is affected by the mode of reaction, molar ratio of alcohol to oil, type of alcohol, nature and amount of catalysts, reaction time, and temperature. Various studies have been carried out using different oils as the raw material and different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, butanol), as well as different catalysts, notably homogeneous ones such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, and supercritical fluids or enzymes such as lipases. Recent research has focused on the application of heterogeneous catalysts to produce biodiesel, because of their environmental and economic advantages. This paper reviews the literature regarding both catalytic and noncatalytic production of biodiesel. Advantages and disadvantages of different methods and catalysts used are discussed. We also discuss the importance of developing a single catalyst for both esterification and transesterification reactions.

Desenvolvimento de bionanocompósitos: nano e microcristais de celulose com poli (álcool vinílico) e poli (ácido lático)

This work has the main objective to obtain nano and microcrystals of cellulose, extracted from the pineapple leaf fibres (PALF), as reinforcement for the manufacture of biocomposite films with polymeric matrices of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The polymer matrices and the nano and microcrystals of cellulose were characterised by means of TGA, FTIR and DSC. The analysis was performed on the pineapple leaves to identify the macro and micronutrients. The fibers of the leaves of the pineapple were extracted in a desfibradeira mechanical. The PALF extracted were washed to remove washable impurities and subsequently treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in the removal of impurities, such as fat, grease, pectates, pectin and lignin. The processed PALF fibers were hydrolysed in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) at a concentration of 13.5 %, to obtain nano and microcrystals of cellulose. In the manufacture of biocomposite films, concentrations of cellulose, 0 %, 1 %, 3 %, 6 %, 9% and 12% were used as reinforcement to the matrices of PVA and PLA. The PVA was dissolved in distilled water at 80 ± 5 oC and the PLA was dissolved in dichloromethane at room temperature. The manufacture of biocompósitos in the form of films was carried out by "casting". Tests were carried out to study the water absorption by the films and mechanical test of resistance to traction according to ASTM D638-10 with a velocity of 50 mm/min.. Chi-square statistical test was used to check for the existence of significant differences in the level of 0.05: the lengths of the PALF, lengths of the nano and microcrystals of cellulose and the procedures used for the filtration using filter syringe of 0.2 μm or filtration and centrifugation. The hydrophilicity of biocompósitos was analysed by measuring the contact angle and the thickness of biocompósitos were compared as well as the results of tests of traction. Statistical T test - Student was also applied with the significance level (0.05). In biodegradation, Sturm test of standard D5209 was used. Nano and microcrystals of cellulose with lengths ranging from 7.33 nm to 186.17 nm were found. The PVA films showed average thicknesses of 0.153 μm and PLA 0.210 μm. There is a strong linear correlation directly proportional between the traction of the films of PVA and the concentration of cellulose in the films (composite) (0,7336), while the thickness of the film was correlated in 0.1404. Nano and microcrystals of cellulose and thickness together, correlated to 0.8740. While the correlation between the cellulose content and tensile strength was weak and inversely proportional (- 0,0057) and thickness in -0.2602, totaling -0,2659 in PLA films. This can be attributed to the nano and microcrystals of cellulose not fully adsorbed to the PLA matrix. In the comparison of the results of the traction of the two polymer matrices, the nano and microcrystals have helped in reducing the traction of the films (composite) of PLA. There was still the degradation of the film of PVA, within a period of 20 days, which was not seen in the PLA film, on the other hand, the observations made in the literature, the average time to start the degradation is above 60 days. What can be said that the films are biodegradable composites, with hydrophilicity and the nano and microcrystals of cellulose, contribute positively in the improvement of the results of polymer matrices used.

Remoção de carbonatos para otimizar a biolixiviação de rejeito calcopirítico empregando consórcio de microrganismos

The bioleaching of chalcopyrite has not been applied on a commercial scale due to the low process efficiency, so this process has been extensively studied in recent years. The bioleaching of chalcopyrite tailings becomes even more difficult by the presence of higher amounts of impurities, among them are the carbonates. The presence of carbonates in the ore promotes the increase in pH of the solution and may inhibit the development of bioleaching. Therefore, this research aims to apply the acid treatment for optimization of bioleaching process, in order to recover the lost copper throughout the process besides reducing the content of this toxic metal in the tailings pond. The removal and recovery of toxic metals is very important in protecting the environment and human health. The bioleaching experiments were performed in two stages, the first made up using the pre-treated tailing with sulfuric acid in bioleaching, and the second was made using the tailing without treatment with sulfuric acid addition at the beginning of bioleaching. The acid treatment was carried out in bioreactors with three different volumes of H2SO4 96% and a control experiment. All bioleaching experiments were performed in triplicate over a control, without addition of inoculum. The results showed that acid treatment was effective in removal of carbonates and managed to promote a good performance in the bioleaching of chalcopyrite in both steps studied, it is demonstrated that circa 47% copper recovery can be achieved.

Remoção de carbonatos para otimizar a biolixiviação de rejeito calcopirítico empregando consórcio de microrganismos

The bioleaching of chalcopyrite has not been applied on a commercial scale due to the low process efficiency, so this process has been extensively studied in recent years. The bioleaching of chalcopyrite tailings becomes even more difficult by the presence of higher amounts of impurities, among them are the carbonates. The presence of carbonates in the ore promotes the increase in pH of the solution and may inhibit the development of bioleaching. Therefore, this research aims to apply the acid treatment for optimization of bioleaching process, in order to recover the lost copper throughout the process besides reducing the content of this toxic metal in the tailings pond. The removal and recovery of toxic metals is very important in protecting the environment and human health. The bioleaching experiments were performed in two stages, the first made up using the pre-treated tailing with sulfuric acid in bioleaching, and the second was made using the tailing without treatment with sulfuric acid addition at the beginning of bioleaching. The acid treatment was carried out in bioreactors with three different volumes of H2SO4 96% and a control experiment. All bioleaching experiments were performed in triplicate over a control, without addition of inoculum. The results showed that acid treatment was effective in removal of carbonates and managed to promote a good performance in the bioleaching of chalcopyrite in both steps studied, it is demonstrated that circa 47% copper recovery can be achieved.

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.

Water temperature, salinity, DOC content and THNS concentration in samples taken during POLARSTERN cruise to the Fram Strait and Greenland Sea

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was isolated with XAD-2 and 4 resins from different water masses of the Greenland Sea and Fram Strait. The contribution of XAD-extractable dissolved organic carbon (DOC), operationally defined as 'recalcitrant' or humic substances, to total DOC was in the range of 45 ± 9% in surface waters and 60 ± 6% in deep waters. The carbohydrate concentration and composition were determined using the l-tryptophan/sulfuric acid method (for the bulk carbohydrate concentration, TCHO) and high performance anion-exchange chromatography after sulfuric acid hydrolysis (for the distribution of total hydrolysable neutral sugars, THNS). Carbohydrates contributed up to 6.8% to both total and recalcitrant DOC. TCHO contribution to total DOC decreased with depth from on average 4.1 ± 1.2% in surface waters to 2.2 ± 1.0% in deep waters, whereas the THNS contribution was similar in both layers, accounting for 2.5 ± 1.6% (surface) and 2.4 ± 0.2% (at depth). TCHO contribution to XAD-extractable DOC also decreased with depth from 4.5 ± 1.7% to 2.1 ± 1.0%, whereas THNS contribution was almost constant, with yields of 0.5 ± 0.3% for surface samples and 0.6 ± 0.1% at depth. The molecular size distribution of the recalcitrant DOM showed for all fractions a clear trend towards small molecules in the deep sea. More than half of the XAD-extractable carbohydrates of surface samples and more than 70% of deep sea samples were found in the nonpolar fraction from XAD, which was eluted with methanol. Glucose was the dominant carbohydrate in the surface water samples, whereas in the deep sea the composition was more uniform. In the XAD extracts, the compositions were less variable than in the original samples. The neutral sugar composition, in particular glucose and the deoxysugars, is indicative of the diagenetic state of the extracted DOM. The molar ratio (fucose + rhamnose)/(arabinose + xylose) was lowest for deep sea extractable DOM, indicating a high contribution of material modified by microorganisms. The THNS composition and distribution reveal that "recalcitrant" carbohydrates are heteropolysaccharides, carbohydrate units incorporated into a framework of a highly nonpolar structure with a lack of functional groups.

Geochemistry and P and Fe fractionation in anoxic sediments

We investigated the phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) fractionation in four cores with anoxic sediments, deposited during the mid-Cretaceous oceanic anoxic event 2 (~94 Ma) and the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (?55 Ma), that were exposed to oxygen after core recovery. Surprisingly, P associated with iron oxyhydroxides (Fe-bound P) was a major P phase in these laminated sediments deposited under euxinic conditions. A significant fraction of total Fe was present as (poorly) crystalline ferric Fe. This fraction increased with increasing storage time of the investigated cores. In carbonate-poor samples, Fe-bound P accounted for up to 99% of total P and its abundance correlated with pyrite contents. In samples with higher CaCO3 contents (>5 wt% in the investigated samples), P was mostly present in authigenic Ca-P minerals, irrespective of pyrite contents. We conclude that the P fractionation in anoxic, carbonate-poor, sediments is strongly affected by pyrite oxidation that occurs when these sediments are exposed to oxygen. Pyrite oxidation produces sulfuric acid and iron oxyhydroxides. The abundance of poorly crystalline Fe oxyhydroxides provides further evidence that these were indeed formed through recent (post-recovery) oxidation rather than in situ tens of millions of years ago. The acid dissolves apatite and the released phosphate is subsequently bound in the freshly formed iron oxyhydroxides. Pyrite oxidation thus leads to a conversion of authigenic Ca-P to Fe-bound P. In more calcareous samples, CaCO3 can act as an effective buffer against acidic dissolution of Ca-P minerals. The results indicate that shielding of sediments from atmospheric oxygen is vital to preserve the in situ P fractionation and to enable a valid reconstruction of marine phosphorus cycling based on sediment records.

Preparação de catalisadores para reações de esterificação do ácido oleico baseados em matrizes polímericas sulfonadas POLI(1- FENILETILENO) (PS) e POLI(1-CLOROETILENO) (PVC)

Chemical modification of polymer matrices is an alternative way to change its surface properties. The introduction of sulfonic acid groups in polymer matrices alter properties such as adhesion, wettability, biocampatibility, catalytic activity, among others. This paper describes the preparation of polymeric solid acid based on the chemical modification of poly (1-fenietileno) (PS) and Poly (1-chloroethylene) (PVC) by the introduction of sulfonic acid groups and the application of these polymers as catalysts in the esterification reaction of oleic acid with methanol. The modified materials were characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy, Elemental Analysis and titration acid-base of the acid groups. All techniques confirmed the chemical changes and the presence of sulfur associated with sulfonic acid groups or sulfates. The modified polymers excellent performance in the esterification reaction of oleic acid with methanol a degree of conversion higher than 90% for all investigated polymers (modified PS and PVC (5% w / w)), with a mass ratio of oleic acid: methanol 1:10 to 100 ° C. The best performance was observed for the modified PVC catalyst (PVCS) which showed low degree of swelling during the reactions is recovered by filtration different from that observed for polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). Given these facts, the PVCS was employed as a catalyst in the esterification reaction of oleic acid in different times and different temperatures to obtain the kinetic parameters of the reaction. Experimental data show a great fit for pseudo-homogeneous model of second order and activation energy value of 41.12 kJ mol -1, below that found in the literature for the uncatalyzed reaction, 68.65 kJ mol -1 .The PVCS exhibits good catalytic activity for 3 times of reuse, with a slight decrease in the third cycle, but with a conversion of about 78%. The results show that solid polymeric acid has good chemical stability for the application in esterification reaction of commercial importance with possible application in the biodiesel production. The advantages in use of this system are the increased reaction rate at about 150 times, at these test conditions, the replacement of sulfuric acid as a catalyst for this being the most corrosive and the possibility of reuse of the polymer for several cycles.

Concrete deterioration due to sulfide-bearing aggregates

Dans la région de Trois-Rivières (Québec, Canada), plus de 1 000 bâtiments résidentiels et commerciaux montrent de graves problèmes de détérioration du béton. Les problèmes de détérioration sont liés à l’oxydation des sulfures de fer incorporés dans le granulat utilisé pour la confection du béton. Ce projet de doctorat vise à mieux comprendre les mécanismes responsables de la détérioration de béton incorporant des granulats contenant des sulfures de fer, et ce afin de développer une méthodologie pour évaluer efficacement la réactivité potentielle de ce type de granulats. Un examen pétrographique détaillé de carottes de béton extraites de fondations résidentielles montrant différents degré d’endommagement a été réalisé. Le granulat problématique contenant des sulfures de fer a été identifié comme un gabbro à hypersthène incorporant différentes proportions (selon les différentes localisations dans les deux carrières d’origine) de pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite et pentlandite. Les produits de réaction secondaires observés dans les échantillons dégradés comprennent des formes minérales de "rouille", gypse, ettringite et thaumasite. Ces observations ont permis de déterminer qu’en présence d’eau et d’oxygène, la pyrrhotite s’oxyde pour former des oxyhydroxides de fer et de l’acide sulfurique qui provoquent une attaque aux sulfates dans le béton. Tout d’abord, la fiabilité de l’approche chimique proposée dans la norme européenne NF EN 12 620, qui consiste à mesurer la teneur en soufre total (ST,% en masse) dans le granulat pour détecter la présence (ou non) de sulfures de fer, a été évaluée de façon critique. Environ 50% (21/43) des granulats testés, représentant une variété de types de roches/lithologies, a montré une ST > 0,10%, montrant qu’une proportion importante de types de roches ne contient pas une quantité notable de sulfure, qui, pour la plupart d’entre eux, sont susceptibles d’être inoffensifs dans le béton. Ces types de roches/granulats nécessiteraient toutefois d’autres tests pour identifier la présence potentielle de pyrrhotite compte tenu de la limite de ST de 0,10 % proposée dans les normes européennes. Basé sur une revue exhaustive de la littérature et de nombreuses analyses de laboratoire, un test accéléré d’expansion sur barres de mortier divisé en deux phases a ensuite été développé pour reproduire, en laboratoire, les mécanismes de détérioration observés à Trois-Rivières. Le test consiste en un conditionnement de 90 jours à 80°C/80% RH, avec 2 cycles de mouillage de trois heures chacun, par semaine, dans une solution d’hypochlorite de sodium (eau de javel) à 6% (Phase I), suivi d’une période pouvant atteindre 90 jours de conditionnement à 4°C/100 % HR (Phase II). Les granulats ayant un potentiel d’oxydation ont présenté une expansion de 0,10 % au cours de la Phase I, tandis que la formation potentielle de thaumasite est détectée par le regain rapide de l’expansion suivi par la destruction des échantillons durant la Phase II. Un test de consommation d’oxygène a également été modifié à partir d’un test de Drainage Minier Acide, afin d’évaluer quantitativement le potentiel d’oxydation des sulfures de fer incorporés dans les granulats à béton. Cette technique mesure le taux de consommation d’oxygène dans la partie supérieure d’un cylindre fermé contenant une couche de matériau compacté afin de déterminer son potentiel d’oxydation. Des paramètres optimisés pour évaluer le potentiel d’oxydation des granulats comprennent une taille de particule inférieure à 150 μm, saturation à 40 %, un rapport de 10 cm d’épaisseur de granulat par 10 cm de dégagement et trois heures d’essai à 22ᵒC. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le test est capable de discriminer les granulats contenant des sulfures de fer des granulats de contrôle (sans sulfures de fer) avec un seuil limite fixé à 5% d’oxygène consommé. Finalement, un protocole d’évaluation capable d’estimer les effets néfastes potentiels des granulats à béton incorporant des sulfures de fer a été proposé. Le protocole est divisé en 3 grandes phases: (1) mesure de la teneur en soufre total, (2) évaluation de la consommation d’oxygène, et (3) un test accéléré d’expansion sur barres de mortier. Des limites provisoires sont proposées pour chaque phase du protocole, qui doivent être encore validées par la mise à l’essai d’un plus large éventail de granulats.

Xylose from lignocellulosic waste in the production and industrial processing of pinneaple (Ananascomusus)

Lignocellulosicwaste from the pineapple production is a raw material useful for the xylose production by hydrolysis and it can be converted to xylitol. The objective of this work was to study the hydrolysis of pineapple peel with sulfuric acid at variable concentration (2-6%), reaction time (0-350 min) and temperature at 98 ˚C. The concentration of xylose, glucose and degradation products as acetic acid and furfural was determined. Optimal conditions found for hydrolysis were 6% H2SO4 at 98 ˚C for 83 min which yield was 26,9 g xylose/L, 2,61 g glucose/L, 7,71 g acetic acid/L and 0,29 g furfural/L.

Seed and vegetative propagation methods for the rare Florida native species Chionanthus pygmaeus (pygmy fringetree)

Chionanthus pygmaeus Small (pygmy fringetree) (Oleaceae) is an endemic and rare Florida species, which has an attractive, small habit giving it great potential for use in managed landscapes. Members of the genus Chionanthus are difficult to propagate via cuttings and possess complex seed dormancies that are not well understood. Conservation of pygmy fringetree and its potential for commercial propagation for use in managed landscapes is contingent on a better understanding of its complex seed dormancy and enhancement of its propagation. I conducted two experiments to assess sexual and asexual propagation methods for pygmy fringetree. The first experiment was conducted to determine what factors are involved in overcoming seed dormancy. Various scarification treatments, which mimicked conditions seeds are exposed to in the wild, were investigated to determine their effects on germination of 20-year-old seeds originally collected from the species’ native range. Treatments included endocarp removal, sulfuric acid, boiling-water, and smoke-water treatments. Prior to treatment initiation, seed viability was estimated to be 12%. Treated seeds went through two cold- and two warm-stratification periods of 4°C and 25°C, respectively, in a dark growth chamber. After 180 days, none of the treatments induced early germination. Seeds were then tested for viability, which was 11%. Seed dormancy of the species is apparently complex, allowing some of the seeds to retain some degree of viability, but without dormancy requirements satisfied. The second experiment was conducted to assess if pygmy fringetree could be successfully propagated via hardwood or root cuttings if the appropriate combination of environmental conditions and hormones were applied. Hardwood and root cuttings were treated with either 1000 ppm IBA talc, 8000 ppm IBA talc, or inert talc. All cuttings were placed on a mist bench in a greenhouse for 9 weeks. Hardwood cuttings were supplemented with bottom heat at 24 °C. No treatments were successful in inducing adventitious root formation. I conclude that pygmy fringetree seeds possess complex dormancy that was not able to be overcome by the treatments utilized. However, this result is confounded by the age of the seeds used in the experiment. I also conclude that vegetative propagation of pygmy fringetree is highly dependent on the time of year cuttings are harvested. Further research of both seed and asexual propagation methods need to be explored before pygmy fringetree can be propagated on a commercial scale.

Influência da temperatura de calcinação do fosfogesso no desempenho de cimentos supersulfatados

The supersulfated cement (CSS) basically consist of up to 90% blast furnace slag, 10-20% of a source of calcium sulfate and a small amount of alkali activator, covered by European standard EN 15743/2010. Because of this SSC are considered "green cement" low environmental impact. The source of calcium sulfate used in the preparation of CSS can be obtained from natural sources, such as gypsum or from alternative sources (industrial products), such as phosphogypsum. The phosphogypsum is a by-product of the fertilizer industry, used in the production of phosphoric acid. In this process the phosphate rock is treated with sulfuric acid to give as the major product phosphoric acid (H3PO4), gypsum and a small amount of hydrofluoric acid. The chemical composition of gypsum is basically calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O), similar to gypsum, because it can be used in this type of cement. To become anhydrous, the calcination of gypsum is necessary. The availability of the source of calcium sulfate to react with the slag is dependent on its solubility that is directly related to its calcination temperature. The solubility of the anhydrous gypsum decreases with increasing calcination temperature. This study investigated the influence of temperature of calcination of phosphogypsum on the performance of CSS. Samples were prepared with 10 and 20% of phosphogypsum calcinated at 350 to 650 ° C using KOH as an alkaline activator at three different concentrations (0.2, 0.5 and 0.8%). The results showed that all mortars presented the minimum values required by EN 15743/2010 for 7 and 28 days of hydration. In general CSS containing 10% phosphogypsum showed slightly better compressive strength results using a lower calcination temperature (350 °C) and curing all ages. The CSS containing 20% of calcined gypsum at 650 °C exhibit satisfactory compressive strenght at 28 days of hydration, but at later ages (56 to 90 days) it strongly reduced. This indicates that the calcination temperature of phosphogypsum has a strong influence on the performance of the CSS.

Obtenção de alumina a partir de latas de alumínio utilizando diferentes digestões e 8-hidroxiquinolina como agente quelante

Aluminum cans has wide uses and Brazil is among one of the world's largest country at recycling, to provide an option that adds value to raw materials, this paper uses aluminum cans as aluminum source for the production of alumina. Evaluating the use of acid digestions (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and aqua regia) and basic (potassium hydroxide) to solubilize the aluminum after which will be complexed with 8-hydroxyquinoline at different pH's. By calcination, the complex produces an oxide with metal components with varying proportions depending on the digestion process. The thermal behavior of the complex varies with the morphology and metals present, occurring different events due to these characteristics.

Desenvolvimento de um novo processo para a produção de biodiesel etílico de mamona

No presente trabalho estudou-se a produção de ésteres etílicos de ácido graxo de Ricinus communis L. através da tranesterificação alcalina do óleo de mamona com etanol. Esta metodologia foi adotada para determinar as melhores condições para a produção de biodiesel a partir de óleo de mamona usando o mínimo de operações unitárias com benefícios do ponto de vista econômico e de produção de efluentes. Para a obtenção dos ésteres etílicos através do processo de transesterificação (etapa 1) utilizou-se como catalisador 1% de NaOH com etanol em uma razão molar de 6:1 seguido da adição de ácido sulfúrico. Após, a reação de esterificação (etapa 2) dos ácidos graxos contidos no biodiesel foi realizada visando reduzir o índice de acidez da amostra, ficando em torno de 2 mg de KOH/g. A quebra in situ dos sabões (provenientes da reação paralela de saponificação do triglicerídeo) pela adição de ácido sulfúrico ao meio reacional foi bem sucedida melhorando a separação dos FAEEs do glicerol. O processo em duas etapas transesterificação/esterificação apresentou boa conversão para os ésteres etílicos, diminuindo o índice de acidez e atingindo as especificações para glicerina total e livre. O biodiesel proveniente do óleo de mamona foi composto de 90,6% ácido ricinoléico (C18:1, OH), 3,2% ácido oléico (C18:1), 4,5% ácido linoléico (C18:2), 0,7% ácido esteárico (C18:0), 1,0% ácido palmítico (C16:0), triacilgliceróis (TGs, 0%), diacilgliceróis (DGs, 0,37%) monoacilgliceróis (MGs, 0,46%) e glicerol livre (0,25%) após o processo em duas etapas transesterificação/esterificação. O processo em duas etapas foi muito importante para determinar a integralidade da reação no rendimento do produto. Os resultados demonstram que o procedimento desenvolvido para a produção de FAEEs em escala de laboratório pode ser escalonado para uma planta piloto.