Degradação de membrana impermeabilizante de polietileno de alta densidade usada em tanques de armazenamento de vinhaça

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) water-proof membranes are used as coatings in vinasse (leachate from sugar cane) storage tanks. The leachate is pumped into the tanks at temperatures of 80-90 °C. Due to these high temperatures and acidity of the waste, these membranes can be degraded, cracked and then loose the function for which they have been designed. This may cause contamination of the soil and groundwater. This study evaluated the effect of vinasse in HDPE membranes after 4 months of exposure in a controlled environment. An aggressive, alkaline pH liquid (sodium hydroxide) was also used. The objective was to evaluate the membrane resistance in contact with acidic and alkaline residues. Physical and mechanical tests, measurement of the carbon black content and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to determine degradation of polymer membranes after chemical immersion. While sodium hydroxide resulted caused only minor changes in the physical properties, vinasse induced a thickness change of 7.8%. With immersion in vinasse, an average decrease in strength and deformability (yield) of 34% and 23.5% were measured, respectively. The stiffness increased by 7.8% (average) and the tear strength decreased by 2.7% (average).

Análise da durabilidade do concreto de alto desempenho com adição de cinza de casca de arroz e borracha de pneu

Since the Seventies, there has been a growing degradation of concrete structures in Brazil. For that reason, much research has been made on the durability of those structures, aiming at contributing towards quality improvement and reduction of maintenance and repair costs. This study evaluates the behavior of the durability of high-performance concrete with additions, replacing part of the cement and aggregates with rice husk ash and tire rubber, respectively. Durability tests were carried out in which concrete was subjected to several degradation processes, such as the action of water, temperature, salts and acid solution. The results indicated that the addition of active silica or rice husk ash, both with tire rubber did not worsen the durability of concrete. In fact, rubber proved to be very effective in preventing the action of chemical agents, high temperatures and the penetration of water. Rice husk ash, despite the larger diameter of particles, had similar results to that of the active silica.

Efeitos do tratamento térmico em separado da polpa e do suco sobre a qualidade físico-química, microbiológica, enzimática e sensorial do suco de laranja mantido sob refrigeração

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização e avaliação da citocompatibilidade de nanocompositos baseados em celulose bacteriana e fibroína para aplicação em regenração tecidual

Pós-graduação em Ciências Odontológicas - FOAR

Avaliação da disseminação de Salmonella Senftenberg isoladas de diversos ambientes avícolas utilizando a técnica de Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Isolamento e seleção de fungos filamentosos termofílicos/termotolerantes produtores de celulases e xilanases e aplicação dos extratos enzimáticos na sacarificação do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Análise microbiológica e físico-química de material proteico comestível derivado do processamento da gordura oriunda do abate de bovinos

Background: The use of all by-products of bovine slaughter is of high economic importance for the industries of products of animal origin. Among these products, fat has an important role, once fat rendering may generate several different products, such as protein material that may be used in the manufacture of meat products. However, in spite of the importance that the use of all by-products has for the economic balance of the industry, there are no reports on their use in Brazil, or studies that supply data on microbiological and physical-chemical local standards for this protein. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of protein material obtained from fat rendering, as well as to provide support for companies to use fat rendering to generate protein material, adding value to industrialized meat products.Materials, Methods & Results: The experimental production of edible protein obtained of fat rendering was conducted in slaughterhouse with supervision of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. Protein material was obtained in a continuous, humid heat system at high temperatures. Fat scraps containing protein were ground and cooked at high temperature (85 degrees C), and placed in a three phase decanter centrifuge. After centrifugation, protein material was ground again and packed. Samples were collected from 15 batches of protein material, and the following microbiological analyses were carried out: counts of aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, coliforms at 35 degrees C, Escherichia coli, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, and Staphylococcus aureus, besides presence or absence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogens. The following physical-chemical analyses were also carried out: protein, total lipid, moisture, ash, carbohydrate, and energy content. Mean counts of mesophiles, psychrotrophs, and coliforms at 35 degrees C were 4.17; 3.69 and 1.87 (log CFU/g), respectively. Levels of protein, total lipids, moisture, ashes and carbohydrates were 27.50; 7.83; 63.88%; 0.24%; and 0.55%, respectively, and energy content was 182.63 kcal/100g.Discussion: Results of microbiological analyses demonstrated that, although low, the final product showed to be contaminated. Contamination that occurred during the second grinding procedure may be an explanation for these bacterial counts. Also, the temperature used for fat fusion was not enough to eliminate thermoduric microorganisms. However, even with the presence of indicator microorganisms in the samples, none was contaminated by E. coli, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, S. aureus, Salmonella or L. monocytogenes. Physical-chemical analyses showed that the product had adequate nutritional quality. Based on these results, it was possible to conclude that protein material obtained in fat rendering showed characteristics that enable the use of this product as raw material for processed meat products. Besides, the present study was the first one to present scientific results in relation to edible by-products obtained in fat rendering, supplying important information for slaughterhouses and meat-processing plants. The study also produced relevant data on the innocuousness of the product, which may be used to guide decision-making of health inspectors.

Modular Hyperthermostable Bacterial Endo-beta-1, 4-Mannanase: Molecular Shape, Flexibility and Temperature-Dependent Conformational Changes

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

Protein content of leaf-cutting ant queens before the nuptial flight and during the post-claustral phase

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

Estudo da aplicabilidade do sistema pultrudado de fenólica/fibras de carbono em cabos condutores

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Aspectos da furação do titânio 6Al4V com broca de aço rápido sinterizado e broca de metal duro

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

One-dimensional silicon and germanium nanostructures with no carbon analogues

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Platinum-Group Minerals in Chromitites of the Niquelandia Layered Intrusion (Central Goias, Brazil): Their Magmatic Origin and Low-Temperature Reworking during Serpentinization and Lateritic Weathering

A variety of platinum-group-minerals (PGM) have been found to occur associated with the chromitite and dunite layers in the Niquelandia igneous complex. Two genetically distinct populations of PGM have been identified corresponding to phases crystallized at high temperatures (primary), and others formed or modified during post-magmatic serpentinization and lateritic weathering (secondary). Primary PGM have been found in moderately serpentinized chromitite and dunite, usually included in fresh chromite grains or partially oxidized interstitial sulfides. Due to topographically controlled lateritic weathering, the silicate rocks are totally transformed to a smectite-kaolinite-garnierite-amorphous silica assemblage, while the chromite is changed into a massive aggregate of a spinel phase having low-Mg and a low Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio, intimately associated with Ti-minerals, amorphous Fe-hydroxides, goethite, hematite and magnetite. The PGM in part survive alteration, and in part are corroded as a result of deep chemical weathering. Laurite is altered to Ru-oxides or re-crystallizes together with secondary Mg-ilmenite. Other PGM, especially the Pt-Fe alloys, re-precipitate within the altered chromite together with kaolinite and Fe-hydroxides. Textural evidence suggests that re-deposition of secondary PGM took place during chromite alteration, controlled by variation of the redox conditions on a microscopic scale.

Análise do comportamento térmico de paredes de madeira

This study consists in the observation and evaluation of the thermal behavior and distribution of wood composite walls, MDF – Medium Density Fiberboard, HDF – High Density Fiberboard, OSB – Oriented Strand Board and EGP – Edge Glued Panel. This study had the objective to present the experimental thermal behavior and to verify which one fit the thermal comfort standards for human labor For this work, was developed a thermal chamber, with one interchangeable side, so the wall prototypes would fit for each experiment. We studied walls made of MDF, HDF, OSB and EGP, which one had its own distinct behavior due to the panel construction. The EGP wall had shown the most reliable material for this usage at high temperatures. With this work, it was demonstrated the importance of choice for the right material and construction method for wooden composite walls, because if they were scaled poorly, the people exposed to them would be uncomfortable by the proportionate environment, and the costs for a resizing would be too high

Análise da confiabilidade do ensaio de identificação de ligas através de espectrometria por fluorescência de raios x

In chemical industry, petrochemical and oil refinery may be found situations that working pressures and very high temperatures, and alloys that comprise such equipment must have specific characteristics such. As a way to ensure that the materials are as designed, companies have some specific techniques, and one of them is X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, which allows its application in devices small and lightweight, which ensures its portability in field use. This technique however, has some shortcomings such as the impossibility of detecting carbon and other elements of low atomic number which can generate false identifications of elements that are not in the league or non-detection of existing elements. Therefore, this study investigated the reliability of this method using the apparatus Niton XL3t 800 and may conclude that their results are reliable and can be used to assist in ensuring the operational integrity of the production units of these companies