Análise das emissões atmosféricas por veículos automotores em Natal-RN

The fast urban occupation of Brazil, mainly from the last decade of 50, a sensible degradation of the quality of the air generated mainly for the activities was verified human beings associates to industrialization. From the past years, the situation has gotten worst in function of the increment of the fleet of vehicles in circulation in the great cities. Being these, in the city of Natal-RN, the ones that offer the biggest contributions to the atmospheric pollution. For atmospheric air to be a finite natural resources, indispensable and essential to the maintenance of the life in the land, is necessary to the implementation of action to improve its quality and to protect the health of the population. With the objective to study relative aspects to the characteristics of vehicles in use, the present study it searchs to analyze the levels of emissions of gases generated for vehicles converted bi-fuels into the modalities: natural gas (GNV), gasoline and alcohol, inspected for ends of register and together licensing to the State Department of Transit. One used the data gotten from inspections carried through for the company System Specialized in Inspection To propagate, in the city of the Natal-RN, capital of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, between 14 of November of 2003 and 30 of December of 2004. The analyzed parameters are established in the resolution nº 07/93 CONAMA. Of a total of 1.517 inspected vehicles, a average of 15,2% of failed was gotten, or either, that they emit levels of pollution above of the limits established for the legislation, below of the national average that is of 20,0%. The analysis of the data discloses that 7.3% of the fleet are converted the GNV; the growth of vehicles converted the GNV into the city is gradual, with a average of increment in last the 4 years of 23,3%; it has a vehicle predominance that has as combustible original to the gasoline (88,2%); the inspected fleet has average age of 8 years of use, considered young for the Brazilian standards, except for the moved one to the alcohol (average of use of 15 years). Moreover, the type of fuel is not the main parameter to define the indices of emissions; the age of the fleet is the parameter most important when emission is analyzed to propagate; the gas that more generates failed in the inspections is the corrected carbon monoxide; the vehicles generate higher indices of emissions in idling for all the fuels; the presence of the catalyser was not reflected, as it expected, in the reduction of emissions of gases toxic, however when analyzed according to year of manufacture, it was observed that for the vehicles manufactured between 1997 and 2004, reduction of 46,0% in the failed of the vehicles equipped with catalyser was gotten. In conclusion, the fleet of the studied sample, in average terms, takes care of to the requirements of Resolution CONAMA nº 07/93. The results gotten for the present study can subsidize action of public administrations that aim at to the improvement and the maintenance of the quality of air in the city of Natal-RN, as, for example, to implant a net of monitoramento of the quality of air

Beneficiamento de sementes de café e efeitos na qualidade física

A pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de verificar a possibilidade de uso da máquina de pré-limpeza, da máquina de limpeza e classificação (ventiladores e peneiras) e da mesa densimétrica para o beneficiamento de sementes de café e, paralelamente, avaliar seus efeitos na qualidade física do lote. Para essa finalidade, um lote de sementes de café arábica 'Catuaí Amarelo IAC 62' foi submetido ao beneficiamento nesses três equipamentos, em diversas combinações. As frações retidas pelas peneiras 22/64 e 20/64 avos de polegada, na máquina de ventiladores e peneiras, constituíram a maior parte do lote e foram processadas, separadamente, em mesa densimétrica. Foram realizadas avaliações de pureza física, massa de mil sementes, peso hectolítrico, teor de água, tipos de sementes predominantes e integridade do endocarpo. Observou-se que: a) A máquina de pré-limpeza, a máquina de ventiladores e peneiras e a mesa densimétrica foram eficientes para a homogeneização do lote de sementes de café, proporcionando obtenção de melhor qualidade física na seqüência operacional em que foram utilizadas de forma conjugada; b) O uso de peneiras com crivos oblongos e crivos circulares, intercaladas na máquina de ventiladores e peneiras, possibilitou a separação de sementes mocas, de sementes com resíduos de exocarpo aderidos ao endocarpo e de sementes desprovidas de endocarpo, melhorando a aparência do lote; c) A mesa densimétrica foi o equipamento que proporcionou melhor separação de sementes com endocarpo danificado, bem como alterações favoráveis à qualidade física do lote; d) As sementes pequenas, retidas nas menores peneiras da máquina de ventiladores e peneiras, e as sementes de menor massa específica, classificadas ou não por tamanho e coletadas na descarga inferior da mesa densimétrica, foram as de baixa qualidade física.

Tratamento de materiais contaminados com bifenilas policloradas (PCBS) via extração convencional e fluído supercrítico

The decontamination of the materials has been subject of some studies. One of the factors that it increases the pollution is the lack of responsibility in the discarding of toxic trash, as for example the presence of PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) in the environment. In the Brazilian regulations, the material contaminated with PCB in concentrations higher than 50 ppm must be stored in special places or destroyed, usually by incineration in plasma furnace with dual steps. Due to high cost of the procedure, new methodologies of PCBs removal has been studied. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental methodology and analytical methodology for quantification of removal of PCBs through out the processes of extractions using supercritical fluid and Soxhlet method, also technical efficiency of the two processes of extraction, in the treatment of contaminated materials with PCBs. The materials studied were soils and wood, both were simulated contamination with concentration of 6.000, 33.000 and 60.000 mg of PCB/ kg of materials. Soxhlet extractions were performed using 100 ml of hexane, and temperature of 180 ºC. Extractions by fluid supercritical were performed at conditions of 200 bar, 70°C, and supercritical CO2 flow-rate of 3 g/min for 1-3 hours. The extracts obtained were quantified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The conventional extractions were made according to factorial experimental planning technique 22, with aim of study the influence of two variables of process extraction for the Soxhlet method: contaminant concentration and extraction time for obtain a maximum removal of PCB in the materials. The extractions for Soxhlet method were efficient for extraction of PCBs in soil and wood in both solvent studied (hexane and ethanol). In the experimental extraction in soils, the better efficient of removal of PCBs using ethanol as solvent was 81.3% than 95% for the extraction using hexane as solvent, for equal time of extraction. The results of the extraction with wood showed statistically it that there is not difference between the extractions in both solvent studied. The supercritical fluid extraction in the conditions studied showed better efficiency in the extraction of PCBs in the wood matrix than in soil, for two hours extractions the obtain percentual of 43.9 ± 0.5 % for the total of PCBs extracted in the soils against 95.1 ± 0,5% for the total of PCBs extracted in the wood. The results demonstrated that the extractions were satisfactory for both technical studied

Degradação foto-fenton de carbono orgânico total em efluentes da indústria de beneficiamento de castanha de caju

At the cashew nut processing industry it is often the generation of wastewaters containing high content of toxic organic compounds. The presence of these compounds is due mainly to the so called liquid of the cashew nut (CNSL). CNSL, as it is commercially known in Brazil, is the liquid of the cashew nut. It looks like an oil with dark brown color, viscous and presents a high toxicity index due to the chemical composition, i.e. phenol compounds, such as anacardic acid, cardol, 2-methyl cardol and monophenol (cardanol). These compounds are bio resistant to the conventional treatments. Furthermore, the corresponding wastewaters present high content of TOC (total organic carbon). Therefore due to the high degree of toxicity it is very important to study and develop treatments of these wastewaters before discharge to the environmental. This research aims to decompose these compounds using advanced oxidative processes (AOP) based on the photo-Fenton system. The advantage of this system is the fast and non-selective oxidation promoted by the hydroxyl radicals (●OH), that is under determined conditions can totally convert the organic pollutants to CO2 and H2O. In order to evaluate the decomposition of the organic charge system samples of the real wastewater od a processing cashew nut industry were taken. This industry was located at the country of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The experiments were carried out with a photochemical annular reactor equipped with UV (ultra violet) lamp. Based on preliminary experiments, a Doehlert experimental design was defined to optimize the concentrations of H2O2 and Fe(II) with a total of 13 runs. The experimental conditions were set to pH equal to 3 and temperature of 30°C. The power of the lamps applied was 80W, 125W and 250W. To evaluate the decomposition rate measures of the TOC were accomplished during 4 hours of experiment. According to the results, the organic removal obtained in terms of TOC was 80% minimum and 95% maximum. Furthermore, it was gotten a minimum time of 49 minutes for the removal of 30% of the initial TOC. Based on the obtained experimental results, the photo-Fenton system presents a very satisfactory performance as a complementary treatment of the wastewater studied

Desenvolvimento de uma unidade laboratorial para quantificação de BTX como poluentes atmosféricos, usando microextração em fase sólida

This dissertation aims the development of an experimental device to determine quantitatively the content of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) in the atmosphere. BTX are extremely volatile solvents, and therefore play an important role in atmospheric chemistry, being precursors in the tropospheric ozone formation. In this work a BTX new standard gas was produced in nitrogen for stagnant systems. The aim of this dissertation is to develop a new method, simple and cheaper, to quantify and monitor BTX in air using solid phase microextraction/ gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME/CG/MS). The features of the calibration method proposed are presented in this dissertation. SPME sampling was carried out under non-equilibrium conditions using a Carboxen/PDMS fiber exposed for 10 min standard gas mixtures. It is observed that the main parameters that affect the extraction process are sampling time and concentration. The results of the BTX multicomponent system studied have shown a linear and a nonlinear range. In the non-linear range, it is remarkable the effect of competition by selective adsorption with the following affinity order p-xylene > toluene > benzene. This behavior represents a limitation of the method, however being in accordance with the literature. Furthermore, this behavior does not prevent the application of the technique out of the non-linear region to quantify the BTX contents in the atmosphere.

Otimização do tempo e temperatura no processamento da gipsita oriunda dos cristalizadores da produção de sal para obter gesso de uso na construção civil

During the process of the salt production, the first the salt crystals formed are disposed of as industrial waste. This waste is formed basically by gypsum, composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O), known as carago cru or malacacheta . After be submitted the process of calcination to produce gypsum (CaSO4.0,5H2O), can be made possible its application in cement industry. This work aims to optimize the time and temperature for the process of calcination of the gypsum (carago) for get beta plaster according to the specifications of the norms of civil construction. The experiments involved the chemical and mineralogical characterization of the gypsum (carago) from the crystallizers, and of the plaster that is produced in the salt industry located in Mossoró, through the following techniques: x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (FRX), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS. For optimization of time and temperature of the process of calcination was used the planning three factorial with levels with response surfaces of compressive mechanical tests and setting time, according norms NBR-13207: Plasters for civil construction and x-ray diffraction of plasters (carago) beta obtained in calcination. The STATISTICA software 7.0 was used for the calculations to relate the experimental data for a statistical model. The process for optimization of calcination of gypsum (carago) occurred in the temperature range from 120° C to 160° C and the time in the range of 90 to 210 minutes in the oven at atmospheric pressure, it was found that with the increase of values of temperature of 160° C and time calcination of 210 minutes to get the results of tests of resistance to compression with values above 10 MPa which conform to the standard required (> 8.40) and that the X-ray diffractograms the predominance of the phase of hemidrato beta, getting a beta plaster of good quality and which is in accordance with the norms in force, giving a by-product of the salt industry employability in civil construction

Estudo do equilíbrio líquido-vapor do sistema água+etanol+líquido iônico visando a separação do álcool anidro

Anhydrous ethanol is used in chemical, pharmaceutical and fuel industries. However, current processes for obtaining it involve high cost, high energy demand and use of toxic and pollutant solvents. This problem occurs due to the formation of an azeotropic mixture of ethanol + water, which does not allow the complete separation by conventional methods such as simple distillation. As an alternative to currently used processes, this study proposes the use of ionic liquids as solvents in extractive distillation. These are organic salts which are liquids at low temperatures (under 373,15 K). They exhibit characteristics such as low volatility (almost zero/ low vapor ), thermal stability and low corrosiveness, which make them interesting for applications such as catalysts and as entrainers. In this work, experimental data for the vapor pressure of pure ethanol and water in the pressure range of 20 to 101 kPa were obtained as well as for vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the system ethanol + water at atmospheric pressure; and equilibrium data of ethanol + water + 2-HDEAA (2- hydroxydiethanolamine acetate) at strategic points in the diagram. The device used for these experiments was the Fischer ebulliometer, together with density measurements to determine phase compositions. The experimental data were consistent with literature data and presented thermodynamic consistency, thus the methodology was properly validated. The results were favorable, with the increase of ethanol concentration in the vapor phase, but the increase was not shown to be pronounced. The predictive model COSMO-SAC (COnductor-like Screening MOdels Segment Activity Coefficient) proposed by Lin & Sandler (2002) was studied for calculations to predict vapor-liquid equilibrium of systems ethanol + water + ionic liquids at atmospheric pressure. This is an alternative for predicting phase equilibrium, especially for substances of recent interest, such as ionic liquids. This is so because no experimental data nor any parameters of functional groups (as in the UNIFAC method) are needed

Estimativa da radiação global incidente em superfícies inclinadas por modelos isotrópicos e índice de claridade

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de modelos isotrópicos de estimativa do total de radiação incidente em superfícies inclinadas e propor estimativas com base nas correlações entre os índices de claridade horizontais e inclinados, em diferentes condições de cobertura de céu, em Botucatu, SP. Foram avaliadas superfícies com inclinação de 12,85º, 22,85º e 32,85º, pelos modelos isotrópicos propostos por Liu & Jordan, Revfeim, Jimenez & Castro, Koronakis, a teoria Circunsolar, e a correlação entre os índices de claridade horizontais e inclinados, para diferentes condições de cobertura de céu. O banco de dados de radiação global utilizado corresponde ao período de 1998 a 2007, com intervalos de 4/1998 a 8/2001 para a inclinação de 22,85º, de 9/2001 a 2/2003 para 12,85º e de 1/2004 a 12/2007 para 32,85º. O desempenho dos modelos foi avaliado pelos indicadores estatísticos erro absoluto médio, raiz quadrada do quadrado médio do erro e índice d de Wilmott. Os modelos de Liu & Jordan, Koronakis e de Revfeim apresentaram os melhores desempenhos em dias nublados, em todas as inclinações. As coberturas de céu parcialmente difuso e parcialmente aberto, nos maiores ângulos de inclinação, apresentaram as maiores dispersões entre valores estimados e medidos, independentemente do modelo. As equações estatísticas apresentaram bons resultados em aplicações com agrupamentos de dados mensais.

Concepção de um secador rotatório para secagem do cefalotórax do camarão

The present work has as objective the knowledge of the process of drying of the cephalothorax of shrimp to give support the industry to make possible the use of this byproduct. In this sense, the process conditions in this tray dryer and spouted bed were analyzed. With these results, it was projected and constructs a dryer with specific characteristics for the drying of the cephalothorax. The desorption isotherms were obtained by the dynamic method in the temperatures of 20, 35 and 50º C and in the interval of 10-90% of relative humidity. It was observed that the product in form of powder can be conserved with larger stability for lower relative humidity to 40%. The curves of drying of the dryer of fixed bed were adjusted for the models: single exponential, biparametric exponential and Page. The model biparametric exponential more adequately described all the drying conditions studied. The tests carry out in spouted bed showed high drying rate for the material in the paste form in beds active dynamicly-fluid, provely the necessity of a feeding in shorter intervals of time to increase the thermal efficiency of the process. The projected dryer, be considered the obtained results, it was a rotary dryer with inert bed, feed co-current, discharge in cyclone to take place the separation gas-solid, and feed carry out in intervals of 2 minutes. The optimization of the equipment projected it was accomplished used the complete factorial experimental design 24, this had as independent variables temperature velocity of the air, feed flow rate and encapsulated concentration (albumin), as variables answers the thermal efficiency, the moisture content of obtained powder, total time of test and the efficiency of production of powder in several points of processing. The results showed that the rotary dryer with inert bed can present, also, good results if applied industrially

Caracterização dos resíduos esgotados de sistemas de tratamento individual de esgotos de Natal

In Natal still dominates the use of individual disposal systems for domestic sewage, once only 29% of the city has a sewarage system. Wastes that are accumulated in these individual treatment systems should be exhausted periodically, service provided by collector entrepreneurs. Some of these companies causing major damage to the environment. In Natal, only two companies have their own septage (RESTI) treatment system, which were designed with parameters from domestic sewage generating strain and inefficient systems. Therefore, the characterization becomes essential as a source of parameters for their design. Thus, this work presents the physical-chemical and microbiological characterization of waste pumped from individual sewage treatment systems. Samples collections were made weekly from 5 different trucks at the reception point on the treatment plant on the point of the preliminary treatment. From each truck it was taken 5 samples during the discharge in order to make a composite sample. Afterwards, samples were carried out to laboratory and analyses for determination of temperature, pH, conductivity, BOD, COD, nitrogen (ammonia e organic), alkalinity, oils, phosphorus, solids, faecal coliforms and helminth egg. The results were treated as a single database, and ranked according to its generating source (multi and single house, lodging, health, services and / or food), area of origin (metropolitan, south and north) and type of system (cesspits, septic tank and / or sink). Through these data it was possible to verify that the type of system adopted by most in Natal and the metropolitan region is cesspit, besides to confirm the difference between the septage of areas with a population have different social and economical characteristics. It was found that the septage have higher concentrations than domestic sewage, except for thermotolerant coliforms that showed concentrations of 1,38E+07. Among the parameters studied, is the median values identified for COD (3,549 mg / L), BOD (973mg / L) and total solids (3.557mg / L). The volatile fraction constitutes about 70% of the total solids of the septage. For helminths has been a median of 7 eggs/L. In general, the characteristics of the waste followed the variability found in the literature reviewed for all variables, showing high amplitudes

Estudos dos aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos da água e do sedimento no baixo curso do Rio Pitimbu (RN)

Urban growth of metropolitan areas has produced impacts of considerable importance on environment and water resources. Such impacts are in general associated with human activities, such as basin area uncontrolled development. In this context, Pitimbu river watershed, located at Natal metropolitan area, has been affected by uncontrolled development caused by urban expansion. Indeed, such effects have been reflected on water quantity and quality, which may produce social consequences. Pitimbu river is an important water supplier for human consumption, actually supplying a 2600 m3/h water discharge. This study aims to analyze the qualitative and quantitative aspects of water and sediment on Pitimbu river lowland portion. For this purpose, physical-chemical water properties were analyzed, and sediment macro invertebrates benthonic were monitored in two cross sections in a period between November 8th, 2007 and October 3rd, 2008. Monitoring methodology consisted of water and sediment sampling for laboratory analysis. Water quality analysis included Dissolved Oxygen, Oxygen Biochemical Demand, Nitrate, pH and Alkalinity, Suspended and Total Solids. The analysis of heavy metals in the sediment included Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Chrome, Silver and Nickel. Dry season water discharge data were measured and used to adjust recession function parameters, whose values reveal quick recession and strong river-aquifer unconfined interaction. Water quality analysis revealed the absence of degradation by organic composites. However, DO and BOD levels indicate that more consistent results could be provided if sampling time interval were reduced. Biomonitoring showed signs of aquatic ecosystem degradation by the absence of sensitive and abundance of resistant benthic organisms. Obtained results demonstrate the urgent need of effective management measures to provide environmental protection. The increase of environmental degradation will certainly make impracticable the use of water for human consumption

Caracterização espectral de áreas de gramíneas forrageiras infectadas com a doença mela-das-sementes da braquiária por meio de imagens CCD/CBERS-2

Imagens CCD/CBERS-2, nas bandas espectrais CCD2, CCD3 e CCD4, dos anos de 2004 e 2005, de Mirante do Paranapanema - SP, foram transformadas em reflectância de superfície usando o modelo 5S de correção atmosférica e normalizadas radiometricamente. O objetivo principal foi caracterizar espectralmente áreas de pastagens de Brachiaria brizantha em fase de florescimento, isentas e infectadas com a doença mela-das-sementes da braquiária, possibilitando a sua detecção por meio da comparação entre os valores de reflectância de superfície denominada de Fator de Reflectância Bidirecional de Superfície (FRBS). Teve-se, também, o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia das imagens CCD/CBERS-2 para a obtenção de respostas espectrais de pastagens. Os dosséis sadios e doentes da Brachiaria brizantha foram identificados por meio da análise dos valores de reflectância e dos dados observados no Índice de Estresse Hídrico Acumulativo Relativo da Cultura (ACWSI) obtidos na área de estudo. Os resultados indicaram que as principais diferenças foram a diminuição da reflectância na banda CCD3 e o aumento da reflectância na banda CCD4 nas áreas doentes. A metodologia empregada com o uso de dados do sensor CCD/CBERS-2, associados ao ACWSI, mostrou-se eficaz para discriminar dosséis infectados com a mela-das-sementes da braquiária.

Assimilação do IWV-GPS no Brasil: otimização das estimativas do atraso zenital troposférico em tempo real

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

Comparação da pressão plantar e dos sintomas osteomusculares por meio do uso de palmilhas customizadas e pré-fabricadas no ambiente de trabalho

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aspectos dinâmicos da água versus álcool e acetona por técnicas de congelamento

Water still represents, on its critical properties and phase transitions, a problem of current scientific interest, as a consequence of the countless open questions and of the inadequacy of the existent theoretical models, mainly related to the different solid and liquid phases that this substance possesses. For example, there are 13 known crystalline forms of water, and also amorphous phases. One of them, the amorphous ice of very high density (VHDA), was just recently observed. Other example is the anomalous behavior in the macroscopic density, which presents a maximum at the temperature of 277 K. In order to experimentally investigate the behavior of one of the liquid-solid phase transitions, the anomaly in its density and also the metastability, we used three different cooling techniques and, as comparison systems, we made use of the solvents: acetone and ethyl alcohol. The first studied cooling system employ a Peltier plate, a device recently developed, which makes use of small cubes made up of semiconductors to change heat among two surfaces; the second system is a commercial refrigerator, similar to the residential ones. Finally, the liquid nitrogen technique, which is used to refrigerate the samples in a container, in two ways: a very fast and other one, almost static. In those three systems, three Beckers of aluminum were used (with a volume of 80 ml, each), containing water, alcohol and acetone. They were closed and maintained at atmospheric pressure. Inside of each Becker were installed three thermocouples, disposed along the vertical axis of the Beckers, one close to the inferior surface, other to the medium level and the last one close the superior surface. A system of data acquisition was built via virtual instrumentation using as a central equipment a Data-Acquisition board. The temperature data were collected by the three thermocouples in the three Beckers, simultaneously, in function of freezing time. We will present the behavior of temperature versus freezing time for the three substances. The results show the characterization of the transitions of the liquid