Hydrometallurgical recovery of valuable metals from secondary raw materials

Wastes and side streams in the mining industry and different anthropogenic wastes often contain valuable metals in such concentrations their recovery may be economically viable. These raw materials are collectively called secondary raw materials. The recovery of metals from these materials is also environmentally favorable, since many of the metals, for example heavy metals, are hazardous to the environment. This has been noticed in legislative bodies, and strict regulations for handling both mining and anthropogenic wastes have been developed, mainly in the last decade. In the mining and metallurgy industry, important secondary raw materials include, for example, steelmaking dusts (recoverable metals e.g. Zn and Mo), zinc plant residues (Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, In) and waste slurry from Bayer process alumina production (Ga, REE, Ti, V). From anthropogenic wastes, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), among them LCD screens and fluorescent lamps, are clearly the most important from a metals recovery point of view. Metals that are commonly recovered from WEEE include, for example, Ag, Au, Cu, Pd and Pt. In LCD screens indium, and in fluorescent lamps, REEs, are possible target metals. Hydrometallurgical processing routes are highly suitable for the treatment of complex and/or low grade raw materials, as secondary raw materials often are. These solid or liquid raw materials often contain large amounts of base metals, for example. Thus, in order to recover valuable metals, with small concentrations, highly selective separation methods, such as hydrometallurgical routes, are needed. In addition, hydrometallurgical processes are also seen as more environmental friendly, and they have lower energy consumption, when compared to pyrometallurgical processes. In this thesis, solvent extraction and ion exchange are the most important hydrometallurgical separation methods studied. Solvent extraction is a mainstream unit operation in the metallurgical industry for all kinds of metals, but for ion exchange, practical applications are not as widespread. However, ion exchange is known to be particularly suitable for dilute feed solutions and complex separation tasks, which makes it a viable option, especially for processing secondary raw materials. Recovering valuable metals was studied with five different raw materials, which included liquid and solid side streams from metallurgical industries and WEEE. Recovery of high purity (99.7%) In, from LCD screens, was achieved by leaching with H2SO4, extracting In and Sn to D2EHPA, and selectively stripping In to HCl. In was also concentrated in the solvent extraction stage from 44 mg/L to 6.5 g/L. Ge was recovered as a side product from two different base metal process liquors with Nmethylglucamine functional chelating ion exchange resin (IRA-743). Based on equilibrium and dynamic modeling, a mechanism for this moderately complex adsorption process was suggested. Eu and Y were leached with high yields (91 and 83%) by 2 M H2SO4 from a fluorescent lamp precipitate of waste treatment plant. The waste also contained significant amounts of other REEs such as Gd and Tb, but these were not leached with common mineral acids in ambient conditions. Zn was selectively leached over Fe from steelmaking dusts with a controlled acidic leaching method, in which the pH did not go below, but was held close as possible to, 3. Mo was also present in the other studied dust, and was leached with pure water more effectively than with the acidic methods. Good yield and selectivity in the solvent extraction of Zn was achieved by D2EHPA. However, Fe needs to be eliminated in advance, either by the controlled leaching method or, for example, by precipitation. 100% Pure Mo/Cr product was achieved with quaternary ammonium salt (Aliquat 336) directly from the water leachate, without pH adjustment (pH 13.7). A Mo/Cr mixture was also obtained from H2SO4 leachates with hydroxyoxime LIX 84-I and trioctylamine (TOA), but the purities were 70% at most. However with Aliquat 336, again an over 99% pure mixture was obtained. High selectivity for Mo over Cr was not achieved with any of the studied reagents. Ag-NaCl solution was purified from divalent impurity metals by aminomethylphosphonium functional Lewatit TP-260 ion exchange resin. A novel preconditioning method, named controlled partial neutralization, with conjugate bases of weak organic acids, was used to control the pH in the column to avoid capacity losses or precipitations. Counter-current SMB was shown to be a better process configuration than either batch column operation or the cross-current operation conventionally used in the metallurgical industry. The raw materials used in this thesis were also evaluated from an economic point of view, and the precipitate from a waste fluorescent lamp treatment process was clearly shown to be the most promising.

Desarrollo de aplicaciones en entorno de cuarta generación y con herramientas CASE.

En cada unidad precede al tít.: Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Informáticas y consta en marbetes: Formación Profesional a Distancia y Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior

Disseny i implementació d'un dispositiu de localització GPS

L'objectiu final d'aquest projecte ha estat el de fer un localitzador GPS. Inicialment es parteix d'un mòdul LCD amb retroil•luminació Optrex DMF-5005N i un mòdul GPS Connexant TU30. De la unió d'aquests dos, més la circuiteria dissenyada, en sorgeix un sistema capaç de proporcionar dades fiables i útils per a l'usuari, com són les coordenades, la velocitat, l'alçada, la data i l'hora, entre d'altres. El resultat final del projecte està contingut en una carcassa al frontal de la qual, hi podem veure el panell LCD, un pulsador per canvi de pantalla i un altre per variar la velocitat de quilòmetres per hora a nusos i a la inversa

A new optimised De Bruijn coding strategy for structured light patterns

Coded structured light is an optical technique based on active stereovision that obtains the shape of objects. One shot techniques are based on projecting a unique light pattern with an LCD projector so that grabbing an image with a camera, a large number of correspondences can be obtained. Then, a 3D reconstruction of the illuminated object can be recovered by means of triangulation. The most used strategy to encode one-shot patterns is based on De Bruijn sequences. In This work a new way to design patterns using this type of sequences is presented. The new coding strategy minimises the number of required colours and maximises both the resolution and the accuracy

La nueva museografía audiovisual.

El artículo forma parte de un monográfico de la revista dedicado a museografía didáctica en historia

Optical Characterization and Optimization of Display Components : Some Applications to Liquid-Crystal-Based and Electrochromics-Based Devices

This dissertation is focused on theoretical and experimental studies of optical properties of materials and multilayer structures composing liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and electrochromic (EC) devices. By applying spectroscopic ellipsometry, we have determined the optical constants of thin films of electrochromic tungsten oxide (WOx) and nickel oxide (NiOy), the films’ thickness and roughness. These films, which were obtained at spattering conditions possess high transmittance that is important for achieving good visibility and high contrast in an EC device. Another application of the general spectroscopic ellipsometry relates to the study of a photo-alignment layer of a mixture of azo-dyes SD-1 and SDA-2. We have found the optical constants of this mixture before and after illuminating it by polarized UV light. The results obtained confirm the diffusion model to explain the formation of the photo-induced order in azo-dye films. We have developed new techniques for fast characterization of twisted nematic LC cells in transmissive and reflective modes. Our techniques are based on the characteristics functions that we have introduced for determination of parameters of non-uniform birefringent media. These characteristic functions are found by simple procedures and can be utilised for simultaneous determination of retardation, its wavelength dispersion, and twist angle, as well as for solving associated optimization problems. Cholesteric LCD that possesses some unique properties, such as bistability and good selective scattering, however, has a disadvantage – relatively high driving voltage (tens of volts). The way we propose to reduce the driving voltage consists of applying a stack of thin (~1µm) LC layers. We have studied the ability of a layer of a surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal coupled with several retardation plates for birefringent color generation. We have demonstrated that in order to accomplish good color characteristics and high brightness of the display, one or two retardation plates are sufficient.

Terceirização de painéis para televisores: caso Philips Eletroeletrônicos de Consumo do Brasil

O mercado de eletroeletrônicos de consumo (EC) é um importante segmento da indústria mundial, marcado por acirrada competição entre grandes empresas, que buscam inovação contínua. Nesse universo, destaca-se o televisor, que vem se desenvolvendo cada vez mais, principalmente com o advento das novas tecnologias. Atualmente, os aparelhos com tela LCD (Liquid Cristal Display) estão entre os mais procurados por consumidores. O rápido ganho de mercado de algumas companhias, a queda de participação de outras e o significativo aumento da demanda caracterizam o mercado de televisores LCD. Por conseguinte, a aplicação dessa tecnologia gera incertezas para as organizações atuantes nessa indústria e, assim, muitas delas optam por diferentes níveis de verticalização em sua produção, ou por não acreditarem em um ciclo de vida longo do produto, ou por apresentarem limitações no orçamento, ou, ainda, por não possuírem conhecimento para desempenhar todos os processos da cadeia produtiva. A Philips Eletroeletrônicos de Consumo do Brasil é uma das empresas que apresentam queda expressiva de participação nesse mercado, não conseguindo responder ao crescimento da demanda com a mesma eficiência de seus concorrentes. Considerando-se tal observação, o objetivo neste trabalho é investigar se a perda de competitividade da companhia está relacionada ao intenso processo de terceirização de sua manufatura, especificamente do painel para televisor LCD. O trabalho de investigação embasa-se na teoria dos Custos Econômicos de Transação (Transaction Costs Economics - TCE) e na teoria da Visão Baseada em Recursos da Empresa (Resource-based View of the Firm - RBV), as quais, quando aplicadas em conjunto, podem oferecer uma ampla compreensão dos impactos das decisões que envolvem as fronteiras das organizações. A pesquisa também se fundamenta em entrevistas com executivos da Philips, atuantes nas áreas de gestão de operações e gerência de negócios, cujas considerações permitem verificar como a empresa compreende a terceirização de ativos e os possíveis riscos inerentes a esse processo. Os resultados revelam que existem fortes indicativos de que o modelo de terceirização de painéis LCD adotado pela Philips gera impacto negativo na competitividade da companhia, afetando, além de sua produção, o controle de parte de sua cadeia de valor.

Low cost non-intrusive home energy monitoring

This thesis presents a low cost non-intrusive home energy monitor built on top of Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) concepts and techniques. NILM solutions are already considered low cost alternatives to the big majority of existing commercial energy monitors but the goal here is to make its cost even lower by using a mini netbook as a whole in one solution. The mini netbook is installed in the homes main circuit breaker and computes power consumption by reading current and voltage from the built-in sound card. At the same time, feedback to the users is provided using the 11’’ LCD screen as well as other built-in I/O modules. Our meter is also capable of detecting changes in power and tries to find out which appliance lead to that change and it is being used as part of an eco-feedback platform that was build to study the long terms of energy eco-feedback in individuals. In this thesis the steps that were taken to come up with such a system are presented, from the basics of AC power measurements to the implementation of an event detector and classifier that was used to disaggregate the power load. In the last chapter results from some validation tests that have been performed are presented in order to validate the experiment. It is believed that such a system will not only be important as an energy monitor, but also as an open system than can be easily changed to accommodate and test new or existing nonintrusive load monitoring techniques.

Relationship of upper-limb and thoracic muscle strength to 6-min walk distance in COPD patients

Study objectives: This study was developed to investigate the influence of thoracic and upperlimb muscle function on 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in patients with COPD.Design: A prospective, cross-sectional study.Setting: the pulmonary rehabilitation center of a university hospital.Patients: Thirty-eight patients with mild to very severe COPD were evaluated.Measurements and results: Pulmonary function and baseline dyspnea index (BDI) were assessed, handgrip strength, maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax), and 6MWD were measured, and the one-repetition maximum (1RM) was determined for each of four exercises (bench press, lat pull down, leg extension, and leg press) performed on gymnasium equipment. Quality of life was assessed using the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). We found statistically significant positive correlations between 6MWD and body weight (r = 0.32; p < 0.05), BDI (r = 0.50; p < 0.01), FEV, (r = 0.33; p < 0.05), PImax (r = 0.53; p < 0.01), and all values of 1RM. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between 6MWD and dyspnea at the end of the 6-min walk test (r = -0.29; p < 0.05), as well as between 6MWD and the SGRQ activity domain (r = -0.45; p < 0.01) and impact domain (r = -0.34; p < 0.05) and total score (r = -0.40; p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis selected body weight, BDI, Pimax, and lat pull down IRM as predictive factors for 6MWD (R-2 = 0.589).Conclusions: the results of this study showed the importance of the skeletal musculature of the thorax and upper limbs in submaximal exercise tolerance and could open new perspectives for training programs designed to improve functional activity in COPD patients.

Classic and molecular cytogenetic analyses reveal chromosomal gains and losses correlated with survival in head and neck cancer patients

Purpose: Genetic biomarkers of head and neck tumors could be useful for distinguishing among patients with similar clinical and histopathologic characteristics but having differential probabilities of survival. The purpose of this study was to investigate chromosomal alterations in head and neck carcinomas and to correlate the results with clinical and epidentiologic variables.Experimental Design: Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures from 64 primary untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas was used to determine the overall pattern of chromosome aberrations. A representative subset of tumors was analyzed in detail by spectral karyotyping and/or confirmatory fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.Results: Recurrent losses of chromosomes Y (26 cases) and 19 (14 cases), and gains of chromosomes 22 (23 cases), 8 and 20 (11 cases each) were observed. The most frequent structural aberration was del(22)(q13.1) followed by rearrangements involving 6q and 12p. The presence of specific cytogenetic aberrations was found to correlate significantly with an unfavorable outcome. There was a significant association between survival and gains in chromosomes 10 (P = 0.008) and 20 (P = 0.002) and losses of chromosomes 15 (P = 0.005) and 22 (P = 0.021). Univariate analysis indicated that acquisition of monosomy 17 was a significant (P = 0.0012) factor for patients with a previous family history of cancer.Conclusions: the significant associations found in this study emphasize that alterations of distinct regions of the genome may be genetic biomarkers for a poor prognosis. Losses of chromosomes 17 and 22 can be associated with a family history of cancer.

Traveling waves in the Lethargic Crab Disease

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

Modelling the lethargic crab disease.

The lethargic crab disease (LCD) is an emergent infirmity that has decimated native populations of the mangrove land crab (Ucides cordatus, Decapoda: Ocypodidae) along the Brazilian coast. Several potential etiological agents have been linked with LCD, but only in 2005 was it proved that it is caused by an ascomycete fungus. This is the first attempt to develop a mathematical model to describe the epidemiological dynamics of LCD. The model presents four possible scenarios, namely, the trivial equilibrium, the disease-free equilibrium, endemic equilibrium, and limit cycles arising from a Hopf bifurcation. The threshold values depend on the basic reproductive number of crabs and fungi, and on the infection rate. These scenarios depend on both the biological assumptions and the temporal evolution of the disease. Numerical simulations corroborate the analytical results and illustrate the different temporal dynamics of the crab and fungus populations.

DNA gains at 8q23.2: a potential early marker in head and neck carcinomas

Gains or amplifications involving chromosome arm 8q are one of the most recurrent chromosomal alterations in head and neck tumors. To characterize previously reported gains, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using the sequences BAC RP1179E1 and 8-centromere PMJ 128 as probes. Gains and/or amplifications were detected in all 19 cases evaluated by FISH. The FISH analysis, but not G-banding, revealed homogeneously staining region in three cases. We conclude that gains of one or more genes on chromosome arm 8q may be important for the early stages of head and neck carcinomas. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of low-calcium diet and grind diet on bone turnover of ovariectomized female rats

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

Influência de tipos de estocagem na composição e valor nutritivo do feno de capim-de-rodes

Realizou-se, na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, um estudo da variação do valor nutritivo do feno de capim-de-rodes (Chloris gayana Kunth), em três tipos de estocagem: em galpão, no campo com cobertura plástica, e no campo com cobertura morta, em três diferentes tempos de armazenamento (60, 120 e 180 dias), com utilização de ensaios de digestibilidade in vivo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, distribuídos em um fatorial 3 x 3 com três repetições. A análise de variância revelou não haver diferenças significativas para os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca, mas sim para o extrato etéreo e extrativo não nitrogenado digestível, cujas médias foram 54%, 39,86% e 59,02% aos 60, 120 e 180 dias de armazenamento, e de 51,85%, 59,10% e 58,25% para o extrativo não-nitrogenado digestível, respectivamente. Em relação aos tipos de estocagem, os coeficientes de digestibilidade foram: 52,10%, 51,87% e 54,94% para o extrato etéreo, e 58,18% 57,16% e 53,88% para o extrativo não-nitrogenado. A ingestão média de matéria seca pelos animais foi de 72 g/kg P.V.0,75.