Blendas de polietileno de ultra alto peso molar (PEUAPM) com polietileno linear de média densidade (PELMD) para rotomoldagem

Neste trabalho foi feito um estudo das propriedades reológicas, mecânicas e térmicas de blendas poliméricas contendo 1 e 10% em massa de polietileno de ultra alto peso molar (PEUAPM) e polietileno linear de média densidade (PELMD). As blendas foram obtidas por mistura em extrusora de rosca simples e em extrusora de rosca dupla, para fins de comparação. Na extrusão em rosca dupla foi acrescentado um terceiro componente - óleo mineral, cera ou polietileno de muito baixo peso Molar (PEMBPM) - a fim de promover uma melhor interação entre o PELMD e PEUAPM. As amostras obtidas por moldagem por injeção, rotomoldagem e moldagem por compressão foram submetidas a testes reológicos, térmicos e mecânicos. Foi analisada a influência do tipo de processamento e da composição das blendas sobre morfologia e as propriedades finais destas. A reometria rotacional indicou um gradual aumento da viscosidade das blendas com o aumento da quantidade de PEUAPM adicionado. Análises de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia ótica e calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC) indicaram uma separação de fases nas blendas, mesmo quando o terceiro componente foi adicionado. Entretanto, as blendas que contém agente de acoplamento apresentaram diferenças na morfologia final, como observado através das análises de microscopia ótica durante a cristalização do sistema polimérico e nas análises de MEV nas amostras moldadas por injeção Para todas as blendas moldadas por injeção, a resistência ao impacto foi menor do que a encontrada para o PELMD puro. Por outro lado, nas amostras rotomoldadas não houve diferença significativa nas propriedades das blendas quando comparadas ao PELMD puro. As amostras extrusadas em rosca dupla, contendo óleo mineral ou cera e, posteriormente, moldadas por compressão apresentaram resistência ao impacto similares aos valores encontrados para o PELMD puro, sem significativas mudanças na processabilidade. Considerando as demais análises de propriedades mecânicas, não foi observada influência do terceiro componente.

Associação entre o consumo de gorduras saturadas e sobrepeso ou besidade em crianças e adolescentes de Porto Alegre

Estudo de caso-controle conduzido na cidade de Porto Alegre, com o objetivo de avaliar a associação do consumo de gorduras saturadas com sobrepeso e obesidade. Foram incluídas 52 crianças e adolescentes com idades entre seis e 19 anos, sendo 26 eutróficos e 26 com sobrepeso ou obesidade. Todos responderam a um questionário que contemplava história familiar, atividade física e hábitos alimentares. O consumo diário de alimentos ricos em ácidos graxos saturados no grupo de casos e controles foi, em média, de 31,63 mg e 23,18 mg, respectivamente (p<0,05). Quando a ingestão foi avaliada pelo questionário de freqüência alimentar, os casos apresentaram consumo mais freqüente de produtos lácteos e carne de gado. Este estudo demonstrou que fatores relacionados a história familiar de obesidade, hábitos alimentares inadequados e sedentarismo influenciam no desenvolvimento da obesidade desde a infância, e que a intervenção nutricional precoce torna-se necessária para prevenção de fatores de risco associados ao desenvolvimento desta patologia.

Adição de superplastificante e anti-segregante à base de CMC em pastas de cimento para Poços de Petróleo

Oil well cementing materials consist of slurries of Special class Portland cement dispersed in water. Admixtures can be used to provide the necessary fluidity, so the material can be efficiently pumped down as well as penetrate porous rocks with controlled filter loss. Construction admixtures can be used to modify the properties of oil well cements provided they can withstand and hold their properties at the higher than ambient temperatures usually encountered in oil fields. In civil construction, superplasticizer play the role of dispersants that reduce the facto r of water cement improve mechanical properties and fluidity of the cement, whereas anti-segregation agents improve the workability of the slurry. In the present study, oil well cement slurries were produced adding both a dispersant and an anti-segregation agent conventionally used in Portland CPII-Z-32 RS cement aiming at materials for primary cementing and squeeze operations. Three basic aspects were evaluated: fluidity, filter loss and the synergetic effect of the admixtures at two temperatures, i.e., 27°C and 56°C, following API RP 10B practical recommendations. The slurries were prepared using admixture concentrations varying from 2.60 Kgf/m3 (0.02 gallft3) to 5.82 Kgf/m3 (0.045 galJft3) BWOC. The density of the slurries was set to 1.89 g/cm3 (15.8 Ib/gal). 0.30 to 0.60% BWOC of a CMC-based anti-segregation agent was added to the cement to control the filter loss. The results showed that the addition of anti-segregation at concentrations above 0.55% by weight of cement resulted in the increased viscosity of the folders in temperatures evaluated. The increasing the temperature of the tests led to a reduction in the performance of anti-segregation. At concentrations of 5.20 kgf/m3 (0,040 gallft3) and 5.82 Kgf/m3 (0,045 gal/ft 3) observed a better performance of the properties evaluated in the proposed system. At low temperature was observed instability in the readings of rheology for all concentrations of anti-segregation. Contents that increasing the concentration of anti¬-segregation is limited concentrations greater than 0.55 % BWOC of the CMC in temperature analyzed. The use of the system with CMC promoted a good performance against the properties evaluated. The principal function of anti¬-segregation was optimized with increasing concentration of superplasticizer, at temperatures above the 2rC. The study of the behaviour of systemic additives, resulting in slurries of cement, which can be optimized face studies of other intrinsic properties in oil fields

Desenvolvimento de pastas de cimento flexíveis para poços de petróleo submetidos à injeção de vapor utilizando látex do tipo SBR

Novel cementing materials formulations containing flexible polymeric admixtures have been studied aiming at improving the mechanical behavior of oil well cement slurries submitted to steam injection. However, research activities in this sector are still under development. The steam injected directly into the well causes casing dilation, which after a reduction in temperature, tends to return to its original dimensions, resulting in crack formation and hydraulic isolation loss of the well, which will result in shortening of well life. In this scenario, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior of Portland-based slurries containing SBR latex, applied in oil well cementing of wells submitted to steam injection. Were formulated slurries with densities of 1.797 g/cm3 (15.0 lb/Gal) and 1.869 g/cm3 (15.6 lb/Gal), containing admixtures with a latex concentration of 0; 66.88; 133.76; 200.64 and 267.52 L/m3 (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 gpc). Tests including rheology, fluid loss control, thickening time, API compressive strength and splitting tensile strength, beyond steam injection simulation. Microstrutural characteristics of the slurries were also performed (XRD, TG, FTIR and SEM). The results showed that increasing the polymer concentration increased in the rheological properties and fluid loss, and a decrease in the elasticity modulus of the cement slurries. The results obtained showed that the slurries can be applied in cementing operations of oil wells submitted to steam injection.

Compósitos Portland-biopolímeros para cimentação de poços de petróleo

The oil production in mature areas can be improved by advanced recovery techniques. In special, steam injection reduces the viscosity of heavy oils, thus improving its flow to surrounding wells. On the other hand, the usually high temperatures and pressures involved in the process may lead to cement cracking, negatively affecting both the mechanical stability and zonal isolation provided by the cement sheath of the well. The addition of plastic materials to the cement is an alternative to prevent this scenario. Composite slurries consisting of Portland cement and a natural biopolymer were studied. Samples containing different contents of biopolymer dispersed in a Portland cement matrix were prepared and evaluated by mechanical and rheological tests in order to assess their behavior according to API (American Petroleum Institute) guidelines. FEM was also applied to map the stress distribution encountered by the cement at bottom bole. The slurries were prepared according to a factorial experiment plan by varying three parameters, i.e., cement age, contents of biopolymer and water-to-cement ratio. The results revealed that the addition of the biopolymer reduced the volume of free water and the setting time of the slurry. In addition, tensile strength, compressive strength and toughness improved by 30% comparing hardened composites to plain Portland slurries. FEM results suggested that the stresses developed at bottomhole may be 10 to 100 times higher than the strength of the cement as evaluated in the lab by unconfined mechanical testing. An alternative approach is proposed to adapt the testing methodology used to evaluate the mechanical behavior of oilwell cement slurries by simulating the confined conditions encountered at bottornhole

Avaliação do comportamento reológico de pastas de cimento para poços de petróleo com adição de plastificantes

The isolation of adjacent zones encountered during oilwell drilling is carried out by Portland-based cement slurries. The slurries are pumped into the annular positions between the well and the casing. Their rheological behavior is a very important component for the cementing process. Nowadays, several alternative materials are used in oilwell cementing, with goal the modification and the improvement of their properties, mainly the increase of the fluidity. And this can be reached by using plasticizers additives able to account for different oilwell conditions, yielding compatible cement slurries and allowing enough time for the complete cementing operation. If the rheological properties of the slurry are properly characterized, the load loss and flow regime can be correctly predicted. However, this experimental characterization is difficult. Rheological models capable of describing the cement slurry behavior must be capable of predicting the slurry cement deformation within reasonable accuracy. The aim of this study was to characterize rheologically the slurries prepared with a especial class of Portland cement, water and plasticizers based on lignosulfonate, melamine and polycarboxylate at temperatures varying from 27°C to 72°C. The tests were carried out according to the practical recommendations of the API RP 10B guidelines. The results revealed a great efficiency and the dispersive power of the polycarboxylate, for all temperatures tested. This additive promoted high fluidity of the slurries, with no sedimentation. High lignosulfonate and melamine concentrations did not reduce the rheological parameters (plastic viscosity and yield stress) of the slurries. It was verified that these additives were not compatible with the type of cement used. The evaluated rheological models were capable of describing the behavior of the slurries only within concentration and temperature ranges specific for each type of additive

Influência da vermiculita expandida na formulação de pastas leves para evitar a migração de gás em cimentação de poços petrolíferos

The gas migration during the cementing of wells is one of the main problems of oil wells engineering. Its occurrence can cause severe problems since shortly to loss of control of the well after cementation. Recently, 20/04/2010 In an accident of major proportions in the Gulf of Mexico, among other factors, faulty cementing operation provided the gas migration, causing the accident, in which 11 people died and 17 were injured occurred. Besides the serious consequences that can be caused by gas migration, remediation of the problem, which is made by injecting cement in damaged areas, usually involves additional costs and is not always effective. Therefore, preventing gas migration to be preferred. Some methods are used to prevent the migration of the pressurized gas as the annular space, application of pressure pulses, reducing the height of the cement column compressible cement pastes of low permeability, pastes and to control free filtered water, and binders of thixotropic cement expandable and flexible. Thus, the cement pastes used to prevent gas migration must meet the maximum these methods. Thus, this study aimed to formulate a cement paste to prevent gas migration, using the expanded vermiculite, and evaluate the behavior of the folder trials necessary for use in oil wells. Free water content, rheological properties, compressive strength, loss of liquid phase sedimentation of solids, specific weight, thickening time and gas migration: The following tests were performed. The results show that meets the specifications paste formulated for use in oil wells and the use of expanded vermiculite contribute to the absorption of free water, thixotropy and low density. The absorption of free water is proven to result in zero percentage test free water content, thixotropy is observed with the high value of the initial gel strength (Gi) in testing rheological properties and low density is proven in test weight specific

Aditivação de pastas geopoliméricas com tetraborato de sódio e látex não iônico para cimentação de Poços de Petróleo

The development of activities in the oil and gas sector has been promoting the search for materials more adequate to oilwell cementing operation. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the cement sheath integrity tend to fail during steam injection operation which is necessary to increase oil recovery in reservoir with heavy oil. Geopolymer is a material that can be used as alternative cement. It has been used in manufacturing of fireproof compounds, construction of structures and for controlling of toxic or radioactive waste. Latex is widely used in Portland cement slurries and its characteristic is the increase of compressive strength of cement slurries. Sodium Tetraborate is used in dental cement as a retarder. The addition of this additive aim to improve the geopolymeric slurries properties for oilwell cementing operation. The slurries studied are constituted of metakaolinite, potassium silicate, potassium hydroxide, non-ionic latex and sodium tetraborate. The properties evaluated were: viscosity, compressive strength, thickening time, density, fluid loss control, at ambient temperature (27 ºC) and at cement specification temperature. The tests were carried out in accordance to the practical recommendations of the norm API RP 10B. The slurries with sodium tetraborate did not change either their rheological properties or their mechanical properties or their density in relation the slurry with no additive. The increase of the concentration of sodium tetraborate increased the water loss at both temperatures studied. The best result obtained with the addition of sodium tetraborate was thickening time, which was tripled. The addition of latex in the slurries studied diminished their rheological properties and their density, however, at ambient temperature, it increased their compressive strength and it functioned as an accelerator. The increase of latex concentration increased the presence of water and then diminished the density of the slurries and increased the water loss. From the results obtained, it was concluded that sodium tetraborate and non-ionic latex are promising additives for geopolymer slurries to be used in oilwell cementing operation

Pastas compósitas cimento/sílica/polímero para cimentação de poços de baixa profundidade sujeitas à injeção de vapor

The production of heavy oil fields, typical in the Northeastern region, is commonly stimulated by steam injection. High bottom hole temperatures are responsible not only for the development of deleterious stresses of the cement sheath but also for cement strength retrogression. To overcome this unfavorable scenario, polymeric admixtures can be added to cement slurries to improve its fracture energy and silica flour to prevent strength retrogression. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the addition of different concentrations of polyurethane (5-25%) to cement slurries containing 40% BWOC silica flour. The resulting slurries were characterized using standard API (American Petroleum Institute) laboratory tests. In addition to them, the mechanical properties of the slurries, including elastic modulus and microhardness were also evaluated. The results revealed that density, free water and stability of the composite cement/silica/polyurethane slurries were within acceptable limits. The rheological behavior of the slurries, including plastic viscosity, yield strength and gel strength increased with the addition of 10% BWOC polyurethane. The presence of polyurethane reduced the fluid loss of the slurries as well as their elastic modulus. Composite slurries also depicted longer setting times due to the presence of the polymer. As expected, both the mechanical strength and microhardness of the slurries decreased with the addition of polyurethane. However, at high bottom hole temperatures, the strength of the slurries containing silica and polyurethane was far superior than that of plain cement slurries. In summary, the use of polyurethane combined with silica is an interesting solution to better adequate the mechanical behavior of cement slurries to heavy oil fields subjected to steam injection

Formulação e caracterização de pastas espumadas por incorporação de ar e estabilizantes minerais

Cementing operations may occur at various stages of the life cycle of an oil well since its construction until its definitive abandonment. There are some situations in which the interest zones are depleted or have low fracture pressure. In such cases, the adoption of lowdensity cement slurries is an efficient solution. To this end, there are basically three ways to reduce the density of cement slurries: using microspheres, water extending additives or foamed cement. The objective of this study is to formulate, to study and to characterize lowdensity foamed cement, using an air entrainment surfactant with vermiculite or diatomite as water extenders and stabilizers. The methodology consists on preparation and evaluation of the slurries under the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) guidelines. Based on calculated densities between 13 and 15 ppg (1.559 and 1.799 g/cm3), the slurries were prepared with fixed surfactant concentration, varying the concentrations of vermiculite and diatomite and were compared with the base slurries. The results of plastic viscosity, yield point and gel strength and the compressive strength for 24 h showed that the slurries presented suitable rheology and mechanical strength for cementing operations in oil wells, and had their densities reduced between 8.40 and 11.89 ppg (1.007 and 1.426 g/cm3). The conclusion is that is possible, under atmospheric conditions, to obtain light weighted foamed cement slurries with satisfactory rheological and mechanical properties by means of air entrainment and mineral additions with extenders and stabilizers effects. The slurries have great potential for cementing operations; applicability in deep wells, in low fracture gradient formations and in depleted zones and bring cost savings by reducing the cementing consumption

Influência da adição de cinza do bagaço de cana calcinada em sistemas de pastas para cimentação de poços petrolíferos

Cementing operation is one of the most important stages in the oil well drilling processes and has main function to form hydraulic seal between the various permeable zones traversed by the well. However, several problems may occur with the cement sheath, either during primary cementing or during the well production period. Cements low resistance can cause fissures in the cement sheath and compromise the mechanical integrity of the annular, resulting in contamination of groundwater and producing zones. Several researches show that biomass ash, in particular, those generated by the sugarcane industry have pozzolanic activity and can be added in the composition of the cementing slurries in diverse applications, providing improvements in mechanical properties, revenue and cement durability. Due to the importance of a low cost additive that increases the mechanical properties in a well cementing operations, this study aimed to potentiate the use of sugarcane bagasse ash as pozzolanic material, evaluate the mechanisms of action of this one on cement pastes properties and apply this material in systems slurries aimed to cementing a well with 800 m depth and geothermal gradient of 1.7 °F/100 ft, as much primary cementing operations as squeeze. To do this, the ash beneficiation methods were realized through the processes of grinding, sifting and reburning (calcination) and then characterization by X-ray fluorescence, XRD, TG / DTG, specific surface area, particle size distribution by laser diffraction and mass specific. Moreover, the ash pozzolanic activity added to the cement at concentrations of 0%, 20% and 40% BWOC was evaluated by pozzolanic activity index with lime and with Portland cement. The evaluation of the pozzolanic activity by XRD, TG / DTG and compressive strength confirmed the ash reactivity and indicated that the addition of 20% in the composition of cement slurries produces improvement 34% in the mechanical properties of the slurry cured. Cement slurries properties evaluated by rheological measurements, fluid loss, free fluid, slurry sedimentation, thickening time and sonic strength (UCA) were satisfactory and showed the viability of using the sugarcane ash in cement slurries composition for well cementing

Origem física das curvas sigmoidais respiratórias pressão-volume: recrutamento alveolar e elasticidade não-linear

An important unsolved problem in medical science concerns the physical origin of the sigmoidal shape of pressure volume curves of healthy (and some unhealthy) lungs. Such difficulties are expected because the lung, which is the most important structure in the respiratory system, is extremely complex. Its rheological properties are unknown and seem to depend on phenomena occurring from the alveolar scale up to the thoracic scale. Conventional wisdom holds that linear response, i.e., Hooke s law, together with alveolar overdistention, play a dominant role in respiration, but such assumptions cannot explainthe crucial empirical sigmoidal shape of the curves. In this doctorate thesis, we propose an alternative theory to solve this problem, based on the alveolar recruitment together with the nonlinear elasticity of the alveoli. This theory suggests that recruitment may be the predominant factor shaping these curves in the entire range of pressures normally employed in experiments. The proposed model correctly predicts the observed sigmoidal pressure volume curves, allowing us to discuss adequately the importance of this result, as well as its implications for medical practice

Micropartículas poliméricas à base de xilana e Eudragit® S-100 contendo mesalazina visando à liberação cólon-específica

Colon-specific drug delivery systems have attracted increasing attention from the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability of treating intestinal bowel diseases (IBD), which represent a public health problem in several countries. In spite of being considered a quite effective molecule for the treatment of IBD, mesalazine (5-ASA) is rapidly absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract and its systemic absorption leads to risks of adverse effects. The aim of this work was to develop a microparticulate system based on xylan and Eudragit® S- 100 (ES100) for colon-specific delivery of 5-ASA and evaluate the interaction between the polymers present in the systems. Additionaly, the physicochemical and rheological properties of xylan were also evaluated. Initially, xylan was extracted from corn cobs and characterized regarding the yield and rheological properties. Afterwards, 10 formulations were prepared in different xylan and ES100 weight ratios by spray-drying the polymer solutions in 0.6N NaOH and phosphate buffer pH 7.4. In addition, 3 formulations consisting of xylan microcapsules were produced by interfacial cross-linking polymerization and coated by ES100 by means of spray-drying in different polymer weight ratios of xylan and ES100. The microparticles were characterized regarding yield, morphology, homogeneity, visual aspect, crystallinity and thermal behavior. The polymer interaction was investigated by infrared spectroscopy. The extracted xylan was presented as a very fine and yellowish powder, with mean particle size smaller than 40μm. Regarding the rheological properties of xylan, they demonstrated that this polymer has a poor flow, low density and high cohesiveness. The microparticles obtained were shown to be spherical and aggregates could not be observed. They were found to present amorphous structure and have a very high thermal stability. The yield varied according to the polymer ratios. Moreover, it was confirmed that the interaction between xylan and ES100 occurs only by means of physical aggregation

Avaliação da argila atapulgita para potencial uso como excipiente farmacêutico em formas sólidas

Clays are natural materials that have great potential for use as excipients for solid dosage forms. Palygorskite is a type of clay that has hydrophilic properties as well as a large surface area, which could contribute to the dissolution of drugs. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the use of palygorskite clay, from Piaui (Northeast region of Brazil), as a pharmaceutical excipient for solid dosage forms, using rifampicin and isoniazid as the model drugs. The former is a poorly soluble drug often associated with isoniazid for tuberculosis treatment. Palygorskite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), particle size, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area (BET). The rheological and technological properties of palygorskite were determined and compared to those of talc, magnesium stearate and Aersosil 200. Mixtures between drugs and palygorskite were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) combined with thermal analysis (DTA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), where the results were compared with those of the individual compounds. In addition, dissolution studies of solid dispersions and capsules containing the drugs, mixed with either palygorskite or a mixture of talc and magnesium stearate, were performed. The results showed that palygorskite has small particles with a high surface area. Its rheological characteristics were better than those of others commonly used glidants and lubricants. There was no interaction between palygorskite and the drugs (rifampicin and isoniazid). Among the dispersions studied, the mixture with palygorskite (5%) showed the highest drug dissolution when compared to other excipients. The dissolution of the rifampicin capsules containing palygosrkite was faster in higher concentrations. However, these differences were statistically different only in the first minutes of the dissolution experiment. The dissolution profile of isoniazid was also statistically different on the initial part of the experiment. The formulations prepared with isoniazid and palygorskite showed higher drug dissolution, but it was in descending order of concentration. According to these results, the palygorskite clay used in this study has great potential for application as an excipient for solid dosage forms

Efeito da adição de argila expandida e adições minerais na formulação de concretos estruturais leves autoadensáveis

The search for alternative materials with lower density, reduction in heat transfer and propagation of noise associated with the ease of handling and application in concrete structures, represents an enormous challenge in the formulation and knowledge of the performance of self-compacting lightweight concrete, which has technology little known nationally, and appears on the international scene as an innovative material and alternative to conventional concrete. Based on these, this study set out to study self-compacting lightweight concrete made with two distinct grades of expanded clay associated with the addition of plasticizing/superplasticizers additives and mineral additions of metakaolin and bagasse ash of sugar cane. There is also an object of study, evaluation of pozzolanic activity of mineral admixtures and their influence on the durability characteristics of concrete. The rheological, physical, mechanical and microstructural analysis in this study served as basis in the classification of concretes autoadensáveis, targeting the national technical requirements for their classification in the category autoadensável and lightweight structural. The inclusion of mineral admixtures (metakaolin and bagasse ash of sugar cane), partial replacement of cement, pozzolanic activity and demonstrated maintenance of mechanical properties through the filler effect, a reduction of up to 76% of the nitrogen gas permeability in blend with 20% bagasse ash. All concretes had rheology (cohesion and consistency) suitable for self-adensability as well as strength and density inherent structural lightweight concrete without presenting phenomena of segregation and exudation