Avaliação econômica das perdas de banana no mercado varejista: um estudo de caso

O objetivo do presente estudo foi a determinação das perdas físicas e econômicas de banana em diferentes equipamentos varejistas na Cidade de Botucatu - SP e suas possíveis causas. Os equipamentos foram sorteados aleatoriamente. As informações foram coletadas através da aplicação de questionário para a determinação das perdas de três variedades de banana. O resultado mostrou perda global de 39 toneladas, correspondente a 11,1% da quantidade comercializada, sendo 10,5% em supermercados, 15,0% em quitandas/sacolões e 10,6% em feiras livres. O valor total das perdas anuais atingiu R$ 35.038,00, em valores de maio de 2002. A manipulação excessiva do cliente, excedente de oferta, uso de embalagem inadequada e baixa qualidade da fruta foram as principais causas de perdas. Conclui-se pela necessidade de conscientização do cliente, do uso de embalagens plásticas e de cuidados no manuseio da fruta durante toda pós-colheita.

Comparação econômica da produção de grãos secos e silagem de grãos úmidos de milho cultivado em sistema de plantio direto

No presente trabalho que foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental Lageado, da Universidade Estadual Paulista em Botucatu, SP, objetivou-se avaliar os custos envolvidos na produção de silagem de grãos úmidos de milho, tendo como referência o processamento seco deste cereal, ambos cultivados em sistema de plantio direto. Para a avaliação foram determinados os custos envolvidos nas operações de máquinas agrícolas, insumos e na etapa de pós-colheita. Os resultados observados permitiram concluir que o custo por hectare para produção de silagem de grãos úmidos foi de R$1.398,06, sendo 8,8% menor do que os custos para produção de milho seco (R$ 1.533,78).

Desenvolvimento e projeto de colhedora de babaçu (Orbignya phalerata Mart.) para agricultura familiar nas regiões de matas de transição da Amazônia

O babaçu (Orbignya phalerata) é uma típica palmeira das matas de transição dos ecossistemas Amazônia/Cerrado e Amazônia/Caatinga, sendo de grande importância econômica, social e ambiental nestas regiões. Os produtos advindos dos babaçuais possibilitam renda para uma das camadas mais pobres da região amazônica e um dos entraves para a obtenção eficiente destes produtos é a colheita dos cocos de babaçu, que atualmente se faz no sistema extrativista. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o desenvolvimento e projeto de uma colhedora de babaçu adaptável ao ambiente de trabalho da agricultura familiar e as características das matas de transição amazônicas. Para tal foram realizados estudos de literatura que nortearam as decisões e simplificações de projeto, assim como foram realizados os cálculos e desenhos da nova colhedora. O projeto foi realizado através de ferramentas de engenharia que apresentaram como resultados o memorial de cálculo que descreve o caminho técnico para o dimensionamento dos elementos constituintes da colhedora e a partir destes os desenhos detalhados dos elementos da nova máquina. Pelos desenhos detalhados suas considerações e decisões concluí-se que a colhedora de babaçu apresenta-se passível de ser construída com materiais nacionais de baixo custo, além de fácil operação, manutenção e com mínimo efeito sobre os babaçuais naturais.

Viabilidade econômica dos sistemas manual e mecanizado de aplicação de herbicidas em ferrovias

A aplicação mecanizada de herbicidas em ferrovias tem como principal vantagem a grande capacidade operacional, cobrindo trechos extensos em curtos espaços de tempo. Entretanto em função das características dos equipamentos utilizados, quase sempre ocorre grande desperdício de herbicida. A aplicação manual, através de pulverizadores costais, tem como principal vantagem a possibilidade da pulverização dirigida às áreas infestadas, diminuindo a quantidade de herbicida aplicado. Por outro lado, sua reduzida capacidade operacional faz com que a aplicação de longos trechos seja demorada, tornando-a, assim, mais dependente dos problemas climáticos e operacionais da ferrovia. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar uma análise comparativa das características operacionais e econômicas destes sistemas de aplicação, apontando os fatores mais importantes a serem avaliados para a sua implantação. Para tanto, foram realizadas simulações em computador, baseando-se em diversas equações matemáticas e dados levantados no campo. Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação manual apresentou-se mais econômica apenas para trechos com baixas infestações (até 10%, e média). Na composição de custos, os gastos com herbicidas corresponderam a cerca de 80% do total para a aplicação mecanizada e apenas 8% na manual. Levando-se em conta os fatores operacionais e de mão-de-obra, em apenas um dos trechos avaliados houve vantagem econômica do uso da aplicação manual.

Remoção mecânica de plantas aquáticas: análise econômica e operacional

A remoção de plantas aquáticas tem sido utilizada como opção ao controle químico e biológico, em razão de restrições ambientais em algumas regiões brasileiras. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um modelo para análise econômica e operacional da remoção mecânica de plantas aquáticas, visando realizar estudo econômico comparativo com o controle químico. A operação foi estudada num reservatório de uma usina de bombeamento em Barra do Piraí-RJ. O sistema consiste de retroescavadeiras instaladas em balsas, usadas para cortar as plantas e liberá-las no fluxo de água. Antes da tomada d'água existe uma barreira flutuante que intercepta as plantas, as quais são removidas por um guindaste fixo nas margens. As plantas são armazenadas por algum tempo e depois descartadas. Existe, ainda, um sistema de limpeza das grades da tomada d'água. Dados do volume total de plantas descartadas foram coletados durante 14 meses, assim como foi avaliado o volume de biomassa produzido por área das principais espécies infestantes. A empreiteira que administra o serviço forneceu planilhas de custos e outro parâmetros operacionais. Um modelo foi desenvolvido para calcular custos por hectare de plantas removidas. Os resultados mostraram custo médio mensal de US$ 17.780,28 por hectare. Apesar do alto custo, o sistema de remoção demonstrou capacidade de controlar apenas 4,1% da área infestada no reservatório, na época da coleta dos dados. Simulando dados de uma aplicação de glyphosate, o controle químico custaria apenas 0,23% do custo da remoção. Análises de sensibilidade mostraram que a compactação das plantas para transporte, o volume de plantas produzidas por área e o custo do transporte são os parâmetros principais para a otimização.

Construção e análise de desempenho de um fogão solar à concentração utilizando dois focos para cozimento direto

A model of a solar oven with a reflective surface composed of two mirror segments is presented, constituting a two semi-parabolic surfaces made of fiberglass, applied on a ceramic mold, intended to be used in residential and commercial cooking. The reflective surface of the semi-parable is obtained with the use of multiple plain segments of 2 mm wide mirrors. The semi-parabolic structure has visible movements that are comparable to that of the sun. The technical details of the manufacturing and assembling processes will be presented with an analysis of the viability of thermal, economic, and materials of such prototype. This prototype has important social implications and primordial aspects, which combats the ecological damages caused by the wide-scale use of firewood during cooking. It has been demonstrated that the solar oven has the capacity to cook simultaneous two meals distinct for a family of four

Projeto, construção e análise de desempenho de coletores solares alternativos utilizando garrafas pet

A solar alternative system for water heating is presented. It work on a thermosiphon, consisting of one or two alternative collectors and a water storage tank also alternative, whose main purpose is to socialize the use of energy mainly to be used by people of low income. The collectors were built from the use of pets bottles, cans of beer and soft drinks and tubes of PVC, ½ " and the thermal reservoirs from a drum of polyethylene used for storage of water and garbage placed inside cylinder of fiber glass and EPS ground between the two surfaces. Such collectors are formed by three elements: pet bottles, cans and tubes absorbers. The heating units, which form the collector contains inside the cans that can be closed, in original form or in the form of plate. The collectors have an absorber grid formed by eight absorbers PVC tube, connected through connections at T of the same material and diameter. It will be presented data of the thermal parameters which demonstrate the efficiency of the heating system proposed. Relative aspects will be boarded also the susceptibility the thermal degradation and for UV for the PVC tubes. It will be demonstrated that this alternative heating system, which has as its main feature low cost, presents thermal, economic and materials viabilities

CAD e engenharia reversa como ferramentas de auxílio na fabricação de cartuchos para próteses ortopédicas

The manufacturing of above and below-knee prosthesis starts by taking surfac measurements of the patient s residual limb. This demands the making of a cartridg with appropriate fitting and customized to the profile of each patient. The traditiona process in public hospitals in Brazil begins with the completion of a record file (according to law nº388, of July 28, 1999 by the ministry of the health) for obtaining o the prosthesis, where it is identified the amputation level, equipment type, fitting type material, measures etc. Nowadays, that work is covered by the Brazilian Nationa Health Service (SUS) and is accomplished in a manual way being used commo measuring tapes characterizing a quite rudimentary, handmade work and without an accuracy.In this dissertation it is presented the development of a computer integrate tool that it include CAD theory, for visualization of both above and below-knee prosthesis in 3D (i.e. OrtoCAD), as well as, the design and the construction a low cos electro-mechanic 3D scanner (EMS). This apparatus is capable to automatically obtain geometric information of the stump or of the healthy leg while ensuring smalle uncertainty degree for all measurements. The methodology is based on reverse engineering concepts so that the EMS output is fed into the above mentioned academi CAD software in charge of the 3D computer graphics reconstruction of the residualimb s negative plaster cast or even the healthy leg s mirror image. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed model is valid, because it allows the structura analysis to be performed based on the requested loads, boundary conditions, material chosen and wall thickness. Furthermore it allows the manufacturing of a prosthesis cartridge meeting high accuracy engineering patterns with consequent improvement in the quality of the overall production process

Análise econômica da produção do Maracujazeiro amarelo em sistemas orgânico e convencional

This work was carried out in the city of Maringa, located in the Northwest region of Parana, with the aim of analyzing economically the yellow passion fruit crop (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg.), comparing organic and conventional production systems. To estimate technical coefficients, planting and production costs, and profitability indicators of culture, the data were surveyed from technicians of the region and based in experimental work, carried out at the Experimental Farm of lguaterm from the Maringa State University, in the period of june/2002 to july/2004. The total production costs of the culture in two agricultural years reached a value 12.94% higher for the conventional system, and in this same period the medium index of profitability was 21.39% higher for the organic system. The organic production system was economically feasible and provided a larger index of profitability.

Projeto, construção e análise de desempenho de um forno solar alternativo tipo caixa a baixo custo

An alternative box-type solar oven constructed from the scrap iron of a gas conventional cook is presented, which functions principles are the effect greenhouse and the concentration. The oven of the conventional cook is the baking enclosure where the absorber (pot) of the solar oven is located, being re-covered for a glass blade for the generation of the greenhouse effect isolated lateral and having deep its and for a composite the plaster base and EPS. Segments of plain mirrors had been placed in the laterals of the oven for the concentration of the radiation and a reflecting parabola was introduced in the baking enclosure for the exploitation of the incident reflected radiation in the interior of the oven. The oven is mobile to allow one better aiming of exactly in relation to the apparent movement of the sun. The thermal economic and of materials viabilities of the stove in study will be demonstrate The average internal temperature of the absorber was around 150°C and the internal temperature around 120°C. Will demonstrate that its low cost and good thermal performance represents basic characteristics for the viability of large use of such archetype, mainly for cooking the decreases and averages temperatures. One will reveal that the archetype in study is competitive with the box-type solar cooker conceived in the whole world

Desgaste de polímeros estruturais de engenharia em contato de deslizamento com cilindro metálico

Present work proposed to map and features the wear mechanisms of structural polymers of engineering derived of the sliding contact with a metallic cylindrical spindle submitted to eccentricity due to fluctuations in it is mass and geometric centers. For this it was projected and makes an experimental apparatus from balancing machine where the cylindrical counterbody was supported in two bearings and the polymeric coupon was situated in a holder with freedom of displacement along counterbody. Thus, the experimental tests were standardized using two position of the two bearings (Fixed or Free) and seven different positions along the counterbody, that permit print different conditions to the stiffness from system. Others parameters as applied normal load, sliding velocity and distance were fixed. In this investigation it was used as coupon two structural polymers of wide quotidian use, PTFE (polytetrafluroethylene) and PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone) and the AISI 4140 alloy steel as counterbody. Polymeric materials were characterized by thermal analysis (thermogravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic-mechanical), hardness and rays-X diffractometry. While the metallic material was submitted at hardness, mechanical resistance tests and metallographic analysis. During the tribological tests were recorded the heating response with thermometers, yonder overall velocity vibration (VGV) and the acceleration using accelerometers. After tests the wear surface of the coupons were analyzed using a Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) to morphological analysis and spectroscopy EDS to microanalysis. Moreover the roughness of the counterbody was characterized before and after the tribological tests. It was observed that the tribological response of the polymers were different in function of their distinct molecular structure. It were identified the predominant wear mechanisms in each polymer. The VGV of the PTFE was smaller than PEEK, in the condition of minimum stiffness, in function of the higher loss coefficient of that polymer. Wear rate of the PTFE was more of a magnitude order higher than PEEK. With the results was possible developed a correlation between the wear rate and parameter (E/ρ)1/2 (Young modulus, E, density, ρ), proportional at longitudinal elastic wave velocity in the material.

Análise do desempenho térmico de um sistema de aquecimento solar utilizando coletor com superfície absorvedora em chapas de PVC

It s presented a solar collector to be used in a system for heating bath water, whose main characteristic is its low cost. The collector consists of five plates of PVC with 10 mm thick, 200 mm in width and 1400mm in length, with an area equal to 1.4 square meters. The plates were connected in parallel to the ends of PVC tubes of  40 mm and 32 mm. The plates were coated on one side with aluminum sheets of soft drinks and beers cans open. The system worked on a thermosiphon and was tested in two configurations: the plates uncoated and coated with aluminum material, to determine the influence of material on the efficiency of the collector. For both configurations was used EPS plates below the surface to minimize heat losses from the botton. The thermal reservoir of the heating system is, also, alternative and low cost, since it was constructed from a polyethylene tank for storing water, with volume of 150 end 200 liters. It will be presented the thermal efficiency, heat loss, water temperature of the thermal reservoir at the end of the process and simulation of baths for a house with four residents. The will be demonstrated thermal, economic and material viability of the proposed collector, whose main innovation is the use of recyclables materials, cans of beer and soft drinks, to increase the temperature of the absorber plate.

Construção e análise de desempenho de um forno/fogão solar tipo caixa construído a partir de uma sucata de pneu

An alternative box-type solar cooker built starting from the scrap of a tire and a scrap of old office chair is presented, which principles functions are the effect greenhouse and the concentration. The tire served as structure for making of is the baking enclosure where the absorber (roasting pan 20x30cm) of the solar is located, being re-covered for a glass blade for the generation of the greenhouse effect isolated lateral and having deep its and for a composite the plaster base and EPS. Segments of plain mirrors had been placed in the laterals of the oven/cook for the concentration of the radiation and a reflecting parable was introduced in the baking enclosure for the exploitation of the incident reflected radiation inside of the oven/cook. The oven/cook is mobile to allow one better aiming of exactly in relation to the apparent movement of the sun. The thermal economic and of materials viabilities of the stove/cook in study will be demonstrate. The average internal temperature of the absorber was around 152,3°C and the internal temperature around 110°C. Will demonstrate that toits low cost and good thermal performance, represents basic characteristics for the viability of large use of such archetype, mainly for cooking the decreases and averages temperatures. One will reveal that the archetype in study is competitive with the box-type solar cooker conceived in the whole world

Análise da eficiência de aquecedor solar espiral com e sem efeito estufa para piscinas

The technical and economic viability of solar heating for swimming pools is unquestionable, besides there it replaces the high costs and environmental impacts of conventional supply of energy, and it improves an optimization in the pool heating uses. This work applies the principles of the greenhouse effect: advanced thermodynamics, heat retention and equalization of temperature, to optimize the solar heating equipment, reducing the area required by collectors as much as 40% (still estimated value) for commercial collectors, with minor architectural and aesthetic impacts on the environment. It features a solar heating alternative in pools, whose main characteristics: low cost, simplicity in manufacturing and assembly and a faster heating. The system consists of two collectors spiral hoses made of polyethylene with a hundred meters each, and working on a forced flow, with only one pass of the working fluid inside the coils, and is used to pump itself treatment of pool water to obtain the desired flow. One of the collectors will be exposed to direct solar radiation, and the other will be covered by a glass slide and closed laterally, so providing the greenhouse effect. The equipment will be installed in parallel and simultaneously exposed to the sun in order to obtain comparative data on their effectiveness. Will be presented results of thermal tests for this the two cases, with and without transparent cover. Will be demonstrated, by comparison, the thermal, economic and material feasibility of these systems for heating swimming pools.

Projeto, construção e análise de eficiência térmica de um sistema de aquecimento solar de água de baixo custo

We studied the feasibility of using a system of Solar Water Heating (SAS) with low cost, for three configurations. In configurations I and II have the collector grid absorber composed of six PVC tubes placed in parallel on the tile cement. In configuration II, the PVC tubes were transparent cover made of plastic bottles. Configuration III uses a collector composed of 12 black HDPE pipes, supported on four cement tiles 2.44 m x 0.50 m, two by two overlapping and interspersed with a filling of glass wool, comprising an area exposed to the global radiation incident of 2.44 m2, with the top two tiles painted matte black. In this configuration, the HDPE pipes replace conventional PVC pipes painted black. The total cost of SAS for configuration III, the most economical, was around $ 150.00. For the configurations tested the system of operation was thermosyphon collector. The study showed that the proposed systems have good thermal efficiency, are easy to install and handle and have low cost compared to conventional.