Solvation of carbon dioxide in [C4 mim][BF(4)] and [C(4) mim][PF(6)] ionic liquids revealed by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy.

Where is CO2 ? The intermolecular interactions of [C4 mim]BF4 and [C4 mim]PF6 ionic liquids and CO2 have been determined by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy in combination with molecular dynamic simulations. The anion and the cation are both engaged in interactions with CO2 . A detailed picture of CO2 solvation in these ILs is provided. CO2 solubility is essentially determined by the microscopic structure of the IL.

Development and validation of analytical methodology by GC-FID using hexadecyl propanoate as an internal standard to determine the bovine tallow methyl esters content.

EN 14103:2003 and EN 14103:2011 were developed in order to determine fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of biodiesel. The internal standards (IS) of biodiesel include methyl heptadecanoate (MHD) and methyl nonadecanoate (MND), respectively. However, since these ISs are also present in bovine tallow methyl esters (BTME) or overlapping peaks, they have not been efficient. This work proposes an improved BTME determination method by using hexadecyl propanoate (HDP) as an IS. For this purpose, an analytical methodology by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) was developed and validated, where HDP demonstrated selectivity in retention time between peaks C16:1 and C18:0 for coconut and soybeans methyl esters and BTME, as well as resolution >1.5 for the BTME in split mode 30:1. Trueness in the determination of BTME content using the HDP as an IS was statistically equivalent to confidence interval of 95% for the null hypothesis statistic test, even when only 20% of the HDP was utilized in comparison with the IS concentrations defined by EN 14103:2003 and EN 14103:2011. This allowed the biodiesel analysis to be performed five times more with 1 g of HDP. Furthermore, the method developed enabled us to reduce the analysis time by 21.6%, without prejudice to the integration of peaks (C6:0 to C24:1). Regarding the repeatability and intermediate precision tests, results of RSD (%) ≤ 2% were reached. Additionally, the method developed has proved to be robust. HDP is a long-chain fatty alcohol ester absent from feedstocks used in biodiesel synthesis. It presents all of the characteristics for a good IS, ideal for application via internal standardization method, as recommended by EN 14103.

A Rational Approach to CO2 Capture by Imidazolium Ionic Liquids: Tuning CO2 Solubility by Cation Alkyl Branching.

Branching at the alkyl side chain of the imidazolium cation in ionic liquids (ILs) was evaluated towards its effect on carbon dioxide (CO2 ) solubilization at 10 and 80 bar (1 bar=1×10(5)  Pa). By combining high-pressure NMR spectroscopy measurements with molecular dynamics simulations, a full description of the molecular interactions that take place in the IL-CO2 mixtures can be obtained. The introduction of a methyl group has a significant effect on CO2 solubility in comparison with linear or fluorinated analogues. The differences in CO2 solubility arise from differences in liquid organization caused by structural changes in the cation. ILs with branched cations have similar short-range cation-anion orientations as those in ILs with linear side chains, but present differences in the long-range order. The introduction of CO2 does not cause perturbations in the former and benefits from the differences in the latter. Branching at the cation results in sponge-like ILs with enhanced capabilities for CO2 capture.

Cálculo de emissões de CO2 provenientes da mudança do uso da terra para produção de soja no estado do Rio Grande do Sul / Calculation of CO2 emission derived from land-use change from soybean production at Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

RESUMO Atualmente um dos impactos ambientais de maior preocupação, as emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) influenciam as tomadas de decisão provenientes tanto do setor privado como do governamental. Nessa preocupação, encontra-se o processo de crescimento da produção de biodiesel de soja que ocorre no Brasil, e no Rio Grande do Sul, um dos principais produtores dessa matéria-prima. Baseado nisso, a quantificação das emissões de GEE da cultura da soja e seus prováveis impactos passam pela realização de um inventário que contemple a aproximação maior para a realidade dessa região. Assim, neste trabalho, as emissões de GEE provenientes da mudança do uso da terra (MUT) para produção de soja foram investigadas considerando dados históricos de 20 anos da produção da cultura no Rio Grande do Sul (entre 1992 e 2013). Nesta pesquisa, verificou-se o crescimento da cultura predominantemente sobre lavouras temporárias, o que repercute em uma quantificação diferente do que é apresentada nos inventários atuais, em que é apresentado um avanço da soja sobre florestas. Neste caso, o trabalho em questão verificou que, conforme metodologia do Painel Intergovernamental sobre Mudança do Clima (IPCC), a MUT ocorreu somente em 15,4% da área em que a soja avançou. Não menos importante, o trabalho sugere discussões futuras para metodologias que contemplem o avanço da soja sobre áreas de várzea, conforme evidenciado neste estudo.

ABSTRACT One of the environmental impacts that presents great concern nowadays, the green-house gases (GHG) emissions affect decision-making from both government and private sector. Within this concern is the soybean biodiesel production growing that takes place in Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul State, this last one of main producers of soybean. Based on this, GHG emissions accounting from soybean cultivation and their potential environmental impacts depend on an inventory performing that presents a reality as close as possible in relation to Rio Grande do Sul State. Thus, this work aimed to trace how the soybean cultivation has developed for 20 years at Rio Grande do Sul State (between 1992 and 2013). During this research, a soybean growing, mainly on temporary croplands, that results in a different accounting in relation to current inventories that show soybean cultivation moving forward on forests areas was found. In this case, it was verified that this work, following The Intergovernmntal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology, the land use change (LUC) occurred in only 15.4% of the area, where soybean cultivation moved forward for 20 years. Finally, this work suggests future discussion for methodologies that encompass soybean cultivation advanced over wetland areas according to what is pointed out in this study.