Combustion of pellets produced from corn straw and cashew nut shell in residential and industrial scenarios: Chemical, thermal and emission analyses.

The Brazilian Northeast region has considerable agricultural potential for corn and cashew nuts production. Residues from these cultures can be densified into pellets and used as heat generators in industries and homes. In this study, corn straw pellets (CSP) and cashew nut shells pellets (CNSP) were handmade, together with a variation using glycerol as a binder (CSGP and CNSGP). All pellets were subjected to chemical, thermal and exhaust gas analyses of their combustion. All analyses were based on two different scenarios: (i) the use of CSP and CSGP for energy supply in residential use and (ii) the use of CNSP and CNSGP for energy supply in industrial use. All pellets were subjected to chemical, thermal and exhaust gas analyses of their combustion. Chemical analysis involved the study of various fuel properties, comprehending moisture content (%U), bulk density (kg m-3), volatile materials (%V), ash content (%C) and fixed carbon (%FC), and all evaluated pellets met two or more international trading standards. The combustion process analyses in the residential scenario showed higher average temperatures and lower carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations obtained during CSP combustion than those of CSGP, and in the industrial scenario showed average similar temperatures and lower CO and NOx concentrations obtained during CNSP combustion than those of CNSGP. Ours results demonstrate the great potential of corn straw and cashew nut shells as crops to be integrated into the biomass supply chain for energy generation and agro-ecological development.

Aplicação do dióxido de titânio como fotocatalisador na degradação do diuron: avaliação das variáveis operacionais e estudo mecanístico / Application of titanium dioxide as photocatalyst in diuron degradation: operational variables evaluation and mechanistic study

RESUMO O diuron (DI) é um herbicida utilizado em culturas agrícolas para o controle de ervas daninhas que podem causar desde irritações na pele até problemas cancerígenos. Neste estudo, a fotocatálise heterogênea foi utilizada para a degradação do DI aplicando o dióxido de titânio (TiO2) como catalisador em um reator em batelada. Planejamentos experimentais foram realizados a fim de avaliar a influência do pH, da concentração do catalisador e do substrato, e de maximizar a degradação do DI. Depois de 3 horas de reação, foi possível observar que o pH foi a variável com maior influência na degradação do herbicida utilizando o TiO2 como catalisador. Com o estudo mecanístico foi possível propor que a degradação desse herbicida é realizada pelos radicais hidroxilas gerados da redução do O2. O modelo estatístico realizado neste estudo pode ser aplicado para o aprimoramento do processo de tratamento de efluentes industriais e agrícolas utilizando a fotocatálise heterogênea.

ABSTRACT Diuron (DI) is a herbicide used in agricultural fields for weed control that can cause skin irritations and carcinogenic problems. In this study, heterogeneous photocatalysis was used for the degradation of the DI applying TiO2 as catalysts in a batch reactor. Experimental designs were performed to evaluate the influence of pH, catalyst concentration and substrate, also to maximize DI degradation results. After 3 hours of reaction, it was possible to observe that pH was the variable with the significant influence on the degradation of the DI using TiO2 as a catalyst. With the mechanistic study it was possible to propose that the degradation of this herbicide is carried out by the hydroxyl radicals generated from the O2 reduction. The statistical models performed in this study can be applied to improve the process of treatment of industrial and agricultural effluents using heterogeneous photocatalysis.

Lung injury caused by exposure to the gaseous fraction of exhaust from biomass combustion (cashew nut shells): a mice model.

Currently, to reduce the use of nonrenewable energy sources in energy matrices, some industries have already incorporated biomass as a source of energy for their processes. Additionally, filters are used in an attempt to retain the particulate matter present in exhaust gases. In this work, the emission gases of a cashew nut shell (CNS) combustion reactor and the deleterious effects on the respiratory system of mice exposed to gaseous fraction present in CNS emissions (GF-CNS) are analyzed. The system for CNS combustion is composed of a cylindrical stainless steel burner, and exhaust gases generated by CNS combustion were directed through a chimney to a system containing two glass fiber filters to retain all the PM present in the CNS exhaust and, posteriorly, were directed to a mice exposure chamber. The results show changes in the variables of respiratory system mechanics (G, H, CST, IC, and PV loop area) in oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, and NO2-), as well as in the histopathological analysis and lung morphometry (alveolar collapse, PMN cells, mean alveolar diameter, and BCI). Through our results, it has been demonstrated that even with the use of filters by industries for particulate material retention, special attention should still be given to the gaseous fraction that is released into the environment.

Remoção de BTEX por fungos em reator aeróbio de escoamento contínuo / BTEX removal by fungi in continuous flow aerobic reactor

RESUMO Foi estudada a remoção de compostos BTEX (benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xilenos) em reator de escoamento contínuo e mistura perfeita, com inóculo de Aspergillus niger AN 400, operado sob o tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 12 horas para avaliar a eficiência do sistema na biorremediação de água poluída com gasolina na presença (Etapa I) e na ausência (Etapa II) de glicose (0,5 g.L-1). A água poluída com gasolina foi preparada na proporção de 10:1000 mL (gasolina:água). Na primeira etapa foi ainda estudada a influência da adição de nutrientes no afluente sobre a eficiência do processo. A adição de nutrientes foi benéfica ao processo e, mesmo com a retirada da glicose, a eficiência foi mantida, devido à metabolização do etanol - presente na gasolina brasileira em 25% - pelos fungos, sendo ambos fontes de carbono de assimilação mais fácil para obtenção de energia; o etanol e a glicose, foram usados como cossubstratos na degradação dos BTEX. Assim, na Etapa 2, quando somente havia o etanol no meio, chegou-se a percentuais médios de 88% para benzeno, 90% para tolueno, 90% para etilbenzeno, e de 91% para meta, para e orto-xileno (m, p e o-xileno), com formação de subprodutos fenólicos. A população fúngica predominou no meio ao longo de toda a operação do reator.

ABSTRACT The removal of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds by Aspergillus niger AN 400 was studied in a continuous flow reactor which was operated at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 hours evaluate the efficiency of the system in the bioremediation of water polluted with gasoline in the presence (Step 1) and absence (Step 2) of 0.5 g.L-1 glucose. In the first step it was also studied the influence of the addition of nutrients in the influent on the efficiency of the process. The addition of nutrients was beneficial to the process and, with the removal of glucose, the efficiency was maintained due to the use of ethanol - which is a Brazilian gasoline constituent (25%) - and was used as co-substrate. Both ethanol and glucose are more easily assimilated carbon and energy sources for fungi and were used as co-substrate in the degradation of BTEX. Thus, in Step 2, when only ethanol was in the biomedia, averages percentage of 88% for benzene, 90% in toluene, 90% ethylbenzene and 91% for meta, para and ortho-xylene (m, p and o-xylene) were reached, with the formation of phenolic by-products in between. The fungal population in the middle prevailed throughout the operation of the reactor.

Estudo de oxidação avançada de corantes básicos via reação Fenton (Fe2+/H2O2) / Study of advanced oxidation of basic dyes by Fenton reaction (Fe2+/H2O2)

RESUMOO processo de oxidação avançada do tipo reação Fenton (Fe2+/H2O2) foi estudado neste trabalho para descoloração de dois efluentes sintéticos, contendo os corantes Azul de Metileno (AM) e Rodamina B (RB). Experimentalmente, soluções em concentração de 10 mg L-1 dos corantes foram submetidas a diferentes dosagens de agente oxidante (H2O2) e catalisador (Fe2+) em uma temperatura de 27 °C e pH 3. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram altos níveis de remoção de cor, com eficiência da ordem de 96% para o AM e 86% no RB. Os dados mostraram bom ajuste ao modelo cinético. O monitoramento do espectro de absorção dos corantes mostrou uma diminuição da amplitude dos picos relacionados aos grupos cromóforos em ambos compostos, corroborando com os níveis de eficiência alcançados. A análise de remoção de matéria orgânica em termos de Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO) não acompanhou a mesma taxa de decréscimo de descoloração, obtendo-se reduções de 40,9% para o AM e 25,5% para o RB.

ABSTRACTThe process of advanced oxidation by Fenton reaction (Fe2+/H2O2) was studied in this work for decolorization of two synthetic effluents, containing the dyes Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RB). Experimentally, solutions at concentrations of 10 mg L-1 of the dyes were exposed to different concentrations of the oxidizing agent (H2O2) and catalyst (Fe2+) at a temperature of 27 °C and pH 3. The results showed high levels of color removal, with efficiency of 96% for MB and 86% RB. The data showed good adjustment to the kinetic model. The monitoring of the absorption spectrum of the dyes showed a reduction in amplitude of the peaks related to the chromophoric groups in both compounds, confirming the levels of efficiency achieved. The analysis of removal of organic matter in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) did not follow the same rate of decrease of decoloration, resulting in reductions of 40.9% for MB and 25.5% for the RB.

Physicochemical Properties of a Methacrylate-Based Dental Adhesive Incorporated with Epigallocatechin-3-gallate

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) incorporation on the physicochemical properties of a methacrylate-based dental adhesive. EGCG was added to Adper Easy One (3M-ESPE) except in control group, to obtain concentrations of 0.01% w/w and 0.1% w/w of EGCG-doped adhesives. For water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) surveys, resin discs were assayed following ISO recommendations (n=10). The degree of conversion (DC) was analyzed by FTIR whereas flexural strength (FS) was tested by three-point bending with bar specimens (n=10). Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). No significant difference in the DC, WS and FS were found between the different concentrations of EGCG (p>0.05). Adhesives containing 0.1% or 0.01% of EGCC demonstrated similar values of SL (p>0.05) and higher than those found for adhesive without EGCC (p<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of EGCC to adhesive reduced the solubility without affecting the other evaluated properties.

Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da incorporação de epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG) nas propriedades físico-químicas de um sistema adesivo à base de metacrilato. O EGCG foi adicionado ao Adper Easy One (3M-ESPE), exceto para o grupo controle, para a obtenção das concentrações de 0,01% e 0,1% p/p. No ensaio de sorção (S) e solubilidade (SL), foram confeccionados discos de resina de acordo com as recomendações da ISO (n=10). O grau de conversão (GC) foi analisado através de FTIR, enquanto a resistência flexural (RF) foi avaliada em teste de flexão de três pontos com espécimes em forma de barra (n=10). Os dados foram submetidos à Análise de Variância a um critério e teste de Tukey (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa entre as concentrações de EGCG testadas no GC, SL e RF (p>0,05). Adesivos contendo EGCG a 0,1% ou 0,01% apresentaram valores similares de SL (p>0,05) e maiores do que os valores obtidos pelo adesivo não incorporado por EGCG. Conclui-se que a adição de EGCG ao adesivo reduziu a solubilidade sem afetar as outras propriedades avaliadas.

Physicochemical properties of a methacrylate-based dental adhesive incorporated with epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) incorporation on the physicochemical properties of a methacrylate-based dental adhesive. EGCG was added to Adper Easy One (3M-ESPE) except in control group, to obtain concentrations of 0.01% w/w and 0.1% w/w of EGCG-doped adhesives. For water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) surveys, resin discs were assayed following ISO recommendations (n=10). The degree of conversion (DC) was analyzed by FTIR whereas flexural strength (FS) was tested by three-point bending with bar specimens (n=10). Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). No significant difference in the DC, WS and FS were found between the different concentrations of EGCG (p>0.05). Adhesives containing 0.1% or 0.01% of EGCC demonstrated similar values of SL (p>0.05) and higher than those found for adhesive without EGCC (p<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of EGCC to adhesive reduced the solubility without affecting the other evaluated properties.

Azo dye degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium in the medium enriched with nitrogen in the presence of primary co-substrate

This work sought to evaluate the ability of fungi Phanerochaete chryosporium to degrade congo red azo dye in batch reactor, evaluate the influence of glucose and wheat bran as co-substrates on the removal of the dye in the medium and investigate the influence of ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate as the inorganic nitrogen source for the process. Wheat bran was not effective satisfactorily for the removal of dye and organic matter had no desired effect for the removal of color and organic matter and showed the lowest values of k2, 0.008 M-1.d-1and 0.0004 M-1.d-1, respectively. Glucose presented the best response with the highest final percentage of dye removal (97%) and rate of dye removal (0.017 M-1.d-1), without adding an external source of nitrogen.

Tratamento de água com hidrocarbonetos aromáticos por uso de reator em bateladas sequenciais com inoculo fúngico / Treatment of water with aromatic hydrocarbons by use of sequential batch reactor with fungi inoculum

Um reator em batelada, aerado, com biomassa imobilizada de Aspergillus niger AN400 foi operado durante 10 ciclos de 7 dias para remover benzeno (200 mg.L-1), tolueno (200 mg.L-1) e xileno (50 mg.L-1) - BTX - e de nutrientes de meio basal. O reator era alimentado semanalmente com 4 L do meio e glicose - 1 g.L-1, na Fase I, e 0,5 g.L-1, na Fase II. Os BTX foram detectados até o quarto dia de operação, em todos os ciclos. As melhores eficiências médias de remoção foram na Fase I: 75%de matéria orgânica solúvel, 80% de ortofosfato e 77% de amônia. O reator pode ser uma alternativa viável para tratamento de águas poluídas com BTX, porém há a necessidade de estudar o comportamento do reator durante período de operação mais longo e com ciclos reacionais mais curtos, bem como da identificação dos metabólitos produzidos.

A batch reactor with air and immobilized biomass of Aspergillus niger AN400 was operated during 10 cycles of 7 days to remove benzene (200 mg.L-1), toluene (200 mg.L-1), and xylene (50 mg.L-1) - BTX - and nutrients from basal medium. The reactor was weekly fed with 4 L of the medium and glucose - 1 g.L-1 (Phase I) and 0.5 g.L-1 (Phase II). The BTX had been detected until the fourth day of operation in all cycles. The best efficiencies of removal had been in Phase I: 75% of soluble organic matter, 80% of orthophosphate and 77% of ammonia. The reactor can be a viable alternative for the contaminated water treatment with BTX. However it has the necessity to study behavior of the reactor during longer period of operation and with shorter reaction cycles, as well as the identification of the produced metabolites.

Remoção de macronutrientes de efluente da indústria de castanha de caju por uso de reator aeróbio em batelada com inóculo fúngico / Removal of macronutrients from effluent of a cashew nut industry by using a batch aerobic reactor with fungal inoculums

Foi estudada a eficiência da remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo do efluente de indústria de castanha de caju, por uso de reator aeróbio em batelada com inóculo de Aspergillus niger AN400. O reator recebeu 5 L de água residuária, acrescida de glicose, na concentração de 1 g.L-1 (Etapa I) e de 5 g.L-1 (Etapa II ). Cada etapa teve seis ciclos operacionais, cada um com tempo de reação total de sete dias. Os valores de pH dos efluentes na Etapa I variaram de 6,4 a 8,7 e na Etapa II , de 3,1 a 7,0. Durante a Etapa II , o reator alcançou bons resultados para remoção de nutrientes sem acúmulo de sua concentração no meio: 49 por cento de fósforo total, 60 por cento de ortofosfato, 79 por cento de amônia, 78 por cento de nitrato e 90 por cento de nitrito, indicando que a menor liberação de nutrientes pelos micro-organismos ocorreu na presença de concentração elevada de glicose.

It was studied the removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus from effluent of a cashew nut industry by using an aerobic reactor operated in repetitive batch, inoculated with Aspergillus niger AN400. The reactor was fed with 5 L of wastewater, supplemented with glucose in the concentration of 1 g.L-1 (Phase I) and 5 g.L-1 (Phase II ). Each phase had six operational cycles, with total reaction time of seven days per cycle. The pH values of the effluents in Phase I varied from 6.4 to 8.7 and in Phase II , it varied from 3.1 to 7.0. The reactor achieved good results of removal without nutrients accumulated in the medium, during Phase II : 49 percent to total phosphorus, 60 percent to orthophosphate, 79 percent to ammonia, 78 percent to nitrate, and 90 percent to nitrite, indicating that the lesser release of nutrients by microorganisms occurred in the presence of higher glucose concentration.

Remoção biológica de fenol por uso de reator contínuo com inóculo de Aspergillus niger / Biological removal of phenol by use of continuous reactor with Aspergillus niger inoculum

Neste trabalho, um meio aquoso contendo 250 mg/L de fenol e macro e micronutrientes foi submetido ao tratamento em reator de leito fixo e escoamento contínuo, inoculado com Aspergillus niger. O reator foi operado sob tempo de detenção hidráulica de oito horas, dividido em duas fases de alimentação: na presença (Fase I) e ausência (Fase II) de 0,5 g/L de glicose no meio. As remoções médias de matéria orgânica, medida em demanda química de oxigênio, e de fenol foram, respectivamente, de 92 por cento e 99 por cento, na Fase I, e de 77 por cento de matéria orgânica e de fenol, na Fase II. A perda de eficiência registrada na Fase II foi atribuída à produção excessiva de biomassa e de mucilagem, bem como pela provável diminuição da atividade enzimática dos micro-organismos envolvidos no processo.

In this work, an aqueous mean containing 250 mg/L of phenol and macro and micro nutrients was submitted to treatment in a continuous fixed bed reactor inoculated with the Aspergillus niger. The reactor was operated under eight hours of hydraulic detention, divided into two feeding phases in the presence (Phase I) and absence (Phase II) of 0.5 g/L of glucose in the mean. The organic matter removal, measured in chemical demand of oxygen and phenol were of 92 percent and 99 percent in Phase I, and 77 percent of organic matter and phenol in Phase II. The loss of the efficiency observed in the Phase II was attributed to extreme production of biomass and mucilage inside the reactor and for the reduction of the enzymatic activity of the involved microorganisms in the process.

Descoloração de efluentes aquosos sintéticos e têxtil contendo corantes índigo e azo via processos Fenton e foto-assistidos (UV e UV/H2O2) / Decolorization of synthetic and laundry wastewater containing indigo and azo dyes by the Fenton, photolytic and UV/H2O2 processes

No presente trabalho, processos de oxidação avançada, Fe2+/H2O2 e UV/H2O2, e de fotólise (UV) foram empregados na descoloração de dois efluentes sintéticos, contendo corantes tipo índigo e azo, e de um efluente de lavanderia industrial. Experimentalmente, soluções em concentração de 20 mg/L dos corantes índigo carmim e vermelho congo, respectivamente 43 µmol/L e 29 µmol/L, e o efluente têxtil (pH = 3) foram submetidos a diferentes condições oxidantes sob temperatura ambiente (27 ºC). As remoções de cor e de DQO foram avaliadas em cada sistema oxidativo estudado. Em geral, os resultados obtidos mostraram que os processos utilizados são muito promissores na descoloração dos efluentes. A descoloração completa das soluções foi alcançada nos processos Fenton e com UV/H2O2. Estudos cinéticos revelam que a taxa de descoloração em meio aquoso segue uma cinética de pseudo-primeira ordem em relação à concentração do corante.

In the present work, advanced oxidation processes, Fe2+/H2O2 and UV/H2O2, and direct photolysis (UV light) have been applied in the decolorization of two synthetic wastewater containing indigo and azo dyes and laundry effluent. Individual aqueous solutions containing 20 mg/L indigo carmine and congo red dyes (43 µmol/L and 29 µmol/L, respectively) and textile laundry wastewater at pH 3 were subjected to different experimental conditions in the oxidation reactions at room temperature (27 ºC). Color and COD removals were evaluated for each oxidation systems. The results showed that the utilized processes are able to successfully decolorize the wastewaters. Complete bleaching was achieved by Fenton and UV/H2O2. Also, kinetics investigations revealed that the decolorization follows pseudo-first order kinetic with respect to the dye concentration.

Caracterizaçäo físico-química de queijo de manteiga, queijo de coalho e manteiga da terra, produzidos nos estados do Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará / Physico-chemical caracterization of manteiga cheese, coalho cheese and manteiga da terra produced in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte states

Queijo de manteiga, queijo de coalho e manteiga da terra produzidos nos estados do Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará foram caracterizados quanto às suas propriedades físico-químicas, através das análises de composiçäo centesimal (umidade, gordura, proteína, cinzas), pH, acidez e cloretos para os queijos; umidade, gordura, cloretos, acidez e índice de peróxidos para manteiga da terra. As amostras de queijo de manteiga também foram analisadas em relaçäo a detecçäo de fraude por amido, através de teste qualitativo. Os resultados encontrados para umidade, gordura, gordura no extrato seco e proteína para os queijos de coalho e queijo de manteiga mostraram uma grande variaçäo entre as amostras analisadas, indicando näo existir padräo para os queijos fabricados na regiäo. Em relaçäo à manteiga da terra, foram observadas variaçöes nos valores de umidade e gordura, como também nos índices de oxidaçäo, confirmando a falta de padronizaçäo no processamento destes produtos.