Biosorption of Cr(VI) by three different bacterial species supported on granular activated carbon: a comparative study

The ability of three different bacterial species supported on granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove hexavalent chromium from low concentration liquid solutions was investigated, in batch and column studies. The microorganisms tested were Cr(VI) reducing types: Streptococcus equisimilis (CECT 926), Bacillus coagulans (CECT 12) and Escherichia coli (CECT 515). The results showed metal uptake values of 5.82, 5.35 and 4.12 mg/gbios., respectively, for S. equisimilis, B. coagulans and E. coli, for an initial metal concentration of 100 mg/l. In the same order and for the initial concentration of 50 mg/l, metal uptake values were 2.33, 1.98 and 3.60 mg/gbios.. Finally, for the initial metal concentration of 10 mg/l, those values were, respectively, 0.66, 1.51 and 1.12 mg/gbios.. Studies made with an industrial effluent, with the aim of testing these biofilms in a real situation, showed values of Cr uptake of 0.083, 0.090 and 0.110 mg/gbios., respectively, for S. equisimilis, B. coagulans and E. coli, for an initial concentration of 4.2 mg/l of total Cr. The quantification of polysaccharides, playing a key role in the whole process, was made and it was concluded that the production of polysaccharides is higher for B. coagulans followed by S. equisimilis and E. coli (9.19, 7.24 and 4.77 mg/gbios.). The batch studies data were described using the Freundlich, Langmuir, Redlich–Peterson, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Sips andToth model isotherms. The best fit was obtained with Sips and Toth model isotherms, respectively, for the S. equisimilis and for the B. coagulans biofilms. For the E. coli biofilm the Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Sips and Toth models fitted very well to the experimental data. The Adams–Bohart,Wolborska and Yoon and Nelson models were applied to column studies data. Those models were found suitable for describing the dynamic behaviour of the columns with respect to the inlet chromium concentration. Obtained results showed that the biofilms tested are very promising for the removal of Cr(VI) in diluted industrial wastewater. Despite differences in the cell wall structure and composition, the three bacteria exhibit comparable sorption affinities towards chromium, in the open systems studies. The Gram-positive bacteria tested (B. coagulans and S. equisimilis) presented best metal removal percentages in batch studies.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia FEDE

Biosorption of Cr(VI) by a Bacillus coagulans biofilm supported on granular activated carbon (GAC)

The ability of a biofilm of Bacillus coagulans supported on granular activated carbon (GAC) to biosorb Cr(VI) was investigated in batch and column studies so it may be applied to low metal concentration wastewater treatment. The quantification of polysaccharides and polymeric net revealed a value of 9.19 mg/gbiosorbent for the polysaccharides and 75 mg/gbiosorbent, for the polymeric net. The results obtained with open systems showed uptake values of 1.50, 1.98 and 5.34 mg/gbiosorbent, respectively, for initial concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 mg/L of Cr(VI). Column studies performed with an industrial effluent showed values of Cr uptake of 0.090 mg/gbiosorbent, for an initial concentration of 4.2 mg/L. The presence of functional groups on the cell wall surface of the biomass that may interact with the metal ion, was confirmed by FTIR. The equilibrium studies in batch systems were described by Freundlich, Langmuir, Reddlich–Peterson, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Sips and Toth model isotherms. Best fit was obtained with Toth model isotherm. Data from column studies were described by Adams–Bohart and Wolborska models. These models were found suitable for describing the dynamic behaviour of the columns with respect to the inlet chromium concentration. The whole study showed that the biofilm tested is very promising for the removal of Cr(VI) in industrial wastewater.FEDER.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTI/QUI/44840/2002

Molybdenite as a rhenium carrier : first results of a spectroscopic approach using synchrotron radiation

The chemical and physical properties of rhenium render it a highly demanded metal for advanced applications in important industrial fields. This very scarce element occurs mainly in ores of porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits associated with the mineral molybdenite, MoS2, but it has also been found in granite pegmatites and quartz veins as well as in volcanic gases. Molybdenite is a typical polytype mineral which crystal structure is based on the stacking of [S-Mo-S] with molybdenum in prismatic coordination by sulphide anions; however, it is not yet clearly established if rhenium ions replace Mo4+ cations in a disordered way or else, if such replacement gives rise to dispersed nanodomains of a rhenium-rich phase. As a contribution to clarify this question, an X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) study using synchrotron radiation was performed at the Re L3-edge of rhenium-containing molybdenite samples. Obtained results are described and discussed supporting the generally accepted structural perspective that rhenium is mainly carried by molybdenite through the isomorphous replacement of Mo, rather than by the formation of dispersed Re-specific nanophase(s)

Additive manufacturing of embedded thermocouples in WC-Co cutting tools for cutting temperature measurement

A publicar em PowderMet2023, 18 - 21 jun. 2023, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, USADuring machining processes, a large amount of heat is generated due to deformation of the material and friction of the chip along the surface of the tool, especially in the cutting zone. This high temperature strongly influences tribological phenomena and adhesion, tool wear, tool life, workpiece surface integrity and quality, chip formation mechanisms and contribute to the thermal deformation of the cutting tool, leading to high operating costs and reduction of the end product quality. In this sense, being able to assess the cutting temperature in real time, at various points of the cutting tool during machining processes, is of utmost importance to effectively optimize cutting parameters and the cutting fluid flow adequately, for minimizing heat generation, temperature and consequently wear, allowing to increase tool life. This work proposes the fabrication of embedded additively manufactured type K and type N thermocouples by laser powder bed fusion for real time cutting temperature measurement. Processing parameters optimization was performed to obtain a dense and continuous thermocouple with no significant defects and the additively manufactured thermocouples were tested in comparison to a conventional thermocouple. The obtained results show that this approach is effective to produce embedded thermocouples in WC-Co cutting tools capable of measuring cutting temperature, which will allow a real time optimization of the cutting parameters, namely cutting speed, feed and depth of cut, during in-service time, thus enhancing tool performance and life.This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) through the grant 2020.07155.BD and by the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030353 (SMARTCUT) and PTDC/EMEEME/1442/2020 (Add2MechBio). Additionally, this work was supported by FCT national funds, under the national support to R&D units grant, through the reference projects UIDB/04436/2020 and UIDP/04436/2020. Finally, this work was also developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 & LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)

Can 8-weeks of Training Affect Active Drag in Young Swimmers?

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 8-weeks of training on active drag in young swimmers of both genders. Eight girls and twelve boys' belonging to the same swimming team and with regular competitive participation in national and regional events for the previous two seasons participated in this study. Active drag measurements were conducted in two different evaluation moments: at the beginning of the season and after 8 weeks of training (6.0 ± 0.15 training units per week, 21.00 ± 3.23 km per week and 3.50 ± 0.23 km per training unit). The maximal swimming velocity at the distance of 13 m, active drag and drag coefficient were measured on both trials by the method of small perturbations with the help of an additional hydrodynamic body. After 8 weeks of training, mean active drag (drag force and drag coefficient) decreased in girls and boys, although no significant differences were found between the two trials. It seems that 8 weeks of swimming training were not sufficient to allow significant improvements on swimming technique. Key pointsThe velocity perturbation method seems to be a good, simple and reliable approach to assess active drag in young swimmers.Eight weeks of swimming training were not sufficient to allow significant improvements on swimming hydrodynamics.There were no differences between boys and girls concerning active drag. A possible explanation may be related to the similar values of body mass and height in boys and girls found in this study.Specific training sets concerning technique correction and improvement in young swimmers might be a main aim during training planning.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Kinematic and kinetic study of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movements towards a human-like skeletal model

The movements of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit are frequently executed on daily life. To develop robotic assistive devices for people with mobility problems, it is important to study how a healthy human performs these tasks. The goal of this study is to present a mathematical model based on acquired kinematic and kinetic data that represents a healthy human body performing these movements. The results revealed that the movements of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit have symmetric ground reaction force, joint angles and torques. The joint angles and the torques are very similar between each leg. The knee and the hip show more variation of the angle and achieve higher values of torque in comparison to the ankle. Although, ankle has higher torque during standing position. The ground reaction force shows that it is necessary to create an additional force to the weight force to achieve the final position of the movement. The acquired data describe as expected the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movements and can be used, in the future, to validate the presented model.This work has been supported in part by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) with the Reference Scholarship under Grant SFRH/BD/108309/2015, and part by the FEDER Funds through the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte and national funds from FCT with the project SmartOs -Controlo Inteligente de um Sistema Ortotico Ativo e Autonomo-under Grant NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030386, and by the FEDER Funds through the COMPETE 2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI)-with the Reference Project under Grant POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006941