On Brazil’s participation in the first ten years of the INPRO project and perspectives ahead.

In September 2001, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) to help ensure that nuclear energy is available to contribute to meeting the world energy needs of the 21st century in a sustainable manner. To achieve its objective INPRO brings together technology holders and technology users to consider jointly the international and the national actions to achieve the desired innovations in nuclear reactors, fuel cycles and institutional approaches. This paper reviews INPRO’s main achievements in its first ten years of existence and highlights Brazil’s contributions to the project and the benefits gained from its membership. Among INPRO’s main achievements are the development of the INPRO assessment methodology, key studies and collaborative project results, and the establishment of the Dialogue Forum between technology holders and technology users. Brazil contributed to the project by providing a cost-free expert to the INPRO Coordination Group in 2002, by performing an assessment of two small sized reactors for deployment in the country using INPRO methodology published in 2009, and by participating in two collaborative projects related to technology innovations, which shall be completed by the end of this year. The paper concludes with a short presentation of the opportunities for the country’s participation in the activities of the INPRO Action Plan for the biennium 2012-2013, currently under preparation

Economic assessment of the iris reactor for deployment in Brazil using inpro methodology

This paper presents the main results of the evaluation of the economic competitiveness of the International Reactor Innovative and Secure (IRIS) for deployment in Brazil using the assessment methodology developed under the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), co-ordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). INPRO was initiated in 2001 and has the main objective of helping to ensure that nuclear energy will be available to contribute in a sustainable manner to the energy needs of the 21st century. Among its missions are the development of a methodology to assess innovative nuclear energy systems (INS) on a global, regional and national basis, and to facilitate the co-operation among IAEA Member States for planning the development and deployment of INS. Brazil joined INPRO since its beginning and in 2005 submitted a proposal for the screening assessment of two small-sized integral-type PWR reactors as alternative components of an INS completed with a conventional open nuclear fuel cycle based on enriched uranium. This paper outlines the rationale and the main results of the economic assessment of the IRIS-based INS completed in August 2008. The study concluded that IRIS reference design satisfies most of INPRO criteria in the area of economics

Cones e semigrupos

Orientador: Luiz Antonio Barrera San MartinTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Matematica, Estatistica e Computação CientificaResumo: o que pretendemos com este trabalho é avançar o entendimento dos semigrupos ma.xll:nais de interior não vazio no grupo linear especial Sl(n,:IR). Uma das classes de semigrupos maximais no grupo Sl( n,]R) é formada pelos semigrupos de compressão de cones convexos, pontuais e geradores em ]Rn. Tomamos um cone convexo W, pontual e gerador e formamos o semigrupo de compressão S (W) formado pelas matrizes reais 9 com determinante positivo tais que gW esteja contido em W. Mostramos que S(W) é conexo. Concluimos daí que S (W) é formado pelo semigrupo de compressão de matrizes com determinante um também é conexo. Mostramos também que existe g em Sl( n,]R) tal que gW está contido em -W. Concluimos que S(W) não é um semigrupo ma.xll:nal, no entanto é um semigrupo ma.xll:nal entre os conexos. Estas informações nos permitem determinar completamente os semigrupos maximais conexos de Sl( n,:IR) para n = 2,3. Estudamos o cone infinitesimal L(S(W)) associado ao semigrupo de compressão S(vV). Damos uma representação de L(S(W)) usando a aplicação momento de uma representação de uma álgebra de Lie. Para isto introduzimos uma órbita nilpotente da ação de Sl(n,]R) no produto tensorial de um espaço vetorial V pelo seu dual. Identificamos este produto tensorial com a álgebra de Lie g(V) das transformações lineares de V. Tratamos também de cones auto-duais e mostramos alguns resultados interessantes. Além disso, definimos vários outros cones no espaço das matrizes, associados a um cone W de ]Rn. Nosso objetivo foi desenvolver nov"8S ferramentas que ajudassem a entender o semigrupo S(W). Discutimos algumas propriedades destes cones e estabelecemos relações entre elesAbstract: The purpose of this work is to advanced the understanding about the maximal semigroups with nonempty interior in the speciallinear group Sl(n,R). The compression semigroup of a convex pointed and generating cone form one of the classes of maximal semigroups in the gToup Sl( n, R). Let W C Rn be a pointed and generating cone and form the compression semigroup S(W') of the real matrices with positive determinant leaving W invariant. We prove that S(W) is path connected. Sw = {g E Sl(n,R) : gW C W} is connected too. Also we prove the existence of g in Sl(n,R) such that gVV C -W. So that Sw is not a maximal semigroup. However we get that Sw is a maximal connected semigroup. This informations leave us determinate completely the connected maximal semigroups in Sl( n, R) to n = 2,3. We study the infinitesimal cone L(S(W)) associated to the compression semigroup S (W"). We give a representation of L( S (W"» using the moment map of the representation of aLie algebra. To do this we introduce a nilpotent orbit of the action of Sl( n, R) on the tensorial product of the vetorial space V by its dual. We identify this tensorial product with the Lie algebra gl (V) of the linear transformations of V. We also treat the self dual cones and prove some interesting results. Furthermore, we define some other cones in the matrix space, associated to the cone W. Our objetive is introduce new results to help the understanding of the semigroup S(W). We discuss some properties and relations between of these conesDoutoradoDoutor em Matemátic

On the precision and accuracy of the acoustic birefringence technique for stress evaluation

This paper presents a numerical procedure for estimation of the precision and accuracy of the acoustic birefringence technique as used in the Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear (IEN) for evaluation of residual and applied stresses in structures and components, mainly of the nuclear power industry. This procedure shall be incorporated to the signal processing module of the ultrasonic system used at IEN’s Ultrasonic Laboratory to account in an automatic and systematic way for the uncertainties in the input data and their propagation throughout the calculations. The acoustic birefringence is generally defined from the speeds of two mutually orthogonal volumetric waves of normal incidence, but when the use of a pulse-echo measurement system is feasible, the birefringence can be defined directly from the time-of-flight of the waves, since they travel the same physical space. The times-of-flight of the waves can thus be regarded as the primary variables of interest. They are estimated by coupling the mathematical techniques of cross correlation and data interpolation, whereas the material’s acoustoelastic constant is determined via a weighted linear regression. An Excel spreadsheet performs all calculations taking into account the uncertainties and the number of significant digits in the results. As an example of the procedure developed, the estimation of the precision and accuracy in the evaluation of the stresses acting in a beam under bending is presented. The analytical solution derived from the strength of materials theory was used as the reference value for accuracy estimation purpos

Estudo da Faciologia Orgânica em Rochas Geradoras Marinhas Cretáceas do Grupo Villeta, Bacia do Valle Superior del Magdalena,Colômbia: Implicações Paleoambientais.

As rochas pelíticas do Cretáceo superior são asgeradoras da maior parte das reservas de petróleo naColômbia. A Bacia do Valle Superior Del Magdalena(VSM), possui afloramentos de boa qualidade e comníveis de evolução térmica, que variam desde oimaturo até o fim da “janela” de geração de óleo,tornando esta região como uma das mais propíciaspara o estudo dos processos de geração e migraçãoprimária do petróleo no Cretáceo superior. O objetivoprincipal consistiu no estudo de fácies orgânicaatravés da caracterização geoquímica e análisepalinofaciológica das rochas geradoras de petróleocretáceas do VSM numa seção aflorante (QuebradaBambuca), objetivando o entendimento do controleexercido pela evolução paleoambiental sobre opotencial gerador e as variações composicionaisda matéria orgânica a partir da integração dosdados geoquímicos e palinofaciológicos. Paratanto, foram utilizadas análises organogeoquímicas(Carbono Orgânico Total - COT e Pirólise Rock-Eval), cedidas pelo Instituto Colombiano doPetróleo ICP - ECOPETROL e palinofaciológicasem amostras das Formações Tetuan Bambuca e LaLuna, Grupo Villeta, Bacia do Valle Superior delMagdalena. As rochas dessa formação apresentamum elevado conteúdo orgânico, com valores deCOT de até 23%. As lâminas organopalinológicasforam analisadas através de técnicas de palinofácies(microscopia em luz branca transmitida e luz azul/ultravioleta incidente-fluorescência) realizando acontagem dos componentes orgânicos particuladosdos grupos do querogênio (fitoclasto, palinomorfoe matéria orgânica amorfa) e da determinação doÍndice de Coloração de Esporos (ICE). A analisemicroscópica revelou um predomínio de matériaorgânica amorfa. Os palinomorfos são representadospor dinoflagelados e esporomorfos, sendo osdinoflagelados os mais representativos. A matériaorgânica amorfa apresenta fluorescência amarelaa laranja. O material lenhoso representa a menorfração, inferior a 5%, composto predominantementepor fitoclastos opacos. As analises geoquímicasrevelaram uma Tmax inferior a 440°C, Índice deHidrogênio variando de 329 a 589 mg HC/g COT,Potencial de Geração acima de 6mg HC/g rochae um Índice de Produção inferior a 0,1. As rochascretáceas das formações Tetuan, Bambuca e La Luna,na seção Riacho Bambuca, foram caracterizadas,organofaciológicamente, como pertencentes a umambiente marinho, de plataforma distal óxica à baciadistal anóxica, apresentando excelentes qualidadee quantidade de matéria orgânica para a geraçãode petróleo, com querogênio tipo II predominante,determinando um alto potencial de geração, porémencontram-se termicamente imaturas

Fácies Orgânica da Formação La Luna, Bacia do Valle Superior del Magdalena, Colômbia:Implicações para a Geração de Petróleo e Caracterização Paleoambiental.

Upper Cretaceous pelitic rocks generate most of the oil reserves in Colombia. In Del Magdalena Upper Valley (MUV), the existenceof good quality outcrops and thermal evolution levels that vary from immaturity to the end of the oil generation “window” makes it one of themost appropriate regions for the study of primary migration and generation of oil in Upper Cretaceous. The main objectives of this work wereto study the organic facies of La Luna Formation in an outcrop section called Riacho Bambuca (Bambuca Creek), determine the oil generationpotential and characterize the paleoenvironment. For this research, 24 samples were used in palynofacies analysis (characterization ofthe kerogen components assembly) and in organic geochemistry analysis (Total Organic Carbon – TOC analysis and Rock-Eval pyrolysis,provided by Colombia Oil Institute – ECOPETROL). The palynofacies analysis included the use of microscopy techniques (transmitted whitelight and incident blue light). Furthermore, a Spore Coloration Index (SCI) analysis was made in order to determine the thermal maturationstage. The studied material was composed mainly of an amorphous organic substance, with its fluorescent coloration varying from yellow tobright orange. The palynomorph group is represented by spore morph and dinoflagellate cysts. The ligneous material are present in very lowpercentages; they are mainly opaque phytoclasts. The results of geochemical analysis showed TOC contents ranging from medium to high,excellent potential for the generation of hydrocarbons (PG > 4 mg HC/g of rock), hydrogen index ranging from 329 to 589 mg HC/g, andlow values of oxygen index, characterizing type II kerogen. The low degree of thermal maturation was determined by Spore Coloration Indexvalues ranging from 2,5 to 3,0, Tmax values below 440°C and Hydrocarbon Production Index inferior to 0,2. According to the organic faciesdata, La Luna Formation deposited in a marine environment with facies from disoxic-anoxic distal shelf and suboxic-oxic distal basin; therewas kerogen of excellent quality, and its quantity was adequate for the generation of oil.Keywords: Organic facies; La Luna Formation; Cretaceous; Colombi

Desempenho agronômico e rentabilidade de sistemas de sangria em quatro clones de seringueira no estado de São Paulo

The exploitation or tapping of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg. is one of the most important cultural practices in determining useful life, yield and accounts for a major part of the total production costs in rubber farming. The objective of this work was to evaluate yield performance and economic aspects of rubber tree clones submitted to diverse tapping systems. The trial was placed in Guararapes city, São Paulo State, Brazil, in a randomized block design with split-plot in time. The plots consisted of the IAN 873, PR 261, RRI M 600 and RRI M 701 clones. The tapping systems consisted the subplots, where: ½S = tapping of half spiral cut; d/2, d/3, d/4, d/5 and d/7 = tapping every 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 days, respectively; 11 m/y = tapping during eleven months per year; ET = ethephon (stimulant); Pa = panel application; La = lace application; 8/y = eight applications per year. The five experimental years were the sub-subplots and the ½S d/2 system was used as control. The analyzed variables were girth, dry rubber yield, tapping panel dryness and economic profitability. The ½S d/3 ET 2.5% and ½S d/4 ET 2.5% tapping systems provide the highest yield and profitability per hectare per year for the RRI M 600 and PR 261 clones. For the IAN 873 and RRI M 701 clones the yield superiority occurs in high tapping frequency; however the best profitability is obtained in the ½S d/7.ET 2.5% system.A explotação ou sangria da seringueira Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg. é uma das práticas culturais mais importantes que determina a vida útil, a produtividade, sendo responsável por maior parte dos custos totais do seringal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho produtivo e aspectos econômicos de clones de seringueira, em diferentes sistemas de sangria. O experimento foi instalado no município de Guararapes, Estado de São Paulo, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas no tempo. As parcelas constituíram dos clones IAN 873, PR 261, RRI M 600 e RRI M 701. As subparcelas foram constituídas por nove sistemas de sangria: ½S = sangria em meio espiral; d/2, d/3, d/4, d/5 e d/7 = sangria a cada 2, 3, 4, 5 e 7 dias, respectivamente; 11 m/y = sangria durante onze meses por ano; ET = ethephon (estimulante); Pa = aplicação no painel; La = sobre a canaleta; 8/y = oito aplicações por ano. Os cinco anos experimentais foram as subparcelas e o sistema ½S d/2 foi utilizado como testemunha. As variáveis estudadas foram: perímetro do caule, produtividade de borracha seca, secamento do painel e rentabilidade econômica. Os sistemas ½S d/3.ET 2,5% e ½S d/4.ET 2,5%, proporcionam maior produtividade e rentabilidade por hectare ao ano para os clones RRI M 600 e PR 261. Para os clones IAN 873 e RRI M 701 o melhor rendimento ocorre em sistemas de alta frequência de sangria, mas a melhor rentabilidade é obtida no sistema ½S d/7.ET 2,5%.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP