MODELING AND CONTROL OF AN AUTOREFRIGERATED CSTR POLYMERIZATION REACTOR: IMPACT OF THE NON-CONDENSABLE GASES

The concept of process intensification is applied to a CSTR polymerization reactor, where bulk reactions take place via styrene free-radicals, connected to a semi-flooded horizontal condenser; the aim is to operate the system in a safe and efficient way. The results obtained show that the developed model was able to reproduce the major dynamic characteristics, even with the presence of non-condensable gases. The existence of such gases prevents the reactor from ever reaching a steady-state, as they accumulate in the system, increasing the condenser pressure and the reactor temperature and reducing the contact area and the mass of liquid in the condenser. To overcome this problem, the control strategy of this work proposes a regular purge of the condenser gases in order to avoid a collapse of the system. In this context, different control algorithms were also analyzed and it was concluded that a fast and reliable control of the reactor is only possible when advanced controllers are used

Influence of MWCNT/surfactant dispersions on the mechanical properties of Portland cement pastes

This work studies the reinforcing effect of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) on cement pastes. A 0.35% solid concentration of MWCNT in powder was dispersed in deionized water with sodium dodecyl sulfate (cationic surfactant), cetylpyridinium chloride (anionic surfactant) and triton X-100 (amphoteric surfactant) using an ultrasonic tip processor. Three concentrations of each surfactant (1mM, 10mM and 100mM) were tested, and all samples were sonicated until an adequate dispersion degree was obtained. Cement pastes with additions of carbon nanotubes of 0.15% by mass of cement were produced in two steps; first the dispersions of MWCNT were combined with the mixing water using an ultrasonic tip processor to guarantee homogeneity, and then cement was added and mixed until a homogeneous paste was obtained. Direct tensile strength, apparent density and open porosity of the pastes were measured after 7 days of curing. It was found that the MWCNT/surfactants dispersions decrease the mechanical properties of the cement based matrix due to an increased porosity caused by the presence of surfactants. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

Deflection hardening of sustainable fiber–cement composites

In the present study sisal fiber–cement composites reinforced with 4% and 6% of short fibers were developed and their physical–mechanical behavior was characterized. To ensure the composite sustainability and durability, the ordinary Portland cement matrix was modified by adding fly ash and metakaolin, and the natural aggregate was substituted by 10% and 20% of recycled concrete aggregate. Flat sheets were cast in a self-compacted cement matrix and bending tests were performed to determine the first crack, postpeak strength and toughness of the composites. Cyclic flexural tests were carried out to determine the stiffness variation of composite due to cracking formation and propagation. It can be seen that the reinforcement provided by short sisal fibers for recycled cement matrices guaranteed a composite with multiple cracking and an increase of strength after the first crack. Reduction of stiffness and increase the damping capacity of composite are verified with progressive cracking.CAPES (PVE Program: Project 047/2012) and CNPqBrazilian agency FAPESBBrazilian agency CAPES through the PVE Progra

Cement composites reinforced by short curaua fibers

ABSTRACT The development of an eco-friendly material that could reduce CO 2 emission and that could aggregate value to a natural fiber, setting man at the countryside and raising the income of populations from poor regions is a challenge. Lignocellulosic fibers are cheap and are a readily available reinforcement, requiring only a low degree of industrialization for their processing. The main drawback of using cement composites reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers is that the fibers can be mineralized inside the alkaline environment. In this work, Portland cement was partially replaced by metakaolinite in order to produce a matrix free from calcium hydroxide, avoiding thus the problem of fiber mineralization. Cement composites reinforced with 2, 4 and 6% of short curaua fibers, were manufactured. The composites were submitted to four pointing bending tests in order to determine their mechanical behavior. The results obtained were compared with those found for cement composites reinforced with sisal fibers

Estimulação do enraizamento de estacas de seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) pela aplicação de reguladores vegetais

Este ensaio foi conduzido com o objetivo de verificar o efeito do ácido indolbutírico (lBA), ácido naftalenacético (NAA), ácido indolilacético (IAA) e ácido succínico-2,2-dimetilhidrazida (SADH) no enraizamento de estacas de plantas jovens de seringueira. As estacas utilizadas foram retiradas da parte inferior das plantas e tiveram suas bases imersas por 1 hora em água, ou em soluções de IBA, NAA, IAA e SADH 2500 ppm. Os resultados obtidos 77 dias após o plantio mostraram que IBA promoveu maior porcentagem de enraizamento com relação ao controle. Porém, em relação ao brotamento das estacas, o tratamento com SADH mostrou-se superior ao controle. Os tratamentos com NAA e IAA revelaram resultados inferiores ao controle em relação ao número de estacas vivas, estacas com calos e estacas com brotações.This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of IBA, NAA, IAA and SADH on rooting of stem cuttings of Hevea brasilien sis. The stem cuttings were taken from the base of 18 months old plants, and then immersed in water or IBA, NAA, IAA and SADH solutions at concentration of 2500 ppm, by 1 hour.Pllants treated with IBA showed higher percentage of rooting compared with check treatment. SADH promoted increase in bud break. NAA and IAA reduced the number of cuttings alive, budded and with callus formation

Ação de estimulantes vegetais no desenvolvimento de pepino (Cucumis sativus L.)

This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of Triacontanol (0.5 g/l), Ergostim (2 ml/l), Atonik (0.5 ml/l) and Agrostemmin (1.25 g/l) on growth of cucumber plants 'Hibrido Caipira AG-207'. Cucumber plants were sprayed 7 days after sowing, under greenhouse conditions. Agrostemmin reduced plant height until 20 days after sowing. Atonik reduced plant height 27 days after sowing. At 34 days after cucumber sowing, plants treated with the plant stimulants not differed in height in relation to check treatment. Agrostemmin and Ergostim increased dry matter production of the lower part of the plant. The plant stimulants does not change the dry matter production of the apical region of cucumber plants.Observou-se o efeito de quatro estimulantes vegetais no desenvolvimento de plantas de pepino 'Hibrido Caipira AG-207', em condições de casa de vegetação, tendo a semeadura sido realizada em vasos de cerâmica e as plantas pulverizadas sete dias após a semeadura, com Triacontanol (1-hidroxitriacontano) na dosagem de 0,5 g/l, Ergostim (L-cisteina e ácido fólico + izometilentramina) 2 ml/ l, Atonik (mononitroguaiacol sódico e outros compostos nitrogenados aromáticos) 0,5 ml/l e Agrostemin (alantoina + triptofano +ácido fólico + ácido glutâmico + ácido alantóico + arcialanina + outros aminoácidos) 1,25 g/l. Através dos resultados obtidos verificou-se que nenhum dos estimulantes vegetais estudados promoveu aumento em altura das plantas de pepino, embora tenham mostrado uma tendência em provocar um aumento no peso da matéria seca

Computer simulation for the evaluation of recombination strategies in intrapopulation recurrent selection in Eucalyptus.

Intrapopulation recurrent selection (IRS) has proven to be a promising breeding method in eucalyptus, mainly through being easier to carry out when compared to reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS). However, the recombination strategies in IRS that have not yet been compared. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify the efficiency of different recombination methods in IRS. To do so, computer simulation was used considering different heritabilities (0.1, 0.5, 1.0), different initial allelic frequencies (0.2, 0.8) and allelic interactions without dominance and with complete dominance. The initial population consisted of 1000 individuals, which were selected at random for the beginning of cycle zero. These individuals were interbred two by two. Three selection strategies were carried out and, consequently, three recombination methods: recombine the best individuals selected within the best progenies; the best individuals phenotypically selected regardless of their genealogy; or selection in the mean value of the best progenies selected. It was observed that recombination of the best individuals regardless of their genealogy and of the best individuals within the best progenies provided for gains superior to recombination having only the mean of the progenies as reference. The average degree of dominance and the heritability of the trait should be considered at the time of choosing the method of selection followed by recombination

Suplementação mineral de bovinos no Pantanal de Poconé, MT.

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