Nesta tese foram desenvolvidos procedimentos analíticos fotométricos automáticos para determinação simultânea de sulfato e cloreto em coque de petróleo, molibdênio em plantas sem etapa de pré-concentração com solvente orgânico e zinco em águas empregando microextração líquido-líquido. Em todos os procedimentos reportados nesta tese, o módulo de análise foi baseado no processo de multicomutação, utilizou-se bomba de seringa como propulsor de fluidos e válvulas solenoide de três vias como dispositivos de comutação para controlar as inserções das alíquotas da amostra e dos reagentes no percurso analítico. As detecções fotométricas foram realizadas empregando fotômetros de LEDs, construídos para este projeto, equipados com celas de fluxo com caminho óptico longo (50,0 mm para cloreto, sulfato e zinco, 200,0 mm para molibdênio). O fotômetro foi construído com LEDs de alto brilho como máximos de emissão em 472 nm para cloreto, sulfato e molibdênio e 525 nm para zinco. Os procedimentos para determinação simultânea de sulfato e cloreto apresentaram faixa linear entre 10-700 mg L-1; 0,25-10 mg L-1; limite de detecção de 5,3 mg L-1; 0,16 mg L-1; coeficiente de variação de 3,0%; 0,9 % (n=10), respectivamente, e frequência de amostragem de 75 determinações por hora para cada analito. O procedimento para determinação de molibdênio apresentou faixa linear entre 50 - 500 ?g L-1, limite de detecção 9,1 ?g L-1, coeficiente de variação 1,07% (n=10) e frequência de amostragem de 51 determinações por hora. O procedimento para zinco apresentou uma faixa linear entre 10-100 ?g L-1, limite de detecção 8,3 ?g L-1, coeficiente de variação 3,3% (n=10) e frequência de amostragem de 19 determinações por hora / In this thesis, automated photometric analytical procedures for simultaneous determination of sulfate and chloride in petroleum coke, molybdenum in plants without pre-concentration step and zinc in water using liquid-liquid microextraction were developed. All procedures reported in this thesis, employed flow analysis modules based on multicommuted process, syringe pump for fluid propulsion and solenoid three-way valves as commutation devices the insertion aliquots of sample and reagents solutions in the analytical path. Photometric detections were performed, using LEDs-photometers, built for this project, equipped with flow cells with long optical path (50.0 mm for chloride, sulfate and zinc, 200.0 mm for molybdenum) and the high intense radiation beam LEDs with maximum emission at 472 nm for chloride, sulfate and molybdenum and 525 nm for zinc. The procedures for simultaneous determination of sulfate and chloride showed linear response between 10 to 700 mg L-1; 0.25 to 10 mg L-1; detection limit of 5.3 mg L-1; 0.16 mg L-1; variation coefficient of 3.0%; 0.9% (n = 10), respectively, and sampling throughput of 75 determinations per hour for each analyte. The procedure for molybdenum presented a linear response between 50 to 500 ?g L-1, detection limit of 9.1 ?g L-1, variation coefficient of 1.07% (n = 10) and sampling throughput of 51 determinations per hour. The procedure for zinc showed linear response between 10 to 100 ?g L-1, detection limit of 8.3 ?g L-1, variation coefficient of 3.3% (n = 10) and sampling throughput of 19 determinations per hour

Physical activation of oil-sands fluid coke, a dense carbonaceous material, using sulfur dioxide (SO2) was investigated as a means of utilizing a plentiful and inexpensive waste for elemental mercury (Hg) removal. A new model was developed to elucidate physical activation of dense carbonaceous materials. Experiments and model simulations revealed that, during activation with SO2, a sulfur-rich porous layer is formed around the periphery of the coke particles; this porous layer reaches a maximum thickness as a result of diffusion limitations; the maximum porous layer thickness is controlled by activation conditions and determines the maximum achievable specific surface area (SSA). Pre-oxidation in air prior to activation, acid washing after activation and smaller coke particle size all result in higher SSA. The highest SSA achieved was 530 m2/g, the highest yet found for oil-sands fluid coke with physical activation. If present, oxygen out-competed SO2 for carbon during activation. SO2 activation and porous layer formation did not occur until oxygen was depleted. Sulfur added to coke through SO2 activation is mainly in reduced forms which are more thermally stable than elemental sulfur in commercial sulfur-impregnated activated carbons (SIACs). TGA and elemental analyses revealed that only 17% of sulfur was removed at 800°C from SO2-activated coke under inert conditions, compared with 100% from a commercial SIAC. The role of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in vapor Hg capture by activated carbon (AC) was studied due to conflicting findings in the recent literature. In the absence of other oxidizing species, it was found that Hg could be oxidized by oxygen which enhanced vapor Hg adsorption by AC and Hg absorption in H2SO4 solution at room and elevated temperatures. At 200°C, AC treated with 20% H2SO4 reached a Hg loading of more than 500 mg/g, which is among the highest Hg capacities yet reported. When oxygen was not present, S6+ in H2SO4 was found to act as an oxidizer of Hg, thus enabling Hg uptake by H2SO4-treated AC at 200°C. Treating the AC with SO2 at 700°C improved the initial rate of Hg uptake, with and without subsequent H2SO4 treatment.

Physical activation of oil-sands fluid coke, a dense carbonaceous material, using sulfur dioxide (SO2) was investigated as a means of utilizing a plentiful and inexpensive waste for elemental mercury (Hg) removal. A new model was developed to elucidate physical activation of dense carbonaceous materials. Experiments and model simulations revealed that, during activation with SO2, a sulfur-rich porous layer is formed around the periphery of the coke particles; this porous layer reaches a maximum thickness as a result of diffusion limitations; the maximum porous layer thickness is controlled by activation conditions and determines the maximum achievable specific surface area (SSA). Pre-oxidation in air prior to activation, acid washing after activation and smaller coke particle size all result in higher SSA. The highest SSA achieved was 530 m2/g, the highest yet found for oil-sands fluid coke with physical activation. If present, oxygen out-competed SO2 for carbon during activation. SO2 activation and porous layer formation did not occur until oxygen was depleted. Sulfur added to coke through SO2 activation is mainly in reduced forms which are more thermally stable than elemental sulfur in commercial sulfur-impregnated activated carbons (SIACs). TGA and elemental analyses revealed that only 17% of sulfur was removed at 800°C from SO2-activated coke under inert conditions, compared with 100% from a commercial SIAC. The role of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in vapor Hg capture by activated carbon (AC) was studied due to conflicting findings in the recent literature. In the absence of other oxidizing species, it was found that Hg could be oxidized by oxygen which enhanced vapor Hg adsorption by AC and Hg absorption in H2SO4 solution at room and elevated temperatures. At 200°C, AC treated with 20% H2SO4 reached a Hg loading of more than 500 mg/g, which is among the highest Hg capacities yet reported. When oxygen was not present, S6+ in H2SO4 was found to act as an oxidizer of Hg, thus enabling Hg uptake by H2SO4-treated AC at 200°C. Treating the AC with SO2 at 700°C improved the initial rate of Hg uptake, with and without subsequent H2SO4 treatment.