Yes / Polypropylene is one type of plastic that is widely used in our everyday life. This study focuses on the identification and justification of the optimum process parameters for polypropylene production in a novel pilot plant based fluidized bed reactor. This first-of-its-kind statistical modeling with experimental validation for the process parameters of polypropylene production was conducted by applying ANNOVA (Analysis of variance) method to Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Three important process variables i.e., reaction temperature, system pressure and hydrogen percentage were considered as the important input factors for the polypropylene production in the analysis performed. In order to examine the effect of process parameters and their interactions, the ANOVA method was utilized among a range of other statistical diagnostic tools such as the correlation between actual and predicted values, the residuals and predicted response, outlier t plot, 3D response surface and contour analysis plots. The statistical analysis showed that the proposed quadratic model had a good fit with the experimental results. At optimum conditions with temperature of 75 °C, system pressure of 25 bar and hydrogen percentage of 2%, the highest polypropylene production obtained is 5.82% per pass. Hence it is concluded that the developed experimental design and proposed model can be successfully employed with over a 95% confidence level for optimum polypropylene production in a fluidized bed catalytic reactor (FBCR).

Today the use of resources in the industry are not complete to be considered as sustainable from the perspective of nutrient recovery. In the Swedish pulp and paper industry residual streams such as bark, fiber reject and sludge are returned for more sustainable use more frequently. Around 300 000-600 000 tons of sludge is generated every year from different cleaning processes in the pulp and paper industry. About 15 % of that sludge is so called biosludge that is a result from biological water treatment, where large amounts of phosphorus are used. After the cleaning process the total amount of biosludge generated in Sweden each year is estimated to contain approximately 2000 tons of phosphorus (P). The most common way to discard the biosludge today is by incineration, where aspects such as high content of moisture and ash have proven to be problematic. Besides phosphorus, other elements such as sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl) and calcium (Ca) are often found in the biosludge in larger amounts.   This study included co-combustion experiments of current residual streams from the pulp and paper mill SCA Obbola AB where the aim was to investigate how the ash transformation chemistry was affected. The residual streams comprised of bark, fiber reject and biosludge which were combusted together with stem wood in a bench scaled bubbling fluidized bed. To investigate if different ash related operating and technical problems could be reduced and if there was potential of phosphorus recycling from the ashes, produced ash and other samples were examined by SEM/EDS. The fuel mix from SCA Obbola consisted of large amounts of Ca, S and P relative to more ordinary biomass fuels like stem wood. These elements originated from the biosludge and was confirmed by the fuel analysis. Analysis made on collected samples showed that Ca and P together formed phosphates that either stayed in the bed or was collected in the cyclone which indicated that there could be a potential for recovering phosphorus. Although, the Ca/P ratio in the ashes was too high, which probably leads to that phosphates unsuitable for nutrient recovery are formed.   The fiber reject from SCA Obbola contained large amounts of chlorine according to the fuel analysis which was indicated from the results later in the study. During the combustion most of the Cl left the bottom ash via volatilization. It was true for both the fuel blends with and without fiber reject. When larger amounts of biosludge was added to the fuel mix less of the corrosive compound potassium chloride (KCl) was found in depositions and collected fine particulate matter (PM). This was due to that more sulfur was added in the system when the amount of biosludge was increased which lead to that K reacted with SO2 instead of Cl and formed K2SO4. The observed reduction of KCl resulted in; 1) lower amounts of fine particulate matter which means less loaded particulate filters 2) less risk of high temperature corrosion on heat transfer surfaces. The general conclusion that could be drawn from this study was that by increasing the amount of biosludge in the fuel blend at already high mixings of fiber reject, problems such as corrosion and fine particulate matter could be reduced. These advantages must be considered to the amount of lime stone needed to be added for reducing HCl from a cost perspective.

No description available.

No description available.

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O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da adição de alcalinidade, da concentração da glicose e da taxa de carregamento orgânico na produção de hidrogênio e ácidos orgânicos em reator anaeróbio de leito fluidificado (RALF), contendo argila expandida (2,8 - 3,35 mm) como material suporte para adesão microbiana. Foram utilizados oito reatores idênticos, sendo quatro deles operados sem adição de alcalinidade, e com concentração de glicose de 2000, 4000, 10000 e 25000 mg/L, respectivamente. Outros quatro reatores operados com adição de alcalinidade, e com as mesmas concentrações de glicose cada um. Os reatores foram inoculados com lodo anaeróbio pré-tratado termicamente, operado com tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) decrescente de 8 h a 1 h à temperatura controlada de 30°C. Foi constatada produção volumétrica de hidrogênio máxima de 1,58 L/h.L, para o reator operado com 10000 mg/L de glicose com adição de alcalinidade (R10CA) e um rendimento máximo de 2,52 mol \'H IND.2\'/mol glicose, para o reator operado com 4000 mg/L de glicose com adição de alcalinidade (R4CA). O biogás produzido foi composto de \'H IND.2\' e \'CO IND.2\'. Em ambos os reatores, o conteúdo de hidrogênio aumentou com a redução do TDH de 8 h para 1 h, alcançando valor máximo de 77%, para o reator operado com 4000 mg/L sem adição de alcalinidade (R4SA). Os reatores operados com altas concentrações de glicose produção de hidrogênio, o qual predominou o ácido acético e butírico. Neste mesmo reator, o rendimento da produção de hidrogênio foi superior aos outros reatores. As análises de clonagem e sequenciamento do consórcio bacteriano revelaram semelhanças com Clostridium, Klebsiella, Enterobacter e bactérias não cultivadas. / This study evaluated the effect alkalinity addition, glucose concentration and organic loading rate in the hydrogen production and organic acids in an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR), containing expanded clay (2.8 - 3,35 mm) as support material for microbial adhesion. We used eight identical reactors, four of them operated without the addition of alkalinity, and concentration of glucose in 2000, 4000, 10000 and 25000 mg/L, respectively. Another four reactors operated with the addition of alkalinity, and with the same concentrations of glucose each. The reactors were operated with hydraulic retention times (HRT) ranging from 8 h at 1 h, and temperature of 30°C. It has been found for hydrogen production rate maximum 1.58 L/h.L for the reactor operated with 10000 mg/L glucose with the addition of alkalinity (R10CA) and a maximum yield of 2.52 mol \'H IND.2\'/mol glucose to the reactor operated with 4000 mg/L glucose with the addition of alkalinity (R4CA). The biogas produced was composed of \'H IND.2\' and \'CO IND.2\'. In both reactors, the hydrogen content increased with the reduction of HRT of 8 h at 1 h, reaching a maximum of 77% for the reactor operated from 4000 mg/L without added alkalinity (R4SA). The reactors operated with high glucose concentrations (10000 mg/L and 25000 mg/L) had higher proportions of solvents such as soluble metabolites. There was a linear correlation between the hydrogen production rate and organic loading rate in all reactors. The yield, the hydrogen production rate and distribution of soluble metabolites in both reactors, were influenced by the glucose concentration. The reactor operated with 4000 mg/L and addition of alkalinity, presented the most favorable distribution of soluble metabolites to hydrogen production, which was predominant acetic and butyric acid. In the same reactor, the hydrogen yield was higher than other reactors. The cloning and sequencing analysis bacterial consortium revealed the presence of Clostridium, Klebsiella, Enterobacter and uncultivated bacteria.

Recentemente, tem havido indícios de que o ser humano passou a compreender de forma mais profunda que o meio ambiente e o responsável pelo oferecimento das condições essenciais a sua sobrevivência e evolução, e a busca por alternativas energéticas mais adequadas a essa nova forma de pensar e viver tem sido parte integrante da solução para os problemas socioambientais que se mostram cada vez mais urgentes. A produção de biodiesel tem sido tema de pesquisas intensivas e o aumento no conhecimento sobre os efeitos danosos ao ambiente do uso de combustíveis fosseis como fonte de energia tem motivado a busca da viabilização do uso de biocombustíveis. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo aprimorar a tecnologia de síntese enzimática de biodiesel pela rota etílica. Utilizou-se como proposta a transesterificação do óleo de babaçu com etanol mediada pela enzima lipase em fluxo continuo empregando reator de leito fluidizado, visando aumentar a produtividade do sistema, bem como obter biodiesel com propriedades adequadas a sua utilização como biocombustível. Todos os experimentos foram realizados na ausência de solventes a 50 °C, utilizando como catalisadores a lipase microbiana de Burkholderia cepacia imobilizada em matriz de SiO2-PVA e Candida antarctica adsorvida em resina de metil-metacrilato (NovozymR 435). O reator de leito fluidizado (coluna de vidro: 12 mm × 375 mm) com recirculação foi construído e as características hidrodinâmicas foram determinadas por meio da distribuição do tempo de residência (DTR) usando teste de traçador. Para ambos biocatalisadores foram investigados os efeitos da razão molar óleo e etanol (1:5 a 1:12), tempo espacial (6 a 14 h) e carregamento de lipase (3 a 23 gramas) no rendimento de transesterificação e produtividade. Grande excesso de etanol (razão molar 1:12) e a incorporação de uma coluna empacotada com LewatitR GF202 para remover o glicerol formado como subproduto foram condições essenciais para manter uma operação estável do reator para ambos os biocatalisadores, apesar dos diferentes desempenhos obtidos. Empregando B. cepacia imobilizada em SiO2-PVA, a eficiência do reator foi limitada mesmo utilizando elevado carregamento de lipase (22,3 g). Valores máximos de rendimento de transesterificação [(53,0 } 4,8)%] e produtividade [(9,3 } 0,8)×10-6 molester/gcat/min] foram alcançados no tempo espacial de 9,3 h, revelando um tempo de meia-vida do biocatalisador de 18 dias. A viabilidade do FBR foi demonstrada usando NovozymR 435 e um desempenho superior foi alcançado com apenas 5 gramas de biocatalisador e tempo especial de 8 h, fornecendo rendimentos médios de transesterificação de (98,1 } 2,4)% e produtividade de (9,9 } 0,2)×10-5 molester/gcat/min. Nessas condições as propriedades da amostra de biodiesel foram: teor de éster de 97,1%; massa especifica a 20 °C de 872 kg/m3; viscosidade cinemática a 40 °C de 4,86 mm2/s; 1,4% em massa de monoacilglicerol e 1,0% em massa de diacilglicerol. Outros parâmetros foram estimados por modelos empíricos, visando a predição da qualidade do biodiesel do óleo de babaçu: 64 para o número de cetano; 257 para o índice de saponificação; 17 gI2/100g para o índice de iodo; e 8,5 °C negativos para o ponto de entupimento de filtro a frio. Os resultados obtidos foram bastante satisfatórios e contribuíram para o estabelecimento de condições reacionais e operacionais para a produção enzimática de biodiesel em reator de leito fluidizado, utilizando etanol e óleo de babaçu como materiais de partida em meio isento de solventes. / Recently there has been evidence that humans began to understand more deeply that the environment is responsible for providing the essential conditions to their survival and evolution, and the search for suitable energy alternatives to this new way of thinking and living has been an integral part of the solution to the environmental problems that are increasingly urgent. In this context, the production of biodiesel has been the subject of intensive research, because although the prospects of oil shortages have been postponed several times due to the discovery of new reserves, issues related to political and social instability of major producer countries and the increase in knowledge about the harmful effects to the environment from the use of fossil fuels as an energy source have motivated the search for the feasibility of the use of biofuels. The present study aimed at improving the enzymatic technology to produce biodiesel by ethanolysis. The transesterification of babassu oil with ethanol mediated by lipase in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) under continuous run was used as a proposal to increase the productivity of the system as well as to obtain biodiesel having suitable properties to be used as a biofuel. All experiments were carried out in solvent-free system at 50°C and microbial lipases from Burkholderia cepacia immobilized on SiO2-PVA hybrid matrix and Candida antarctica adsorbed on methyl-methacrylate resin (NovozymR 435) were used as biocatalysts. The FBR system (glass column: 12 mm × 375 mm) with recirculation was assembled and its hydrodynamic characteristics, such as the mean residence time and variance, were evaluated through the residence time distribution (RTD) employing a pulse input. For both biocatalysts the effects of oil-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:5 to 1:12), space time (6 to 14 h) and lipase loading (3 to 23 grams) in the transesterification yield and productivity were investigated. Great excess of ethanol (molar ratio oil-to-ethanol of 1:12) and the incorporation of a column packed with LewatitR GF202 to remove the glycerol formed as a byproduct were found to be essential to maintain a stable reactor operation for both biocatalysts, although different performances were attained. Using B. cepacia lipase immobilized on SiO2-PVA the reactor efficiency was limited even for high lipase loading (22.3 g). Maximum transesterification yield [(53.0 } 4.8)%] and productivities [(9.3 } 0.8)×10-6 molester/gcat/min] were achieved at space time of 9.3 h, revealing a biocatalyst half-life of 18 days. The feasibility of the FBR was demonstrated using NovozymR 435 and enhanced performance was attained using only 5 grams of biocatalyst at 8 h space time, which provided transesterification yield of 98.1 % and productivity of (9.9 } 0.2)×10-5 molester/gcat/min. Under such conditions the biodiesel properties were as follows: ester content of 97.1%, density at 20 °C of 872 kg/m3, kinematic viscosity at 40 °C of 4.86 mm2/s, 1.4 wt% of monoacylglycerol and 1.0 wt% of diacylglycerol. Other parameters were estimated by empirical models in order to predict the quality of biodiesel from babassu oil: 64 for the cetane number; 257 for the index of saponification, 17 g I2/100g for index iodine, and - 8.5 ° C for the cold filter plugging point. The results obtained were quite satisfactory and have contributed to the establishment of operating conditions for the enzymatic production of biodiesel in a fluidized bed reactor using ethanol and babassu oil as starting materials in a solvent-free reaction medium.

Recentemente, tem havido indícios de que o ser humano passou a compreender de forma mais profunda que o meio ambiente e o responsável pelo oferecimento das condições essenciais a sua sobrevivência e evolução, e a busca por alternativas energéticas mais adequadas a essa nova forma de pensar e viver tem sido parte integrante da solução para os problemas socioambientais que se mostram cada vez mais urgentes. A produção de biodiesel tem sido tema de pesquisas intensivas e o aumento no conhecimento sobre os efeitos danosos ao ambiente do uso de combustíveis fosseis como fonte de energia tem motivado a busca da viabilização do uso de biocombustíveis. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo aprimorar a tecnologia de síntese enzimática de biodiesel pela rota etílica. Utilizou-se como proposta a transesterificação do óleo de babaçu com etanol mediada pela enzima lipase em fluxo continuo empregando reator de leito fluidizado, visando aumentar a produtividade do sistema, bem como obter biodiesel com propriedades adequadas a sua utilização como biocombustível. Todos os experimentos foram realizados na ausência de solventes a 50 °C, utilizando como catalisadores a lipase microbiana de Burkholderia cepacia imobilizada em matriz de SiO2-PVA e Candida antarctica adsorvida em resina de metil-metacrilato (NovozymR 435). O reator de leito fluidizado (coluna de vidro: 12 mm × 375 mm) com recirculação foi construído e as características hidrodinâmicas foram determinadas por meio da distribuição do tempo de residência (DTR) usando teste de traçador. Para ambos biocatalisadores foram investigados os efeitos da razão molar óleo e etanol (1:5 a 1:12), tempo espacial (6 a 14 h) e carregamento de lipase (3 a 23 gramas) no rendimento de transesterificação e produtividade. Grande excesso de etanol (razão molar 1:12) e a incorporação de uma coluna empacotada com LewatitR GF202 para remover o glicerol formado como subproduto foram condições essenciais para manter uma operação estável do reator para ambos os biocatalisadores, apesar dos diferentes desempenhos obtidos. Empregando B. cepacia imobilizada em SiO2-PVA, a eficiência do reator foi limitada mesmo utilizando elevado carregamento de lipase (22,3 g). Valores máximos de rendimento de transesterificação [(53,0 } 4,8)%] e produtividade [(9,3 } 0,8)×10-6 molester/gcat/min] foram alcançados no tempo espacial de 9,3 h, revelando um tempo de meia-vida do biocatalisador de 18 dias. A viabilidade do FBR foi demonstrada usando NovozymR 435 e um desempenho superior foi alcançado com apenas 5 gramas de biocatalisador e tempo especial de 8 h, fornecendo rendimentos médios de transesterificação de (98,1 } 2,4)% e produtividade de (9,9 } 0,2)×10-5 molester/gcat/min. Nessas condições as propriedades da amostra de biodiesel foram: teor de éster de 97,1%; massa especifica a 20 °C de 872 kg/m3; viscosidade cinemática a 40 °C de 4,86 mm2/s; 1,4% em massa de monoacilglicerol e 1,0% em massa de diacilglicerol. Outros parâmetros foram estimados por modelos empíricos, visando a predição da qualidade do biodiesel do óleo de babaçu: 64 para o número de cetano; 257 para o índice de saponificação; 17 gI2/100g para o índice de iodo; e 8,5 °C negativos para o ponto de entupimento de filtro a frio. Os resultados obtidos foram bastante satisfatórios e contribuíram para o estabelecimento de condições reacionais e operacionais para a produção enzimática de biodiesel em reator de leito fluidizado, utilizando etanol e óleo de babaçu como materiais de partida em meio isento de solventes. / Recently there has been evidence that humans began to understand more deeply that the environment is responsible for providing the essential conditions to their survival and evolution, and the search for suitable energy alternatives to this new way of thinking and living has been an integral part of the solution to the environmental problems that are increasingly urgent. In this context, the production of biodiesel has been the subject of intensive research, because although the prospects of oil shortages have been postponed several times due to the discovery of new reserves, issues related to political and social instability of major producer countries and the increase in knowledge about the harmful effects to the environment from the use of fossil fuels as an energy source have motivated the search for the feasibility of the use of biofuels. The present study aimed at improving the enzymatic technology to produce biodiesel by ethanolysis. The transesterification of babassu oil with ethanol mediated by lipase in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) under continuous run was used as a proposal to increase the productivity of the system as well as to obtain biodiesel having suitable properties to be used as a biofuel. All experiments were carried out in solvent-free system at 50°C and microbial lipases from Burkholderia cepacia immobilized on SiO2-PVA hybrid matrix and Candida antarctica adsorbed on methyl-methacrylate resin (NovozymR 435) were used as biocatalysts. The FBR system (glass column: 12 mm × 375 mm) with recirculation was assembled and its hydrodynamic characteristics, such as the mean residence time and variance, were evaluated through the residence time distribution (RTD) employing a pulse input. For both biocatalysts the effects of oil-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:5 to 1:12), space time (6 to 14 h) and lipase loading (3 to 23 grams) in the transesterification yield and productivity were investigated. Great excess of ethanol (molar ratio oil-to-ethanol of 1:12) and the incorporation of a column packed with LewatitR GF202 to remove the glycerol formed as a byproduct were found to be essential to maintain a stable reactor operation for both biocatalysts, although different performances were attained. Using B. cepacia lipase immobilized on SiO2-PVA the reactor efficiency was limited even for high lipase loading (22.3 g). Maximum transesterification yield [(53.0 } 4.8)%] and productivities [(9.3 } 0.8)×10-6 molester/gcat/min] were achieved at space time of 9.3 h, revealing a biocatalyst half-life of 18 days. The feasibility of the FBR was demonstrated using NovozymR 435 and enhanced performance was attained using only 5 grams of biocatalyst at 8 h space time, which provided transesterification yield of 98.1 % and productivity of (9.9 } 0.2)×10-5 molester/gcat/min. Under such conditions the biodiesel properties were as follows: ester content of 97.1%, density at 20 °C of 872 kg/m3, kinematic viscosity at 40 °C of 4.86 mm2/s, 1.4 wt% of monoacylglycerol and 1.0 wt% of diacylglycerol. Other parameters were estimated by empirical models in order to predict the quality of biodiesel from babassu oil: 64 for the cetane number; 257 for the index of saponification, 17 g I2/100g for index iodine, and - 8.5 ° C for the cold filter plugging point. The results obtained were quite satisfactory and have contributed to the establishment of operating conditions for the enzymatic production of biodiesel in a fluidized bed reactor using ethanol and babassu oil as starting materials in a solvent-free reaction medium.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de um reator anaeróbio de leito fluidificado na degradação da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar, sob condições mesofílicas. Ensaios batelada foram realizados a diferentes concentrações, visando avaliar a degradação do substrato pela biomassa anaeróbia e obtenção de parâmetros cinéticos. Vinhaça diluída a valores de DQO de 1984 mg/L, 2827 mg/L, 3800 mg/L, 6354 mg/L, 7395 mg/L, 10705 mg/L e 15872 mg/L foi utilizada nos experimentos, mostrando reduções de 67% em 192 horas, 75% em 358 horas, 81% em 408 horas, 80% em 480, 72% em 504 horas, 76% em 840 horas e de 71% em 1080, para essas concentrações, respectivamente. A reação ocorrida nos reatores foi analisada como sendo de ordem zero, com valor médio da constante de reação de 10,4 mg/L.h. Testes com partículas de poliamida, poliestireno e nylon foram realizados, objetivando a escolha da melhor partícula em termos de formação e desenvolvimento de biofilme para posterior uso no reator. As três partículas mostraram-se favoráveis à adesão e colonização de microrganismos. O reator anaeróbio de leito fluidificado foi inoculado com lodo proveniente de reator UASB, que tratava água residuária de abatedouro de aves. O volume do reator era de 770 cm3, operando com tempo de detenção hidráulica de 24 h. A partícula utilizada como material suporte foi poliestireno. O tempo de operação do reator foi de 122 dias, sendo aplicada vinhaça diluída a valores de DQO que variaram de 1009 mg/L a 15874 mg/L e COVa de 1,0 Kg/m3.d a 15,9 Kg/m3.d, apresentando resultado de remoção de DQO médio de 51% a 70% e COVrv de 0,5 Kg/m3.d a 7,9 Kg/m3.d. Observações microscópicas em MEV, mostraram boa adesão microbiana nas partículas de poliestireno, em todas as fases do reator. / This work had as objective evaluates the efficiency of a anaerobic fluidized bed reactor for vinasse degradation under mesophilic conditions. Batch tests seeking to evaluate the degradation of the substratum for the anaerobic biomass and obtaining kinetic parameters were accomplished to different concentrations. Diluted vinasse to values of 1984 mg/L, 2827 mg/L, 3800 mg/L, 6354 mg/L, 7395 mg/L, 10705 mg/L and 15872 mg/L of COD was used in the experiments showing reductions of 67% in 192 hours, 75% in 358 hours, 81% in 408 hours, 80% in 480, 72% in 504 hours, 76% in 840 hours and of 71% in 1080, for those concentrations, respectively. The reaction happened in the batch reactors it was analyzed as being of order zero, with medium value of 10,4 mg/L.h for the constant of reaction. Tests with polyamide particles, polystyrene and nylon were accomplished, aiming at the choice of the best particle in formation terms and biofilme development for subsequent use in the reactor. The three particles were shown favorable to the adhesion and colonization of microorganisms. The fluidized bed reactor was inoculated with sludge from reactor UASB treating effluent frompoultry slaughterhouse. The volume of the reactor was of 770 cm3, operating with hydraulic detention time of 24 h. Polystyrene particles were used as material support. The reactor was operated for 122 days, being applied diluted vinasse to values of COD 1009 mg/L ranging to 15874 mg/L and organic loading rate (OLR) of 1,0 Kg/m3.d to 15,9 Kg/m3.d, presenting efficiency COD removal of 51% - 70% and OLR removal of 0,5 Kg/m3.d - 7,9 Kg/m3.d. Microscopic observations in MEV showed good microbial adhesion in the particles of polystyrene, in all the phases of the reactor.