The making and breaking of O-O bonds has implications ranging from artificial photosynthesis and water oxidation to the use of O₂ as a selective, green oxidant for transformations of small molecules. Oxidative generation of O₂ from coupling of two H₂O molecules remains challenging, and well defined systems that catalytically evolve O₂ are exceedingly rare. Recent theoretical studies have invoked metal oxyl radicals (L[subscript n]M=O*) containing a singly occupied M-O π-type orbital as precursors to O-O bond forming events in both biological and synthetic water oxidation catalysts. However, the lack of stable metal oxyl complexes makes it difficult to explore and understand this hypothesis. The activation of dioxygen (breaking of O-O bonds) to produce terminal metal oxos also remains a challenge. There is an inherent kinetic barrier to the spin-forbidden reactions of triplet dioxygen, and features that engender selective O₂ reduction are not easily transferable from system to system. The primary thrust of this thesis work has been to elaborate new methods to generate well-defined metal oxyl radicals for studies of their reactions in radical bond-forming reactions similar to the radical coupling hypothesis of water oxidation. A library of >20 5- and 6-coordinate high-valent oxorhenium complexes containing redox-inert and redox-active ligands has been prepared. The complexes containing redox-active ligands have shown the ability for ligand-mediated radical coupling reactions. Mechanistic studies of bimetallic O₂ homolysis (the microscopic reverse of water oxidation) and nitroxyl radical deoxygenation at five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) reveal that, in both net 2e⁻ reactions, coupling to a redox-active ligand lowers the kinetic barrier to the reaction by facilitating formation and stabilization of 1e⁻ oxidized intermediates. Coordinatively unsaturated high-valent oxorhenium complexes containing redox-active ligands direct bond-forming reactions towards the metal center. This is undesirable towards the goal of forming O-O bonds. To address this problem coordinatively saturated Re(V) and Re(VII) complexes were prepared. Oxidation of these species by chemical oxidants allowed for the isolation of "masked" oxyl species. These complexes showed reactivity towards Si and trityl radicals to produce new Si-O and C-O bonds, whereas their closed-shell congeners were inert. We have successfully developed a method for the preparation and isolation of "masked" oxyl radicals and shown their utility in ligand-mediated radical coupling reactions.

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Οι δείκτες αποτελεσματικότητας μιας διαδικασίας μετρούν τον βαθμό στον οποίο μια διαδικασία, που βρίσκεται σε στατιστική ισορροπία, παράγει προϊόντα τα οποία ικανοποιούν τις προδιαγραφές του πελάτη. Στη διπλωματική αυτή εργασία δίνονται οι ορισμοί διαφόρων τέτοιων δεικτών που έχουν προταθεί από τη βιβλιογραφία, για μονοδιάστατες και διδιάστατες μεταβλητές, οι οποίες ακολουθούν κανονική κατανομή. Παρουσιάζονται οι ιδιότητες καθώς και οι σχέσεις μεταξύ των δεικτών αυτών και αναλύονται τα μειονεκτήματα και τα πλεονεκτήματα της χρήσης τους. Δίνονται εκτιμητές κάποιων δεικτών και ιδιότητες αυτών όπως αναμενόμενη τιμή, διασπορά, συνάρτηση πυκνότητας. Κατασκευάζονται επίσης διαστήματα εμπιστοσύνης και έλεγχοι υποθέσεων για τους εκτιμητές των δεικτών. Τέλος, παρουσιάζονται αριθμητικά παραδείγματα και εφαρμογές των δεικτών αποτελεσματικότητας στη βιομηχανία. / Process capability indices are intended to provide single-number assessment of the capability, of a process in statistical control, to produce items that meet the customer΄s specifications. We present the definitions of various such indices that have been proposed for univariate and bivariate normal distributions. We refer to their properties, the relations among them and the weaknesses or benefits from their use. Estimators of the indices are considered and their properties such as expected value, variance and probability density function are derived. Confidence intervals and tests of hypothesis are constructed for their estimators. Finally, numerical examples and applications of process capability indices in industry are presented.

Laccase (benzenediol:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2), a multi-copper-containing oxidoreductase enzyme, is able to catalyze the oxidation of various low-molecular weight compounds, specifically, phenols and anilines. Due to their high stability, selectivity for phenolic substructures, and mild reaction conditions, laccases are attractive for fine chemical synthesis. In this study, new green domino syntheses were developed by conducting the reaction in an aqueous medium, an environmentally-friendly solvent, and using laccase as a biocatalyst. The first study presents a work on the synthesis of naphthoquinones in the aqueous medium. Herein, laccase was used to oxidize o- and p-benzenediols to generate o- and p-benzoquinones in situ. These quinones then underwent Diels-Alder and oxidation reactions to finally generate napthoquinone products. This reaction system can yield naphthoquinones in up to 80% yield. The next part of this thesis reports the cascade synthesis of benzofuran derivatives from the reaction of catechols and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via oxidation-Michael addition in the presence of laccase and Sc(OTf)3/SDS in an aqueous medium. Depending on the substrates, one-pot yields of benzofurans averaged 50-79%. From an environmental concern, this system still produced a hazardous waste from the transition metal catalyst. Therefore, the development of alternative methodologies to replace the lanthanide metal catalyst in this synthesis is a high priority to enhance the overall green chemistry aspect. As a consequence, lipase was used as a catalyst to replace Sc(OTf)3 for the synthesis of benzofuran derivatives. In addition, this catalytic system was also used to catalyze the reaction of anilines and catechol. In the last part of this thesis, laccase was applied to the modification of high-lignin softwood kraft pulp. This modification demonstrates the potential of laccase-facilitated grafting of amino acids to high lignin content pulps to improve their physical properties in paper products which resulted from the increase of carboxylic acid group of the fibers. In this study, a variety of amino acids were examined. Laccase-histidine treatment provided the best yield of acid groups on pulp fiber and was used in the preparation of handsheets for physical strength testing. Laccase-histidine-treated pulp showed an increase in the strength properties of the resulting paper.

This study set out to establish artificial neural networks (ANN) as an alternate to regression methods (multiple linear, principal components and partial least squares regression) to predict consumer liking from trained sensory panel data. The study has two parts viz., I) Flavour study - evaluation of ANNs to predict consumer flavour preferences from trained sensory panel data and 2) Fragrance study ??? evaluation of different ANN architectures to predict consumer fragrance liking from trained sensory panel data. In this study, a multi-layer feedforward neural network architecture with input, hidden and output layer(s) was designed. The back-propagation algorithm was utilised in training of neural networks. The network learning parameters such as learning rate and momentum rate were optimised by the grid experiments for a fixed number of learning cycles. In flavour study, ANNs were trained using the trained sensory panel raw data as well as transformed data. The networks trained with sensory panel raw data achieved 98% correct learning, whereas the testing was within the range of 28 -35%. A suitable transformation methods were applied to reduce the variations in trained sensory panel raw data. The networks trained with transformed sensory panel data achieved between 80-90% correct learning and 80-95% correct testing. In fragrance study, ANNs were trained using the trained sensory panel raw data as well as principal component data. The networks trained with sensory panel raw data achieved 100% correct learning, and testing was in a range of 70-94%. Principal component analysis was applied to reduce redundancy in the trained sensory panel data. The networks trained with principal component data achieved about 100% correct learning and 90% correct testing. It was shown that due to its excellent noise tolerance property and ability to predict more than one type of consumer liking using a single model, the ANN approach promises to be an effective modelling tool.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Artificial intelligence has provided several techniques with applications in manufacturing. Knowledge based systems, neural networks, case based reasoning, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic have been successfully employed in manufacturing. This thesis will provide the reader with an introduction and an understanding of each of these techniques (Chapter 2 & 3). The intelligent manufacturing process can be a complex one and can be decomposed into several components: intelligent design, intelligent process planning, intelligent quality management, intelligent maintenance and diagnosis, intelligent scheduling and intelligent control. This thesis will focus on how each of the artificial intelligence techniques can be applied to each of the manufacturing process fields. Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Knowledge based systems Neural networks Fuzzy logic Case based reasoning Genetic algorithms Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Manufacturing intelligence can be approached from two main directions: theoretical research and practical application. Most of the concepts, methods and techniques discussed in this thesis are approached from a theoretical research point of view. This thesis is also aimed at providing the reader with a broader picture of manufacturing intelligence and how to apply the intelligent techniques, in theory. Specific attention will be given to intelligent scheduling as an application (Chapter 11). The application will demonstrate how case based reasoning can be applied in intelligent scheduling within a small manufacturing plant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kunsmatige intelligensie bied 'n verskeidenheid tegnieke en toepassings in die vervaardigingsomgewing. Kennis baseerde sisteme, neurale netwerke, gevalle basseerde redenasie, generiese algoritmes en wasige logika word suksesvol in die vervaardigingsopset toegepas. Dié tesis gee die leser 'n inleiding en basiese oorsig van metodes om elk van die tegnieke te gebruik (hoofstuk 2 & 3). Die intelligente vervaardigingproses is 'n komplekse proses en kan afgebreek word in verskeie komponente: intelligente ontwerp, intelligente prosesbeplanning, intelligente gehaltebestuur, intelligente onderhoud en diagnose, intelligente kontrole en intelligente skedulering. Hierdie tesis sal fokus op hoe elk van die kunsmatige intelligente tegnieke op elk van die vervaardigingprosesvelde toegepas kan word. Hoofstuk 5 Hoofstuk 6 Hoofstuk 7 Kennis gebaseerde sisteme Wasige logika Neurale netwerke Gevalle baseerde redenasie Generiese algoritmes Hoofstuk 8 Hoofstuk 9 Hoofstuk 10 Vervaardigingsintelligensie kan vanuit twee oogpunte benader word, naamlik 'n teoretiese ondersoek en 'n praktiese aanslag. Die meeste van hierdie konsepte, metodes en tegnieke word in hierdie tesis vanuit 'n teoretiese oogpunt benader. Die tesis is daarop gerig om die leser 'n wyer perspektief te gee van intelligente vervaardiging en hoe om die intelligente tegnieke, in teorie, toe te pas. Spesifieke aandag sal gegee word aan intelligente skedulering as 'n toepassing (Hookstuk 11). Die toepassing sal demonstreer hoe gevalle baseerde redenasie toegepas kan word in intelligente skedulering.

Os processos industriais de produção têxtil têm como característica o uso de grandes volumes de água durante as etapas de lavagem e tingimento de tecido, resultando em efluentes com enorme diversidade e complexidade química. A presença de corantes dissolvidos no efluente é bastante visível e problemática, considerando sua recalcitrância e cinética de degradação lenta. Neste trabalho, o fungo ascomiceto L. theobromae MMPI foi avaliado quanto à capacidade de remoção de cor do efluente sintético contendo corante azul reativo e de efluente industrial. Os ensaios com efluente sintético foram realizados em incubadora orbital shaker e em biorreator com cuba de 5 L. O meio foi suplementado com MgSO4.7H2O 2 g L-1, K2HPO4 2 g L-1, autoclavado (121o C/15 min), e acrescido de sacarose, nitrato de amônio e velocidade de agitação de acordo com delineamento composto central rotacional (DCCR), temperatura 28o C, inóculo padronizado e tempo para retirada das amostras de 72 h. A eficiência de remoção de cor variou de 31,58% até 91,60% e a produção de biomassa de 0,40 g L-1 a 8,70 g L-1. Foi observada ainda, a produção de um exopolissacarídeo (EPS) na ordem de 0,66 g L-1 a 9,70 g L-1. Na análise das estimativas dos efeitos (p<0,05) apenas o efeito linear da concentração de sacarose (p<0,000) e o efeito quadrático da concentração de nitrato de amônio (p<0,018) se mostraram significativos. O modelo obtido foi avaliado através da ANOVA, apresentando coeficiente de regressão elevado considerando um sistema biológico (R2 0,8483). Este modelo foi validado através de experimento a posteriori, indicando excelente correlação entre o valor preditivo (74,8%) e o valor observado (73,8%). Os ensaios em biorreator ratificaram o comportamento observado em incubadora shaker, obtendo-se 86% de descoloração do efluente sintético ao final de 72 horas de tratamento e 91,3% de descoloração ao final de 168 horas de tratamento para o efluente industrial. Após 168 h de incubação observou-se atividade enzimática de lacase (0,0563 U / ml). Os ensaios de toxicidade aguda com Artemia salina indicaram que a CL50 foi de aproximadamente 14,72% (v / v) para o efluente bruto, enquanto que o efluente submetido ao tratamento de oito dias o valor aproximado foi de 4,98% (v / v). Diversos autores relacionam os processos de descoloração a atividade enzimática, no entanto os resultados obtidos sugerem que a remoção de cor está relacionada a adsorção do corante na biomassa produzida. Estudos posteriores devem ser realizados para o melhor entendimento e confirmação de que a remoção de cor não está associada a biossíntese de enzimas degradadoras de estruturas fenólicas como as lacases. / The industrial processes of textile production are characterized by the use of large volumes of water during the steps of washing and dyeing fabric, resulting in effluent with enormous diversity and chemical complexity. The presence of dye dissolved in the effluent is quite noticeable and problematic, considering its recalcitrance and slow degradation kinetics. In this work, the fungus ascomiceto L. theobromae MMPI were evaluated for the ability to color removal from synthetic effluent containing blue dye reactive and industrial effluent. The tests with synthetic effluent were performed in incubator orbital shaker and in bioreactor with tub of 5L. The media was supplemented with MgSO4.7H2O 2 g L-1, K2HPO4 2 g L-1, autoclaved (121 C/15 min), plus sucrose, ammonium nitrate and stirring speed according to central composite design (CCDR), temperature 28 C, inoculum standardized and time to withdrawal of samples 72h. The color removal efficiency ranged from 31.58% to 91.60% and the biomass yield 0.40 g L-1 to 8.70 g L-1. It was still observed the production of an exopolysaccharide (EPS) in the range of 0.66 g L-1 to 9.70 g L-1. In the analysis of estimated effects (p <0.05) only the linear effect of sucrose concentration (p <0.000) and quadratic effect of the concentration of ammonium nitrate (p <0.018) were significant. The model was evaluated by ANOVA, with high regression coefficient considering a biological system (R2 0.8483). This model was validated by experiment retrospectively, indicating excellent correlation between the predictive value (74.8%) and the observed value (73.8%). The tests in bioreactor ratified the behavior observed in an incubator shaker to give 86% decolorization of synthetic effluent at the end of 72 hours of treatment of discoloration and 91.3% at the end of 168 hours of treatment for industrial effluent. After 168 h of incubation was observed laccase enzyme activity (0.0563 U / ml). The acute toxicity tests with brine shrimp showed that the LC50 was approximately 14.72% (v / v) for the raw wastewater, while the effluent subjected to the treatment eight days was approximately 4.98% (v / v). Several authors relate the processes of bleaching enzyme activity, however the results suggest that the color removal is related to the adsorption of the dye in the biomass produced. Further studies should be performed for better understanding and confirmation that the color removal is not associated with the biosynthesis of phenolic structures degrading enzymes such as laccases.

CAPES; CNPq / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar o efluente da Indústria de Compensado e avaliar a utilização do fungo filamentoso Pleurotus ostreatus no tratamento deste resíduo em reator air lift, além de verificar a potencialidade da complementação do tratamento do efluente utilizando um POA do tipo Fenton, a fim de ajustar valores em concordância com os padrões legais estabelecidos pelos órgãos regulamentadores. O efluente bruto apresentou 12.192 ± 100 mgO2L-1 de DQO, 8.849 ± 60 mgO2L-1 de DBO5,20(Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio), 8.333 ± 30 unidades de cor, 1.220 ± 5 mgL-1 de fenóis totais e pH 4,63. O teor de sólidos totais no efluente foi de 18,45 ± 0,15 gL-1, sendo que desse total 2,73 ± 0,04 gL-1 correspondia a cinzas, 1,36 ± 0,03 gL-1 a lignina klason solúvel, 49 ± 3 mgL-1 de lignina klason insolúvel e aproximadamente 71% de toxicidade aguda expressa em inibição de E. coli. A espectrometria por FTIR dos sólidos do efluente indicou bandas em 3430–3440 cm-1, 2938 cm-1, 1603 cm-1, que puderam ser atribuídas aos grupos O-H, C-H e C=C, respectivamente. O tratamento biológico utilizando o fungo Pleurotus ostreatus inicialmente foi otimizado em incubadora orbital (shaker) por meio de delineamento fatorial(23) obtendo-se as melhores condições reacionais para a redução da DQO (pH 5,7, concentração de sacarose 7,5 gL-1 e concentração de nitrato de amônio igual a 4,0 gL-1). O tratamento biológico após 40 dias em reator air lift foi capaz de remover 87 % da DQO, 92 % da DBO5, 73 % de fenóis totais, 36 % de cor e ainda 99 % da toxicidade aguda. A análise espectrométrica por FTIR confirmou a degradação por meio da redução de picos característicos. Apesar dos resultados do tratamento fúngico terem se apresentados bastante significativos, houve necessidade de complementação com processo Fenton, o que resultou numa redução de 99 % da DQO, 92 % do teor de fenóis e 96 % da cor do efluente. Desta forma, a biorremediação utilizando o fungo Pleurotus ostreatus e a combinação com o processo Fenton, apresentou resultados promissores, para enquadramento dentro da maioria dos parâmetros exigidos pela legislação. / The present work had the objective of characterizing the effluent from the Plywood Industry and evaluate the use of filamentous fungus Pleurotus ostreatus in the treatment in an air lift reactor, besides verifying the potentiality of the complementation of effluent treatment using a POA, Fenton type, in order to adjust it to the legal parameters to release it into water bodies in accord to the regulatory authorities. The brute effluent present 12.192 ± 100 mgO2L-1 of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), 8.849 ± 60 mgO2L-1 of BOD5,20 (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), 8.333 ± 30 color units, 1.220 ± 5 mgL-1 of total phenols and pH 4,63. The total solids content in the effluent was 18, 45 ± 0, 15 gL-1, in this total 2,73 ± 0,04 gL-1 corresponds to ashes, 1,36 ± 0,03 gL-1 soluble klason lignin and 49 ± 3 mgL-1 of insoluble klason lignin and approximately 71% toxicity expressed as inhibition to E.coli. The FTIR spectrometry of the solids of the effluent, indicated bands in 3430-3440 cm-1, 2938 cm-1, 1603 cm-1, that could be attributed to groups O-H, C-H, C=C. The biological treatment using the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus was initially optimized in an orbital incubator (shaker) by factorial design (2³) that getting the best reactional conditions to COD reduction (pH 5,7 and sucrose concentration of 7,5 gL-1 and nitrate concentration of 4,0 gL-1), being estimated a reduction of 64% of COD of effluent in 10 days. The biological treatment after 40 days in optimized conditions in air lift was capable of remove 87 % of COD of the effluent, 92 % of the BOD5,20, 72 % of reduction of total phenols, 36 % of color removal and acute toxicity reduced. The spectrometric analysis by FTIR confirmed the biological degradation by the correspondent peak reduction in relation to the characteristic peaks. Despite the results of fungal treatment being quite significant, there was a need of a complementation of treatment using AOP Fenton type, showing a reduction of 99 % of COD, 92 % of phenols content and 96 % effluents color. In this way, the bioremediation using the Pleurotus ostreatus combined with the Fenton process, presented promising results, in order to fit the majority of the parameters required by the legislation.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Biological Sciences, M.L. Sultan Technikon, 2002. / The extent of diffusion and surface modification of a purified 23.6 kDa xylanase isolated from Thermomyces lanuginosus on bagasse pulp was evaluated. Polyclonal anti-xylanase antibodies were raised in two rabbits and in conjunction with immunogold labeling and microscopic studies enzyme diffusion and degradation studies were performed. The purity of the xylanase was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blots confirmed the antigen-antibody hybrid on the nitrocellulose membrane. / D

Esta tese apresenta uma metodologia específica para a quantificação das perdas energéticas em motores elétricos de indução trifásicos com rotor em gaiola, por meio da determinação indireta do rendimento nas condições de funcionamento a plena carga. A referida metodologia, denominada MHmit, foi desenvolvida em ambientes industriais, particularmente no segmento alimentício, contando também com a colaboração do Laboratório de Máquinas Elétricas do Instituto de Eletrotécnica e Energia da Universidade de São Paulo no tocante a disponibilização dos ensaios de vários motores de indução trifásicos com rotor em gaiola ao longo de vários anos de prestação de serviços. Esses ensaios foram de extrema importância para a validação da metodologia apresentada. Sendo o motor elétrico um equipamento de uso final de forte presença industrial, é passível de substituição por tecnologias mais eficientes mediante a realização de estudos de eficiência energética. Os diagnósticos energéticos em sistemas motrizes beneficiam as indústrias por meio da diminuição dos custos com energia elétrica, tanto pela redução de demanda, quanto pela redução do consumo. Porém, para o desenvolvimento desta metodologia foi necessária a avaliação de estudos realizados por empresas prestadoras de serviços na área de conservação de energia elétrica. Essas empresas foram selecionadas a partir da averiguação da satisfação do cliente quanto aos serviços prestados e resultados obtidos após a substituição dos motores. Por meio da análise de 266 casos, verificaram-se os problemas encontrados por essas empresas antes, durante e após a substituição dos motores elétricos do tipo padrão por de alto rendimento. Em alguns casos, a substituição de um motor antigo do tipo padrão por um motor novo do tipo alto rendimento resultou num aumento do consumo de energia elétrica, fato este totalmente controverso quando se espera uma economia de 2 a 6% proveniente desta mudança de tecnologias, de acordo com Eletrobrás e NEMA MG 1. A metodologia MHmit desenvolvida neste trabalho contempla esta situação. As principais metodologias atualmente utilizadas na realização de estudos para substituição de motores elétricos dos tipos padrão por alto rendimento foram analisadas e apresentadas neste trabalho. Dentre elas, a metodologia convencional, que utiliza curvas de motores elétricos para a determinação do rendimento, a metodologia que utiliza o programa denominado BD Motor, desenvolvido pelo Centro de Pesquisas em Energia Elétrica da Eletrobrás, a VII metodologia que utiliza o programa Mark IV, desenvolvido por pesquisadores da Universidade Federal de Itajubá, em parceria com o Procel / Eletrobrás e o software Motor Master, desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Energia Norte-Americano (DoE). Todos esses programas estão disponíveis gratuitamente para download no site do Procel Info / Eletrobrás - www.procelinfo.com.br. A metodologia MHmit, desenvolvida neste trabalho, apresentou desvios percentuais satisfatórios (10,12%) entre os valores previstos (durante as simulações com o aplicativo MHmit) e reais (por meio da verificação da real economia de energia elétrica proporcionada após a substituição do novo motor) das metodologias em estudo. Estas, não contemplam dados de parâmetros de motores antigos, dificultando a obtenção de um valor verdadeiro do rendimento do motor em funcionamento, pois muitas vezes este já sofreu reparos, rebobinagens e curtos-circuitos. Os 86 estudos de caso realizados para a validação desta metodologia (motores com potências de 7,5 a 125 cv) mostraram diferenças significativas entre os valores previstos pelas metodologias atuais e a metodologia desenvolvida MHmit. / This thesis presents a specific methodology to quantify the energy loss in three-phase induction electric motors with cage rotor, by indirect determination of efficiency under operation conditions at full load. This methodology, named MHmit, was developed in industrial environments, particularly in textile and food sectors, relying on the collaboration of the machines laboratory of the Institute of Electrotechnics and Energy, University of São Paulo on the availability of tests in several three-phase induction motors with cage rotor over several years under the laboratory service. These essays were extremely important to validate the presented methodology. Once the electric motor is an equipment of final use strongly present in industry, it is subject to replacement by more efficient technologies by carrying out energy efficiency studies. Energy Diagnosis in electric motors aims to provide the client with a decrease in electric energy costs, not only a decrease in demand, but also as a decrease in consumption. However, for the development of this methodology, it was necessary for evaluation, an assessment by companies that provide services in the area of energy conservation. These companies were selected from an investigation of customer satisfaction on services provided and results obtained after replacing the motors. By analyzing 266 cases, the problems found by these companies had been verified before, during and after the substitution of standard electric motors by high-efficiency ones. In some cases, the substitution of an old standard motor by a new high-efficiency one resulted in an increase of consumption of electric energy, and this fact is totally controversial when one expects savings of 2 to 6 % from this change of technologies, according to Eletrobrás and NEMA MG 1. The methodology MHmit developed in this work covers this situation. The main methodologies currently used to carry out studies to replace standard electric motors by high-efficiency ones were analyzed and presented in this work. Amongst them, the conventional methodology, which uses electric motor curves to determine efficiency, and the methodology that uses the program named BD Motor, developed by the Center of Research in Electric Energy of Eletrobrás, the methodology that uses the program Mark IV, developed by researchers from Federal University of Itajubá, in partnership with Procel/Eletrobrás and the IX program named Motor Master, developed by the North American Department of Energy (DoE). All these programs are freely available for download at Procel Info/Eletrobrás website - www.procelinfo.com.br. The MHmit methodology, developed in this work, presented satisfactory percentage values of deviations (10,12%), between the predicted values (during simulations with MHmit application) and real (by checking the real electric energy savings provided after the old standard motor replacement) when compared to the methodologies in study. These, do not include the old motor data parameters, making it difficult to obtain a true value of motor operation efficiency, because it may have gone through repairs, rewinding and short-circuits. The 86 case studies which were carried out for the validation of this methodology (motors with rated power from 7.5 to 125 hp) showed significant differences between the values provided by current methodologies and the methodology developed MHmit.