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In the analysis of environmental samples for uranium and thorium pollutants and at natural levels for the dating of geological samples there was felt a need to develop better uranium and thorium separation procedures to replace the established anion exchange method used at AEA Technology plc. This was the first aim of the PhD research. Separation of uranium from thorium prior to measurement of the isotopes by alpha spectrometry was necessary due to the similar alpha energies of234U and 230Th. TRU and UTEVA extraction chromatography resins (EIChroM Industries) were investigated as potential replacements to the anion exchange separation method. The resins are claimed by EIChroM to offer the advantage of providing an actinide specific separation while reducing the separation time from 2 to 0.5 days; the volume of acidic waste produced by a factor of 3, therefore, the cost of analysis was reduced. A uranium and thorium separation procedure using the UTEVA extraction chromatography resin was developed. The uranium and thorium were sorbed by the UTEVA resin from 2M nitric acid. The thorium was then eluted from the resin with 5M hydrochloric acid and the uranium with 0.02M hydrochloric acid. The separation procedure was then evaluated using uraninite ore, coral, granite and lake sediment reference materials. The uranium and thorium concentrations and the 234U/238U and 23oTh/234U activity ratio values determined for the reference material were in good agreement with certified values. The presence of plutonium was found to interfere with the measurement of uranium and thorium by alpha spectrometry. This was due to the similar alpha energies of uranium, thorium and plutonium. The co-elution of plutonium with uranium and thorium from the UTEVA resin was prevented by the inclusion of a reduction step using iron (Il) sulphamate. The resulting plutonium (Ill) was not retained by the UTEVA column. The chemical recoveries for the procedure were similar to those for anion-exchange, but the extraction chromatography procedure provided a more rapid separation using less reagents.

No presente trabalho foram avaliados processos alternativos de dessalinização visando a recuperação e reuso da água contida em salmouras concentradas, sendo o processo de cristalização assistida por destilação por membranas (MDC) investigado com profundidade. Foi desenvolvido um modelo diferencial para o processo de destilação por membranas por contato direto (DCMD), contemplando métodos termodinâmicos rigorosos para sistemas aquosos de eletrólitos fortes, bem como mecanismos de transferência de calor e massa e efeitos de polarização de temperatura e concentração característicos deste processo de separação. Com base em simulações realizadas a partir do modelo matemático assim desenvolvido, foram investigados os principais parâmetros que influenciam o projeto de um módulo de membranas para DCMD. O modelo foi posteriormente estendido com equações de balanço de massa e energia adicionais para incluir a operação de cristalização e desta forma representar o processo de MDC. De posse dos resultados das simulações e do modelo estendido, foi desenvolvido um método hierárquico para o projeto de processos de MDC, com o objetivo de conferir características de rastreabilidade e repetibilidade a esta atividade. Ainda a partir do modelo MDC foram discutidos aspectos importantes em MDC como a possibilidade de nucleação e crescimento de cristais sobre a superfície das membranas, bem como o comportamento do processo com sais com diferentes características de solubilidade e largura da zona metaestável. Verificou-se que para sais cuja solubilidade varia muito pouco com a temperatura e que possuem zona metaestável com pequena largura, caso do NaCl, a operação com resfriamento no cristalizador não é viável pois aumenta excessivamente o consumo energético do processo, sendo nesses casos preferível a operação \"isotérmica\" - sem resfriamento no cristalizador - e o convívio com a possibilidade de nucleação no interior do módulo. No extremo oposto, observou-se que para sais com grande variabilidade da solubilidade com a temperatura, um pequeno resfriamento no cristalizador é suficiente para garantir condições de subsaturação no interior do módulo, sem grande ônus energético para o processo. No caso de sais com pequena variabilidade da solubilidade com a temperatura, mas com largura da zona metaestável elevada, existe certo ônus energético para a operação com resfriamento do cristalizador, porém não tão acentuado como no caso de sais com zona metaestável estreita. Foi proposto um fluxograma alternativo para o processo de MDC, onde foi introduzido um circuito de pré-concentração da alimentação antes do circuito de cristalização, para o caso de alimentação com soluções muito diluídas. Este esquema proporcionou um aumento do fluxo permeado global do processo e consequentemente uma redução na área total de membrana requerida. Verificou-se que através do processo com préconcentração da alimentação de 5% até 10% em massa - no caso de dessalinização de uma solução de NaCl - foi possível reduzir-se a área total da membrana em 27,1% e o consumo energético específico do processo em 10,6%, quando comparado ao processo sem pré-concentração. Foram desenvolvidas ferramentas úteis para o projeto de processos de dessalinização por MDC em escala industrial. / Alternative desalination processes aiming at the recovery and reuse of the water contained in concentrated brines were evaluated, being the membrane distillation crystallization (MDC) process investigated in depth. A differential model for the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process was developed for that matter, comprising rigorous thermodynamic methods for strong electrolytes, heat and mass transfer mechanisms and temperature and concentration polarization effects. Based on simulations from the mathematical model thus developed, the main parameters that influence the design of DCMD membrane modules were investigated. The model was further extended with mass and energy balance equations in order to consider the crystallization unit operation and thus suitably represent the MDC process. Based on the simulations results and the extended model, a hierarchical method was developed for the MDC process design, adding traceability and repeatability characteristics to the design activity. Important aspects of the MDC process such as the possibility of nucleation and crystal growth on the membrane surface, as well as the behavior of the process with salts presenting different solubility characteristics and metastable zone widths were further discussed. It was observed that salts presenting negligible temperature dependence regarding their solubility and small metastable zone widths (i.e. NaCl) do not favor the operation with cooling in the crystallizer due to excessive increase in energy consumption, being the isothermal operation more indicated in such cases even at the risk of nucleation inside the membrane module. On the other hand, it was noticed that for salts whose solubility is highly temperature dependent a slight cooling in the crystallizer is enough to assure subsaturated conditions inside the membrane module with minimal energy consumption increase. In the case of salts with low temperature dependence regarding solubility but with large metastable zone widths, the operating strategy of applying cooling in the crystallizer may increase energy consumption but not as significantly as in the case of salts with small metastable zone widths. An alternative flowsheet for the MDC process was proposed, where a pre-concentration loop was introduced before the crystallization loop, showing good results for dilute feeds since it takes advantage of the higher water activity and consequently higher transmembrane fluxes due to the lower concentration. It was perceived a 27.1% reduction in the required membrane surface and a 10.6% energy consumption reduction for the modified flowsheet with the pre-concentration loop, for a feed comprised of 5% of NaCl. Useful tools aimed for the design of industrial scale processes based on MDC were developed.

Worldwide demand for energy is increasing rapidly, partly driven by dramatic economic growth in developing countries. This growth has sparked concerns over the finite availability of fossil fuels and the impact of their combustion on climate change. Consequently, many recent research efforts have been devoted to the development of renewable fuels and sustainable energy systems. Interest in liquid biofuels, such as ethanol, has been particularly high because these fuels fit into the conventional infrastructure for the transportation sector. Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced through the anaerobic fermentation of sugars obtained from biomass. However, the relatively high energy demand of its production process is a major factor limiting the usefulness of ethanol as a fuel. Due to the dilute nature of the fermentation product stream and the presence of the ethanol-water azeotrope, the separation processes currently used to recover anhydrous ethanol are particularly inefficient. In fact, the ethanol separation processes account for a large fraction of the total process energy demand. In the conventional ethanol separation process, ethanol is recovered using several distillation steps combined with a dehydration process. In this dissertation, a new hybrid pervaporation-distillation system, named Membrane Dephlegmation, was proposed and investigated for use in ethanol recovery. In this process, countercurrent vapour-liquid contacting is carried out on the surface of a pervaporation membrane, leading to a combination of distillation and pervaporation effects. It was intended that this new process would lead to improved economics and energy efficiency for the entire ethanol production process. The Membrane Dephlegmation process was investigated using both numerical and experimental techniques. Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to study vapour-liquid contacting behaviour in narrow channels and to estimate heat and mass transfer rates. Results from the CFD studies were incorporated into a simplified design model and the Membrane Dephlegmation process was studied numerically. The results indicated that the Membrane Dephlegmation process was more efficient than simple distillation and that the ethanol-water azeotrope could be broken. Subsequently, a pilot-scale experimental system was constructed using commercially available, hydrophilic NaA zeolite membranes. Results obtained from the experimental system confirmed the accuracy of the simulations.

Worldwide demand for energy is increasing rapidly, partly driven by dramatic economic growth in developing countries. This growth has sparked concerns over the finite availability of fossil fuels and the impact of their combustion on climate change. Consequently, many recent research efforts have been devoted to the development of renewable fuels and sustainable energy systems. Interest in liquid biofuels, such as ethanol, has been particularly high because these fuels fit into the conventional infrastructure for the transportation sector. Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced through the anaerobic fermentation of sugars obtained from biomass. However, the relatively high energy demand of its production process is a major factor limiting the usefulness of ethanol as a fuel. Due to the dilute nature of the fermentation product stream and the presence of the ethanol-water azeotrope, the separation processes currently used to recover anhydrous ethanol are particularly inefficient. In fact, the ethanol separation processes account for a large fraction of the total process energy demand. In the conventional ethanol separation process, ethanol is recovered using several distillation steps combined with a dehydration process. In this dissertation, a new hybrid pervaporation-distillation system, named Membrane Dephlegmation, was proposed and investigated for use in ethanol recovery. In this process, countercurrent vapour-liquid contacting is carried out on the surface of a pervaporation membrane, leading to a combination of distillation and pervaporation effects. It was intended that this new process would lead to improved economics and energy efficiency for the entire ethanol production process. The Membrane Dephlegmation process was investigated using both numerical and experimental techniques. Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to study vapour-liquid contacting behaviour in narrow channels and to estimate heat and mass transfer rates. Results from the CFD studies were incorporated into a simplified design model and the Membrane Dephlegmation process was studied numerically. The results indicated that the Membrane Dephlegmation process was more efficient than simple distillation and that the ethanol-water azeotrope could be broken. Subsequently, a pilot-scale experimental system was constructed using commercially available, hydrophilic NaA zeolite membranes. Results obtained from the experimental system confirmed the accuracy of the simulations.

Worldwide demand for energy is increasing rapidly, partly driven by dramatic economic growth in developing countries. This growth has sparked concerns over the finite availability of fossil fuels and the impact of their combustion on climate change. Consequently, many recent research efforts have been devoted to the development of renewable fuels and sustainable energy systems. Interest in liquid biofuels, such as ethanol, has been particularly high because these fuels fit into the conventional infrastructure for the transportation sector. Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced through the anaerobic fermentation of sugars obtained from biomass. However, the relatively high energy demand of its production process is a major factor limiting the usefulness of ethanol as a fuel. Due to the dilute nature of the fermentation product stream and the presence of the ethanol-water azeotrope, the separation processes currently used to recover anhydrous ethanol are particularly inefficient. In fact, the ethanol separation processes account for a large fraction of the total process energy demand. In the conventional ethanol separation process, ethanol is recovered using several distillation steps combined with a dehydration process. In this dissertation, a new hybrid pervaporation-distillation system, named Membrane Dephlegmation, was proposed and investigated for use in ethanol recovery. In this process, countercurrent vapour-liquid contacting is carried out on the surface of a pervaporation membrane, leading to a combination of distillation and pervaporation effects. It was intended that this new process would lead to improved economics and energy efficiency for the entire ethanol production process. The Membrane Dephlegmation process was investigated using both numerical and experimental techniques. Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to study vapour-liquid contacting behaviour in narrow channels and to estimate heat and mass transfer rates. Results from the CFD studies were incorporated into a simplified design model and the Membrane Dephlegmation process was studied numerically. The results indicated that the Membrane Dephlegmation process was more efficient than simple distillation and that the ethanol-water azeotrope could be broken. Subsequently, a pilot-scale experimental system was constructed using commercially available, hydrophilic NaA zeolite membranes. Results obtained from the experimental system confirmed the accuracy of the simulations.

FREITAS, A. V. Utilização de membranas de contato (Hollow fiber) para extração e re-extração de ácido capróico. 2016. 109 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Química)-Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2016. / Submitted by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2017-09-15T19:04:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_dis_avfreitas.pdf: 9293878 bytes, checksum: 9ae6812d702c7c88db26d7fb6662bcbd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2017-09-18T10:47:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_dis_avfreitas.pdf: 9293878 bytes, checksum: 9ae6812d702c7c88db26d7fb6662bcbd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-18T10:47:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_dis_avfreitas.pdf: 9293878 bytes, checksum: 9ae6812d702c7c88db26d7fb6662bcbd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-22 / Caproic acid or hexanoic acid has a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries. The utilization of a fermentative production route has been studied as an alternative to petrochemical route, which relies on non-renewable resources. In the fermentative route, it is essential to provide a continuous caproic acid extraction from the biotic medium, because the accumulation of this acid inhibits microorganisms. In this study, the extraction and re-extraction of caproic acid by contact membranes are investigated in detail. This extraction system involves reactive and diffusive processes in two stages: i) the extraction step, where caproic acid passes through selectivity to an extraction solution (mineral oil + 3% trioctylphosphine (TOPO)); ii) the re-extraction step, where the caproic acid passes through affinity to an alkaline solution (0.5M H3BO3, pH ≥ 9.0). This type of extraction system has advantages over conventional liquid-liquid extraction of organic acids, because the membrane has hydrophobic characteristics, and acts as a physical barrier, which prevents the liquid phases dispersion. LIQUICEL two membranes are used (model 2.5 x 8.0 Extra-Flow), with surface area of 1.4 m², volume of the inner hull of 0.15 L (150 ml) and volume of the outer hull of 0.40 L (400ml). Each membrane has 800 hollow fibers of polypropylene (internal diameter 0.24 mm, length 15 cm, 0.03 mm thick wall and 0.03 mM of pore size of the membrane with 40% porosity). The mass transfer rates of membrane system were determined for different operating conditions from the effluent using a bioreactor and a pure (caproic acid diluted in water) effluents. In these experiments the caproic acid concentrations ranged between 0.1 and 2.5 g.L-1, which is a representative range for reactors operated at pH 5.5. The flow rates of the acidic and alkaline solutions ranged from 9,2 a 219,4 m.d-1. During the assays, pH, and caproic acid concentrations were monitored. The experiments using synthetic effluent showed that mass transfer rates in the extraction membranes are 9,5 g.m-2.h-1, and achieved extraction efficiency of 96%. Using the bioreactor effluent, the mass transfer rates were 3,67 g.m-2.h-1, and extraction effiency was 43%. Additionally, from these tests, it is possible to observe that the extraction rates are directly proportional to the liquid velocity in the external parts of the membranes. These results confirm that the maximum rates of extraction and re-extraction of the contact membrane system are in a feasible range to be used together with anaerobic reactors for producing caproic acid. / Ácido Caproico, ou hexanóico, tem uma ampla gama de aplicações nas indústrias farmacêutica, química e alimentícia. A utilização de uma via de produção fermentativa tem sido estudada como uma alternativa à via petroquímica, que depende de recursos não renováveis. Na via fermentativa é essencial um processo contínuo de extração de ácido capróico a partir do meio biótico, uma vez que a acumulação deste ácido inibe a microbiota. Neste trabalho, a extração e re-extração do ácido capróico por membranas de contato são investigadas. O sistema de extração envolve processos difusivos e reativos e em duas etapas: i) uma etapa de extração, em que o ácido capróico é transferido através de seletividade para a solução de extração (óleo mineral + 3% de trioctilfosfina (TOPO)); ii) uma etapa de reextração, na qual o ácido caproico passa para uma solução alcalina (0,5 M de ácido bórico (H3BO3), pH ≥ 9,0) por afinidade. Este tipo de extração tem vantagens em relação à extração líquido-líquido convencional de ácidos orgânicos, pois a membrana possui características hidrofóbicas, que atua como uma barreira física impedindo a dispersão das fases líquidas. São utilizadas duas membranas Liquicel (modelo 2,5 x 8,0 Extra-Flow), com área superficial de 1,4 m², volume do casco interno de 0,15 L (15 0ml) e volume do casco externo de 0,40 L (400 ml). Cada membrana possui 800 fibras ocas de polipropileno (com diâmetro interno de 0,24 mm, 15 cm de comprimento, 0,03 μm de espessura da parede e 0,03 μm de tamanho dos poros da membrana com 40% de porosidade). As taxas de transferência de massa do sistema de membrana foram determinadas para diferentes condições de funcionamento a partir de um efluente oriundo de um biorreator e um efluente sintético (ácido capróico diluído em água). Nestes experimentos as concentrações de ácido capróico variaram de 0,1 a 2,5 g/L, que é uma faixa representativa para os reatores operados com pH 5,5. As vazões das soluções ácidas e alcalinas variaram de 9,2 m.d-1 a 219,4 m.d-1. Durante os testes, o pH e as concentrações de ácido capróico foram monitorados. Os experimentos utilizando solução pura mostram taxas de transferência de massa máxima nas membranas de extração 9,5 g.m-2.h-1, com uma eficiência de 96%. Utilizando o efluente oriundo de um biorreator essas taxas de transferência de massa máxima foi 3,67 g.m-2.h-1, com uma eficiência de 43%. Adicionalmente, a partir destes experimentos, é possível observar que as taxas de extração são diretamente proporcionais à velocidade do líquido nas partes externas das membranas. Estes resultados confirmam que as taxas máximas de extração e re-extração do sistema de membrana de contato estão em uma faixa que pode viabilizar a utilização deste sistema em conjunto com reatores anaeróbios que produzem ácido capróico.

En raison du risque d’un approvisionnement insuffisant en ressources primaires des terres rares et des impacts environnementaux générés par les zones minières, le concept de l’agromine paraît être une solution très prometteuse. Il permet d’extraire des métaux lourds à partir de sols pollués ou de friches industrielles, par une méthode respectueuse de l’environnement, grâce à la culture de plantes hyperaccumulatrices. Une fois la culture réalisée, des procédés hydrométallurgiques sont développés afin d’extraire des plantes les métaux ayant une valeur économique importante. Le présent travail vise à développer des procédés hydrométallurgiques pour l’extraction des terres rares à partir d’une plante hyperaccumulatrice appelée Dicranopteris dichotoma. Cette fougère est connue pour sa capacité à accumuler les terres rares, notamment les légères, dans sa partie aérienne. Différentes voies d’extraction, puis de séparation des terres rares des autres éléments, ont été étudiées. Dans un premier temps, des lixiviations de la biomasse sèche ont été mises en oeuvre. Les rendements de lixiviation selon la nature de l’extractant ont ainsi pu être comparés. Pour cette voie, une précipitation est ensuite effectuée, suivie d’une calcination pour obtenir les oxydes de terres rares. Dans un second temps, la lixiviation de la biomasse sèche a été intensifiée par un procédé d’échange d’ions au cours duquel les terres rares sont fixées sur la résine. Après avoir percolé sur la résine des solutions qui permettent d’éliminer des impuretés, l’élution permet d’obtenir une solution concentrée de terres rares. Enfin, une troisième voie d’extraction est réalisée à partir des cendres de D. dichotoma, après une étape de combustion. Cette voie repose sur une lixiviation alcaline des cendres permettant l’élimination des impuretés solubles dans ce milieu. Une dissolution du résidu est ensuite effectuée, suivie d’une précipitation sélective des terres rares. Les trois voies étudiées s’avèrent en fait complémentaires et la combinaison de certaines étapes peut s’avérer prometteuse, notamment pour éliminer certaines impuretés. L’étude de ces procédés et de leur combinaison mérite d’être poursuivie afin d’améliorer les rendements d’extraction et la pureté du produit final. Il s’agira ensuite de développer un procédé à l’échelle pilote puis industrielle / Due to the risk of primary resource supply of rare earths and the environmental impacts generated by mining areas, the concept of agromining seems to be a very promising solution. It allows the extraction of heavy metals from polluted soils or industrial wastelands, by an environmentally friendly method, thanks to the cultivation of hyperaccumulating plants. Once the culture is completed, hydrometallurgical processes are developed in order to extract from plants the metals having a significant economic value. The present work aims to develop hydrometallurgical processes for the extraction of rare earths from a hyperaccumulator plant called Dicranopteris dichotoma. This fern is known for its high ability to accumulate rare earths, especially light ones, in its aerial part. Different extraction and separation ways of rare earths from other elements have been studied. At first, leaching of dry biomass was implemented. The leaching yields according to the nature of extracting solutions could thus be compared. For this approach, precipitation is then performed, followed by calcination step to obtain rare earth oxides. In a second approach, the leaching of dry biomass was intensified by an ion exchange process during which, the rare earths are fixed on the resin. After percolating solutions on the resin in order to eliminate impurities, an elution step leads to obtain a concentrated solution of rare earths. Finally, a third extraction process is carried out from the ashes of D. dichotoma, after a combustion step. This approach is based on an alkaline leaching of the ash allowing the elimination of soluble impurities in this medium. The residue is then dissolved, followed by rare earths selective precipitation. These three approaches studied, are actually complementary and the combination of certain steps can be promising, especially to eliminate some impurities. The study of these processes and their combination deserves to be pursued in order to improve the extraction yields and the purity of final product. It will then develop a pilot scale and industrial process

Conducting contextualized experimental activities in chemistry teaching has been advocated by several authors as a mediator teaching tool in learning process. The key content of mixtures separation processes in chemistry teaching is little explored in carrying out experimental activities in high school due to the fact that schools often do not have science laboratories, although such content is present in a wide range of students' everyday situations. The following study aimed to investigate the use of contextualized investigative experimental activities for the study of mixtures separation processes, providing students with a better understanding and learning in relation to mixture separation processes and other concepts related to the content approached. Data collection was carried out into three stages, the first stage was through the analysis of chemistry textbooks of the first year of high school for a meaningful profile that students could have on mixtures separation processes. The second stage was a survey with three open questions to verify the concepts of students on mixtures separation processes. And at the last stage, the experimental activities from investigative situations - contextualized problems, which kept a logbook and recordings to record observations, interesting speeches of the students and the implementation of activities were carried out. It was found that the textbooks are improving and that the three items analyzed: context, images, and exercises are significant modifications to assist teachers and students in teaching and learning the content of mixtures separation processes. Overall, from the previous conceptions of the students on the mixtures separation processes, it was found that the students have knowledge of the content, but have difficulties in relating the most suitable separation process for a given mixture, which is not present in their daily lives. After carrying out the experimental investigative contextualized activities, it was observed that from their previous knowledge allied with the activities, students improved existing concepts, acquired new knowledge and learned new ways to understand the content of study. Moreover, to develop the experimental activities proposed, the students had to use alternative materials. Thus, the lack of materials and equipment did not prevent the accomplishment of the activities. Thus, it can be said that the use of contextualized investigative experimental activities, besides motivating students, has contributed to the learning and understanding of mixtures separation processes. / A realização de atividades experimentais contextualizadas, no ensino de química, vem sendo defendida por diversos autores como ferramenta de ensino facilitadora do aprendizado. Um conteúdo fundamental, no ensino de química, e pouco explorado na realização de atividades experimentais no ensino médio, devido ao fato das escolas, muitas vezes, não possuírem laboratórios de ciências, é o conteúdo de processos de separação de misturas, o qual está presente em uma vasta gama de situações do cotidiano dos alunos. Neste contexto, no presente estudo, teve-se como objetivo averiguar se a utilização de atividades experimentais investigativas contextualizadas, durante o estudo sobre os processos de separação de misturas, proporcionam aos alunos uma melhor compreensão e aprendizagem em relação aos processos de separação de misturas e de outros conceitos relacionados com o conteúdo em estudo. A coleta de dados foi realizada em três momentos, o primeiro foi a partir da análise de livros didáticos de química do 1º ano do ensino médio para obter um perfil explicativo que os alunos poderiam ter sobre os processos de separação de misturas. No segundo momento foi aplicado um questionário com três perguntas abertas, para verificar as concepções prévias dos alunos sobre os processos de separação de misturas. E no último momento foram realizadas as atividades experimentais investigativas a partir de situações problemas contextualizadas, mantendo-se um diário de bordo e gravações para registar observações, falas interessantes dos alunos e a execução das atividades. Verificou-se que os livros didáticos estão melhorando e que os três itens analisados, contextualização, imagens e exercícios, apresentam modificações significativas para auxiliar o docente e o aluno, no ensino e na aprendizagem do conteúdo processos de separação de misturas. De forma geral, a partir das concepções prévias dos alunos sobre os processos de separação de misturas, verificou-se que eles possuem conhecimento sobre o conteúdo em questão, porém apresentam dificuldades em relacionar o processo de separação mais adequado para uma determinada mistura, que não está presente no seu dia a dia. Após realização das atividades experimentais investigativas contextualizadas, observou-se que a partir dos seus conhecimentos prévios aliados com as atividades desenvolvidas, os alunos aperfeiçoaram os conceitos já existentes, adquiriram novos conhecimentos e aprenderam novos meios de compreender o conteúdo em estudo. Além disso, para desenvolver as atividades experimentais propostas, os alunos tiveram que recorrer a materiais alternativos. Assim, a falta de materiais e de equipamentos não impediu a realização das atividades. Deste modo, pode-se afirmar que a utilização de atividades experimentais investigativas contextualizadas, além de motivar os alunos, contribuiu para aperfeiçoar os conceitos já existentes, aprender novos conceitos e a buscar novos meios de aprender o conteúdo em estudo.