Μελετάμε την ροή κοκκώδους σε κεκλιμένη πειραματική διάταξη δυο διαστάσεων, αποτελούμενη από Κ το πλήθος γραμμές και Μ το πλήθος στήλες δοχείων, τα οποία αναταράσσονται κάθετα. Η ροή του υλικού από δοχείο σε δοχείο περιγράφεται από ένα μοντέλο ροής [Eggers, 1999; Van der Weele, 2008]. Υποκινούμενοι από δυσλειτουργίες που παρουσιάζονται στις σύγχρονες βιομηχανικές μονάδες μεταφοράς (όπως είναι ο σχηματισμός συσσωματωμάτων), εισάγουμε σταθερή ποσότητα υλικού στην πρώτη γραμμή των δοχείων, και καθορίζουμε τις συνθήκες κάτω από τις οποίες η ροή παραμένει ομαλή και συνεχής μέχρι την τελευταία γραμμή. Ενώ στην περίπτωση μιας και μόνο σειράς δοχείων (Μ=1) η εκροή μηδενίζεται με την εμφάνιση ενός και μόνο συσσωματώματος [Κανελλόπουλος, 2008], για Μ>1 απαιτούνται περισσότερα συσσωματώματα για τον μηδενισμό της. Μελετάμε τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αυτά τα συσσωματώματα διατάσσονται στα δοχεία, ο οποίος πολλές φορές όπως βλέπουμε μπορεί να είναι ιδιαίτερα πολύπλοκος, αποτελώντας έτσι ένα εξαίρετο παράδειγμα μορφογένεσης σε δυναμικά συστήματα [Cross and Hohenberg, 1993]. Εντοπίζουμε τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά αυτής της μορφογένεσης και εξηγούμε πως αυτά σχετίζονται με το μοντέλο ροής. Για την περαιτέρω μαθηματική και φυσική τους ερμηνεία προτείνουμε το συνεχές όριο του μοντέλου ροής, το οποίο θα αποτελέσει την απαρχή για μελλοντικές έρευνες [Van der Weele et al, 2008]. Αναφορές: •J. Eggers, Sand as Maxwell’s demon, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 5322 (1999). •K. van der Weele, Granular gas dynamics: How Maxwell’s demon rules in a nonequilibrium system, Contemporary Phys. 49, 157-175 (2008). •Γ. Κανελλόπουλος, Οριακή ροή κοκκώδους υλικού σε διάδρομο μεταφοράς, Διπλωματική Εργασία, Τμήμα Μαθηματικών, Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών (2008). •M.C. Cross and P.C. Hohenberg, Pattern formation outside of equilibrium, Rev.Mod.Phys. 65, 851 (1993). •K. van der Weele, G. Kanellopoulos, C. Tsiavos, and D. van der Meer, Transient granular shock waves and upstream motion on a staircase (submitted, 2009). / We study the dynamics of granular material in a 2-dimensional tilted setup, consisting of K rows and M columns of equal sized compartments, which is brought into motion by vertical shaking. Particles are inserted into the system along the upper row of compartments, then flow downwards, and eventually exit the system from the bottom row. Similar setups are encountered frequently in industrial transport machinery and are notorious for the tendency of the particles to form dense clusters, which obstruct the flow. We model the particle flow from box to box by a flux function and determine the maximal value of the inflow rate for which the flow remains steady. If the inflow rate exceeds this value, clusters are formed. The way in which these clusters are distributed over the KxM compartments is a fine example of spontaneous pattern formation. We analyze the main characteristics of this cluster formation, its dependence on the various parameters of the system, and its sensitivity to experimental fluctuations.

The current economic situation has severely affected the US road infrastructure and funding has become inadequate for either maintenance or future growth. The inverted base pavement structure is a promising alternative to achieve high quality roads at considerably lower cost than conventional pavements. The proximity of the unbound granular base layer to the tire load makes the response of the granular base critical to the performance of the pavement structure. Therefore extensive material characterization is conducted on the granular materials that make the base. In particular, a true triaxial chamber is developed to study the mechanical response and the stress-dependent stiffness of granular bases compacted at different water contents. A novel method is developed to assess the as-built stress-dependent anisotropic stiffness of granular bases in-situ using both crosshole and uphole test configurations. The two inverted base pavements built in Georgia at the Morgan County quarry haul road and the Lagrange south Loop are tested as part of this study. A nonlinear orthotropic constitutive model is selected to capture the deformational behavior of compacted granular bases. The response of the pavement is analyzed by implementing this constitutive behavior in a three-dimensional finite-element model. Different pavement structures are simulated. It is shown that thin asphalt concrete layers resting directly on granular bases deform as membranes. Finally, numerical simulations are extended to compare inverted base pavements to conventional pavements used in practice. Results highlight the inadequacy of ASSHTO’s structural layer coefficient for the analysis of inverted base pavement structures as well as the potential economic advantages of inverted base pavements.

Granular materials are composed of solid, discrete particles and exhibit mechanical properties that range from fluid to solid behavior. Some of the complexity exhibited by granular systems arises due to the long-range order that develops due to particle-particle contact. Inter-particle forces in granular materials often form a distributive network of filamentary force-accommodating chains (i.e. force chains), such that a fraction of the total number of particles accommodates the majority of the forces in the system. The force chain network inherent to a system composed of granular materials controls the macroscopic behavior of the granular material. Force transmission by these filamentary chains is focused (or localized) to the grain scale at boundaries such as the granular flow substrate. Recent laboratory experiments have shown that force chains transmit extreme localized forces to the substrates of free surface granular flows. In this work we combine analog and numeric experimental approaches to investigate the forces at the bed of a simplified granular flow. A photoelastic experimental approach is used to resolve discrete forces in the granular flows. We also conduct discrete element method (DEM) simulations, using input parameters derived from measureable physical material properties of experimental and natural materials, which successfully reproduce the analog experimental results. This work suggests that force chain activity may play an unexpected and important role in the bed physics of dense granular flows through substrate modification by erosion and entrainment, and that DEM numerical methods effectively treat force chain processes in simulated granular flows.

Discontinuous planes often develop in soils; examples include shear bands, desiccation cracks, polygonal faults, and hydraulic fractures. These discontinuities affect the mechanical behavior (stiffness and strength) and transport properties of sediments (fluid migration and diffusion). Contrary to discontinuities in solid materials, granular materials such as soils are already separated at the particle scale. Therefore, the fundamental understanding of the development of discontinuities in soils must recognize their inherent granular nature and effective-stress dependent behavior. This research focuses on particle-scale mechanisms involved in contraction-driven shear failure due to mineral dissolution, desiccation cracks, and hydraulic fractures. Complementary experimental, analytical and numerical methods are used to study three cases. Contraction-driven polygonal fault formation under the seabed. Shear failure planes are often found in sediments that formed under near horizontal burial conditions. Particle-scale volume contraction due to mineral dissolution causes a decrease in the state of stress from the insitu K0-condition to the active failure Ka stress field. Shear strain localization follows in sediment with post-peak strain softening response. Desiccation cracks in saturated fine soils. The formation of desiccation cracks in soils is often interpreted in terms of tensile strength, which contradicts the cohesionless, effective stress dependent frictional behavior of fine grained soils. Experimental results monitored using high resolution time lapse photography point to a proper effective stress-dependent mechanism centered on the invasion of the air-water interface membrane. Miscible and immiscible fluid-driven fracture formation. Hydraulic fracture in granular materials cause grain separation and the development of conduits for preferential fluid flow leading to fracture formation due to the forced invasion of either immiscible or miscible fluids. Capillary, seepage, and skeletal interparticle forces define particle scale mechanisms at the fracture tip. Numerical simulations confirm that the effective stress remains in compression everywhere throughout the granular medium in the three localization mechanisms.

Honors Project--Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 34).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-09-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:17:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 borges_rm_me_ilha.pdf: 1027665 bytes, checksum: cbe98e464dcb25888a9611afc1acbb2e (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A contaminação por compostos farmacêuticos nos ambientes aquáticos e sua difícil remoção no tratamento convencional de água representam um desafio às companhias de saneamento. O uso de carvão ativado granular (CAG) em filtros em conjunto com o tratamento de água em ETAs tem demonstrado resultados satisfatórios, porém apresenta uma capacidade de adsorção limitada, o que requer sua regeneração periódica nos leitos dos filtros. Entretando, durante o funcionamento dos filtros CAG, estes são naturalmente colonizados por microorganismos capazes de degradarem uma diversidade de compostos. Todavia, os fármacos são susceptíveis a degradação por microorganismos presentes na água, nos sedimentos e nos efluentes de esgoto orgânicos. Diante destes aspectos, o presente projeto avaliou a remoção dos fármacos: diclofenaco de sódio, ibuprofeno, naproxeno e amoxicilina por meio de filtros de carvão com atividade biológica (CAB) em condições de laboratório durante 24 semanas, bem como a biodegradação desses compostos por microrganismos aderidos nesses biofiltros, e a identificação filogenética dos microrganismos participantes no processo de degradação dos fármacos testados. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a remoção expressiva dos fármacos acima de 80% em filtração com carvão ativado. Foi constatada a biodegradação dos fármacos, possivelmente por bactérias dos gêneros Bacillus, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Shinella, e Sphingomonas presentes no biofilme, o que infere sobre a participação destes microrganismos durante o processo de biofiltração. A presença de microorganismos com potencial de metabolização pode ser uma alternativa para aumentar o tempo de uso dos filtros carvão nas Estações de Tratamento de Água. A possibilidade de isolar microrganismos específicos ou consórcios microbianos adaptados em remover os compostos farmacêuticos... / The contamination by pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments and its difficult removal in the conventional water treatment represents a challenge to the sanitation companies. The use of granular activated carbon (GAC) in filters combined with the treatment in Water Treatment Plants (WTP) has showed satisfactory results, although presents a limited adsorption’s capacity, which requires its periodical regeneration in the filters beds. During the functioning of the GAC filters, though, those are naturally colonized by microorganisms capable of degrading a whole sort of compounds. In the other hand, the drugs are susceptible to degradation by microorganisms presents in the water, in sediments and in organic effluent’s sewage. Given these aspects, the project evaluated the removal of the drugs: sodium diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen and amoxicillin by the carbon with biological activity (BAC) in laboratory condition during 24 weeks, and the biodegradation of these compounds by microorganisms stucked in those biofilters, and the phylogenetic identification of the microorganisms participating in the degradation process of the tested drugs. The results demonstrate the expressive removal of the drugs above 80% using filtration with activated granular carbon. It was established the biodegradation of the pharmaceuticals, possibly by bacteries of the genera Bacillus, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Shinella, and Sphingomonas presents in the biofilm, which infers about the microorganism’s participation during the biofiltration process. The presence of the microorganisms with metabolism’s potential might be on alternative to increase the carbon’s filter’s timing in the WTP’s. The possibility of isolating specific microorganisms or microbial consortia that are adapted to remove the drugs compounds from natural water... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Sérgio Luís de Carvalho / Coorientador: Alessandro Minillo / Banca: Edson Pereira Tangerino / Banca: Mauricio Luiz Sens / Resumo: A contaminação por compostos farmacêuticos nos ambientes aquáticos e sua difícil remoção no tratamento convencional de água representam um desafio às companhias de saneamento. O uso de carvão ativado granular (CAG) em filtros em conjunto com o tratamento de água em ETAs tem demonstrado resultados satisfatórios, porém apresenta uma capacidade de adsorção limitada, o que requer sua regeneração periódica nos leitos dos filtros. Entretando, durante o funcionamento dos filtros CAG, estes são naturalmente colonizados por microorganismos capazes de degradarem uma diversidade de compostos. Todavia, os fármacos são susceptíveis a degradação por microorganismos presentes na água, nos sedimentos e nos efluentes de esgoto orgânicos. Diante destes aspectos, o presente projeto avaliou a remoção dos fármacos: diclofenaco de sódio, ibuprofeno, naproxeno e amoxicilina por meio de filtros de carvão com atividade biológica (CAB) em condições de laboratório durante 24 semanas, bem como a biodegradação desses compostos por microrganismos aderidos nesses biofiltros, e a identificação filogenética dos microrganismos participantes no processo de degradação dos fármacos testados. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a remoção expressiva dos fármacos acima de 80% em filtração com carvão ativado. Foi constatada a biodegradação dos fármacos, possivelmente por bactérias dos gêneros Bacillus, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Shinella, e Sphingomonas presentes no biofilme, o que infere sobre a participação destes microrganismos durante o processo de biofiltração. A presença de microorganismos com potencial de metabolização pode ser uma alternativa para aumentar o tempo de uso dos filtros carvão nas Estações de Tratamento de Água. A possibilidade de isolar microrganismos específicos ou consórcios microbianos adaptados em remover os compostos farmacêuticos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The contamination by pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments and its difficult removal in the conventional water treatment represents a challenge to the sanitation companies. The use of granular activated carbon (GAC) in filters combined with the treatment in Water Treatment Plants (WTP) has showed satisfactory results, although presents a limited adsorption's capacity, which requires its periodical regeneration in the filters beds. During the functioning of the GAC filters, though, those are naturally colonized by microorganisms capable of degrading a whole sort of compounds. In the other hand, the drugs are susceptible to degradation by microorganisms presents in the water, in sediments and in organic effluent's sewage. Given these aspects, the project evaluated the removal of the drugs: sodium diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen and amoxicillin by the carbon with biological activity (BAC) in laboratory condition during 24 weeks, and the biodegradation of these compounds by microorganisms stucked in those biofilters, and the phylogenetic identification of the microorganisms participating in the degradation process of the tested drugs. The results demonstrate the expressive removal of the drugs above 80% using filtration with activated granular carbon. It was established the biodegradation of the pharmaceuticals, possibly by bacteries of the genera Bacillus, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Shinella, and Sphingomonas presents in the biofilm, which infers about the microorganism's participation during the biofiltration process. The presence of the microorganisms with metabolism's potential might be on alternative to increase the carbon's filter's timing in the WTP's. The possibility of isolating specific microorganisms or microbial consortia that are adapted to remove the drugs compounds from natural water... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Adolfo Maia Junior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Artes / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T22:31:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Souza_FernandoFalcide_M.pdf: 3955022 bytes, checksum: 2d2645ebb027e68cd1966906af1daa6e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Esta dissertação trata principalmente da pesquisa de métodos matemáticos e algoritmos com a finalidade de gerar e controlar fluxos de som em tempo real dentro do escopo da síntese granular. Inicialmente abordamos os fundamentos matemáticos da Síntese Granular proposta pelo Prêmio Nobel de Física Dennis Gabor. Em seguida apresentamos uma breve revisão histórica do uso desta técnica em composições eletroacústicas e analisamos alguns dos mais conhecidos aplicativos atuais para síntese granular. Com base nestes estudos desenvolvemos um software para síntese granular em tempo real que denominamos EVOGrain. Este aplicativo apresenta uma interface gráfica intuitiva e amigável com a qual o compositor controla a síntese granular desenhando, com uso do mouse, retângulos de diferentes tamanhos e posição. As coordenadas destes retângulos fornecem informação que guia a execução de um algoritmo genético, que por sua vez controla os parâmetros de um módulo de síntese granular em tempo real resultando em sonoridades e texturas que evoluem dinamicamente. Na segunda parte da dissertação apresentamos os resultados da nossa pesquisa realizada no laboratório Input Devices for Music Interaction Lab (IDMIL) da McGill University através de um estágio pelo programa de intercâmbio canadense Emerging Leaders from the Americas Program (ELAP). Nesta pesquisa, foram feitos diversos experimentos com os chamados Instrumentos Musicais Digitais (DMIs). Os módulos do sistema original EVOGrain foram reformulados em três sistemas independentes, GranularStreamer, Genetic Algorithm Mapper e GranularDrawer, responsáveis respectivamente pela execução da síntese sonora, aplicação de algoritmo genético e síntese de imagens. Além deles, diversos controladores gestuais foram avaliados no contexto da síntese granular, sendo eles os comerciais PC-1600x, SpaceNavigator e o T-Stick desenvolvido no IDMIL, o que culminou na prototipagem de um novo dispositivo, de nossa autoria e que denominamos RedController / Abstract: This dissertation deals mostly with the application of mathematical methods and algorithms in order to generate and control streams of sound in real time within the scope of granular synthesis. Initially we studied the mathematical foundations of Granular Synthesis proposed by the Nobel Prize in Physics, Dennis Gabor. Next, we presented a brief historical review of the use of this technique in electroacoustic compositions and analyzed some of the most popular software of granular synthesis available today. We developed a new software for real-time granular synthesis we named EVOGrain. This application provides an intuitive and friendly graphical interface where the composer controls the granular sound stream by drawing rectangles of different sizes and positions on a window interface using the mouse. The coordinates of these rectangles provide information that guide the resulting process of a running genetic algorithm, which in turn controls the parameters of a granular synthesis engine in real time resulting in sound streams and textures that evolve dynamically. The second part of this dissertation presents the results of our research in the Input Devices for Music Interaction Laboratory (IDMIL) of McGill University through the Canadian Fellowship Emerging Leaders from the Americas Program (ELAP). In this research, several experiments with so-called Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs) took place. The modules of the original system EVOGrain were reformulated into three independent systems, GranularStreamer, Genetic Algorithm Mapper and GranularDrawer, responsible respectively for the synthesis of granular sounds, application of genetic algorithm and image synthesis. In addition to this diversification of software, some gestural controllers were evaluated in the context of our granular synthesis model, the PC-1600X, SpaceNavigator (available commercially) and the T-Stick (developed at the IDMIL), culminating in the prototyping of a new device designed by us and named RedController / Mestrado / Fundamentos Teoricos / Mestre em Música

Orientador: Iakov Veniaminovitch Kopelecith / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T19:04:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Baring_LuisAugustoGomes_M.pdf: 14567195 bytes, checksum: 7a1e5edce6c8f77169b6643a7a7f0e21 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: No presente trabalho, estudamos as propriedades físicas de amostras de bismuto, material que, quando na forma romboédrica, não é supercondutor, mas que pode apresentar supercondutividade quando na forma de filmes ou quando se apresenta em outra estrutura (cúbica, por exemplo), obtida sob pressão, ou, ainda, em sua forma amorfa. Observamos supercondutividade em um pó virgem de bismuto e em amostras preparadas a partir desse pó, mediante tratamento térmico. Dada a pequena fração volumétrica a que corresponde a fase supercondutora acreditamos que a supercondutividade ocorra em uma fração das amostras possivelmente relacionada à sua superfície. Mais interessante é que a supercondutividade é fortemente dependente das condições de tratamento térmico (as amostras preparadas a partir do pó de bismuto virgem podem apresentar supercondutividade ou não). Também realizamos medidas de magnetotransporte em uma amostra monocristalina de bismuto, confirmando certas observações já a feitas anteriormente, como a ocorrência de uma transição metal-isolante induzida por campo magnético / Abstract: In this work we study the physical properties of bismuth samples. Crystalline bulk bismuth, in the rhombohedral phase, is not superconducting, but, in the cubic phase, for example (obtained under pressure), in films and in the amorphous phase, may present superconducting transition. We observed superconductivity in a bismuth virgin powder and in samples prepared upon annealing this powder. Due to the small volumetric superconducting fraction we suspect that the superconductivity is related to the sample's surface. Moreover, the superconducting properties are strongly dependent upon the annealing conditions (these samples may be either superconducting or not). We also performed magnetotransport measurements in a single-crystalline bismuth sample and observed a characteristic feature of this material, namely, metal-insulator transition driven by applied magnetic field / Mestrado / Física da Matéria Condensada / Mestre em Física

O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi comparar o desempenho de dois reatores anaeróbios híbridos de biomassa imobilizada (RAHBI), em escala de laboratório, no processamento da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar. Um (reator 1) recebendo vinhaça sem tratamento prévio e outro (reator 2) processando vinhaça previamente submetida à coagulação, utilizando-se de um biopolímero experimental a base de cálcio. Os reatores foram construídos em acrílico, com volume de 1,5 litros cada, provido de sistema de recirculação com razão igual a 3. A operação dos reatores foi dividida em duas etapas: a primeira, com duração de 69 dias, teve seu fim caracterizado por um colapso apresentado pelo reator 2. A segunda fase, com duração de 37 dias, onde se observou outro colapso. O principal parâmetro de controle no monitoramento dos reatores foi a quantificação de matéria orgânica, em termos de Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO). Durante a Fase I, o reator 1 apresentou eficiência de remoção média de 82,9 ± 4,4% , e o reator 2 de 72,2 ± 18,1%. A carga orgânica volumétrica (COV) média aplicada para o reator 1, durante esta fase, foi de 5,3 ± 1,3 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d, e para o reator 2 foi de 5,3 ± 1,6 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d. O colapso ocorrido no reator 2 foi evidenciada pelo decréscimo acentuado da eficiência de remoção, chegando a 33,7%. Durante a Fase II, o reator 1 apresentou eficiência de remoção média de 77,5 ± 9,4% , e o reator 2 de 79,2 ± 9,7%. A carga orgânica volumétrica (COV) média aplicada para o reator 1, durante esta fase, foi de 5,1 ± 2,4 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d, e para o reator 2 foi de 5,0 ± 2,3 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'. Ao final desta fase o reator 1 apresentou eficiência de remoção de 80,9%, e o reator 2 65.8%. Foram analisados, também, alcalinidade e produção de metano (\'CH IND.4\'). Durante todas as fases, a alcalinidade dos dois reatores esteve acima de 1000 mg \'CA\'CO IND.3\'/l, indicando estabilidade, em relação a este parâmetro, dos reatores. A produção de \'CH IND.4\' do reator 1 foi de 0,0507 ± 0,0232 l \'CH IND.4\'/h e 0,0838 ± 0,0326 l \'CH IND.4\'/h nas fases I e II, respectivamente. Para o reator 2, esta produção foi de 0,0307 ± 0,0137 l \'CH IND.4\'/h e 0,0800 ± 0,0297 l \'CH IND.4\'/h, para as fases I e II, respectivamente. Foram feitos ensaios de resistência mecânica dos grânulos, análise de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), Espectrometria de Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDS) e análise da comunidade microbiana, empregando técnicas de biologia molecular. Os testes de resistência mecânica dos grânulos indicam que os grânulos contidos no inóculo, reatores 1 e 2 possuem resistência à desintegração. As análises de MEV e EDS indicam a presença do elemento cálcio com aproximadamente 22% para o inóculo, 39% para o reator 1 e 50% para o reator 2, na massa dos elementos analisados das amostras de grânulos. As análises de biologia molecular indicaram similaridades entre os reatores 1 e 2 de 66,5 e 58%, para os domínios Bacteria e Archea, respectivamente. Desta forma, supõe-se que esta diferença da biota entre os reatores não estaria contribuindo para a falha conferida no reator 2. / This research aimed at compare the performance of two hybrid anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB), in laboratory scale, processing vinasse from sugar cane alcohol destilery. Reactor 1 received vinasse without pre-treatment. Reactor 2 processed coagulated vinasse using a calcium-based biopolymer as coagulant. The two reactors were built in acrylic, with a volume of 1,5 liters each. The recirculation flow rate was 3. The operation of the reactors was divided in two phases: first, lasting 69 days, came to an end characterized by a failure (collapse) presented by the reactor 2. The second phase, lasting 37 days, came to an end characterized by another collapse. The main control parameter in the monitoring of the reactors was the quantification of organic matter in terms of COD. During Phase I, the reactor 1 showed average removal efficiency of 82,9 ± 4,4%, and the reactor 2 72,2 ± 18,1%. The organic loading rate (VOC) average applied to reactor 1, during this phase, was 5,3 ± 1,3 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d, and 5,3 ± 1,6 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d for the reactor 2. The failure occurred in the reactor 2 was evidenced by the sharp decrease of removal efficiency, reaching 33.7%. During Phase II, the reactor 1 showed average removal efficiency of 77,5 ± 9,4%, and the reactor 2 79,2 ± 9,7%. The average VOC applied to reactor 1, during this phase, was 5,1 ± 2,4 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d, and 5,0 ± 2,3 kg DQO/\'M POT.3\'d for reactor 2. At the end of this phase, the reactor 1 showed a removal efficiency of 80.9%, and the reactor 2 65.8%. Has also been analyzed, alkalinity and methane (\'CH IND.4\'). During all the phases, the alkalinity of both reactors was above 1000 mg \'CA\'CO IND.3\'/l, indicating stability in the reactors. The production of \'CH IND.4\' was 0.0507 ± 0.0232 l \'CH IND.4\'/h and 0.0326 ± 0.0838 l \'CH IND.4\'/h in phases I and II, respectively. For the reactor 2, the production of \'CH IND.4\' was 0,0307 ± 0,0137 l \'CH IND.4\'/h e 0,0800 ± 0,0297 l \'CH IND.4\'/h for the phases I and II, respectively. Assays were performed in mechanical granules strength, analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy X-ray (EDS) and analysis of the microbial community, using molecular biology techniques. The tests of mechanical of granules strength indicate that the granules contained in the inoculum, reactors 1 and 2 are resistant to disintegration. The SEM and EDS analysis indicated the presence of calcium element with approximately 22% inoculum, 39% for reactor 1 and 50% for reactor 2, in the mass of the elements analyzed samples of granules. The microbial community analyzes indicated molecular similarity between the first and second reactor of 66.5 and 58% for Bacteria and Archea domain, respectively. Thus, it is assumed that the difference between the biota of the reactors would not be contributing to the failure given in the reactor 2.