Este trabajo presenta los resultados de la investigación sobre la preparación y caracterización de las metilcelulosas a partir de las plantas anuales.Las pastas del miscanthus, el cardo, y el eucalipto, se prepararon mediante el proceso IRSP (Impregnation Rapid Steam Pulping) y se blanquearon con las secuencias del TCF (Total Chloride Free), que usan peróxido de hidrógeno y hidróxido de sodio (NaOH). Con el aumento de la severidad del proceso de obtención de las pastas, la accesibilidad y la reactividad de las pastas aumentaron mientras que la viscosidad y el número de la kappa disminuyeron. Se desarrolló un nuevo y sencillo método de metilación para preparar las metilcelulosas a partir de la madera y las plantas anuales en el laboratorio. Cada metilcelulosa de las pastas blanqueadas con las secuencias del TCF se sintetizó en una mezcla de isopropanol con metano de yodo a 600C durante 22 horas después la pasta del TCF se mercerizó en una solución del hidróxido de sodio al 40% durante 1 hora. La mercerización y la metilación se repitieron para obtener un grado de sustitución (DS) más alto. Los resultados de la espectroscopía infrarroja de transformada de Fourier (FTIR) (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) mostraron que los grupos del OH de la celulosa habían sido sustituidos parcialmente por grupos del metoxil. Los modelos de sustitución supramolecular de las metilcelulosas se determinaron mediante espectroscopía de resonancia magnética nuclear del carbono-13. La viscosidad intrínseca de las metilcelulosas se midió con agua destilada, una solución al 4% de NaOH, o DMSO. Las propiedades reológicas de las metilcelulosas se midieron con DMSO, una solución al 4% de NaOH o agua destilada. Las metilcelulosas sintetizadas tenían unas propiedades similares a las metilcelulosas comerciales. Los volúmenes hidrosolubles y alcalinosolubles de la metilcelulosas se determinaron mediante extracción con disolventes.Las metilcelulosas se prepararon a partir de pastas de lino, yute, cáñamo, sisal, y abacá mediante metilaciones heterogéneas y homogéneas. Estas pastas se blanquearonmediante el proceso ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free). La mutilación inhomogénea de las pastas blanqueadas mediante el proceso ECF se sintetizó en una mezcla de isopropanol con metano de yodo a 600C durante 22 horas después la pasta del ECF se mercerizó durante 1 hora en una solución de NaOH al 50%. La mutilación homogénea de la pasta blanqueada mediante ECF se realizó en DMSO con metano de yodo a 300C durante 48 horas. Para esta metilación homogénea se usó una metilcelulosa con un grado de sustitución más bajo, que se disolvió completamente en DMSO. La espectroscopía infrarroja de transformada de Fourier (FTIR) de las metilcelulosas mostró la existencia de grupos de metoxiles sobre las moléculas de metilcelulosa. Se utilizó la espectroscopia de resonancia magnética nuclear del carbono 13 para medir los grados de sustitución de las metilcelulosas. Los pesos moleculares de las metilcelulosas hidrosolubles se determinaron con la cromotagrafía de exclusión por tamaños (SEC). Las viscosidades intrínsecas se midieron en una solución de NaOH al 4%. Las metilcelulosas preparadas a partir de pastas de elevadas accesibilidades y reactividades tenían las mejores grados de sustitución, pesos moleculares, viscosidades y viscosidades intrínsecas.Se investigaron las accesibilidades y reactividades de las pastas del ECF. Los volúmenes de glucosa y de xilosa de estas pastas se determinaron mediante HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) después de la hidrólisis. Las accesibilidades de adsorción de yodo de estas pastas eran bajas y sus fragmentos accesibles estaban entre el 1,31% y el 5,16%. En la región amorfa, sus fragmentos accesibles estaban entre el 5% y el 24%. Las imágenes del SEM (Scanning Electrón Microscopy) mostraron que sus fibrillas tenían distintas estructuras morfológicas. Los resultados de la espectroscopía infrarroja de transformada de Fourier (FTIR) mostraron que, después de los pretratamientos, habían disminuido tanto la media de la intensidad de los enlaces de hidrógeno como los índices de cristalinidad relativos. Sus reactividades aumentaron significativamente después de la mercerización preliminar. Las accesibilidades y reactividades de la pasta del abacá se mejoraron con los tratamientos de impregnación con agua, la mercerización a 15 bares de presión, la explosión de vapor y la mercerización preliminar. La desintegración, el incremento de los huecos, el debilitamiento de la intensidad de los enlaces de hidrógeno, la depolimerización, y la decristalización son esenciales para mejorar las accesibilidades y las reactividades, pero el factor decisivo es la especie de la planta.Hemos estudiado los factores que influyen en el peso molecular (Mw) de las metilcelulosas hidrosolubles preparadas a partir de plantas anuales. El tiempo y la temperatura de impregnación y las condiciones de cocción influyeron de manera diferente en el peso molecular (Mw) de metilcelulosas preparadas a partir de los cardos recogidos en primavera y en verano, el miscanthus y el eucalipto. Se compararon los efectos de los pretratamientos (la impregnación con agua, la mercerización preliminar, la mercerización con presión y la explosión de vapor) en la pasta del abacá. Cuando se pretrató la pasta del abacá, su metilcelulosa hidrosoluble consiguió un peso molecular más alto. De entre los pretratramientos analizados, la explosión de vapor resultó el más adecuado. Para conseguir metilcelulosas con un peso molecular más alto deben perfeccionarse las condiciones de la preparación de las pastas blanqueadas mediante ECF. La especie de las plantas es el factor decisivo para conseguir el peso molecular más alto de las metilcelulosas y para seleccionar los pretratamientos más adecuados.Los parámetros del proceso de obtención de pastas, las condiciones de la metilación, las especies de las plantas, los pretratamientos, y la estructura morfológicas de las pastas influyó en los grados de sustitución de las metilcelulosas preparadas a partir de plantas anuales. Una severidad de impregnación más alta, una temperatura del proceso de obtención de pastas más alta y un incremento del tiempo del mismo proceso consiguieron grados de sustitución más altos. Un aumento de reactivos de la metilación causó un aumento de grado de sustitución. Las pastas obtenidas de distintas especies produjeron grados de sustitución diferentes, trabajando con las mismas condiciones de metilación. Los pretratamientos aumentaron el grado de sustitución de las metilcelulosas.Esta investigación contribuye a encontrar las condiciones apropiadas para metilcelulosas diseñadas a medida, sintetizadas a partir de plantas anuales. Esta investigación demuestra que estas plantas tienen la capacidad de ser preparadas para conseguir metilcelulosas de alta calidad y de alto valor aptas para distintas aplicaciones, como la industria alimentaria, la de la construcción o la farmacéutica. La industria puede utilizar estas plantas anuales de crecimiento rápido para producir metilcelulosas, con lo que, además, se evitará el uso de madera.Palabras clave: abacá, accessibilidad, blanqueo mediante TCF, cáñamo, cardo, eucalipto, grado de sustitución, lino, metilación, metilcelulosa, miscanthus, peso molecular, plantas anuales, proceso de obtención de pasta IRSP, sisal, yute. / Preparation and characterization of methylcelluloses from some annual plantswere investigated.Miscanthus, cardoon, and eucalyptus pulps were produced by Impregnation Rapid Steam Pulping (IRSP) process and bleached by Total Chloride Free (TCF) sequences using hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide. With an increase of pulping severities, accessibilities and reactivities of bleached pulps increased while viscosities and kappa numbers decreased. A novel facile methylation was developed in order to prepare methylcelluloses from wood and annual plants. Each methylcellulose of TCF bleached pulps was synthesized in isopropanol slurry with iodomethane at 600C for 22 hours after the TCF bleached pulp was mercerized in 40% NaOH solution for 1 hour. The mercerization and methylation were repeated in order to obtain a higher degree of substitution (DS). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed OH groups of cellulose were partially substituted by methoxyl groups. Supramolecular substitution patterns of methylcelluloses were determined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Intrinsic viscosities of methylcelluloses were measured in distilled water, 4% NaOH solution, or dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Rheological properties of methylcelluloses were measured in DMSO, 4% NaOH solution or distilled water, in which the synthesized methylcelluloses had similar properties as commercial methylcelluloses. Watersoluble and alkali-soluble contents of methylcelluloses were determined by solventextraction.We used iodomethane to synthesize methylcelluloses from Elemental Chloride Free (ECF) bleached abaca, hemp, flax, jute, and sisal pulps via heterogeneous and homogeneous methylations. The heterogeneous methylation was carried out in isopropanol with iodomethane at 600C for 22h after a ECF bleached pulp was mercerized in excessive 50% NaOH solution for one hour at ambient temperature. The homogeneous methylation was carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide with iodomethane at 300C for 48h using a methylcellulose of low degree of substitution. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the synthesized methylcelluloses showed the existence of methoxyl groups on methylcellulose molecules. The degrees of substitution of the synthesized methylcelluloses were measured by 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The molecular weights of the waterVI soluble methylcelluloses were determined by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Intrinsic viscosities of the synthesized methylcelluloses were measured in 4% NaOH solution. Methylcelluloses with better properties, such as greater degrees of substitution, molecular weights, viscosities, and intrinsic viscosities, were prepared from the pulps with higher accessibilities and reactivities. The factors influencing the preparation of methylcelluloses from these pulps were discussed.Pretreatments (water-soaking, pre-mercerization, mercerization under a pressure of 15 bars, and steam explosion) were used to improve the accessibilities and reactivities of celluloses of bleached flax, hemp, sisal, abaca, and jute pulps for the synthesis of methylcellulose. Glucose and xylose contents of these pulps were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) after hydrolysis. Degrees of crystallinity of these pulps were determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra. Figures of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed that their fibrils had different morphological structures. The iodine adsorption accessibilities of these pulps were low and accessible fractions ranged from 1.3% to 5.2%. Accessible fractions in amorphous cellulose were calculated in the 5% to 18% range. The accessibilities of these pulps were hemp pulp > flax pulp > sisal pulp > jute pulp > abaca pulp. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that mean hydrogen bond strengths were weakened and relative crystallinity indexes were decreased by pretreatments. The accessibility and reactivity of the abaca pulp were improved by water soaking, mercerization under 15 bars pressure, steam explosion and preliminary mercerization, of which steam explosion and pre-mercerization were thebest treatments. Species was the main factor for the accessibility and reactivity.We studied the factors that influenced the molecular weights (Mw) of watersolublemethylcelluloses prepared from annual plants and juvenile eucalyptus. Miscanthus and cardoon stalks, and bleached pulps of abaca, jute, sisal, hemp, and flax were used as the annual plant materials. A higher concentration of NaOH solution during the impregnation led to a spring cardoon methylcellulose having a lower molecular weight. As the impregnation times increased, so did the molecular weights of the water-soluble methylcelluloses of spring cardoon. The impregnation conditions had less influence on the methylcelluloses of summer cardoon than on the methylcelluloses of spring cardoon. As the cooking times increased, so did the molecular weights of miscanthus methylcelluloses. A lower pulping severity increased the molecular weight of eucalyptus methylcellulose. The preliminary treatments (water soaking, pre-mercerization, mercerization under pressure andsteam explosion) improved the molecular weights of water-soluble abaca methylcelluloses. The steam explosion method was the best of the preliminary treatments for the abaca pulp. Different species led to different molecular weights for methylcelluloses synthesized from ECF bleached pulps, and these were further improved by preliminary mercerization. The molecular weight of -cellulose methylcellulose changed as the ratio of the methylation reagent was varied. In order to synthesize an optimum Mw of methylcellulose, the different raw materials can be chosen, the pulping parameters adjusted (including impregnation and cooking), the cellulose pretreated, and the methylcellulose conditions changed. The plant species is the decisive factor for the Mw of methylcellulose.The pulping parameters, the methylation conditions, the species, the pretreatments, and the morphological structures of pulps influenced the degrees of substitution of the methylcelluloses prepared from the annual plants. A higher impregnation severity, a higher pulping temperature, and a longer pulping time caused a higher degree of substitution. An increase of methylation reagents led to an increase of degree of substitution. Methylcelluloses of different degrees of substitution were synthesized from the pulps of different species when a same methylation condition was used. The pretreatments increased the degrees of substitution of methylcelluloses.This investigation contributes to find appropriate conditions for the production of methylcellulose from annual plants. The present investigation demonstrates these annual plants have the capacities to produce upgraded and high quality methylcelluloses for varied applications, such as additives of foods, construction, pharmaceutics, polymerization, paints, and detergents etc. The industry can utilize these annual fast-growth plants to produce methylcelluloses. Therefore, a lot of wood will be saved.Keywords: abaca, accessibility, annual plants, cardoon, degree of substitution, eucalyptus, flax, hemp, IRSP pulping, jute, methylation, methylcellulose, miscanthus, molecular weight, sisal, steam explosion, TCF bleaching.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, January 2008.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed July 21, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 70-72).

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-26T11:38:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSELITO MEDEIROS DE FREITAS CAVALCANTE - TESE (PPGEP) 2008.pdf: 4844942 bytes, checksum: 947da18e736837f36133a2d6f473ad54 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-26T11:38:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSELITO MEDEIROS DE FREITAS CAVALCANTE - TESE (PPGEP) 2008.pdf: 4844942 bytes, checksum: 947da18e736837f36133a2d6f473ad54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-23 / As fibras vegetais são utilizadas em compósitos polimérlcos devido ao seu baixo peso e custo e por apresentarem boas propriedades mecânicas, Além disto, são provenientes de fontes renováveis, não são tóxicas e apresentam urna baixa abrasividade. Devido a isto, os compósitos produzidos com fibras naturais podem ser considerados ecologicamente amiqáveis. As fibras vegetais são mais utilizadas como reforço em matrizes termofixas, porém nos últimos anos vem crescendo o interesse per compósitos com matriz termoplástica, Normalmente, para esta última, são utilizadas fibras curtas. Entretanto, a utilização de fibras curtas não gera produtos com boas propriedades mecânicas. Porém quando as fibras vegetais são alinhadas, longas e contínuas, suas potencialidades rnáxlmas de reforço são repassadas ao compósito. Sendo assim neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma técnica para se incorporar fibras longas, alinhadas e contínuas de juta em matrizes termoplástica. 0 processo se caracteriza por utilizar dois passos distintos, a saber: 1) filament winding - onde fios da fibra desejada são dispostos sabre uma placa rnetálica envolvida por filmes da matriz termoplástica, seguido de 2) recobrimento da placa com outros filmes de matriz termoplástica e compressão do conjunto a quente. 0 produto obtido (placas contendo fibras longas e alinhadas, recobertas por matriz termoplástica) e então empilhado na sequência de orientação desejada e consolidado por compressão a quente mais uma vez para formar os compósitos propriamente ditos. Os compósitos obtidos foram caracterizados mecanicamente (em tração, flexão e impacto), em função do teor de fibra, do fio de juta utilizado (classificados como 10/1 formado por uma única perna; e 10/2 - formado por duas pernas) e do índice de fluidez da matriz. Os resultados demonstraram que a incorporação dos fios de juta a matriz termoplástica provoca aumentos significativos na resistência a tração;,no módulo de elasticidade (tanto em tração, quanta em flexão) e 80 dobramento. Por outro lado, a reslstência ao impacto dos compósitos foi reduzida se comparada ada matriz . / Vegetable fibers can and are used to reinforce polymer matrices with varying degrees of success. The interest in investigating the viability of incorporating these fibers into polymers is associated with their availability, lightweight, low cost, good set of mechanical properties and environmental concerns as these fibers come from renewable sources, are non toxic, non abrasive to processing equipment and degrade fairly easily. Thus, omposites reinforced with these fibers would be considered to be ecofriendly. The use of vegetable fibres as reinforcement in thermoset matrices is well established. In the lastdecades, thermoplastic/vegetable fiber composites are being intensively investigated. However, in general, thermoplastic composites are reinforced with short fibers as these matrices are commonly extruded and/or injection molded, which limits composite property enhancement. Thus, in order to obtain thermoplasticlvegetable fiber composites with better mechanical properties, we have developed a method to manufacture long, continuous, aligned thermoplastic composites. The process consists of aligning and winding fiber yams around a metal plate, sandwiching them with plastic films and compression molding. The plates can then be stacked in different arrangements and consolidated byhot compression. In this work the tensile, flexural and impact properties of PP and LOPE/jute yarn composites, manufactured by the method described, were determined. Two polypropylene (PP) and one polyethylene (LOPE) matrices with different molecular weights were used asthe matrix and two jute yearns (classified as 10/1 and 1012) were used as reinforcement and used In the manufacture of composites having different fiber contents and orientations. Our data shows that the method proposed is viable and that significant property enhancements were achieved. Tensile strength and modulus significantly increased with fiber incorporation and content, although for the latter, better properties were achieved for composites having 2 reinforcing layers. It is believed this behavior may be associated with fiber impregantion and/or interface quality. The same trend was observed for flexural modulus and strength. Composite impact strenghts were significantly smaller than those of the matrices which is thought to be due to the incorporation of relatively rigid fibers into very ductile matrices. In general, higher moduli (tensile and flexural) were achieved by composites reinforced with the thinner thread (10/1), while those reinforced with the thicker jute thread ended to display higher strenght (tensile, flexural and impact).

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:58:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silvia elaine.pdf: 2739465 bytes, checksum: b364ae9ef318ffb624f3e72d42c64f40 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-09-18 / O aumento da produção de fibras vegetais decorrente da maior velocidade no processo produtivo ocasionado pela inserção do incremento tecnológico para a fase de descorticagem no tocante ao beneficiamento do produto, bem como o surgimento de novos custos, requer do produtor ribeirinho amazônico um controle contábil mais apurado e preciso a fim de administrar a manutenção desta atividade produtora de renda. Esta pesquisa tem como finalidade conhecer os custos da produção de fibras vegetais a partir dos cultivos de malva e juta nas formas de produção tradicional e tecnológica, a fim de que o produtor tenha o pleno conhecimento dos seus custos de produção podendo assim controlá-los, e obter inclusive informações contábeis necessárias para o planejamento de suas atividades, bem como para a boa tomada de decisões. A metodologia usada neste trabalho foi um estudo de caso na comunidade amazônica de Bom Jesus, grande produtora de fibras vegetais, e tomou como base os dados obtidos através de questionários aplicados ao presidente da comunidade que também é produtor. Como resultado foi possível conhecer os custos das duas formas de produção, tradicional e tecnológica, o que permitiu organizar os custos da produção tecnológica em forma de planilha eletrônica de dados gerando um modelo de controle contábil gerencial específico para esta produção, demonstrando com transparência ao agricultor além dos custos o resultado da safra agrícola. Finalmente, recomendou-se ao produtor ribeirinho o uso do modelo contábil elaborado no sentido de manter um controle confiável que possa fornecê-lo informações úteis para a gestão e manutenção da atividade produtiva.

Fiber-reinforced composites comprise an important class of lightweight materials which are finding increasing applications in engineering structures including body components of automobiles and aircraft. Traditionally, synthetic fibers made of glass, carbon, etc. along with a polymeric resin have constituted the most common composites. However, due to environmental concern, occupational health safety considerations, higher cost, etc., research has been focused on substituting synthetic fibers, especially glass fibers with safer, economic and biodegradable natural fibers. Due to the ease of availability and affordability in terms of cost, woven jute mats, among a wide variety of natural fiber-based reinforcements, offer a good choice in combination with a suitable resin such as polyester or epoxy for fabrication of composite laminates. In structural applications, joining of parts made of jute fiber-reinforced composites (JFRCs) would be a natural requirement. Alternatives to joining processes for metals such as welding, riveting, etc. are required for composites. A joining process of high potential is adhesive bonding which has the advantages of reducing stress concentration, permitting fastening of dissimilar materials, etc. In the present study, adhesively bonded joints of JFRCs and their mechanical behavior are investigated under quasi-static and cyclic loading conditions. Initially, characterization of substrates is carried out under monotonic loading. This is followed by determination of stress- Strain curves, failure load and mean shear strength of bonded joints as functions of joint curing temperature and overlap length using a two-part structural epoxy adhesive. All tests are carried out according to relevant ASTM standards. It has been observed that higher curing temperatures give rise to only marginally high failure load and mean shear stress at failure compared to curing at room temperature. For a given curing temperature, failure load increases while mean shear strength decreases with respect to overlap length in both types of joints. As fatigue failure is a crucial consideration in design, the behavior of adhesively bonded JFRC joints is studied for the first time under cyclic loading conditions leading to the commonly-used S-N curve for characterization of failure of materials at different loading-unloading cycles. Interestingly, the fatigue strength for infinite life of adhesively bonded JFRC joints turns out to be approximately 30% of the quasi-static strength, a correlation which usually applies to materials in general. The effect of joint overlap length on fatigue life is studied and it is observed that the above relation between fatigue and quasi static strength is retained for different overlap lengths. Additionally, insights are provided into failure modes of joints under different loading conditions and for varying overlap lengths. Various empirical predictors such as exponent, power and hybrid models fitting the S-N curve are obtained and their relative efficacy (in terms of Coefficient of Determination R2, Adjusted-R2, Akaike’s Information Criterion and Residual Sum of Squares) enumerated in prediction of failure load including quasi-static failure load. As numerical simulation is an indispensable tool in designing geometrically complex structures under nonlinear conditions including failure and contact, finite element modeling of JFRC substrates, bulk adhesive and adhesively bonded joints has been investigated using implicit and explicit LS-DYNA solvers. In this context, the effects of various modeling parameters (mesh size and loading rate) and details of constitutive models capable of capturing plasticity and failure in an orthotropic composite and isotropic adhesive are discussed. Mesh size has been found to be an important parameter affecting computed results. Finally, a good correlation within ~(4% - 7%) was found between the predicted and experimental results for JFRC substrates, bulk adhesive and adhesively bonded single lap joints.

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Luz Lisboa / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T17:27:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rombaldo_CarlaFabianaScatolim_D.pdf: 2818147 bytes, checksum: eb790e05e31dc621e11ca7ea1a4eb2d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: As fibras obtidas diretamente de fonte animal, mineral e vegetal são definidas como fibras naturais, sendo as mais comuns: a lã, o linho, o rami, o sisal, a juta, entre outras. Essas fibras têm uma importância social muito forte em países tropicais, especialmente na geração de empregos na zona rural e em áreas economicamente deprimidas. As fibras naturais, em sua maioria, são leves, resistentes, não abrasivas, renováveis, biodegradáveis e recicláveis, características que permitem competir com outros materiais artificiais que tenham problemas de disponibilidade ou ambientais. Além dos compósitos desenvolvidos com fibras naturais, existem ainda os carvões ativados que se destacam como um material com elevada porosidade e alta capacidade de adsorção, tanto em fase liquida quanto em fase gasosa. Visando o aproveitamento de recursos naturais disponíveis no território nacional e buscando alternativas que sejam economicamente viáveis para a produção de carvão ativado (CA), o presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral utilizar as fibras de juta e as fibras de sisal como matérias-primas para a produção de CA. Os CAs produzidos foram testados para a remoção de benzeno em solução aquosa. A produção do CA foi baseada na carbonização e na ativação física com CO2 e vapor d¿água. Para avaliar a evolução da estrutura porosa dos CAs obtidos foi utilizada a técnica de adsorção de N2 a 77K. Os resultados indicaram a possibilidade de produzir um material poroso com uma combinação de estrutura micro e mesoporosa, dependendo dos parâmetros utilizados nos processos de carbonização e ativação. Foram realizados alguns ensaios de adsorção das frações solúveis da gasolina em água, tanto com os CAs provenientes das fibras naturais, juta e sisal, como em CAs comerciais. Foi possível observar que o CA proveniente da fibra de juta se mostrou tão eficiente quanto o CA comercial. / Abstract: The fiber obtained directly from animal, mineral and vegetable are defined as natural fibers, and the most common are: wool, linen, ramie, sisal, jute, and others; which have very strong social importance at tropical countries, especially for job creation in rural and economically poor areas. These fibers are lightweight material, resistant, non-abrasive, renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. Features that allow it compete with other artificial materials, which have availability or environmental problems. In addition to the natural fiber composites there are activated carbons which stand out as high porosity material with high adsorption capacity of liquid and gas phases. Aiming at the use of natural resources available in the country and seeking for alternatives that are economically viable for activated carbon production, this study has investigated the possibility of using jute fiber and sisal fiber as precursors for the production of activated carbon (AC). The produced AC were characterized and tested for benzene adsorption in aqueous solution. The AC production of was based on the carbonization and physical activation with CO2 and steam. To evaluate the porous structure of the produced activated carbon N2 adsorption at 77K was used. The adsorption results indicated the possibility of producing a porous material having a combination of micro and mesoporous structure, depending on the parameters used in the carbonization and activation processes. The water-soluble gasoline fraction adsorption experiments using natural fibers and commercial AC showed that both are equally efficient / Doutorado / Engenharia de Processos / Doutora em Engenharia Quimica

Efforts to mitigate shoreline erosion through living shoreline methods along the USA Atlantic seaboard have often incorporated the cultivation and transplantation of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora. Assessments of these transplants at several sites in the Indian River Lagoon have shown that survival is variable after a year (survival: 10-93%). Lower survival has been attributed to environmental variables such as dislodgement by wave energy, and transplant shock due to salinity changes from cultivation to estuarine conditions. To improve living shoreline projects, we examined the effects of cultivation salinity (0 ppt, 15ppt) on transplantation success, and the success of anchoring plants to biodegradable mats (Jute mesh, 5 individuals per 50 cm2) and utilizing oyster bags as breakwaters in facilitating reestablishment of new transplants. Spartina alterniflora individuals were grown under salinity treatments for 20 weeks; plants grown in 15 ppt produced new shoots with significantly greater heights than those grown in freshwater. The plants were then transplanted to two sites in the IRL, and monitored after four weeks. After four weeks there was a greater net increase in stem density and larger decrease in plant height for plants grown in 15 ppt. Jute-mesh mats and oyster bags did not impact growth or survival of transplants. Low-saline (15 ppt) conditions increased shoot growth of the project by 50% in four weeks at a cost of 30 cents per additional shoot produced by an individual. Longer-term monitoring will determine if benefits persist or decrease over time, and if the cost is justified by the benefits.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The awareness of the nutritional benefit and consumption of the Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) especially in South Africa is low; this is predominantly because of lack of access and availability of the crop in the market. This research aimed to determine to what extent would the planting period affect mucilage, growth, yield and nutritional composition of the selected C. olitorius cultivar under different growing conditions and provide a better understanding and scientific evidence for the producers to maximize production. The experiments were carried out simultaneously, the first experiment (field trial), was on the field and the second (pot trial) in the shade house. Treatment factors were: 2 x growing conditions (field and pot), 4 x planting periods (November, December, January and February) and 3 x C. olitorius cultivars (‘Local’, ‘Oniyaya’ and ‘Amugbadu’). The experiments were carried out as randomised complete block design (RCBD) arranged in split-spilt plot with three replications. Growing condition was the main factor, planting period as the sub-factor, while the cultivars were the sub-subplot factor. Mucilage content, growth and yield parameters were measured and nutritional composition of the crop was determined from harvested plant samples. Mucilage content of C. olitorius varied with cultivar and growing condition. The significantly (P < 0.05) highest quantity of mucilage at 8 WAT was obtained from Oniyaya cultivar under field condition whereas the least was recorded from Local cultivar under pot condition. The mucilage content of the three cultivars did not differ significantly (P ≤ 0.05) at 6 WAT, however significant (P < 0.01) differences were recorded at 8 WAT. The cultivar Oniyaya produced significantly highest average (184.58 mPa.s) mucilage content at 8 WAT while the lowest average value (124.58 mPa.s) was recorded in the Local cultivar. This implies that Oniyaya cultivar produced the slimiest plants. The mucilage content of Jew’s mallow appears to decline over time; thus, the crop had higher mucilage content when young and tender. Selected growth parameters such as chlorophyll, number of leaves and stem diameter were significantly affected by the combined effect of cultivar, planting period and growing condition. For example, the average highest chlorophyll content was obtained in Oniyaya cultivar during November period under pot conditions. While the greatest number of leaves at 8 WAT were obtained in Oniyaya and Local cultivars during xxvii December planting period and in Amugbadu during November period all under the field conditions. All cultivars grown during the February planting period had the lowest average number of leaves. Growth parameters such as number of branches, plant height and leaf area were not significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by the combined effect of cultivar, planting period and growing condition. Significant (P < 0.05) combined effect of cultivar and planting period was recorded on number of C. olitorius branches at 6 WAT. Furthermore, significant interaction between planting period and growing condition was also recorded. The significantly higher number of branches at 6 WAT was obtained from Oniyaya and Amugbadu cultivars during the November planting period. The test crop seedlings transplanted in February had the lowest average number of branches. Comparing the cultivars at 6 and 8 WAT, Oniyaya produced significantly (P < 0.01) higher number of branches than Local. Local cultivar was significantly taller than others under the field condition; while significantly tallest plant was obtained during December period under the same condition. The differences observed in C. olitorius shoot and root fresh and dry masses were not significantly different in their responses in relation to the combined effect of cultivar, planting period and growing condition. However, the significantly highest average fresh shoot mass was obtained during December period and the lowest average values in February planting period. The combined effect of cultivar, planting date and growing condition had significant (P < 0.01) influence on number of days to 50% flowering; pod formation and pod maturity of C. olitorius. The significantly longest average number of days to 50% flowering was observed in Oniyaya and Amugbadu cultivars during November period under field condition, while Local cultivar flowered at the shortest period, but produced highest number of pods and seed yield during the December planting period under the same condition. Cultivar, planting date and growing condition had significant (P < 0.01) influence on Zinc contents of C. olitorius. Whereas the three factors had no significant effect on N, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Fe, P, Al, ash and dry matter contents of the crop. The highest average amounts of N, Mg and K were obtained from Local cultivar during November period while the same cultivar produced the highest average amount of Ca during December period. In conclusion, the mucilage content and fresh shoot mass (which is xxviii the marketable part of C. olitorius) were optimal in crops grown during the December planting period when the temperatures are at the highest. While better nutritional content of the crop was better attained during the November planting period. Both November and December planting periods allowed C. olitorius to reach its maximum growth capacity, translating to higher yielding parameters than other planting periods.

Submitted by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-01T13:51:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 HOSOKAWA_Meire_2017.pdf: 20945810 bytes, checksum: d502972b6ec32a1366e3718adaf229a0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-01T13:51:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 HOSOKAWA_Meire_2017.pdf: 20945810 bytes, checksum: d502972b6ec32a1366e3718adaf229a0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-01T13:52:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 HOSOKAWA_Meire_2017.pdf: 20945810 bytes, checksum: d502972b6ec32a1366e3718adaf229a0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T13:52:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 HOSOKAWA_Meire_2017.pdf: 20945810 bytes, checksum: d502972b6ec32a1366e3718adaf229a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / In a technology-driven society, the increase of electrical and electronic equipment consumption has been a matter of concern in relation to its management, since the expectation is that the quantity of electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) produced worldwide will reach 49.8 million tonnes by 2018. The reprocessing of WEEE is an alternative to reduce the environmental impact caused by improper disposal. In this work, composites using recycled ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) copolymer from WEEE were developed, reinforced with jute fiber fabrics. These materials were molded by compression molding in a hydraulic press in order to evaluate mechanical properties (flexural, tensile and impact strength), melt flow index, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/DTG) and fracture analysis by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) after mechanical tests. It was observed in the thermal analysis that adding jute fiber fabric caused a decrease in the thermal stability of the composites in relation to the matrix. By mechanical properties, it was verified that, by adding jute fiber fabrics, an increase in flexural and tensile strength occurred up to 13% and 9%, respectively. In addition, it was observed in the impact test for notched specimens that no chances occurred in the maximum strength value about 100 J/m, which is a positive result, since recycled materials tend to present lower impact strength values. Fracture analyzes of the materials demonstrated that the incorporation of the jute fiber fabrics improved the molding process and compaction of recycled ABS. Thus, the incorporation of jute fiber fabric in recycled ABS demonstrated satisfactory results, enabling the substitution of synthetic materials in composites. In addition, recycling of ABS promotes the volume reduction of this type of discarded polymer and its reinsertion in productive chain, aiming, for example, new products such as panels, furniture, shoe soles and automotive components. / Em uma sociedade cada vez mais conectada, o crescente consumo de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos tem sido motivo de preocupação em relação à sua gestão, principalmente, porque a expectativa é que até 2018, a quantidade de resíduos de equipamentos elétricos e eletrônicos (REEE) produzidos mundialmente alcance 49,8 milhões de toneladas. O reprocessamento dos REEE é uma alternativa à diminuição do impacto ambiental causado pelo seu descarte em locais inadequados. Assim, neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos compósitos utilizando o copolímero ABS (acrilonitrila-butadieno-estireno) reciclado proveniente de REEE, reforçados com tecidos de fibras de juta. Estes materiais foram moldados por compressão a quente em prensa hidráulica para a avaliação das propriedades mecânicas (flexão, tração e impacto), índice de fluidez, análise térmica por Termogravimetria (TG/DTG) e análise de fratura por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), após ensaios mecânicos. Foi observado, através da análise térmica, que a incorporação do tecido de fibras de juta ocasionou diminuição na estabilidade térmica dos compósitos em relação à matriz. Em relação às propriedades mecânicas foi verificado que a incorporação do tecido de fibras de juta ocasionou aumento na resistência à flexão e à tração, de 13% e 9%, respectivamente. Além disso, foi observado no ensaio de impacto das amostras entalhadas que praticamente não houve alteração no valor da resistência ao impacto, em torno de 100 J/m, que é um resultado positivo, pois materiais reciclados tendem a apresentar menores valores de resistência ao impacto. As análises da fratura dos materiais demonstraram que a incorporação dos tecidos de fibras de juta, melhoraram a moldagem e a compactação do ABS reciclado. Neste sentido, a incorporação do tecido de fibras de juta no ABS reciclado demonstrou resultados satisfatórios, viabilizando a substituição de materiais sintéticos em compósitos. Além disso, a reciclagem do ABS promove a redução no volume deste tipo de polímero descartado e reinserção do mesmo na cadeira produtiva visando, por exemplo, a confecção de novos produtos como painéis, móveis, solado de calçados e componentes automotivos.