Harrson S. Santana

Application of Microfluidics in Process Intensification

Abstract Is it possible to miniaturize a chemical plant? Some strategies, such as the process intensification, sustain that the advancements in equipment and production techniques could substantially decrease the equipment size/production capacity ratio, energy consumption and waste generation, resulting in more economic and sustainable operations and consequently reducing the chemical plant size. However, large reductions of equipment volume represent a major challenge for the conventional technologies. In this context, Microfluidics represents a promising technology in the field of system miniaturization. Accordingly, the present research evaluated the concept of process intensification and its relationship with Microfluidics. Initially, the definition and the classification of process intensification were described, following by the explanation of the Microfluidics, highlighting scale-up strategies and examples using miniaturized systems. Afterward, a methodology for miniaturized devices development for process intensification using numerical simulations was shown. Finally, the conclusions are exposed.

Impressão 3D de milireatores para a síntese de biodiesel

Resumo Este trabalho introduz o uso de impressoras 3D para a produção de dispositivos com microcanais. Os limites da tecnologia de impressão 3D, que engloba a resolução de impressão e replicação, foram estudados e caracterizados, obtendo fidelidade de replicação de impressão com média de erro relativo de 8% e limites mínimos de variáveis aceitáveis para futuros trabalhos com microdispositivos e microcanais. Utilizando tais limites de impressão, testou-se a viabilidade de um millireator sem obstáculos com 450 mm de comprimento de canal para a produção de biodiesel, obtendo uma conversão de 61,3% em um tempo de residência de aproximadamente 60 segundos.

Mathematical modeling of the air dehumidification using Peltier modules

In the food industries, the agglomeration process is used to improve the food powder characteristics, providing a shorter wetting time, for example, and consists in the growth of the particle size. Fluidized beds are commonly used in this process. However, an important aspect in this process is the fluidization gas humidity, in this case the atmospheric air humidity, which interferes directly in the agglomeration efficiency. Therefore, before entering the agglomeration process the air passes through a dehumidifying unit to decrease the air humidity. These units usually utilize water for dehumidification, but Peltier modules can substitute the cooling fluid. This work presents a mathematical model of the air dehumidification process using Peltier modules.