Pedro Castro Neto

Combining urban wastewater treatment with biohydrogen production--an integrated microalgae-based approach.

The aim of the present work was the simultaneous treatment of urban wastewater using microalgae and the energetic valorization of the obtained biomass. Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), Scenedesmus obliquus (Sc) and a naturally occurring algal Consortium C (ConsC) were grown in an urban wastewater. The nutrient removals were quite high and the treated water fits the legislation (PT Dec-Lei 236/98) in what concerns the parameters analysed (N, P, COD). After nutrient depletion the microalgae remained two more weeks in the photobioreactor (PBR) under nutritional stress conditions, to induce sugar accumulation (22-43%). The stressed biomass was converted into biohydrogen (bioH2), a clean energy carrier, through dark fermentation by a strain of the bacteria Enterobacter aerogenes. The fermentation kinetics were monitored and fitted to a modified Gompertz model. The highest bioH2 production yield was obtained for S. obliquus (56.8 mL H2/gVS) which was very similar when using the same algae grown in synthetic media.

Avaliação do contato pneu-solo em três modelos de pneus agrícolas

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tire/ground contact areas, tire elastic deformation, cone index and foot printed on the ground of tire models. The experiment was done in 12 treatments and four repetitions with three tire models: bias ply, radial and bias belt. The tires were inflated with right inflation pressures and four radial loads were applied on the wheels: 5; 10; 15 and 20 kN, simulating what happens in the field. The agricultural tire tests were carried out at Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu - SP, Brazil, using a hydraulic press over the soil bin. The contact area and elastic deformation results showed highest values for bias belt tire. The soil sinkage of bias belt tire was smaller than other pneumatic tires. The radial and bias belt tires exercised smaller cone index than bias ply tire.

Consumo de combustível de um trator em função do tipo de pneu, da lastragem e da velocidade de trabalho

The objective of this study was to compare the consumption of fuel of the FWD agricultural tractor, equipped with three types of tyres (bias ply, radial and low pressure), with and without tyre water ballasting, operating in four forward speeds. The research was carried out at FCAV/UNESP, SP, Brazil, The soil was tilled using a chisel plow. A tractor with 89 kW (121 HP) engine power equipped with FWD was used in the experiment, and the tyres used had the following characteristics: radial (front: 14.9R26 and rear: 620/75R30), bias ply (front: 14.9-26 and rear: 23.1-30) and low pressure (front: 500/60-26.5 and rear: 700/55-34). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design (3x2x4), with a total of 24 treatments and three replications. The results evidenced advantages for the tractor equipped with radial tyres. The ballasting condition with water in the tyres showed lower specific consumption. It was also observed that the increase of the forward speed reduced the specific consumption.

Consumo hídrico e coeficiente de cultura da mamoneira na microrregião de Lavras, Minas Gerais

The study was carried out in order to evaluate the evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) of castor bean by drip irrigation system, under the climatic conditions of Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 01/24 to 08/30/2008. The ETc was determined by the energy balance according to the Bowen ratio method and Kc by the methods and recommendations of the FAO-56 paper, from 02/14 to 06/03/2008, corresponding to phases I (growth), II (vegetative), III (fruiting) and IV (maturity). For this purpose, in the center of the experimental area, the sensors were installed to measure the temperature and relative humidity, at two levels above the crop canopy; the net radiation (Rn) and the soil heat flux (G) at 0.08 m under the soil surface. The average ETc values in phases I, II and III were 2.48, 2.68 and 3.04 mm d-1, respectively. The respective Kc in these phases were 0.27, 0.46, 0.87 and 0.57 in maturity phase, within the limits and recommendations of the FAO-56 paper.

Jatropha seed oil content and yield under different irrigation and potassium fertilization levels

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of different irrigation depths and potassium dosages, of Jatropha seed oil content and yield. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, in split-plots, with four replicates. The treatments were four water depths (plots) and four potassium dosages (subplots) applied through irrigation water. The water depths were applied based on the percentage of accumulated evaporation of a Class A (ECA) tank and of rainfall, as following: L0 = without irrigation, L40, L80 and L120, representing 40, 80 and 120% of the balance, respectively. The potassium dosages were K30, K60, K90 and K120 (30, 60, 90 and 120kg ha-1 of potassium, respectively). The oil extraction of samples was done through chemical extraction by organic solvent. The seeds used in this test were from the sampling of two seed productions from 2009, second year of crop production. It was possible to observe that irrigation use increased oil yield and decreased the oil content of Jatropha seed. Potassium fertilization did not influence oil content and yield. There was a relative increase of efficiency in water use producing oil until certain water depth, and after that there was a decrease.

Desenvolvimento de um sistema computacional para dimensionamento e evolução de rebanhos bovinos

The objectives of this study were to develop a software that accomplishes both the dimensioning and evolution of cattle herds and develop a tool which makes it possible for the user to perform simulations with production systems of milk and or beef. The language employed was CA Clipper. The routines have been developed in a conversational form, with an access to the several programs by means of self-explicative menus. The developed system can aid both the technician and the raiser in dimensioning and evolution of a cattle herd with precision and outstanding rapidity; it allows to the user to perform a number of simulations; and it is considered an important tool in the assistance to decision-making.The objectives of this study were to develop a software that accomplishes both the dimensioning and evolution of cattle herds and develop a tool which makes it possible for the user to perform simulations with production systems of milk and or beef. The language employed was CA Clipper. The routines have been developed in a conversational form, with an access to the several programs by means of self-explicative menus. The developed system can aid both the technician and the raiser in dimensioning and evolution of a cattle herd with precision and outstanding rapidity; it allows to the user to perform a number of simulations; and it is considered an important tool in the assistance to decision-making.