Valneide R. da Silva

Study of the effects of acetylation treatments on sisal fiber.

The use of vegetable fibers in composites is highly viable regarding about the use of materials from renewable sources, the biodegradability and the socioeconomic advantages in the production of raw vegetable. The sisal fibers are highly hygroscopic and this is a main problem in the production of composites, inducing dimensional changes under moisture influence, deposition of the matrix products and degradation. The treatment of the acetylation was applied at different temperatures and reaction times, and the efficiency of treatments, considering the reduction of the hydrophilicity and maintenance of the mechanical properties, was evaluated by water sorption, mechanical properties and the infrared spectroscopy. With acetylation the fibers had weight reductions for water sorption up to 50% compared to untreated. The treatments for 3 h decreased the mechanical properties while the 120 °C for 1 h showed better physico-mechanical properties and increase of apolar groups.

Características tecnológicas da Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. e alternativas para o uso racional

This work was carried out with the objective of increasing the knowledge on the existing wild trees species in north-eastern Brazil. The main purpose was to determine the technological characteristics of the Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC and to indicate alternative use of its wood for agricultural constructions. The procedures adapted for the characterization of the species were in agreement with the Brazilian Norm 7190 of Brasilian Association of Technical Norms referring to the standard conditions moisture content of 12%. Tests of basic and apparent densities were carried out, moisture content and parallel fibers resistance to compression, traction and shear, were measured. The results were analyzed through the comparison of the values obtained with those found in literature for other kinds of wood. In agreement with the results, it was concluded that the Prosopis julifloras wood can be compared with other traditional kinds of wood used in Brazil.

Produção de ovos de matrizes pesadas criadas sob estresse térmico

The thermal comfort conditions inside the facilities directly affect the productivity of animals as it is the case of broiler breeders. This study aimed to evaluate the bioclimatic indexes of three aviaries (G1, G2 and G3) of broiler breeders and the production indices of these three facilities that had lots of poultry of different ages, 35, 48 and 66 weeks, respectively, reared in the semiarid region of Paraiba State, Brazil, during the dry season. In the hottest hours of day, the bioclimatic indexes were high, causing a situation of thermal discomfort for the animals, influencing the productive performance of the poultry. The sound pressure level was within the Brazilian standards. The age of the birds affected the total egg production and the highest productions obtained with younger birds, being 74.83, 76.86 and 52.78%, in G1, G2 and G3, respectively, while hatchability was similar in all lots (on average 95.68%).

Propriedades de fluxo de produtos pulverulentos alimentícios

Trying to provide more information about the flow of industrial solid materials, this research determined the flow properties of four powdered products manufactured by food industries and examined their levels of flowability, depending on the time of consolidation. The tests were conducted in the Jenike shear cell machine and consolidation bench. For determination of the flow index (FFC) and minimum diameter of the discharge orifice (D) Jenikes methodology was used and for minimum angle of the hopper, the Enstads method was adopted. It may be concluded that the consolidation time studied did not affect the flow properties of powdered materials and the minimum inclination of hopper angle was 60o. It was possible to determine the discharge orifice by Jenikes method only in case of wheat flour with a minimum value of 1.1 m for 24-hour period of consolidation.

Propriedade de fluxo e característica de escoabilidade de rações avícolas para dimensionamento de silos

The knowledge about the physical and flow properties of industrial powders is very important to their handling and processing. With the right application of this information, its possible to design conveyors and storage systems to predict the ideal kind of flow for each operation. This work had the objective to determinate the physical and flow properties of different kinds of poultry rations and to evaluate their influences on geometric characteristics of hoppers. For that, it was used the direct shear apparatus based on Jenike shear cell and two friction surfaces: smooth and rough steel walls. To determinate the index flow (ffc) and minimum hopper opening diameter (D), was used the Jenikes methodology. For the minimum conical hopper angle, was used the mathematical method advised by British Standard BMHB. With the basis on obtained results, its possible to affirm that A and B poultry rations were classified as cohesive flow while the B poultry ration had the minors conical hopper angle and the higher hopper opening diameter.

Propriedades mecânicas e de fluxo de produtos agroindustriais

In the calculation of structures of silos comes up, over time, the use of new tools and methods aiming to determine the characteristics of storable products. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanical and flow properties of granular products such as grains of rice and ground corn at moisture contents of 10, 12 and 14% and cassava flour properties, which is considered as a powder with levels of humidity of 10 to 12%. For the determination of mechanical properties, compression tests were performed on cell specially made for this purpose. Four compression loads (5, 10, 15 and 20 kN) were used. The flow properties tests were conducted using translational shear equipment combined with Jenike Shear Cell. All assays were performed during the period from July to September, 2012. It may be stated that the results meet the criteria of the methodology flow pattern and those adopted by international standards; the average values of the mechanical properties were consistent to the ones found in the literature.

Modificação das propriedades das fibras de curauá por acetilação

In cementitious composite the vegetable fibers may suffer various degrees of degradation when exposed to alkaline medium. The alkaline degradation of macromolecular components of fibers mainly by lignin solubilization and cellulose defibrillation, compromising the physical and mechanical properties. The resistance of plant fiber to alkali attack can be improved by chemical surface treatments such as acetylation that can reduce the hygroscopic nature of lignocellulosic introducing hydrophobic functional groups in its chemical structure. Thus, the aim of this study was the application of the acetylation treatment at different levels to improve the durability of the fibers.The acetylation treatment in curaua fiber was applied at different temperatures and reaction times, and its efficiency, considering the reduction of hydrophilicity and maintenance of the physical-mechanical performance of fibers was evaluated by water absorption, mechanical resistance, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and diffraction of x-rays. When acetylated curaua fibers absorbed up to 55% less water than untreated fibers. In strength, losses were up 52%. The acetylation treatment introduced hydrophobic chemical groups in the composition and changed crystalline character of fibers.

Concrete blocks for the modular construction of circular silos

At present it is estimated that 25% of the production of grains produced in Brazil is lost during harvest and post harvest phases but this can be reduced, in case, the country stimulates the storage of production. With the intention of promoting the storage of production in an economically viavel form, this work had the objective of studying the use of concrete blocks in the construction of circular silos. A block was developed with special geometry, moulded with mortar of 1:3, 1:4 and 1:6 (cement: sand), which was analyzed by water absorption, compression and shear strength tests and submitted to two types of cure: natural and submerged. Among the studied mixtures which achieved the compression resistance required by ABNT 7173 were 1:3 and 1:4. Since there is no specific norm for tension strength, a methodology was developed to simulate the tension force to which the walls of the circular silos are submitted; the blocks molded with 1:3 and 1:4 mortars achieved strength necessary for a silo with height of 4.0 m and height/diameter ratio equal to 1.