ResumoO objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a viabilidade econômica da produção de carvão vegetal em dois sistemas produtivos: oito fornos de superfície acoplados a uma fornalha para queima de gases e dez fornos do tipo "rabo-quente" sem sistema de queima de gases. Para análise econômica, definiu-se uma produção anual média igual a 1.571 metros cúbicos de carvão (mdc) e horizonte de planejamento de 12 anos, sendo propostos 2 cenários. No primeiro cenário, após a colheita da madeira, realiza-se o plantio de uma nova floresta, permanecendo o custo da madeira constante em todo o planejamento; no segundo cenário, após a colheita, considerou-se a condução da brotação, reduzindo os custos na 2ª rotação e consequentemente os custos da madeira. A análise econômica foi realizada através da determinação dos seguintes indicadores: Valor Presente Líquido (VPL), Valor Anual Equivalente (VAE), Razão Benefício/Custo (B/C) e Lucratividade. Os indicadores calculados demonstraram a viabilidade dos dois sistemas produtivos avaliados em ambos os cenários propostos, porém o sistema fornos-fornalha apresentou melhores valores para os indicadores. Conclui-se que a produção de carvão vegetal nos sistemas avaliados foram viáveis economicamente, com o sistema fornos-fornalha gerando maior lucro ao produtor de carvão. Palavras-chave: Fornos de alvenaria; análise determinística; valor presente líquido. AbstractEconomic viability of charcoal production in two production systems. The objective of this study was to analyze the economic viability of charcoal production in two conversion technologies: eight surface kilns coupled to a furnace for burning gases (kilns-furnace system) and ten "rabo-quente" or traditional charcoal kilns without burning gases system. An average annual production of 1571 cubic meters of charcoal (mdc) was used to perform the economic analysis. A planning horizon of 12 years and two scenarios were proposed. In the first scenario, after harvesting the wood, the planting of a new forest was performed, and the cost of wood remained constant throughout the planning horizon. In the second scenario, after the harvest, the conduction of shooting was considered, which reduced costs in the second rotation and consequently the cost of wood. The economic analysis was performed by determining the following indicators: Net Present Value (NPV), Equivalent Annual Value (EAV) and Benefit -Cost Reason (B/C). Calculated indicators demonstrated the viability of producing charcoal in the two production systems in both scenarios proposed, but kilns-furnace system presented better values. As conclusion, production of charcoal in the evaluated systems were economically viable. Kilns-furnace system was able to generate more profit to charcoal producer. Keywords: Kilns; deterministic analysis; net present value. INTRODUÇÃOO Brasil é o único país que produz carvão vegetal em larga escala para ser utilizado na indústria, destacando-se, então, como maior produtor e consumidor de carvão vegetal. Ressalte-se que o consumo do carvão vegetal está b...

The use of boiler wood-fired is fairly common equipment utilized in steam generation for energy production in small industries. The boiler activities are considered dangerous and heavy, mainly due to risks of explosions and the lack of mechanization of the process. This study assessed the burden of physical labor that operators of boilers are subjected during the workday. Assessment of these conditions was carried out through quantitative and qualitative measurements. A heart rate monitor, a wet-bulb globe thermometer (WBGT), a tape-measure and a digital infrared camera were the instruments used to collect the quantitative data. The Nordic Questionnaire and the Painful Areas Diagram were used to relate the health problems of the boiler operator with activity. With study, was concluded that the boiler activity may cause pains in the body of intensity different, muscle fatigue and diseases due to excessive weight and the exposure to heat. The research contributed to improve the boiler operator's workplace and working conditions.

The Brazilians educational institutions need a large energy demand for the operation of laundries, restaurants and accommodation of students. Much of that energy comes from steam generated in boilers with wood fuel. The laboral activity in boiler may present problems for the operator's health due to exposure to excessive heat, and its operation has a high degree of risk. This paper describes an analysis made the conditions of thermal environment in the operation of a B category boiler, located at a Higher Education Institution, located in the Zona da Mata Mineira The equipments used to collect data were Meter WBGT of the Heat Index; Meter of Wet Bulb Index and Globe Thermometer (WBGT); Politeste Instruments, an anemometer and an Infrared Thermometer. By the application of questionnaires, the second phase consisted of collecting data on environmental factors (temperature natural environment, globe temperature, relative humidity and air velocity). The study concluded that during the period evaluated, the activity had thermal overload.