This study proposed the development of an efficient membrane composed of zeolite-alumina to be used for water-oil separation of wastewater effluents contaminated by oil extraction processes. The efforts made to care for the environment and to decontaminate bodies of water are extremely valuable and constantly being updated. Little research has been done on this subject and this study contributed to remedying this lack. Membrane technology is a reasonable alternative to conventional procedures if economics and eco-sustainability are considered. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of a composite membrane produced through mechanical mixing. The potential of the composite membrane (NaA zeolite/gama-alumina) to separate oil-water emulsions was tested. The results obtained demonstrated that the composite membrane is an excellent alternative for the oil/water emulsion separation process; the membranes are efficient and low-cost alternatives for treating oily wastewater.

This work aimed to produce 5% (w/w) molybdenum and nickel catalysts, supported in SBA-15 molecular sieve, and evaluate their application in the synthesis of biodiesel. The catalysts were prepared by physical dispersion and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray energy dispersion spectrophotometry, and N 2 adsorption-desorption. Transesterification reactions were carried out to evaluate the activity of the catalyst. The synthesis was effected by using a system comprised of a polytetrafluoroethylene batch reactor jacketed with a piece of stainless steel working at 600 rpm. The reactions were conducted at 473K for 4 hours, using a soybean oil/ethanol molar ratio of 1/12, and 5% of catalyst based on the mass of oil used. After characterization, the catalysts were subjected to catalytic tests to check the reaction conversion parameters obtained by gas chromatography. The kinematic viscosity and density of the biodiesel samples were then determined. The chromatography results were not satisfactory for the test with SBA-15 (pure silica). The conversion to esters obtained was 5%, which can be due to the formation of silanol groups (Si-OH) on the silica surface, which are considered Brönsted acidic sites. However, in terms of strength, the acidity of silanol is usually either low or moderate. Mo/SBA15 and Ni/SBA-15 catalysts yielded conversions to biodiesel as high as 96.57% and 84.67%, respectively.

O trabalho teve como objetivo produzir catalisadores heterogêneos a base de argila verde dura natural (VD) e impregnação do óxido de molibidênio. Estes catalisadores foram avaliados na reação de transesterificação do óleo de soja com metanol para produzir biodiesel. Foram avaliados os efeitos do tempo de reação (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 6 h) e catalisador (VD e MoO3/VD) sobre a viscosidade cinemática do biodiesel. Os catalisadores (VD e MoO3/VD) foram caracterizados por DRX, FRX-ED, Adsorção física de N2, MEV, IV e TPD. A reação de transesterificação do óleo de soja foi conduzida em reator batelada sem agitação, durante tempos diferentes de reação (1, 2, 3, 4 e 6 horas) a 200 °C, utilizando uma relação óleo de soja/metanol de 1:12 e 5 % de catalisador. O produto obtido foi caracterizado a partir da viscosidade cinemática. Foi observado com o catalisador VD que os valores estão muito distantes aos padrões estabelecidos pela Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP), n° 4 de 2012. Enquanto que os valores de viscosidade com o catalisador MoO3/VD com os tempos de 5 e 6 horas de reação se aproximaram aos padrões estabelecidos pela ANP. Nesse sentido, a inserção do molibdênio na argila verde dura natural proporcionou um efeito positivo ao catalisador.

The world's energy production is generated mainly from fossil fuels, so it is important to develop fuels from renewable sources. Growing caution with the environmental impact imposes restrictions on emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. With increasing human population and expanding economies in both developing and developed countries, there is an increase in energy consumption and production. The need arises to supply this high energy production with a renewable and reliable source fuel [1]. These facts have stimulated research by alternative sources for the development of renewable fuels. One of the most promising fuels is biodiesel, an alternative to petroleum diesel from high-quality renewable sources, which allows the replacement of fossil diesel oil without modifications to the vehicle's engine [2, 3]. In recent years, methyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oil have gained considerable attention as alternative fuel [4, 5].

The effect of microwave heating on the expansion of vermiculite was studied at a level of 700 W for 4 min exposure time and compared with raw vermiculite. In this study, the characterization of vermiculite from a mine in the northeast region of Brazil was performed using thermogravimetry, N 2 -adsorption, cation exchange capacity, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Following the microwave heating, the vermiculite was characterized using XRD, IR spectroscopy, and SEM. Microwave irradiation of the vermiculite sample caused structural changes such as loss of crystallinity and disorder, as revealed by the XRD patterns, but did not cause expansion. Results from SEM and IR spectroscopy showed that the microwave heating did not cause profound alterations to the morphology, clay structure, and chemical composition of the vermiculite.