O crescente número de academias de ginástica e conseqüentemente da demanda pelos serviços oferecidos neste tipo de empreendimento, e sobretudo a alta rotatividade, ou seja, a grande dificuldade apresentada na retenção de clientes levaram a investigação e aprofundamento do tema proposto. A qualidade dos serviços é de difícil mensuração e depende de diversos fatores até que atenda às expectativas dos clientes e possa ser reconhecida pelos mesmos. Nem todas as empresas têm conseguido atingir as reais necessidades de seus clientes. Na tentativa de analisar a qualidade dos serviços prestados em uma academia de ginástica realizou-se uma pesquisa com a participação de 92 clientes. Como instrumento de pesquisa utilizou-se uma adaptação da escala SERVQUAL, que compara expectativas com percepções dos clientes em relação às cinco dimensões da qualidade: tangibilidade, responsabilidade, confiabilidade, empatia e garantia. Como resultado, obteve-se um panorama geral da qualidade percebida pelos clientes, dos serviços oferecidos, mostrando os pontos fortes e fracos do sistema.

The potential energy uses of landfill gas (LFG) are investigated herein, focusing on electricity generation and leachate evaporation. LFG generation is estimated with the application of the GasSim method, using real data on the municipal solid waste disposal at the Metropolitan Sanitary Landfill of João Pessoa (Northeast Brazil). The results show significant LFG generation, with an estimated peak production of 11,277.28 t in 2028, and LFG generation until 2042. Commercially available biogas-operated equipment were analysed for electricity production in situ, considering production and operation restrictions at the landfill. It was verified that after 2018, a cogeneration facility can generate electricity and the available heat is sufficient to evaporate leachate. Positive net economic results are obtained, with an internal rate of return over 30% after 26 years, demonstrating that the cogeneration facility is profitable and self-sustainable.

Selective surfaces have the function of absorbing strongly the sunlight, while ideally losing little heat to the environment via convection and radiation. The present study sought to obtain a selective surface of black chromium coated with an antireflective (AR) layer based on sugarcane bagasse ash using copper as a substrate. From this selective surface the electrodeposition parameters (time, working distance, voltage) as well as the surface behavior were analyzed in order to determine if the AR layer provided an increase in the absorption levels of the film. By means of the present study it was possible to conclude that, in terms of the electrodeposition parameters evaluated, the anode-cathode distance of 5 cm stimulated the obtaining of higher levels of absorption. The addition of the antireflective layer on the black chromium films favored the increase of the absortance average in all the adopted parameter sets, besides reducing the standard deviation around the average. As for the microstructure of the obtained films, the increase of the parameter Ra promoted the increase of the absorption, due to the formation of optical traps.

Photovoltaic roof tiles are aesthetic ceramic roof tiles with integrated photovoltaic solar panels, which could present economic, energy‐related or environmental characteristics that hinder their implementation. The objective of this study is to calculate the carbon footprint associated with a residential electricity supply system based on photovoltaic roof tiles, and compare with a photovoltaic panel‐based system. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to quantify the carbon footprint using the SimaPro 8.4.0.0 software, Ecoinvent database, and IPCC 2013 GWP 100y environmental impact assessment method. Considering the design of a 0.52 kWp system, 1160 kg of CO2‐eq was emitted when photovoltaic mono‐Si roof tiles were installed, compared to 950 kg CO2‐eq for a traditional photovoltaic panel system. A sensitivity analysis verified that utilization of poly‐Si yielded a carbon footprint of 822 kg CO2‐eq but its inherent lower space‐efficiency was an issue, as a larger surface is required (which is not possible with roof tiles, rendering this option not viable). Despite the slightly unfavorable results presented herein, other strategies could be adopted to further reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building, as the use of photovoltaic roof tiles is better accepted from an architectural perspective as it harmonizes with the surroundings. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13120, 2019