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Estrutura moderna

Linhas de Pesquisa

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       The PPGEQ/UERJ, at the master's and doctoral level, focuses on Chemical Processes, Petroleum, and Environment. In this context, this area encompasses a series of research projects associated with the development of chemical processes, with particular emphasis on those pertinent to the production chain of the oil and gas sector, always in conjunction with aspects relating to the environmental issue. There is an issue to be highlighted in the concentration area proposal: it allows the insertion of different streams of scientific knowledge without restricting relations with related areas, offering them, at the same time, their theories and practices.

The proposal of the concentration area is an integrative synthesis of the different action directions of the PPGEQ/UERJ in the function of the research projects that have been developed.

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01

Catalytic Processes

 

This line of research addresses the technical-scientific challenges associated with the development of catalysts and their application to different industry segments. Furthermore, given the growing concerns with the environmental issue, the use of catalysts as an alternative for controlling gaseous emissions and developing processes that generate less toxic waste has grown significantly. Within this panorama, the line brings together research projects focused on the fundamental aspects of catalysis, for the development, characterization, and evaluation of catalysts and catalytic processes, in addition to others related to the use of stimuli in the solution of environmental problems. In general terms, the projects currently developed involve studies of catalysts based on zeolites, metals, and oxides, mass or supported, applied to processes related to various industrial sectors (oil, petrochemical, fine chemicals, and biofuels), and the valorization of biomass derivatives. In addition, within the scope of environmental catalysis, the group develops research emphasizing photocatalysis and the control of vehicular gaseous emissions.

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Projects:

  • Environmental catalysis and its applications

  • Development and characterization of catalysts and other materials

  • Catalytic processes in the chemical industry

  • Catalytic processes related to biomass recovery

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Infrastructure: The research line has a group of three associated laboratories, with a total area of 150 m2:

• Laboratory for the Evaluation and Development of Catalytic Processes (LADPC)

• Kinetics and Catalysis Laboratory (LCC)

• Laboratory of Catalysis in Petroleum and Environment (LCPMA)

 

All laboratories are equipped with a basic infrastructure that includes conventional items necessary for research in the field of catalyzes, such as analytical balances, laboratory stoves and muffles, glassware, hoods with gas exhaust fans, rotary evaporators, vacuum systems in hoods and benches, water purification systems, ultrasonic baths, centrifuges, pH meters, agitation systems with temperature and rotation control, freezers, refrigerators, ovens for calcination under controlled atmosphere and temperature and thermostatic baths.

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In addition to the primary instruments, the laboratories have the equipment and specific instruments for the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of catalysts in processes related to various industrial sectors (oil, petrochemical, fine chemicals, and biofuels), the valorization of biomass derivatives, as well as in the scope of environmental catalysis (photocatalysis and control of vehicular gas emissions), as listed below.

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• Automated system for material synthesis with simultaneous control of pH and flow of liquid reagents;

• X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Rigaku, Supermini model);

• X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku, Miniflex II model);

• Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), temperature differential (DTA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) (TA Instruments);

• Surface area and porosity analyzer by N2 physisorption (ASAP 2020, Micromeritics);

• Chemisorption surface properties analyzer (ASAP 2020C, Micromeritics);

• Perkin Elmer, model Spectrum 100 infrared molecular absorption spectrometer (FTIR), with reaction chamber for measurements by diffuse reflectance (DRIFTS);

• Infrared molecular absorption spectrometer (NIR-MIR-FT), Perkin Elmer, Frontier model, with accessory for attenuated total reflectance (ATR) measurements;

• Multipurpose units for catalyst characterization by automated TPR/TPO/TPD, Autochem II, Micromeritics, one of which is coupled to a mass spectrometer;

• FID gas capillary chromatography, Varian, model CP 3800;

• Capillary gas chromatograph with automatic injector and FID, Agilent model 7890;

• Systems for catalytic testing in a fixed bed microreactor, at atmospheric pressure, coupled to a gas chromatograph (Varian CP 3800, Varian CP 3900, Agilent 6890);

• System for high-pressure catalytic testing in an automated fixed bed reactor (PID Eng&Tech) coupled to an Agilent, Micro GC gas chromatograph;

• Microwave-assisted chemical reaction system (CEM Instruments);

• Stainless steel reactors for catalytic tests in batches, with controlled pressure, temperature and agitation speed, with volumes of 50 ml and 250 ml (PARR Instruments, model 4843);

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02

Bioprocesses and Chemical Technology

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The Bioprocesses and Chemical Technology research line aims to develop processes and new technologies for the process industry, exploring the fundamentals of phenomena from a biotechnological and chemical point of view. The line contemplates the improvement of the quality and productivity of bioproducts through theoretical-practical knowledge of fermentation processes, enzymatic technology, separation, extraction, and purification techniques of biomolecules, and mastery of analytical and statistical skills instrumentation techniques applied to problems in the chemical industry and related fields.

 

Projects:​

• Digital and hyperspectral image analysis

• Applications of chemometrics in chemistry and chemical engineering

• Biodeterioration of cultural heritage

• Enzymatic catalysis and fermentation processes

• Development and application of analytical methods

• Analytical instrumentation

• Equipment qualification and process validation

• Removal of toxic substances by inorganic adsorbents and biosorbents

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Infrastructure: This line of research involves six associated laboratories, three of which are linked to research in Bioprocesses and three to research in Chemical Technology. The Bioprocess laboratories total an area of ​​170 m2:

• Bioprocess Laboratory

• Enzyme Technology Laboratory (LTE)

• Laboratory of Microbiology and Environmental Chemistry

 

These laboratories have an infrastructure that allows the performance of various works, such as fermentation processes, unconventional technologies for wastewater treatment, bioremediation, biodegradation, biodeterioration, environmental microbiology, synthesis of biofuels and biolubricants, enzymatic synthesis of polyesters, enzymatic depolymerization, among other processes employing biocatalysts.

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In addition to the basic infrastructure, the laboratories have the following analytical equipment and instruments:

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• Optical microscopes with 1000x magnification (Ethics)

• Fluorescence microscope (Zeiss, Axioskop model)

• Laminar flow hoods

• Incubation oven for BOD determination

• Incubation oven for microorganisms with a temperature of up to 40 °C (New Ethics)

• Shakers with orbital shaking and temperature control (Tecnal, model TE 420)

• Vertical autoclave

• Autoclaves

• Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOC) (Shimadzu, TOC-VCPN model)

• Biostat Aplus bench fermenter (Sartorius)

• Photoperiod BOD Incubator (Nova Ética)

• Incubator oven

• Dissolved Oxygen Meter (HACH);

• Alcohol microdistiller (Technical)

• Bench scale ozonation reactor

• Colony Counters

• Bench Fermenter

• Dissolved Oxygen Meter

• Colony Counters

• Automatic titrators (Mettler-Toledo, model T50), with automatic sampler

• Automatic titrator (Mettler-Toledo, L 25 model)

• Stainless steel benchtop reactors, with temperature and pressure control, volumes of 150 mL and 50 mL (Parr Instruments, model 4843)

• Varian CP 3800 and CP 3380 gas chromatography with automatic sampler

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, Waters brand, with UV-Vis detector and refractive index detector

• Mettler Toledo EasyMaxTM102 Basic System benchtop reaction system, with batch reactors with volumes of 10 mL, 50 mL, and 100 mL

• Continuous reaction system with adjustable volume reactors from the Syrris Asia system

• COD reactor, Hach brand

• UV-VIS molecular absorption spectrophotometers, Hach brand, model DR/4000

 

Regarding research activities in Chemical Technology, three laboratories total an area of ​​90 m2:

• Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Spectrometry and Separation Methods (LEAMS)

• Vibrational Spectrometry Laboratory (LEV)

• Process Analytical Technology Laboratory (LTAP)

 

In addition to the primary instruments, the analytical infrastructure available in these laboratories is detailed below.

• UV/Vis molecular absorption spectrophotometer (Agilent, model Cary 60)

• Flame Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 300)

• Flame Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (FAAS) (Thermo Scientific iCE 3300) with hydride generation system (HG-AAS) and cold vapor for mercury determination (CV-AAS) both in batch

• Inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) simultaneously with radial or axial observation (ThermoScientific model iCAP6000)

• Electric heating system for sample digestion in a closed vessel (Tecnal)

• Microwave oven for sample digestion (DGT 100 Plus, Analytical Provecto)

• Microwave oven for sample digestion (MicrowavePro, Anton Paar)

• Agilent Model 1210 High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system with diode array (DAD) and fluorescence (FLD) detection

• Molecular fluorescence spectrophotometers (Lumex, Panorama model)

• Automatic potentiometric titrator for acid-base reactions, in aqueous and non-aqueous media, for oxidation-reduction reactions and with a coupling of an amperometric titration module with polarized electrodes (Mettler Toledo)

• Digital densimeter with module for measuring the refractive index (RX 40) with controlled temperature (Mettler-Toledo, model DM40)

• Dispersive near-infrared spectrophotometer for liquid and solid analysis (Femto, model NIR 900)

• Perkin Elmer, Frontier model near-infrared (FT-NIR/MIR) spectrophotometer with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory and another accessory for transfectants measurements

• Raman spectrometer with an optical microscope equipped with fiber optics with a 789 nm excitation line (Ocean Optics).

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03

Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering and Process Engineering 

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This line of research addresses the scientific and technological challenges associated with the design, operation, and analysis of chemical processes, including management aspects in the field of safety, environment, and social responsibility in the chemical industry. This scope brings together research projects in chemical engineering fundamentals, analysis, synthesis, and optimization of processes and corporate management. The research activities developed in this line involve the modeling, simulation, and optimization of chemical processes, especially processes in the oil and gas industry; the development of thermodynamic models to predict the behavior of complex mixtures; the characterization of petroleum fractions; the investigation of interfacial phenomena and the study of colloidal systems of interest to industry; investigation of parameter estimation techniques and improvement of management methodologies in chemical industries.

 

Projects:

• Physicochemical characterization of petroleum and fuels

• Development of products and processes in the chemical industry

• Interfacial phenomena

• Management in the chemical industry

• Modeling, simulation, and optimization of processes and equipment in the chemical industry

• Molecular and applied thermodynamics

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Infrastructure: This line of research consists of three laboratories, whose total area is 90 m2, which, in addition to the basic equipment structure, have instruments suitable for the studies carried out, as described below.

 

• Laboratory of Interfacial Phenomena and Thermodynamics (LaFIT)

• Tensiometer/goniometer OCA 15E (Dataphysics), which determines surface tension, interfacial tension, interfacial rheology, and contact angle

• Particle size distribution and zeta potential meter model SZ-100Z, Horiba

• Turrax shaker, for preparing emulsions

• MVD8 rotational viscometer for determining the rheology of viscous mixtures

• Sartorius ultra water purifier model Arium mini plus- ref. H2O-MA-UV-T

• Bio SED digital sterilization and drying oven, 30 L

 

• Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering and Technology Laboratory (LETPP)

• Bench unit for adsorption/desorption studies

• X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Shimadzu)

• Gas chromatography (Agilent model 6890)

• Sulfur and Nitrogen Analyzers (ANTEK)

• Gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (Agilent)

• Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), temperature differential (DTA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC)

• Rheotech Viscosity Determination System

• UV/Vis molecular absorption spectrophotometer

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• Molecular and Applied Thermodynamics Laboratory (LaTeMA)

• Apparatus for determination of liquid-liquid balance (fog point method and analytical method) and liquid-vapor (Othmer ebulliometer) at atmospheric pressure and prediction for measuring properties at high pressure

• Reid vapor pressure determination system, ASTM D 323 method

• Automatic distiller following the ASTM D 86 standard (Tanaka Scientific LTDA, model AD-6)

• Sound Density and Velocity Meter (Anton Paar DSA 5000 model)

• Automatic refractometer (Rudolph Research Analytical model J357)

• Ball drop viscometer (all with Peltier temperature control) (Anton Paar model AMVn)

• Calorimeter for determination of heat capacity, enthalpy of a mixture, and determination of differential scanning calorimetry curves (Thermal Hazard Technology model Micro Reaction Calorimeter)

• Karl-Fisher automatic titrator (Mettler-Toledo model C20)

• Nikon E200 microscope for optical microscopy measurements with polarized light access (Nikon model E200-eclipse)

• CON500 conductivity meters (determinations at different temperatures) ION; model CON500)

• Gas chromatography (DPS Instruments, Inc. model Series 600 Hydrocarbon Gases GC Analyzer)

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04

New Materials

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This line of research offers professionals from different areas the opportunity to train in modern techniques for the development and characterization of materials and processes to meet the demands and solve problems related to the chemical, pharmaceutical, materials industries in the biomedical area and society in general. For this, this line of research covers the areas of corrosion, nanotechnology, coatings, adsorbents, composites, and polymeric biocomposites, always considering environmental issues and with an innovative focus.

 

      Projects:

• Corrosion studies and its control

• Studies of environmentally non-aggressive corrosion inhibitors

• Production and characterization of functional coatings

• Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials

• Synthesis and characterization of new materials for separation processes

• Polymer technology

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Infrastructure: This line of research has two laboratories, whose total area is equal to 112 m2, as described below:

• Electrochemistry and Corrosion Laboratory (LEC) (divided into sample preparation room - wet room and instrument room)

• Laboratory of Materials for Chemical Engineering (LabMEQ)

 

The Electrochemistry and Corrosion Laboratory (LEC) has its infrastructure for developing studies carried out by researchers in this line of research, as listed below, in addition to the basic analytical apparatus already described.

• Polishers (3)

• Conductivity meters (Analyser, Metler, and Analion)

• Magnifying glass (Olympus) with automatic image acquisition

• UV/visible spectrophotometer Camspec M501(1)

• Current sources (Dayer) (2)

• PT05 Potentiostats/Galvanostats (3)

• Autolab potentiostat/galvanostat (three Autolab 302N and one Autolab 128)

• Quartz crystal microbalance (1)

• Rotary disk drives

• Karl Fisher Metler 53D automatic titrator (1)

• Dip coating system (1)

 

The Chemical Engineering Materials Laboratory (LabMEQ) has the following equipment:

- Systems for the control of pH and flow of liquid reagents

- Thermostatic bath

- Vacuum pumps

- Constant pressure airbrush (20 psi, Vonder model)

- Catalytic performance evaluation unit connected to a gas chromatography

- Unit for the permeation of gases connected to gas chromatography.

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In addition to these laboratories, the New Materials Research Line has two laboratories shared with the Graduate Program in Chemistry at IQ/UERJ.

• Polymer Processing Laboratory (40 m2)

• Haake Polylab OS-System torque rheometer – with Rheomix 600 mixing chamber and PTW 16/25 interpenetrating co-rotational twin-screw extruder

• AXPlastico Injector

• EMIC universal testing machine, model DL 2000

• Stove for conditioning - biodegradation test​

• Rheology Laboratory (15 m2)

• Anton Paar rotational rheometer

• MDPT Rheometer

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