Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for capturing CO2 on a large scale using aqueous solutions of zwitterionic bases by contacting a gas stream containing one or more acid gases with said solutions. The internal salts obtained in the present invention have the advantage of not being volatile, being less susceptible to chemical and thermal decomposition, and also have lower absorption enthalpy. The present invention can be used in various industry sectors, such as in the energy sector, for capturing CO2 from exhaust gases, in the chemical sector, for removing CO2 from the gas streams of catalytic processes in which the CO2 can poison the catalysts, and, in particular, in the oil and gas sector, for purifying natural gas.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for online monitoring, without the need for sampling and in real time, the precipitation of inorganic salts in aqueous streams related to the petroleum industry. This method is based on the use of the NIR technique with the aid of the FBRM technique. The NIR technique makes it possible to collect spectra and monitor the variation in absorbances, concerning the formation of particles of inorganic salts in the aqueous solution, while the FBRM technique provides the number and size of precipitated particles through the reflection of light emitted by a beam of Incident light in aqueous systems in the presence of different solvents, pH conditions, supersaturation, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention addresses to the use of NaY zeolite with a Si/Al ratio >2.6 as a solid adsorbent in the process of removing H2S from natural gas through a PSA process. The described adsorbent has the capacity of removing H2S from natural gas from offshore exploration platforms, enabling in situ regeneration. The experimental development proved the high capacity of capturing H2S by the NaY zeolite in consecutive cycles of pressurization, adsorption, depressurization and purging. This capture capacity remains at 74.2% of the initial capacity, remaining stable in subsequent cycles. The structure of the material maintained crystallinity above 95% in use, in 15 consecutive cycles, allowing the reuse of the adsorbent for a prolonged period of operation, preventing the solid from being constantly changed, which is quite common in a non-regenerative process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a geopolymer produced from a synthetic aluminosilicate. The synthetic aluminosilicate was produced by sol gel technology, heat treated and, later, activated using sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide in solution, having as a final product a synthetic geopolymer. The final product was submitted to CO2 adsorption analysis using thermogravimetry for adsorbed quantification. In addition to the pure geopolymer, it is also possible to produce the synthetic geopolymer with the addition of surfactant, or in the composite form with the addition of zeolite, or heat treated to form a zeolite or functionalized with amine, for example, to increase the adsorption capacity.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for demolding materials produced by means of the processing technique called freeze-casting. More specifically, it addresses to the application of a linear actuator to perform the sliding/extraction of solid-state parts in low-temperature condition from the containers used as a mold for manufacturing parts using freeze-casting. The device allows pressure to be applied to the material to be removed, resulting in ejection. The artifact also allows the displacement of the element with controlled displacement speed, providing the achievement of defect-free materials. System for demolding materials obtained by means of the freeze-casting technique characterized in that it comprises a source of compressed air (1), a pressure regulator filter (2) coupled with a manometer (3), a directional valve (4), an actuator linear (5), a baton (6), a flow regulating valve (7), a fastening means (8), a metallic support (9) and a chamber for receiving the cooled material (10).

Abstract: The present invention addresses to a high-pressure vessel for packaging hollow fiber type membranes with application in the field of separation process with contactors with membranes aiming at a compact device/piece of equipment configured for the packaging of hollow fiber type bundles that can be used for various fluid separation processes such as liquid-liquid, liquid-gas and gas-gas, capable of working at high-pressures, enabling adequate hydrodynamic conditions and easily scalable. It is called a module the general piece of equipment, consisting of the vessel (A or C), object of the present invention, and the membranes packed inside the vessel. This piece of equipment consists of a vessel inside which the membranes are placed (14), and two heads attached at the ends (B or D). Each head has two connection points, thus allowing this device to be used with membrane contactors-type separation systems, such as “classical” permeation systems (liquid-liquid, gas-gas, pervaporation).

Abstract: The present invention addresses to a method that uses surface-active surfactants ionic liquids (ILs) with an affinity for water to capture CO2, especially ILs derived from surfactants, of low production cost, fluoride-free, causing a low environmental impact in its use and high yield of CO2 sorption. The CO2 sorption method consists of contacting a gas mixture with at least one of the described ILs, at the working temperature, pressure and partial pressure of CO2. The removal of CO2 is done by pressure reduction. ILs can be reused without loss of efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention addresses to a device that allows the control of the gas pressure at the outlet of a fixed bed adsorption equipment operated at high pressures, by means of the actuation of a micrometric valve (6), wherein the valve must be located downstream of the equipment. The valve actuation takes place by means of a stepper motor (1), controlled by a microcontroller board (22), which connects to the valve shaft by means of a system of pulleys (2, 5) and belt (3). The present invention is applied in adsorption units, in which other gases are present, by altering the tuning parameters of the PID controller or even being used in a liquid medium or gas-liquid two-phase flow.

Abstract: This invention provides a de-molding system of ceramic parts manufactured by freeze-casting comprising a mold (9), wherein the mold (9) comprises an upper opening (95) and a lower opening (94), wherein the upper opening (95) is adapted to receive a colloidal suspension (92), and one of the openings is adapted to allow the passage of a manufactured ceramic part (92), characterized by comprising at least one main de-molding element (80) adapted to actuate a ceramic part manufactured (92) through an opening in the mold (9). In addition, the invention provides a mold cooling system for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting comprising: a source (1) of cooling gas; a cooling gas cooling medium (7) fluidically connected to the cooling gas source (1); and a cooling cell (5), fluidly connected to the cooling gas cooling medium (7), comprising a mold (9) in its interior, wherein the cooling cell (5) comprises a refrigerated cooling gas injection opening.

Abstract: Provided is a mold cooling system for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting including: a source (1) of cooling gas; a cooling gas cooling medium (7) fluidically connected to the cooling gas source (1); and a cooling cell (5), fluidly connected to the cooling gas cooling medium (7), including a mold (9) in its interior, wherein the cooling cell (5) includes a refrigerated cooling gas injection opening. Thus, a mold cooling system is provided for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting including the stages of: refrigerating a cooling gas coming from a cooling gas source (1); and injecting a cooling gas that is refrigerated in a cooling cell (5) including a mold (9) in its interior.

Abstract: The present invention is in relation to a process for preparing calcium phosphate-based sulfated adsorbents that capture mercury in gas streams, comprised of the steps of synthesis of the precursors, incorporation of a transition metal, and sulfation of the material. These adsorbents present high efficiency both for removal of low concentrations of mercury, such as in natural gas, and for stabilization of this pollutant. The adsorbents obtained in the invention may be used in the Mercury Removal Units (MRUs) present in natural gas processing plants, which mercury removal units may be located either upstream or downstream of the dehydration and H2S removal units, due to the adsorbents obtained showing resistance to H2S poisoning, and maintaining their performance in the presence of water.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a method for obtaining membranes in the form of hollow fibers with application in the field of carbon dioxide removal from natural gas. The aforementioned membranes are obtained by means of heat treatment of polymeric membranes. In this method, polymeric membranes are obtained by a phase-inversion technique by immersion-precipitation and are subsequently subjected to a heat treatment, that is, that the membranes effectively become precursor membranes of the heat treatment. The heat treatment process involves the optimization of the heating rate, temperature, and stabilization time variables, aiming at the improvement of the transport properties of the polymeric membranes. After the heat treatment, it becomes possible to use the membranes in separation processes of gases which operate at pressures greater than 30 bar, with selectivity for carbon dioxide (CO2).

Abstract: This invention provides a de-molding system of ceramic parts manufactured by freeze-casting comprising a mold (9), wherein the mold (9) comprises an upper opening (95) and a lower opening (94), wherein the upper opening (95) is adapted to receive a colloidal suspension (92), and one of the openings is adapted to allow the passage of a manufactured ceramic part (92), characterized by comprising at least one main de-molding element (80) adapted to actuate a ceramic part manufactured (92) through an opening in the mold (9). In addition, the invention provides a mold cooling system for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting comprising: a source (1) of cooling gas; a cooling gas cooling medium (7) fluidically connected to the cooling gas source (1); and a cooling cell (5), fluidly connected to the cooling gas cooling medium (7), comprising a mold (9) in its interior, wherein the cooling cell (5) comprises a refrigerated cooling gas injection opening.