Granulometry Analysis Research Articles

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOPARTICLES OF KLASON AND KRAFT LIGNIN FROM Eucalyptus grandis WOOD

This work aimed to prepare and characterize nanoparticles of lignin produced from sawdust (Klason lignin) and black liquor (Kraft lignin), materials considered to be industrial waste. The raw material of this study was Eucalyptus grandis chips. For Klason lignin, the procedures were carried out according to the TAPPI 222 and, for Kraft lignin, the chips were cooked to collect the black liquor, followed by acid precipitation. The nanolignins were obtained by the mechanical process through a mill using passes from 2, 8 and 13. The characterization of nanolignins was performed by scanning electron microscopy with elemental chemical analysis and transmission electron microscopy, granulometry analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed irregular nanostructures of various shapes and spherical structures, the latter of which were more evident and frequent in Kraft nanolignin. The elemental chemical analysis showed that the washing process of the nanolignins was satisfactory, as only a small percentage of sulfur was detected in the samples. The granulometric measurement confirmed that the nanolignins had nanometric dimensions. Thermal analysis showed the nanolignins had three degradation bands, attributed to the drying of the samples and also to the degradation of hemicelluloses and lignin itself. Therefore, it was possible to confirm the obtainment of Klason and Kraft nanolignins through the use of the mill, and that an increasing number of passes produced a greater portion of particles with nanometric size.

Influence of Technological Factors on the Formation and Transformation of Iron-Containing Phases in the Process of Ferritization of Exhausted Etching Solutions

Every year, metallurgical enterprises generate a massive amount of toxic exhausted high-concentration etching solutions. Application of the ferritization process to recycle exhausted etching solutions can help to prevent environmental pollution. It enables a cost-efficient use of water at an industrial plant and allows the plant to obtain products from toxic industrial waste and utilize it. The aim of the study was to analyze the qualitative and quantitative composition of the formed sediment and its grain size composition. Variable study parameters were the initial pH values of the solutions, the initial concentrations of total iron, and the duration of the aeration process of the reaction mixture. Thermal activation and alternating magnetic fields were used to activate the ferritization. The XRD showed that the formed sediments contained phases of γ-FeOOH, δ-FeOOH, Fe3O4, and γ-Fe2O3. Granulometry analysis showed that these sediments were highly dispersed and heterogeneous. Chemically stable phases of magnetite were obtained in the composition of sediments, with an initial concentration of iron in the reaction mixture of 16.6 g/dm3, a pH of 11.5, and a process duration of 15 min. The study results demonstrated the feasibility of further study and possible use of such sediments with a high magnetite content for the production of materials with ferromagnetic and sorption properties.

EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL STRATEGIES AND ABUNDANCE OF Acacia mangium Willd ON THE NUMBER OF NATIVE SPECIES IN A SECONDARY FOREST FRAGMENT IN SOUTHERN AMAPA, BRAZIL

Acacia mangium Willd is a fast-growing exotic tree that, when inserted in a different environment, can present an invasive potential in secondary forests. This study aimed to analyze the effect of abundance and functional strategies of A. mangium Willd and edaphic factors on native species richness in a secondary forest fragment located behind the Instituto Federal do Amapá campus Laranjal do Jari, Amapá. For this, all tree individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm occurring in 10
 plots of 200 m2 distributed in the fragment were identified. Soil samples were collected in the plots and sent for fertility and granulometry analysis. Three leaf functional attributes of individuals of A. mangium Willd occurring in the plots were measured: leaf area (LA), leaf thickness (LT) and specific leaf area (SLA). A total of 145 tree individuals and 14 species were sampled, with A. mangium Willd being the most abundant with 95 individuals. The relative abundance of A. mangium Willd was negatively related to native species richness in the fragment. The species also exhibited distinct leaf attributes and abundances according to the variation in soil acidity and fertility in the fragment, which influenced the number of native species. There is a need to develop monitoring and management of invasive exotic species such as A. mangium Willd in fragments of secondary forests, since the species is invasive and opportunistic, and can inhibit the regeneration of native species after local disturbances.

Sediment Deposits Texture Analysis of Besuk Kobokan River in the Northern Slope Semeru Volcano Lumajang

The flow of volcanic material from Semeru Volcano as one of the most active volcano on Java Island is still flowing and deposited along the Besuk Kobokan River which empties into Bambang Beach, Lumajang. The sediments as volcanic products are transported through the river environment with water as its transport agent. This transportation and deposition process has certain grain texture characteristics that can be identified through granulometry analysis. Geological observations and sediment sampling were carried out at 8 points along the Besuk Kobokan River. Granulometry analysis aims to identify the grain texture distribution of Semeru Volcano sediments that have been transported. The results of granulometric analysis that can identify the distribution of grain texture show that the first point to the fifth point at the sampling location was influenced by lahars flow and pyroclastic flow, resulting in randomness in grain size and rock texture. While the sixth to eighth points show the fluvial sedimentation process.

Potential Soil Remineralizers from Silicate Rock Powders (SRP) as Alternative Sources of Nutrients for Agricultural Production (Amazon Region)

The demand for mineral fertilizers has increased over the years. In the states of Amazonas and Roraima, acquiring conventional fertilizers used in agriculture is challenging due to the distance from large production centers. In these regions, alternative fertilizers are needed to maintain food security. However, research in agrominerals of silicate rock powders (SRP) is still incipient. The objective of this research was to characterize three important Units of Agrogeological Interest in the Manaus/Boa Vista axis in the Amazon region of Brazil: (i) EBAM Quarry: quartz monzonites from the Água Branca suite, partially potassified, (ii) Granada Mining Quarry: basalts from the Apoteri formation, and (iii) Samauma Quarry: riolites from the Iricoumé Group. Samplings were carried out followed by chemical analyses for determining macro and micronutrients, in addition to potentially toxic elements; petrographic analyses were performed for mineralogical characterization as well as granulometric analyses of the powders collected in the quarries. The results showed that the EBAM quarry rock powder meets the standards established by Brazilian legislation. It also has low levels of potentially toxic elements and only 15% quartz, indicating good safety in the use of this SRP, in addition to the large supply of the material already crushed, for which there is still no market. At the Granada Mineração quarry, SRP also has the necessary characteristics to classify as a soil remineralizer, including K2O content above 1%. At Pedreira Samauma, although SRP does not qualify as an agromineral, it has more than 5% K2O and 77% aphanitic matrix, which could result in a more accessible release of abundant K and Si to the soil–plant system. Using laser granulometry analysis, it was possible to make some considerations about the effects of the crushing process in such different lithotypes and, finally, to characterize and classify the prospects of greatest interest for “rochagem” in the Amazon.

Microplastic Distribution in Beach Sediments: Comparison Between the North and South Waters of East Java Island, Indonesia

Highlight Research This is the first study of microplastics in four beach sediments in the east part of Java Island. Bahak and Pesona Beach are connected to Java Sea (north part), while Tambak Rejo and Balekambang Beach are connected to Indian Ocean (south part). A higher microplastics were observed on the beaches of the north part compared to the south part. Local sources and oceanographic parameters of the beaches influence the presence of microplastics in the study areas. Abstract Microplastic pollution in beach sediments has been studied intensively worldwide, but there are limited studies in the beach areas of the eastern Java Island, Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the distribution of microplastic in four beaches in Indonesia: Bahak, Pesona, Tambakrejo, and Balekambang. The first two beaches are located in the north of Java Island and influenced by the east Java Sea, while the last two are located in the south and influenced by the Indian Ocean. Sediment samples were collected along the strandline inside the 1 × 1 m transect quadrate in the top 5 cm using a stainless-steel shovel. Microplastic and granulometry analyses were conducted to obtain microplastic and sediment grain size data, respectively. Physical parameters of the beaches, such as wind, wave, and ocean current, were calculated using Copernicus and NASA (PODAAC), respectively. The total abundance of microplastic ranged from 54.7 ± 48.6 to 103.3 ± 4.7 particles kg-1 with the following descending order: Bahak > Pesona > Tambakrejo > Balekambang. Although there was no statistically significant difference in microplastic concentrations among the beaches, the beaches connected to the Java Sea accumulated more microplastics than the ones connected to the Indian Ocean. Fiber and blue were the dominating type and colors of microplastic. The results confirm that the distribution of microplastic is associated with the morphology of the beaches and the local source.

Study of the mechanism of inhibiting alkali-aggregate reaction and self-healing in concrete materials

Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in the world; however, several pathological manifestations can be associated with the design, execution, and selection of its constituent materials. Cracks, one of these pathological manifestations, are caused by the alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR). This is a chemical phenomenon in which silica, which is present in aggregate, reacts with alkali ions of the cement paste to produce an expansive silica-alkali gel. Herein, the clogging mechanism of the pathological cracks, which form during AAR, was investigated using a reference mortar trace, in order to select innocuous and reactive aggregates. Expansion in the mortar mix was examined using these two types of aggregates: (i) a potentially reactive aggregate, which can promote the formation of pathological cracks during AAR, and (ii) an innocuous aggregate to establish a reference trace without any expansive reaction. Subsequently, a concrete mix was characterized and reactivities of its constituents evaluated. In addition, fine and coarse granulometry analyses were performed. The concrete mix was dosed with the mortar mix, which comprised potentially reactive aggregate, and the bars were molded for the expansion tests. The crystalline mineral additive was added in these concretes to observe the clogging of the cracks. Comparative evaluation of the concrete mix, with and without reactive aggregate, suggested the occurrence of clogging because of the autogenous healing caused by chemical reactions, resulting in a reduction in the expansion of the concrete bars, with crystalline additive, at day 56.

A comparative analysis of the microstructural and physicochemical properties of alluvial and dune sands from northeast Algerian Sahara

This paper investigates the physical, chemical, and microstructural properties of two types of natural sand; alluvial sands and dune sand from the El-Oued region in the northeastern Algerian Sahara. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), and granulometry analysis have been performed. The FTIR and XRD analysis prove that the alluvial sand and dune sand consist of high percentages of ?-quartz (SiO2), low amounts of calcite (CaCO3), and gypsum minerals (CaSO4;2H2O). The chemical analysis confirmed that both types of sand have a high silica (SiO2) ratio, reaching 80% for dune sand and 70% for alluvial sand, besides very low quantities of Al2O3, Fe2O3, and K2O oxides. CaO content was higher in alluvial sand than in dune sand. The shapes of alluvial sand grain samples ranged from angular to well-rounded. However, the dune sands have shapes ranging from sub-angular to well-rounded. However, the dune sand is poorly graded sand with a mean grain size of 250?m; whereas, the alluvial sand is well-graded sand with a mean grain size of 406?m. These findings demonstrate that alluvial and dune sands are mineralogically stable and chemically suitable for use as fine aggregates in construction. Also, these sands could be significant sources of quartz minerals.

Extraction and characterization of two residual lignins from eucalyptus wood

Lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer on the planet, has properties that can be widely explored, moving from waste to products with high added value. Therefore, this work aimed to extract and characterize Klason and Kraft lignins from sawdust and black liquor, considered industrial waste. The raw material used was Eucalyptus grandis chips. To obtain Klason lignin according to TAPPI 222 om-02 (2002), part of the chips were transformed into sawdust. To obtain Kraft lignin, another part of the chips passed through a digester to obtain black liquor, which was subsequently subjected to acid precipitation. The characterization of lignins was performed by granulometry analysis, scanning electron microscopy with elemental chemical analysis (EDS), transmission electron microscopy, medium infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential calorimetry. Microscopy analyzes showed irregular structures of various shapes, including spherical structures, most evident and frequent in Kraft lignin. The elementary chemical analysis showed that the lignin washing process was satisfactory, due to the small percentage of sulfur detected in the samples. The results of the granulometry confirmed that the lignins had micrometric dimensions. The medium infrared spectra showed the characteristic peaks of the chemical composition of lignin. The thermal analysis showed three ranges of degradation, attributed to the drying of the samples, degradation of the hemicelluloses and the lignin itself. All results confirmed the obtaining of Klason and Kraft lignins. Therefore, the techniques were satisfactory in transforming waste into lignin with the potential for a variety of commercial applications, mainly in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Rock Magnetism and Magnetic Fabric Study of the Icelandite and Rhyodacite Long Volcanic Sequence at Mauna Kuwale, Wai’anae Volcano, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

In order to understand further the emplacement (i.e., volcanic growth) of 22 Icelandite and 3 Rhyodacite cooling units in one of the long volcanic sequences known as Mauna Kuwale of the Wai’anae volcano (ca. 3.3 Ma), Oahu Hawaii we have conducted appropriate rock magnetic experiments described below as well as anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) studies of such 25 units. We have undertaken rock magnetic investigations such as continuous and partial thermo-magnetic cycles of low field magnetic susceptibility versus temperature dependence, (k-T) curves experiments. We classified the k-T heating-cooling dependence of susceptibility in three groups A, B and C. Type A: yielded two components of titano-magnetite with a predominat Ti rich phase and occasionally a relevant magnetite component phase. Type B: samples are characterized by Ti poor magnetites. Magnetite dominates as the main magnetic carrier. Type C: k-T curves show one single phase of titanomagnetite, and Ti poor magnetite. The coercivity or remanence, determined by back field magnetization is always <60 mT, which suggest the predominance of magnetic components of low coercivity, like magnetite. Usually, two coercivity components are identified in the specimens. In addition we also conducted magnetic granulometry analyses on 27 specimens to determine the domain state of the flows. The ratio of hysteresis parameters (Mr/Mrs versus Hcr/Hc) show that overall samples fall in the Pseudo-Single Domain (PSD) region with high values of Mr/Mrs and very low values of Hcr/Hc. Only two samples from cooling units 17 and specially 22 show a Single Domain (SD) magnetic behavior and a sample from one unit approaches the SD-MD mixture region. We measured the magnetic susceptibility of all cooling units and we found out that in all analyzed units the magnetic susceptibility is low 13.7 ± 8.8 (10−3 SI). Magnetic anisotropy/magnetic fabric is used as a tool in rock fabric analyses to investigate the preferred orientation of magnetic minerals in rocks. Magnetic anisotropy is low on all (measured) flows from the Icelandite cooling units from 1 to 17 (mean P’ = 1.010), but becomes noticeably distinct and high in rhyodacite cooling units 23, 24 and 25 (mean P’ = 1.074). Four units show a magnetic fabric with k3 axes vertical to sub-vertical which may be denoted as normal for the horizontal to sub horizontal units. Two Icelandite cooling units display oblate shapes and two other cooling units triaxial shapes. K1 axes are horizontal but point in different directions, i.e., NE and NW. Remaining cooling units show different magnetic fabric. Units 17, 23, 24 and 25, despite important variations in anisotropy (low for units 25 and high for units 23 and 24) and shape of ellipsoid (oblate in cooling unit 23, prolate in 24 and triaxial in 25) the k3 axes show the same orientation, SW to SSW dipping around 45° and a very steady magnetic lineation azimuth NW nearly horizontal to sub horizontal. The magnetic mineralogy and magnetic fabric indicate that both the Icelandite and Rhyodacite cooling units the magmatic evolution during the shield stage of the entire Wai’anae volcano and that such growth was not affected by tectonic deformation.

Improved Food-Processing Techniques to Reduce Isoflavones in Soy-Based Foodstuffs.

Soy is a growing protein source; however, the isoflavones it contains are of concern, as they exhibit estrogenic activities whose toxicological limits might be exceeded. Reducing their concentrations to safe levels while preserving nutritional quality in soy foodstuffs is therefore a matter of public health. The main objective of this paper is to develop at pilot scale a process for isoflavones' extraction from soybeans, and to show its feasibility and efficiency. The study was conducted by first optimizing the previously obtained laboratory treatment key factors. These data were then transposed to the pilot level. Finally, the process was adjusted to technical constraints which appeared at pilot scale: the mandatory use of drenching and the exploration of granulometry analysis. The involved steps were validated by monitoring the genistein and daidzein content variations through statistical analysis of the data of an ELISA and a Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Additionally, isoflavones' recovery from treatment waters for their valorisation and the water cleaning by means of filtration, centrifugation and resin adsorption were carried out. The results showed that the most successful pilot treatment developed involved soybean dehulling, drenching, washing and drying and almost halved isoflavones while preserving the main nutritional characteristics. A combination of techniques led to almost complete recovery of isoflavones from process waters.

Termofosfatos magnesianos do complexo de Maicuru como fonte de P e Mg na produção de milho

Abstract The objective of this work was to investigate changes in soil chemical characteristics, phosphorous concentrations in maize leaves, and the agronomic efficiency (AE) of magnesium thermophosphates produced from rocks of the Maicuru complex in the Brazilian Amazon Basin, in comparison with triple superphosphate (TSP). The thermophosphates consisted of a mixture of raw material from apatite, dunite, and quartz sandstone from Maicuru, aiming to adjust the contents of P, Mg, and Si. The mixture was melted, ground, and subjected to the analysis of solubility, chemical characteristics, and granulometry. The experiment consisted of two rates of dolomitic lime (0 and 2.4 Mg ha-1), three rates of P (20, 60, and 100 mg kg-1 soil), and four sources of P (TSP and three Mg thermophosphates), as well as of two control treatments, with and without lime. Three replicates were carried out per treatment in pots containing plants of the BR 5107 maize hybrid. Phosphorous concentration was determined in maize leaves at 45 days after sowing. The Mg thermophosphates showed a high AE and a higher neutralizing effect with the application of lime, which improved soil chemical characteristics and AE. The thermophosphates obtained from rocks of the Maicuru complex can be an alternative P fertilizer in maize production.

Elaboration and characterization of the brownmillerite Ca2Fe2O5 synthesized by citrate sol-gel method. Application for photocatalytic H2-Production under visible light over Ca2Fe2O5/ZnO hetero-system

The present work is devoted to the synthesis of the ferrite Ca2Fe2O5 as photocatalyst crystallizing in the brownmillerite structure. The ternary oxide is prepared by sol-gel auto combustion and characterized by physical and electrochemical methods. The thermal analysis (TG/DSC) shows that, the formation of the brownmillerite is observed above 660 °C. The X-ray diffraction and BET analysis show respectively a single phase with an active surface area of ∼6 m2 g−1. The SEM micrographs exhibit an inhomogeneous structure formed by agglomeration of irregular shaped grains, confirmed by the laser granulometry analysis. The forbidden band (∼2.3 eV) determined from the diffuse reflectance, permits to explore ∼ 30% of the sun spectrum into chemical energy. The p-type comportment of Ca2Fe2O5 is demonstrated by the capacitance-potential (C−2 - E) graph with a flat band potential (Efb = 0.93 VSCE), due to oxygen over-stoichiometry. The negative potential of the conduction band (−1.06 VSCE) predicts the feasibility of the H2 generation. Indeed, Ca2Fe2O5 is chemical stable in a wide pH domain and is positively experimented as photocatalyst for the H2-production under visible light. The best performance is obtained in alkaline medium (NaOH, 0.1 M) with a mean evolution rate of 18 μmol g−1 min−1. However, Ca2Fe2O5 coupled to ZnO sol-gel (ZnO-SG) improves the catalytic performance. The H2 evolution rate over (Ca2Fe2O5/ZnO-SG) reached 24 μmol g−1 min−1 after 60 min. It has also been shown that ZnO–P, prepared by precipitation, is more efficient than that synthetized by sol-gel method (ZnO-SG) and TiO2–P25.

Postharvest freezing process assessment of the blueberry structure in three acts: Bioimpedance, color, and granulometry analysis

The bioelectrical impedance, cell granulometry and the color of the freeze-thawed blueberries were investigated. The blueberries were subjected to freezing at −18 °C for 135 min, during this process, groups were removed to every 9 min, and stored at 4 °C until further analysis. Bioelectrical impedance, color, pH, total soluble solids and cell granulometry were measured. The characteristics of bioelectrical impedance, cell granulometry and color were analyzed by computational algorithms, which allowed extracting characteristic of blueberries during the freezing process. The results showed progressive loss of the cellular structure during freezing, this behavior was associated with the bioimpedance parameters. The cells damage also influenced color parameters, and cell granulometry. The color followed the direction toward darkness and more intense red-blue tones, which suggest the migration of pigments from the blueberry's skin towards the flesh. In conclusion, evaluation of the color and cell granulometry by computational algorithms with bioelectrical impedance provides a powerful tool for evaluating cell damage in blueberries during the freezing process.

Characterization of Adobe Blocks: Point-Load Assessment as a Complementary Study of Damaged Buildings and Samples

Adobe masonry is one of the oldest construction systems still in use today, Mexico has an enormous cultural heritage with traditional adobe houses being very representative of the rural communities and their culture. The 2017 Puebla Earthquake on September 19th struck the country causing the loss, destruction, and damage of historic buildings in several Mexican states, with the traditional earthen dwellings being the most vulnerable structures to these events. The fast abandonment of the local materials and techniques entails further research regarding the characterization of these construction systems, therefore, reconstruction efforts first require the recovery of the construction technique. After the seismic events, adobe samples of the remaining adobe structures of Jojutla de Juarez were collected. This population was one of the most affected in all the country, and, because of the major losses suffered, the study was conducted to determine the material properties of the dwellings’ adobe shards and natural quarry clays of the region. The characterization included destructive and non-destructive tests, mineralogical and granulometry analyses, and composition of the adobe samples of the buildings, as well as the aggregates. As a novelty, the compressive strength of the pieces was tested by two methods: the traditional compression strength test and the point-load test, in order to obtain the indicative values and the correlation equations between both tests. From the formal analysis and the laboratory, it was observed that the adobes from Jojutla presented different compositions which combined with the building malpractices and alterations to the traditional systems caused unpredictable behavior during the earthquake. The conduction of point-load tests in situ, as a part of a complete characterization methodology, could be an alternative to study the mechanical properties of patrimonial or damaged building samples before its disappearance.

Physical characterization of geopropolis produced by Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Geopropolis has medicinal potential and has been studied due to its complex chemical composition, with more than 300 compounds already identified. However, its physical components are still little known, mainly the soil fraction. In this study, we characterized components of geopropolis produced by stingless bee Melipona scutellaris to know its matrix considering, both the granulometric characteristics and the organic matter (OM) content in the soil. We collected geopropolis and soil samples around bee colonies in an urban-industrial area in the city and in the metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. The geopropolis composition in the different study sites is only 9–9.3% of OM and the main matrix was composed of soil mineral material or sediments from the surrounding areas, contributing with approximately 91% on average. The mineral fraction of geopropolis shows a predominance of sandy material, common in soils of the region. Soil contribution to this stingless bee product highlights the importance of this study, because it is the first to characterize geopropolis matrix through the analysis of OM content and granulometry of the soil.

GEOTECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GREENHOUSE IN THE LIMITROPHE AREA OF CRAIOVA

The geotechnical documentation constitutes the quality verification at the requirement of resistance and stability of the foundation lands and earth masses and includes technical information about the land location and morphological data, classification in the geotechnical category, investigation of the foundation land, lithology and physical-mechanical characteristics of the land and the foundation conditions, obtained by performing a geotechnical drilling and dynamic penetration tests and the analysis of stratification, granulometry and physical-mechanical characteristics. The ground is flat and good foundation on 0.0-6.0 m depth, the conventional pressure is 170 kPa for Df = 0.8 m and B = 0.6 m and respectively 264 kPa for Df = 4.0 m and B = 2.0 m being recommended insulated foundations or insulated foundations with balancing beams, the terrain presents a low geotechnical risk and a degree of seismicity 82

Pore-throat structure characteristics and its effect on flow behavior in Gaotaizi tight siltstone reservoir, northern Songliao Basin

The features of pore and throat structure of an unconventional reservoir are very complex due to multiscale pore-throat size and various pore types and thus hard to characterize. In this study, thin sections, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), granulometry analysis, physical properties measurements, mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) and nitrogen gas adsorption analysis (N2GA) were combined to investigate the pore-throat structures of the Gaotaizi tight siltstone reservoir in the northern Songliao Basin. The results of observation suggest that the pores are composed of intergranular pores, dissolution pores, intercrystalline pores within clay minerals and micro-fractures. The content of calcite cement has some negative effect on porosity. The content and types of clay minerals have some negative influence on petrophysical properties of reservoir as well. MICP and N2GA are combined to get the full-range of pore-throat size distribution. Based on previous studies and the actual situation of the Gaotaizi reservoir, a new classification for pore-throat size has been proposed, including micropore (<10 nm), transition pore (10 ~ 100 nm), mesopore (100 nm ~ 0.625 μm) and macropore (>0.625 μm). On this basis, the contents of pore-throat in different scales have been calculated. The Gaotaizi tight siltstone reservoir has been divided into three types based on the pore-throat structure. There are big differences among the three types of reservoir with respect to the grain size, the content of matrix, the types of diagenetic minerals, the dominant pore types, the pore-throat size distribution and the percentage of pore-throats in different scales. Accordingly, a pore structure model has been constructed for each type of reservoir. In addtion, it has been found that the pore-throat structure has an important effect on the percolation capacity of the tight siltstone reservoir. Porosity and pore-throat radius have a positive correlation with the permeability. Pore-throats in different scales have different impact on the flow characteristics of tight reservoir. The mesopores and macropores make a great contribution to the flow in the reservoir while the micropores and transition pores do not contribute and even have an inhibitional effect. In general, the permeability or the flow characteristics of the tight siltstone reservoir are mostly controlled by the pore-throats larger than 0.1 μm.

Quality evaluation of three brands of type 1 wheat flour commercialized in Belém, Pará, Brazil

Wheat is a crop rich in nutrients. In Brazil, about 130,000 properties produce the cereal, involving 800,000 people. Due to its rheological properties, that is, the extensibility capacity of this cereal stands out in the manufacture of breads, in addition to the increasing use of flour in the food industry. Thus, the use of some physical-chemical analysis to determine the quality of wheat flour according to the normative instruction from Agriculture, Livestock and Storage Ministry (MAPA) document nº 8/2005. Wheat flour samples of type 1 (A, B and C) were acquired in a supermarket located in the city of Belém / PA, posteriorly sent to the Centro de Tecnologia Agropecuária - CTA at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), to determine granulometry, grease acid, protein, humidity and ashes. Regarding to granulometry analysis, samples A and C were above the tolerance values proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock - MAPA. Grease acid and humidity were inside to MAPA tolerance standards for all samples. In ashes determining, the values showed that all three samples were out of the quality standard, in addition, about protein content, the samples were also characterized as out of type. Therefore, there is a need for better inspection by the responsible authorities, since cultivation conditions until the final quality control of the product.

Granulometry analysis of Ngrayong sandstone, Tempuran Area, Rembang Zone, North East Java Basin

The study area is located near Tempuran Village, Rembang Zone, North-East Java. Ngrayong sandstone is a famous reservoir in north-east Java, mainly composed of sandstones which are exposed along east-west trending along the southern flank of Pakel Anticline. Eighteen samples from four different facies from eight outcrops conducted for granulometry analysis. The objective of this paper is to predict the reservoir potential base on granulometry analysis especially grain size and sorting. The study area is still needs to confirm about reservoir quality. Ngrayong Formation consists of laminated to thin bedded sandstone facies, thick bedded to massive sandstone facies, calcareous sandstone facies and cross-bedded sandstone facies. According to the analytical results, sandstone facies are composed of very fine to fine, poorly sorted to very well sorted sandstones. Base on the results of analyzed samples, Ngrayong sandstone have good porosity and permeability, thus Tempuran area can be considered as a prospective reservoir.