Showing papers by "Maria C.M. Alvim-Ferraz published in 2017"
TL;DR: This study addresses the recent advances in CFD modelling of both open pond and closed bioreactors, analysing the interaction of hydrodynamics, light supply, heat and mass transfer and biological kinetics in bioreactor design.
Abstract: Microalgae are seen as the most promising flexible feedstock, being considered the crop of the future They grow fast, just needing sunlight, carbon dioxide and minerals They contain high value ingredients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and others (carotenoids and polymers) Thus, they can be produced for a wide range of markets, including human and animal nutrition, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biofuels However, the production cost is still high, limiting their commercial applications to high-valued compounds The reduction of these costs can be obtained with efficient bioreactor designs, which are able to achieve high areal biomass productivities In this context, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) may play an important role in the optimization of bioreactor design, analysing the interaction of hydrodynamics, light supply, heat and mass transfer and biological kinetics This study addresses the recent advances in CFD modelling of both open pond and closed bioreactors
118 citations
TL;DR: Regardless of the effort that has been performed in the last years to obtain more accurate shipping emission inventories, more precise input data should be obtained to improve the methodology to develop global and universally accepted emission inventors for an effective environmental policy plan.
88 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the production of sweet potato bioethanol was conducted at a small industrial plant in Brazil and integrated in biodiesel production through ethanolysis, with focus on biodiesel yield and purity.
51 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of ship emissions in four of the main ports of Portugal during 2013 and 2014 indicated that tankers were the largest emitters in two of the four analysed ports, and CO2, NOx and SO2 estimated emissions represented more than 95% of the cruising and in-port emissions.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of different degumming processes on the phosphorus content of Crambe abyssinica oil and resultant biodiesel was evaluated using UV spectroscopy after sample calcination.
22 citations
TL;DR: Evaluation of mitigation measures implemented in nursery and primary schools to improve air quality found that mitigation measures were not always sufficient to decrease the pollutants’ concentrations till values considered safe to protect human health.
Abstract: Indoor air pollution mitigation measures are highly important due to the associated health impacts, especially on children, a risk group that spends significant time indoors. Thus, the main goal of the work here reported was the evaluation of mitigation measures implemented in nursery and primary schools to improve air quality. Continuous measurements of CO2, CO, NO2, O3, CH2O, total volatile organic compounds (VOC), PM1, PM2.5, PM10, Total Suspended Particles (TSP) and radon, as well as temperature and relative humidity were performed in two campaigns, before and after the implementation of low-cost mitigation measures. Evaluation of those mitigation measures was performed through the comparison of the concentrations measured in both campaigns. Exceedances to the values set by the national legislation and World Health Organization (WHO) were found for PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and CH2O during both indoor air quality campaigns. Temperature and relative humidity values were also above the ranges recommended by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). In general, pollutant concentrations measured after the implementation of low-cost mitigation measures were significantly lower, mainly for CO2. However, mitigation measures were not always sufficient to decrease the pollutants’ concentrations till values considered safe to protect human health.
19 citations