Abstract This work introduces a deterministic approach to the martensite transformation curve. Martensite is a nucleation-controlled transformation that has two characteristics: autocatalysis and auto-accommodation. Only a small number of martensite units initially form owing to primary nucleation. These new units may cause the transformation of other units by autocatalysis. We call this kind of transformation chained autocatalysis. Moreover, as the transformation progresses, the auto-accommodation influences the arrangement of new units. This work assumes that the transformation-saturation relates to the exhaustion of the chained autocatalysis, which underlines the microstructure. To compare, we considered the KJMA’s extended-transformation concept that implies assuming exhaustion by impingement. Data from isothermal martensite transformations and anisothermal martensite transformations are used to validate the model. Those data comprised different grain sizes and carbon contents. The model is based upon Verhulst’s logistic concept. We propose that the model's high fitting-capability stems from its deterministic aspect combined with martensite’s self-similarity. Additionally, we suggest that chained autocatalysis controls the rate of martensite transformation. Therefore, the relaxation of transformation strains by plasticity assisted by mutual accommodation determines the transformation's martensite volume in the absence of post-propagation coarsening/coalescence.

This paper proposes an alternative to the Avrami equation capable of describing whole transformation curves with significant fitting-correlations. The model bears physically meaningful parameters which permit considering the initial transformation kinetics independently from the subsequent microstructural evolution. Data of martensite, bainite, recrystallization, and pearlite transformations validate the model. Further to the expeditious description of transformation curves, the model guides the modeling of specific mechanisms.

This work presents a consolidated view of the autocatalysis, thermal and entropic effects in martensitic transformation of polycrystalline Fe-31wt%Ni-0.02wt%C, which has been a standard material for the investigation of fundamental aspects of the martensite transformation. The present work is based on the description of classical microstructure descriptors of the transformation and on generally accepted concepts regarding the martensitic transformation in iron base alloys. Present work agrees with the view that the autocatalysis is a means by which the martensite transformation promotes further nucleation and growth. Autocatalysis induces the nucleation and growth of secondary plates in addition to the relatively small number of primary nucleation sites and their corresponding primary plates. We demonstrate that autocatalysis can be factored out into intragrain and intergrain components. The analysis of these factors establishes that intragrain autocatalysis is athermal but intergrain autocatalysis possess an Arrhenius temperature dependence. The reasons for such a behavior are discussed in detail.

This study advances a methodology that consolidates the description of time-dependent (isothermal) as well as time-independent (athermal) martensitic transformation curves. Our model is applied in an extended 3-space, thus permitting inclusion of the effects of autocatalysis on nucleation to be distinguished from the initiation of the transformation, as influenced by entropic barriers. Autocatalysis is then considered as a mechanism for circumventing the effect of the latter. The utility of this proposed mathematical formalism was validated with a database consisting of seven different steels that transform athermally or isothermally.

In a recent paper, the present authors [Materials Research. 2015. 18(3): 595-601] demonstrated that the thickness of athermal martensite plates had a thermally activated component. The reason for this was probably the interaction of the athermal glissile martensite-austenite interface with dislocations located within the surrounding austenite. Based on this result, here we derive a new expression for the volume fraction against temperature for athermal martensite transformation. This new expression includes a thermal activated term. The expression obtained here gives good agreement with athermal martensite transformation in Fe-Ni-C and Fe-C alloys.

The properties of steels that undergo martensite transformation after or during processing depend on characteristics and arrangement of martensite units within the microstructure. In this work, the global microstructure descriptors of martensite transformation are related to the individual dimensions of the martensite units, the "intrinsic dimensions", – radius, thickness and aspect ratio – compensated for interactions among those units. In other words, the dimensions a martensite unit would have if it grew without impingement. This is accomplished by means of the microstructural path method. The methodology was applied to experimental data of martensite transformation in FeNiC and FeC alloys. The analysis of martensite dimensions permitted observing that the microstructural path of martensite includes a thermally activated step. We conclude that this thermally activated step does not mean that martensite itself has thermally activated growth step but that arrest of the martensite thickening process, owing to dislocation interaction with the interface motion may be thermally activated.

Flumequine degradation by electrochemical and photo-electrochemical processes was evaluated in this study. The antimicrobial activity of the solutions subjected to the electrochemical processes was monitored during the assays. The experiments were carried out using DSA® (dimensionally stable anode) electrode. The influence of current density was investigated for the 7.5 to 45 mA cm-2 range. The photo-electrochemical process was more efficient for degrading flumequine (85%) and reducing solution antimicrobial activity. For both processes, the residual antimicrobial activity decreased as flumequine degradation increased. The reaction intermediate m/z 244 (5-methyl-1-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid) was identified.

In this review, the presence of quinolones in the environment, their risks and the available processes for water decontamination were addressed. Their occurrence in surface waters and also in soil raises concerns about the risk of the development of resistant bacteria and other potential chronic effects. AOPs (UV/H2O2, Fenton, photo-Fenton, and UV/TiO2) and ozonation proved effective for degrading these emerging contaminants due to hydroxyl radical formation, surpassing the efficacy of conventional methods. In addition, the main degradation mechanisms of these drugs as well as data on residual biological activity were analyzed.

Nesta pesquisa, foram operados três filtros anaeróbios com tempo de detenção hidráulica nominal de nove horas, sendo o efluente gerado disposto nos leitos de quatro filtros de areia em distintas taxas de aplicações. No primeiro filtro de areia, foram aplicados 50 L.m-2 uma vez por dia. No segundo, terceiro e quarto filtros, essa mesma carga foi disposta em 2, 3 e 4 horários, com aplicações espaçadas entre as 9h e as 16h, correspondendo às taxas de 100, 150 e 200 L.m-2.dia-1. Após a passagem pelo leito de areia, o efluente era encaminhado para reatores de desnitrificação preenchidos com brita 1. Os filtros de areia apresentaram uma grande capacidade de nitrificação e, após a adição da fonte externa de carbono, o reator de desnitrificação que recebia uma única disposição diária de 50 L.m-2 propiciou uma diminuição na concentração de N-total de 43,5%.

In this research, three anaerobic filters were operated with a 9 hour hydraulic detention time, and its effluent was disposed on four sand filters' bed in different application rates. On the first sand filter, 50 L.m-2 were disposed once a day. On the second, the third and the fourth filters, the same load was disposed in twice, three and four times a day, distributed between 9 am and 4 pm, corresponding to rates of 100, 150 and 200 L.m-2.d-1. After the sand filter, the effluent was conducted to the denitrification reactors filled up with grit. As result, the sand filters have shown a great nitrification capacity and, after the external carbon adding, the denitrification reactor, where 50 L.m-2 was disposed a day, showed a decrease of 43.5% in N-total concentration

This paper presents a quality assurance and quality control protocol in order to ensure the reliability of analytical results for the determination of acid volatile sulfides in environmental samples by potentiometry. The monitoring of the ion selective sensor readings must be realized continually and particularly in this situation where the analyte is susceptible to transformation and volatilization. Potentiometry with the standard addition was presented as a rapid, accurate, precise, feasible as well as a low cost technique. Concentrations of the analyte in the range of 0.49 to 1.02 mg L-1 were tested with percentage recoveries varying from 89 to 113%.

This paper discusses the historical and methodological fundaments of the dynamics and quantification of acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) in aquatic sediments. It also discusses the SEM/AVS relationship, which involves several controversial aspects such as sulfide stability, sulfide-organic matter interaction, and the inability to predict the toxicity of organic compounds in the environment. This relationship is an important tool for the inference of metal bioavailability. The use of ecotoxicological tests with target organisms regulated by international standards is also a relevant aspect.

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a eficiência dos métodos centrífugo-concentração e filtração em membrana, na detecção de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. e cistos de Giardia spp. em amostras de esgoto bruto e tratado, provenientes de um sistema de lodos ativados (estação de tratamento de esgoto, Samambaia, Campinas, em São Paulo). As amostras foram coletadas quinzenalmente por dois anos: 53 amostras de esgoto bruto (AFL), 53 de efluente tratado sem desinfecção por luz ultravioleta (EFL) e 38 de efluente tratado e desinfetado por luz ultravioleta (EFL+UV). Cistos de Giardia spp. foram encontrados em 90,5% das amostras AFL; em 96,2%, de EFL; e em 94,7%, de EFL+UV. Oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. foram detectados em 6,4% das amostras AFL e em 2,6 % de EFL+UV. Ambos os métodos mostraram-se eficientes na detecção destes protozoários em todos os tipos de amostras, além de apresentarem baixo custo por análise.

In this study, the efficiency of centrifuge-concentration and membrane filtrated methods was evaluated in the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts in raw or treated wastewater samples, from activated sludge systems (ETE - Samambaia, Campinas, in São Paulo). The samples were collected once a fortnight for two years: 53 samples of influent (AFL), 53 samples of treated effluent without ultraviolet disinfection (EFL), and 38 samples of treated effluent with ultraviolet disinfection (EFL+UV). Giardia spp. cysts were found in 90.5% of the AFL samples; in 96.2% of the samples, EFL; and in 94.7%, EFL+UV. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 6.4% of AFL samples and 2.6% of EFL+UV. Both methods showed efficiency when detecting protozoa in all types of samples, besides having low costs by analysis.

Neste trabalho, foram constituídos três filtros anaeróbios com volume de 500 L preenchidos com anéis de bambu, operando-os com tempo de detenção hidráulica de nove horas. O objetivo foi a determinação do período de partida sem o emprego de inóculo adaptado e a obtenção da eficiência no tratamento de esgoto doméstico, empregando-se um tempo de detenção hidráulica inferior às 12 horas sugeridas pela NBR 7229. Na avaliação do sistema, fez-se uso do carbono orgânico dissolvido, da demanda química de oxigênio, da demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, pH e alcalinidade, evidenciando quanto ao carbono orgânico dissolvido, a necessidade de 19 semanas para que se alcançasse o equilíbrio dinâmico nos reatores. Após esse período, a remoção atingiu 81,4 ± 6,4%. Os resultados demonstraram que o uso de um recheio alternativo nos filtros anaeróbios possibilitou uma eficiência similar a encontrada com materiais tradicionais, mesmo adotando-se um tempo de detenção hidráulica inferior ao indicado pela norma brasileira.

In this paper, three anaerobic filters with 500 L volume were constructed and filled up with bamboo rings, operating with a nine hour hydraulic retention time. The aim was to determinate the start up period without using adapted sludge and reaching efficiency in a wastewater treatment, by deploying hydraulic detention time lower than the 12 hours suggested by the NBR 7229. In the system evaluation, it was used the dissolved organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, and alkalinity, showing in terms of dissolved organic carbon, the need of 19 weeks to reach dynamic equilibrium in the reactors. After this period, the removal achieved 81.4 ± 6.4%. Results showed that using an alternative package in anaerobic filters made possible to have an efficacy similar to the one reached with traditional materials, even with the hydraulic detention time lower than the one suggested by the Brazilian law.

This work reviews issues and advances a formalism for quantitative interpretation of martensite microstructure, heeding the influence of transformation uniformity and the interaction of martensite with its surroundings. The relationship of volume fraction and number density of martensite units required for kinetics analysis is derived. Additionally we apply the new model to obtain the microstructural path function (MPF) of martensite, and to analyze the autocatalytic spread of the transformation during the martensite burst in Fe-31 wt. (%) Ni-0.02 wt. (%) C. The growth of an autocatalytic spread event relates to the chemical driving force, whereas the number of such events relates to the probability of finding a nucleation site to initiate the reaction.

As indústrias de papel e celulose descartam no ambiente um grande volume de efluente contendo grande quantidade da substância lignina, que atribui coloração e apresenta considerável potencial de toxicidade. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a ozonização em meio básico para a redução de cor do licor negro gerado por uma indústria de celulose de algodão. Face aos resultados, foi possível observar que, para menores concentrações iniciais de ozônio (0,4 gO3 L-1 h-1), foi necessário um tempo mais longo de ozonização para se obter a redução desejada de 80% da cor. O consumo específico de ozônio, entretanto, em comparação a experimentos com dosagens mais elevadas (4,3 gO3 L-1 h-1) foi menor. Sugere-se que o oxigênio molecular desempenhe, também, um importante papel na oxidação dos compostos, participando do mecanismo de oxidação iniciado por radical hidroxila, •OH, formado na ozonização em meio básico.

Pulp and paper mills discharge large amounts of wastewater containing high concentrations of lignin, a coloring substance that is dangerous and presents high toxicity to the environment. In this study, ozonation in alkaline ambience was evaluated for color reduction in black liquor, generated in a cotton linter mill. It was observed that the ozonation time to reach 80% color reduction was higher at a lower initial ozone dose (0,4 gO3 L-1 h-1) in comparison to a higher initial ozone dose (4,3 gO3 L-1 h-1). On the other hand, the amount of consumed oxidant was lower at the lower ozone dose. It is suggested that molecular oxygen participates in the oxidation mechanism of colored compounds, which is initiated by hydroxyl radicals (•OH) formed during ozonation in alkaline ambience.