ABSTRACT. The aim was to evaluate the correlation and develop regression equations for the body composition of sheep of different sex classes, obtained by the comparative slaughter method, using the composition of the neck region and loin eye area (LEA). Forty-five sheep of three sex classes (15 intact males, 15 castrated males and 15 females) received three feeding levels (ad libitum or restrictions of 70 or 80% of ad libitum intake). Animals were distributed in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with 5 repetitions. The LEA showed: positive correlation with empty body weight, fasting body weight, meat, protein, ether extract and water (p < 0.01), for all sex classes; with bones for intact males and females (p < 0.01); with ash content for intact males and a moderate correlation for castrated males (p < 0.01). The neck was correlated with empty body weight, fasting body weight, meat, protein, ether extract, water and energy in all sex classes (p < 0.01); and moderate correlation with bone (r=0.58) and ash (r=0.67) for intact males. Intact males showed higher R² values in their prediction equations in relation to the other sex classes. ABSTRACT method LEA. . (LEA) Fortyfive Forty five (1 1 7 80 intake. intake intake) 33 3 3× arrangement repetitions weight meat protein p 0.01, 001 0.01 , 0 01 0.01) 0.01. r=0.58 r058 r 58 (r=0.58 r=0.67 r067 67 (r=0.67 R (LEA ( 8 00 0.0 r=0.5 r05 (r=0.5 r=0.6 r06 6 (r=0.6 0. r=0. r0 (r=0. r=0 (r=0 r= (r= (r

This study evaluated the use of crude glycerin as an alternative of energy generation to replace the traditional fuels. The Tradescantia stamen hair mutation assay (Trad-SH) was applied to study the mutagenic effects caused by the emissions generated in the direct combustion of diesel oil and glycerin in a flame tube furnace. Tradescantia inflorescences were exposed to gaseous emissions from the combustion tests in a fumigation chamber for 30-40 min. The analysis of variance and the Tukey test were applied to compare the differences between six test groups (intoxicated with emissions from glycerin and diesel oil combustion) and a control group. Only one glycerin group showed statistical differences (0.05), possibly due to the complexity of the burning process and impurities, besides the acrolein present in its emissions. The high heating value (HHV) of crude glycerin (25.5 MJ/kg) was lower than diesel oil (45.19 MJ/kg), but it was comparable to other fuels. Although the use of glycerin as a biofuel could be an important aspect to be considered, the results showed that the glycerin had a substantial mutagenic potential similar to that of diesel oil.

The aim of this work is to propose a methodology to evaluate the evolution of the pore blockage of limestone during the sulfation reaction. The experiments were performed for a national limestone (dolomite) with average particle size of 545 μm in interrupted sulfation tests were conducted at seven different times and at three different temperatures of the process. The empirical data were obtained from porosimetry tests to establish BET surface area, volume and average size of pore and distribution of pore sizes of the sulfated samples. Thermogravimetric tests were performed to evaluate the preparation methodology of the samples used in the porosimetry tests.

The present paper aims to interpret the SO2 diffusion mechanism process for two different limestones: a calcite and a dolomite. In previous study, the apparent activation energies for sulfation reaction were between 3.03 and 4.45 kJ mol-1 for the calcite, and 11.24 kJ mol-1 for the dolomite. Using nitrogen porosimetry it was possible to observe that the dolomite presents mesopores of 0.03 μm, while the calcite presents mesopores of 0.01 μm. The evaluation of limestones porous structure together with their kinetic parameters, allowed concluding that the diffusion mechanism follows Fick law and Knudsen law for dolomite and calcite, respectively.

Sulfur emission in coal power generation is a matter of great environmental concern and limestone sorbents are widely used for reducing such emissions. Thermogravimetry was applied to determine the effects of the type of limestone (calcite and dolomite), particle size (530 and 650 µm) and atmosphere (air and nitrogen) on the kinetics of SO2 sorption by limestone. Isothermal experiments were performed for different temperatures (650 to 950 ºC), at local atmospheric pressure. The apparent activation energies, as indicated by the slope of the Arrhenius plot, resulted between 3.03 and 4.45 kJ mol-1 for the calcite, and 11.24 kJ mol-1 for the dolomite.

Thermogravimetry was applied to investigate the effects of temperature and atmosphere on conversion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) absorbed by limestone. Ranges of temperature and particle size were studied, typical of fluidized-bed coal combustion. Isothermal experiments were performed at different temperatures (between 750 and 950 ºC) under local atmospheric pressure (~ 697 mmHg) in dynamic atmospheres of air and nitrogen. The maximum conversion was 29% higher in nitrogen atmosphere than in air atmosphere. The optimum conversion temperature was found at 831 ºC in air atmosphere and at 894 ºC in nitrogen atmosphere.