ABSTRACT The increase in distributed generation (DG) interferes with the energy distribution system, which may present low voltages due to voltage drops and high voltages due to the insertion of distributed generation, resulting from renewable energy sources in rural areas. These voltage levels must be controlled to comply with the limits imposed by the distribution rules and procedures (PRODIST). This study aims to evaluate the voltage rise caused by DG, simulating three DG insertion scenarios, as well as simulate strategies to correct these voltage levels, such as the limitation of the active power supply, the reactive supply by the consumer and the utility, and the installation of on-load tap changers. The simulations were performed using the MATLAB® program, more specifically the PSAT toolbox. Correction techniques were simulated using the active power supply limitation method, the reactive power supply method by consumers, and the voltage regulator process once the voltage rise effect was identified. The first two proved to be ineffective in this case, while the last one meets the voltage levels required by the National Electric Energy Agency.

ABSTRACT Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) oilseed needs to be studied in relation to the production of biodiesel and its application as an alternative to the soybean biodiesel used in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate biodiesel blends (B0, B5, B10, B20, B40, B80, and B100) of sesame in the performance and emissions of engines. A few studies of sesame biodiesel in engines were found in the literature imparts novelty to the current study. The fuels were tested in a 5-kVA generator engine at loads ranging from 1000 to 6000 W. The results of the analysis showed that the increase in the sesame biodiesel blend caused a reduction in the specific fuel consumption (SFC), carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, and an increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The SFC of sesame biodiesel (B100) was 11% higher than that of diesel (B0). CO emissions increased 39% for diesel (B0) compared to sesame biodiesel (B100). However, B20 showed lower SFC than diesel and lower gas emissions than B80 and B100 blends. Therefore, sesame biodiesel, especially up to B20, is a viable alternative for the partial replacement of conventional diesel. Sesame biodiesel should be considered as a promising candidate for alternative fuels.

ABSTRACT Brazil stands as a significant economic power in agribusiness, particularly in poultry farming. Broiler chicken production has been developing and evolving in the country for many decades. From these advancements, studies have shown that lighting can be directly related to the well-being and development of the birds. Proper lighting programs can enhance the birds' production capacity while providing a pleasant quality of life. This aids in avoiding psychological disturbances caused by poor environmental conditions, such as cannibalism or skeletal malformation. In this context, this paper aims to present some historical data about Brazil and the onset of poultry farming, the relationship between poultry farming and lighting, and some concepts related to lighting. agribusiness decades advancements wellbeing well being birds life conditions malformation context

RESUMO Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os custos envolvidos na construção de modelos de biodigestores (indiano, chinês e canadense) no município de Cascavel – PR. Determinaram-se os custos de produção de energia a partir do biogás produzido por dejetos de caprinos, bovinos e suínos, para sistemas de semiconfinamento. Foram utilizadas propriedades rurais com 20; 40; 60; 80 e 100 animais de cada um dos três grupos avaliados. A partir do volume de dejetos produzidos por animal, foram dimensionados os biodigestores e calculados os custos para a construção e a implantação de cada modelo, e o custo total da produção anual de energia em função do número de animais. O biodigestor modelo canadense apresentou o menor custo de construção e de implantação, variando de R$ 2.104,00 a R$ 7.266,00. A geração de energia com dejetos de suínos apresentou o menor custo, variando de 0,015 a 0,050 R$/KWh em biodigestor modelo canadense. A maior produção anual de energia foi verificada para bovinos, variando de 24.090 kWh/ano a 120.450 kWh/ano, para os três modelos de biodigestor em estudo.

ABSTRACT This study aimed at assessing the costs incurred in building different biodigester models (Indian, Chinese, and Canadian) in Cascavél – PR, Brazil. We also determined costs related to biogas production from goat, bovine, and swine dungs in semi-confinement systems. For this purpose, we evaluated farms with herds of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 animals of each group. The biodigesters’ volume were based on each animal amount of excrement and, then, we calculated the costs for building and implementing each model, as well as costs associated to annual energy production on the number of animals used. The lowest cost was observed for Canadian biodigester with respect to both building and implementation, ranging from R$ 2,104.00 to R$ 7,266.00. Power generation using swine waste had the lowest costs varying 0.015 to 0.050 R$/ kWh with Canadian model. The largest annual energy production was recorded for bovine dung, varying 24,090 to 120,450 kWh/ year for the 3 studied models.

A conscientização da importância do meio ambiente tem incentivado o estudo de novas fontes energéticas renováveis e menos poluentes. Dentre essas fontes, a energia solar destaca-se por ser perene e limpa. A utilização da energia solar em sistemas de aquecimento de água residencial rural pode colaborar com a economia de energia elétrica, base da matriz energética brasileira. Conhecer os fatores que influenciam na operação de um sistema de aquecimento de água por energia solar é importante na determinação de sua viabilidade técnica, visando a sua difusão em residências rurais. Para tanto, construiu-se um protótipo, no câmpus da Faculdade Assis Gurgacz, em Cascavel - PR, com características similares a um equipamento utilizado em residências para dois habitantes, para funcionar com circulação natural ou termossifão e sem auxílio de sistema de aquecimento complementar. O equipamento mostrou-se viável tecnicamente, alcançando a temperatura mínima para banho de 35 °C, sempre que a radiação solar foi superior a 3.500 Wh m-2, o que aconteceu para a maioria dos dias estudados.

The awareness of the importance of the environment has stimulated the study of new renewed energy sources and less pollutant. Amongst these sources, solar energy stands alone for being perennial and clean. The use of solar energy in systems of agricultural residential water heating, can complement the economy of electric energy, base of the Brazilian energy matrix. Knowing the factors that influence the operation of a system of water heating by solar energy is important in determining their technical viabilities targeting their distribution in agricultural residences. To evaluate equipment of water heating for solar energy, a prototype was constructed in the campus of Assis Gurgacz College, in Cascavel,State of Paraná, Brazil, with similar characteristics to equipment used in residences for two inhabitants, to function with natural circulation or thermosiphon and without help of a complementary heating system. The equipment revealed technical viability, reaching the minimum temperature for shower, of 35 °C, whenever the solar radiation was above the 3,500 Wh m-2, for the majority of the studied days.

As variações da resistência do solo à penetração, no cultivo mínimo (escarificação mais semeadura) e plantio direto, foram avaliadas em um Latossolo Roxo distrófico (Oxisol, segundo a Soil Taxonomy) com textura argilosa, com os teores de água do solo de 33, 37 e 39%, na cultura do milho. Determinou-se a resistência do solo à penetração antes e imediatamente após o preparo do solo e após a colheita, em que os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir-se que tanto os teores de água do solo como os sistemas de cultivo revelaram efeito significativo na resistência do solo à penetração, após o preparo. O teor de água, de 33%, propiciou redução da resistência do solo à penetração, em ambos os sistemas, com maior redução no sistema de cultivo mínimo e os teores de 37 e 39% propiciaram aumento da resistência do solo nos dois sistemas de cultivo, com acréscimo maior no sistema de plantio direto.

The effect of tillage systems (minimum-tillage and no-tillage) and water contents (33, 37 and 39%) on the soil strength was evaluated on the Oxisol, with the corn yield. The resistance of the soil to penetration was determined before the tillage and immediately after the tillage and after the harvest. The results obtained permit to conclude that the water contents of the soil, as well as the tillage systems affected significantly the resistance of the soil to the penetration after the tillage. The water content of 33% caused a reduction of the soil penetration resistance, in both systems, with larger reduction in the system of the minimum-tillage. The water content of 37 and 39% caused an increase of the soil penetration resistance in both the systems with larger increment in the no-tillage system.