Satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the work of recyclable solid waste segregators: convergent-care research / Satisfacción e insatisfacción en el trabajo de recuperadoras de materiales reciclables: estudio convergente asistencial / Satisfação e insatisfação no trabalho de catadoras de materiais recicláveis: estudo convergente-assistencial

ABSTRACT Objectives: describe elements that promote satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the work of recyclable solid waste segregators and conduct a nursing action focused on these elements. Method: qualitative research, convergent-care, conducted with members of the cooperative. Data production occurred during 2015 through participation observation, semi-structured interviews, and a convergence group. Analysis comprised the phases Apprehension, Synthesis, Theorization, and Transference. Results: four categories emerged. They showed satisfaction and dissatisfaction related to identification with tasks and work content, material and personal gains obtained from solid waste segregation, prejudice, lack of appreciation, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. This last item, due to its importance, received a nursing action. Conclusion: the study contributed to the advancement of knowledge and the association of possibilities between the research performance and nursing care for workers.

RESUMEN Objetivos: describir los elementos promotores de satisfacción e insatisfacción en el trabajo de recuperadoras de materiales reciclables y realizar acción de enfermería enfocada en tales elementos. Métodos: estudio cualitativo, convergente asistencial, realizado con recuperadoras trabajando en cooperativa. Datos obtenidos en 2015 mediante observación participante, entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupo de convergencia. El análisis contempló las fases Aprendizaje, Síntesis, Teorización y Transferencia. Resultados: emergieron cuatro categorías que ilustran experiencias de satisfacción e insatisfacción relativas a la identificación con las tareas y el contenido del trabajo, ganancias materiales y personales obtenidas con la recuperación, el prejuicio, la desvalorización y dificultades con las relaciones interpersonales. Esta última, por su significatividad, fue objeto de una acción de enfermería. Conclusión: el estudio contribuyó a mejorar conocimientos y posibilidades de asociación entre la realización de la investigación y la atención de enfermería a trabajadores.

RESUMO Objetivos: descrever os elementos promotores de satisfação e insatisfação no trabalho de catadoras de materiais recicláveis e realizar uma ação de enfermagem focada nesses elementos. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, convergente-assistencial, realizada com catadoras cooperativadas. A produção de dados ocorreu em 2015 por meio de observação participante, entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupo de convergência. A análise contemplou as fases Apreensão, Síntese, Teorização e Transferência. Resultados: emergiram quatro categorias que ilustram vivências de satisfação e insatisfação relacionadas à identificação com as tarefas e com o conteúdo do trabalho, ganhos materiais e pessoais obtidos com a catação, o preconceito, a desvalorização e dificuldades nas relações interpessoais. Esta última, devido ao seu destaque, foi objeto de uma ação de enfermagem. Conclusão: o estudo contribuiu para o avanço de conhecimentos e possibilidades de associação entre a realização da pesquisa e do cuidado de enfermagem com trabalhadores.

Recovering plastics via the hydraulic separator multidune: flow analysis and efficiency tests

Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the material into useful products that sometimes differ completely in form from their original state. An important issue in plastic recovery and recycling is that plastic waste usually contains a variety of plastics that differ in their physical and chemical properties. Separation of recovered plastics into distinct classes is a fundamental prerequisite for their use as secondary raw materials. The Multidune separator is a hydraulic channel that permits solid particle sorting on the basis of differential transport mechanisms. Steady flow conditions are established within the apparatus. An image analysis technique was employed to reconstruct the trajectories of tracer particles within the fluid and to determine the evolution of the velocity field with time. Pollen and plastic particles were used as tracers. Unlike plastic particles, pollen is expected to passively follow the fluid flow field. Tests on monomaterial and composite samples were conducted while varying the operative conditions, and comparisons were made. The presence of three different recirculation areas occurred regardless of the hydraulic head at the Multidune inlet except for the first and last chambers. The lower recirculation zone is larger than the upper recirculation zone because of geometrical constraints. With variation in the hydraulic head, the geometry of the inner structures does not change appreciably. If a plastic particle within the principal transport path interacts with the lower recirculation area and its physical characteristics [density and dimensions] are such that it remains trapped, the separation process is successful. Because of its smaller dimensions and the reduced value of its velocity field, the upper recirculation area is relatively ineffective in the separation process