RESUMO
O processo galvânico consiste na deposição de uma camada fina de metal sobre uma superfície metálica ou plástica. Este processo gera grande volume de efluentes que devem ser tratados para atender as legislações ambientais. O sistema de tratamento de efluentes é responsável pela geração do resíduo sólido galvânico, também chamado de lodo galvânico. As análises químicas e físico-químicas realizadas demonstram que o sistema de tratamento da empresa em estudo opera incorretamente, produzindo lodo galvânico em excesso. O teor de umidade deste resíduo galvânico foi de 63,5%, significando que o principal constituinte do lodo é água. Pelo potencial risco ambiental deste lodo gerado, avaliou-se o seu valor econômico ambiental pela somatória dos custos decorrentes do processo de tratamento de efluentes, da destinação final do resíduo galvânico e das perdas das substâncias químicas a base de cobre, cromo e níquel. A quantidade destes elementos químicos no resíduo galvânico foram 3,71, 3,34 e 0,58%, respectivamente. O valor econômico ambiental obtido foi de R$ 30.362,90 por ano, comprovando o potencial econômico ambiental do resíduo galvânico.
The galvanic process consists on the deposition of a thin metal layer on a metallic or plastic surface. This process generates large volumes of effluents that must be destined for the treatment systems in order to attend the Brazilian environmental standards regulations. The treatment system effluent is responsible for the generation of galvanic solid waste, also called galvanic sludge. The chemical and physicochemical analysis performed demonstrate that the company's treatment system under study operates incorrectly, producing an excess of galvanic sludge. The moisture content in the sludge was 63.5%, representing water as the main constituent. Due to the potential environmental risk of this generated sludge, was evaluated its economic value by the sum of the environmental costs related to the wastewater treatment process, the final destination of the waste galvanic and losses of chemicals based on copper, chromium and nickel. The amount of these chemicals in galvanic residue was 3.71, 3.34 and 0.58% respectively. The value obtained of R$ 30,362.90 per year confirms the environmental economic potential of the galvanic residue.
RESUMO
Photosynthetic microalgae are unicellular organisms that, during their cultivation, can fix carbon dioxide efficiently from various sources, including the air and exhaust gases from industrial processes. This feature can lead to economic benefits in the production process of biodiesel by way of the clean development mechanism, for which carbon credits for environmental benefits may be granted and which will contribute towards reducing costs in the production process. This study seeks to quantify the contribution of carbon credits in the operating costs of a route for biodiesel production from microalgae, as proposed by Davis et al. [Techno-economic analysis ofautotrophic microalgae for fuel production. Appl Energy. 2011; 88:3524-3531]. The results showed a reduction in annual operating costs by around 5%. This figure may be conservative, since the production process considered can be further improved to reduce operating costs and thus increase the contribution margin of carbon credits, which will reduce costs. On the other hand, the price of carbon may also rise in the future, thereby increasing its contribution towards a reduction in operating costs.
