Infrastructure

LABORATORIES

There are currently different spaces that dedicate to the study of polymeric materials and of the polymerization processes:

  • Laboratory of Membrane Permeation
  • Laboratory of Polymerization Processes
  • Laboratory of Bioprocesses 
  • Laboratory of Interfacial Phenomena 
  • Laboratory of  Process Modeling, Simulation and Control 

All these laboratories present excellent instrumental and analytical infrastructure, being their main pieces of equipment and analytical instruments listed below. The group also counts with the analytical and technical support from the labs of IMA (Macromolecules Institute) and LADEQ-EQ (Laboratory of Chemical Engineering of the School of Chemistry), through faculty collaborations and involvement in projects.

1 – LABORATORY OF MEMBRANE PERMEATION

The main activities of the lab enable investigations directed towards the applications of selective membranes in several fields (whether in separation processes or in other devices which might require controlled or selective permeation, such as packages, pipes, capsules, etc.). For such purpose, synthesis and characterization of membranes and polymers are researched, and studies are elaborated targeting the production, assembly, testing and performance measurement of modules and other devices.

Re-installed in the new building since July 2000, PAM possesses modern scientific instrumentation resources which allow the production of membranes (for example, hollow fiber membrane extrusion) and its physicochemical and morphological characterization (electronic microscopy with surface area analysis, infrared spectroscopes, chromatography in liquid and gas phases, thermal analyzers, among others), and the production of equipment to measure transport properties in various operations with membranes (micro, ultra and nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, pervaporation, gas permeation, electrodialysis, among others). Several systems in pilot scale of these operations designed at the lab are also available. Resources mobilized from projects such as Petrobras thematic networks allowed significant instrumental modernizations during 2007 (new sweep microscope, new thermomechanical system for polymer analysis).

  1. Electron Sweep Microscope (Fugiwara)
  2. DSC-7 (Perkin Elmer)
  3. TGA-7 (Perkin Elmer)
  4. TMA-7 (Perkin Elmer)
  5. TAC-7 (Perkin Elmer)
  6. GSA-7 (Perkin Elmer)
  7. INTRACOOLER (Perkin Elmer)
  8. AD4 (Perkin Elmer)
  9. 510 Isocratic Pump (Waters)
  10. 410 Refractive Index Detector (Waters)
  11. Photodiode Array Detector - PDA994 (Waters)
  12. Manual Sample Injector 7125 (Waters)
  13. CHM: Column Heater Module (Waters)
  14. TCM: Temperature Controller Module (Waters)
  15. Refractive Index Detector (Shimadzu/CG)
  16. Mechanical Stirrers (IKA)
  17. Magnetic Stirrers (Ika/Framo)
  18. Shaker (Nova Ética)
  19. Vacuum Pumps (Verder/ Edwards)
  20. Peristaltic Pumps (CG)
  21. Ultrasound (CG)
  22. Pervaporation Pilot Plants (GFT)
  23. Refrigeration Baths (Cole Parmer)
  24. Viscometer (Brookfield)
  25. Osmometer
  26. Gas Chromatographer (Crompack/Perkin Elmer/CG)
  27. Semi analytical Scale (Metler)
  28. Tension Stabilizers (Zael/ Zeiss/Opinion/Activel)
  29. Digital Scale (Zael/ Zeiss/Opinion/Activel
  30. Digital Scale (Ohau)
  31. GPC/HPLC: Liquid Phase Chromatographer - SHIMADZU (SINC) 
  32. DSC: Differential  Scanning Calorimeter- Perkin-Elmer
  33. TGA: Thermogravimetric Analyzer - Perkin-Elmer
  34. DMA: Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer - Perkin-Elmer
  35. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR ) Spectroscope - Perkin-Elmer
  36. Electron Sweep Microscope - FEI
  37. Oil and Grease Level Analyzer - HORIBA (INSTRUMED)

 

2 – LABORATORY OF POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES (LMSCP)

This space, which integrates the recent line of research in Polymer Engineering, is also linked to the activities of the Laboratory of Process Modeling, Simulation and Control. In this laboratory, studies related to the production of polymers and to the monitoring and control of polymerization systems are developed. Several processes of industrial interest are theoretically and experimentally studied, such as free-radical reactions, reactions catalyzed through organometallic catalysts, functional reactions (polycondensations), etc. Here, materials for use in biomedical applications are also developed, such as embolization and production of artificial bone tissues. The laboratory has the tradition of conducting innovative studies that stimulate the interaction with the private sector and the production of significant number of patents. The laboratory counts with the following basic infrastructure:

  1. Intelligent IPAS stirrer, with in and out communication interfaces
  2. Analytical Scales (Ainsworth/Bel)
  3. Digital Scales (Gehaka BG 1000/Helmac HM 1000)
  4. Heating Baths (Haake DC3/Fisher Scientific isotemp 2028p)
  5. Heating and Refrigeration Baths (Lauda E 100/Tecnal TE-184/3)
  6. Refrigeration Baths (PolyScience KR-30a)
  7. Vacuum Pumps (Quimis Q355B/Marvac B2/Speed)
  8. Dosing Pumps (Prominent Gamma/L)
  9. Peristaltic Pumps (Masterflex)
  10. Dry Chamber (Innovative Technology)
  11. Digital Camera (Nikon Coolpix 995)
  12. Disc Centrifuge BI-DCP
  13. Gas Chromatographer (Varian 3350)
  14. In-line Densitometer (Anton Paar)
  15. Water distiller (Quimis Q341)
  16. Heating Oven (Quimis Q-314)
  17. Sterilization Oven (Icamo Modelo 3)
  18. Heating Ovens with Forced Air Circulation (Quimis Q 317B/De Leo)
  19. Vaccum Ovens (Precision/Cole-Parme)
  20. Muffle Oven (Erro Eletronic)
  21. Freezer (Continental/Cônsul)
  22. Refrigerator (Cônsul)
  23. GPC: ThermaSphere Oven TS-430, Detector RI2000F, Konik Pump
  24. Tecnopon MCA-150 Conductivity Meter
  25. Tecnopon MPA 210 pH Meter
  26. Flow Meter (National Instruments)
  27. Computers
  28. Optical Microcope (Nikon SMZ-800)
  29. Near Infrared System (NirSystems)
  30. Heating and Stirring Plate (Corning/Fisaton)
  31. Reactors (Parr/BüchiGlass)
  32. Data Acquisition System (National Instruments)
  33. Ultrasound (Brasec)
  34. In-line Viscometer (Brookfield TT-220 705)

 

3 – LABORATORY OF BIOPROCESSES

In 1986, through a joint work with the Department of Biochemistry of the Chemistry Institute at UFRJ, a new line of study at PEQ was started, about production and utilization of enzymes of industrial interest. The experimental support for this research was given with the creation of the Laboratory of Enzyme Technology. In 1994, new researches with focus on the optimization and control of bioprocesses were incorporated to the area with the creation of the Laboratory of Bioprocesses, covering microorganism culture and its utilization in production processes of products of industrial interest. In 2008, the laboratories were unified in order to facilitate the integrated development of new biotechnological products and processes. With the unification, the Laboratory’s concept changed, turning into a multidisciplinary laboratory, in which, besides classic researches in biotechnology, integrated researches carried out in partnership with professionals from other areas of knowledge can be developed. Among these researches, it is interesting to highlight the developments of microparticles containing biopharmaceuticals, of facilitated transport membranes and of biosensor devices.

  1. Protein Electrophoresis System (Hoefer - mini VE)
  2. DNA  Electrophoresis System (Hoefer - HE 33)
  3. Thermocycler (Eppendorf - Mastercycler Personal)
  4. Digital Incubator (Boekel – Mod. 133730)
  5. Heating Head (Fisher Scientific)
  6. Scale (Gehaka - BG 200)
  7. Analytical Scale (Shimadzu AX 200)
  8. Scale (Ohaus - Explorer E 14130)
  9. Biomixer (Nalgene - B7GO3)
  10. Refrigeration Bath (Haake B3 - DC 3)
  11. Refrigeration Bath (Nova Ética)
  12. pHmeter (Mettler Toledo - MP 220)
  13. Spectrophotometer (Spectronic - Spectronic 20 D+)
  14. Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV mini 1240)
  15. Centrifuge (Jouan - CR 3i)
  16. Centrifuge (Sigma 4K15)
  17. Bacteriological Culture Oven (Nova Ética)  
  18. Sample Collector (Pharmacia Biotech)
  19. Gas Chromatographer (Instrumentos Científicos C.G. Ltda.  - CG 37)
  20. Gas Chromatographer (Varian – CP 3380)
  21. High Performance Liquid Chromatography System (Varian)
  22. Isocratic Pump ProStar (Varian – Modelo 210)
  23. Refractive Index Detector(Varian – Modelo 350)
  24. Rotating Incubator (Nova Ética - Mod. 430)
  25. Optical Microscope(Nikon YS 100)
  26. Fermenter (B. Braun Biotech International – Biostat B)
  27. Sonicator (Fisher Scientific – Modelo 100)
  28. Peristaltic Pumps (Cole Parmer – Masterflex)
  29. Rotary Evaporator (Fisaton)
  30. Rotating Table (B. Braun Biotech International – Biostat B)
  31. Laminar Flow Chamber (Labconco – Classe II)
  32. Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu -  UV- 2201)
  33. Fermenter (New Brunswick Scientific  - Bioflo III)
  34. Automatic Titrator (Mettler -  DL21)
  35. Karl Fisher Titrator (Mettler  - DL18)
  36. Rotating Incubator (New Brunswick Scientific -  G24 (2)
  37. Climate Chamber (Nova Ética -  Mod.420CLD)
  38. Laminar Flow Chamber (Pachane)  
  39. Ultra Water Purifier  (Continental Water Systems Corporation - ModuPure Plus)
  40. High Resolution Liquid Chromatography System (Waters)
  41. Differential Refractometer (Waters 410) Tunable Absorbance
  42. Detector (Waters 486) HPLC Pump (Waters Model 510)
  43. Gas Chromatographer (Chrompack - CP 9000)
  44. pHmeter (Mettler Toledo - 320 pH Meter)
  45. Analytical Scale (Mettler - AE 260) Balança (Gehaka - BG 8000)
  46. Centrifuge (Revan - 14000 D) Autoclave vertical (Phoenix)
  47. Ultrasonic Bath (Thornton - T 50)
  48. Bacteriological Culture Oven (Fabe-Primar - Mod. 216)
  49. Bacteriological Culture Oven (Quimis)
  50. Oven (Quimis)
  51. Heating and Stirring Plates (Corning)
  52. Heating Circulating Bath
  53. Model Sonicator
  54. Besides the space already occupied by these laboratories at CETER, their expansion (of around 75m2) is in its finishing stage as part of the CETER expansion.

4 – LABORATORY OF INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA

Apparently static, surface areas are places in which big and important events happen. The phenomena present in these areas are of great importance in several areas of knowledge. The understanding of such phenomena and its applications in the most diverse areas have been the object of study of the Interfacial Phenomena group. This group had its origins in the integration of 3 other areas at PEQ (Kinetics and Catalysis, Membrane Separation Processes and Biotechnological Processes) and was created in order to establish an interdisciplinary collaboration, able to identify the similarities and peculiarities in the interfacial phenomena present in the innumerous systems to be studied. The success of the works developed, the strong link with other areas at PEQ and COPPE, the wide scope of application of the interfacial phenomena and the new perspectives that have taken shape since the group was created have been propelling the researches and, most recently, have motivated a new faculty member to join PEQ for the Interfacial Phenomena area, Profa. Helen Conceição Ferraz. The research activities are centered at the Laboratory of Interfacial Phenomena, located at the CETER expansion, occupying an area of about 60m2. The lab counts with the following basic infrastructure:

  1. Tensiometer
  2. Zeta Potential Analyzer
  3. Langmuir Scale
  4. Ultrasound Generator
  5. Gas Chromatographer
  6. Automatic Titrator
  7. Brewster Angle Microscope

 

5 – LABORATORY OF PROCESS MODELING, SIMULATION AND CONTROL

Students find personal computers available for use in rooms specifically destined to numerical and process modeling studies. Particularly, the G-130 room, with 40m2 and two distinct areas separated by a mezzanine, boasts last generation personal computers used for computational studies. Besides that, the computers are connected to the Electronic Computing Nucleus of UFRJ, with access to the large computers (IBM and UNISYS). In its turn, CRAY supercomputers, installed at COPPE, make the most advanced technologies in the area available to PEQ’s students. Approximately, due to the quick changes that occur in this area, and taking into account that there is a vast range of situations in terms of machinery age (obsolescence), the group possesses around 150 microcomputers, 50 printers and 10 scanners. It is important to notice that the computational infrastructure needs permanent renovation and, consequently, continuous efforts are made to achieve this goal, including the acquisition of equipment and licenses for scientific programs and utilities.

The establishment of a specific agreement between Petrobras and UFRJ led to the creation of the Laboratory of Software Development for Process Optimization and Control – LADES, linked to LMSCP. The lab, dedicated to the development of computational procedures for industrial applications, occupies a 100 m2 area in Bocks I (I-140) and G (G-130) at the Technology Center of UFRJ. This laboratory counts with 10 workbench stations with peripherals, besides legalized copies of the main commercial simulator packages.