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Energetic characterization of biomass allows for assessing its energy potential for application in different conversion processes into energy. The objective of this study is to physicochemically characterize pineapple crown leaves (PC) for their application in energy conversion processes. PC was characterized according to ASTM E871-82, E1755-01, and E873-82 for determination of moisture, ash, and volatile matter, respectively; the fixed carbon was calculated by difference. Higher heating value was determined by ASTM E711-87 and ash chemical composition was determined by XRF. The thermogravimetric and FTIR analyses were performed to evaluate the thermal decomposition and identify the main functional groups of biomass. PC has potential for application in thermochemical processes, showing high volatile matter (89.5%), bulk density (420.8 kg/m(3)), and higher heating value (18.9 MJ/kg). The results show its energy potential justifying application of this agricultural waste into energy conversion processes, implementing sustainability in the production, and reducing the environmental liabilities caused by its disposal.

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The search for new formulations of lubricating additives in drilling fluids is constant, due to the need of the oil and gas industry to improve products and processes and preserve the ecosystem, contributing to the sustainable development. The use of microemulsions in the upstream phase is increasing, mainly in the area of advanced oil recovery, but innovative in the area of oil well drilling. The objective of this study was to develop and characterize biodegradable microemulsions and of low production costs for application as a lubricant additive for water-based drilling fluids. For this purpose, the following were carried out: a) stability test on microemulsions and additive drilling fluids; b) particle size testing in the microemulsions; c) turbidity point test, in order to evaluate the microemulsion behavior regarding temperature; and d) lubricity test of microemulsions, proposed lubricant and additive drilling fluids. The lubricity results found were satisfactory, showing that the microemulsified systems evaluated can be applied as biodegradable lubricant additives in water-based drilling fluids for oil well drilling, causing less environmental impact.

Adsorption of surfactants from aqueous solutions in porous media is fundamental in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) because surfactant loss reduces the effectiveness of the chemical solution injected, making the process economically unfeasible. This paper analyzes surfactants' synergistic effects in adsorption and enhanced oil recovery. This study used nonionic (nonylphenol 20 ethylene oxide -R200) and anionic surfactants (saponified coconut oil -OCS and base soap -SB) with the two mixtures studied (R200/OCS and R200/SB). The mixture R200/SB, due to its higher viscosity because of the presence of SB, saturated the ionic surfactant (SB) faster, reaching a higher oil recovery (70.0%). The addition of SB surfactant in the R200 solution led to an increase in oil recovery (70.0%) when compared to R200 alone (64.5%).