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Wet granulation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) has the objective of minimizing particle losses caused by elutriation in compression and coating processes. The MCC physical properties suggest the conventional fluidized bed as adequate for the granulation process; however, literature reports the occurrence of poor fluidization dynamic (preferential channels and dead zones) during this particle fluidization. This work reports the granulation of MCC in vibrofluidized bed, using aqueous solution of maltodextrin (35%) as binder. A fractional experimental design (2 5 − 1 ) was developed to assess the influence of process variables: amplitude and frequency of vibration, atomization pressure, inlet air temperature, and granulating solution flow rate on the responses: particle growth, angle of repose, lump index and mass of elutriated particles. The results showed an increase of the Sauter mean diameter related to the original value from 3.17 to 33.11%, confirming the granulation of the material. The granules obtained revealed good flowability and low lumps index. The levels of independent variables that resulted in a higher reduction of elutriation were the same ones that provided the highest growth of the particles.

ResumoGO avanço tecnológico norteia ações que contribuem para o estudo e implantação de um sistema de gestão ambiental estruturado dentro das empresas. Dentro deste contexto, este trabalho aborda o estudo da aplicação da metodologia da Produção Mais Limpa (PML) em uma empresa de embalagens de filmes polimé-ricos flexíveis de BOPP (Polipropileno Biorientado) na região de Sorocaba, que almejou identificar oportunidades de melhorias que podem impactar na redução de impactos ambientais. As visitas técnicas realizadas na empresa auxiliaram no mapeamento e entendimento do processo produtivo. O uso da metodologia de PML permitiu a identificação de possíveis melhorias no processo visando minimização de geração de resíduos, matéria-prima, água e energia. No caso foi utilizado um modelo de transformação para realizar o mapeamento do processo produtivo. As oportunidades de futuras melhorias foram identificadas e enquadradas nos níveis estratégicos da PML, algumas delas estão relacionadas às melhorias na utilização de matérias-primas, redução de vazamento de água para o processo nas tubulações, alteração de matéria-prima de fonte não renovável para renovável, realização de manutenção preventiva, minimização da geração de resíduos, utilização do material regranulado gerado no processo etc. Para futuros trabalhos devem ser realizadas as viabilidades econômica e técnica de cada proposta identificada no presente trabalho.Palavras-chave: Produção Mais Limpa; Filme Polimérico; BOPP; Desenvolvimento Sustentável. AbstractThe current technological advance guides the actions that have contributed to the study and implementation of a structured environmental management within companies. Thereby, this article discusses the application of Cleaner Production Methodology in a company engaged in the business of flexible films in the region of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The study aims to identify opportunities of improvements that might reduce the environmental impact. There were visits in the enterprise during the execution of the project in order to get quantitative and qualitative data, which supported the mapping and understanding of the productive process. The application of Cleaner Production has allowed the identification of improvements in the process, better use of raw material, reduction of water use and minimization of waste generation. In this case, it has been used an adapted transformation model to map the system. Opportunities for future improvements have been identified and classified into the strategic levels of the Cleaner Production; some of them are related to the progress in the use of raw materials, reduction of water leaks through the process in the pipes, change of raw material from nonrenewable to renewable source, performance of preventive maintenance, minimization of waste generation, use of regranulated material generated in the process, etc. Therefore, for futures studies, it may be accomplished the analysis of economic and technical feasibility of each proposal identified in this report

Lean and Green seeks to increase added value and reduce waste generation, while also improving environmental sustainability performance in production activities. However, no studies were found exploring the potential results by combining Lean and Green with eco-efficiency assessments in the construction sector. Therefore, this paper aimed at proposing and testing a Lean and Green approach in three steps. Step 1 was based on the Value Stream Mapping application to calculate the Value Added of construction activities; step 2 focused on the Life Cycle Assessment of evaluated construction activities, and step 3 performed an eco-efficiency assessment of construction sites to guide decision-makers on selecting more lean and sustainable construction materials and strategies. A case study was developed for a 300m²-house construction considering two build options (reinforced concrete frame vs. light steel frame). The results affirm that light steel framing showed a Value Added 43% higher than the reinforced concrete in step 1, whilst having 8% less Global Warming Potential impacts in step 2. Step 3 concluded that light steel framing was 1.38 times more eco-efficient than the concrete structure. The proposed approach can be suitable for any building system evaluation in terms of construction technologies, materials, and/or production strategies and investigations towards more sustainable production.

ResumoAs preocupações com o meio ambiente levaram a sociedade a desenvolver novos procedimentos para destinar de maneira adequada os produtos que chegaram ao final de sua vida útil. Do ponto de vista das empresas que operam os canais de logística reversa, é importante garantir a viabilidade do negócio simultaneamente à conformidade ambiental. Esse artigo apresenta um estudo de casoúnico e exploratório com o objetivo de confrontar com a literatura as motivações e dificuldades para a operação do canal reverso de remanufatura, no caso, de extintores de incêndio. Foram realizadas visitas técnicas e entrevistas em uma empresa de recarga de extintores na região de Sorocaba. Os resultados demonstraram que, em conformidade com a literatura, o processo de remanufatura de extintores proporciona vantagem econômica e estratégica, pela oportunidade de realização de outros serviços como instalação de sistemas de prevenção e combate a incêndios, manutenção da obra, acompanhamento de vistoria do Corpo de Bombeiros e treinamento de brigadas de incêndio. Em contrapartida, a empresa estudada não apresenta os problemas típicos relatados na literatura sobre as incertezas referentes à coleta dos extintores, a qualidade dos mesmos e aquisição das carcaças. Conclui, assim, que a empresa apresentauma operação de logística reversa bem consolidada.Palavras-chave: Logística Reversa, Remanufatura, Extintores de Incêndio. AbstractConcerns about the environment have led the society to develop new procedures to properly allocate the products that have reached the end of its useful life. From the point of view of companies operating channels of reverse logistics it is important to ensure both business viability and environmental compliance. This article presents a single case study and exploratory with the purpose of comparing motivations and difficulties for the operation of the reverse channel remanufacturing with the literature, in the case of fire extinguishers. For this reason, technical visits and interviews were conducted in a company that recharges fire extinguishers in Sorocaba region. The results showed that, in accordance with the literature, the extinguishers remanufacturing process provides economic and strategic advantage due to the opportunity to carry out other services such as installation of fire preventing and fighting systems, works maintenance, monitoring of Firefighters Survey and fire brigades training. On the other hand, the researched company does not present the typical problems reported in the literature about the uncertainties regarding the collection of extinguishers, their quality and acquisition of carcasses.Therefore concludes that the company has a well-established reverse logistics operation.