Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MARIA EDUARDA ARAÚJO PESSOA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MARIA EDUARDA ARAÚJO PESSOA
DATE: 22/12/2025
TIME: 16:00
LOCAL: Remoto
TITLE:

Plant Extract as a Natural Emulsifier: Formulation and Characterization of Systems Containing Vegetable Oils for Application in Drilling Fluids

KEY WORDS:

plant extract; vegetable oil; emulsions; drilling fluids

PAGES: 30
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Química
SUBÁREA: Tecnologia Química
SUMMARY:

The growing concern with sustainability has driven the development of technologies that replace petrochemical inputs with renewable raw materials. In this context, agro-industrial residues have been explored as alternative sources of bioactive compounds with potential applications in colloidal formulations and environmentally cleaner chemical products. The plant extract, a liquid byproduct generated in large volumes during plant processing, presents significant valorization potential due to the presence of natural surfactant compounds. Although evidence indicates its ability to reduce interfacial tension, its direct use as an emulsifier remains scarcely explored. Considering the relevance of dispersing agents in the formulation of colloidal systems and their industrial applications, this project proposes to investigate a plant extract obtained from local plant-processing units as a natural emulsifier in emulsions prepared with vegetable oils, aiming at its use as a base for more sustainable drilling fluids. The study includes the physicochemical characterization of the extract, the evaluation of its performance in emulsions subjected to different oil/extract ratios (80/20 to 20/80) and conditions of pH (acidic and basic), salinity (NaCl and CaCl₂), and temperature, as well as the analysis of properties such as droplet-size distribution, viscosity, and emulsification index, in order to elucidate the mechanisms governing emulsion stabilization. Based on these analyses, selected formulations will be applied in drilling fluids, which will be subjected to rheological and filtration tests under low and high pressure and temperature conditions. The expected outcome is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of this byproduct as a natural emulsifier, adding value to an abundant residue and contributing to the development of environmentally compatible alternatives for the oil and gas industry.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1979301 - RENATA MARTINS BRAGA
Externo ao Programa - 1804366 - JÚLIO CÉZAR DE OLIVEIRA FREITAS - UFRNExterna à Instituição - FABÍOLA DIAS DA SILVA CURBELO - UFPB
Externo à Instituição - JOAQUIM HÉLDER SARAIVA GIRÃO - PETROBRAS