Produção de ácool em gel para queima a partir do espessante hidroxetil-metilcelulose

Abstract

The alcohol gelation from carbopol 940 is largely widespread and utilized in industry, with well-defined methodology, become the fabrication standard of this product. Aiming the costs reduction for a big scale production, in this study was proposed a alternative to the ethylic alcohol gel production from the hidroxyethyl methylcellulose (HEMC), a thickener widely used in the construction area, in the thickening of mortarsm with easy access and low cost when compared to carbopol 940. There is a big diference in the nature of these thickeners, and therefore its influence in the alcohol solution gelarion was studied, the carbopol is a carbomer of acidic nature that gels from a neutralization with an organic base, the HEMC is an ether derived from cellulose with basic nature which gels through hydrolysis, that is, reacting with water molecules. The final product need to show two main properties, as a high viscosity, to ensure product safety, and high combustion time, burning through vast periods. It was studied the diference on the gelation tipes from the diferentes thickeners, as well its behavior over time, and if your properties match the market standard. For this was elaborated a methodology to fabricate this product with the utilization of HEMC due to its peculiarities in solution gelation. From the proposed methodology in the dispersion of HEMC by aliquots, this thickener was efficient to the goal, with a high sensitivity in decreasing viscosity for a higher alcoholic graduation. For the founded graduation in market of 72º GL, the thickener has good results with high viscosities and combustion times on expected standards.