Evaluating granulometry and metal content in sludge from UASB reactors treating sugarcane vinasse

Autor(es)

Alves, Inae ; Del Nery, Valeria ; Barbosa, Moara Yuri Utino ; Damianovic, Marcia Helena Rissato Zamariolli ; Pires, Eduardo Cleto

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING; v. 51, p. 8-pg., 2023-02-01.

Resumo

Few studies have been carried out on sludge blankets in treatment systems. However, the sludge blanket in a UASB system is the area where microorganisms responsible for converting organic matter into biogas are concentrated. Considering its importance, the present research aimed to study the sludge blanket of three UASB reactors used in the treatment of sugarcane vinasse (pilot scale). The main difference between them was the applied effluent recirculation rate (100 %, 200 %, and 400 %). The research objective was to analyze the sludge blanket of these reactors: to determine the granulometry; the concentration of zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, iron, manganese, copper, total chromium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium; and the organic and inorganic contents, aiming to identify the physical-chemical alterations in the sludge caused during the operational period. A reduction in the granular diameter was observed in all systems up to the range between 0.4 and 1 mm, provided by the increase in the hydraulic load, the organic loading rate and biogas production, and the increase in the mineral fraction in the sludge blanket, associated with the metal contribution of vinasse to the sludge blanket. Metal accumulation such as magnesium, sodium, calcium, and potassium was not detrimental to the methanogenic process due to the strategy of adapting biomass to vinasse, by gradually increasing the vinasse load, and the effects of antagonisms between magnesium and sodium and between potassium and sodium, which reduced its toxic effects. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/17591-1 - Produção de biogás por degradação anaeróbia da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar: investigação de taxas hidráulicas e de cargas orgânicas aplicadas em reator anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente com manta de lodo para otimização do processo
• Beneficiário: Eduardo Cleto Pires
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOEN - Regular