Degradação do soro de leite a partir de um biorreator anaeróbico de baixo custo para utilização na agricultura familiar

Abstract

This study shows small farmers that it is possible to treat whey in a simple, inexpensive and efficient way, using only recycled materials, such as 50-liter drums, PVC connections and a 1/2 HP pump. An easy-to-assemble system was built that transforms whey into organic fertilizer. The method used is called anaerobic digestion, a natural process, carried out without the presence of oxygen, which helps to degrade organic matter as the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduces. In this study, whey was mixed with cattle manure and tested at two concentration levels: 50% and 75%. The tests showed that the system reduced COD by more than 66% and worked better after four days of testing. Anaerobic digestion proved to be effective in degrading whey, demonstrating its potential for treating dairy waste, with indications that the reaction product would indeed be safe for use as organic fertilizer.