Avaliação da operação de um reator anaeróbio de leito fluidizado (RALF) em escala laboratorial para tratamento de esgoto doméstico

Abstract

Basic sanitation, a right guaranteed by law, aims to ensure the supply of treated water and the proper management of sewage to the population. National statistics indicate a concerning scenario, highlighting challenges related to expanding access to remote communities, as well as the maintenance and improvement of existing systems. In this study, the operation of a bench-scale Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactor (AFBR) applied to domestic wastewater treatment was evaluated. This technology presents potential for use in decentralized and sustainable treatment systems. Current environmental regulations were adopted as a reference for the definition of the analyzed parameters: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The results indicated a reduction in TSS under the different operational scenarios evaluated, while COD and BOD showed variations throughout the experiment, without consistent removal efficiencies. Such behavior was associated with operational limitations of the bench-scale system, including discontinuous operation, temperature fluctuations, and variations in the organic load of the influent. It is concluded that the study contributed to a better understanding of AFBR operation under laboratory conditions, emphasizing the importance of operational control and continuous operation for process efficiency. Additionally, the results reinforce the relevance of bench-scale modules as experimental and educational tools for the improvement of domestic wastewater treatment systems.