Avaliação da Eficiência de um Reator Anaeróbio de Leito Fluidizado ...

ABSTRACT
Utilization of anaerobic processes provide various advantages when compared to
aerobic processes, such as lower energy consumption and sludge production, smaller
area for system’s installation, and potentiality for the use of methane as fuel. In this
study, a flow rate ranging from 1,500 mL/min to 2,000 mL/min of wastewater from a
soft drink plant was treated in a fluidized bed anaerobic reactor. An acrylic column,
with inside diameter of 12.5 cm and a length of 49.0 cm, with a bottom cone and
enlarged top (total volume of 6,0 L, excluding the bottom cone and enlarged top), was
used as the reactor, and sand with a mean geometric diameter of 0.324 mm was used
as immobilization medium (ρ=2,63 g/cm 3 ). The wastewater was fed to the reactor
from its bottom inlet and dosage was carried out through a peristaltic pump. The
performance in terms of COD and TOC removal was 84,17 ± 9,87% e 84,33 ±
10,73%, respectively, which was evaluated through the application of organic loads of
0,09; 0,58; 2,4; 3,00; 4,00; 3,00 e 2,00 kg DQO/m 3 d. Data produced for biogas
generation versus organic matter consumption, and organic matter removal efficiency
(COD versus TOC), were evaluated through the analysis of Pearson’s linear
coefficient r. This analysis resulted in values of 0,6961 for the first correlation, and
0,6849 for the latter, which can be considered as a moderate correlation for both
values. Methane theoretical production was, on average, 1,61 L CH 4 /g DQO d.