Ferramenta computacional para gerenciamento de lodo e melhoria de desempenho de reatores UASB tratando esgoto doméstico

Abstract

The effective operational control of anaerobic-based sewage treatment plant (STP) is only achieved if an appropriate monitoring program is implemented. In Brazil, Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket - UASB reactors have been widely adopted for domestic sewage treatment. However, design, construction, operation and management deficiencies concerning sludge management result in ineffective or even absence of sludge disposal routines, which could lead to solids loss with the anaerobic effluent and overload on the post- treatment unit, affecting the overall performance of the system. Although the performance of UASB reactors relies on appropriate operational routines for sludge management, it is observed that, in many cases, the monitoring data produced is not used to support decision making. The use of computational tools contributes to the systematization of data and its use in decision making in the operation of STPs, aiming to guarantee the best performance of the treatment system, however, it is not yet a reality in the brazilian context. The present work aimed at developing a computational tool for operational support of STPs based on UASB reactors followed by trickling filters, with functionalities for data systematization and decision making for proper sludge management. The computational tool 'SIG-Lodo' (Integrated System for Sludge Management), allows the comparison of potential scenarios associated with different sludge disposal strategies. The SIG-Lodo is used for the consolidation of a monitoring database for the liquid phase and the solid phase, allowing the presentation of this data in graphs for periods selected by the user and a quick extraction of important information for operating the STP. Based on the analyzes carried out, the tool seemed to be very useful to make the comparisons and define the best sludge disposal strategy to be adopted at the STP, considering the maintenance of the quality of the sludge inside the UASB reactors, the dewatering capacity of the system and the operational routines of the STP. The SIG-Lodo expands the critical analysis and brings the operational team closer to the decision making regarding sludge management in a STP.