ELECTROCOAGULATION AND TREATMENT COAGULATION-FLOCCULATION OF VINASSE DISTILLERIES

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is the analysis of variables affecting the collection of solids from vinasse by a process of electrocoagulation, and then subjecting the liquid waste through a process of coagulation-flocculation. Coagulant was used to reduce the 734 percolating aggressiveness of this residual, and measured parameters such as pH, conductivity, COD and TSS, using the method of controlling the test mugs. The analysis of the influence of the variables in the process of electrocoagulation, was developed by a 23 factorial design of experiments, taking as variables: the pH of the vinasse, current density and the residence time, obtaining the optimal combinations of these variables that allow greater amount of solids in the response variable: solids obtained in the foam and liquid. The statistically significant variables were pH and residence time for solids from the liquid, and pH and intensity of current to the solids obtained in the foam. None of the interactions was significant in solids from the liquid or in thefoam. During the coagulationflocculation was obtained between 60 and 80 mg/L of coagulant, is the optimal dose that promotes greater coagulation-flocculation in the residual liquid to decrease its aggressiveness. Presents graphs showing the behavior of the variables pH, conductivity, COD and TSS depending on the dose of coagulant added. A set of recommendations.