Avaliação de Processos Oxidativos Avançados (POAs) no tratamento de efluentes contendo biodiesel gerados no Laboratório de Pesquisa do NUCBIO/FEQUI

Abstract

Due to the constant population increase and consequent greater energy use, new technologies are emerging as better alternatives for replacing fossil fuels. Biodiesel appears as a valuable alternative for transport. Nevertheless, refining plants of this fuel generate large amount of waste, which must be properly treated. Some conventional techniques become unviable in this treatment, thus it is necessary the evaluation of more advanced techniques. This work evaluated the treatment of the biodiesel wastewater from a UASB reactor of the NUCBIO – UFU using Fenton and Photo – Fenton processes, since the need for treating the effluents generated by students’ research practices. The experiments were performed under magnetic stirring during two hours, and the response variables for the process efficiency analysis were Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). Ferrous sulfate and hydrogen peroxide were used as the source of hydroxyl radicals in the ratio COD:[H2O2]:[Fe2+] = 1:4:2. Both processes were suitable for the treatment, with COD removal efficiency about 70% and 80% for Fenton and Photo – Fenton, respectively. Regarding TOC removal, both processes obtained efficiencies close to 75%. Nevertheless, due to the low difference in COD removal between the two processes, Fenton process is considered more feasible in this case due to energy savings.