Análise do funcionamento da estação de tratamento de efluentes de uma indústria alimentícia em Vitória de Santo Antão-PE

Abstract

In recent years, concerns related to the environment have gained strength, and water has been increasingly prominent, especially with regard to aspects of preservation, contamination and resource waste. In view of the growing scarcity of such resource, it is necessary to adopt strategies to guarantee a more controlled, efficient and sustainable consumption of it, which is essential for the various forms of life that exist on the planet. Given to this scenario, the present work has the goal of evaluating the functioning of the effluent treatment station of a food industry that produces cookies and chocolates in Pernambuco. To this end, an assessment of water demand and generation of effluents in the industry's effluets treatment system was carried out, evaluating quantitative and qualitative aspects. In addition, the stages involved in the treatment were studied: the efficiency of the treatment process adopted, as well as the problems that could compromise such efficiency, by analysing temperature, pH, COD, BOD, OG, phosphorus and nitrogen. The results obtained indicate that 53.84% of the water consumed is fully integrated into the production process, and that 46.16% is directed to the WWTP, with the composition of the effluents that require prior treatment to reach the discharge standards, as recommended by the current environmental legislation. After the completion of the treatment steps, according to the variables analyzed, all parameters are in compliance with environmental legislation. In operational terms, there was a need for structural improvements that could rely on modern equipment, and the adoption of an integrated production process system to ensure the development of better techniques for environmental management with regard to the use of the sludge generated at the WWTP, for example. In this way, the biscuit and chocolate industry studied presents itself in compliance with the current environmental legislation demands. However, the processes can be optimized with environmental management policies that promote the minimization of the generation of effluents to optimize the industrial production process, as well as strategies and partnerships with institutions for the use of waste generated after treatment, as in vegetable gardens.