Análisis a escala laboratorio de estructuras de ingreso a reactores anaerobios de flujo ascendente (UASB)

Abstract

Domestic wastewater treatment is a priority need in the country that surface waters are unable to neutralize the high pollutant load getting public health at risk. Within the wastewater treatment technologies, anaerobic systems have advantages over aerobic systems respect to their energy sustainability and low production of residual sludge; however, anaerobic technologies have not yet been developed with the same efficiency as conventional advanced systems. The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket treatment reactors (UASB) presents a promising technology for domestic effluents; however, research is needed. This research raises the hydraulic behavior of different flow structures to UASB reactors on a laboratory scale using fluorescent tracer. The methodology applied is that of the Pulse, where the injection of the tracer in the laboratory model allowed the determination of concentration curves, curves of distribution of the retention time (RTD) and an approximation to the majority flow regime. The percentage of mass recovered is the indicative parameter for the efficiency of the income structures. Based on the tests carried out and the RTD curves, the hydraulic behavior of the experimental models of how the piston flow prevails and a long tail at the end of the curves, indicating areas of stagnation and a final behavior of complete mixing, due to low speeds. The percentages of mass recovered in the three income structures indicated low efficiency in the experimental models.