Recuperación y reutilización de efluentes: estudio de caso: "Mejoramiento de la calidad del efluente de la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales de Ucubamba, por tratamiento convencional en floculadores de medios granulares".

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to analyze the reuse of the effluent from the WWTP of Ucubamba, Cuenca-Ecuador, by means of a conventional treatment in a granular media flocculator. An upflow gravel flocculator with three different granulometries was built at the plant outlet. Test conditions such as water flow rates, velocity gradients and flocculation period were determined on water samples. The approach of the study is applied-experimental, a bibliographic compilation on flocculators, coagulation, flocculation and design of porous beds was carried out, and an in situ experimentation. A pre-experimentation phase was carried out where raw water was characterized, and treatability tests were carried out in the laboratory with the effluent from the maturation lagoon of the WWTP, and in situ tests were carried out to determine the effectiveness of the treatment with different flow rates, using Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) as coagulant. PAC was determined to be the most suitable coagulant, without the need for pH adjustment. In addition, the granular material for the flocculator was characterized and a calibration phase of the pilot system was carried out to ensure its correct operation. Finally, the quality parameters of the treated water were compared with the TULSMA standard to evaluate the possibility of reusing the effluent. It is concluded that, although the treated water is not suitable for human consumption due to the lack of total disinfection, it can be reused for other uses, as long as it complies with the permissible limits established by the regulations.