Biological systems coupled for treating wastewater from processing coffee cherries: I – Removal of organic matter

Ronaldo Fia,Fátima Resende Luiz Fia,Antonio Teixeira De Matos

doi:10.4025/actascitechnol.v35i2.13627

Abstract

Three treatment systems consisting of upflow anaerobic filters followed by constructed wetlands (CW) were evaluated in the treatment of wastewater from processing coffee cherries (WCP). The filters (F) were made up of PVC (1.5 m high and 0.35 m diameter) filled with gravel # 2 and SACs were made of wood boxes (1.5 m long, 0.4 m high and 0.5 m wide) sealed with HDPE geomembranes and filled with gravel 'zero'. WCP had the pH adjusted with lime to values close to 7.0 and the nutrient concentration changed to obtain a BOD/N/P ratio equal to 100/5/1. As a result, the values of influent and effluent pH remained within the range appropriate to the biological degradation of organic material. The system could not bear the shock of the organic load, which reduced the organic matter removal efficiency. Based on the analysis of performance and operating conditions employed, only the system that received the lowest organic load (F1+CW1) on the third phase, was effective in removing organic matter.

Highlights

In 2012 Brazil harvested about 50 million bags of coffee, with this production concentrated in the southeast of the country, highlighting the States of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and São Paulo, which together account for over 88% national production
The effluents of the three filters (F1, F2 and F3) were released into three respective constructed wetlands (CW) (CW1, CW2 and CW3) of horizontal subsurface flow, constructed on a pilot scale, consisting of wooden boxes (0.4 m height x 0.5 m wide x 1.5 m long), waterproofed by high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes placed on 0.01 m m-1 sloped soil
CW were filled with gravel up to 0.35 m height, leaving a 0.05 m free edge, since the water level was kept at 0.30 m (Figure 1B and C)

Summary

Introduction

In 2012 Brazil harvested about 50 million bags of coffee, with this production concentrated in the southeast of the country, highlighting the States of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and São Paulo, which together account for over 88% national production. The Brazilian coffee production is one of the most competitive worldwide, placing the country first on the world ranking of production and export of grain (CONAB, 2012). Before an increasingly demanding market, the search for quality is nowadays a major concern in several production segments and especially in the coffee agribusiness. Technology product to gain market and meet the new requirements of internal and external consumers. The Brazilian producer should specialize in producing a high quality coffee if wants to engage a profitable coffee production

Methods

Results

Conclusion