Abstract
Three treatment systems consisting of anaerobic filters with upward flow followed by constructed wetland systems (CW) were evaluated for the removal of nutrients and phenolic compounds, in the treatment of coffee processing wastewater (WCP) in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State. Filters were made of PVC (1.5 m high and 0.35 m diameter) filled with gravel # 2 and CW were made of wooden boxes (1.5 m long, 0.4 m high and 0.5 m wide) sealed by HDPE geomembrane and filled with gravel 'zero'. The 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 of 100/5/1. As a result, hydraulic retention times longer than 160 h in all treatment systems during phase III had not promoted greater efficiencies for removal compared with the phase I, because the recovery time of the systems was inadequate. The F1+CW1 system that received the lowest organic load, showed a satisfactory performance with regard to the removal of nutrients (above 50%).
Highlights
Brazil is the largest producer of coffee beans, but to obtain good returns with the activity is necessary to improve the quality of the beverage provided by the product, without raising the costs of processing and drying of beans
For the statistical analysis we considered a completely randomized design with three systems (F+constructed wetland systems (CW)) and three phases and with the number of repetitions equal to the number of samplings
The F2+CW2 system presented, on average, a negative removal efficiency of nitrogen, i.e., during samplings we obtained effluent values higher than influent, which can be related to the sudden increase of flow and consequent washout of sludge
Summary
Brazil is the largest producer of coffee beans, but to obtain good returns with the activity is necessary to improve the quality of the beverage provided by the product, without raising the costs of processing and drying of beans. The wet processing of coffee cherries is an alternative, generates a large amount of wastewater (WCP), rich in suspended organic matter, organic and inorganic compounds in solution, with high polluting potential (MATOS et al, 2007) which must be necessarily treated before its release into receiver water bodies. The WCP has an unbalance between the amount of organic matter and nutrients (FIA et al, 2007), resembling the industrial wastewaters. In this way, for improving the performance of biological treatment systems, it is necessary to perform the nutritional correction of these waters prior to treatment (FERNANDEZ; FORSTER, 1993; METCALF & EDDY, 2003)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
