Partida e avaliação da produção de Lodo em reator aeróbio a partir de diferentes concentrações de carbono e nutrientes

Abstract

Sewage treatment is a crucial challenge for environmental sustainability, and the efficiency of activated sludge systems is often limited by the lack of nutrients. This study evaluates the performance of an aerobic biological reactor fed with sanitary effluent, focusing on nutritional supplementation with specific forms of carbon and nitrogen. The research was conducted at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Piauí, where different reactors were monitored, including a control without supplementation. In Stage I, Reactor 2, which received 0.5% carbon and nitrogen, showed superior performance, with ideal pH values and a diverse biological community, resulting in efficient solid sedimentation. In contrast, the control reactor demonstrated low microbiological activity, compromising the removal of organic matter and nutrients. In Stage II, Reactor 2 was validated in continuous operation, demonstrating pH stability, essential for maintaining microbiological activity. During the three batches carried out, the system showed progressive growth of settleable solids, reaching 300 mL/L by the end of the third batch. These results indicate that the initial supplementation of carbon and nitrogen favored the balanced formation of biomass and improved treatment efficiency. In conclusion, the research highlights the importance of nutritional supplementation and indicates the need for further studies on the efficiency and innovation in wastewater treatment systems