Abstract

MACHADO, Walter D. et al. Characterization of sludge as inoculants for an anaerobic reactor for the treatment of vinasse. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2016, vol.93, n.2, pp.13-17. ISSN 1851-3018.

The implementation of a process of biological wastewater treatment requires knowledge of physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the inoculum used, as well as the substrate to be treated. The aim of this work was to characterize sludge with methanogenic activity and vinasses for use as a substrate in anaerobic bio-digestion process. Five sludges of different sources were analyzed. The sludge from sacrifice´s lagoons of stillage, was chosen because it had higher concentrations of volatile suspended solids (26.13%) and higher methane production capacity (Specific Methanogenic Activity, SMA = 0.15 gCODCH₄/gSSV.d). The selection of an inoculum from the treatment of vinasse, shortens the adaptation of microorganisms in the reactor. The characterization of vinasse consisted in determining the main parameters to study the nutrient ratio (COD:N:P) required to be used as substrate in a UASB type digester (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket), in addition to the physicochemical parameters as pH and conductivity. It was determined that the analyzed vinasse covered with the requirements of nitrogen and organic matter, and phosphorus must be added to maintain the COD:N:P ratio in 500:7:1, suggested as optimal in the literature, to achieve granulation. The tests proposed to characterize the samples of sludge obtained, allowed to establish some differences and criteria to select the inoculum for future tests.

Keywords : anaerobic sludge; vinasse; inoculum.

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