A Indústria sucroalcooleira-energética e os recursos hídricos: Rio Santo Antônio Grande, Alagoas

Abstract

The Central Açucareira Santo Antonio - Santo Antonio Factory - is situated in São Luís do Quitunde, Alagoas, and produced in the harvest 2008/2009, three millions sugar bags, 61 millions alcohol liters and 71.000MWh of bioelectricity. As all industrial unit, the agroindustry uses water in it’s production process. At present, the Factory captures 2.500m³/h from the Santo Antonio river, whit 1200m³/h wastewater return to the first phase of the industrial process and 1300m³/h following to the treatment plant. The effluent liquid generated in the washing of sugar cane is tried by means of 4 sedimentation cells and 7 stabilization ponds. It objective the of this study was to evaluate modifications in the treatment of the system effluents wash waters, aiming at the reduction of shipment organic matter. The effluents from sugar cane washing process possess elevated carbohydrates contents, in the form of sugars. However, unlike the home domestics effluents this hás small quantity of phophorus and nitrogen, necessary for the biological tratament in stabilization ponds. The efluente received external phosphor source and a compost to encrease the presence of microorganisms in the treatment system. Before of the addiction of the constituints, to BOD was 800mg/L, and it was subsequently reduced for 110mg/L. The reduction of 7 times in the BOD was obtained with small investments and simple routine operation, which enhances the success of the modification carried out.