SILVA FILHO, E. B.; SILVA FILHO, Ernesto Batista da.
Abstract:
To know the composition of the wastewater is extremely important
information for the design, as well as for the operation of a treatment station. However,
the composition and concentration of the wastewaters varies largely, being conveniently
characterized by its biodegradability the form it is present in the wastewater: dissolved
of particulate. Thus, four fractions can be distinguished: biodegradable soluble fraction
(fbs), biodegradable particulate fraction (ftp), unbiodegradable soluble fraction (fts) and
unbiodegradable particulate fraction (ftp). Each fraction tends a different behavior in a
treatment system. The available methods to quantify these fractions are complex and
demand a very long time.
In this thesis an expedite method is presented for the determination of
the composition of the organic matter of wastewaters using the respirometry, that is, the
measure of oxygen uptake rate (OUR) along the time in a reactor. Through respirometry
the biodegradable fractions are determined. The unbiodegradable soluble fraction is
quantified by COD tests of the effluent and the influent. The unbiodegradable
particulate fraction is obtained by a mass balance, subtracting from unity the sum of the
other fractions.
