Selección entre un proceso de electrocoagulación y un proceso combinado de electrocoagulación con Fenton para el diseño de una planta de tratamientos de aguas residuales provenientes de la empresa textil FABRINORTE CIA. LTDA.

Abstract

The present study evaluated two methods: electrocoagulation and electrocoagulation combined with Fenton for the decontamination of the effluents of the FABRINORTE CIA. LTDA. The characterization of the effluent showed that the values of pH, COD, BOD5, temperature and hardness were higher than the limits established in the local environmental regulation. Experimental tests for both processes were carried out at laboratory scale in a “batch” cell with iron electrodes as anode and aluminum as cathode. The percentage of COD removal after 60 min of treatment with a current density of 125 A/m2, through a DCA was 95,70 %. In the combined process, the percentage of COD removal, after 15 min through a factorial design was 94,14 %, were a current density of 52,08 A/m2 and a H2O2 concentration of 5,25 mM. The combined process was selected since it required a shorter time and lower amperage. The plant included a homogenizing tank, electrocoagulation cells, neutralization pools, sand filters and a bed to dry the sludge. Finally, an economic analysis of the proposed plant was done, where the cost of implementation was 73 400 USD, with a monthly cost of 0,43 USD/m3