Estudio de la actividad coagulante/floculante de polímeros naturales extraídos de materiales de desecho en el tratamiento de aguas residuales domésticas e industriales : Estudio del comportamiento de polímeros orgánicos naturales, extraídos de materiales de desecho, como coagulantes y/o floculantes dentro del proceso de depuración de agua residual de la industria láctea.

Abstract

This research analyzed the coagulant and flocculant potential of three biopolymers extracted from natural sources: starch obtained from green banana peel, pectin derived from orange peel and tamarind seed powder, in the process of dairy wastewater treatment. These natural polymers were obtained from organic waste, favoring the reduction of their environmental impact. The experimental procedure consisted of three phases: extraction and characterization of the natural polymers, characterization of the dairy wastewater and coagulation/flocculation tests. Different biopolymer extraction methodologies were followed according to the organic waste used. Regarding the characterization of the wastewater, a sampling plan was carried out and then laboratory analyses were performed. Finally, a 5% concentration solution was prepared with each of the natural polymers and the coagulation and flocculation capacity was evaluated. The results for turbidity removal efficiency ranged from: 18% - 31% for green banana peel starch, 12% - 25% using tamarind seed powder and 15% - 27% using orange peel pectin. Regarding COD removal efficiency, ranges of 9% - 40% were obtained with green banana peel starch, 5% - 33% with tamarind seed powder and 14% - 35% using orange peel pectin. Regarding the color removal efficiency with green banana peel starch, there are ranges between 9% - 17% for real color and 15% - 33% for apparent color. While the color removal efficiency with tamarind seed powder ranges between 12% - 19% for true color and 13% - 28% for apparent color. Finally, the color removal efficiency with orange peel pectin ranges between 16% - 28% for true color and 27% - 38% for apparent color.