Potential for reuse of effluent from fish-processing industries

Abstract

The most common problems in the fish processing industry relate to high water consumption and the generation of effluents with concentrated organic loads. Given that reuse can represent an alternative for sustainable development, this study sought to assess the potential for recycling effluents produced in a fish-processing plant. In order to do so, the final industrial effluent was analyzed using the American Public Health Association (APHA) standard effluent-analysis method (2005). In addition, the study assessed treatments which produce effluents meeting the requirements prescribed by different countries' regulations for reuse and recycling. The results found that effluents with smaller organic loads, such as those from health barriers and monoblock washing, can be treated in order to remove nutrients and solids so that they can be subsequently reused. For effluents produced by the washing and gutting cylinders, it is recommended that large fragments of solid waste be removed beforehand. Effluents can in this way attain a quality compatible with industrial reuse. This study further highlights the possibility of treating effluents so as comply with drinking water standards. This would potentially allow them to be used within the actual fish-processing procedure; in such a case, a revision of standards and measures for controlling use should be considered to prevent microbiological damage to products and risks to handlers and final consumers.Keywords: effluent treatment, fish processing, reuse, sustainability. Potencial de reuso de efluente de indústrias de processamento de pescado RESUMOOs problemas mais comuns em indústrias processadoras de pescado estão relacionados ao alto consumo de água e à geração de efluente contendo cargas orgânicas concentradas. Sendo o reuso uma alternativa para o desenvolvimento sustentável na indústria, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de reciclo de efluentes gerados em uma indústria processadora de pescado. Para isto, realizou-se a caracterização do efluente industrial final empregando métodos padrões para a análise de esgoto da American Public Health Association, APHA (2005). Em adição, foram avaliados tratamentos empregados capazes de produzir efluentes que atendem 731 Potential for reuse of effluent of fish-processing industries Rev. Ambient. Água vol. 12 n. 5 Taubaté -Sep. / Oct. 2017 aos requisitos preconizados por regulamentos de diferentes países para o reuso e reciclo. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os efluentes com menores cargas orgânicas, como os da barreira sanitária e lavagem de monoblocos, podem ser submetidos a tratamentos que priorizem a remoção de nutrientes e sólidos para posterior reciclo. Para o efluente proveniente de etapas do cilindro de lavagem e da evisceração, recomenda-se previamente a remoção dos resíduos sólidos grosseiros, de maneira que o efluente quando submetido a tratamento possa alcançar qualidade para o reuso industrial. Destaca-se ainda a possibilidade de tratar esses efluentes de modo que atendam as caracterís...

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