Evaluación de un biofiltro de lombrices para la disminución de la carga orgánica en las aguas residuales del Camal Municipal de Pelileo

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the reduction of organic matter present in the wastewater of the Camal Municipal de Pelileo through a worm biofilter when determining the system's efficiency. To meet the objective, the worm biofilter was first built, identifying the design parameters, then the samples for the adaptation of the worms of the Eisenia Foetida species were collected and essential parameters such as pH, temperature and humidity were controlled. The efficiency of the biofilter was determined after the filtrations were carried out through the layers of ball stone, gravel stone and sand together with sawdust, shavings and humus plus worms; the treatment was carried out for three weeks; however, the best removal efficiency was achieved in the third week, the results obtained for the influent sample were: pH 8.61, conductivity 1393 μSiems/cm, colour 15700 Und. Pt/co, turbidity 470 UTN, N-nitrites 2.9 mg/L, N-nitrates 79 mg/L, phosphates 49mg/L, COD 4980 mg/L, BOD5 2900 mg/L, dissolved solids 847.7 mg/L and total solids 4524 mg/L and for the effluent were: a pH of 7.64, conductivity 887.2 μSiems/cm, colour 965 Und. Pt/co, turbidity 32 UTN, N-nitrites 0.15 mg/L, N-nitrates 45.0 mg/L, phosphates 9.5 mg/L, COD 350 mg/L, BOD 178 mg/L, dissolved solids 560 mg/L and solids total 6.25 mg/L obtaining an average removal efficiency of 74.87%. It is concluded that the worm biofilter is efficient in treating wastewater from the slaughterhouse and is within the maximum permissible limits of the TULSMA. It is recommended to improve the system by looking for the best filter material in addition to a longer hydraulic retention time to remove organic matter better.