Coagulation/Flocculation of Slaughterhouse Effluent Using Pac and Tanfloc as Coagulants

Objective: In this context, this research aimed to evaluate the influence of different types of coagulants, one inorganic and one natural (PAC and Tanfloc), in the treatment of an effluent from a pig slaughterhouse. Method/design/approach: Both coagulants were prepared in aqueous solution at the time of the test, 1% (v/v) for PAC and 0.5% (m/v) for Tanfloc. To assess the effect of the coagulants on the effluent, coagulation/flocculation tests were carried out using the jar-test apparatus. The dosages evaluated for both coagulants were 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg/L. The parameters analyzed were color and turbidity. Results and conclusion: According to the results of the statistical analysis, the optimum dosages obtained for both coagulants was 250 mg/L. With these dosages, removal of the parameters analyzed was observed (> 94% for turbidity and > 85% for color) with residuals (< 40 NTU for turbidity and < 400 uH for color), showing better results at this optimum dosage when Tanfloc is used as a coagulant. Implications of the research: The growing awareness that effluent treatment is of fundamental importance to public health and environmental pollution control has led us to look for low-cost alternatives to treat these effluents, using a vegetable organic coagulant based on tannin as an alternative to aluminum polychloride (PAC). Originality/value: Due to the growing need for low-cost, easily accessible treatments that do not require large areas, physical-chemical treatment of slaughterhouse effluent can be used as a pre-treatment, with the use of alternative coagulants, being a viable way to reduce organic matter for subsequent biological treatment, or in some cases replace the biological process.