EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF EFFLUENTS FROM THE MOZAMBIQUE SUGAR COMPANY. A PROPOSAL FOR EFFLUENT TREATMENT

ABSTRACT: Wastewater from the sugar industry presents complex characteristics and is considered a chal- lenge for environmental engineers in their quest for treatment and reuse. The main objective of this study is to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of the wastewater from the Mozambique Sugar Mill. The choice is due to the large volumes of water (around 900 m3 /h) that the sugar industry uses in its production processes, as well as the effluent management model to be adopted. For this study, samples were taken over a period of six months, every two months, and physical and chemical parameters were analysed. The results were compared with the regulations (Decree 18/2004) in force in Mozambique and with the values estimated by the World Bank in the various articles. The novelty of this research and the purpose is to suggest the best method to treat these effluents in a more environmentally friendly way. With the results obtained, it was possible to do so in most of the sugar producing countries that have liquid effluent control standards with limitation in the number of organics between 15 and 60 mg/L BOD. Keywords: Environmental management, sugar industries, wastewater, treatment systems.