APPLICATION OF NOPAL (Opuntia ficus indica) AS PRIMARY COAGULANT WASTEWATER

The primary treatment of wastewaters represents a viable alternative for the reuse of these waters in irrigation where precipitation is low or there is lack of water, since the obtained water quality is suitable at a reduced price. In this work the performance of the powered Mexican prickly cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) as primary coagulant for wastewater was evaluated using jar tests. Wastewaters tested came from the sewage system of the Azcapotzalco campus of the Autonomous Metropolitan University, in Mexico City. Their main characteristics were: pH between 6.8 and 7.1, initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) between 198 and 215 mg/L, total coliforms of 5.1 x 106 FCU/100 mL and turbidity between 289 and 367 NTU. Applied concentrations of prickly cactus powder were between 10 and 70 mg/L, and mixing and resting times of 3 min at 150 rpm, and 30min, respectively. Turbidity was reduced up to 65-92%. Total coliforms were reduced in 3 Log, however, this parameter would need a posterior disinfection treatment, since the maximum allowance in Mexican regulation was not met. COD was reduced up to 37.9%.Keywords: Opuntia, prickly cactus powder, primary coagulant, wastewater reuse. 

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Vaca Mier, Mabel, López Callejas, Raymundo, Flores Rodríguez, Julio, Terres Peña, Hilario, Lizardi Ramos, Arturo, Rojas Valencia, Ma. Neftalí
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	spa
Published:	Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 2014
Online Access:	https://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/aidis/article/view/46815
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