Technology roadmap aplicado a tendência tecnológica para tratamento de efluente sanitário

Abstract

In Brazil, the indiscriminate release of untreated domestic sewage has been the main source of pollution in rivers and receiving bodies. In 2020, a sewage network served only 55% of the country’s population and 50.8% of all sewage generated in the country received adequate treatment. The New Sanitation Framework sanctioned by the Federal Government aims to universalize these services by 2033 so that 90% have access to sewage collection and treatment. More robust technologies with treatment options are usually used for high volumes of sewage generated; however, it is necessary to apply simpler technologies for smaller volumes in locations with lower urban demand. Furthermore, the choice of processes must take into account the local conditions, climate, labor and treatment costs, sewage collection and disposal costs, and especially the characteristics of the effluent to be treated. Given the relevance of the topic, this research aims to use a decision-making method, the Technology Roadmapping Method (TRM), to assess trends in terms of sewage treatment and possibilities for reusing produced water. In order to fulfill the main objective, specific objectives were established, such as: conducting a survey, through bibliographic research, of the evolution of technologies used in the treatment of sanitary sewage in order to direct the alternatives currently applied; identifying possible quality standards for reused water in Brazil; constructing a map that indicates the technological trend of effluent treatment, seeking to identify possibilities for producing water for reuse in the short, medium and long term and to outline possible future lines for technological development for the production of water for reuse. The TRM application methodology used to achieve the objectives is divided into three main stages: a pre-prospective stage; a prospective stage, which corresponds to the targeted search in which documents are collected and analyzed in the short, medium and long term; and a post-prospective stage in which the roadmap (organization of information with temporal allocation) is prepared. Finally, it was possible to conclude that, based on the roadmap results, there are no sudden changes in terms of technologies in the short and medium term, except for a trend towards the compaction of techniques. In the long term, disruptive technologies, such as advanced oxidative treatments associated with other conventional treatments, are seen as a tertiary path. There is no homogenization of regulations in the country, requiring the definition and adjustment of standards at the federal level, considering that most applications involve land release. Finally, future research is recommended that uses sustainable inputs, which guarantee a reduction in environmental impacts.