Aerobic Digestion of Rum Wastes in Sea Water to Contribute to the Marine Food Chain

摘要

An experimental study has been conducted on the reduction of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and the simultaneous production of marine organisms by means of aerobic digestion of wastes from a rum distillery (mostos or rum slops). The results indicate that such wastes, which are presently being discharged directly into the sea, can be reduced in BOD by at least 50%, by dilution with sea water and aerobic digestion. The resulting digestion products are suitable for growing brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The microorganisms produced are naturally occurring marine organisms, and the brine shrimp are known to be useful as a fish food. Thus this method should enhance the marine food chain while reducing BOD. BOD reduction and biomass growth both increase with pH up to a value of 8, with residence time, and with BOD and mostos concentration up to the level of about 25% mostos in seawater. There are apparently toxic or inhibiting effects at concentrations of 50% and unexplained effects at low residence times. The data are presented such that digestor volume and biomass production can be estimated for a given feed and a required BOD reduction.