Resumen
In this work, photocatalysis was employed in the treatment of vinasse using TiO2 and UV light. The parameters investigated were: TiO2 phases (anatase and rutile) and vinasse pre-treatments (coagulation/flocculation and dilution). The TiO2 catalysts employed were: Kronos without thermal treatment (100% anatase), calcined at 1000°C (33.5% anatase) and immobilized on glass slides (100% anatase); and P25 Degussa without thermal treatment (86.6% anatase). The results showed that natural coagulant removed about 50, 85 and 97% of COD, color and turbidity, respectively. However, pre-treatment followed by photocatalysis with TiO2 87% anatase removed 67% of COD within 48h of irradiation. Bioassays with Artemia salina confirmed the efficacy of the methodology. The treatments reduced the toxicity of vinasse by up to 10 times.