Characterisation of Waste from the Açaí Pulping Process

Water is a natural resource that is essential to existence, the maintenance of life, social well-being and socio-economic development. In the city of Bel m, in the state of Par , we can find a significant number of small businesses, better known as a a points of sale, where there is a high daily production of a a pulp. The aim of the study was to quantify and characterise the waste generated from the production of a a pulp. It was carried out between August and November 2014 at two a a outlets located in the Cidade Velha neighbourhood of Bel m. The research was divided into four stages: determination of the research sites; quantification of the volumes of water consumed; quantification and physical-chemical characterisation of the effluents; and characterisation and physical quantification of the solid waste produced. The research found that 4.415 litres of water are consumed to produce 1 litre of pulp, 5.92 litres of which are effluent from softening and washing the fruit, and 0.0915kg/l. seed and dregs.