Diagnóstico patológico y lineamientos de intervención para la optimización de los reactores uasb en la ptar del Municipio de Piojó.

Abstract

This work develops a pathological diagnosis of the UASB reactors belonging to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of the municipality of Piojó, with the purpose of evaluating their structural condition and establishing intervention guidelines that allow optimizing their performance and ensuring their durability over time. The research focused on analyzing the behavior of concrete under service and environmental conditions, applying a methodology based on visual inspections, dimensional surveying, photographic recording, and nondestructive tests, among which the Schmidt hammer test stands out to determine the surface strength of the material. The results obtained were favorable: the concrete maintains an average strength close to 4000 psi, a value consistent with the structural design, which confirms that the reactor retains its loadbearing capacity. Only localized damages were detected, such as areas with honeycombing and partial exposure of the reinforcing steel, mainly caused by irregularities during the execution of the work and the prolonged action of environmental agents. Based on the technical analysis, maintenance and structural recovery actions are proposed, such as the repair of voids through grout injection, the cleaning and protection of steel with corrosion inhibitors, and the application of protective coatings on exposed surfaces. These measures will make it possible to restore the structural integrity of the reactor, extend its service life, and guarantee its proper performance within the plant’s anaerobic treatment system, contributing to the sustainability of the municipality’s sanitation service.