CAPTURE AND EVALUATION OF RAINWATER FOR INDUSTRIAL USE

Abstract

Rainwater is an alternative source of supply water; capturing and storing it are also ways to prevent floods. The objective of this work was to study the use of rainwater seeking to take advantage of it for industrial use by means of its characterization. In order to realize this experiment, a rainwater collector was installed in a building of the Universidade Regional de Blumenau-SC/Campus II. After collection, disinfection and storage were effected in order to characterize the rainwater; the following parameters were analyzed: pH, apparent color, total alkalinity, chlorides, total hardness, total iron, temperature, turbidity and microbiology (Escherichia coli and total coliforms). Measurements were carried out using water analysis techniques consistent with the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewaterâ€. Based on the results obtained in the experiment, an evaluation was made seeking out industrial used, as steam generation and in refrigeration systems, thus taking advantage of the water for different types of industry. For industrial use, rainwater from the collector that separates the first precipitations presented inferior quality in the box used to retain the water (storage of water after collection). After disinfection, it demonstrated excellent quality for different industrial sectors due to the low concentrations found. This can be considered as a reference if compared to water from other sources. For the various branches of industry that need de-mineralized water, taking advantage of rainwater can be an economic solution, since it has low levels of solids dissolved in suspension. Key words: Rainwater. Capture. Industrial use.