The increasing environmental regulations in Chile demand more efficient solutions for the treatment of liquid industrial wastes (RILES) in aquaculture . Within the framework of the FONDEF IT20I0095 project , three technological alternatives —Activated Sludge , DAF (Disoleved air fluid) and the Japanese IP system — were evaluated for treating the concentrated backwash flow from drum filters in salmonid hatcheries . Effluents were characterized under maximum load conditions , the regulatory framework (DS N°90/2000 and related norms ) was reviewed , and a technical-economic (CAPEX/OPEX) comparison was performed for a representative flow of 10 m³/h.
Results showed that IP achieved removal efficiencies above 90% for BOD and suspended solids , with significantly lower sludge production than conventional systems . Although IP requires a slightly higher CAPEX, it offers competitive OPEX and reduced sludge handling and disposal costs , providing operational and environmental advantages . The study concludes that IP is a viable and sustainable alternative for medium-scale hatcheries , improving compliance with environmental standards and optimizing operational performance.
Keywords: aquaculture , effluents , sludge reduction , wastewater treatment ,