TECNOLOGÍAS DEL BENEFICIADO DE CAFÉ Y TRATAMIENTO DE EFLUENTES LÍQUIDOS

Background. The coffee processing process generates polluting solid and liquid waste. It is possible to reduce its effects through treatments that allow its use. Objective. To analyze the alternatives for the management of the effluents and residues generated in the coffee processing process to reduce its effects and to show treatments that have had positive results. Methodology. To obtain the information, specialized search engines were used in databases such as: RESEARCHGATE, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, CIRAD, CATIE, IICA, ELSEVIER, SCIENCIE DIRECT, REDALYC, SCOPUS. An exploration and analysis of 100 documents related to the following topics was carried out: 1) history of the use of effluent treatment systems in coffee processing, 2) types of treatments for the management of liquid and solid waste, 3) operation of these technologies, capacity, place where the research was carried out, variables measured, as well as the capacity of these systems. The search period was planned from 1980 to 2023. The history of the beginning of the systems for the treatment of waste generated in coffee processing was also investigated. The key words used for the search were: wet processing, wastewater, solid and liquid waste, coffee by-products, treatment systems, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total solids, turbidity, anaerobic treatments, and aerobic treatments. Approximately 100 documents were reviewed for the writing of the paper. Main findings. Research has been reported since 1980. Colombia and Mexico have focused on the development of machinery to mechanize processing operations to reduce water use, as well as anaerobic treatment systems, biodigesters and wetlands. Implications. It is necessary to know the main methods of wastewater treatment in the coffee processing process to determine the most suitable in coffee growing regions. Conclusions. Anaerobic biodigestion technology is the most used for the treatment of liquid effluents and with the best results. For the solid effluent, different alternatives are used for substrate such as the extraction of substances for industry, composting and biomaterials, among others.