MainDB: Integrated Biosystems applied in wastewater treatment of humid coffee processing plant

Title: Integrated Biosystems applied in wastewater treatment of humid coffee processing plant
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NWPGeographicRegion: Africa; Asia; Caribbean and Central America; Europe; North America; Pacific/Oceania; South America
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Adaptation element: Adaptation planning and practices; Capacity building; Education and training; Technology support
Adaptation sector/theme: Agriculture; Food security; Water resources; Ecosystems; Biodiversity; Energy; Infrastructure; Human settlements
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Country: Dominican Republic
NWPDataSource: PSI
Description: Members from local organisations visit the biodigestor in Jarabacoa, observing how the biogas flow from the biodigestors to a 120CV engine that provides heat to dry coffee grains. Coffee grains are processed after harvesting through using either a dry, or a wet method. The wet method is preferred in wet climates, since the conditions do not allow for the natural drying of grains. Although it produces coffee of superior quality, it also requires large volumes of water. This process produces a considerable amount of (highly acidic and nutrient rich) effluent. Usually this residue is discarded in local creeks or rivers; depleting oxygen in water, which has a negative impact on the survival fish communities.
 
Due to the changing climate, including both changes in timing and intensity of precipitation events, a reduction on local water availability is expected. As a consequence this increases plant stress due to water deficit. Besides, a further reduction of soil fertility is expected due to the erosive processes caused by high intensity rainfall. Jarabacoa’s Coffee Cluster initially called upon a design to integrate biosystems which generates biogas while treating effluent from coffee pulp production in order to avoid local water contamination.
 
In consultation with local actors, the OIA and SSN have also realised the importance of designing systems that could be applied in conjunction with the needs of local communities. This regards both in terms of using its nutrient rich wastewater to boost local productivity and to cope with the declining availability of water due to a changing climate. Acting on the needs of the local communities would increase health indicators which, at present, are mostly affected by poor sanitation that result in an increasing number of water-related diseases.
 
The first step in the system is the use of biodigestors to produce biogas for direct consumption for cooking, substituting local wood, as well as for electricity generation. Then, in the second step of the process, the wastewater treatment will provide a nutrient rich polished effluent to irrigate the fields with. These fields consist of mostly coffee crops mixed with banana trees for shading, which results in coffee of superior quality. The banana trees both prevent heat stress to the coffee plants and generate additional income by the production of food and fibres.
 
Both crops benefit greatly from the increased fertility and humidity caused by the nutrient rich effluent. The processing of coffee usually takes place when water availability is lower, therefore generating an added benefit of using treated and nutrient-rich wastewater on local crops, reducing the pressure on local resources and increasing local resilience. The system also incorporated coffee pulp for the production of humus for both seedling production, and increased soil fertility.
Expected outcome: Increase integration between the client operations, whilst supporting local communities. Daily production and use of biogas which will reduce the generation of methane, a gas that has 23 times the negative effect of CO2 in the atmosphere. Wastewater treated up to optimum levels and reused for irrigation of coffee and local crops will increase production. This is due to the high level of mineralised nutrients available in the effluent. This irrigation strategy will also increase the local humidity which protects the fields from the effects of extended dry periods.
 
Furthermore, by integrating plants that generate better conditions for the development of coffee plants will increase the revenues from both coffee and additional crop production. Compost production from pulp processing through worms, supports the growth of coffee seedlings and increases soil fertility. Stronger seedlings increases total productivity and produce superior quality grains.
 
This creates a higher resiliency to impending variations in rain seasonality and water-deficit in dry periods for local producers. Following its success, it is expected that the systems will develop as such that they are adapted to various contexts. Examples are: 
The production of mushrooms on coffee pulp substrate;
Producing fibers for handcrafts;
Paper production;
Biomass for compost, animal fodder and fuel;
Algae and fish production; and; 
Other products These systems that can be customised to any size.
 
It is therefore easily applicable to agroindustries, which are able to turn its by-products into valuable assets locally. This generates more revenue and increases productivity through the integration of sub-systems and wastewater.
Further information: For further information go to: http://www.oia.org.br/
Find the case study summary here: https://unfccc.int/files/adaptation/nairobi_work_programme/private_sector_initiative/application/pdf/oia_ssn.pdf
NWPGeographicScope: Regional
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NWPInformationType: Case study
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NWPPartner: O Instituto Ambiental; State Street Nicaragua, S.A.
Purpose: Treat wastewater from coffee processing operations, as well as domestic wastewater from local communities, with roughly 20 families, to produce clean water for reuse. In addition, in this process the system is; producing biogas (reducing methane emissions) and generating compost from coffee pulp to increase soil fertility. This leads to a higher productivity, and an increase in stronger seedling production, resulting in an increase in resilience to adverse climate change impacts.
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Target group: Communities; Practitioners; Private sector
NWPWorkStream: NWP
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NWPOutcome: The soil fertility increased due to the use of compost which was created by processed coffee pulp. This resulted in a systemized production of stronger and more viable seedlings that increased farmers’ resilience to climate change effects. Productivity has also been increased by the use of nutrient rich polished waste water. This, besides, had a positive impact on local health and substantially improved health indicators. A spill-over effect was found in the sharing of knowledge regarding the potential for other communities to use comparable sanitation practices. Four systems were initially built, which fostered dialogs with the government of the Dominican Republic for a nation-wide productive sanitation plan. The plan was carried out using the local workforce to build the sanitation systems. During this cooperation knowledge was transferred to local entrepreneurs, who followed on building the subsequent systems.

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Created at 21/04/2016 11:46 by Roberto Felix
Last modified at 10/05/2022 22:09 by Nicholas Hamp-Adams
 
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