The aim of this study was to evaluate the sludge disposal
reduction in the treatment of oil refinery effluent by activated
sludge operating in sequential batch with and without addition of
biosurfactant. The study also aimed to verify whether this
alternative has potential for application in reducing one of the
greatest environmental and economic problems today in treatment
plants of oil refineries and other types of industry. The
reduction in sludge generation allows processes intensification as
it offers opportunities for use of equipment already known but in
reduced size (in the case of sludge sedimentation tanks) and
environmental benefits (lower emissions of pollutants during
transport and lower amount disposed in landfills).