TECNOLOGIAS HABILITADORAS DA INDÚSTRIA 4.0 PARA A SUSTENTABILIDADE NA GESTÃO DE EFLUENTES

Resumo (EN)

Digital transformation driven by the so-called Industry 4.0 has emerged as an essential component for integrating economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. In the context of effluent treatment, this transformation presents unprecedented opportunities to optimize operational processes, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This dissertation investigates the impact of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation, on effluent management, analyzing the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of their implementation. Structured into two interconnected articles, the research first addresses a systematic literature review that mapped technological advancements and identified gaps and trends related to the application of these technologies in the effluent sector. The second article applies a case study in a treatment plant, assessing the feasibility and impacts of these innovations in terms of operational efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Using VOSviewer software, bibliometric data from the first article highlighted thematic clusters related to real-time monitoring, process automation, and sustainable technologies. Meanwhile, the case study revealed practical challenges such as the need for high initial investments, staff training, and adaptation to new technological demands. The findings indicate that adopting these enabling technologies can transform traditional effluent management practices, enabling continuous monitoring, greater efficiency in resource utilization, and anticipation of operational issues. Innovations were also associated with economic benefits, such as long-term cost reductions, and environmental gains, with practices aligned with circular economy principles, including the reuse of sludge as an industrial input. However, significant barriers were identified, such as a lack of technological infrastructure, technical knowledge limitations, and difficulties integrating with existing systems. The research emphasizes the importance of partnerships among industries, governments, and academic institutions to overcome these barriers, suggesting practical guidelines and recommendations to maximize the benefits of enabling technologies. Furthermore, it proposes that future studies explore the application of these innovations in different industrial and geographic contexts, expanding the scope of their impact. By integrating theory and practice, this dissertation offers significant contributions to sustainability in the sanitation sector, highlighting Industry 4.0 as a catalyst for operational efficiency and environmental preservation.