On-site treatment of high-strength alcohol distillery wastewater by a pilot-scale thermophilic multi-staged UASB (MS-UASB) reactor

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yamada ◽  
M. Yamauchi ◽  
T. Suzuki ◽  
A. Ohashi ◽  
H. Harada
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Reactor Performance ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Distillery Wastewater

A pilot-scale multi-staged UASB (MS-UASB) reactor with a working volume of 2.5 m3 was operated for thermophilic (55°C) treatment of an alcohol distillery wastewater for a period of over 600 days. The reactor steadily achieved a super-high rate COD removal, that is, 60 kgCOD m−3 d−1 with over 80% COD removal. However, when higher organic loading rates were further imposed upon the reactor, that is, above 90 kgCOD m−3 d−1 for barely-based alcohol distillery wastewater (ADWW) and above 100 kgCOD m−3 d−1 for sweet potato-based ADWW, the reactor performance somewhat deteriorated to 60 and 70% COD removal, respectively. Methanogenic activity (MA) of the retained sludge in the thermophilic MS-UASB reactor was assessed along the time course of continuous run by serum-vial test using different substrates as a vial sole substrate. With the elapsed time of continuous run, hydrogen-utilizing MA, acetate-utilizing MA and propionate-fed MA increased at maximum of 13.2, 1.95 and 0.263 kgCOD kgVSS−1 d−1, respectively, indicating that propionate-fed MA attained only 1/50 of hydrogen-utilizing MA and 1/7 of acetate-utilizing MA. Since the ADWW applied herewith is a typical seasonal campaign wastewater, the influence of shut-down upon the decline in sludge MA was also investigated. Hydrogen-utilizing MA and acetate-utilizing MA decreased slightly by 3/4, during a month of non-feeding period, whereas propionate-fed MA were decreased significantly by 1/5. Relatively low values of propionate-fed MA and its vulnerability to adverse conditions suggests that the propionate degradation step is the most critical bottleneck of overall anaerobic degradation of organic matters under thermophilic condition.

Pilot-plant study on anaerobic treatment of a lipid- and protein-rich food industrial wastewater by a thermophilic multi-staged UASB reactor

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Tagawa ◽  
H. Takahashi ◽  
Y. Sekiguchi ◽  
A. Ohashi ◽  
H. Harada
Keyword(s):  
High Strength ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Anaerobic Treatment ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Ca Ions ◽  
Scale Experiment ◽  
Protein Rich

An on-site pilot-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of a multi-staged UASB (MS-UASB) reactor by feeding with a food processing wastewater containing high strength of lipid and protein. The reactor was operated at a thermophilic condition (55°C) for a period of 600 days. The reactor finally achieved 50 kgCOD·m−3ád−1 with a soluble COD removal of 90% (based on the influent total COD versus the effluent filtered COD), while the overall COD removal (based on the effluent COD-total) was considerably unsatisfactory at around only 60–70%. The presence of high strength of lipid and protein along with high concentration of Mg and Ca ions in the raw wastewater caused a severe scum and/or insolubilized substance formation within the UASB sludge bed, resulting in hindering the contact efficiency between substrate and sludge. The replacement of active microbial granules in the sludge bed with the insolubilized protein and lipid brought about deterioration of sludge methanogenic activity.

Removal efficiency and methanogenic activity profiles in a pilot-scale UASB reactor treating settled sewage at moderate temperatures

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Seghezzo ◽  
R.G. Guerra ◽  
S.M. González ◽  
A.P. Trupiano ◽  
M.E. Figueroa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Retention Time ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Granular Sludge ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Methanogenic Activity

The performance of a sewage treatment system consisting of a settler followed by an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactor is described. Mean ambient and sewage temperature were 16.5 and 21.6°C, respectively. Total Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODt) concentration averaged 224.2 and 152.6 mg/L, for raw and settled sewage, respectively. The effluent concentration was 68.5 mgCODt/L. Total and suspended COD removal efficiencies of approximately 70 and 80%, respectively, have been observed in the system at a mean Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 2 + 5 h. Maximum COD removal efficiency was achieved in the UASB reactor when upflow velocity (Vup) was 0.43 m/h (HRT = 6 h). Mean Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA) and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS) concentration in the granular sludge bed were 0.11 gCOD-CH4/gVSS.d and 30.0 gVSS/Lsludge, respectively. SMA was inversely related to VSS concentration, and both parameters varied along the sludge bed height. The Solids Retention Time (SRT) in the reactor was 450 days. Sludge characteristics have not been affected by changes of up to one month in Vup in the range 0.28–0.85 m/h (HRT 3–9 h). This system or two UASB reactors in series could be an alternative for sewage treatment under moderate temperature conditions.

Herbal pharmaceutical wastewater treatment by a pilot scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 2265-2272 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Satyanarayan ◽  
A. Karambe ◽  
A. P. Vanerkar
Keyword(s):  
Biogas Production ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Reactor Performance ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Herbal pharmaceutical industry has grown tremendously in the last few decades. As such, literature on the treatment of this wastewater is scarce. Water pollution control problems in the developing countries need to be solved through application of cost effective aerobic/anaerobic biological systems. One such system—the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process which is known to be cost effective and where by-product recovery was also feasible was applied for treatment of a high strength wastewater for a period of six months in a pilot scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor with a capacity of 27.44 m3. Studies were carried out at various organic loading rates varying between 6.26 and 10.33 kg COD/m3/day and hydraulic retention time (HRT) fluctuating between 33 and 43 hours. This resulted in chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids (SS) removal in the range of 86.2%–91.6%, 90.0%–95.2% and 62.6%–68.0% respectively. The biogas production varied between 0.32–0.47 m3/kg COD added. Sludge from different heights of UASB reactor was collected and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated good granulation with efficient UASB reactor performance.

Evaluation of sludge properties in a pilot-scale UASB reactor for sewage treatment in a temperate region

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 1959-1966 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Syutsubo ◽  
W. Yoochatchaval ◽  
I. Tsushima ◽  
N. Araki ◽  
K. Kubota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

In this study, continuous operation of a pilot-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for sewage treatment was conducted for 630 days to investigate the physical and microbial characteristics of the retained sludge. The UASB reactor with a working volume of 20.2 m3 was operated at ambient temperature (16–29 °C) and seeded with digested sludge. After 180 days of operation, when the sewage temperature had dropped to 20 °C or lower, the removal efficiency of both total suspended solids (TSS) and total biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) deteriorated due to washout of retained sludge. At low temperature, the cellulose concentration of the UASB sludge increased owing to the rate limitation of the hydrolytic reaction of suspended solids in the sewage. However, after an improvement in sludge retention (settleability and concentration) in the UASB reactor, the process performance stabilized and gave sufficient results (68% of TSS removal, 75% of total BOD removal) at an hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 9.7 h. The methanogenic activity of the retained sludge significantly increased after day 246 due to the accumulation of Methanosaeta and Methanobacterium following the improvement in sludge retention in the UASB reactor. Acid-forming bacteria from phylum Bacteroidetes were detected at high frequency; thus, these bacteria may have an important role in suspended solids degradation.

Adapting UASB technology for sewage treatment in Palestine and Jordan

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidal Mahmoud ◽  
Grietje Zeeman ◽  
JulesB. van Lier
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Sludge Stabilization

High rate anaerobic technologies offer cost-effective solutions for “sewage” treatment in the temperate climate of Palestine and Jordan. However, local sewage characteristics demand amendments to the conventional UASB reactor design. A solution is found in a parallel operating digester unit that stabilises incoming solids and enriches the UASB sludge bed with methanogenic activity. The digester operational conditions were assessed by operating eight CSTRs fed with primary sludge. The results showed a high degree of sludge stabilization in the parallel digesters at SRTs≥10 and 15 days at process temperatures of 35 and 25°C, respectively. The technical feasibility of the UASB-digester combination was demonstrated by continuous flow pilot-scale experiments. A pilot UASB reactor was operated for 81 days at 6 hours HRT and 15°C and was fed with raw domestic sewage. This period was subsequently followed by an 83 day operation period incorporating a parallel digester unit, which was operated at 35°C. The UASB-digester combination achieved removal efficiencies of total, suspended, colloidal and dissolved CODs of respectively 66, 87, 44 and 30%. Preliminary model calculations indicated that a total reactor volume of the UASB-digester system corresponding to 8.6 hours HRT might suffice for sewage treatment in Palestine.

Anaerobic treatment of landfill leachate by sulfate reduction

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.G. Henry ◽  
D. Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Landfill Leachate ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Anaerobic Treatment ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Sulphate Reduction ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Filter Performance ◽  
Low Strength

The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the sulphate-reduction pathway in the anaerobic treatment of landfill leachate. The effects of several COD/SO4 ratios (keeping COD constant) and loadings on anaerobic filter performance were studied and compared with the results from anaerobic filters which followed the methanogenic pathway. Results indicated that the treatability of leachate by sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) was dependent upon the leachate strength. With high strength leachate (COD=15000 mg/L) from the Keele Valley Landfill, it was found that at lower COD/SO4 ratios (≤1.6) toxic conditions developed in the system that were more inhibitory to the SRB than to the methane producing bacteria (MPB). As the COD/SO4 ratio increased, methanogenesis predominated. No predominance of SRB occurred at any COD/SO4 ratio with high strength leachate. The highest COD removal achieved was about 70% of which 20% was accomplished by the SRB at a COD/SO4 ratio of 1.6 and an organic loading rate (OLR) of 4 kg COD/m3.d. With low strength leachate (COD=1500-3300 mg/L) from the Brock West Landfill, and a COD/SO4 ratio <1, SRB became predominant. In these anaerobic filters in which SRB were predominant, the SRB reduced the COD as well as the MPB could. Sulphide inhibition did not take place at any loading in units treating low strength leachate. Consequently, both SRB and MPB should function at COD/SO4 ratios between 1 and 3. About 60% COD removal was achieved at a loading of 2.8 kg COD/m3.d and a COD/SO4 ratio of 1.0. However at a loading of 6 kg COD/m3.d only 27% COD removal was achieved, all of it through the sulphate-reduction pathway. These OLR values are comparable to those applied in systems where methanogenesis was dominant. It was also observed that once the methanogens were established in the units, it was not possible to displace them completely. However, where methanogenesis had not been previously established, it was found that sulphate-reduction could be the sole pathway for COD removal. From this study, it can be concluded that there is no advantage to the sulphate-reduction pathway in the anaerobic treatment of landfill leachate. The other options for increasing the loadings, i.e. the use of high surface/volume filter media (to achieve higher biomass concentrations) or high rate systems are likely to be more successful.

scholarly journals Studies on biodegradation of organic waste in uasb reactor

2019 ◽  
pp. 513-525
Author(s):  
C. B. Majumder ◽  
Anil Kr. Mathur ◽  
Vedprakash Kapse
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Treatment And Disposal

The industrialization in the developing countries causes severe problems in collection,treatment and disposal of organic effluents. The situation leads to public health andenvironmental problem. Therefore, various high rate anaerobic treatments has beenemerged as a variable alternative for the treatment of many industrial and domesticwastewater containing organic wastes. In this study high rate Upflow Anaerobic SludgeBlanket (UASB) reactor has been critically analyzed, discussed and designed as thesolution of above problem. According to that a UASB reactor has been fabricated forlaboratory study. The UASB system appeared to be economically cost effective ascompared to other systems. This paper also focuses on the principle of startup,operational performance, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, methaneproduction rate, and specific methanogenic activity in the UASB reactor. In the presentstudy, reactor was started initially with mixture of molasses and glucose (50% each)solution with organic loading rate (OLR) 0.933 g COD/L day. Thereafter, OLR is beingincreased in steps. After 15 days of startup of reactor, molasses solution was applied. Thetemperature (35e° C), pH (6.8±0.4), and nutrients requirement were maintained. In thisstudy COD: N: P ratio were maintained at 300: IO: l by adding urea for nitrogen andpotassium di-hydrogen phosphate for phosphorus. For a change of OLR up to 13.33gCOD/L day, all above-mentioned parameter were studied. The removal efficiency andgas production rate depend on activity of granules. A typical organic degrading granule iscomposed of micro-colonies of Methanothrix and several syntropic micro -colonies.

The efficacy of ozone as a pre- and post-treatment option for UASB-treated food processing wastewaters

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.O. Sigge ◽  
T.J. Britz ◽  
P.C. Fourie ◽  
C.A. Barnardt
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Option ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Reactor Performance ◽  
Cod Reduction

The efficiency of ozone as a pre- and post-treatment to UASB treatment was investigated, followed by a study into UASB reactor performance with ozonated wastewater as substrate. Combinations of pre- and/or post-ozonation with UASB treatment gave better results than ozonation or UASB alone and COD reductions of 53.0–98.9% were achieved for treatment of canning and winery wastewaters. A UASB reactor was fed with pre-ozonated cannery wastewater for over 70 d. COD removal improved from between 58.8 and 64.4% to between 85.3 and 91.8% after pre-ozonated substrate feed commenced. Subsequent increases in organic loading rate (OLR) from 2.4 to 3.4 kgCOD m−3.d−1 did not affect reactor performance. By including a final post-ozonation treatment to this UASB effluent a total COD reduction of 99.2% was achieved.

Effect of trace metals on the anaerobic degradation of volatile fatty acids in molasses stillage

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Espinosa ◽  
L. Rosas ◽  
K. Ilangovan ◽  
A. Noyola
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Cod Removal Efficiency

A laboratory UASB reactor was fed with cane molasses stillage at organic loadings from 5 to 21.5 kg COD/m3 d. With an organic load of 17.4 kg COD/m3 d, an accumulation of VFA, principally propionic acid, was observed due to little bioavailability or lack of trace metals (Fe, Ni, Co and Mo). Associated to this, the performance of the UASB reactor was low (44% COD removal efficiency), with an alkalinity ratio above 0.4. The addition of Fe (100 mg/l), Ni (15 mg/l), Co (10 mg/l) and Mo (0.2 mg/l) to the influent reduced significantly the level of propionic acid (5291mg/l to 251 mg/l) and acetic acid (1100 mg/l to 158 mg/l). The COD removal efficiency increased from 44% to 58%, the biogas production from 10.7 to 14.8 l/d (NTP) and 0.085 to 0.32 g CH4-COD/g SSV d for specific sludge methanogenic activity with propionic acid as substrate. These improved results were obtained with high COD (68.9 g/l) and organic load (21.5 kg COD/m3 d).

The effect of operational conditions on the sludge specific methanogenic activity and sludge biodegradability

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1847-1853 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Leitão ◽  
S. T. Santaellla ◽  
A. C. van Haandel ◽  
G. Zeeman ◽  
G. Lettinga
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Specific Methanogenic Activity

The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and influent COD concentration (CODInf) on Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA) and the biodegradability of an anaerobic sludge need to be elucidated because of the discordant results available in literature. This information is important for the operation of anaerobic reactors and design of the sludge post-treatment unit. For this study, sludge samples obtained from eight pilot-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactors were tested. The reactors were fed with municipal wastewater and operated with different sets of HRT and influent concentrations until the steady state was established. The results show that at a lower HRT, sludge with relatively higher SMA develops. A slight trend of declining SMA at increasing CODInf was found for reactors operated at longer HRTs; however, further experiments are necessary for more definitive conclusions. The sludge from reactors operated at longer HRTs and with lower CODInf resulted in lower biodegradability. Results also showed that it is ineffective to design a UASB reactor with a longer HRT to cope with organic shock loads.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document