Performance of Laboratory-Scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactors

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 285-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasim A. Khan ◽  
Indu Mehrotra
2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E. Schmidt ◽  
D.J. Batstone ◽  
I. Angelidaki

Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors may offer a number of advantages over conventional mixed-tank, SBR, and biofilm reactors, including high space-loading, low footprint, and resistance to shocks and toxins. In this study, we assessed the use of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor technology as applied to anaerobic ammonia removal, or Anammox. Four 200 ml UASB reactors were inoculated with 50% (by volume) anaerobic granular sludge and 50% flocular sludge from different sources (all with the potential for containing Anammox organisms). Tools used to assess the reactors included basic analyses, fluorescent in-situ hybridisation, and mathematical modelling, with statistical non-linear parameter estimation. Two of the reactors showed statistically identical Anammox activity (i.e., identical kinetic parameters), with good ammonia and nitrite removal (0.14 kgNHx m-3 reactor day-1, with 99% ammonia removal). The third reactor also demonstrated significant Anammox activity, but with poor identifiability of parameters. The fourth reactor had no statistical Anammox activity. Modelling indicated that poor identifiability and performance in the third and fourth reactors were related to an excess of reduced carbon, probably originating in the inoculum. Accumulation of Anammox organisms was confirmed both by a volume loading much lower than the growth rate, and response to a probe specific for organisms previously reported to mediate Anammox processes. Overall, the UASB reactors were effective as Anammox systems, and identifiability of the systems was good, and repeatable (even compared to a previous study in a rotating biological contactor). This indicates that operation, design, and analysis of Anammox UASB reactors specifically, and Anammox systems in general, are reliable and portable, and that UASB systems are an appropriate technology for this process.


1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 109-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yoda ◽  
M. Kitagawa ◽  
Y. Miyaji

The anaerobic expanded micro-carrier bed (MCB) process, which utilizes fine (50-100 microns) support materials as expanded bed media, was found to have the ability to cultivate granular sludge similar to that formed in the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process. Two laboratory-scale MCB reactors were studied with VFA and glucose wastewaters to clarify the role of the micro-carrier and the influence of substrates on granular sludge formation. Based on these results, a scale-up model with a reactor volume of 800 1 was successfully operated using molasses wastewater to demonstrate the feasibility of granular sludge formation in the MCB process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bressani-Ribeiro ◽  
L. A. Chamhum-Silva ◽  
C. A. L. Chernicharo

Abstract There are hundreds of full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors in operation in various parts of the tropical world, notably in India and Latin America, Brazil being the holder of the largest park of anaerobic reactors for sewage treatment in the world. Despite the recognized advantages of UASB reactors, there are problems that have prevented their maximum operational performance. Neglecting the existence and delaying the solution of these challenges can jeopardize the important advances made to date, impacting the future of anaerobic technology in Brazil and in other countries. This work aims to evaluate the operational performance of five full-scale UASB reactors in Brazil, taking into account a monitoring period ranging between two and six years. The main observed design, construction, and operational constraints are discussed. Some outlooks for important upcoming developments are also provided, considering that most of the observed drawbacks can be tackled without significant increases on reactor costs.


2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Lopes ◽  
P. R. Koetz ◽  
M. S. Santos

Parboiled rice industry is one of main food industries in the south of Brazil. The main parts of the processing are the humidification and gelatinization of the grain. This procedure increases the productivity and nutritive and cooking values of the product. Some of these industries in the region utilize upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors as a biological treatment for carbon removal. For nitrogen removal, the proposed system aims to eliminate an extra denitrification reactor, making this step in the top of the UASB, an anoxic zone of the reactor. Nitrification was performed in aerated mixed reactor of 3,6 L. A fraction of the NR was recycled in the top of UASB reactor above the sludge blanket. Recycled ratio varied from 0; 1:0.5; 1:1.0; to 1:1.5. The maximum removal efficiency of NTK was 80%. The results confirm the viability of the proposed system for denitrification.


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Christiansen ◽  
Hanne V. Hendriksen ◽  
Kimmo T. Järvinen ◽  
Birgitte K. Ahring

Data on anaerobic degradation of chloroaromatic compounds in Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactors (UASB-reactor) are presented and compared. Special attention is given to the metabolic pathways for degradation of chlorinated phenols by granular sludge. Results indicate that PCP can be degraded in UASB-reactors via stepwise dechlorination to phenol. Phenol will subsequently be converted to benzoate before ring cleavage. Dechlorination proceeds via different pathways dependent upon the inocula used. Results are further presented on the design of special metabolic pathways in granules which do not possess this activity using the dechlorinating organism, Desulfomonile tiedjei. Additionally, it is shown that it is possible to immobilize Dechlorosporium hafniense, a newly isolated dechlorinating anaerobe, into granular sludge, thereby introducing an ability not previously present in the granules.


1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 43-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Thaveesri ◽  
K. Gernaey ◽  
B. Kaonga ◽  
G. Boucneau ◽  
W. Verstraete

Laboratory studies of in-reactor granular-sludge yield (Ygran) were carried out to investigate the effect of substrates rich in proteins. Both lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and shake-flask systems were used to monitor the behaviour of the sludge. Influent based on molasses with a COD to N ratio of 100:2.5-3.0 gave good Ygran; increasing substitution of the carbohydrate COD by protein COD resulted in a deterioration of the sludge characteristics. The negative effects appear to be related to the protein rather than to the NH4+ formed. Of the various environmental parameters examined, the surface tension of the mixed liquor was the main deviating factor. At a proper range of oxygenation i.e., by means of monitoring of both the input COD to oxygen ratio (gCOD gO2−1) and the daily oxygen loading rate (mgO2 gVSS−1.d−1), the UASB reactors treating the nitrogen-rich wastewater showed enhanced Ygran with only a minor reduction in methanogenesis. A range of working conditions in which this principle can be applied to decrease fluffy growth to the advantage of granular increase is proposed.


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