Effect of the Progressive Increase of Organic Loading Rate in an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor for Biodiesel Wastewater Treatment

The wastewater from the biodiesel industry is an environmental problem, and from a sanitation resources perspective, the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) is an interesting alternative for wastewater treatment. A better understanding of ASBR operation behavior under the progressive increase of the organic loading rate (OLR) is crucial for upscaling. The objective of this study was to monitor an ASBR operating with an OLR ranging from 1.3 to 9.3 kgCOD m−3 d−1. The average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of the ASBR were 52, 41, 47, and 11% for phases 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The apparent kinetic coefficient, i.e., the rate of degradation of organic matter, was between 0.10 and 1.80 h−1, considering the kinetic model that considers the residual substrate concentration, which was the one that best fit the obtained data. The progressive increase in applied OLR modified the microbial biomass diversity, which in turn influenced the degradation kinetics of the organic matter. In addition, the values of the applied OLR of 5.1 kgCOD m−3 d−1 and a food to microorganism ratio (F/M) of 0.6 kgCOD kgVSS−1 d−1 were shown to be limiting values that promoted the overload of ASBR.

Wastewater Treatment of Wet Coffee Processing in an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor Pretreated with Electro Coagulation

The interest for improving the quality of coffee production has led to the increased use of wet processing so as to highlight the quality and aroma of the beverage. The coffee pulping process has been causing environmental problems at the local level not only due to the consumption of water, but more due to the discharge of effluents with large volumes of organic waste. The wet processing generates enormous quantity of wastewater which causes irrepairable damage to the receiving water bodies. Indispensable. However, physico chemical treatment method coupled with biological treatment as proved effective treatment mode for safe and proper disposal of the wastewater generated. In this sense, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of electrocoagulation batch reactor as pretreatment for anaerobic sequencing batch reactor to treat coffee processing wastewater.