The performance of anaerobic sequencing batch reactors in pilot scale for domestic sewage treatment

Author(s)

Arnaldo Sarti

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2004-02-19

Examining board members

Eugênio Foresti; Ricardo Silveira Bernardes; José Roberto Campos; Luiz Fernando de Abreu Cybis; Márcia Helena Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic

• Advisor: Eugênio Foresti

Abstract

This study reports and discuss several data obtained using four pilot scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactor, treating 7.8 m3.d-1 of domestic sewage from the Sao Paulo University sewer treatment system (Campus- São Carlos). Each reactor system (1.2 m3) was designed for the treatment of 1.95 m3.d-1 of domestic sewage with different geometric reactor characteristics (ratio L-length/D-diameter), mechanical (mechanical mixing or liquor re-circulation) and biomass retention type. Three reactors were a conventional ASBR (anaerobic sequencing batch reactor) with granular biomass and another one, an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR), which was composed with cubic matrices of polyurethane foam. The reactors were operated within 8-h of a sequential batch cycle, which were attained in three cycles by day for each system. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, total suspended solids (TSS), volatile fatty acids, bicarbonate alkalinity in both the influent and effluent were monitored in the different cycles. Methane concentration was also assessed in the same period using Gas Chromatography (GC). The experiments were divided in two different phases. In the first phase, which corresponded to 227 d, the reactors were not inoculated. In the second phase (66 d) the reactors were then inoculated with anaerobic granular sludge. It was observed that in both operational phases, the two ASBR reactors, with the same re-circulating process of the mixed liquor, but with different L/D ratio, showed non-satisfactory results. The average values of COD and TSS removal were close to 40 and 60%, respectively. In the effluent, the average values were of 300 mgDQO/L and 100 mgTSS/L. ASBR reactors with mechanical mixing and ASBBR reactor with immobilized biomass showed better results. The average removal efficiency observed was of 65 and 75% for COD and TSS, respectively. ASBR reactors with mechanical mixing reached the efficiency of 60 and 85% for COD and TSS removal. The average concentration in the effluent was of 150 mgDQO/L and 60 mgSST/l in the ASBBR reactor; and 220 mgCOD/L and 50 mgTSS/L in the ASBR reactor with mechanical mixing. (AU)