Start-up of anaerobic bioreactors on high strength industrial wastes

Abstract Anaerobic filters, anaerobic fluidized beds and upflow anaerobic sludge-blanket (UASB) reactors were started up on two types of pharmaceutical waste; anaerobic fluidized beds were also started up on glucose, fruit processing, soft drink manufacturing and pharmaceutical wastes. Fluidized beds proved superior to UASB reactors and filters in COD removal capacity and pH stability during start-up, although methane production was greatest in the UASB systems. The industrial wastes proved recalcitrant to anaerobic conversion as they contained substances inhibitory to microorganisms but loadings of up to 7·5 kg COD m −3 day −1 could be applied with a COD removal of 78% achieved. The types of volatile acids produced in four of the units were found to relate closely to substrate composition.

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