Anaerobic fluidized bed reactor application to tropical fruit wine effluent

The influence of the organic loading rate (OLR), the fluidization level (FL) and the particle diameter of natural zeolite used as support (D-p), was evaluated at a laboratory scale anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR), treating tropical fruit wine effluent (vinasse). The experiment was carried out at an OLR from 2-5 kg COD/m(3) d, FL of 20 and 40% and D-p from 0.25 to 0.80 mm. It was demonstrated that OLR and FL had a slight influence on chemical oxygen demand removal and strong influence on the methane production rate. The COD removal was slightly higher for the higher particle diameter used. Additionally using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), it was observed that natural zeolites have excellent physical characteristics as a support medium in AFBR.