Development and operation of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) treating liquid effluent from swine manure in laboratory scale

The swine production, since 70(th), is one of the most pollutant agro-industrial activities in the Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The objective of this research was to develop an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB), aiming at treating the effluent generated within a maximum efficiency and minimum time and cost. Therefore, a lab-scale reactor was built up and monitored in the laboratory of Engineering Department at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). The system consisted of an Acidification and Equalization Tank (AET), an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor (UASB), and an Aerated Facultative Pond (AFP). The system was fed continuously. The physical-chemical analyses carried out were: COD, BOD5, Total Solids (Fixes and Volatile), temperature, pH, Nitrogen, Total Acidity and Alkalinity. The system showed, in terms of COD, BOD5 and Total Volatile Solids a mean removal efficiency of 93, 84 and 85%, respectively, demonstrating a good performance. The hydraulic retention times applied were: 55, 40, 30, 25, 18 e 15 hours. The adopted parameters for the star-up of the UASB reactor were: Volumetric Organic Loading Rate (VOLR) of 1.11 kgDQO. m(-3). d(-1), Biological Loading Rate: 0.019 kgBOD(5). kgTVS(-1). d(-1) and Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 55hours.