Anaerobic treatment of acidified and non-acidified substrata in UASB reactors

The selection of a suitable sludge which will be the inoculum of the reactor is the first step in the start-up procedure of an anaerobic reactor. The sludge selected (inoculum) for this study was obtained from a UASB (Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed) reactor used for the treatment of alcohol industry wastewaters. The industrial sludge was used in this work as the inoculum of two laboratory-scale UASB anaerobic reactors, which were fed with different substrata. The feed for the first reactor was acidified substratum (volatile fatty acid) and the second reactor was fed with non-acidified substratum (glucose). The purpose of this work was to study the effect of both substrata in regular operation and to analyse the flotation problem which arises when the reactor is fed with a non-acidified substratum. Finally, the characteristics of the adapted sludge were studied and they were compared with the initial inolucum (sludge). The following observations were noted in relation to the evolution of the sludge during operation: density, TSS content and C, H and N contents remained similar, but the particle size and VSS/TSS increased. The settling volume index decreased and methanogenic and acidogenic activities increased during operation in both reactors. The reactor fed with volatile fatty acids was able to recover from unstable periods faster than the reactor fed with a non-acidified substratum. The use of an acidified substratum avoided flotation, stabilised the system and reduced the solid content in the effluent. Moreover, it worked properly with partially acidified influents meaning a reduction in the chemical reactive expense required to control acid pH-value throughout operation. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.