Granule development and performance in sucrose fed anaerobic baffled reactors.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Microbiology
• Wastewater Treatment

Background:

• Anaerobic baffled reactors (ABRs) are utilized for wastewater treatment.
• Sludge granulation is crucial for efficient ABR performance.
• Understanding factors influencing granulation and phase separation is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sludge granulation in ABRs.
• To assess the impact of organic loading rate and NaHCO3/COD ratios on ABR performance.
• To determine if ABRs promote phase separation and if additives enhance granule formation.

Main Methods:

• Two 90 L anaerobic baffled reactors were operated with a synthetic sucrose substrate.
• Granulation was monitored, and reactor performance was evaluated under varying organic loading rates and NaHCO3/COD ratios.
• Bentonite and granular active carbon were tested as additives.

Main Results:

• Sludge granulation was achieved in both reactors within 75 days.
• Granular active carbon addition accelerated granule formation and improved granule characteristics.
• High chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (87-93%) was maintained across tested conditions.
• Phase separation was observed within the ABR compartments.

Conclusions:

• ABRs are effective for sludge granulation and wastewater treatment.
• Granular active carbon is a beneficial additive for enhancing granule formation in ABRs.
• Phase separation occurs in ABRs, contributing to their efficiency.