Startup of anaerobic downflow stationary fixed film (DSFF) reactors

One of the serious problems limiting the application of full-scale anaerobic fixed film processes is reactor startup. To better understand startup, studies with downflow stationary fixed film (DSFF) reactors were conducted to characterize the effects of influent concentration, support material, and surface-to-volume ratio on biofilm development and overall reactor performance. Materials with roughened surfaces gave the best startup performance and as expected increased surface area in the reactors led to more rapid increases in loading rates and higher ultimate loadings. Soluble influent COD concentrations between 5 x 10(3) and 2 x 10(4) mg/L influenced the rate of biofilm development. Lower COD concentrations resulted in faster development of the biofilm, even though ultimate loadings were not necessarily achieved as rapidly as in reactors fed higher strength wastes. No decrease in specific activity of the biofilms in each reactor was observed as the thickness of the biofilms increased to their maximum value at the ultimate loadings. The operation of reactors fed lower strength wastes was more stable than reactors receiving higher strength feeds at comparable loadings. Biofilm yield and activity, COD removals, suspended growth and activity, and other system parameters are discussed.