Sludge deterioration in a full scale UASB reactor after a pH drop working under low loading conditions

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
L BorzacconiR Barcia

Abstract

A full scale UASB reactor treating the effluent of a malting plant was operated during nearly two years. During 37 weeks of operation the reactor worked with a COD removal efficiency of 80% and a biogas production of nearly 300 m(3)/d with a methane content of 77%. After the start up and during these months of operation the volumetric organic load was 4 kgCOD/m(3).d and the specific organic load was between 0.2-0.4 kgCOD/kgVSS.d. The sludge SMA in this period was around 0.25 kgCOD/kg VSS.d. On week 37 as a result of a problem at the industrial process the pH in the reactor dropped to a value of 4.8. After pH recovering, the reactor worked with fluctuating COD values in the exit and showed a downward trend in the COD removal efficiency. On week 81 the presence of filaments in the granules was detected. High proportion of Chloroflexi filaments were detected by FISH in the sludge. Changes in the microbial population caused by the low pH probably destabilize the reactor performance. The presence of filamentous granules in the sludge and its further growing could be encouraged by the pH drop and the low specific organic load applied to the reactor. The low specific organic load was a consequence of the high VSS content in the UASB r...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 1, 2018·Journal of Applied Microbiology·P BovioC Etchebehere
Jan 29, 2009·World Journal of Surgical Oncology·Stephen P PovoskiEdward W Martin
Feb 9, 2021·Frontiers in Microbiology·Patricia Bovio-WinklerClaudia Etchebehere

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