Start-up regimes for anaerobic fluidised systems treating diary wastewater

Abstract

Four anaerobic fluidised-beds were started-up on a dairy-type effluent of 5000 mg COD litre-1 using different regimes: (a) two-phase; (b) Ca2+ addition; (c) polymer addition; and (d) control. Substrate removal efficiencies reached 76-92% at 9·4 kg COD-3 day-1 in the two-phase, calcium- and biopolymer-amended reactors. The data suggest that removal efficiency and biomass concentration peaks were variable but mature biofilms, which were dependent on the protocol applied, were developed in the above-mentioned three reactors. Volatile fatty acids concentrations were reflected by intermediary/partial alkalinity variations. © 1990.