Operation of an anaerobic filter compared with an anaerobic moving bed bioreactor for the treatment of waste water from hydrothermal carbonisation of fine mulch

Water Sci Technol. 2017 Oct;76(7-8):2065-2074. doi: 10.2166/wst.2017.379.

Abstract

This experimental study investigates the anaerobic digestion of waste water from hydrothermal carbonisation of fine mulch (wood chips) in combination with a co-substrate for the first time. Two anaerobic reactors, an anaerobic filter (AF) and an anaerobic moving bed bioreactor (AnMBBR), were operated over a period of 131 days at mesophilic conditions. The organic loading rate was increased to a maximum of 8.5 g L-l d-1 in the AF and the AnMBBR. Both reactors achieved similarly efficient chemical oxygen demand removal rates of 80% approximately (approx.) and high methane production rates of approx. 2.7 L L-1 d-1. Nevertheless, signs of an inhibition were observed during the experiments.

MeSH terms

  • Anaerobiosis
  • Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis
  • Bioreactors*
  • Carbon
  • Filtration / instrumentation*
  • Filtration / methods
  • Methane / analysis
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
  • Wastewater / chemistry*

Substances

  • Waste Water
  • Carbon
  • Methane