Anaerobic treatment of low-strength wastewater with a high fraction of particulate matter in an unconventional two-phase ASBRs system

The results of a two-phase anaerobic system using anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs), treating low-strength wastewater (COD ∼ 500 mg/L) with a high fraction of particulate organic matter (70%, COD basis), are presented. Two reactors in series were used; the first one was hydrolytic–acidogenic, while the second one was methanogenic. This configuration was proposed to promote high efficiency solids removal. During the experiment, 69% and 50% efficiencies of total COD removal were obtained for OLRs of 0.63 and 1.22 kgCOD/(m 3 d), respectively. Values of the solubilized organic fraction (SOF) achieved in the hydrolytic–acidogenic reactor were within the range of 0.3–0.6 gCOD solubilized /gpCOD removed , and the average acidified organic fraction (AOF) was 0.6 gCOD VFA-produced /gsCOD fed . The methanogenic reactor had a VFA removal fraction (VFARF) between 0.4 and 0.6 gCOD VFA-removed /gCOD VFA-fed for the OLR of 0.63 and 1.22. The two-phase ASBR system is suitable, and can be implemented, for the anaerobic treatment of this kind of wastewater.