Use of control reactors in biological wastewater treatment studies

• Main Author: Isa, M.H.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.utp.edu.my/1377/1/Use_of_control_reactors_in_biological_wastewater_treatment_studies.pdf; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/1377/

Stimulation and inhibition studies are often conducted to study the effect of nutrients, heavy metals, organic substances, etc. on anaerobic bacteria. The approach followed generally involves using one biological reactor as a control reactor and then comparing the performances of other reactors with it. Biological identities such as micro organisms, however, can behave differently even if their operating conditions may appear to be the same. In this experiment, two batch-fed anaerobic reactors were operated under similar conditions with respect to sludge source, feed type, organic loading, solids retention time, temperature, etc., yet their performance was found to be significantly different. This study also shows that the decision for increasing the organic loading rate on anaerobic biological reactors should not be governed by the COD removal efficiency alone. Rather it should be based on the methanogenic activity of the biomass.