Chapter V Wastewater Anaerobic Biological

Treatment Process
I. Development Status and Characteristics of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process
II. Anaerobic Digester
III. Anaerobic Contact Process and Anaerobic Biofilter
IV. UASB Process
V. Other Anaerobic Biological Treatment Processes
VI. Operation and Management of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
 Section 1
Development Status and Characteristics of Anaerobic
Biological Treatment

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

• Anaerobic processes are widely exist in the nature

• In 1881, France, Louis Mouras, "Auto-purification"
• Municipal Wastewater Treatment , Septic Tank, Twolayerprecipitalor, Etc.
• Anaerobic Digesters for remaining sludge treatment, etc.

1881 French Mouras Automatic Cleaner

1891 British Moncriff Fitted Filler Upflow Reactor

1895 British Design Septic Tank (Septic Tank), Travis Pool

1905 German Imhoff Tank Pool (Also Known as Twolayerprecipitalor)

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

Structure Diagram of Structure Diagram of

Septic Tank Travis Pool

Gas Gas

Precipitation Precipitation
Scum Zone Zone
Digestive
Area
Influent Effluent

Sludge
Sludge
layer

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

Structure Diagram of Imhoff Tank

Gas Gas Gas

Precipitation Precipitation
Zone zone
Digestive Influent Effluent
Zone
Precipitation
Zone
Sludge
layer
Cross-sectional view Plan

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

1. Features of Early Anaerobic Bioreactor

① Wastewater treatment method is mainly precipitation, some of which may dispose the
remaining sludge.
② Hydraulic retention time (HRT) is longer. Low efficiency, poor water quality and strong odor.
③ Some are still in application, such as septic tanks.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

Modern high rate anaerobic reactors came into use,

Energy crisis in the 1970s
and anaerobic digestion process began on a large
scale applied in wastewater treatment.

➢ Anaerobic Contact Process

➢ Anaerobic Filter
➢ Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (Bed) Reactor
➢ Anaerobic Fluidized Bed
➢ Anaerobic Attached Film Expanded Bed
➢ Anaerobic Biodisk
➢ Anaerobic Baffled Reactor

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

2. The Main Features of Modern High-speed Anaerobic Bioreactor

• HRT and SRT are separated, with long SRT, low HRT and high biomass in the reactor.
• HRT is shortened. Organic load is increased. Processing efficiency is increased.
• Microbial growth is not in suspension state , but through attached growth.
• Volume load increases and HRT is shorter significantly.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

2. The Main Features of Modern High-speed Anaerobic Bioreactor

• Can be used for high-concentration organic industrial wastewater treatment, such as

food industrial wastewater, alcohol industrial wastewater, fermentation industry
wastewater, papermaking wastewater, pharmaceutical wastewater and slaughterhouse
waste water.
• Can also be used for urban wastewater and other low-concentration wastewater
treatment
• Connection and combination of aerobic processes for nitrogen and phosphorus removal
• Can be used to treat industrial wastewater containing refractory organics

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Brief History of the Development of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Process

• Later 1990s, on the basis of the UASB reactor, the EGSB and IC reactors have been developed

EGSB IC
Granular sludge expanded Internal circulation
bed reactor, treating low anaerobic reactor,
temperature and low treating high
concentrations organic concentration organic
wastewater. wastewater, can bear
higher organic load.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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II. The Main Features Of Anaerobic Biological Treatment
1. The Main Advantages

• Low energy consumption, and bioenergy can be recycled (biogas)

• Low sludge production
With low growth rate of anaerobic microorganisms, a large number of organic
matters convert into biogas, not for the synthesis cellular material
➢ Acid producing bacteria yield coefficient Y is about 0.15 ~ 0.34kg VSS / kgCOD
➢ Methanogens yield coefficient Y is about 0.03kg VSS / kgCOD
➢ Aerobic microbial yield coefficient is about 0. 5 ~ 0.6kg VSS / kgCOD

• Anaerobic aerobic microorganisms can degrade or partially degrade

organic matters which can not to be degraded by aerobic microbes.

清华大学环境学院
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II. The Main Features Of Anaerobic Biological Treatment
1. The Main Advantages

Effluent
CO2
Methane
Sludge
Influent

Organics in Anaerobic Aerobic

Wastewater Treatment Treatment

Comparison of anaerobic and aerobic processes

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II. The Main Features Of Anaerobic Biological Treatment
2. The Main Drawbacks

• The reaction process is more complicated - anaerobic digestion is a continuous

microbes process with the combination of the different nature and the different functions
of microbial organisms:
• Sensitive to temperature, pH and other environmental factors;
• Effluent quality is poor, need further treatment by aerobic approach
• Strong odor
• Poor removal of ammonia nitrogen

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 Section 2 Anaerobic Digester

I. Type and Structure of the Digester

II. Design Calculations of the Digester
III. Collection and Utilization of Biogas

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I. Type and Structure of the Digester
Main Application

• Treatment of residual sludge;

• Treatment of high-solid organic substrates wastewater.

Main Roles

• Convert part of the organic matters into biogas;

• Convert part of the organic matters into humus with better stability;
• Improve the performance of the sludge dewatering;
• Reduce sludge volume by more than 1/2;
• Inactivate pathogenic microorganisms.

清华大学环境学院
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I. Type and Structure of the Digester

Classification of Digestion Tank

Classification By the Structure of By Running Mode

by Shape Tank Roof

➢ Cylindrical ➢ Fixed Roof ➢ Traditional

➢ Oval ➢ Floating digester
Roof ➢ High-speed
digester

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I. Type and Structure of the Digester
Schematic Diagram of the
Conventional Digestion Tank

Biogas • Also known as the low-speed digestion tank,

without heating and stirring device
Methane Gas • Stratification: only partial volume is effective
chamber
Scum Layer • Digestion rate is very low, HRT is very long
Supernatant Layer
(30 to 90 days)
Raw The Supernatant
Sludge
Reaction
layer

Ripe
Ripe Sludge
layer Sludge

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I. Type and Structure of the Digester
High-speed Digestion Tank

• With heating and stirring device;

➢ the HRT is shortened, the biogas
production is improved , in
moderate temperature (30 ~ 35 ℃)
conditions, the general digestion
time is about 15 days, the
operation is stable;
➢ However, the sludge can not
concentrate in high-speed
digestion tank during stirring, the
supernatant can not be separated.

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I. Type and Structure of the Digester
Two-stage Digestion Tank

• Two-stage connection, the first stage is high-speed digestion tank, the second stage
doesn’t provide stirring and heating. It’s mainly for thickening and storage of sludge, and
the supernatant can be separated;
• The HRT ratio of the two may be 1: 1 ~ 4: 1, typically 2: 1.
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I. Type and Structure of the Digester
Heating of Anaerobic digestion Tank

• Direct Steam Heating in the Tank

➢ Equipment is simple;
➢ Local sludge is easily overheated. It will affect the normal activity of anaerobic
microorganisms, and will increase the moisture content of the sludge;

• Heating outside the Tank

➢ After preheating, put the sludge into digestion tank. The required amount of
preheating sludge is little, which is easy to control;
➢ Preheating temperature is high, which helps kill parasite eggs;
➢ It will not be adverse to anaerobic microorganisms;
➢ But the equipment is more complex.

清华大学环境学院
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II. The Design of Digestion Tank
• Design of Digestion Tank Body

V' V'
Sludge Dosing
Rate
p V
V p
Gs Gs
Solids Loading Lv  V
Rate V Lv
• Mixing Equipment Design
• Heating and the Heat Preservation System Design

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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II. The Design of Digestion Tank

Beijing Gaobeidian Sewage Treatment Plant

Sludge Digestion Tank
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清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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Beijing Xiaohongmen Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Digestion Tank
清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Shijiazhuang Qiaodong Wastewater Treatment Plant
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering Germany Sludge Digestion Tank
III. Collection and Utilization of Biogas
• Anaerobic digestion between sludge and high concentration organic wastewater will produce
a lot of methane;
• Methane has high calorific value, (typically 21000 ~ 25000 KJ / M3, I.E. 5000 ~ 6000 kcal / M3),
it is an available bioenergy.

Biogas Composition Biogas Use Biogas Storage

CH4 50%~70% ➢Wet biogas storage

➢Directly used for steam
CO2 20%~30% boilers tank

H2 2%~5% ➢ Cogeneration ➢ Dry biogas storage

generator tank
N2 ~10%
➢Biogas purification
H2S Trace

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 Section 3 Anaerobic Contact Process and Anaerobic Filter
Process

I. Anaerobic Contact Process Technology

II. Anaerobic Filter Process

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I. Anaerobic Contact Process Technology
1. The Process of Anaerobic Contact Process

• In 1955, Schroepter first proposed anaerobic contact process.

Biogas Sedimentation tank ➢ Referring to active sludge

process, add the secondary
sedimentation tank and the
Effluent
Wastewater sludge return system
Digester
➢ Processing capacity is improved,
Vacuum
Degasser and can be used for food
processing wastewater
Return sludge ➢ It means the beginning of
Remaining Sludge
application of anaerobic
Sludge return is its greatest feature technology to treat organic
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水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Anaerobic Contact Process Technology
2. Features of the Anaerobic Contact Process

• The return of sludge separates HRT and SRT :

VX
c 
(Q  Q w )Xe  Q w Xr
• Sludge production in the anaerobic reactor is small, with little excess sludge, so Qw
= 0, then:

VX X
c   HRT 
QXe Xe

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Anaerobic Contact Process Technology
2. Features of The Anaerobic Contact Process

• In the ordinary high-speed anaerobic digestion tank,

Under the moderate temperature condition, in order

Xe = X θc = SRT＝HRT to meet the growth of methanogens, SRT is
required to be 20 ~ 30d, therefore HRT of the high-
• For anaerobic contact process, speed anaerobic digestion tank is also 20 ~ 30d.

X >> Xe HRT<<SRT
The larger X is , the smaller Xe is , thus HRT can be shorter.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Anaerobic Contact Process Technology
2. Features Of The Anaerobic Contact Process

• Sludge concentration is high , usually 5 ~ 10 gVSS / L;

• Organic volume load is high;
Under the moderate temperature condition, COD load is 1 ~ 6 kgCOD / (m3 ·d), the removal rate
is 70% ~ 80%; BOD5 load is 0.5 ~ 2.5 kgBOD / (M3 ·D), and the removal rate is 80% ~ 90%;
• Effluent quality is good;
• The process is more complex;
• Suited to handle suspended solids and high concentration organic wastewater.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Anaerobic Contact Process Technology
2. Features of The Anaerobic Contact Process

Problems Improvements

➢ Small bubbles are ➢ Vacuum degassing equipment

(vacuum degree 500mmH2O)
attached on sludge.
➢ Add the heat exchanger to
➢ Sludge is easy to float in make the sludge cool suddenly
to temporarily inhibit the activity
the secondary of anaerobic sludge.
sedimentation tank

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II. Anaerobic Biofilter
1. The Process Features Of Anaerobic Biofilter

• In the late 1960s, the United States, Young and McCarty

• In 1972, the first productive AF (anaerobic biofilter) was put into operation.
• Similar to the aerobic biofilter, anaerobic biofilter is filled with anaerobic bioreactor, and
microbial communities are formed on the surface of the filter growing in the form of biofilm.
A large amount of suspended growing microbes are trapped in the gap of filler, and
wastewater passes through the filter layer (upflow or downflow) where organic matters
are trapped, adsorbed and degraded.

清华大学环境学院
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II. Anaerobic Biofilter
2. The Structural Characteristics of Anaerobic Biofilter

Biogas Biogas
Influent
Water
Filler Effluent Distribution
System

Filler
Water
Distribution
system
Influent
Water

Upflow Anaerobic Biofilter Down-flow anaerobic Biofilter

清华大学环境学院
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II. Anaerobic Biofilter
2. The Structural Characteristics Of Anaerobic Biofilter

Biogas

Effluent
Filler

Water Distribution
System
Water

Hybrid upflow Anaerobic biofilter

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II. Anaerobic Biofilter
2. The Structural Characteristics Of Anaerobic Biofilter

• Biofilm thickness is about 1 ~ 4mm. Biosolid concentration changes along the height
of filter layer;
• Suitable for treating many types and concentrations of organic wastewater.
• Organic load is up to 15 kg COD / (m3 ·d);
• When the influent concentration is too high, water reflux should be adopted to improve:
➢ Increase water inflow and improve water distribution conditions;
➢ Reduce COD concentration;
➢ Reduce alkalinity requirements.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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II. Anaerobic Biofilter
2. The Structural Characteristics of Anaerobic Biofilter

Advantage

• Concentration of biological solids is high, and organic load is high;

• SRT is long, thus HRT is shortened, and load impact resistance is
strong;
• Start-up time is short, and it’s easy to start again after stopping;
• No return sludge, thus easy for operation and management;
• Better operational stability.

Shortcoming
• Low volume utilization, easy to have filter clogging.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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Section 4 Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) Reactors

I. Working Principle and Structure of UASB Reactors

II. The Process Features of UASB Reactors

III. The Form of UASB Reactors

IV. Granule Sludge in UASB Reactors

V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors

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 Section 4 Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) Reactors

• The upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor is called the

UASB reactor for short

• In the 1970s, Holland Wageningen Agricultural University,

Professor Gatze Lettinga

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I. Working Principle and Structure of UASB Reactors
Biogas

Gas Skirt Effluent System

Effluent

Three-phase
Separator

Suspended
Sludge Zone
Water Reaction
Zone Granule
Sludge Zone
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II. The Process Features of UASB Reactors

Construction Features:
• There is a separator in the upper part of the reactor to separate gas, solid and liquid.
• There is a uniform water distribution system.
• Sludge forms granular sludge in the reactor :
➢ Diameter is 0.1 ~ 0.5cm, and wet gravity is 1.04 to 1.08
➢ Good sedimentation performance and high methanogenic activity
➢ Sludge concentrations is up to 50gVSS / l or more. The sludge age is generally more than
30 days

清华大学环境学院
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II. The Process Features of UASB Reactors

Process Characteristics:

• Hydraulic retention time is greatly reduced, with a high volume load;

• Suitable for handling high concentrations of organic industrial waste, can also handle urban
wastewater in low concentration;
• Bio -reaction and sedimentation separation take place in one reactor with a compact structure;
• Without setting filler, costs are reduced and capacity utilization is improved.

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III. The Form of UASB Reactors

• The cross-section shape is round or rectangular. Rectangular cross-section facilitates

the design and construction of three-phase separator;
• Often in steel or reinforced concrete structures;
• Generally not be heated; use more insulation measures; anti-corrosion measures must
be taken.
• There are two main types:

Open-UASB Closed UASB

Reactor Reactor

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III. The Form of UASB Reactors
1. Open-UASB Reactor
Biogas
• The top is not sealed, or with a layer unsealed
The sink
cover;
Effluent
• Used for treatment of low concentration organic
Air Chamber wastewater;
• The structure is relatively simple, which is easy
for construction, installation and maintenance.

Influent

Water Distribution System

Drainage Systems

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III. The Form of UASB Reactors
2. Closed UASB Reactor

Biogas • The top cover is sealed;

The sink • A gas chamber is formed between the liquid surface

Air chamber
and top;

Effluent
• Suitable for the treatment of high concentration
Precipitation zone organic wastewater;
• It can be made into floating lid type

Influent
Sludge Discharge

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IV. Granule Sludge in UASB Reactors
• The important feature of UASB reactors is that they cam form granule sludge with good settling
properties and high activity;
• Formation and maturation of granular sludge is a prerequisite to ensure stable and efficient UASB
reactor operation.

Scanning Electron Micrographs Of Initial Granular Sludge Formation (Run

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IV. Granule Sludge in UASB Reactors
• The important feature of UASB reactors is that they cam form granule sludge with good settling
properties and high activity;
• Formation and maturation of granular sludge is a prerequisite to ensure stable and efficient UASB
reactor operation.

Scanning Electron Micrographs Of Initial Granular Sludge Formation (Run

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IV. Granule Sludge in UASB Reactors
Moderate Temperature High Temperature Granule
Granule Sludge Sludge
A1 B1

A2 B2

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors

• There is no complete engineering design and calculation method.

The Main Content

• Tank type selection, identification of the effective volume and the size of
main parts;
• Design water distribution systems, effluent systems and three-phase
separators, etc;
• Other: sludge and slag discharge systems.

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
1.UASB Reactor Volume Is Determined

UASB reactor effective volume (including precipitation zone and the

reaction zone).
Use water volume loading method to determine that:

Q ——Wastewater Flow,m3/d；

V  Q  Si / Lv Si ——Organic Matter Concentration in Influent,gCOD/L；

Lv ——COD Volume Loading, kgCOD/(m3·d)

• Volume load is related to the reaction temperature, wastewater nature and

concentration, and whether there is the formation of granule sludge

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
1.UASB Reactor Volume is Determined

• The food industry waste water or waste water with a similar nature, can form granule
sludge. Influent volume loading at different reaction temperatures are as follows:

Temperature（℃） Design Volume Load

（kgCOD/(m3·d)）
High Temperature 20~30
Moderate Temperature 10~20
Room Temperature 5~10
Low Temperature 2~5

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
2. The Design of Water Distribution Systems for Influent

• Pulsed water distribution and

continuous-flow water distribution
• The bottom perforated pipe and
branch pipe
• The upper part one-pipe one-
hole water distribution

清华大学环境学院
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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
2. The Design of Water Distribution Systems for Influent

• Pulsed water distribution and

continuous-flow water distribution

• The bottom perforated pipe and

branch pipe
• The upper part one-pipe one-
hole water distribution

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
3. Design of the Three Phase Separator
The Basic Structure

Water
Precipitation Zone Precipitation zone
Precipitation zone Air Chamber
Sludge+ water
Air Chamber
Air Chamber
Sludge
Reflux Seam
Reflux Seam Sludge
Reflux Seam
Air Seal Air Seal
Air Seal

Sludge + Air + Water

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
3. Design of the Three Phase Separator
Fundamental

v b AD BC
 
v a AB AB

g
vb  (l  g)  d2

18

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V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
3. Design of the Three Phase Separator
Design Method

• Precipitation zone design:

➢ Surface load should be less than 1.0m3 / (m2 ·h);
➢ Slope of gas skirt should be 55 ~ 60 °;
➢ The total depth of the precipitation zone should not be less than 1.5m,
➢ Residence time of the precipitation zone is 1.5 ~ 2.0h.
• Reflux seam design:
• Gas-liquid separation design:

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
3. Design of the Three Phase Separator

Tsinghua
Products
清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
3. Design of the Three Phase Separator

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
V. Design Calculations of UASB Reactors
3. Design of the Three Phase Separator
Other
• Collection and utilization of biogas
• Water system design
• Design of scum removal system
• Drainage system design
• Heating and insulation, anti-corrosion, etc.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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Section 5 Other Anaerobic Biological Treatment Processes

I. Anaerobic Expanded Bed and Anaerobic Fluidized Bed

II. Anaerobic Baffle Reactor
III. Anaerobic Biodisk
IV. IC Reactor
V. EGSB Reactor
VI. Two-phase Anaerobic Digestion Process

清华大学环境学院
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I. Anaerobic Expanded Bed and Anaerobic Fluidized Bed
Biogas
1. The Basic Structure of the Reactor

Settlement Effluent t
Area
• The carrier (quartz sand, ceramic) Three-phase
surface is attached with Separator
anaerobic membrane.
• Effluent reflux controls carrier Suspended
expansion Sludge Zone
Effluent
➢ Low expansion - expanded bed Reflux
➢ High expansion - fluidized bed Particles
Biofilm
Expanded
Bed
Water
Distribution
System
清华大学环境学院 Influent
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Anaerobic Expanded Bed and Anaerobic Fluidized Bed
2. Main Features
Main Advantages

• Specific surface area of fine carrier is big. Biological concentration is high (30gVSS / L);
• Organic load is high (10 ~ 40kgCOD / (m3 ·d)), and HRT is short;
• The ability of resistance to sudden loading is good, with stable operation:
• Carrier is in expanded or fluidized state to prevent clogging of the carrier;
• Biosolids stay longer. Operation is stable with less residual sludge;
• Can be used to deal with high concentration organic wastewater or low concentration
municipal wastewater.

Main Drawbacks
• Higher fluidizing energy consumption of the carrier;
• Strict design and operation requirements of the system.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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II. Anaerobic Baffle Reactor—Anaerobic Baffled Reactor
1. Process
Vertical baffle separates the reactor into several upflow and downflow chambers

Biogas

Air
Influent Chamber
Effluent

Downflow
Zone
Upflow
Zone

清华大学环境学院 Sludge Layer

水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
II. Anaerobic Baffle Reactor—Anaerobic Baffled Reactor
Schematic of Vertical Anaerobic Baffled Reactor
Biogas

Air Sink
Chamber
Precipitation Zone Effluent

Filling
Sleeve

Inner
Sleeve Influent

清华大学环境学院 Sediment and Sludge

水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
II. Anaerobic Baffle Reactor—Anaerobic Baffled Reactor
2. The Main Features

• Compared with UASB, it doesn’t require three-phase separator sludge and sludge interception;
• Shorter time required to start operation. The operation is more stable.
• No need of mixing device;
• There is no sludge clogging problem.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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III. Anaerobic Biodisk
1. Structure and Process

Biogas

Air chamber
Effluent
Influent

Shaft

Disk platter

Clapboard

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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III. Anaerobic Biodisk
2. The Main Features

• Concentration of microorganisms is high. The organic load is high. The hydraulic retention
time is short. The wastewater flows horizontally. The reaction tank height is small, saving
lifting height;
• Generally it doesn’t need water reflux;
• Clogging does not occur, and it could handle high suspended solids containing organic
waste water;
• Adopting multi-level series connection. The anaerobic microorganisms classify in all levels,
resulting in better treatment effect.
• Easy operation and management;
• Disk cost is higher.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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Iv. IC Reactor - Internal Circulation Anaerobic Reactor
Biogas

Gas-liquid
separator
Effluent
• Tower reactor The Second
• Internal circulation in two reaction Layer Three-
phase Separator
zones The Second
➢ The first stage reaction zone - high Downflow Pipe
Reaction Zone
load handling
UpFlow Pipe
➢ The second stage reaction zone - -
fine treatment A first layer
three-phase
separator
• Suitable for treatment of high The First Reaction
Zone
concentration organic wastewater
Water Distribution
System
Water
清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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V. EGSB Reactor - Granule Sludge Expanded Bed Reactor

Biogas

• For low temperature, low Effluent system

Effluent
concentration wastewater
treatment Precipitation
• External effluent circulation Zone
improves sludge bed expansion

System
Circulating water
• Can increase contact of Three-phase
wastewater and granule sludge, Separator
and can increase the reaction rate Reaction
Zone

Sludge
Water Distribution Bed
System Influent
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水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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VI. Two-phase Anaerobic Digestion Process
1. Process

Organics Acidogenic Organic Acids Methanogens CO2、CH4

Phase Reactor Reactor

Hydrolysis Acid Hydrogen Producing Acetic Acid

Producing Producing Bacteria
Bacteria Methanogenic Bacteria
Producing

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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VI. Two-phase Anaerobic Digestion Process
2. Process Design Ideas

• Developed after 70 years;

• In the single-phase reactor, it’s difficult to balance the production and use of fatty acid,
and to maintain coordination and balance between the two types of microorganisms.
Two-phase anaerobic digestion process overcomes the above drawbacks of the single-
phase anaerobic digestion process :
• Two reactors culture fermentation acid bacteria and methanogens separately
• The reactor may be either of the foregoing reactor, and the two may be the same or
different.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
VI. Two-phase Anaerobic Digestion Process
3. The Phase Separation Method
The most essential characteristic of two-phase process is that it aims to achieve
separation of phases. The methods are:
Chemical Method Physical Methods Kinetic Control Method

Add inhibitors or The substrates of Use the differences in

adjust the redox selective growth rate between acid
potential to inhibit semipermeable producing bacteria and
methanogens membrane are methanogenic bacteria to
bacteria growing different when control the different HRT in
in acid phase. entering two two reactors and prohibit
reactors, so as to methanogens bacteria
achieve phase growing in the acid phase.
separation.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
VI. Two-phase Anaerobic Digestion Process
4. Process Features

• Organic load was significantly higher than single-phase process;

• In methanogenic phase, methanogenic activity is improved, increasing gas
production;
• Operation is more stable and load resistance ability is strong
• When wastewater contains inhibitory substances such as SO42- etc., its impact on
methanogens is weakened due to phase separation;
• Complex organic matters (such as cellulose, etc.) can improve the rate of
hydrolysis, thereby increasing the effect of anaerobic digestion.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
 Section 6 Operation and Management of Anaerobic
Biological Treatment Process

I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices

II. Operation and Management Indicators
III. Water Quality Management Indicators

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices
1. Sludge Digestion Tank Startup

• Pure water testing and inspection on leakage and tightness;

• Dose acclimated sludge and filter with mesh (2  2 mm or 5  5 mm);

• Add small amount of thickened sludge;

• Determination of gas production, gas composition, VFA and pH, etc;

• After normal digestion, gradually increase the amount of sludge. This process
normally takes 50 to 60 days

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices
2.UASB Reactor Startup

• Direct startup: acclimate with granule sludge;

• Indirect start: start with flocculent sludge and the first step is to culture granule sludge:
➢ Acclimate sludge: anaerobic digestion sludge, etc;
➢ Acclimate amount is 10 ~ 20 kgVSS / m3;
➢ Sludge load should be less than 0.1 ~ 0.2 kgCOD / (kgSS ·d),
➢ Volume load should be less than 0.5 kgCOD / (m3 ·d);
➢ Hydraulic upflow velocity is greater than 1m3 / (m2 ·d). When it is greater than 0.25 m3 /
(m2 ·h), it will produce hydraulic classification action;
➢ When influent concentration is too high, it would reflow or dilute;
➢ When soluble COD removal efficiency is greater than 80%, improving the load in time;
➢ VFA concentration of effluent should be controlled at 1000 mg / L or less.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices
3. Granule Sludge UASB Reactor

• Formation granule sludge with good settling properties and high activity is an

important feature of UASB reactors;

• Formation and maturation of granular sludge is a prerequisite to ensure stable and

efficient UASB reactor operation.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices
3. Granule Sludge Culture Conditions
• Generally 1 to 3 months;
• Can be divided into: initiation period, granule sludge formation period, granule
sludge maturity period;
• Choice on acclimated sludge;
• Maintain stable environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, etc;
• Sludge load is 0.05 ~ 0.1 kgCOD / (kgSS ·d),
• Volume load should be less than 0.5 kgCOD / (m3 ·d);
• The reactor maintains low VFA concentrations;
• Hydraulic loading surface should be greater than 0.3 m3 / (m2 ·d) to eliminate
flocculent sludge;
• Provide inorganic particles in influent, such as calcium and iron, and also add
trace elements (such as Ni, Co, Mo)
清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices
4. The Appearance of Granule Sludge
• A variety of shapes, such as oval, spherical, filamentous etc;
• The average diameter is 1 mm, typically 0.1 ~ 2 mm, mostly up to 3 ~ 5 mm;
• Usually black, gray, gray-white, and sometimes yellow, dark green, red and so on;

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering
I. Startup of Anaerobic Biological Treatment Devices
5. Composition Of Granule Sludge
• For all kinds of microbes, inorganic, extracellular polymers, VSS / SS is generally 70%
to 90%;
• The majority is microorganisms, including hydrolysis ferment bacteria, hydrogen acetic
acid producing bacteria, methanogen bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria.
• Total number of bacteria is (1 ~ 4) × 1012 / gVSS;
• Dominant methanogen bacteria are: Soxhlet methane bacteria, Markov and Pap
methanosarcina etc;
• Proportion of C, H and N is : C: 40% ~ 50%, H: 7%, N: 10%;
• Ash content is affected by acclimate sludge, water quality, etc. Usually 8% to 55%; of
which FeS and Ca2+ are important to granuler stability.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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II. Operation and Management Indicators
• Operational management indicators are:

Treatment Organic
Effect HRT
Load

The
Remaining Gas
Sludge Production
Production

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
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III. Water Quality Management Indicators

• Also known as the monitoring project. Through water quality monitoring and
anaerobic reactor management, operational requirements can be achieved;
• Including: the amount of influent, effluent quality (COD, BOD, SS, pH, VFA,
etc.), sludge concentration, temperature, gas production, gas composition.

清华大学环境学院
水处理工程 第II篇 生物处理技术与原理
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering