Abstract

ARANGO BEDOYA, OSCAR  and  SANCHES E SOUSA, LUCIANA. TREATMENT OF DIARY INDUSTRY WASTEWATER USING UASB ANAEROBIC SYSTEM. Rev.Bio.Agro [online]. 2009, vol.7, n.2, pp.24-31. ISSN 1692-3561.

Due to its advantages over aerobic process in terms of higher degree of wastewater stabilization, lower microbial yield and nutrient requirement, no oxigen requirement and methane production, anaerobic digestion presents as a viable alternative for dairy industry wastewater treatment. In this investigation the performance and capacity of an upflow anaerobic blanket reactor (UASB) treating whey for the organic matter removal were evaluated. The UASB reactor was operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1,3 d and organic loading rates ranging from 1.7 to 18.5 g COD/L.d. The maximum total chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Total Volatile Solids (TVS) reduction was 98 and 97,2 % respectively occurred at the loading rates of 9.6 g COD/L.d. The COD removal efficiency was reduced to 77% when the organic loading rate was increasing to 18,6 g COD/L.d. The maximum anaerobic methane generation for the cheese whey studied was found to be 0,27 l CH₄/g COD influent and the biogas methane content was 56%. Based on these results, it is recommended to use a UASB reactor for the anaerobic treatment of cheese whey to produce a good effluent quality.

Keywords : Wastewater treatment; UASB; cheese whey; Biodegradability.

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