Operational Characteristics of the Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor Process at a Thermophilic Temperature

연속 회분식 고온 혐기성 공정의 운전특성 연구

An attempt was made to enhance anaerobic treatment efficiency by adopting the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor(ASBR) process at a thermophilic temperature. Operational characteristics of the ASBR process were studied using laboratory scale reactors and concentrated organic wastewater composed of soluble starch and essential nutrients. Effects of fill to react ratio (F/R) were examined in the Phase I experiment, where the equivalent hydraulic retention time(HRT) was maintained at 5 days with the influent COD of 10g/L. A continuous stirred tank reactor(CSTR) was operated in parallel as a reference. Treatment efficiency was higher for the ASBRs because of continuous accumulation of volatile suspended solids(VSS) compared to the CSTR. However, the rate of gas production and organic removal per unit VSS in the ASBRs was much lower than the CSTR. This was caused by reduced methane fermentation due to accumulation of volatile acids(VA), especially for the case of low F/R, during the fill period. When the F/R was high, maximum VA was low and the VA decreased in short period. Consequently, more stable operation was possible with higher F/R. Effects of hydraulic loading rate on the efficiency was studied in the Phase II experiment, where the organic loading rate was elevated to 3333mg/L-d with the F/R of 0.12. Reduction of organic removal along with rapid increase of VA was observed and the stability of reaction was seriously impaired, when the influent COD was doubled. However, operation of the ASBR was quite stable, when the hydraulic loading rate was doubled and a cycle time was adjusted to 12 hour. It is essential to avoid rapid accumulation of VA during the fill period in order to maintain operational stability of the ASBR.