Performance evaluation of a lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) removing organic loading rate from swine manure

The present work was carried out in order to evaluate the performance of a lab scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor (UASB) treating liquid effluent from swine manure without solids separation. The treatment system consisted of one acidification tank, which also equalized the substrate, an UASB reactor, and an aerated facultative pound. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) and temperature adopted for the UASB reactor were 30h and 30 degrees C, respectively. The influent average values of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Solids (TS) and Total Volatile Solids (TVS) were 1806, 1810 and 1240 mg.L-1. The removal efficiencies were 84, 58 and 73 %, respectively. The system presented good stability and buffering conditions, and also a good solids digestibility, showing that the research criteria adopted was adequate, mainly those parameters referred to the HRT, Volumetric Organic Loading Rate (VOLR) and temperature.