UASB reactor hydrodynamics: residence time distribution and proposed modelling tools

The hydrodynamic behaviour of UASB (Up Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactors based on residence time distribution curves allows the implementation of global models, including the kinetic aspects of biological reactions. The most relevant hydrodynamic models proposed in the literature are discussed and compared with the extended tanks in series (ETIS) model. Although derived from the tanks in series model, the ETIS model's parameter is not an integer. The ETIS model can be easily solved in the Laplace domain and applied to a two-stage anaerobic digestion linear model. Experimental data from a 250 m3 UASB reactor treating malting wastewater are used to calibrate and validate the proposed model.