Evaluation of Anaerobic, Expanded-Bed Contractors for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

摘要

The anaerobic expanded-bed contactors for treating dilute municipal wastes were evaluated. A 334-liter diatomaceous earth, a 334 liter granular activated carbon, a set of two 66-liter sand, and two 3-liter diatomaceous earth reactor systems were used. For the most part the feed was Cincinnati Mill Creek Plant primary effluent which has a rather high industrial component and high sulfate content. In pilot scale experiments total COD removals up to 75% were obtained, although average removals for the three systems investigated were somewhat less. However, the performance may not be representative of the anaerobic expanded bed contactors. In the early part of the research plugging problems occurred in the graded gravel underdrains. Design of systems which will not plug will be a major challenge for designers of full-scale reactors.