ABSTRACT
Studies on bench scale reactor were undertaken to determine its performance at various organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results indicated BOD and COD removals in the range of 67.2-77.4% and 57.8-69.1% respectively at the OLRs between 0.84 and 2.5 kgCOD/m3 d and HRT of 10 days. Daily gas production was measured by gas flow meter. Daily gas production varied between 0.268 and 0.326 m3/kgCOD added at the different OLRs. Studies were also carried out at lower HRT of 5 days. But BOD/COD removals reduced and correspondingly gas production also reduced. Gas composition remained constant at both the HRT and the Methane content was around 65-68% while the CO2 was around 32-35%. This paper discusses in detail the feasibility of upflow anaerobic fixed film fixed bed (UAFFFB) reactor system in treating the strong spent broth from the antibiotic industry.