Performance and spatial community succession of an anaerobic baffled reactor treating acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation wastewater

An anaerobic baffled reactor with four compartments (C1–C4) was successfully used for treatment of acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation wastewater and methane production. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was 88.2% with a CH4 yield of 0.25 L/(g CODremoved) when organic loading rate (OLR) was 5.4 kg COD m−3 d−1. C1 played the most important role in solvents (acetone, butanol and ethanol) and COD removal. Community structure of C2 was similar to that in C1 at stage 3 with higher OLR, but was similar to those in C3 and C4 at stages 1–2 with lower OLR. This community variation in C2 was consistent with its increased role in COD and solvent removal at stage 3. During community succession from C1 to C4 at stage 3, abundance of Firmicutes (especially OTUs ABRB07 and ABRB10) and Methanoculleus decreased, while Bacteroidetes and Methanocorpusculum became dominant. Thus, ABRB07 coupled with Methanoculleus and/or acetogen (ABRB10) may be key species for solvents degradation.

► ABR was successfully used to treat ABE fermentation wastewater.
► Spatial community succession pattern in the ABR was analyzed by culture independent methods.
► Spatial community succession patterns of ABR were related with the treatment efficiency of compartments.
► Spatial community succession analysis provided useful information for optimization of the ABR.
► Possible some key species involved in anaerobic degradation of butanol and acetone were disclosed.