Development of a treatment system for molasses wastewater: The effects of cation inhibition on the anaerobic degradation process

► Anaerobic and aerobic combined system was used for treatment of molasses wastewater. ► The system showed high methane production efficiency and good effluent quality. ► It allowed treatment of high-strength wastewater in the range of 43-120 gCOD/L. ► Sulfur in the wastewater was removed as hydrogen sulfide by the anaerobic reactor. ► Cation inhibition level for anaerobic degradation process was determined.