Comparative Study of Treatment of Sago Wastewater using HUASB Reactor in the Presence and Absence of Effective Microorganisms

This study evaluates the performance of HUASB reactors in anaerobic treatment of sago industry wastewater using Effective Microorganism. A laboratory scale Hybrid Up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (HUASB) reactor, having a volume of about 4.7 L was operated and Polypropylene rings were used as packing media. The initial OLR (Organic Loading Rate) range was about 0.75 Kg.COD/m3.day and further increased. Various effluent characteristics like pH, COD, Total Suspended Solids, VFA, Alkalinity and biogas production were studied until the attainment of steady state. The pH of treated effluent during steady state condition was almost neutral for both reactors even though the influent had an acidic pH. The maximum COD and TSS removal efficiencies were as high as 88% and 77% in HUASB reactor in the presence of effective microorganisms with an OLR of 9 kg.COD/m3.day as compared with HUASB reactor in the absence of effective microorganisms of 76% and 68% with an OLR of 9 kg.COD/m3.day during the steady state period. The gas production was increased with increased OLR. The maximum gas production of 2.8 L/d and 2.0 L/d for HUASB reactor in the presence of effective microorganisms and HUASB reactor in the absence of effective microorganisms were obtained.