Anaerobic reactor under construction

The anaerobic process in an anaerobic reactor is essentially a series of complex biochemical reactions, where substrates, various intermediate products, end products, and various microbial populations interact to form a complex micro-ecosystem, similar to relationships in a food chain. Macroscopically, various microorganisms form symbiotic or synergistic relationships through nutrient substrates and metabolic products. Therefore, the anaerobic reactor provides a micro-ecosystem for microbial growth and reproduction. The stable growth of various microorganisms and the efficient and smooth flow of matter and energy are necessary conditions for maintaining the continuous stability of the system.

The anaerobic reactor is a highly efficient multi-stage internal circulation reactor, representing the third generation of anaerobic reactors (UASB is the representative type of the second generation). Compared with the second generation anaerobic reactors, it has a small footprint, high organic load, strong shock resistance, more stable performance, and simpler operation and management. For high-concentration organic wastewater with COD of 10000-15000mg/l, the overall volume load of the second-generation UASB reactor is 5-8kgCOD/m3, while the volume load rate of the third-generation AIC anaerobic reactor can reach 15-30kgCOD/m3. The IC anaerobic reactor is suitable for high-concentration organic wastewater such as corn starch wastewater, citric acid wastewater, beer wastewater, potato processing wastewater, and alcohol wastewater.

Generally, the startup of an anaerobic reactor needs to be completed step-by-step. If you want to ensure overall usability, you naturally need to perform overall operation to ensure better demonstration results. In fact, as long as you understand some basic startup principles and basic operations, there won't be any major problems. As long as it can be started normally and the anaerobic reactor can be operated normally by a dedicated person, the anaerobic reactor can operate normally. So what aspects should we pay attention to during the startup process?

Before putting the anaerobic reactor into operation, we must conduct a flushing test and a basic airtightness test. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that no water leakage occurs. If a test reveals a problem, it needs to be addressed immediately instead of proceeding with the startup. Simultaneously, the airtightness of the reactor needs to be measured. If the airtightness is not up to standard, a second test must be conducted inside the equipment to pinpoint the problem so we know where the issue lies and can resolve it.

Secondly, pay attention to improving the operation time.
Anaerobic digestion reactors require a relatively long time to complete, and the startup time is also long. Therefore, if you really want to shorten the operation time, you can actually inoculate a large amount of anaerobic sludge, which can effectively shorten the startup time of the anaerobic reactor and improve our work efficiency. The larger the inoculation amount, the shorter the startup time. To improve efficiency, sludge containing methanogens can be inoculated, which will have a better startup effect and protect our work from being affected.

The anaerobic reactor is a highly efficient multi-stage internal circulation reactor. It is a representative type of the third-generation anaerobic reactor and a popular environmentally friendly device. When using an anaerobic reactor, we must first learn the operation methods and techniques of the equipment.

Operation techniques of anaerobic reactors:
 

1. When using an IC anaerobic reactor for mesophilic or thermophilic digestion, the slower the heating speed, the better. At the same time, when the wastewater contains more carbohydrates and lacks alkaline buffering substances, it is necessary to add a part of the alkali source and strictly control the pH value of the reactor between 6.8-7.8.
     

2. Due to the slow proliferation of microorganisms, anaerobic treatment reactors usually require a longer startup time. If a large amount of anaerobic sludge is inoculated, the startup time can be shortened. Generally, the amount of inoculated sludge should reach 10%-9% of the reactor volume. The larger the inoculation amount, the shorter the startup time.
     

3. Before putting the anaerobic reactor into operation, water filling tests and airtightness tests must be carried out. Before the anaerobic sludge is cultured and domesticated, it is first purified with nitrogen.
     

4. The effluent of the anaerobic reactor is returned to the reactor at a certain reflux rate, which can recover part of the lost sludge and buffer substances, and balance the pH value of the water in the reactor.
     

5. Anaerobic activated sludge is obtained from anaerobic treatment structures that treat similar wastewater. It can also be obtained from the bottom of rivers, lakes and swamps, municipal sewers, sewage collection stations, and other sludge in an anaerobic environment. The remaining sludge of the aerobic activated sludge method can also be used to convert into a culture.